The Sun.
London, England, 1853-05-31 00:00:00

INDIA AND CHINA.

The commercial advices by the overland mail report
no material alteration in the import markets, except
that at Bombay the desire of holders to realise had led
to a decline in prices in the face of the recent improve-
ment in demand. With respect to the state of affairs
in China, the letters both from Canton and Shanghai
seem to throw doubt upon the interference of the com-
bined foreign squadrons in support of the Emperor, at
least to any active extent. At Canton it was under-
stood that, although up to the 18th of March, Nankin
had not been taken, the outer walls had been breached,
and there was a prospect of an early capitulation, after
which Pekin, the capital, would be in imminent danger,
as the insurgents would be able to stop all supplies
of grain from the south. At Shanghai, on the 28th
of March, a general belief prevailed that the assault bad
been attended with partial, if not entire, success. The
force, consisting of several foreign vessels, which the
imperial authorities at Shanghai had been collecting to
convey stores and ammunition to the besieged city, had
not yet been sent off, and it was now thought unlikely
that any assistance would arrive there in time. Mean-
, while, business affairs at Shanghai were less disturbed
' than might have been anticipated. The presence of the
various British and American ships and steamers pro-
duced a feeling of security among the natives of the
vicinity calculated to induce them to carry on such
trading operations as could be conducted by barter. There
were now available for export about '2O chops of tea
and 700 bales of silk, which there were no means of
getting rid of, except against foreign manufactures or
opium. Meanwhile, the most important question was
as to the probable effect of the rebellion on next season's
production. This would, of course, greatly depend 'on
the duration of the contest, but it was supposed that if
it should continue only a short time longer a serious
falling off in the quantity, at least of silk, would be ex-
perienced, some persons even estimating it at 50 per
cent. • With regard to tea opinions were less settled. On
the subject of the popular feeling as to the issue of the
struggle, the present letters tend strongly to show that
the ruling dynasty has no real hold upon the nation.
One writer from Canton says, " The Chinese with whom
we come in contact, and who may, perhaps, be dig-
nified with the title of middle classes,' express
themselves, both here and at Shanghai, rather in
favour of the revolution than otherwise, and I believe
that this is the feeling of the masses throughout the
country." An impression consequently prevailed that
when the capture of Nankin should have been effected
the country to the south would pass under the sway
of the rebels with no other disturbance than would
be caused by the displacement of unpopular local
officers. The presence of foreigners among the in-
surgents appears to be confirmed in a letter received
by an English house from a young man who left
this country a few years back, and who now writes
that he is engaged with them as an artillery officer,
and that he knows of six others who are likewise active
in the service. The following is an extract of a circular
from Messrs. Russell and Co., dated Canton, the 9th of
April. Its reference to the movements of the American,
British, and French ships at Shanghai up to the date of
the 28th of March scarcely agrees with the accounts
brought by the Ganges to Bombay (and which were not
later than the 21st of March), to the effect that a posi-
tive interference was about to take place, and that
Colonel Marshall, the American Commissioner, had de-
termined to place the Susquehanna before Nankin :

" At our last dates from Shanghai, the 28th ult., the
revolutionary forces were certainly gaining strength, and
it was reported among the people that they had taken
Nankin, which was credited by foreigners in consequence
of the admission by the highest Imperial officer in the
neighbourhood of ihanghai that they had taken the
' outer walls.' At Soochow, and in Shanghai, even the
local trade is suspended, valuable property secreted, and
we are advised that such of the inhabitants as were able
to do so have left. The Taoutae of Shanghai (formerly
the Hong merchant Samqna) has, we learn, removed his
residence to the foreign quarter. This is the sum of
the intelligence we received from the north ; and, how-
ever bare it may be, we are assured that the representa-
tives of the American and British Governments now
at Shanghai have not more precise accounts from the
interior. We have heard no apprehension expressed
regarding the safety of foreigners or their property at
Shanghai. There are at present in the Woosung two British
one American, and one French war steamers, but for no
other reason than precaution."
The accounts from Singapore came down to the 39th
of April. Considerable activity had prevailed in the
market for imports, and before the close of the month it
was expected a further extension of business would take
place, as the junk traders would then have to purchase
their return cargoes. In produce no material alteration
had occurred, with the exception of Straits tin, which
had been sold at advanced quotations. No later advices
had been received from Labuan.

THE BENGAL PRESIDENCY.—Major-General the Hon.
George Anson, M.P., brother of the Earl of Lichfield,
has been appointed to succeed Major-General Sir Joseph
Thackwell, G.C.8., as Commander-in-Chief of the Pre-
sidency of Bengal. Major-General Anson will leave
England for the seat of his command by an early mail,
accompanied by the Hon. Mrs. Anson and family.
ARRIVALS OF SPECIE.—The following arrivals of
specie have taken place this week : viz.,—
Asia, from New York
La Plata, from the West Indies, gold 86,0001.,
silver 147,0001 233,000
Sarah Sands from Melbourne, gold 320,0001.,
silver 20,0001.
Northumberland, from Melbourne, 17,0540 z
gold . 68,210
Cheapside from Sydney, 11,6080 z. gold
Lydia, from Sydney, 10,000 oz. gold
Windsor, from Sydney, 20,7180 z. gold 82,870
May Queen, from Portland-bay, 1620 z. gold 650

£934,160
In addition to the above, the Blackwall, from Port
Phillip, on the 22d of February, has arrived, and is
rumoured to have about 240,0001. on board, in which
case the total will be raised to nearly 1,200,0001. MI
these vessels from Australia have made rather long pas-
sages, and bring only old dates.
ROCKY BAR MINING COMPANY.—Yesterday a special
meeting of this company took place at the office in
Throgmorton-street ; Mr. Satterthwaite (from New
York), in the chair. The business of the meeting con-
sisted in passing resolutions by which the English share-
holders protest against the terms of the proposed lease
of the Rocky Bar Mines to the Agua Fria Company,
considering that it does not sufficiently serve their in-
terests, and require the board of directors in New York
not to confirm the lease as aforesaid. Further, that
considering the well-ascertained value of the property
now in possession of the company, the English share-
holders deem it very undesirable at present, either by
sale or lease, to part with the direct control of the un-
dertaking. These resolutions having been agreed to,
the meeting adjourned.