The Sun.
London, England, 1853-03-03 00:00:00

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LONDON, THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 1853.

It will have been observed, through the ac-
counts received on Monday from the Cape, that
there has been more bloodshed in those ill-fated
regions of the African Continent. Governor
CATHCART has had to follow up, by a war upon
the Basutos, " his severe and successful measures
for the suppression of the rebellion of the Galas,
the Tambookies, and the Hottentots. In this
struggle, as in the previous contests, his Excel-
lency has, if we may employ so large a term in
reference to so petty a collision, come out victo-
riously. Not, however, it must be remarked,
without losses sufficiently lamentable to counter-
balance all the consequent advantages. The
origin of the recent movement may be easily
enough explained. There had been repeated de-.
predations on the neighbouring tribes, those
Under our own protection, on the part of the
thievish race of the Basutos. The latter had re-
peatedly made incursions upon the country of the
adjacent Boers, and besides levying a sort of
black mail, according to their wont, had com-
mitted divers murders, and been guilty of various
other atrocities. It
was deemed advisable, there-
fore, by General CATHCART that we should avail
ourselves of a momentary lull, giving our troops
the desired leisure and
opportunity to wreak a
summary vengeance UN, the offenders, if we
found it impracticable to force them into
making
some reasonable reparation. Actuated by this
determination, his Excellency advanced with a
moderate force early in December, and took up
his position in the Orange River sovereignty, The
total number of those under his
command
amounted to not more than 2,500 menof ail arms ;
but these, under the direction of able officers like
Colonel EYRE, proved in the end sufficient for the
emergency. Resolved-to carry out the tenor of
hiS proclamation, at once and boldly, to the letter,
or in other words to administer "justice," at all
hazards, according. to his distinct promise, the
Governor encamped at Commissiq Drift, a spot
situated midway between the Berea Mountain
and the River Caledon. Thither ho summoned
to appear before him the chiefs IVlosnEsn, and
MALITSANE, and SYKONYELLA, and MOROKO, and
GEnT TA AYBOSCH—directing his summons, how-
ever, particularly to MOSHESH, as the prin-
cipal chief of the Basutos. After seve-
ral evasions, the last mentioned warrior
at length, on the 14th December, made his
prance before General CATHCART in the Bri-
tish camp at Platberg, whither the Governor had
proceeded with his troops for the purpose of
being • •
within. more easy distance from the "great
place" of the guilty
ir, tytri le, the place called Thaba
Bossiou. i‘i
indeed, did not present him-
self before the Governor until after he had tried

"'Many a true word spoke in jest." Our con-
temporary Punch affords weekly illustrations of
the accuracy of the adage. Sound and whole-
some, but rather unpalatable truths, are constantly
enunciated in its columns, which, although ap-

pearing as lacctice, too deafly show where the
shoe pinches to be very agreeable to those re-
sponsible for the grievances thus indicated. One
of its happiest and most telling hits appeared last
week, when it declared, that, "to ensure peace
with our French neighbours, we should not only
mend our manners, but. reform our customs."
This is, indeed, the truth. There can he no
surer or more effectual guarantee for a con-

tinuance of peace and friendship between neigh-
bouring nations than that derived from mu-
tual interest and the rapid exchange of the staple
productions of each land. French wines and Eng-
lish calicoes may be bartered with considerable
profit to the contracting parties. Our own absurd
and impolitic regulations, however, create difficul-
ties that impede, nay more, prohibit, these use-
ful and important exchanges. By what may be
considered a prohibitory duty, we prevent the
cheaper wines of France from being commonly
used, and thus check the feelings of amity
_and
good-will that would spring up towards profit-
able customers, who, in turn, would supply
the commodities for which our English artisans
are so justly celebrated. A tax of some 200 or
300 per cent., however, excludes the low-priced
wines, and our sensitive neighbours act in a simi-
lar spirit towards us.

It is not merely, however, in fiscal matters, or
by exorbitant duties, that we inflame the anger
of our continental brethren. Many absurd and
vexatious regulations are enforced, that occasion
the greatest annoyance to travellers, and injuri-
ously affect that intercourse which it should be
our aim to stimulate by every practicable means.
The searching the baggage, and occasionally the
persons, of visitors is by no means calculated to
create a friendly feeling in their minds, more
especially when we consider the rough and uncere-
monious manner in which it is conducted,
and the total disregard for the convenience of
the victims. It may be asserted that these ob-
noxious proceedings are necessary, so long as a
large proportion of the national revenue is col-
lected by duties levied on importations from other
lands. But, supposing it were even so, surely
we might endeavour to mitigate the inconvenience
in every possible way consistent with the precau-
tions that should be taken against smuggling.
Why, for instance, should there be a compulsory
examination of the luggage at the port of arrival?
Why might not that luggage be sent on in bonded
carriages to the 'place of destination, in place of
detaining the traveller at the seaport town where
ho has landed, complaining with deep acerbity
against the troublesome regulations that so un-
necessarily retard his progress. It is the more
annoying, too, because his own country has set an
example that prevents much of the inconvenience,
and that without the slightest danger to the
revenue. They do, indeed, "manage these things
better in France." For some time past, any person
proceeding to the-French metropolis may have his
trunks examined in Paris. On expressing a wish
to that effect, they will be taken charge of by the
railway company, and conveyed in locked-up wag-
gons. Thero is thus no delay—no annoyance.
He con, at the termination of his journey, at once
proceed tonahaiys
l on
bleo thete
l most, andconvenient see his goods examined
time that his
leisure following
day,
to
or asneyiL I
other
is hard to say why we perversely refuse to adopt
a rule in every respect so
beneficial—why we so
doggedly persevere in the old course.
We are happy to find the effi • mut and energetic
Chairman of the South-Eastern Railway
Company
has at length taken the subject up; and from
what we know of Mr. MACGREGOR, we are con-
vinced that he will not relinquish his exer-
tions until the matter is placed on a satisfac-
tory basis. Among the notices we find that he
will to-morrow (Friday) the 4th instant) ask the
Secretary of the Treasury---
Trelsury allow
"Whether the Lords of the .
the officers of herwill Ma esty'ans
examination to be made by