The Sun.
London, England, 1854-04-27 00:00:00

THE OVERLA2I) MAIL.

By the arrival of the Overland Mail we have re-
ceived our private letters and correspondence from
Bombay to the 28th March, and Hong-Kong 11th
March.

INDIA.
BOMBAY, March 28.—There is news, from Bur-
mah down to the 4th inst., but it contains nothing
of any importance. The King of Ava is reported
to be dead, but the report requires confirmation.
If true, it will bring to the throne the brother, who
has always been the leader of the war party in that
country. A new station, called Thayel Mew, and
intended to be the frontier station for our troops,
has been commenced. Throughout the entire
country the most profound peace exists, and boats
go the whole length of the Irrawaddy, from Ran-
goon to Meanday, with the most perfect security.
No news of any sort has been received from Ca-
bool since the last mail left, so I am unable either
to confirm or contradict the report given in my
last respecting Dost Mahomed having sent a
friendly message to Major Edwardes at Peshawur.
From Persia no annoyance may be looked for to-
wards India. The Governor-General has received
an assurance from the Shah, through the English
charge d'affairs at Teheran, that, in the event of a
war between Russia and Turkey, he will maintain
a strict neutrality. Throughout India—both in the
B]riti3h provinces and in the native States—the most
profound peace and tranquillity exist. The elec-
tric telegraph is making gigantic strides all over
the country. Messages are already being sent from
Benares to Agra, from Sepree to Agra, and from
Bombay to Malligum. Before the rains set in, we
shall be able to communicate via Agra, between
Bombay and Calcutta, including all the towns on
the Ganges, and the various stations on the great
North-West road. Should the Governor-General be
at Simla, it is expected, in June next, he will be
able to have the news from England communicated
to him (by means of the electric telegraph, from
Bombay to Agra, and thence by express to Simla)
in forty-eight hours after the mail reaches the
Western presidency. A year ago it would have
taken about twelve days to accomplish.
Colonel Outram left Bombay on the 17th inst.,
and took charge of his office at Baroda on the 21st.
His old enemy, the far-famed Nursoo Punt, died
at Ahmedabad on the 19th inst. Another person,
whose name has often been before the public in
connection with Baroda matters, died a short time
ago—l mean the Hindoo lady, Joitabhae Seltani,
who was plundered by the rascals who were about
the Guicowar.
Throughout Guzerat the greatest possible interest
is being evinced by all classes, both European and
native, respecting the Bombay, Baroda, and
Central India Railway Company. If the scheme
is carried out, it will certainly do a vast deal of
good to the country. It is proposed, I hear, to
strike off the new line to Callian, a town about 35
miles from Bombay, and to which the Great Indian
Peninsular line runs already. From Callian the
line is to run along the coast to Surat, and from
Surat to Broach, Jumbooseea, Dholerah, and
the very heart of the cotton districts. It is tohave
tramways as feeders on the right and left. From
a gentleman who has great experience in the
cotton trade of Western India, I hear that this
railway would bring to Bombay about ten times the
quantity of cotton we get now, and would also bring
into cultivation vast tracts of land which are at
present lost to any purpose whatever. At present,
also, there being no carriage but by sea from Surat
to Bombay, great quantities of cotton which
arrive at the former port after the rains set
in have to be kept there until the opening of the
season, a period of at least four months. The con- ,
sequence, of course, is a great loss of interest upon
money thus employed, and a total cessation of the
cotton trade for some time previous to the rains.
This is moreover particularly inconvenient to the
native merchants, whose commercial year ends at
the Dewallie festival, a period some short time after
the monsoon. Should we have railway communi-
cation between this and Surat, cotton can be
brought down at all times of the year to Bombay.
This will, in point of fact, just add four months to
the Indian trading year, and accelerate by the same
time the return upon all money laid out in cotton
speculation. ' I hear that the Bombay, Baroda, and
Central Indian Railway will not go further to the
north-west than Ahmedabad, and that the task of
opening out the communication with Berar, Indore,
Candeish, and so on to Agra, will be left to those,
who were first in the field, the Great Indian Penin-
sula Company. This is but fair. The new com-
pany should not be allowed to cut the ground from
under the old, who, as the pioneers of railway mat-
ters in India, are certainly entitled to every pro-
tection at the hands of Government. Our present
Governor takes the greatest possible interest in
railway matters, and although he has barely been
three months in the country, has foundtime to make
three inspections of the different lines by which it is
proposed to ascend the Ghauts from the Concan to
the Deccan. This, too, his lordship has managed to
do at a season when the heat makes a residence in
tents by no means pleasant. Lord Elphinstone
seems to be a very hard-working, practical man of
business. He spares neither himself nor his subor-
dinates at the desk. I hear that he has deter-
mined to recommend that the extension lines of
th. Great Indian Peninsula be carried on forthwith
from Callian to the foot of the Bore Ghaut, and
from the top of the Ghaut towards Poonah. The
Hoolie holidays, of which we were in the midst
when I last wrote, are now over ; the hot weather
has commenced in earnest, and the supply of
water in Bombay is failing very fast indeed. The
want of rain at the end of last monsoon is now be-
ginning to be felt, both here and over the whol e
country. Grain, rice, and provisions of all sorts
are very dear indeed—some 25 per cent. more so
than at this time last year. Lord F. Fitzclarence
has just issued an order which has given the greatest
possible satisfaction to those concerned ; it directs
that all officers, non-commissioned officers, and sol-
diers belonging to the Hon. Company's European
Corps (Artillery and Infantry) in this Presidency,
shall in future wear the moustache. To men serv-
ing in a tropical climate the boon is a very great
one indeed. Another order which his lordship has
just issued, reducing the number of drills, has also
given great satisfaction in the Bombay army.
Lord Frederick has certainly done more good in
the army of this presidency than any general'officer
who has yet been amongst us. By perseverance
and firmness he seems to have inspired all the offi-
cers of the several corps under his command with
a love of their profession, and a great desire to ac-
quire every kind of military knowledge. His
military school at Poono, and his drill depot at the
same station, will certainly prove the most substan-
tial benefits to the army of Western India. They
might serve as examples to any country in the
world. Mr. Luard has resigned the Company's
civil service. He applied to the local Government
to re-employ him, but it appears that the orders of
the Court were imperative, and that the autho-
rities here had not the power to restore him
without a further reference to England. The
whole affair has made a great stir in this presi-
dency, and it will no doubt prove interesting to
many old Indians at home. I should, however,
tell you that there has for some time past appeared
a series of the most atrocious libels upon Mr.
Goldsmid, the present acting chief Secretary to
Government, and one of the most able men who
ever came to India in the Company's service.
The launch of the Honourable Company's steam-
frigate Assaye took place on the 15th instant, by
moonlight. It was a very grand sight indeed. Oura
worthy commodore, Sir Henry Leeke, gave
grand ball in the dockyard on the occasion, at which
all the members of the Bombay society, from the
Governor downwards, were present.
There is no improvement in the commercial
markets since my last. Freight is falling. The
recent shipping arrivals have checked the advance
taking place in freight. Tonnage may now be had
to Liverpool at V. to 4/. ss. ; to London, at 5/.
10s. ; and China, Rs. 23 per candy.
Exchange on ngland has been steady at 2s. Id.
for the best credits, at six months' sight ; and 2s.
Oid. to 2s. lid. for bills secured by shipping
documents.
'Err.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE BOMBAY MARKETS, FROM
Tlag E 14TH MARCH TO THE 27TH MARCH, 1854.
During thepast fotrhtenigßhtazaoaurr moneymoney mhaarsketbheean
verycontinued s
scarce among the Shroffg, and the effect is
sGho7enrnniinentour
The latter arenuittefrolry
Securities,cotations
all
lf Inland Exchanges and
neglectedaof wahnidch
seaarreeelylowsaelre.-
and Rs. 105 for .i.enfeori
able at 99 to 4 per cent. Company's paper,
Oriental Bank Corporation, paper. The quotations are 30
per cent. premium onn2ki6bla yf 0 Bankr
Commercial,Shares,
andBs for 42
to 44 per cent, for Afgorratnßi
inqrluuirryinfgor tghoeodlsa.satt prices
rather there
shares.
During
obseeelanstaquboettteedr.
iheatbs
Grey long cloth, 36 yds. 40 in. —Since our last an ad-
vance of from 1 to 3 ans. has take •
9lbs. cloth, with good inquiry ; on n 9 plane on the 8 to
s. and upwards
there is no change, with but little inquiry
; 45 in. 101bs.
are scarce and wanted.
Grey T cloth continues much the same as last re-
ported.
Grey domestics are at present not in request ; a few
sales have been forced in most instances at a reduction
of 1 to 2 ans• under the average of last season's prices.
The above remarks do not apply to short widths, 24 to
26 in. which maintain their former value.
Grey Cambrics, 24 yards 54 in. seem scarce ; no sales
are reported.
Grey printer, 30 yards 24 in. are wanted ; 21 to 51b.
are saleable at IR. 14 annas to Rs. 10 annas.
Grey Madopollams continue steady as laAre st reacme in
ported.
CrroY JAcconets.—s picks flcl upwards