The Sun.
London, England, 1854-04-13 00:00:00

CHINA.

HONG KONG, FEB. 25.
The mail of the 24th of December reached us on
the 13th inst. The Bth of January mail is looked
for hourly.
Our dates from Shanghai are to the 17th inst.
We have to announce by this mail the important
intelligence of the apparent success of the Russian
Admiral in negotiating for the opening of Japan to
all nations. The Russian screw steamer Vostock
arrived at Shanghai from Nagasaki on the 10th
inst., and left again for that place on the 11th.
She brought the news that the Emperor of Japan
had consented to negotiate, and had sent high mi.
nisters to treat with the Russian Admiral, and had
given him a great dinner at Nagasaki. They have
positively announced to him (such is the lanuguage
used), that they intend to "open up," but require
time to prepare. There can be no doubt the visit
of Commodore Perry last season has greatly con-
tributed to this desirable and important issue.
The American squadron had not arrived at Na-
gasaki when the Vostock left on the 3d inst. The
American store-ship Supply had arrived at Woo-
sung from Loochoo, but nothing further had tran-
spired.

Pekin Gazettes down to the 13th of January
have been received, but offer nothing of interest.
The insurgents, it appears, have evacuated Tan-
Chau, on the north entrance of the Grand Canal,
and the Imperialists have taken possession of it,
which is considered a great victory.
At Shanghai a Custom-house has been re-esta-
blished, close to the foreign ground, and recognised
by the representatives of the three Treaty Powers,
and the Taoutae expects to maintain the position.
We have nothing worth recording from Ningpo
or Foochowfoo. At Amoy all was quiet, and the
dealers commencing to do business.
We have no political news to mention from Can-
ton. Trade is going on much as usual, and the
teamen preparing to go into the tea districts for
next season, and for manufactured goods the
markets are looking in a healthy state. Exchange
on England is down to 4s. 10d. ; on India, 230 rs.
Sir George Bonham proceeded on the 18th inst.
in her Majesty's steamer Encounter on a visit to
Shanghai and the southern ports, and may be ex-
pected here about the middle of next month.
Admiral Pellew promptly sent out her Majesty's
steamer Barracouta on the 15th inst. against a small
fleet of pirates, which succeeded in taking six boats
and several of the gang, who have been handed
over to the Chinese authorities.
At Whampoo, were her Majesty's ship Winchester,
her Majesty's ship Spartan, and her Majesty's
steamer Barracouta. At Canton, her Majesty's
brig Lily and the United States' steamer Queen.
At Macao, his Imperial (French) Majesty's steamer
Colbert. At Amoy, her Majesty's steamer Styx.
At Foochow, her Majesty's brig Bittern. At
Ningpo, his Imperial (French) Majesty's frigate
Constantine. At Shanghai, her Majesty's steamers
Salamander, Rattler, and Encounter ; the United
States' sloop Plymouth, and store-ship Supply.
Her Majesty's ship Comus and the brig Grecian are
on a cruise.

Our latest dates are from England, Doe. 24 ;
Bombay, Jan. 18 ; Singapore, Feb. 3 ; Sydney,
Jan. 5; Manilla, Feb. 11 ; Shanghai, Feb. 17.

COMMERCIAL I NTELLIGEN CE.
THE CALCUTTA MARKET.
(From the Englishman.)
SATURDAY, MARCH 4.
The Oriental steamer arrived on the 2d inst., with
London dates to the 24th of January last.
Our indigo market has been rather dull since the date
of our last report ; 21.318 chests, weighing 81,164 fatty
maunds, have been shipped up to the 2d inst. inclusive,
of which 13,885 chests have gone to Great Britain,
4,858 to France, 754 to North America, and 1,821 to
the Red Sea and Persian Gulf. The hide market re-
mains unaltered. Owing to the scarcity of tonnage a
limited business has been done in linseed, which has de-
clined 3 annas in value. The supplies of rapeseed are
small, but more than equal to the deliveries. Rice is as
freely shipped as the scarcity of tonnage will permit.
Jute continues in active demand. The raw silk market
is dull, and it is expected that the advices from home,
per mail, will increase the depression in native fliatures.
Corahs are in fair request, but the market is sparingly
supplied with them., Lacdye and shellac continue lan-
guid. Very lktle has been done in sugar for Great Bri-
tain. Operations in saltpetre for the same quarter have
been free and at full prices.
Our cotton piece goods market has been dull, excepting
as regards medium gray and fine white shirtings, gray Ma-
dapollams, and gray and bleached jaconots, which have
improved in value owing to short supplies rather than
to any increased activity in the demand. Mule twist has
also been rather depressed, and some counts have further
declined in price—viz., 20's to 30's, Ito 2 pies ; fine 50's
to 60's, a to 1i pies ; ordinary ditto, a pie ; fine 70's to
80's, 1 pie ; 90's to 100's have slightly given way ; 40's
remain unchanged. Turkey red yarn is in limited de-
mand at the reduction quoted in our last report. Orange
is in moderate request at previous value. Green con-
tinues dull. There have been very few transactions in'
the metal market, owing to holders standing firm for
better prices than the current ones, which dealers are
not as yet inclined to exceed. Up-country dealers are
very quiet.
The money-market has become somewhat less easy,
although accommodation on good securities can still be
readily procured. The Bank of Bengal has raised its
rates of interest and discount 1 per cent. all round ; its
rates are now 7 per cent. on private bills and loans on
security of goods, and 6 per cent. on deposit of Com-
pany's paper. Joint-stock shares are in request and firm.
Government securities have declined in value ; the quo-
tations ar© now 106 Transfer Fives; 100, Company's
Four's • and 98-8, Sicca. Fours.
Exchange for this mail opened at 2-0 for first-class
credits at six months' sight. It subsequently fell to 2-01,
but finally closed again at 2-oi. A large amount of
Oriental and Commercial Bank bills have been taken at
2-0 i and 2-0 a for six months' sight. In document bills
sales have been effected at rates varying from 2-03 to
2-04 for the same term.
Tonnage is scarce, and freights have further advanced.
The quotations to London now are 61. to 61. 10s., salt-
petre and sugar ; Cl. 55., rice ; seeds nominal ; 61. 10s.,
Jute ; 6/. 10s. to 7/., 41ides ; 71., indigo ; 61. 10s., lacdye.
To the Mauritius, 3-8 to 4 rupees per bag for grain.
Indigo.—The market has continued inert since the date
of our last report, and though we can quote no further
fall in price, yet some management was required to
maintain previous rates. The public sales have been
few, and, with the exception of a few fine parcels for
which the French competed, the biddings have not been
lively. The stock now remaining for sale is very small,
and estimated at about 15,000 maunds.

BOMBAY MARKETS.
(Front the Bombay Times.)
(From February 28 to March 13.)
Our money-market has been dull during the last fort-
night, business being interrupted by the approach of the
Hoolie holidays, which began yesterday. The demand
for money, which has been felt for some time in the
bazaar, has become more general, and the banks have
advanced their rates of discount 1 per cent. In Govern-
ment securities and bank shares there is no business
doing, and our quotations are again lower. The follow-
ing are the rates to-day :—Government Four per Cent.
Loan of 1832-33, 105 to 1054 per 100 siccas ; ditto of
1835 35 and 1842-43, 1001 per 100 Co.'s ; Bank of Bom-
Bay shares, 291 per cent, prem. ; Oriental Bank Cor-
poration, 85. ditto : Commercial Bank, 2614 ditto ; Agra
Bank, 42 ditto : Mercantile Bank, 12 ditto.
Trade during the last fortnight has been dull, and bu-
siness done to a limited extent. This is owing to the
interruption in a measure of the Hoolie holidays, and
the small arrival of goods in demand.
Freights have slightly advanced since the last report,
owing to many of the late arrivals having been put on
the berth for China.

Tonnage is again becoming scarce, and may be quoted
to London and Liverpool 41. 7s. 6d. to 41. 10s. ; to
China, 24rs. per candy.
Exchange on England remains much as last reported

CANTON MARKET REPORT.
HONG KONG, FEB. 25.
The business done in imports for the past month has
not been large, but the sales made have been at im-
proved rates, and as quiet prevails, and the dealers hold
short supplies, increased activity, it is anticipated, will
take place shortly.
But little has been taken off, and prices are quoted at
an advance. Bombay 5.8 to 7 taels ; Bengal, 5.7 to 6.9;
Madras, 6.4 to 7.4. Stock-55,000 bales, against
145,000 bales last year at the same time.
Cotton Yarn—Quotations show an advance of V, to
$2, and holders are firm. Nos. 16-24, S22A to $25; Nos.
28Lon -32, s26`l to 29 ; Nos. 33-42, $27 to 321.
gcloths—The sales have been limited, but as the
dealers do not hold large stocks, an improved demand is
looked for—holders are firm. Grays, quoted $1.70 to
$2.50 ; whites, $1.95 to $2.45.
Woollens—Spanish stripes have been in demand, and
prices have advanced ' • assorted, valued at $0.87 to
$1.02 ; long ells, $6.40 to $6.95. Stock of both kinds
reduced.
Metals.---Tron---No sales reported by foreigners ; the
market is firm, and prices quoted higher. Nail rod, $2.75
to $2.90 ; bar square, $2. 0
1 to $2.30 ; flat, $2.05 to
2.20; round, $2.20 to $4.60. Tin plates, $5.90 to $6.
Lead, $7.40 to 7.60. 2,000 parcels sold.
Turkey Opium.—Demand, and a small stock, has
caused au advance to $45.

Cochineal.—sBs to $ll5.
Tea.—The business for the past month has been con
siderable, and prices of most descriptions show an ad:
vance. Congous remain about the same as last month.
The settlements for the month of congou have been 56
chops, at from 15 to 23 taels. Nine-Yougs and Oolongs
have advanced about 3 taels, and have been in demand.
Country greens have been taken largely for American
account, and young hyson is 2to 3 taels dearer. Pur-
chases have been chiefly of young hyson.
Export from Canton, from July 1, 1853, to lb.
February 20, 1854
„ Shanghai, from July 1, 1853, to
February 8, 1854
„ Foochow, from July 1, 1853, to
February 8, 1851.

22,800,000

5,600,000

63,400,030

„ Canton, from July 1, 1852, to
February 19, 1853
„ Shanghai, from July 1, 1852, to
February 8, 1853... 22,80,000

49,400,000
Exchange on England has ruled at 4s. 10d. to 4s.
101 d. for 6 months' sight hills. On, India Company's
accepted paper, 230 r. per $lOO.
Bullion.—Sycee silver, 3t. 6m. premium ; gold
$21.60 per tael ; Carolus Dollars, 15.16 per cent. pre-
mium.

Freights.—Vessels are wanted, and those available
get 51. 15s. to 61. for London and Liverpool.
From Shanghai our advices are to the 17th inst.
There has been no demand for imports, which con-
tinued very depressed. Shipments of produce werekept
back for want of vessels.
Longcloths.—Speculative purchases from Chinese are
reported at $1.30 to $1.35 for 6,1 catty gray. A slight
advance in prices was looked for after the Soochou mar-
ket opened.

Tea.—At the advance last noticed about 20 chops of
congou had been settled for, viz., at 9.1 to 10 taels. A
few days previous to our 9.dvices rates were easier, and
common congou had been purchased at 81 to 9 taels.
Silk—The quantity in the market, about 400 bales,
common kinds, was taken off at previous prices. Fur-
ther orders had been sent to the interior, but no prices
as yet reported. Nominal quotations at Shanghai—
No. 1 and 2 Tsatlee, 310$ ; No. 2, $290 ; No. 3, good,
$265; common, $220 to $240. Taysaam, fine, none;
good, $240 ; fair, $220 to $230 ; common to inferior,
$lBO to $2lO. The export from China is estimated at
46,600 bales.

Exchange on England for 6 months' sight bilk ss. 7d.
to ss. 6d. On India—Company's accepted paper, 270
to 265 rupees per $lOO.
Freights—No vessels available.

SNIPPING INTELLIGENCE.
BOMBAY.
Arrivals.—Feb. 2G, the French bark L'Union, from
Cochin, Feb. 17 ; the Hon. Company's steam-packet
Auckland, from Kurrachee, Feb. 25. March 2, the
bark Gipsy Queen, from ydney, Dec. 7, 1853; 4th,
the ship Empire. from Sydney, Nov. 30 ; the Peninsu-
lar and Oriental Company's steam-ship Cadiz, from
Hong Kong, Feb. 11 ; Singapore, 18 ; Penang, 20 ;
Galle, 27 ; 7, the ship Asia, of London, from Port
Philip, Nov. 27 ; the ship Jumna, from Liverpool,
Nov. 3 ; 8, the ship Gossypium, from Aden, Feb. 1 ;
9, the ship Ascendant, prom London ; Gravesend, Oct.
1 ; and Muscat, March 2 ; 10, the Hon. Company's
steamer Victoria, from Suez, at 3.30 p.m., Feb. 21 ;
and the Aden, Feb. 28.

Departures.—Feb. 27, the ship Duke of Norfolk, for
the Mediterranean ; 23, the Hon. Company's steam
packet Feroze, for Suez ; the ship Mobile, for Liver-
pool. March 2, the Hon. Company's steamer Ajdaha,
for Kurra.chee ; 3, the Peninsular and Oriental Com-
pany's steamer Ganges, for Galle, Penang, Singapore,
and Hong Kong ; the ship William Shand,' for Liver-
pool ; 4, the ship Standard, for London ; the ship Coro-
mandel, for London ; 7, the ship Swithamley, for Liver-
pool ; 11, the brig Sassoon Family, for Singapore and
Shanghai ; the Bombay Steam Navigation Company's
steamer Victoria, for Kurrachee ; the French ship
Ceres, for Cochin and Bordeaux ; the ship Queen of the
Avon, for London.