The Sun.
London, England, 1854-04-14 00:00:00

7` i

at the Court of Bankruptcy. Pennell, official assignee, 1 NAVAL AND MILITARY INTELLIGENCE.
Guildhall-chambers ; Baker and Parson, Pancras-1 tne.

TILE MO

CHINA

William Henry Dean auctioneer, 91, Fieet-street, April
25,
at half-past two, and May 23, at eleven, at the Court
of Bankruptcy. Graham, official assignee ; Levy, Arundel-
street.

The Zephyr, the Otter, the Minx, and a timber of
small steam-vessels, are to be converted into gun-boats,
and the Vivid and Princess Alice, formerly Dover mail-
packets, are to be paid off and immediately recommis-
sioned for service, as gun or despatch vessels, to serve
with the Baltic fleet.
The Admiralty have ordered an increased supply of
Dr. M. Thomson's coloured signal lights from a house
in Birmingham, for the use of the Baltic and Black Sea
fleets. A new night-signal book, published by the
authority of the Admiralty, has been ordered to accom-
pany these lights, so that now all ships may communicate
as freely by night as by day.
Lighters have been towed from Sheerness to recover
the anchor and chain of the Hannibal. She has been
masted at Folly Point, and proceeded to Chatham for
fitment.

Robert Roberts, tailor, Liverpool, May 1 and 22, at
eleven, at Liverpool District Court. Cazonove, official
assignee, Liverpool ; Thornely and Jevons, Liverpool.
SCOTCH SEQUESTRATIONS.
Thomas Best, merchant, Aberdeen.
Angus Macgregor, M.D., Edinburgh.
William Shaw, manufacturer, Kilsyth.
Robert Graham, boarding-house keeper, Glasgow.
Curry, Macfarlane, and Co., commission merchants,
Glasgow.

SIR J. BURGOYN E AND THE ORDNANCE,

We had hoped that, with the present machinery of
Government, and with the reforms that are daily made
in every department, the acts of favouritism and job-
bing, which disgraoed most Ministers before the passing
of the Reform 8111, and which greatly conduced to its
enactment, would have ceased. We had hoped that.,
with the present Ministry, more than with any other, all
appointnieots in the military service --a service at pre-
sent embodying every interest most vital to the welfare
of the ‘-,tate—would have been made solely wi ii regard
to the greater, efficiency of our arms, and not with
reference to clanship, personal or political influence.
Such expectations, unfortunately, have not been ful-
filled. An instance to the contrary has been painfully
forced upon our attention ; and we feel that we shall
only be doing our duty in bringing it before the notice
of the public. Our readers have, doubtless, traced
with interest the progress of the mission to the
East of Lieutenant-General Sir John Burgoyne.
The rank of that officer, his well-known services,
his undoubted skill and abilities, and the position held
by him as Inspector-General of Fortifications, inspired
the public with a confidence in bis judgment, which •has
long been felt in the army, and in which the Coalition
Ministry seemed`to share. Sir John Burgoyne, despite
of the advantages—by selecting him as the officer most
fitted to prescribe the operations which are so shortly
to be carried on—under which he laboured, in leaving
his home and the comparative repose to which the ardu-
ous services in earlier life had entitled him, accepted,
without a moment's hesitation, the difficult task assigned
him, arid di-charged, with the activity which distin-
guished his early services, those duties which now pre-
sented themselves to him. The hero of Egypt and the Pe-
ninsula has been, first in the field. His conduct has been
universally appreciated. The British, the French, and the
Turkish Government's have eagerly listened to his sugges-
Cons, and availed themselves of his experience. Let us
look to the reward held out to martial ardour—let us see
the palm offered by Lord Aberdeen to him who has me-
rited it. The Ordnat.ce Department comprehends in its
duties the regulation and organisation of two grtat mili-
tary corps, viz.—the Royal Engineers and the Artillery.
The first are under the special seperintendence of the
Inspector-General of Fortifications ; the second are
supervised by the Deputy Adjutant-General of Artillery
who, however, are both responsible, and subject, to
the orders of the Master-General of Ordnance. The office
of Adjutant-General has been held up to the present
moment by Lieutenant-General Sir Hew Ross, junior
in rank as his functions are inferior in consideration to
those discharged by Sir John Burgoyne. Sir Hew Ross
is, doubtless, a deserving officer, but his talants, mili
tary or administrative, have never passed the rank "re
spectable "

The Tartarus, 4, paddle-wheel steam-vessel, Lieut.
Commander Richard H. Risk, was taken into the fitting
basin on Wednesday, to make good her defects and pre-
pare for service in the Baltic. Boiler-makers and
engineers are to be sent.to her from Woolwich to expe-
dite the work.

The Cuckoo steam•vessel is to be fitted with three
traversing pivot guns of large calibre, and is to join Capt.
Ommanney's squadron for the Baltic. The Cuckoo left
Sheerness yesterday for Hull, to bring seamen volun-
teer,i from the Horatio steam-frigate for the Majestic.
The Miranda, 15, screw steam-ship, Captain Edmond
M. Lyons, is put out of dry dock and moored in the
fitting basin. In consequence of the defects in her. boil-
ers being more extensive than was at first discovered,
boilermakers from Woolwich factory are now engaged
upon her, who are working extra hours. She will in
future be steered by a powerful iron yoke, to increase
the steerage leverage, which is at present too small.
Admiral Percy has left Sheerness on 14 days' sick
leave, and Captain Richards, of Chatham yard, takes
command during his ah,ence.

" Whence comes the difference ? The answer Iw.

The following—letter from an officer of one of the ves•
sels composing the fleet, dated Kioge Bay, April 8, gives
some interesting Particulars of the progress of opera-

ons :
" Since I last wrote to you we have received a great ed-
ition to our fleet. The Cesar arrived on the sth ' • the
Conflict, the Magicienne, the Driver, and the Cruiser have
also arrived. The Desperate arrived on the morning of the
6th, bringing a mail and several cases of Colt's revolvers ;
she made a very quick passage, having left the Downs on
the 2.1 inst. She came through the Sound, not being able
to ce.tain a local pilot for the Great Belt. Colt's revolvers
are to be distributed to the officers and boats' crews, and I
have no doubt will be found very acceptable.
" This bay is well chosen for the safety of the fleet ; there
is sufficient space for the ships to work out with ease, but
water is scarce,, and Grant's distilling galley will be found
of great use. Several of the largo ships have steam up in
one boiler, from which is a pipe leading into Grant's con-
denser, by which sufficient water is made in a few hours to
supply the ship for four or five days.
"We had bad weather yesterday. The Cressy parted
from her anchors, and was driven about four miles from
the anchorage. She got her steam up, proceeded inside
the fleet, and brought up with her sheet anchor; being
then nearer the shore, she rode more easily.
"I hear from a good source this morning that we leave
here for more active service in a few days.
" Sir Charles is at Copenhagen, in the Odin.
"Rear-Admiral Plumridge is away with a squadron,
on special service. The Arroeant and Hecla left on Thurs-
day night, I believe, to join him.
." I shall endeavour to write by the next mail, when I
hope to be able to tell you more of our movements "
Lieutenant William F. Ruston (1851) is re-appointed
to the Penelope, steam-frigate, for service with the
Baltic fleet ; Lieutenant George A. W. Welch (1851)
has also been re-appcinted to the Penelope. Commander
William •Hoseason (1846) and Lieutenant Griffith G.
Philips (1838) have been appointed agents for trans-
ports. Master Joseph K. Martyn (1831), is appointed
to the Royal William, 120, guard-ship of ordinary at
Devonport. George F. Grigor (1851), Clerk to the
Victory, flagship, at Portsmouth ; and Philip J. Barry,
Clerk's-Assistant to the Scourge, steam-sloop, at Ports-
mouth, for service on the West Coast of Africa station.
The depot of the 71st Hi2,hlanders at Chatham re-
ceived orders on the 19th ult. to hold themselves in
readiness for foreign service, and will join the head-
quarters of the let battalion at Corfu. No 2 company
of the Royal Sappers and Miners will leave Chatham
on Saturday or Monday next for Woolwich, preparatory
to embarking for service in the East.

" Let those who object take one fact, and then say if
the man that could conceive the idea and honestly set
himself at such a time to carry it out be a common man,
or a man only under the influence of common motives.
It is this—that he keeps 400 men constantly employed
upon the Bible, and his army are colporteurs of the
' Word of Life.'
"I say, rather, must not be be inspired in a high
sense to have found out what few, even in England, have
arrived at, though the history of Christendom uniformly
shows that nations can only be civilized, christianized,
and regenerated by the incorruptible Word ?
"How small a field he had wherein to learn the truth
of that Scripture—' Them that honour me I will honour ;'
and yet how truly has he learnt it.
" They give themselves 12 months from the time of
the northern army leaving Nankin to win the empire,
and have agreed to a separation of the sexes for that
time.

During the absence, however, of Sir John Burgoyne,
Sir Hew Ross has been appointed- to the revived office
of Lieutenant-General of Ordnance, and has by this
meansbeen placed over the head of Sir John Burgoyne,
his senior in rank, and his superior in experience. We
ask, what, has been the reason, of this appointment?
We presume that, when Parliament meets, we shall be
favoured with an answer. Fifteen days, however,.will
elapse ere the recess is over—fifteen days, in a period
big with events which will decide the fate of nations.
This is too long a time for the duration of a gross in-
justice. Let us hope that, In answer to the question
on this subject, which will doubtless be put to her Ma-
jesty's Government on the re opening of the session,
we may be informed that reparation has been made to
General Burgoyne for the slight so wantonly and rashly
put on-him, and that war with Russia, so just in its
foundations, so noble in its tendencies, may not be dis-
graced by an occurrence which must destroy confidence
in the discretion of a Government, as evincel by hasty
and injudicious bestowal of patronage on the part of
those who are responsible to the Crown and country
for every act that, directly or indirectly, may stand
in the way of a speedy solution of the fearful pro-
blem now before us. We have pointed out the injustice.
The remedy is obvious. Let it be applied before it is too
late. Let a graceful reparation have the precedence of
a forced retribution.—Morning Post.

"This is a trial to Chinese, who are very jealous, and
shows they do not care to have any half-hearted among
them.

" The women are organized and armed for the de-
fence of Nankin, and are employed in many out-door
employments, but are also under religious instruction.
" For the present no one is allowed to have property,
all belonging to the State, which finds them in every-
thing necessary.
" They had not had any specific intelligence from their
army, but they had intercepted a letter from the old
Emperor, in which he stated that two-thirds of Pekin
was in a state of siege by the insurgents.
" Our authentic news of their movements is that they
are encamped seven miles from Tien-sing, at the mouth
of the Pi-ho. This will stop the main channel of supply
to Pekin, and is the next most important acquisition
after Nankin. Reinforcements, said to amount to
40,000, were going by the Grand Canal to join the nor-
thern army when the French were at Nankin.
" Whatever may happen to Tae-ping, who is still at
Nankin, or to his party, the Tartar dynasty must cease
to reign in China Proper at least ; they are very unpo-
pular with all except those whose immediate interests
are bound up with them, and even these, if they could
see an opening to get out of it, would also manifest their
national exclusiveness, for the Tartars are not incorpo-
rated, and their struggle to extricate themselves from
their difficulties only sinks them deeper and increases
their unpopularity.
"No one continues under their standard without
large pay, and this has exhausted nearly all their re-
sources, ancl involved them in liabilities which they can
never meet.

The depot companies of the 88th Regiment, from
Burnley Barracks, passed through Manchester yesterday
morning by railway, and were joined there by the depot
companies of the 7th Fusiliers. They proceeded by
London and Noith-Western Railway to Birmingham,
en route to Winchester and Basingstoke. There were in
all 7 officers and 464 rank and file (259 of the 88th Regi-
ment and 205 of the 7th Fusiliers). The regiments,
each 850 strong, have already sailed for Turkey. The
destination of these troops was not known.. The Ist
Royal Dragoons have not yet left Manchester, but have
received orders and counter-orders several times.

The first division of the 18th Regiment (Royal Irish)
has landed at Gravesend, on their return from service
in India, and now occupy the barracks at St. Mary's,
Chatham, where the other division with invalids•from
India will join them on arrival. The 18th left the 29th
Regiment at Calcutta, daily expecting orders to pro-
ceed to Burmah. The troops stationed at Rangoon
have cleared and drained it, awl the soldiers assert that
it is not nearly so unhealthy as it was, and that by a
little more trouble and expense Burmah will become as
healthy as any other part of India.
A private letter friirn Gibraltar states that Lieutenant-
Colonel Dacres, commanding one of the divisions of the
field batteries for service in the East, has left Gibraltar
for Tbrkey, and has taken the acting adjutant with
him as his aide-de-ca►np. Captain Levinge's troop of
Royal Horse 'Artillery called at Gibraltar for water,
and landed their horses for a few hours' quiet exercise.
The 92d Highlanders, stationed at Gibraltar, are reduced
to the staff and colours, the others having volunteered
into regiments for active service. Captain M'Coy
has taken the command of the Royal Artillery, vacated
by Lieutenant -Colonel Dacres. The Mangerton,
of London, No. 17, horse transport-ship, was taken
into the basin 'at Woolwich yesterday, and 59 horses
of Captain Anderson'S small arm ammunition 'brigade
swung on board, and the men embarked in the after-
noon. There is only one other horse transport-ship,
No. 18, to come down from Deptford, to complete the
embarkation of the whole of the first division of Royal
Artillery for the East. The siege battery is ready for
embarkation. No. 20 horse transport-ship was towed
down the river yesterday fro:n Deptford, and held on
for Portsmouth, to embark cavalry. Nine transports
were hourly expected ) eisterday at Portsmouth from the
eastward, five of which are to convey the 17th Lancers
to, the seat of war, and four to receive stores and provi-
sions from the Clarence-yard for conveyance to the fleets.
It is reported that the Peninsular and Oriental steam-
ship Euxine is going to Portsmouth to embark 70 of the
17th Lancers, horses, baggage, &c.

"As I had anticipated, the obtaining possession of
Amoy has been a sad loss to the Imperialists, both in
character and pocket.
"Flushed wits their suecess they committed atro-
cities which fully showed that die Chinese character for
civilisation was at best but lacker.
" They violated pledges, and, in, fact, acted as men
visited with judicial blindness.
"Their pirate allies bullied the mandarins and robbed
their friends, and obtained an amount of funds that
left them unable to pay their troops, who are now disaf-
fected.

" They have now only 3,000 troops, not to be de-
pended on, and the whole country is in a state only
short, of rebellion ; and notice is given by the insurgents
that they mean to return immediately ; and who shall
answer for what will be the result of a recapture, except
that Europeans, especially Englishmen, will be secure,
since the insurgents who acted with such moderation
have been taught how little dependence can be placed
upon the tender mercies of the mandarins ?
" If attacked it cannot fail to be taken, as the man-
darins, &c., are such cowards. When Amoy fell into
their hands this time they were aware that the insur-
gents were about to evacuate it,—that they had no
friends, no ammunition,—and yet they were allowed to
depart in open day without molestation ; not a man of
the 20,000 besiegers venturing to plant a ladder till all
had left, and the main column, advancing too early, was
driven back by the fire of only two men.
" When the insurgents were all gone they commenced
a massacre of the aged, the helpless, and the friendless.
" Our men-of-war and the missionaries saved 400 who
were in the process of being decapitated or drowned,
250 of whom were wounded, besides many who were
saved by the merchants by giving them shelter in their
hongs ; and our countrymen are proportionably popular
and better protected in consequence than they could be
by men-of-war.

The route of the 91stfroat Dublin to Limerick has,
been cancelled, and the depot of the 3d Buffs is to re-
place the 14th Regiment in the latter garrison: The
service companies of the 14th Regiment, under Lieut.-
Colonel Barlow, were inspected on Monday, instead of
Tuesday, as originally intended, in the square of the new
barracks, by Major-General Fleming, GB. accompanied
by Colonel C.ix, K.H. and his aide-de-cainp, Captain
Fleming, 63d Regiment. Major-General Fleming con-
gratulated Colonel Barlow on the effectiveness of the
regiment, and excellent discipline of the men. The
artillery guns in Limerick are to be moved to Wool-
wich. The 11th Hussars, now in readiness, and hourly
expecting orders for immediate embarkation, have bad
their swords sharpened within the last few days at Mr.
Lamprey's, Westmoreland-street. The workmen of the
salmi) establishment are now actively engaged in shar-
pening the sabres of the 4th Dragoon Guards, also under
orders for service.

" It may be that the masses are apathetic to an extent
that prevents them from taking active measures ; this
rather arises from their not knowing the respective merits
of the cases ; but this apathy is fast passing away, and a
spirit of inquiry is abroad that will result in their deter-
mining suddenly. Depend upon it the nation will be
born to a measure of civil liberty almost in a day. They
certainly give no assistance now to the Mantchoo ;
let them but determine, even in comparatively small
numbers, and their municipal and other organisation
will be made available for bringing in and establish-
ing the Government they elect ; and it is most import-
ant, when considering the probable of China, to bear
this in mind, and this further fact, that Chinamen
have such a keen sense of their own interests, and
are so practical that they are not likely to elect as a Go-
vernment a set of men without power or prospects of
success. Let, then, Tae-ping take Pekin and China will
become his, and not in a state of disorganisation as many
suppose ; the effort of the masses in China is conserva-
tive of local government and order. _

ROYAL NAVAL, COLLEGE, April 13.—At the monthly
examination for candidates for promotion and entry into
the service, completed this day, the following passed :
Mates for Lieutenant—Messrs. J. F. Prowse and W.
H. Wilberforce. •

•
Second-Masters for Masters—Messrs. J. T. C. Webb,
G. Batt, and R. S. Dyer.
For Naval Alasters-Assistants—Messrs. J. W.
Grandy, H. Lindguist, J. C. Chevalier, G. G. Brown,
and H. B. R. Rowlandson.

For Naval Cadets—Messrs. J. Buchanan, J. E.
Bruce, W. Allen, H. G. Fitzgerald, D. G. Tandy, W.
J. Lees, W. W. M. Molyneux, A. E. Kay, J. Hamil-
ton, and T. Carpenter (all from Mr. Eastman's naval
academy) ; also G. R. Dunkin,
.C. T. Shute, W. C.
Beames, J. S. Eaton, C. R. Daniel, W. H. F. Pen-
gelly, . King, and P. C. M. de Vismes.
Fur Marine Cadets—Messrs C. D. H. Rabilliard, G.
R. Rodney, J. D. Broughton, R. L. Price, C. Mac-
donald, T. M. Hewett, A. A. Pascal, A. Mackintosh,
F. L. Parry, and C. G.-N;Colomb.
For Clerks-Assistants—Messrs. J. G. Sullivan and
H. Knight.

" Jan. 25.

" Our latest news is, that they are fighting near Pekin,
but do not expect to take it till they get the reinforce-
ments seen by the Cassini's people at the entrance of the
Grand Canal.
" The French authorities satisfied themselves that the
stories of the massacre of Roman Catholic Christians
were without foundation ; that the insurgents had not
killed any as such ; but they have killed some for breach
of their laws. _ _

"The last news from Shanghai is, that the insurgents
of that place had been unable to communicate with
Nankin, and were rather in difficulties ; that the French
and English authorities were trying to arrange an eva-
cuation without bloodshed ; this will be difficult, as the
Imperialists are so treacherous, and have a strong feeling
of their right to decapitate freely, and, indeed, perhaps,
feel that it would be acceptable to their court ; if they
do so, it cannot fail to add to their unpopularity, and
tend much to hasten the final settlement of the question
against the Mantchoo.

LAUNCH OF A SCREW STEAM-SHIP BUILT FOR THE
AUSTRIAN GOVERNMENT.—SOUTHAMPTON, THURSDAY.
To-day, a screw 31-gun frigate was launched from the
and of Messrs. Wigrana, Northam. The launch was
me of the finest which we have ever witnessed, and had
it not been for the breaking of a large cable chain, which
inquestion, Unfortunately,
the however,swhaips gr:tn a from Eta.
agroundthe T
hbnernefla3tlrchmi
the
was intended as a check to the vessel when afloat, the
breaking
other
christeninge trh esi
dc he nieni
affair would have passed off v%ith admirable success.
the river Itchen, and it was not until the flowing of the
second tide, which took place about an hour after the
sheto Mrs. Archdeacon Wigrarn, and most
waslaun launch,
entrustedtha t
ably performed by that lady from a platform, which was
erected immediately beneath the bows of the vessel.
The vessel was christened the Reditzsky. She is wood
built, and is of 1,826 tens burthen, old measurement,
and capable of carrying 31 guns of heavy'calibre. Her
length is 250 feet over all ; extreme breadth, 43 feet ;
depth of hold, 27 feet 5 inches. Her engines, which are
constructed by Messrs. Maudslay, Son, and Field, are
of 300 horse-power. ' As soon as the ship floated she
was, by the assistance of two steam-tugs, towed round
to the Southampton Docks for the purpose of being
rigged. She will then leave for London, when she will
;.)e properly equipped for the duties for which she is
built. She is a fine vessel in appearance, and is doubtless
capable of doing great service in whatever cause she
may be engaged. Her ultimate destination for the pre-
sent, of course, remains enveloped doubt.STOCKPORT.—We
THREATENED STRIKE AT regret that
there exists at present 'a rupture between a portion of
the factory operatives of Stockport and their employers, ,
which may probablj• lead to a second partial turn-out.
The employers announce their intention to withdraw.
the advance of 10 per cent, conceded at the conclusion
of the strike some months ago, and to return to the rate
0# wages paid in May last,

-"
The exports from China have been enormous, and
no doubt will continue to be so, as all are desirous to
realise or place their property in foreign keeping, lest
the chiefs of either party should take it.
" The emigration to California and Australia is im-
mense. lam told English sovereigns are at a premium
of 25 per cent, in California ; they are shipping them
from here.

ACCIDENT TO THE SCREW STEAMER GLASGOW.—
GLASGOW, Wednesday.—We regret to state that a rather
serious accident befell this fine steam-ship this morning.
She left the Broomielaw yesterday afternoon for New
York with a bumper cargo, and nearly 400 passengers,
including deck and steerage. On account of the lowness
of the Clyde she grounded with the receding tide a short
way below the harbour, but lay quite easily. About 1
o'clock this morning, when the tide again made, the
Glasgow floated, and started on her voyage ; but she
had not proceeded above a mile and a-half down the
river when she came in conduct with a large boulder
stone, or small ledge of rock, on which, in spite of every
effort, she became fixed for the time. As the tide re-
ceded the immense mass hung by this point of rock,
which lay right under the boilers. By-and-by these were
forced upwards, and the ship began to make water. The
passengers were removed about 7in the morning. The
Glasgow was got off by this afternoon's tide, and will
as soon as possible be placed on the slip. It is to be
hoped that the injury to both ship and cargo is not great,
but still the loss must be considerable ; and great incon-
venience must result to the numerous body of passengers,
as the ship cannot again be ready for sea for some weeks,

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, APRIL 14, 1854.

The following interesting letter is from the naval
officer whose communications from the Chinese
ports have before appeared in our columns :
" ongkong, Jan. 1.
"I sent you a Nora China HeraldH
because of a letter
of some interest, descriptive of the habits and usages of
the insurgents, knowing that it came from a reliable
source.
"Its statements, as well as the information brought
down by the Hermes, have been fully confirmed by the
return of the French war steamer Cassini, with M. Bou-
balon, the French Minister, and, indeed, even much
enlarged. Thus they found a million or more in Nankin,
while the insurgents claimed to have but that number
in all China at the time of the Hermes's visit to that
centre of all-important interest, and only not all-absorb-
ing because of its distance and the imperfect information
concerning what is being enacted or originated there.
" To my mind, unable to enter into the cavils of, per-
haps, good men in the fullest sense, it is a scene of deeper
interest, and involves vastly greater consequences than
those about which the western world seems stirred.
"Events are fast finding an issue here that in their
reaction will influence not simply the two or three hun-
dred millions immediately within the limits of the
Chinese empire, but the whole habitable globe.
"The French, as we, found them snore frank, honest,
truthful, and brave than any Chinese they had previ-
viously met, and animated by a confidence (the prime
element of success) that could only proceed from their
sense of the justness of their cause, or from a motive
wholly foreign to the ordinary Chinese mind.
"A Chinaman seldom goes straight for his object;
these men always do.

leave to those who impute their motives.
" The French say they found much ignorance a
Christianity and much superstition among the masses;
but in what country of Christendom is this not the case ?
I will venture to say that there is ten times as much in
Catholic Spain ; but who shall determine where Chris-
tianity ends and superstition begins ? I fear that there
might be a cross-action between them if this came to be
discussed ; and yet how little comparatively, is there of
superstition in t writings, taken as a whole. I say
not that these superstitions are unimportant, but surely
in estimating these men or their writings the amount
and character of the good in them should not be ignored,
and the faulty only dwelt upon,
" Since the Hermes was at Nankin they have pub-
lished only a few unimportant and not erroneous tracts,
hut, on the other hand, they have published the re-
mainder of Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, and Matthew,
and it is by these they should be judged and the cha-
racter of their motives estimated, for it is palpable that
it is these they mean to be guided by, and that they
really mean to make the ' Holy Book,' as they term it
their rule of life ; and doubtless, as they have put for-
ward statements and opinions at variance with it, it is
because they have not as yet learnt their incompatibility
therewith,

thence to San Francisco and Valparalio,' for further
orders. You are distinctly to understand that it is not
their lordships'_ intention to send. up a ship from the
Pacific station to communicate with Grantley Harbour
in 1855, and you are therefore' positively to ,-leave Beh-
ring's Strait in that year, as directed.
" In case of your not being able to place the Plover
in the harbour at Point Barrow, or in any other: safe
position north of Grantley Harbour, you may return to
that port (,Gnintley Harbour), and, having deposited
all spare provisions and stores with her Majesty's ship
Rattlesnake, you may at once proceed to Valparaiio as
before directed, as there does not exist :iny necessity
• for retaining two ships at that port, Commander Trol-
lope having been directed to continue there -until the
summer of 1855, as per copy of the enclosed orders.
" In the event of any accident having occurred to. the
Plover, rendering her unseaworthy, or of her having
been, on survey, found unfit for further service, my lords
desire that the ship be placed in eiie safe position as a
depot, to afford shelter to any travelling or other party,
and that you proceed, with the officers and crew, on
board H.M.S. Rattlesnake, or whatever ship which may
have been sent from Valparaiso, and consider yourself as
a passenger in that ship.
" the event of England being at any time involved
in hostilities with any other Power during your employ-
inent on the above service, you are clearly to understand
that you are not to commit any hostile act Whatever, the
ship _under your command being fitted out for the sole
purpose of aiding in scientific discoveries, and it being
the established practice of all civilised nations to consider
vessels so employed as exempt from the operations of

party had been seen in the interior, but had gone on. The
broken English of these people was difficult to understand,
and they generally answered a leading question according
to what they supposed the wish of the interlocutor.
A force of 60 New Grenadian soldiers and convicts had
been for some time encamped on the beach to aid in the
survey, heal there been one. Meantime Mr. Gisborne, dis-
appointed in his original plans, had hired an influential
Indian from the Rio Diablo, who knew the value of money,
to accompany and procure him guide 4 across the country
for $5OO. Lieut. St. John, of the English Engineer Corps,
went with him.
As time went on, the only hope for the safety of our party
was through Panama, and the Cyane sailed for Aspinwall
for intelligence, leaving the Chimere and Scorpion at Cale-
donia. The Espiegle had gone to Carthagena for provi-
sions. The steamer Devastation had looked in and sailed.
Nothing had been heard of our party at Panama, though
communication was constant with the Gulf of San Miguel,
the Savana and the Chuqunaque. Ou the sth of March
they had been absent 45 days. It was next to impossible
that they should have survived and not found their way to
the coast in this time.
At the moment of sailing in the George Law I /net Lieut.
St. John, on his way back to England from • San Miguel.
In his journey across the Isthmus he had found no traces
of Strain's party ; but the Indians reported that they had
gone down the Chuqunaque, and were lest. I had no time
to obtain from Mr. St. John a full account of his trip.
They had heen guided by the Indian through a devious
path, ranging along the Isthmus to the west of the village
of Sucubti, on the river Sucubti, a branch of the Chuqu-
naque, thence to Morti, similarly situated, and clown the
Morti, across the Chuqunaque, to the path cut by Captain
Prevost over the comparatively level country west of the
Cordillera. While Mr. Gisborne and Lieut. St. John were
in the interior, letters were received from them at Cale-
donia Bay, stating that the Indians were assembled iu
force at the villages above mentioned, and had taken
a hostile attitude, owing to a rumour that three of
their people had been carried off. prisoners by the Chi-
mere to Carthagena. They 'were with difficulty pro-
tected by their guide until those stories were proved in-
correct. Lieut. Strain depended upon the good faith of
the Indians, and should they have proved tresacherous, our
national experience of Indian warfare, particularly in the
semi-tropical regions of Florida, shows how little chance a
small body of men, even when on their guaricle,nhs,avheetainst
savages on their own ground. If the
Ind to er,
have attacked Mr. Strain's party, why did they n our
own much smaller one ? We have reason to suppose that
every step of our progress was watched by them.
Just before we left Caledonia Bay, the principal chief of
the coast, in talk with the New Grenadian commander, re-
peated the old assertion that God never intended a canal
there, and added, "God will take care that no one who
goes to seek a passage shall escape." The Indians may
consider themselves the agents of Provider/win carrying
out his will. Lieut. Strain's ammunition was entirely in
cartridges ; our experience proved that these would soon
be unserviceable from the constant showers and dampness
of the interior.
As merely a volunteer to the expedition, I offer no opi-
nion as to its outfit or management. Lieut. Strain had no
personal knowledge of the Isthmus, and trusting to the
reports and maps of Mr. Gisborne, anticipated little diffi-
culty in his preliminary reconnaissance. He wished to get
a general idea of the country, and afterwards to carry a
line of levels across would have been merely a question of
time and bush whacking.
I have taken the narrative form in this statement that
the facts might appear as they came to us.
From Capt. Hollins and the officers of the Cyane the
enterprise met with hearty co-operation ; two of those
gentlemen went with parties into the interior, and all were
ready to take any steps for the relief of the missing. The
officers were occupied in a complete survey of the bay and
channel. I refer to their chart for details. The harbour is
a fine one, the trades blow home, making a leading wind for
entering; it is not difficult to beat out, nor always necessary.
On review, the principal points determined, with regard
to the proposed canal route are these. The Caledonia River
is a rapid, shallow stream of clear, abundant water, falling
about GO feet in the first six miles. At this point' is the
large village of Naga, with considerable level ground, where
are the Indian plantations. A furlong below the village the
river divides ; its several branches have been traced up, as
above stated, to mere torrents.
Parallell to the coast, and directly across the route, is the
main dividing ridge of the isthinue—a massive rugged range
of porphyritic mountains, densely wooded, broken into
gorges, wild and impracticable. The summits of this range,
concealed often by cloud and mist, rise in full sight from the
bay, from 3,000 to 4,000 feet high. No passage was found
by any of our parties lower than 1,200 feet to 1,500 feet,
and this not a single ridge, but after crossing the terraces
of hills which are the "Appian" of the chain on both sides.
Crossing the Cordillera, you find streams flowing into the
valley of the Chuqtmaque, a large river draining the Pacific
slope, and winding in a long circuit to the Gulf of San
Miguel. Between this river and the Savana, is a long
range of hills, mistaken by Mr. Gisborne for the Cor-
dillera ; except these, a level marshy country extends to
boat navigation on the Savana. This plain was traversed
by Captain Prevost, about 12 miles to the westward of
Mr. Gisborne's proposed route. Entertaining a high per-
sonal respect for this gentleman and his officers, I look
with interest for their authentic report. The Savana, in
its lower course, becomes a broad estuary. The former
error in longitude being corrected by Captain Kellett's ob-
servations, the width of the Isthmus, from ocean to ocean,
becomes 52 to 53 miles. The whole country is densely
wooded, and on the Pacific side, iu the low ground, almost
impassable.

"I am, &c.,
W. A. B. IluintoN.
"To Commander Maguire, her Majesty's
Sloop Plover."

It showered constantly among the mountains, and when
the Cyane sail3(l, there were signs of the approaching
rainy season. As an elevated country, this part of the
Isthmus is healthy; there was no sickness either on board
the ships or among the parties on shore.

There is game, though not very abundant, especially on
the Pacific side—deer, taper, monkeys, turkeys, ducks,
iguana, conejo, ; alligators in the rivers, the so-called
tiger of the country, serpents of various kinds ' • same fish
in the rivers. I cannot dwell upon the natural history of
the Isthmus, as this communication has already grown to
a considerable length.
With regard to the missing party—there is no proof,
though some grounds for suspicion, of treachery on the
part of the Indians, If not, they have probably followed
clown the Chuqunaque, under the impression of arriving
speedily at tide-water. Deceived in this, they may have
had no other resource but to push on, and the great length
of their absence makes it almost conclusive that in this
solitary region, their provisions calloused, and unable to
procure game or food, they have perished. There is a pos-
sibility, however, that some news may be had from the
mouth of the river, and Capt. Hollins will do everything
in his power to succour the survivors.

ROYAL WEST INDIA MAIL STEAM_
PACKET COMPANY.

•
The probable loss of 22 persons, with several of whom I
had been connected in the intimacy of a voyage and a brief
companion life, is a melancholy subject of tught to me.
My indignation at the fraud practised by the canal pro-
jectors is increased tenfold when I remember that, besides
leading expeditions of the three maritime powers on a
fool's errand, it was their representations and their maps
that misled our party. I can hardly believe the evidence
of my own senses in contradiction of all the published
reports.
It was supposed by Lieut. Strain that Mr. Gisborne
would be in Car thagena and join his party with his own,
but meantime the British and French ships had been de-
tailed, and he joined them at Jamaica.
Though this statement may have reached a tedious
length, I have been obliged to omit many things bearing
upon the subject. The facts have all been submitted to
Capt. Hollins, and approved by him and the officers. Mr.
R. E. Holcomb, civil engineer, who had direction of our
second party, and Dr. Bird, both of whom returned in the
George Law, entirely concur with these statements.
Should you desire further information, I shall be happy
to communicate it. —I have the honour to be your obe-
dient servant, THEO. WINTHROP.
No. 51, William-street, New York,
March 17, 1854.

At a meeting of the Royal West India Mail
Steam-packet Company held yesterday a dividend
fof 21. per share was declared. Previously to the
adoption of the report a lengthened discussion took
.
placewith regard 'to the general position of the
undertaking. Several of the shareholders urged
e liability,iuo
rr neodf.
he
atur The
rough
that the management was defective, and that the
accounts showed a large amount of outstanding
ill success attending the construe-
,vessels, and the enormous expense in-
repairing the Parana, were alio
topics of complaint, and it was questioned if the
board were justified in recommending the pay-
ment of a dividend. The chairman (Mr. Colville)
explained that the construction of the vessels had
been intrusted to the most competent parties, and
that, although the Parana had not originally
answered the expectations formed of her, the re-
pairs would, it was thought, place her in a satis-
factory condition. With regard to finances, the
directors considered there was nothing to . excite
apprehension. An important addition having been
made to the fleet without any demand, upon the
proprietors, they had, of course, been obliged to
avail themselves largely of their credit. In any other
circumstances they must have made a heavy call.
The repairs of the old and new vessels had ab-
sorbed the whole of the fund appropriated to
that purpose, leaving, besides, an adverse
balance ; but in future this would be gradually
diminished. The resources of the company had
been interfered with by the great advance
in the price of coal and the rates of freight and
labour. Iu the course of the debate an amend-
ment for the appointment of a committee of inves-
tigation was brought forward and warmly. sup-
ported, the conduct of the engineering department
at Southampton encountering severe animadver-
sion. Upon being put to the vote, however, it
was lost by a largo majority. There was subse-
quently a contest fur a 1 aealit seat in the direc-
tion, but the new candidate was defeated. The
following is an abstract of the report : - ' '
"The company's existing contract with her Majesty's
Government for the conveyance of mails for 11 years front
the Ist of January, 1851, Naas entered into upon an under-
standineb that, as complaints had been previously made of
the speed of theelass of ships constructed for the company's
packet service in the first instance, a superior description of
vessels, built upon principles which intervening experience
had proved to be preferable, had been brought into opera-
tion as speedily as possible. Accordingly, since that date
10 new ships have been contracted for, and three others
purchased, making in these 13 ships a total of 23,662 tons,
and 6,580-horse power added to the company's floating
stock, the expenditure for which may be estimated at about
800,000/. Within the hist throe years, accomplished without
any call upon the proprietary body, but with assistance
from loans. With only one exception, all those new ships
have been launched and completed for service, and (hiring
the last six months there have been no complaints on the
part of the Government or the public as regards the speed
with which the mails are now conveyed, the company pos.
sassing a fleet of steam-ships adequate to the due perform-
ance of every branch of tha contract service. It should be
noticed that, while the new ships were in course of prepa-
ration, the Avon, Dee, Clyde, Teviot, Trent, and Thames
were thoroughly repaired, their manchinery improved, and
the two first named lengthened, to give increased speed for
intercolonial service. When the decision was taken to
build vessels of greater size for the Transatlantic commu-
nication, the tonnage and power alone being fixed by the
directors, the shape of the hulls was left to the unfettered
judgment of the contractors, being some of the most emi-
nent shipbuilders in the kingdom ; and the manufacture
of the steam machinery was intrusted to equally first-
rate .engineers, the only stipulation being for the highest
amount of speed which their united skill could accomplish;
and the directors regret to add that, in the case of the
Parana, though built upon the same specification as the
other ships, after a careful and minute survey, it has been
deemed expedient to strengthen her, and, with a view of
improving her capacity and speed, to lengthen her 25 feet
in the•fore body.- As the whole of the new ships. will
shortly he in operation, the directors had made prepara-
tion for the sale of several of. their original vessels. In fact,
proposals had been received from parties desirous of be-
coming purchaseis, but these offers were declined as inade-
quate; and, means of transport being much required by
the Government, the directors deemed it their duty to use
every exertion in order to place as many ships as possible
at the disposal of the Lords Commissioners of the Admi-
ralty. The Orinoco, Trent, and Medway are accordingly
now on their way to Gallipoli, each with a complete regi-
ment on boat d, the Orinoco having previously conveyed
the Ist battalion of the Coldstream Guards in nine days
from Southampton to Malta, and the 44th Regiment in
four days from Gibraltar to the same place. Looking to
the impediments created by strikes among the workmen,
the directors congratulate the proprietors on their possess-
ing a foundry at Southampton . for the repair of steam-
engines and the construction of new boilers, as otherwise the .
service must have been completely disorganised for want of
sufficient artisans, and a seasonable assistance was - also
afforded by the ccanpany's Sontlaampton establishment
in completing for service the Atrato and Wye at a moment
when few or no workmen could be hired to finish those
ships at Greenock. As stated in the report at the last
general meeting, the principal increase in the working ac-
count is for coal, wages, and stores; the causes then as-
signed for such additional expenditure continuing in ope-
ration to an e,pial if not greater extent at the present mo-
ment. Upon coals alone there is an aligiiaentation of charge
as compared with the previous year.atininuting to 54730:
and to prove beyond qdue that this increase is .1,
solely to first cost, freight, and labour,
greater consu,lll.tion, the quantity use.ils b),O 3
ali:Tj8(! not to any
. is actually
withe,tuall
less thank that cuitstuned in the year 1, .
wages, fur while the number of officers and. men
.1 employed
does not materially (Mier in
t.le:rsl' world,l3'l e paymentanthe
1./ in excess, occa:=ione, y the great
for wages is 14,16 .
The recent ad-
demand for seamen in every part of
van c consequent
in
thet the two
of general consumption
account, in a great measure, for the
also is sufficient to .
ipsericienoftbaell rate of wages.
of 6,5891. for stores. Although the
additional charge
receipts on the working account exhibit, as anticipated,
anincrease
compared with the half-year ending the.
30th of June last, and also over those of the correspond-
ing six months of 1862, there is a diminution on the whole
year 1853, as compared with 1852, amounting to 19,7911.,
occasioned, as stated at the last meeting, by the ravages of
fever cholera in St. Thomas's, Jamaica, and other West
India islands, interrupting, to a serious extent, the inter-
course .
with those places. The balance of profit and loss,
after the usual debits, is 71,118/, to provide for repairs, de-
terioration, and dividend. Reserving 29,680/. for dividend
at the usual rate, the amount remaining would be 41,438/.
—equal to 5 per cent, on the value of the ships on the Ist
of January, 1853 ; and, although this state of the accounts _
would not justify the directors in proposing a continuance
in the usual rate of dividend, yet, looking to the gradual •
but certain cessation of many heavy sources of expense, the' , increase of passengers arising from the disappearance of
sickness abroad, and that scene addition will accrue to the
receipts of the. company from the hire or sale of surplus
ships, the directors feel warranted in recommending the
Payment of a dividend, as before, at the rate of 21. per
share, free of income tax."

. .
ROYAL FREEMASCNS' GIRLS SCHOOL. Yesterday
the quarterly general court of" the gpvernors of this
charity was held at the Freemasons Tavern, Great
Queen-street, Lincoln's-inn-fields, Brother Richard
Herv6 Geraud, B:G.D., ,in the Chair. Brother F
Crew, the secretary, read the minutes o the last: quar-
terly court, which were unanimously confirmed. Oh the
motion that a sum of 5401. 18s. 6d. be drawn out of the
bank for the paymentof the tradesmen of the institution - the secretary mentioned that Mr. Labouchere, of the •
firm of Williams, Deacon, and Co., had said that he
and his partners were so pleased with the excellence C.,
of the new school-house lately erected at Wands--
Worth,_that they would be at all times willing to advellct
a few hundred pounds, free of interest, for the itse of,
the charity. Mr. Benjamin Bond. Cohen, UPS,
then re-elected- treasurer, after which the genera- cam-
mittee vraa ..xionainotoct for the • ensuing year. A. Ebert -
discussion then occurred, in which Brothers White,
G. S., Patten, De Yeaux, G. 5.8., Dawson, Rev. .Mr.
Cox, S.C., andVarren took part, with respect to one of
the bye-laws, at the conclusion of which a poll took
place.and three children were elected to the benefits of
the institution from a list of five candidates. A. vote of
thanks to the worshipful chairman terminated the pro.
ceedings.
EAST Isnia. Hoirse:--Yesterday a Court of Directors
was Major Jamel
Oliphantheld atwa tshcei
oEsaesnt
cl-bnadiiram
aHno,
uasned, when
Elliot Macnaghteu, •
Esq., deputy chairman of the East India Company.
THE BALTIC FLEET.---A. young officer on board the•
Vulture, writiog Immo to his friends at Plymobth,:under
says :—" We expect to be .
date of Copenhagen, April e,
ordered over to Revel. Throe ships were sent there a
day or two ago to capture three American ships, which
are supposed to Va-there Waiting
orthe
f ice to break
up, inronler to diseharge their cargo of powder, shot,
&c
lone the Russians. So our ships are
one down to
nobble' them as just and lawful
prizes, and I hope that
this affair will turn up a little prize money. The Con-
flict has just arrived from the fleet. The weather up
here is verr fine. It blows like fun—and is as cold as
blsps !" This you; gentloilasa appoars to spicy it.