The Sun.
London, England, 1849-03-26 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON;

MONDAY EVENING, MARCH 26 1849.

DEPARTURE OF SIR CHARLES

~:~1iLl~.

Sir Charles Napier took his departure for the East
on Saturday evening. He left at a late hour, ard pro-
ceeded via the South-Eastern Railway to Dover cn route
for Calais.
On Friday evening the Gallant Officer had an int( r-
Niew with Lord John Russell and Sir John Cam Hob-
hou,e, Bart., at the Noble Premier's mansion in
Chesham-place. He subsequently returned to his tem-
porary residence in Upper Berkeley-street, Portman-
square, where he dined with Lady Napier and the other
members of his family. On Saturday he was engaged
for some hours with his Grace the Duke of Wellington,
Lord Fitzroy Somerset, and the other authorities of the
Horse Guards. The Gallant Officer might have
been observed about twelve or one o'clock driving
through the metropolis in a bumble cab. During
the day the leading Ministers and members of
the nobility left their cards at his residence.
It may perhaps be proper to state, in consequence
of some inaccuracies which have found their way
into the daily journals, that Sir Charles's stuff is com-
posed of the following officers:—Major Pitt Kennedy,
military secretary, and Major Mac Murdo, of the 78th
Highlanders (son-in-law to Sir Charles), Captain Bun-
bury (33d Foot), Colonel George Napier (Cape Mounted
Riflemen), and Major William Napier, aides-de-camp.
Major Kennedy is not extra aide-de-camp, as stated by
the daily papers.
Shortly after eight o'clock Sir Charles took a farewell
of his friends, and left Berkeley-street in company with
Major Mac Murdo, his son-in-law, and Major Pitt Ken-
nedy, &c., for the Dover Railway, where they were re-
ceived by the secretary and other authorities. Lady
Napier and Mrs. Mac Murdo were with their distin-
guished relatives, and proceeded with them to Dover.
They return to town to-day (Monday), and remain in
England for the present. Both ladies have travelled all
through our oriental possessions, and have witnessed
some of the most trying scenes.
Sir Charles and staff proceed direct to Leghorn, there
to be joined by Major Wm. Napier, and from thence
proceed to Alexandria in one of her Majesty's boats,
specially ordered. Sir Charles has been very particular
in the selection of his staff.
The services of his son-in-law, Major Mac Murdo, of
the 78th Highlanders, have been of the most brilliant
character. He acted as assistant-quartermaster-general
in Sinde, in 1843; had a horse shot under him, and re-
ceived a sabre wound on the right breast. At the taking
of Hyderabad he particularly distinguished himself, and
his gallantry in single combat elicited the highest enco-
miums from Sir Charles, whom he also accompanied
during his expedition against the mountain tribes which
infested the environs of Sinde. Captain Banbury is
nearly related to Lord Gough, and has, up to a recent
period, filled the office of deputy-assistant-adjutant-
general in Dublin. Lieutenant-Colonel George Napier
obtained the brevet rank of lieutenant-colonel in reward
for his services against the Kafirs, amongst whom he
made great destruction while at the head of the Care
Mounted Riflemen, a fine body of cavalry composed of
Britons which we maintain as a local corps at the Cape.
At Aden, where the steam-packets stop for coals and
provisions, a special steamer, belonging to the Indian
Government, will meet Sir Charles Napier, and convey
him and his staff to the port of Kurrachee, in Sinde, in-
stead of proceeding to Bombay. Kurrachee is the only
port in Sinde for the reception of ships drawing more
than ten feet of water. It is situated above the mouths
of the Indus, and from this point of debarkation the
route is easy and short through Sinde, the scene of his
former triumphs, to Moultan, whence he will take all
available reinforcements with him to the seat of war be-
yond the Jhelem. By this route much time will be saved
by sea and land. The crossing of the several tributaries
of the Indus will be avoided by land; or in the case of
proceeding by sea from Bombay they will escape the
tedious and troublesome navigation opposite the many
mouths of that river. The Commander-in-Chief is ex-
pected to arrive at Moultan by this route in about a
month from his departure.

THE INDIAN STAFF,

TO THE EDITOR OF THE MORNING POST.

Sir,—lf brigades are to be entrusted to decrepit old
men, how incumbent it is, ay, and economical too, that
an active skilful Lieutenant-General should be imme-
diately sent out to command the cavalry. Had there
been one at Ferozshah, the cavalry would not have been
sent away, and on these last sad occasions the Lieutenant
General would have led them back and secured the guns
so gallantly spiked by the infantry. Why, Sir, this
Pope's four regiments must have been stronger than the
two brigades of Hussars and Light Dragoons (Vivian's
and Vandeleur's, 2,300), which, from the charge of
each squadron being skilfully delivered, rode over and
scared from the field of Waterloo the remains of 14,000
of the finest cavalry the world had ever seen when sup-
porting that splendid brigade, the 52d, 71st, and
two battalions of Rifles, led by the gallant Seaton, half a
mile in advance of everything, after having made " those
fellows (the Imperial Guard) feel the effect of his fire,"
vide " Siborne's Plan of the Battle (at five minutes past
eight, P m.);" and which this good old 14th equally did
at Salamanca, in support of the third division, and
always will do, when handled, as on that day, by a
D'Urban.
India being held by imperial sinew, our untiring
soldiers have a right to look to a succession of skilful
commanders. The day of Aliwal proved how justly
Runjeet Singh had appreciated the 16th Lancers, in say-
ing, " Were they his regiment, every man should be
carried in a palanquin to the battle-field." And again,
Unett's noble squadron of the 3d—surely then the staff-
pay of a Lieutenant-General should not be a consideration
when such valuable lives are in flit balance.
AN OLD HUSSAR.
Hampton, March 24, 184 U.

THE SETTLEMENT AT LABUAN.
Sir,—The following letter, received yesterday from my
son, the nephew and Aide-de-Camp of his Excellency Sir
James Brooke, Governor of Labuan, may interest some of
your numerous readers, and I submit it to your judgment
fur insertion in your widely-circulated journal.
I remain, Sir, your obedient servant,
FRANCIS C. JOHNSON,
Yicar of White Lackington, Ilminster,
Somerset.
" Her Majesty's ship Meander, Jan., 1849.
" We are now on our passage back to Labuan, after an
interesting cruise in the Sooloo Archipelago. But to
begin with what I know you are all most anxious about,
the Rsja's health—you will be glad to hear that sea air
and change of scene have quite set him up again; he is
in far better health and spirits than he has been for a
long while—quite what I remember him in days of
yore. We have been at sea for eight weeks, and
have visited Malludoo Bay, Cagayan-Sooloo; Sooloo,
the Spanish settlement of Samboangan; Balam-
bangan, and numerous other small islands. Our
present plans are to stay a fortnight at Labuan, and
then proceed to Sarawak, where I am to commence my
duties. The attack on the Sakarran and Sambas pirates
is to take place as soon as we have acquired the neces-
sary information; their strongholds are unapproachable
in boats, and we shall, consequently, have to ascend a
parallel river, march across the country, and take them
in the rear. This is the Raje's suggestion. I must now
give you some account of our cruise :—Our first visit,
after leaving Labuan, was to Kimanis Bay, where we
left the ship and ascended the river to procure fresh
provisions, at a village about five miles from its mouth;
nothing could exceed the civility of the people. On our
arrival we went straight to the house of the Orang
Kaye. (Chub), and were soon surrounded by the vil-
lagers, who expressed the greatest delight when they
heard the " Tuan Besar" (as they designate the Raja)
was so near them. The Orang Kaya of the place im-
mediately ordered his boats to be prepared to take him
ou board, to pay his respects, and convey presents. I
was delighted with this village and its inhabitants, so
thoroughly secluded, surrounded by such magnificent
scenery, end the people apparently so happy amid their
poverty and ignorance. The houses all appeared sub-
stantial and cleanly, surrounded by gardens and fruit
tree. It was here that the murderous Pangeran Usop
was overtaken and put to death, after the traitrous mas-
sacre of Muda Hassin and his brothers at Bruni. We
saw his grave. The scenery here is very magnificent.
While lying at Kimanis, we were boarded by the boat of
an English schooner, wrecked at Balambangan; the boat
contained the master, mate, and part of the native crew;
the poor fellows bad been at sea for upwards of a week,
and had suffered hardships, although kindly treated by
the natives of tho coast. How different would have been
their fate had they been thrown on such a coast a few
years since; their heads would have been dangling at the
roof of some native Head-house. Capt. Keppel weighed,
and stood over to Balambangan, where we found the re-
mains of the schooner burned to the water's edge, and of
course plundered. Next day we started for Cagayan
Sooloo, a pretty little island about the size of Labuan.
The people are a warlike race, armed with 'misses, long
spears, and were much inclined at first to oppose our
landing. The island is clear of jungle to a considerable
extent, and presents a beautiful green, park-like appear-
ance. We discovered a very curious fresh-water lake
40 feet above the level of the sea, from which it is di-
vided by only a narrow wall of sandstone. The natives
imagine this lake to be haunted by a huge dragon, and
told us nothing would induce them to venture upon it.
We hauled the jollyboat over the rocks, and launched
her in the haunted waters, for the purpose of sounding;
the depth was upwards of 40 fathoms. The scenery
around is most picturesque. This island of Cagayan-
Sooloo would have made an admirable British settlement,
being so well situated for concentrating the native Pros
trade. It is little out of the way of the China-bound
ships on the north-east monsoon, possesses a delicious
climate, and apparently a fertile soil. The island is
nominally subject to the Sultan of Sooloo,
who, as he possesses no real authority over
it, would, no doubt, be too happy to make it over
to us for a few thousand dollars. Sooloo, which we
visited after leaving Cagayan-Sooloo, is another " Gem of
ocean," but ruined, like Bruni, by a vicious Government
and grasping nobility. It is not difficult to foresee that
these beautiful countries are not doomed to remain long
in the hands of their present rulers. The great rival
nations in these seas (England, Helland, and Spain) have
all a jealous eye on them; our recent operations on the
Borneo coast have roused the energies as well as the jea-
lousy of the two latter powers. The Spanish attack
upon the Illanuns some little time ago has given ti
deathblow to piracy there. The Dutch have chasestelosned
the Sultan of Sooloo, and we are about to
egiovfe
pirates.a
drubbing to the Sakarran and Sarebasemi d
I obliged to "
THE HILL LABUAN, JAN. 30
con-
clude my letter abruptly; the
hnew. s b this mail has up-
set ocr plans considerably. T Meander is ordered
will
be and is off to Singapore immediately. You will
be glad to hear that we are comfortably housed on
,the
high ground, which is pronounced perfectly healthy.'

March 23.

On Wednesday next, the 28th instant, Sir Robert
peel \sill have a dinner party at his residence in White-
hall-gardens. On Saturday next, the 31st instant, the
night lion. Baronet will give another banquQt.

VANCOUVER'S ISLAND

~a. ; the 1 i peet [teen the Committee of
her Majest.y3 Privy Council fur Trade and Plantations
on the grant of Vancouver s Island to the Hudson's
Bay Companj :
At the, Court at Windsor, the 31st day of October,
1848, present—The Queen's most Excellent Majesty,
his Royal Highness Prince Albert, Lord Chancellor,
Lord President, Duke of Norfolk, Earl of Auckland,
Lord John Russell, Viscount Palmerston, Lord Camp-
bell, Sir George Grey, Bart.
Whereas there was this day read at the Board a re-
port of the Right Honourable the Lords of the Com-
mittee of Council appointed for the consideration
of all matters relating to trade and foreign plantations,
dated the 30th of this instant October, in the words fol-
lowing, viz.:—
Your Majesty having been pleased, by your order of
reference of the 4th of September, 1848, to refer unto
this committee a draft of a grant of the island called
Vancouver's Island, in North America, to the Hudson's
Bay Company, and copies of a correspondence relating
thereto, to consider the same, and to report to your Ma-
jesty whether, in their opinion, any amendments should
take place in the conditions contained in the said grant,
or whether any further conditions should be inserted
therein,lfor the purpose of binding the Hudson's Bay Com-
pany to use their best efforts to effect the colonisation of
the said island; we, the Lords of this Committee, have
taken the same into consideration, and having fully in-
quired into the whole matter, do:this day agree humbly
to report to your Majesty that, in our opinion, it is es-
sential, in order to ensure the more effectual colonisation
of Vancouver's Island, that certain amendments should
be made to some of the conditions inserted in the
said draft grant, and that certain further conditions
should be inserted therein; and we, therefore, humbly
recommend that your Majesty should cause amend-
ments and further conditions to be inserted in
the said grant, to the following effect, viz. :—That the
grant of the fishing of all sorts of fish in the seas, bays,
inlets, and rivers within or surrounding the said island
be omitted from the said draft grant. That in that part
of the said draft which sets forth the intent of the Crown
that the company shall establish settlements of emigrants
from the United Kingdom, further conditions should be
inserted, binding the said company to dispose of all lands
thereby granted to them at a reasonable price, except so
much as may be required for public purposes; and that
all moneys which shall be received by the said company
for the purchase of such land, and also from all pay-
ments which may be made to them for or in respect of
the coal or other minerals to be obtained in the said
island, or the right of searching for and getting the same,
shall (after deduction of such sums by way of profit as
shall not exceed a deduction of ten per cent. from the
gross amount received by the said company from the
sale of such land, and in respect of such coal
or other minerals as aforesaid) be applied towards the
colonization and improvement of the said island; and
that the company shall reserve for use of her Majesty,
her heirs, and successors, all such land as may be re-
quired for the formation of naval establishments, her
Majesty, her heirs and successors, paying a reasonable
price for the same. That the neglect on the part of the
Hudson's Bay Company to observe the herein-before
mentioned conditions respecting the sale of land and
coal shall be included among the conditions upon
which it shall be lawful for her Majesty, her heirs and
successors, to revoke the said grant after the expiration
of five years from the date thereof. And we accord-
ingly submit an amended draft of a grant embodying 1
the foregoing stipulations. The Lords of the Com-
mittee further humbly report to your Majesty that, in
their opinion, the existing provisions for the trial of
criminal offences, and also of civil causes in
Vancouver's Island, under 1 and 2 George IV., c. 66,
are inadequate for the due administration of justice,
inasmuch as that, under the 12th section of that Act,
it is provided that the courts shall not try any offender
far any felony made the subject of capital punishment,
or transportation, or any civil action or suit in which the
cause of such action or suit shall exceed in value 2001.;
and that in every case of any offence subjecting the per-
son committing the same to capital punishment or
transportation, the offender must be sent for trial to the
court of the province of Upper Canada. The Lords of
this Committee, therefore, humbly submit to your Ma-
jesty the expediency of making further and more satis-
factory provision for the trial of offences and civil causes
in Vancouver's Island, which, in their opinion, can only
be effected by an amendment by the Legislature of the
provisions contained in the Ist and 2d Geo. IV., c. 66.
Her Majesty, having taken the said report into consi-
deration, was pleased, by and with the advice of her
Privy Council, to approve thereof.

W. L. BATHURST.

IRELAND.

DUBLIN, SATURDAY MORNING.—The guardians of the
Omagh Union at their meeting on Thursday directed
that for the present no out-door relief should be ad-
ministered by the relieving officers of any of the divisions.
The reason is thus satisfactorily explained by the
Tyrone paper:—
'° The employment afforded by the spring labour is so
abundant that it is difficult to procure labourers at average
rates of wages. The farmers have taken advantage of
the fine weather with which we have been favoured hero
for a considerable time, and agricultural operations are
very forward in the district."