The Sun.
London, England, 1841-04-09 00:00:00

CHINA,

AND

EGYPT.

(17r,orn the Times.)

By an extraordinary express, in anticipation
of the overland mail, we have received despatches
from our correspondents in China, India, and all
parts of the East.,
Our dates are from Chusan to the 20th of De-
cember, from Macao to the 27th of January, from
Singapore to the 25th of January, from Calcutta
to the 18th of February, from Madras to the 20th
of February, from Scinde to the 22d of February,
from Bombay to the Ist of March, and from
Alexandria to the 25th of March.
The steamer Enterprise had arrived at Cal-
cutta from Macao on the 14th of February,
bringing despatches for the Home Authc-
rities, which were forwarded to Bombay
by express, and thence transmitted to Suez
by the Victoria steamer. In appears, that in
consequence of the insincerity and tardiness dis-
played by the Imperial Commissioner prepara-
tions were made on the morning of the 9th of
January for attacking the outposts of the Bogue
forts. About 700 Sepoys, 200 European soldiers,
and 400 seamen and marines, were embarked
under the command of Major Pratt, of her Ma-
jesty's 26th Regiment, in the steamers Enter-
prise, Nemesis, and Madagascar, and landed in
the vicinity of the fort of Chumpee. At the
same time her Majesty's ships Calliope, Larne,
and Hyacinth opened a cannonade on the lower
battery of the fort, while the steamers Nemesis
and Queen threw shells into the upper tower
which commanded it. The latter was soon
taken possession of by- the British troops, who
poured down a heavy fire of musketry on
all the lower works, and quickly drove
the Chinese from their guns. In two hours the
fort was in possession of the English, with a loss
of only 3 killed and 23 wounded; that of the
Chinese is estimated at from 500 to 700. Many
were killed in the attempt to escape by jumping
down from their embrasures, a depth of 20 feet,
to the rocks below. The ships and crews escaped
unhurt, although the fort mounted 33 guns.
At the same time the fort of Tycocktow was
attacked by another squadron operating about 3
miles to the southward, under command of Cap-
tain Herbert, of the Samarang, supported by
the Druid, Modeste, and Columbine. A heavy
fire was opened on the fort, and promptly re-
turned, but the Chinese guns were speedily dis-
abled, and a party of seamen landed to seize the
fort. The Chinese made a spirited resistance,
but were soon overpowered, and the fort cap-
tured. The first lieutenant of the Samarang was
wounded in the assault.
The steam-vessels then attacked the fleet of
junks lying in Anson's Bay, but owing to the
shallowness of the water, only the Nemesis could
approach them, towing twelve armed boats from
her Majesty's ships. Her first rocket set fire to
the powder magazine of one junk ; eighteen
others were blown up by their own crews, and
the rest escaped into the inner waters. Next
morning her Majesty's ship Blenheim began to
throw shells into the batteries at Wantong, and
was preparing to attack the chief fort of Anung-
hoy, when the Chinese Commander-in-Chicf
made a communication to Captain Elliot, who
thereupon desisted from further hostilities. On
the 20th of January, a circular was addressed by
the British Plenipotentiary to her Majesty's
subjects in China, announcing that preliminary
arrangements between the Imperial Commis-
sioner and himself had been made to the follow-
ing effect :
" 1. The cession of the island and harbour of
Hong Kong to the British Crown. All just
charges and duties to the empire upon the com-
merce carried on there to be paid as if the trade
were conducted at Whampoa.
"2. An indemnity to the British Government
of $6,000,000, $1,000,000 payable at once, and
the remainder in equal annual instalments, end-
ing in 1840.
"3. Direct official intercourse between the
countries upon an equal footing.
"4. The trade of the port of Can ton to be opened
within ten days after the Chinese New Year, and
to be carried on at Whampoa till further arrange-
ments are practicable at the new settlement.
Details remain matter of negotiation."