The Sun.
London, England, 1840-03-12 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF COMMONS, MARCE 11.
There being only seventeen Members present, the
House adjourned at Four o'Clock.

DECLARATION OF WAR
AGAINST CHINA.

Intelligence has just reached town that the Go.
vernor-General of India has, in the name of the
British Government, declared war against China.
This important news is contained in despatches
from Bombay, dated January 31, and was brought
to Marseilles on the 7th inst., not by the Vulcan, as
already mentioned, butby the Volcano, Capt.Volger.
Our information further states that the most
extensive preparations were making in the Indian
harbours. His Lordship had advertised for 40,000
;ons of shipping for the transport of the troops to
,'h;na, 14,000 of which were to be supplied by Cal-
utta, and the rest by Madras and Bombay. The ex.
editionwas to rendezvous at, and sail from, Calcutta

even regiments quartered in this last Presidency
had been ordered to prepare for embarkation, and the
vhole expedition was to consist of 16,000 men.
is ;destination was not known, but it was deemed
,robable that it would be directed against Canton
r Some other point on the coast, of which forcible
osession would be kept until the Chinese Govern-
should be brought to reason.

The last accounts from Canton are dated De-
cember Bth. The Emperor had addressed to Go-
vernor Lin a decree prohibiting the importation of
all ,British goods, and the trade with China was
consequently at an end.

The Americans continued to pursue their trade
unmolested, and their ships were arriving and de-
parting as usual.
The intelligence received in Bombay from our
Indian possessions was of a satisfactory nature.
Our army bad stopped in its triumphant march
through Cabul, on hearing of the advance of the
Russians atzainst Chiva, and remained in quiet pos-
session of Ghuzni, Kelat, and our other conquests
in Afghanistan.

The new King of Lahore evinced the twist
friendly disposition towards the British.
Lord Keane, having been obliged by illness to re-
sign the command of our forces in Cabul, bad re-
turned to Bombay. On his passage through La-
hore he was too ill to pay his obeisance to the King,
and his Majesty, on hearing of his situation, waited
upon him, sat, a long time by his bed-side, con-
versing with him in the most friendly manner, and
treated him during his stay in his capital with the
utmost distinction.

The advices from Alexandria, received by the
Volcano, come down to the 24th ult. The Pacha
was still actively engaged in making preparations
of defence. The plague had nearly subsided.
Colonel Campbell, formerly Consul-General of
England in Egypt, arrived at Marseilles in the Vol-
cano on the 7th.

COVENT-GARDEN THEATRE.—Her Majesty
and Prince Albert honoured this theatre with their presence
on Tuesday, to witness the performance of The Legend of Flo-
rence and the new ballet of Les Champs Elysees. Prince
Ernest of Saxe Coburg was also of the Royal party. Her
Majesty was attended by the Hon. Miss Murray, Lord Lilford,
Colonel Armstrong, and Colonel Wemyss ; the Prince by Col.
Wylde and Mr. Seymour; and Prince Ernest, by Baron de
Lowenfels. The Royal party arrived before the commence-
ment of the play, and retired on the conclusion of the ballet.
The audience showed so much good manners and good sense as
to refrain from interrupting the amusement of the Royal vial-
tors by any mark of recognition.
SHOCKING CRUELTY.—On Friday an inquest
was held at the Colchester Union-house, on the body of Wil-
liam Pryke, aged 11, who died, as supposed, in consequence of
the ill-usage of hii mother-in-law. It was proved that the
child slept on pieces of rough wood nailed together, in a lean-
to, and that it was found in a horrible state of filth. Sarah
Jaggard, a neighbour, spoke to the ill-usage of the child, and
said the other children were well taken care of. Ann King
said site had seen Mrs. Pryke beat the deceased with a broom,
and she thought his illness was increased by ill-usage and star_
ration. Deceased had a piece of dry bread given him while
Mrs. Pryke was frying meat for herself and her own children.
Elizabeth Fox had seen Mrs. Pryke drag the deceased by the
hair of the head, and beat. and kick him in a dreadful manner.
Mr. C. B. Clarke, surgeon, proved that the child was in a dis-
eased state and that damp bedding and filth would in-
crease the disease. He thought death was accelerated by the
treatment the child had received from its parents. Other wit-
nesses were examined, and the Jury returned a verdict of
"Wilful murder against William Pryke, the father, and Han-
nah Pryke, the mother-in-law of the child." The mother was
in custody, and in the evening the father was lodged in
gaol.
On Sunday they were removed to the convict gaol at Spring-
field. 2- Essex 1. erald.

The Duke of Wellington has determined to re-
tire from active public life at the close of the present session.
This fact, which is now pretty well known amongst his Grace's
friends, has produced the deepest gloom amongst the Conserva-
tive leaders. You will he happy to learn that his Grace is daily
improving in health, but his medice.l advisers have declared that
he requires great and systematic relaxation.— Correspondent,
Dublin Evening Post.
We are glad to hear of the safe arrival at its
destination of the Tory, the first of the New Zealand emigrant
ships. Despatches have been received from Col. Wakefield,
announcing this intelligence.

A DUEL R EN, ENTED.—information having
been received by Inspector Ashton, that Henry Williams, Esq.,
solicitor, of Lincoln, was about to become a principal in a hos-
tile meeting with Captain Kennedy, Ashton lost no time in
conveying the report to the proper quarter : a warrant was
issued for the apprehension of Mr. Williams, and on Thursday
last, that gentleman was bound in a bond of 500/. to keep the
peace, and to find two sureties in 100/. each: the necessary
sureties being found, Mr. H. was discharged. The chal-
lenge was occasioned by some dispute which took place in
the Uphill News-room.—Boston Herald.
THE GLORIOUS UNCERTAINTY.—At the
Leeds Borough Sessions last week, two men, of the names of
John Brown and William Tracy were indicted and convided of
stealing money from the person of John Raper, of Hunslet ;
and having been previously convicted they were sentenced to
be transported for seven years each. On the following day,
Mr. Augustus Newton, who had unsuccessfully defended the
prisoners on trial, moved the Court in arrest of judgment. He
stated that under the provisions of the Act 1 Vie. c. 87, s. 3
and 5. persons convicted of stealing from the person could not
be sentenced for less than ten years, if transportation formed
any part of the sentence ; and, therefore, as the Court had
pronounced an illegal sentence, the prisoners were entitled to
the benefit of the mistake and to be discharged. The Recorder
reminded the Learned Counsel that the finding of the Jury
was a valid finding, and sufficient to sustain the judgment; and
that if the Court had committed a mistake it was competent
for the Court to correct it during its session. Mr. Newton,
however, insisted that this was not such a mistake as the Court
had power to remedy. The Recorder, however, had the pri-
soners called to the bar, and sentenced each of them to be
transported fifteen years ; and Mr. Newton said he would bring
the matter before a superior jurisdiction. It is not, perhaps,
generally known that by the Act above referred to, if any per-
son being armed with an offensive weapon or instrument, rob
or assault with intent to rob any person, or shall, together with
one or more person or persons, rob or assault with intent to rob
any person, or shall rob any person, and at the time of or im-
mediately
before or immediately after such robbery shall be at,
strike, or use any other personal violence to any man, is, on
conviction, liable, at the discretion of the Court, to be trans-
ported for life, or any term not less than fifteen years, or to be
imprisoned for any term not exceeding three years; and that
whosoever shall rob any person. or shall steal any property from
the person of another, is liable at the discretion of the Court to
be transported for any term not exceeding fi'teen years, nor
less than ten years, or to be imprisoned for any term not exceed-
ing three years.—Leeds Intelligencer.
FASHIONABLE PARTIES,--The Countess of
Glengall had a soiree on Monday evening, at the family man-
sion in Grosvenor-street. The company was very
select
slid not exceed 100 in number. Ihe Earl and Counte' and
ss of
Tankerville received a select party to dinner on Monday even-
ing, at their residence in Great George-street, Hano cr
square. The Earl and Countess of Kinnoull had a party to on Monday evening at Hampden-house. Lord and Lady
Cowley
entertained a select circle at dinner on Monday evening
in Grosvenor street.

Lady Antrobus has a ball on Friday next, and
intends to see company every Friday until Easter.
EXTRAORDINARY CONVICTION OF A
CATHOLIC CLEHGYMAN.-At the Enniskillen Assizes, the
Rev. Owen M`Caul, P. M'Dermott, S. M'Guire, J. AP Guire:
and Michael Doherty, were indicted for an assault upon 4lex-
ander and John Dunlop ; and in another count for a riot and
affray. There were cross-indictments. and the Dunlops were
charged with an assault upon the priest; but the Grand Jury
ignored the bills against Alexander Dunlop, and the other only
was prosecuted. The case had been originally brought to the
quarter sessions, but the informations were returned to the as-
sizes, and the Crown prosecuted on both sides, allowing each party
to give evidence for themselves. The priest and his party
were first put upon trial. After the whole of the evidence had
been gone through, and Baron Pennefather, the Judge who
who tried the cause had summed up, the Jury, after being absent
a stiert time, brought in a verdict of guilty against the priest and
and his party, on the counts of riot and assault ; with the excep-
tion of James M'Guire against whom the Dunlops did not swear.
His Lordship sentenced the Rev. Mr. M'Caul to three
weeks' imprisonment, and to pay a fine of 50/., and to
be further imprisoned till that fine be paid. John
M'Guire, who struck with the spade, to three months'
imprisonment and hard labour; Michael Doherty, to three
months' imprisonment and hard labour; and 3Ppermott,
at whose house the sick people were, to three weeks' imprison-
ment and hard labour. A memorial has been got up to-da\
to his Excellency, for the total remission of the fine upon the
Rev. M. APCaul. The Pilot says that no doubt, in acc,,rd-
slice with custom, there will be a shout of triumph through
Orangeland, and, of course, garbled reports.
CARLISLE RAILWAY.—We regret to state
that an accident occurred on the Newcastle and Carlisle Rail-
way on Friday last, by which Thomas Dougall, one of the mail.
guards, lost his life. The ace dent happened about a quarter of
a mile from Low Row station, as the train was proceeding to
Carlisle.
A farmer in Norfolk, where the benefits of tlit.
New Police are in active operation, a few nights since thought
he heard some one about the premises ; he listened awhile
until he was convinced; when, going to his bed-room window,
he called out lustily, " Who's there?" The reply, was " Pic
New Police." Thus satisfied, the farmer retired to his bed
and passed the remainder of the night in quiet composure and
confidence; but on the following morning ,he found the New
Police had relieved him of all his poultry.