The Sun.
London, England, 1841-02-06 00:00:00

missioncr Keshin as coming to Canton in order to ne-
gotiate with the British PlenipotentLries. No one can
understand why Canton should have its blockade re-
moved, in order to carry on negotiations there. It is
much feared that hostilities will have again to be re-
newed with the Chinese, as the Mandarins arc disposed
to outwit and cheat in their negotiations. The instruc-
tions given to Admiral Elliot to seize the first opportu-
nity to make terms are likely to cause a long war, for
the Chinese, however specious in their acts, are not idle
in making preparations for defending their coast.
There is still anxiety about the communication Via
Egypt with Europe. Rumour speaks of an agent from
the Turkish Pacha at Bagdad being about to proceed to
the R,cl Sea, in order to take possession for the Sultan
of the districts there, formerly under the Government
of Mehemet Ali.

In Bombay there has been some discussion respect-
ing the report of a military commission appointed to
examine into the defeat of Major Clibborne. The
report haring been unfavourable, the Government has
published a declaration that it is satisfied with the
conduct of that officer. Sir Willoughby Cotton is
coming from the command in Affghanistan, in which he
is succeeded by Major-General Elphinsto;ie of the
Bengal army, to Bombay, in order to proceed, on ac-
count of his health, to Europe.
There has been an important alteration in the scale
of duties laid on importation here of British end
other duties ; it will in some cases alter their value
10 per cent.

Mtj,r-General Sir Hugh Gough sailed from Madras
o China on the 22d ult., to take the command of
he troops.

SCINDE.

(From the Bombay Overland Courier, Jan. 1.)
For some weeks after the series of combats around
Dadur, narrated in our last monthly summary, ter-
minating in the total defeat, and as was believed in the
utter annihilation of the hopes and resource:, of Nusseer
the affairs of Upper Scinde remained in a state
of comparative tranquillity, and until past the middle
of the month our intelligence from the Indus for
December, 1840, threatened to be peculiarly barren
and destitute of interest. The garrison, which had
evacuated Khelat on the approach of General Nott,
appeared to have crossed the mountains to join their
disheartened countrymen in Cutch Gundava, who,
about the 20th of November, were represented to us
as wandering about the bill country, destitute of pro-
visions or organization, but had within the next ten
da3s been able to muster in such numbers and make
such formidable head, that the brilliant victory of Col.
Marshall on the 2d of December was not won without
a severe struggle.
It is said in letters received from Gundava that
Nusseer Khan is extremely desirous of coming to terms
with the British Government. Since his defeat at
Dudur, and the retaking of Khelat by General Nott,
the followers of the young Khan have dispersed, some

to Sibbee, some to Beebee Nance, and other places ;
many unfortunate hundreds wander about the hills,
without either food or shelter. Long the adherents of
the Khan, or rather of the arch-villain Gool Mahomed,
the adviser of the prince, entertained the desperate
hope of recovering their fortunes by inducing the co-
operation of the Kudjuck and Murree tribes, but this
hope has failed. The troops now pouring into Upper
Scinde convince these semi-barbarous hordes, that their
best interest is to be found in cultivating our protec-
tion ; and so long as the troops remain their hostile
desires of independence will be restrained, and their de-
monstrations be those of submission.

The remnant of Nussaer Khan's army, amounting
to about 1,100 fighting men, are within twenty-two
[Mies of Dadur ; Beebec Gunjau, who, although not
the mother of the Prince, played so conspicuous a
part in the late rebellion, had gone to the Murree
country with the hope of inducing Doda to as-
3ist her plans, and afford the Brahoes sup-
port. The Brahoes were described as is a
state almost approaching to starvation. It is a sad
condition to contemplate, even for our enemies, and
yet the cruel conduct pursued by the Brahoes to Mr.
Leveday, their terrible descent into, and devastation of,
Gundava, and their oppressions of the suffering peusan
try of Cutchee, would seem indeed to require signal
retribution. It is remarkable that the characters of
the Murree and Brahoe tribes should be so strikingly,
dissimilar, the Murrecs being brave and generous moun-
taineers, while the Brahoes are distinguished for their
cruelty and cowardice. The sth regiment was en route
to Sukkur on the 23d of November.

The portfolio and private papers of Dost Mahomed
have, we understand, fallen into our hands. These are
peculiarly valuable documents, making us acquainted,
as they must do, with all the coinbinatioas which enabled
the Dost to remain so long in the field, and to keep up
the hope of regaining the throne of Cabul. We shall
now know who really have been the conspirators against
us, the nature of their motives, and the amount of their
means of annoying us.
THE BRILLIANT AFFAIR OF KOTRA.

We have just received full particulars from Kotra of
the brilliant action between our troops under Colonel
Marshall and the Brahoe army of Nusseer Khan. Cap-
tain Smith, Aide•de-Camp to General Brooks, having
received his instructions, left Sukkur, and in 3S hours
cifi:etcd the journey to Kotra, a distance of 130 miles.
Having delivered his instructions, the force, composed
of the 25th regiment, two companies of the 21st, two
companies of the 2d Grenadiers, and 90 of the Poonab
horse, at half past tight on the morning of the Ist of
December, made a chupao on the rebel camp in two
parties, one under Colonel Marshall with two guns,
350 men, and 50 horse ; and the other under Captain
Tcasdale, of the 25th, with 500 men. Captain Teas-
lale's party went round by the pass of Pen Chuttur, a
iistance of 21 miles, and Colonel Marshall advanced
about six miles in a direct line between two irregularl♦
r_ormed hills, which were covered by the Brahoes in
ines, their heads and shoulders just appearing abovo
the ridges. The rebels were estimated at 3,000,
1,500 being their best warriors, the rest followers
of the camp. The position they had taken up
was extremely strong, but the sepoys fought nobly, ex-
posing themselves in the most fearless way, and cheering
each other on with the watchword of Lieutenant Love-
lay's fate. The enemy at length were driven up a steep
ail] to the right, and proceeded to crown it, waving
their ii igs. Here the brunt of the affair fell upon Cap-
tain Ennis, but, by the gallant conduct of our sepoys
and their leaders, the rebels, notwithstanding their ad-
vantage of position on the summit of a hill broken by
zullies, ravines, and scarps, were compelled to put their
Kcrans cn their heads and cry for quarter, when 182
were taken prisoners, among whom were four of the
most influential chiefs. Nusseer Khan with two fol-
lowers unfortunately escaped, climbing over the summit
of a lofty bill, where he was seen followed by a small
mountain pony ; it is supposed Gool Alahomed was of
the party. Our own loss consisted of one officer, (Mr.
Lodge, of the 25th, who was shot through the leg, and
bled to death in a few minutes,) eight sepoys, and one
horseman. The wounded were from 30 to 40 men,
with one or two officers slightly hurt by spent balls.
It would be injustice to pass over this affair without
remarking strongly on the energy and real bravery dis-
played throughout the action by our sepoys. The
enemy made a strong defence, but were driven from their
posts, where they evidently considered we should not
dare to follow them, by the firmest and most undaunted
courage, and numbers alone prevented the total an-
nihilation of the whole of the Khan's forces.—Bombay
Tines.

AFFGHANISTAN.
(From the Bombay Times of Jan. 1.)
CABUL AND KOIIISTAN.

W 2 were, at the date of our last overland summary,
merely able to give a few fragmentary announcements of
the results of the fight of Purwan Durrah, which occurred
on the 2d of November, the flight and surrender of Dost
Mahomcd, the death of Dr. Lord, and Licuts. Crispin
and Broadfoot. We are now prepared to give from
the columns of our north-west contemporaries a full
account of all the unhappy particulars contained in the
communication of correspondents on the spot or the
official despatches of Sir Robert Sale. Information
having been received by Sir Robert on the lit of No-
vember that Dost Mahomed had removed to Purwan
Durrah, a small valley, through which runs a clear
rapid stream of water, it was resolved to proceed im-
mediately to meet him. A detachment was accord-
ingly pushed out in advance, consisting of four com-
panies of her Majesty's 13th, two 6-pounder guns
under Lieutenant Warburton, the flank companies of
the 37th Native Infantry, under Lieut. Rhind, two
squadrons of the 2d Bengal Cavalry, and the 2d Affghan
Horse, the whole being under the command of Lieut.-
Colonel Salter, 2d Bengal Cavalry. Having marched
at daybreak, the detachment reached the Goorbund
river, about eight o'clock, and had considerable diffi-
culty in taking the guns across. The cavalry having
advanced, crossed the river where it issues through the
Purwan pass, and ascended the opposite bank, from the
summit of which they beheld Dost Mahomed at the
head cf an army of some 4,000 men, commencing his
advance. A movement made at the suggestion of Dr.
Lord, who fell as it was being put in execution, took
the enemy in flank, and the Affghan horse directed a
smart charge on the 2d Bengal Cavalry, Herea scene
ensued which has no parallel in Anglo-Indian ivarfara
—the officers of the cavalry ordered to chary, and
themselves led gallantly and fearlessly on towards the
thickest of the enemy's troops. Their own men first
wavered, then refused to follow their leaders., aril then
fairly took to their heels and fled fro-m the.figiatai The
officers, with a merees
escaped
dful
veryof men,
narrowly,
afterl et taliol
an
vei
nto
g
fight the best way they could. Dr. Lord, Lieutenants
Broadfoot and Crispin were killed; and Captains Fra-
zer and Ponsonby
been severely wounded. On the part of the rest of the
detachment the battle was gallantly fought, and the
enemy dispersed and cut to pieces. After the fight
Dust Mahomed himself was nowhere to be seen.
Having found the fate of the day, on which he had ha-
zarded his all, irremediably against him, and his fortunes
, irretrievably ruined, hrl fled from the fight, and next
I d v surrendered himieif tr' Sir VV. H. M'Naghten at
Cebu!. .

There is so much romance in the events connected