The Sun.
London, England, 1841-12-06 00:00:00

AFFGHANISTAN.

Affairs appear to be tolerably quiet in Affghanistan,
and, with the exception of a talked-of expedition against
the Kohistanees, are likely to continue so. What effect
the change of Sir William Macnaghten for Sir Alexan-
der Burnes will have on our proceedings in that country,
we are not yet prepared to say, but as a military man,
and having a more practical acquaintance with the pecu-
liar character of the Affghans, Sir Alexander is likely
to infuse a more vigorous spirit into the Executive, and
control by the strong hand the insurgencies and emeutes
that marked his predecessor's embassy.
The attempts so repeatedly made by the people of the
country to waylay and murder officers have not ceased.
A recent, but happily an unsuccessful one, was made
upon Lientenant Waller, who was attacked by three men,
one of whom fired a pistol at him, which, however, missed.
This occurrence took place near Brigadier Shelton's
camp. Nothing but a system of reprisals will ever effec-
tually put a stop to these attacks, and a bunch or two of
the assassins dangling from a gallows would wonderfully
impress others with the heinous nature of such pursuits.
The latest intelligence from Affghanistan mention that
Shah Soojah had resolved to winter at Cabul, which
will render it unnecessary for an European regiment to
escort Lord Auckland's King and his harem, the only
efficient establishment in his kingdom, to Jullalabad,
Her Majesty's 13th Light Infantry were to have left
on the 4th inst.

The extensive mortality which prevails among the
Company's camels has led to the assemblage of a Com-
mittee, which is now sitting, to investigate into the cause.
It is supposed the animals are poisoned by digitalis, or
foxglove, which abounds in the Cabul valley, and m hich
the natives, such is their friendly feeling towards *air
English benefactors, mix up with the forage of the ani-
mals.—Agra Ukhbar.

CABUL.
The following items are from a Cabul letter, dated
September 24, and are the latest we have :-
66 The 13th Light Infantry marched for Jullalabad on the
14th October. General Elphinstone, who is still very
unwell (having been sick ever since he arrived), leaves
about the Ist October ; he drops down the Indus to
Bombay, whence he takes steam for England.
An expedition, consisting of 200 men of her Majesty's
44th, the sth Regiment Native Infantry, one regiment
of Shah's Infantry, one detachment of Sappers and
Miners under Lieutenant Sturt, two iron and font. brass
9-pounders, and two 8-inch mortars, under Captain
Abbott, and the mountain-train under Captain Back-
house ; moved forward under command of Colonel Oliver,
Native Infantry, towards the Zoormut valley, to the S.E.
of Cabul, on the 27th ult., to level a village and strong-
holds in which a notable villain, who; for months past,
has been haunting the roads and passes, robbing and mur-
dering all that came in his way, had taken refuge.
The chief who sheltered him had already been urged by
Captain Hay, 35th Native Infantry, who was in the
neighbourhood, collecting, revenue, to give up his friend,
but he merely replied by a volley of abuse and shot,
killing two and wounding three of Hay's men ; the
Captain then tried the effect of two 6-pounders he had
with him, but they were useless, and he was obliged to
return, and the above-mentioned force, a pretty strong
one, has been sent on. _ _

The place against which the detachment proceeds is
a very strong one, being a large walled village with five
forts, all flanking each other within gunshot range. It
is, however, supposed that the chieftain's courage will
vanish, and that he will take himself to the hills, when
he sees our formidable preparations, though the place is
to be blown up, we understand, whether he resist dr not.
The only other scrap of news is the certain expecta-
tion of Colonel Stoddart's arrival at Cabul in a short
time : this circumstance, the authenticity of which we
have every reason to believe, must be gratifying to all
who, with reason, have so long deplored the sufferings of
the Gallant Officer, and animadverted upon the apparent
neglect of Government in allowing him to languish so
long in prison. Colonel' Stoddart's liberation will also
add much to our knowledge of the country in which he
has so reluctantly resided, and any further information
as to its resources must at this time be very valuable.--
Delhi Gazette.