The Sun.
London, England, 1840-11-16 00:00:00

INDIA. AND CHINA.

CALCUTTA, SEPT. 18.—We have received news of
the expedition to China. There is no doubt that the
plan is to take possession of the island of Chusan, from
which place it will be easily practicable to make n descent
en the rich city of Ningpo, and command the great
lines of internal water communication, which extend
through the richest provinces to the capital.
If the naval and military operations are conducted
with vigour and promptitude, and precede all attempts
at negotiation, the dispute may be quickly terminated.
There are not wanting, however, symptoms of a con-
tinuation of the same weak and variable policy that has
characterized the proceedings hitherto ; for Captain
Elliot on the 28th of June published a proclamation to
the inhabitants of the province of Canton, in which an
attempt is made to persuade the Chinese that the con-
duct of the High Commissioner Lin has not been ap-
proved of by the Emperor. This, in any case, would
have been a vain attempt, but after the promotion of
Lin to higher dignities, and the promulgat;on of a
rescript written by the vermillion pencil, recording the
Emperor's approbation of the conduct of his Lieutenant,
it seems to class among those ridiculous attempts at
, finesse that deceive ne one.

The presence of the squadron on the coast, and its
provess to the north-east, by driving away the war
junks, will no doubt give increased activity to the
smuggling operations, and opium will find a ready sale.
Toe Indian Government has not decreased the culti-
vation of the poppy in the least, and the prices of the
drug have not declined since the last Government sales.
Our relations with Ave remain unchanged ; they are
neither cordial nor friendly, but there seems to be no
chance of hostile collision. An opinion gains ground
among all well-informed people, that war with Nepaul
is inevitable, and will be commenced the moment that
the cessation of the rains and the setting in of the cold
weather permit. The object of the Ghoorkas will be
to gain time, but if (as there seems little reason to
doubt) the ultimatum of our Government requires
them to receive and pay a subsidiary force officered by
English officers, and disband the rest of their troops,
the sword may be considered as already drawn.
The news from Affghanistan and Scinde is of a most
unsatisfactory character. Not half the requisite forces
are employed in either country, and the troops are dis-
gusted and harassed by perpetual marches and skir-
mishes with ignoble foes, who are only formidable from
our weakness. The obstinacy of persisting in making
war with inadequate means is beginning to lead to those
serious evils which all military men apprehended.
The late intelligence of Government having supported
in Parliament the scheme of exporting our Hill Coolies
to the Mauritius, and eventually to the West Indies,
has caused deep feeling and excitement here. The
report of the Cooly committee will be forwarded by
next mail, and, founded though it is on evidence of-
fered voluntarily, and by parties not likely to give a
dark or unfavourable view of the business they were
engaged in, it is amply proved that the Cooly trade
only differs from the African slave trade, in fraud being
the means employed in carrying on the one and force
the other, vehilst the effect on the individuals them-
selves and their families is pretty nearly the same in both.
Commercial affairs general.), are in a prosperous con-
dition. The tardy act of justice to India in equalizing
the duties on some articles of her produce with that of
the other colonies has given an extrardinary impetus to
the trade and cultivation of sugar, and, if followed up
by a reduction of the duty on rum, it may be expected
to become speedily the grand staple of India. As it
is, in this year at least 40,000, and very probably
50,000 tons will be exported from Bengal. The
greatest export in any former year was 26,000 tons. In
the other great staple, indigo, the crop has been a par-
tial failure.

The monetary affairs of the country, from the strength
and solidity of the banks, are in a most sound and sa-
tisfactory position, money being plentiful, and no over-
trading.