The Sun.
London, England, 1847-06-23 00:00:00

Obetnius ln

LONDON, WEDNESDAY. JUNE 23, 1847.

Intelligence of a somewhat unexpected and cere
tainly of a very satisfactory character has just been
received by the Overland Mail from Calcutta. A
detailed narrative of occurrences in the vicinity of
Canton is published in another part of to- day's im-
pression, explaining—though only partially explain-
ing—the origin of some extensive disturbances in
that portion of the dominions of the Celestial EM-
PEROR. Whatever may have been the immediate in-
ducement to the assumption of arms by our forces,
it is certain that the result of that assumption has
proved eminently satisfactory, inasmuch as it has
testified the overwhelming energy of our maritime
iarmament, and has compelled the Chinese Govern-
ment to yield to our reasonable requisitions without
'bloodshed, and- eien without any prolonged oppo-
tsition. Within thirty-six hours the English under the
idirection of Major-General GEORGE D'AGUILAR and
ICaptain MACDOUGALL, appear to have assaulted and
captured the whole of the Bogue fortifications and
the other places of defence scattered along the Canton
,River, besides demolishing the gateway, blowing the
(magazines into the air, and spiking cannon to the
;number, according to one account, of 827, and, ac-
cording to another, of 879 pieces. All this was
accomplished, moreover, without the loss of a single
individual, and the successes of our forces were fol-
lowed up with such activity that within forty-eight
hours from the commencement of hostilities the city
of Canton was itself threatened with instant
destruction. -As might be anticipated from
a naturally pusillanimous race like the chil-
dren of the Brother of the Sun, our naval
ardour was productive of a speedy submission. The
Chinese authorities yielded to the various demands
made by the Plenipotentiary of her Britannic MA-
JESTY, Sir JOHN FRANcis DAVIS, and yielded to
them without any reservation whatever, thereby re-
storing instant tranquillity, and saving Canton from
the perils of bombardment.
Although little glory can possibly accrue to those
who have triumphed thus easily over their Asiatic an-
tagonists, it cannot but be most creditable to the offi-
cers and men engaged in these transactions that so
snuck was performed in so brief an interval, and with-
out the occurrence of the smallest casualty. To the
honour of those who conducted this successful expe-
dition, be it observed that their proceedings were of
singular moderation notwithstanding the tempting cir-
cumstances of their superiority. His Excellency Sir
J. F. Davis has evinced a generosity in the enforce-
ment of his demands which must effectually exalt
the character of his country in the eyes of
the Chinese population. Instead ,of goading
them on to a further evidence of their dis-
inclination to submit to British requirements by
the stringency of the articles in the new agreement,
he has, in a distinguished manner, displayed the
moderation of his Government in the conditions of
that reconciliation.
According to the minor treaty, signed on the 6th
of April, it would appear that the several stipulations
are as follow;:—Firstly, that within a period of two
years, dating from the morning upon which the
agreement was made, Canton should be opened uncon-
ditionally to the subjects of her Britannic MAJESTY.
Secondly, that the subjects of her Britannic All-
ZESTY should be permitted to wander at pleasure in
the vicinity of that city, returning towards evening, as
at Shanghae, and that every act of molestation
should be considered as severely punishable. Thirdly,
that the assailants of the two English seamen during
the preceding October, and of Colonel CHESNEY and
his companions during the foregoing March at Fo-
shan, should expiate their offences ; and that the last-
mentioned culprits, being already in custody, should
be conducted to Canton, there to be punished jn the
presence of the representatives of the British pleni-
potentiary. Fourthly, that a sufficient area should
be afforded to British merchants for the construction
of suitable tenements and warehouses on the Honan
side, his Excellency to ascertain the particular site and
the precise extent of those areas before leaving Canton.
Fifthly, that besides an adequate piece of ground for
the erection of a church in the quarter already occu-
pied by the foreign factories, a certain portion should
be parcelled out for burial-grounds in the district of
Wampoa. Sixthly, that the Flying Bridge and
other structures situated between the gardens should
remain in the several conditions desired, and that
no sheds should henceforth be raised in the neigh-
bourhood of the walls; and, Seventhly, that the
Canton river immediately fronting the English and
foreign factories should, for the better preservation of
quietude, and for the general convenience, be entirely
cleared of boats. We have catalogued the foregoing
conditions as the most signal evidence that could be
afforded at once of the preponderance of British
influence on the shores of China and of the moderation
of the Plenipotentiary of her Britannic MAJESTY.

The House of Commons was again counted out last
night while Mr. POI:LETT SCROPE was bringing
forward his motion with respect to the waste lands of
Ireland. The present advanced state of the session,
and the approaching dissolution, render it almost an
impossibility to retain a house, save on some question
of general interest, on which a practical result may
be looked for without delay. The individual Mem-
bers are now more intent on the manner in which
they will meet their respective constituencies, and
the prospects of again obtaining their " most sweet
voices," than on receiving information on any point,
the decision on which must be referred to another
Parliament, in which they may not be r s fortunate as
to obtain seats. To such causes, thexiefore, and not
to a want of sufficient importance in the topic, the
apparent apathy may be ascribed. We have long
felt the deepest interest in all relating to the re-
clamation of those lands in the sister kingdom which
are now suffered to remain idle and unproductive,
but which might be. made the means of affording use-
ful employment 4 ,a vast quantity of labour that
now consumes, in place of increasing, the national
wealth, which, if brought into cultivation, would
yield a great additional quantity of food for the sup-
port of the British people, and which would render
wholly uncalled for the system of banishment, which,
under the name of emigration, is so urgently de-
manded by certain classes of Irish landlords, who
seem to think that the permanent prosperity of Ire-
land can only be attained by the expatriation of not
merely thousands, but even millions of her children.
While such persons are declaiming on the evils of a
surplus population, on the necessity of Government
interference, and the application of the State funds to
a wholesale deportation of the people, is it credible
that there should be contained within their country
no less 'than four millions of acres of land which
ighi
at
a moderate expenditure be rendered fer-
tile,d which, according to the estimates of
cotnpeatnent persons would yield a dividend of at
least ten per cent. on the necessary outlay ? Why
should there be national distress,ma.nd annes f insufficient
demand for labour, while such
main uncared for? In no other country, wealthwhere
there-
population was at all proportioned to the extent of
territory, would such a state of things be suffered to
exist. But many causes have contributed to render
Ireland a sad exception to the general rule. The
proprietors of the soil are generally burdened with
heavy eneu,mbrances, the interest on which absorbs
the grater- part of the. incbmes derived from-their'
properties. Indeed it has been calculated that fully one