The Sun.
London, England, 1846-11-18 00:00:00

NOVEMBER, 18
y , 1846.

SPIRIT of the PUBLIC JOURNALS.
FROM THE 'MORNING PAPERS OF THIS DAY.
TIMES.—The last advices received from America
confirm the impression that was made upon our minds
some weeks ago. Combined with the accounts which
are almost daily arriving from different parts of Europe,
and our o ern provincial markets, they remove the ex
treme alarm which once prevailed, lest the supply of
food during the ensuing year should be insufficient for
the wants of this country. This supply may, indeed,
fall below that of our more abundant seasons, but there
seems no reason for supposing that its contraction will
be sensibly or universally felt. In every market through-
out the kingdom prices have been receding, in obedience
to the only law which can influence them—the law ce
supply and demand. Indeed, at the present moment
there is far less cause for apprehending-that we are or,
the eve of a general dearth, than that the Engli.h far•
mere, fielding themselves jostling together thus early it,
the excitement of an unwonted competition, may crowd
their produce prematurely into the market, and thus
deprive themselves of the advantage which a more
politic reservation would insure to them through.
out . the year. It is the interest no less of
the public than of the producer that the available supply
of grain should be diffused as equally as possible through
the twelvemonth, and that buyers should not have to
compensate the cheapness of December or January by
an extravagant dearness in July or August. We shall
of course be well pleased to find the present prices
ruling till the summer; and there seems little reason for
supposing that they will hereafter exceed this amount,
unless they are now reduced below their proper standard
by the agitation of real or pretended alarm. Notwith-
standing the quantities of wheat and flour imported from
the United States, we learn from correspondents of
knowledge and judgment, including the " Genevese
Traveller," that there still remains behind a considerable
proportion ready for exportation. That there is little
cause to fear the effect of high prices on the other side
of the Atlantic, or of a 4s. duty on this, may be inferred
from the fact that, though on the arrival of the last
steamer flour rose from 50 to 75 cents. per barrel, yet it
soon afterwards sunk 30 cents. A depreciation of
this kind has only one solution—abundance. And we
are confident that although the corn harvests of the
United States might be insufficient to repair the cala-
mity of a general European dearth, yet that, with the
present amount of our home-grown produce, England
can derive more than she absolutely wants, or is likely
to want this year, from the western states of North
America. That this consummation is very far opposed
to that which we once anticipated, we readily admit.
But if we plead guilty to the charge of having conceived
unreasonable fears or uttered false predictions, we may
likewise claim the merit of having in some degree
brought about the falsification of our apprehensions.
For we believe that it is 'in part owing to the
representations which we ourselves put forth, in
accordance with fears unfounded, indeed, but at the
time very general, that we may attribute the extra-
ordinary efforts recently made to transmit grain from
the interior of North America to the coast. And to
these representations also is in some measure owing
the stimulus recently given to the shipping employed
in the European corn trade. Consequences like
these more than atone for the precedent error, and,
to our minds, outweigh a thousand sneers about in-
consistency and vacillation. Two facts should be con-
tinually borne in mind. The most curious phenomenon
of the present deficiency is, that it is a deficiency of the
coarser grains. Wheat is comparatively plentiful in
England, and more than usually good. It is of the com-
moner and coarser kinds of food that the yield has either
been unhealthy or insufficient. The same analogy holds
with respect to France. This is the first fact. The
second is, that Ireland, rather than England, is affected
by the dearth. This is only a consequence of the pre-
ceding proposition. The poor crops that have failed are
the Irish food. Had there been no Ireland at all, we
should never have heard of famine in England. The
price of wheat might have risen in consequence of
exportations to other parts of Europe. But it has
risen through the natural reaction of conti-
guous misery upon comparative competence. One
part of a nation cannot suffer severely without affect-
ing the other partially. One kind of sustenance
cannot become dear or scarce without raising, though
not to the same extent, the price of another. And this
dearness will continue, and finally be aggravated, until a
substitute be found for that species of food which is tem-
porarily lost. England apprehended the famine which
Ireland suffered. Wheat grew dear because potatoes
had become so. The Indian corn, which is the only
available substitute for the potato, was at first so par-
tially and scantily supplied as to have become in Ireland
dearer than wheat itself. Hence • the reaction on our
markets in this country. But the worst features of the
crisis have changed for the better. The influx of Indian
corn has of late been very considerable. A great re-
duction in its price may, therefore, be calculated on; and
this can be effected without loss to the importer, as the
price may fall very much below its recent height, and
yet leave a profit to the seller. Nor shall we fail to per-
ceive the effects of this change in England. As long as
the price of Indian corn was so high and seemed
likely to continue so high in Ireland, there was
•an appearance of harshness in keeping up the
duty on foreign wheat It was only an appear-
ance. The abolition of the duty would not have
brought food to the mouths of a dozen Irish families.
Still it looked hard; and persons of soft hearts and not
!very logical heads were very indignant at the notion of
;paying a duty of 4s. on wheat in England, while their
,fellow-subjects were starving on untaxed meal in Ireland.
!But now there is, wo hope, an end oven to the pretext
;for such indignation. The Irishman is likely to obtain
his substitute for potatoes cheaper than heretofore, even
if he do not save a remnant from the supposed failure of
!his usual crop. And we hope that he is also beginning
to earn the price of his daily food. Ile has been too
long indulging the delusive theory that, in periods of
scarcity, a Government is bound to complicate its other
,embarrassments by giving a multitude of people wages
for doing nothing. This is a most fatal error—more
fatal to the donees than the donors of such gratuitous
'stipend. But the recent measures of the Lord-Lieu- '
tenant, and the more general disposition of the peasantry
to engage in task-work, give earnest of a most desirable
improvement both in their habits and their condition.
And we see no reason why—if Indian corn does not
again become too dear, and the present' rate of wages
continuos—this year of dearth should not be an era of
new prosperity to every man in Ireland.
CHRONICLE.— Our contemporary, the Morning '
Post, edified its readers yesterday with a very minute :
'description of the dissensions by which, according to its
'representation, the present Ministry is distracted. Our
tcontemporary's remarks evince a degree of good nature
)towards a portion of the Cabinet, and indeed a kind of
approbation of it as a whole, vhich may obtain a certain
;amount of attention for its disclosures. The Post com-
mences its exposition of the most minute and secret
details of Cabinet discussion by expressing its ignorance
ler " how such circumstances transpire ; . and certainly
t is not very easy to conceive how such circumstances
ishould transpire, seeing that the information, if correct,
must proceed from parties sworn not to disclose it.
The Post, however, declares it to be certain that " in
quarters not likely to be misinformed, and among per-
sons not likely to be the dupes of mere conjecture, a
conviction exists that the present Ministry is split into
bpposing sections, and that there is scarcely any one
subject urn which a cordial unanimity of sentiment
exists."
Ye can likewise declare, with at least as
nuch assurance as our contemporary, " that. in quar-
ters not likely to be misinformed, and among persons
not likely to be the dupes of mere conjecture, a convic-
tion exists"—that there is no truth, or semblance of
truth, in the statement which ho has so positively and
ircumstantially put forth. The Post, or its informant,
n the exercise of a lively imagination, has conjured up
visions of sharp and incessant contentions between the
two Noble Lords who fill respectively the offices of Fo-
reign and Colonial Secretary. Such visions, we believe,
have not the slightest foundation of fact to support them.
We havo no fear of being considered the " dupes of mere
conjecture" in concluding that when public men of
Character have so far put an end to former disagree-
Lents as to sit in Cabinet together, they must have
anished from their minds all such wretched feelings of
rivalry as those which the Post describes as in active
existence. We have no hesitation in stating it to be
dur entire conviction that such rivalries and dissensions
as the Morning Post describes do not exist, and have not
existed amongst Ministers since the formation of the
present Government. The Post, however, has this ex-
cuse fur its mistake, that the Peel Cabinet, of Welch it
as once a cordial supporter, was divided and ultimately
,stroyed by internal dissensions. After the laint..,table
perience of that Administration, we cannot wonder
ei;
that the spectre of a disunited Government should now
linunt the imagination of our contemporary. AA'far as
o r knowledge goes, however, we can offer him the con-
s lotion of which he is evidently desirous. Let loin, Ly
a 1 means, banish his apprehensions, for there is not the
s ightest reason for believing that there is, or has been,
anything in the discussions of the Cabinet in the least
dbgree inconsistent with its being, as our contemporary
wishes to see it, " firm, united, and vigorous."

1 c
oUICIDE AT THE CHAIN PIER, BRIGIITON.---011
Monday evening, at dusk, a neatly-dressed woman was
mien walking about the promenade at the pier-head, in a
manner to excite some notice ; but as her demeanour
afterwards became somewhat calM, that notice was not
long continued. half an hour later she was discovered
by a son of Mr. 0. Cooper, clerk to the Pier Company,
outside the rails, her back towards the town, and holding
bj the rails with her hands, which were placed bellied
her. Imagining from her position that she was preparing
to drown herself, Mr. Cooper crept stealthily to the spot,
and was in the act of seising her clothes, when she sprung
into the water. The alarm bell was immediately rung,
the life .boat was lowered, and search was made for the
tidy with drags for several hours, but without success.
In the morning it was found on the beach, near the
Albion Ibtel, and conveyed to the Town-hall. When
tin it seen, the deceased had a small basket, which, with
her bonnet and a handkerchief, she placed on a scat on
the pier before leaping into the water. Iler age is judged
at, about 24 ; and her dress resembles that of a servant,
b is very neat. She is not I.nown; and neither in the
b !cat nor in her poclietg wail anything found by which
inrrormution as to her identity could be gleaned.
Thu Marquis and Marchioness of Ely and family left
nit-ratio's
.Ilvtel,l3eigrave-btteetyesterilny, fvr Torgoy,

THE KAFIR WAR.

By the ship Mary Anne, which has arrived at Ports-
mouth, we have received Cape of Good Hope papers to
the sth September. The following extracts from the
Graham's Town Journal of Sept. 5, give the latest intel-
ligence of the seat of war in liafirland

FRONTIER AFFAIRS.—EVENTS OF THE WEER'.
MONDAY.—Received information to-day that Captain
Hogg, at the head of a force 'of about 1,000 infantry,
chiefly Hottentots and Fingoes, and acting in conjunc-
tion with a Burgher force under the Field-Commandant
Van Wyk, and a detachment of the 45th Regitaent,
under command of Captain Seagram from the `Parka.
Post, had made a successful inroad into the Tambookie
country, capturing upwards of 4,000 head of cattle, and
killing some forty or fifty of the enemy. The loss on
our side is thirteen li'ingoes killed, and a few wounded.
The official dispatches, giving a detail of these opera-
tions, were immediately published in the shape of an
Extra to our last number, together with the following
observations:—

It is with peculiar satisfaction we give publicity to the
official dispatches above, detailing a successful movement
by Captain Hogg, 7th Dragoon Guards, with his native
force, on the Tambookie country. In ordinary times
the capture of 4,000 head of cattle would not be to the
colony a matter of very high importance ; but at the
present juncture, when the army is actually crippled for
I beasts of burthen, and when provisions are becoming
daily so scarce, and withal so indifferent, this capture is
of considerable moment, and may be hailed, notwith-
standing our loss of life, as among the most fortunate
events we have had. yet to record. Captain Hogg ap-
pears to have conducted this enterprise with good judg-
ment and gallantry, and to have been ably supported by
those co-operating with him. If there NI any exception
to this it is in reference to the Fingoes, and these it
seems to have been impossible to keep within the tram-
mels of military discipline. They appear to have
suffered severely for their imprudence, and it may
be hoped have been taught a lesson which may here-
after be of great use to them. Many, as well in other
corps as among the Fingoes are apt to think very lightly
of discipline—and, where there is not any deter-
mined resistance made, its importance may not bo very
manifest—but let any of our di►isions sustain a reverse,
let difficulties arise, and danger become imminent—and
then will be seen and felt the advantage of having a
body of men who have been trained to obey orders, who
can bo depended on to act in 'concert, and who, like a
piece of well-regulated machinery, move with that regu-
larity and precision which ensures the most perfect at-
tainment of a desired end.

It will be gratifying also for the public to know that
the chief Stock has been ordered to Fort Peddie, where
he is to remain as a prisoner of war, and to subsist at
his own expense. This is worthy of note, and is of
public importance, as being an indication of firmness at
head quarters. No mistaken humanity in dealing with
these people can be for a moment tolerated. We say
mistaken humanity, inasmuch as every act of unmerited
leniency on our part will be misinterpreted, and will be
sure to result in further mischief. It is the
height of folly to lay the flattering unction
to cur soul that the Kafirs have any innate
love for the white man. Our intimacy
with them has unfortunately neither won their esteem
nor their respect. There may be exceptions to this, but
if so they are few and far between, and hence we must
deal with them, not as we would fain find them, but as
they actually are—as utterly faithless in their profes-
sions, and as audaciously dishonest in their practices.
They must be dealt with in such a way as that they may
feel the consequences of their own misdoings, and be
unmistakingly assured that " honesty is the best policy.'
It would be an act of folly were the British public to
pay ultimately one sixpence of the expenses of the pre-
sent war, unless in failure of means on the part of the
aggressors. Every war which may be provoked, as this
has been, from mere lust of plunder and rapine, should
be defrayed by those who are the cause of it. This
would not be a difficult matter, it would be in accordance
with justice and international law, and in the long run
would prove to be by far the most humane policy that
could be adopted in our dealings with the native tribes of
this country. By making, for instance, the forfeiture of land
the penalty of aggression, and acting firmly upon that prin.
ciple, you at once enlist the native clans or tribes on the
side of peace, at least as regards the colony. The main.
tenance of their own authority, and the preservation of
their territorial possessions, would serve as the strongest
inducements that could be presented to the mind of a na-
tive, to guard him constantly and vigilantly against every-
thing that would lead to his being deprived of either. In
the case of the frontier Kafirs, the loss of their territory,
which must now be considered as absolutely forfeited,
will have an astounding moral effect throughout the
whole of South Airiest, and will do more for the preser-
vation of peace, and towards the civilisation of the bar-
barous tribes within the circle of British influence than
any other means, however plausible, that could possibly
be adopted. This groat and good work is new about to
be commenced—it is the beginning of a new era, and
one that is fraught with momentous consequences, not
merely to this country, but to the whole civilised world.
From Waterloo Bay we have information up to yes-
terday (Monday) morning. Her Majesty's ship Apollo,
with the 73d Regiment, arrived there about noon on
Saturday, and though blowing a gale at the time, came
to her anchorage in gallant and beautiful style. Captain
Salmond, who has the honour of being the first who
landed there, and whose vessel has given a name to the
place, immediately went off to her, accompanied by Mr.
W. Stanton, a visitor from Fort Beaufort, and who was
put on board the Waterloo, then 13ing at anchor in the
bay. Captain Salmond however proceeded to the
Apollo, where, as the gale continued to freshen, ho re-
mauled all night. On Sunday, though the weather had
moderated, yet from the heavy swell of the sea it was
not thought advisable to commence the landing. As,
however, the weather was particularly fine yester-
day, there can be little doubt but the men are
now ashore and in camp at that important point. In
striking contrast to this it may be stated, that the
men of the 45th, whO were landed at Algoa Bay on the
13th inst., are still toiling hither over the rugged roads
which mark the intervening country. In the mean time
the enemy has presented himself almost daily at Water-
loo Bay, threatened the supplies, swept cif the Govern-
ment draft cattle, dared the handful of men there to come
on, fired into the camp at night, and crossing the river,
swept off, amongst more petty depredations, 100 head of
cattle belonging to one individual. We know not who
is responsible for the landing of these troops so far from
where they were required, but to those on the spot, and
who are aware of the urgent necessity for their services
on the immediate frontier, it appears to be, to say no-
thing of the toil to the men, as strange a proceeding as
any that has yet come under public notice. A " Garri-
son Order" has been issued that on the arrival of this
regiment at Graham's Town, they are not to halt there,
but continue their "route to the mouth of the Fish River,
and to which point Major O'Reilly, the Commandant
here,,proceeded yesterday morning, for the purpose of
personally attending to the debarkation of the 73d
Regiment, and to make such arrangements as circum-
stances may appear to render necessary under the cir-
cumstances.

It is currently reported in town to-day, that Umhala
has followed the example of Stock, and surrendered him-
self to the British authorities ; and it is also affirmed
that Creli has made some pacific overtures, offering to
give up the colonial cattle in his territory. These re-
ports, however, want confirmation. Some of the Burgher
levies are, it is said, discharged, and about to return
home.