The Sun.
London, England, 1846-07-23 00:00:00

CALCUTTA.

,We are now in possession of Calcutta papers to the &1
June. We take from them the following important ex•
tracts :

We regret to learn that the ship Mariam, from Calcutta,
with coolies, arrived at Mauritius with the small-pox on
board. She was placed in quarantine, and instant measures
were being adopted to land her passengers and crew under
proper precaution.—Englishman, June 1.
The following is from Jullundur, tinted the 21st ultimo:—
" From letters received 3 esterday, to day, the 211,, I believe
is the day fixed for the surrender of Kot Kangra. The
trarrison at first wished to be allowed to march out with
all the honours of war, but their request was refused, and I
believe the place is to be given up unconditionally. A
circular was sent round to the different corps, wishing to
know if the sepoys objected to receiving their pay in the
Nanukshahee rupees. I believe the honour has been gene-
rally declined. We have had some very heavy falls of rain
during the last day or two, accomp inied with thunder, so
much so that if it had not been so early in the season, I
should have fancied the bursat had re. Ally set in. The regi-
ments in the Jullundur have also been directed to recruit, 10
men a company, from the Rajpoots residing in she hill stairs,
lately taken possession of by us; and this, I think, is a very
judir:ious measure."—Rid.
Mr. Siinins has reported most favourably on a great line
of railway from Calcutta to Delhi, and he has estimated its
-ost at 15.000,0001. sterling. How is such a sum to be raised ?
Not all at once, but portions of the line might be completed,
and would undoubtedly yield a handsome return, and thus a
few years might suffice for the completion of one of the most
important communications in the world, whether it be consi-
dered politically or commercially.
The continued scarcity of money has stagnated trade all
over the country, and at present there is no appearance of
relief from any quarter. The usual supplies of silver from
China have failed, and the latest accounts from that country
prove that it is perfectly bare of the precious metals. The
oative merchants and bankers here appear quite as much dis-
tressed as others, and some failures have taken place among
them in the interior of the country, which have made them
still more cautious and wary. Among European houses we
have only had one failure, that of the oldest firm of auctioneers
in India, Messrs. Tulloh and Co. Their debts amount to
about 18 lacs of rupees.
The prospects of our planters have somewhat improved
since our last dispatch, as rain has fallen abundantly in many
parts of the country, and those who have taken pains to pro-
cure information now estimate the coming crop at 120,000

maunds.
The grain crops have been deficient in many parts of the
country, and prices continue unusually high, which may be
one cause of the general scarcity of money. Indeed, we
nave seen this expressly sta:ed in the letters of native
merchants in the interior, which mention the large sums
diverted from other uses by the high price of food.—
Englishman, June 3.
We are informed that an officer of one of her Majesty's
regiments is now under arrest in this fort, under a charge of
forgery. The signatures of no less than seven officers have
been forged, of which the Agra bank has been defrauded of
about 4,000 rupees.—lbid.
The fallowing changes are reported in the north-west :
Mr. Secretary Thornton is going to the Sudder, in place of
Mr. Cartwright, who is going to retire.
Mr. Elliot, member of the Sudder Board, to be secretary.
vice Thornton.
Mr. Robinson, commissioner of Agra division, to the
Sudder, vice Elliot.
Mr. from Cawnpore to be the Agra commis-
sioner. —lbid.
The shipping report of to-day reported the Columbus,
Short, from London, 24th December; the Varuna Mould,
from London, 14th December, and Ascension 26:h March;
the Advocate, Garrick, from Cadiz, 10th January; the
Thomas Fielden, Blackstone, from Liverpool, 9th January;
the Henry Woolley, Windas, from Newcastle, 14th Decem-
ber; the Asia, Tremlin, from Cadiz, 29th January.
The semaphore of te•day reported the Ernaud, Proudfoot,
from Mauritius, May 8, and the Agnes, Jones, from Bombay,
May 14.—Hurharu, June 1.
It would appear by the following extracts from a private
letter, receixed by this morning's post, that there has been
boisterous weather at the Sandheads:—
" Sandheads, May 26, 1846.—We have had the weather
very boisterous outside, especially on Friday, the 22d. It
blew a perfect hurricane for about twelve hours. My vessel
was completely buried in the sea, which was making a fair
breach right over her, but, thanks to the Almighty, 1%13 re•
ceived no damage. only. of the pilot vessels lust their an-
chors, besides sustaining other damage."
" May 27, 1846.—1 do not know how you had the weather
last night in Calcutta; it was blowing hard with us, and still
looks very threatening. I suppose we shall have something
before the rain sets in for the season. Barometer, 29.48.
Thermometer, 81. Wind S.E. Fresh breezes and cloudy,
four P.M."--Ibid.

We have been favoured with the following extract of a
private letter from an officer at Loodianah on the subject of
the late awful catastrophe there:—
" I have just now returned from a scene of woe and horror,
perhaps more painful than any which the recent battles pre-
sented. Loodianah was yesterday visited by a tremendous
storm. The whole of the barracks occupied by her Ma-
jesty's 50th Regiment were laid prostrate, burying beneath
their ruins 88 men, women, and children, and wounding 135
others, many in a shocking manner. I was on the court of
inquest. and the dead-house presented a scene of desolation
not easily described. Mutilated and blackened corpses lying
on the floor; men, -women, and children bemoaning over a
wife, husband, and parent. It was a heartrending sight.
The barracks were of kutcha materials, hastily run up two
years ago, as temporary accommodation for European troops,
but no others, it seems, were in contemplation to supply
their place. We are all desirous to hear that a similar cala-
mity has not befallen the 62d Regiment, at Ferozepore,
where the buildings are of similar materials. We have not
yet received any news from Kot Kangra. WheeAr crossed
the Beyah on the 19th, and heavy firing was heard yesterday,
so it may be that the garrison holds out still. The firing
was heard by the people at Nakodin. We are too distant to
hear at Loodianah."—lbid.

GENERAL ORDERS.—QUEEN'S TROOPS,
HEAD-QUARTERS, SIMLA.
23d May.-1. Hor Majesty has been pleased to appoint
Major-General Sir H. G. Smith, G.C.8., to serve upon the
staff of the army In the East Indies, vice Major-General Sir
R. H. Dick, K.C.8., killed in action.
2. Her Majesty has been pleased to appoint Co'onel
Cureton, C.B , Adjutant-General to the Queen's forces in
India, vice Sir H. 43, Smith, G.C.8., placed on the staff of
the env.