The Sun.
London, England, 1846-10-01 00:00:00

THE ENGLISH IN BORNEO.

(From the Singapore Free Press of July 30.)
Yesterday afternoon her Majesty's steamer Spiteful,
Commodore Maitland, arrived here, having left Borneo
on the 25th instant. This steamer brings accourits of the
operations of the fleet at Borneo Proper. H a Excel-
lency Rear-Admiral Sir J. T. Cochrane, after his arrival
off the river of Borneo Proper, tried to arrange matters
with the Sultan in an amicable manner, but found that
all his efforts were met with suspicion. The Sultan re-
fused to allow his Excellency to go up the river, except
in a small boat, and behaved, altogether, in such a dis-
trustful manner, that negotiations were found to be use-
less. Decided measures were, therefore, resolved upon.
On the 6th the Spiteful towed the Agincourt, Iris, Ring-
dove, Hazard, and Royalist, into the river, within about
twelve miles below the town of Bruni. On the 7th the
Hazard and the Royalist were moved up to the bar,
and the Honourable Company's steamer Phlegethon
towed the Royalist over the bar, and returned to
the squadron for the boats, &c. The Admiral then
hoisted his flag on board the Spiteful, and on the Bth the
Spiteful and the Phiegethon—the latter, having a much
less draught of water than the Spiteful, taking eight
boats in tow—proceeded up the river. On the steamers,
&c., coming within range of the forts, the Malays opened
a fire upon them with round and grape, by which two
men were killed and seven wounded on board the Phlege-
then. This was returned from the Phlegethon with
rockets and guns. The boats were now cast off, and the
crews, under the command of Captain Mundy, and of
her Majesty's ship Iris, landed and stormed the forts.
The guns in the two forts, seven in number, were spiked,
and in the afternoon the forts were destroyed. The
steamers and boats then proceeded up the river towards
the town of Bruni. On rounding the point of the town,
another fort opened on the Phiegethon with the boats in
tow. The steamers kept on their course, returning the fire,
and, on a party of marines landing. at the fort at 4 30 P.M. ;
it was found deserted. The marines were encamped for
the night on the hill. On the 10th a party of marines
and small-arm men proceeded up the river, under com-
mand of Captain Mundy, on an inland expedition, in
pursuit of the Sultan and his army, who had fled into
the interior, but they did not succeed in coming up with
the Malays. This expedition was absent four days.
After their return, the steamers and boats moved down
the river to the ships, and on the 25th the fleet left the
river and proceeded to Pnlo Labuan, off which it was
lying when the Spiteful left ; 57 guns in all were taken
possession of, of which 27 were beautiful brass guns. One
of these is described to be a magnificent Spanish piece of
the reign of Charles 111. The Phlegethon was to pro-
ceed on the 25th inst. to Amboong and Tampasook for
bullocks for the use of the fleet; and it was generally
thought that the Admiral would proceed immediately to
China. The Daedalus joined on the 11th with provi-
sions ai d coals. The Phiegethon may be expected here
between the sth and 10th of next month. We are glad
to learn that the Phiegethon distinguished herself
greatly in this affair, having had much of the hard work,
and being the only vessel which returned the fire of the
enemy. We trust that the services of Captain Ross and
his officers will not be overlooked, and that when her
Majesty's Government are rewarding those belonging
to her Majesty's service, the Governor-General will not
be unmindful of the gallant fellows belonging to the In-
dian service, but either himself bestow or procure from
her Majesty's Government a fitting reward for their
conduct in Bruni river.