The Sun.
London, England, 1846-06-24 00:00:00

JUNE 24, 1846.

under review, as the town afforded ample protection, with
proper precaution, against anything but shell. The muskets
of the sepoyssaufiot,-of course, compete with matchlocks at
such a diataine, -a circumstance which gives the garrison
good deal of confidence, and on the 26th they made a sally
with the option of burning the portion of the town in front
of the occupying party. They succeeded in firing one or
two of the houses, but they retreated is double quick lime
when the sepoys turned out against them. On the 27th,
the Raja. of Kurtocii. who_ had collected a force of about
2,500 men in the 'neighbourhood of Kangra, to assist the
44th, and who was encamped on the road in rear of the fort,
lent them three of his t•ix guns and a howitzer, and prepara-
tions were snaking for putting them in battery on the
night of that day, so not as to leave the amusement of firing
all to the enemy. Three companies occupied the town of
Kangra, one the Fort of Mulkera, and the remainder
were in the camp at the foot of the hill. They had
pretty hard work of it, being constantly on the alert and
unable to cook, or eYcn to take off their accoutrements, the
weather at the same time getting rather warm, being from
92 to 9G in teats, and higher in the town, the feeling of heat
being considerably diminished, however, by the cool and re- '
freshing aspect, some ten or twelve miles of 1; in a north-
easterly direction, of a snowy range ; the snow was, however,
disappearing fast. No information can be obtained of the
intentions of the garrison, as no one would venture into the
place for love or money. Its appearance is said to be won-
derfully strong, but not at all calculated to stand the attack
of the mortars now on their way. The garrison are reported
to have a lakh of rupees in their charge, which they are much
smo i
egr
eer s likelytoh a
vteo, a fnadl 1
the upo g
un tnhse ma
rsee sw tshtaa nt e
dt o t
oa lhl oe‘nv
otth bmo er
e
than seven or eight in number, and none of them large, the
largest shot picked up not exceeding four and a half pounds.
The valley between the fort and the snowy range above
mentioned is highly cultivated. We ought to have men-
tioned in its proper place the fact that Misr Poop Lall had
reached Kangra on the afternoon of the 26th, with another
urgent purwannah from Lahore, but it had not been
sent in up to the last advices received in Jullindur.
On the first intimation to the authorities of the
recusancy of the Killedar, representations were made
to the Lahore durbar, who issued purwannah after pur-
wannah, and dispatched them by the most confidential
servants, enjoining immediate surrender, but as there was
every appearance of these being all treated with the contempt
bestowed on the first, the British authorities thought it best
not to wait and see the result, but to prepare at once for the
reduction of the place by fojce.-- -BrigaditsWheeler was ac-
cordingly directed to issue the necessary orders, and the 2d
Grenadiers marched from Jullindur on the 25th of April, the
llth Native Infantry at Jullindur, and 4th Irregular Cavalry
at Hoosheearpoor, being directed at the same time to prepare
for the march. A battery of mortars, with a light field
battery, was ordered to be got ready at Phulloor, where the
reserve of the Artillery are stationed, and the whole
were to march under escort of a wing of the 63d as
soon as ready, under the personal command of Brigadier
Wheeler, Major Lawrence, Lieutenant Edwards, and Mr.
John Lawrence, the commissioner of the Trans-Sutlej
country, accompanying the force. The general impres-
sion at Jullindur, was that there would not he much
resistance, after the first , shell bursts in the fort, al-
though the garrison are understood to consist 'chiefly
of Akalees, and the authorities seemed to entertain.
the same idea, as they have resolved on provisiming the de-
tachment to a very small extent. Major Mayne, corn.
mandant of the 10th Irregular Cavalry, had reached Jullin-
dur without a single desertion in his corps, and was to proceed
on the 29th of April to Moheerian, about thirty miles beyond
Hoosheearpoor, and close on the banks of the I3eas. We
understand his corps has elicited admiration from all who saw
it on its progress. The weather is on all hands still repre-
sented as very delightful, and had been considerably reduced
in temperature by a thunder-storm on the 21st of April,
followed by a heavy shower of rain. In fact, should the
climate prove in other seasons as favourable as this, we
shall find the stations in the new Doab amongst the most
coveted 'by the Bengal army, notwithstanding the grumbling
,there has been, and which is to be attributed to temporary
causes."

On the whole, so far as the appearances of things hitherto
warrants us in drawing any conclusion, no arrangements could
have been made promising to turn out more auspiciously than
those just concluded. We have secured the tranquillity
of the Punjaub by chastising, disarming, and humbling
the tyrant military by which it was oppressed ; we have.in-
flicted all the punishment on them state necessity required,
and this was less than was commensurate with their crimes,
so much more are we entitled to triumph in our mercy and
magnanimity. We have taken care that no such organisa-
tion shall again come into existence between the Indus and
the Sutlej as to interfere with the tranquillity of the people,
or endanger the frontier of their neighbours. We, have se-
cured from the ill-gotten hoards of Runjeet Singh an indem-
nity adequate to corer the expenses of the war. We have
greatly improved the strength of our frontier, acquired a
territory which yields of free revenue nearly three times the
amount of the total returns from Sinde,-which are swallowed
up live-fold by our expenses on the Indus; and finally the
climate of our new acquisition is such that the troops maybe
pushed forward during the heats from the more southerly
cantonments for the improvement of their health and increase
of their comfort. To the people of India we could have given
no more irrefragable proof of our power or magnanimity and
forbearance than that which we have supplied.
There is, perfect tranquillity and general good health
atiiongst the troops along the Indus, and all look forward to
the diminution of the cost of maintaining the country,
which, after all, must remain excessive, to the extinction of

ite and independent government for its maintenance.

Cholera has been very prevalent and very fatal here of
late. One regiment, 22d Native Infantry, has lost on its
march one-fourth of its men.

A steamer has just come in, and brings, I am sorry to
say, accounts of the death of Captain Arnie', of the -Ist
Grenadier Regiment.
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONbENT.)
CALCUTTA, MAY 9.

Here in Calcutta there is little stirring except wind and
tire. The former has been blowing very strongly, but
.quietly
of late; and the latter has been sweeping off a goodly num-
ber of huts in various parts of the town. On the 6th there
were fires in three or four different places; and one of them,
described in eight lines of one of the papers, is said to have
destroyed above eleven hundred houses ! There was another
great conflagration yesterday, which destroyed a vast num-
ber of native tenements, and one or two lives.

The weather continues very hot and dry, not a shower
having fallen here, and very litte rain in the indigo districts—
bad prospects for the planters.
A few days ago Baboo Mutty Lall Leul proposed to the
Dhurma Subha, a Society of Orthodox Hindoos, to petition
Government for some enactment in favour of the re-marriage
of Hindoo widows. It appears that his proposal caused a
great stir in the meeting, and was loudly exclaimed against,
which is not to be wondered at, when it is remembered that
the society was originally established to oppose the abolition
of Suttee. You may not have heard that this same Mutty
Lall, some time ago, offered a premium of 10,000 rupees to
any Hindoo who would marry a widow. The prize has never
been claimed.
The wet dock committee, appointed some two or three
years ago, has at length laid its report before Government,
It recommends-the construction of docks a little below the
fort. Of course we shall soon hear of a joint-stock company
being formed in England for carrying out this or some similar
plan.
" "

There has, it is said, been an attempt at a counter-revolu-
tion in Burmah, for the purpose of restoring Tharawaddie to
the throne. The friends of the ex-King, however, appear to
have lost heart when the time for action arrived. The new
Government is still well spoken of—at all ovents by the
Moulmein newspaper.
We have heard something of some disturbances in Borneo,
but no particular. I treed not, however, trouble myself on
this account just now, as I am aware I cannot now send you
any news from the eastward of this place—the China and
Ceylon steamers always forestalling me.
For commercial news I must refer you to the Price Cur-
rent sent herewith, contenting myself with saying generally
that trade, except, perhaps, in respect to sugar, continues
nearly as dull as per last advices. Prospects for indigo crop
very bad, in consequence of want of rain ; but it is thought
that now even abundance of rain would not make the crop an
average one. _

Money market much as when I last wrote, gradually
growing easier. The settling day for the third opium sale
(sth inst.) passed without a default. Exchange a little up
again—touching 2s. Id., but may be quoted a little under
that. Bank Stock in demand. Bank of Bengal dividend
for four first months of 1846, rs. 12 0 1 per cent, per annum.
CALCUTTA, MAT 11, 2.30 P.M.
Nothing very remarkable has transpired since Saturday
evening, when I made up my letter for the regular mail.
The Precursor, which left town on the 3d, did not get out
to sea until the 7th, owing to the strength of the wind right
in her teeth. The weatherwise foretell a gale, and the ma-
jority of them axed it for to-day; but though the sky, looks
wild, there are no signs of its immediate approach. There
was a puff yesterday evening, which looked like the begin-
ning of the storm, but it blew over. It is very probable,
however, that we shall have some rough weather. I hear
2tist.a t 1
mthde market
first-rateinth
Countess
iaoipttepie sanapßtpeeaefrszorss:r
saoetrefne exchange
tight. Arrivals
months'gi
am etA
ru, tTlol
iu-a:diaa.antl:yees7
fa:rorotneftnri2i.
England.
Storey.nglig ld
Liver-
\an,
entaord.
On China so low as Rs. 200 to Rs. 202 per 100 dollars.
fnßfroootmn
reported
oymrmat
erodkuetithn ;
pool.

There is to be a ball at Government House on the 25th, in
honour of her Majesty's birthday.

(From the Bombay Times, May 20.)
• THE PUNJAUB.
The past week has scarcely supplied us with a single line
of news from beyond the Indus, or Sutlej. No attack had
up to our latest dates been made on Kote Kangra, and it was
by no means certain that the arrangements formerly
nse
a
men-
tioned
as in contemplation were in progress of being r
ie
out. The fort is situated on a high plateau about, three.
miles in circumference—everywhere surrounded 3
like, cliff perfectly perpendicular. It abound•it was once
in b
water and
munitions, and is provisioned for three years; ,
got possession of by stratagem—to force it considered im-
practicable. It has not hitherto had the trial of British cou-
rage or skill, before which it will speedilye have to yield itself.
Meanwhile Dewan Deena Nath
a of the ,garrison not
has
proceeded from Lahore
to make prisoners of thefamilies
included within the fortress,.the hopes that this might
influence the proceedings ofi the recusants. It is not
improbable that before the dispatch of the steamer, tidings
may be received in .
timefor_dlspaetuchblypetheLone todonwnn ad-
u
Paper expresses, The 4 lAN , encamped .0 the

;

PRICE 51).

joining, had been tired upon from the batteries, but received
no injury therefrom. The Seikhs at Lahore were looking
forward with anticipations of triumph at our expected
repulse. The commendations of the climate and condition
of our new possessions, continue loud and universal. At
Lahore matters appear to continue perfectly tranquil. The
flying rumours of contemplated treason or meditated hos-
tility' which occasionally get into circulation, seem altoge-
ther baseless. The heat of the weather, which by Mid-
summer becomes extreme, was beginning to get disagreeable.
The Governor of Mooltan had been superseded, and Bugvi-an
Singh, brother of the Raja Lall Singh, had proceeded to take
his place. Ajeet Singh, Raja of Ladwa, one of the protected
states, had been made prisoner at Lahore and sent into our
territories. He was one of the earliest and most prominent
traitors OM our side the Sutlej, and is not likely to have the
concessions prayed for made to him. These few and un-
important items are all that have transpired since our last
in reference to the Punjaub—no news being a bad thing
enough for us, but the best of syMptoms of the satisfac-
toriness of their condition.

• INDE.
Absolutely supplies us nSo
heading at all; not one single
item of intelligence worthy of a place in our first page
having been received from the banks of the Indus since
our last. -

11 HE K/106iVDS.
In a time of universal and profound peace throughout India
a little war has broken out in the Goomsoor country amongst
n
one of the aboriginal races of- the people of India. The
e
Khoonds--the parties referred to—are obviously of Scythian
origin : they are in person, intellect, manners, and customs
altogether unlike the inhabitants of Hindman. They arc'
fearfully addicted to drunkenness; female infanticide and
promiscuous cohabitation are prevalent amongst them. Most
singular of all, hundreds and hundreds of persons are annu-
ally destroyed as sacrifices to appease the offended Deity. It
is but twenty years since we first knew of their existence—
but ten since we became acquainted with their peculiarities.
Since then we have had a resident amongst them, who has
done every thing in his power to put an end to the horrible
practices just alluded to.
Captain M'Pherson, to whom we are indebted for much
the greatest portion of the information we possess—for nearly
all the efforts that have been made to put a stop to the
fearful practises of this strange and mysterious people—
has of late, in the course of his exertions, met with un-
usual opposition. On this 14th of March an express from .
this officer reached the coinniaiiding offter at Russulcon-
' dal], intimating that the Khoonds were rising and threat-
ening to attack him, and requesting reinforcements. Two
days afterwards a farther express intimated that he was
then eight miles neater_ Russulcondah than formerly, and
that the Khoonds were preparing to make an irruption
into our territory.- Three companies of native infantry
were, at his request, accordingly immediately dispatched
to his assistance. The troops were directed to be as lightly
equipped as possible, and to proceed with all imaginable
haste. They traversed forty-six miles of wild hill country
in thirty-six hours, arriving at Kungoor, the place of
their destination, at six A.M., on the 18th. The rein-
forcement, of the arrival of which the enemy were
ignorant, had been about two hours in camp :when
the cry arose—" the Khoonds are coming," and accordingly
some one thousand armed men came rushing on from the
hills, hooting and yelling like demons, and making straight
for the camp, where they supposed the escort of Captain
M'Pherson, consisting of fifty men, wero all they had to
deal with. Observing the reception they were likely to ex-
perience, they halted suddenly, and a few leading men came
forward, desiring to speak with the commanding officer.
He accordingly proceeded to hear them, when, after some
conversation, they peaceably retired. For the next four days
all remained quiet; on the 22d, about 2,000 advanced in
hostile guise, as many more being reported to be concealed
behind the hills. When within two or three hundred yards
of us, they halted and sent on about fifty men from their
front, who came hooting and yelling., running and dancing
from side to side, till within fifty or sixty paces of the sepoys.
The order was given to fire, when three fell, and a good
many were wounded, and the rest made off as rapidly as pos-
sible. Nothing more occurred till the 29th, when Captain
M'Pherson marched on Pooranghur, and succeededin mak-
ing prisoners of six of the principal men who had been con-
cerned in the previeus attack.

AGR A.

The first instalment of the Seikh guns, in number 60, came
in this morning, and the rest will follow. From Delhi the
routes lay via Meerut and Allyghur to this. The public in-
spection will take place when all have arrived. The thought
of these guns being conveyed at this blazing season to Cal-
cutta (800 miles) made me instinctively draw my chair
closer to the cool tatty.—Bengal Hark aru, May 8.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
THE CALCITTTA MARKET.
:From the Overland Bengal HurZara Price Current of Saturday,
May 9.)
_ _ _

Bengal Hurtaisu-6ifice, Calcutta, May 9, 1846.

Expoars.
The express of the mail of the 24th March reached this on the
morning of the 4th inst., and the Br ntinck arrived on the same day.
Accounts of commercial affairs at home continue very unpromising,
and the downward course of some of our staple products does not
appear to have been yet arrested. The Company's rate for bills on
Bengal was raised on the 11th of March to Is. ltd. per rupee.
The period that has elapsed since our last issue is so short that we
have necessarily little of any importance to communicate. There is
little change in any of our export staples, and a very moderate busi-
ness doing in all. Exchange remains steady at about 2s. Id. on Eng-
land, anti Company's Rs: 200 to 202 per 100 dollars on China.

Indigo—The lapse of another week has not improved the prospects
of the indigo crop. and every day's delay of rain is now most critical.
Tirhoot under the most favourable circumstances is now unlikely to
make even half a crop; in Bhaghulpore everything is burnt up, and
'the adjoining Zillahs are almost equally badly off. In Kishnoghur
speedy rain might yet ensure an average amount of sowings. Ex-
cept from a portion of Jessore, and to the eastward, where every-
thing now looks well, the accounts are as gloomy as they can be. It
is scarcely within the bounds of probability that we can have now
even an average crop under the most favourable clreuinstan,es for
the future.

Sugar—The improved accounts received by the mail have caused
a brisker market for this article, and a fair amount of business has
been done—Arrivals of the new Benares have been extremely li-
mited, one or two small parcels only having changed hands at about
CO.'s re. 11-8 per md. Dobora has been sold to a moderate extent
at Co.'s rs., 9 to 9-4 white Gurpatta, and other inferior date and cane
sorts have found buyers at fully our last quotations.
Raw Silk—The bazaar continues barely supplied, the native
holders in the interior preferring to retain their large stocks for the.
chance of some favourable turn in the market, rather than realise
to a certain loss at present reduced prices. Sales of Cosaimbazaar
to a moderate extent have been made at 8-12 Co.'s is. to 9. rs. per
fy. seer for the usual bazaar sort. In other kinds nothing has been
done.

Silk Piece Goods—The exceedingly unfavourable account of the
London piece goods sales has, of course, added to the dullness that
previously existed in the demand for coral's. The quantity at tnar•-
ket is by no means large, and the general quality Is improved,
though there is still much room for further amendment ; one or two
small parcels of really superior goods have brought our extreme
quotations of Co.' re. 120 a 125 per corge.
Rice—Previous to the arrival of the mail the purchases of table to
a moderate extent were made at Co.'s ra. 2 2 to '2 5, being a alight
advance on previous prices, but subsequently there has been nothing
done. Shipments to the Mauritius proceed free►y, and sales of Hal•
lam at Ce.'s re. 1 9% 1 10 are reported.

Cotton—Accounii from China to 29th March report a fair inquiry
for Bengal cotton,* but we are not aware of any transactions during
the week. The heat Banda and Bliomerghtirli may be quoted Sa.
Rs. 12 a 12 4 per b md.
Opium—Advices from China reporting an advance to 685 dols. for
Patna and 650 dols. for Benares, there has been more doing in the
drug during the week, and European parchasers,having come for-
ward, prices have advanced.
littroßTs.

Cotton Piece Goods—There has been more dulness observable in
the demand for these fabrics. Advices from the marts In the Upper
Provinces are discouraging, and with the continued scarcity of mo-
ney, and generally overstocked state of the market, the. business
transacted has been on a moderate scale.

Shirtings—These goods have been sold without much change from
previous rates.
Jacconets—Bleached continue to sell pretty freely, and grey have
also been quitted to a moderate extent, though without any improve-
ment in value.

Mull Mulls —Prices have declined about I anna per piece for the
lower qualities, and for all labrics under this head the inquiry is very
limited.

Book lifuslins —Rut little has been done during the week; there is
a moderate inquiry for Rangoon, but with the present large stock,
prices seem unlikely to improve.
Lappets—A few sales of common qualities have been made at
rather lower prices, but line kinds remain almost unsaleable, there
being no demand whatever for such descriptions. The stock Is very
large. . _

Lappet Scarfs have also been sold at a further reduction.
Turkey lted Goods—The quantity of these goods at market is
large, and prices remain mnch depressed, particularly for the lighter
des :riptions of twills. Of 24 .inch goods, both twins and cambrics,
the quantity on sale is much in excess of the wants of the market,
and prices are proportionately low, viz„ 4% to 5 annas per yard.
Medium width, 33 to 40 inches are at present most inquired for.
Printed Goods—The season for the sale of fabrics under this head
has hardly commenced, and demand therefore remains limited, while
the prices obtained are extremely low.