The Sun.
London, England, 1846-03-25 00:00:00

INIARC 25, 1846.

-6V-E-11 LAND MAIL
INDIA AND) CHINA.

DEFEAT OF THE SEIKHS.

(From the Times.)
MALTA, MARCH 17.
We have received India news yesterday by the Penin-
sular and Oriental Company's steamer Oriental, although
she brought no mail, of the following dates :—Calcutta,
February 7; Bombay, 15th; and China, January, 1846.
Sir Harry Smith's division having reinforced Colonel
Godby's division at Loodianah, has encountered the
Seikhs. On the 28th of January, Sir H. Smith, 12,000
strong, with 32 guns, marched out to meet the enemy.

The Seikhs advanced to meet them. After a stout
resistance and a heavy cannonade, the Seikh position
was stormed-65 out of 63 guns captured, and their
whole army, 24,000 strong, driven across the river.
In six weeks the Seikhs have been beaten in four
pitched battles, with the loss of 150 pieces of artillery.
The divisions under the Commander-in-Chief and
Governor•Genelsl continue at rest, facing the river from
Ferozepore, westward.
The Seikhs are entrenched in great force in front.
Their camp is on their own side, and their batteries on
our side of the river, a strong bridge of boats connecting
the position.
Ghoolab Singh arrived at Lahore on the 27th with
12,000 troops from the hills.
Tne conquest of the Punjaub will not be attempted
before October.
The Sinde troops are advancing up the Indus ; the
division on the left commanded by General Simpson ;
that on the right by Sir C. Napier ; a steam flotilla, and
a huge array of boats creepint up the river between. It
is said they will take up a. position near Mittun-kote,
and there remain during the hot season, ready to co-
oper..to with the grand army, when a general move-
ment takes place.
The Mooltan chief has offered to co-operate with us.
and the Hindoo soldiers in the service of the Lahore
Government are prepared to join us in a body. Her
Majesty's 62d Regiment have been acquitted of the im-
nutetion of misconduct before the enemy, to which the
diTateli of General Littler gave circulation. They re-
mained under a terrific fire of grape and canister until
hey were commanded to retire, further exposure being

useless.
We have papers from China to the 6th of January,
but the news they contain is unimportant.
The Governor, General has ordered levies to be raised
and trained to the amount of 10,000 men, to keep the
regiments on service in full effective strength.
Our loss in k'lled and wounded is about 600, that of
the enemy not ki.own, but very severe.
TEIE PUNJAUB.

We delayed publicatien to the latest possible hour at
the dispatch of last steamer, in expectation of receiving
full and authentic tidings of a reverse said to have oc-
eurred near Lo,dianah, but obtained none. Sir Harry
Smith's division—which occupied a position at the ex-
treme right of the British force, nearly opposite Hurre-
kee—procerded accordirg to orders about the 19th, to
march in the direction of Leodianah to reinforce the di-
vision under Colonel Godby, considered too weak to
be opposed to the formidable body of Seikhs then
entrenched in the neighbourhood for the purpose of
annoying them. The division consisted of the Ist and
2d brigades of infantry, viz , her Majesty's 31st and 24th;
42d, 47th, and 48th Native Infantry, the 9th and 16th
Lancers, three troops of horse artillery, and the 4th irre-
gular horse. Her Majesty's 53d bad been ordered to join
on the way, and the junction was effected at 7 p M. on
the 20th, to the east of Dhurrumkote, the Europeans
having marched 17 miles for this purpose; the force in
all amounting to nearly 8,000 men. On the 20th an
express arrived, intimating that the Loodianah regiments
were hemmed in. The Seikhs had crossed the river in
force, and taken up such a position as they considered
suitable for intercepting our troops and preventing a
junction. The reinforcing division marched about half-
past one on the morning of the 21st ; 25 miles had to be
traversed before they reached their destination. Colonel
Godby had been written to, announcing General Smith's
approach, and desiring him, as soon as he saw the dust
of the advancing column, to move out and meet them.
When about five miles from the conclusion of the
journey, the Seikh troops were unexpectedly descried
close at hand. The present object was a junction, not a
battle; and a considerable detour was immediately re-
824.4upette„t9,prtuno0,3119. former and avoid the latter.
The —coluinii was headed by her Maja.6% 31:4=53d'
bringing up the tear. The enemy's artillery did them
their usual service ; their cavalry made some demon -
etrations, but speedily withdrew ; ours, consisting of
the 9th and 16th Lancers, the Ist and 3d Light Cavalry,
and 4th irregulars TvLre commanded not to charge,
though eager for the fray. The Umballah force had
moved out about nine o'clock that morning, and were at
this time rapidly approaching. General Smith con-
tented himself with returning the fire of the enemy's
cannon. The haste with which the circuitous movement
was executed for a time exposed the baggage, a portion
of which fell into the hands of the enemy. Our casualties
amounted to about 200 killed and wounded. Lieutenant
Hideout, of the 47th Native Infantry, and Lieutenant
Campbqll, Aide-de-Camp to the Governor-General, were
slain ; Lieutenant Cavanagh, 4th Irregular Horse, and
Lieutenant Grey, her Majesty's 53d, were wounded.
From the 21st to the 24th every effort was made to re-
store comfort to the brigade—loss of tents in the burning
sun of India being a much more formidable matter than a
similar occurrenci, at home. The greater portion of the
troops were encamped between Buddewal and Loodianab
—the 36th Native Lifantry and Nusseeree battalion
being alone near the town. The Seikhs now apptehend-
ing an attack, in turn abandoned Buddewal, and with-
drew to a more advantageous position lower down the
river. Colonel Wheeler's brigade, consisting of her
Majesty's 50th, the 47th, and 48th regiments of Native
Infantry, joined on the 25th, and a few days being al-
lowed for rest an 1 arrangements, it was resolved that an
attack by the united force should be made on the 28th.
The Seikh force had originally consisted of 20,000 men
with 56 guns : on the 26th they were reinforced by the
addition of 12 guns and 4,000 men—all regular well-
disciplined troops. Their rear rested on the river, they
were entrenched strongly on the flanks; the strength of
their position was the village of Aleewal. On the 28th
the united divisions, consisting of 12,000 men and 32
guns, marched at daybreak from Buddewal in the direc-
tion of the enemy's camp. At the village of
Churck we first got sight of the enemy. They ad-
vanced some distance beyond their entrenchments
towards our division, and commenced a heavy can-
nonade on our troops, which continued for half-an-
hour. The village of Aleewal,, the important point,
was now stormed by our troops. Colonel Wheeler's
brigade, consisting of her Majesty's 50th, and the 47th
and 48th Native Infantry, led the advance. The whole
line now pressed on and stormed the batteries every-
where, carrying the guns at the bayonet's point. Charge
after charge of our cavalry broke and cut up the enemy
as they endeavoured to rally. The 16th Lancers and
3d cavalry suffered most severely ; of the former 110
were killed or wounded in charging the enemy's guns
and in striving, and that most successfully, to break a
square of a Khalsa regiment, which was quickly dis-
persed or cut to pieces. In this latter service 200 of
the Irregular Horse, under Captain Hill, and 700 of
the Sheltawattee Brigade eminently distinguished,
themselves. The Seikhs fought gallantly, and their
guns were excellently served ; they opened at ten, and
wore not silenced till one o'clock—many of the artillery-
men remaining till bayoneted at their posts. By noon
the enemy N% ero broken : they were driven by repeated
charges of cavalry and infantry into, and across, the
river. Many were drowned in attempting to escape.
Sixty-five of their guns were captured ; the remaining
three were left unserviceable. Nothing could exceed
the gallantry of the troops ; the artillery practice was
precise, steady, and destructive ; the cavalry charges
; and the infantry everywhere as determined,
steady, and orderly, as if a ball-practice parade, anti
not a pitched battle, had been in hand. Sir Harry Smith
was present everywhere, encouraging and leading on the
men. Four European officers were killed in this affair,
and thirteen wounded. Their names are as follow:
Killed.—Hcr Majesty's 16th Lancers—Lieutenant a.
D. Sweetman, and Cornet or Lieutenant Williams.
50th Foot—Captain C. Ii Grimes.
55'.h Native Infantry—Lieutenant Smallpage.
Wounded.-16th Lancers—Major Smith ; Captain
Fyler, severely.
31st Foot—Lieutenant Da Vernet, Ensign Purcell
(Qy. 50th Foot).
50th Foot—Captain Pringle O'Hanlon (Major of Bri-
gade), Lieutenant H. J. Frampton, Lieutenant William
P. Elgae, kaasigu rawer.

Stith Bengal Native Infantry—Ensign F. J. Bagshawe.
48th Bengal Nativellnfantry—Captain Henry Palmer,
Captain H. L. Bird, Lieutenant and Adjutant Wall
(badly), and Ensign W. E. Marshall.
The forces further to the westward along to Feroze-
pore have, for nearly six weeks, rested on their arms.
A division of Seikhs, about 40,000 strong, with a large
park of well. appointed artillery, still continue at Hur-
reekee, in front of the division under the Commander-in-
Chief. A heavy battery of guns arranged in semi-cir-
cular form, the convex side to us on our side of the
river, protects the pontoon bridge by which the army on
the other bank communicates with this. The boats sent
up the Indus for the construction of a bridge, which
were sunk to protect them from the shot of the enemy in
the middle of December, have been raised, and are now
being put in order. for the purpose for which they were
orifilnally intended.
At Rhonda Ghat, where the bridge is to be placed, a
strong force is posted, and shots occasionally exchanged
betwixt the opposing armies. A demonstration had been
ordered by Sir John Grey, who commands at Attarec,
on the 29th ; the Seikhs having carried off a boat of
ours, and further aggression being anticipated. Nothing
of any note, however, occurred. Sir John Grey's bri-
gade consists of a nine-pounder battery, the Bth Light
Cavalry, and the 11th, 12th, and 55th N. I. The Sinde
army was expected to be about this time on the
move from Sukkur. The division on the left bank of
the river to be commanded by General Simpson ; that
on the right by Sir C. Napier; the steam flotilla, and a
countless host of boats, moving up against the stream
between. They were expected to take up a position near
Nlithencote, 140 miles above Sukkur, and 310 below Fe-
rozepore, and remain there till called on to co-operate
after the hot season was over—about September or Oc-
tober. Meanwhile Ghoolab Singh has come down from
his mountain holds, and arrived at the capital with some
12.000 men and a vast amount of supplies—no fewer
than 300,000 bullocks are said to attend his camp. As
yet, on the part of the Lahore Government, there is little
appearance either of want of strength or of resources.
The Mooltan Chief appears to be negotiating with both
parties. He is said to have offered to co-operate with
Sir C. Napier, provided we will, on becoming masters of.
the country, permit him to hold his estates on the same
tenure as that under which he now possesses them. He
is willing to pay the same tribute to us as to his present
superior. He is understood at the same time to have
written to Lahore, stating his willingness to resist the
British, and maintain the war single-handed, if tribute
enough be remitted to meet the exigencies of the oc-
casion.

~-,------
',74.
. ....
DITTet.I MAIL. „I\--)1
ri_...
GRONINGEN, MARCH 16.—We understen *et. ft i -1:::'-4:-..>
in contemplation to establish a direct comm ippitiatti`i -
tween this city and London. When the t'',. IP ALA:
of Sir Robert Peel, the reform of the English tariff, has
gassed, as in all probability it wille—tfie Upper House,
itviillime a faartneratin-Effigon the price of our pro-
ductions, and on their exportation, so that a direct
communication with England will be of great
importance to our provinces. What an influence the
general reform of the English tariff will have, is already
seen by the considerable increase in the price of cattle
in cons( quence.of the reduction of the duties on impor-
tation, and the prospect of their entire abolition in the
sequel. When part of our productions find easy admit-
Luce into England we shall never have to fear a want of
exportation, since all our articles, if the projected reform
of the tariff place, will find a ready market in Eng-
land ; and even many things, which hitherto could not
be thought, may become articles of exportation when a
regular communication by steam-boats between this city
and London is established.
THE HAGUE, MARCH 17.—Mr. G. 11. Goundie, Con-
sul-General of the United States of America' has given
notice in the public journals that the state of New York
has issued an ordinance by which the captains and
owners of ships shall be answerable for two years for
the subsistence of the emigrants that they bring. This
law has become necessary in consequence of the great
number of indigent emigrants that crowd the public-
houses in New York.
BRESLAU, MARCH 14.—(From the Breslau Gazette.)
—The General commanding the troops of the three pro-
tecting powers, Count Wrbna, for Austria ; General
RuCy,er, for Russia ; and Count von Brandenburg, for
Prussia, having concluded a convention respecting the
occupation of the city of Cracow and its territory, the
Prussian troops quitted the city on the 12th, which re-
mained in the occupation of Austrian troops alone ; the
Prussian and Russian troops withdrew towards the fron-
tier, to occupy the territory of the Republic for the pre-
sent, under Major-General von Felden. There are be-
tween Poremba, Lipowiel, and Chrzanow, the Ist bat-
talion of the 10th Regiment of Infantry ; the Ist batta-
lion of the 23d Regiment of Infantry ; and the 3d and
4th squadrons of the 2d Regiment et Bulans. They
will be at the disposal of the Austrian Lieutenant,
Field- Marshal Castiglione, who has the chief command
in the Republic of Cracow. A company of Yagers re-
main for the present at Neu-Berlin. All the other
Russian troops assembled in the territory of Cracow,
under Lieut.-General Von Rohr, have set out to return
to their garrisons ; when they arrive there, the reserve,
which have been kept embodied, as well as the Kosel
and Wohlan battalions of Landwehr, will be discharged.
The three protecting powers have appointed at Cracow
a military tribunal of inquiry, of which Colonel Von
Hohe,.of the 10th regiment of infantry, is president.—
Universal Prussian Gazi Ite, March 18.

IMPORTANT CASE.

EDINBURGH JURY COURT.—THE LATE ACCIDENT
ON THE EDINBURGH AND GLASGOW RAILWAY.
The following issue was set down for trial at the last
Christmas sittings in the second division of the Coitrt, before
the Lord Justice-Clerk :
Issue in the cause in which Charles Morton; W.S., factor
loco tetoris to Mary Coolley and Thomas Coolley, 'children of
the deceased Thomas Cooney, innkeeper, and wine and spirit
merchant, and horse-dealer in Glasgcw, is pursuer;
And the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway Company are
defenders.
It being admitted that, on or about the 19th day of May,
1845, th• said deceased Thomas Ceolley was killed, while
passing from Glasgow to Edinburgh, in a railway carriage
belonging to the defenders—
Whether the death of the said Thomas Coolley was caused
by fault, negligence, or want of skill, on the part of the de-
defenders, or others, or another in their employment, and
for whom they were, and are, responsible, to the loss; injury,
and damage of the said Mary Coolley and Thomas Coolley,
or either of them?
A few dal s before the trial, terms of compromise were
offered and entertained, and the case was finally disposed of
iu the court, by the defenders agreeing to pay the pursuer
2,0001. of damages, with all the expenses he had incurred.

LIVERPOOL, MANCHP.STER, AND NEWCASTLE-UPON-
TYNE JUNCTION RaiLwar.—A petition was presented in the House
of Commons last evening by Mr. Oid, in favour of this tindertakintg,
from the town of Newe.stie-upon-Tyne, which the Hon. Member
stated, was signed by upwards of 4,000 of the leading merchants, ma-
nufacturers, and inhabitants of that important town.
On the 11th instant, after repeated acrimonious
quarrels betwee,l an innkeeper at Artes (Roaches du Rhone), named
Gonet, and his mistress Marie Brun, arising out 0 the coquetry of
the latter and the jealOusy of the former, Gonet, In a fit of exaspera-
tion, stabbed the woman with a knife and then cut his own throat.
He died almost instantaneously, and she expired half an hour After-
wards.—Calignani.
The Very Rev. John Peel, D.D., of Christ Church,
brother of Sir R. Peel, and Dean of Worcester, has taken to the
valuable and extensive living of Bromsgrove ; and being anxious
that this most...important parish should have a resident minister, will
confer the presentation upon the Rev. William Villiers, M.A., for-
merly curate of St. George's Chapel, Kidderminster. It is rumoured
that a division of this extensive parish will be made previously to
Mr. Villierrs's presentation. Value of the living, 1,2051. ; population.
15,221.—Gloucester Journal.
Small pills, composed of flour, sugar, and about one •
sixtieth part of phosphorous, are a very attractive and efficacious
poison for rats.
THE CONVICT WICKS. —lt is said that no facts
sufficiently favourable to the case of the convict (now under sentence
of deaili in .Newgate, for the murder of Mr. Bostock, in Drury. lane)
have transpired, which could induce the proper authorities to recom-
mend to the Crown the remission of the capital punishment ; and.
therefore, if nothing intervene during the week, the wretched youth
will undergo the last sentence of the law on Monday, the 30th

lnst*it.
SUICIDE FROM VA.UXIIALL-BRIDGE.— On Monday
morning, a man lamed George Eades. residing at 37, Anderson's-
walk, l'Auxhall-walk, Lambeth, left his home before five o'clock, and
wandered about until six, when he went to the King's Arias, High-
street, where he had a small quantity of gist. From thence he ea
once went to the bridge and jumped into the river.
On Tuesday last six English boats, laden with oysters,
were seized and brought to Granville by the ships on the station.
They contained between 30,000 and 35,000 oysters, which were sold
to the profit of the hospitals.—Paris p, int of Sendai/.
The Orleans and Bordeaux Company intend to inau-
gurate the railway between Orleans and Tours, on the 26th of tide
month, and the Dukes de Nemours and Montpensier are to be present.
There are 1.555 newspapers and periodicals in the
United States. and but 1,801 in all the world beside.
Half the children born in Great Britain die before
they are five years of age.
In marching soldiers take 75 steps, in quick marching
180, and in charging 150 steps per minute.
A petition, duly recognizanced, was presented on
Monday night in the House of Commons against .the return of Mr.
Cochrane for the borough of lirldport. The petitioners allege gross
bribery, and pray for a scrutiny. It appears the majority of one will
little avail the lion. Member, as numerous cases of barefaced cor-
ruption of votes have come to light. The most confident expectation
prevails in 13ridport that Mr. John Hominy will be, within a month,
what he ought to have been originally, the " sitting member." The
acts of bribery are reported to compromise seriously some of the
chief partisans of Mr. Cochrane.— Chronicle.
FATAL ACCIDENT ON BOARD THE TERRIBLE.—On
Sunday afternoon, a youth, named J. P. Turner, a first-class boy on
board the Terrible, steam frigate, lying in the river at Woolwich-, fell
from tile Mast-head of that vessel to the deck, and was killed on the
spot. .
SERIOUS ACCIDENT IN THE STRAND.—On Monday
afternoon, hout three o'clock, a very serious accident pened in
the Strands to George William Hemp, Esq., an elderlyhap gentle man,
residing in Manchester-square, who was crossing over to Essex-Street,
when a cab-horse ran against him. Ile was thrown down, and severely
trampled on. lie was taken to a neighbouring surgeon, and sub-
sequently to his residence ; but his injuries are not dangerous.
THE EFFECT OF RAILWAYS.-011 Monday the King's
Arms Tavern -mad Lin, Leadeuhall-street, facing the East India
House, which is stated to have been built about the period of Henry
was sold by auction by Mr. Pullen, to ba pulled down for the
purpose of having warehouses erected on the site, on Account of the
Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, ti.:e business
formerly connected with the inn having been destroyed by the com-
petition of the Eastern Counties Railway. In a few days, the White
Hart Inn, Whitechapel, the property of the Mercers' Company, will
share the same fate, from a similar,cause.
The annual exhibition at the Louvre has recently
been opened. The catalogue contains 2,412 numbers, viz., 2,107
paintings, miniatures, and water-colour drawings ; 135 pieces of sculp-
ture, 39 architectural designs, and 131 engravings and lithographic
prints. This exhibition was instituted by Louts XIV. in 1699. At
the first exhibition the catalogue contained only 219 numbers, and
the second, which was in 1704, had not increased to more than 384.
DurugntdheerrLelogunisoxf LvoluisitX;F:a.ctihieedca79tall
.ogbuieln79e3v,erweadecreetdheedß3e2pla. let
it amounted to 1,050 ; 'in 1814, under ;he Empire, it attained 1,321 ;
under Louis :VIII., its maximum was 2,220 ; and in 1827, the only
gx;;lbition during the time of Charles X., tho uumber Cell again to
ita36. The whole number of works sent is this year for he selection
was 4,753. The exhibition is arranged as in former years,
a°f
dtßi aveojiylle la tAI n
ASIATIC
lentill
sMoacyiElsT.
Y.—The ordinary meeting
was held on Saturday, the Right Hon. the Earl of Auckland
(President) in the chair. A communication WAS read from
Professor Royle, the botanist of the East India Company,
detailing some further results of the experimental trials
for the culture of cotton in India. Since the last report of
Dr. White, 30,000 acres had been put into cultivation, whilst
from one acre alone the produce was 7001b9., whilst more
was to be expected. All that was now required to make
East India cotton a most valuable export commodity, was
the employment of European agents in India markets who
would select the best quality. The next paper read was one
communicated by the Noble President on the geographical
conditions of the Punjaub territory, which was described in
its territorial limitss The most interesting information con-
nected with the present crisis was that the climate was
very healthy to Europeans, and much more so than that of
Hindostan. From November to January, snow geaerally
fell to a depth of five feet, but the rainy season was not uni-
form, these being chiefly showers, which were very genial in
this warm climate. No region in the earth was better wa-
tered, and most of the plants and fruits common to Europe
are developed in high perfection, wanting only
the superior
cultivation of this country. The horses of the Seilths are
mare celebrated for form and feature, in the neighbourhood
of Lahore, than in any of this wide district.
CASE OF DEPRAVITY.—A CHILD UNDER TwtLvis
YEARS OLD ATTEMPTING TO POISON A WHOTA FAMILTA
—lt is with no common feelings of horror and astonishment'
that we have to record the following case, as it appeared be-
fore the magistrates at Huddersfield on Tuesday last, and
which, since the case of Eliza leaning, we believe to be
unparalleled. Mr. George Beaumont, an extensive manufac-
turer at Honley, applied to the magistrates requesting them
to cancel the indentures of his female apprentice, named
Eliza Sykes, a parish apprentice, and who (he said) would
not be twelve years old until next month. Mr. Beaumont
stated that she had been apprenticed to him by the parish
nearly two years since, and he requested her indentuedres
to
to
be cancelled, in consequence of her having attempt
poison the whole family. Ile informed the bench
thattt him-
self, and most of the family, were in the habit king
e meal, and
oatmeal porridge for breakfast. ,Sonts: short time since
dgehs,ternoyti
they purchased a quantity of arsenic 'for, the purpose of
in one of
the attics, to destroy the vermin. Upon one Occasion,
ongthe mice,gi thisto pwutasunindiexrel withcorn c6l:len:seSs
the girl inquired of her mistress if it would isn;son
anything else besides mice. She was infivincd that it wen id
poison 20 men, and was ordered to be very careful of it. Noa
thing more was thought of it until Saturday last, when, after
part of the family partaking of porridge for their breakfast,
two of the children, and one of the heads of the family, toge-
ther with the girl herself, were taken alarmingly ill; the
latter so much so that it was found necessary to put bet to
bed. During the day .she confessed to having put the poi-
soned meal into the meal-box from which the porridge watt
made Information was sent to the overseer (Mr. Henry
Battye), who endeavoured to elicit from her.the reason for
the act, but could gain nothing, but that her mistress had
whipped her without any cause; the fact being, that she bad
cut the tail of a favourite bird, and her mistress had chastised
her for it. She had done this in a spirit of revenge. On be-
ing interrogated by the magistrates, she said, " I should not
have done so; I was aware that I was liable to be sent to
prison for it, but I did not intend to kill them ; they had
grieved me by charging me with something I did not do."
As Mr. Beaumont merely wished the indentures to be cana
celled, his wish was complied with, the magistrates exrrestsp
ing their surprise and horror at so much depravity
young 3 child.—Refer Gwadian.