The Sun.
London, England, 1841-09-06 00:00:00

8140 RN IN Gr SUN

CHINA. INDIA, AND
EGYPT.

CHINA.

We have from Canton letters and papers up to
the 19th of May, so that our present abstract
extends over a period of fifty days. At the insti-
gation, it was said, of ex-Commissioner Lin, Ke-
shen had been ordered to Pekin in disgrace andin
chains—there to be put to death by the most ex-
cruciating tortures. His family and relatives
were to be exterminated, arid the country for
many miles round his birth-place to be laid de-
solate. The memorial which this doomed states.;
man puts forth to the Emperor is one of the
most singular documents ever published; singu-
larly characteristic of the idolatry of even the
highest inen in the empire—ihr .their adulation
and submission amount to ,nof.hing less than
worship—to the Celestial Majest:r of the Em-
peror. A ship from England, hxided with pro-
visions for the expedition had sailed north di-
rect to Chusan, knowing nothing of recent altera-
tions; when her Commander (Captain Stead,
R.N.), being snddenly seized upon, was mur-
dered by the Mandarins. Trade had been par-
tially resumed, but sadly to our disadvantage;
everything being sold for hard dollars, about
one-third above customary prices. and no goods
heinrr purchased from us in return. By the mid-
dle of April many of the merchants had return-
ed to Canton, where .they found everything in
and around their former premises exactly as it
had been left. The-British flag once more floats
over the factories. On the 11th kpril, Captain
Elliott issued a circular, stating that trade was
going On well at Canton, and that nearly one-
third of the teas of the season 1d m been got out.
Early in May the Mandarins had begun to
exhibit a great increase of insolence and auda-
city. Every obstruction was thrown in the way
of mercantile oerations, and of the unloading of
merchant ships]; the immediate surrender of all
the strongholds held by the English was de-
manded ; and the doctrine every where pro-
claimed, that no peace would ever be established
betwixt us so long as we held a foot of Chinese
territory in our possession. It was believed
that about this time troops were flocking from
every quarter of the interior to oppose us, and
that thirty thousand were quartered in or near
Canton 1 the flower and champions of Chinese
• chivalry; very superior in appearance to any
of the threes which had previously made
their appearance. The erection of a fort
—meant apparently to annoy our ships and fac-
. tories—was about this tune commenced near
Canton ; while the authorities were assuming
braggart airs of superiority and defiance. The
utmost. panic now began to spread amongst the
mercantile community. Money-lenders and men
of property of all sorts in hundreds commenced
retiring from a scene where the renewal of hos-
tilities was almost hourly expected by them—
weeping, as they went, to be compelled to leave
the home of their fathers. On the 18th May se-
veral of the lighter ships -of war moved up the
. river; Capt. Elliot preceding them in the Neme-
sis steamer, with a view of endeavouring to quiet
all apprehensions. Of the results of these move-
ments no intelligence has reached us. -
Meanwhile Hong Kong has been re-occupied,
and our Commissioner has at length got a field
of exertion laid out for him exactly suited to his
talents. Cities are being planned, spacious streets
and squares laid down (on paper), and lands on
the most extensive scale allotted off for those
who choose to buy them. A code of laws has
been drawn up, port and excise regulations
published, magistrates appointed, and all the ar-
rangements made for the peaceful occupation of
a century. Such, we think, is a pretty fair out-
line of Eastern intelligence since April Ist, in so
far as it has reached us from China—less inte-
resting by much, however, as we conceive at
least, than the information on the same subject
which India can itself supply.
In the midst of national bad faith it is pleasing
to observe instances of individual honesty. The
annual dividend on Hingtae's debt had been duly
paid on the 2d May,. and that on Kingqua's was
promised on the Ist June.
From China we have intelligence extending to the 2d
of May, but the information, which will be found in the
subsequent columns, relates chiefly to the strange sayings
and doings of the Pekin Court ; for on our side, up to
the date abovementioned, little had been said or done
since we made the demonstration upon Canton, recorded
by us some three months ago. Doubtless ere this some-
thing has been done, but at present we can only conjec-
ture. The Emperor, it will be seen, still continues to
" gnash his teeth",with concentrated wrath ; and as an
earnest of the operations which he purposes to perform
on us, he has ordered Keshen to be cut in two at the
middle. Poor Keshen, who seems to have had a keen
insight into the real state of the affairs, and, moreover,
to have had the courage to lay before the Emperor a
• most truthful exposition of them, has been sentenced to-
.death in the manner above noted for taking bribes from
the British, and compromising the honour of the Celes-
tial Empire. The Tartar tyrant will find it difficult to
replace him, for Keshen was evidently shrewd and saga-
cious, and was, at all events, diplomatist enough to
outwit Elliot. Assuredly, if this Cutting in two at
the middle were a fit judgment upon the unhappy
Keshen, Elliot's head, trunk, and limbs should be
made into a thousand cylindrical sections, as a warning
to all his family. He is, however, to be superseded,
Rarely has an announcement from home created more
general satisfaction in India, than the announcement of
this super Session ; but some time must yet elapse before
. the new plenipotentiary can reach China, and ere his
arrival, we trust that sonic important demonstration will
have been made. It is reported that the second act of
this China drama will be opened with the recapture of
• Chusan. " Northward, ho !" must be the cry, for by
hacking at the extremities we irritate the Emperor, but
do not alarm him. He is bent upon our extermination,
and, in spite of Keshen's exposition of the true state of
affairs, thinks, or.pretends to think, that it would be the
• easiest thing in the world to crush us. He orders vast
armies to rush down upon us, but nothing seems to come
of his ordering ; he calls spirits, numberless, from the
vasty deep, but they will not come when called ; and
then he "gnashes his teeth with combined imprecations."
Keshen has told him, that his soldiery are not meant
for fighting, and that, though he is looking about for a
gun-founder, it must take time to get his ordinance and
ordnance commissiariat into a fit state to cope with the
British. The Emperor has replied to this, by ordering
Keshen to be cut in two at the middle, and a mighty
force to rush down upon the barbarians, who have dared
to invade his country. Thus stand matters at present—
we shall see in time what will come
.of all this idle boast-.
ing.—Beagel Hurkuru.
(From the Bombay Courier, July 13.)
By the arrival of the Ardaseer, from Macao, we have
received intelligence from that place to the 15th of May.
The latest accounts from Canton are to the day previous.
The city was full of Chinese troops, many of whom had
lately arrived from the northern provinces. The Eng-
' lish residents were becoming somewhat alarmed, and
most of them had resolved on sleeping in the hall of the
factory, to prevent the risk of their being cut off in
detail, should the Imperial Commissioners suddenly re-
sume offensive measures. A gentleman who left Canton
on the 14th of May, and reached Macao on the follow-
ing day, states that the panic at the former place was
gradually • increasing, and extended to the Chinese
traders, some of the most respectable of whom had left
the City, and others were preparing to follow their ex-
ample. The Mandarins had commenced the erection of
a new fort 'about 600 yards from the factories ; 3,000 ad-
ditional soldiers had arrived within the three previous
days, and matters had assumed so warlike an aspect,
that her Majesty's ship Modeste had been moved close
to the city, and the Algerine was placed in
apposairrtiti,ceines
to cover the factories, in whose vicinity a
of Seamen and Marines were posted every night.
guard of Marines stationed on the shore was also doubled.
many persons are of opinion that an outbreak would
' very shortly take place, and that it would be necessary
for the English to take military possession of the city.
This, it is supposed, might be easily effected, as the ma-
jority of the people have lost all confidence in the Man-
darins, and with a little management might be induced
to facilitate the movements of the British forces. Capt.
Elliot is, said to have written to the Imperial Commis-
sioners, and demanded from them a pledge that they
would not infringe the terms of the existing truce. It is
doubtful whether this request will be complied with, but,
. even should the Mandarins make the desired promise,
not the slightest confidence can be placed on it.
The greatest activity prevails amongst the commercial
community who are purchasing teas, &c., and shipping
them off to England with the greatest celerity. The Chi-
nese almost entirely confine themselves to selling, there
being very few of them inclined to take imports in
exchange for their own goods. The Earl of Clare was
• taken up about the 10th of May, at 9/. sterling per
ton, and was expected to complete her cargo and sail for
England within that month. 11,000,0001 b. of tea have
been already shipped, and it is expected as much more
will be brought forward, but the state of affairs is
so eery precarious that no one can calculate with
confidence on 24 hours' continuance of the present sys-
• tem of trading. Notwithstanding this uncertainty and
the risk to which the persons and property of British
subjects must necessarily be exposed, if a force amply
sufficient for their protection be not kept near Canton,
captain Elliot appears bent upon immediately proceed-
. ing to the northward with the greater portion of the
squathee, his doing so without awaiting the arrival of
the Commodore and the expected reinforcements appears
to be the measure of a man who, finding that his folly
has entailed on him the obloquy of all his fellow-subjects
and the displeasure of the Government which he serves,
has resolved, in a fit of desperation, to run all risks and
endeavour by one bold stroke to retrieve his past errors,
..before the arrival of his successor shall put it out of his
power to do further good or evil. This is, however, but
tin idle hope of the imbecile and infatuated superintend-
pit, Flip, if he should by any chance plan a daring en-
terpriQe, has, pet nerve to carry it out. Even were this
'deficiency supplied by the energy and courage of the
naval and military commanders, their efforts would be
useless, since Captain Elliot does not possess sufficient
wisdom to avail himself of those advantages which the
exertions of others may have placed at his disposal.
Captain Elliot, by virtue of his powers as Plenipoten-
tiary, has appointed Captain Caine, of her Majesty's
Gth regiment, chief magistrate of Hongkong, and

drawn up a code of regulaticns for the administration of
justice. Several public buildings are being erected on
the island, and everything indicates an intention of its
being retained as a permanent possession of the British
Crown. Captain Elliot has issued a notice intimating
that land will be granted to her. Majesty's subjects on
terms something similar to those adopted in Australia.
The general impression is, that there Will be very few
purchasers.
It appears that the Chinese are putting Chusan in a
state of defence. A vessel which lately returned from
that island to Macao brought information of several new
forts having been erected. The walls of Tinghae were
likewise undergoing repair. These may be regarded as
symptoms of a long and severe struggle. There can be
no doubt that the authorities at Canton are merely en-
deavouring to gain time with the view of collecting a
large, and, as they hope, an overwhelming force, before
• they resume offensive operations.
We understand that the transports at Hong-Kong are
under orders to be ready for sea to proceed to the north-
ward by about the 12th of this month.
Lin, his said, left Canton for Ningpo on the Ist of this
month. Whether this officer's frequent offers to take
command of the troops of that province, and to lead
them against the English, have been accepted by the Em-
peror remains to be seen ; we think it is not unlikely.
It is said that the Tartar officers and their troops, ex-
pected from the north, linger so long on the road in order
to squeeze the people of the towns and villages through
which they pass to the utmost.
Piracy in the neighbourhood of Macao is again becom-
ing frequent, and many fishing boats are said lately to
have been plundered.
Arrived—May 6th, Thomas Lowrie, Graham, from
Sydney, sailed March 6th ; 7th, Amizade, Pereira, from
Singapore.
Sailed-Ist, Eben Preble, Hallet, for New York ; 3d,
Splendid, for New York ; °Hems, Cameron, fbr Lon-
don ; sth, Ann Laing, Hudson, for London ; Duchess of
Clarence, Birch, for Liverpool.
The Coromandel and Susan are about proceeding to
Whampoa.
Under Despatch.—The Recovery, for London. Sir
Herbert Compton to sail for Bombay on the 15th.
The Thomas Lowrie left Sydney on the 6th of March;
on the same day the transport Palmyra sailed for Chu-
san direct from this port ; the two transports prince
George and Baretto Junior, both at Sydney, were to
follow in a few days. The Highland Queen had sailed
for China some days previous to the Thomas Lowrie.
(Frim the Canton Press, May 15.)
Our dates from Canton reach to the 12th,- at which
time everything remained quiet and business was trans-
acting as before, although the excitement caused by the
warlike preparations of the Chinese still continued.
During the last days of last week a great number of
Szechuen soldiers, it is said as many as 3,000, arrived
in Canton, and passed the factories in boats. from
other parts of the country detachments of troops are also
collecting. At Shamsing, a few hundred yards west of
the factories, a new fort, mounting six guns, has .been
erected, and everything, in fact, looks as well as can be.
By the last letters from Canton it appears, that numbers
of the inhabitants that had returned to Canton for the
sake of trade were again leaving it. It is true Yihshan
and his colleagues have issued a proclamation, telling- the
people not to he alarmed, but the Mandarins have lost
their credit with the people, and are not now listened to
with much reference. How long the present state of un-
certainty may last is not for us to predict, although we
fear that the " arrangement" will very soon be inter-
rupted by some violence on the part of the Chinese. It
can hardly be supposed that 40,000 men, although they
be Chinese soldiers, would suffer themselves for any
length of time to be kept in awe by what must to them
appear a very contemptible number of the enemy, and
that they will make, and at no distant period, a trial of
numbers against skill appears to us to be inevitable.
We shall not now enter on the subject, whether the cut-
ting roads and building, at Hong-Kong at the present
moment, whilst the trade, which her Majesty's Pleni-
potentiary invited to Canton, is going on, and whilst
immense quantities of British property are warehoused
in Canton, have in any way caused the extraordinary
hostile preparations of the Chinese.
. On Tuesday last her Majesty brig Columbine, Capt.
Clarke, returned from her trip to Chusan, whither she had
gone to take a " chop" from her Majesty's Plenipoten-
tiary for Elepoo, the Governor of Chekeang, demanding,
we suppose, an explanation of the manner in which
• Captain Stead, of the Pestonjee Bomanjee, met his death.
When arrived at Tinghae, a boat with a flag of truce
was sent on shore in order to deliver the chop, but
when near the fort the guns were pointed at her, and
a number of soldiers threatened to fire into her if she
proceeded. On this the Columbine signalled her to re-
turn. At Singlo, where Captain Stead was killed, Mr.
Gutzlaff, the interpreter; went on shore in the captain's
gig, in order to obtain some further intelligence as to the
manner in which Capt. Stead met his death, and was
there, we are informed, told by the inhabitants that they
had nothing to do with the transaction, but that Captain
Stead had been killed by Mandarins and soldiers who
beat him to death with stones. While obtaining this in-
formation, a body of soldiers, whose approach had been
hidden by a hill, suddenly came .upon them, intent upon
cutting off the retreat of the party to the boat, which,
however, was gained without accident. This is all the
communication the Columbine had with the shore ; some
letters for the authorities were given to fishermen to
deliver; but if they were, which is very doubtful, ever
delivered, no notice was taken of them. The reception
the Columbine met with at Chusan abundantly manifests
the spirit of hostility entertained by the Chinese against
the English, and it likewise shows that what has hitherto
been done by the latter has entirely failed of making
them feared or respected ; in fact, the haughtinesa of
the Chiness towards outer barbarians seems rather to
have increased than otherwise since the evacuation of
Chusan, which, in imperial edicts, is ascribed to the fear
of Tartar armies; and if the Chinese give credit to these,
it is natural they should not stand in awe of so weak an-
enemy. From all that. could be seen of the proceedings
on shore, preparations for defence were making in all
directions; re ;oral new forts were building near the city
of Tinghae on Chusan, and the fortifications of the city
were likewise being repaired and strengthened.
ARUIVALS.—May 6, Huntress, Sydney,' May 8,
Candhara, Bombay. May 10, Salvadora, Manilla ;
10,
_lsland Queen, Manilla and Sydney. May 11,
her Majesty's ship Columbine, Captain Clarke, Chusan ;
Sovereign. Bombay and Singapore. May 12, Myaram
Dyaram, Bombay and Singapore. May 13, Helen, Born-
' bay and Singapore.
SAILED.—ApriI, the Oneida, New York. May 3,
Lanish Oak, Copenhagen. May 7, Hope, Australia.
May 9, Minerva, Greenock. May 10, James Ewing,
Cork and the . Clyde • Monarch, Liverpool. May 11,
Recovery, London ; Hamilton, New York ; Julius Cm-
sar, London ; Eliza, London.
Passenger per Myaram Dyaram, Mr. Middleton.
e have struck from the list of vessels expected from
Singapore the Sultana and Elizabeth, they being too long
overdue to allow of hope of their not being lost.
The Clown, for Singapore and Calcutta, to be de-
snatched on the 19th. The Nimrod and Ann Gales, un-
der despatch for New South Wales.
Latest dates, from England, 4th of January, via Bom-
bay; United States, 19th of December, per Ana M`Kirn ;
Calcutta, 13th of March, per Arid ; Bombay, 27th of
February, via Calcutta ; Singapore, 17th of April, per
Myaram Dyaram ; Java, Ist of April, per Ann M`Kim ;
Manilla, 3d of May, per Island Queen.
SHIPPING AT WHAMPOA.—The Fort William, Earl of
Clare, and Amazon, M. Jardine and Co.; Aden, Lowjeo
Family, and Ann Gales, Dent and Co.; Francis Smith,
and Castle Huntly, Macvicar and CO.; Chebar, Anna
Maria, Duke of Lancaster, and Susan, Turner awl Co.;
Scaleby Castle, H. Rustomjee; Bella Marina, Bell and
Co ; Monarch, R. Webster; Charlotte, Dirom and Co.;
Coromandel, Fox, Rawson. and Co.;Lowell and Narra-
ganset, Russell and Co.; Sumatra, Westmore and Co.;
La Lydia, J. Stevens.
The following is an extract from a letter dated Macao,
19th of May, 1841 :
" All was quiet at Canton yesterday morning, when
the Paradox left. The Hong merchants had invited the
foreign merchants to meet them yesterday at noon, and
we are most anxious to learn the purport of the inter-
view. Appearances indicate as if the Chinese authori-
ties had really made up their minds to the hazard of
more fighting, for a gentleman who left Canton the
evening before last says, private notice had been given
by them to the head men of each street to lay in pro-
visions and supplies of water, to be at hand in case of
fire. This, however, may perhaps be a precaution 'from
their having possibly got a rumour of Captain Elliot's
intention to starve the place by means of an embargo,
unless the northern troops should be quickly withdrawn.
We also learn that the Chinese are making warlike pre-
parations on the shores adjoining our men-of-war. The
native inhabitants continued leaving the place in crowds.
As Captain Elliot reached Canton yesterday morning,
and we learn that our forces were about to move up the
river from Hongkong, matters will very soon be brought
to a crisis. I myself think, that when the movement
from llongliong becomes known at Canton, it will have
a wonderful effect in checking the belligerent ardour of
the
trahuetlflooirii(t)Niveisl.ll;
'extracts from letters, dated Canton, the
llth, and Macao, the 15th, of May,
will also be found
well worthy of perusal :

COMMERCIAL I i`
-N.iTELLIGENCE.
MAY 11.
CANTON
to a crisis.' In the meal
Matters are apparently.urf,,Tga
Th 6, scale hurriedly as possible
to England.
dsataypsileomngaenrtifsaentltotrirsthe able William
th
time teas are being shipiied
Cant is
on if if the
eavnediyEtaornl isof ecnglaargeegd9.
the
,sorts ;
atirde :-
20,000,000 lb. will be sent awayCfalisottl
bales
tradelin proermt
sa. remain
oo open Till :cfheileif
follow-
ing have been landed since the opening
401,779 pieces shirtings and domestics, of
4,524 bales yarn, 3,453 bales long ells and 3 23,
The
woollens. Good shirtings, white 36 in.,
panricice.gray:4o
, in., have been selling at 3 20 to 3 40, short
' gray 3.51- to 384 in., $3 ; good water twist, Nos. „ Thin
26, $32 : higher numbers will fetch a little more. Largeto
quantities of shirting have been Nuitted. For yarn but
little inquiry. Woollens and long ells immovable.
regular dealers appear determined not to come back.
i Exports.—Of the 2,000 bales of silk brought to market,
I very little left. Prices for middling to good 480 to 500.
1 Congous common and middling, 27 to 30 ; other teas in
proportion.
Freight.—Opened at 71. 10s., is now 91.
( Exchange.—On England 4s. 11d. :we hear of nothing
I doing.

MACAO, MAY 15.
For the last three months the drug market here has
been exceedingly flat, nor is there much prospect of im-
provement now. Our last accounts from Canton are not
very favourable ; sales were almost impracticable ; nor is
this to be wondered at when we consider that the city is
surrounded by troops (we hear about 20,000), who in
case of an outbreak would have little scruple in plunder-
ing their countrymen ; indeed, they seem to be aware of
this, as we hear from good authority that a great portion
of the bett:r classes are clearing out of the city with
their effects. The Canton trade at this moment is in

every respect a forced one. There is no confidence be-
tween buyer and seller.
Up to this date about 11,000,0001b5. of tea have left
for England, and we think that nearly as much inure will
be out by the end of next month. We note below the
last quotations of imports and exports.
Opium To-day—Malwa, 370 to 380 dollars ; Patna,
385 dollars ; Benares, 370 to 375 dollars.

IMPORTS.

Taels. Taels.
18 2 to 10 5
10 2 to 10 5
Dol. Dol.
Cotton Yarn, No. 16, at 36
Long Cloths, gray and white 320 to 325
Long Ells 7 0 to 8 0
Spanish Stripes

Bombay Cotton
Bengal ditto

EXPORTS.

Taels. Taels.
Tea—Congou, middling
Congou, fine 32 to 40
Twankay
Gunpowder and Imperial
llyson
Silk—Tsatlee, fair to good $lBO to $5lB