The Sun.
London, England, 1856-09-15 00:00:00

LONDoN, MONDAY EVENING, SEPTEMB

THE OVERLAND MAIL.

We have received our despatches from India,
China, and Australia (a telegraphic summary of
which we published on Thursday), by the overland
mail. The Intelligence from the gold colonies has
been anticipated by that received by the packet
ship Sardinian. The India and China dates are—
Calcutta, August 8 ; Bombay, 13 ; Hong Kong,
July 25th ; and Singapore, August 2.
The Bombay Times, in its summary of the events
of the fortnight, says:—
" The rains are now nearly over, the monsoon
in fact by the present date is considered closed.
Up to this date we have only fifty-six inches of rain
in all, a few light showers, making a total of three
inches, being all the past fortnight has supplied.
There is still about a foot due to the coming two
months ; if we have no more, we shall be consider-
ably under the average monsoon.
" Negotiations have been in progress, which pro-
mise to eventuate in a treaty of peace, with Saa-
dut Khan and the Momund chiefs, hitherto the
main disturbers of the peace of the north-western
Punjaub frontier. The hill men have so invariably
got the worst of it in all their forays, that finding
even the wildness of their fastnesses no protection
against our mountain guns, they seem making a
virtue of necessity by coming to terms when they
can no longer hold out. We shall be thankful for
peace on our borders at any reasonable price—
along the highland line property must always be
insecure, and• the utmost that can be looked for
(but this is much)—is immunity from the forays
of large bands of armed men. We have now
received full particulars as to the assassination of
the heir apparent of Ava, while residing under
British protection at Rangoon. He had in child-
hood narrowly escaped murder in his own coun-
try, when his father's life was taken. When we
took' possession of Pegu he sought refuge from
danger in our territories : his death seemed to
have been desired by the ruling powers, and assas-
sins were employed accordingly to destroy him. The
result-is not at all unlikely to be another advance
on Ava, and a further change of dynasty—so
impossible it is for barbarism and civilisation to
flourish side by side. The question touching the
military occupation of British Burinah by Madras
troops has long been under the consideration of the
supreme government, and the Governor-General
has now resolved upon withdrawing the whole of
the Bengal troops and establishments serving in
the province of Pegu. This will involve the return
to Bengal of all the staff officers and establish-
ments appertaining to that presidency, and their
places will no doubt be filled up by officers from
Madras. The transfer is to be effected in the en-
suing season, or as soon as sufficient steam con-
veyance can be made available. In these two items
is comprised the whole of the tidings of the fort-
night. India everywhere is tranquil. Oude is per-
fectly tranquil, and the supreme government has,
on the recommendation of the Chief Commissioner,
authorised the military force in the province, as at
present constituted, to be broken up, and the
troops and batteries composing it to be withdrawn
and ordered back to the several stations from
whence they proceeded there, and has directed that
functionary in communication with his Excellency
the Commander-in-Chief to organise a new force on
a limited scale, and on the principle observed in the
Punjaub, moveable columns are to be maintained
at the stations of Lucknow, Seetapore, and Fyzabad
in the same manner as they are doneat present at
Mooltan, Rawul Pindee, and Sealkote. They are
to be kept fully equipped in respect of ammunition,
carriage, and establishments, so as to be ready to
take the field at a moment's notice."

The same journal publishes striking
instance of disagreement betwixt the supreme au-
thorities at home and in India :

" Tidings were taken home in the newspapers
despatched on the 27th of May, that orders had been
issued by the supreme government forbidding the
commencement of all public works costing more than
a thousand pounds. So soon as ibis was madolcuown
it was met by a demi -official contradiction in the
Times, stating that so far from works being stopped
a couple of millions extra had been ordered to be
expended on them. Unhappily for the contradic-
tion, the official order has been published in the
Madras Government Gazette, it is said, by mistake ;
it bears date 3d May, and must have been in the
India-house full three weeks at least when its exist-
ence was denied. The documents will be found in
another part of our paper. We leave it for our
London contemporaries to deal as they se• meet
with those who have misled them. During the
past eighteen months we have at least a dozen of
times proclaimed the fact that we were very obvi-
ously spending greatly beyond our means, the
expenditure not being occasioned by works of
general utility, sure some time or other to prove
remunerative, but in wanton extravagance and
waste. To meet the financial crisis rapidly has-
tening on, the Governor-General is understood to
have resorted to the precautionary step adverted
to. We are already on the eve of a loan of two or
three millions : the further outlay now resolved
upon will double the sum requiring to be bor-
rowed, and the loan will in all likelihood be opened
at a juncture when it is least looked for and most
certain to occasion inconvenience. As some three
millions sterling are required by the Home portion
of our government annually, it would seem in-
finitely more wise and simple to resort for this to
the London Exchange, where it might be bad at
four per cent., than to draw on India for money re-
quiring to be borrowed here at five or six, both
Operations being in general so clumsily managed as
utterly to disorganise our money market arrange-
ments. WIN the authorities are thus arranging
for extra work at home, and stopping them hero,
they woull appear to be taking the utmost care to
prevent private capitalists from coming to their
relief."

The official documents by which our Bombay
contemporary justifies his reflections will be found
below.

Viscount Canning, the Governor-General, is said
to be better, but was still intending to proceed to
sea. The Governors of Madras and Bombay were
at the seat of their respective administrations.
The King of Oude remained iu the neighbour-
hood of Ca'cutta.
The intelligence from Calm], including news
from Herat, is as conflicting as usual. One account
represents the Persians in the latter place as being
triumphant, and receiving large reinforcements ;
as having made prisoners of the leading Herat
men, and also as having the popular feeling in their
favour, evidenced in the fact of the large numbers
that were daily joining the camp of the invaders.
If the whole of the above statements be reversed,
a tolerably clear idea of the other version will be
obtained, for that assures us the Persians are de-
feated, &c. An explanation of the conduct of Dost
Mahomed in invading Candahar is given in one
of these letters, which states that the Ameer, upon
the strength of the treaty he bad recently con-
cluded with the English, and thinking the step
would promote their interests—took possession of
the country ; he believes he has effected some
good in preventing the complete establishment of
the Persians at Herat, but the burthen of the mat-
ter is, that if the Dost does not receive aid from
the Indian Government he will have to relinquish
Candahar,
the Sb
, and leave Herat in the
quiet possession of _tall of Persia.
return to Cabul

CHINA.
(Prone the China Mail.)
The Antelope brought us intelligence of a dis-
turbance having taken place at Fuhchau on the 3d
inst., in which Mr. H. Cunningham was killed by
a spear-thrust, which penetrated into the gall-
bladder. Mr. Comstock's boy, it would appear,
was severely beaten by thieves in trying to protect
some property belonging to his master, who,
crJniing up at the time, endeavoured to rescue his
servant. Ho also was knocked down, and calling
for assistance, brought out Mr. Cunningham and
Mr. Vaughan, the former armed with a pistol, the
latter with a sword stick. In the struggle which
ensued, Mr. Cunningham was thrown down and
mortally wounded.

A native correspondent at Shanghai writes us
by tho Formosa that " the reports in the North
China licrald about the rebels being at Tong-ting-
san and Tai-wo Lake aro incorrect. There is no
doubt (he adds) but that Soochow is in a danger-
ous position, but it will be sometime yet before that
city can fall. No trade whatever is doing in Soo-
chow ; the people are in a groat panic."
Canton rates of exchange are—Oriental Bank :
On London, at 6 months' sight, 4s. 1014. ; on
Bombay, at 3 months' sight, Rs. 231 ; on Calcutta,
at 3 months' sight, Rs. 231. Commercial Bank :
On London at 6 months' sight, 4s. lid, to 4s. llid.;
on Bombay, at 3 months' sight, Rs. 231 to 232 ;
on Calcutta, at 3 month's sight, Rs. 231 to 232.
The Peklu takes—for Southanivton, 2,401 bales

silk ; Marseilles, 720 ; doubtful, 651; total, 3,862
bales. No European passengers.

BANK OF BOMBAY.
At the annual general meeting of the proprietors of
the bank, held on the 4th Aug., under sect. 36 of Act 3
of 1840, T. S. Cowie, Esq., senior director present, in
the chair, the following statement of the affairs of the
Bank of Bombay on the 30th June, 1856, was submitted :
Liabilities.—To proprietors' capital, Rs. 52,25,000 ;
bank notes andlpost bills in circulation, Rs. 48,47,711 10 9;
deposits and all other liabilities, Rs. 31,50,427 15 10 ;
reserved surplus fund, including net profits for the half-
year, E. 3,49,137 1 9 ; total, Rs. 1,35,72,276 12 4.
Assets.—By Government securities, Rs. 35,71,000 ;
by loans and cash credits, on deposit of security, Rs.
00,30,220 10 7 ; by bills disconnted,tßs. 20,21,188 3 11 ;
by other securities, Rs. 2,47,771 8 3 • by cash on hand,
Rs. 47,02,096 el 7; total, Es- 1,35,72276 12'4.
Profit and Loss Account.—To six months' dividend
,
on the capital stock, at the rate of 10 per cent. per an-
num, payable on the 17th July, 1856, Rs. 2,61,250; to
balance of reserved surplus fund, Rs. 87,887 1 9 ; total,
Rs. 3,49,137 19. By balance of reserved surplus fund
on the 31st Dec., 1855, Rs. 38,433 0 8 • net profit for
the half year ending 30th June, 1856. after paying all
current expenses of the bank, Rs. 3,10,704 1 1 ; total,
RA. 3,49,137 1 9.
The acting secretary stated that since the last yearly
meeting •1' the proprietors their new bank buildings have
progressed very rapidly, and that "on the west, soak]
and east sides, the third course of cut stones is being
proceeded with, and about half the stones are laid on the
south and west, the window frames are fixed, and on the
north east corner, only the first course is completed, and
that one course of cut stones of the pillar on the west
side is laid." It was proposed by James Don,. Esq.,
M.D., !seconded by A. T. Binny,, Esq., and resolved,
that the accounts now submitted be passed. as correct
and satisfactory. The thanks of the meeting were then
voted to the chairman, and the meeting dissolved.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
BOMBAY, AUG. 12.
Imports—A very limited business has been done in im-
ports since our last, at prices which show no improve-
meet.

Cotton Piece Goods—There is no activity or 'specula-
tion in this department ; and, though the fall of raia is
all that could be desired, the business of the last fort-
night has been unusually circumscribed for this season,
and dealers continue to evince great indifference as to
supplying themselves ; but sooner or later they must
come forward, when a general improvement will doubt-
less be apparent in the price of staple fabrics and yarns.
There is nothing in the position of grey goods to call for
particular reference. Grey skirtings, 40 and 45 inch
of the middling quality hold their ground, and are in
fair inquiry. Grey madapollams and jacconets are in
moderate inquiry.
Long cloths are dull, and T cloth in fair demand. Do-
mestic are in more request, but unchanged in value.
For Bleached Goods the inquiry is moderately active,
but prices do not improve.
Shirtings and jacconets of low to middling quality,
and twills of middling quality, are in fair demand ; as
are also satin spots and stripes of 24 by 40 yards.
Fanny goods are in brisk demand, and a fair extent of
business has changed hands in grey and bleached Dho-
ties, book muslins, bleached checks, tape stripes,
bleached lapets, gauzes, and dyed Madapollams. Turkey
red cambrics command attention, as also do twills and
mulls.

Cotton Tarns—The market continues very quiet, and
no sales have transpired since last mail. Prices, with
the exception of 50 and 60 mule, which are slightly
lower, are steady. For Turkey red and orange of good
quality there is a fair inquiry. Green has sold to a mo•
derate extent at full prices.
The woollen market continues without improvement,
and with no sales of importance.
Prices of wines and spirits have declined, with little
or no demand ; in marine stores there is nothing to re-
mark ; canvass and cordage are dull, owing to large ar-
rivals ; turpentine is in moderate inquiry ; linseed oil is
is very good demand, and scarce.
Exports—Produce has been in active demand, and
extensive purchases in cotton to arrive and on the spot
have been made for shipment to Great Britain, while to
China there is little shipping. Highly favourable re-
ports from all parts of the country, including Marwar,
of the fall of rain have been received, and agricultural
operations are progressing very satisfactorily, while at
the Presidency the monsoon has been pretty favourable,
though the fall so far is still under the average, but
there is yet six weeks before us, and no great cause
therefore for alarm.

Cotton Wool.—The activity noticed in our last par-
tially and prices gave way, when the improved
accgunts ;by the- mail agmn produped considerable
azia purchases Aux• the anot and to. arrive barn
been made to a large extent. On Xuropean aocount
some 20,000 bales have been taken, the bulk within the
last week, the downward prices have been arrested, and
though not so high as at our last, still, considering the
selection, equally good. Prices of sheep's wool have
declined ; the improved home advises have caused in-
creased firmness in eil seeds; hemp is in demand for
local consumption,
Opium.—The China steamer of the 2d inst. took only
919 chests, and the closing quotations then were, for
Mundlesur Rs. 1,100. Indore Re. 1,090 to 1,095 per
chest, and with less favourable accounts thence of the
drug, prices have declined respectively to Re. 1,075 and
and 1,065 per chest.
Tonnage.—Rates of freight to Great Britain have
rallied, owing in some measure to the improved state of
the Calcutta market ; little, however, has been done in
tonnage on the spot, the supply of produce being small,
but in it to arrive considerable engagements have had
effect, chiefly, if not entirely, of a speculative character,
and as much as 10,000 tons is said to have been taken
up at rates ranging from 2/. 15s. to 3/. per ton to load
the last three months of the year. For present ship-
ment the rate may be taken at 2/. ss. to 108. per ton,
but for vessels heavily loaded as much as 2/. 15s. per
ton has been paid, but for small parcels only.
Exchange keeps about last quotations, 2s. 11d. to
3-Bths fur bills by Bombay houses. Large sums, China
drawn, were done on arrival of the Malta, at 2s. 1/(i.
to 2s. 1 3-16 d. ; Calcutta, 60 days' eight, Rs. 99i ;
China, 60 days' sight, Rs. 229 ; Madras, 30 days' sight,
Rs. b 9. We have no change to report in our money
market during the fortnight, further than that the banks
have reduced their rates of interest 1 per cent. all round,
and now ranges from 4to 7 per cent. Government and
other securities remain at about former quotations.