The Sun.
London, England, 1856-04-11 00:00:00

VIE LATE SIR CHARLES HOTHAM.

The following letter has been addressed to th 9 Editor
of the Times :

Sir,—ln one one of your leaders of tl-day you affirm
that military and naval officers are generally unfitted by
their profession to govern our colonies. You illustrate
your argument by the acts and death of Captain
Sir Charles Hotham at Victoria, and in so doing you
have committed a great injustice to that distinguished
officer. You write—

"An unfortunate instance of the unfitness of military and
nas'al officers for the government of colonies is affor2ed by the
histOry of the governor whose death has given occasion to
these observations. Sir Charles Hotham is a imitted on all
hands to <have been an excellont officer, having shown on
many occasions the most undaunted ceurAge, and once—nn-
happily for him—very considerable dexterity in managing a
negotiation with such assistance as he could derive from the
cannon of his frigate. On the strength of these excellent qua
lities Sir C. Hotham was sent to govern the turbulent colour
of Victoria," &c.

Now this statement, incorrect in fact, and placed in
context with the rest of your erticle, would make your
readers suppose that Sir C. Hotham wag merely a brave
sailor, who had rendered no more difficult and fruitful
service to his country than that of forcing the blockade
of the Parana and Buenos Ayres, which he accomplished
many years ago after a desperate action.
Far from this being the case, Sir C. Hotham was a
bighly-educated gentleman and linguist. Early in 1852
be sub'uitted to Lord Granville, then Minister of Fo-
reign Affairs', a most able paper, showing the immense
importance to this country of opening the internal trade
of Suuth America t ) Europe through the vast channels
of the Patina and Paraguay, which pierce it for 1,200
:n1 1,500 miles.

Immt-diately afterwards Lord Derby's Government
took office, and I sent Sir C. Hothatn to negotiate a
commercial treaty with these riverain States. Former
failures, the proverbial jealousy and sluggishness of those
race, their continual civil wars, and their uncivilised con-
dition, rendered the attempt almost hopeless. After 18
month, in 1853, it appeared to be quite so to Lord
Clarendon, for, at the moment of Sir C. Ilotharn's com-
plete success, the ship that took out his recall crossed
on the Atlantic the one which bore home his treaty. I
need not say that none was ever signed more important
to British commerce, and we owe it entirely to the to :t,
patience, and experience amonc, a peculiar pe.iple, die-
p!at ea by Cal taiu Sir C. liotarn in this negctiation.
To this eminent service—which you to•ally ignure*—
he owed his appointment as Governor of Victoria. I
may add that it was forced upon him and urgently de-
precated by hire. His heart was with the fleets, then
preparing for an inevitable war, and, speaking of them,
he said t.' me, " We shall do nothing against Russia
without gun-boats and mortar-vessels." Subsequent
events have proved how rightly he judged.
I have no wish to enter into a controversy respecting
the comparative merits of military and civil officers in
civil. services, but I know that in the diplomatic and
consular line military and naval rank (cceteris paribus)
bring with them to certain courts and countries great
personal influence. Such was the case with Sir C.
Hothatn in South America, and I am convinced a civilian
would not there have succeeded.

I have the honour to be,
Your obedient servant,
Whitehall-gardens, April 10. MALMESBURY.

* So far from our ignoring it, Lord Malmesbury ignores
the extract he has himself made from our article, in which
we especially give Sir C. Hotha.m credit for this very negotia-

DUDE AND ITS ANNEXATION.

The Nizern of the Deccan is the last of the Mussulman
Princes of India. On the 4th inst. General Outram
placed the draught of a treaty before the King of Oude.
The wretched Prince was true to his character to the last.
His life has been one scene of wilful degradation. He has
cast away even that semblance of self-respect which the
worst of his cle,s hare hithsrto preserved. Eight years
ago one spark of manly pride, one display of energy,
might have redeemed his kingdom and the fortunes of his
house. He married a tnehtranee instead. At the last
moment, when nothing remained but a dignified submis•
sion, be displayed a childish arrogance, refused to sign the
treaty, and threatened to appeal his "case" to the House
of Commons. His obstinacy prove las unavailing its his
menaces. On the 7th of February the troops halted out•
side Lucknew, the proclamation appeared, and Oude
was included in the thin red line. We cannot repress a
feeling of cordial pleasure at the reasons assigned for the
irrevocable step. There is no pretext of expected hos-
tility or treacherous de.igne, or even of injury appre-
hended to the British p swer. For the first time in its
history the Government of India assumes its true posi-
tion, stands forward as the guardian of the millions,
and Strikes down a throne solely because it is op-
pressive. It has been the high fortune of Lord Dal-
horteie in eight years to add four kingdoms to the
British Empire. The first was annexed because its
soldiery, in a moment of profound peace, forced on us
the alternative of sovereignty or ruin. Tne second
was conquered to teach a barb items Court that our
flag must be respected even in the swamps. The third
passed to ut, by the simple right which givts to the State
the property of the childlet•s. The fourth has been ab•
sorbed, not to avert a danger, not to avenge an in- ule
not by any right of inheritance, but to save the millions
who suffered from a tyranny to which that of Naples is
enlightened freedom. There are those who will think the
last cause not the most unworthy of the Briti.,ll
The personnel of the Administration has been organised.
Most of them will, we think, be favourably received.
Gen. Outram, whatever his abilities for civil atilministra.
tion, has at least displayed that moral courage which is
to an administrator what a backbone is to the human
body. Mr. Couper, his secretary, has an official reputa-
tion which the public will speedily be able to confirm,.
Mr. Gubbins is the officer who put do .vn infanticide at
Agra by his accuracy in the collection el 'statistics.
Mr. Omnaanney, though less known, had as a young
man a reputation which he has since had little
opportunity to increase.
The only appointment we re-
gret is that of Captain Hayes. As acting Resident, he
repeatedly displayed qualities fitted for duties somewhat
higher than those of an aide-decamp. A place in the
commission would have given a more fitting occupation
to the officer of all others most acquainted with Oude.
For the rest, we need only remark that the Administra-
tion will contain a most unusual number of young men.
General Outram and his military coadjutors are officers
of long experience or service ; but one commissioner,
Mr. Christian, is of only 13 years' standing ; another,
Mr. Wingfield, is of only 15. The secretary is of only
10. In hands so young Oudo should occupy at least as
large a space in our columns as heretofore. The only
difference will be that the monotony of imbecility, broken
only by some astounding crime, will be exchanged for
the progress we have so repeatedly chronicled in the
Punjaub.— Friend of India, Feb. 14.

Yesterday a Court of Directors was held at the East
India House, when the new directors, elected on Wed-
nesday last, viz., John Harvey Astell, Esq., Elliot
Macuaghten, Esq., Ross Donnelly Mangles, Esq., M.P.,
Charles Mills, Esq., and Martin Tacker Smith Esq.,
M.P., took the oath and their seats. Colonel William
Henry Sykes was chosen chairman, and Ross Donnelly
Mangles, Esq., M.P., deputy chairman, for the year en-
:.
ming.

'

METROPOLITAN CATTLE MARKET.
To-day's market was very scantily supplied with beasts,
and the demand for all kinds ruled steady, at fully Moa.
day's quotations. The supply of sheep was limited, and
the mutton trade was brisk, at an improvement in vain('
of 4d. per Slbs. We had a better feeling In the demand
for lambs, the show of which was limited, at fully Mon.
day's currency. About 120 came to hand from the Isle
of Wight. Calves were in moderate supply and sluggish
request, at unaltered currencies. Pigs moved off slowly,
at late rates.
Mulch cows wore dull, at from 131. to 191. each, includ-
ing their small calf.

Per albs to sink the offal".
8. d. e. d.! s. d. s il•
Inferior Beasts.... 2 10 to 3 0 PrimeSouthdown 5 9 5 4
Second quality.... 3 2 3 6; Largo crse. calves 4 0 419
Prime large oxen 3 8 4 OiPrime small do 5 0 5 g
Prime Scots, tkc. 4 2 4 4 Large hogs
Inferior Sheep ...3 8 4 GiSmall porkers
Second quality ...4 2 4 6fSuckling calves-20 029 0
Prime crse.-wlled.4 9 410 Quarter old pigs.2l 0 27 0
Lamb, 68 0,1 to 7s Od.
TOTAL SUPPLY. I 701 ZION SUPPLY.
Beasts ..... • ...... •• • • 925 i Beasts.... .. •..... ..... . . 76
Sheep and lambs ...... • • 4,950 Sheep .......... •• • • .••••• 35
Calves ........ ... ••••• • .. 190 Calves...—. ••
P:gs ..•• . ..... ——•••• .• 300 Pigs.... ...... ..... .......

NEWG47II ANA.
'The Lisle generally ruled e
Per 81ba by I

-
LEADEN/11LT..
steady, at full prices.
the carcase.

e. d. s. d.
Beef, inferior 2 8 2 10
Do., middling 3 0 3 2
Do. prime large 3 4 3 6
Do , do. small 3 8 3 10 I
Perk, large 3 2 3 10 I
Lamb, 5s 0

s. d. r. 4.
Mutton, Inferior 3 2 3 8
Do., middling 3 8 4 •
Do., prime 4 2 4 4
Veal
Pork. small 4 0 4 8
Id to Cs 4d.

BOROUGH HOP.
We have a fair demand for good and fine hops, at last
week's quotations, but other kinds are a slow sale. The
imports this week are large, viz.:—`26B bales from Ham-
burg, 25 from Ostend, and 125 from Rotterdam.
Mid and East Kent pockets, 3/ Os to 61 lOs per cwt ;
Weald of Kents, 31 03 to 51 Os. ; Sussex, 21 16s to 4110 s, .

COLONIAL.
TEA.—This article is withont any material alteration.
The market is, 'however, expeetel to shortly improve.
Common Cone,<You. realised 9d prompt.
SUGAR. —There has been a large supply of both colonial
and foreign,' Purchases have been made with extreme
caution, for both exportation and home.consumption, and
rather lower rates have, in almost all instances, been sub-
mitted to. Havannah, fine brown, brought 41a to 41a 6ds%
low to superior kinds, 42s to 423 Gd. Mauritius, g,,,ad
to fine brown, 38s to 40s ; fine yellow, 40e 61 to 445;
grainy, 44s to 46s Gd. Cuba, yellow, 41s to 42A 6d;
brown, 3Gs Gd to 4N. lid. Penang, white and grey, 4 a ;
to 48s ; yellow 39s +on 40s ' • low to tine brown 35s to 35s 6d ;
mid to fine bright grainy 40s Gd to 45s per cwt. The re-
fined market has exhibited a rather quiet appearance.
COFFRE.—The, demand for coffee has fallen off, and the
arrivals having bren large prices have slightly given way.
Native Ceylon, •ord to good, realised 51s to 54a 6d. Plan-
tation, good t,eb fine, 65s to 70s ; triage 503 to 57a ; and.
peab3rry 68s. per cwt. Bahia brought. 41s 6d to 465, arr.(
home trade kinds 47s to 5Gs 6J per cwt.
COCOA. —.The market has been excessively dulls and
prices laa.va3 given way is to 2s per cwt. Grenada, aard to
38good g'.ay, 36s to 37s ; red, 37s 6d to 38s. Bahia /..)rought
s to 39s Gd, and damaged 30s to 35s per cwt.
B.,CE.—This article has again declined ral per cart, with
but little demand. Java mid white realised lls 9d, au
g'4.l Hs 61 per cwt. Bengal mid 8s 6d to Ile 9:1 per cwt.
',,lesnel Patna sold at full rates.
Rum.—There has been a considerable business doing,
I and full rates have been obtained for fine qualitiea.
SPlCE;.—Pepper has been iu demand, and quotations
have slightly advanced fine white Madras brought 81d.
Penang, mid to bold ;id per lb. Nutmegs—There has
been some competition and prices have advanced ld told
per lb. Small mid bold brown 2s 2d to 2s 11,1, bold :3s 10,1
to 4s Gd, ordinary limed is Gd. Mace in demand, mid ,'ark
sold for 2s per lb.
COCIIINEAL.—There has been a decreased demand and
lower rates have been accepted for most descriptions.
Efondttrassilvere 3s 8d to 4a 3d, Teneriffe silvers 3s 7d to
38 11d, Blacks 4s 2d to 4s 4d, Mexican silvers 38 9d par lb.
SALTPETRE. —A considerable amount of business has
been done at full rates.

TALLOW.—There has been a better demand and prices
have advanced is per cwt, on the spot 4Sn 3d, three months
48s 9d, 49s to Oct.
GREEN FRUIT.— The market has been dull for orange.
thin week, owing to the arrival of several cargoes, but as
the export of the article has ceased at the Azure, importers
aro not disposed to press sales. Two cargoes. from St.
NlichAel and one from Terceira, sold by Ketliug and Hunt_
at public sale, went at a reduction of .s per b-tx. 4 goad
ileinanti exists for Spanish tints,. the ratluction in price
assisting consumption. More inquiry for lemons.