The Sun.
London, England, 1851-02-17 00:00:00

CHINA.

The following is our correspondent's letter, dated
Hong-Kong, December 30, 1830:
" The mail steamer arrived here on the morning of
the 18th, bringing dates from England to the 24th of
October.
"Notwithstanding the cold and bracing weather we
now have great sickness still prevails among her Ma-
jesty's 69th Regiment—upwards of 200 being generally
in the hospital. It is confined chiefly to those who
were laid up last summer; but it is evident that there is
something radically wrong when, at a period of the yelr
when all other invalids rapidly recover, sickness and
mortality still exist to so great a degree among one
regiment, and is confined to them.
" It is easy to conjecture what the results of another
hot season will be should a proper inquiry not be instituted
into the causes of the sickness, and suitable remedies not
be immediately adopted. The manner in which you have
called the attention of Government to the subject has
given general satisfaction to all in this settlement; and
the same feeling must exist everywhere—that a serious
responsibility rests upon those who neglect the melan-
choly facts brought to their knowledge, and thereby sa-
crifice lives for want of proper treatment and proper re-
medies.
"The Statesman has left with 92 invalids, of whom
58 are of the 59th Regiment, after having been only one
year in the East. Three military doctors are among
the sick, and have left, and those remaining are per-
fectly inadequate to the duties devolving on them, par-
ticularly as the .compounding of medicines, keeping of
accounts, and making returns, form part of their duties.
"It is generally reported at Canton that Commissioner
Lin is dead. He was sent by the Emperor to put down
the rebels in the Kwangei district, not very far from
Canton. From the energy of his character, and the
dread entertained of him by his countrymen, his death
may be considered a loss to the Empire. He is sell
known to foreigners by his acts in 1839—by the durance
ha kept them in for six weeks, and by the seizure of
the opium.
" Two Swedish missionaries at Foochow, returning
from a vessel with a small amount of money for their
personal wants, were attacked a few weeks ago by
pirates. One (Mr. Fast) was killed, and the other was
severely wounded, but escaped by jumping into the
water and swimming ashore. The Chinese authorities
were very prompt on this occasion in discovering the
perpetrators and inflicting punishment.
" Some months ago we alluded to the duty of two
mace that had, contrary to the spirit of the treaty, been
put upon tea by order of the Viceroy at Canton. We
understand that Lord Palmerston has written for all
particulars connected with the question. The merchants
at Canton have deposited with the consul there a formal
protest against the tax and this violation of the treaty,
and a copy of this document will no doubt go forward to
his Lordship.
" At Canton the Chinese holydays, which commenced
early in February, are expected to pass over quietly.
"'There is an active demand there for most articles of
import, and the advices from Shanghai, which reach to
the 23d of December. are also more favourable.
" At both places there has been a good deal done in
tea. The total exp .rts, to date, to Great Britain are
41,000,0001 b., against 39,800,0001 b. last year. The
transactions in silk have been limited. Total export
from Shanghai, to date, 12,500 bales, against 8,600 to the
same period last year.
" Her Majesty's screw-steamer Reynard returned
with the Bishop of Victoria, on the 19th, from Shanghai
and the other free ports. Captain Ince, of her Majesty's
brig Pilot, died here en the 11th. Lieutenant Hickley,
of the Hastings, is appointed to the command.
" Her Majesty's brig Contest leaves to-day for Shang-
hai to relieve the Pilot. Her Majevy's steamer Sphinx
returned from the north on the 26th inst.

" Io Harbour—Her Majesty's ship Hastings, steamer
Sphinx, and her Majesty's brig Contest.
" At Whampoa—Tbe screw steamer Reynard.
" At Canton—The steamer Phlegethon.
" At Amoy—Her Majesty's brig Serpent.
" At Shanghai—The Pilot.
" Our latest dates are—from England, October 24;
United States, October 13; Calcutta, November 8;
Bombay, November 18; Singapore, December 7; Ma-
nilla, December 2; Sydney, September 30; and Port
Philip, October 9.

COMMERCIAL IN LELLIGENCE.
(From the Telegraph and Courier.)
BOMBAY, JAN. 17.
The Bombay market for British manufactures has during
the fortnight under review been unusually dull. Indeed,
business has been almost entirely suspended; and the few
sales made have in most instances been forced, and the native
dealers exhibiting great reluctance to purchase. This state
of matters has arisen chiefly from the monetary pressure in
the Bazaar—the banks having increased their rates of dis-
count to 7 and 10 per cent. on Government and private bills
respectively.
The yarn market is greatly depressed.
Money continues very scarce. The banks have raised
their rates of interest another t per cent. all round, and are
understood to be very unwilling to increase the accommoda-
tion already granted to their constituents. The tightness
in the Bazaar is said to be greater than for a length of time,
and is accompanied by an unuseal amount of distrust, as the
stoppage of D. and IJ. Pestonjee has caused an uneasy feel-
ing. Government securities and Bank shares are difficult of
sale at the following quotations :—New blves, 961 to 97 ;
Sicca Fives, 101 i to 102; Company's Fours, 80i to 81 ; Sicca
Fours, 84 ; Transfer Loan, 1 10 ; Bank of Bombay shares,
14 to 14i per cent. premiuna; Oriental, 20 per cent. dis-
count; Commercial, 12 to 13 per cent. discount; Agra, 1
per cent. discount. Ihe tendency of English exchange has
been rather downwards since the date of our last report, and
sellers are now firm at 2s. 23id. to 2s. 2 9-61 d. ; for China drawn
six months' sight bills, 2s. 2i.d. ; eight to 2s. 3d., for local bill
with documents; and 2s. 21d. for Scotch bank credits at 60,
amount sight.
Freights we quote at 21. to 21. 5s to London and Liverpool,
and 13r. per candy to China.
Grey Sbirtings, 40 inch.—Only 2,010 pieces of these have
been sold at 4r. la., and a small lot of 45-inch at 4r. 14a. to
5r 15ia per. piece.
Grey Madapollams—These, have been influenced favour-
ably by the fact that imports have fallen off, but only
about 7,000 pieces have been sold at 2r. sa. since the last
mail left.
Grey Jacconets—ln these r.o sales have come to our know-
ledge, and there is no demand whatever for them.
For Domestics and T cloths there has been a little in-
quiry. We understand that 4,000 pieces of the former and
6,500 pieces of the latter have been sold at about former
rates.

Bleached shirtings and m adapollams are very dull, only
a few boxes having been sold at 4r, 12i. and 2r. 3a. per
piece.
Bleached jacconets are •'in very feeble request, only 500
pieces having been disposes', of at a very low rate.
There is no demand whatever for prints and woollens. A
few sales of Turkey red cambrics, 24 by 33, have been made
at 84r. We also hear of a sale of 200 pieces of Turkey red
mute, 38 in., at sr.
Cotton arn—The market for yarns is very much de-
pressed. It is reported that 100 bales of water No. 38 have
been sold at 108 a. A few bales of orange have been disposed
of at lqa. per lb.
Metals have also partaken of the general dulness.
Beer—There is no beer of Bass's brew in the market, but
it is in good demand, and the first arrivals are expected to
bring high rates.
Cotton—Dhollera cotton may now be quoted at 113 r. to
114 r. ; and Compta at 108 r. to 109 r. We hear that contracts
have been made for new Broach at 115 r. per candy.
Opium—Holders of Malwa opium are giving way, and the
price of the best Mundlaisar may be quoted at 1,020 r., and
Indore at 990 r. per chest. The operations for the China
steamer, which leaves to-morrow, are on an exceedingly
limited scale, say about 150 to 200 chests. The Marwarries
are sending forward the drug on their own account. The
present stock is estimated at 5,400 chests.
(From the Calcutta _Englishman, Jan. 7.)
The Hindostan, with the mail, bringing London dates to
the 25th of November, reach. ad her moorings on the after-
noon of the 4th, and the me-ccantile advices being of a less
encouraging tendency than they were by the previous dis-
patch, we cannot look forward to any increased activity in
our export market, which since our last issue has been in a
quiet state ; particularly during the past week, the daily ex-
pectation of the receipt of later home news proving detri-
mental to any free course op !rations. The value of the leading
staples has, however, not experienced any material alteration,
the continued very moderat e supplies indueing the generality
of holders to maintain firmness, though some, passed
by the tightness of the Bazaar money market, show
a willingness to meet slig htiy easier offers. On these
terms sugar has met with extended sales, with a decided
show of inclination to proceed upon more important transac-
tions. Saltpetre again looked after for home shipments,
while a fair demand for America and France continues, and
prices have thereby beeta kept to the extreme value of the
previous week. Rice iii general inquiry, and large business
done at very full but generally unaltered rates. The indigo
market has been in an unsettled state, the want of later home
advices determining holders to refrain from sales, and buyers
to act on the reserve in their biddings. In silk business has
been on a limited scale, supplies of the new band continuing
small, while purchases are less eagerly pursued. Corahs have
met with a moderato inquiry at last week's rates. Shell lac
and lac dye continuo in demand, with prices looking up. Oil
seeds still command extensive inquiry at extreme previous
rates. Jute in general request, which is stimulated by a
slight concession in prices for the middling and lower quali-
ties. Under the influence of a tight Bazaar money market,
and the last little satisfactory China accounts, opium has
further receded 10r. to 15r.
The slackness which prevailed in our import markets when
we last wrote has, continued without any intermission. The
market for cotton piece- goods in particular has remained ex-
tremely dull. Mule twist is also flat, and has sustained a
further slight decline in value. Turkey red yarn has again
fallen 6 pies per lb. Copper improved a little after the de-
parture of the last mail, but it has again slackened. Iron
continues extremely low. Spelter is at 6-4. The demand for
pig lead is dull at 6-0.
In our money market the demand is increasing, and the
Bank of Bengal has raised its rates of interest 1 per cent.
per annum.
Exchange has been more largely dealt in than for some I
time past, which t ended to lead rates slightly in favour of
sellers, negotiations ruling for six months' sight credit bills
at 2-2 to 2-2 h ; document drafts, 2-2 i to 2-2 a.
Freights have been kept to last week's improvement, with
an upward tendency in requirements, to which, however,
general shippers have not acceded.
Indigo—The demand has, since our last, been less brisk,
mainly owing to the continued absence of later home news,
and the transactions by private treaty have been confined.
Public sales offering the undermentioned quantities, for
which prices in the middling and lower sorts ruled at the
cheapest previous terms, and in some instances sr. below, the
market being in an unsettled state determining holders to
refrain from sales and buyers to act on the reserve in their
biddings.

CANTON MARKET REPORT.
HONG-KONG, Due. 80, 1850.
During the mouth the demand for importe has continues'
active.