The Sun.
London, England, 1851-11-18 00:00:00

OVERLAND MAIL

INDIA AND CHINA.
(From the Overland Bombay Times, Oct. 17.)
SUMMARY.—Our details of news by the present
mail are of the most meagre description, nothing of
the slightest public interest—political or domestic—
having transpired since the date of our last dispatch.
The general dearth of interesting matters for discus-
sion seems to be felt throughout the length and
breadth of the land; and the leading journals of Madras
have actually been compelled to resort, for want of
matter more exciting to write about, to turn round
upon the governor and government of that presidency,
and rate them soundly, for no other reason that we
can see than that Sir Henry Pottinger and his coun-
cil, according to their ideas of the subject matter of
animadversion, do nothing for the good of the public,
and afford no service in return for the salaries they
receixe. If this really be so, why then here is a case
of no small importance ready made for the Thomp-
sons, the Lewins, the flumes, and the rest of the
host of grievance-mongers, to badger the East
India Conipany about to their hearts' content. It
is gratifying, however, to find that there is still
a remnant of loyalty left amongst the " benighted"
and that the whole of the community do not
participate in the " Red" views of the local press, for
we see it stated in the Spectator that it is in contem-
plation to give a public dinner at the banquetting
room to Sir G. I3srkeley, the out-going Commander-
in-Chief of Madras, as a mark of respect previous to
his approaching departure from India. Lieutenant-
General Sir Richard Armstrong, his Excellency's
successor in the command, arrived at Madras in the
Barham on the 28th ult.; we regret to see it stated
that he was in a bad state of health, and was unable
to land until the day after his arrival.
One of the north-west papers mentions that there
are " mysterious whispers" abroad of an intended ex-
pedition to the Khyber during the ensuing cold wea-
ther. The particular object of the expedition has not
transpired, but it is rumoured that the force to be
organised for the purpose will consist of about 5,000
men of all arms, including two Goorka regiments and
a troop of Horse Artillery. It is thought probable
that Brigadier-General Sir Hugh Wheeler will com-
mand the force when it takes the field, notwithstand-
ing that he has expressed his intention of returning
to England shortly to repose upon the laurels he has
already so nobly won in repeated actions with the
enemy in the field. Sir Hugh was invested by the
Governor-General with the insignia of a Knight
Commander of the Bath on the 80da ult. at Simlah.
The ceremony of the investiture is mentioned as
having been on a grand scale, the whole of the so-
ciety of the station having been invited to attend to
do honour to the occasion.
The Lahore Chronicle, which is usually well in-
formed on the fact of matters on which it writes,
states that notwithstanding the frequent outcries of
the Calcutta press, the Governor-General has, at DO
very distant period, recorded his deliberate opinion
that the supreme government should be located in
the North-Western provinces. Is appeared to be his
Lordship's wish to unite a larger proportion of north-
west government to the Punjaub, and to form the
whole into one presidency, the limits of the two
to be somewhere about Allahabad, the Govern-
ment of Bengal annexing the provinces west
of Scene, as far as Allahabad. In the
event of this plan being carried out under
the provisions of the new charter, it is proposed that
the residence of the Governor of the north-west pro-
vinces should be at Simla—the subordinate offices, as
well as those connected with the Supreme Govern-
ment, being located at Umbel's'. Our Lahore con-
temporary gives this as an explanation of the evident
anxiety that has for some time past been manifested
to complete the greatly improved communication
between Simla and the plains now in progress. It is
further stated that the object which the Lieutenant-
Governor of Agra (Mr. Thoinason) has in view in
visiting Lahore and the Punjaub, is to gather such
information during his progress as will enable him to
record his opinions on the feasibility and advisability
of the plans proposed by the most Noble the Marquis
Dalhousie. Another rumour has it that Mr. Thoma-
son will be the first Governor of the Lahore Presi-
dency, the civil members of the existing Board of
Administration becoming a Board of Revenue. In
case of these important measures being carried out, it
is thought a change will also take place in the consti-
tution of the army, which will, it is said, be then
separated into two divisions, which will be designated
the " Bengal " and " Lahore " armies.
We see it stated in the Calcutta papers that the
native landholders of that city are forming a society
for the purpose of appointing a representative who
will advocate their interests in the Parliament at home
in the discussions on the renewal of the Company's
charter. The association has been established under
the euphonious designation of the " Daisbaturthee
Somej," or " Society ;for the good of the country."
The object is to be accomplished by raising contribu-
tions from the natives of the soil, and the sub,crip-
tion will continue for three years, as the discussions
will not, it is expected, come to a final issue till the
end of that period.
It is rumoured that Major G. Ramsay, assistant to
the Resident of Nsgpore, has been appointed to act
sa Resident of Kattnandou during the absence of Mr.
Dakine from Nepaul.
At the ordinary monthly meeting of the Bombay
Geographical Society held on the 9th inst., that body
recorded a resolution expressing the deep grief of the
society for the loss of Captain J. P. Sanders, of the
Indian Navy, one of the oldest and ablest of its mem-
bers, whose contributions have so often adorned the
pages of its " Transactions."
Lord and Lady Falkland and suite arrived at Ma-
habuleshwar, from Daporee, on the sth inst , and
will, it is expected, take up their winter quarters at
Parell early in next month. Sir John Grey and
staff are also at the Hills, and will return to the Pre-
sidency about the same time as the Governor.
Captain Nixon, of the 6th Bombay Native Infan-
try, has just been tried by general court- martial on
the following charges—the decision of the court has
not yet been promulgated :
FIRST CHARGE.—For disgraceful conduct, in having
at Bombay, on or about the sth of August, 1851,
embezzled and fraudulently misapplied the sum of
600 rs., being a part of the sum of 13,000 rs. en-
trusted to him by the presidency paymaster for the
payment of the 6th Regiment Native Infantry, for
the month of July, 1851.
SECOND CHARGE.—For disgraceful conduct, in
having at Bombay, on or about the 11th of August,
1851, wilfully and knowingly rendered to Lieutenant
Jervis Harpur, the acting paymaster of the 6th Re-
giment Native Infantry, a false statement of his cash
account from let to 11th August, 1851, showing an
advance of only 12,400 rs. as received in that period,
whereas he had received from the presidency pay-
master on or about the sth day of August, 1851, an
advance of 13,000 rs.
THIRD CHARGE.—For disgraceful conduct, in
having between the 9th of February, 1846, the date
on which he assumed charge of the regimental pay
office, and the 11th of August, 1851, embezzled and
fraudulently misapplied the sum of 172444.9 rs.,
or thereabouts, being monies entrusted to him as
regimental paymaster for military purposes.
We observe in the columns of one of the local pa-
pers an intimation that the Guicowar of Baroda has
suspended his Dewan ; but, with our contemporary,
we fear it is too good news to be true.
(From the Singapore Free Press of October 6 )
The accounts from Labuan are encouraging as far
as they go. The Eastern Archipelago Company are
now raising a considerable quantity of coals monthly,
although not so much as they might have been ex-
pected to do by this time.
From Siam we continue to receive the most favour-
able accounts of the state of affairs there. By latest
arrivals we learn that the King has given orders for a
large addition to be forthwith made to the city of
Bangkok. He has also established a printing-press,
at which works are to be produced in Siamese and
English, for the enlightenment of his subjects. His
llsjesty has also directed a general revision of the
laws of the kingdom, so that they may be made as
equitable as possible, and we understand he has ex-
pressed his firm intention that equal justice shall be
deelt out to all alike, high and low, rich and poor.
Our shipping news this month will be found to re-
cord the loss of several vessels, English and American
in the waters of the Indian Archipelago. Among
these are two American ships, one the clipper Mem-
non, bound to London, with 1,400 chests of teas on
hoard, and the other the ship George Browne, from
California, in ballast. The English barque Metro-
polis, wrecked on Bintang some weeks ago, was also
a tea ship, having 5,000 chests on board, and bound
for Halifax, in North America. The wreck has since
been brought to Singapore by the Hon. Company's
steamer Hooghly, and sold by auction for 8,150 dolls.,
under en order of the Admiralty Court.

Grey Shirting:;-40 X 45 in. All descriptions very
dull, with the exception of 66 to 72 reeds, of the former
former for which there exi,:ts some demand.
Madapollaws—The mark-,:t is overstocked, and little
or no inquiry exi,is.
Long Cloth—lu consequence of the injudicious forc-
ing of several safes, we have to notice the decline in
value of about 4 annas per piece.
T. Cloth—A smaller demand exists than at the date
of our last, and on 6155. and upwards prices have receded
2 to 3 annas per piece.
Domestic—For coarse and heavy 40-inch wide there
exists a moderate inquiry; the finer fabrics are less
asked for.
Bleached Goods—For shirting upwards of 66 reeds
there exists a slight inquiry; from 60 downwards, very
dull.

Jacconct —The medium and finer qualities are some-
times asked for, the lower sorts are very dull.
Twills meet with small inquiry.
Satin Spots ditto.
Turkey R-d—Plain and twill very dull of sale ;
mulls in slight inquiry at a reduction of 2 to 3 aunas
per piece.
Cotton Yarn— A farthf r dkclination in price has oc-
curred, in con,equence of tho Itare supply which has
been sent into the market, and the ulixiety displayed on
the part of importers to realise.
Dyed—Orange in moderate request; Turkey red in
small inquiry.
Woollens show no improvement ; 7,000 yards
flannel sold at 13 aonas; and 3,500 yards printed
flannel at 14 annas.
Metals—Engli.h and Swedish bar iron are dull, and
prices have receded; the same may be said of sheet iron
and Lail-rod, both round and square; a slight inquiry
exists for hoops, and for Swedish steel in tubs there
also is some request ; in faggot it is dull; spites. is not
asked after, and has slightly fallen in price; lead, both
pig and sheet, without change. Copper—Braziers' and
sheeting, as well as tiles, rather dull ; nails slightly
advanced; South American dull.
Cochineal very dull ; prices have receded one anna
per lb. 2001bs. cochineal, Rs. 1 10 0 per lb.
Saffron—A large supply has just been received, and
prices have fallen to Rs. 18.
Beer—Allsopp is steady at our last quotations, and
about 100 hhds have been disposed of. The nominal
wholesale price of Bass having been reduced to Rs. 50,
200 hbds. of that brand have alio sold, feaving only
about 50 hhds. in stock. Of other brands 220 hilds.
appear to have sold at various prices, as detailed in our
report.

Spirits—Brandy in wood in request, in bottle dull,
gin dull in both wood and bottle. 50 hhds. brandy, in-
terior quality, Rs. 2 per gallon ; 5 qr casks Dunbar's
ditto, Es. 3 per gallon.
Wine—We hear of the following sale-10 qr. casks
and 2 hhds. sherry wine, of 130 gallons, Rs. 275 0 0
per cask.

Marino Stores—Canvas, both bleached and brown, in
slight inquiry, but the prices quoted are no better than
before; cordage in good request, and linseed oil also in
demand; spirits of turpentine dull, as is also twine.
Paint of the best quality in request.
Bottles—Quarts scarce, 1 6-16th per dozen, and pints
1 1-16th—of the latter 40 gross sold at quotation. 60
gross empty pint bottles, Rs. 1 10 per gross.
Cotton Wool—Market dull, and prices inclined to fall.
We have heard of no purchases having been made for
the English market. For China the natives continue
buying, rand most :of the holders export to China on
their own account. Since our last report scarcely any
variation in price has occurred. 200 bales Broach and
Jusaboosur, Rs. 95 per candy.
Opium—Nothing has been doing in the market since
the departure of the steamer for China. Prices seem in-
clined to fall, and our present quotations are nominal.
Freight—The rates to England are slightly higher;
for London and Liverpool our quotations are 21. 10s. to
21. 12s. 6d.; to China the rate has receded to Rs. 151
per candy.
Exchange is without alteration; the rate of the day is
2s. Old. to 2s. Old. for six months' sight, inclined to ad-
vance—on Calcutta, 1 per cent. prom.; on China, Rs.
222 per 100 dollars.

CALCUTTA MARKETS, OCT. 7.
(From the Calcutta Star.)
AICNEY MARKET.—Though all our subscribers and
readers in this country are well aware that the past week
or ten days have been a holiday, and that the date of
our present issue falls in the midst of the idleness, as far
as business is concerned, and the gaieties and festivities
of our longest annual vacation, yet the circumstance
may not readily occur to our home subscribers, and an
India mail coming in without the usual copy of the Cal-
cutta Commercial Review might induce the conclusion
that we had discontinued its publication, or some other
surmise equally unfavourable. We take, therefore, these
circumstances into consideration, and not wishing to risk
the loss of the valuable support our paper enjoys, we
have determined on issuing a few lines explanatory of
the reasons of our not giving the usual comprehensive
Summary of Commercial Intelligence. The fact is, we
have nothing to report, and think we can hardly do
better than extract from the commercial columns of
the Calcutta Morning Chronicle of Saturday last, the
4th instant, what that paper gave for its usual
weekly Commercial Report. The last mail from
England has caused some little uneasiness here.

•
In addition to the report of the failure of one mer-
cantile firm in London, whose name is given, it is
reported that there are others, and that an extensive
failure was reported for the amount of 500,0001. We
have no failures here to report, but we greatly fear
this happy inability on our part will not continue long.
The holidays are drawing to their close, and doubtless
next mail hence will take out more disastrous intelli-
gence. During the vacation several arrivals have been
announced, and it is feared that when business re•opens,
the position of the import market will be found by no
means to have improved. We take from the Chronicle
the following :
" CALCUTTA, OCT. 4, 1851.—We can hardly be ex-
pected to give a report of the commercial doings of the
week ; the period since our last report has been
absorbed in complete inactivity as regards commercial
matters, and the goddess Doorgala has engrossed the
greatest share of the time, attention, and, as regards
the natives, the means of commercial and non-commer-
cial people of this great city. The whole week has been
absorbed in holidays—counting-houses have been
closed, offices shut, and even the little peddling shops
have had their locks to their gates. Calcutta is
out of town, and the wheals of business have
not been heard to creak. Holiday-making,
holiday. taking, and holiday-enjoying have been
the order of the day, although we must con-
fess we never remember circumstances being so unfa-
vourable to the full enjoyment of a holiday feeling. The
mail of 25th August has come in, and the intelligence it
conveys is far from satisfactory. Things have been gra-
dually becoming worse, and now we learn the natural
consequence, in the shape of failures and rumours of
failures. We take the following from an evening con-
temporary, which gives a correct idea of the position and
prep cts of things when business was suspended this
day week:—
" Business closed on Saturday with a very gloomy
aspect; portentous clouds had for some time before hung
upon the commercial horizon, and the general expecta-
tion was, that they would break in a deluge of mischief
even before the commencement of the Doorgall Poojahs.
Several wealthy natives in the Bazaar had suspended,
and rum ,ur began to be busy with the names of more
than ono European house. The latest business hour
however, closed without anything like a crash, and con-
jecture is left to busy itself with what the resumption of
businesson d
Someeof
thoeurliotlhdeisntstmanetrcilstaltiiktes liyutCoalcenvtetia"s°ta.'te they
have never seen the markets so unsettled, disturbed, and
unsatisfactory.
" Accounts from the Indigo districts continue of a
favourable tenor, and estimates are gradually rising.
From all we have heard, we calculate the crop at
1,15,000 Ends. We can hardly hold out prospects of good
prices
to our Indigo friends. That last year's figures
will not be approached is the general impression."

CHINA