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

CHINA.

The following is our correspondent's letter, dated
Hong-Kong, December 30, 1850:
" The mail steamer arrived here on the morning of
the 18th, bringing dates from England to the 24th of
Oet,,ber.

"Notwithstanding the. etll,l and bracing v‘eather we

now have great sickness still prevails among ter Ma-
' jesty's fi9th liegiment—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 yeir
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
celled the attention of Government to the subject has
given ganeral sa,:isfaction 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 only one
year in the East. Three military doctors aro among
the sick, and have left, and those remaining are per-
fectly inadequate to the duties devolving o❑ 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 Kwangsi 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 well
known to foreigners by his acts in 1839—by the durance
he 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. Oae (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 ale
41,000,0001 b., against 39,000,0001 b. last year. The
transactions in silk have bren 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 ft ee ports. Captain Ince, of her Majest)'s
brig Pilot, died here on 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 Majesty's steamer Sphiox
returned from the north on the 26th inst.

In Harbour—Her Majesty's ship Hastings, steamer
Sphinx, and her Majesty's brig Contest.
"At Whampoa —The screw steamer Reynard.
"At Canton—The steamer Phlegethon.
" At Amoy—Her Majesty's brig Serpent.
" At Shanghai—The Pilot.

" Our latent; dates are—from England, October 24;
United States, October 13; Calcutta, November 8;
Bombay, November 18; Singapore, December 7; Ma-
nilla, December 2; Sydney, Sap ember 30; and Port
Philip, October 9.

COMMERCIAL IN I'ELLIGENCE.
(From the Teley aph 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 I per cent. all round, and are
understood to be very unwilling to increase the accommoda-
tion already granted to their constituents. The tightness
in t' e Bazaar is said to be greater than for a length of time,
and is accompanied by an unusual amount of distrust, as the
stoppage of D. and .0. Pestonjee has caused an uneasy feel-
ing. Government securities and Bank shares are difficult of
sale at the foll.o.ving quotations :—New Fives, 96i to 97;
Sicca Fives, 1011 to 1, ; Company's Fours, Bto W ; Sicca
Fours, 84 ; Transfer Loan. 1 LO ; Bank of Bombay shares,
14 to 11 per cent. premium; Oriental, .0 per cent. dis-
count; Commercial, 12 to 13 per cent, discount; Agra, 1
por cent. disc wit. Ihe tendency of English exchange has
been rather downwards since the date of our last reoort, and
sellers are now firm at 2s. 21d. to 2a, 2 9-61 d.; for China drawn
six months' sight bills, 2s. 2id. ; eight to 2s. 3d., for local bill
with documents; and 2s. :Id. for Scotch bank credits at 60,
amount sight.
Freights we quote at 2/. to 21. 53 to London and Liverpool,
and 13r. per candy to China
Grey Shirrings, 40 inch.— Only ',OA) pieces of these have
been sold at 4r. la., and a small lot of 45-inch at 4r. 14a. to
5r 154 a 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 no 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 madapollams are very dull, only
a few boxes having been sold at 4r, 14. and 2r. 3a. per
piece.
Bleached jacconets are in very feeble request, only 500
pieces having been disposed 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 Yarn—The market for yarns is very much de-
pressed. It is reported that 1(10 bales of water No. 3S have
been sold at 104 a. A few bales of orange have been disposed
of at 10La. per lb.
Metals have also partaken of the general dulness.
Beer—There is no beer of Beer's brew in the market, but
it is in good demand, and the first arrivals are expected to
bring high rates.
Cotten—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 en 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 En9lishnzan, Jan. 7.)
The Hindustan. wits the mail, bringing London dates to
the 2ath of November, reached her mi orings on the after-
noon of the 4th, and the mercantile 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-
pectatien of the receipt of later home news proving detri-
mental to any free course operations. The value of the leading
staples has, however, n t experienced any material altera ion,
the continued very moderate 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 slightly 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 been kept to the extreme value of the
previous week. Rice in 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
advises determining h lders 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 bund continuing
small, while purchases are less eagerly pursued. Corahs have
met with a moderate inquiry at last week's rates. Shell lac
and lac dye continue 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 •f 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 int,rmission. 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 snail, 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
time past, width 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 i.
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 tome 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, DEc. 30, 1850.
Durintthe month the demand for imports has continued
ntiTs.

CAton—The transactions since last month have been con-
siderable, and at improved rates. Bombay quoted Ts. 9to
Ts. 9 9 ; Bengal, Ts. 9 4 to Ts. 9 8 ; Madras, Ts. 9 5 to Ts.
10 3. About 20,500 bales have been sold. Stock, say 41,500
bales.

Cotton Yarn—Owing to the firmness of holders the sales
have been small. Quotations show an advance for the higher
numbers. Nos. 16-24 quoted 29 dolls. to 30 dolls. ; Nos.
28 32, 31 dolls. to 33 dolls; Nos. 38-42, 34 dolls, to 37
dolls.

Shirtings—Prices for greys and the better descriptions of
Ns bites have improved somewhat. Greys ase quoted 2 dolls.
LOc. to 3 dolls. sc. ; whites, 2 dolls. to 3 dolls. 10c. Sales
of both kinds estimated at about 56,000 pieces.
Woollens—Spanish Stripes—Stock in Chinese hands is
large. Prices remain as before —90 c. to 1 doll. Long ells,
assorted, 6 dolls. 80c. to 7 dolls. 30c. ; scarlet, 7 dolls. 85c.
Iron—The sales are reported at 8,000 peculs; stock large.
Rod, 2 dolls. 40c. to 2 dolls. 70e per pecul ; bar, 2 dolls.
lOc. to 2 dolls. 20c.; round, '2 dolls. 80c. to 4 dolls. 30c.;
hoops, 2 dolls. 60e. to 2 dolls. 80e. Tin plates, 9 dolls. to
9 dolls. 59c.
Cochineal-90 dolls. to 115 dolls.

Turkey Opium-310 dolls. per pecul, and stock large.
'lea—During the month there has been a fair amount of
busines:i done in black tea. About 26 chops of congou have
been settled at Tl 6 and T IS. Of the new greens 200,000
packages have arrived, but no settlements of consequence
have taken place. . _ .

Black. Green. Total

Export from Canton from July 1,
1850, to Dec. 24, 150 • • 28,112,000 3,097,000 29,209,000
Export from Shacghai from July 1,
1850, to Dec. 18, 1850 .. .. 11,019,000 1,321,000 12,340,000

37,131,000 4,418,000 41,549,000

Export from Canton from July 1,
1849, to Dec. 24, 1849 . • 27,651,000 2,971,000 30,621,008
Export from Shanghai from July 1,
1849, to Thcember 24, 1849 8,245,830 181,000 8,429,000

35,06,000 3,145,000 39,0500-00

Exchanges on England—First class paper and American
credits, ss. Id. and ss. 11/2d. India—Company's accepted
paper, 232 r. to 233 r. per 100 dolls.
Freights nominal. Some vessels are offering at 1/. 10s.
for immediate dispatch.
Our advices from Shanghai are to the 23d inst. There
had been a good amount of business done in imports, but
prices showed little.improvement. Shipments of produce
continued heavy.
Tea—Large purchases of low Cengous bad been made at
rather higher rates, The settlements of green were estimated
at 160,000 packages, of which about 35,000 packages were
for the English market.
Silk- Prices remained without change, and the business
done had been inconsiderable. The market was nearly clear
of the finer sorts. .No. 1 and 2 Tsatlee,nominal at 445 dolls.;
No. 380 dolls, to 410 dolls.; Taysaarn, '270 dolls, to 330
dolls. Export since Ist of July last 12,120 bales.
Shirtings—The demand for the better descriptions of
greys had been good. Greys quoted 1 doll. StBe. to 2 dolls.
83c.; whites, 2 dolls. 10c. to 2 dolls. 60c. The sales of both
descriptions about 125,000 pieces.
Spanish Stripes—About 4,000 pieces were sold at 85c. to
90c. for assorted.

Enchinge on England—• Oriental Bank and first class
paper, ss. ; American credits, as. Id. India—Company's
accepted bills. 236 r. per 100 dolls.
Freights-41. for tea, and 41. 10s. for silk.
SHIPPING.
♦RRIVAIS FROM GREAT BRITAIN.

At Hong-Kong—Dee. 7, the Rjasthan, from Liverpool;
Dec. 9, the Margaretta, from Hull ; Dec. 14, the Investiga-
tor, from London Dec. 25, William I. (Du.), from Newport.
At Shanghai—Dec. 12, the Cathava, trom Liverpool;
Dec. 16, the John Dugdale, from Liverpool ; Dec. 19, the
Confucius, from Liverpool; Dec. 19, the Viscount Sandon,
from London.