The Sun.
London, England, 1857-12-28 00:00:00

TriflE sum LONDON, MONDA EVENING, DECEIII3ER 28, 18NT

permitted his wearied troops the much-required
rest and refreshment, he remained until the 9th,
on that day the sth, 53d, 84th, and 93i,

I with portions of other regiments, croesed the
Ganges, and were followed by the jolly
tars of the Naval Brigade, who frolicked along,
dragging their 24-pounders as if they were mere
trifles. Sir COLIN followed on the 11th, riding
40 miles in the direction of Lucknow during the
day ! The sick and wounded from the Alumbagh
were sent back under a guard of Sikh horsemen,
and narrowly escaped a serious collision with the
Naval Brigade, which might have led to a very
terrible catastrophe had the mistake not been dis-
covered at the very nick of time. Ample provi-
sions bad been sent into the Alumbagh, and all was
ready for the attack, which took place on the
13th. Sir Courr and his gallant followers moved
onward to the banks of the canal separating
Alumbagh from the town of Lucknow, and, after
a sharp conflict, dispersed the rebels and captured
all their guns in that quarter. On the 15th the
insurgents were driven from the Delkosha and
La Martiniere. They, however, rallied, and
made a severe attack on the British position, but
were eventually repulsed with immense
loss.
This appears to have been one of the most se rpm
struggles of all during the incessant strife.
On the 16th the canal was crossed and Seeun-
derbagh carried, after another terrible conflict,
in which every nerve on both sides was strained
to the utmost. The Samuch was subsequently
attacked, at three in the afternoon, and captured
about dusk. Sir Corarr, an unexceptionable wit-
ness on such a question, describes it as one of the
hardest fights he had ever witnessed. On the
morning of the 17th communications were
opened to the left rear of the barracks, •
towards the canal. The Mess-house was
carried by assault at three o'clock, and the Mo-
tee-Mahal before dusk. Then it was that the
exciting interview between CAMPBELL, OUTRAM,
and HAVELOCK, to which we have already alluded,
took place, and further measures concerted by a
triumvirate suoh as had seldom, if ever, met under
similar circumstances. The first step was, of
course, to ensure the safety of the non-combatants;
and this was ensured by despatching them to
Cawnpore, under an adequate escort.
Five officers were killed and thirty-two
wounded, of whom two were dangerously, and
eighteen severely. The later intelligence is very
meagre and incomplete. It only reaches to the
21st, which may be accounted for by the murder
of two telegraph assistants on that day.
Although we have made such satisfactory pro-
gress, it is obvious that the snake is merely

scotched, not killed, and that far more remains to
be done with the remnant of 100,000 armed rebels
scattered through the country. The most vigorous
measures must be resorted to.

The proceedings at Rohilcund by COTTON'S
brigade and of SHOWERS' column, were eminently
satisfactory. The death of the brave Colonel
GERARD, in the very hour of victory over the
Joudpore mutineers, is confirmed. It is to be re-
gretted that he did not live to receive the honours
he had so nobly won.
It is said that at Delhi the mock sentimentality
of the civilians is in the ascendant, and that the
octogenarian miscreant, the mock King, is
maintained in a species of state. He
now occupies the Palace, with a guard and re-
tinue assigned to him, while his youngest son, a
lad of 18, parades the town on a state elephant,
with British officers of rank (one of them Colonel
IloGain) in attendance or accompanying him. Col.
HOGGE states that it was "at the request of the
Commissioner" he had submitted to what ought
to be considered a degradation by a British offi-
cer. Notwithstanding this ill-timed leniency, the
work of the public execut'oner still goes on, and
24 members of the Royal Family were all
hanged together on the 21st November. We
trust that measures may speedily be adopted at
head-quarters to prevent the evil example of the
exemption of the chief delinquent from being
allowed to carry with it honours. If his life I

must be spared in consequence of any inconsiderate
promise, he should be consigned to a prison, not

a palace, and the gaol attendants should be his
only guards of honour, and he should bo made
to conform to all the stringent rules of the esta-

blishment.

A very brilliant af4ir took place between Briga-
dier STUART'S column and the insurgents near

Mundesore, in which the latter were completely
routed and with, considerable loss. During the

contest the garrison of Mundesore made a sortie and

attacked our rear-guard, but were repulsed by the

rear-guard. In consequence theieoflVlunclesore was

abandoned during the night by the rebelg, who

retired on Nagurla and in the direction of Ramp-

poore. In this brilliant affair which lasted four

days, Lieutenant REDMAYNE was killed, and Lieu •
tenants JAMES and MARTIN severely, and five

other officers slightly wounded.

On the whole the news is eminently satisfactory
and will, we trust, be followed by other intelli-

gence of a similar character.

The Earl of HARROWBY has retired from the
Cabinet, and is to be replaced by the Marquis of
CLANRICARDE, as Lord Privy Seal The office is
a complete sinecure, and yet the Noble Earl re-
linquishes it on account of the state of his
health, which debars him from active exertions,"
and certainly not on account of any political dif-
ference with his colleagues ! Somehow it always
is " the state of the health" that creates the diffi-
culty in such cases. It Mr. ..,NODGRASS'S
salmon at the celebrated dinner after the match
between all Muggletan and Dingley Dell !
Lord HARROWBY did, however, differ with his
colleagues on a very important measure last ses-
sion. Ho swelled the adverse majority is the
House of Lords against the Jewish Relief Bill,
and there were general complaints against Lord
PALMERSTON for permitting a subordinate to ma-
nifest such contumelious indifference to the wishes
of the Government. Indeed, his continuance in
office was considered as very strong evidence of
the Premier's lukewarmness on the Jewish cities-

tion ; and it was remarked that should the Lord
Privy Seal repeat the offence with impunity, a
numerous and influential body of independent
Members would be very seriously offended. It
was with great difficulty that they were restrained
from active operations last session, that might
have led to an awkward collision between the he-
reditary and representative branches of the Legis-
lature. The " indisposition" under which Lord
LIAREowuy was suffering was manifestly an " in-
disposition" to support Lord JOHN RUSSELL'S
Bill, which must receive the greatest possible
amount of Government aid.

The general support of the Marquis of CLAN-
ICICA.RDH will unquestionably be far more valuable
to Ministers. He is a smart and effective
speaker, thoroughly up on questions relating to
I India, of which it was some time since supposed
,
he i
Would have been Governor-General, in place of
his brother-in-law
Lord CANNING. He would
prove a very useful friend, a very troublesome
foe ; and it would not be convenient to allow such
a powerful auxiliary to array himself under the
same banners with Lord ELLENBOROUGH. They
would prove awkward
very - customers to any of

the Ministers in the Upper House. He will like-
wise prove useful on the Reform Bill and Jewish
question, on both of which Lord HARROWBY
would be really detrimental. There is no doubt
that Lord PALMERSTON has made a good exchange
bet %Ten the solemn insipidity of the one and the
wit and intelligence of the other. He was fortu-
nate in obtaining the services of the Marquis of
CLANRICARDr at so easy a rate.

We perceive Buenos Ayres has just taken mea-
sures to wipe off a disgrace and a stigma, which
for nearly 30 years have been a reproach to her
honour and good name—we might, with equal
truth, add, destructive alike to her credit and
thus to the developement of her rich and almost
boundless resources.

Her revenue has greatly increased. The re-
turns officially made show an increase of a quar-
ter of a million dollars for 1857 over that of
1856. We have, then, at length the pleasure
(and it is an unfeigned one) of at once congratu-
lating her enlightened Ministers, and also her two
Legislative Chambers, as well as our own country-
men who, under trying emergencies, supplied the
young Republic with a loan on the liberal terms
of 85 per cent., so far back as 1824 (33 years
ago), and who have been almost ever since doomed
to bear patiently a fate far more severe than any
other class of creditors that we know of ; for the
enormous accumulation of arrears upon their un-
paid capital proves that they have been for a
long series of years her suppliant, ill-treated, and
totally neglected creditors.
A reference to the proceedings at the London
Tavern, on the 17th inst., satisfactorily proves that
a new era has at length arrived, and the present
Ministers of that section of ,South America seem
resolved that Buenos Ayres shall in financial
matters, no longer be left behind the sister
republics of either Chili or Peru. The able and
Indefatigable chairman, Mr. David Robertson, of
Ladykirk, stated emphatically that, all circum-
stances considered, he looked upon the arrange-
ment or compromise of the debt to be one as
liberal and satisfactory, or even more so, than the
very best on record, both as regards the character
of the arrangement, the original capital (no easy
matter to deal with after such a lapse of time and
accumulations of arrears of interest), and the
unpaid coupons due upon that capital.
Our object in referring to this subject, inte-
resting and important as it must be to many, is
no longer, as has been our wont for years gone
by, to stimulate the committee and bondholders
to energetic exertion, but to offer them our best
wishes at the accomplishment of a great and signal
financial victory. For this, we believe, they are
greatly indebted to the press of this metropolis,
and to the untiring perseverance of their able
chairman, and very much indeed to the Messrs.
BARING, who, contractors of the said loan, have
most unceasingly advocated the claims of
the creditors under it, until those efforts
have been happily crowned with success.
There are other names that we have
on many former occasions singled out for special
praise—that of Mr. PARISH, as well as the able and
indefatigable Mr. JAMES Gino, who are entitled
to great commendation ; and, in the later stage
of the negotiation, Mr. GEORGE WHITE has ex-
erted himself with a zeal and ability that could
scarcely be surpassed. All this proves that
union, energy, and active co-operation should be
the motto of all persons similarly circumstanced.
There are in this country too many in this
predicament, holders of various foreign Bonds,
and the two great delinquents at this moment
are, beyond doubt, Venezuela and Spain. The
former has in a measure added insult to injus-
tice, sending over from Carancas troops of
Ministers and Commissioners to tell the defrauded
creditors that some 400,000 or 500,000 dollars are
voted annually for the English creditors, and yet
for ten years not as many pence paid to them,
seem to forget that this is a mere mockery. Prac-
tical men look on, and would designate a Govern-
ment so acting as guilty of the compound crime
of perjury and plunder.
Returning from a consideration of the conduct
of Venezuela to that of Buenos Ayres towards her

creditors, we once more congratulate the Republic
as having taken a step dictated by honour and
sound policy, and the English creditors at the
prospect of obtaining justice in part, if not their
full rights.

We cannot conclude without adding that
too much credit cannot be given to :the chair.

man, Mr. ROBERTSON (himself. as he stated in our

hearing on Thursday, a holder of no less than

some 80,000 of the Bonds), and also to the com•

mittee genera Ily, who, as acknowledged by Mr,

JAMES CAPEL, have worked hard and well, and
have, besides, found funds t) carry on negotia-
tions, which must otherwise have perhaps failed

at the critical moment. The chairman, Mr. Ro.

BERTSON, 1 ikewise aided both with his advice and

his purse ; and one of the speakers on Thursday
(either Mr. CAPEL or Mr. TASTIER) gave Mr.
ROZERTSON unhesitatingly, jointly with Messrs.
BARING, credit for the great ameliorations secured

since tho former (and, by-the-bye, not illibera

offer tendered in 1856.

These ameliorations and improved conditions,
we find, will now secure to the creditors, in the

first place, the full and immediate annual interes

of six per cent. on the principal of the debt, and

a gradually augmenting scale of payment from
1 to 3 per cent, on the enormous accumulation of

arrear or back interest-, which is between 160 and

170 on every 100 Bond. The first payment of
1 per cent. is to date from 1860 ; 2, from 1865 ;

and 3, from 1870.

The disgraceful system of bonfiscation, (adopted
by Spain constantly, and copied by Peru, to an
_ _

extent of 25 per cent, on all arrears) does not
enter into the plan of arrangement offered by
Buenos Ayres. Though offered tardily, there are

many circumstau ces that on the whole redound

much to the honour of the Ministers who have

so recently succeeded to office, and have gracefully

made this one of their very first legislative enact•
meats. It is an example for other South Ameri

can, and some European Governments, to follow
with advantage to themselves and their ruined

creditors.

AUSTRALIA.

PLYMOUTH, MONDAY.

The Suffolk, which left Melbourne, October 5,
for London, passed up channel this morning. Her
advices are anticipated. She brings 145,000 ozs.
of gold, and 210 passengers, eight of whom landed
here.

MINISTERIAL CHANGES.— Lord Harrowby has re-
signed the office of Privy Seal, not from any political
difference with his colleagues, but solely on account of
the state of his health, which renders it necessary for
Lim to abstain for some time from all business. He is
to he succeeded by Lord Clanricarde.
DEATH OF REAR-ADMIRAL EDWD. LE CHAS. THORN-
R)Rouori.--We regret to learn the above gallant flag
officer died on Friday The deceaied admiral, who
was the only son of the late Admiral Sir Edmd. Thorn-
borough, G.C.8., was in the 63d year of hie age.
DEATH OF Silt ALEXANDER DIXIE, BART.—The de-
mise of the above gallant baronet is announced as having
taken place at Bosworth-park, near Hinchley,Leieester-
shire. Sir A!exander entered the navy in his 15th year
on ,board the Amazon, 36. His commissions bore date
as follows :—Lieutenant, 17th Oct. 1804 ; commander, I
7th June, 1814; and captain (retired), Ist July, 1851.

ing to Cawnpore, under a guard of Sikh horse-
men, an arrangement that neatly proved fatal.
As they approached the British camp, they were
mistaken by the seamen of Peel's Naval Brigade
for the advanced guard of the enemy, when the
guns, loaded with grape, were levelled and about to
be fired. Luckily, the face of the European sur-
geon was recognised in time to prevent mischief.
The Commander-in-Chief had with him a Euro-
pean Horse Battery, two troops of Horse Artil-
lery, 60 Royal Artillerymen, with two 18-pound-
ers and two 8 inch mortars ; 320 of the 9th
Lancers, detachments of her Majesty's sth, Bth,
53d, '4.-sth, and 93d, and 300 of the Naval
Brigade, or including the 900 joining him from
Alumbagh, above 3,000 Europeans in all ; be-
sides a squadron of Sikhs and of Hodson's
horse, 1,000 Sikh Infantry, Sappers and
Miners, (Ire., or an additional 2,000 natives.
On the 13th, he advanced to the banks of the
canal, dispersing the rebels who approached him,
and capturing all their guns. On the 15th, the
rebels, after a running fight of a couple of hours,
were driven from the Dilkosha and La Martiniere.
They shortly after rallied, however, and made an
attack on the British position, when a severe re-
pulse was sustained by them. Darin those three
days Lieut. Mayne, Horse Artillery, and Captain
Wheateroft, Carabineers, were killed. We had
chiefly depended on our artillery, wisely avoiding
the needless exposure of our infantry to desperate
men. Ou the 15th the canal was crossed which

separates Alumbagh from Lucknow, the chief ad-
vancing on Secunderbagh, which was carried after

a severe struggle, the enemy suffering terribly.
Having garrisoned each position as we advanced,
the Samuch was attacked about three o'clock in
the afternoon, and after a tremendous cannonade,
was carried about dust. Sir Colin Campbell de-
scribes it as one of the most severe fights he had
ever witnessed, and few men have seen more hard
fighting than he. Early on the morning of the
117th communications were opened to the left rear
of the barracks towards the canal. A heavy can-
nonade having been kept up all the morning on
the mess-house, that very strong position was
carried by assault at three p.m., when the troops,
pushing on rapidly, were able to seize the Motee
Mahal before dark. Sir Colin Campbell now ap-
proached the brave garrison, who had been closely
beset since the 25th (if September, when
Generals Outram and Havelock came out to
meet him. Although the enemy was not com-
pletely subdued, the communications with the rear

were all re-opened, and the sick and wounded,
the ladies and children, were despatched under
escort to Cawnpore. Our loss, though conside-
rable, was less so than might have been looked
for. Capt. Herdly, Royal Artillery, Capt. Dal-
zell, 93d Highlanders, Capt. Lumsden, of the late
30th Bengal Native Infantry, attached to the
93d, Lieut. Frankland, 2d Punjaub Infantry, and
Midshipman Damien, Naval Brigade, were killed.
Thirty-two officers were wounded—two danger-
ously, and eighteen severely. Our latest tidings
extend only to the 21st, and have been supplied
by electric telegraph alone, so as to be in the last
degree meagre and incomplete. On that date,
two telegraph assistants were murdered at Alum-
bagh, and we must now wait for further intelli-
gence. The routes from Cawnporo westward are
still so interrupted, that the mails are in the last
degree irregular, or we should before now have
had full particulars by letter. It is more than
probable that tidings, considerably later than any
we can at present give, will be forwarded for our
London contemporaries by the steamer this even-
ing. There is much yet to be done in Oude, but
the Commander-in-Chief has now a numerous
force at his disposal ; and Lucknow being re-

lieved, can consult his own convenience in matter
of time. We have no longer any occasion for those
headlong and deadly assaults, which, heroic and
irresistible as they are, are accompanied with
frightful sacrifice of life, which greater caution,
and the full use of our artillery, may avoid.

The force in all now in Oude amounts to
close on_ 12,000 men, consisting of the 9th
Lancers, the Naval Brigade, the Ist Madras
Fusiliers, her Majesty's sth, Bth, 23d, 32d,
53d, 64th, 75th, 78th, 82d, 84th, and 90th Re-

giments, with a magnificent park of Artillery, a
portion of the Rifle Brigade, Royal and Madras
Sappers and Miners, the Sikh Infantry and Ca-
valry—ably commanded and in the highest state
of efficiency.

was failing him, had never been cancelled, and
that a timid dread of responsibility had disabled
the local authorities from thinking for them-
selves, or rising to the occasion. The first mani-
festation of this was in sparing the life of the King
of Delhi, and the princes who were shot were so
only to prevent a rescue, or they also might have
been spared. The hoary royal traitor now occupies
the palace, has a guard and retinue assigned to him,
and insults the British officers who visit him. His
youngest son, a lad of eighteen, has, on the ground
of his youth, been declared innocent, and tra-
verses Delhi on an elephant of state, with
a couple of English officers in his train. A mili-
tary commission has meanwhile been sitting to
obtain formal legal evidence against men caught
in the fact. Twenty-four of the junior members
of the royal family, having been convicted on
evidence that might have satisfied a Chancellor
Eldon, were on the 21st hanged all together ; and
if we are to extinguish the mutiny, and convince
the insurgents that we are not at all afraid of them,
we must content ourselves occasionally with pre-
sumptive evidence, or strong moral proof. Your
murderer seldom bungles his work so as to leave
living witnesses to testify against him.