The Sun.
London, England, 1850-07-19 00:00:00

OVERLAND MAIL

INDIA AND CHINA.

(From the Chronicle.)
We have received by express in anticipation of the
Overland Mail, files of papers from Calcutta to the
Ist of June, Madras to the Bth of June, and Hong-
Kong to the 23d of May. The intelligence conveyed
by the electric telegraph from Trieste, that the
Bombay mail had been delayed, is confirmed. We
have not received the letters of our correspondent,
nor the Bombay papers.
(From the Overland Star.)
Without the advantage of our London contem-
poraries, who have a field as wide as Europe with
its aver constantly changing aspect to survey,
writers on East Indian affairs are necessarily
limited in the scope of their observations—between
mail and mail—to such occurrences as are passing
within the more confined range of the company's
dominions, where every thing bears the same
uniform stamp of continuous action unless oc-
casionally varied .by the episode of a rupture, or
some exquisite specimen of gubernatorial folly in the
shape of unpopular enactments. Even from these
we are cut off at present, inasmuch as, save Golab
Singh, who is not inclined to quarrel, there is nothing
left to fight for, and no one left to squabble with,
and the absence of the Governor-General reduces
legislation to a mere nullity. In our last we recorded
the explosion at Benares : this dreadful accident was
the parent of other rumours—as if it were a good
thing to find something to write about—something
to cause excitement—without much care for those
feelings of alarm and anxiety thet the narrative
would create. Thus the blowing .up at the
holy city inspired the report of a second one in
the magazine at Ferozepore, which was said
to have sent town and suburbs into the air, though
these were full three miles distant from the spot
where the damage was done. Total silence in the up
country papers soon quieted all fears, and the Fe-
rozepore blaze and an asserted sale of public stores
and implements of war from the arsenal of Delhi,
have been consigned to oblivion as mere matters of
imagination. More the last mail came in, it was
reported Sir William Gilbert was nominated Pro-
visional Member of Council. This is confirmed;
but what becomes of Sir John Littler ? Two mili
tary members it against rule, and Sir John's time
is not yet up. Will they, with so many gaping
for commands, keep Sir W. Gilbert still on the
staff ? That would be another violation of rule. To
reward him is all right, but not at the expense of
others. Purely domestic matters are not of moment
enough to dwell upon at any length. The Conser-
vancy Act is likely to undergo revision, and it is be,
lieved both commissioners and electors will be les-
sened. The loyalty of the lieges was manifested at
the ball and supper given in honour of ber Majesty's
birthday. Both Lord Dalhousie and Sir Charles
Napier are said to be ill ; the latter is certainly so,
and retires, we understand, in October. As Sir Wil-
liam Gomm has been appointed to the Bombay com-
mand, perhaps he i 3 destined to be Sir Charles's suc-
cessor—it would be but a fair recompense for prior
disappointment.
(From the Madras Overland elthencum.)
The various members of our Indian Court have
again re-united on " Simla's breezy heights." The
Governor-General arrived here on the 2d ultimo,
having been proceeded a short space by the
Marchioness of Dalhousie and Sir Charles Napier
with their respective suites. Lord Dalhousie's in-
disposition, we are happy to learn, has completely dis-
appeared since the change to a cooler climate, and
the report that failing health would take him home
before the expiration of his term of servitude, which
was at one time prevalent, no longer obtains credit.
India, we trust, will not be deprived of the full
amount of benefit which the abilities of her present
able ruler are so competent to bestow. With our
Commander. in-Chief there is reason to fear the case
is difierent. The assertion that he has sent in his
resignation, and purposes leaving his command in
October next, has been made with a positiveness that
nothing but the most unquestionable authority could
have warranted.

From the prospective retirement of the Com-
mander.in-Chief to the actual retirement of the Ad-
jutant-General of the army, who stands next in in-
fluence if not in rank, is an easy and natural transi-
tion. The resignation of Colonel Grant has taken
the Indian military world by surprise, and specula-
tion has been busy to discover the cause of a step so
unexpected and perplexing. The currently received
rumour is, that a committee of Queen's officers
having been formed under the directions of Sir
Charles Napier, for the purpose of collecting infor-
mation with a view to the exclusion of the officers of
the Company's army from the highest grades of com-
mand, Colonel Grant remonstrated at being excluded
from it, which producing only a cool reply, he sent
in his resignation. How far this story may be true,
is rather difficult to say ; but the fact that the Com-
tnander-in-Chief is busily engaged in amassing all
the facts he can, which may be used at the approach-
ing Charter discussions against the East India Corn.
pany, is looked upon as tolerably correct.
Colonel Grant's successor in the Adjutant-General-
ship is Lieutenant-Colonel H. T. Tucker. This ap-
pointment has created some dissatisfaction among the
advocates of the seniority principle, on the ground
that the nominee, though a Brevet Lieutenant-
Colonel, is only a Regimental Captain, and that for
fifty years past, with only one exception, no man
under the rank of a Field Officer has held this im-
portant and influential post. A sufficient answer to
this objection will be found in the facts, that though
only a captain in his regiment, the new adjutant-
general has seen a full•quarter century of honourable
and distinguished service; that he is an officer of
talent and experience acknowledged to be inferior to
these of no one even among his superiors in rank;
and that, above all, he has enjoyed the benefit of a
complete training in the department over which he
has been called to preside.
Of political intelligence we have not a shred. From
the north-west frontier we have not had a line of im-
portant intelligence. The Afreedees remain perfectly
quiet; so pacific, indeed, have they grown, as not
merely to allow a bcdy of our irregular cavalry to
come through the pass unmolested, hut some of the
chiefs undertook to form an escort. It has not yet
transpired what steps are to be taken with them. A
very general feeling exists against the policy of buy-
ing their submission. Of llhost Mahomed nothing
has been heard during the past month.
Sinde is about to lose the valued services of Mr.
Pringle, who has resigned his office of commissioner
ostensibly on the ground of ill-health ; but really, it
is believed, through differences with the Bombay
Government. A rumour prevails in Sinde that the
Governor-General contemplates joining Young Egypt
with the Punjaub— a junction which was at one time
recommended strongly by Sir Charles Napier. The
advantage of having the entire western frontier under
one charge is, we imagine, the chief recommendation
of the proposed union.
Since our last, money has become more plentiful,
and the excessive tightness of the rates of discount
been relaxed. At the Madras Bank bilk of thirty
and ninety days may be done now at a and 9f per

cent. respectively. Air. 8.111, of the house of Binny
and Co., has ken elected a director of the Madras
Bank, in the place of Mr. R. 0. Campbell, of the
same firm, resigned.
His'Excellency the Commander-in-Chief is about
to proceed on a tour of inspection. Ile will leave
Madras for Bangalore, with his staff, about the 16th
or 17th instant.

The usual supply of rain not having fallen, the
beat has been, even for June, intensely hot. The
general health, however, is good.
The London mail of the 24th April was delivered
in Madras on the 30th ultimo.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
CALCUTTA, JUNE 1.
Since date of our last report, May 13, we have been
put in possession of the,first mail of April. which came
to hand on the 15th ultimo, with London dates up to
April 7. The character of commercial advices brought
us by the above opportunity does not belie the expecta-
tions formed from the tenor of the preceding mail or
two. Upon the whole, the advices are more discouraging
as regards the produce .of this country than were those
received on the two or three preceding occasions, desti-
tute as they themselves were of anything cheerful.
With the almost single exception of indigo, produce had
still further deteriorated, and prospects, in the face of
heavy stocks and liberal anticipated at rivals, were vere
far from encouraging. The colonial market was dull
and inactive, and there was nothing to justify the ex-
pectation of any improvement for some time to come.
The second mail of April is on the eve of arrival, but
we do nut lock forward to receive anything of a cheerful
character: here and there there may be a little alteration
in the position of some staples, but generally we fear
the features will be us discouraging as before.
The tenor of the above advices was doubtless calcu-
lated to add to the gloom of business an our markets, but
contrary to the general expectation, and owing to some
favourable turn in circumstances, bearing upon business
in our local markets, we aro enabled to notice a slight re-
action. A considerable decline in the rates of home-
ward freightage, coupled with the slightly easier prices
of produce, has encouraged a little life and activity, and
operations have been latterly on a less restricted scale.
The export market, although exceedingly dull during
nearly the whole month of May, has within the past
week exhibited a little more animation, and as rates of
freight are not likely to advance, nor value of produce
to become stiffer, now that the season for arrivals draws
nigh, we may reasonably look for a continuance of gra
dually mending business. Generally speaking, there is
more desire apparent during this fortnight to speculate,
and prices are also lower. Indigo has been quiet, if we
except a few unimportant bazaar lots, which have been
slowly changing hands. Sugars have continued
to be operated in rather Au a more moderate
extent since the mail came to hand; transactions might
however have been more limited but fOr the favouring
rates of freight. Saltpetre has improved in demand
since our last, and an active inquiry exists for Great
Britain and North America, without much change in
value. Table rice has been rather quiet, and hardly
any business done for the home market. The lower
kinds are in active request for Bourbon and the Mauri-
tius. There has not been so much activity in the market
for raw silk. Holders have relaxed their demands, and
this, we calculate, will lead to improved business. During
the early part of May a fair amount of corals was taker,
up, but latterly, demand has slackened and transactions
are low, the dealers looking for a decline in value. The
lower qualities are quite negleeted. The market is well
supplied with the lower qualities of jute, which finds
no favour with shippers. A fair inquiry exists for
superior sorts which are readily saleable at former
prices. In hides there has been a moderate busi-
ness doing, less owing to want of demand than
to the absence of desirable lots. Inquiry for oil
seeds Las revived, and we expect a good business will
shortly be doing for Great Britain as well as America.
The low rates of freight, together with the difficulty ex
perienced in filling up vessels, has caused more inquiry
to be made both for linseed and mustard seed. Castor
oil has been more difficult of sale, although shipments
go freely forward on owners' account. In safflower an
average scale of sales is reported. Arrivals of supplies
have been heavy, and prices are not so firm. Inquiry
for shell lac has not been so good, and prices are some-
what lower. .Lac dye has also gone down in value, and
the article is not so readily taken up.
In minor articles of produce the following sales are
reported since date of our last report. Castor oil, 750
mds. at Co.'s Its. 12-4 to 12.8 per md.; castor seed 400
muds. at 2-15 per end.; buffalo horns 4,000 pieces at 5.10
per md.; seed lao 68 mds. at 4.6; Doodeah wheat 800
bags at 1-8 per br. md.; gunny bags 95,000 pieces at
9-8 to 11 per 100; goat skins, Cawnpore, 80,000 pieces at
32.8 per 100 ; Patna blankets, 1,750 at 12 to
13.8 per corge; country twine, 20 ends. at 10-12 per
br. md.; cotton, jallon, 200 bales at Se. Rs. 11-12 per br.
tad.; dry ginger 300 mds. at 3-11 per br. md.; Pegue
buffalo horn, 200 ends. at 7-14 per br. md.; Madras
ditto, 400 mds. at 6 8 per md.; deer horns, 20 mds. at
12 per rod.; teel seed, 2,700 mds. at 2.3 per hr. md.;
wax candles, 4 Inds. at 45-8 per br. md.
Prospects of the import( branch of our business begin
to improve, although as yet we are unable to report any
actual amendment in • the position of imports generally
The river navigation begins to open, and orders, we anti-
cipate, will soon flow from the upper provinct s. Inquiry
has latterly been a little more general for British Om,
goods. The general features of this market we may re-
port as in our last, with this addition, that we have good
grounds for anticipating an increasing business, particu-
larly in cotton goods. The fortnight under review has
been as dull as it well could be, and within the past two
ur nree days inquiry has again slackened. Details are
in the usual place. Since the foregoing was written, the
Bombay Express of the second mail of April has come to
band. The commercial news continues discouraging,
..ss ealculat,,i to check the spirit which has lately be•
come apparent.
Liars .neat[ MARKET.-The disposition towards
lightness noticed on a former occasion has worn off, and
the market is decidedly easier. The Bazaar, toe,
shows relaxation in this respect, as is evidenced by the
slightly increasing inquiry which has sprung up for
British imports.
Sales under this division cf our report are, since the
13th ult., as follows:-Sycee silver 10,000 as. wt. at
104.4 per 100 sa. wt.; gold dust 100 sa. wt. at 13-12 per
se. wt.; sovereigns 100 pieces at 10-5.3 each; 500 ditto
10-5; chopped dollars 10,000 pieces at 221 per 100;
French dollars 12,000 pieces at 204 per 400 ditto at
204-1.6 per 100.
EXCHANGE.-The rates of exchange on England have
been very unsettled since our last, credit bills at six
months' sight having sold at 2s. Id., while document
ones for the same period have been placed at 2s. Oid.
per rupee. Then, again, sales have been-document
bills at 2s. 041., and first-class paper 2s. oil. per rupee,
both at six months' sight. The tendency has lately
been downwards, and business has been done at 2s. OV.
per rupee. Transactions have not been heavy, and
there are by far more sellers than buyers. Our quota-
tions are:-
Treasury bills, at 30 days' sight, according to amount,
Is. 11;0. to Is. 14cl. per Co.'s rupee.
Navy bills, at 3 days' sight, at Is. 110. to Is. Ili&
per Co.'s rupee.
Bank of England post bills, at sight, at Is. 114 d. to
Is. Hid. per Co.'s rupee.
Oriental Bank ditto, at six months' sight, at 2F. per
Co.'s rupee.
Private drafts against shipments, at six months' sight,
at 2s. Oid. to 2s. Id. per Co.'s rupee.
American Bills, at six months' sight under credit, 2s.
to 24. OP. per Co.'s rupee.
Freights-Heavy arrivals, and the expectation of
others to come in, have caused rather a considerable de-
cline in the rates of homeward freightage during the
past ten days. The market is unsteady, and consigner
watch with anxiety the first favourable moment which
increasing animatioa in the export market will offer, to
enhance their demands. Within the past two or three
days they have shown more firmness, but we don't ex•
pect a rise of consequence.
IMPORTS.
We thought we had arrived at the lowest point to which
dulness could reach in this branch of our business
without an absolute cessation. Experience of the past
fortnight shows we are mistaken. Transactions have
been still more limited during the latter half of last
month than they were during the first. Prices are now
lower, and even this circumstance seems to induce no
accession of business. Almost every single article under
this head has been dull and difficult of sale, while the
scale of value has generally been lower. Details will
be gathered under the respective heads below.
Copper-This article has continued low throughout
last month, and prices are now lower than they were a
fortnight since. Transactions have been extremely li-
mited, and inquiry is languid.
Spelter-A speculative inquiry existed for this ar-
ticle, when a little business was done, but the market is
again quiet. Reported sales are 107 mds. at Co. Rs.
7.7, 750 mds. at 7-7, 460 mds. at 7.6 per fy. md.
Iron-A moderate amount of business has been on
foot in this metal, but at prices which show a little de-
cline from our last figures.
Steel-The dulness of this market has not been re-
lieved by a single transaction during the montb.
Tin Plates-A moderate ibusinesa continues in
these. Sales aro reported for the fortnight as follows:-
100 boxes at 19 per box; 16 boxes at 18; 20 boxes at 19
per box; and 100 boxes at 18 per box.
Lead-Very little has been done under this head.
Sales are-pig, stamped 600 mds. at Sa. Rs. 6-5 per fy.
md., 1,500 Inds. at 6-1, and 450 mds. at Sa. Re. 62 per
fy. mei., and 300 Inds. at 6.
Quicksilver-No transactions during the month, save
20 bottles at Ct. Rs. 4 per seer. Market is quiet.
Kentlage-Ditto, ditto, no sales.
Coals-The following are sales of the past two weeks:-
250 tons steam coal at 077-3 per b. end.; 60 tons
smithy at 0.13-3 per b. end.; and 100 tons steam at 0-6.6
per b. md.
British Cotton Piece Goods-We are unable to
report the smallest improvement in the position of the
market for piece goods. Demand has been exceedingly
dull, and notwithstanding considerable concessions in
value made by holders, operations cannot be coaxed out
of an extremely limited scale. Generally speaking
prices have been lower during the latter half of last
month, while stocks have been quiet, and transactions
have been confined to the supply of immediate wants.
The season for the re-opening of the river navigation
fast approaches, and it is to be hoped that orders for the
up-country marts will begin to come in. In grey shirt-
ings a fair business is reported, and prices have not gone
lower. Bleached shirtings have continued difficult of
sale, and very little has been doing in them, holders
evincing much firmness. A few sales occasionally take
place in figured shirtings, but the demand is notbmkr
Bleached madapollams have been as dull as
ever, and are hardly even called for. Grey
have been moving pretty actively away,
but at a J ts
shade of decline on former prices. acoone ,
both grey and white, have been more moderately

sought, and business is limited to a few sales. Lifibter
descriptions of goods have deteriorated generally in
value, and operations do not show so favourably. Upon
the whole, the market is dull and unsatisfactory, but we
have hopes that it has seen its lowest point, and that the
relaxation in money matters, together with the re-open-
ing of the rivers, will cause a better demand to spring tip
shortly. In the scale of prices we cannot just at present
look for any improvement.
Woollens—The following are transactions since date
of our last: scarlet 1,224 yards, at rs. 2-10 per .yerd;
ditto 36 pieces at 1-5 to 1-13 per yard; 12 pieces ditto,
at 1-15; 1,417 yards at 1-2 per yard; drab 2281 yards,
at 2; ditto 12 pieces at 3-10.
Printed and Coloured Goods—Dulness pervades this
market also; the only business done has been cordiued to
the following sales:-350 pieces Turkey red at 0-.6-54
per yard; ditto quality 400 pieces at 0.6-5 per yarili
2,653 yards ginham at 0.5-0 per yard; 100 pieces Turkey
red at 0-4-7 per yard.
White Cotton Mule Twist—An average scale of -busi-
ness has been done during the ps,t fortnight, and prices
area little more firm.

Coloured Yarns—A moderate amount of business is
reported under this head.

EXPORTS.
Notwithstanding the extremely discouraging tenor of
advices by the last mail, the past week or tow days have
been marked by more animation and a growing desire to
speculate in produce. Operations, without being any-
thing like heavy, have yet been in excess of the average
of the past three or four weeks. The circumstance of
lowering freights, together with an increased desire on
the part of the holders of produce to realise in anticipa-
tion of fresh arrivals, has caused a little more life and
spirit to be observable in this department of our busi-
ness.' We do not anticipate any rise in the rates of
homeward freightage, and now that our great rivers be-
gin to open, we may look forward to the arrival of
heavy supplies of produce. From these circumstance;
together with the disappearance of all tightness front
the money market, we may reasonably augur a conti-
nuance of improving business in exports. In the scale.
of value we see little to justify the expectation of any
immediate improvement. Since the above was written
the trail of 24th April has come to hand, and we fear
the commercial news throws the market back.

Indigo has been quiet, if we except a few trifling
bazaar lots, which have been changing hands without
anything of consequence worthy of notice. The pros-
pects of the crop appear not to have experienced much
change. From all we can gather we would pronounce
them a little better than they were a fortnight since.
Complaints are rife in the upper districts of want of
rain, but, generally speaking, Bengal has been pretty
well supplied, and preparations begin to be made for
operations. Calcutta has continued to be visited by oc-
casional falls of rain, which have been more or less ge-
neral in most of the districts of Lower Bengal.
Sugar—A pretty fair scale of business has been done
for the fortnight at prices which are a shade easier.
Rates of freight have tempted speculators.
Saltpetre—A better business has lately been doing in
this article, both for the home and American markets.
In value we have no alteration to notice. Refined sorts
have been quiet in consequence of the high prices asked.
Rice—No disposition exists to speculate in table for
the British market in the face of the discouraging ac-
counts received on the last occasion. Very little has
been done, notwithstanding the easy rates of freight.
In Hallam and Moonghee a good business is reported,
and shipments have been going freely forward to the
Mauritius and Bourbon. Moonghee has sold at 1.2 to
1-3 to a large extent.
Raw Silk—Rather a more moderate scale of business
has been reported for the fortnight. Holders have sub-
mitted to a decline, and this will no doubt lead to in-
creased activity.
Silk Piece Goods—lnquiry for torahs has fallen away,
and prices are not so high; transactions have been un a
limited scale during the fortnight.
Jute—Stocks at market consist chiefly of inferior
quality, which is neglected. Inquiry continues to make
for good shipping sorts, which find ready sale at full
prices, whenever parcels offer.
Safflower—Prices have been well supported, notwith-
standing that supplies are abundant.
Hides—Very little business has been done under this
head during the whole of last month.
Oilseeds—The market continues to show activity, and
demand exists for Great Britain as well as America.
Shell Lac and Lac Dye.—There has been rather less
animation in the market for these, and transactions have
not been heavy. Prices are also nut so stiff. Sales are
of shell lac, Beerbhoom, 100 boxes at Rs. 9.4 per b. end.,
70 boxes at 9.8 to 9-12, 100 ends. Bhorah at Rs. 7-8,
25 Beerhhoom at 9-8, and lac dye, 35 boxes Beerbhoom
at Rs. 28-8, 37 ditto, at 27, 100 ditto at ,26-8, 50 ditto
Mirzapore at 54, 50 Beerbhoom at 26-8 per b. md.

Opium—The seventh Government sale of the season
was held on Monday, the 13th ult., with the following
result:—
Chests.
highest 995
BA sr 2,071 lowest 980 20,42,750
average 986 13 4
highest
990
Bevares 865 lowest 970 8,47,350
average 979 9 6
-- - -

The above sbows a decline of Rs. 25 per Patna and
36-3 per Benares from the preceding sale. Prices bad
been ruling for both at about Rs. 980 per chest till
arrival of advices from China to the 23d of April,
showing a rise of 15 dolls. Prices hare advanced to
1,000 per chest. Exports of Opium from the Ist to the
30th of May, 1850:—To China, 3,088 chests; Singapore
and Penang, 245 chests.