The Sun.
London, England, 1845-12-01 00:00:00

POSSESSION OF BORNEO.

We believe, on good authority, that the British Go-
vernment has determined to establish a military and
naval station on the island of Borneo. This, of course,
is a prelude to the sovereignty being claimed ; and, in-
deed, the only wonder is that Britain should have so
long been indifferent to a possession which of all others
connected with its trade to the East is the most im-
portant. The latest Singapore journals state that her
Majesty's steamer Driver had departed for Borneo,
having on board as passengers Captain Bethune and
Mr. Henry Wise, charged by the English Government
with a special mission, the object of wbich was unknown.
The steamer was to touch successively at three points of
the coast ; first, at Sarawak ; then at Borneo Proper,
where the commander had orders to confer with the
Sultan of the country ; lastly, at Pulo Subuwan, where
there is an intention to establish a depot of coal for the
steam-boats which work between Ceylon and China ;
and we find in a late number of the Mauricien some
further remarks, which we consider of sufficient interest
to translate and publish:—" The island of Borneo can-
not much longer resist the power of civilization. The
rapid development of the commerce of the straits since
the events of China, and, still more, the insecurity of
the navigation in sight of the coasts of Borneo, where,
from time immemoral, the population had exercised no
other employment than piracy, have directed the atten-
tion of the English and Dutch Governments towards
this island, which, from its vast extent, may almost be
called a continent. Its riches, its resources, and the fer-
tility of its soil, were already vaguely known, and are
becoming daily mere so by the expeditions in pursuit of
the pirates, with whom for the last three years a severe
struggle has been maintained, though as yet with very
uncertain advantage. However, the coasts and rivers, of
which there was but an imperfect knowledge, are thus
explored and developed ; and thence to the occupation
and colonization of part of the island of Borneo the
distance is not far. The most insignificant occurrence
may furnish the pretext and the opportunity. Greta:,
Britain will doubtless be the first to profit by it, not-
withstanding the pretensions of Holland to the sove-
reignty of a part of Borneo. She has enforced respect
to her flag, carrying fire and sword into the retreats of
the Malay pirates, or taking vengeance for the murder
of the Hon. Erskine Murray, committed by the people
of the Sultan of Poti. Two of our ships, the frigate
Samarang and the steam-vessel Phlegethon, are cruising
continually on the coast of Borneo, less for hydrographic
purposes than to open a relation with the Rajas, who,
divided among themselves, are ready to sell themselves
to the strongest. The first steps towards the establish-
ment of a foreign colony are generally founded on the
divisions of the natives. From the last Singapore
journals we tee that the commanders of the Samarang
and Phlegethon are already making the first advances,
having succeeded in communicating with the Raja of
Borneo; they have supported him in his opposition to
the Sultan, his sovereign, who, obliged to yield to inti-
midation, has been under the necessity of dismissing
one of his Ministers, who, c,)ntrary to the intervention of
the foreigners, would not hear speak of concession.
Thence, after being provisioned, the two vessels in com-
pany proceeded successively towards the Bay of Victoria
and that of Ambooa, where, while occupied in their
hydrographical labours, they are inquiring into the des-
tiny of the numerous captives who have fallen into the
hands of the Malaya, who keep them in the interior.
Among the number is said to be an English lady, who is
supposed to be kept prisoner in the country around the
'river Tampasook; but the information acquired by Sir
Edward Boucher and Captain Scott from one of the
chiefs of this country is of too vague a nature to deserve
much faith. The village commanded by this chief was
also reported to be one of the worst haunts of piracy,
and the 200 pieces of cannon which garnished the ram-
parts were not calculated to inspire a very flattering
opinion of the conscientiousness of its inhabitants; the
innocent are not used to be so cautious. The expedition
of the Samarang and Phlegethon terminated at Sara-
wak, where they left Mr. Brook, who possesses there an
establishment important as the germ of the future co-
lony. They then departed for Singapore."—South Aus-
tralian Register.

BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON.--The ninth
anniversary meeting of this Society was held on Satur-
day, J..E. Gray,Esq.,F.R.S.,President, in the chair. From
the report of the Council, it appeared that sixteen new
members had been elected since the last anniversary
meeting, and that the Society now consisted of 182
members. The President' congratulated the members
upon the progress the Society had made, and pointed
out the advantages it held out to botanists. The report
was unanimously adopted, after which a ballot took
place for the Council for the ensuing year, when the
Chairman was re-elected President, and he nominated
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CHORLEY.—DISTRESS OF THE CALICO PRINTERS.
—A correspondent desires us to draw public attention
to the deplorable distress of the calico printersepol3ed a
in the
neighbourhood of Chorley. Those lately employed
the Cross- hall printworks, he informs us, have been
eight or nine weeks out of work, nor are they likely to
have any for some time. "Many families," he adds, are
completely starving for want of food, and in many cases
are compelled to beg seir bread."—Preston Guardian,