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 which 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 dep6t 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 irnmemoral, 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. Grea;
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 lion. Erskine Murray, committed by the people
of the Sultan of Poti. Two of our ships, the frigate
Semarang and the steam-vessel Phlegethon, are cruising
continually on the coast of Borneo, less for hydrographie
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 see that the commanders of the Semarang
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 nitrary 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 Am booa, 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 Malays, 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 Semarang and Phlegethon terminated at Sara-
wak, where they left Mr. Brook, who possesses there an
establishment imvrtant 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
J. Miors, F•11S-, and Edward Doubleday, Esq.,
Esq.,ice-P residents. The meeting was very fully
attended.
CRORLEY.—DISTRESS OF TEE CALICO PRINTERS.
—A correspondent desires us to draw public attention
to the deplorable distress of the calico prine,temhrpaalvoeyinebdetehanet
tnhenighcbrOvoarsh.
hall
opfriCnhtowrolrys.,
hTehoisnefalramtealyns
eight or nine weeks out of work, nor are they likely to
have any for some time. "Manyantof
food,familiaens,d"
ihnemadadnsy, are
are:
w
completely starving for
are compelled to beg taeir bread." rest on Guardian.

FRIDAY NIGHT'S GAZETTE.
DIVIDENDS DECLARED.
W. and J Dees, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Darlington,
builders-first and final div. Os. 71d., on Saturday, Nov. 29,
or any subsequent Saturday, at Mr. J. Wakley's, Newcastle-
upon-Tyne.
W. Weir, Carlisle, iron merchant-second and final div.
of ls. 1-id. (being together Os. 7id.), on Saturday, Nov. 29,
or any subsequent Saturday, at Mr. J. Wakley's, Newcastle-
upon-Tyne.
H. llamwaring, Manchester, draper-second div. of 25.,
on Tuesday, Dec. 2, or any subsequent Tuesday, at Mr. R.
P. Hobson's, Manchester.
J. Kitchen, Stockport, corn dealer-first div. of Bd., on
Tuesday, Dec. 2, or any subsequent Tuesday, at Mr. R. P.
Hobson's, Manchester.
Livingston and Brittain, Manchester, plumbers-tirst div.
of 6a. 6d., on Tuesday, Dec. '2, or any subsequent Tuesday,
at Mr. R. P. Hobson's, Manchester.
B. S. Jones-first div. of Bs., any Thursday, at Mr,
Christie's, Birmingham.
J. Jones-first div. of 35., any Thursday, at Mr. Christie's,
Birmingham.
G. Walker, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, ship-broker-first div.
of 3s. 9d., any Saturday after Nov. 29, at Mr. Baker's, New-
castle-upon-Tyne.
DIVIDENDS.
Dec. 19, IL D. Walker, Eaton Socon, innkeeper.-Dec. 19,
W. Poynter, St. Paul's-churchyard, warehouseman.-Dec.
19, E. Knyvett, Great Stanmore, teacher of music.-Dec. 19,
M. Allen, Waltham Holy-cross, apothecary.-Dec. '22, W.
Jackson, Charlotte street, Fitzroy. square, paper-hanger.-
Dec. 19, J. Peters, Godstone, Surrey, innkeeper.-Dec. 19,
J. A. Hensman, Margate, bill-broker.-Dec. 19, W. Richard-
son, King-street, Covent-garden, wine-merchant.-Dec. 19,
E. May, Aldgate, draper.-Dec. 23, E. M'Laughlan, Long
lane, Bermondsey, hair and Ore merchant.-Dec. 22, C.
Webb, Oxford, apothecary.-Dec. 10, J. Ashbarry, Holm
Lacy, Herefordshire, farmer.-Dec. 23, W. R. Watts, Bath,
chemist and druggist -Dec. 23, E. Barry, Bristol, victualler.
-Dec. 30, W. Lowe, Bristol, ivory and hard wood turner.-
Jan. 9, W. Turner, Manchester, cabinet-maker.-Dec. 23, J.
Haigh, Almonbury, Yorkshire, clothier,
CERTIFICATES to be granted, unless cause be shown to
the contrary on the day of meeting.
Dec. 22, M. Markwick, liarpur-street, Red Lion-square,
builder.-Dec. 22, W. J. Wardell, Pickering, Yorkshire,
wine- merchant.-Dee. 23, J. F. Cannel', Liverpool, book-
soller.-Dec, 20, R, Reynolds, Manchester, cabinet-maker.
CERTIFICATES to be granted by the Court of Review,
unless cause be shown to the contrary on or before
Dec. 19.
W. Mossman, Islington, fancy stationer. -J. Burrell,
Thetford, iron founder.-J. and 12. Reay, Mark-lane, wine-
merchants.-T. Sanderson, Liverpool, coal-merchant.-T.
Forsyth, Dinsdale Spa Hotel, Durham, hotel-keeper.
PARTNERSHIPS DISSOLVED.
Pool and Lofthouse, York, postmasters-T. D. Chapman
and J. P. and S. P. Kennard, Hobart Town and London ;
as far as regards J. P. Kennard-T. D. Chapman and S.
P. Kennard, London and Hobart Town, merchants-Robson
and Skelly, North Sunderland, lime burners-E. and R.
Rapkin, Brentford, tailors-J. T. Spofforth and B. Tate,
Knottingley, Yorkshire, lime burners-Harrop, Taylor, and
Pearson, Manchester,!Newton-heath, and Leigh, silk throws-
tors ; as far as regards J. Chadwick-J. Johnson and W.
Goldthorp, Wakefield, cabinet-makers-E. Steele, H. Cun-
nington, end J. Steele, Richmond and Mortlake, grocers-
J. Bradshaw and Co., Liverpool, slaters-W. and E. L.
Betts, contractors-W. Martin and J. Bennett, Munster-
street, Regent's-park, cheesernongers--11. and J. 11. Walton,
Worsley-mills, Lancashire, corn-millers-C. W. Wisbey and
J. Spawforth, Carmarthen, printers-W. P., G. E. P., and H.
P. Barlow, Little Bridge-street, wine merchants; as far as
regards H. P. Barlow-E. James and T. Goodwin, Walsall,
bridle cutters-W. Smith and 'l'. Wilson, Liverpool, watch-
case manufacturers-Summerfield, Fair, and Roebuck, Liver-
pool, drysalters-T. and G. Willsher, Warbleton, Herst-
monceux, Waffling, and Pevensey, Sussex, farmers-J.
Horton and E. Gill, Tividale, Staffordshire, tin-plate manu-
facturers-Holcroft and Fisher, Manchester, silk manufac-
turers-G. L. Shaw and F. J. Reed, Friday-street, attor-
neys-Constable and Phillips, Broad-street, Bloomsbury,
and Aldersgate-street, tea-dealers-J. Kelly and. J. Law,
Rochdale, coal proprietors-Parkinson and Haytin, Gray's
Inn, attorneys.
SCOTCH SEQUESTRATIONS.
William Treless Nimmo, Glasgow, gas manufacturer,
Dec. 5 and 26, at 12 o'clock, at the office of Mr. M'Grigor,
Glasgow.
Simon Fraser, Foyers, Dec. 8 and 19, at 12, at the Sheriff's-
office, Castle, Inverness.
William Meikelham, Glasgow, writer and coal-master,
Dec. 3 and 24, at 1, at the office of Mr. Monteith, Glasgow.
James M'Kenzie, Irvine, innkeeper, Dec. 8 and 29, at 12,
at the Eglinton Arms Inn, Irvine.
William Johnstone, Castlehill, farmer, Dec. 5 and 26, at 2, at
the house of Thomas Gaff, innkeeper, Falkirk.