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 depot of coal for the
steamboats 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 more 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. Great
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 see that the commanders of the Samarang
and Phlegethcin are already making the first advances,
having succeeded if 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, contrary 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 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 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.

WEYMOUTH.—GLUT OF HERRINGS.—Upwards Of
two millions of herrings were taken between Sunday night
and Tuesday' orning, on the north shore, off Preston Furze
Brake. ,The fish, were sold at Is. 6d. for six score in our
market, and for is. ofi 'the beach. There has not been so
large a draught on our coast for the last forty years.—Slier-
borne Journal.
FRAMEWORK-.N.NITTERS' MOVEMENT IN NOTTING..
HAM.—The workmen employed in the branches in Notting-
ham have held general meetings and appointed committees
to prepare statements to meet the alterations which must
take place when the Ticket Bill becomes the law of the land;
and in due time will be presented to the manufacturers, as a
guide to them in the delivery of their ticket with the ma-
terial to be worked up into the several descriptions of goods
required by them. It is desirable, says the trade secretary,
that arrangements should be immediately made for the meet-
ing of delegates from each locality.—Nottinghain Review.
BEEsTort.—Public opinion has vascillated respect-
ing the origin of the late disastrous conflagration at Mr.
Joseph Walker's. However willing to believe that it might
be the result of accident, and unaccompanied by any hostile
feeling, yet it is impossible to reconcile some facts with such
a conclusion, and the association has offered a reward of
twenty pounds, in conjunction with an additional thirty
pounds from Mr. Walker, for the discovery of the offender
or offenders. A letter of a very remarkable character has
been received by Mr. Walker, which is now in the hands of
the police, but it is feared that nothing will emanate from it
tending to a disclosure.—Nottingham Review.
BRISTOL SIJOAR•MARKET, NOY. 28.—About 150
hogsheads of West India have been disposed of since
our last report, at about former rates. The demand
continues very sluggish, and purchases are only made to
supply immediate wants. The rum market continues
very dull.
Moamoxism.—William Smith, the MormonwhEi%
triarch, has addressed a long letter to his brethren,
he dissuades them from listening to the counsels otfriaißrreit
exam_
Young and his associates at Nauvoo. r..• with him
'been perpe-
presses the opinion that Young and thoseTi,ahace:_ei
have been privy to all the crimes thatio
collecting at that
trated at Nauvoo, and that their object
in the United States,
will be required
place this winter all of the Mormons
their property gather at i'lN:taoutvh°: handstheyeiif: sOefc however,
ret
the
Twelve; is
tiley
fmorertehlye
tpeurrlrseichoftimwomvsieletslolaCnadlit,priersrnpiaetiiinatethtehesiprripnegw,
When the Molrin;
to surrender a
and, if their expedition to California should prove dangerous,
el
of
rfdte(hiseeesrtitienaetddi erisr, followers;
through t
h
home west of the Rocky Moun-
sthhoue Twelve
powerld
rlmade despotic, and be exercised for the
organisa-
tions,tai n
willh reach
epobv
benefit of the few to the degradation and ruin of their
followers. The patriarch s plan is for most of the Mormons
to abandon Nauvoo, and to cease to settle together in dis-
tinct communities and large bodies. He further urges
that they should renounce the immoral doctrines and
practices recently introduced into the Mormon Church
by Brigham I oung, conduct themselves as all other
religious sects do in this country, and trust to the same
means of propagating their views. In that way he thinks
further evils may be avoided, and the honest saved from the
destruction which awaits them if they attempt. to follow the
Twelve to California. According to his statements, Brigham
Young and his ten associates should be held responsible for
the outrages which have been committed in Nauvoo for the
last six months. The Mormons in Nauvoo are kept in igno-
i-ance of the secret acts of the Twelve and their agents, and
should not be made to suffer for the offences of a few.—.3lis.
ouri Reporter, Oct. 27.
SHEERNESS, Nov. 27.—The barque Black Nymph was
in contact last night with a light brig from Rochester, and
received damage.