The Sun.
London, England, 1842-02-08 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1842.

REAR-ADMIRAL SIR WM. PARKER, K. 1.8.,
H. C. S. Nemesis, Amoy, Aug. 31,1841.
Sir,—l have the honour to inform you, in compliance
with your orders conveyed to me through Captain Fletcher,
that after having towed the boats to the respective forts
on the northern shore to be destroyed, I proceeded to re-
connoitre the Island of Quemoy ; on my way across L ob-
served three forts on different Wands to the S.W. of us with-
out any guns in them ; after closing the island of Quemoy at
10 A.M., saw a small round tower fort on the larboard bow,
bearing S.E., which I steered for. As we approached, ob-
serving the Chinese soldiers deserting the fort, I sent away the
first cutter and first gig under the command of Mr. Freese,
my chief officer, to destroy the fort; at 10 25 the boats re-
turned, having destroyed three guns, one gingall, and obout 35
stand of matchlocks, 35 cutlasses, and a quantity of spears and
gunpowder. At the same time I observed a sand-bank fort,
mounting 13 guns, with a number of large junks and an en-
campment, with banners displayed in every direction at the
entrance of a river di.tant about two miles to the eastward,
and close to a tower apparently of some note, from the appear-
ance of the buildings, and mandarin houses, &c.
Having fulfilled my orders I rejoined Captain Fletcher, and
embarked him and his party on board.—l have the honour, &c.
(Signed) W. H. HALL, Commander.

fort built on alofty head-land jutting into the sea), and a
number of heavy batteries and outworks on each bank of the
1 estuary, that the Imperial Commissioner, Yukien, who had
come specially to defend it, and the other civil and military
Chinese s ceauiall
author sties, ities, appear, from their proclamations, to have
flattered thernielves, even after their past and recent experi-
ence of the power of the British arms, that the place could not
be taken ; but they were, as on all previous occasions, speedily
undeceived; and although the Chinese troops displayed consi-
derable bravery, and in many individual instances would
neither retreat nor surrender, though deserted by their officers
and comrades, the main bodies were driven from one rallying
spot to another, and at length routed and entirely dispersed,
whilst the fort and works were demolished Or rendered utterly
untenable, by the overwhelming and beautiful practice of the
systadrozu
It is reported that a great many of the Chinese officers of
rank have fallen, with a large number of men, but no precise
information has yet been obtained on this point. The Impe-
rial Commissioner is stated to have attempted to drown himself
immediately after the battle, and to have since died at a short
distance inland from the effects of that attempt, or souse other
unexplained cause.
About 150 pieces of brass ordnance, exclusive of iron can-
non, many hundred ginjals and wall pieces of various calibre,
and some thousand matchlocks and other warlike weapons were
captured ; besides which several extensive magazines cf gun-
powder have been blown up or otherw'se destroyed.
It affords her Majesty's Plenipotentiary the highest altii•-
timed satisfaction to add. that this achievement has beers hap-
pily effected with a much smaller loss on our side than could
have been almost hoped for, there being only five killed and
about 30 wounded of all arms of her Majesty's forces.
Cruiser,ihetrty c
The necessary arrangements having been male, and recon-
noissances had during the 11th and 12th in-tant, the squadron,
the flag of his Excellency
the Admiral,consistingof thelds e
Pentinck, Queen steamer,
sesostris Ne me
Columbine,sietsstth carrying
r , inag r ryg the troops, Marines.
and extra seamen from the ships left behind, n owed on the 13th
up the river to Ningpo, which was found undefended, the Chi-
nese soldiers having positively refused to face our troops again,
in consequence of which the civil mandarins and all the military
officers fled from the city about two hours before the squadron
reached it. The city was therefore peaceably occupied by the
troops under his Excellency Sir Hugh Gough, K. C. R., and
the ships moored in the river within 100 yards of the wall.
God save the Queen.
Dated on board the steam frigate Queen, in the raver Ningpo,
this 15th day of October, Nil.
(Signed) HENRY POT TINGER,
Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary.
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
MACAO, Om 15.—The Chinese are a.,kiies the high price
of 34 t 36 taels for new Congous. A few Amps have been
weighed, but the. prices left for after settlement. The new
teas are arriving in small quantities, which the Chinese say is
owing to the weather having been very dry for six weeks past,
and if we should not have rain soon the crops will be late in
reaching Canton. The purchasers there de not seem at all
anxious to buy at present prices. Very littie is doing in im-
ports, and prices keep declining. except in cotton. Sales in
Bombay are daily making, and prices improving.
Two chits of new Gingen have been settled for 34 to 35
taels, and the want of water in the rivers continued to prevent
the arrival of new teas, Offers of 430 Spanish dollars per pee u
are made for the best qualities of Tsatlee. Prices for the drug
have rather declined; thsy may be quoted, Patna 410 Spanish
dollars ; llenares, 400 Spanish &Lars ; Malwa, 370 Spantsh
dollars ; and from these prices five Spanish riots. may be taken
when the payment is in cash and immediate, and not a barter.

REAR-ADAtIRAL SIR WM. PARKER, K.C.E., &c.
H. C. Steamer Nemesis, Buffalo's Nose, Sept. 19, 1841.
Si it—l have the honour to inform you that the Honourable
Company's steamer Nemesis, under my command, was obliged
to part company with the fleet (being light, and consequently
very leewardly). and tide it up in-shore in smooth water. On
the morning of the lith instant, being off Shei-poo, the wind
being strong against us, and the weather looking very threaten-
ing, and having only one day's fuel left, I deemed it necessary
to proceed to the nearest port to procure wood. Having pro-
cured a fisherman to art as pilot, 1 entered the harbour of Shei-
poo, and just inside passed an island on which were two forts
but which allowed us to pass without firing. I then had
hopes of getting wood cithout being obliged to proceed to
extremities. I hauled in to an anchor close off the town
(off which were anchored upwards of a hundred merchant
junks). As we neared the anchorage, a fort, situated at
the southern end of the town, opened fire on us, which
I immediately returned, my crew being at quarters. I
then anchored by the stern in a good position, within
pis, 01-shot of the fort. We soon silenced them, and I then
landed with my crew, the enemy retreating as we advanced.
After setting fire to their barracks and destroying four guns
(two of them brass, 9 feet 6 inches long and 4 inches bore) in
the fort, I returned on board, immediately despatched boats,
manned and armed, to search for wood, and succeeded in ob-
taining seven boat-loads (about 25 tons) sufficient to fill the
bunkers and holds. After completing our wood, I sent the
boats to destroy three large war junks, which they accom-
plished by setting fire to them, after having towed them to the
opposite side of the harbour, clear of the town and merchant
junks; one of these junks mounted 14 guns, which, as well as
a quantity of match-locks, cutlasses, and gunpowder, we effec.
tually destroyed. A large body of troops having collected
to the southward of the town, I weighed and
steamed close in, and dispersed them with grape
and cannister ; I then I,,roceedeil to the upl er end
of the harbour, firing at the two forts on the island in
passing, and came to an anchor to allow the men to get their
dinner ; after which I weighed and proceeded to attack
the two forts on the island. When within good range, I opened
fire with round shot and rockets ; the enemy not returning the
fire I anchored and landed with three boats manned and armed.
On entering the forts I found the enemy had deserted them.
Having destroyed in one fort five guns, and in other four
guns, I burnt the carriages and tents of the encamp-
ments, and returned on board, weighed, and proceeded
out of the harbour. During the whole time we were
engaged, thousands of the inhabitants, and nearly all the
crews of the merchant junks, were unconcerned spectators to
the scene, quietly looking on, at,d appeared perlectly to un-
derstand that we .were at war only with the Government,
even a fleet of merchant junks thus arrived during the day
passing close to us in beating up the harbour. I cannot sFeak
too highly of Mr. Auchmuty Pylden Freese (mate li.N ) my
first officer, and the rest of my officers and crew. lam happy
to say that this was achieved without any casualty on our side,
although the loss on the side of the enemy must have been
very grea:.—l have the honour to be, &c.,
(Signed) W. H. HALL, Commander.

INDIA.
BURMA H.

The great King Tharawaddy remains peaceably at Rangoon,
superintending the fortification of the new town which his
workmen have built, and constructing a flotilla of gun-boats.
lie declares his intentions to be, and to have been, quite pa-
eltio; but his object in coming down to Rangoon with so large
a force remains unexrlained, and is shrouded in as much mys-
tery as ever. I have before mentioned the incivility with
which the commander of the Pros:la-pine was treated on his vi-it
to Rangoon; and it now appears that Captain /lough, of the
Ganhe% steame:, was refused admittance into the royal pre-
sence unless he, took off his shoes, and conformed iii other
re.pects to the Burman notions of etiquette. The letters, how-
ever, his Nlajesty deigned to receive.
Her Majesty's ship Calliope, the steamers Ganges, Forbes,
and Diana, and the transports Thetis, Robarts, Larkin:, e.nd
expected.
El zabeth Ainslie, have arrived at their destinations, and her
M jesty's brig Clio, and sloop Br.tomart, from the Straits, are
%l'h
uretrheetronr,no the formidable force in Burmah
wi immediately
it is impossible to say, but as it cannot
be doubted that the supreme Government had goof cause for
believing Tharawaddy's intentions to he hostile, when they
sent it on, the probability is that a portion, at least, will remain
to watch his proceedings. The cost of the expedition is esti-
mated by the Friend of India at thirty lacs of rupees (er
£300,000).
A Plenipotentiary has arrived at Moulmein from Rangoon,
to assure the British authorities that tha King has no warlike
designs.

THE JLIGHT HON. THE EARL OF AUCKLAND, C.C.S., GOVER-

NOR-GENERAL, &C.
We:lesley, at the Anchorage of Just-in-the-Way,
Sept. 25, ld-11.
My Lord—The accompanying copies of letters from Lieu-
tenant 111•Cleverty, H. Al., commanding the Honourable Com-
pany's steam.ve:sel Phlegethon, will detail to your Lordship
the treacherous conduct of some of the inhabitants of the town
of Ko-kew-so, or Ko-ei-sau, in decoying part of the crew of
the Lyra, Engli h trading vessel, under the promises of selling
them stock and vegetables, into an ambuscade of Chines.i
troops, by which one of the seamen was killed, and Mr.
Wainwright, the chief mate, after being desperately wounded,
fell into their hands; another seaman was also wounded, but
escaped on board.
As this base Proceeding occurred within a very short dis-
tance of the village where Mr. Stead, the late master of the
Pestonjee Bomanjee transport was murdered in March last,
Lieutenant M'Cleverty promptly determined on landing and
attacking the Mandarin military post, and, supported by the
masters and crews of the merchant vessels Lyra and Anne,
after gall .ntly putting to flight a very superior force, he caused
the barracks, as well as the small town adjoining the vil-
lage, where Mr. Stead was assassinated, to be destroyed.
Intimation has been given of the motives which induced this
measure of retribution, and I sincerely hope that it may have
the effect of checking similar acts of atrocity on the part of the
Chinese.

AFFGHANIS'PAN.

INSURRECTION IN CA ROOL.—Just pre- inus to the closing
of the overland packet of the ht of December, a report arrived
from the north-west that there had been a general rise of the
Affgbans, who lad la.d siege to the City of Cabool. It. has
not only turned out to be correct, but proved the forerunner of
more melancholy and di,astrous news. The Aff'hans have
risen, and they have taken the city. The account of the
death of the amiab'e and talented Sir Alexander Burnes is
confirmed, and several other officers have also fallen victims to
the fury of the rebels. he insurrection broke out on the 2.d.
November, and the latest date up to which trustworthy infor-
mation has been received, is the 18th of the same rnon, h. the
communication having been closed ever since. On the rapture
of the city, the British force was divided into two sections, one
occupying the Balla Hisser, and the other an intrenched camp
and these positions have been subsequently maintained. Several
skirmishes, and one or two regular engagements, have taken
place, in nearly all of which, whether defensive or aggressive,
our troops have been completely victorious.
The rebellion has not, of course, been confined to the
movement on Caboel. It has spread into the K Listen, where
a detachment of Goorkhas, stationed at Cherekai, have been
—TO-REAR-ADMIRAL SIR W. ?RAKER, K.C.8., &c., cut up, and two officers, Lieutenants Wheeler and Maule,
COMAIANDER-IN-CHIEF. murdered by the enemy. A party of invalids who were pro-
le. C. Steam-vessel Phlegethon, Kie-tow Point, ceeding to Ghuznie under the command of Captain Woodburn,
17th September, 1841. have also treed massacred with their leader, and Ghuznie itself
SIR,—I beg leave to enclose for your information a letter I --nwhich is fortunately strongly garrisoned and well provisioned
received from Mr. Hubertson, master of the brig Lyra, on my —is now reported to be in a state of siege. The gallant force
arrival at this place, detailing an act of treachery by the under General Sale, which so bravely fought its way through
Chinese killing his first-mate, and one of his sea-tunnies. the mountain pass of Khoord Cabool, remains at Jellallabad,
On the receipt of this letter, consulting with the master of which place cannot be quitted. General Sale has vanquished
the Lyra, Anne, and Arid, who gallantly offered their ser- the insurgents, however, on every occasion on which they have
vices, I determined to attack the Mandarin station, and pro- t ventured to attack him, and has procured supplies of food.
ceeded for that purpose at daylight on the 16th init. When Though badly off for ammunition, there appeared little doubt
we arrived I found that it was the village in which Mr. Stead, that he would he able to hold out till the relief expected from
the master of the transport Pestonjee Bomanjee, had been mur-
Peshawar should reach him.
dered. I destroyed the village and took three prisoners, from I It cannot. be questioned that this insurrection will be ulti-
whom I learnt that the principal station of the soldiers was in mately put down; but thesacrifice of life and expenditure of
the town where the Lyra's people had been murdered, that they money that must be the price of its suppression furnish
mustered 500, and expected to be attacked. cause enough for anxiety.
At 11 A.m., I procee led to the town, having 40 British and Should the object of the insurgents be, as is stated, to de-
-80 Lasears ;at 12 they opened a heavy fire of gingalls and match- pose Shall Soojah, and raise another Monarch to his throne,
locks, which tailing to do any execution, and finding we were there is too much reason to fear that the cause will meet with
rapidly closing on them, they retreated up the mountains ; we considerable support. The followers of these refractory Chiefs
found their barracks and magazines, lefeTw them up, set fire to who recently took the field to dispute the supremacy of the
the whole town, and totally destroyed it. Shah, will not refuse their aid.
H ving now accomplished the object of our expedition, we The rebellion, as i have stated, commenced on the 2d No-
returned on board, and lam happy to say without any loss. vember. No particulars of the attack on the city have been
In performing this service I beg leave to express my thanks received, and we are consequently unable to
,learn in what
to Messrs. Hubertson, Denham, and Woodman, masters of the manner, whether by stratagem or regular assault, the
Lyra, Anne, and Ariel, for their efficient support. insurgents gained possession of it. The first who fell vice
It would be inviduous in me to praise any, where all be- i time to their fury, were Sir Alexander Burnes, his bro-
hayed well ; but. I beg leave to recommend to your notice the
First Lieutenant, Mr. Herbert Ryves, and Lieutenant R. B. ther, Lieutenant Burnes, and Lieutenant 13r adfoot, of the
Shah's service. On the following day the 37th Regiment
Crawford, R.M., a passenger belonging to the transport ser- of Bengal Native Infantry, which had parted from
vice, who gallantly volunteered to lead, and was of the greatest General Sale's force at Seh Baba, returned, and succeeded
possible assistance to me. —I have the honour, &c., in effecting a junction with the British troops. 'I h;s day
(Signed) JAMES J. M'CLEVERTY, was also marked by a simultaneous attack on the cantoo-
Lieut. Commanding.
ment, and the Balls Hisser, in which the enemy sustained
P. S.—The Chinese sustained a loss of six men killed ;
but great loss, and were completely beaten off. There was a
it was impossible to ascertain their wounded, as they carried skirmish in the town on the 4rh, when Captains Swayne and
them wide them. Robertson of her Majesty's 44th, and Captain Gordon, of
Captain 31‘Cleverty, R.M., Steamer Phlegethon. the 37th Native Infantry, were kilted; and on the 6th the
British stormed a feet called Mahomed Khan, of which the
rebels had gained possession, and took it, after a short
struggle. Captain Raban, of her Majesty's 44th, lost his
life on this occasion ; and the insurgents took advantage of
our proceeding, by seizing two guns in the city. They
also, it is said, compelled some men belonging to one of the
Shah's regiments to direct their fire on the cantonments where
our troops were posted. The time up to the 11th was passed
in skirmishing; but on this day there was an important en •
gagement, by which our troops gained some so:id advantages,
re-capturing the guns of which the enemy hal gained posses-
sion, and materially weakening the force of the rebels. Captain
Codrington was killed, and Captain Paton and Major Thain,
aides-de-eamp to General Elphinstone, were wounded, the lat-
ter slightly, the former severely. ince this there Spears to
hive been no fighting, and the envoy, by the last accounts. is
reported as endeavouring to induce the Kolristanees and Kuz.
zelbashes, by a money bribe, to break with the Dooranees, and
fight for the Shah. This attempt ie in itself a strong proof that
Sir W. M•Naghten considers it necessary to desist from any
further aggressive act, and to confine our efforts fie- the defence
of our positions. The Kuzzelbashes were most active in the re-
volt, and a party"of them, at the very outset, attacked the en-
trenched camp, but they were repulsed with great slaughter by
Anderson's Horse and the sth Cavalry.
A correspondent of the Agra Ukhbar gives the following
account of the forces at Cabool. I transcribe it, ,as it may be
interesting to your readers :
" First troop first brgade Horse Artillery, two squadrons
sth Cavalry, four squadrons Shah's Cavalry, her Majesty s
44th Foot, sth Native Infantry, 37th ditto, 54th ditto, tith
Shah's ditto, 3d corps Shah's Sappers. Besides the 3d seah's
Regiment at Chareekair, and some Affehan troops, whom I
do not take into account.
" G stres.—Six iron 9-pounders, three 24-pounder howitzers,
two 12-pounder howitzers, five 6-pounders, three mountain
guns and howitzers, three Nrinch mortars, besides some guns
of the Shah's, of which two 6-pounders and a 16-pounder were
at Chareekair."
In reference to this statement, it seems necessary to remark
that no mention of the arrival of the 54th Native Infantry at
Cabool is made in any of the accounts,
although the 37th ( the
other regiment which was with General Sale) reached the city
on the 3d of November. The Shah's regiment at Chareekair,
alluded to by the writer, is the corps whose destruction I have
already noticed; and the guns which were with it base no
doubt fallen into the hands of the Kohistanees.
As for the events which have occurred at Jellellabad, since
the occupation of the place by General Sale'she art ivar brigade,.
of the
they
may be summed up in a few brief words. On t..
force matters' were found to be in a most unpromising state,te.
The walls and defences were greatly dilapidated; there was
scarcely any ammunition, scarcely
any provisions, and not
sufficient water. Sir R. Sale immediately took measures to
remedy these defects, and supply these deficiencies—the walls
were repaired and guns mounted, foraging parties suceeedesl in
Obtaining provisions, and wells were dug for water. Several
'skirmishes took place en different occasions; but the enemy did
not venture on any regular attack till the 15th of November,
and by thig time General Sale was well prepared to receive
them. The attack of the 15th was utterly unsuccessful, the
insurgents were completely routed, and left 130 of their number
dead upon the field. From this time to the latter end of the month,
they appear to have been tolerably quiet; but they then as-
sembled a force amounting to about 3 000 men, and getting
into possessien of some old forts about three miles distant from
our troops, sent out parties to fire on the British defences. The
insurgents again attacked us on the let December, but were
They once more defeated with the greatest facility, all taking to their
heels as soon as our troops, which sallied out against them, made
their appearance. The do not appear to have a particle of the
courage possessed by their brother rebels of Cahoot.
Two outposts in the neighbourhood of Jellellabad, occupied
by our troops, have been closely invested by the rebels ; one of
them has gallantly withstood their most determined efforts;
but the garrison of the other have been compelled to fight their
Ps,
way through their assailants, and seek safety in flight. Ali
Musjid, and Pesh-Bolack are the positions alluded to.
Of the events at Pesb-Bolack we have more detailed ac-
count'. A letter from an officer of the garrison, published in
the Agra Ukhbar,
both sides, and of the subsequent escape of the little party from
gives full particulars of the operations on
their situation of peril The narratite is in the highest degree
interesting, and will no doubt be re-published at home. It ail-
pears that a rifle regiment of the shah's, under the commanu
of Captain Ferris had been originally stationed at Pesh-Bolack;

Lieutenant M'Cleverty, who is on all occasions most zealous
and active, speaks highly of the conduct of acting Lieutenant
llyves, and all the party that accompanied him. The latter
officer has served long, with an excellent character, as mate in
her Majesty's service ; he is the orphan son of a most es-
timable naval officer, and I understand he was amongst the
f tremost of the party from the Phlegethort who entered the
first battery which was taken possession of outside the barrier
wall in the late attack on !_snoy.—l have the honour to be,
my Lord, your Lordship's most obedient servant,
W. PARKER, Rear-Admiral. !

Brig Ltra, off Singlosau, Sept. 15, 1841.
have the painful duty to report to you, as the only
offic'r present belonging to her Majesty's fleet, a case of the
most unparalle'ed treachery and murder on the part of the
Chinese at the village of Kogisaia, abreast of where we are
lying, and beg you will be kind enough to report the same to
his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief.
I arrived here in company with the Ariel and Anne on the
10th instant, and anchored on Kogisau ; the following day we
all armed our boats, and went. on shore to look for fresh water,
and endeavoured to procure some stock. The natives at first
appeared frightened,-but shoat►y came down.to us, and entered
On the mast friendly terms, promising to supply us with fresh
stock on fair terms ; and on Sunday morning, the 12th, I went
on shore with my launch and cutter, and the same friendly
communications subsisted, and the principal man of the place
gave my linguist a written paper, stating the time he would
have what things they could supply us with ; in consequence of
which, I again 'sent my launch at noon in charge of my chief
officer, Mr. Wainwright, who, on proceeding to the vil-
lage, and finding no person was returning to the boat, when
his party was surrounded by 203 or 300 soldiers, and fired at
with gingalls and matchlocks, and I regret to say Mr. Wain-
wright was wounded, and either killed or taken prisoner, and
one sea-canny was shot through the head and killed on the spot,
and one man wounded in his side, but escaped on board. On
hearing this I immediately consulted with the masters of the
Ariel and Anne. The result was that we immediately seized
several boats, and by their crews-sent chops on shore offering
Sp; drs 1,000, for the bodies dead or alive, if not mutilated,
btit to which I have received no answer.
I pow beg you will bekind enough to use such measures as
you may deem most necessary to procure. the release of my
officer, if alive. —I have the honour to be, &c.
(Signed) GEO. J. HUBERTSON,
•
Master of the Lyra.

CIRCULAR.
TO Hick intiTiNivlc I.tAizsrit'S SuBJECTS IN CHINA,
Her Britannic Majesty's Plenipotentiary in China has the
utri:lotesitisfaetion in announcing, for general information, that
the City of Tinghae;the capital of the Chusan group of islands,
wtsahhote.efrohhraMacwvveeaehsj elapsedesY s
forces.sic e the island
rste to Fibfrai uteseaerlyof
greatlye
ltB4h the
Icity
thtyoe
strengthen
t'hvaapa:
n3uee.::nteegPur:dt°thavetfed'hi Government
hh:tfent
Irmt
defence;.asPopiniaepjtdehe ass
by
tysyTh'
f
is now • one continued line of fortification, extending for
nearly tiro miles, and redoubts and entrenched camps have been
thrown up in every direction.
The Chinese troops made a better attempt at resistance than
they have hitherto done, but nothing could withstand the in-
tro; id valour and discipline of her Majesty's combined forces,
and in less than two hours the batteries were cleared, the city
escaladed, and the enemy flying in all directions.
Great quantities of ordnance (amongst which are about forty
pieces of brass cannon), other arms and military stores of every
description, besides magazines of gunpowder, and large grana-
ries of rice, have b )enfound ; and, from a variety of concur-
rent circumstances, it is evident that the Chinese authorities
had no conception that the place could be taken in such rapid
and gallant style.
Arrangements will be made immediately for establishing a
p(i
eroe
inv i ssiniot
advisable,
government,after w
haantd her
has
already Majesty's
hapie
nPlenipotentiaryto
intimate
to her Majesty's subjects, and all others, that under no cir-
cumstances will Tinghae and its dependencies be restored to
the Chinese Government, until the whole of the demands
of England are not only complied with, but carried into full
eff,ct. Got) sive the Queen.
Dated on board her Majesty's ship Blenheim, in Chusan har-
bour, this 2d day of October, 1841.
(Signed) HENRY POTTINGER,
Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary.

CIRCULAR.
TO HER BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S SUBJECTS IN CHINA.
Her Britannic Majesty's Plenipotentiary in Chira has the
renewed extreme gratification of announcing, for general infor-
mation, the further brilliant and important success of her
Majesty's combined naval and land forces, in the reduction and
occupation, on the 10th and lath instant, respectively, of the
cities of Chinghae and Ningpo,
The city of Chinghae is situated at the mouth of the Tahae,
or Nnigpo river, and was covered so strongly by its citadel (a

but in consequence of the demand for troops, several detach- i
scents were 'sent away at different times, till at length Captain
Ferris had but 250 men remaining. Early in October, Capt.
Ponsonby, Assistant Adjutant-General, Lieutenant Harrington,
sth Light Cavalry, with 24 troopers, and Dr. Stiven, su-
perintending surgeon, took refuge in the cantonment, together
with a Parsee merchant, who had with him a large inves,ment
of goods. There were thus—with Captain Ferris, Lieut.
Lukin, and Dr. Ritchie (attached to ti.e corps)—six European
officers present; and there were also two ladies, the wife of
Captain Ferris and her sister. Hostilities were commenced by
the enemy on the 13th of November, and Captain Ferris imme-
diately made every exertion to put an old fort, situated near
the cantonments, in a state of defence, which was ultimately
effected, and all the valuable property removed thither. The
number of the insurgents had greatly increased by the 15th,
and they continued the conflict with redoubled ardour. The
defence was kept up with great gallantry and spirit till the am-
munition of the garrison was almost wholly exhausted. Nego-
tiations were then attempted, but in vain ; the enemy knew
the situation of our troops, and refused to listen to any
proposition. The sufferings of the ladies during . this
miserable period were poignant in the extreme. To add
to the difficulties which passed around, the discovery was
made that treachery existed in the regiment, one
of the native officers having been detected in a correspondence
with the enemy. A eouncil of war. was held, and it was re-
solved to sally forth and cut through the besiegers. About six
or seven in the evening, the garrison evacuated the fort ; they
moved on quietly till past the lines, when the Affghans took the
alarm, fired their muskets, aid charged sword in hand. The
conflict was severe, but it did not last long. The daunt'eas
courage of the little party had its effect on the Affghans, and
they went off to plunder the fort--a safer and more profitable
employment than opposing the desperate and determined efforts
of British valour. No further obstruction of consequence oc-
eurred; and on the 17th they arrived at Girdee, where Tora
Baz Khan, a frien lly chief, met them, and conJucted them to
La'poorah. This place not being considered safe, he deputed
his nephew, Hvder Khan, to take them oa to Peshaw ,r, which
town they reached in safety on the 21st of November. Three
thousand rupees was the sum paid to Tora Baz Khan for his
assistance. The total loss of the force was 24 killed and 26
wounded, exclusive of the casualties among servants and camp
followers.
The massacre of the brave Captain Woodburn and his fol-
lowers, was, indeed, a melancholy affair. It was on the 2d of
November (that fatal day for Cabool) that this Gallant Officer
took his departure from the city of Ghuznie, with a party of
invalid sepoys. Ere he had proceeded far, the enemy attacked
his force, and plundered their baggage. On arriving at Sycla-
bad, he took possession of a fort there; but in the night a fire
was opened upon it, which at length became so galling, that
he sallied forth. His followers were divided into two parties,
one under his own command, and the other under that of a
subadar. 13oth the leaders were soon shot dead, and the greater
part of the little band were cut up in the conflict which en-
sued. A few managed to reach Shushgao, where they were
fired on by the treacherous Juzalchees (men in British pay),
and their numbers reduced to six, who ultimately escaped to
tell the tale. The party originally consisted of 150 men.
One or two British officers appear to - have had narrow es-
capes from the rebels at the very commencement of the insur
rection. The day before the attack on Cabool, two officers of
her Majesty's 44th left that city, with an escort if five hundred
horse. Tracy were detained a fortnight at a place called Te-
zero, and eventually got off by a forced march of twenty-two
hours, losing, however, five -ollowers on their way. Lieut.
Crawford, too, of the Bombay service, while in charge of a
party of prisoners, fed in with the enemy near Nerve, and had
some difficulty in effecting his escape. Several of his men
were killed, and be lost both prisoners and baggage.
As regards the measures taken for the relict of Cabool, and
generally for the suppression of the revolt, it may suffice to
s y that, almost all the troops stationed nearest to the scene of
action have received orders to be in immediate readiuess for
service, that a brigade under Lieutenant-Colonel Wild, consist-
ing of the 30th, 53d. 60th, and 64th Regiments of Native
Iniantry is pushing on towards Cabool, through the Pttnjeub.
that her Majesty's 9th Foot and 26th Regiment cf Native la.
fantry have received orders to march through Seikh country,
by which route it is believed a large force will 'se thrown into
Affghanistan, and that a requisition has been made to Sheve
Sing for ammunition and stores, and for troops, which havebeen
sent—fhe former from Peshawar, and the latter from Lahore.
The Seikh troops are to co-operate with Colonel Wild's bri-
gade, and, it is said, a•-e already on their way to Cabool for
that purpose. General Avitable, the Seikh leader, despatched
six guns, and a good supply of ammunition, to Jellellabad, for
the relief of Sir R. Sale, as soon as he became aware that he
required aid. These sterling proofs of the faith and good will
of the Lahore Government towards us are highly gratifying,
and afford a complete refutation of the reports of intended hos-
tilities which have of late so frequently got into circulation and
gained credence.
I subjoin a list of the officers who are reported to have
lost their lives in Affghanistan during the insurrection ; of
the number of European and native troops killed it is as yet
impossible to form any idea : _

Sir
A. Burnes, Lie-ut. Burnes, Capt. Swayne, Capt. Ro-
binson, Capt. Raban, her Majesty's 44th Regiment.
Capt. Gordon, 37th Native Infantry.
Lieut. Broadfoot, Lieut. Salisbury, Shah's service.
Captain Codrington, Lieut. Rattra , assistant to the poli-
tical agent in Turkistan.

Captain Trevor, 3d Light Cavalry.
Lieut. Wheeler, Lieut. Maule, Shah's service, killed in
Kohist an,

Capt. Woodburn, killed near Ghuznie.

SCINOti%

- -
An affray between the Scinde horse and some of the Boojtie
tribe has taken place at Rojhaw ; one of the former was killed
and another wounded, and the rest escaped by flight. This is
the only act of hostility which has occurred, for in such a
country as Beloochistan, where, the natives look upon the cold-
bl‘wded assassination of an enemy, real or stipposkl,, as an act
deserving of praise, rather than censure--,murders like that I
have noticed above will be alwas common,- and must be re-
garded rather as the cr rues of individnals than as evident*
of the existence of a rebellious spirit among the community
at large.

•
THE PUNJAUB.
Every thing is,quiet here, and Shere Sing appears to be in
secure po,session of his crown. The Seikhs, as before stated,
are lending us their aid in the suppression of the Cabnol insur-
rection, thus at nne coup putting to flight all the dreams of
quarrel and warfare which have of late visited our Indian
Politicians.