The Sun.
London, England, 1842-03-12 00:00:00

IN CABOOL.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Sr IL,--at is with extreme regret I perceive, in a leading ar-
ticle in the Times of this day, that credence is given to a
letter, containing an account of the destruction of our troops
in Cabool. The letter in question is supposed to be dated Jel-
lalabad, the 18th of January; and as the steamer left Bombay
on the Ist of February, there is only thirteen days allowed for
the tram mission of the news from Jellalabad to Bombay.
I have no hesitation in denying the possibility of news being
conveyed from Jellalabad to Bombay in that time. From Jel-
lalabad to Loodianah, under the most favourable circumstances,
would occupy eight days. And from our homier post at
Loodianah to Bcmbay, sixteen days by the mail, being
through our own territories. Thus making twenty-four days
for news, which is said to have arrived in thirteen days. By
a y other route the period would be longer.
As Dr. Brydon's statemen, quoted by the Times is diametri-
cally oppesed to that mare by me, at the Seamen's Hospital
Charity, I have to request the actual date of the letter, on
which such reliance is placed, may be given, the name of the
'lace from which it is written, the post-mark of from whence
despatched, and the date of the post-mark. These are points
by which persons conversant with Upper India will be enabled
to Judge of the authenticity of the intelligence given in to-day's
Times. Where 30 many persons are so deeply interested in
the safety of their friends, it is only just the fullest examina-
tion should be accorded. I can see no reason to withdraw my
assertion that the troops at Cabool are perfectly safe.
Reports were prevalent in India—previous to the date
fixed in Dr. Brydon's letter for the troops having left
Cabool—that Colonel Shelton and some officers of his bri-
gade were made prisoners. In Dr. Brydon's letter, Walsh
is mentioned as one of the hostages left with the chiefs at
Cabool, whilst letters were received front Walsh a month
since, mentioning that he had left Cabool, and was safe with
General Sale's brigade. Also the death of Captain Trevor,
who was assassinated with Sir Wm. 31‘Naghten, was announc-
ed in the English papers giving the Indian news last February.
This shows how completely dates have been disregarded, and I
feel confident when this intelligence is sifted to the bottom, no
good grounds will be found for the statement attributed to Dr.
Brydon, and that it is merely a tissue of bazaar reports injudi-
ciously forwarded to England. I would further call your atten-
tion, at all times, to a comparison of dates with the geographi-
cal po ition from which reports are received, the usual rate at
which intelligence is conveyed being four miles an hour, and
less on cross-roads.

Had the troops been forced to leave Cabool—which I still
maintain they hal not—they never would have retired on
Jellalabad. They were aware of the difficulties General Sale
had experienced in the mountain passes, from the sudden hos-
tility of the people. Therefore Colonel Shelton would not
have attempted those passes, incommoded with eleven hundred
cavalry and horse artillery, when he could, by retiring through
the open plains to Ghuznee and Candahar, derive the greatest
advantage and protection from those arms of his force, besides
being strengthened by the troops at Ghuznee and Candahar,
the latter amounting to three thousand men. The Report
quoted in the Tim:: to-day is stated as received at Jellalabad
on the 18th of January, 184'2.
The Agra Inchbar, 7(10 miles distant from Jellalabad, quot-
ing news received from Cabo I up to the 20th of December,
1841, in the paper of the 22d of January, mentions, "as a re-
port not to be believed," that the ladies of the camp had fallen
into the hands of the enemy, and that Colonel Shelton and some
officers of his brigade had become prisoners. The destruction
of the English was an easy addition to a bazaar report, and com-
pletes the whole of what is now published as authentic, and oc-
curring after the sth January, and first made known at Jena-
hhad on the loth January.
1 trust the party in possession of Dr. Brydon's letter will
give the date, place, and post-mark, and thus enable a proper
estimate to be made of the value of the intelligence.

I have the honour to be, sir,

Your obedient servant,
J, Poultry, Warch 11. HARVEY TUCKETT.
From the tenor of the conversation in the house of
Commons, it is clear that if the disastrous news
from Afghanistan be confirmed, the Government
has determined upon the line of policy to be pursued.
There will be a war in earnest—a war in Which for the
first time in the world's history England will take the
field as a principal against the Afghans. Of thc) policy
and rtisults of such a war we have already expressed our
opinion.

Ching to the length of the debate last night, and of
the financial documents, which appear in another part
of the paper, we have little room for comment on other
ma‘ters even of great public interest, but we cannot pass
over • altogether the objection made by Sir R. PEEL to
Mr. WARD'S motion for an inquiry, into the exclusive
burdens on land. Let us finish the debate on the
Corn-law, said the Right. Hon. Baronet. Now,
when one of his main arguments for a tax on provisions
rests on the extraordinary charges to which landowners
are subject, and when he has repeatedly declared that

he cannot state the amount of these charges, how are
we to account for his backwardness to ascertain a fact
that must affect the very principle as well as the details
of the Bill ? Only because he is afraid of the truth. Mr.
P. M. STEWART asserted, and he has not been contra-
dicted, that the balance is in favour of tho land-
owners. Sir ROBERT PEEL, no doubt, is afraid that
an impartial Committee would establish this point,
and he is, therefore, anxious to resist the
inquiry till the Bill be passed, and the inquiry be-
come a mockery. Mr. WARD, we trust, will persevere
in his motion. Let him be preparod with documents
and calculations, and though he fails, as he certainly
will fail, in obtaining a Committee, he must compel the
Ministerial party to answer ,him. This will serve his
purpose, and enable the public to judge which statement
is the more entitled to credit.
. _

Another topic adverted to last night was the wild
scheme for transporting English clergymen to foreign
lands, and converting them into bishops at the ex-
pense of the mother country. If the people of Canada, or
the West Indies, want Protestant Bishops, they will
be willing to pay for them ; and if they consider
them useless lumber, as the Scotch Presbyterians
and the Irish Catholics do, of what benefit can they be
to the Christian people ? Lord STANLEY does not pro-
pose to increase the emoluments of the West India
Bishops—he only wants to add to their number, and
after they have officiated for some time, or (as
Sir CHARLES NAPIER facetiously but correctly de-
icribed the duties imposed upon them) made parties
of pleasure for visiting the different islands,
in steam-boats, his Lordship will come down to the
House with a woful tale of the hardships to which these
strolling Bishops are subjected—of their poverty and t heir
piety, and transfer some 10,000/., or 20,0001. a year out
of John Bull's pocket into the pockets of men who
profess to be the successors of the poor and bard-working
apostles.

In introducing the subject of his financial propositions
last night in the House of Commons, Sir R. Peel ex-
pressed great satisfaction at the " composure and con-
tentedness of mind" which he felt on the occasion, add-
ing, " I should be unfit to stand in this place where so
many Ministers of the British Crown have stood, if I
did not feel the buoyancy and alacrity of spirit which
ought to sustain every public man who endeavours faith-
fully to discharge a great public duty." It is astonish-
ing what " buoyancy and alacrity of spirit " Tory Mi-
nisters always exhibit, when preparing to lay a fresh
tax upon the country ; and we have generally
remarked that this " buoyancy and alacrity "
increase in exact proportion to the load of taxation
to be imposed ! The reason is, that Toryism is then
most in its element, when it is furnishing additional oc-
cupation for that amiable and popular public functionary
—the tax-gatherer ! It is never so happy as when de-
vising ways and means for sounding the depths of John
Bull's pockets ; and if the old fellow object to this in-
quisitorial process, and venture to denounce it as unjust,
uncalled for, and so forth, astonished and disgusted
' Toryism instantly taunts him, as did the late Lord
Castlereagh, with exhibiting " an ignorant impatience of
taxation !" Sir Robert Peel expressed no " buoyancy or
alacrity of spirit" when proposing his scheme for reducing
—in however small a degree—the Corn-law impost ; but re-
serves his extacies for the Income-tax, which undoubtedly
is a project calculated to call forth all a Tory Minister's
animal spirits, and make him every way happy and com-
fortable. It is gratifying to reflect that comprehensive
taxation—whatever other equivocal qualities it may
possess—has at least this positive advantage—it throws
the Minister who proposes it, into transports of happi-
ness. Let this be John Bull's consolation for the impo-
sition of an income-tax ! But other materials of conso-
lation are not wanting to him, for Sir Robert Peel ex -
pressly stated last night that—however it might be with
Ireland—the "proper machinery for taxation" was al-
ways at hand in England. Happy John Bull ! Your
commerce may be depressed—your ships may be rotting
in your harbours—your seamen may not be found when
wanted—you may be yearly declining in prosperity ;
but thank God, you have the proud satisfaction of know-
ing, on your Prime Minister's own authority, that the
" proper machinery for taxation " is ready to be put in
action against you at the shortest possible notice !
The Financial discussion is, we understand, to be re-
newed next Friday. At the close of the debate resolu-
tions to increase the tax on Irish spirits, and put an end
to the allowance now granted in Ireland on malt, and to
apply 8,000,000/ out of the Consolidated Fund to the
service of the year, were agreed to.

MONEY and COMMERCIAL NEWS.
CITY, TWELVE O'CLOCK.
LIVERPOOL COTTON MARKET, MARCH 11.—Cotton has
been dull, but can hardly be quoted lower this week. In the
better sorts of American there is no tendency to decline, but
the middling and inferior kinds are so abundantly offered, that
perhaps they may be considered a point down. We leave the
scale of quotations as before. There continues to be a fair
demand for export, and it will be observed that speculators
have purchased so large a proportion during the week as to
leave only about 20,000 bales for the trade ; 4,200 American
have been taken on speculation; and 1,550 American,:4oo
Surat, and 500 Peruvian for export. The sales to-day were to
a moderate extent, but there was a great want of animation in
the market. The supply was abundant, and prices remain as
last noticed ; 4,000 bales met with purchasers.
LIVERPOOL SHARE MARKET, MARCH 11.—Little business
was done in Railway Stock this day ; the market dull and
heavy, and prices rather depressed. The sales comprised
Eastern Counties debentures, 101. 14s. 2d. ; New, 365. 3d. ;
Great North of England, ti 6 ; Manchester and Leeds, New,
33 ; Great Western Halves, 61i; Fifths, 9i ; Grand Junction,
179; ditto Half Shares, 90.
MANCHESTER STOCK EXCHANGE, MARCH 11.—With
the exception of Eastern Counties Old Shares, Debentures,
and New Easterns, Manchester and Leeds, Bolton and Bury,
and Manchester and Birmingham, for which we have had a
good inquiry, the market has been inactive and little business
done.—Edinburgh and Glasgow, ; New Eastern Counties,
365. 3d. prem. ; Bolton and Bury, 52* 52k; North Unions,
721/ 731% ; Bolton and Preston, 201,4 211/2.
The merchants assembled at the North and South American
Coffee-house, and all other public establishments in the City
have been busily engaged, during the whole of the morning.
in discussing the Financial project brought forward by Sir
Robert Peel last night. On a measure embracing such a variety
of details considerable differences of opinion may be naturally
expected to arise, but, upon the whole, the principal involved
has met with general approval. It has not had the least effect
upon the Stock Markets at present.
Consols are 89A Money, and 89* for the Account ; Ex-
chequer Bills, 29 31 prem.
Just after the close of business last night it was reported that
the Thames steam-ship from the West Indies and Mexico has
brought over 100,000 dollars from the Mexican Government
for the purpose of paying dividends, in consequence of which
Mexican Bonds rose to 3914, being an advance of full one per
cent., but upon inquiry this morning it turns out to be incor-
rect, and the Bonds have declined to the former price, being now
quoted at 374 38} ; Spanish Active Stock is 24 f ; Passive,
514 %; Deferred, 1211, %; Portuguese Five per Cents.,
33% 4 ; Ditto Threes, 194 20k. Very little business doing.
PRICES OF SHARES THIS DAY AT ONE.

R A ILWAYS. Paid. Per Share.
Birmingham and Gloucester 100 .. ...
Ditto New
Great Western
Ditto New
London and South Western 3Bi 5B t•
London and Croydon ( Trunk)... 134 l2 ..... to
Manchester and Leeds
Ditto New Shares
North Midland .. 100
Ditto Thirds 2ll. 13s. 4d. 221. Si. 4d.
South Eastern and Dover
York and North Midland 5O
Ditto N:nv Shares .
_ JOINT STOCK B•NKS.

Colonial .
COURSE OF EXCHANGE—YESTERDAY.)
Amsterdam CF. 12 7i Gibraltar . ,
Ditto, at sight
Rotterdam .........2 U. 12 8 :Genoa . 25 95
Antwerp
Eiamburgh M.B. 13 14i' Venice
Altona
.. I
Paris, 3 days' sight ... 25 70 Palermo, per oz 120
Ditto, 3 months 25 95 !Lisbon
Marseilles
Bourdeaux 25 95 ißio Janeiro 27

Bahia
/Buenos Ayres
/New York, '2l days sight 46i
/Philadelphia 46
PRICES OF BULLION, TER OZ.
Foreign Gold, bars £3 17 9
'Portugal Gold C0in...3 17 5
New Doubloons 0 0 0
New Dollars... 0 4 9
Silver in Bars 0 4 11
Z.S, DUBLIN, MARCH 10.
BtanrakndBthekal Stock l7si
Ditto Debs. 6 per cent...... ---
Ditto 4 per cent —
Royal Canal Stock
HALF-PAST ONE.
Consols have improved since the opening h per Cent. ; they
are now quoted at 89i for Money, and 89h for the Account ;
Exchequer Bills are 30 prem. Very little business doing.
It is now stated that the Thames has brought 20,000 dollars
for the Mexican dividend, and that the news from there is
favourable, in consequence of which the Stock has been dealt in
to some extent, the Bonds at one time being quoted at as high
as 40, but have since receded to 39f. Colombian Bonds are
24k. Brazilian, 66. Spanish, 24g.
No business doing in Shares worthy of notice.
BOURSE—Emus, THURSDAY, MARCH 10.

Frankfort on Maine... 1514
Petersburg-li, 3Us ... 37
Berlin. , 7
Vienna, effec. 11. 3 M 954
Trieste, ditto 9 55
Madrid
Cadiz
Bilbao
Barcelona
Seville
PRICES OF IRISH STOCI
3 per Cent. Consols
Three and Half Stock
Ditto Reduced ......
Ditto New 1830... 97i
31i per Cent. Debs.

First Highest Lowest Last
Price Price. Prici,. Prier.
French 5 per Cents ll7 2.5 117 25 11 10 ... 117 10
4per Cents. ..... 101 ... 101 101 ... 101
3 per Centf BO 50 80 50 ... 80 40 ... 80 40
tank of rranee
Laffitte Bank I,ooot. Shares 1025 ...1025 ...1620 „AM
5.0001. Mures 5046 25 ...5047 50 ...5046 2S ...5057 50
Be giro Bank
1811
Belgian 5 per Cents.
Ske ceto:., 1840 106% ... 1061 106% 106%
3 er Cents 72 30 ... 72 30 ... 72 30 ... 72 30
Span sh Age 25 95% ... 25 ... 25%
Fassive % ... 5% 5%
Portuguese 5 per Cents.
"5 105 ••• 105 .. 105
RAILWAY SHARES.
St. Germain
Versai les, R....
B 367 50 367 50 ... 367 50 501 50
L.li
gouen 528 75 ... 528 75 ... 527 50 ... 527 50
Strisburg to Bale 246 25 246 25 .. 245 245
Urle—ns .

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.
(RECEIVED THIS DAY.)
LATEST BETTING AT MANCHESTERFRIDAY,
CHESTER CUP.-12 to 1 agst M. Soult ; 11 to 1 agst
can ; 15 to 1 agst Alice Hawthorn ; 18 to 1 agst Rhodanthe ;
23 to 1 agst Satirist ; 25 to 1 agst Rory O'More (t). No other
change.
DERBY-8 to 1 agst Attila, offers to take ;23t0 I agst
Chatham; 25 to 1 agst Dirce colt; 27 to 1 agst Ballinkeele ;
30 to 1 agst Auckland, taken; 50 to I agst Joanna c, taken ;
50 to 1 agst Meteor, offered. The rest as before.
°AXS.-12 to 1 agst Yorkshire Lass filly; 14 to 1 agst
Adela
Two THOUSAND GUINEAS STAXESe--8 to I agst Meteor.