The Sun.
London, England, 1842-08-04 00:00:00

THE ' SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY _VENING, AUGUST 4, 1842

OVERLAND MAIL.

CHINA, INDIA, AND

AFFGII ANISTAN.
The latest dates from China, Affghanistan, and
India, are Macao 12th of April, Jellalabad 26th o 4
May, Candahar 25th of May, Calcutta 7th of June.
Bombay 18th of June.

BOMBAY, JUNE 18.
The intelligence from India by the present mail
s of considerable importance. The army of General
Pollock remains inactive at Jellalabad. The pri

soners and hostages remain in the hands of the enemy
and are treated as well as can be expected under the
circumstances. Three children had been born in

captivity. Negotiations for the release of the pri-
soners had been going on between Akbar Khan and
General Pollock, through the medium of Captain
Mackenzie, who was permitted to come into Jellala•
bad on parole, but their nature has not transpired.
The hostages were said to be in the keeping of the

high priest of Caubul.
Caubul was in a state of revolution ; an attack had
been made by Akbar Khan on the Balla-hissar, which
signally failed, and we are told in a letter, dated Jel-

lalabad 26th of May, that
" Akhbar Khan's treasury being exhausted, he en•
deavoured to raise a loan in the city, offering exorbitant
interest, but so low in estimation has he fallen, that he
could not procure the two lacs he was negotiating for.
As a last alternative he endeavoured to rally around him

all the fanatics of the country by proclaiming a re-
ligious war involving death to every infidel, but here
again ho failed; those to whom he appealed declaring
that. the infidels had not injured them, but, on the con-
trary, by a lavish expenditure of money, had enriched
the country. Thus low stands the Buruckzee party just

now."
By far the most important topic of intelligence is the
immediate withdrawal of the British troops from Affgha-
nistan. Of this there has been yet no official announce-
ment; but it is generally believed, even by those who
would wish it otherwise, that an order to that effect has
actually been issued. An order from the Adjutant-
General's Office, Calcutta, dated May 14, commences

thus :
" Instructions having been issued for the withdraw a
with n the British provinces of the troops serving ives
of the Indus, it has become necessary to make arrange•
men's for the comfort of the different corps during their
march across the Punjaub."
As this is a subject of some importance, it may be
proper to bring into one view the arguments which have
been adduced for and against the probability of this
alleged abandonment of Affghanistan, and it must be
confessed the preponderance is in favour of the former.
The Bombay Times of this day says—
" Our readers ars aware that this measure is one
which we have all along most strenuously advocated.
Without adverting to the enormous and cruel injustice
of a continuance or renewal of the w'ar, it may be
enough to state, that acccording. to Sir Robert Peel, it
has already cost us nearly seventeen millions sterling,
and can only be maintained at an outlay of above three
millions a year. Of this last-named sum two millions
at any rate are sent into Affghanistan in coined silver
money, and never returns to us ; so that for every
month the war continues we have the circulating medium
of India diminished by nearly 170,0001. in specie with-
drawn from the currency of the empire. Our armies are
dispirited by mishap, and the officers ruined by their
own expenses, and beyond measure sick of the war.
We have no baggage cattle to carry our artillery or com-
missariat along ; nor is it possible at any price to pro-
cure them. The winter sets' in beyond the mountains
early in November, and the snows are not entirely
cleared away before April arrives ; so that as we have
no fortified post, camp, or cantonment, and shrunk
before from the cost of their construction at Caubul—
any expedition which could have been undertaken would
have been one of a few months' duration only—where
our purposes would have been frustrated, and our armies
eluded by the retirement of the enemy beyond the moun-
tains ; so that our troops in all probability would have
had to fall back pall melt in October, without anything
whatever having been accomplished ; and next year, had
the vat. been renewed, it would have been at a cost of
twe* millions sterling 1"
A dreadful hurricane has taken place at Calcutta,
destroying numerous houses, and damaging about fifty
vessels in the river, with great loss of human life. The
loss of boats with produce down the river will be enor-
mous, and of ruinous amount. This will be chiefly of
sugar, saltpetre, rice, and cotton.
At Bombay two ships have been destroyed by fire
within the last fortnight. The Vansittart, formerly one
of the East India Company's China ships, and the Corn-
wallis, both on the eve of sailing for China with cotton
cargoes. The loss of property amounts to above 100,0001.
It was strongly suspected that these fires were the work
of incendiaries, and the suspicion is confirmed by the
circumstance of another ship, also ready for sea, and to
sail for China to-morrow, having been discovered to be
on fire ; but it was promptly extinguished. It appears
that the Lascars had prepared a large quantity of com-
bustible matter, placed it below a cask of spirits in the
hold, and then set fire to it. The fire-engines from the
Government steamers were sent on boad, and speedily
extinguished the fire; but the Lascars all jumped over-
board, and attempted to make their escape in boats, but
they were were all seized, and are now in confinement.
These people get six monts' pay in advance • it therefore
becomes their interest to destroy the vessel in order to
release them from their engagements. These are the
people for whom a spurious sympathy is frequently ex-
cited in London.
Sir Jamsetjee Lejeebhoy has given 30,0001. as a dona-
tion for the relief of the Parsee poor of Bombay and Su•
rat, and for the education of their children. He will
purchase his way to a peerage ere long. . The knight-
hood of Sir Jamsetjee is looked upon by many as very
ridiculous. Was our gracious Sovereign, when she was
advised to bestow this mark of distinction, informed
that he belongs to a caste who treat the female part of
their families with contempt, feed them from the refuse
of their tables, and even when in the pains of child-
birth, thrust them into a kind of dungeon, where they
remain neglected for many days ? Most assuredly not.
Commercial affairs here are in a most deplorable state.
The Bombay Times says:—
" Nothing can be more unfavourable. Prices of all
descriptions of imports are miserably low ; while those
of exports are by far too high—notwithstanding the low
rates of freight—to be safely shipped. The season is
now over, and no business of consequence will be tran-
acted till after the monsoon, without any prospect of im-
provement even then."
Wi.h regard to shipping prospects at Bombay, the
same paper says :
" We regret to state that, since the departure of the
last mail, shipping prospects at Bombay have materially
altered for the worse. The harbour continues crowded
with shipping, and is every day receiving from some
quarter or other an accession to its tonnage. Freight to
Liverpool has been engaged at 14s. per ton—while to
China and other Eastern ports' cargo can be procured
scarcely on any terms. There is not, in fact, a sufficient
quantity of produce in the place to fill more than one
half the ships in harbour ; and as the monsoon is set in,
no further supplies can be received for some months.
The consequence is, that many ships must either lay up
here—proceed home in ballast—or to Calcutta or some
of the other Eastern ports, in quest of employment ; but
the extreme difficulty experienced there by North Ame-
rican built ships in obtaining freight—from the refusal
of the underwriters to effect insurances on them—may
probably deter those of that build from proceeding
thither. Numerous vessels, too, are expected from
England during the next two months, and altogether
prospects are as bad as possible."

CHINA.
IMPORTANT FROM NINGPO.
(From the Canton Press, April 9.)
We had last week the pleasure of publishing Sir
Henry Pottinger's circular, giving an account of the
gallant repulse by her Majesty's forces of a large body
of Chinese. By the Mysore transport, since arrived, we
have had accounts of new deeds of arms, and several of
our friends having kindly allowed us the perusal of their
letters, we shall now lay before our readers a brief ac-
count of the occurrences of the 15th and subsequent
days. It appears that after the unsuccessful attack on
Ningpo, the Chinese attempted to annoy the British
garrison by obstructing the supply of provisions, and in-
telligence having, at the same time, been received that a
body of 3,000 or 4,000 men were encamped at the town
of Tsee-kee, about 11 miles to the westward of Ningpo,
Sir Hugh Gough determined to attack them. A force,
consisting of detachments of the 18th, 26th, and 49th
Regiments, and a naval brigade, in all about 1.100
strong, was taken on boaxd and in tow of the Nemesis
and Phlegethon steamers on the 15th of March, and on
arriving near Tsee-kee the Chinese were seen posted in
a tolerably strong position, immediately to the west cf
the town, the walls of which were scaled at once, with-
out meeting with any resistance. When, however, the
British troops went out to attack the encampments, the
Chinese fought well, keeping up for some time a fire
from gingalls and matchlocks.
The marines and sailors were directed to attack them
on the hill, which formed the right of their position,
while the 49th took the centre, and the 18th and 26th
the left of their camp. Here, it seems, the much shorter-
distance (and no doubt impatience to engage) which the
marines and 49th had to traverse, brought on the fight
rather prematurely, they getting into action much sooner
than the 18th and 26th, who had a long distance to go
over steep hills. The 18th were unable to get at the
Chinese till they had begun to run, and they then tum-
bled a few over. According to all accounts the Chinese
have shown more courage on this than any other pre-
vious occasion, and their loss as well as numbers are
very variously estimated in different letters we have
seen; the former at from 400 to 900 killed; the latter
at from 14,000 to 15,000, although most of the letters
mention the enemy to have been about 6,000 strong.
On the side of the British the loss of the naval brigade
was three killed and 14 wounded, including a marine
officer,- Mr. Hambly ; of the 49th there were six
omerie anhder Lt aniee
or eight wounded, among them Captain Reynolds,
slightly, and ;
theatLieutenantslatter
a s Mntgo
se severely
the arm that it was obliged to be taken off in the
field. On that night the British troops slept in the
neighbourhood of Tsee-kee, and on the following morn-
ing burnt the camp and several mandarin and Govern-
ment houses in the city and suburbs. Intelligence being re-
ceived of another camp at about five miles distance, the
troops were marched there, but found it utterly deserted.
On the following morning the troops returned to Ningpo

and Chinhae from his successful expeiTon. It seems
that the flying Chinesi have been rallied by some man-
darins and reinforced by new troops, acid that they were
again gathering near alarge city of the name of Shouhing,
to the north of Yuyaou, and that Sir Hugh Gough in-
tended to route them thence within a few days after the
date of our intelligence. Rumours were also rile of an
intended attack on Ningpo by a very large force, say
30,000 men, on about the 25th, so that otir gall int Inc n
will have enough on their hands for some time to corn( .
It was said to be Sir Hugh Gough's intention imme-
diately to move on Hang-chow-foo, the capital of the
province -of Chekeang, to execute which movement the
position of Ningpo will no doubt have to be abandoned.
The Sesostris steamer had been despatched to Amoy to
bring up 300 men of the Royal Irish. Most of the letters
we have seen agree in representing our loss at Ts :T-1c( e
three killed and forty wounded, and that of the Chine :e
uncertain, as above stated.

(From the Bombay Times.)
We have news to the 12th of April from China, only
eight days later in date than that given in our last. It
appears that after the attempt, formerly mentioned, to
destroy the garrison at Ningpo, the Chinese encamped,
about 6,000 strong, some eleven miles to the west .varr
with a view of cutting off our supplies. A fore of
about 1,100 men embarked, and were towed up the river
by steamers till opposite the enemy. An attack having
been made, the Chinese were dispersed in every direc-
tion, leaving from 500 to 700 dead upon the field. They
fought with much more determination than on any pre•
vious occasion—thence their loss. We had three men
killed, and forty wounded ; the troops returned next day
to camp. It is said that a force of no less than 30,000
is collecting, once more to attack Ningpo. It is also
affirmed that Sir Hugh Gough is about to execute a
movement on the capital of the province of Chekeang,
and will probably carry the whole of the troops along
with him. After the first affair at Ninpo the enemy's
treasure chest fell into our hands. It contained no more
than 2,000 dollars. By the time the last of the rein-
forcements now on their way to China have arrived, we
shall have have 56 ships of war, 17 of which are steamers,
in the Chinese waters, with from 40 to 50 transports and
store-ships, and 15,000 fighting men, besides mariners,
who may be employed on shore. We have already slain
nearly 8,000 Chinese, and captured awl destroyed
1,819 pieces of artillery. It is said that the Chinese are
preparing to rebuild the Bogue Forts ; also, that they are
about to offer us 40,000,000 of dollars to get rid of us!

There is no news of political importance from Canton
or Macao. Sir Henry PottingFr was at Hong-Kong by
the last accounts. The Hong-Kong Government Gazette,
and the Friend of
China established by Captain Elliott, for the promulgation of
officialhina and
orders,K o Kung-Kong
ong been
Gazette, discontinued,
a net
journal, has taken
its place as a Government mouth-piece.
The following on Bits extracted from the paper in ques-
tion, may be taken for what they aae worth:—
ON DIT—In the bazaar, that Yang, an Imperial Com-
missioner, is en route to offer 40,000,000 dols. as com-
pensation to the British for the expenses of the war, and
the surrendered opium, also the cession of Hong-Kong as
the price of peace.
ON DlT—The Chinese have already commenced re-
moving the debris and rubbish preparatory to rebuilding
the Bogue forts.
ON DlT—Colonel Jancigny has given the Imperial
Commissioner Yibsan the best advice, and which, it is
confidently asserted, he dares not follow.
ON DlT—During the last month the most stringent
measures have been taken by the Mandarins for the
suppression of piracy in the Canton river and its em-
bouchures, which have issued in the capture of nearly
100 offenders, of which number 44 were decapitated at
Canton on one day ; since then 16 more have been exe-
cuted. Rigorous measures are still pursued by the Man-
darins against piracy.
Amoy was, by the latest accounts, very quiet, and very
dull. The natives had deserted the island of Ko-long-
Soo, on which the troops are quartered, and the latter
were not permitted to visit the city, but the officers suc-
ceeded in amusing themselves tolerably well with racing
and hunting. The steamer Sesostris has been despatched
to Amoy by General Gough, in order to convey 300
men of the Royal Irish to Ningpo, so that the garrison
has by this time been materially weakened.
The subjoined is a proclamation recently translated
and published. It illustrates very vividly the compas-
sionate feelings of the Chinese:—
" The High Imperial Commissioner Yihking, awe-
spreading general,' and Tishun and Wan—his coadjutors
—hereby make clear proclamation.
" It appears that amongst the black barbarians,' there
are many natives of the land who, having been taken
captive by the English rebels, are by change of dress so
altered in appearance, that they cannot be recognised.
Being forced by these rebels to do them menial service,
they are grievously oppressed, and have the prospect of
being placed in the day of battle, foremost, to stand the
whole brunt of the conflict, or on the other hand, the
fear that, if they retreat, they mill meet death at the
hands of their oppressors. Unable to speak out, and
without opportunity either of advancement or retirement
from among them, these are indeed to be commiserated.
" Among the red barbarians,' too, there are some
who have been brought by those rebels from other
lands, with no will to follow them, and with no share
of their plunder. Why should these continue in their
employ ?
" Therefore is this clear proclamation issued. If, in
the day of battle,—either red' or black' barbarians
will—should they be on shore cast away their arms,
'and kneeling offer submission—or should they be afloat,
refuse to fire, they shall in all times be spared alive.
Any one who shall seize and deliver a great birbarian
eye (or chief) shall be rewarded with a high dignity.
And who shall make prisoners of the common demons,'
(privates or sailors), shall be richly rewarded with
money, and if any shall deliver up a foreign vessel, they
shall receive for their reward whatever goods the vessel,
shall contain.

" A Special Edict.
" 21st year of Toukwang, 12th month, 12th day."

(30th Jan.:: 1842.)
Trade still continues in a sluggish state.
J b ,

AFFGHANIsTAN•
JELLALABAD, PESHAWUR, AND

CAUBUL.
The affairs of these three eminent, but to us
omened, localities, may be fairly lumped together. No
further forces of any.sort have crossed the Punjaub from
the Indian frontier since our last ; nor have any rein-
forcements or supplies of note found their way through
the Khyber Pass. The Seiks continue to keep
open the
pass from Jumrood to Ali Musjid; but it is said they in-
tend to abandon this irksome service—in which they
have, since April, been employed—some time in June.
It is added, that the Afreedis have returned to their
strongholds, and are threatening once more to shut the
mountain country against us. A suitable detachment
of our troops is stationed at Lalpoorai, about forty miles
down from Jellalabad, to assist in maintaining our com-
munication with the plains. The heat around Jellalabad
has become very oppressive, the thermometer through-
out the day ranging above 110 degrees in the shade.
Holes, about ten feet square and four feet deep, had
generally been dug under the tents to enable the men
to escape frum the heat; even there, however, it was
oppressive, being about 90 degrees. The dust storms
which had prevailed throughout the month were in the
last degree annoying. The troops were on three-quarter
rations for the present; but from the scantiness of the
previous supplies were suffering much from dysentery.
They had never been able to get up the baggage left
by them at Peshawur in the end of April, just before
their advance; and had thus been suffering severely for
a couple of months for want of tents and clothing.
It had, at one time, been resolved to move out to
Gundamuck, a station at the mouth of the line of
passes leading to Caubul; this is 2,603 feet higher
than Jellalabad, and 4,616 above the level of the sea.
Though only 28 miles from the present cantonmentss, it
was found that carriage sufficient could not be procured to
carry on the army even for this short distance. General
Pollock has only about 3,500 camels with him ; his force
would require 10,000 at least for any continued march ;
yet it is found impossible to obtain 1,000 at Peshawur
on any terms. We have, in fact, required nearly 70,000
camels since 1839, from those countries which never
needed more than 5,000 at any given time for mercantile
or military uses : 50,000 of these have been destroyed,
and there are no more in existence to supply their place.
No order for the withdrawal of our troops has yet been
published ; but it is universally believed they will be
almost immediately withdrawn.
Akbar Khan was at one time believed to have pro-
posed to accede to our terms, and entrust his person in
our hands. This thought, if really ever entertained,
appears quickly to have been departed from. Captain
Mackenzie was sent, as formerly stated, into our camp
on the 26th April; and, though nothing certain is known
of the propositions entrusted to him, it is said that
three proposals were offered us-1. That we should re-
lease Post Mahomed, and pledge ourselves to evacuate
the country, retaining a resident at the Caubul Court ; I
the prisoners of course, we presume, being at once re-
stored
to
us.
D2.osTth;atanCl'e then, if
exchange the pri-
soners, we were determined
to subjugate the country, to fight it out. It is
asked, in the third place, what conditions we will
grant if the Affghans submit at once? These
of proposals—
ao rne is, said
ethot
Genter,
have
:abloefferenro
DI theoeg firstk2oso
o oseries
believed to have de-
clinedl.
simpliciter for the
release of all the prisoners. Captain Mackenzie, having
returned to the Affghan camp, in terms of his
parole, was in a few days (9th May) sent back again
with the extravagant proposition on the part of Akbar
Khan, that we should pay him 80,0001. for the prisoners
—guarantee him the throne of Caubul—with a pension
of 20,0001. a year ! On the 13th Captain Mackenzie
again quitted his friends at Jellalabad, and went back to
and. Captain Troup
the Affghan Chief with a reply to these from General
Pollock, the nature of which is unknown. Meanwhile
set out for
the Sirdar, leaving his prisoners at Tezeeanr,ty
still held
ndstesheir mibing ; he wrote on the
his condition,
Caubul,atilioenßalls
awl taking khi
Hisser,. nsmagr.
sorelyauj to tre
hl Jungot
pressed
ii
by
r glve
with
h his
s p
the
other parties, who
and entreating him for assistance. Another report
states that he has joined Mahomed Akbar—the occu-
pants t h appearAlay to-
of Balla Hissar having at once succumbed to him
thoav General een oernralbie Peodll against
aki
g
without firing a shot. One rumour states that the Sir-
dar has now an army of 50,000 men waiting on his plea-
sure. A letter of the 26th, received just before going to
press, • states that accounts of his having been entirely
defeated at Caubul about the 20th had just reached Jel-
lalabad. The revolutionary war seems to rage with un-
abated ferocity around Caubul. We know nothing as
to particulars. There appear to have been three chil-
dren born in captivity amongst the prisoners. The trea-
sure chest at Jellalabad for 12,000 men contained, on the
22d May, no more than 60,0001,-,the pay of the army
&woe, irrespective of extraordinary. expenses, amounted
to 10,0001. a week. There was tt-month's pay due, so
that when this was expended, as it must be immediately,
the treasure old be reduced to 20,00/.

(From the Bombay Times extra, June 18.)
• LATEST FROM JELLALABAD.
Our letters from Jellalabad extend to the 27th ult.,
and present anything but a cheerful view of the state of
the army, and if the signs which are manifesting them-
selves are to be taken as genuine evidences of coming
events, we strongly incline to the belief that a retrograde
movement has been finally determined upon, especially
as our advices from Simlah state positively that the
march towards the provinces was to commence on the
4th instant—a pretty convincing proof, notwithstandinp,
all that has been hinted at in certain high quarters, that
the Commander-in-Chief made no other mistake than
that of allowing the determination of withdrawing the
army to become more public than was intended.
"Camp, Friday, May 27.
" Further accounts have been received to-day from
Caubul, stating that after Akbar's defeat and retreat
from the city he again came forward with guns, expect-
ing to inspire his antagonists with fear; but this was
not the case, Futteh Jung sallied out, beat off Akbar
khan, ;nd killed 150 of his followers. Report gives
out that Lad 4, Sale has written, urging the necessity of
our moving forwards as the cnly means of saving the
lives of the prisoners, and if this is not done she fears
the worst consequences will ensue. The quarter-masters
of corps attended the Assistant Quarter-master General
this morning to mark out the ground of encampment at
Char 13agh, five miles from our present site, but up to
lour P.M. no order has been issued for our march
thither ; it is generally thought we are to move on Mon-
day next. In tea., coffee, and sugar, we have enough in
hand for about six weeks, but as there is abundance
of these kinds of stores at Peshawur (as also rum) our
Commissariat may be considered to have a supply in
hand for all the troops for- nine months ; the grain will
be ripe at Caubul next month. Appearances indicate
that at present everything is working together for our
good. Gad grant it may be so is the sincere wish of
him whom you are pleased to call your indefatigable cor-
respondent."—Delhi Gazette, June 8.
We have letters from I)hakka up to the 26th May,
which, we regret to say, give anything but a glowing pic-
ture of the state of the troops at that place. Epidemic
bowel complaints prevailed throughout the camp, and
fears were entertained that the freedom from mortality
which they had hitherto enjoyed would not be of long
continuance. Of course little or nothing relating to in-
tended movements had transpired there.—lbid.

CAN DAHAR.
We have intelligence of the 25irfrom Candahar, and
of the 22d from Kelat-i-Ghilzie. At the latter place a
fight had occurred on the 21st. The enemy advanced in
two columns, each of about 2,000 strong. They were
provided with scaling ladders to take the fortress by
storm or escalade. They succeeded in placing ono of
their standards on the wall, and some of them actually
tumbled over the parapet. They were, however, after a
sharp action of two hours, everywhere driven back.
Four standards were captured, and 104 men left dead
upon the field ; our troops having sallied out, completed
the rout. The prisoners, in attempting to escape, were
all cut up by us. Our casualties amounted to one killed
and three badly wounded.
Cavalry are very greatly wanted. The Candahar bri-
gade, which left on the 20th, was expected to arrive on
the 25th ; it was commanded by Col. Wymer, and not
by General Nott, as formerly stated.
Sufter Jung was once more endeavouring to assemble
an army in the field. He had collected about 6,000, and
intended to make an attack on Cadahar about the 29th.
It was said that, should, he carry this resolution into
effect, General Nott proposed to march out with three
regiments and some guns to attack him on his advance,
while crossing the river on his way to the town. This
arrangement looks still less like an advance beyond
Kelat-i-Ghilzie than that adverted to when Gen. Nott
was understood to take command, Gen. England remain-
ing behind.—Bombay Times, June 18.

CANDAHAR AND QUETTAH.
The brigade of 2,700 men, under General England
with 3,500 camels and 100,000/. in treasure, besides am.
munition, medical and miscellaneous stores, which left
Quettah on the 26th April, experienced no interruption
after reaching the mouth of the Kujjuck Pass. They
were there joined by Colonel Wymer's brigade sent to
meet them, and reached Candahar on the 9th May. The
joint force amounted to about 10,000 men, including two
Queen's regiments (40th and 44th, each 800 strong),
with a park of 22 guns besides mortars. Kelat-i-Ghilzie
—a fort about 80 miles to the westward, occupied by
1,100 men, with four guns, itself very strong and well
supplied—having been reported as beset by very superior
numbers of the enemy, Colonel Wymer was dispatched
toits relief on the 20th of May. He took with him a
detachment about 5,500 strong, including her Majesty's
40th, and accompanied by six or eight guns. His ob-
ject is supposed to be the relief of the fort, and with-
drawal of the garrison. The enemy having on the 21st
May advanced, 4,000 strong, in two columns, on the
garrison, §icceeded in reaching the walls and plant-
ing a banner on the parapet, when they were beaten
back with a loss of 100 men and four standards,
Colonel Stacy having been detached with a considerable
force to attack a very numerous encampment under
Jungg-oo Khan, dispersed the enemy everywhere. They
tied before him, indeed, without so much as fighting.
It is supposed that, after it is seen what can be done
for the recovery of our prisoners and hostages by some
manoeuvring iu the direction of Ghuznee—we do not
imagine the fortress itself will be sought—the whole
army will fall back on Quettah, and there remain till
the approaching winter enables them to return through
Scinde to India. Major Reid, with the 12th Native
Infantry, and some irregulars, in charge of 4,000 camels.
with ammunition, stores, and 100,0001. of treasure,
reached Quettah on the 10th of May ; and there they
for the present continue. They were to move out on
tr.c 9th of June ; and after having delivered their
stores to General Nott, take up a position at Killa
Abdoolah—probably with a view of covering our re-
treat. The communication which for some time was
entirely interrupted between Candahar and Quetta!), has
now been fairly opened up ; the ..Nitibship of the Pi-
sheen Valley having been conferred on the chief, he takes
charge of our letters and despatches. The works 'at
Quettah continue to be strengthened, with a view, wo
presume, of securing the commissariat and troops in
case' of Sudden attack, as we can scarcely suppose that
it is meant to be held throughout the winter, if the
other posts to the westward be abandoned. Thus ail
returns to where it was before the war began—all, save
the 40,000 lives, British and natives, which have been
sacrificed on both sides ; and the 17 millions of British
treasure, which, according to Sir Robert Peel, has been
flung away. Our latest dates from Quettah are to the
29th, Candahar 25th, and Kelat-i-Ghilzie, 22d May.

INDIA.
(From the Bombay Times of June 23.)
CALCUTTA. _ _ • _ .

On the 3d of June a hurricane of fearful violence
visited Calcutta, destroying and seriously injuring no
fewer than forty vessels in the river, with a great loss of
human life. It scarcely visited Bombay, but its vicinage
was manifested by the most extraordinary, and at the
same time inexplicable; depression of all barometric in-
struments. At Bombay a couple of old East India Com-
pany China ships have been burnt within a week of each
other when just ready for sea. The Vansittart was re-
duced to ashes on the 3dond the Cornwallis on the 10th
of June. The loss of property occasioned by these events
amounts to above 100,000/. The fires are believed to
have been the work of incendiary lascars (native sea-
men), and 50C1. reward has been offered by the insurance
offices for the detection of the culprits.
_

(From the Calcutta Englishman, June 6.)
We are grieved to find from the various reports that
have reached us, that the destruction of life and
.pro-
perty, through the storm on Friday and Friday night,
have been fearfully extensive. On shore scarcely a
building has been left uninjured. Scarcely &garden has
escaped conversion into a wilderness. In every direction
branches of trees lie scattered over the ground, and in
many of the streets in Chowringhee, and along the
Garden Reach-road, entire trunks have been prostrated,
carrying with them the walls and railings which formed
the enclosures. The most exposed places have suffered
the most. The Maiden and Esplanade row, for example
are a succession of wrecks, from the fine old peepul tree,
at the southern extremity of the plot of ground, known
as " the cocked hat," (which has been torn up by the
roots,) to the house formerly occupied by Mrs. Stacy,
where the roof of a verandah has been wrenched off, and
the railing, in front of the house, uprooted.
Another friend informs us hat the Lord 'William
Bentinck and Gunduck, iron steamers, have sunk. Also
the Diana hulk, the Bhaugurattee accommodation flat,
and the Soorma flat, while the Jellenghee flat has been
severely damaged and totally dismasted. The Lady
Clifford is ashore. The Resolution, Coringa packet,
and another, are locked together, &c., all damaged. The
Eastern Star says—" News arrived in the town on
Saturday evening of the Lord Western having gone
ashore off Mud Point, with a detachment of troops on
board which were returning from Arracan."
It is with deep concern that we find the Semaphore
announces the loss of the Globe and Symmetry, both of
which vessels, we are informed, went down off Kedgeree,
and, with the exception of five persons, all perished on
she wrecks.
The following vessels are numbered amongst the un-
kirtunate craft :
Canopus, ashore, much injured.
Lord Althorp,mizenmast g.one, and other wise damaged.
Agnes Ewing, severely injured.
Resolution, ashore, much damaged.
Narval, much damaged.
Persia, bulwarks stove in, and otherwise damaged.
Meg Meldon, ashore lying over, and severely damaged.