The Sun.
London, England, 1842-11-04 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 4, 1842

REMARKS 'ON AFFGHANTAN AND

THE ARGUS, FAMILYNEWSPAPER and
WEEKLY CONSERVATIVE JOURNAL, of SUN-
DAY NEXT, will contain Exclusive Particulars of a Meeting of
the DRAPERS' ASSISTANTS OF LONDON, held on
Thursday, November 2, for the ?urpose of adopting united.
legal, progressive, and energetic measures for some reduction
in the present hours of business.
Office, 2, Catherine-street, Strand.

CHINA.
BY ROBERT WISE, ESQ.
[Since the publication of the following observations in
The Sun of Saturday last, we have received so many

orders, which we cannot supply, that. we are induced to

republish the article.—ED. Sun.]
We have perused, with great satisfaction, a small
publication entitled " Remarks on our present Posit
tion with Affghanistan and China ;" and as the au-

,srb

ta--4
top 211

thor, Mr. Robert Wise, of Allonby,.. a naval officer,
who had served for years in the East, is evidently.

well acquainted with his subject, and takes -a- rational
and manly view of our existing relations with these
countries, we shall make no apology ,for quoting
freely from the work. The information it conveys
is the more valuable, as it is the result of per-

sepal observation obtained many years ago, and
is matured and strengthened by the remarkable

operations carried on by the British forces on
the west and east of our Indian possessions. The

author in early life served on the coast of China
and India, in his Majesty's ship Dover, 38 guns,

which was lost in a hurricane at Madras in 1811 ; he

afterwards joined the Java expedition, and was pre-

sent at the reduction of that island and the rest of
Dutch India. In adverting to the character of the Aff-

ghans, and the probable cause of our expedition against
Caubul, he throws some light on the mysterious policy
of Lord Auckland, which has hitherto had such un-
fortunate results. The Affghans he describes as a na-

tion of freebooters and man-stealers, who consider it a

merit to conquer and rob every country and every
_ .

nation which is not Mahomedan—to massacre the in-
habitants in cold blood, or forcibly convert them
to the Mahom?dan religion, and afterwards sell
them as slaves. No treaty will be considered

binding on their part, unless we retain fortresses
and keep troops in the country sufficient to com-
pel them at all times to fulfil their engagements. " In

proof of these assertions," he adds, " I need only
refer, in the first place, to the repeated instances of
attempts made by the ancestors of Shah Soojah, Dost
Mahomed, and the Affghan tribes, to invade India,
within the last century, and the awful devastation and
desolation which they committed on the peaceable and
unoffending Hindoos on the east banks of the Indus,
and to a considerable extent in the interior of Hin-

dostan. Secondly, to the repeated breaches of faith
which one head chief of their own tribes committed
towards that of another, accompanied with the most
savage cruelties. Thirdly, to the perfidious murder of
Col. Burns and our Envoy, and the breaches of faith
and awful cruelties exercised by the present genera:.

tion of Affghans on our hapless forces, in their late
return from Caubul towards India, under treaty of

safe conduct." He attributes their late daring and
treacherous conduct to their contempt for the Hin-
doos, acquired in their repeated and successful inva-
sions of India, and adduces this as a reason why Indian-
born troops do not strike that terror into the Affghans
which an army of less than one quarter of the number
would do, consisting of strong and hardy British
troops. In place, therefore, of keeping up such a
large Indian force, he proposes that troops shcarld be
conveyed direct from England to the mouth of
the Indus, and thence, by steam-boats, up that river
to Kalabagh, a distance of 1,500 miles. We like the
spirit of the following extract, which forms such.a
contrast to the reported, policy of Lord Ellenborough,
and the advice of those timid Englishmen who, like
cowards, would put up with the most atrocious indig-
nities ever inflicted by barbarians, strengthen the
hands of our enemies in that quarter, and cause the
utmost indignation, not only in the British army, but
among the vast Indian population under British sway.
Here is the advice of a true British sailor :
It appears imperativeson us to read the Affghans such
a lesson as never will be forgotten, and to settle the mat•
ter at once and for ever, as regards our power to hold
such control over them as Government may deem fit, for
the ultimate security of Britain. After completely sub-
duing the different tribes in Affghanistan, if,a few of the
naturally strong points and fortifications were held by
us permanently, and garrisoned by European troops (at
least in the more elevated part of the country), and these
troops were able to act at all seasons of the year, it
would tend much to the restraint of the Affghan popu-
lation. The enterprise of the British merchants, under
such arrangement and protection, will pioneer the way
for the introduction of civil and religious liberty, which
at present is making rapid progress in our East India
possessions. Nothing but our occupying the strongholds
—the Gibraltars and Maltas of Affghanistan—and
making them equally formidable, will convince the .Aff-
ghans that it is utterly out. of their power-successfully to
oppose us, even were they assisted by any other Power
or Powers whatever.
Mr. Wise concludes his remarks on this subject in
these words, in which we fully concur, only regretting
that the Great Duke was so unfortunate in his choice
of a Governor-General :--
It is fortunate for this country that the life of his
Grace, the Duke of Wellington, has been spared, till the
occasion has arisen for taking decisive steps in these mo-
mentous questions.
Of the dispute with China he takes the same
judicious and practical view ; and on considering the
question in all its bearings, he anticipates that the
war, if conducted with energy, will ultimately pro-
duce a solid peace, highly beneficial to Great Britain,
to British India, and to China itself. As we have fre-
quently contended, one great object should ever be
kept in view in the settlement of our disputes with
China, namely—the opening of commercial relations
with that country, and thereby affiarding employment
to our cotton, woollen, and hardware manufactures.
The trade to China is capable of great extension, and
if we.gan succeed in opening up a more free inter-
course.with the north-eastern parts of the empire, the
manufactured woollens and cottons of Yorkshire and
Lancashire could be sold there, to pay a fair profit, at
a price one-third less than the Chinese can produce
such articles. We should thus secure the clothing of
many millions of people, give new life to the mercantile
navy, and carry on a trade with the vast regions and
islands in the East, which would greatly counterbalance
the injury done by the six new tariffs. For this pur-
pose Mr. Wise proposes that a few free depots should
be established along the sea coast, on the promonto-
ries of the mainland, and more especially on the banks
of the great artery of China, the river Yangtse
Kiang, on the principle adopted at Singapore, which
would certainly extend our general trade with China,
as the settlement at that place has extended our trade
in the Malay Archipelago. We may here remark,
that The author acquits the English of all blame in the
opium affair, and believes the Tartar rulers had
made up their minds to break with us, having
chosen the opium question for that purpose. The
accounts which he gives of the sea coast of Mantchoo
Tartary, of the Peiho river, of Yangtse Kiang, which
traverses the heart of the empire for more than two
thousand miles of the country around Pekin, and of
almost every gulf, promontory, and island along the
extensive coast, possesses great interest ; and we,
therefore, cordially recommend the little work to the
attention of our readers. We have room. for only one
extract more, but it is rather an important one, as it
contains a plan for bringing the dispute to a satisfac-
tory conclusion.
I presume (says Mr. Wise), in conclusion, the only
course left us, as holding out any reasonable hope of
obtaining a satisfactory settlement, and a solid lastin,,
peace, is to prosecute the war with the most determined'
vigour, by sending to China, from England, a naval and
military force of healthy, strong, fresh Englishmen, fit
and powerful enough to act at all seasons, in any part of
China (the Indian-born forces will do very well in south
China, but north China is too cold for them), to select
and take poisession of such a number, of. points on the
coasts; islands, and rivers of China, as will give us the
command:. of the mouths of all the great rivers
of China ; Of ..all the islinds' on the coast ; of
the traffic on the 'imperial canal and Irangtse Kiang
river, and of the principal seacoast cities4.4t nth p.iints
being selected as we can securely and petithanuntly
'hold, mainly by a sea force, against all and any
enemy whatever, from any country ; after which
to proceed to Pekin, and tender the Emperor a
treaty of peace, by which lie is to make reparation
for the national insults inflicted upon us at Canton, by-
ceding to us in perpetuity, such islands, ports, and places,
as we may have selected and captured, together with
territory which shall produce such a revenue as, we may
judge will support a naval and military force large
enough to protect ourselves, and enforce the fulfilment
of the treaty (for the Chinese will break it if we leave
them the power) ; by conceding to us a residence for a
13riti§h ambassador at the Court of Pekin (Russia has a
_representative there) ;—a treaty of commerce, defining
clearly the duties to be levied in China on imports and
exports ;—a dissolution afid extinction of the Co-Hong;
—a full opening to us of certain 'points in China (beyond
those ceded to us for indemnified
for the purposes of trade and
commerce ; by which treaty we are to be
for the expenses of the war, and the cost of the opium
destroyed, in 'cash down at once.

schemes of our Puseyites, and treated with
ias much ridicule as the lectures of our

Bishops on burning candles at the altar,
on genuflexions and signs of the cross,
and all those other frivolities, which seem to be
regarded with much more veneration than the
beauties of Divine truth ? In the Scotch Church,
too, a rage of different kind prevails ; but it is
as little connected with religion, and has,
perhaps, been more injurious to the very
character of that establishment which it is meant
to uphold. Even among the quiet people of
Switzerland new ceremonies and new sects are
springing up. One has just been established at Ge-
neva, which has not yet acquired a name, but from
all accounts it is of a rathersingular kind, as their
meetings are so noisy that they cannot procure
a place within the walls to perform their rites.
Then we have the Irvingites, the speakers in un-
known tongues; and the Yankees have their
Mormonites, perhaps exceeding all others in ex-
travagance. These are facts which forbode no
good, and inspire the sober-minded Christian
with feelings of sorrow and shame.

The Madrid Gazette of the 26th ult. an-
nounces, that the REGENT, wishing to reward the
officers and soldiers who, in 1823, after having
fought for liberty, desired to remain prisoners of
war rather than join the anti-national party,
which, with the assistance of a foreign army, had
restored a system of absolute power, had issued
the following decree:—
" 1. A cross of distinction is granted to the
officers and soldiers who in 1823 were conveyed
into France as prisoners of war after having
fought for the cause of liberty.
"2. This cross will be made of gold for the
officers, and silver for the privates."
The Heraldo states that the REGENT had
granted permission to the Infante Don FRAN-
CISCO de PAULA to proceed to Andalusia through
Valencia without passing through Madrid.
Desertions into France had again commenced
amongst the Spanish troops on the frontier.
The Three per Cents. were done on the Ma-
drid Bourse on the 26th ult. at 21i 15-16 at 60
days, and the Fives at 261 cash, 26k 13-16 at 60
days, and 21i at 60 days with four coupons.

The Paris papers received this morning refrain
entirely, a most unusual occurrence, from angry
comments on the policy of England. It would
appear there is now no longer any doubt as to
the result of the negotiations for a treaty with
Belgium, and that the affair is at an end. The
Courrier Francais has a long article on the sub-
ject, and seems to impute great blame to the
Government for entertaining a project which
they might have known would end in smoke.
We are not aware that that journal predicted
any such result at the comtnencement, or even
hinted that it would be injudicious to attempt a
closer commercial connection with their neigh-
bour and protegee, but the truth is, Frenchmen
cannot write without grutnbling, and never seem
contented with any arrangement, or with any
Government or country. King LEOPOLD must
see, from the proceedings which have taken
place at Paris within the last ten days, that Bel-
gium can expect little favour from France, ex-
cept the favour of being taken entirely under her
protection and then swallowed up. Here is the
latest attack from the Courrier on M. GUIZOT :
" To excuse the Cabinet it is asserted that we are
in a state of commercial convulsion. But who has
produced this agitation, if not the Ministry them-
selves ? Before they mooted the question of a com-
mercial union between France and Belgium, were
they not aware that those of our manufacturers who
live under the protection of prohibition would raise a
loud outcry, would speak of the despair of their work-
men, and would exclaim that national labour was on
the point of being ruined. Had they not a precedent
for this in the commercial inquiry of 1814, and the
not less significant example of the illustrious Hus-
kisson ? Might they not surmise, from the attempts
at intimidation-made by certain deputies, what some
of the electors would do • and, in fine, ought they
lo have been ignorant that their position would be
threatened the very day on which they ventured to
add to the power of their political adversaries the op-
position of the manufacturers feudally organised?
The Ministry were, in fact, fully warned, and before
rushing into so arduous an undertaking, they ought
to have measured the consequences, and have calcu-
lated on opposition as well as defection. It is not
proper now to tell us that the Cabinet should have
taken steps to make the question subordinate to their
existence, and not their existence to the question. The
country cannot stop at such trifles, and the existence
of the Ministry is not of such great value, as to sacrifice
to it the permanent union of two nations, which the
Congress of Vienna had endeavoured to separate, but
which their revolutions have brought together.
As long as the Ministry left the question in repose
the manufacturers tacitly admitted the possibility,
that one day or other an attempt might be made to
remove the commercial barrier ; and now, because a
Government without any fixed resolution has inop-
portunely thrown the matter to the world for discus-
sion, they demanded to lay down as a principle the es-
sentially transitory regime of the protective system.
Decidedly we have retrograded during the last six
months for such demands to be put forward, and the
Ministry, in thus recognising the preponderance of
privileged interests, makes subordinate to them not
only its own existence, but even that of all govern-
ment. We protest against this degradation of autho-
rity hi France. There is no longer liberty in a coun-
try where the interests which speak the loudest are
certain of bringing the Government to terms. Before
1830 the Government was the oppressor, but now it
figures in another shape, and we do not find its cha-
racter of oppressed more worthy of it, or more happy
for us. Every one has his place marked in society,
and ought to remain there, and the Government
ought no more to be directed by a manufacturing
• party than domineered over by a political one."

The Commerce states "that the sons of General
PAJOL, with a generous spirit of self-denial, have

relinquished their patrimonial fortune to present
it to their father, in order that, in his old age,
after having so long enjoyed the comforts of
opulence, he should not suffer the privations at-

tacked to the want of employment."
SEBASTOPOL.—In a letter from Sebastopol, in the
Journal de Frankfort, we read :—" The fleet, which
sailed from this port a month ago, to cruise in the
Black Sea, has returned. It is composed of six ships
of the line, two frlgates, and three sloops. We have
also in the roadstead six other ships ready for sea. The
RusF.ian fleet stationed in the Black Sea consists of
eight ships of the line, six frigates, eleven sloops, and
six steamers, which are constantly cruising along the
shores of the Caucasus, to prevent all intercourse be-
tween the Circassians and the ports of Asia Minor,
whence the mountaineers procure their provisions and
ammunition. The fortifications of Sebastopol are
going on very rapidly. Forts Alexander and Con-
stantine, which command the entrance into the bay,
and will be mounted with 320 guns, are quite finished.
Fort Nicholas, which has three ranges of bastions,
one over the other, and are to be armed with 260 guns

(of which 50 are already mounted), to protect the
harbour and docks, is also nearly completed. These
docks, which were commenced twelve years ago, are
of gigantic dimensions, of which no idea can be
formed without being seen. In order to supply them
with water, it has been necessary to cut a canal about
fourteen miles in length, and construct several tun-
nels and aqueducts. All these works .have been car-
ried on under the direction of Mr. Hopton, an Eng-
lish engineer, with whom the Emperor is so highly
satisfied, that he has created him a Major in rank, and
conferred upon him the insignia of one of the Impe-
rial Orders.'
BOURSE—PARIS, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2.

First Highest Lowest Last
Price. Price. Price. Price.
French Five per Cents. 118 40... 118 50... 118 40... 118 45
4% per Cents 105 50... 105 50... 105 50... 105 90
Four per Cents 100 50... 100 50 .. 100 50... 100 50
3 per Cents 79 95... 80 ... 79 90... 80
Bank of France 3270 ...3270 ...3270 .. 3270
Laffitte Bank 5,000 f 5075 ...5075 ...5075
Belgian Bank
802 50... 802 50... 802 50... 802 50

Belgian Fives lo3k ... 103 k ... 103 k ::: 1.04
1840 104 k ... 104 k• ... 104 ... 104 k
Spanish Active 224 ... 224 ... 224 ... 224
Portuguese Fives 324 ... 324 ". 324 ... 324
Neapolitan . lOB 10... 106 20::. 108 10... 108 20
Roman