The Sun.
London, England, 1842-04-18 00:00:00

tit g .‘--, Alas

LONDON
MONDAY MORNING. APRIL 18, 1842.

We refer our readers to the Mtp of India, published
in TiLe Sun of this day, and the historical accounts f
the various nations inhabiting that vast region. The de-
tails respecting the habits, customs, government, and
military forces of the respective States, have been de-
rived from the best authorities, and will be found highly
interesting. The history of Affghanistan, where the
British troops have met with more deplorable disasters
than at any period in the memory of man, has been ar-
ranged with the greatest care; every document within
our reach bas.beenconsulted; the character, spirit, and
religion of the' people' have been investigated ;
and we confidently trust the public will see,
front ''studying the history of this singular nation, that,
in a'shom time, Britain will have no difficulty in retriev-
ing here character in that quarter, and taking ample
vengeance for the perfidious and cruel slaughter of many
thousands of helpless beings, who implicitly trusted to
the faith of treaties. This must be the first object of the
Indian. Government. The next regards China. Thu
longer .the settlement of the dispute with the Celestial
Empire is delayed, the greater wilt the difficulty beconie.
We-have enemies enough in the Western part of the
Itorld, independent of those in the East, who will be
anxious to take advantage of present circumstances
to instruct the Chinese in the art of war, and
e them to persevere in their resistance
to just demands ; asid the only rational course, there-
fore,- we can pursue, i 3 to send such a number
.of troops to China as shall settle the dispute at once, and
make the Wight Eye pay the expenses of the expedition.

We do not yet absolutely despair of success in resist-
ing the income tax. The division on Lord JOHN Res-
Een's motion is not a full and correct index to the mi-
nority which will vote against the first and second reading
of the laconic Tax Bill. His resolution was a party
attempt to revive his discredited budget, and was not sup-
ported by several Honourable Members who will resist
the tax. People begin better to comprehend its bearings,
and since it has been stated by Sir ROBERT PEEL'S own
partizans that he has a concealed motive for pressing it
forward—asking for it as a substitute for that commer-
cial freedom which cements individuals and nations into
ione harmonious and peaceful whole--will they be more.
atrenuous in opposing it.
A thoughtful statesman would never have had recourse
to it. He would have been at once sensible that such a
tax must add to the wretchedness and criminality of
society. We are all suffering bitterly from the grab-ali
system, which begins unfortunately with the advisers of
the Crown, prompts nearly every action of the priesthood,
guides all the politicians, and, amongst the less fortunate
classes of society, 'shows itself its those innumerable in-
tractions on what has been already grabbed, as a means
of retaliation, which covers the land with gaols,
and fills almost every house with woe. A thought-
ful statesman would rather cut his head off, or
liar out his tongue, than strengthen such a sys-
tem. Sir Robert Peel, how ever, with a spirit which
would do no dishonour to a Cossack, thinks of nothing
apparently, but how he shall get more money to spend
on the State, and he sets the bad example, in the name
of a strong and united Government, of grabbing some-
thing more.from the people. He is about, therefore, to
increase, by his income tax, all the incentives to crime
„which now exist, and by the authority of the Legislature
to strengthen and confirm that terrible rapacity which
is the- • deadly enemy of social happiness. In fact, the
income tax is an extension of the plan, too long pursued
by the Legislature, of plundering the people by solemn
Acts .of Parliament, which has very much weakened,
though it has nut been able to destroy the sentiment of
respect for properly.
To-night the question will be put, whether the Bill
shall be read a first time, and we anticipate that the
minority will be much larger than the minority which
voted for the Whig budget on Wednesday. Several
liberal members who thought, like Mr. ROEBUCK, that
they ought not to vote for Lord J. RUSSELL'S resolution,
will think it an imperative, duty to vote against the in-
come tax. •

The Bank of England has now upwards of 7,000,0001.
in its coffers, and has lowered the rate of interest.
Money, according to all accounts, is extremely abundant
in the City, and the Bank is desirous of making it more
abundant, by increasing its issues. In the rise of Buenos
Ayres, and other Foreign Stocks, there are already indi-
eatioas of speculation being on the watch, and ready, as
soonas the legislation affecting commerce and revenue,
now na progress, be brought :o a close, to become stirring,
and active. Such was the case when money was abun-
dant in 1523, 1824, and in 1834, 1835, and probably will
again be the case in the latter end of 1842, 1843, and
1844'. At present the population has been starved down
to dig means of.the country ; the cycle of adversity has,
probably, been passed through, and the community is
mow to enter
.the cycle of prosperity. Alternations of
/his kind have been the unhappy lot of the community
ever since the barbarous law was made to keep down the
population nearly' to a level with the produce of our own
soi.
It is our opinion that this change would have taken
place though Sir B. PEEL had never cast adrift all the
customs and duties of the country. We are sure that
partial prosperity, after so much suffering, would be the
consequence of an abundance of money, conjoined with
a tolerable good harvest, but as both these circumstances
may now occur, as one of them has occurred contempo..
raneously with the agitation of the tariff, and as it is
likely that all the prosperity which arises will be attri-
buted to his new regulations, it is our duty to call on the
public to notice that the rate of interest was lowered,
and a large stock of bullion accumulated in the Bank,
before his tariff was passed. While the commerce of
The country, so far as legislation is concerned, may be
said 'to be all airift, those circumstances have already
come into existence which have heretofore preceded increased speculation and great apparent pros-
perity.
The state of the M""eY Market accounts fur the
eagerness of the City g •ntkmen, as represented by Mr.
MAsTEam.tx, to have the Tariff question settled. They
arc anxious to • get employment for their idle u money.
Mr. MASTERMAN is hineif a partner in a house which
eal largely in iAney, and he spoke his own sentiments
nd the wants of all his Class. We honour these gen-
t emen's industry, we deride no kind of honest occupa-
t. on, but it is not too muchfor the public to expect that
they should not farce an income tax and a tariff on the
whole community, of which they are but a small part, in
order that their eagerness to add to their wealth may be
gratified.

Do the electors of Sunderland wish to see the backs
of our b:xre soldiers marked wltli shame ? Do they
wish to see the bloody and brutal system of man-flogging
maintained in England after it has been abolished in the
Colonies ? then they will approve of Lord flrowicK, s vote
to. preserve the discipline of the army by the cat-o'-nine-
tails. If the enlightened electors of Edinburgh are of
opinion that the English army ought to be composed of
the dregs of the population, for few besides will go into

it to be flogged; if they think that discipline will be
better preserved and liberty better defended by the slaves
of the cat than by intelligent freemen ; if they wish to
t
make the army the complete tool of any tyrant who may
get it into his hand, they will thank Mr. MACAULAY for
his speech and vote on Friday night in favour of military
flogging. But if the electors of Sunderland and Edin-
burgh abhor, as most Englishmen abhor, the cruel and
scandalous practice of flogging—which is merely used
as a substitute for doing the men justice, and for the
want of care and diligence in the officers—they will
signify to Viscount HOWICIE and the Right Hon. T. B.
MACAULAY that they have grossly abused the trust
placed in them, and that they were sent to Parliament
to promote righteousness, to do justice, and to foster
humanity, not to sanction the least necessary and the
most brutal punishment that now prevails in Europe.

Captain BERNAL'S motion in the Housa of Commons,
on Friday night, for the abolition of flogging in the army
during the time of peace, save for offences committed on
a line of march, or for theft, was lost by a majority of
12E—only 39 votes being given for relieving the soldier
from the degrading punishment of a brute, while 187
voted for the retention of this badge of disgraceful
serfage. The Gellert Captain supported his motion
by ea able and conclusive speech, which will make
a far deeper impression upon the country than
it did upon the House. He reminded the House
that the opinions of professional men respecting
the expediency of changes were always to be received
with caution. Judges were humane, educated, expe-
rienced men, and yet such was the force of professional
bias that they were the most opposed to any relaxation
of the criminal code—a measure now universally
admitted to be most conducive to an improvi.ment in
the morals of the country. He would educate—not flog
the soldier; and he contended that education would do
away with any pretext for having recourse to the lash.
Sir HOWARD DouoLas, although he opposed the motion,
admitted that the diffusion of education would render
the lash unnecessary. He shuddered to think how
frightfully prevalent flogging was in the army, oven
within his own remembrance, but it was consola-
tory to think that it was falling into disuse owing
to the improvement in the morals of the
army, and he looked forward to a time
when it would cease altogether. We can tell
the Gallant Officer that it will only cease when courts-
martial are deprived of the power of inflicting it. So
long as Parliament allows such courts the power of sen-
tencing men to be flogged, they will exercise it, were it
only to show that they have it. Where the question at
issue is the degradation of a human being below the
level of a brute—for an Act of Parliament secures im-
punity from the lash to costermongers' donkeys—we
contend that nothing should be left to the discretion of
a tribunal, notoriously constituted by persons having no
sympathy with the accused.
But the Right lion. Member for Edinburgh, whom to
our great surprise we find voting with the majority,
pleads the necessity of the public service. What is the
meaning of this ? If the discipline of the army cannot
be maintained without eorporal punishments, it is be-
cause the existence of such punishments in the army
prevents any but the dregs of society—or the
desperate in circumstances—from entering it. No
educated young man of spirit would enter a ser-
vice in which he might be condemned to a punish-
silent which would for ever degrade him in his own
eyes, and disgrace him in the opinion of Isis comrades,
his family, and his friends. Abolish corporal punishment
in the case of all recruits who shall henceforth enlist,
and mark the different class of men which shall soon
compose the ranks of England's defenders. Fear never
contributed to make a good soldier, and never will the
British army be brought to any degree of perfection
while dread of the lash is substituted for the principle of
honour in the breast of the British soldier.
The most miserable exhibition of the evening was
made by Captain BOLDER°, who, now that his friends
are in office, shamefully abandons the protective
flag which he himself was one of the first
to raise over the heads of the British sol-
diery. He has changed his opinions, forsooth I
and now regards flogging as by no means the evil thing
which ho for.nerly represented it. General EVANS,
while directing the " Isle of Dogs Expedition" against
DWI CARLOS, made a convert of him to the efficacy of
a judicious application of a cat-o'-nine-tails to the
backs of such vagabonds as serve their country for
the moderate sum of 181. a-year. The Gallant Cap-
tain, with unabashed effrontery, told the House
that he claimed a full and perfect right to change his
opinions upon this or any other question. We at once
concede such right. We have no power to withhold
it. But we too claim a right in exchange. It is the
right to despise—to regard with utter contempt, the
political weathercock whose vanity induces him to
accept the popularity of sincerely advocating mea-
sures while he has no hope of carrying them,
but who abandons them the instant he might
claim for them the support necessary for their
realization. Captain BOLDER() can no longer hum-
bug the country, and so he now throws off the mask,
under the miserable, and, to the soldier, most offensive
and insulting pretext of recognising in General EVANS'
raggamuffin squad at St. Sebastian a fair specimen of a
British army ! But enough of Captain BOLDER°, to
whose constituents we recommend the following letter,
received by us on Saturday, relative to his speech and
vote .on Friday night s-
-ssa,-1 trust that you will direct the attention of the public
to Captain Boldero's conduct on the amendment which was
proposed to the Mutiny Bill last night. The clause, which
was so well moved by the Gallant Member for Wycombe, ha
fur its object the abolition of noggin.- in the army during peace.
On April 13, 1836, Captain Boller°, bring in opposition,
seconded.a motion for the abolition of flogging. At that time
" he put it to the Bowe, if they persisted in eintinuing cor-
poral punishments, whether they would'not render themselves
liable to the charge of having liberty on their tongues, and
tyranny in their hearts !" Vide Hansard's Debates.
April 7, 1837!:—He again seconded a motion for abolition;
it was then "his firm convictLu that by increasing the com-
forts of the soldier, corporal punishment might be dispensed
with in time of peace."— Vide Hansard.
March 26, 1838.—He brought forward a motion having for
its object the possibility of finding a substitute for flogging in
time of peace. He then claimed " the vote of a Gallant
Officer (Evans), as he limited his motion to abolishing flogging
during time of peace."— Vide Mansard.
But on April LW, 1842, he having changed sides, and become
Clerk of the Ordnance, "he feels convinced of the necessity
of flogging, from the Report of the Commissioner. who sat in
1835 I" which Report he had before pronounced " proved that
flogging might be abolished vril advantage to the service," on
April 13, 18361
Surely, Sir, this either shows that his love of place is
greater than his love of humanity, or that Isis previous exhibi-
bitions have been gone up for the electors of Chippenham.
April 16, 1842. EMERITUS.

MADRM Bouisa.—Thero was but little business
transacted on the Madrid Bourse, on the 7th inst.
The Three per Cents. were dune at 214, 21k, 221, at
different dates.

There is no important news in the French or Spanish
journals In the Madrid Chamber of Deputies, on
the 7tli instant, Senor SANCHES SILVA brought
forward a proposition, calling on the Government to
bring forward during the present Session the supple-
ment to the tariff law relative to cotton manufactured
goods, according to the terms of the second article of the
law of the 9th of July, 1841, which was, after a stormy
debate, ordered to be taken into consideration by a ma-
jority of 110 to 10.

The Debate has a long article on the efforts the winegrowers
of France are making to obtain from the Legislature some
concessions in favour of their industry, which, as our contempo.
ary states, is of vast importance, inasmuch as one twentieth of
the entire soil of France is devoted to it, and it yields to the trea-
sury, or in octroi duties, not less than 110 millions of francs an-
nually. The Debate admits that the complaints of the wine-
growers are entit:ed to the most serious attention ; but it charges
them with exaggeration, and, above all with having assumed a
menacing attitude, which is calculated rather to prevent than
promote the accomplishment of their object. l'his journal
denies that the exports and the domestic consumption of wines
have declined in the way stated by the growers. In 1829,
says the Debate, the exports of wine were 1 million 84,699 hec-
tolitres, whereas in 1840 they were 1,330,000, and there has
been no falling off in the exports of brandies, although it is
quite true that the trade in them has undergone no improve-
ment.

An intention has been expressed in the Marine department,
immediately to convoke the members of the Hoard of Admi-
ralty, under the presidency of Admiral thiperre ; we are as-
sured that this convocation is relative to the treaty on the
right of starch. A letter from the Ilague speaks of a project
to marry the second son of the King of Holland to the Princess
Clementine of Orleans. This Prince is said to be destined to
exercise the functions of Governor for the Grand Duke in Lux-
emburg. Will this plan be realised any more than that of
marrying the Prince de Joinville to a Dutch Princess? We
doubt it ? Commerce.
The presentation to the Chamber of Deputies of the Report
of the Railroad Committee is delayed, all the information re-
quired by M. Dufaure, the reporter, not having yet been
given. The Committee is waiting particularly for a proposi-
tion_ from the Government as to the direction of the lineloe-
tween Avignon and Marseilles.— Constitutionnel.
By LIRSE—PAnis, THURSDAY, APRIL 14.

First Highest Lowest Last
Price Price. Price Price
reneh 5 per Gent 5......„... 118 15 ... 114 40 ... 118 30 ... 118 40
4 per Cents. ... 101 75 ... 101 75 ... 101 75 ... 101 75
3 per Cents Bl 81 ... 86 90 —BO 95
tank of France ...... 1;370 ...WO
Laittte Bank 5,000 L Slarea LO4O ...5040 ...5040 ...5040
eigian
1311 1053 75 ...1053 75 ...1x53 75 ...1053 75

5 per Cents., 18.10 101% ... 104% ... 101% ... 101%-
Dutch 256 er Cents.
'vanish Acme .... .....
Passive 5% —5% —• 5% —5%
veapolitan lO7 50 ... 107 50 ... 107 30 ... 407 50
R man ..... 105% ... 10554 ... 105% ... 10554
RAILWAY SHARM3.
St. Germain
4ersalllss.L.l3 215 ... 215 ... 212 5',1 —. 212 50
!Ulu GU •••••••••••••••••

rtems .... ~.. .......... 572 5 0... 572 51 ... 571 '25 ... 572 23
Saasburg to Bale 233 75 ... 233 75 . 232 50 ... J 3 75
PRUSSIAN FUNDS.—Beaux. Aram 7.
St. Bills. Money.
Schuld. Sch., 4 !-, per cont. 104% 101
Prussian English Loan, 1830,4 per cent 102
lixchange on London, three months 0 :4..2%
—Fru:tiara ::tale Gaetette. April 10

COVENT-GARDEN THEATRE.—Madame Vestris and
her husband have no longer anything to do with the manage-
ment. The proprietors have taken the whole concern into
their own hand, and if they are not able to obtain a lessee,
they mean to carry it on next season for their own benefit. We
do not pretend to be able to state the exact cause for the ejec.
tion of Madame VestrY, but this we may say, that it is owing
to some dispute about rent, which dispute would never have
arisen had the theatre been conducted to a profit. Notwith-
siaral;ng the extraordinary attraction of Miss A. Kemble, who
had drawn on an average to the extent of 3001. a night, the sea-
son on the average has been a losing speculation, for the non-
receipts on what are called the off-niglits, have more than coun-
terbalanced the receipts when the " star" performed. Some
weeks ago we were aware that not a few of the performers were
upon half salaries; but we did not like to publish the fact, not
wishing to do the concern more injury than could he avoided.
It may be taken for granted that Covent-garden will open next
season substantially under the management of C. Kemble, al-
though other names may be put forward as those of persons who
will bear the brunt of the business.— Observer.
The Dutch Government, says a letter from Amster-
dam, is about to melt down all the old silver currency, and to
issue a new coinage.

S UPANARY OF NEWS

AND
13ttbite Iltntoll.

Who runs may read."

FOREIGN.

The leading articles of the Paris Journals do not possess any
great interest. They are chiefly on the discuss.on in the
Chamber of Deputies on the criminal code, respectinf, which
they throw out no new views, or on the question of then right
of search, of which so much has already been said that it would
be a sacrifice of space to give extracts.
The France says--" We have before us a letter, written by
a superior officer of the column of Mascara, in which he states
that the division of General Lamoriciere took, in the last cam-
paigns against the Arabs,. a case damns of English manufac-
ture. The fact is not new, but it derives a certain political
significance from the recent succours afforded by Morocco." It
is neither new uor extraordinary that English arms, which 3re
sent by the manufacturers to all parts of the world, on specula-
tion, should find their way to the Arabs of Algeria. The
France is not : ware, perhays, that in Syria many of the troops
which fought against the English were armed with English
muskets.

The Memorial Bordelais of the 12th inst., states that the
Cabinet of Madrid, in order to defeat the pane of the European
Cabinets relative to the Queen of Spain's marriage, had deter-
mine-I to negotiate a matrimonial alliance between the eldest
son of lion Carlos and his cousin, the youngest daughter of the
Infante Don Francisco de Paula; toe rank of Don Cados's
son to be recognised, and a pension granted him by the State.
A letter from Athens, March 27, in the ifiTsburgla Gazelle,
says The explanations given by the Porte to our Gevern-
ment relative to the enrolment •r troops which took place in
the Turkish provinces, are of ahighly satisfactory nature. The
Porte disavows all hostile intentions against Greece, and de-
clares formally that the troops ware raised solely with a view to
Syria. The troops sent to the frontiers of Epirus and Thes-
saly have been recalled, consequently our Government has also
withdrawn its troops. A division of the French squadron under
the command of Admiral Lasusse is expected."
The Times says :—" From inquiries made at the India-
house yesterday on the subject of the fall of Ghuznee, as de-
scribed in a letter from Bombay of the lst ult., we are led to
believe and to hope that it may only prove to have been an
exaggeration of the news.last received thence, and that the
country may be spared this great additional disaster. The
writer of the letter referred to was General Brooke, and cf its
genuineness at least we can entertain no doubt."