The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-07-07 00:00:00

LIN'S LETTER TO THE QUEEN

The Governor Lin had no sooner despatched his letter to
the Queen of England, of which we gave a translation on the
11th of Japary, and which was forwarded to England by the
Thomas Coutts, the captain of that vessel giving a receipt
for the same, tkan he had it printed, published, and widely
circulated, for the ddification of his countrymen, who no
doubt will think more highly than before of the imperial com-
missioner, seeing him engaged in penning admonitions to
foreign potentates.—Canton Press, March 21.

(From the Pekin Gazette.)

THE PALACE.—The empress has died, and in consequence
of this mournful event the whole nation is to go for one month
into morning, whilst the mandarins are not to shave for 100
days. She was not long married to Taoukwang, and bore
him, if we do not mistake, three children, the eldest of whom
is seven or eight years old. She is allowed to have been a
woman of singular beauty, who during the years 1835 and
1836 exercised great power over her husband, and exerted a
paramount influence over public affairs. But though endowed
with considerable intelligence and much admired, her sway
was not of long duration. During the zenith of her glory
she sent many of her creatures into the provinces, where they
held the highest offices. Since that her servants have stood
latterly alone, almost a nullity at the crowded court. It was
generally believed that she was at the head of the party which
we might style whigs, though they are very staunch con-
servatives in their own way. Heu nae tsze and others be-
longed to her coterie. The choice of a new empress, if Ta-
oukwang in his declining years would hit upon the expedient,
will give rise to numerous intrigues. we shall not wonder to see
the present ministry, with Ke-shen to boot, replaced by another
set of favourites. The Emperor himself is verging towards
old age, and if he should make his exit from the world at this
critical moment, we might certainly expect a great revolution
at the capital. Though a Chinese monarch is by no means
obliged to choose for his successor a child of his own, yet
the Manchoo emperors have always done this. In that case
a regency would be instituted, a rule which has been invaria-
bly fraught with great convulsions in the country. If, on
the contrary, one of his brother's nephews is nominated to
hold the reins of government, there is every probability of a
contest between a number of ambitious men, who have either
in reality an equal claim to the throne, or think themselves
entitled to wear an imperial diadem.
Great sacrifices had been prepared for one of the departed
empresses, and the mandarins were all assembled to com-
mence the ceremonies, when all 'of a sudden the cry of fire
was heard. On examining the cause of this disturbance, it
was found that a coal fire had reached some rafter, at least
such is the report, but with some exertion on the part of the
overseer in the temple, it was extinguished. Old Taouk-
wang is very indignant at this want of caution, and has given
orders that the attendants should meet with condign punish-
ment ; and they are likely to lose their heads. From the
frequent repetition of the same occurrence in the very centre
of the imperial palace, fears of the existence of some dan -
gerous plot are entertained, of which the object does not ap-
pear to be very patriotic. This is already the fifth time that
something was hinted of a deep laid plan for disturbing the
public tranquillity, and that then such trifles as the burning
of a few rafters, or the cutting down of a fir-tree, or a little
fighting between the workmen employed in the building of
the palace, were to be the signal to the conspirators. Time
must show whether the fears of the court are real or pre-
tended.

EDICT REOPENING THE PORTUGUESE TRADE
" Lin, viceroy of Kwangtung and Kwangse, &c, E. Fooy-
uen of Kwangtunt, and Yu Hoppo of Canton, &c, hereby
conjointly issue this proclamation that all men may know
and understand :
" Whereas on a previous occasion the English foreigners
continued to reside at Macao, and would not submit to be
expelled, and whereas the Portuguese foreigners dared of
their own accord, to harbour the said English, against our
express commands, therefore it was that at that time, we de-
clared the place shut, and stopped their trade.
" But now it appears that the civil and military mandarins
of Macao have petitioned us stating that the Portuguese
foreigners, after receiving our previous proclamation, were
filled with penitence and fear, and that even now all the
English are already driven out of Macao. And it further
appears that the Portuguese 'barbarian eye ' (or Weido, i.e.
Procurador) has stated to the mandarin face to lace that
after this they will never to all eternity dare to permit the
English to enter Macao or harbour them there, thus opposing
the laws, &c.
" Now this coming before us, the said Viceroy, Fooyuen,
and Hoppo, and we having duly examined the same, find
from what the civil and military native authorities have peti-
tioned us, that trom the dispositions and circumstance of
the Portuguese, these foreigners still cherish some fear of the
laws at heart, for which reason we ought to permit them to
resume their commercial intercourse as of old, thereby to
manifest (celestial) compassion ; and for as much as we now
conjointly issue this our proclamation, addressed to all the
shopkeepers of Macao, to all the traders and people of the
other provinces, and to all those employed in stowing and
transporting cargo, &c, that they may thoroughly know and
understand, all•ye who are engaged in transporting up or down
the cargo or merchandise of the Portuguese foreigners whether
export or import, after the issuing of this proclamation it is
permitted you to carry on your intercourse as heretofore in
due submission to the fixed regulations by which the said
merchandise must be sent to the Custom-house, there to be
duly inspected and taxed for duty, after which it may be con-
veyed away for consumption ; but ye are not permitted clan-
destinely to convey any goods or merchandise belonging to the
English foreigners, ur illicitly mix them up with others to go
in or out, thereby trying to to deceive us, which will lead to a
very severe investigation.
" Let every one tremble and obey ! A special proclama-
tion !
" Taoukwang, 20th year, 2d moon, 14th day.—lbid."
" Canton, March 9."
CANTON, MARCH 24.—There were some indications
among the American residents at Canton of an intention to
move to Macao, consequent upon the reports which had
reached of the impending hostilities—one of their firms had
issued a circular intimating that they found themselves under
the necessity of refusing further consignments of English
property, or commissions of any description, and it was ex-
pected there would be a general withdrawal to Macao, as
soon as they had managed to close their present business at
Canton.
It was expected that the retirement of the American firms
from Canton, in conjunction with *a new order prohibiting
vessels from going down from Whampoe with deck cargo,
and the prospect of hostilities with Britain, would materially
affect the export of tea, which some of our correspondents
do not expect to exceed 23,000,0001b5. for the season, should
a force arrive, and a fall in the price of teas seemed to be
confidently looked forward to on the Chinese finding that it
was the intention of the Americans to quit Canton.
The opium market was in a very unsettled state, some
holders being willing to sell at 500 dollars; but the more ex-
tensive dealers were holding out for 650 dollars to 700 dollars
for Patna. Freights still continue high, and first class ton-
nage was all engaged at £7 and £8 per ton.—Exchange on
England is still 4s 10d 6 mos and few transactions—on Bengal
at Rs. 222.—Singapore Free Press, April 9.

OPIUM SMOKING.—A high civilian in the metropolis of
Keaugse was denounced for having smoked opium. He at
first denied the charge, was tortured, and then confessed.
When the cause was brought before the tribunal, the cus-
tomary punishment of one hundred blows and banishment
was considered too light, and he was therefore sentenced to
be transported to Ele, in order to strike terror into evil
doors of the same description. Several officers in Shautung
have been delivered over to a court of justice on a similar
charge. Soldiers belonging to the eight standards, who were
found inhaling the noxious vapour, have been banished to
Chekeang.

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.
ARRlVED.—America, Surat, Pratt, from Manilla ; British
Sylph, Viall, from Calcutta, left Sandheads on the 18th of
January, and Singapore on the 18th of February ; Red Rover,
Wright, left Sandheads on 'the 27th of January, Singapore,
the 18th of February, and arrived at Tongkoo on the 18th of
March.

Passenger.—Per Sylph, Captain Wallace.-
Sailed.—British Penang, for Liverpool ; Caledonia, Burn,
and Charles Forbes, Wills, for Singapore and Bombay ;
Amer, Akhbar, for Manilla.
Passengers.—Per Charles Forbes, Mr. R. H. Hunter,
Capt. Dunbar.
The Good Success is expected from Bombay.
Arrived in England from China, Eliza, Lay, and Orwell,
Collard, on the 12th and 14th of November.—Canton Press,
March 21. _ _

April 24.—The Enterprise, steamer, has, we understand,
received orders to proceed to China.

INDIA.—BOMBAY.
(From the Bombay Courier, May 23d.)
A letter from Jellalabad of the 3d April confirms the re-
port of the Russians being at Khiva, and of their intention
to march upon Bokhara, as well as the imprisonment of Dost
Mahomed at the latter place. Every thing at Jellalabad was
tranquil, and officers were in the habit of riding from Canda-
har to Jellalabad attended only by three or four horsemen.
Captain Conell in this way joined the envoy.
We are informed that a despatch from Major Tood at
Herat, enclosing another from Captain. Abbott at Khiva,
reached this two days ago. The Russians, mustering 24,000
strong, and 72 pieces of ordnance, were met a few miles from
Khiva by the Khan's army, when the latter was routed by
one round of artillery. The Khan offered to give up all the
prisoners (slaves) on conditionof the withdrawal of the troops,
but the Russian general at one announced his intention of
making Khiva a permanent post. Tha Russians were met by
an embassy from Persia, and another from Bokhara. Col.
Stoddart was demanded by the Russian general, but refused
to proceed to the camp, alleging that he must be given up
to the agent of his own Sovereign. Captain Abbott, un-
furnished with either funds or credentials, was asked by,the
Russians what he was doing at Khiva, and the answer being
unsatisfactory, he is meanwhile regarded as a spy.

THE GREAT STORM IN ORISSA.
(From a Correspondent at Poolee.)
On Thursday, the 30th of April, one of the most violent
storms ever remembered in Orissa visited the station of
Pooree, and surrounding district. The wind blew very
fresh from the north-east early in the morning, and to-
wards the middle of the day increased so much as to make
everyone take precautions to guard against its violence.
The surf was unusually high and roaring, and approached
the bungalows much nearer than was at all
.pleasant. Out
offices were levelled and clouds of sand buried everything.
About six o'clock in the evening, the wind lulled, when it
was honed that the worst was over, but the disasters of the
day were as nothing in comparison with what the night
brought. The wind suddenly -shifted round to the west and
south-west, and commenced in all its fury. Every one sat
waiting for the worst, running from one room to another, as
the house gave way, and when the general crush caine, it
was fearful, the wind and rain so boisterous that no one
could stand erect exposed to them. Ladies then escaped to
their palkees, and anxiously awaited the break of day. The
darkness of the night totally prevented any communication
with one house to another, and it was not until morning that
the whole truth could be known. Alas ! every bungalow in
the station has been destroyed—not one is there that can pos-
sibly be inhabited. One solitary pucka-house stood the
buffeting of the storm, as it would appear, intended as a
refuge for the destitute. Who is there that, in cases of
severe trial and danger, has seen the coolness and kind soli-
citude of the female character, and has not admired it the
more ? It so happened, that the station at the time boasted
of a great number of grass widows, whose lords were on
duty in the district, and it is of the great kindness, added to
the utmost coolness of th 6 fair owner of the pucka-house,
that I allude. Whilst every other person was in distress and
despondency she was all energy and attention to the wants
of her numerous visitors. She it was who soothed their
feelings and administered to their wants. Although equally
in need of comfort herself, owing to the absence of her own
husband, she sought only to make her friends comfortable.
It was most providential that some families deserted their
own houses during the afternoon, and took shelter in any
secure place they could find, for had they remained they
must have perished. Entire roofs and walls came to the
ground, other houses went piece meal, rafters and thatch

Name c

porablig clowo, and pma hare ciftwors4 ategother
lion were obliged to desert their bungalows, and remain in
their palkecs on the sands the whole night, In fact, no one
has escaped, and many have lost every thing they possessed.
The drift of the sand was so great that everything was buried
several feet in it, and a most difficult task it has been to
recover property so embedded. The ruins of the houses are
almost unfit for repairs, except under a cost equal to the
original expense of building, and the whole coast presents
one scene of destruction. The city has suffered to a great
extent, indeed ; every house has been blown down, but the
immortal remains of Juggernaut remain undisturbed in his
celebrated temple. The surrounding villages have been equal
sufferers, and a camp, belonging to the revenue surveyor,
about 20 miles distant, was totally destroyed. Large trees
strew the road, and many lives have been lost in consequence.
One family, of eight persons, were crushed under one tree ;
but the loss of life has been much less than would have been
expected. I have not heard of more than 40 altogether, but
accounts may be brought in hereafter. Altogether the scene
has been one I never wish to witness again, for, independently
of the great pecuniary loss, it has been an awful visitation,
which those who have lived and experienced alone can com-
prehend.—Bomhay Courier,
Poolee, May 3, 1840.

Our letters from Jellalabad to the 12th instant, confirm
the intended movements of his Majesty Sha Soojah, the en-
voy, and the troops towards Cabul, which was to take place
on the 20th instant ; a change is much required, as the Bin-
doostanies are getting very sickly. The Europen regiment
and the 48th are to go to Kayjur, represented to be a' most
lovely spot at the foot of the Suffard Koh, 4,400 feet above
the level of the sea, and only 25 miles from Jellalabad.

One of our correspondents says—" The King of Bokhara,
has liberated all the Russian slaves, and formed an alliance
with the Russians, and it is asserted that he intends ad-
vancinc, with them to Bulleh. The chances are, therefore,
that they may come in contact with them sooner than we
expected, especially as the envoy talks of sending two or
three of the Shah's regiment across the Hindookosh. Burnes
writes that he had received numerous letters from Bokhara,
Khiva, and the other places, and that his correspondents all
agree on the subject of the strength of the Russians. The
gallant knight places the utmost confidence on these state•
ments, and concludes a letter I have seen with these words

—" Is it to be believed that so large a force has merely come
to Khiva to liberate some slaves and defend themselves
against the attacks of a few bands of undiscipline Tookmans ?"
The indefatigable Dr. Lord made another successful chupao
on a fort, within seven miles of Bameean. He battered
down the golas with six-pounders. Our loss was trilling—
one sergeant killed and a few sepoys. Few of the enemy
escaped. Our ambassador at St. Petersburgh writes that
the Russian force merely consist of 3,000 men. He appears
to have been completely gulled by that old fox, Nesseirode.
In the event of an unsuccessful attempt by General Petrouski
to restore Dost Mahomed, the whole transaction will, of
coarse, be denied, and the denial received by my Lord Pal-
merston as an ample and stisfactory explanation.—Delhi
Gazette, April 29.