The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-11-13 00:00:00

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

CHINA, INDIA, AND EGYPT.

(From the Times of Wednesday.
We have received by extraordinary express, in anticipation
of the overland mail, advices from Bombay, of the Ist of
October, from Singapore of the 13th of August, and from
China of the 3rd of July.

The lateness of the hour at which our express arrived, un-
fortunately prevents us inserting more than a portion of the
very important intelligence we have received.
The accounts from China state, that the first vessel of the
expedition-arrived there on the 9th of June, and the greatest
part of the remainder on the 21st. The next day Sir J. J.
Gordon Bremer issued a notice declaring the river and har-
bour of Canton in a state of blockade after the 28th. Capt.
Elliott had kept several ships at the mouth of the river, to
carry the blockade into effect, and ordered the rest to proceed
to the north and seize on the island of Chusan, which is
situate near the mouth of the great river Yang Tsen.
Admiral Elliott arrived off Macao on the 28th of June,
and having taken Captain Elliott on board, followed the ex-
pedition. The latter had issued proclamations to the people
along the coast, promising that their persons and property
should be respected ; and Governor Lin had, on his side,
offered rewards for the capture and destruction of the British
shipping.
The Chinese had made another unsuccessful attempt to
burn the fleet by means of fire-rafts.
The intelligence received from Affghanistan was of an un-
satisfactory nature.
The overtures made by Dost Mohamed to Schah Soodjah
turned out to be mere pretences to cover his approach to the
frontiers, and rumours had got afloat that this chief had
actually succeeded in occasioning extensive risings in Aff-
ghanistan, and that Captain Connolly had been taken pri-
soner, and his party cut to pieces by the insurgents. This
report, however, was deemed to require confirmation.
The taking of Khelat, the capital of Beloochistan, by the
son of Mehrab Khan, was confirmed. The city was de-
livered into his hands by the chief appointed by the British
political agent, and the latter, and a small body of troops left
under his orders, were made prisoners. The revolters had
likewise attacked the town and fort of Kahun, but had been
repulsed by the garrison under the command of Capt. Brown.
Major Clibborn marched from Sukkur on the 12th August,
for the purpose of relieving the besieged, but being met on
the 31st of August in the defile of Poolajee by a large body of
Murrees and Belooches, who had cut up the road, and
strongly intrenched themselves in the mountains, he was un-
able to force the passage. The British detachment was ac-
cordingly obliged to retreat, with the loss of 4 officers and
250 Sepoys killed, and that of the convoy under its escort.
On receipt of this disastrous intelligence the Bombay go-
vernment immediately forwarded reinforcements to Belooch-
istan, and it was expected that 10,000 men would shortly be
in readiness to take the field against the insurgents.
No fears were entertained of an attack from the Nepau-
lese • the British government had nevertheless deemed it
prudent to take the necessary measures for the protection of
our dominions on that side.

The fortifications of Herat were advancing rapidly, but as
treachery was apprehended from Yar Mahomed, it was
thought that a British force would be marched to garrison
the city.

PRIVATE CORRESPONDENCE.
BOMBAY, SEPT. 30.—There is now much excitement in
this city, and great eagerness for intelligence from Egypt,
from Beloechistan, from Affghanistati, and from China.
The news from Egypt is of the highest interest, as there
are fears that a war may be caused by Mehemet Ali, and that
all communications through Egypt with Europe may be
stopped. This interest is increased by the fact that there are
French ships of war moving about the entrance of the Red
Sea, with the intention, it is said, of taking possession of the
Abyssinian port of Zehla.
There was lately a French ship of war, with the guns in
hold, in the port of Aden, and holding communication with
the Arabs on the Asiatic and African shores. Great suspicion
exists of their proceedings. It has not been lessened by the
conduct of the Dordogne, Captain Guillian, which ship ar-
rived here on the 2d instant from Muscat. After a stay of
20 days Captain Guillian suddenly ordered all his guns to be
loaded, as if he dreaded some obstacles in going out of the
harbour, and without firing a salute, set sail, as it is said, for
the Red Sea. So sudden was his departure, that he left a
quantity of flour in the hands of a baker. It is believed, that
as there are several French ships expected on the Abyssinian
coast, this captain has gone as quickly as possible to take
possession of Zehla, a port which is described as commanding
fully the entrance into the Red Sea. Massuah is also spoken
of as being a place of which the French wish to obtain pos-
session. There is no British ship of war on the whole coast
of India! The steamer Bercnice, which takes this mail, has
been armed for the occasion.

My last letter stated the capture of Khelat, the capital of
Beloochistan, by the son, or rather the widow, of Mehrab
Khan, killed there last year. The former, in whose name
the revolt has been carried on, is but a boy of twelve years.
The chief whom the British political agent had last year placed
on the musnud or throne made terms for himself, and sur-
rendered the town. Lieutenant Loveday, the British agent,
who commanded a small force there, was taken prisoner, and
has been removed to Moostung.
The town and fort of Kahun, the capital of one of the
wildest of the Beloochee tribes, has been besieged by the
Murrees ; but Captain Browne, who commanded there, had
defended it with great gallantry. Major Clifford, of the
Bombay Grenadiers, set out on the 12th of August from
Sukkar, in order to relieve Kahun. His detachment con-
sisted of 600 Sepoys, 250 Poonah horse, and 2 guns, having
a train of 1000 camels, besides bullocks laden with provisions,
ammunition, &c. He passed with great difficulty through
the defiles of the mountains called the pass of Poolajee. On
the 31st ult., on entering a defile where two men could with
difficulty walk abreast, the road was found to be cut up ; two
companies were sent forward to clear the pass, over which
the Murrees and other Beloochees appeared in numbers and
kept up a brisk lire. The officers leading thecompanies were
killed, and the sepoys fell back on the main body. The Be-
loochees followed, and for some time a smart conflict was
carried on man to man. The guns fired some rounds of
grape, which did great execution, but' eventually they were
spiked, and the British detachment retreated, leaving the
provisions, ammunition, and camels, in the hands of the
enemy, with four officers and two hundred and fifty men killed.
The Beloochees are said to have lost 200 men, but have gained
a great booty. The names of the officers killed are—Captain
Raitt and Lieutenant Franklin, of the Ist, and Lieutenant R.
R. Moore and Ensign Williams, of the 2d Grenadiers. Cap-
tain Heighington, of the former regiment, has died of fatigue.
Lieutenant Lock, of the cavalry, is wounded, but is expected
to recover. This disaster has produced a gloom, and great
fears for the safety of Kahun, notwithstanding the great gal-
lantry of Captain Browne, who it is said has seized 40 camels
laden with corn, which the Beloochees were taking by the
fort. The Bombay government is making every exertion to
send reinforcements to Beloochistan, and the steamers have
been busy during the whole of this week in taking troops to
Hurrachee. It is expected there will be soon 10,000 men on
the Indus ready to commence operations against the moun-
taineers. It is, however, apprehended that the campaign
may be prolonged by other revolts, and that the conquest of
the savage robbers and wholesale plunderers of these moun-
tainous districts will never be worth the blood and treasure
it will cost.

This disastrous rencontre with the Murrees will it is feared
contribute to sharpen the hatred of the Afghans towards
Schah Soojah, and bring on revolts in other places near the
Indus. The activity and energy of the British government
must, therefore, be very great in making effective arrange-
ments to the northward. The fortifications of Herat have
been advanced considerably, but it is said that as Yar Ma-
homed is disposed to act perfidiously, and to sell it to the
Persians, a British force will be sent thither to insure its
safety. The best policy of the British government would
seem now to be, as the Indian army must be increased, to
make levies among, the Affghans and Beloochees, who are
willing soldiers, and the bravest races in India. They would
serve to conquer China.
The rumours of an immediate war with ale Nepaulese have
died away. The Supreme Government is, however, resolved
to be prepared in case the Emperor of China should order
his vassals of Nepaul to invade the British territory, and va-
rious corps have received orders to hold themselves in readi-
ness for marching towards those frontiers.
The last news from China is of the 3d of July. The first
vessel of the expedition arrived there on the 9th of June, and
the greater part of it On the 21st.
On the 22d Sir J. J. Gordon Bremer issued a notice that
a blockade of all the entrances of the river, and of the port
of Canton, would commence on the 28th. A third attempt
was made by fire-rafts to burn the fleet, but the attempt was
ineffectual. Parcels of tea were poisoned, in order to be sold
to the sailors, but they were taken by prirates, who sold them
to the Chinese on shore, and many died from drinking that
beverage. Captain Elliot has issued several notifications of
great importance. Having left several vessels to carry on an
effective blockade, the rest of the expedition set sail for the
northward, in order to take possession of the island of Chu-
san, not far from the mouth of the great river Yang-Tsen, on
which the southern capital of China (Nankin) is situate.
On the 28th Admiral Elliott arrived, and having commu-
nicated with the Portuguese governor of Macao, with whom
friendly arrangements continue, took Captain Elliott on
board, and proceeded to join the expedition. Captain Elliott
has given notice to the Chinese inhabitants of the sea coast
that their persons and property will be respected, and that
the conduct of Lin shall be made known to the emperor.
.The Chinese government has issued a proclamation, offering
rewards for the capture and destruction of the British ships
of war, and of each British subject.

In Bombay the preparations-continue for the campaign in
Besoochistan. The governor, Sir J. R. Carnac, Bart., is
coming from Poonah to Khandallah, a short distance from
this city. In order to produce no delay by his absence,
Major-General Sir T. Willshire, Bart., goes to Europe by
this steamer. The monsoon has been favourable, and the
fall of rain in most districts is considered to secure an abun-
dant harvest.

Miss Emma Roberts died at Poonah on the 17th instant
unexpectedly.
OCT. I.—The departure of the steamer was postponed for
24 hours in consequence of the non-arrival of the last over-
land mails and the
.government express from Calcutta, but,
as they have come in, the steamer will positively start this
morning.
The latest vows from Sipgapore is to the 13th of August ;
it contains nothing remarkable. I send you the Free Press
of that date.
The steamer Hugh Lindsay arrived this morning from
Kurachee. The rnmour of an approaching revolt in Aff-
ghanistan bad been current, but 1 know not on what
authority. _

The government bills on the supreme court of Calcutta
continue to sell at a premium.

CHINA.

"PUBLIC NOTICE OF BLOCKADE OF THE RIVER AND PORT

OF CANTON.

"By Sir James John Gordon Bremer, Knight, C. 13., K.C.H ,
Commodore of the first class, and Commander-in-Chief of
Her Britannic Majesty's ships and vessels of war, em-
ployed, and to be employed, on the East India station and

seas adjacent.
" In pursuance of the commands of Her Britannic Ma-
jesty's government, I do hereby give notice that a blockade
of the river and port of Canton by all its entrances will be
established on and after the 28th inst.
" Given under my hand on board Her Britannic Majesty's
ship the Wellesley, in Macao Roads, this 22d day of June,
1840,
"J. J. GORDON BREMER.
"By command of the Commander-in-Chief,
" W. DYER, Secretary.
By Sir James John Gordon Bremer, Knt., C. 8., K-C-11.,
Commodore of the first class, and Commander-in-Chief of
Her Britannic Majesty's ships and vessels employed, and
to be employed, on the East India station and seas adja-
cent.

With a view to the convenience of British and other
foreign merchant ships resorting to the coast of China in ig-
norance of the blockade of the river and port of Canton, no-
tice is hereby given, that the senior officer of that station has
been instructed to permit them to repair to, and remain at,
any anchorage in the neighbourhood of the port which he
may see fit to indicate from time to time.
" Until further notice, it is to be understood that the an-
chorages of rendezvous for such purposes of convenience are
Capsingmoon and Macao Roads.
"'Given under my hand on board Her Britannic Majesty's
ship Wellesley in Macao Roads, this 22d day of June, 1840,
J. J. GORDON BREMER.
" By command of the Commander-in-Chief,
" W. DYER, Secretary."

Her Majesty's ships and transports in the Chinese waters
on the 23rd of June, 1840, forming part of the expedition to
China.
Her Majesty's ship Druid 44, Captain Smith, her Majea•

ty's ship Volage, Captain Warren, and her Majesty's ship
Hyacinth.
Arrived.-9th instant, her Majesty's ship Alligator, 28,
Kuper, captain ; 16th, Hon. Company's armed steamer
Madagascar, Captain Dicey •, 21st, her Britannic Majesty's
ships Wellesley, 74 guns, Capt. T. Maitland, bearing the
broad pennant of Commodore Sir J. J. Gordon Bremer;
Cruiser, 16, Mr. H. W. Giffard commander; Algerine, 10,
Mr. T. S. Mason commander •, and Rattlesnake troop-ship,
Mr. Brodie commander; Hon. East India Company's
steamers, Queen, Captain Warden ; Atalanta, Capt. Rogers,
and with the transports, Blundell, Trail; David Malcolm,
Malcolm; Defiance, Evatt ; Eagle; Edmonstone, Macdou-
gal ; Ernaad, Hill; Indian Oak, Rayne; Isabella Robert-
son, Cole ; John Adams. Eales ; Medusa, Purdie ; Mermaid,
Sedgwick ; Rahomany, Landers ; Rustornjee Cowasjee, Gal-
lic ; Stalkart, Dixon ; Sulimany, Macfarlane ; Victoria,
Potter; William Wilson, Hawkins, from Singapore, 22;
her Majesty's ship Conway, 28th, C. D. Bethune, captain ;
Larne, 20, Captain J. P. Blake, with transports ; Elizabeth
Ainslie, Lyster ; Futtach Salem, Gillet; Mahomed Schah,
Ovenstone, from Singapore, 11th instant.
The above list of arrivals in the Chinese waters has refer-
ence tilp the most important event that has ever been our
fortriffe to record in the pages of the Canton Register—the
presence of an armed British force in the Chinese empire,
to enforce reparation for injuries done to British subjects,
and the restitution of spoliated British property.
The first arrival of this armament was her Majesty's ship
Alligator, on the 28th, Captain Kuper, between 2 and 3
o'clock, a. m., on the 9th instant, in the Capsingmoon, at the
very moment that the Chinese officers had sent in about 18
fire-rafts, constructed of old outside fishing-boats and some
cargo boats, chained together two and two, and filled with
combustible matter of all descriptions, to burn the British
shipping.

The beet did not suffer any damage from these rafts, set
adrift before the wind and tide, and they were speedily
towed on shore by the boats of the squadron.
Thus, at the very instant of his arrival, Captain Kuper
found his countrymen and the Chinese engaged in hostilities.
We may here repeat, that previous to this third attempt
to burn the English!fleet. the Chinese government had sent a
boat-load of poisoned tea, packed in small parcels, to be sold
to the sailors ; this nefarious attempt, it is reported, was
thus discovered. The boat was captured by pirates, who sold
her cargo to their fellow-countrymen. Many deaths followed
the use of the poisoned tea, so many, indeed, that it is said
the attention of the district magistrates was drawn to the
circumstances.

The Allegator brought the overland mail of the 4th of
March, and was followed by the Hon. East India Company's
armed steamer Madagascar, Captain Dicey, which vessels
arrived on the 16th inst. On the 15th and 20th her Ma-
jesty's ship Alligator and the Hon. East India Company's
steamer Madagascar respectively anchored' in the roads, and
saluted the city of Macao with 19 guns, which on both occa-
sions was immediately returned by the Franciscan Fort.
Her Majesty's ship of the line, Wellesley, bearing the
broad pennant of Commodore Sir James John Gordon
Bremer, Knight, C. 8., K.C.H., Commander-in-Chief on
the India station, arrived last Sunday, the 12th inst., with
her Majesty's ships Cruiser, Algerine, Rattlesnake (troop-
ship), the East India Company's armed steamers the Queen
and Atalanta, and 18 sail of transports in company, having
on board her Majesty's 49th, 26th (Cameronians), 18tli
(Royal Irish), the Sepoy volunteers from Calcutta, and a de-
tachment of sappers and miners from Madras. We are happy
to report that the troops have arrived in the highest condition
of health and spirits, under the command of Col. Burrell.
On Monday evening two of the squadron, with some of
the transports, proceeded to the northward; and this morn-
ing her Britannic Majesty's ship Wellesley, with the rest of
the squadron, except those hereafter mentioned, stood to the
southward to join the transports said to be outside, after
which junction the whole squadron and transports will pro-
ceed to the northward.

Her Majesty's ships Druid, Volage, Hyacinth, Larne, and
the Hon. Company's armed steamer Madagascar, remain to
enforce the blockade of the river and port of Canton by all
its entrances, which blockade is to be established under the
strictest form on Sunday next, the 28th instant.
Two transports, with troops, are also left under the com-
mand of the senior officer, probably with a view of protect-
ing this settlement, or to ulterior operations in this province
on the arrival of Adml. Elliott.—Canton Register, June 25.
The point of destination to the northward we know not ;
we have not authority on which we can raise even a surmise;
the movement may have been made merely for the purpose
of gaining a higher latitude, and placing the fleet beyond the
range of typhoons ; but we fervently hope the object of the
expedition is to take possession of Tinghae district, in the
province of Chekeang—in other words, of the island of Chu-
san ; and, with the overpowering force that has already sail-
ed, we think this object could be attained without spilling a
drop of blood. This island bears nearly the same relation
to the province of Chekeang, as the Isle of Wight does to.
Hampshire. In possession of this fair, fertile, and populous
spot as head-quarters, and the military possession of this
district would be a severe blow to the Imperial Government,
for part of the celestial territory would then be in the hands
of strangers ; thence a mission might be sent to the Pei-ho,
or north river, which is navigable for large boats up to the
city of Tungchowfoo, 12 miles east by south from Pekin.
We have little doubt that should a mission be sent, as a po-
litic and friendly preliminary proceeding becoming a civilised
nation and the high standing of England, it will fail. No
answer will be given, much less positive and satisfactory
answers. It will be ordered away, her Majesty's ships will
be ordered to leave the Chinese waters, and the British
troops to evacuate Tinghae ; then the imperial dragon may
deign to give an answer—but not till then. In the then
emergency it rests with the Commanders-in-chief to adopt
such measures as to compass the objects of the expedition—
which are to obtain reparation for the insults and injuries
offered to her Majesty's superintendent and her Majesty's
subjects by the Chinese Government ; and, in the second
place, they were to obtain for the merchants trading with
China an indemnification for the loss of their property, in-
curred by threats of violence offered by persons under the
direction of the Chinese Government ; and, in the last place,
they were to obtain a certain security that persons and pro-
perty in future trading with China shall be protected from
insult or injury, and that their trade and commerce be main-
tained upon a proper footing.