The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1843-11-28 00:00:00

FOREIGN COLONIAL INTELLIGENCE.

DR. WOLFF'S MISSION TO BOKEIARA.-Dr. Wolff
reached Constantinople on the 3rd instant, on his way to
Bokbara, to ascertain the fate of Lieut.-Colonel Stoddart
and Capt. Connolly. The object of his mission meets
with general sympathy in Constantinople.
Accounts have been received at Lloyds', from the Cape
of Good Hope, containing intelligence of a dreadful
storm on the night of the 26th of August, in and off the
coast of Algoa Bay, by which four valuable ships, valued
at between £300,000 and -C-100,000, were lost, as also seve-
ral lives. The first vessel lost was the Elizabeth Rowell,
of 320 tons. She weathered the storm for several hours,
but was at length driven a-shore, and shortly afterwards
went to pieces, her commander, Captain Wake, and his
crew, having saved themselves by taking to the long boat.
She had a miscellaneous cargo of considerable value.—
About midnight, during the raging of the storm, the bar-
que Seagull, 239, was seen to make for the bay, which she
ultimately reached, but suddenly foundered. and every
soul on board, fifteen in number, including the Captain,
Mr. Murray, perished. By this catastrophe, 10 widows
and 25 children were left destitute.—Another vessel, the
Laura, was also lost, with all hands, in Algoa Bay, dur-
ing tile storm, the sea at the time running completely
over her, and dashing her with violence on the beach,
where in a few hours she went to pieces. This vessel
belonged to her ill-fated commander, Mr. Crockley, and
was from the port of Chester.—The Delhi, Mr. Byron
commander and owner, built at Shoreham, in 1833, was
also lost within a few miles of the spot where the Eiiza-
beth Rowell was wrecked, but the crew were saved. It
is feared, from the violence of the hurricane, that many
other vessels were lost. The Elizabeth Rowell was built
in 1839, at Sunderland, and the Seagull was launched at
Montrose, 1811.

WEST INDIES

The Royal West India mail packet Tweed arrived at
Southampton on Tuesday having left St. Thomas on the
]6t instant.

The files of West India journals give very few interest-
ing facts. However, it would appear that better health is
prevailing in all the colonies, and that little or no sickness
has been experienced in the leading islands. The weather,
in an agricultural point of view, was certainly more fa-
vourable ; and though in isolated cases it is stated (as in
reference to St. Mary's parish, Jamaica,) that the drought
was still severely felt, there is every reason to believe that,
generally speaking, the late rains have proved amply suf-
ficient for invigorating the plantations. An estimate of
the loss of property by the fire in Kingston is published
in the Jamaica Times, and the amount is represented at
£93,925. About 350 houses were either totally burnt or
partially destroyed. The House of Assembly was on the
eve of opening, but nothing appeared to be known of the
topics which it was likely the Governor's speech would
embrace. Before the next mail leaves for England, the
House will have been in debate a fortnight, so that then
we shall be enabled to gather something of the prospects
of the Jamaica Parliament.

At Barbados and Trinidad political and commercial
affairs are discussed in a peaceable manner. The appear-
ance of the crops in both islands, under the beneficial
influence of the change in the weather, is spoken of as
highly encouraging. At Trinidad complaints are made of
taxes under the new road ordinance pressing with double
severity on the cocoa planter, as compared with the sugar
planter.

The summary of the Demerara news is, that the arrivals
had not of late been numerous ; all the vessels from
Europe have had long passages, while there were many
then overdue. The markets were, however, abundantly
supplied for present demand with all articles of provisions,
except Carolina rice. Exports were abundant, with few
speculators in the market. Exchange had slightly ad-
vanced, private bills selling at 465 dol. to 467 dol.
On the general prospects of the colony the Guiana
Herald has the following :
" By the mail immediately preceding the present one,
private advices to ourselves and others in this community
were received, stating that considerable reaction had taken
place in England in favour of the West Indies, and that
the satisfactory state of the money market in Great Bri-
tain would operate favourably towards us. It was also
communicated, that Lord Stanley, distinctly refusing
consent to Coolie immigration, had, at the same time,
expressed his intention to favour the emigration of Chi-
nese labourers to the West Indies from our ports in the
East, under indentures of five years. A confirmation of
these very cheering tidings is now anxiously looked for.
It was scarcely expected by the present mail, as it was
known that Lord Stanley was the only minister remaining
in London. but is somewhat confidently expected by our
next advices from Great Britain."

ROMAN CATHOLICS IN CHlNA.—Extract of a letter
from Hong Kong, July 24 :—" There is a splendid Ca-
tholic Church here, with seven or eight Jesuits—ltalian,
French, Spanish, and Chinese 1 About seven or eight
masses every day, commencing at half-past five, the last
being about nine. It is a glorious sight on a morning. at
a place two years ago entirely uninhabited—now streets
rising and great edifices forming—to see a Catholic church
completed, and the religion of the state, the Anglicans
left to pray, as they best may in a mat hut. It is not the
last that I exult at, but it is odd, and it argues little life
for so potent a body to be so badly off. But to see in
the Catholic church realised the very dream of Tom
Moore, as related in his ' Travels of an Irish gentleman'
—to see kneeling on its peerless areas a representative of
every nation under Heaven—English, Spanish, French,
Italian, Portuguese, Irish, Lascars, and various nations
of India, in their picturesque costumes, Chinese, &c.,
whites, blacks, tawny, copper, and all colours under
which the form of man has ever appeared, soldiers and
civilians, excites a feeling more than I can express. To
behohl the altar successively occupied by men of different
nations and languages, and to behold all equally inter-
ested—equally attentive—equally collected, and busied
about the same thing, displays an unity which those who
differ from us have no idea of. It shows the wisdom of
the church irr adhering to an ancient tongue in her
liturgy; for what language would you make use of here,
where not two of the congregation can convesse with one
another ?"—Tablet—(a Roman Catholic Paper.)
Loss OF THE STEAMER SARAH BARNES, AND OF
SIXTEEN LIVE s.—On the 24th ult. at noon, she crossed
the Galveston bar for this port. On the next morning,
the 25th, a considerable leak was discovered in her hold.
All the pumps were set, but they were able to keep her
free but for a short time only. At nine o'clock a.m., when
about seventy-five miles from Galveston, it having been
found that the water was gaining on the pumps, and that
both wind and sea were increasing, the Captain deter-
mined to run her into the Sabine river; but, believing the
accomplishment of even this doubtful, from the rapid
manner in which the leak increased, he concluded to run
on the nearest shore. He directed her course accordingly,
the whole crew and passengers being in the meantime en-
gaged in baling her out. At half-past two o'clock, p.m.
the water, notwithstanding their exertions, had ascended
to the fires and the engine. Further efforts to counteract
the leak were therefore unavailing, and to save their lives
became the concern of all on board. They then set about
making rafts of the cotton bales, four bales to a raft, and
up. lashed together some spars for other rafts. She was now
It has already been mentioned that resolutions have sinking rapidly; the lead was heaved, and there were
been laid before the Canadian Parliament, on the subject found six fathoms of water. There was no confusion or
of the location to be adopted for the seat of government. complaining; all seemed to be impressed with their peril-
in substance recommending the selection of Montreal, and ous position, and to save their lives was the object that
that, in the legislative council, the government were engrossed their attention. Orders were given to cast off
placed in a minority. A meeting was subsequently held the boat's painter, and while doing this she sunk, it being
at Montreal, at which resolutions in favour of the re- then forty-five minutes past four o'clock in the afternoon.
moval to that city were adopted, and the assembly called There were on board altobether thirty souls ; of these
upon their representatives to support the government on eighteen went on the rafts and twelve took the boat. Of
this question.
the former about five were saved, after drifting about three
The advices from Mexico offer evidence that Santa days and three nights. Two of them landed on Galveston
Anna was perversely embroiling himself on every side. Island and the other three on Bolivar point. Of the lat-
Troubles are growing up all around him. The British ter but three perished, who were passengers, two males
minister had informed his countrymen, that all corres- and a female, and they were lost in the breakers in landing
pondence with Mexico was broken off till he heard from from the boat on the 26th.—New York Sun.
England. One writer says, "we may expect a British
fleet here soon," and another observes, "at present the
affair looks as if Santa Anna would soon have the English COLONEL STODDART AND CAPT. CONOLLY.
thundering about his ears." Santa Anna seemed to be
of a similar opinion ; for it was said that he was about to
depart for Vera Cruz, "to put his fortifications there in a The following letter has appeared in the columns of a
fit state of defence against the attacks of the English." contemporary :
The commissioners from Campeachy arrived at the capi- " TO THE REV. JOSEPH WOLFF.
tal on the 3d ult. ; but no arrangements were made with " Meerut, Sept. 18, 1843.
them, and they were ordered to quit Mexico within forty- " REVEREND AND DEAR SIR,—I have just perused
eight hours. It was also rumoured that an angry corres- your letter of the 2d of July last, in which you so nobly
pondence had taken place between the Mexican govern- offer to proceed to Bokhara, for the purpose of procuring
went and the United States minister on the subject of the the release of those enterprising officers, Colonel Stoddart
annexation of Texas to the union. A new tariff was about and Captain Conolly, both of whom I had once the plea-
to be issued, augmenting the duties to the extent of 60 per sure to know personally, and with the latter of whom I
cent. It was believed that a decree was forthcoming was on the most friendly and intimate terms. Had it been
which would prohibit foreigners from penetrating into the my good fortune to be present in England when your let-
interior of the country. ter first appeared, I should not have hesitated for an in-
The advices from Galveston are to-the 14th ult. stant to accept the invitation which you gave to any Bri-
The proposed sale of the Texian navy, which was ad- tish officer to accompany you ; and I feel assured we could
vertised to take place on the 14th 41,i-wit, had excited al- have manag, -d between us to raise sufficient money for the
most universal discontent and reprobation. parpose. Even now, if I am not unhappily too late, I
There had been a total failure of the cotton crop on the offer myself as your companion ; and I have just despatched
Brazos, Henry, and Colorado rivers, caused by a succes- a letter to the secretary of the relief committee, urging
sion of heavy rains In the lower country. The planters in that a sufficient sum may be placed at your disposal to use
the upper country were more fortunate.
in any case of necessity ; and I am not without hope that
The pecan-nut cropino inconsiderable source of re. my suggestion may be attended to.
venue in Western Texas) will not amount to one-tenth of " Though not enjoying the pleasure of your personal
that of last year. Corn was abundant everywhere; and acquaintance, lam sufficiently acquainted with your cha-
the little experimental crops of sugar, wheat, oats, and racter to feel confident that you are of all men the most
tobacco had turned out well. likely to succeed in the ohject you at present have in view.
I heard much of you when you were in India from our
mutual friends Darcy Todd and poor Arthur Conolly him-
self. My own name may be not quite unknown to you,
as one of those British officers who fell into 'the hands of
Akbar Khan in the retreat from Cabul, in January, 1842,
and who, after a captivity of more than eight months,
experienced so wonderful and unlooked-for a deliverance
when on the point of being carried into Turkistan with
their wives and families. The remembrance of my own
most providential liberation arms me with all the neces-
sary confidence and resolution for joining in this effort in
behalf of my less fortunate countrymen, who are still,
perhaps, languishing in a miserable imprisonment at Bok-
hara. To be in the most remote degree instrumental in
their deliverance I should esteem the greatest happiness
that could befal me, and, if when this letter shall reach
your hands, no more suitable companion should have
offered himself, we might perhaps manage to meet each
other at Bombay or some other place, thence to proceed
by whatever route shall seem to you most feasible. I
should not despair of reaching Bokhara in safety by the
route of Cabul, because I know that both Dost Mahomed
Khan, and his son, Mahomed Akbar, are interested in
the fate of Stoddart, with whom they were once shut up
in the same prison at Bokhara, and formed a personal
friendship in consequence. They would therefore be likely
to afford every facility to such a journey as you contem-
plate, and they might even feel some gratification in seeing
one why had been so recently a prisoner in their hands
appearing with so much confidence amongst them again,
and trusting to their feelings of humanity. The Khiva
route, however, which you propose, seems the most free
from risk, and easiest of accomplishment to one starting
direct from England.
" I will now tell you all I have been able to learn about
our two captive countrymen.
" The last authentic intelligence was contained in two
letters from Arthur Conolly himself to his brother John,
then a hostage at Cabul, in the summer of 1842, in which
he drew a melancholy picture of their situation in a pri-
son at Bokhara. For four months they had no change of
raiment, their dungeon was in a most filthy and unwhole-
some state, and teemed with vermin to a degree that ren-
dered life a burden. Stoddart was reduced to a skeleton,
and his body was covered with putrid sores. They had
with great difficulty prevailed on one of their keepers to
represent their wretched condition to the King, and were
then awaiting his reply, having committed themselves to
God, in the full assurance that unless soon released, death
must shortly terminate their sufferings. The King was
always described to us by the Affghans as a horrid and
merciless tyrant, being subject to fits of insanity, during
the continuance of which all around him trembled for
their lives. This picture of him may be overcharged, but
if true it is almost destructive of hope.
" You have, of course, heard the story derived through
Colonel Sheil, from a Persian who professed to have ac-
tually seen the graves in which Stoddart and Conolly had
been buried. This story has, however, been contradicted
by two highly respectable Jews, both of whom I know
intimately, and whom I believe to be honest, upright
men. They have received letters from friends at Bokhara
mentioning both officers as still alive ; and information
has been received from other quarters that the two graves
were those of two servants who had offended the King.
There was a popular belief at the time of their execution
that they were British officers, and this may have been
what misled Colonel Sheil's informant.
" Since writing the foregoing, I have received a reply
to my application from the Cabul Relief Committee, who
regret that they are debarred by the rules of the fund
from placing any money at your disposal, but expressing
their readiness to assist your undertaking to the utmost
of their power.
" Should my public duty in this country interfere with
the private wishes I have here expressed, you will still
believe I take the greatest interest in your proceedings,
and shall rejoice with all my heart to hear of your suc-
cess. God be with you, my dear Sir.
" Believe me yours, very faithfully,
" VINCENT EYRE,
" Lieutenant of the Horse Artillery."

The passengers by the Madrid mail to Paris were at-
tacked and robbed by banditti on the 18th inst.
Mr. "Macready is said to have netted 8,000 dollars by
his engagement at the Park Theatre, New York, and had
proceeded to Philadelphia.
The consecration of the cathedral of Versailles took
place on Sunday week. The building was commenced one
hundred years ago.

BISHOP'S COLLEGE, CALCUTTA.—The Society for the
Propagation of the Gospel having requested its president,
the Archbishop of Canterbury, to nominate a professor of
Bishop's College in the place of Mr. Walter Kyte Coles,
deceased, his Grace has been pleased to appoint Mr.
George, Weideman, fellow of Catherine-hall, Cambridge.
1"-BRAZIL.—The following, from the agent at Falmouth,
was posted in the Exchange Newsroom on Sunday :
"The Brazilian minister at Monte Video had directed
the imperial naval commander to withhold the recognition
of the blockade of that port till the arrival of fresh instruc-
tions from the court at Rio. The French Consul-General
at Monte Video had posted in his office an official notice,
by order of his government, to the effect that the French
government required that Frenchmen should preserve the
same neutrality of attitude and conduct which France
herself wishes to maintain, and that the protection of the
national flag will be withheld from those who oppose."
THE Loss or THE MEMNON.—We have much plea-
sure in announcing, that Lieutenant Edward Walter Agar
and Miss Dalzell (passengers), with the remainder of the
crew of the ill-fated Memnon, arrived safely at Aden on
the 9th of September. A letter received by the last mail
from Lieutenant Agar, dated " Aden, Sept. 13." after
describing their dreadful sufferings from thirst and the
heat of the sun, &c., confirmatory of the accounts already
published, goes on to state, that on the 2d, at noon, the
Hon. Company's brig of war Tigris (to all of them a
truly welcome sight) was seen rounding the Hulloola
point, with the preconcerted signal flying. About sunset
she anchored ; the unfortunate sufferers were speedily on
board, and in a few da3s happily landed at Aden.
" PROPERTY" IN AMERICA.—On Tuesday, at one
o'clock, an estate in Maryland, United States of America,
comprising about 12,470 acres, was put up for sale at the
Auction Mart. It was described to be rich in timber and
mineral rosources, and it was stated that a similar pro-
perty in England would be worth some hundred thou-
sands of pounds. It is bounded on the south by the
Chesopeake and Ohio canal, the Baltimore and Ohio
railway, and the river Potomac, and on the north by the
Great Western turnpike road from Baltimore and Wash-
ington to the Western States, and is only 17 days' jour-
ney from England. Some of the oak trees growing upon
it were 100 feet high and 60 feet from the lower limb, and
and the pines were 120 feet high. Not a single bidding
was offered, though the property had been most extensive-
ly advertised. To be sure not. Every man of sense
and honesty " repudiated" all idea of any such purchase.
—Morning paper.

IRON SHIP-BUILDING IN AMERICA.—Much as we
have gone on increasing in the number of vessels built of
iron during the past twenty. five years, America seems to
be keeping up with us in the use of that material for ship-
building. Besides the number of steam-vessels now em-
ployed in that country, the Government fleet, which al-
ready embraces several iron ships of large tonnage, is now
shortly to be augmented by many additional large-size
vessels, and six iron revenue cutters—four to be fitted
with Hunter's submerged wheel, and two with Erickson's
propellers; four of these vessels are for the Atlantic, one
for Lake Erie, and one for Ontario ; they are all 140 feet
long, 23 feet beam, and 10 feet deep in hold, will have
three masts, and be schooner rigged. The Government
are also building one iron vessel for the use of the topo-
graphical engineers, 96 feet long, 18 feet 6 inches beam,
and hold 8 feet, propelled by two of Hunter's submerged
wheels, 8 feet in diameter by 22 inches wide, and the pad-
dles 10 inches deep ; and at Erie an iron
steam frigate is
being built of 700 tons burthen, and will be in operation
next season ; she will be propelled by the common pad-
dle-wheel, with two inclined low-pressure engines. These
are all we are at present aware of as being in the course
of completion, which, however, taken into considerationw.
the numerous iron ships which have been built in
this country (Mr. John Laird, of Birkenhead, alone has
erected forty-five), and some on the continent, with the
great success which uniformly attends them as fast boats,
:‘ than problematical that an era has arrived in
of navigation, and that gradually, but slowly,
used in the construction of ships will
vPr..ll" distributed and most useful
-- ter economy, speed, and

A very successful herring fishing has sprung up in Loch-
fine this week, and the produce has been transshipped
from this port, per steamers, to Liverpool, Manchester,
Birmingham, &c. The fishermen were taken quite by
surprise, and had to put every box, barrel, creel ,and yes-
" —hatever description in requisition, to convey the
a profitable market. Forty-eight large
-n barrels of fresh herrings were ship-
and a considerable number more
for markets

sel of v

finny tribe t

isunng

ie Liverpool steamers,
—Greenock Advertiser

in the sister k