The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-05-07
RED TICLES.
FOREIGN ITEMS.

INDIA AND CHINA.-The Prometheus steam
boat, which left Alexandra as late as the 22d OF
March, has brought advices from Canton to the
9Th Of January, from Calcutta to the 18th, and
from Bombay to the 29th of February. Lord
Auckland arrived in Calcutta ON the 18th OF
February, and was actively engaged in forward
ing and completing the preparations against
China. The expedition was be ready by the
1st of May, and was to consist of the following
troops
The 2lst and oath regiments, with two regl-
ments of native Infantry from Bengal, one regi-
ment of the Line, four of native Infantry, one
regiment of Artillery, and one of Engineers from
Madras; and one regiment of the line from Cey-
lon, making in the whole force of about lO,0O0
men, which was to be ready to proceed to Its des-
tination by the list May.
That destination was supposed to be the Island
of Formosa, but it was the opinion of the best
informed persons that the object of the Governor
General was rather to alarm than to subdue the
Chinese, and to bring them to a proper sense OF
the value of English commerce and friendly re-
lations. The whole armament was to be placed
under the command of Lieut. Gen. Sir II. Ar
buthnot, while Generals Oglander and Walker
would act under his orders.
Nothing had occurred at Canton to render 1T
probable that commercial intercourse would b
renewed; on the contrary, an attempt by Cap
tain-Eliott to induce Commissioner Lin to allow
the resumption of legal traffic had been met by
positive refusal, and statement that the Empe-
ror of China had positively intcrdicted all trade
between his subjects and the English, and had
ordered that no British goods should, upon any
pretence, be admitted Upon this point Com
missioner Lin had issued new edict, prohibit
ing the conveyance and introduction of the pro-
duce and manufacturer of this country i'll foreign
vessels.
ENGLAND AND NAPLES.
There has been for some time serious mlsuI-
IL n...A. o,,1 IL
tan governments, growing out of alleged viola
tions of treaties ON the part of the latter more
especially in regard to the duty demanded upon
the export Of sulphur. 1t is rumored that there
have been violent dissensions in the British cab
met as to the proper course to be pursued II Is
said that blockade has finally been determined
upon A correspondent of the National writing
from Messina, says
can unexpected piece of news has Just reach
ed us. Sicily is threatened with blockade by
England. Already eight vessels OF war belong
ing to that nation are, it is reported, to be sent
against the Island. However exaggerated may
havebeen the number of naval forces intended
to make demonstration upon the coast oil the
kingdom of Sicily, it is certain that the Neapo-
Titan government is embarking with all possible
speed troops to be opposed to the Decentralization
of the English navy. The arrival of the 10th
Regiment of the Line is already announced at
Messna, and to accelerate the transport OF her
military force, the King is going to put into re-
QUESTION all the steam vessels that he can dis
pose of. The order was even given three days
ago to stop the Maria Christina, which was ready
to start; and it was only upon the pressing So
icitations of the passengers, who were all on
board, that this vessel obtained permission to
make another voyage to Marseilles. This threat
ening aggression on the part of England against
a friendly power, has for its reason the refusal
of the King to break through the treaty which
gives up the monopoly of the Sicilian sulphur to
a French company, Talk, Aycard, & Co"
FRANCE.-The secret service appropriation
bill still rested in the Chamber of Peers, where
it encounters serious opposition. The reprot OF
the committee, it is stated, would be hostile, but
the bill was Judged to be safe
The motion of M. Remilly for excluding De-
puties from all officers, except from those of the
cabinet, has passed all the bureaux and was be-
fore the Chamber.
There seems to be great difference of opinion
between the Paris press and the Deputies on the
& subject of Ayers. The former is anxious for
glory and conquest, and will have not only the
coast but the continent kept under the French
rule, elf it required 100, 900 men and 100 mil
lionso The Deputies, however, who are to vote
the money and pay for the glory, hesitate to
make the sacrifice. Eight out OF nine members
of the committee thought the money demanded
by government too much; but the fire of the press
having since opened, the recalcitrants OF the
committee have succeeded, and recommended the
grant unanimously. M. Theirs has acted very
frankly on this subject, never Disgusting the
enormity of the expense, and declaring that II
the French would have this "whistle," they must
pay, and pay dearly for it.
The Toulon papers of the LIST and I'd ult.
are filled with details of the occupation OF
Cherchell and the capture of Miserghem and
other operations of the French army in Afri-
ca. The Arabs, it appears were displaying
extraordinary activity, and continued TO har-
rass the French army, to interrupt their com
munications, and to attack weak posts and
stragglers with extraordinary audacity. The
principal fact mentioned is, the mutiny and
tiesertion to the enemy of company of the
foreign legion, chiefly Spaniards. These
gniscreants butchered their captain Ga Pole)
In the most shocking manner, mutilated his
dead body, and then, to the number of thirty
five OF forty, passed over to the Arabs with
their arms and baggage. Surprises, assassi-
nations and devastations continued 10 be COM
mittcd by the Arabs. So lately as the ODD.
three inhabitants of Douera were butchered.
Their heads and the cattle they were attend