Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-04-25
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
ARRIVAL OF THE CALEDONIA.
FIFTEEN DAYS LATER FROM EUROPE.


MONDAY, with London dates TO the 3D., and Liver
pool 10 the fth instant. 49,
The Oregon question seems TO- be completely
submerged in the interest attached 10 the great VIC
tory over the Sikhs, in India, which we notice
below.
Commercial matters are in an unsettled gloomy
state. In many of the manufacturing towns there
are thousands OF workmen out of employment, and
the markets for all descriptions Of produce are in
state OF stagnation. The iron trade seems 10 be
the only exception TO this.
Large cargocs Of Indian were daily reach
ing the British ports from the United States, and
large quantities had been released from bond, duty
free, under the Treasury order. Shops for Its ex-
elusive retail sale were being opened in many of
the large towns, and the American mode Of using it
was generally adopted.
The House of Commons have passed Sir Rob-
ert Peels bill TO a second reading, but il is spoken
Of as doubtful whether il can pass the House OF
Lords. In case il does not pass, the question will
60 to the country in the form Of general election
The second reading was carried in the Commons
by majority OF eighty-eight, which is nine votes
less than the bill received when first introduced.
Private letters mention that preparations for the
visit Of Queen VICTORIA to the King and Queen of
the French were proceeding without intermsson
at the Tuilleries, Neully, ST. Cloud and Versailles
Mr.. McIANE, the American Minister, was pre-
vented by ndisposition from attending the Queens
drawing-room on the 10Th ult, but Mrs McLANE,
and the American Secretary of Legation were
present.
The emigration from Germany TO the United
States would this year have been very great, bu,
the fear OF war upon the Oregon question prevent
ed large numbers from leaving.
There is nothing Of interest from France and the
Continent The Committee of the Chamber Of
Deputies on the Algiers budget met on Saturday,
the 2Sth OF March, when the Minister of War was
present. The principal question discussed was as
to the formation Of Algeria into separate depart
ment under new Minister. The members of The
committee expressed themselves generally as favor
able to that measure, and the report will be in ia
vor OF It. Should the Chamber approve of the
plan, It is believed that M Defaure will be the new
Minister for Algeria
From Spain we learn that Narvaez had been en-
trusted with the formation of new Ministry. He
uamed himself Minister of War, President of the
Council ad interim, and Minister of Foreign At
fairs. In consequence of the stringent measures of
the Ministry, all the newspapers in Madrid, with
the exception of one two in the pay of Narvaez,
had been suspended. The country is in most
agitated state.
END OF THE WAR IN INDIA.
Since the dispatch Of our paper by the Unicorn our adj
vices from Bombay inform Of two great battles having
been fought in India between the British and Sikh armies
both terminating in decisive victory the former The first
was under the command of Sir H. Smith, and the latter Sir
Hugh Cough which perhaps Of the most bloody on
record
In Sir H. Smiths battle the whole army OF the enemy has
been driven headlong the difficult ford OF broad river
his camp cannon (fysix pieces baggage, Of am
muntion and Of grainhis ALL in fact wrcsted from him by
the repeated charges of cavalry and infantry and in that Of
Sir Hugh Cough the Skhs lost twelve thousand men and
of no bal, 4
killed, thirteen of whom officers and two thou
sand five hundred wounded of whom hundred and one
were officers Her Msjestys fifty third and sixy-second re-
giments suffered enormously General Dicke and Brgadier
Taylor are among the dead.
The action commenced in the morning. and the work Of
destruction had closed by eleven o'clock forenoon Sir
Hugh Coughs of this battle proves to have been
while lasted Of the terrific record Unlike the
able manruvng Of Sir II. Smith, this affair seems to have
owed its success to the daring mtepdiy of men, who
sormed the enemys entertainments onet hand defend
ed they by thirty thousand Skhs and seventy pieces
Of artillery The slaughter immense for our troops
braved the enemy fire by reseng their shot until they got
within his entertainments The action terminated in the com
pee rou Of the enemy, the capture Of his guns and the
loss of his camp and baggage An awful sacrifice Of life took
place on the Sue in attempting which our troops
moved down thousands Of the flying foe and those who es
capped the hre were drowned in the This victory has
put the finishing stroke the 1t has brought the Skhs
to their knees and they humble suppants for mercy
and orbearance. They have agreed pay million and
half sterms in the Of four years. the expenses
Of the the payment be enforced by the occupation
Lahore
Thus has ended respecting the consequences Of
which good deal Of anxiety unnaturaly pevaled-a
war forced upon by the peculiar exgencies Of the case
from which could not shrink but for which we had made
no previous preparation, used adequate foresight The
Skhs took ungenerous advantage Of the long alliance
winch had existed between and their great ruler Runeet
Singh and their perfdy has been punished fully
commensurate with its enormty-punshed promptly,
getcay and in style which promises in all future time to
prevent repetition Of conduct once base dshonorabe
and uncaled for.
froclannaton by the Governor General Of India.
CAMP, LULLEAsEE, FEBRuARr 16, 1S46. +
ne Chiefs merchants, traders ryots and other inhabitants
Of Lahore and Umtsur hereby informed that his High
ness Mahsjab Dhuleep Singh has this day waited upon the
Right Honorable the and erprsssed
conon Of hmseIf and the Sikh Government their la
hostile proceedings The Maharsah and Durbar having
guessed in all the terms imposed by the British Government
the Governor General having every hope that the relations
nendshp will speedily be established between the Govern
menis the inhabitants Of Lahore and Umrsur nothne
70 lear from the British army
me uovemorGeneal and the British troops, the cond
aons above adveed fulfilled and further hostile op
Puoh offered by the KhaIsa army viii aid their endea
oi he establishment Of the Government Of the de-
Of its subjects - N''e'' '' ~ N'' p'''''''