The Sun. — 1840-01-24 (London, England)

PALMERSTON. He recommends the sending a strong naval force to Canton, which, by suddenly detaching parties of men to seize upon the heights that command the forts of the Bogue and Tiger Island, could easily take possession of them without exposing the ships to the fire of a single gun from the shore. These forts, by being kept, and the guns preserved, would enable us at once to blockade the port against the shipping of all nations. Not a junk could pass up or down the river without the permission of the Commander of the blockading squadron. Canton could be easily seized, but this is a step the writer does not recommend, as it would inflict upon an over-crowded population the greatest misery, and create a prejudice against the British name. He, however, advises the seizure of all the coasting vessels, including the junks trading in salt; and the entire stoppage of the trade with Emoy, Formosa, and Japan. This would soon bring the Chinese Government to its knees ; and we might then, besides exacting payment for the whole of the seized opium, and the expenses of the blockade, exact from the celestial Government such conditions for the trade with European nations as would be consistent with justice, and beneficial to the whole of the civilized world. This is a view of the ques tion which we have more than once taken, and which we have no reason to suppose  has been overlooked by her MAJESTY'S Government. Our ships of war are already on their way to China, and we have now no fear, save that half measures will be adopted, and that concessions, of which the Emperor will never hear a syllable, will be accepted. If we strike at all, it is of the utmost importance to strike so as to leave a lasting impression of our power behind us. The Chinese must be made, not only to confess but to feel, and to tremble at our power. If a less de ci sive course is adopted, we may soon expect to hear of the plunder of the factories, and the murder of all the European and American Residents at Canton.  Hobart Town papers just received state that on the 27th of July last, wheat was sold in Sydney at a guinea and a half the bushel ; flour at 801. sterling the ton; and bread at 2s. 6d. the loaf ! At Hobart Town on the 20th of August, wheat was selling at twenty-seven shillings a bushel, with every reason to fear a still greater rise in price. The sufferings of the poor were dreadful, and a general famine anticipated. As some of our Contemporaries are continually representing these Colonies as lands " flowing with milk and honey," and teeming with " wine and oil," we shall, to prevent cavil or contradicticnt quote this melancholy intelligence as it appears in Murray's Review, a Hobart Town paper, of the 20th of August : The Vittoria, from Sydney, the 28th of July, arrived yesterday. Not a grain of foreign supply has been received, and wheat is now in Sydney one guinea and ahalf the bushel !—flour, eighty pounds the ton ! bread, two shillings and sixpence the loaf ! We anticipated this ; and we repeat, week after week, we implored the Government to afford protection to the people under its rule—we reminded it that for the little Colony of Van Dieman's Land to attempt to effectually relieve the great Colony of New South Wales, was as a poor man lending his little all to a rich bankrupt. He would ruin himself without assisting the other. And such has been the result. It is not yet too late for his Excellency Sir John Franklin to save this Colony from starvation. We implore his Excellency to act promptly, and with decision. If he hesitates, bread will be unattainable to a great portion of the people, and with great inconvenierce to most of the remainder ; but as to the poor, actual starvation must follow ! No sooner was the dreadful condition of Sydney ascertained, than the price of wheat here rose to twenty-seven shillings the bushel—what will it be in a few days, if the Government does not interfere its saving protection ? And will it not then incur a fearful responsibility ?