LAING, Lieut. J. 27th N.I. in ext. to Feb. 28, to rem. at presidency, on m. c. LISTER, Lieut. J. F. 18th N.I. fr. Feb. 1 to 28, in ext. to rem. at Mahabuleshwur, on m. c. MAYOR, Lieut. G. 25th N.I. in ext. to Feb. 28, to rem. at presidency, on m. c. PHAYRE, Lieut. dep. asst. qr. mr. gen. in ext. to Jan. 26. RAVERTY, Lieut. H. G. 3rd N.I. fr. Feb. 1 to 28, in ext. to rem. at Mahabuleshwur, on m. c. SCOTT, Lieut. H. art. in ext. to Feb. 28, to rem. at presidency on m. c. SCOTT, Lieut. 17th N.I. to Bombay, to await answer to appl. to retire. STEWART, Lieut. G. E. 2nd N.I. fr. Feb. 1 to 28, in ext. to rem. at Mahabuleshwur on m. c. THOMPSON, Ens. A. G. 15th N.I. in ext. to Feb. 28, to rem. at presidency on m. c. TRIPE, Lieut. A. 51st N.I. fr. Feb. 2 to April 30, to rem. at Kulludjee. TYNDALL, Capt. J., N.V.B. fr. Feb. 1 to 28, in ext. to rem. at Mahabuleshwur on m. c. WESTON, Lieut. H. 14th N.I. fr. Feb. 18 to 28, in ext. MEDICAL. APPOINTMENTS, &c. BROUGHTON, Asst. surg. F. to med. ch. of left wing 25th N.I. at Dhoolia, to join Feb. 3. BURNES, Surg. J. M.D. to be supt. surg, fr. Jan. 31, 1847, v. Graham, retired; posted to the N. div. of the Deccan, fr. Feb. 1, v. Graham, retired. BYCOTT, Asst. surg. T. to proceed and join his station, Feb. 11. CALDER, Asst. surg. to aff. aid to 2nd tr. and 4th co. 1st batt. art. dur. abs. of Cruickshanks. CRUICKSHANKS, Asst. surg. to proc. to Bombay in the "Meeance" steamer to aff. ined. aid to detach. of H. M.'s 86th regt. embarking in that vessel, returning to Kurrachee on the completion of this duty; placed at disp. of supt. Indian navy for duty, Jan. 29. FIRMINGER, Asst. surg. to assume med. ch. of 1. wing 3rd M. L. C. on the departure of the r. wing fr. Belgaum. FRASER, Asst. surg. W. relieved fr. service in the Indian navy. FREEMAN, Asst. surg. 7th N. I. to rec. med. ch. of the police, civil depart. 1st co. 3rd batt. art. staff and details at Shikapore, fr. Asst. surg. Ritchie. GRAHAM, Supt. surg. A. permitted to retire fr. service, on pension of rank, fr. Jan. 31. HOSKEN, Asst. surg. R. civ. surg. Sholapoor, to be an asst. mag. in that zillah, Feb. 1. HOSKIN, Asst. surg. P. W. to be surg. fr. Jan. 31, 1847, v. Graham retired. KNAPP, Assist, surg. J. M. directed, on arrival of Surg. Behan at Asseerghur, to ret. to Bombay, for duty under super. surg.. presidency div. LUDLOW, Surg. 2nd L. C. to affd. med. aid to details of 12th and 14th Bombay N.I. MAITLAND, Assist. surg. rec. ch. of duties of civ. surg. at Rutnagherry fr. Dr. Birch, Jan. 24. MCLENNAN, surg. J. M.D. to be surg. to the hon. the gov. MEAD, Assist. surg. C. C. to acc. 4th co. 1st batt. art. on its march to Sholapoor, and to return to the presidency on the completion of the duty. MURRAY, Assist. surg. W. R. to proceed in med. ch. of a detach. of H. M. 78th Highlanders proceeding to Belgaum, Feb. 2.. SMITH, Assist. surg. J. Y. to do duty under sup. surg. N. W. div. of Guzerat, Jan. 30, to rec. med. ch. of the Golundauz at Dhooliacote fr. assist. surg. Harrison. TRESTRAIL, Assist. surg. to afford med. aid to detach. of 7th N.I. at Sukkur. TURNER, Assist. surg. to assume ch. of 3rd tr. art. on departure of Impey. DAKERS, Lieut. proc. to join the Taptee, to be accom. on board the Berenice, fr. Dec. 20. FOLLETT, E. 1st class eng. proc. to join the Auckland, on the Acbar, fr. Nov. 11. GRAHAM, Mr. Purser, of the Sesostris, leave of abs. to Eng. on m. c. JONES, Lieut. J. F. to the Persian Gulf, on the Sesostris, fr. Dec. 23. HOLLAND, Mr. Acting master, to the Persian Gulf, on the Sesostris, fr. Dec. 23. LEEDS, Lieut. of the Tigris, to ass. ch. of duties of sen. off. Ind. Nav. at Aden, fr. Dec. 18. LOWE, Capt. to the Persian Gulf, on special duty, on the Sesostris, fr. Dec. 23. LYNCH, Dr. to the Persian Gulf, on the Sesostris, fr. Dec. 23. MONTRIOU, Comm. to the Persian Gulf, on special duty, on the Sesostris, fr. Dec. 23. SELBY, Lieut. proc. to join the Taptee, to be accomm. on board the Berenice, fr. Dec. 21. STROGAN, Mr. Mids. proc. to join the Taptee, to be accomm. on board the Berenice, fr. Dec. 20. YOUNG, Comm. J. A. steamer Cleopatra, ass. ch. of duties of sen. Ind. Nav. off. at Aden, fr. Nov. 26. DOMESTIC. BIRTHS. ADAMS, the lady of Major, H.M.'s 28th, s. at Deesa, Jan. 16. HENDERSON, the wife of Alex. s. at Bombay, Feb. 5. MARRIAGE. HARRIS, Maj. P. comdt. 5th regt. Scindia's Contingent, to Ellen Mary, d. of R. Burns, R.N. at Nusseerabad, Jan. 11. DEATHS. MOSGROVE, Fred. G. F. s. of Asst. surg. F. J. M. 1st L. C. at Baroda, aged 3, Jan. 31. WALSH, Lieut. Robt. 10th Royal Hussars, at Kirkee, aged 30, Feb. 1. WARD, James, I.N. at Tellicherry, Jan. 23. SHIPPING. ARRIVALS. FEB. 1. Steamer Victoria, Banks, Point de Galle. 3. Steamer Berenice, Barron, Kurrachee.-6. Steamer Sesostris, Carless, Bushire.-7. Steamer Auckland, Hamilton, Kurrachee.-8. Louisa, Miller, Aden; Lady Nugent, Parsons, China.-9. Steamer Phlox, Duverger, Surat.-12. Mermaid, Ryle, China; Larpent, Bland, Liverpool. 13. Steamer Sir J. R. Carnac, Beyts, Surat.-14. Steamer Atalanta, Gordon, Suez. PASSENGERS ARRIVED. Per steamer Victoria. Mrs. Ward, W. Howard, Capt. Jolly, T. Ogilvie, Lieut. Archer, 78th Higlanders. Per Berenice.--Mesdames Derinzy and Heatly-Head-Quarters H.M.'s 86th foot; Lieut. col. Derinzy, Brevet maj. Lowth, Lieuts. Heatly and Creed, Adj. Boyd, Qr. mr. Jerome, Asst. surg. Coghlan, 240 non-commissioned and rank and file, and 56 women and children; Lieut. col. Wilson, 11th N.I.; 2 men of the 60th rifles, 2 women and children ditto, 20 public and 56 private followers. Per steamer Sesostris.-Mrs. Hennell and two children, Mrs. Wright and servant, Com. W. C. Montriou, L. N.; Lieut. J. F. Jones, I. N.; Lieut. J. Stephens, I. N.; F. G. Bone, Esq.. purser, I. N.; Mr. A. Holland, acting master, I. N.; Dr. G. Q Lynch, I. N.; Mr. H. Harris, acting gunner, I. N.; Mr. A. Anderson, assist. apoth. bo. med. dept.; Mr. W. Jeffery. Per steamer Auckland.-Mrs. Forster, Capt. Forster, Lieuts. Petrie, Haggard, and Sandford, 244 non-commissioned officers and gunners, twelve women, and eleven children. Per steamer Phlox.-Ensign Creagh, 19th N. I. Per steamer Carnac.-Mrs. Langford and two children, Mr. Langford, C. S. Per steamer Atalanta.-Mrs. Gundert, Mrs. Kenyon, Mrs. Raitt, Mrs. Pitcairn, Misses Kuttenshmid, Millar, Kegel, and Hochstetter; Rev. Messrs. H. Gundert, J. M. Mitchell, and J. Hunter; Capt. Kenyon, 2nd Bo. L. C.; Capt. Frazer, Bo. N. I.; Capt. C. Threshie, 10th Bombay N. I.; Capt. Pereira; Super. Surg. Wight, Bo. army; Assist. Surgs. Pitcairn and Carnegie, Bo. army; Messrs. W. W. Cargill, J. Marshall, T. F. Gray, J. E. Coles, J. F. Coles ; Messrs. H. Goldie, Knight, Glasspoole, and Eales, cadets Bo. army; Mr. Ryann, Bo. C. S.; Lieut. Hay, 6th M. L. C; Mr. Munsi, eng. L. N; Mr. Sperschneider; Signors Fortunato, Augustine, Phillipe, and Augustine. DEPARTURES. FEB. 1. Zoe, Miller, China; Leonard Dobbin, Jones, Hull; Owen Glendower, Robertson, Cape and London; steamer Sir J. R. Carnac, Beyts, Surat.-2. Grecian, Langford, London; steamer Medusa, Kingcomb, Kurrachee; Mary, Grant, London. - 3. Euphrates, Wilson, Liverpool.-4. Futtay Salam, McClure, Calcutta. - 6. Framjee Cowasjee, Edwards, Calcutta.-7. Eden, Duncan, London; Fazel Currim, Ballantyne, Calcutta.-9. Ardaseer, Grainger, China; Antelope, Harding, China; steamer Sir Charles Forbes, Litchfield, Colomba and China.-9. Drongan, Eames, Calcutta.-10. Christabel, Harding, Liverpool.-11. Grab, Nasree, Malabar Coast. - 13. steamer Victoria, Banks, Colombo; Princess Royal, Sinclair, Liverpool.-14. Bombay, Flamanh, London.-16. steamer Queen, Johnstone, Suez. Per steamer Victoria.-Mrs. Inverarity and 4 servants, Miss Drury and 1 servant, and Capt. Methvin and 1 servant. Per Bombay.-Capt. Butler; Lieuts. Butler, Browne, and Border; Asst. surgs. Heffernan and Blexham, 173 men, 18 women, and 29 children, H.M.'s service invalids; 51 men, H.C.'s service, ditto; and 4 men, H.'M.s naval ditto. Per steamer Queen.-Capt. Baker and Capt. A. R. Dallas, 1st N.I.; Mons. P. Perrott; Dr. G. D. Gordon, Mad. army; and Lieut. G. Dickson, 23rd M.N.I. The rate of discount at the banks has not changed since our last, and the money market is not considered tight. A decision by the Supreme Court of Calentta has just been made public, to the effect that time bargains," or, as they are in fact, wagers, pending on the result of the Government sales of opium at that presidency, are illegal, and cannot have effect. Judgment has not yet been given in the Supreme Court at Bombay; but should it coincide with the above, there will henceforth undoubtedly be an end of these gambling transactions, and, in consequence, the removal of a great disturbing cause in the relations of the money market of this presidency. SCIND E. GENERAL ORDER. THE ARMY. "Head Quarters, Kurrachee, Jan. 28, 1847.-The army of Scinde is ordered to be broken up, and the number of troops reduced so as, in future, to form the ordinary garrison of a frontier province. "This, as regards the interior tranquillity of Scinde, might have been done two years ago. But the character of the Lahore government and of its troops made it necessary for the Government of India to keep an army in Scinde. "The danger apprehended from the Punjaub subsided after the victories gained on the Sutledge. "The concentration of a large force on the Indus ceased to be necessary. "To the army of Scinde is due the tranquillity of this noble province. "To the discipline and orderly conduct of all, and the support which the officers of this army have given to me, and by their just and conciliating conduct towards the people, England is indebted for the tranquil possession of a country which the valour of the troops had conquered. "To the abilities of those officers who have from the first conducted the civil branches of this government, and to their unremitting exertions in the administration of justice, is more especially to be attributed the successful administration of that province, that attachment to the British rule, and that confi. dence which has been so strongly evinced by the inhabitants of Scinde on two signal occasions, the campaign in the Boogtie Hills, and the march of the Scinde force to Bhawulpoor. "But to the glory of freeing an enslaved country by a necessary conquest, and the consequent tranquillity of an apparently satisfied people, this army has added an increase of revenue to the Company. "The last financial year showed that the united ordinary and extraordinary expenses of the Civil Government of Scinde (including the expense of a police of two thousand four hundred horse and foot) amounted to only fifteen lakhs, one thousand seven hundred and fifty-four rupees. "That the revenue for that year was forty-one lakhs, fortytwo thousand nine hundred and twelve rupees, and consequently that twenty-five lacks were paid last year towards defraying the military expense incurred, not by the conquest of Scinde in 1843, but by the previous occupation of Scinde, and by the disturbed state of the Punjaub. 66 Previous to the conquest, the army of Scinde was an unmitigated expense to the East India Company. "Since the conquest, that expense has been reduced by the aggregate sum of forty-two lakhs, thirty-seven thousand four hundred and thirty-five rupees, which has been collected in excess of the expenses of civil government, and police force, calculating both from the battle of Hyderabad to the present day. : Thus, whatever the previous occupation may have produced, the conquest of Scinde has not cost the East India Company a single rupee for had the Ameers continued to rule the land, not a soldier could have been withdrawn from the force which occupied Scinde in 1842-on the contrary, strong reinforcements must have been added to it, divided, as it would have been, between Kurrachee and Sukkur, with the aggregated forces of the courts of Hyderabad and Khyrpoor, assembled, in a central position, between the weak wings of the army of occupationwings separated by four hundred miles of difficult country, and incapable of assisting each other, or of receiving any reinforcements during five months of every year! "Such a position must have been untenable: or tenable only in consequence of egregious folly on the part of an enemy who commanded one hundred thousand men in a central position. "An army divided as I have stated, would probably have been cut to pieces; for, apparently, there could not have been any retreat. "The prompt military operations ordered by Lord Ellenborough in 1843 not only saved the army of Scinde from the fate which befel that of Cabul, but secured the north west frontier of the Indian Empire, speaking of Scinde in a military point of view-while in a commercial one, as commanding the navigation of the Indus, it is the key to the Punjaub. "Not a man has been added to the army of occupation in consequence of the conquest. Scinde was conquered by the troops which previously occupied Sukkur. This is a fact which cannot be too often repeated. "But this is not all. The advanced frontier has a right to the troops that occupied the former retired frontier, extending from Bhooj to Balmeer. The latter no longer require garrisons, and consequently the conquest of Scinde has not entailed the necessity for having additional troops, or throwing greater duties on the Bombay army; whereas, but for the conquest, not a soldier could now be withdrawn, or the Indus would be closed to commerce, even though the Punjaub were opened. "No troops, beyond the police, are now required to preserve the interior tranquillity of Scinde. The increasing revenues are thrown into the Indian treasury. "The military charges belong to India generally, not to Scinde more than to any other province of the empire. "An immense increase of revenue has taken place in Bombay, in consequence of the conquest of Scinde, which prevents the smuggling trade in opium formerly carried on. What may be the amount of this increase I have no means of knowing; but it is said to be very great. "Commerce is already actively commencing between Kurra chee and Sukkur, ready to branch forth into the Punjaub when the results following the victories on the Sutledge shall open 'the Five Rivers' to the enterprising spirit of British merchants. "Sukkur, ordered by Lord Ellenborough to be called ' Victoria on the Indus,' has become the depôt for goods passing into Central Asia. "Such, soldiers of the Scinde army! have been the services of those regiments which conquered, and of those which have occu. pied Scinde since the conquest. During this period of four years, there has not been a single political crime, conspiracy, or act of hostility of any kind, public or private, committed by the people of Scinde against the Government, or against the troops, or against any individual. Nor am I aware that any body of officers, any officer, or any private soldier, has given cause of complaint to the inhabitants. There has been perfect harmony between the conquerors and the conquered, if the term quered' can be applied to a people who have been freed from a degrading and ruinous tyranny, which, sixty years ago, was established by traitors over the country of their murdered sovereign! con "This adds more glory to our arms and to the British name than even the victories which you won on the fields of Meeanee and of Hyderabad. Courage may win a battle, but it is something more than courageous when a victorious army turns a conquered people into friends and peaceable subjects. "Such, soldiers! have been the results of your labours, and your dangers; and those regiments which return to their respective presidencies return with the becoming pride of men who have well performed their duty, and gained the approbation of their Sovereign and their governments-the greatest reward that well-disciplined soldiers can receive. "For myself, I remain at my proper post as Governor of Scinde, and the commander of that division of the Bombay army stationed on the new line of frontier. But it becomes your general, who best knows what you have done, and what you have suffered, to make known, on the breaking up of this army, the things which it has achieved for India; his admiration of its merits, and his gratitude for its assistance. "The high military spirit which animated the force that marched last year to Bhawulpoor, was probably never surpassed. No army was ever more worthy of India, nor more fully pos sessed the confidence of its commander. "C. J. NAPIER, "Lieutenant-General, Governor of Scinde. “Head quarters, Kurrachee, 28th Jan. 1817." CEYLON. BIRTHS. CARROL, the lady of H. s. (still born) at Colpetty, Jan. 9. DEATHS. CHAMPION, Wm. s. of Capt. Jno. G. H. M.'s 95th, at Colombo, aged 2, Jan. 16. GRAHAM, Geo. at Welleway, Dec. 30. HUMPHRY, F. civ. engs. depart. at Rambudde, aged 25, Dec. 7. LINDSAY, Col. Martin, c. B. late of 78th Highlanders, at Kandy, Jan. 26. STAPLES, Eleanor, widow of the late Jno. at Colombo, aged 72, Jan. 15. SINGAPORE. MARRIAGE. SAMES, Rev. Martin, jun. to Rebecca, d. of the late Geo. Buckland, at Singapore, Jan. 7. DEATH. GORDON, Capt. H. M's s. Wolf, at the Island of Labuan, Jan. 6. SHIPPING. ARRIVALS. JAN. 2. Steamer Lady Mary Wood, Evans, Galle, &c.-3. Pandora, Cobb, Sydney.-4. Lady Amherst, Ablett, London. --5. Ellerslie, Pagen, Liverpool; George Fyfe, Murray, Bombay; Grafton, Abbott, New York.-8. Victory, Smith, Newport; Anna_Eliza, Evans, Bombay.-15. Hindostan, West, Bombay; Jane Prowse, Nichols, Liverpool.-22. Wm. Jurdine, Small, London; steamer Braganza, Mundy, Galle, &c.-26. Calder, Brathwaite, Liverpool; Inglewood, Smith, Bombay. DEPARTURES. JAN. 1. Woodstock, Nicholson, Sydney.-4. Steamer Lady Mary Wood, Evans, Galle, &c.; Duke of Cornwall, Whitehead, London; Montrose, Ferguson, London; Dumfries, Green, Liverpool.-7. Sir R. Sale, Loader, Loudon.-13. Simon Taylor, Brown, London; Emma, Oliviera, Lisbon.-18. Kestrel, Beauvais, London; Centaur, Wood, Sydney; Carib, Heaton, London.-26. Viscount Sandon, White, London; Lancaster, Hullin, London; Appoline, Thomas, London; Prince Oscar, Mellin, Europe.-31. Steamer Braganza, Mundy, Galle, &c. CHINA. MISCELLANEOUS. DIABOLICAL MURDER.-We have received the following extract of a private letter, dated Timor, 26th November, 1846 :"The captain, officer, and passenger of the Paul Jones were murdered by the crew, consisting of English and natives, on her way to Sydney. She was recaptured by a whaler, and the crew, having confessed their crime, were brought to justice before the Court of Batavia.-Mail, January 7. ASSAULT.-The grand jury have brought in a true bill against Captain Greig, of the John Cooper, for assaulting his crew off Anjier.-Ibid., January 14. THEFT.-We are informed that Mr. Layton, the British Consul at Amoy, has recently sentenced a man named Montgomery to twelve months' imprisonment for stealing a quantity of dollars on board the Royalist schooner.-Ibid. CAPT. TALBOT.-We learn with regret that Captain Talbot, of the Vestal, is about to leave this station, and return to England. The mercantile community are under many obligations to him for the readiness with which he has, while in command, and as far as lay in his power, acceded to their requirements; witness his recommendation of a vessel being stationed off the factories at Canton in July last, and his having exercised a discretion for the general benefit in detaining the Braganza for a day, and sending the Pluto to Canton, when it was found that the Corsair, upon which the merchants had placed their dependence, could not proceed. But as a private member of society, as well as in his public capacity, his loss will be generally felt.—Ibid., January 28. PIRACY.-In consequence of information received by Mr. Caldwell, Assistant-Superintendent of Police, the Government gun-boat was despatched, on the morning of the 23rd, to the neighbourhood of Shek-pai-wan, in search of three piratical junks. On reaching their cruizing ground they observed a suspicious-looking boat standing over from Cheang-chow, and made towards her. As they neared her she put out a number of oars, and pulled for the Lamma, which she reached a quarter of an hour before the gunboat. As soon as the former touched the shore, seventy or eighty armed Chinamen landed, and ran across the hills, carrying bundles of goods with them. Mr. Caldwell, with fourteen of the crew of the gun-boat, landed and pursued the fugitives, and with the assistance of the villagers, who readily lent their aid, succeeded in capturing twenty of them. On board the boat were found, one jar and one bag of gunpowder, one bag of iron shot, one bag of stinkpots, one bag of fireballs, twelve loaded bamboos, two large and two small ginjalls loaded, four iron ginjall chargers, one loaded musket, a large quantity of paper matches and torches, six large housebreaking hatchets, two picks used in housebreaking, six shields, and about two dozen bamboo pikes, and on the hill were found two boxes of clothes, and a dagger stained with blood. The gunpowder, stinkpots, &c., were all lying together, and it was evidently the intention to make an explosion, as a train led from them towards a burning joss-stick, which fortunately had slipped off the plank where it had been placed. Seven of the prisoners who had been registered, were committed on a charge of piracy; the other thirteen were, by order of his Excellency the Governor, forwarded to the Chinese authorities at Cow-loon, accompanied with a statement of the charge preferred against them. One of the leaders has been recognised as having formerly acted in the capacity of a pilot.—Ibid. DOMESTIC. BIRTHS. BUSH, the lady of F. T. d. at Hong-Kong, Dec. 31, 1846. DEATH. BOULTON, Henry Edward, in seaman's hospital, Hong-Kong, Jan. 19. SHIPPING. ARRIVALS. JAN. 11. Arena, Jackson, Liverpool.-12. Lady Sale, Brewer, London; Frolic, Pelfold, Sydney.-13. Kyle, Boyd, Glasgow.-17. Sir Edward Ryan, Keal, Cape of Good Hope.-20. Red Rover, Oliva, Calcutta.-21. Annie, Potter, Liverpool.-25. Hero, Fowler, Calcutta.-29. Ariel, Burt, Calcutta; Emily Jane, Wilson, Calcutta. -FEB. 2. Kelpie, Sime, Calcutta. JAN. 9. Gitana, Ligertwood, Hull.-11. Ocean Queen, Sutherland, London.-16. Oynx, Brown, Batavia.-17. Frolic, Pilford, Sydney.-18. Emanuel, Smith, Manila.-20. Steamer Hooghly, Congalton, Malacca; Sophia, Tanner, Sydney; Red Rover, Oliver, China.—23. Ariel, Shannon, Malacca.-30. Emily Jane, Wilson, Hong Kong.-FEB. 1. Hants, Edger, London; Hero, Fowler, Calcutta.-2. Steamer Hooghly, Congalton, Malacca. † 168,599 pcs. Cotton Goods; Cotton valued at 8,357,334 dollars; and Cotton Yarn * 54,000 pcs. Cotton Goods and 205,300 pcs. Woollens. valued at 492,867 dollars. Valued at 4,930,523 dollars. Estimated for the Valued at 456,000 dallars. five ports. We have received by the Enterprise a solitary copy of the Maulmain Chronicle, being of the 30th ultimo. It brings news of another revolution in Burmah. The son of Tharawaddie, who was regent after that king's deposition, and succeeded him on his death, has been assassinated by one of his Woongyees, named Moungbwa, and who has added another name to the list of Burmese usurpers.- Bengal Hurkara. TO READERS AND CORRESPONDENTS. A heavy press of matter compels us to defer the requisite attention to our correspondents till our next publication. Several literary notices are in type, but are compelled to share the fate of our correspondence. ALLEN'S INDIAN MAIL, LONDON, WEDNESDAY, March 24, 1847. SINCE our last publication, an old and distinguished member of the Court of Directors of the East-India Company has been removed from this stage of existence. We speak of Mr. ASTELL, whose connection with the administration of the Government of India had been maintained for the long period of forty-seven years, with no other interruptions than those interposed by the law, under which a director, having completed a service of four consecutive years, is precluded from re-election until after the lapse of one. Of Mr. ASTELL's claims upon the respect and gratitude of his colleagues, of his constituents, and of the Indian community, both at home and abroad, it is scarcely necessary to speak-they are acknowledged with a warmth and unanimity almost without parallel. No man ever had a larger circle of well-wishers, none ever had fewer enemies. The latter fact is the more remarkable, as Mr. ASTELL never sought popularity by the sacrifice of his conscientious convictions, but, on the contrary, adhered on all occasions. to the course which he believed to be right with unbending firmness. In the progress of his official life he was frequently placed in trying circumstances, but he ever emerged from difficulty with undiminished reputation. His honesty of purpose, his vigour and decision of action, his manly straightforwardness of character were universally admitted, and those who differed from him on public grounds were, notwithstanding their differences, compelled to honour him. He has descended to the grave earlier than might have anticipated from the excellent health which, down to a late period, he continued to enjoy, but at an age somewhat exceeding that assigned as the ordinary extent of the life of man, and has left behind him the memory of an eminently upright and intelligent public functionary. In this his friends may find the best consolation for the loss which they have to lament. We have but rarely entered into the interminable discussions sustained by the advocates of that misguided man, the Ex-Rajah of SATTARA. "To every thing there is a time and a season for every purpose under heaven," says the wise man; and quite certain we are that the time and season for talking about the Rajah have long since passed away. The attempt: now making to revive the contest we should have suffered to pass like many previous ones, without note or comment," were it not for one peculiar feature by which it is disreputably characterized. If men choose to rake up subjects of which all but themselves are weary, those condemned to hear or read what they utter must keep themselves awake as well as they can. To answer would be idle, because it would be vain; ard ilence is the proper mode of treating such a case. But when the plainest laws of honesty and good faith are violated-when practices are resorted to for the purpose of procuring information from which all honourable and right-minded men recoil with disgust and horror-it would be compromising the interests of truth and justice to refrain from a passing expression of condemnation. It will have been observed, from the proceedings in Parliament, that the advocates of the Rajah either have or pretend to have copies of certain confidential correspondence which could be lawfully known only to the Secret Committee of the Court. of Directors, the Board of Commissioners for the affairs of India, the Governor-General, and one or two public servants in India. There is "honour among thieves," and even the inhabitants of Field-lane and Wentworth-street will be ready to condemn the act by which copies of these papers were obtained-an act to which, we are persuaded, few of their own unhappy fraternity would descend. The hungry pick pockets and the vengeful commit acts of personal violence; but infinitely worse than either, are the traitor who abuses the confidence reposed in him, and the crawling wretch who seduces him to such a breach of trust. What the new supplement to the heavy load of the Sattara papers contains, we, of course, cannot know; for we do not traffic in stolen papers any more than in stolen goods. We are ignorant of its contents, and we are content to be ignorant in a matter where knowledge would entail crime and disgrace. But whatever may be the information contained in it, be it true or be it false, it is quite clear, that in no assembly of Englishmen can any attempt to use it be successful. In this country we do not hold intercourse with the invaders of bureaus and escritoires. No one can bring forward these papers as the basis of a motion, but to their own confusion. Nor can the situation of the unhappy holders of the documents be amended. They may call for verified copies, but they will call in vain; for they have placed themselves beyond the pale of decent society, and have no right to be heard. How the copies were procured, whether they were bought or whether they were purloined, matters not; those who would obtain them by either mode, are unfit to associate with honest men, and all such will scout them. Sir JOHN HOBHOUSE,—We entreat his pardon for presuming to praise him for merely acting in the spirit of an English gentleman, but the circumstances of the case must plead our excuse-Sir JOHN HOBHOUSE most properly refused authenticated copies of the papers in question when demanded in the House of Commons; and if any one should have the temerity to make a similar demand in the General Court of the East India Company, we may venture to predict that it will be met by one unanimous burst of indignation from both sides of the bar. Few men have suffered more than the Ex-Rajah of Sattara from those who call themselves his friends. They have done much to make him ridiculous, -they have given the finishing blow by endeavouring to make him detestable; for the object of universal detestation he would become, if he could be supposed a party to the base act perpetrated for his pretended advantage. We hope he has had nothing to do with it-that it is attributable solely to some miserable, meddling, unprincipled persons, desirous of advancing their own private interests under cover of promoting those of the Rajah. But however that may be, the vile offence must be traced to its source; the actors in it must be detected, exposed, and punished, those at least, if any there be, who are in the service of the Government. On the rest, the penalty of universal scorn, the ban of uneffaceable disgrace, are perhaps the only punishments that can be inflicted; but they are no light ones, and the highest degree of audacity may well sink under their infliction. DEATH OF W. ASTELL, ESQ., M.P. It seldom falls to the lot of a journalist to record the death of one more universally respected and esteemed than the venerable gentleman whose name stands at the head of this article. For more than 40 years he sustained a situation in the political and commercial circles of this country, alike beneficial to others and honourable to himself. The deceased gentleman was the son of Godfrey Thornton, Esq., of Clapham. In the year 1800 he was elected a Director of the East-India Company, and from that period to the time of his decease he continued a member of the Court. In the same year he married the daughter of John Harvey, Esq., by whom he had a family, one of whom is a lieutenant-colonel in the Grenadier Guards. In 1807 he assumed the name of Astell, and in the same year entered Parliament as Member for Bridgewater. With that place his connection did not cease till 1832. In 1841, he was elected, without opposition, Member for Bedfordshire. For many years he carried on an extensive business in the City. He was chairman of the Russian Company, and of the Great Northern Railway, and was a large shareholder in other commercial undertakings. Mr. Astell was one of the Directors who signed the despatch recalling Lord Ellenborough. He was a deputy-lieutenant and magistrate of Bedfordshire, lieutenant-colonel of the county militia, and colonel of the East-India Volunteers, which last rank he was permitted to retain at the dismemberment of that body. The death of the hon. gentleman took place at his seat, previous to his decease, but after the lapse of three weeks he Everton House, Bedfordshire. He was taken ill about a month began to improve, and confident hopes were entertained of his ultimate recovery. He however again grew worse, and died on Sunday, the 7th instant, at the advanced age of 73. PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS. HOUSE OF COMMONS. MARCH 9.-A petition was presented from Cheshire praying for an inquiry into the causes that retarded the cultivation of Indian cotton. MARCH 10.-A petition was presented from Wigan on the above subject. MARCH 11.-A petition on the same subject was presented from Preston. MARCH 15.-INDIAN RAILWAYS.-Mr. MACKINNON wished to know why the terms offered to the two railway companies in the Bengal presidency had been refused to the Great North of India Railway? Sir J. C. HOBHOUSE said that the proposals made by the EastIndia Company had reference to experimental lines alone, and the two experimental lines to which the proposal was offered embraced both the Upper and Lower Provinces of Bengal. The other line had reference to the Upper Province alone, and it was thought most fair to offer the terms to the other companies, as they embraced both provinces. INDIAN PRIZE-MONEY.-- In answer to questions from some hon. members, Sir J. C. HOBHOUSE said that the prize-money for Khelat was now in course of payment in India. Some difficulty existed with respect to the prize-money of Ghuznee, but orders had been given by the Court of Directors which he believed would lead to a settlement. Difficulties had also arisen with respect to the Scinde prize-money. Two questions had been referred to the home authorities by the prize agents, and when these were disposed of, the money would be distributed. MARCH 16.-A petition on the subject of the cultivation of cotton in India was presented from Chorley and Leeds. MARCH 18.- DECCAN PRIZE-MONEY.-Sir D. L. EVANS wished to put the question to the President of the Board of Control of which he had given notice. It was now thirty years since operations had taken place in the Deccan, and, though hardly any of the officers and soldiers engaged in that enterprise were surviving, yet the widows and children of many of them were. He should like to know the cause of the great delay which had taken place in the payment of the Deccan prize-money; and whether there was any likelihood of that payment being soon completed? Sir J. C. HOBHOUSE had given an answer to a similar question about three weeks ago, which he would be very glad to repeat now. Some difficulties had arisen as to a very small sum, amounting to about 22,000l.; but these difficulties were now overcome, and the Court of Directors were ready to pay over the whole of the amount to the trustees for the Deccan prizemoney, when the distribution would take place. RAJA OF SATTARA.—Mr. HUME, pursuant to notice, moved for the following papers :-" Copies of a despatch from the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East-India Company to the Right Hon. the Governor-General of India, respecting the ex- Rajah of Sattara, dated the 24th day of March, 1846; and a copy of the reply of the Right Hon. the GovernorGeneral of India to that despatch; together with copies of the several documents referred to in that reply, or connected with it. Of any other letters which have been addressed by the present Governor-General of India to the Court of Directors of the East India Company, or to the Secret Committee of the EastIndia Company, relating to the case of the ex-Rajah of Sattara, from the period of his lordship's arrival in India to the present time. Of the minutes of dissent of members of the Court of Directors which have been recorded by any member of that Court, and not hitherto published, relating to the case of the ex-Rajah of Sattara, from the 30th day of April, 1840, to the |