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Leader (1850-1860), 2nd May 1857, Edition 1 of 2, Page 412, Untitled Article

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      ing , the intelligence greeted me that Bank was likewise deserted , and had been burned , and that the Chinese were in fall retreat towards Sambas . This took us by surprise , but our force got upon their trail on the 13 th , and , after three days" desultory fighting , drove them across the frontier with great slaughter , the enemy , however making a desperate resistance in defence of the women and children , and the efforts of our people not being able to break them . Had twenty-four hours' delay intervened to allow a concerted attack we should have had them all ; but as it is , we may be thankful , for a mere remnant of the body of Chinese men has escaped , and the capture of the women and children was not to be desired . Even , now , however , this wretched mass ,

      dr iven to the farther side of the Sambas river , must suffer great loss , and may altogether perish in the wild jungle for want of food and from exposure . Thus the punishment has been almost as sudden and far more sharp than the treachery and first success of this miscreant body . A thousand and more have been killed in different places , their flourishing settlements destroyed , and not a roof-tree to cover their dastard heads in the country . The numbers starved in . their flight by being lost in the jungle it is difficult to reckon , but it must be considerable , and out of a population of four or five thousand , certainly not more than two thousand have escaped , and half this number is composed of women and children . The punishment has been severe . The Chinese will play no further treachery here , and iu future we shall prevent their being associated in companies , disavow them , and reduce

      them to a daily obedience to the laws and a strict surveillance . Sarawak has now passed through the ordeal that Hong-Kong is passing through , and Singapore has yet to meet . The country is secure ; the authority of Government has been vindicated ; the principles on which it is based proved to be right by the fidelity and ardour of its native population . Our guns have been recovered with a proportion of our musketry , and the principal loss falls on myself , on Crookshank , and Middleton . For myself , I may say that I never knew the small value of worldly goods till I lost them . I do not pretend to any sentimental cant over my noble library , xay costly plate , or all the decorations and tokens of honour which were once showered upon me and have been lost even more suddenly than they were acquired . Man ' s happiness consists not in such things , and he destroys the chances of finding it if he persuades himself that it does .

      Now , a word more as to the causes of these events . Wherever there is a Chinaman , there is the conceit of supremacy and the desire of dominion . When associated in " bodies , as in Sambas formerly , and thence in Sarawak before my arrival , this lust of rule grows stronger . The stringent proceedings of the Dutch have recently thrown many desperate characters into Sarawak , and the miserably feeble Government of Singapore , with its toleration of secret societies , has strengthened the Chinese Kungsi here and given it advisers aware of the state of British affairs and policy . Without such advisers the idea of encouraging trade while murdering the officers of Government would never have entered the head of any of the rude Chinese here , and without the means of livelihood from without , and the support of the European community , so mad a project could hardly have been undertaken . To upset the Government bv the

      murder of its principal officers and heads , and to establish other Englishmen to carry on the trade , was the suggestion of Chinese of Singapore , well acquainted with the isolated position of Sarawak , and possessed with the idea that the murder of Sarawak officers and the Sarawak Rajah would be a matter of supreme indifference to the British nation , provided that trade was continued and cottons sold . It was a high compliment to my government that , murdering me with the intention of obtaining power , these stupidly clover Chinese desidered as little change aa possible . They forgot the native element , and hence their destruction has come . It was a grand superstructure , cleverly devised by men acquainted with English policy and mode of proceeding , but miserably baaed as regards the feelings and the ferocity of the native population . I think I have told you that one of Tien Tc ' a followers—i . e . a follower of the rebel and Hu < S

      loader in China—has since been ascertained to have arrived in this country . It is probable that ho was the great Singapore mover and agent , and to all these causes to encourage the attempt to acquire power and plunder by incana of treachery and murder may bo added the poverty of the Chinese , owing to the scanty yield of gold during tho last eight months . I will only add that to penetrate their designs waa impossible , nnd without a cluo to tho design and its advisors their attempt was not conceivable . True , aomo rumours had been afloat three months before that , under of

      guiso a religious procession , tho Kungai people wore to force the gaol in order to liberate eomo priaonora bolonging to thoir body , but tho scheme did not then embrace my life , m I waa in Singapore . Orookshank took precautions , and on my return I made inquiry into tho matter , without eliciting any tangible evidence to warrant mo in disturbing tho po : ico of tho country . To guard agalnat auch . a conspiracy } a impossible , it alumbora till opportunity occurs . Wo nro really not much hurt ; our ilniincoa will Buffer , but will recover , as oven now , owing to tho speedy nnd complete deatruatlon of tho Kungsi , confidence is not wanting , Tho loaa ol

      the Company is trifling . It is fortunate that you will hear of our disaster and its retrieval at the same time ; and , for myself , I may say that I am in good health and spirits , and ready to rough it with the best of them . Our Iadie 3 behaved with great fortitude and resignation . Charlie Johnson , as usual , has b . een my right hand , and every Government servant has declared he will follow its fortunes in evil as well as in good fortune . I have written to retrench every superfluous expense , and I have appropriated my pension from the East India Company to pay the pensions I grant to others . Everything else is superfluous . No books , no papers , no wine , no nothing .

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      AMERICA . The Hou . William B . Reed , of Philadelphia , has been appointed Minister to China . He is for the most part a politician of the old Whig school , but he aided in the return of Mr . Buchanan for the Presidency , under a fear that to support Fremont would lead to a Government of a sectional character , and would endanger the union of the States . Mr . Forsyth , the American Minister in Mexico who recently negotiated a treaty or series of conventions with that State without instructions , has been recalled . The new charter for the city of New York , and the Bill changing the organisation of the city police , have been passed by the State Legislature at Albany . The New York police will now be organised under three commissioners in much the same manner as that of London . The United States war steamer Niagara has been fitted out to assist the English ships in laying the submarine telegraph cable . Her departure has been delayed , owing to an accident with her engines . " The inquest on the victims of the fatal catastrophe at the Des Jardins bridge , on the Toronto and Hamilton Railroad ( Canada West ) , " says a letter from New York , " has terminated . The jury found that the cause of the accident was the breaking of the axle of the engine , by which the whole train was thrown off the rails just as it

      was passing on to the bridge . The structure was strong enough to support any train as long as it kept on the line , but , being thrown on one side , the engine and carriage tore up and broke through the plank-work and plunged into the deep canal below . The jurors recommend the erection of a permanent bridge , with separate tracks over it for the Great Western and Toronto lines ; they also recommend-the renewal of the law compelling trains to stop before passing on to all bridges like that at which the terrible accident occurred . "

      The Toledo Commercial publishes the confession of a wife-murderer , taken down by the editor from the mouth of the criminal . The man , according to his own account , was first attacked by his wife , and also irritated by her language , till he was exasperated into striking her on the head with a flat iron . When relating these facts , it appears he frequently paused , overcome with remorse and sorrow ; but this did not prevent his giving a disgustingly minute account of his cutting-up and burning the body . He is to be hung . A horrible murder and suicide has been committed in

      Bullit county , near Mount Washington , Kentucky , by an elderly gentleman , Mr . Julius Bukey . His daughter was being courted by a youthful neighbour , to whom the father objected . One day , the young lady and her parent had an altercation on the subject . Bukey , who had conceived an idea that his daughter was about to olope , got terribly excited , struck the girl , drew a revolver , and shot her twice . She fell dead in tho proaonco of her mother . Tho murderer then rushed from tho house with the weapon in his hand , and , though one of his sons tried to prevent him , blow his own brains out .

      Tho decision in tho Dred Scott slave case , given by tho Supreme Court of the United States , is causing a great deal of opposition on tho part of tho slave-holding States . v A committee of the Now York Legislature haa recommended tho adoption of a resolution affirming " that this State will " not allow slavery" within her borders in any form , or under any pretence , or for any time , however abort , let tho conscquencea bo what they may . " The committee also suggcata tho passing of a bill which shall enact— " Sec . 1 . Neither desconfc , near or remote , from an African , whether such African ia or may have been a slave or not , nor colour of akin , shall disqualify any person from being , or prevent any person from becoming , a citizen of thia State ; nor doprivo auch person of tho rights and privileges of a citizen thereof . —

      Sec . 2 . Every slave who shall come , or bo brought , or be in thia State , with the consent of hia or her master or iniatresa , or who ahall come , or bo brought , or bo involuntarily in this State , shall bo fwo . —Sec . 8 . Every person who ahall hold or attempt to hold in thia State , in Blavery or aa a elavo , any poraon mentioned aa a aluvo in the aeoond section of thia act , or any frco person of colour , in any form , or under any pretence , or for . any time however abort , ahall bo doomed guilty of folony , nnd on conviction thereof shall bo confined in tho Stuto priBon at hurd labour for a torm not lea * thim two nor more thun ton yours . " A committed of tho Ohio l . i'g ' mluturo haa inndo similar rocominundutioiia , and resolutions have boon reported , appropriating one hundred thousand dollars for tho protection of Ohio citixeiiH in Kansas .

      Tho convention settling tho question of tho Sound Duob between tho United States and Denmark haa boon signed at Washington by tho Secretary of State , Mr .

      Cass , and M . Bille , the Danish Minister . The UnitoH States Government agrees to pay Denmark the sum nf 717 , 829 rix-dollars Danish , or 393 , 000 dollars American being the proportion that falls to the share of the Unite f States by the capitalization of the dues . Sailors are very scarce at New York , even at advanep l wages . It is reported that a body of troops will be se to the Salt Take to establish proper authority amone tl Mormons . ° A very serious fire has occurred at Baltimore , causima loss of about 500 , 000 dollars . musing An election riot took place at Quebec on the 11 th ult when the military were called out . '

      Advices from Vera Cruz to the 4 th ult . report that the clergy had openly declared against , and denounced the new constitution in all the churches . The Govern ment was about to call the Archbishop and other pronri nent ecclesiastics to account . The army had sworn to the new constitution , and the Government had issued a manifesto to the nation reviewing its acts . A battalion of National Guards , with a small force of artillery , had been sent to Tehuantepec to guard the national interests in that quarter . Disorders had taken place there and many persons were killed . '

      " General Cass s reply to Lord Napier on the Chinese question , " says the Daily Neros New York correspondent " was delivered on the 11 th of April . It is drawn up with clearness and precision , in a spirit of candour and friendliness towards England . While it declines a political and military alliance with England and France , the American Government will use its best endeavours to gain the common ends proposed by both nations . " Mr . Charles Sumner , the senator who was n ' carlv murdered by the late Preston S . Brooks , has arrived in Europe on a tour for the benefit of his health . The sea vovage has done him immense good .

      A Mr . William Bailey has communicated to the Springfield ( Illinois ) Republican an account of his capture , while travelling with nine other men in Mexico , by the Indians , who killed all but Bailey , and kept him for a long time among them , subjecting him to great misery . and forcing him to witness unutterable cruelties which they inflicted upon any white men they could seize . At length , he slipped away from them , and escaped into civilised territory . The Mormons are incfeasing- ^ in audacity every day . and people are beginning to say that the Federal Government must step in , and put an end to the saintly community . Brigham Young has recently ordered to be burnt nine hundred volumes of the United States laws

      and reports ; he has cancelled and reversed decisions of the Federal Judge ; and has raised to honour criminals whom that Judge had condemned . It is said that Young has a sworn band of assassins at his disposal . All this while , he draws a salary from the Treasury at Washington in his capacity of Governor of the territory of Utah .

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      IRELAND . Distiiess among the Laijouiung Classes . —The Limerick Reporter states that , owing to a combination of nilverse causes , the labouring classes in that city were never in deeper distress than they arc at this moment ; that emigration is greater than ever ; and that crowds leave almost every morning by train for Liverpool , tc take ship for America , Canada , or Australia . Mukubu in this Quisen ' s County . —Mr . Fennell , tlit attack on whom we related last week , has since died . Mouis Fooi > Riots . — Some further rioting , of a similar character to that which wo chronicled last week , hiw

      taken placo at Galway . Tho exportation of potatoes appears to bo tho cause of these disturbances . This Tiweraky Bank still gives occupation to the counsel and judges in tho Irish law courts . In the Maater ' a-office , on Monday , an application waa made to allow Mr . Jcrningham , London , to institute proceedings at law against Gcorgo M'Dowell , the oflicin manager of tho Tipporary Bank , to recover a sum ol 5300 / . During tho year 18 d 8 , 13 , 000 / . were lodged in tho Tipporary Bank in the joint names of John SaUluir and Jerningham ; and John Sadlcir was improperly

      allowed , without tho knowledge or authority of Mr . Jerningham , to draw upon hia own checks not loss thnii 5300 / . Mr . Jerningham now sought to recover tho mm from tho Tipporary Bank by an action nt law ngaln " tho official manugcr . Tho motion waa granted . —1 " t ' Court of Quoen ' a Bench , on tho sumo day , counsel applied on bohulf of the public officer of tho Nowcnstit Bank to make absolute tho conditional order lor a m" « facias against Mr . Hone , in order to rocover iitfainsUi ' a judgmo . it had against Mr . M'Dowell , tho oiUciui inanugor of tho Tippomry Bank . Tho question wawhether N r 1 lono waa a shareholder llo muiertua "'

      . , ho hud sold his shares in 1 H-17 ; but it iippo '" * 111 l " . this waa merely a collusive ii rocomliiig , <« " < l tJl () m " tionnl oj-ilor fur a acire Jiwuitt was therefore muilo '"'• ' a ' Swmiuonh to Komic —Oho of tho Jiolfast piM ' ' ' ' nnnoumios that Dr . Donnia , Uuinnu Oitlioliu ' >»« " " ' , ' ^ Down and Connor , 1 ms buon mmunoiiod to Ko "" j { business of importuucD oomiuulod > iilh Jil * ( Uoi : iWt ' ' that ho is to tuku his doparluro iu a 1 ' uwdiivaM "

      Internal Cily . . . , | , 'VllV . Duill . m J ' UOTICHTANT ASSOCIATION . - " ' » " l "' ' has received a sovoro and woll-niorltod rubuko in "

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      412 _____ THE ! L E AJDJE B ,. [ g : J * ZJ ^ Satpbday

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), May 2, 1857, page 412, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2191/page/4/