The death of RUNJEET SINGH, an important event no the
present state of Indian politics, was mentioned in our second edition last week. As soon as intelligence of their Sovereign's decease reached the troops sent in aid of the invasion of Affghanistan by the " Old Lion of the Punjaub," they immediately decamped, leaving their British Commander, Colonel &am, with a small force. RuNJElir's successor, KURRUCK Sixou, exhibited some vigour; but insurrec- tions among the tribes who obeyed his father were expected, and the Indian Government anticipated much trouble in that quarter. The tenour of Indian news is unfavourable—even alarming. DOST MOHAMMED was preparing to make a stout resistance to the Anglo-Indian army ; the commencement of whose march from Candahar against Cabul was not positively known in Bombay when the last accounts were despatched, but orders had been issued for the movement of the troops on the 15th of June. The Persians, it was reported, were marching against Herat with a large force ; the Ameers of the Scinde, regardless of recent treaties with Sir him KEANE, had declared hostility to the British, and possessed considerable powers of annoyance ; the Northern frontier was threat- ened by the Nepaulese, and the Eastern by the Burmese. Thus in all directions the clouds were gathering ; but everywhere also the Indian Government was watchful and alert, preparing the means of repelling and punishing aggressors. The termination of the movements in Asia will probably be a great extension of Bri- tish territory—certainly a considerable increase of debt and tax- ation.
Just when funds are most needed, one branch of Indian revenue has been cut off.* Whatever may be the result of the Chinese quarrel, for some time at least the opium-trade must be stopped. Accounts from Canton, reaching to the end of May, state that all
the opium had been delivered to the Chinese Commissioner, an& it was valued at no less than 3,100,0001. Mr. ELLIOT, the British- Superintendent, had warned English merchants against continuing to deal with the Chinese in any articles, and announced his in- tended departure from Canton. This interruption of the com- merce with China is the more to be regretted, that the prospects of commerce with other countries are not flattering.
