The Sun. — London, England, 1867-01-22 00:00:00

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE. LONDON, CHATHAM, AND DOVER. A meeting of the common fund shareholders in this company was held yesterday at the Victoria Station, Pimlico. Mr. William Hartridge, at the • request of the meeting, took the chair. The CHAIRMAN remarked that the weather was against having a large assembly, but, as a consider able number of shareholders had responded satis factorily to the circular issued by the committee, he was not surprised on that occasion to find that the room was only partially occupied. At the last meet ing it was felt desirable that steps should be taken to protect the interests of the common fund share holdqrs, and a committee was appointed with that view. It was now important that they should take immediate steps in the Court of Chancery and in Parliament, and for that purpose re-appoint the committee with power to take the necessary steps to maintain their rights, and have their claim for inte rest regarded as a part of the working expenses of the main line and of the Metropolitan Extensions. Their rights under the Act of 1862 gave them a position and a security which justified the public in subscribing at par for a 5 per cent. (common fund) stock at a time when 6 per cent. was the interest offered and payable on a large amount of debenture bonds then under issue by the company. It was very unfair and unreasonable for the holders of de benture bonds to attempt to supplement them on the position assured to them by act of Parliament ; but, as that attempt had been made by means of a bill filed in the Court of Chancery, there was no alternative for the common fund shareholders but to defend themselves, and there seemed very little doubt of their position being successfully defended. To do this an expenditure and superintendence by persons interested had become necessary, and the meeting was called to appoint persons and to raise funds to efftct those objects. It might also be necessary that the proprietors should be represented in Parliament by counsel or other wise, not only to obtain the insertion of clauses in any bill affecting the London, Chatham, and Dover interests for the protection of common fund rights, but to seek for powers to convert the £250,000 debenture bonds secured on the common fund into an equal amount of debenture or ordinary stock, similar to that existing, and representing £750,000 in amount. It was not supposed that any difficulty could occur in effecting this very desirable arrangement, inasmuch as a b per cent. stock secured as the common fund was, and the interest upon it regarded as a part of the working expenses on these lines, in ordinary and quiet times would be consi dered worth 105 or 110, being a premium of 5 or 10 per cent.; and such might fairly be expected to be the result of measures adopted by Parliament for adjusting the difficulties that now beset the London, Chatham, and Dover Railway Company. The direc tors of the London, Chatham, and Dover Company had shown a very considerate feeling towards them. In regard to the London, Chatham, and Dover dif ficulties, he alone was responsible for the opinion that they should all act in harmony, and that the rights of the holders of rentcharges, leases, and de bentures should be settled in the suits now before the Court of Chancery as to their respective priori ties, and after the establishment of all those he pro posed that their position should be inserted in the bill to be brought before Parliament. Of course some further capital must be found to pay the debts and liabilities, and to provide such a sum as would finish any portion of the uncompleted line as would add to the income of the company; and each section should bear its own burden as to its share of the outlay and its interest and preference charges. He thought the • sum required might be reduced from £1,500,000 to £1,000,000, and that after paying the interest upon it the surplus should be divided rateably among the debenture holders and others, according to their priorities, giving them acknowledgments for any thing overdue, or for any deficiencies which should be defrayed rateably hereafter out of any surpluS earnings before any payments be made to share holders, preference or otherwise. Providing, of course, that no debenture holder be paid off before 1872, as provided in the directors' bill, except by taking debenture stock. lie understood that three bills were to be promoted in the ensuing ses sion, one in respect of the main line shareholders, another in respect to the debenture holders, and the third by the directors of the London, Chatham, and Dover Company. He hoped a com mittee would be appointed by Parliament to inquire into the whole matter, that any fraud, plunder, and other wrongs inflicted on the company might be ex posed and the consequences visited upon the wrong doers. In the present Common Fund Committee they had a Queen's counsel, a banker, a shipbroker, and a railway director, and he trusted, so far, that they had conducted the business satisfactorily. (Ap plause.) Mr. HAWKSLEY proposed—" That the committee appointed on Nov. 27 last be requested to continue their services, with power to add to their number -:—viz.,Mr. S. H. Burbury, Mr. E. B. Denison, Mr. J. Glover, Mr. W. Hartridge, and Mr. W. M. Take—for the purpose of maintaining the priorities of payment and other rights, as specified by the London, Chatham, and Dover Railway (Additional Powers) Act, 1862, and to take such steps in Par liament and in the Court of Chancery and elsewhere in relation thereto as they may deem necessary." ' Mr. J. GLOVER seconded the motion. The CHAIRMAN, in reply to questions, stated that some steps had been taken by the common fund bondholders, and it was essential to have their co operation. Ile believed the claims of the leased lines caine after those of the common fund. The time had now arrived for taking active steps to maintain their right and position. The attitude they assumed was one of defence, not of defiance. Mr. BITRBURY explained that Mr. Bacon had given an opinion in favour of the claims of the common fund before all debentures issued after the creation of that stock, but the deben tures issued previously would have precedence until paid off. He said that Mr. Denison, Q.C., had no doubt they would be able to maintain their rights and position. Mr. TYREMAN said he represented several deben ture-holders, and had filed a bill in the Court of Chancery for the protection of their interests, and they were as nearly as possible the same as those of the common fund shareholders. Their interests were in fact identical, and they would concur with the shareholders in promoting the general benefit of common fund, share, and debenture holders. The CH aiRMAN said the common fund shareholders were desirous of protecting the interests of the deben ture holders, and were in favour of a union of both, which would make together £1,000,000 common fund stock. After some observations by Mr. Wrillan, Mr. Richie, and Mr. Glover on the claims of the common fund shareholders, The resolution was carried unanimously, and the proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks to the chairman. RAILWAY BILLS. Yesterday Mr. Frere and Mr. Palgrave, the exa miners on standing orders,held sittings at the House of Commons. The following unopposed bills were passed by Mr. Frere as having complied with the standing orders :—The Crystal Palace and East London High Level Junction ; the Peterstield and Bishop's Walhana ; Blyth and Tyne ; the Forth and Clyde Junction and Caledonian and Skiption and Wharfdale Railways, and Greenwich and South- Eastern Docks. Of the opposed bills, the Swansea Vale was adjourned to Monday next, and the Glas gow (City) Union was postponed until the 27th inst. Before Mr. Palgrave, who has teen appointed examiner, vice Mr. Smith, resigned, the following unopposed bills complied with standing orders The Caledonian and Forth and Clyde Navigation (Amalgamation) ; Caledonian (Forfarshire, Works, &c.) ; Norwich and Spalding ; Denbigh, Ruthin, and Corn en ; and Mold and Denbigh Junction (Amalgamation). The Thames Subway Bill did not comply with the standing orders; and the Brecon and Merthyr Tydfil Junction and the West Cork Bits were adjourned. There were only three new attacks of cattle plague last week, and all of them were at the old spo t, namely, South Holderness, in the East Riding. 'The animals affected—a steer, a cow, and a calf—were killed at once by order of the inspector. Miscellaneous American News. THE EXCISE LAW—DECISION OF THE SUPREME COURT. —Albany, Dec. 31.—The Supreme Court has given its decision upon the constitutionality of the Excise law, in the case of the Board of Excise v. S. Jackson S. Schultz. Several other cases were on the docket, involving the same points. The Court unanimously affirms the judgment of the Court of General Term. The Court held that the provisions of that act were within the scope of legislative authority, which extended to all subjects not pro hibited by the Constitution ; that there is no con stitutional restriction prohibiting the right of the Legislature to regulate the traffic in intoxicating liquors ; that such regulation dues not interfere with or restrain on e of his liberty or property; that licenses to sell liquors are mere temporary permits to do that which, without such permit, would be an offence ; that such license is not a contract between the State and the licensee, giving to the latter any vested right ; that such licenses are a part of the internal police system of the State, such as are useful in the exercise of police powers, and are always subject to the control of the Legislature, which may make, modify, or continue them at pleasure. DEAD BODIES SHIPPED FROM PHILADELPHIA. — Bo STOIC, Dec. 31.—While the steamship Saxon, from Philadelphia, was discharging her cargo to day, a box accidentally broke open which revealed two dead bodies. Upon examination another similar box was discovered. Both boxes were directed to Brunswick, Maine, and it is supposed were designed for dissection. They were sent to the dead-house. The cost of maintaining the police of New York this year has been $2,338,406.38. Desertions from the British navy in American waters average five per cent. daily. _ _ _ The cost of the printing, lithographing, and bind ing ordered by the United States Congress for the year ending September 30, 1866, was $1,018,000, and for the Executive and Judiciary Departments, $623,000. HEAD CENTRE STEPHENS.—The New York Tri bune of Jan. 1 says :—" At a late hour last evening information was received at the Tribune office that James Stephens, the Fenian Head Centre, had been boarding at No. 308, East Thirteenth-street, ever since his mysterious appearance some weeks ago, until within four days, under the name of Wil liam Scott. Two or three of Stephens's principal adherents were conversing with the Head Centre on Sunday, the 22d December, and, becoming alarmed about the report in the Tribune, which stated that Stephens was still in New York, he suddenly decamped for parts unkLown. This is most start ling information for the supporters and friends of Mr. Stephens, and his presence in New York will, no doubt, account for the fact that no insurrection has broken out iu Ireland under the auspices of the Head Centre. It has been ascertained that Stephens has been paying the modest sum of $45 a week for his board and lodging. This news will, no doubt, create a terrible revulsion against Stephens. During the time of Stephens's conceal ment in Thirteenth-street he had pickets thrown out, continually watching, to prevent intruders ; but even this precaution did not save the Head Centre from detection. It will evidently be impossible for Stephens to keep his engagement with the British Government in Ireland this year." THE " NEW YORK HERALD" ON THE ATLANTIC YACHT RACE.—The New York Herald, of Decem ber 31, has the following reflections upon the recent yacht race :—" The great change in British public opinion of this country and its people which this and other conflicts of oar great war have brought about, we see in the honours showered upon these yachtmen. We have conquered even the doubts and delusions of England, and John Bull wel comes Brother Jonathan as a chip of the old block. The good Queen, always our friend, has at last won her Cabinet to our side ; and so those Alabama claims, Mr. Seward tells us, need not occasion the least alarm. And this is well for Englar.d, for just now conies in the most important hint suggested by this yacht race, to wit—What will become of the commerce of England in the event of a rupture with this country, unless we have in advance a settlement of this Alabama question on the American doctrine of maritime belligerent rights ? We believe that, as we can build and man sailing vessels so as to make the time of steamships, a war of twelve months with the United States would be more disastrous to England from such craft than the work of the Alabama a hundred times over. Such are among the practical teachings of this yacht race. But as England has turned from the offences of our late war to the courtesies and hospitalities of peace and friendship, let us hope that the influence of this yacht race will largely operate in behalf of the general interests of peace, and in widening the moral power of the great Republic, its people, and its institutions." Superheated steam, for the purpose of navigation and motive power, was first patented by Treve thick, in 1833. Navigation on Lake Erie was closed on the 30th December. COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. NEW YORK, Jan. 1, 1867. The Bank Statement for the week is not favourable showing a decrease in deposits and legal tenders. The value of money has risen, and seven per cent. on call is readily paid. Many hope, now that the new year has opened, that the existing stagnation in trade will be suc ceeded by a rival, but others have grave doubts on this subject. We are, in truth, realising now the effects of the war on the commerce and monetary affairs of the country. The causes cannot easily bo removed, and will in all probability not only continue to exist, but to increase. The effects of inflation was to maintain a false prosperity, the opposite effect of contrac tion will be the reverse, while the Government were issu ing two millions of dollars a day, and spending more still, everything had an upward tendency. Now that Govern ment are calling in these issues, and obtaining the power of doing so by heavy taxes on the people, the whole system is reversed. For this reason I agree in thinking the times before us will not be so pleasant as some suppose. Gold opened at 134, and closed at 1331. The Henry Chauncey brings from Aspinwall 8630,117. Government stocks are all higher, with an increase of business. The whole share market is higher, but at the closo there was an indisposition to pay the extreme rates. Erie is an exception to the advance and has b"en steadily pressed to sell all day. Adams Express advanced 4 per cent., and Hudson River 10 per cent. Pacific Mail was in fresh demand, and sold at 170. Mariposa Preferred sold at 321, and was in de mand. At the close the following prices were paid : —Now York Central, 1111 to 111 f ; Erie, 671 to 671; Hudson River, 135 to 110; Reading, 1051 to 1051; Michi gan Central, 108; Michigan Southern, 831 to 84 ; Illinois Central, 1204 to 121; Cleveland and Pitts burg, 94 to 901; Cleveland and Toledo, 125 ; Rock Island, 104 to 1041; North-Western, 46 to 46} ; North- Western Preferred, 811 to 814; Fort Wayne, 105 to 10,5 i; Mariposa, 321. The following shows the condition of the New York City Banks:— Dec. 2.q. Loans 5239,351,7131 Increase $1,099,247 Specie 13,183,222 Decrease 46,695 Circulation 32,661,526 Increase 231,097 Deposits 200,811,290 Decrease 1,218,587 Legal Tenders , 63,000,687 Decrease 1,816,275 (Glenn and Co.'s WeeVII Circular, January 17.) The London Market for American Securities during the past week has been very inactive. The proposed impeach ment of the President by Congress has unsettled the markets, and new investors do not come forward ; and, in our opinion, will not until the unfortunate difficulty at Washington is settled. 5-20 bonds at 721 —are i per cent. lower than last week ; Eries at 44 aro 1 per cent. lower, and Illinois Central at 81 are the same. Atlantic and Great Western Consolidated Bonds were at one time as low as 38 with the dividend, on a rumour of financial difficulties; but it is now rumoured that there are no such difficulties as those which so seriously depressed the bonds of the Atlantic and Great Western Company at one time this week. Among the miscellaneous securities that have participated in the ht . te rise in prices are tho Confederate Cotton Loan Bonds. It is understood that there is a quantity of cotton hold in abeyance, pending a suit with the United States Government. Sh ou ld t h e deci sion be adverse to the Government of the United States, of course these cotton bonds would participate largely In the proceeds arising out of the sale of the cotton in question. This fact, added to the troubles in Washington, has sent up the Cotton Bonds from 21s. to £3 ls. per $l,OOO ; and they may advance very much more. Gold in New York since our last has advanced 4 per cent., the last quotations being 139-, with nearly $1.00,000,000 in hand, and the balance of trade, as shown by the foreign exchanges, in favour of America. Secre tary M'eulloch allows gold to advance without doing any thing to check it, to the demoralisation of business, and to the injury of American credit abroad. It is much to be regretted that so much power is conferred on any one man, as now wielded by the American Finance Minister, for he THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EV.ENING, JANUARY 22, 1867. entireJ'y controls the price of gold throughout the United States . (Ream E. F. Satterthwaite and Co.'s Weekly Circular.) 6, Austinfriars, London, Jan. 16. By - the Java we have our customary advices from New York to the 31st ultimo • they report a fair average a:no - nut of business in all the stockmarkets. Governments were firm at previous quotations, and some rather impor tant changes appeared in the Railroad Share List, Chi chao and North Western being quoted $9 lower, while Ilud son River had improved $l4, Cleveland and Pittsburg $5, and Illinois Central $2. Money was more in request at higher rates, and gold steady. There has been a general activity in the London market for American securities during the past week. On improved quotations from New York prices slightly strengthened, but have not maintained the full advance, United States 5-20's closing 721 to -I, Illinois Central shares 81 to 1, both being a small advance on this day week :but Eries have declined 1 per cent., the last quotation being 441 to 45. Xtlantic and Great Western Consolidated Bonds leave off 32 to ex coupon, or about equivalent to last week's quotations. The debentures are 51 to 52. Impeachment of President Johnson. The Pall Mall Gazette states :—" We have reason to believe that the articles of impeachment to be laid before the Senate by the managers who shall be appointed by the House of Representatives to prosecute him will be substantially as follows :- 1. That he has violated and set aside the Constitu tion and laws of the United States which he had sworn, as Executive, to support. The chief speci fication as to violation of the Constitution is that he has appointed to office men whom the Senate had refused to confirm immediately after such refusal, the Constitution declaring that all appointments of the Executive shall be made " by and with the advice and consent of the Senate." The chief specification with regard to the violation of the laws will be that he has appointed to office, and is now paying out of the Contingent Fund of the War Department, men who have not, and who are notoriously unable to take the oath of loyalty, thus violating and setting aside a law of Congress passed July 2, 1862, and yet un repealed, providing that no man shall hold any office, military, naval, or civil, unless he has first taken the oath that he has never given support, countenance, or encouragement to the enemies of the country in armed rebellion. Another specifica tion under this head will be that he has refused to sustain the Civil Rights Bill since the same was passed by Congress over his veto, or to instruct his agents in the South to respect and enforce its pro visions, through which neglect various instances of flagrant denial of rights and perpetuation of wrongs meant to be prevented by the said bill have ensued. These alleged instances will probably be mentioned in detail, and the testimony of military men ad duced. 2. That he is guilty of " high crimes" against many American citizens whose lives have been cruelly sacrificed by him in his illegal pursuit of partisan purpose. The first spe cification will be that by sustaining the Mayor of New Orleans and his police—all of whom were ex-rebels—in suppressing a legal assemblage of Unionists in New Orleans, he was the real cause of the slaughter in that city of 378 unarmed men, amongst whom were the most eminent and devoted patriots of Louisiana. Another specification will. refer to the similar massacre at Memphis. 3. That i he has been guilty of gross and serious " misde- I meanours" in language and beheaviour, to an extent injurious to the peace and order of the country and degrading to the office he holds. The specifications here will . be mainly these-1, denouncing the ser vants of the people in Congress assembled as " satraps," as " a body hanging on the verge of the Government," as " equally guilty with the traitors of the Smith," and as " guilty of the New Orleans massacre ;" 2, declaring publicly that he could with safety have made himself " dictator" if he had wished ; 3, giving pardons indiscriminately to rebels against the Government at the solici tations of a woman of loose character, and others who made it a business to obtain and sell them, and other abuses of the pardoning power ; 4, giving to the country as the regular re port of General Sheridan on the New Orleans massacre a garbled copy of the same, with the in tent of concealing a statement very damaging to himself iu the same ; 5, habitual drunkenness to the extent of interfering with his duties as President, and also of bringing dishonour on the country by wild and incoherent harangues, made while in a manifest state of intoxication. In support of this allegation the speeches made at his inauguration and at Niagara and various other places visited during the President's recent Western tour will be adduced. It is probable that a leading manager of the case will be the Hon. Mr. 'Bingham, of Ohio, a gentleman who led in the prosecution of the late Preston L. Brooks, of South Carolina, for his assault upon Mr. Sumner in the Senate Chamber, which resulted in his expulsion from the House of Representatives. Mr. Bingham is said to be a man of considerable legal learning, and an able speaker. It is believed by some prominent men in Washing ton that the President will resign rather than have a trial proceed. ings for furthering this demonstration, must be made to the district organiser in each case. The council of the Reform League wish to impress upon the minds of all disposed to co-operate with them in their national and patriotic objects thas, whilst it is their earnest desire that the demonstration on the 11th fof Feb. should be such as to prove unmis takeably the firm and deliberate resolution of the artisan and labouring classes to have . the rights to which they are entitled by the principles of the constitution, to be no longer excluded by class legis lation from being represented in the Commons House of Parliament and the administration of state affairs by men in whose appointment they have had themselves the power of freely and directly concur ring, and, in fact, to be no longer treated as children, fit only to be placed under the political guardianship of the wealthy. It is also the earnest desire of the council that this great demonstration should in all its proceedings be conducted in a peaceful, orderly, and law-respectful spirit, worthy of men whose strength is in the justice of their cause more than in their numerical force, worthy of the brave, thought ful, and Christian people of Great Britain and Ire land.—By order of the executive, GEORGE HOWELL, secretary, 8, Adelphi-terrace, Strand, W.O " class of robber equally dangerous. The Fenians organise openly, with the avowed object of fight ing the British empire. They declare their inten tion of dividing among themselves the property of Ireland in case of their success, and they know they will be hanged, shot, or exiled in case of failure. But the mean thieves, to whom Mr. WATKIN alludes, direct against their countrymen poisoned arrows and concealed mines, that a small gain may accrue to themselves from the ruin which involves countless numbers of families in misery and destitution. 'rhe midnight incendiary who sets fire to a house filled with sleeping inmates, in the hope that he may carry off some small amount of plunder in the general scramble is the man that may be likened to the gang denounced by Mr. WATKIN. It is lamentable to see the helplessness of the English public in the face of the new danger which threatens their pro perty, and it is refreshing to find one man at least up to the occasion, and sufficiently powerful to make his exertions felt.—Anylo-American Times. The Proposed Reform Demonstration. The following programme for a demonstration on Feb. 11 was adopted by the executive committee of the Reform League and delegates on Friday even ing last :—" That the whole of the metropolis be divided into the ten postal districts, each district to be complete in its organisation, but all under the control of the executive committee. That to each of the above districts be appointed a member of the L a z ns a el g re , u p e aeur e ds o o u an u l s c ao i council, tpooorai appointed the das bd iys d t r e t ih le cet g m a m t , ea marshal assh districta 1 on committee, thoer o demonstration, dgaayr nedcuenticvee ;ofhe e thesh 0 du and i l district, rei either h , rin live ye - er t nt h ht e eh entire :o te district, ni control o s l u superin tendence e of rr theibn e t e o ex f well acquainted with it, and be well known in it. That each district bedivided by the district organiser into two or more sub-districts, subject to the ap proval of the executive committee, and to be reported to the next meeting of the committee. A person to i s b t ho e a a a l c p ot p n o a si the n s tue sub - da t o yi t e or a fi c c t h t ho s e r u g b da e - n d mi i s s oe t nr r s i a c t nr t ad w t s h ou o nb: s dt o w i s e t r l h l i c a k v t nem° the entire ne entire interim organisation of his sub-district under the superintendence of his district organiser, and to be nominated by such district organiser, and sub mitted to the approval of the executive. That each league, branch, trade, benefit, friendly, or other so ciety, or body of men wishing to join in the demon stration, should do so in the district to which they belong, so that the whole c'uld be brought to one central spot in the district under perfect control ; any large body or trade society wishing to assemble in any particular district, or by themselves, should notify the same to the executive at least six days before the demonstration. The same rule will apply to parties coming to town by rail to join in thedemonstration, also to notify the time and place of assembling. That each of the above bodies do appoint a person as chief, under the name of the marshal thereof, to have the organisation of such body, and to command, under the sub-district marshal, on the day of de monstration. That to facilitate the business of the organisation, there be engaged by the district orga niser, as near the centre of each district as conveni ent, a district committee room, each society or mar shal being a committee-man, the sub-district mar shals being vice-chairmen, the district-marshal chairman. That the district committees meet as often as needful (nightly, if possible), to arrange meetings with delegates of societies, conduct the general business of the demonstration, &c., and re port (if possible) to each meeting of the executive. That every body of men joining the demonstration do appoint, under their chief, men to aid them in the organisation and demonstration, and to have the name of sub-marshals, one at least to every 300 men. That every branch or society marshal, six days at least before the day of demonstration, give in a statement as near as he can, of the numbers, names, and particulars of his branch or society to his sub-district marshal, who will give it to the dis trict marshal to be forwarded to the executive. That no expenditure be allowed by the executive, if in curred by any individual, branch, or other body (taking part in the demonstration of Feb. 11th) un less such expenditure be previously passed by the executive committee. The Executive com mittee meet every Mon:lay, Wednesday, and Fri day, up to the day of demonstration. All applica tions for assistance in organising branches, or meet- THE PARIS EXPOSITION. The attempt made, by a body of Peers and other gentlemen, to lessen the nuisance which the Customs has established of stopping and searching every tra veller, on arriving at either side of the Channel, dur ing the Paris Exposition, has, we regret to say, failed. The memorialists suggested the substitution of de tectives, in place of the individual and personal search of baggage, now enforced. The concession, they say, involves the comfort and convenience of several hundreds of thousands of her MAJESTY'S subjects, and of Americans and other travellers from abroad passing through England on the inte resting occasion offered by the EMPEROR for the as sembly of people of all nations at Paris. The Go vernment, however, after consulting with the Trea sury and Custom House authorities have refused the petition. It is said that, if once granted, it could never be revoked, and the practice would enable smugglers to defraud the revenue to a large extent. The people running between London and Paris during the Exposition wily not require a large amount of baggage, and are not likely to be en gaged in smuggling to any extent. For our part, we believe there is scarcely anything worth smug gling into England for its own sake or for the gain to be derived. Nearly everything can be procured in London cheaper and better than elsewhere, and it is difficult to understand what the inducement, beyond the mere pleasure of defrauding the revenue, can be. Some people have an idiotic idea that an article can only be procured in a genuine and un adulterated shape in the place either once celebrated for its manufacture, its growth, or the spot where it is found. Thus it is that Birmingham drives a thriving trade in articles that the uninitiated have no suspicion had a shade of " Brummagem" attached to them. The simple Briton landed at Galle finds a wealth of precious stones, beautifully set, displayed before his eager eyes. lle has little idea that the Birmingham trinkets had not long preceded himself in their arrival. He buys a jewel to send home as a keepsake, and it returns to its native land greatly enhanced in value. So it is with most of the purchases made by indi viduals in their travels. The fact is, that England can afford to grant the prayer of this petition, not only for the time specified, but for all time to come; indeed, wholly to abolish the vexatious delay in volved in the search of passengers' baggage. A few spies and detectives would be quite sufficient. A Custom-house officer is not likely to be deceived, and the paltry smuggling of individuals would, we believe, almost wholly cease if the inducement which the little excitement of " doing" the revenue, under the present system, were removed. At EVANS' Supper-room, in Covent-garden, where hundreds assemble to eat and drink and listen to good vocal and instrumental music, they have for years adopted the principle of receiving from their customers a statement of what they have had —at the door—as they pass out. The proprietors must have found this system answer, or they would not for so long a period have kept it up. What their check is we do not know, except it be the principle implanted in man's nature generally of not being guilty of a paltry swindle where he is trusted. It is dangerous to thro ar great temptations in the way of humanity ; but it is not dangerous frankly to trust men, when the temptation to rob is small. Indeed, we feel certain that the Government would save more by granting the petitioners' request, and thus reducing the large staff they will be compelled to keep, than the amount they will lose by frauds on the revenue, and freely trusting the passengers. It would be easy to intro duce a regulation that baggage over a certain weight was to be inspected, and of course retaining the right of search of any baggage indicated by a Custom-house officer. This, with a few detectives on the line and at the principal stations, would be sufficient, and one of the greatest miseries of travel would be removed. We look for many useful re- forms from the Paris Exposition, and if it could be inaugurated by obtaining such a boon to travellers as that petitioned for it would commence well. The French Government wishes to co-operate, and the impediments in its way are greater than those in the way of the English Government. Although the petition has been refused, we have hopes that the subject will be re-considered, as the principle is strongly supported by members of both Houses of Parliament. Like many reforms, when first mooted, and which may administer a shock to the techni calities of Custom-house officials and others, it will be found, when tried, easy of accomplishment, simple, beneficial, and not dangerous to the revenue. —Anglo-American Times. COTTON SUPPLY OF 1861. The quantity of cotton imported into the United Kingdom in 1866 was 3,749,041 bales, against 2,755,321 bales in 1865, making an increase about 32 per cent. The importations of last year were larger than in any previous year, as well as being very considerably in excess of 1865. It is instructive to know the countries from which the supply is derived. First in point of quantity stands British India, whence came 1,847,739 bales. Next of course ranks the United States, giving 1,156,130 bales. The number of bales furnished by all other countries barely exceeded 700,000. But though the United States stood second on the list with re gard to quantity, it takes the lea I as regards value, the estimate being for the Union £35,000,000, and for India £33,000,000 ; the value of the produce of all other countries being £14,100,000. The year 1866 showed at its commencement a stock of raw cotton in Liverpool of 402,630 bales, which de clined on the 16th March to 340,250 bales. This was the minimum quantity of the year, its maximum being reached on the 25th May, when the bales numbered 1,205,330. From this point the quantity again decreased, and on the 28th December last closed at 516,770 bales. Some idea may be formed of the importance of the staple when the total cost of the import is added up. The gigantic sum is then reached of over eighty-two millions sterling. The fluctua tions in the market price varied in the course of a few months from 40 to 50 per cent. The highest price of the year was obtained at its commence ment on January 5, when Middling Orleans sold at from 21d. to 21.6-d. per lb. The lowest price was reached on the 25th May, precisely the date at which the quantity had risen to its maximum, when the same quality of cotton sold at 13d. to 13d. Although the fall in American cotton was consider able, that in Indian was far heavier. On the sth January fair Dhollera sold at 184 d. to 18Z-d., and on the 25th May 90. to 9d. was the price it realised. Though the fall in Indian was comparatively so much greater, its rally was also greater, for on the 28th December Middling Orleans was worth Hid. to 160. par lb., while fair Dhol lera brought 130. to 130. One reason for the violent fluctuation in Indian cotton arose from the misapprehension of the effect likely to be pro duced by the superior quality of American cotton when the supply became abundant. It was thought that the spinners would not use Indian sorts if American were procurable. It has, however, been found that the machinery has been adapted to the use of the Indian staple, and that the manufac turers fear to alter it until satisfied that the supply of American cotton would prove certain and sufficient. The insecurity of the position of the Southern States on the whole exercised an in jurious influence, although this uncertainty was made the means by speculators of raising for a time the price of American cotton. The manufacturers were getting into a groove which, had the American War lasted much longer, would have had a pernicious effect on the resuscitation of the American cotton trade. The conflicting statements of the estimated yield of the Southern States had a strong effect on the Liverpool market. The difficulty of obtaining correct information as to the exact supply forthcoming, as well as the difficulty of estimating what the result would be of emancipating the negro labourer, had a powerful influence. One striking fact is prominently brought out by the figures before us. Although the consumption of cotton in Eng land has increased since 1862, the consumption on the Continent has increased in a far greater ratio. The export from Liverpool to continental ports has rapidly augmented, and it is now known that con tinental manufacturers are enabled to compete suc cessfully with those of Manchester in many of the coarser classes of cotton goods. Liverpool is the great emporium to which all the cotton supplies are gathered, and whence they are distributed over the world. Most of the gold of the world finds its way to the vaults of the Bank of England, and nearly all the cotton that is grown passes through the warehouses of Liverpool. Although the supply and demand are certain to equalise each other in the end, and prices to find their true level, yet, in a staple in which for the last few years the fluc tuations have been so violent, a great influence cannot but be exerted by speculators. Last year was one of prodigious loss to the holders of cotton, but in previous years there had been great gains ; and the large sums made on the whole enabled the losses to be borne without producing any very serious consequences. Before the American war every market was glutted by the over-production of the Manchester looms. At the close of the war the surplus stocks had been consumed, and it was thought that Manchester could be busily employed for a considerable period before the world could be again over-stocked. Last year the production ex ceeded any previous year except that of 1860, and the export of manufactured goods was also the highest known. At the same time it must be borne in mind that considerable quantities of the raw material had been manufactured on the Continent, and it is therefore thought that the process of over production is again rapidly going on. If this be so, Manchester will not be able to continue to consume the same amount of raw material, and in this case the present price cannot be maintained. The ques tion is, however, one of supply. It is reported that the new crop in India will be a comparative failure. The price of the—raw material will :mainly depend on the forthcoming crop in the Southern States ; the quantity, however, is not likely to remain long in obscurity, as was the case for some time after the close of the war. What the South can produce under the altered state of things will soon be known, and the market will then be less influenced by reports and rumours, many of which are merely concocted by those whose interest it is to raise or depress the market price.—'lnglo-American Times. SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS. --41.- THE " SPECTATOR" ON LORD DERBY'S SIX MONTHS OF PATRONAGE. — Lord Derby and his colleagues received the seals of office in the begin ning of July, and have consequently been in office little more than half a year. In this brief period the Government has distributed an amount of patronage which might well account for the anxiety of politi cians of either party to see their own friends upon the Treasury benches. First, as to Peerages. Of these six have been created, four having been be stowed upon Conservative members of the House of Commons. Lord Henniker, for 25 years the re presentative of East Suffolk, and an Irish Peer, is now a member of the Upper House, under the title of Lord Hartisinere ; Sir W. Jolliffe, for more than 3 . 0 years m e mber for Petersfield, and th e T or y w hi p in the Administration of 1858-59, was gazetted Baron Hylton ; Sir E. B. Lytton, for 11 years M.P. for Herts, and Secretary for the Colonies in Lord Derby's previous Cabinet, was raised to the Peer age as Lord Lytton ; and Colonel Douglas-Pennant, who for a quarter of a century sat for the county of Carnarvon, was created Lord Penrhyn. Outside the House of Commons peerages were granted to Viscount Boyne, an Irish Peer, who now sits as Lord Brancepeth ; and to Sir Hugh Rose, Com mander of the Forces in Ireland, who is now on the roll of the Lords as Baron Strathnairn. It is, how ever, ou the Judicial Beech that the present Pre mier's patronage has been most conspicuous. Lord Derby's legal appointments for the past six months are very nearly equal with those of Lord Palmer ston during his six years' administration from 1859 to 1865. What the new Conservative Judges lack with respect to number is co un t er b a l ance d b y t h e high positions which most of th em h ave ta k en. I n England, Sir Fitzroy Kelly has been appointed Chief Baron of the Exchequer ; Sir W. Bovill, Chief Justice of the Common Pleas ; Si r H ug h C a i rns, a Lord Justice of Appeal in Ch ancery ; an d a Vi ce- Chancellorship has been given to Mr. Malins. In Ireland, Mr. Whiteside has been appointed Lord Chief Justice ; Mr. John George, a judge in the Court of Queen's Bench ; Mr. B rews t er , a L or d Justice of Appeal in Chancery ; Mr. Walsh, Master of the Rolls ; Mr. Lynch, a judge in the Landed Estates' Court; and Mr. Miller, a judge in Bank ruptcy. Here, then, are ten judgeships in six months. Lord Palmerston, in six years, appointed thirteen judges,two chiefs and eleven puisne justices; Lord Derby, in six months, has had the nomination of a Chief Baron, two Chief Justices, two Judges of Chan cery Appeal, a Master of the Rolls, a Vice-Chancellor, a puisne justice in a superior court, and two judges of the minor courts. To effect these changes six judges have been placed upon the pension list, viz., Sir W. Erle, Sir F. Pollock, and Sir It. T. Kinder sley, in England ; and Mr. Lefroy, Mr. Hayes, and Mr. Longfield, in Ireland. Two of the vacancies arose through the deaths of Lord Justice Knight Bruce in England, and Mr. Cusack Smith, the Mas ter of the Rolls, in Ireland. The remaining two were caused by the promotion of L or d J ust i ce Blackburne to the Irish Chancellorship, and of Mr. Lynch from , the Bankruptcy to th e L an d e d Estates ' Court, in tne same kingdom. Tlisi el; vati,n of the new judge has caused the distribution of practice worth at least £40,000 a year among the members of the bar at Westminster Hall and Lincoln's Inn, and of from £15,000 to £lB,OOO a year amongst the Common Law and Equity barristers of the Courts in Dublin. After such an amount of patronage Lord Derby's bishoprics make but a small show. Yet the noble Premier h a s h a d th r ee mitres to dis pose of ; two in Ireland, an d one in the East. The bishopric of Meath has been bestowed on Dr. But cher, and the bishopric of Tuam on the Hon. and Rev. C. Bernard. The see of Calcutta, vacant through the melancholy death of Dr. Cotton, after having gone a begging for months, has at length been accepted by the Rev. Robert Milma,n, vicar of Great Marlow. The new baronetcies have been five in number. These honours have been conferred upon Sir F. Pollock, late Chief Baron of the Ex chequer ; Sir H. Edwards, of Pyenest, Yorkshire, and one of the members for Beverley in the present Parliament; Sir W. - Williams, a large landed pro prietor, of Tregullow, Cornwall ; Sir D. Goo c h, chairman of the Great Western Railway ; and Sir Curtis Miranda Lampson, who, with Sir D. Gooch, took a prominent part in laying the Atlantic cable. Nor were the heroes of Atlantic telegraphy forgotten in the knighthoods, of which there have been 12. Captain Sir James Anderson, Sir S. Canning, Sir R. A. Glass, and Professor Sir W. Thompson severally received this honour Law and juris prudence have had their representatives i n the persons of Sir Wilhana Bovill, Sir R. Mathis, Sir J. Rolt, Sir J. B. Karslake, and Sir W. Hackett, Recorder of Prince of Wales's Island. Civic dignity has been sustained in the persons of Sir B. S. Phillips, late Lord Mayor of London, and Sir John Morris, chief magistrate of Wolverhampton. Lastly, the value of African travel and exploration has been recognised by con ferring the honour of knighthood on Sir Samuel Baker. Five Lord-Lieutenancies have fallen in. Lord Penrhyn now holds that of Carnarvon ; Lord Tredegar, that of Brecknock; and Mr. M'Clintock, of Drunicar, that of Louth ; while Northampton shire and Rutland are vacant. These two Lord- Lieutenancies of Rutland and Northampton, to gether with a Garter, are now in the gift of the Prime Minister through the death of the Marquis of Exeter. Two vacant Garters have been given to the Duke of Richmond and the Duke of Rutland. Twenty members have been added to the Privy Council. The Governorships of Bombay, the Island of St. Christopher, the Straits ,. Settle ments, and Natal lave been filled up. Sir Bartle Frere has been appointed a member of the Indian Council, and a host of Recorderships and County Court Judgeships have gone in for new nominations. In connection with Lord Derby's unprecedented amount of legal patronage, it may be stated that the harvest is as yet by no means past. A bill is to be introduced into Parliament in the ensuing ses sion for the creation of three additional common lawjudges; Lord Justice Turner and Mr. Baron Martin have served the requisite number of years to enable them to claim their retiring pensions, and a very few months will place Vice-Chancellor Stuart and Vice-Chancellor Wood in a similar position. It is somewhat remarkable that, amid all his good for tune in rewardin g political adherents, Lord Derby at this moment has only one law officer out of six in the House of Commons. That one is Sir John Bolt, the Attorney-General for England, who sits for West Gloucestershire. No seat has yet been found for Sir J. B. Karslake, the Solicitor-General ; the seat of Mr. M orr i s , th e Irish Attorney-General , is formally vacant through his acceptance of office ; Mr. Chatterton, the Irish Solicitor-General, offers himself for the University of Dublin ; and the Scotch Lord Advocate and Solicitor-General are both out of Parliament. COUNTBY MARKETS. NORTHAMPTON-JAN. 19. New white wheat, 58s to 655; new red, 4Gs to G 4 . -; ; old white, 62s to 68s; old red, 61s to 66s per 36 stone. liarl9' for malting, 42s to Ms per qr. ; grinding, 29s to 36s per '-' 1) stone. Oats, old, 26s to 33s ; new, 23s to 32s per 2-1 stone. Beans, old, 46s to 49s ; new, 42s to 4os per 38 stone. Peas , 38s to 42s per 36 stone. Agricultural Prospects. Last week opened with a sharp, cold, frosty day. Wind N., and very keen. On Monday 17 deg. of frost were registered. Wind N.N.W. A dense fog enveloped the metropolis for hours, checking busi ness materially ; thermometer was 28 deg. at 8 a.m.; barometer 29.80 in., rising. This severe frost, where there was no snow, would enable the farmers to cart their manure extensively, being a most essential work, which could not be commenced sooner, so much snow having come with the first frost, while the sudden thaw caused the ground to be flooded in low-lying districts, and in others the land was too soft to admit of carting. On Tuesday morning there were 16 deg. of frost registered. The day was keen and bright, which still allowed manuring to be pro ceededwith,and wheat thrashing no doubt would go on too, but no other work on the farm could be pushed forward, the soil being too hard for ploughing. This state of weather would effectually destroy the slugs where there was no covering of snow, and thus much good would be done in this respect. Our advices on that day from Northum berland stated : " The weather was wet, cold, and foggy on Wednesday, with a gale from the S.E. in the evening. Since Thursday it has been freezing hard, and the ground is again covered with snow, the wind veering from N.E. to the N.W." From the West Riding of Yorkshire it was remarked : " The weather has been severe since Friday, with out much snow to keep the wheat crops from harm, but more is falling this evening. The floods in the various places must have a bad effect on the grow ing wheat, and prove very injurious." On Wed ' nesday only 6 deg. of frost were registered, snow having fallen, and the day was of an uncertain character, with much indication of snow at night. Wind N.N.E. ; thermometer 28 deg., and barome ter 29.85 in. From the west coast of Scotland it was written : "We have had bard frost since Thursday last." The heavy snow-storms on the east coast have been very prevale nt, suspending for a time regular communication by railways, and put ting a stop to travelling as well as all out-door work. On Thursday morning 5 deg. of frost were regis tered, with snow reported in many places at a short distance from town. Our advices from Warwick shire on that day stated : " The weather changed again on Friday last from much rain to snow, with a very severe frost, which continues ; wind N. and N.E. Inland navigation is stopped ; some appre hension is felt for the young wheat plant, where only partially covered with snow after previous rains." From Norfolk it was written : " The wea ther still stops thrashing, and we have an unusually small attendance at market, and limited offers of grain." From Suffolk it was remarked : " The weather continues winterly, ground well covered with snow, and severe frost." On Friday morn ing thermometer, 28 deg. ; and barometer 29.65 in. 8 deg. of frost were registered, with a fall of snow, and more fell occasionally - during the day ; wi n d N.N.E. Much ice has now accumulated on the Thames, and the navigation upwards is already stopped. On Saturday morning 10 degrees of frost were registered ; wind, N.E. ; thermometer, 28deg. ; barometer, 29.80 in. During the day there was a small downfall, but the wind being in a wrong quarter for thawing, there is much doubt of a thaw. Dry fodder is now being exten sively consumed, and the homestead is full of cattle which must be well fed to keep them healthy.— Mark-lane Express. The New Conspiracy against Property. Mr. E. W. WATKIN, M.P., when presiding at the half-yearly meeting of the proprietors of the Man chester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Railway on 'Wednesday, availed himself of the opportunity to refer indignantly to the rumour, propagated for Stock Exchange purposes a short time ago, th at h e had failed. The account of that disgracef u l affair was Press.fu fully reported repor ted and largely commented upon by We are not awa re w h at subsequent steps were taken by Mr. I VATKIN, but it wo u ld ap -1 the ap pear that this gentleman has been acting with qualifications, with a vigour in the matter. Mr. WATKIN is well known a rumour might n business aS SU C C a l iCulated to be very l t a o ortg c ei o n m fuo b crh i t n ua e nffee,eatnhdi first-rate rnasl et ih o, ultg wh injurious to shareholders in concerns over which he presided. On their account, as well as on account of the public generally, we hope and believe that this gentleman will closely proceed with the investigation and rigorously punish the offenders. There secm3 suine' limits the ea to be a doubt whether he, not being e ngage d i n business, could prosecute on a chargeofd m ama n g i i h n g g credit.ehfisthe term The ,h law,sine "business" presume, those actually engaged in trade. It may still be open to him, however, to prosecute the scandalou s re p or t on a charge ee the fe n a s u p t i h r o a r e s of y. From the tenour of Mr. WATKIN'S remarks, we see that he does not intend to let the matter drop, and we be lieve that no effort he can make could be better directed to benefit his fellow countrymen than in bringing to justice and exposing in all its naked deformity the authors of this vile conspiracy. Penal servitude for a gang of these ruffians is the only effectual way to break the neck of the plot. The B. Chairman had bet ter have been left alone by the conspirators. Any money they may h ave ga i ned t h roug h th e us e of his name will prob a bl y have b een purc h a sed at a great cost, and f or our art we are glad they have so committed the mse l ves. Th ey h av e roused a man of great influ ence and determ i na ti on i n to vigorous p action. They have given him a double grievance ; one personally directed against himself, and one generally directed against property in which he was largely interested. In his speech at this meeting he appears to have hinted at a hideous organisa tion, with its " Head Centre" in London, and ramifications all over the country, having the dis tinct and deliberate object of bringing down in ruin various properties, in order that the confede rate scoundrels might obtain a base and scandalous profit. If this be Mr. WATKIN's opinion his duty is clear enough, and we will watch with the greatest interest how he di sc h arges the task he has under taken. " The p u bli c, " h e sa y s , " were awakened to "the combi n ati on o f rasca lity which had already pro " duced so much di sas t er; an d it will not be my fault," he adds, "if th ey are not m ore awakened." If he succeeds iu admini s t er i ng an effecteal check to a plot so base he will d eserv e a l a sting memento of gratitude from the whole body of English share holders. The Fenian conspiracy is not so detest able as this vile organisation. That it has been in existence is proved beyond a doubt by the case of the Agra Bank, by the attempt made on the London and County Bank, and others, as well as by the attack on him se lf. S om e of our contemporaries have alluded to th e gang as s cavengers," a grossly unjust compari s o n . A scav enger may be a useful and honest me m b er o f th e community, though his " work may be nasty. But these scoundrels, whose efforts are directed to the ruin of thousands of families, that they may secure a base profit, are engaged in a work so fearful that there is no other COLOHEST M-JAN. 19. Wheat, white t 43 Tlis i Beans, Alazagran...„,3 , a 4 03 red 62s C7B Middle and small. _443 183 Barley .... l2s 563 Peas, white. 38s -i23 Oats •.......—s - s grey ..... 428 CHELMSFORD-JAN. 18. The market was fairly supplied with wheat, and millers and merchants showing an inclination to buy a good busi ness was clone at the rates of last week. Spring corn of all descriptions remain as last quoted. Wheat, old white.... 523 663 c Peas, Partridge 418 433 new 3 s 67s Wh:te ...328 3 63 old red '.Os 59s B . fling - s —3 new. 501358 s I)in ......,. ... Barley.... 26s 33s t dt t.o,n e w..: !B B _ O 3 9 l. heva 1 i e r --s —s Beans, Tick, 01d......400 455 tiriad.ng 5s 30s new. ...35 3 42 ' Malt 5Bl tOs Harrow i icks.-123 4 63 Chevalier 60s 521 new.. —4Ol 440 Oats GRANTHAM-JAN. 19. Old white wheat, 65s to 725; old red, 60s to 68s; new' white, 68s to 71s ; new red, 56s to 64s per 36 stone. Bar ley for malting, 38s to 455 per qr. ; grinding, 30s to 34s per 30 stone. Oats, old, 30s to 32s ; new, 25s to 30s per 24 stone. Beans, old, 42s to 52s ; new, 39s to 46s per 38 stone. Peas, 35s to 40s per 36 stone. ABERDEEN-JAN. 18. At our market to-day wheat was in good supply, bu t the trade was inactive, at about former terms. White wheat 52s Od to 60s Od / ,21b Red wheat 48s Od to 55s 04 Potato oats 24s Od to 26s Od } 401 ? bushel. Common oats 23s 6d to 25s Od Bere 31 5 Od to 32 5 6d t' 11 bushel. Barley 32s Od to 33s Odi . 531 b Oatmeal 20s 6cl to 21s 6d 1.1 boll of 2801 b• Flour, fine 43s Od to 50s 6d sack of 2801 b. ishol. KIRKCALDY—JAN. 19. Good supplies of wheat, barley, and oats. All kinds sold freely at about late values. Wheat. Barley. Oats. First...— 56s i.d ; 34s d 22s Oct t Os Oct 38s Od 2.is Od Tutrd 6ls Od 4, s Od 29s Oct COAL MARKET. Price per ton at the close of the market. s. d. s . d. Walls End Haswell... 27 6 Hastings H ar tl ey lB 3 _ _ _ • East Hartlopeol 27 6 Lambert's W.llartley 18 „ Wharneliffo Buddle'sWestllartloy 18 3 Cowpen Hartley West Hartley Ships at market, 25—sold, 23. Foreign Awl racket List. -4.-- MAILS DUE. ‘ustralia and New Zealand, via Southampton..... Jan. 19• Ditto, via Marseilles .......... ....... ..... ....Feb. i 3. Brazil and Cape Verds. by British packet Feb. 4 . Ditto, by French packet Cape or Good Hope, Ascension, and St. Helena— Ft b. China. Penang, and Singapore, via Soul hampton Feb. 2 . Ditto, via Marseilles Faikland Islands Gibraltar, via Southampton J a n. 28 India (Calcutta), and Ceylon, via Southampton... Jan 28 Ditto, vla Marseilles India (Bombay), via Southampton. Ditto, via Marseilles Malta, Egypt, and Aden, via Southampton Jan V• Ditto, via Marseilles Jan .27 Mauritius, via Southampton Ditto, via Marseil e J... • • • Feb. 3 'iewfoundland l'or tugs, ..I',b 4 Ditto, by private ship to Lisbon.. . United ,States and British North Atnerioa, by Bri tish packet.. 2L Ditto, by United Staten pack't, via Switbausp t,)n Ditto, via Curk ...... by (JanadiAn packet, via Lontioaderry -•' ‘V , At Coac-t of Africa, Ntadeira, and Tcnerin Feb. 3 il'eat Indies and Pacitio (except 13343, ,:as and Lionaur,ti) via New Y ork. Feb 7. Uuba ass iicxico... Bermuda., via Halifax •••• Jan. 28 , Feb. 11 A deputation from the borough of Sheffield, OW sisting of Mr. John Arthur Roebuck, M.P., Mr. Geo. Sad field, M.P., the Mayor (Mr. John Webster), Mr. Alderman T. Jessop, J.P., Mr. J. Eustace Grubbe, Mr. R. J. Gsini g " ford, and the Town Clerk, had an interview with the Righ t Hon. Spencer H. Walpole at the Home-office yesterday, o n the subject of Sheffield being made an assize town. We (Anylo-American Times) are well pleased to be able to contradict, through such undoubted authority, the statement that the Arago and Fulton are to be sold, and their line discontinued. Th e report came from America, and furnished the sub" ject of leading articles in many of the newspaper s ' as well it might if it had a basis of truth. sincerely hope that the line will flourish, and th at the enterprising owners may reap the reward they merit. We hold it to be a material duty of the American people to uphold and strengthen this eul-n -pany. The London agents will see from the whol e tenour of the article in question that such were our opinions and intention. TO THE EDITOR OF. THE ANGLO-AMERICAN TIMES. e SIR, - Our attention has been called to an article in Y c T 6 last number on the subject of The Transatlantic CarrYl Trade, and referri ng t o th e s t eamers o f thi s C om p a ny, as a° II be withdrawn from the service in which they have bee?:l so long engaged. Will you permit us to state that ther.ol4 no intention on the part of the Company of withdra w ) their ships, but that they will cont in ue to run them heretofore, and according to the dates mentioned in ou r advertisements. By allowing this note to appear in Y° llr t next issue, you will much oblige, Sir, your most o bedi' ll s,mints, S rAltlt AND CO, Ageat9. 145, Cheapside, London, Jan. 17, 1867. Notice has been given that the transfer books e i the Egyptian Trading Company (Limited) w ill b ° closed from the 25th to the 31st instant, both elusive, in order to prepare the warrants for 0 . 8 return of £2 per sh are t o b e ma d e b y t h e cou ncil, II ; pursuance of the r eso l u ti on o f th e genera l mectil3v held 31st December last. The official liquidator of the Commercial 1334 a of India has announced his intention of paYi eg io dividend of G s . Bd. i n th e poun d ou t o f th e funcle,, his hands on an e arly date next month, thus a ir .'; charging a thi r d o f th e liabilities of the bank. hear that he entertains the hope of paying viitb ill . ,„ o reasonable period another dividend of the Pi; reasonable will then only remain pay ab le. further 63. Bd. to discharge the bank's The liquidator has estimated in his report that surplus will be left after paying creditors in full' —.e Births. COItEY—On the 20th inst., at South Weald, Mrs. 11 - 1 -' Corey, of a daughter. f* 3 l ELLIS—On the 21st inst., at Belgrave-road, the lion' L. Agar-Ellis, of a daughter. Eas t EGGINTON—On the 19th inst.. at The Elms, Kirk Ella , ,iOl Yorkshire, the wife of John S. Egginton, Esq., of —son and daughter. ,cet Fou tiEs—On the 19th inst., at 28, Queen's-gate -to -I'. Mrs. Forbes, of Nowe, of a son. Marriages. 001 %s , LADDS—KENT—On the 19th inst., at St. Clement v- Strand, John, fourth son of W. Ladds, Esq., of ton, Hants, to CecillaTownshend, fourth daughter late Henry Kent, of Chipping Barnet, Ilerts. ToruAm—HALL—On the 19th inst., at the parish c 111113; Brighton, Capt. Richard Topham, Commandant p est 16th Bengal Cavalry, to Annie Elizabeth, Ye ilu e) daughter of Alfred Hall, Esq., M.D., of the Old St Brighton. Deaths. +feet' ALLEN—On the 17th inst., at 15 , Lamb's Condu it -S Henry Allen, aged 51. 19/' IlAY—On the 18th inst., at Cannes, France, Sir Al Bart., of Smithfield and llaystoun, aged 71. f o eSl INNES —At Albion Villa Maidenhead, Barks, John 11 ' ' n Esq., aged 61. (13 01' STEVENS—On the 15th inst., Arthur R. Stevens, of - tenham College, aged 16. „ 0 0f' WALLER—On the 15th inst., at 9, Duke-street, Gro sT-- square, Thomas Waller, aged 95. 112 0 . 4. WATNEY— On the 19th lusty at Wimbledon, Surrey , Watuey, Esq., aged 82. near WARREN—On the 20th inst., at Ilighbury-house, D C5 ' don, Thomas P. Warren, Esq., aged 78. -,..! London : Printed god Published by WILLIAM OW j ! •? of No. 1)2, Eitraud, Pthiter at TliZi Sus °Woe , (/- Strand, in tile Precinct of the Savoy, in the CM -- ?aichilqa.—Tuestlay, Jitiniary_22, 1867. '`"~.r. ~~ ~~r N (