The Sun. — London, England, 1867-03-12 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT HOUSE OF LORDS—LAsT EVENING. The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack at five o'clock. THE REFORM st ATISTICS. The Earl of DERBY stated that there would be no dif ficulty in placing before the house every information upon the intended measure which was to be introduced relative to the great question of Reform. (Hear.) LORD REDESDALE AND MR. FRANCE. Lord REDESDALE said that he wished to call their lordships' attention to the report of the committee on the accusations which had been made against him by Mr. France ; and as the committee had declared those charges to be unfounded, lie would desire only to occupy them a few moments with an account of the motives that had iudaced him to take the course in the matter that he had done. For a long series of years charges had been made against him, which he utterly repudiated. lie had weighed all the matters connected with the bill, and had come to the conclusion he had done. As far as he (the noble lord) was concerned, he was glad that the inquiry had taken place, and expressed his satisfaction at the conclusion which the committee had come to. Under these circumstances, he could not think but that Mr. France was other than wrong headed, and that hardly anything would have made an impression on him. As far as he was concerned, he should not ,press for any thing against him, but treat him with contempt. The matter, however, he left in their lordships' hands. Lord TAUNTON contended that though 'Xi. France used rough language towards the noble lord, yet it must be taken into consideration that a person occupying the position of a judge was open to criticism, and that the public had a right to employ it. Therefore he thought that Mr. France, as he had had no personal feelings towards the noble lord, should not be troubled farther in the matter. _ _ The Duke of MARLBOROUGH said that there was no doubt in the minds of any of the committee relative to the course they should take. The whole matter was of the clearest description. He (the noble duke) did not know what course their lordships might adopt in the matter, but he thought it only right that as a noble lord holding an important position, and representing their lordships' house, some mark of the censure of their lord ships ought to be given. (Hear, hear.) The Marquis of CLANRICARDE said that though he trusted the noble lord would take no proceedings against Mr. France, that still he hoped that this would be an opportunity which they would take to improve the legis lation and jurisprudence of railways. He had long differed from the noble lord as to the manner in which these affairs had been administered. Under the present system there were many anomalies which could not be sup pressed, and that when such great works were being carried out of feeling, not only companies and share holders but the public at large, that there ought to be a total alteration in the present regulations of the committee of that house. If in any case the judgment of that house was not to be commented upon, and if it were so that it was to be considered to be a breach of privilege, then all the freedom of public discussion would be done away with. Thepresent proceedings in relation to these bills was neither constitutional nor proper. There ought to be a court and responsible body, and an open court too, to inquire into matters relative to railways. (Hear, hear.) The LORD CHANCELLOR said that after the obser vations made by the noble marquis that it was just that the house should know what were the circumstances which had excited the indignation of Mr. France against the noble lord, the chairman of committees. The fact was simply that, in the bill in question, it was considered necessary that a proviso should bo introduced, and this would be done on the third reading. This was accordingly done, and it was at that period quite open to the promoters of the bill to have opposed this in- tioduction. Now it was difficult to make Mr. France un. derstand this, and he had alleged nothing against the personal character of his lordship. The resolution was unanimously agreed to. THE REFORM. BILL. Earl RUSSELL then rose to move that an humble ad dress be presented to her Majesty, praying that there be laid before this house :-1. A list in alphabetical order of the cities and boroughs in England and Wales returning members to Parliament previously to the passing of the Act 2d and 3d Will. IV., cap. 45, and stating the nature of the suffrage existing in each city and borough. 2. A return showing the number of electors in each city and borough in England and Wales for 1865-66, classed according to the several qualifications in respect of which they are entitled to vote, and the number of such electors who come within the description of mechanics, artisans, and other persons supporting themselves by daily manual labour, classed in like manner. 3. The number of electors made out from the foregoing return, distinguishing those who come within the description of mechanics, artisans, and other perscns supporting themselves by daily manual labour, in the cities and boroughs entitled to return members to Parliament befot - e the passing of the Reform Act, and distinguishing the mechanics, artisans, and other working men entitled to vote as scot and lot voters, potwallers, and other ancient right qualifications, from those entitled to vote as freemen or as £lO occupiers. 4. A similar return of mechanics, artisans, &c., in cities and boroughs entitled to return mem bers to Parliament for the first time by the Act 2d and 3d Will. IV., cap. 45; and also in the borough of Birkenhead. His lordship said that he had given notice of his inten tion to move for these returns, with a view to call the attention of the house to tho present state of the reform question. That house was as much interested as any part of the nation in the representation of the people, and therefore he should make no apology for adverting to the topic. In the Queen's Speech the attention of Parliament was directed to the subject of Parliamentary Reform, and notice was given that on the Monday following the Chan cellor of the Exchequer would bring it under the con sideration of the other house. The right hon. gentle man's statement is, however, so obscure, that it is impossible to gather the intentions of the Government either from that or from the resolution which was laid on the table of the House of Commons ou the following morn ing. After some time the intention of the Government to proceed by resolutions was abandoned, although no oppo sition was made to such a course. It was resolved to in troduce a bill. But again, on February 25, the House of Commons was told that there was another change of inten tion on the part of the Government, that the bill which had been sketched out by the Chancellor of the Exchequer was not to be brought in, but that it was intended to in troduce one founded ou entirely different principles. This was a course utterly without precedent, and full of incon veniences. In the course of one of the statements made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer it was said that one of the objects of the first Reform Act was to exclude the working classes from the franchise, and it was added that the present Government was about to restore to the work ing classes the franchise of which they were so unjustly deprived. That induced him to look to what passed at the time of the Reform Bill, and what had since taken place in reference to the admission of the working classes to the franchise. Afted reading an extract from his speech in moving the second reading of the Reform Bill in 1831, in order to show that it was the intention of the framers of that measure to admit to the franchise a considerable por tion of the working classes, the noble earl said that, although the working classes were not admitted to the extent which he and his colleagues desired, it was never theless the fact that they were admitted to a large extent. It must be recollected that in towns like Leeds, Manches ter, Sheffield, and Birmingham, none of the working classes previously possessed the franchise ; and the general effect of the Reform Act was that, in twelve of the newly en franchised towns, more than 25 per cent. of the electors admitted to the franchise belonged to the working classes; in twelve others from 15 to 25 per cent. of the voters enfranchised were working men ; and in twelve others the proportion of this class was under 15 per cent. By that Act, in the whole, 58,000 of the working classes were ad mitted to the franchise in new boroughs, while 70,000 more were admitted in old towns. Undoubtedly there were in some towns scot and lot voters, freemen, and burgess tenants, who ceased to enjoy the franchise in consequence of the Reform Act ; 50,000 persons, not, however, by any means all of the working classes, have been thus struck off the list of voters. It was the view of the promoters of the Reform Bill, that in the boroughs where these voters, where these franchises existed, there had been so much bribery and corruption, that it was better to entrust the right of voting to a new c l a ss marked out by a property qualification. That certainly conferred the preponderant power upon the middle classes; but this is in itself a source of stability, and the result has been that since the passing of the Reform Act the principles of the Constitution have been maintained intact—the prerogatives of the Crown and the rights and liberties of the people having been equally secured. It was mainly due to Earl Grey that that great measure, which swept away so many nomination boroughs, which were a scandal to the country, was passed. Every one who has read the recently published work which contains his correspondence with King William IV. must be of opinion that it would be impossible to combine in a greater degree than he did the loyalty and respect duo to the sovereign with the maintenance of those popular prin ciples to which he was attached. It has been said by one of our pots in praise of books, that they To various people tell not various things, But what they say t o subjects say to kings." Earl Grey had the merit of a volume in that respect. He never concealed from his sovereign what he was saying to a subject, and he never ceased to impress on the subjects the loyalty due to the sovereign. (Hear, hear.) In 1851 it became the opinion of the Government of which he was the head that some further change in the representation should take place with a view of extending the right. of voting to a larger number of the working classes. In that year he proposed a Reform Bill based on the double principle of admitting a large number of work ing men to the franchise and of lowering the occupation franchise in counties. It is said that since then five reform bills have been introduced and five have failed ; but only three out of the five—those introduced in 18,59, 1860, and 1866—were discussed—the others having been withdrawn; and therefore they were the only ones which can Pe said to have failed. He would now, with the leave of the house, call their attention to the principles on which he thought that the Reform Bill which the Government was under stood to be preparing should be founded. The Earl of DERBY—I must rise to order. The noble lord has taken to commenting upon what has been said in other places ; but I must object to his offering remarks to your lordships on the supposed principles of a bill which is not yet introduced into the other house, and which it is absolutely impossible to discuss. Earl RUSSELL thought he had a perfect right to com ment on the principles on which he thought that such a Reform Bill as would besatisfactory to the country should be founded. It has been often said that the only principle on which it is possible to base a measure that will be both permanent and satisfactory to the country is a return to the old scot and lot franchise. But although that might have been the principle of the franchise in old times, as it was declared to have been by a committee of the House of Commons which satin the 17th century, it will be difficult to fit it to the state of society as it now exists. In the 17th century those who paid scot and lot voters were the sub , stantial burghers of the towns—those upon whom taxa- tion fell, and who were called upon to defend the coun try in case of invasion. But the state of society now, and for some time past, has been very different. In London eiere will be scarcely any extension of the numbers of voters in consequence of changing the suf frage from a £lO occupation franchise to a household franchise ; while, on the other hand, a large number of persons who reside in lodgings, and who are well qua lified to exercise the franchise,• will still be ex cluded. Then there are a large class of persons in the country who are what are called compound householders. Their rates are paid by the landlord, and not by the tenant, and therefore they have no vote. Now, any enfranchise ment that does not admit lodgers in London and compound householders in the country would be very unsatisfactory, and therefore both classes must be admitted, if Parliament wishes to settle this question for any considerable period. But then it is said that a lodger franchise, fixed at a cer tain amount, will not be permanent, because the figure of the qualification may be altered from time to time. But if you admit all lodgers, you will have as nearly as possible that residential manhood suffrage which is advocated by the Reform League and by Mr. Potter. He doubted, there fore, whether the principle of the 17th century can now bo safely acted on; and how can that be permanent which is not adapted to the existing state of society ? The Reform Act has now been in operation 35 or 36 years ; to it we owe the reform of our municipal corporations, the Dis senters' Marriage Act, and the establishment of free trade ; and it is doubtful whether any other measure will lead to more beneficial results. It is, however, necessary to ex tend the franchise more largely to the working classes. But, while it is requisite to admit the best of those classes to the franchise, we do not require such a change as will swamp the middle classes and deprive them of all power in the country, and he (Earl Russell) should be sorry to see legislation on such a basis. The Earl of DERBY—I have listened with unfeigned astonishment to the speech of the noble earl. I came down expecting that he was about to ask for information which should enable your lordships to discuss the measure which at no distant period the Government intend to introduce into the other house of Parliament. But he has not vouchsafed us a single word with reference to the re solutions which he has placed on the paper. Ho has indulged in autobiographical reminiscences which are no doubt interesting to your lordships, and aro certainly in teresting to the noble earl himself. He has gone back to the 17th century and to the times of the Reform Bill, and ha has given us a history of the various failures of bills in troduced by various Ministers since 1851. But with regard to the returns which he is about to move for, he has not said a word. Now, lam not about to follow him into the statement he has made with respect to the conduct of the Government during the present session, nor will I discuss the merits of the Chandos clause or of the £lO house holders. There is no question that the Reform Act intro duced to the franchise a large number of the working class who did not previously possess it. But the statement to which the noble earl referred was to the effect that while the Reform Act enfranchised a large number of the work classes, it also excluded front the constituencies of many boroughs a considerable portion of the working classes who exercised their right of voting under the different franchises which that bill abolished. I think that a mis take was made in abolishing those franchises, which cer tainly gave a degree of variety to the electoral holy, and the noble earl admits that since 1832 there has from this cause been a decrease of working-class voters to the num ber of 58,000. The noble earl supposes that it is the in tention of the bill about to be introduced to restore some of those franchises to the working classes. He has given us a sketch of what should not be introduced into a Reform Bill. It would be contrary to my duty to follow him or to enter into a discussion of abstract principles in refe rence to a forthcoming measure. I,shall not therefore say a single word about the noble earl's speech, but confine my self to his resolution. The noble earl then proceeded to cri ticise the terms of returns moved for by Earl Russell, and (after some explanations from the latter noble earl) he pro posed that the motion for the two latter returns .hould be amended so as to embrace the information required. Earl RUSSELL agreed to this proposition, and The address, as amended, was agreed to. The house adjourned at twenty minutes before seven o'clock. HOUSE OF COMMONS—LAST EVENING. Th© SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock. NEW WRIT. A new writ, on the motion of Mr. Brand, was ordered to be issued for Boston, in the room of Mr. Staniland, who has accepted the office of steward of the manor of North stead. REFORM BILL FOR SCOTLAND. Col. SYKES gave notice that on an early day he should ask whether it was the intention of the Government to in troduce or extend the Reform Bill to Scotland. NEW MAGISTERIAL APPOINTMENT. Mr. P. A. TAYLOR gave notice that to-morrow he should ask the Secretary of State for the Home Depart ment whether Mr. Churchward, who has lately been ap pointed to the magistracy, is the same person who had been declared guilty of bribery. THE NEW NATIONAL GALLERY. Mr. J. GOLDSMID asked the First Commissioner of Works whether the following statement, contained in a letter addressed to him by the architects competing for the new National Gallery was correct, viz.:— " \Ve agreed to enter the competition on the distinct understanding with your lordship's predecessor, the Right Hon. W. Cowper, that one of the competing architects would be selected for employment ;" and whether he did not there fore intend to intrust the erection of the new building to one of those gentlemen ? Lord J. MANNERS said he hardly knew in which sense to answer the question. If itwas whether he placed implicit credence in the opinion of ten gentlemen of high honour he would answer in the affirmative. With respect to the latter part of the question, the judges had not recommended the reconstructon of the present National Gallery, or the building of a new one; that question was left to the Go bvernment. The matter was now under consideration, and until a decision was come to he could not say what woul , be done. DUTCH ENCROACHMENTS. Mr. J. WHITE asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he would lay upon the table of the house the correspondence between her Majesty's Government and the Netherlands Government relating to Dutch encroach ments on Native States in Sumatra, and also copy of any memorials thereon presented by British merchants at Penang ? Lord STANLEY said the correspondence extended over a great number of years, and was very voluminous. He would have the papers examined, and if there were any that could be produced without detriment to the public service they should be presented. With respect to the memorial of the British merchants, of course there could not be the slightest objection to its production. THE FAMINE IN ORISSA. Mr. BARNES asked the Under-Secretary of State for India when he expected to receive the report of the Com mission appointed by the Governor-General of India on the Bth December last, to "elicit full information" con cerning the recent famine in Orissa; and whether he would lay the report upon the table of the house as soon as it arrived ? Sir J. FERGUSSON said he could give no idea when the report would be received, but as soon as it arrived it would be laid on the table of the house. THE REFORM BILL. Mr. D. GRIFFITH asked the Chancellor of the Ex chequer if boroughs which were perfectly uncorrupt as well as thoroughly independent, and at the same time were towns of great local importance and centres of trade and commerce over large districts in the country, were to be called upon to lose a member in order to promote Reform, on what grounds it was proposed that certain others, which are mere proprietary and nomination boroughs, and which habitually obey the command of their patron in the election of a member, were to be exempted from making a corresponding sacrifice. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that, although tha inquiry of his hon. friend was distinguished by his usual acuteness—(hear, hear, and laughter)—it did not follow that it came within the limits of a ques tion. It was founded on a variety of assumptions, which might or might not be true, and they could not be refuted by merely answering a question. (Hear, hear.) They were matters which could only be dealt with in de bate, and therefore he hoped his hon. friend would leave the subject for the discussion which would take place very shortly on the Reform Bill. He hoped his hon. friend would not think he was showing him any discourtesy in not answering his question. THE SUEZ CANAL. Sir H. RAWLINSON asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if ho had received any report from Lord Clarence Paget respecting his recent visit to the Suez Canal; and, if so, whether he would lay such report upon the table of the house. Lord STANLEY said no such report had been received, and in tho event of its being sent by Lord C. Paget would address it to tllO AdMiralty. THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, MARCH 12 1867. THE ARMY ESTIMATES. Miscellaneous American News. In reply to an HoN. MEMBER, The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he did not anticipate that his right hon. friend, the Secretary of State for War, would be in his place on Friday, but on that evening a vote would be taken which would enable hon. members to bring forward their motions. THE FENIAN OUTRAGE. The report is widely spread in Washington that the President intends soon sending a Message to Congress proposing a measure of reconstruction on the basis of universal amnesty and universal suffrage. The Post-office Appropriation Bill, which sets apart poo,ooo for mail steamship service between San Francisco, Japan, and China, has been refused by the President. General Sherman's substitute for the bill propos ing military government for the South has been finally passed in both Houses, with an amendment providing that until the rebel States are admitted to representation civil government in the South shall be provisional only, and subject in all respects to the paramount national authority. The Presi dent's veto on returning this bill to Congress says that no constitutional power can adopt nor execute a military government bill, the object not being to maintain order, but to coerce the Southern people into principles they oppose, and in which they have a right to use their own judgment. In this veto the President recommends that all loyal represen tatives be admitted to Congress. The Legislature replied to this message by passing the bill over his veto, and in the same manner passed the Tenure of Office Bill. The Kentucky Legislature passed a resolution protesting against the establishment of military rule in the South. Congress has passed the Wool Tariff, and has fixed the Cotton Tax . at 2} cents.—The 40th Congress met the first time on the afternoon of the 4th inst. —Parson Brownlow has again been nominated as Governor of Tennessee.—The Manhattan arrived at New York early on the morning of the 2d inst. By the latest intelligence from Mexico it appears that the Emperor Maximilian took the field on the 19th February, and moving northward, with 6,000 men, met and totally defeated Carvajal, killing or capturing the whole of his force. These are the sort of blows for an Emperor, placed as Maximi lian is, to strike, and he will have the hearty sym pathy of Europe if he can succeed in establishing a firm Government, and freeing the country of his adoption from the misrule and brigandage which have neutralised all the gifts of nature. Successful experiments have lately been made at Lowell, Eastern Massachusetts, with the recently invented breech-loading musket, altered from the Springfield pattern, by Captain Meigs, of Ten nessee. The gun can be fired without difficulty thirty-three times per minute, and successfully resisted the severest tests to burst or foul the barrel. General Butler has been assisting Captain Meigs in perfecting his invention, and an attempt will be made to secure an act of the Legislature, autho rising the remodelling of all the Springfield muskets now owned by the State to Captain Meig's pattern of breech-loaders. The Supreme Court of the District of Columbia has decided that the test oath decision of the United States Supreme Court cannot be made to apply to subordinate courts, upon the ground that each court has the right to make its own rules ; and it has therefore refused to allow ex-rebels to practise before the court. In 1866 the vessels cleared from England with cargoes for the United States were 1,437, of 1,512,998 tons, an increase over the preceding year of 389 vessels, 371,937 tons ; the vessels of United States nationality clearing from the United King dom with cargoes were 507, of 513,614 tons, an increase of 113 vessels, 116,597 tons. The Pall Mall Gazette remarks—" The editor of Wilkes's Spirit of the Times has hit upon something new in the way of journalism. He has engaged a horse doctor on his paper, who is, of course, 'the most eminent veterinary practitioner' in the United States, and whose duty it is to cure everybody's ailing horse, the patient's case being stated in the columns of the Spirit. In the very next issue of the paper the eminent practitioner's opinion will ap pear, with the advice and prescription suited to the difficulty. No inquiries made in private will be noticed, ' it being the editor's wish that the talents of his veterinary practitioner should be subjected to the severest of all tests—that of public criticism." MR. Craws FIELD.—The following resolutions were passed unanimously by both Houses of Con gress. We believe it is the only instance on record of the Legislature of the United States decorating a civilian with such a badge of distinction. We con gratulate the distinguished recipient on obtaining, through Congress, this public award of his country's approbation, and we trust that the token with which it is accompanied may be handed down by him to a long line of posterity :—" That the thanks of Congress be, and they are hereby, presented to Mr. Cyrus Field, of New York, for his foresight, courage, and determination in establishing tele graphic communication by means of the Atlantic cable traversing through mid-ocean, and connecting the old world with the new ; and that the President of the United States be requested to cause a gold medal to be struck, with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions, to be presented to Mr. Field ; that when the medal shall have been struck, the Presi dent shall cause a copy of the joint resolution to be engrossed on parchment, and shall transmit the same, together with the medal, to Mr. Field, to be presented to him in the name of the people of the United States." d f i r a o n m a l g O n rt t, Laramie, which already upon it, and more has established a has reservation lodges s Patrick, ofof un t dm h i e ann l es Indian are coming. Captain Hatch is raising a regiment of Pawnee Indians near Omaha, Nebraska, for service on the • The O'DONOGHUE said a rumour was prevalent which had caused the greatest alarm, and he therefore wished to know whether it was the intention of the Government to proclaim martial law in Ireland, and if so, whether the right hon. gentleman the Secretary of State for the Home Department would state the additional powers such a proceeding would give to the authorities in Dublin. Mr. 'WALPOLE said the Government had no intention at present, and he hoped there would be no necessity for proclaiming martial law in Ireland. IS such a stringent measure should be required the house would be made fully aware of the powers it would give. (Hear, hear.) Tho hon. gentlemen opposite he had no doubt would be gratified to know that the accounts he had received from Dublin yesterday were more favourable than they had been for some days. (Hear, hear.) The ordinary law of the land would be departed from and special commissioners would beissued tobring the offenders to speedy trial. (Hear, hear.) He would, doubtless, be gratified to hear that ho had received a telegram that day from Ireland, which stated that in the great firm of Malcolmson Brothers, Portlaw, employing over 3,000 persons, not one had left his work to join the Fenians. (Hear, hear.) THE REFORM BILL. Mr. LOCKE asked when the statistics with reference to the subject of the representation of the people would be laid on the table. _ _ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said there were no papers before the Cabinet which were not on the table of the house and in possession of hon. members. He had given directions fer printing certain documents, and the delay in their production, he supposed, was the desire to introduce matters more in detail. There was no new information. Mr. HORSMAN said some papers wore referred to by the noble lord, who until lately was a membor of the Cabinet, and ceased to be, as he had stated, after a full consideration of those figures. (Order, order.) He would conclude by making a motion, and thus put himself in order—he should like to know what were the figures the noble lord referred to, and whether there would be any objection to lay them on the table. He moved the adjournment of the house. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said there was nothing novel iu the figures referred to ; whatever information the Cabinet had before was in the hands of the house. Viscount CRANBORNE said the figures he referred to were not new. They were certain totals which he had "compared with the detailed information contained in the voluminous returns which had been laid before the house last year. The subject dropped, and the motion for the adjourn ment was withdrawn. VALUATION OF PROPERTY BILL. _ _ Mr. HUNT moved the second reading of this bill, the object of which was to secure uniformity in the assessment for Queen's taxes, poor-rates, &c., by the appointment of a valuation board. Mr. HENLEY thought the bill was most objection able, and one that would be a continual blister--: (laughter)—and therefore he hoped his hon. friend would not press it, especially as it was clear to all practical per sons that it would not effect the object intended. Mr. CHILDERS thought there was a great deal of un necessary machinery in the bill, therefore while he approved of certain provisions, ho hoped it would be read a second time, and then referred to a select committee. The bill was supported by Mr. Corrance, Mr. Goldney, Mr. 11. Seymour, and Sir M. 11. Beach. Mr. VILLIERS remarked that no ground had been laid for establishing so costly and elaborate an apparatus for stimulating the action of his Uuion Assessment Act, which ho believed was working well. Mr. HUNT maintained that the bill would relieve the taxpayer from much trouble, as he showed by describing the numerous appeals through which owners of property had to pass at present. He defended the machinery of the bill generally, but consented to refer it to a Select Com mittee. After some remarks from Mr. Read and Colonel Gilpin, the bill was read a second time, and ordered to be referred to a Select Committee. The next five hours of the sitting were occupied in con sidering the Metropolitan Poor Relief Bill in Committee Only a few verbal amendments wore made in the bill, and the Committee rejected, by 92 to 27, a proposal to omit clause 79, which gives the Poor Law Board power to nominate a certain number of guardians. The Shipping Local Dues Bill was read a third time and passed. Several other orders were forwarded a stage, and the house then adjourned. Mr. Cyrus W. Field. PARIS, Feb. 28, 18G7. To Cyrus W. Field, Esq., London, Dear Sir, —The undersigned American citizens at present in Europe, hearing of your arrival in Eng land, and desiring to express their warm apprecia tion of your untiring labours and final success in laying the Atlantic Telegraph, desire to give you a public reception in this city on an early day, or at your own convenience. Hoping soon to hear from you, We remain, Sir, Your sincere friends, JOHN MUNROE. Samuel F. B. Morse. Geo. T. Richards. J. M'Kaye. James Phalen. Chas. S. P. Bowles. N. M. Beckwith. Henry B. Rogers, jun. Bowles Colgate. L. S. Worthington. Geo. B. Butler, jun. M. C. Smith. Edward A Strong. Alex. Holland. J. F. Loubat. L. H. Willard. G. S. Hazard. Joseph Holland. Sydney Shepard. James Laws, M.D. Edgar Mills. Emory M'Clintoch. Alfred A. Cohen. Prentiss Ingraham. William Slade. Samuel Renington. Azariah Eldridge. Samuel Norris. J. N. Proeschel. Charles Hunter. L. Drevet. and others. Palace Hotel, Buckingham Gate, London, March 1, 1867. Gentlemen,—l have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your esteemed communication, invit ing me to a public reception in Paris, at such time as might suit my convenience. I thank you most sincerely, and regret that my limited stay in Europe, and the constant pressure of telegraphic business, compel me to decline your kind invitation, the acceptance of which would have afforded me an opportunity of meeting so many of my countrymen. I can assure you that I shall ever entertain a deep sense of your genQrous appreciation of the services which it has been my privilege to render in connec tion with the Atlantic Telegraph 'which is, I believe, destined to prove of inestimable value to the cause of peace and civilisation throughout the world. I earnestly hope that the electric cord which now unites Europe with America, and the cordial friend ship which has ever existed between France and the United States, may never be broken. I remain, Gentlemen, With great respect, Very truly your friend, (Signed) CYRUS W. FIELD. Professor S.F. B. Morse, LL.D, and American citizens in Paris. § [Mr. Cyrus Field has completed his business and signed a contract on behalf of the New York, New foundland, and London Telegragh Company for a submarine cable between Placentia, Newfoundland, and Nova Scotia. The line will be laid in the early part of the summer. The Peruvian Government has given notice of the cessation of the treaty of commerce between Italy and Peru in September of the present year. The Peruvian Government have taken this step on account of the principle recently adopted by the South American Republics of not forming ulterior engagements with European Powers without a pre liminary commercial and financial understanding between themselves. The Peruvian Foreign Mi nister assured the Italian Representative that the cessation of the treaty in no way affected the cor dial understanding existing between the two States. The Italian Minister has been instructed to express the same assurances on behalf of his Government to Peru. This year a celestial phenomenon will occur, which has been only twice recorded in history. On the 21st of August next the planet Jupiter will be seen completely unaccompanied by satellites for nearly two hours. Three of them will be invisible on ac count of their passing simultaneously over Jupiter's disk, and the fourth will be immersed in the shadow of the planet. The Figaro states that a concession for baths and a gaoling-house in the Val d'Andorre has been granted to a French company 9 , 100 of 90 yearto• since. The total internal revenue received since the commence ment of the fiscal year, July 1, 1866, is $191,043,821, and the receipts from customs for the first week in February, at the five principal Atlantic ports were $4,096,941. The balance at the various sub-treasuries in coin and currency is steadily accumulating. The best railway shares are looking up and manifest strength, though some of the fancy stocks are neglected and show little inclination to recover from the late fall. The most marked decline is in the stock of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company. No line can be stronger than this or stand on a more secure basis, nor indeed have a brighter future. The fall of the dividend paid quarterly to 3 from 5 per cent. has probably caused this. There was a serious falling off in the quotations on Wednesday, for the shares went down. some 27 per cent.--commencing the week at 155, and falling on that day to 127. The following are some of the last prices I have been able to obtain :-Gold, 1381 ; United States Five-twenties (1862), 1111 ; (1864), 1081 ; (1865), 109 ; (1865, new issue), 1061 ; United States Ten-forties, 1011 ; United States 7 3-10 Loan, 1054 ; Missouri Sixes, 921 ; Virginia Sixes, 58 ; New York Central Railroad, 102, Erie 461, Erie preferred 74, Hudson River 1341, Michigan Central 1071, Michigan Southern and Northern Indiana 72, Illinois Central 116, Cleveland and Pittsburg 791, Cleveland and Toledo 118, Chicago and North-Western 351, Chicago and Norh-Western preferred 651, Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne, and Chi cago 961, Chicago and Alton 1141, Chicago and Rock Island 97+, Ohio and Mississippi certificates 241, Adams's Express Company 56, American 55, United States 56, Wells, Fargo and Co.'"s GO, Merchants' Union 12, Western Union Telegraph Company 41, Pacific Mail Steamship Company (ex div.) 127, Atlantic Mail Steam ship Company 93, Cumberland Coal Company (preferred) 34, Canton Company 46, Quicksilver Mining Company 39, Mariposa Mining Company (preferred) 331, Boston Water Power Company 251. (From E. F. Satterthwaite and Co.'s Weekly Circular, March 6, 1867.) By the Australasian wo have advices from New York to the 19th ult. During the week that had elapsed since our previous advices there had been a continued, strong, and steady demand for Government Stocks, the earlier dated 5-20 Bonds had advanced nearly three per cent., closing 111 to j, and the 10-40 or Five per Cent. Bowls had im proved one per cent. The exchange of the 7-30 Treasury notes for 5-20 Bonds was proceeding rapidly. Railroad Shares in face of disappointing traffic returns exhibited a slight falling off from previous quotations, the effect of the recent panic still being felt, this, and the pre valent feeling that the Secretary of the Treasury will per severe in his policy of as speedy a return to a specie basis as possible, seemed to have the effect of preventing any speculation for a rise. For Railroad Bonds there was au improved demand at about former rates, but State'Stocks had fluctuated, Georgia Six per cent. showing a decline of $6, and Missouri Sixes $2 ; while California Sevens and Ohio Sixes had both improved. Money was in rather more demand, but the rate of interest remained without (From Messrs. Bowles, Drevet and Co.'s Circular.) Paris, March 8. The improvement in business, noted in our circular of last week, has continued, money being still very abun dant, and prices generally advancing, with few excep tions. Exchange on London rules slightly higher, say, for short sight bills, from '25 12 to 25 16. The chief topic of interest during the week has been the placing upon the market of the new issue of bonds of the Austrian Credit Foncier, which have attracted a great number of investors, and which bid fair to command a premium as soon as the books are closed. This loan of 150,000,000 francs is issued upon security of Crown lands and other real property in Austria, and the investment promises to become a favourite one with capitalists. American securities have been little dealt in until within the last day or two, when a decided rise has taken place in consequence of more favourable telegrams from New York, indicating a speedy settlement of political differ ences, and probable fall in the price of gold. The closing quotation to-day is 83k. The speculative sellers of these bonds, who, for various reasons, are largely in the majo rity, have this week received a decided check. The Next Great Exhibition. The following letter has been addressed to the editor of the Anglo-American Times:--- LONDON, March 5, 1867. SIR, —The idea that the next " Great Exhibition" should be held in New York, suggested in an article of your paper last week, is a germ capable of de velopment to grand proportions. lam not an American, but I take a deep and growing interest in the rapid advancement of that wonderful country ; and I not only agree with you that America is ripe for such an undertaking ; but Igo further, and hold that such Exhibition should be purely American. The country, including South America, extends over every range of climate, and is therefore capable of showing the produce of every clime. I propose, therefore, that the entire Continent of North and South America should unite in a vigorous effort to produce at New York—as a central point—a display of their combined resources in Art, Agri culture, Science, and Industry ; and I have no fear if—to quote your own words —" the idea is once entertained as probable," not only will immediate action be taken for its accomplishment, but that the result will redound to the credit of that great nation, and be productive of a wider knowledge of the vast resources of the rich American Continent than will otherwise be ob tained before the lapse of many years. How else can America display many inventions too large or too delicate for transport across an ocean, adequate specimens of her vast mineral stores, models of her institutions, and trophies of her triumphs over scientific difficulties? Besides all this, in connec tion with the " Great American Exhibition," ex cursions should be planned to give the visitors every facility to visit large portions of the country, and form a just idea of its natural features. Cali fornia, with its giant growth, where trees and vegetables reach an enormous size, ten feet being no uncommon diameter for a forest tree, and fifteen inches for a turnip. In the Mariposa county is the great natural wonder of the vegetable world, the. grove of Mammoth trees, the largest being 30 plains. Henry llyde, of Boston, has given $5,000 to found a lectureship on foreign missions at Andover theological seminary, and Rev. Dr. Rufus Anderson, late secretary of the American board, has been ap pointed to deliver the first course. James M. Beebe , th e well- known Boston woollen m erchant, has nearly completed a five story marble store at New York, costing $145,000. The Bound Table says Mr. Bancroft has de clined the Boston collectorship, which, possibly, was tendered him by the Government as an offset to the outrage upon public decency of its recently exposed treatment of Mr. Motley. Mr. Alexander Dallas Bache, one of the most eminent sacans of this country, died recently at Newport, in the sixtieth year of his age. Pro fessor Bache was educated at West Point, was afterward at different periods Professor of Mathe matics in the University of Pennsylvania, Presi dent of Girard College, and Principal of the Philadelphia High School. This position he re signed more than twenty years ago on being ap pointed Chief of the United States Coast Survey, an office in which he rendered the most distinguished services to science, but under whose arduous duties his health gave way, and that softening of the brain was induced which made the last years of his life a melancholy scene of suffering and trial. It is with the greatest pleasure we learn that the appointment of General Dix has been confirmed as Minister to Paris. Whatever crime the Senate may hold it to be to have been a staunch supp ort er of the President, such services as those which the General has rendered to his country could not be overlooked. Kansas has adopted an act which strikes out the words " male" and " white " from the Constitution and laws of the State. This will not only enfran chise negroes, but women. No one will be quali fied to vote who cannot read and write. Kansas was the battle-field of the free-soilers against the encroachment of pro-slavery men. New England met the effort of the sons of the South to establish the territory as a Slave State by throwing iu bands of emigrants who, with pistol and sword, establish their footing, and by the indomitable energy of the New England character succeeded after years of severe struggle in making Kansas the most ad vanced in the freedom of its opinions of any State in the Union. Among interesting items from the Far West we hear that silver lodes have been discovered in Mon tana, which yield from $3,000 to $lO,OOO per ton of ore. The Hale and Norcross Mining Company at San Francisco has declared a dividend of $125 per foot ; the Crown Point Mining Company has de clared one of $lOO per foot, and the Imperial one of $l2 per share. feet in diameter and 300 feet in height. These are found about 20 miles from the Yosemite Valley, and about 4,500 feet high on the west ern slope of Nevada. Here in Nevada we enter a wonderful district of silver. It was only organised as a Territory in March, 1861, yet in 1862 it contributed eight massive silver bars (five of which weighed 1111bs.), valued at W 20,226, as an offering to the Sanitary Commission. A writer remarks on this region :—" Her mountains of silver yield up their treasures at the touch of the enchan ter, and it is the wonderful mineral wealth, vast beyond comparison, which has summoned, as if by magic, an energetic population to occupy and adorn spots which a few years ago could boast no other home than an Indian wigwam." Space only checks me from indicating such objects as Pike's Peak and Long's Peak, in the Rocky Mountains, which rear their heads, crowned with snow, three miles towards heaven. The Mammoth Caves of Kentucky, where explorers have penetrated 10 miles, and the pas sages are computed in the aggregate to be 150 miles in length, and to possess 256 known cham bers. The Natural Bridge of Virginia, 210 feet high and 60 feet wide. Another in Alabama, and one in Kentucky, 30 feet high, with a span of 60 feet, found amidst delightful scenery. Waterfctlls that can challenge the world are to be found at Niagara, at the Falls of Connecticut, the Silver Cascade of New Hampshire, the beautiful Katters kill Falls, about 130 miles from New York city ; the picturesque falls on the Mohawk River, New York ; the Passaic Falls, near Patterson, New Jer sey ; the cataracts of Tallulah, and the " Cascade of the Rainbow," near the Great Falls of the Yosemite, said to be the greatest in the world. The stream, 80 feet wide, leaps 2,063 feet in three falls ; one of 1,300 feet, one of 250, and another of 450, down a dell of matchless beauty, richly wooded with evergreen trees. Nor let the antiquarian imagine there are not also resources for him. Let him investigate and tell us who formed that quaint structure near Cahokia, Illinois. It is 700 feet long, 500 broad at the base, and 90 feet high. Another, in Adam's County, Ohio, is in the form of a serpent, 1,000 feet in length, extended in graceful curves, and ter- COMMERCIAL. The gold market has had an upward tendency, and may now be quoted at 138 k, nearly 2 per cent. of a rise within . minating in a triple coil at the tail. The mouth the week. The amount of specie exported by last Satur- is open, and apparently in the act of swallow day's steamer was $336,000. Money is in more active ing au oval figure, which is partly within demand, and 6to 7 per cent. can now readily be obtained the jaws. These are but hints at a few for loans. Commercial paper of the best sort sells at 7 per cent. Money is not quite so stringent interest in the many objects of novelty andnterest in the Western markets, though there is a growing to a European, which could be seen during a scarcity at Boston. At Chicago money can readily well-organised and systematic tour, in connection be procured at 8 per cent. on Government collaterals. with a Great American Exhibition. I trust that The general tendency is towards improvement, and this is I the scheme will be developed into a useful, practical more noticeable in the Stock market than elsewhere. The result, and that Europeans, free from the cares of tendency of Government securities is strong and upwards. Five-Twentie's are in demand, and the rise in the London being exhibitors themselves, may enjoy a pleasure and Frankfort markets has a favourable influence here. trip, instructive, and beneficial in rubbing off the Indeed all the markets have improved; affected, per- webs and dust of prejudice, and return with a haps, by the wish now shown by the President to como truer estimate of themselves and their own country, to terms with the dominant party in Congress. As and of the points in which America and the A meri spring approaches it will bring with improved weather a cans excel their neighbours. With much respect revival of trade. Although on the whole merchants look for much less business this year than last, yet a more hope - and hearty good wishes for a wide circulation of 'ul feeling is succeeding the despondency of a few weeks your admirable journal, I beg to subscribe myself, A CITIZEN OF THE WORLD. OVERLAND INDIA MAIL. We have received Bombay papers to the 13th of February. The following is from the summary of the Gazette:— The English mail of the 18th January arrived in Bombay on the 9th inst. The farewell dinner to be given to Sir Bartle Frere by the members of the Bycula Club takes place to-morrow. The latest London date via Indo-European line is February 7th ; the messages have been coming through somewhat better during the past fortnight. Sir Seymour Fitzgerald is not expected to arrive in Bombay till towards the latter end of the month. The Western India Club at Poona (as announced) entertained Sir Bartle Frere to a farewell banquet on the 4th inst. The Chief of Jumkhundee entertained the Gover nor and Lady Frere on the Ist. The Bombay Chamber of Commerce have re solved to present au address to the Governor on the oecasion of his retirement. A public meeting of the citizens of Bombay was held in the Town Hall on the 11th inst. when an address was agreed to for presentation to Sir B. Frere ; it was also determined to raise a statue, and to present a personal testimonial to his Excellency. The extension of the G. I. P. line to Nagpore is to be officially opened on t he 20th inst. The Bishop of Bombay and Miss Carpenter have returned to Bombay. The Duke d'Alencon arrived in Bombay on the 11th inst., and leaves for Europe by this mail. The Commander-in-Chief, Bombay, returned from his inspection in Scinde on the 11th inst. Thetrial of the four foreigners for the murder of the four Marwarrees in the native town took place last week before Mr. Justice Westropp ; they were convicted and seutenced to death. The number of deaths in the island of Bombay during the past week amounted to 279, being 50 less than in the previous week. The members of the Bombay Club have deter mined on erecting a new club-house on the Espla nade, to accommodate a large number of resident members. At a meeting of the shareholders of the Indian Peninsula, London, and China Bank, held yes terday, a resolution was agreed to that the Bank should be wound up voluntarily. The Court of Enquiry into the circumstances connected with H.M.S. Dalhousie running into the wreck of the Die Vernon off Alibaugh on the 19th December, having reported that Lieut. Hewett had neglected to take proper precautienary mea sures to prevent the vessel running aground, Go vaninent have ordered Lieutenant Hewett to be suspended from employment for six months. The Agra Industrial Exhibition was opened on the 4th inst. Col. R. Strachey has been appointed to the spezial post of Inspector-General of Irrigation under the Public Works Department. The Reform Movement. On Saturday evening a Reform meeting, called by the London Working Men's Association, was held in Trafalgar-square. There were about 600 or 800 persons present, the majority of whom ap peared to be labouring men. There was a fair sprinkling of the artisan class, and the " roughs" were also represented. Air. George Potter was elected to the chair, and he addressed the assem blage in a lengthy speech. He told them since the meeting of the week before important events had occurred in regard to the question of Reform, for at the very time when the meeting of last week was being held three great Ministers of State were tell- ing Lord Derby that they could no longer hold office in his Cabinet, because they disagreed with him as to what he proposed doing in Reform. These meetings had evidently done something towards compelling Lord Derby and the Tories to offer the people some large measure of Reform, for last summer the party was of opinion that no Re form was needed. A change had evidently come over the spirit of their dreams, and it was not at all improbable that Lord Derby might be found falling into the views of Mr. Bright, and propose a household suffrage. If a good measure of Re form, based upon household suffrage, with a liberal lodger franchise, were given, he (the chairman) and those who acted with him would take that measure as a great step towards settling the man hood suffrage asked for by the working classes. By manhood suffrage they did not mean that the vaga bond, the "here to-day and gone to-morrow" man, should have a vote, and thus a voice in the adminis tration of the country, but that the men who could register themselves as living in a place from year to year, and who maintained themselves by their labour, thus contributing to the wealth of the country, should be entitled to rank as citizens and have the rights of citizenship conferred upon them. He pro ceeded to urge that the working men, having brought the question thus far, should continue to meet and press their demands upon both parties, for he believed that if this were not done the parties would com bine to give the smallest measure they could, and so shelve the question for another 20 or 30 years, or that Lord Derby, by dissolving the Parliament in a month or two, would cause another year's delay. He concluded by calling upon the working classes to be up and doing, and, reminding them of Nel son's motto on going into the battle where he met his death, told them that if every man did his duty the rights of the working man would be obtained before three months were ended. The meeting was abruptly terminated, a heavy shower of rain causing the people to disperse from the open square. A mass meeting has been held at Oporto to peti tion Government against the proposed new taxes. News from Spain states that a royal decree has been issued at Madrid authorising the Minister of Marine to contract for laying a submarine tele graph cable between Cuba, Porto Rico, Mexico, and Panama. The South London Press informs us that the first stone of Mr. Spurgeon's Almshouses is to be laid in April by Mr. Thomas Olney. The contract has been accepted for £4,500. Homes for eighteen almswomen, and schoolrooms for 200 children, with tutor's residence, are provided in the plan. Experiments have been made in a Yorkshire coal mine to test the value of jun cotton as a blasting agent instead of gunpowder. Besides the supe riority in power of gun cotton over the latter sub stance, it possesses the valuable property of emitting no flame, thus rendering it available where gun powder could not be used with safety. CABINET PENSIONS.—Although it will not have the effect of increasing the public appreciation of the high honour of General Peel, it may be well to draw attention to the fact that had the General remained in office for another eight days he would have completed the two years' aggregate service which renders retired Secre taries of State eligible for a pension of £2,000 a year. There certainly is no vacancy now on the list, which is limited to four, but General Peel, had he been less high-minded, might, by holding on for a few days, place himself in a position to receive such a pension at a future time. Those at present enjoying those pensions are Sir George Grey and Mr. Milner Gibson, the latter of whom took ono of those left vacant last year by the deaths of Lords Monteagle and Glenelg. Mr. Disraeli holds ano ther, but the pension is in abeyance during his tenure of office, and it is understood that the fourth will fall to Mr.- . Walpole when be retires.—Sunday Gazette. " TRADE IS A LITTLE DULL." We find the following little sketch in the Boston Commercial Bulletin. It forcibly illustrates the fact that " trade is a little dull," and also that the por tion of the business community known as " drum mers," or commercial travellers, despite their almost inexhaustible resources and invention, are often obliged to yield to the pressure of these stagnant times. The Bulletin says : One of these gentlemen who has recently re turned from a trip for Thistle Brothers and Co., of this city, did not show a very large exhibit of orders to balance the liberal expense account allowed him by the firm, and Mr. Thistle, after looking over his return, said : " Mr. Rataplan, I am afraid you do not approach the dealers in the right way ; I used to be very suc cessful in this line. Now just suppose me to be Mr. Bigher, of Sellout, Illinois, and show me the way you introduce the house." Accordingly Rataplan stepped out of the count ing -room and re-entered, hat in hand, inquiring, " Is Mr. Bigher in?" " That is my name," said Thistle, urbanely. "My name is Rataplan, sir ; I represent the house of Thistle Brothers and Co., of Boston." Thistle, in his character of Western merchant, here rose, offered the salesman a chair, and expressed his pleasure at seeing him. "I am stopping with Overcharge, at the Stickem Mime, and have a fine unbroken lot of samples, which I should like to show you ; think we can offer you some special advantages, &c." And Rataplan delivered himself of a neat speech in professional style. " Very well, very well," said Thistle ; " I don't see but that you understand the way to get at customers." " Excuse me, Mr. Thistle," said Rataplan, " I am afraid you do not understand the style of Western merchants just now ; suppose you exchange places with me and we repeat this rehearsal." " Certainly," said Thistle, and, picking up his hat, he stepped out. Returning, he found Rata plan with his chair tilted back, hat cocked fiercely over his right eye, his heels planted on Thistle's polished desk, and a lighted cigar between his teeth. Thistle looked a little staggered, but nevertheless he commenced— " Is Mr. Bigher in ?" " Yes he is," responded Rataplan, blowing a cloud of pure Connecticut into Thistle's eyes, " Who in - are you ?" "I represent the house of Thistle, Brothers, and C 0.," said the astonished employer, coughing out about a quart of smoke from his throat. " The blazes you do ; are you one of that con cern ?" " No, sir, I am not," said Thistle. " Well, its d—d lucky for you that you are not, for I've had two drummers to one customer in my store for the last two months, and' if I could get hold of one of the blasted fools that send 'em out here at this time, I'm dunned if I wouldu't boot him clean out of the town of Sellout." " That'll do, that'll do, Mr. Rataplan," said Thistle ; " I have no doubt you did the best you could for the interest of the house. Trade is a little dull." CallislTßX MARKETS. COLCHESTER—Ar ..cit 9. This market was poorly supplied with wheat, but busi ness was better, and the prices of last week advanced fully is. per qr. Spring corn of all descriptions was limited in sale at late rates. Wheat, white 6's 70s Beans, Mazagan......33s 4 09 red 02s 67s Middle and small. 44s 4 83 Barley.... as 56s Peas, white. 38s 124 Oats ........+ - s 8 grey 426 NORTHAMPTON—MARCH 9. New white wheat, 58s to 655; new red, 46s to 64s ; old white, 62s to 68s; old red, 61s to 66s per 36 stone. BarleY for malting, 42s to 51 s per qr. ; grinding, 29 s to 36s per 30 stone. Oats, old, 26s to 33s ; new, 23s to 32s per 24 stone' Beaus, old, 46s to 49s ; now, 42s to 45s per 38 stone. Peas) 38s to 42s per 36 stone. CHELMSFORD—MA=Ii 8. A considerable supply of wheat. For all qualities the full prices of last week were given, best qualities making slight advance in some instances. Barley receded 15 on late currencies. Beans and peas iu good demand at late rates. Whest, old white....s2s 664 Peas, Partridge 41s 43s new b 8 67s White ...... ....325 363 old red '.03 59s B Bing a —4 new. 5 A 58e Dun 3 8s O s M dit , o, Barley 26s s new....-- 3 Chevalier --s —s Beaus, Tick, old __O 40 s 4 Grriud.ng '5B 30s new.... 386 42 ' Malt 58s ®Oa Harrow i icks.42s 463 Chevalier 131 s 62,1 Oats •• • 2la 27s Mazaga n n e ! .. .....33933 4:4 GRANTHAM—MARcx 9. Old white wheat, 65s to 725; old red, 60s to 68s ; n ear white, 68s to 71s ; new red, 5 6 s to 648 per 36 stone. Ba r : ley for malting, 38s to 455 per qr. ; grinding, 30s to 34s ill 30 stone. Oats, old, 30s to 32s ; new, 25s to 30s per stone. Beans, old, 42s to 525; new, 39s to 46s per 38 otona• Peas, 35s to 40s per 36 stone. . ABERDEEN—MAR= 8. At our market to-day wheat was in fair supplY, laa the trade rather brisk. No quotable alteration from week's terms. White wheat 54s Od to 58s Od) 621 b v b u shel. Red wheat 45s Od to 48s Od j" 24s Od to 26s Odt 401 b I; Potato oatsbushe l ' Common oats 23s 6d to 25s Od j Bere 31s Od to 32s 6.11 . 5311 ) .13 bushel. Barley 32s Od to 33s Od Oatmeal 20s 6d to 21s 6d 1,1 b o ll of 280Ib• Flour, fine 47s Od to 53s 6d ?sack of 280. D. KIRKCALDY—MARcu 9. Moderate supplies of wheat, barley, and oats to-' )' till of which brought the prices of this day week. Wheat. Bailey. Oats. t•3s Od ' 34s od 24s ,6d econd 54s Od 37s Od 26s Od Third 558 0 1 40s Od 298 Id COAL MARKET. Price per ton at the close of the market. s. d• Walls End Hetton ... 2 1 0 Bradyell'erfetton 2O 0 we ll Main l7 0 lietton Lyons ........18 Holy 9 Tees Kelloe .................. 19 6 St e wart's Ships at mar ket, 17—sold. 16. A MEXICAN FOOT RACE.—The Chihuahua, (Mexican) correspondent of the New York Herald sends ita accoun t of a recant foot race between four women of hey e v ill ag e of Baconia and four from the villa g e of Sesognich se l ec ted by their v illa g es as their fas test runners. irl'a course was round an oblong mountain, and was to be oil 14 times, making a distance of above 100 English mi le° : The eight women wore short petticoats. They started " 635 in the morning. By the twelfth round all but three had dropped from the track. The betting now ran to til t : wildest extremes; hoes, ploughs, and other implen ien ;;r horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, cats, dogs, and wha t % i s else there was of value changed hands. Two wiry Ba r°- t women were first in, and were received with the louted d i s.. of joy by their townspeople. They had finie°,s.. the race at 8 o'clock in the evening, making the whole atuo tanco, 109 miles, in 13 hours, and 25 minutes. One 3 u two Baconia women who won had l g i ven birth to ten days before, and prepared herself for the coning bandaging her breasts. The only stops made duriae , time by the contestants for the prizes were either totale little water or eat frugally of pinoli—a simple grin.r° 131 of parched corn, ground and sweetened with sug n the the time the race was concluded nearly ev er y Indian ° ground was drunk. Births. w e st- EvANs—On the 11th inst., at 19, St. Ste hetes-ro ad, t _at bourne-park, the wife of L. P. Evans, P Esq., 13311i5-°. law, of a daughter. pin k - fie ld ' JAMES—On the 10th inst ., at Spa Cottage , A B' °f lb Windsor Forest, the wife of Major-Gen. I,l,faill— daughter. re tlie inst.,LlCHFlELD— of On ic t h h fi e el i d t , h ofason t . 20, II nover -S V B- ' a a OKEOYER—OR the 10th inst., at 9, Chesterfield -o°l' Mayfair, the Hon. Mrs. Okeover, of a daughter. Marriages. ri ' sioRDET—TxtRN--On the 9th inst., at St. Giles', Ab e 6 kt of•ecll,laJpohhanmL_cooumism, younger nger son of John J. Siordeti btO of J. C. de Thurn, Esqt.o, ofF IcohreannicreioEililehliiitciroatlrlelti, THOBISON—READ—On the 9th inst., at St. 31"r. ).'t %i t ° zance, Wm. Thomson, of Buckhurst, Reclhill, Sured' of Jane, youngest daughter of the lato Charles b i Helston, Cornwall. B_A Ab o ßu si y i A , l lv v — m o . n i3a t g h s e h 9 a twh,iDEnsq:a.,:taailtg:e:ac7on3. 0_ H. Y 6 — ar O ey n , E th s e ci. l , o a t g h e i d ns 6 t s .., a 53, New Fin chlq-r°33 Compton -terrace, ill el" , tis r '' umß .K o Gw N io — bob O Do n nl the 10th inst , a 442, Camden-road, ° i‘ HA r lic oad, d S t. SILERWEN—On the 10th inst., a 20, Belsize-roa Luej, W. . H. O a H g n e a d t c h k s e w l- o l o o d th , E . inst., g a e t a C 7 o 2 t . ta go Grove, 13°1r' John's-wood, Capt. Peter Sherwun, Ilalf - pay Vag tt4 aged 67. TALBOT—On the 10th inst., at Mitchel Troy, 35°Ii.raltoll the Rev. Henry G. Talbot, rector of Mitchel 7:l°Y Cwmcarvon. 14 0 r: London : Printed an d Published by IV Eoy 1141.1.A.11 1/•••• J a lig! of No. 112. Stra nd, Printer at TU SUN the v oa loo , , 0/ strand, in the Preobet of the Sav, in O` b- Alicltilenx.—Ttretlsy, lauch 122;1867. rn 111