The Sun. — London, England, 1861-09-21 00:00:00

2HE COAST DEFENCES' OF NORTH E'AROLINA. (From the New York Herald) Washington, Sept. 1. Among the papers captured is the letter book of Major William Beverhout Thompson, chief engi neer of the North Carolina coast defence, contain ing copies of his official correspondence with the President of the Military Board and other State officers of North Carolina, in relation to the sea coast defences from May 2 to August 1, 1861. From this correspondence, which is devoted chiefly to details in reference to the progress of various fortifications, we extract the following, which are of present interest. In a letter to Colonel 'Warren Winslow, Presi dent of the Military Board, dated Fort Morgan, June 10, 1861, he says : " I know that you will excuse any suggestion I may throw out on a subject we all have so much at heart —an effective defence of the State, and espe cially of the seacoast. It is true that the character of our coast is a great moral protection to us ; but we must not lose sight of the fact that our coast and every inlet upon it is as thoroughly known to the Yankee captains of those vessels who have been trading with us for years as to cur own captains of vessels and the pilots upon our coast. Every anchorage is well known to them—for ex ample, in the bight of Cape Hatteras, and in the bight of Cape Lookout, and at other points where a safe anchorage can be had and troops landed. What I am driving at is this :—I observed in the bill passed by the Convention, calling for some 7,000 me n, that there was no provision made for artillery. I a m satisfied, after giving this subject some reflec tion, about six batteries of light artillery would be found most effective in repelling a landing of the enemy at such points as may not be fortified. I suppose that six batteries would be found to be sufficient ; but suppose that it should require, ay forty-eight guns. With these batteries and the country picket guards on the alert, informa tion could be sent at short notice of the intention of the enemy to attempt a landing at any point. He, no doubt, would be repulsed by a well-served battery, supported by a force of in fantry, for he could not play upon the battery from Ids shipping without destroying his own troops, and that they could not keep up an effec tive fire from the surf boats, as they would be thrown about by the breakers in such a way as to render their aim uncertain and ineffective. Turn the subject over in your mind, and I think that you will come to the conclusion that, as they pro pose only to fortify the inlets, there are many other points which can only be defended by flying artil lery. The beach is one of the finest roads in the world, hard and firm, and repaired by every tide. They could land at certain points;pull their boats across, and commit deplorable ravages." The following letter gives an official account of the condition of Fort Morgan and the surrounding defences : "Newbern, N.C., June 13, 1861. "My dear Colonel,—l only received yours of June 1 at Fort Morgan a day or two since, on my return from Fort Hatteras. Fort Morgan is now in condition to make a strong defence, and I think fully prepared to resist any force that is likely to be sent against it. There are now 22 guns mounted—nine on the ram part, or upper tier, and 13 on the lower tier. Upon the upper tier there are three columbiads, one ten inch and two eight-inch, two 32-pounders and six 24-pounders ; on the lower tier 13 24-pounders. In a few days I shall have mounted on the upper tier another 10-inch columbiads. All of those guns bear upon the sea face of the fort, and three of them on the land approach. Of the latter one of them is the 10-inch columbiad; the second 10-inch colum biad, when mounted, will also bear upon the sea face and the land approach. In addition to the above heavy guns enumerated, I have four platforms erected for 6-pounders, and the guns to place upon them, two of which are in place; the balance, say five guns, including one 121 b. howitzer, are tem porarily in the flank casemates. Four 6-pounders will be placed on the platforms, sear the salient commanding the land approach. Two of them should be placed in battery, so as to enfilade the approach on the land side, between the fort and the lighthouse, and the remaining 6-pounders either placed on the land approach or used as circumstances may require at other points. There were seven 301 b. carronades went down some time since. They are but 4 feet 3 inches long, from the rear of the base ring to the face, but can throw half a peck of canis ter or grape. I have therefore prepared a drawing of a casemate carriage to mount them upon, and shall place them in the flank casemates to enfilade the ditches as soon as I can have them made, which can be done at this point. I can then dispose of the guns now in the casemates as suggested above. " Fort Morgan is so important a point on the line of our seacoast that I think the armament should be made complete, for which I have hereto fore made a requisition. There were 25 guns, chiefly 22 and 24 pounders, delivered there the other day, but General Gwyun has ordered them to be sent up to Newbern. Ido not think that all of thcse guns are heavy enough for that fortress, as there are several light guns among them. But there are, say, four of those guns that NV ould answer very well. I have the platform down for another 8-inch columbiad, but no gun to place on it, as the gun intended for this purpose has been sent to Beacon Island. There should be provision made for an 8- inch columbiad for this platform. The sandhills have been cut down and removed for 1,000 yards along the seashore, which is in effect extending the glacis for that distance, over which direct as well as cross fires are amply provided for when we get all of the guns, which, with the small arms, will render an assault of a numerous column next to an impossibility. " Before I left Hatteras I had mounted three 32- pounders and 1 8-inch howitzer, the distance range of which is between 3,000 and 4 ; 000 yards. There were four more requiring carriages—one for an 8-inch howitzer and the other three for 32. pounders. I ordered some carriages to be sent down, and hope to find them there on my arrival. Hatteras is a difficult place to fortify, from the fact of the want of proper revetting material. I discovered some marshes about half a mile in the interior, from which I am now getting a sod which, so far, seems to answer quite well. The bar at Hatteras is just one mile from the battery, which is commanded by all of the guns. I hardly think, after this work is finished, a flotilla c.tn get in the harbour.—Yours respectfully, " W. BETEHOUT THOMPSON, " Chief Engineer of North Carolina Coast Defence. "N.B.—Would it not be well to sending engineers to this command to direct them to report to me ? " Colonel S. A. J. Bradford. g , W. B. T." The following discloses the fact that the commu nication by sea between Norfolk and Pamlico Sound was at that date uninterrupted, and gives the plan also for the armament of Fort Hatteras : "Fort Hatteras, June 17. "Dear Sir,—A fore and aft schooner arrived here to-day from Norfolk, with 18 naval gun carriages and fixtures, 430 321 b. shot, and some handspikes. I took nine of the carriages, all the shot, as they were much needed, and sent the balance to Ocracoke, These naval carriages, as you well now, are not at all suited for fortifications. The gun is carried so low that it is impossible to raise a parapet to protect the men, and to construct embrasures would destroy the field of fire, as it is necessary not only to command the bar, but the channel of approach. They require 15 to 16 men to work them, which is a great ex posure of human life, when the barbette carriages require only five to six. " I had hoped from the tenour of your last letter that barbette carriages would be sent from Nor folk. I would respectfully suggest that the agent at Norfolk be directed to send no more of the navy carriages. What we have can be used to advantage afloat, and therefore will be found useful. They might, on an emergency, be used in a detached bat tery. Give orders to Howard to complete and for ward to Hatteras without delay 18 barbette car riages, two for the eight-i nc h seacoast howitzers, -r tizh aat gun, the dimensions o f which I have given him, wad. 16 carriages for he avy 32-pound gune. Before I left Fort Morgan 1 act I got a plan of some cremate carriages to z count the 30-pound carrona deb on "311 of which i cached the fort some r time ago. They will throw half a peck of canister or grape, and sweep the beach. I left the drawing with Howard, and directed. him to make the carriage. The captain of the vessel which brought the gun carriages says that the heavy 30-pound guns lately shipped from Norfolk are bound for Port Morgan and Newborn. He must be mistaken, as you wrote me some were bound for this fort. I think it im portant that we should have at least one columbiad to place on the coupi commanding the bar and the sea front up to the encampment. I will reserve that platform for such a gun until I hear farther from you. The frames you spoke of in your last letter as necessary have already been anticipated. The plans you refer to shall be made out at the earliest pos sible moment.--Yours respectfully, " W. BETERHOUT THOMPSON, " Chief of the North Carolina Coast Defence. "P.S.—Send fuses, sabots, and have you ordered the copper guns from Norfolk to suit the shell sent ? W. B. T. " Brigadier-General Walter Gwynn." " Fort Hatteras; June 17. " My dear Sir,—Fort Hatteras is beginning to as sume the appearance of a respectable fortification. The sand is kept continually in motion on this bald sandbeach by the strong wind which prevails here, and the work would be levelled in turn as fast as it could be put in shape, were it not that I was for tunate in finding, about three-quarters of a mile up the island, some marshes, from which I obtained a good sod to rivet the work with and hold the sand in place. I have been very much annoyed with the naval gun carriages sent from Norfolk, which are, no doubt, well adapted to war steamers when they have port holes to fire through, but which are not at all adapted to fortifications, as they carry the gun so low as to render it impossible to raise a para pet of sufficient height to protect the men who work the guns. If I were to construct embrasures for them the field of fire would be entirely too limited, as it is necessary not only to command the bar, but the channel of approach. I would therefore re spectfully urge that Marshal Parks be directed to send no more of them. The barbette carriages re quire only 5 to 6 men to work them, and are in finitely superior when the naval carriages cannot be worked• with less than 15 to 16 men, which is an unnecessary expense of human life, especially as it is difficult to protect them by a breastwork. The barbette carriages are in Newbern, and can be made as soon as the iron can be procured for them. The naval carriages will be useL afloat.—Yours respect fully. " W. BEVERHOUT THOMPSON, Chief of the Engineers, North Carolina coast. " Col. W. Winslow, President Military Board." The following gives an account of an engagement between Fort Hatteras and one of our war steamers, which we are not sure has hitherto been reported : "REBEL ACCOUNT OF A FIGHT WITH A UNITED STATES STEAMER. " Fort Hatteras, July 14. Colonel,—Since my arrival at this fort I have re ceived a correct account of the action on Wednes day last between the United States steamer and this fort, from my principal lieutenant, Mr. Allen, who took an active part in it, which is briefly as follows : The steamer was a 42-gun steamer having 21 guns on each side. She was seen about 11 o'clock a.m., east south-east from the fort, standing in to near the breakers. When within one mile and a half of the fort she traced the breakers down towards the in let. Feeling certain that her intentions were hos tile and thatshe had 19 guns run out, as soon as she uncovered the encampment Mr. Allen let her have a 32 pound shot, when she immediately displayed the stars and stripes from her mizen peak. He then directed a shot from one of our 8-inch howit zers, both shots falling short. She returned the fire with an 11-inch Dahlgren gun. The shell ex ploded 300 yard from our battery, one of the frag ments falling into it, and another passing over it. Nobody hurt. Returned shots were made from both sides, until some nine shots were exchanged. The remainder of her shot and shell all fell short of our battery. After the ninth shot from one of our 8- inch howitzers there was great excitement on board the steamer. And a man was seen lowered on her side. She immediately lowered her flag, hoisted her jib sail, and stood off. Two persons at dif ferent points say that they saw the shot strike her but why sbe hauled down her flag I do not under stand. If I get the Columbiad we can give them a 128 pound shot, which will be apt to do their busi i ness effectually. We want percussion caps for the troops. I write in haste, " Yours respectfully, " W. BEVERHOLT THO3IPSON, " Chief Engineer, Coast Defences. " Colonel Warren Winslow, Military Secretary." Lieutenant Biggs, of the Roanoke Guard, com menced a letter to his father on the 22d of August. It had reached to about eight pages when captured. The last postscript is as follows : August 27, the day of the attack. A court-mar tial is being held over D. L. Williams to-dayfor going to sleep on guard. The very first time he stood guard after coming back from home, which was about a *week, he went to sleep. He has been in arrest ever since. In all probability by to-night or to-morrow the rattle of musketry and roar of cannon will be heard here. Old Abe has waited long, but at last has come, and one would suppose with the deter mination to break up this hornet's nest' at Hatte ras. A large ship has been in sight about eight miles off all day. There are now four in sight, and an islander, who belongs to Capt. Cahoon's com pany, has just come down, stating that ten large war steamers are in sight, and so close that he could see all the surf boats for landing men, and said they commence landing troops very soon. I have sent pickets out. There are 11 ships now in sight, the Adelaide among them, and as full of men as she can stick. Our men are now laid off and practising on the cannon. One steamer has come in a mile off the shore. She first turned her left side and then her right side to us, as though she intended to give us a broadside, or was bantering us to fire ; but no doubt she came to reconnoitre, and has now gone back to report." Here the letter stops, and if his father can obtain the Herald he may have the benefit of this portion of the letter of his son, who will be as much asto nished to read his own unfinished letter in the Herald upon his arrival at New York as were the rebel commanding officers at being told by General Butler upon their first conference all about the court-martial that was being held at the moment when the fleet began the attack. After the smaller fort had been silenced a boat was sent ashore with Mr. Fiske, Aid to Gen. But ler, who swam through the breakers to convey to Col. Weber's command the orders of the General and information of the intended movements of the fleet. Upon entering the redoubt called Fort Clark he seized upon the books and papers found there ; among them are official documents, a n d t h e letter-books of the commanding officers. Mr. Fiske out dinto this package upon h is shoulder s and swam the only boat th oo a en t n w eart a a s lt, l h e we ft hm s u e o a wm w ae o sn r tt t h h no y af , tos going a toW ahrernanthgee informed r carried i o e f d wn th a e t m wa m th e e et a i p n p g e appearance ee h o e f l dtheonfleetth e ff ll ,t l h i e nn in e l s e o t t . terms a st oni s o h f e c d a p i a t t u I a t t h i e o n , a t e h c e rebel n r r ate e officers information were of utterly the how and h w e h k o n knew s w h t h a e t t G h e e n y e r w a e l , r e and ° i i n n g qu a i i r e e d d ay anxiouslybefore, person among them to whom signals from the fleet. The General simplyliadrebpeleiendmthadaet he possessed means of accurate information. Colonels Max, Weber, and Hawkins wer e left in charge of the fortifications. Among the books brought off by Mr. Fiske was the letter-box of W. S. G. Andrews , Major,com manding Fort Hatteras and dependencies, From the following extracts of official reports it will be seen that Pamlico "Sound was a regula r nest of pirates, and that prizes were daily carried in there by the rebel privateers. These reports show the re great importance of having this key to the Albe marle in our possession : " Head-quarters, Camp 'Hatteras, July 22. " Governor,—ln obedience to the instructions of the Department of Military and Naval Affairs of date of July 16, 1861, I proceeded immediately to this port, and took command on the 20th, "Thomas H. Allen has taken charge of the Ord nance Department, but owing to bad weather has not made a detailed report. " Our Medical Department has no arrangement ; the sick are scattered all over the fort, in tents, in vessels, in huts, and in the bomb proofs of the fort. The surgeon reports the sickness existing as arising from bad tents. Let me urge that the tents directed to be sent me be forwarded imme diately. 15 per cent. of the force is reported sick. The Quartermaster's department is placed in the hands of Capt. L. L. Clements, with special and full instructions. He has discharged several vessels lying here on charter for the State, and entered upon his duties with an energy and judgment which promise well. I inclose herewith a copy of my in structions to Capt. Clements. "The Commissary has on hand supplies for about 25 days. When I arrived here I found the bark Linwood a wreck near the camp. She came on shore with 6,000 bags of coffee on board, of which only 129 have come under my care, some of which is damaged. I desire particulars and instructions on the sub ject of wrecks. " The wreck master here asserts that the com mander of the troops took the control of the wreck out of his hands, and that he could, with his wreckers, have saved at least 1,000 bags: There seems to have been a strife for salvage, which had like to have resulted in the loss of the whole of a wreck, with at least 250,000 dole. The laws seem to be plain on the subject; but the law being enacted for a state of peace, and a state of war ex isting, I should like to know what my duty is. My opinion is that in cases of wrecked property be longing to an enemy the State occupies the place of the merchant, owners, or underwriters, and after salvage and the wreck masters' commissions have been taken, the State takes charge of the re sidue as the property of an enemy. The arms found in the wreck have been tranaferrod to tho nrrinunCo offider. The prisoners have been sent to Newbern, together with Capt. Campbell, of the wreck Lydia Francis, and delivered to Gen. Gwynn. Among the prisoners was a negro belonging to Bridgeport, Eonnecticut, who I found had been put to labour on the works, having been here as long as Captain Campbell, to whose vessel he belonged —say about three months. I have thought it but just to send him to Newbern, to go with his captain, wherever sent. The instruments and private property of the officers have also been sent to headquarters. " Two war steamers have been near our camp to day, one within short range, bat did not fire upon us. Lieut. Robarta, of the Navy, is still on the Albe marle. Will you order him on other service, as we have no need of him in a transport steamer ? " Very truly yours, " W. L. G. ANDREWS, Major Commanding. " His Excellency Henry Clark." " Head-quarters, Camp Hatteras, July 23. " Governor,—Hatteras lighthouse is a traitor to the State, offering aid and comfort to the enemy, while to the cruisers which are now sailing out of this port and the coasting and West India trade it is of little advantage. They all know the coast so well they do not need the lighthouse. By day Hatteras can be seen from sea 40 miles, thus warn ing all merchantmen away out of reach of our pri vateers and navy vessels, while the men-of-war of the enemy use it as a centre around which they move. If it was removed none but those accus tomed to this port could enter, and no other in these times will attempt it, and the coast will present no prominent object. " Very respectfully yours, " W. L. G. ANDREWS, Major Commanding Fort Hatteras and Appendencies and Dependencies. " His Excellency Henry Clark." "Head-quarters, Camp Hatteras, July 24. " Governor,—Another war steamer is near us this morning, one that has never been here before. From the activity of the enemy's steamers, I presume the blockade is to be enforced if possible. We sent three schooners out for the West Indies last night in the gale, and they are no doubt far to the east of the Gulf Stream by this time. " Very truly and respectfully yours, "W. L. G. ANDREWS, Major Commanding Fort Hatteras." "To his Excellency Henry Clark." " Head-quarters, Camp Hatteras, July 27. I _ " Governor,—Since my last report we have been successful in getting four guns mounted in Fort Clark, which places us in a position to defend our camp on the sea side from attacks of the land side. I have not yet commenced the lines, and have to rely on our 6-pounders and musketry from the beach, the sand hills, and bushes, to repel attacks. " I send you enclosed the morning report of the force here of this date, by which you will see that we have a total of only 223 effective men. It takes 84 men to man the channel battery at Fort Hatte ras for one relief, and 64 men to man Fort Clark with one relief, leaving me only 75 men to defend the beach, furnish guards, pickets, &c., and relieve the two posts when exhausted. " Our privateers are very busy. The privateer Gordon brought into our port yesterday the brig M‘Gilvery, of Maine, with 315 tierces and hogs heads of molasses; and the privateer Florida cap tured a brig laden with machinery, which she had to run on shore to escape recapture.—Yours very truly, " W. L. G. ANDREWS, Major, Commanding Fort Hatteras and Dependencies. " To his Fxcellency Henry Clark." " MORNING REPORT OF THE OFFICER OF THE DAY, " Head-quarters, Camp Hatteras, July 26. " Report commencing July the 25th, 8 o'clock a.m. Came off o'clock a.m., July 26. Camps in good condition, the weather being very pleasant. The privateer York returned at 10 o'clock a.m., July 25, with 10 prisoners taken on board of a brig, Charles A. French, master; Daniel Jackson, first mate ; Blank Gibson, second mate ; John Smith, John Cross, John Boyd, Sam. Clause•, John Welch, and W. H. Smith ; and John Hurst cook. They were delivered to me by Major Andrews, and com fortable quarters were furnished them, as Quarter master L. L. Clements and the guard performed their duty with creditable respect. " J. A, WHITLEY, Officer of the Day." " Had-quarters, Camp Hatteras, Aug. 2. " Governor,—Since my last the privateer steamer Mariner has brought into this port as a prize the schooner Priscilla, of Baltimore, from Curacoa, with 600 bushels of salt. I had some doubt as to the legality of the prize, but having seen that Bal timore vessels laden with coffee had been seized in the mouth of the Chesapeake, and sent to New York as prizes, I ordered her to Newbern to-day. The Winslow has a large brig at the bar laden with sugar and molasses,and the Gordon has two schooners coming over the bar now. The Mariner has taken a schooner into Ocracoke, and is now in pursuit of another. These will all be fully reported as soon as the captains report to me. lam doing all I can to prevent the news of captures spreading, but so long as the crews are sent up to Newbern immediately it cannot be prevented. Your despatch through the Adjutant-General's office of 27th inst. is received. " The directions of Capt. Barron with regard to Hatteras lighthouse will be followed. You did not direct me what to do in regard to the coffe. lam trying to save the copper on the bark Linwood, and will await your order how to dispose of it. I sup pose it is needed to make percussion caps.—Yours very respectfully, ‘ " Major Commanding FoltWliaStieGra.sAaNnDdßYerpsen dencies. " His Excellency ITenry Clark." " Head•quarters Camp Hatteras, Aug. 8. " Sir,—Since my last report to the Governor the following captures have been made by the steamer Winslow and privateers. The steamer Winslow and the privateers captured the brig Itaska on Sunday last, cargo about 500 hhds. of malado sugar and molasses. The steamer Gordon, on the same day, captured the schooner Henry Nutt, of Philadelphia loaded with mahogany and logwood ; also the schooner Sea Witch, of New York, loaded with fruit. The crews of these vessels were sent to New !Dern and delivered to the mayor, no marshal being there to take charge of them. It is impossible to prevent information of these captures reaching the public prints, when passengers, officers, and crows TFE SUN, LONDO \f, SA. FU AY E vENIN'G, SEPT EMBER 21, '.31861. are permitted to go at liberty. Capts. Campbell and Penny went to Oregon Inlet with a boat they had purchased in Newbern, and boarded a United States steamer in full view of the shore. My information is authentic. A large steamer has been off our port for the last two day.—Very truly and respectfully your obedient servant, " W. S. G. ANDREWS, Major Commanding Hatteras and Defences. " Col. j". G. Martin, Adjutant. General, North Carolina." 2HE COTTON QUESTION. It must not be forgotten that the great question of the day—the Cotton question—has two aspects, and that both are of incalculable importance. We will give the precedence to our own manufactures, and admit that the interests of British industry are paramount. The first object of all is to keep Lan cashire supplied with sufficient stocks of raw mate rial suitable in quality and cheap in price. So long as that result appears satisfactorily insured we may acknowledge without much difficulty that the source of the supply is but a secondary considera tion. Commerce looks only to the best market, and our merchants will buy their cottonfrom those who offer the best bargain, let them come from whatever quarter they will. There is still, however, after all this has been granted, a most important question behind. Lancashire calls for so many million bales of cotton, but these bales are paid for with so many millions of pounds. In fact, it is a trade of some £40,000,000 a-year. It has been the making of the Confederate States of America, and would do as much for any other country as it has done for that. Be sides considering, therefore, who are to supply us with cotton, we may also consider what people we are to supply with money. The largest trade in the world is open to competition, and whatever country secures it will infallibly be enriched by the bargain. Suppose, now, that India should succeed in send ing us cotton so good and so cheap, and in such abundance, that the exports' frem Bombay got the command of the Liverpool market, what would be the consequence r shneld first fPel ourselves relieved from misgivings which have been pressing on us with increased severity year after year. We should have the satisfaction of reflecting that we were no longer dependent for a supply of the first necessity upon a single country, precariously placed, and exposed to hazards of more than ordinary magni tude and variety. We always knew that a crop raised by slave labour in a country where the abolition of slavery was incessantly advocated must needs be liable to great uncertainties, but we have now learnt that other causes may occur to intercept our supplies. The Confederate States have pre sumed upon their monopoly so far as to make it an engine of coercion. They have declared, though perhaps without much sincerity, that they will hold back their crops and leave Europe to see what can be done without them. At the same time their antagonists are blockading their ports, and leaving them without an option in the matter, so that im pediments never dreamt of in our former calculations are found to be very possible contingencies. This interference, too, with our supplies may recur at any moment. Whatever may be the issue of the war, North and South may certainly find themselves quarrelling again, and the first result of a fresh quarrel would probably be a fresh blockade. With good reason, therefore, should we rejoice over the proved capabilities of India to send us all we wanted ; but what would India not gain at the same time ? Let any reader peruse the speech made by Mr. Laing at Manchester on Thursday last, and then conceive, if he can, t , e destinies which may be involved in the issue of the present crisis. India, the most magnificent and glorious depen dency ever attached to a Crown, is at this moment emerging from a state of political trouble, financial despair, and what we may almost term industrial barbarism. Its resources are literally unbounded, but its population is poor, its taxation heavy, and its prospects, though brightening, still somewhat uncertain and distant. Though a balance has yet to be established between the income of the country and its expenditure, taxation, Mr. Laing tells us, has pretty well reac h e d its limits, and the only hope of improvement lies in a reduction of the public charges. In this direction, it is true, some progress has already been made. The enormous military establishments formerly maintained have been resolutely cut down, and many thousands of the population released from a dangerous service for avocations of a more profitable kind. Happily, the inducements to peaceful industry have been largely increased. Wages have risen rapidly, and the peasants of Bengal are now paid for their labour on terms which they may well consider attrac tive. At the same time public works are pushed forward with extraordinary vigour, and every body is anticipating a new era for India. Now, what would be the conseqaences if at so critical a conjuncture India should secure the command of a trade bringing her a return of X 40,000,000 a-year ? What would be the effect of this prodigious stimu lus to the industry of the Hindoos ? Are we not f justified in assuming that the whole aspect of the country and its population would be speedily meta morphosed; that waste lands would be brought into cultivation, railroads completed, canals con structed, and communications opened in every di rection ? There are two profits to be made out of the cotton trade—one by the manufacture itself, and the other by the growth of the raw material. These are now divided between England and Ame rica, but if they were divided between England and India we should be keeping them all at home. " Our Eastern Empire," says the Manchester Cham ber of Commerce in its address to Mr. Laing, ought, under improved administration, "to be no longer a source of anxiety, but of strength, to the Crown of England." Any Administration which made Indian fields the feeders of Lancashire looms would infallibly bring this result to pass. Give India the custom now monopolized by the Slave States of America, and that enormous territory would become as directly valuable to England as Java is to Hol land, or Cuba to Spain. Such a consummation is surely most desirable in the interests of the British Empire at large, and the people of Manchester have once more put on record the conditions which, in their opinion, would bring the end within our reach. A farmer, whatever may be the nature of his produce, requires impe ratively two things for his buslnes3—land and labour. The Indian Government rather hesitated about the land question, alleging that the land in cultivation was occupied by numerous small holders under intricate tenures, and therefore not easily to be acquired, while the waste lands were either not suitable, or not accessible, or not available to the extent presumed. The Cotton Association. however, asserts that one-third or so of the whole soil of India is at present uncultivated, and that in so vast an extent of territory there must be land available for the projected investment of European capital. Mr. Laing explained that these lands were remotely situated, and that there would be a difficulty in getting at such outlying tracts. But such outlying tracts are the very spots to which the American planter repairs. All this hankering of the South after new territories expresses nothing but the anxiety of the cotton growers for fresh soil ; and why should not Indian as well as American agriculturists avail themselves of such means of production ? As for labour, that is seen and felt to be a question of contracts only. We may seem to be taking a very narrow view of the question, but the fact is simply as we have stated it. There are labourers in abundance willing to work, and on reasonable terms, but they are so poor that they require an advance from their em ployer before they begin. They work, in fact, by contract, and a man who owes his labour finds that labour rather hard. It is uphill work for them, no doubt under such a system, but if they can work upon no other terms it is for their interest, as well as that of their employers, that the contract should be faithfully performed. But the Hindoo peasant, though docile, frugal, and laborious, is not disin clined to get a good bargain at the expense of his master. If lie can evade his contract after taking the money for it he will do so, and he is all the more likely to make the attempt if he is encouraged by compassionate sympathisersin thinking his posi tion a hard one. That it is often a hard one in reality we can readily believe, but it must be per fectly clear that, unless labour is honestly given for hire, there will be no hire offered for labour at all. It is asked therefore on behalf of the European capitalist invited to India, that some efficient ma chinery shall be established for the enforcement of justice between workman and master, and it is ob vious that an enactment for that purpose would be as beneficial to the peasant as to the employer. The safer the bargain the better will be its terms. So long as the result to be expected is a matter of uncertainty the employer of labour will be cautious in bidding for it, but if he knows that his purchase is secure he will advance his price. On these two conditions, however, of getting good land at a rea sonable cost and fair work for fair wages, English men will invest their money in Indian agriculture, and satisfied, m en i t t t i o s s assuredl y u c i Eh n a c es u gt m eu rint a bent on equitable emp the Indian Empire e demandsa openedr e properly GovG ov without e r n delay to an influx of fertilising enterprise.— Times. To-day's telegram is brought to us with lightning speed by magnetic force. The same power, and with the same suc cess, is employed by Mr. Herring in his magnetic brushes. Dr. Hassall reports, "I regard them as the most perfect brushes hitherto made, as respects their mechanical con struction, and their mapietical action." They are the re medy for grey hair, neuralgia, rheumatism, Sm. N.B. —Coun terfeits are being made. Offices, 32, Basinghall-street, Lou don. THE POSITION OF BRITISH SHIPPING. (From the Steam Shipping Chronicle.) Outward freights have receded further, and homeward freights have advanced further, and on the whole the posi tion of British shipping is tolerable, while the general pro spects were never better, both with respect to steam and sailing vessels. This is the substance of the shipping cir culars of the month, but there are at the same time ques tions raised, which it will be alike interesting and instruc tive to consider. Why should outward freights continue to decline until measurement goods are carried by the best vessels on the berth from London to Bombay for 7s. 6d. a ton of 40 cubic feet, while the railway carriage from Man chester to London is something like 255. for the same goods. This i- a most unusual state of things, and should at once dispose of the question of cotton transit in India, which ma nifestly must be by steam flotillas, and not by railways, the charge by the latter absorbing the whole margin left for pro fit. Then there is the equally important question of the high rates current for homeward cargoes, which is also unusual. This last possesses an interest outside of shipping circles, inasmuch as it is a kind of open question whether it is the sender or the receiver of goods on whom the freight falls, the effect being that if it is the receiver, the buyer of our compact, manufactures, virtually at the moment, pays nothing for carriage, while British manufactures of every kind are just now burdened with the whole expense of the round voyage. Then there is the question of the deficient French harvest, and there are those claiming to be well in formed among ourselves who believe that excellent as the quality of our own crop is, and prime as is the condition in which the wheat has been carried from the field, still the yield will be disappointing, and that the grain imports into this country will therefore continue large. Lastly, there is the several American questions raised, namely, the buying and selling of American ships, the exclusion of American ships from the European trade, and the blockade. On all these questions it is desirable to touch briefly. Beginning with the American questions, which are, of course, upper most, and really the most important, a case is put before us of the vitiated papers of American ships sold in this country. One of the shipping circulars informs us of the case of an American vessel being sold to a British subject when, after payment of the purchase money, a claim was set up by a third party for payment of a large sum secured by mortgage registered in America, but not appearing in any way on the ship's papers ; and as might bo evraotarl from our eeneral experience of American deal ings, the seller of the ship has in tne vanisned, and the new claim must of course be satisfied. To guard against the recurrence of similar swindling it will be neces sary to insist on a substantial guarantee from the American sellers that there are no mortgages in the background, and to make safe, buyers of American ships should offer low enough to leave a margin. This they may safely do, as from all present appearances a considerable portion of the Ameri can mercantile marine is about to pass permanently under the British flag on her own terms. For this the energy of the Southern privateers is, we need scarcely say, to be praised or blamed, it being unsafe to take up an American ship on any terms. Anywhere the American merchant ves sel may now be dropped on and made a prize of the armed vessels under the Palmetto flag, and hence the practical and increasing exclusion of American ships from competi tion with our own mercantile marine. For the same reason also the blockade of the Southern seaboard becomes daily more ineffective, the blockading ships being necessarily withdrawn from their stations to protect American ships on the coast and in the gulf. By and by their attention will be required in Europe, and possibly in more distant parts, and then it will become impossible to maintain even the ap pearance of a blockade, the whole available navy of the Fede ral Government being inadequate for the protection of Ame rican commerce. Next in importance to these American questions is the short French harvest, and the possibility of this country also wanting considerable supplies. The actual deficiency in France is set down variously at from 30,000,000 to 50,000,000 bushels, but the mean betw• en these two estimates is, on the whole, best supported. Five million quarters of grain will therefore be required in France between the present time and the next harvest; and, unless war breaks out, the want must be in the main supplied from the United States. Nowhere else is grain so plentiful, and no where so likely to be cheap, and of course there France and we will provide ourselves. In ordinary times the whole of this carrying trade, as our readers are well aware, would have been chidofly monopolised by Ameri can vessels, but at present the major portion will fall to the British flag. The French mercantile marine is insufficient, and cannot readily be withdrawn from those trades in which it is at the present time employed; while the American mercantile marine, it need scarcely be re peated, is liable to be brought to and overhauled. If the peace is maintained British tonnage promises therefore to be in extraordinary demand for months to come, and it is to be hoped that as long as the sun shines the hay will be made. Should war, however, unhappily arise between this country and the United States, there would of course be no American grain trade ; but as France nevertheless must be supplied, other markets must be found. The Black Sea ports and the Egyptian and other ports would have to give of their abundance, and British ships, as before, would in the main be alone available for the trade. Whichever way American matters turn the British shipowner is on the eve of reaping the great advantage of carrying grain to France from those countries in which it may be purchased ; and there is this to be said also, that in the event of war be tween this country and the United States, the supplying of France with cotton would devolve entirely on the British shipowner. French cotton stocks, like our own, are now in a reduced condition, and the Southern planters only wait the forcing of the blockade to send forward the usual supplies. The question of a high impost freight is, of course, on the whole, a matter of not very great importance to the ship- i owner, as he is nearly supplied on the return voyage with what he should have had on the outward voyage. To some the arrangement, if it may be so termed, may prove tempo. rarily inconvenient but nothing more, while to the majority it is immaterial whether the money is made out or in, so long as it is made. But to Manchester, for example, the charge is a heavy one, the freight on a cotton cargo from Calcutta being now quite a serious matter. Manchester is, in fact, at the moment burdened with the charge of bringing to hand the raw material from which its manufactures are produced, while little more than year ago the case was the other way. When the shipowners cried out so bitterly against the unfair and injurious competition of the un reciprocating vessels of the United States, it will be remembered that outward freights were high, and in ward freights unusually low. Manchester, of course, then had its raw material practically without freight, while the high rares charged on the compact and often costly products of its looms is at the worst but a scarcely perceptible fraction on the value of the commodity carried. Hence the present disadvantage to Manchester, and to all other manufacturing interests draw ing raw materials from abroad. But, strange to say, the circumstance does not appear to have been noticed, but if noticed, we need hardly say that nothing whatever could be done. The demand of supply and tonnage must be left to adjust themselves, although the prospect of change to the advantage of Manchester is anything but hopeful. With a still increasing demand for tonnage for homeward car • goes higher rates will soon be current, and the tendency wil continue to be towards decline in the rates demanded for outward freight, although it is scarcely possible that less than 7s. 6d. a ton from London to Bombay for fine Man chester goods will be ever charged. The increase in home ward freights must pass into the pocket of the British ship owner, where it deserves to go. Thus the prospect of ship owners are most encouraging. Look where we will there is the prospect of plenty of cargo and of high freights. We see also that there is a practical monopoly of the carrying trade of the world before the British shipowner. The American competition has broken down, and is not likely to give us further trouble for years to come. How different the fact from the anticipation. Not long ago, it will be remembered, the limes complacently informed its readers one morning that the necessity must be accepted of the Americans be coming the great carriers of the world. They were a peace ful, indefatigable, and prosperous people, and while they had no domestic troubles, they avoided mixing themselves up with what took place in Europe. The balance of Euro pean power was to them a weakness and delusion, and when the time came that England should have a naval war on its hands, the Americans, as neutrals, would keep our trade going, and go on year after year adding indefinitely to the tonnage of their mercantile marine. If we are not mistaken it was regretted that British shipowners were not Ameri can shipowners, as then there would have been no com plaining. Now the tables are completely turned. The Ame rican shipowner is brought to as deep grief as ever the British shipowner suffered, and there is now scarcely an American ship that comes to an English port without being hawked about to find a purchaser. The American mercantile marine, instead of annexing the marine of this country and of other countries, is now a pitiful suppliant for annexa tion. And thanks to free trade in shipping, every week or almost every day now places American ships in British hands on the most advantageous terms. The views of the Americans with respect to the rights of neutrals have also undergone a .change. So long as it appeared to answer their purpose, they claimed in their peculiar noisy way to be unaffected by the quarrels of other nations—claimed that there should be no blockades, or if there were any, that American ships should at least be free to come and go at pleasure. Now that a different policy serves them, they insist that their paper blockade shall be respected, that aid and comfort shall; n - , t be given to their enemies, and na tions offending are threatened with immediate war. Con duct so contemptible and unprincipled could scarcely fail to work its own cure; and we venture to hope that the America that will emerge from the present trials will be something different in character from the America that is now suffering [ADVERTISEMENT ]—Holloway's Pills.—Never failing Comforters.—So soon as the human functions are disor dered, they should be rectified ; it is a hopeless delusion to leave the malady to its course. Holloway's Pills always accomplish this end with ease, safety, and despatch. A few appropriate does at the proper period will prevent many a serious illness. They arrest all morbid influences, and pre vent disease from increasing and affecting more distant organs. Their primary action is upon the blood, stomach, liver, kidneys, and bowels; their secondary action strengthens the nervous Centres. No drugs can be at once so harmless, yet so antagonistic to disease. The most per fect reliance may be placed upon their purifying, regulat ing, and renovating virtues. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. DONCASTER RACES—FRIDAY. The last day of this well-attended meeting almost rivalled its great predecessor, when the St. Leger attracted its thousands. The expected contest between The Wizard and Kettledrum in the Cup had charms which Yorkshiremen were unable to resist, and trains from all parts brought them to the town in large numbers before the time appointed for the sports to begin. A crowded room showed the anxiety of subscribers to ascertain the state of the market on the great race of the day, and The Wizard was in high estimation, odds being offered on him against the field, al though the winners of the Derby and Oaks were reported to be certain starters. Mr. Johnson again offered for sale several lots for which customers had not been forthcoming the three previous days, nor did they venture on the second occasion to offer, save in one instance, even tolerable prices. At 12 o'clock the multitude moved towards the racecourse, and on their arrival the sun peeped forth, dispelling the clouds, which in the earlier portion of the forenoon had been threatening. Nine events stood on the card for decision, and were so strangely arranged that, with the exception of the Cup, each appeared to vie with the other for precedence in being out of place. A match, in which the public took no interest, was first on the list ; and the Nursery, which interested everybody, last. Hundreds of people, who wished to go home by train, were obliged to quit the course with out seeing it; even the Scurry, with a field of low-priced platers, having been honoured with an uncalled-for priority. The meeting, on the whole, was eminently successful, and the racing excellent ; and, although the receipts scarcely equalled those of last year (an extraordinary one), there is no reason to apprehend a falling -off in the prosperity of the ever popular Doncaster Races. Match for 500 sovs, 200 ft, both 2-yr-olds. Red House in. Lord Derby's Shooting Star, Bst 121 b (J. Osborne) 1 Lord Glasgow's Flutter colt, Bst 51b (Aldcroft) 2 Betting—At first 7t04 on Lord Glasgow's colt, at last even betting. The Flutter colt made running to the Stand, where Shooting Star headed him, and won in a canter by a length. Sweepstakes of 200 sous. each, h ft, for 3-yr-olds ; colts, Bst 71b ; fillies Bst 21b. St. Leger course. 4 subs. Lord Exeter's The Knight of St. Patrick.... (Fordham) 1 Sir J. Hawley's Nautilus Betting-3 to lon Knight of St. Patrick. The non favourite made the running to the distance, where Lord Exeter's colt went up and won, after a close set-to, by a head. The Don Stakes of 50 sovs each, h ft, for 2-yr-elds ; colts, Bst 71b ; fillies, Bst 41b. Last mile. 5 subs. Mr. H. W. Thomas's Dictator, Bst 71b Divided the forfeits with Capt. Christie and Mr. Lincoln. The Park-hill Stakes of 50 sovs each, h ft, for 3-yr-old fillies, Bst 71b each; winners extra; the second received 100 sovs out of the stakes. St. Leger course. 32 subs. Mr. Saxon's Bt own Duchess, Bst 121 b (inclu. 51b extra) Snowden) 1 Mr. H. Savile's Lady Bl anc h e , B st 71b (L. (Aldcroft) 2 Lord Stamford's Adrasta, Bst 71b (A. Edwards) 3 Betting-6 to lon Brown Duchess. Lady Blanche made play at her best pace to the Red House, where she was joined by the favourite, who ran in company to the distance, when she came on by herself, and won in a common canter by a length and a-half. The Town Plate (Handicap), of 100 sous, for-yr-olds and upwards. Red House in. _ Baron Rothschild's King of Diamonds, 4 yrs, Bst 41b (Fordham 1 Mr. Bruce's Lord of the Mano r , 5 y rs , 7 s t 21b(Grimshaw) 2 Mr. G. Hodgman's Shillelagh, 3 yrs, 6st 71b... (Reeves 3 Lord Annesley's Sweetsauce, 4 yrs, sst (Charlton) 4 The following also ran :—Neophyte, Zodiac, Maid of the Mist, The Monk, Conqueror, Gauntlet, Nunnery, Crusade, Cantatrice, Reverie, and Archeress. Betting-4 to 1 agst Sweetsauce, 7to 1 agst Neophyte, 8 to 1 each agst Shillelagh and Lord of the Manor, 9 to 1 agst King of Diamonds, 11 to 1 agst Gauntlet, 100 to 8 agst Maid of the Mist, and 100 to 7 agst Cantatrice. Upwards of 20 minutes were cut to waste through Zodaic repeatedly refusing to face the flag, and the breaking away of Lord of the Mauor and Cantatrice. At last they were despatched from the post in scrambling order. Conqueror and Shillelagh were the first away, and made the running at a good pace, their immediate followers being Lord of the Manor, Cantatrice, Neophyte, Kiag of Diamonds, and Sweetsauce, to the distance, where Conqueror, with Mr. Merry's filly and Neophyte, were beaten and disappeared from the front, leaving the lead with Lord of the Manor. Half-way in the straight he was headed by King of Dia monds and Sweetsauce, who came on together to the centre of the Stand, when the latter was beaten, and gave way to Lord of the Manor and Shillelagh, the three finishing the race home, King of Diamonds winning in a canter by four lengths, half a length between the second and third, and a neck separating the third and fourth; the Monk was fifth, Zodaic sixth, and Conqueror next ; the others beaten off. The Doncaster Cup, value 300 Boys; weights for age, with winning penalties and maiden allowances. Cup course. About 2i miles. Col. Towneley's Kettledrum, 3 yrs, 7st 71b (in. 51b extra) (Bullock) (w. 0.) t Mr. Saxon's Brown Duchess, 3 yrs, 6st 1 llb ..(Midglay) t Mr. Lincoln's The Lawyer, 3 yrs, 7st (Grimshaw) 3 Mr. A. Nichol's The Wizard, 4 yrs, Bst 81b (in. 31b extra) (J. Osborne) 4 Mr. T. Parr's Avalanche, 4 yrs, Bst 21b (Fordham) 5 Sir J. Hawley's Rising Sun, 4 yrs, Bst slb .. (Wells) 0 Col. Towneley's Yorkminster, 3 yrs, 7st (carried 7st 31b) (J. Snowden) 0 Betting—Even on The Wizard, 9 to 2 agst Brown Duchess, 5 to 1 agst Kettledrum, 10 to 1 agst The Lawyer, 12 to I agst Avalanche, and 100 to 8 agst Rising Sun, Yorkminster made play at his best pace to serve his stable companion, followed by Rising Sun, Kettledrum going on third, Brown Duchess next, two lengths in the rear of Colonel Towneley's horse, and some three in advance of Avalanche, The Wizard and The Lawyer bringing up the rear. In this order they passed the Stand, and on round ing the turn Rising Sun rushed to the front, and carried on the running at an indifferent pace, York.. minster and Kettledrum being in ,immediate attendance, with the others lying off. Rising the hill The Lawyer ran past the favourite, and gradually approached the leaders, who ran closely together to, the Red House. Yorkminster, having had enough of it, then retired to the rear, leaving the Leger favourite in close attendance on Rising Sun, who shortly after rounding the bend, hung out signals of distress; and the others drawing forward at the same time, the lot came on together to the distance, where Sir Joseph's ho, se was beaten and dropped back, leaving Kettledrum in pos session of the lead, Brown Duchess, with The Lawyer, Ava lanche, and the favourite lying at his quarters, the pace mending considerably. In this order they ran to the stand, where Brown Duchess and Lawyer ran up to Kettledrum's quarter; but in a few strides after the Lawyer was disposed of, and the issue was left between the two, and terminated, after an exciting set-to, with a dead heat, the mare never fairly getting to him until the last stride. The Lawyer was beaten three lengths from the two, the Wizard was fourth, and Avalanche fifth. Rising Sun and Yorkminster were last, and did not pass the post. Deciding heat—Kettledrum walked over, Col. Towneley taking the Cup, and Mr. Saxon receiving 150 sovs out of the stakes. The Doncaster Stakes of 10 sovs each, with 100 added, fo 3-yr-olds. Colts, Bst 71b ; fillies, Bst 31b ; winners extra ; the second received 50 soya out of the stakes. Last mile and a half. Mrs. Osbaldeston's C merino, Bst 71b (Gzimshaw) 1 Mr. B. King's Lady Clifd en , B s t 31b (Fordham) 2 Mr. H. Savile's Lady Blanche, Bst 31b .... (A.. Edwards) 3 Mr. W. Crawfurd's Jingling Johnny, Bst 71b (Custance) 4 Lord Glasgow's Clarissa colt, Bst 71b (Aldcroft) 5 Mr. S. Hawke's Viscountess, Bst 31b Mr. R. H. joxes's Charing Cross, Bst 71b.... (Charlton) 7 Betting-7 to 4 agst Camerino, sto 2 agst Lady Clifden, and 4 to 1 agst Jingling Johnny. Camerino made play, waited upon by the Clarissa colt, Lady Clifden, Charing-cross, and Jingling Johnny, to the distance, when Lady Clifden ran past L.rd Glasgow's colt, and went on second, Lady Blanche third, with the others some distance in their rear. At the stand Fordham called upon his mare, but failed to reach Camerino, and was beaten easily at last by four lengths, three lengths sepa rating the second and third. Jingling Johnny was a bad fourth. The Scurry St ekes of 5 soya each, with 60 added ; weight for age, with selling allowances. Red-house in. Mr. Hudson's Miss Emma, 3 yrs, 7st 71b (50 sous) (deciding heat Edwards) Capt. Talbot's Gauntlet, 3 yrs, 7st 101 b (50 sous) (first heat, Clements ; deciding heat, Fordham) t 2 Mr. H. Coverdale's Harmony, 2 yrs, sst 121 b (50 soya) 3 The following also ran :—Liberality, Gazelle, Nunnery, Peahen, Entomologist, and Lady Peel. Betting-2 to 1 agst Lady Peel, 3to 1 agst Miss Emma, and 4 to 1 agst Gauntlet. A dead heat between Miss Emma and Gauntlet. Deciding heat-3 to lon Gauntlet, who was beaten by a length. The Nursery Plate of 200 sous, for 2-yr-olds. Last mile. Mr. Villiers's Silkstone, 6st 91b (Hardeastle) 1 Sir J. Hawley's Salamanca, Est 41b .. (Parsons) 2 Capt. Christie's My Partner, Bst llb _ _ The following also ran :—Tim Whiffler, Vanguard, Rosa, Beverley, Hadji Stravos, Victrix, Spark, Caracole, Costa, Patriot, Lapadist, King of Kars, Pot Pourri, Haddington, Scandal, Keane, Tommy Jones, Hoodwink, Colares, aad Syr . a. Betting-4 to 1 agst Silkstone, 6to 1 each agst Hadding ton and Victrix, 7 to 1 agst Pot Pourri, 8 to 1 agst Bever ley, 12 to 1 agst Tommy Jones, 100 to 6 each agst Tim. Whiffler and My Partner, and 100 to 8 agst Spark. Won by three-quarters of a length, a head between the second and third ; Victrix fourth. Match, 500 sovs, 200 ft. Lord Glasgow's Flutter colt received forfeit from Lord Strathmore's St. Agnes. THE CROAGII PATRICK CASE —Sir 'Joseph Hawley and Capt. Little, the owners of Rising Sun and Man at Arms, who ran second to Croagh Patrick for the Chesterfield and Stewards' Cup at Goodwood, having lodged objections against the winner on the ground of his being the property of a gentleman in default for stakes at the time, the case was gone into at Doncaster yesterday before the Earl of Chester field and Lord Annesley, the stewards of the meeting, wh o called in the assistance of Admiral nous, the senior steward of the Jockey Club. Evidence was produced by the breeder of the horse to show that he had sold him previous to the Good wood meeting, but it was not of a very s atisfactor), nature; and the case was accoprcliaglY adjOUnied for further • *Awe& CONVICT _ESCAPE FROM PORTLAND.---• CURIOUS RECAPTURE. (From the Dorset County Chronicle.) Our Portland correspondent gives the following strange recital :—What an excitement was created among the officers of the said prison establishment on Monday last, when Thomas Murphy made his escape. Early that morning private information was received by the authorities that a prisoner was to make an attempt to escape ; no one could guess from what party, or from what place, but all the principal officers got notice to look out. The word was scarcely given before the usual signal was passed from guard to guard that a prisoner was off; then all were on the qui vive ; messages flew in all directions, panting warders hurried to and fro, the prisoners whisper and inquire " what's up ?" and the news passes on " Chums, hark ye ! a lag has cop'd his nanty and hook'd it," which being inter preted means " Companions, listen ! a prisoner has taken a run and escaped." An officer was despatched to inform the police in Weymouth, another was posted at the landing pier in Portland to intercept all passengers from the island, a third took horse and galloped off to the guard-house at the ferry bridge. The soldiers were turned out of barracks, a chain of sentries encircled the island, and scouts; in blue coats and scouts in red, were searching into every nook, under every stone, and examining every projection, corner,'and ledge that it was possible for human foot to reach ; no relief was given to the guards, they had to stand to their posts all day,, and the excitement was kept up until the evening, when sundry reports came in from various quarters announcing that the convict was seen by several persons on the route from Portland to Weymouth. One said a mason had seen him run down from below the Verne and turn towards the steamer about to start at 10 o'clock ; another that he was seen making his way by the wall of the Forty-acre field, and that,, suddenly jumping over the said wall, he caused a. lady to faint at the other side. A soldier saw him near Wyke. He was in a great hurry, and dressed in mason's clothes. All who saw him guessed it was a convict, and " said so at the time." Tuesday morning came, and with it the general opiniun that Thomas Murphy was a clever fellow, and that by that time he was receiving the congratulations of his friends in London or Liverpool. Various expla nations being given as to his plan of escape, it was supposed he started about 9 o'clock, for just then an accident occurred on the Verne. A party were taking down some scaffolding and a prisoner fell and broke his leg. It was thought the other, seeing the circumstance engage general attention, took his departure; but the warder in charge of the escaped convict's party was positive that he saw and spoke to him at or about 11 o'clock, which was not many minutes before he was missed. Towards the end of the day (Tuesday), a prisoner in the party from which the man was missed intimated that he wanted to speak to one of the chief wards; as this is a com mon occurrence no notice was taken of the fact; the prisoner, however, committed some petty offence, for which he was at once removed to the prison. On ar riving there he explained that his object was to inform where the runaway was, and he asserted that he could point out his hiding place. Soon after 6 o'clock, when the whole of the convicts were re moved to the prison for the night, the informer was led out to fulfil his promise. He walked straight to the spot where the party was working, and putting his hand on a great heap of shingle and rubbish he laconically said " here." Some half dozen men at once proceeded to remove the rubbish, and continued so employed for fully half an hour before the hollow sound of a man's voice was heard from below. It ap pears the convicts were employed forming the gla ois in front of the Verne citadel, and it was neces sary to fill up a great hollow in order to bring the surface to a uniform plain. In this hollow once stood a workshop belonging to Mr. Leather, at tubed to which was a small arched room for keep ing powder. As the filling approached this spot the earth was tipped over the remains of the building, and the small ro nil offered an excellent hiding place, which the prisoner saw and availed himself of ; having taken his quarters here, the filling pro ceeded, and covered over the room several feet; indeed, no person present at the capture would believe that the prisoner could possibly re lease himself, and it is now supposed that his com panion, seeing his danger, and the probability of his being smothered, was led to give the information which resulted in his capture. The only things he had on were his flannels and boots ; but he had con cealed in his hiding place a pair of trousers, half made, some needles and thread, and four l oaves o f bread. As he was retaken without leaving the island, the warder from wh ose c h arge he slipped. will retain his place. It is very hard that these officers, even after many years' service, are liable at any moment to lose their situation and pension, be cause a prisoner should happen to escape from their charge ; and this liability renders it next to impos sible to work the several parties with advantage, for no man, responsible for the safe keeping of some 25 or 30 men, can at the same time keep them con stantly and effectively employed. COUNTRY MARKETS. LIVERPOOL-SEPT. 20. There was a moderate attendance of millers and dealers at this morning's market, and we had a fair business doing in English wheat, at the currencies of last Tue - day, really fine sorts in some instances bringing more money. Flour also met a fair sale at last week's rates. Oats and oatmeal were in limited request, bat maintained their value. Beans and peas as before. Indian corn in fair de mand. WAKEFIELD—SRpT.'2O. The demand for new and fine old wheat was very fair, at an improvement of is per qr over last Fridays rates, but secondary sorts are still neglected. Barley was a dull sale. Other articles unaltered. LOUGHBOROUGH—SEPT. 19. At this market to-day there was a very good show of wheat; trade still active, at a slight advance upon recent rates—white, 60s to 645; red, 50s to 58s per 36 stone. Barley quite as high as in the week previous, malting selling at 37s to 41s per qr., grinding 28s to 30s per 30 st. Oats a steady sale, and more money obtained. Beans were scarce, at extremely high rates. EXETEEPT. 20. Business limited to-day, and prices may be quoted as follows : I,Vneat, white.. 78 Od to7s 9d Barley. 4 8 Od t o 4 s 6d I Ditto new .7s 6d t o O s Od Oats .. .. 3s Oa td 3s 6d Flour, fine, 46s to —s; seconds, 40s to —s per sack. CATTLE. Fat beef,p score, lOs to 11s6d Ewes, per lb .... 6d to did I Pork carca ses ,d o lO s Od to lls Wethers, d 0...... old to:7d Lambs, per lb 71d to 8d Fat calves, d0...6id to 7i. Rough fat, 31d per lb. BRISTOL SUGAR—SEPT. 20.1 We have had a brisk demand for raw sugars, and prices have advanced 6d per cwt. for scale qualities. In refined goods there is a better demand, at higher prices. In rum a limited business doing. COAL MARKET—SEPT. 20. (Prices of Coal per Ton at the close of the market B. d. Bate's West Hartley 14 6 Carway and Duffryn 1 Malting 24 0 Do. Anthracite 21 6 Lambert's West Hart- I Walls End. ley 15 0 Keiper Grange.... ..18 0 Wylam .........15 3 , Sheriff Hill 14 0 ' Davison's West Hart- Harton l7 3 ley ....15 6 ' Durham 15 6 Holywell 15 3 [ Russel's Hetton. ..18 0 fanfield Moor 12 9lKeltoe Tanfield Moor Butes..l2 9 Trimdon Thornley • .16 3 Carr's Hartley l6 6 Hatton ..19. 3 Carr's Original Hartleyl6 3 Tunstall Craighead Steam 14 0 Ships at mark, s. 8. Bower's W es t Hartley 15 6 West Hartley 15 6 North Pelton 13 0 )t, 39 ; sold, 25. BIRTHS. COLES.—On the 19th inst., atWoolston Lawn, near South- - am- d ghter o a f u ßichard Coles, Esq., Mayor of Wednesday, offa the 11th inst., at 18 T 1 ..ansdowne tt—hoanom,nptthueu, road, Notting -hill, the wife of Charles John Todd, Eccl., Tone. — On D uP . of a daughter. WBrom EBSTER pton .—O the n th wifee 18t of h inst., at 25, D rayton -grove, West , Ben ja t 25' Web s t er, jun., E sq. barrister-at-law, of a daughter. WINSOII.—On the 19th inst., at 39, Ampthill-square, the wife of W. H. Winsor, Esq., of a son. MARRIAGES. DRURY—COURT.-0a the 17th inst., at Wargrave, Major Heber Drury, Madras Army, to Elizabeth Sarah, the youngest dauEhter of Major Court, of Castlemans, Berk shire. GUISE—NEWCOMBE.—On the 18th inst., at Abbeyleix Church, Lieut.-Col. John Guise, V.C., 90th Light In fantry, youngest son of Lieut.-General Sir John Guise, Bart., K.C.B , to Isabella, only surviving child of the late Rev. Arthur and Hon. Caroline Newcombe. DEATHS. Cnorrox.---O the 15th inst., at Fulwood Barracks, Pres ton, Colonel Crofton, Commanding the 11th Depot Bat talion, eldest son of Sir Morgan Crofton, Bart., of l‘lo hill, co. Leitrim, aged 47. GRAY. —On the 19th inst., at Lower Clapton, Michael Gray, Esq., aged 93. GoitE.—On the 18th inst., at Brompton, London, Maria, widow of the late Lieut.-Col, Henry Ross Gore, C.B. GORDON.—On the 18th inst., at Countess Wells' House, Aberdeenshire, John Gordon, Esq., of Cairnbulg, aged 75. P oCOCK. —oa the 1 7th inst., at Ri o L odge, Maida-vale, Walter Pocock, Esq., age 42. WARRINER.—On the 17th inst., at Foot's-eray, Kent, the Rev. E . H. Warriner, rector, aged 77. LONDON : Printed and Published by MURDO YOUNG, o No. 112, Strand, Printer, at THE Sun Office, No. 112,Strand• In the Precinct of the Savoy, in the County of Middlemen eitturdai isg ilteiaDer 21,1862.