The Sun. — London, England, 1842-12-27 00:00:00

b y COURT CIRCULAR. - )OADSOR, &IND AY.—Yesterday the Queen and e , e 'Albert took their usual walk about the grounds a rld the Castle in the morning, and again in the -441 1, eon. i g _ile Prince o f Wales and the Princess Royal were 7 an airing. 4 ,2scount Canning and Captain Seymour arrived. 6, ure "! Pastle, and the Earl of Liverpool took his de 6411nee Albert went on a shooting excursion, and ir good sport at the Flying Barn, near Virginia eer. His Royal Highness was attended by the C 91 1 1 .3 of Ormonde, Hon. Colonel Grey, Major b.eral Sir E. Bowater, and Mr. G. E. Anson. Fer Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, Dow- Lady, Lytt e lt on , L a dy F ann y H ow ard, Mr. G. 6, 1 43 , 1 ' son and Major-General and Lady T. Wemyss, It; the honour of joining the Royal dinner party in , e vening. the e band of the Horse Guards was in attendance 4,, Castle. 0 4 ' 111 3, morning her Majesty and Prince Albert and 1 , 4 'loyal Household attended Divine service in the rate chapel within the Castle. The Rev. Lord p i etbesley R usse ll officiated. tier Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent attended i i ltrie service in the Church. Thi Rev. Mr. Gore the Rev. Mr. Oaks officiated. The latter gentle -1.,,!1 preached, taking as his text the words from St. L7 l , "He came unto his own, and his own received -4 not." tidy Fanny Howard and Sir George Couper were 4 Waiting on the Royal Duchess. Sir George stopped the sacrament. h„. l th e w NDSOR, MONDAY.—The unfavourable state of Weather has preventedhher Majesty leaving the Royal Highness Prince Albert visited the P r 7-g-school, and remained there an hour. The 11,: tl elk :WM attended by Major-General Sir Edward water i° E .,rd lenlyon took his departure from the Castle to k Saturday. Si Henry enr Wheatley arrived at the Castle to-day 41 a visit to the Queen. F ler Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, Lady C l o l lY Howard, and Mr. and Mrs. Harcourt of St. 4 nard's-hill, will j o in the Royal Dinner Circle this biZ l ing. Covers are laid for eighteen. The Royal ner Party at the Castle is also expected to include 4 18 eount and Viscountess Canning, Hon. Miss Lister, p cl . 4 _. Miss Liddell, Sir Henry Wheatley, Marquis of Clionde, Hon. C. A. Murray, Captain Meynell, k l e ptain Francis Seymour, and the Equerries in Wait % her Majesty and on his Royal Highness. 14, LRoyal Highness Prince George of Cambridge arrived in town from Leeds. His Royal High 7:Went on Saturday to Kew. li t `'outit de.St. Aulaire, the French Ambassador, and aßrunnow, the Russian Minister, visited the of Aberdeen, on Saturday afternoon, at the o ffi ce ,e Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs 7,1,1 the Chancellor of the Exchequer left town, on *.rdav morning, for Cambridge. Lthe Earl of Haddington transacted business, on , 4 tcloy, at the Foreign-office. I „Lbe L a di es F e ildi ng l e ft t own , on S a t ur d a y after °oa, for the Upper Lod ge , in Bushy Park. The k tki r ' of Denbigh, accompanied by Viscount Feilding t ro _the Hon. Mr. Feilding, returned to the Upper 1 1) - V, Bushy Park, on Saturday night, from attend & the funeral of his late Countess. ti,N Earl of Liverpool has arrived in town, from a to her Majesty at Windsor Castle. LTL 4 'oe Earl of Aberdeen left town on Saturday for - 7. residence of Lord Haddo, at St. Leonard's, near iaodsor. His L or d s hip returned to town yesterday k 7 , 1 ,1 113. Sir James Graham paid a visit to the ' T r Earl in the afternoon at the Foreign-office. 1 4 ' 418 t , Excellency the American Minister returned krosvenor-place on Wednesday, from a visit to Sir Bert Peel at Drayton Manor, and left town the L(Owing day with Mrs. and Miss Everett, to pass istina s with Lord and Lady Ashburton at the ge. T he Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone has left Hagley qrc, Worcestershire, on a visit to Sir Stephen p i oe, Bart., at his seat Hawarden Castle, Flintshire. spatchis were received yesterday at the Colonial _e from the Governor of Gibraltar. THE PANTOMIMES, &c. DRURY-LANE. At this theatre, last night, Jane Shore preceded the Pantomime. it would appear, from these two pieces, as if the caterers for Christmas had intentionally set the face of Melpomene opposite that of Momus to create the stronger contrast, so that tears and laugh ter might both be educed, and that the latter should be the heartier from copious effusion of the first. If the reason seems far-fetched, the effect, nevertheless, was apparent; Macready, Phelps, Miss Faueit, and Mrs. Warner realised, by their combined talents, as much as Rowe could ever expect. The passion of Hastings was perfect; the " maddening brain" of Alicia wrought itself in the fury of fire, almost pal pably, and the frail attenuated beauty of the suffering penant sank into the composures of death, true to ac tuality and nature. Impatience for the pantomime was, as usual, vehement. Harlequin William Tell was its titular name, being the first time, doubtless, that the hero of the antons was ever made to caper in a suit of spangles, or use pantouflea for a dance. It opened mystically—say allegorically. In the "regions of slavery" a patent fetter factory has discovered itself to view. In this Cyclopic cave a number of fire-forgers hammer out the links which are to chain the people of Negroland. Buoyant on the sea, however, a slave vessel appears in conflict m :th a British cruiser—the former is cap tured, and the victorious vessel draws to shore. Alighting from its prow, the figure of Britannia advances, and a conflict ensues between her crew and the chain-makers. But the crew are the most petite and Liliputian imaginable. Fancy Sir Hugh Gough or Commodore Napier in petto, reduced to almost Tom Thumb dimensions, and multiplied by lots, and you woulli have the sailors exactly; while the little troop of soldiers that marched from under hatches, would have pleased a Picton or Wellesley. Of course the soldiers and seamen win the day, emancipation of the slaves ensues, and a dazzling seena issues on the eye, representing a palm-crowned region that basks in lustre, and where the black dances in liberty. The chain-makers, defeated here, cast wistful eyes on Switzerland, and Gesler is their tool. This piece of Switzer history, known to every juvenile of the day, was well sketched, but thrown into the oddest atti= tulles of grotesqueness. Each character was pur posely a monstrosity, and the head on every Swiss pair of' shoulders was as bulbous as American beet.. root. But the scene in which the travesties were enacted gleamed as fairly as a chrysolite; it was the Canton of Uri; a mild sun illumined its air, and its lake shone with diaphane clearness. Forthwith the transformations ensue. William Tell becomes Har lequin (Mr. C. J. Smith), Miss Fairbrother, Colum bine ; the one cased in a suit of brilliance, muscular of limb but supple as his wand ; the other graceful in silver gauze, and airy as a gossamer. Then began the merry din, the whirl—up and down, to and fro; they flitted about as if their world had been a ball room, and every minute a festival. Twirlabout (Mr. Stilt), as indicated by his name, rejoiced in infinite somersets, tournures, and capsisings. His limbs were elastic with vigour—the subtilties of the gymnase were at his command—he glided into attitude and motion as if muscle and tendon had been no part of him—it was a doubt which was lightest, he or Columbine. In the series of tricks the pockets of Mr. T. Matthews, as Clown, seemed full as capacious as his prototype's, Grimaldi ;rand Mr. Howell's Panta loon was no less unctuous. We cannot enumerate a tithe of the changes produced by the flourish of the wand. The office of Bell's Life in London, converted door and window into a likeness of every bell in and out of the metropolis—of which the Giant Tom of Lincoln tolled supreme—while' a host of little bell-men created at the same time a tintinnabulary clatter, that made the house resound with chimings. A new hair-cutting machine appeared, with a couple of voluntary-moving hungry scissors—two bushy heads of hair were applied, which were imme diately turned out "real Dover crops." This trick would amuse all Kent. A model of the Old Bailey was metamorphosed into a "Bailie of Edinburgh," rubbing sleep from his eyes, when the Queen had sped miles on her progress, The " Fleet Prison" was humourously changed into the " depai Lure of her Majesty's fleet," and one of the slyest hits was at the music system of Hullah, whose institution, dedicated to singing for the million, changed into a laundry, with about eighty kettles, all synchronously vocal, on the fire, and warbling harmoniously to that tune which is ordinarily addressed to "Polly." Preissnitz, the Income-tax, and other floating topics of the day, came in equally for some shrewd touches. Some few of the sceneries were common-place, but the generality were elaborately rich in rural-looking icebergs, snow-peaks white with light, and valleys trellised with vines. The Ribstone Pippin Bower was a splendid spectacle.; at its centre wheel within wheel continued to revolve in sparkle and fine glory, while numerous cressets burned, tipt as with lustrous naphtha. The final garden of the Hesperides was simi larly rich, ideal and imposing. Colonnade and co lumns glittered in the rose-light of perpetual elawn ; ethereal fires fumed sulphidly around, as if powders of amethyst had been scat tered in the air, and golden beams irradiated the whole. Repetition will no doubt make this Christ mas-piece more perfect and despatchable : a quick eye and quicker perception is necessary at present to comprehend some of the tricks as they are carried out ; and a few of the slaps and posturings may be omitted. The house was full and brilliant : hearty laughter awaited on many of the plasainteries, and young faces frequently gladdened with delight. The gods of the gallery were somewhat captious, but with out appearance of knowing what they wanted. h.,._ very preparation is being made at the Chamber of adies for the opening of the session. The scaffolds to painters are removed, and carpets, furniture, I l i decorations are daily brought in. The bas-relief pLmster, representing the King taking the oath to Orue the. Charter, has been replaced by the work ~4 * in marble, executed by M. Ramey. oasr JOBBING.—The appointment of Captain„-c Perintendent of the Royal William Victualling and Royal Hospital at Plymouth, lately held by t ti l'tain John Coode, R.N., C. 8., is about to be con tired on Captain Richard Arthur, R.N., brother of k;: . George Arthur, a zealous political supporter of 49-. Cockburn (Chairman, if we mistake not, of Sir ge's election committee at Plymouth). By this Utiatment, a naval good service pension of 1501. per s,i:zil will be at the disposal of Lord Haddington, will, we trust, be bestowed on some officer of k t y distinguished service, and not as a payment for 4t real agency. Captain Richard Arthur (a Captain 6 2.810) commanded the Vesuvius bomb at Copenha- I'and was posted from the. Cherokee for a gallant t e '.suecessful attack on seven privateers under the k i l i teries of Dieppe in 1810. He has, however, been T . employed, and, besides the C. 8., has had a good. OVA, pension bestowed upon him. He is an excel- Officer, and our sole objection to his appointment f t ! iv zi desire to see a more equal division of the very ~these things which the Board of Admiralty have, eleSe piping times of peace, to give away.— United -lice Gazette. Ltsrusa.—ln the provision market of Co knis, Ohio, last week, the finest turkeys were sell at 25 cents each; geese at 18 cents; ducks at 16 !Its the pair ; and chickens at 75 cents a dozen—six ee a piece ! Beef at 2 cents per lb., and other C_bles in proportion. A cheap place to live in, that t i"embus must be. But perhaps, as Pat said of the ce of things in Ireland—a turkey could he bought .j,lixpence--but the plague was to get the money." iiommercial Advertiser. tkLinust be a source of gratification to those inte tLrg in the welfare of the many families who have I:rated from this town and the surrounding vil to New Zealand, to know that letters have been dyed from several of the emigrants, who all speak ‘1:5; highly of their comforts and prospects, and give m iT ghly flattering account of the country.—Hanip e Advertiser. t re 'llie American ship Peruvian, arriving at Havre of . 4 New Orleans, was driven as h ore, in the course t e wednesday night, between Bleville and Octeville, N t he north of La Heve. The night was dark and 4:71 so that it was impossible to discern the lights on 0 0 1: 'and. The steam tug-boat Neptune was imme lely sent out to tow her off, if possible. 2 1 -E Moons.—The season for grouse-shooting , t ;Zainated on the 10th instant, and a more pleasant f l r we do not remember. During the whole period five months, the sportsman was scarcely inter kjsted by a single shower of rain, or rather, the 4 t ele was one continued round of bright sunshine. A the commencement of the season, however, it was % s erved that the hoodies had been most active in 4t e destruction of the eggs, and that, too, in many v s t e i s when they were nearly fledged; this, together k „::n the poaching which has been carried on to a W a t extent this season, has limited the amount of w t 'le• Indeed, we have noticed a continued decrease egrouse since the year 183 8 , which has been caused ther severity of the weather, and the now too pre - Alent practice of burning the heather. As the t winter promises to form an exception, we there will be an increase in the number and ith of the birds next season. We have seldom "ce... 4 the broods of partridges more numerous; but n g s w ing to the earliness of the season, they were more t. usually shy.—Glasgow Citizen. COMAIUNICATION WITH ENGLAND.—We . C 4 eFStittld that a deputation of the Glasgow a nd h h Yrahire R a il wa y Directors, were in this neighbour °°d last week, and went the length of Cumnock, for Purpose of seeing some of the influential proprie vs on th e li n e from Glasgow to Carlisle, by way of 4. :lthsd a l e an d D um f r i es . We formerly stated our d pizlion in favour of this line over the Mid or Clydes dale line, as the one more likely to be taken up by the Public; and when we look at the question as regards e interest of Scotland, there cannot be a, doubt that th e east and west lines—the former from Newcastle to ..Edinburgh, and the latter from Carlisle to Glasgow , . r i 'e th ose th a t oug ht to recei v e th e s upport .of the pub tie, because they possess the elements of remunera p?n, passing as they do through the richest parts of t i'e south of Scotland, abounding in fertility, popula ebn, and wealth.—.Ayr Advertiser. •n hEDUCTION OF WAGES ON THE NORTH MIDLAND ti A ILwAY.—We understand that considerable reduc .Slis of wag es are now being made among the en emen, emen, and other operatives employed on is line. At the same time, more work is also re (ired of them. The reduction of the engineers' Ilil l'ages, we are informed, is in some cases about 20 per „" - t• Cleaners are reduced from 15s. to 13s. a week. Great complaints are made among the workmen, who threat en a general strike. The reduction commences tc ' s Morrow (Sunday), and many of the best men , it i stated, will give up their situations to night.- - "eeds Times. STAT E OF TRADE.—We are sorry to learn that e Vnptoms of depression have again manifested them ves in several districts where a revival of trade had e 'el eTnenced. China will take a good many goods,but it ra ther give us no staples in return, save tea, which is ~- n er a luxury than a necessary of life; and, until A . " can get access to the continental susrkets and taerica, we fear trade will continue to saeguish and ec aY Aberdeen Herald. THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY IVIORNiNd, DECEMBER 27, 1 842, The Monarch, after various adventures, is induced by Gloriana to traverse his empire under the - disguise of Harlequin, with the "fair Ysonde," who assumes the figure of Columbine. Under these forms they visit various scenes, which are represented with great humour and effect. We have " the exterior of the Chinese Exhibition, at Hyde Park-corner," " the Police Station-house," and other views, enlivened by the grotesque exhibitions of Clown, dancers, specta tors, and a variety of characters suited to the diffe rent shiftings of the piece.. The great merit of the pantomime consisted in its scenery, which was, in many instances, striking and gorgeous. Palaces and caves—illumincd hills, and fairy landscapes, were re presented with an almost magical beauty. The act ing, however, was of an inferior description ; and we cannot but think that the piece would admit of cur tailment ; or, at all events, that a less use might be made of the cheap pleasantry of placing on the heads of the performers enormous and grotesque masks, under which they moved and tumbled upon the stage. We must not omit to mention that the con cluding scene, which was an image of " the Palace of Allegory," with au illustration of Great Britain, sup ported by Wisdom and Valour, receiving homage from China and Hindostan, was the finest in the piece, and drew down repeated marks of applause. The house was crowded in every part. COVENT-GARDEN THEATRE. This theatre opened last night for the season, with the Merry Wives of Windsor, and the new pantomine. In the comedy, Mr. Bartley undertook the part of Sir John Falstaff, and played it with intelligence, though with none of that smooth, oily humour which we naturally look for in the character. There was something dry and hard in his manner, more espe cially in that scene wherein he relates to " Master Brooke" his adventures in the buck-basket. Mr. Cooper made a heavy, common-place Ford, and the part of his sprightly wife was played with vivacity— a little too excessive, perhaps, at times—by Mrs. Walter Lacy. Meadows's Sir Hugh Evans was ex cellent, spirited, yet free from exaggeration ; and Miss Poole, who sang one or two simple airs with considerable sweetness and feeling, made an in teresting Anne Page. On the whole, however, notwithstanding it was well cast, the comedy went off heavily, and towards the close the impatience of the gallery was very manifest. The new pan tomine, which, as the bills assure us, is the production of the writers of Punch, is entitled Harlequin King John and Magna Charta; it contains some clever tricks, and some ingenious 'transformations, and moves off lightly and rapidly. The first scene repre sents the ruins of the Forum in the Campo Vaccino at Rome, wherein we find our old friends, Puck, ()heron, Titania, &c., busily engaged plotting merry mischief. Suddenly, Punch and his partner Judy make their appearance among the fairy group, when a very graceful dance is got up, in which all the assembled characters take part, and which was loudly and deservedly applauded by the audience. The next scene is called the " Vault of the Black Diamond— alias the Cole Hole—in the Castle of Baron of Fitz waiter," where the Peers of England are met together in solemn convocation, full of patriotic intentions, and determined to make King John sign the charter of their rights. This scene occasioned much laughter, and the grievances of the insurgent Barons were de tailed through the medium of pithy placards, with in. finite drollery ! The Great Hall at Windsor Castle was the next scene ; and hers we saw King John, who was most whimsically performed by Mr. W. H. Payne, presiding at a grand Court banquet, with his Lord Chancellor and his two Queens in active attendance upon him. Mr. Payne gave some imitations of Macready's walk and bearing in this scene, whi c h were instantly recognised by the audience, and were, indeed, as clever and characteristic as it was possible to be. Ultimately, after a variety of amusing shifts and subterfuges, the Monarch is compelled to sign the Magna Charts, which, true to his Royal despotic instinct, he signs, not with ink, but with blood drawn from the nose of one of his courtiers, whose conk he has expressly tapped for the occasion. After this we find the fairy train arriving in the Royal presence by one of the rail-road steam-engines, when Punch, wh o i s among t h em, ex hibits himself in his full glory, and the usual panto mimic transformations commence. Mr. Ridgway is Harlequin, Mrs. Ridgway, Columbine, Mr. Garden, Pantaloon, and Mr. T. Ridgway, Clown. The piece flagged occasionally till now, but when once th e proper business of the pantomime had been entered upon, there was no flagging till the close of the per formance. There was a world of bustle, and the changes were as rapid as they should be. Am ong them, is the sudden transformation of a school, after the old formal fashion, into the Polytechnic . Institu tion, which was admirably . contrived. The scenes in Bartholomew Fair, too, were very happy, and the quiz upon Mainzer's " singing for in the million " system, displayed much merry malice. But, de cidedly, the best incident the whole pantomime, was die representation of the mode of getting up a new Swindling Joint-stock Company, where a bundle of straw, with a head borrowed from a barber's block, was made to represent the President; the Directors were a set of scamps picked-up hap hazard; and two of them, who had made their fortunes by . the Com pany, were shown in the act of entering their car riage, when, by a sudden whisk of Harlequin ' s magic wand, the carriage was transformed, most ap propriately, into a police van, which . was to convey them as prisoners to Newgate. This was real, hearty, well-applied satire, and deserved the loud applause that it received. The last scene, re presenting 'Punch's Water-frolic, with the Lake of Como in the distance, was of a most gorgeous and splendid character ; but indeed the pantomime throughout was remarkable for the variety and splendour of its scenery and decorations ; and it is decidedly one of the most amusing we have seen for some years. When a few trifling curtailments have been effected, ive think it will be very likely to have a run. The house was full, but not crowded. HAYMARKE7'. A revival of the old Olympic Christmas fairy spectacle of Riquet with the Tuft, was the amusement provided for the holiday visitors at this establishment. Madame Vestris and Charles Mathews sustained their original characters, and the piece was produced with all its pristine splendour. The young folks, who at this season of the year are the public, hail their old friends "Riquet," " Jack the Giant Killer," " Cinde rella," " Valentine and Orson," " Puss in Boots," &c. &c., with raptures of delight, arid "Riquet" was as successful on his revival at the Haymarket as he was on his first appearance at the Olympic. The house was very well filled. THE PRINCESS'S. This truly superb little theatre was opened last evening for the first time for theatrical amusements. , It is fitted up in the most gorgeous yet tasteful style of magnificence. The decorations are in the richest style of the Renaissance. The ceiling is adorned with paintings in arabesque of the most brilliant colour, cornices and corbels, richly carved and gilded, and the panels of the boxes are adorned in the same profusely gorgeous and costly, yet tasteful, style of magnificence. We have visited many theatres in this country, and most of the celebrated theatres on the Con tinent, but we never saw one which in magnificence of decoration could for one moment be compared to the Princess's.. The Royal theatre of the Palace of Versailles approaches the nearest to it, but even that must rank as second to this tastefully magnificent theatre. But it is not on account of its superb fittings up alone that this theatre is worthy of - the public patronage. The convenience of the visitors has been studied in every possible way. The boxes are most luxuriously fitted up with cushioned chairs, are numbered, and the pit is marked out into numbered places, in the same manner as Drury-lane. The lobbies are spacious and lofty, and so admirable is the ventilation, that although last evening the theatre was crammed to excess, the heat was by no means oppressive. It would appear that Opera is to be the grand feature at this establish ment, and the operatic company engaged is first-rate. The piece chosen for the opening was La Sonnambula, with Madame Eugenia Garcia as Amina, Templeton as Elvino, and Mr. Weiss (an excellent primo basso) as the Count. This opera has not been so well cast for many years on the English stage.. We have had ex cellent Aminas, good Rodolphs, but our Elvinos have of late years, all been feeble. Some we have had with taste to appreciate, but without power to execute the music of the part, whilst others, with a sufficiency of power, have been so deficient in taste, or so deficient in science, as to be totally, .incapable of managing their powers. Such, however, was not the case last evening. Templeton has taste, power, and science combined, and his Elvino last evening was all that the most fas tidious could desire. He has always been, far and away, the best Elvino on the English boards ; and now that Rubini has retired, we doubt whether the Italian stage can produce his equal. Without waiting to in quire whose fault it is that we have seen so little of him of late, we cordially hail his re-appearance, and trust that he will not again leave us. Madame Eu genia Garcia is worthy of the name she bears. She is a Garcia, which is saying, in other words, she is a thorough musician. Her voice is clear, powerful, sweet, and of immense compass ; her articulation most distinct; her pronounciation, for a foreigner, wonderfully correct ; her countenance is expressive, and her action energetic, yet graceful. In her delineation of the part of Amina, she not unfrequently reminded us of poor Malibran. Her execution of the finale—" Oh, do not mingle one human feeling," was brilliant in the extreme, and was honoured with a double encore. She was called for at the conclusion of the opera, and a profusion of wreaths and bouquets showered on her. Mr. Weiss, who made his first appearance before a London au dience, as Rodolpho, is a decided acquisition. His personal appearance is good, and his voice is a rich, powerful, well cultivated barytone, approaching to a bass. He sang the music allotted to him • with great taste and judgment, and was much and deservedly applauded in the celebrated air "Vi raviso." Mr. Loder is the leader of the band, and Mr. W. L. Phillips, the chorus master. The conductor is Signor Schira, from La Scala, at Milan. Mr. Maddox, the lessee, is evidently endea vouring to make this the Opera Comique of London, and sincerely do we wish him success in his praise worthy endeavours. A grand burlesque burletta, entitled, The Yellow Dwarf, concluded the evening's performance, and introduced to us Mddle. Melanie Duval, and Mons. Denize, principal dancers from the Academie Royal, Paris, in a new pas de deux. Never have we seen anything on the English stage which could at all be compared to the taste, ease, and gracefulness of Mademoiselle Duval. The most difficult tours were accomplished with a graceful agility, which delighted while it astonished. In an ordinary danseuse we should have spoken of them as tours de force; such an expression would, however, be most inappropriate in speaking of Mademoiselle Duval ; in her they were tours de grace. She was the muse of the many-twinkling feet, giving expres sion to the poetry of motion. The burletta was superbly got up, and went off exceedingly well. The house was crammed. OLYMPIC. The entertainments at this Pretty and favourite little theatre commenced last night with Leman Rede's highly successful burletta, Life's a Lottery, or Jolly Dick the Lamplighter, which, notwithstanding all the exertions of the hero, the great George Wild himself, and his excellent company, passed off nearly in dumb show, in consequence of the uproarious im patience of the holiday folks, who thronged the galle ries, and until the commencement of the harlequinade allowed no voices but their own to be heard, to the very great annoyance of the equally crowded boxes and pit. From the ,latter, loud and indignant cries for " order and silence" were occasionally lifted above the storm of the gods, to whom those rational ap peals were made in vain An extravaganza, under the title of The Coat, followed, and was to the spectators as unintelligible as its precursor, and from the same cause. At length, after an over ture of considerable merit (for its purpose), composed by Mr. Blewitt, the opening scene of the pantomime was greeted with rapturous applause. This truly original production is named Harlequin Old Cocker; or, Arithmetic Hall and the Rule of Three. It is de scribed in the bills as calculated to " make up with interest the full sum of laughter," and the public are invited to " come in numbers and see it" (the sul " proved." We are first introduced to the Hall of Slates in the Subterranean Palace of Multiplica tion, who is attended by a body-guard of animated slate pencils, with well sharpened points, and a group of living sponges, serving to de termine the question amongst naturalists as to whether or not these useful marine productions are to come within the province of zoology. Practice, a youth having a good business connexion, comes to apply for pecuniary assistance to enable him to prose cute his suite for-the hand of Miss Addition; but the old usurer has calculated her in his own total, and drives the applicant away in despair. The next scene is a splendid representation of the palace of Dame In terest, the mother of Addition, and here Multiplication receives the promise of the fair one's hand. Practice, in the act of courting his mistress, is put into a quotient by the Sheriffs' officers, Long and Short ,Division, when the Lady Addi tion, : now the remainder, is carried off by Subtraction, a gentleman who had seen better times, and at present resides in the hovel of Reduction. Prac tice escapes from his captors, and the several parties proceed to the enchanted palace of .Queen Figurante, a splendid scene, where the usual changes take place. Practice (young Bologna) becomes Harlequin, Addi tion (Miss Wright) Columbine, Multiplication (Mr. Jefferini) Clown, Interest (Mr. Hartland) Pantaloon, and Proof (Miss Lebatt) Harlequina. The chase , commences, and is pursued in the old style, with infinite bustle and drollery. The occasional delay and dulness incidental to the first night of such exhibitions, being relieved by the graceful dancing of Misses Wright and Lebatt and young Bologna. The action is diversifies by an average number of tricks and transformations, and they were rewarded with the: usual amount of laughter and applause. Jefferini, whose abilities as a Clown are well known, introduced " Hot Codlings," and some original comic songs, in which he was encored. In the conclusion, all parties arrive at the " Temple of Merit," where the prize is awarded to Practice, for having solved an arithmetical problem in the Golden Rule, which was beyond the powers of his rival, Multiplication. At the fall of the curtain there were some expressions of disapprobation, which, however, were completely drowned in the tumult of applause. SADLER'S WELLS. This theatre has long been celebrated for the spirit, life, and humour, of its Christmas entertainments ; and under its present manager, Mr. Greenwood, it has lost nothing of its olden reputation. The performances last night commenced with a drama entitled The Lear of Private Life, and the farce of The Secret. These pieces have been already repeatedly produced, and now obtained little of the attention of the audi ence. It truth, the uproar was throughout as inces sant as usual on such occasions. The Pantomime, however, was the great entertainment of the evening. This piece was entitled Harlequin and Good Kynge Arthur • or, the Enchanter Merlin and the Queen of Faery Land. The plot was an adaptation of the nursery tale of King Arthur. The first scene opened with a view of " the Dwarf's forge," in Merlin's cave, exhibiting the elfs of the enchanter forging a brazen shield for the King, who soon appears, accompanied by his knights. SURREY. The proprietors of this enterprising and successful establishment, have for years been noted as excellent caterers for the amusement of the public on this side the water, at the merry season of Christmas, and the present management 'determined not to be out-done by their predecessors. Last evening produced two entirely new pieces, one entitled Richard Savage, or the Disowned, and the other that invariable accom painment to the amusement of Christmas, a panto mime. Of Richard Savage it is impossible for us to say more than that it is a drama from the pen of Mr. Whitehead, founded on his work of that name, pub lished in Bentley's Miscellany, in consequence of the noise and confusion (a circumstance incident to boxing nights), that existed during almost the whole of its representation. It is, however, unnecessary to enter into its plot, as the work has been so recently before our readers, the main facts of which were em bodied in the drama, and the characters in which were very well sustained, by Mrs. R. Honner, Mr. W. Smith, Mr. H. Hughes, Mr. Hicks, Mrs. H. Hughes, Mrs. H. Vining, and others. Of the panto mine we cannot say too much ' • it is excellent for its scenery and its tricks • is called Harlequin Puck Elfin Changeling, and the Enchanted Statue of the Crystal Fountain, and its main incidents are founded on a fanciful tradition in Shakspeares: "...Midsummer Night's Dream," an elfin riddle in Spencer's " Faery Queene," and Chaucer's " Canterbury Tales." Among the scenery, we were much delighted with Oberon's bower in the New Forest, the fairy palace of Titania, and the Palace of Fountains. After the transforma tions of the different characters had taken place, and the real fun of the pantomime had commenced, we could not restrain a most hearty laugh at the scene of the Land o' Cakes, and the excellent allusions made therein to her Majesty's late visit to Scotland. Brun ning's Dioramic Annual, illustrative of the beauties of our little isle, was painted with his usual talent. The characters of Columbine, Harlequin, Clown, and Pan taloon, were admirably sustained by Miss Fairbrother, Mr. Harvey, Mr. C. Montgomery, and Mr. Blanchard, and the piece was announced for repetition amid uni versal applause, 11• om a house crowded to the ceiling. We regret that the lateness of the hour at which the pantomime concluded, nearly or.e o'clock, prevents us from entering more minutely into the merits of the performances at this establishment, but we can assure our readers that they will be well repaid by a visit to this popular place of amusement. VICTORIA. The entertainments at this theatre last night were of a varied character. Susan Hopley, or the Vicissi tudes of a Servant Girl, a domestic drama, in three acts, occupied tht earlier part of the evening, and was followed by an amusing burletta, under the title of The Two Clarks. These over, we were introduced to the " Regions of the Moon," and a very curious selec tion of the inhabitants ,of the " orbid maiden," in cluding those very odd personages, Nevermyndisnamia (Mr. Howard), Sagittarius (Mr. C. Williams), Curlytail (Mr. Wilton), Several Mooncalves ; and of the fair sex Miss Luna (Miss S a ddl er ), Miss Cytherea (Miss Ring), Miss Cynthea (Miss W. Edgar), and Miss Sparkleana (Miss. Brooks). The scenery of the moon, judging from the specimens pro duced, will, we are certain, engage the attention of our earthly tourists, when the knowledge of balloon ing becomes more perfect, if they are not deterred by the "Income-tax," which we perceive torments the poor inhabitants of fair Selene. The cause of all the fantastic tricks that pass before us in this bright region, is Billy Taylor (Mr. Gardner), who gives the name to the pantomime, and who is in love with Molly Fire (Miss Martin). The _Acne.. immediately shifts from " heaven to earth," from the in terior of the moon to " Saint Giles," where the spirits of Brandy, Whiskey, Rum, and Gin, are worked by the potent spell of Jacobus Jarvey (Mr. Paul), who also turns a roguish eye towards Molly Fire. During this scene several songs are sung by Miss Martin, in a sweet and agreeable style. The third part of the opening introduces us to " the glad waters of the dark blue sea," and our old Christmas friends Harlequin and Columbine (Mr. Chappino and Miss Edgar), and Clown and Pantaloon (Mr. Frank in and Mr. Morelli). These parts were very credit ably performed, as were also the three grotes ques, by Mr. Hulene, Mr. .Arnolph, and Mr. Temone. On this water scene we are floated to an ancient city on the borders of the British dominions, where a fight takes place, in which the subjects of the Brother of the Sun and Moon are soundly drubbed by the men of Britain. A few other scenes succeed, and the whole winds up with the " abode of the Lunar Deities." The house was crowded to inconvenience, and we could wish that there had been less uproar and more decorum on the part of the audience. QUEEN'S. The Christmas amusements at this popular place of resort commenced last night, with the success so well merited by its enterprising and talented manager. The first on the programme was an original drama, entitled The Page of Naples, but--(so far as the pro prietor is concerned we are glad to be compelled to say it)—such was the exuberant and Christmas-like joyousness of the crowds which thronged the pit and gallery, the greater part of the performance was little else than dumb show. However, the efforts of Mrs. J. Parry as the Princess Gemma, and of Miss Somers as Sybilla (the Witch of Vesuvius), were properly appreciated by a numerous and select circle in the boxes. This being " boxing night," the grand fea ture was the pantomime, and, we must say, that seldom was it our good fortune to meet with a richer or more racy combination of those untoward and outre events by which the risible organs of our juvenile friends are acted upon. Its title was (a host in itself), Polly put the_ Kettle on. Of course onr readers would not ask us to give the theatrical ",uude derivatur" of this sentence—suffice it to say on this head, that we have such sounds as " Sunbeam" (Miss Wrighten), the principal amongst a host of sylphides, who exhibit their fairy forms with all the concomit tants of beautiful scenery, exqu i s ite singing, and artistic grouping; after which come some figures to work out the "plot," which might well take their stand at the east end of .Guildhall, opposite our wor shipful friends Gog and Magog. we think ourselves justified in winding up, by saying that few of the Christmas play-goers can witness this, production of Mr. James' without a hearty laugh, and a feeling of regret when the curtain-drop terminates the merriment. CITY OF LONDON THEATRE. All hail to the Christmas holiday, bringing the dusty artisan and his family their annu a l a musements. The bill of fare adverth ed by the prop r i e t ors of this minor theatre, was rewarded with an overflowing house. Boxes, pit, and galleries Were crowded to suffocation, and if we might judge the amount of happi ness enjoyed by . the loudness of th e p l au di ts, t h e audience were satisfied in the highest degree. Paul, the Brazier, a new drama, ushered in the evening. This was succeeded by the farce of Th e Bl ue Devils, but the pantomime was called for bef ore the second piece was half gone through, and the proprietors so resemble. each other possible pan t o m i to oi e long continued v w oc er i e fe o r b at l i i o g n ed s o t f o , y , t i h e e ld g to ods t . h n e l H ou a d ri a e n: Harlequin and the One oeyrdeder. Blacksmith, ltis of the common from the very produce anything nature of the play, original, where the incidents must, scarcely is a and here we had old tricks revived, and old jokes perpetrated. The whole turned upon the loves of Vulcan and Venus, wh o, as Har l equ i n and Columbine (admirably played by Signor Milano and Mademoiselle Therese Cushnie), chase Despair, or Pantaloon (Mr. Cony), and Discord, or Clown (Mr. Blanchard), round our world. The dramatis persona fly from the abode of the . Cyclop s in Sicily, to London, and afterwards to Edinburgh. Ch arac t ers o f either and other countries are introduced, and as there is no distinct plot throughout, th e aut h or on ly endeavours to bring them into ridiculous juxta position with each other, andin this he is highly suc cessful. The proprietors have spared no expense in scenery or decoration, and the stage machinery was admirably managed. They have • catered with much tact and industry for the public, and we are happy to say that they are likely to be well and liberally rewarded. THE WEATHER. — The long tract of mild weather with which we have been favoured was interrupted yesterday morning by a fall of snow. The thermo meter which stood at 50 degrees on Thursday, was yesterday so low as 38. Arthur Seat and the other hills in the neighbourhood are slightly powered with snow.--Scotrinan. AMERICAN NEWS TH E PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE. LIVERPOOL, SUNDAY EVENING. By the arrival of the fine New York packet ship Independence, under command of Captain E. Nye, after an extraordinary quick voyage of sixteen days, we have received New York papers to the 10th inst. inclusive. The Presi dent's Message was delivered to Congress on the Bth, and was carried by express to New York in nine hours and seventeen minutes. It is a less. lengthy document than usual, but is not, gene rally speaking, of much interest. The President recommends a modification of the Tariff, and insists upon the benefits to be derived from moderate duties. But the great feature of the Message is the Exchequer plan submitted by the Treasury last year, and which is again recommended. The argument in support of this measure is lame, excessively feeble, and possesses little of the merit of the paper in which it was first brought before the nation. Our pri vate advices lead us to believe that this recom mendation will not be countenanced by, Congress. The President complains bitterly of the inabi lity of the Treasury Department to sell in Europe the Loan authorised by Congress, but does not condescend to let us know how much has been parted With in this country. Our foreign relations are represented to be in a very satisfactory position ; and the rumour of favourable accounts from Mexico is fully con firmed. The Columbia arrived at Boston at three o'clock on the morning of the 6th December, having ar rived at Halifax on the 3d. Sufficient time had not elapsed since the receipt of the intelligence brought by her at New York to notice its effects upon the markets, especially as the Bth was ob served as a general holiday or thanksgiving. CONGRESS. NEW YORK, SATURDAY, DEC. 8. On the re-assembling of the Senate on Tuesday noon, a quorum was not present ; and as soon as the fact was ascertained, an adjournment took place. In the House notice was given by Mr. Johnston, of Maryland, of his intention early to ask leave to bring in a Bill for assumption of State debts bythe Govern ment. Mr. Adams called up his resolution rescinding the 21st rule, which prohibits the reception of petitions on the subject of slavery, and after some discussion on questions of order, the resolution was laid over. Mr. J. T. Mason announced the death of Mr. J. W. Williams, of Maryland, and after adopting the usual resolutions on such occasions, the House adjourned. At half-past ten o'clock last evening, the Govern ment express arrived at the Post-office in this city, with the President's message, which was delivered yesterday after a quorum of the Senate appeared in their places, and with which the express left Wash ington at 13 minutes past 1 P.M., performing the whole distance in 9 hours 17 minutes. THE MESSAGE. TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF RE PRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES. We have continued reason to express our profound gratitude to the great Creator of all things for num berless benefits conferred upon us as a people. Blessed with genial seasons, the husbandman has his garners filled with abundance, and the necessaries of life, not to speak or its luxuries, abound in every direction. While in some other nations steady and industrious labour can hardly find the means of subsistence, the greatest evil which we have to encounter is a surplus of production beyond the home demand, which seeks, and with difficulty finds, a partial market in other regions. The health of the country, with partial ex ceptions, has for the past year been well preserved ; and under their free and wise institutions, the United States are rapidly advancing towards the consum mation of the high destiny which an overruling Pro vidence seems to have marked out for them. Exempt from domestic -convulsion, and At peace with the world, we are left free to consult as to the best means of securing and advancing the happiness of the people. Such are the circumstances under which you now assemble in your respective Chambers, and which should lead us to unite in praise and thanksgiving to that great Being who made us, and who preserves us as a nation. I congratulate you, fellow-citizens, on the happy change in the aspect of our foreign affairs since my last annual message. Causes of complaint at that time existed between the United States and Great Britain, which, attended by irritating circumstances, threat ened most seriously the public peace. The difficulty of adjusting amicably the questions at issue between the two countries was in no small degree augmented by the lapse of time since they had their origin. The opinions entertained by the Executive on several of the leading topics in dispute were frankly set forth in the Message at the opening of your late session. The appointment of a special Minister by Great Britain to the United States with power to negotiate upon m os t of the points of difference, indicated a desire on her part amicably to adjust them, and that Minister was met by the Executive in the same spirit which had dictated his mission. The treaty consequent thereon, having been duly ratified by the two Governments, a copy, together with the correspondence which accom panied it, is herewith communicated. I trust that whilst you may see in it nothing objectionable, it may be the means of preserving, for an indefinite period, the amicable relations happily existing between the two Governments. The questions of peace or war between the United States and Great Britain, is a question of the deepest interest, not only to themselves, but to the civilized world, since it is scarcely possible that a war could exist between them without endangering the peace of Christendom. The immediate effect of the treaty upon ourselves will be felt in the security afforded to mercantile .enterprise, which, no longer apprehensive of interruption, adventures its speculations in the most distant sea; and freighted with the diversified productions of every land, returns to bless our own. There is nothing in the treaty , which, in the slightest degree, compromises the ho nour or dignity of either nation. Next•to the settle ment of the boundary line, which must always be a matter of difficulty between States as individuals, the question which seemed to threaten the greatest em barrassment, was that connected with the African slave trade. By the 10th article of the Treaty of Ghent it was expressly declared that " whereas the traffic in slaves is irreconcileable with the principles of humanity and justice; and whereas both his Majesty and the United States are desirous of continuing their efforts to pro mote its entire abolition, it is hereby agreed that both the contracting parties shall use their best endeavours to accomplish so desirable an object:! In the enforce ment of the laws and treaty stipulations of Great Bri tain, a practice had threatened to grow up on the part of its cruisers, of subjecting to visitation ships sailing under the American flag, which, while it seriously involved our maritime rights, would subject to vexa tion a branch of our trade which was daily in creasing, and which required the fostering care of the Government. And although Lord Aberdeen, in his correspondence with the American Envoys at London, expressly disclaimed all right to de tain an American ship on the high seas, even if found with a cargo of slaves on board, and restricted the British pretensions to a mere claim to visit and inquire, yet it could not well be discerned by the Executive of the United States how such visit and inquiry could be made without detention on the voyage, and consequently interruption to the trade. It was regarded as the right of search, presented only in a new form, and expressed in different words ; and I therefore felt it to be my duty distinctly to declare, in my annual message to Congress, that no such con cession could be made, and that the United States had both the will and the ability to enforce their own laws, and to protect their flag from being used for purposes wholly forbidden by those laws, and ob noxious to the moral censure of the world. Taking the Message as his letter of instructions, our then Minister at Paris felt himself required to assume the same ground in a remonstrance which he felt it to be his duty to present to M. Guizot, and through him to the King of the French, against what has been called the Quintuple treaty; and his conduct in this respect met with the approval of this Government. In close conformity with these views the eighth article of the treaty was framed, which provides that " each nation shall keep afloat in the African seas a force of not less than eighty guns, to act separately and apart, under instructions from their respective Governments, and for the enforcement of their respec tive laws and obligations. From this it will be sgen that the ground assumed in the Message has been fully] maintained, at the same time that the stipula tions of the Treaty of Ghent are to be carried out in good faith by the two countries, and that all pretence is removed for interference with our commerce for any purpose whatever by a foreign Government. , While, therefore, the United States have been stand ; ing up for the freedom of the seas, they have not thought proper to make that a pretext for avoiding a fulfilment of their treaty stipulations, or a ground for giving countenance to a trade reprobated by our laws. A similar arrangement by the other great Powers could not fail to sweep from the ocean the slave trade, without the interpolation of any new principle into the maritime code. We may be permitted to hope that the example thus set will be followed by some, if not all of them. We thereby also afford suitable protection to the fair trader in those seas, thus fulfilling at the same time the dictates of a sound policy, and com plying with the claims of justice and humanity. It would have furnished additional cause for con - gratulation, if the treaty could have embraced all subjects calculated in future to lead to a misunder standing between the two Governments. The terri tory of the United States,. commonly called the Oregon territory, lying on the Pacific Ocean, north'of the 42d degree of latitude, to a portion of .which Great Britan lays claim, begins to attract the attention of our fellow-citizens, and the tide of population, which has reclaimed what was so lately an unbroken wilder ness, in more contiguous regions, is preparing to flow over those vast districts which stretch from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean. In advance of the acquirement of individual rights to these lands, sound policy dictates that every effort should be re sorted to by the two Governments to settle their re spective claims. It became manifest at an early hour of the late negotiations, that any attempt for the time being satisfactorily to determine those rights, would lead to a protracted discussion, which might embrace in 'its failure other more pressing matters, and the Executive did not regard it as proper to waive all the advantages of an honourable adjustment of other diffi culties of great magnitude and importance, because this, not so immediately pressing, stood in the way. Although the difficulty referred to may not for seve ral years to come involve the peace of the two coun tries, yet I shall not delay to urge on Great Britain the importance of its early settlement. Nor will other matters of commercial importance to the two 'countries be overlooked ; and I have good reason to believe that •it will comport with the policy of Eng land, as it does with that of the United States, to seize upon this moment, when most of the causes of irritation have passed away, to cement the peace and unity of the two countries by wisely removing all grounds of probable future collision. With the other Powers of Europe our relations continue on the most amicable footing. Treaties now existing with them should be rigidly observed, and every opportunity compatible with the interests of the United States should be seized upon to enlarge the basis of commercial intercourse. ' Peace with all the world is the true foundation of our policy, which , caa only be rendered permanent by the practice of equal and impartial justice to all. Our great desire should be to enter only into that rivalry which looks to the general good, in the cultivation of the sciences, the enlargement of the field for the exercise of the mecha nical arts, and the spread of commerce—that great civiliser—to every land and sea. Carefully abstaining from interference in all questions exclusively refer ring themselves to the political interests ofEurope, we may be permitted to hope an equal exemption from the interference of European Governments in what relates to the States of the American continent. On the 23d of April last, the Commissioners on the part of the United States, under the convention with the Mexican Republic, of the 11th of April, 1839, made to the proper department a final report in re lation to the proceedings of the Commission. From this it appears that the total amount awarded to the claimants by the Commissioners and the um pire appointed under that Convention, was two mil lions twenty-six thousand and seventy-nine dollars and sixty-eight cents. The arbiter having considered that his functions were required by the Convention to terminate at the same time with those of the Com missioners, returned to the Board, undecided for want of time, claims which had been allowed by the Ame rican Commissioners, to the amount of nine hundred and twenty-eight thousand six hundred and twenty dollars and eighty-eight cents. Other claims, in which the amount sought to be recovered was three millions three hundred and thirty-six thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven dollars and five cents, were submitted to the Board too late for its consideration. The Minister of the United States at Mexico has been duly authorised to make demand for the pay ment of the awards according to the terms of the Convention, and the provisions of the Act of Con gress of the 12th of June, 1840. He has also been instructed to communicate to that Government the expectations of the Government of the United States in relation to those claims which were not disposed of according to the provisions of the Convention, and all others of citizens of the United States against the Mexican Government. He had also been furnished with other instructions to be followed by him in case the Government of Mexico should not find itself in a condition to make present payment of the amount of the awards, in specie or its equivalent. I am happy to be able to say that information which is esteemed favourable, both to a just satisfaction of the awards, and a reasonable provision for other claims, has been recently received from Mr. Thompson, the Minister of the United States, who has promptly and efficiently executed the instructions of his Govern ment in regard to this important subject. The citizens of the United States who accompanied the late Texan expedition to Santa Fe, and who were wrongfully taken and held as prisoners of war in Mexico, have all been liberated. A correspondence has taken place between the de partment of State and the Mexican Minister of Foreign Affairs, upon the complaint of Mexico, that citizens of the United States were permitted to give aid to the inhabitants of Texas in the war existing between her and that Republic. Copies of this cor respondence are herewith communicated to Congress, together with copies of letters on the same subject, addressed to the diplomatic corps at Mexico by the American Minister and the Mexican Secretary of State. Mexico has thought proper to reciprocate the mis sion of the United States to that Government by ac crediting to this a Minister in the same rank as that of the Representative of the United States in Mexico. From the circumstances connected with his mission, favourable results are anticipated from it. It is so obviously for the interest of both countries as neigh bours and friends that all just causes of mutual dissa tisfaction should be removed, that it is to be hoped neither will omit or delay the employment of any practicable and honourable means to accomplish that end. The affairs pending between this Government and several others of the States of this hemisphere for merly under the domihion of Spain, have again, within the past year, been materially obstructed by the mili tary revolutions and conflicts in those countries. The ratifications of the treaty between the United States and the Republic of Ecuador, of the 13th of June, 1839, have been exchanged, and that instru ment has been duly promulgated on the part of this Government. Copies are now communicated to Con gress, with a view to enable that body to make such changes in the laws applicable to our intercourse with that Republic as may be deemed requisite. Provision has been made by the Government of Chile for the payment of the claim on account of the illegal detention of the brig 'Warrior at Coquimbo, in 1820. The Government has reason to expect that other claims of our citizens against Chile will be has tened to a final and satisfactory close. The empire of Brazil has not been altogether ex empt from those convulsions which so constantly af flict the neighbouring Republics. Disturbances which recently broke out are, however, now understood to be quieted. But these occurrences, by threat en i ng the stability of the Governments, or by causing in cessant and violent changes in them, in tlie r !ons who administer them, tend greatly o to r retard visions for a just indemnity for l osses p Pe ro and injuri es -suf fered by individual subjects or citizens of other States. The Government of the United States will feel it to be its duty, however, to consent to no delay, not un avoidable, in making satisfaction for wrongs and in juries sustain e d by its own citizens. Many years having, in some cases, elapsed, a decisive and effec tual course of proceeding will be demanded of the re spective Governments against whom claims have been preferred. The vexatious, harassing, and expensive war which so long prevailed with the Indian tribes inhabiting the peninsula of Florida, has happily been terminated ; whereby our army has been relieved of a service of the most disagreeable character, and the Treasury from a large expenditure. Some casual outbreaks may occu r, such as are incidental to the close proximity of border settlers and the Indians • but these in all other cases, may be left to the care of the local authorities, aided, when occasion may require, by the forces of the United States. A sufficient number of troops will be maintained in Florida, so long as the remotest apprehensions of danger shall exist, yet their duties shall be limited rather to the garri soning of the necessary posts, than to the maintenance of active hostilities. It is to be hoped that a territory so long retarded in its growth, will now speedily re cover from the evils incident to a protracted war, exhibiting, in the increased amount of its rich pro ductions, true evidences of returning wealth and prosperity. By the practice of rigid justice towards the numerous Indian tribes residing within our terri torial limits, and the exercise of a parental vigilance over their interests, protecting them against fraud and intrusion, and at the same time using every proper expedient to introduce among them the arts of civi lised life, we may fondly hope not only to wean them from their love of war, but to inspire them with a love for peace and all its avocations. 'With several of the tribes great progress in civilising them has already been made. The schoolmaster and the missionary are found side by side, and the remnants of what were once numerous and powerful nations may yet be preserved ai the builders up of a new name for themselves and their posterity. The balance in thee Treasury on the Ist of January 1842 (exclusive of the amount deposited with the States, Trnst Funds, and Indemnities), was 230,483d01. 68c. The receipts into the Treasury during the three quarters of the present . year, .from all sources, amount to 16,616,593 dollars 78c. ; of which more than fourteen millions were received from cus toms and about one million from the public lands. The receipts for the fourth quarter are estimated at nearly eight millions; of which four millions are ex pected from Customs, and three millions and a half from Loans and Treasury notes. The expenditures c of the first three quarters of the present year exceed twenty-six millions; and those estimated for the fourth quarter amount to about eight millions ; and it is anticipated there will be a deficiency of half a mil lion on the Ist ofJanuary next—but that the am oun t of outstanding warrants (estimated at 800,000 dollars) will leave an actual balance of about 225,000 dollars in the Treasury, Among the expenditures of the year are more than eight millions for the public debt, and 600,000 dollars on account of the distribution to the States of the proceeds of the public lands. The present tariff of duties was somewhat hastily and hurriedly passed near the close of the late session of Congress. That it should have defects can, therefore, be surprising to no one. To remedy such defects as may be found to exist in many of its nu merous provisions, will not fail to claim your serious attention. It may well merit inquiry, whether the exaction of all duties in cash does not call for the in troduction of a system which has proved highly bene ficial in countries where it has been adopted. I refer to the warehousing system. The first and most prominent effect which it would produce would be to protect the market alike 'against redundant or defficient supplies of foreign fabrics—both of which, in the long run are injurious as well to the manufac turer as the importer. The quantity of goods in store being at all times readily known, it would enable the importer, with an approach to accuracy, to ascertain the actual wants of the market, and to regulate him self accordingly. If, however, he should fall into error, by importing an excess above the public wants, he could readily correct its evils by availing himself of the benefits and advantages of the system thus es tablished. In the storehouse the goods imported would await the demands of the market, and their issues would be governed by the fixed principle of demand and supply. Thus an approximation would be made to a steadiness and uniformity of price, which, if attainable, would conduce to the decided ad van t age of mercantile and mechanical operations. The apprehension may be well entertained that without something to ameliorate the rigour of cash payments, the entire import trade may fall into the hands of a few wealthy capitalists in this country, and in Europe. The small importer, who requires all the money he can raise for investments abroad, and who can but ill afford to pay the lowest duty, would have , to subduct in advance a portio n o f hi s f un d s i n or d er Ito pay the duties, and would lose the interest upon the amount thus paid for all the time the goods might remain unsold, which might absorb his profits. The rich capitalist abroad, as well as at home, would thus possess, after a short time, an almost excl us i ve mo nopoly of the import tra de, and laws desi gne d f or the benefit of all, would thus operate for the benefit of the few—a result wholly uncongenial with the spirit of our institutions, and anti-republican in all its tendencies. The warehousing system would enable the importer to watch the market, and to select his own time for offering his goods for sale. A profitable portion of the carrying trade in articles entered for the benefit of drawback must also be most seriously affected, without the adoption of some expedient to relieve the cash system. The warehousing system would afford that relief, since the carrier would have a safe recourse to the public storehouses, and might, without advancing the duty, reship within some reasonable period to foreign ports. A further effect of the measure would be to supersede the system of drawbacks, thereby effectually protecting the Go vernment against fraud, as the right of debenture would not attach to goods after their withdrawal from the public stores. _ _ In revising the existing tariff of duties, should you deem it proper to do so at your present session, I can only repeat the suggestions and recommendations which, upon several occasions, I have heretofore felt it to be my duty to offer to Congress. The great, primary, and controlling interest of the American people is union—union not only in the mere forms of Government, forms which may be broken—but union founded in an attachment of States and individuals for each other. This union in sentiment and feeling can only be preserved by the adoption of that course of policy which, neither giving exclusive benefits to some, nor imposing unnecessary burdens upon others, shall consult the interests of all by pursuing a course of moderation; thereby seeking to harmonize public opinion, and causing the people everywhere to feel and to know that the Government is careful of the interests of all alike. Nor is there any subject in regard to which moderation, connected with a wise discrimination, is more necessary than in the imposi tion of duties on imports. Whether reference be had to revenue, the primary object in the imposition of taxes, or to the incidents which necessarily flow from their imposition, this is entirely true. Extravagant duties defeat their end and object, not only by ex citing in the public mind an hostility to the manu facturing interests, but by inducing a s y s t em o f smuggling on an extensive scale, and the practice of every manner of fraud upon the revenue, which the utmost vigilance of Government cannot actually sup. press. An opposite course of policy would be attended by results essentially die °rent, of which every interest of society, and none more than those of the manu facturer, would reap important advantages. Among the most striking of its benefits would be that derived from the general acquiescence of the country in its support, and the consequent permanency and stability which would be given to all the operations of industry. It cannot be too often repeated, that no system of le gislation can be wise which is fluctuating and uncer tain. No interest can thrive under it. The prudent capitalist will never adventure his capital in manufac turing establishments, or in any other leading pursuit of life, if there exist a state of uncertainty as to whether the Government will repeal to-morrow what it has enacted to-day. Fitful profits, however high, if threatened with a ruinous deduction by a vacil lating policy on the part of Government, will scarcely tempt him to trust the money which he has acquired by a life of labour upon the uncertain adventure. I, therefore, in the spirit of conciliation, and influenced by no other desire than to rescue the great interests of the country from the vortex of political contention, and in the discharge of the high and solemn duties of the place which I now occupy, recommend moderate duties imposed with a wise discrimination as to their several objects, as being not only most likely to be durable, but most advantageous to every interest of society. The report of the Secretary of the War Depart ment exhibits a very full and satisfactory account of the various and important interests Mmmitted to the charge of that officer. It is particularly gratifying to find that the expenditures for the military service are greatly reduced in amount—that a strict system of economy has been introduced into the service, and the abuses of pastyears greatly reformed. The fortifications on our maritime frontier have been prosecuted with much vigour, and at many points our defences are in a very considerable state of forwardness. The sug gestions in reference to the establishment of means of communication with our territories on the Pacific, and to the surveys so essential to a knowledge of the resources of the intermediate country, are entitled to the most favourable consideration. While I would propose nothing inconsistent with friendly negotia tions to settle the extent of our claims in that region, d e a n s tinforecast enable pom u t points o t u o t t m h e a i n n e t a c in s s ourity o r f i g such . 31Tleletlaesaauprrrreausngements made for preserving our neutral relations on the boundary between us and Texas, and keeping in check the Indians in that quarter, will be maintained so long as circumstances may require. For several years angry contentions have grown out of the disposition directed by law to be made of the mineral lands held by the Government in several of the States. The Government is constituted the landlord, and the citizens of the States wherein lie the lands are its tenants. The relation is an unwise one, and it would be much more conducive of the public interest that a sale of the lands should be made, than that they should remain in their present condition. The supply of the ore would be more abundantly and certainly furnished when to be drawn from the enter. prise and the industry of the proprietor, than under the present system. The recommendation of the Secretary in regard to the improvements in the western waters and certain prominent harbours on the lakes, merit, anal doubt not will receive, your serious attention. The great im portance of these subjects to the prosperity :of the extensive region referred to, and the security of the whole country in the time of war cannot escape ob servation. The lo sses o f lif e and property which annually occur in the neighbourhood of the Missis sippi alone, because of the dangerous obstructions in the river, make a loud demand upon Congress for the adoption of efficient measures for their removal. The report of the Secretary of the Navy will bring, you acquainted with that important branch of the pub lie defences. Considering the already vast and daily increasing commerce of the country, apart from this exposure to hostile inroad of an extended seaboard, all that relates to the navy is calculated to excite peculiar attention. Whate ve r t e nd s t o a dd to its efficiency, without entailing unnecessary charges upon the Trea sury, is well worthy your serious consideration. It will be seen that while an appropriation exceeding by less thari a million the appropriations of the present u b e r • year, is asked by the Secretary, yet that in this sum is in:,heh, when luided4oo onceexpended, , " dollarsfor will th e p annually reimbursed by the sale of the clothes, and ha p s r e op oofsed to clothing, be will thus constitute a perpetual fund, without any new appropriation to the same object. To this may also be added 50,000 dollars, asked to cover the aver ages of past years, and 250,000 dollars, in order to maintain a competent squadron on the coast of Africa; all of which, when deducted, will reduce the expendi. tures to nearly within the limits of those of the cur rent year. While, however, the expenditures will thus remain very nearly th e same as of the antecedent year, it is proprosed to add greatly to the operations of the Marine, and in lieu of only 25 ships in commis sion, and but little in the way of building, to keep, with the same expenditure, 41 vessels afloat, and to build twelve ships of a small class.