The Sun. — London, England, 1863-03-28 00:00:00

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA, COVENT.' GARD klisT.—Mr. Gye has the honour to announce that the OPERA SEASON of 1853 will commence on TUESDAY, April 7. The 'ftpectus with full particulars may be ob tained at the ftX , ;oilice, and at the principal musicsellers and librarians. HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE. — Mr. MAPLESON has the honour to announce that , the OPERA SEASON of 1863 will commence on SATUR DAY, Aprll 11. The prospectus, with full particulars , may be obtained on application at the Box-office, which is open daily, under the superintendence of Mr. Nuffent, from Ten to Six; and at all the principal Libraries and Musicsellers. THEATRE-ROYAL,DRURY-LANE.- Lessee and Manager, Mr. Edmund Falconer. TEL'S EVENING, EXTREMES ; or, lien of the Day. Messrs. Henry Lorraine, H. Sinclair, S. Caihaem, J. Robins, &c. ; Mrs. D. P. Bowers, Miss Clara Weston, and are. Ed mund Falconer. To conclude with THE SPANISH DANCERS. Mr. J, Robins and Miss Lydia Thompson. Commence at 7. T dEATRE-ROYAL, HAY MARKET. Lessee. Mr. J. B. Buckstone. TIM EVENING, at Seven o'clock, will be performed :`UK AMERICAN COUSIN. Asa Trenchard, Mr. Buck stone ; Lord Dundreary, Mr. Sothern. _ . Followed by MY AUNT'S ADVICE. Messrs. Howe, and Sothern ; Miss Linley, and Miss Coleman. To conclude with DUCK HUNTING. THEATRE ROYAL LYCEUM OPEN, under the Sole Management of Mr. FECHTER. THIS EVENING, March 28, to commence with an Orlzinal Sketch, entitled A SUDDEN ATTACK. Messrs. Shore, Garden, H. Widdicomb, Miss Henrade, and Mrs. Lee. Alter which, at a Quarter to Eight, a New Romantic Drama, in Three Acts, and Pr3logne, entitled THE DUKE'S MOTTO, by Paul Feval and John Brougham. The principal character will be sustained by Mr. Fechter, sunported by Messrs. G. Vining, J. Brougham, H. Vs iddi combo, W. M'lntyre, F. Charles, Garden, Raymond, H. Butler, Dawson ; Misses Carlotta Leclercq, Kate Terry, E. Lavenuc, and Elsworthy. Stage-Manager, Mr. G. Vining. Acting-Manager, Mr. H. Barnett. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE Lessee and Manager. Mr Undue. THIS EVENING (for the Benefit of Miss Any Sedgwick), THE LADY OF LYONS. Messrs. Henry Marston, C. Peyton, Cathcart, at d Wallace; Miss Amy Sedgwick ani Mrs. H. Marston. To conclude with KATHERINE AND PETRUCTITO : Mr. H. Marston, Mr. G. Belmore, Misa Amy Sedgwick, Miss Henderson, and Mrs. Simpson. ITiHE THIRD EDITION OF " THE SUN," Containing the Latest SPORTING INTELLIGENCE, can be had Every Evening of G. R. GLENIE, NEWS AGENT, No. 4, Connaught-terrace, Hyde-park. NOTICE. THE WEDDING SUN Is still Publishing. "THE S U N," of TUESDAY, will contain a Verbatim Report of Lord Palmer ston's Inaugural Address at Glasgow. The Weather—Sun Office, March 28, 186 THERMOMETER. ------ Highest since Noon yesterday. 55 Lowest during the night •••• • .. 42 This day at Noon . Barometer-29.20. Wind—N.-W. ; fine weather. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. TaiB DAY.—Morning, 7h. 49tH.—Afternoon, Bh. 25m. To-moßßow.-Morning, 9h. 9:n.—Afternoon, 9h. 50m. • , E i rD I= l4_ rot LONDON, SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 1863. In the House of Lords, last night, several mea sures, including the Union Relief Aid Act Con tinuance Bill, and the Tobacco Duties Bill, received the Royal assent by commission ; and, after a short conversation, Lord WESTBURY'S bill for augment ing the value of the Crown livings in the gift of the Lord Chancellor was read a second time. In the House of Commons, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in reply to a question from Mr. HENRY SEYMOUR, stated that he had heard that a pro posal was likely to be made to the Government with respect to purchasing for some public object the Exhibition building ; but he did not think the proposal was one that could be entertained. In answer to Lord JOHN MANNERS, Sir GEORGE GREY said the Inspector of Factories in Lancashire had reported that steps were being taken to adapt the machinery in the mills to the use of Indian and other descriptions of cotton. Mr. HENNESSY made another appeal o❑ behalf of Poland ; and Mr. W. E. FORSTER raised a discussion on the fitting ot,t of war vessels in this country for the Confederate States. The SOLICITOR-GENERAL warmly de fended the conduct of the Government with respect to the fitting out of the Alabama, and retorted that the American Government had not always respected our neutrality when their own interests were con cerned. Beyond all doubt of it, the most telling speech yet delivered this session is the one reported in another part of our impression of to-day, as having been delivered last night by Mr. LAIRD in enswer to the taunts of Mr. BRIGHT. At every sentence, this speech of Mr. LAIRD'S yesterday rang with the golden ring of a true eloquence. It was the elo quence of a manly indignation. His argument was based firmly, step by step, upon the logic of facts. It was all a propos, of course to the vexed question of the Alabama. It began and ended with it. Beginning with the beginning, Mr. LAIRD hesitated not one instant in remarking, " I can only say, from ail I know and all I have heard, that from the day the vessel was; laid down to her completion everything was open and above board in this country." On saying which the House—not Mr. BRIGHT, but the House—cheered. Mr. Baione's voice was audible a few w condo afterwards, it is true, calling out (of course, ironi cally) " Hear!" viz., immediately, upon Mr. LAIRD'S remark that when the Alabama left the Custom-house officers declared there waa nothing wrong about her ! Notwithstanding which deri sive exclamation Mr. LAIRD stuck to his text— repeating immediately afterwards, in reference to the Custom-house officers and the Alabama, "They only left when the tug left, and they were obliged to declare that she left Liverpool a perfectly legitimate transaction." Admir ably well, as a pendant to this, did the hon. mem ber add directly, and in great good humour, that one point, as it appeared to him, had been over koked in the whole course of the discussion, " that if a ship without guns and without arms is a dan mercers article, surely rifled guns and ammunition at all sorts are equally, and even more dangerous.'' And then, amidst the renewed and reiterated cheer ing of the Rouse, How he did turn the tables, to be sure! • Givlng some of the names even of the delinquent speculator "I have referred," he tells the HOUSE, with a delightfully ingenuous frankness, " to the bill of entry in the Custom houses of London and Liverpool, and I find there have been vast shipments of implements of war to the 'Northern Statesthrough the celebrated house of BARRNG and Co., BROWS, SHIPLEY, and Co., of Liverpool, and a variety of other names, which I need not more particularly mention, but whose Northern tendencies are well known to this House." A little further on and he delights the House by entering ea t,. gorically into an enumeration of some of the particulars : "some details," as he quietly expresses it, "of the sundries exported from the United Kingdom to the Northern States of America from the Ist of May, 1861, to the 31st of December, 1862. There were," says Mr. LAIRD (speaking, mind from accurate information furnished to him from the Custom House authorities)—" Muskets 41,500; rifles, 311,000; gun flints, 25,500; percussion caps, 49,982,000; and swords, 2,250 And he further more goes on to remark—" The best information I can obtain leads me to believe that from one third to a half may be added to these numbers for items which have been shipped to the Northern States as hardware." Nay, he continues, "I have very good reason fur saying that a vessel of 2,000 tons was charterrd six weeks ega for the ex press purpose of taking out a cargo of ' hardware' to the United States." The hon. member, however, had yet another batch of facts to particularize, for he pursued his observation at this point by saying —" The exportation has not yet, ceased. From the Ist of January to the 17th of March, 1863, the Cus toms' bills of entry show that 23,870 gun-barrels, 30,803 rifles, and 3,105,800 percussion-caps were shipped to the United States." So much for the loyal truthfulness of the systematic revilers of those who have had anything at all to do with the far famed Alabama. England would be independent of American wars, to the benefit alike of herself and her great Eastern Empire. It is estimated that the present crop might have been raised from an average of £12,000,000 to about £06,000,000 per annum, with the possibility of further increase. More than 20 years ago the Court of Directors admitted that India was capable of producing cotton, which in quantity and quality could com pete with the cotton of North America. Mr . MERCER, an American planter, openly said that the Berar cotton Equalled good Mobile or Up end Geori.Pia ; while another American authoriy admitted that the product of the west of Guzerat was as good cotton as he had ever seen. The Ame ricans, in truth, began to tremble for their fortune. Apprehension of the possible consequences to their trade rendered them more keen-sighted as to the capabilities of India than our wise merchants and rulers. Mr. LAWRENCE, the American Ambassador in this country, warned the Southern planters to direct their attention elsewhere, and not to persist in reckless extension of their cotton cul tivation, for that they could not com pete with India if ever Englishmen resolved in earnest to give its people and resources fair play. Surely, then, in face of these various testimonies, our statesmen should not lose a day in forwarding by every means in their power the development of our Indian resources. Too much time has been already lost. No system of agriculture or manu facture will thrive if discouraged and neglected. The field is open to enterprise and capital. The population is numerous and intelligent. Let us then avail ourselves to the utmost of the means in our power to resuscitate a once thriving trade, and to bring relief to our brave and suffering country men. It was the close, however, of the brilliant speech delivered last night by Mr. LAIRD in the British House of Commons that told the most damagingly against his antagonists and assailants, but particu larly against his arch-assailant among them all ! " Seeing" said he manfully, " that the American Go vernment (he means here, of course, the Northern Government) are making so much work about other parties, whom they charge with violating or evading the law, though in reality they have not done so, I think it only fair to state these FACTS !" A few more remarks, and he added, " I do not wish to occupy the house longer, but I must say this, that to talk of freedom in a land like the Northern States of America is an absurdity. Almost every detective that can be got hold of in this country is employed." Not satisfied with generali ties, he thus enters in particulars—" I believe," he said, " there are spies in my son's works in Birken head, and in all the great establishments in the country. A friend of mine had detectives regu larly on his track in consequence of some circum stances connected with his vessels. If that," ex claimed Mr. LAIRD, "be freedom, I thing we had better remain—as we are !" Whereat the House cheered lustily, not without some laughter. "In conclusion," quoth Mr. LAIRD, in the midst of the re peated cheering of the House of Commons, " I have only to say, that I would rather be handed down to posterity as the builder of a dozen Alabamas than as the man who applies himself deliberately to set class against class, and to cry up the institutions of another country which, when they come to be tested, are of no value whatever, and which reduce liberty to an utter absurdity." Hardly have the cheers called forth by those outspoken words of a true-hearted Englishman, ceased to vibrate within the walls of the House of Commons, down at Westminster—when new evidences are flashed to us by telegraph, as we write, new evidences of the con tinued and miserable collapse of the power vaunted with such disloyal enthusiasm by the thoroughly un English and u/gra.American member for Bir mingham. How deplorable this collapse of the Federal power, both ashore and afloat, continues to be, will be recognised upon a glance at our latest Telegrams. Captain COWPER COLES has again done good service to his country by the apparently easy means of a lecture delivered by him before the Royal United Service Institution. Readily, how ever, though the lucid explanations fell from his lips, they are the result of many years' assiduous and laborious application of his energies to the fab rication of these extraordinary cupola and shield ships, of which he has the distinguished honour of being the inventor. Elaborately as the nature of his invention has been explained, before now, by himself and others, it really almost appears, upon an examination of his remarks the other even ing down at Whitehall, that we knew next to nothing at all about it until yesterday. The par ticulars given by him in his lecture this week, bringing the peculiarities of his invention out to view in so lucid and vivid a light, that there is now no longer any room whatever of misapprehension in regard to them. Now, at any rate, we may be gin seriously to believe that we do at last know something about the capabilities of (that terrible alliteration !) Captain COWPER COLES'S Cupolas ! The objection raised against those formidable ships of iron, the shield ships of Captain COLES, it will be remembered, was, from the fist, above all things, that they could not be masted. How has this alarming objection been at once and completely obviated ty the ingenuity of the inventor ? By the supplementary contrivance of the rigid iron tripod masts! Not only does that contrivance so strengthen the floating fabric altogether, that a vessel so masted is enabled to spread half as much canvass again as another ordinarily masted and rigged, but the hollow tubes of the rigid iron tripod masts actually enable the ship to be thoroughly well ventilated even in the foulest weather. The lecturer indeed pointed out the other evening to his audience (illustrating his re marks by means of a little model placed on the lecture table) "how the topgallant masts and yards could be quickly struck and placed on deck, and nothing but the tripod masts be left above deck with CUNNINGHAM'S patent reefing apparatus, so that the sails could be taken in from below, or reefed fore and aft. There was no lower rigging" he added, " to interfere with the training power cf the shield or deck. The yards and lower stays could be braced fore and aft, and in a lire with the keel, or the square sail could be set when under steam. On going into action the topsail could be furled or taken in without exposing the men to the fire of the enemy." Besides all which, even if shot away, there was this instant and obvious advantage with the iron masts that they sunk at once, being of iron, and thus got rid of the otherwise, all but inevitable additional hazard of fouling the screw. Again, it was remarked very forcibly by Captain COLE, in his recent lecture, that whereas clipper ships that made a voyage out to China and home, often required on their return new sets of masts and rigging, owing to the influence of change of climate This could not be the case it iron masts were substituted for wooden masts. Nay, he even went so far as to assert, with the confidence purchased by experimental comparisons hi the way of tests, that " assuming the adoption of his system of iron tripod masts effectually to re move objections urged against hie shield ships on the ground of the difficulty of malting them, h e could claim for his cupola ships as contrasted with the old broadside class, greater powers of effence defence, greater speed, better sea-going qualities, and lighter draught of water." In direct and con elusive testing of which it has only been necessary to compare the broadside iron clad Defence with the Prince Albert shield ship now building at Blackwell. The latter .vith a tonnage of only 2,529 tons, throws a broad side of 1,1201 b., while the Defence, of 3,700 tons, only throws a broadside of 5601 b., so that, as Cap tain COLES shows with comprehensible exultation, with less tonnage the broadside of the cupola ship was twice as great as that, say, of the Valiant ! The advantage, however, he went on to argue is positively still greater, for with all the large crews at present on board our men of war, they could, when fighting both broadsides, only use every alternate gun, so that the actual broadside of the Defence is only 2801 b., assuming both sides to be engaged ; while the shield ship, working the guns by mechanical appliances, can continue to throw two broadsides, each of 500th. Added to which, the shield ship draws Mt. Bin. less water, and is completely covered with 5-lin. armour plates, while the Defence is only partially covered with iron plates! Finally, " Compared with the Valiant, the Prince Albert, shield ship, throws 261 b. less in her broadside, but her tonnage is 1,380 tons less, she draws sft. 2in. less water, is wholly covered with armour plates, while the Valiant is but partially protected. Compared with the Warrior, the shield ship is 3,430 toes less in tonnage, and throws 2401 b. less broadside, but draws Oft. 2in. less water, and is wholly protected, as against the partial plat. ing of the Warrior. Compared with the Fuvourite , the Prince Albert throws 7611 b. more, is 340 tons large, but draws l? feet less water, is covered with Si inch plates, as against partial protection afforded by 41:inch plates." While, to crown all, Comparing the shield ship with the Royal Sovereign, it is shown that the latter throws a broadside of five 300- pounders equal to one thousand! Although our Indian Secretary may felicitate himself on the assistance he has given to the development of the railroad system of India, his good deeds in this respect are counterbalanced by the disfavour with which he has always regarded the increase of the water communication in that country. To the want of a better system of water traffic is principally due those disastrous seasons of dearth and scarcity which regularly desolate ex tensive districts in British India. There is little doubt that the newly-formed irrigation works in the delta of the Godavery, have been instrumental in saving the lives of thousands, as well as an immense amount of property. At the time of the periodical droughts, if no means had been taken to alleviate the distress, the destruction of cattle and agricul• tare would have been certain, while famine would have decimated the population. We have always strongly advocated the importance of these mea sures, and we are glad tc find the Irrigation Com pany of Madras has so well fulfilled our expecta tions. We learn from a recent pamphlet by Mr. DiCKEN SON that the water supplied by them to a region withered by the drought season produces a change " like from death to life," and restores fresh hope and prosperity to the earth and its dwellers. The Madras Government have stated that in Raja mudry district the goods traffic had augmented thirtyfold, the passenger traffic sevenfold, and the exports twelvefold, in consequence of the public works. This was said two years since, and great increase has taken place since that time. It must be remembered that these results arose from the irri gation of only 700,000 acres, and that the gift of free navigation, which cost the Government lid. per acre, produced a speedy return, which averaged £2 an acre. The water rate charged was at the rate of 6s. for one crop, or 10s. for two; the highest annual charge for water leaving, consequently, a clear profit of £1 103. per acre above the profit on very inexpen sive carriage. Mr. DICKENSON, in the pamphlet referred to, sets forward plainly and forcibly the arguments in favour of an extended system of irrigation. He remarks on the beneficial effzcts, not only of the great canals, but of the aide channels; a narrow ditch will float a boat that can carry a ton weight, and which, under the management of a boy, will convey as much weight as a heavy cart, which with the two bullocks, and the man in charge, would be a very great expense. The lessen ing of the cost and trouble of traffic will greatly encourage commerce by increasing the value of the articles sold, and diminishing the cost of what is bought. A striking proof of the benefits arising from increased facility of communication is found in the fact that the freightage on merchan dise from London to Madras, a distance of more than 12,000 miles, is about 30s. per ton ; while the carriage of the same goods over the 400 miles which intervene between Madras and Bellary amounts to £6 a ton ! If efficient water communication were provided the cost would be but 10 s. a ton, were the distance even 500 miles, while instead of the goods being three or fcur months on the road, exposed to all the risks attending a protracted journey, as many days would suffice for their conveyance by water. Argument and illustration, however, ire alike hopeless with our Indian Secretary of State. Sir CHARLES WOOD will neither be per suaded nor convinced. He refuses to credit official reports and private evidence, declaring them to be exaggerated and mistaken. He is determined to have railways, which will probably be of great benefit to India as to England. But the different nature of the climate necessitates due attention being paid also to the water system. The countless little tributaries which supply our own rivers keep the ground fresh and fertile, and so the streams which would supply our Indian canals would irri pditatyintsootfhle n p d e i o c p , l a e n . d r prove e v a i s s o a u t r t c e e n d o - f g e a e t a e lt t h he an a d ri ing the cotton scarcity have induced Sir CHARLES WOOD to propose cotton roads ; but these, however desirable, the absen ce o f th e water w notsupplycommunications so greatly nee d e d f or t h e ork sa n d will encouragement of the Indian cotton trade. The slow and mischievous mode of transit from the interior to the value of I n di an cotton, the ports greatly reduces and indeed, after reading an account of its journey, one is tempted to wonder that it is tit for use at all when it reaches its destination, Were the cotton resources of India developed to their full extent, Altogether, after carefully scrutinising the simple and unanswerable data now accumulated, it appears that Capt. COLES can reasonably claim, as in point of fact he actually does claim, foz his cupolas " greater THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVgNING, MARCH 28, 1863. power of broadside in proportion to tonnage, lighter draught of water, greater resisting power, and a very great saving of weight, in consequence of the exposed portion of the ship's side above water ne cessary to be protected in action being reduced, so to speak, to a minimum !" Tolerably large, surely, advantages like these ? Important, each of them, if regarded singly! Overwhelmingly in favour of the shield ships when thus massed together in the perior capabilities! simple enumeration of their su 6111°1 flrtthn qv, HER MAJESTY. WINDSOR CASTLE, March 27. The Queen, accompanied by her Royal Highness the Princess of 'Wales, drove out yesterday after noon, attended by Lieut.-Colonel the Hon. D. de Ros. Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales drove out this morning. Viscount 'Torrington and Lieut.-General the Right Hon. J. Peel arrived at the Gistle yes terday. Earl Russell and Baron Gros, the French Am bassador, arrived at the Castle this morning. Earl Russell had an audience of the Queen. Baron Gros had an audience of her Majesty, to which he was introduced by Earl Russell. Baron Gros afterwards had an audience of the Prince of Wales, and presented his Royal High ness with the decoration of the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour from his Majesty the Em peror of the French. Lord Alfred Hervey and I.4ieut.-Co!onel Keppcl were present as Lord and Equerry in Waiting to the Prince. Mr. Vinter had the honour of submitting to her Majesty, their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales, and the Prince and Princess of Hesse his portrait of her Royal Highness the Prin.= cess of Wales, lithographed aftEr Lauchert for Messrs. Colnaghi, Scott, and Co. (REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.) AMERICA. (Per Arabia.) ENGAGEMENT AT PORT HUDSON. EXIC 0. SPAIN. MADRID, INIARciI 27 (Evening). DENMARK. COPENHAGEN, MAncn 27 (Evening). LATEST INTELLIGENCE. NEW YORK, MARCEL 19 (Evening). The I?ichmond Whig, of the 17th inst., says that the bombardment of Port Hudson commenced at two o'clock on the 14th inst. At twelve o'clock at night a desperate engagement comma, the Fede rals attempting to pass the batteries under cover of the darkness. One gunboat passed in a damaged condition. The Federal sloop of war Mississippi was burnt to the water edge in front of the bat teries. One large vessel was completely riddled, a third badly crippled, and the rest driven back. Thirty-six of the crew of the Mississippi were cap tured. Admiral Farragut's flAg-ship went down the river disabled. The Confederate victory was complete. The Northern accounts of the engagement have not yet been received. None of the reported Federal successes or captures on the Yazoo river are yet confirmed. A Federal expedition, consisting of 2 steamers, 5 small gunbcats, and 18 transports, arrived at the confluence of the Tallahatchie and Yallabusha rivers on the 14th inst., when the advance steamer came upon a Confederate battery of 5 guns. Fight ing between the steamer and the Confederate batteries continued all day, but was not resumed the following day, the steamer being damaged and short of ammunition. In addition to the battery at Greenwood, the Confederates are reported to be strongly fortiflEd at Yazoo City and Manchester. The fleet, at last accounts, arrived at Greenwood at the confluence. The Federals attacked the Confederate entrench ments at Franklin on the Biackwater River on the 17th inst., and were repulsed. The Confederates, under Generd D. H. Hill, attacked Newbern, North Carolina, on the 13th inst., but were defeated. The Federal cavalry have crossed the Rappahan nock at Kelly's Ford, and had a spirited engage ment with the Confederate cavalry under Fitz Hugh The Confederates retreated behind their entrenchments, and the Federals brought away 25 prisvners. The report that the Cenfederates were near Fort Donelscm is said to be untrue. Deserters from Mobile report that the-Confede rate fleet left that port four weeks ago to attack the Federal blockading spadron, but, owing to one of the vessels getting aground the expedition was temporarily abandoned. Colonel Fry, of the regular army, has been ap pointed Provost-Marshal under the Conscription Act. The appointment has been favourably re ceived by the public. The New Jersey Legislature has declared itself in favour of peace measures by a large majority. The steamers Britannia and Gertrude have arrived at Confederate pmts. The steamer Havzlock has arrived at Charleston. NEW YORK, MARCH 18 (MoRNING). A steamer, supposed to be a privateer, entered Savannah harbour on the 9th inst. and fired two guns, but left again before the Federal guns on Sy bee Island could be brought to bear upon her. Mr. Chase has returned to Wash ngton after con sulting with the New York financiers without ne gotiating a lean. It is stated that he is amply supplied with means for presz.nt demands, and his ruture policy remains undecided. The New York Herald's corresponthnt asserts that the rising in San Dumiego is an unimportant affair. The inundations in Mississippi and Louisiana, caused by the eutticg of the levees at Y3zJo Pass and Lake Providence, cover a great extent of coun try. It is calculated that in Mississippi a district nearly as large as Scotland has been laid under water, and that in Louisiana a region covering 5,000 square miles has been converted into a lake. Telegrams received via Cairo and Chicago report that Vicksburg was about to be, or had been eva cuated, while a statement in the _Richmond Despatch of the 10th asserts that the bombardment of Vicks burg by the Federals had commenced, and con tinued at the date of the last advices, without doing material damage to the city. The works on the cut off, or canal, have been brought to an unexpected termination. The Mississippi has broken through the levee and filled the trench with earth and rubbish, thus rendering it useless. NEW YORK, MARCH 7, Evening. Money easy; gold 56 per cent. premium. Ex change on London Bankers' Bills 171 to 172. Stocks steady. New York Central, 116; ; Illinois, 912 ; Erie, 79. Cotton improving ; middling up land, 97c. Flour, wheat, and corn improving. Provisions good inquiry. Coffee and sugar dull. Crude petroleum, 21 to 22, QUEENS ['OWN, MARCH 28. The Royal mail steamship Arabia, from Boston, on the 18 - h, and Halifax on the 20th inst., arrived here at 9.20 a.m. with 26 passengers and 232,370 doll. in specie. She landed all mails and two pas sengers, and proceeded at 9.40 a.m. All well. NEW YORK, MARCH 19. The Richmond papers of the 17th inst. contain A deepatch received by telegraph from . , HouStan, Texas, announcing that the French troops had cap tured the city.. of Mexico. The news reached Huston across Rio Grande, News from Galveston, of the 2d of March, says hat the French Consul at Matamoras had received a despatch stating that the French had captured Mexico city. It is supposed that this eircumstence may have given rise to the report which reached Richmond. the report is considered' premature, and does not obtain universal credence. THE POLISH INSURRECTION. THORN, MAncll 26, Evening. The insurgents in the Governments of Plock and Augustown have received 1,000 Minie rifles. WARSAW, MARcH 26. Two persons known to be spies have been stabbed to death in one of the streets of this city. VIENNA, MARcir 28, Yesterday Langiewiez still remained in the citadel of Cracow. The report current here that he had procezdtd to BrUnn with his followers is therefore premature. The President of the Council has in a conference state d to Senor o:czaga, that the new Ministry ,foes not continue the policy of the O'Donnell C4binet, but that its programme is based upon liberal -conservative principles. The Danmark of to-day, in announcing that Englanc, has entered into negotiations with the The Prince and Princess of Wales. Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Prin cess of Wales left Windsor Castle shortly before noon to-day, and took their departure at 1,30 by special train from the Great Eastern terminus at Shoreditch for Sandringham. On reaching Lynn it is expected that the mayor will present an address voted by the corporation, while the Lynn Rifle Corps will farm a guerd of honour in the ground opposite the station. At Wolverton, where their Royal Highnesses will leave the train, the platform has been extended to three times its previous length, and has been covered with crimson cloth, and a large space of ground ad joining has been enclosed in a kind of colonnade formed of lofty poles, united by cress-pieces, and the whole covered with evergreens. The station has been handsomely decorated in other ways, and the exit to the Sandringham-road is through a grand triumphal arch, and on the road to Sandringham there are other decorations, some of which have been executed by his Royal Highness's tenantry, indsome by the Great Eastern Railway Company's local staff. The Ist Norfolk Light Horse Volunteers, under the command of Capt. flay Gurney, will escort the royal carriage from Wolverton to Sandringham, and the tenantry of the estate will also meet their illus trious landlord. At the entrance gate near the hall the clergy and tenantry will present addresses to he Prince, and it is proposed that a number of young ladies shall strew flowers in the path of their Royal Highnesses. The high sheriff of Norfolk has received a com munication from Lieut.-Gen. Knollys, intimating that after the return of the Prince and Princess from Sandringham, a day will be appointed for the presentation of an address voted a few days since at a county meeting. Yesterday a similar county meetine., in Essex voted a corresp:mding address to their Royal Highnesses. Handsome wedding presents from the Norwich Town Council to the Prince and Princess have been delivered at Windsor by the town clerk (Mr. W. L. Mendham), who had the honour of placing them before their Royal Highnesses. The Prince and Princess expressed their admiration of the articles presented, which are wholly of Norwich manu facture. Viscount and Viscountess Grey de Wilton are among the visitors staying at Egerton Lodge, Melton Mow bray, during the races at Crost.n Park. Viscount and Viscountess Newport have been staying at Egerton Lodge, Melton Mowbray, on a visit to the Earl of Wilton during the week. The Right Hon. William Hutt has left town for his seat, Gibside. Sir Edward and L'ldy Caroline Kerrhon enter tained a small party at dinner last evening at their resi dence in Piccadilly. Lady Caroline Kerrison afterwards bad an assembly, at which about 200 were present. The Marchioness of Downahire had a musical party yesterday evening at the family mansion in Be'grave square. _ _ The Ea)l and Countess Delawarr have left town for Buckhurst Pa k, Sussex, till after the Easter Holidays. Lord West remains in town. The Earl and Countess Grey left town to-day for their seat in Northumbefaa. Viscount Palmerston left London this morning for Scotland. Viscount,ss Palmerston wilt remain in town. His lordship is accompanied by the Right Hon. W. Cow , . per and the Ron. Arthur Kinnaird, and by his private secretary, the Hum Evelyn Ashley, General and Mhdaine Le Respein and family have raken their departure from the Brunswick Hotel, Jermyn street. on their return to Paris. SUICIDE FROM WESTMINSTER BRIDGE —Yester day morning at an early hour, a woman jumped into the River Thames from the up -side of Westminster bridge. She lett cn the path a straw bonnet trimmed with black and white ribbon, a pair of gloves, a cameo brooch, a grey mixture skawl, and two keys. It being very early in the morning no boats were about, and although she was seen to rise twice there was no one near enough to render assistance. She was carried away by the tide. The body has not been recovered. A DEFAULTING CUSTOM •HOUSE OFFlCER,—Yes ierday Edward Osborne, a collecting efficer in the Customs, was charged before Mr. Raffiee, the stipendiary magistrate at Liverpool, with having embezzled the sum of about £5OO belonging to the Customs, The prisoner had absconded a week or two ago, and was apprehended in Hampshire. REPRESENTATION OF THETFORD.—A vacancy has taken place in the representation of the borough of Thetford, Norfolk, the Earl of Euston, ono of the present members, having become Duke of Grafton, The borough contains only 221 electors, most of whom are under the direct influence of the Grafton family. It returns two mem bers to the House of Commons, being thus placed on an equality with Liverpool, Manchester, and other populous towns in the country, No candidate had cou..e forward up to last evening. DESPATCH OF TUE BOMBAY MAILS.—The Perrin sular and Oriental CJmpany's steamship Pera, Cap. tain Jamieson, sailed from Southampton yesterday after ' noon with the mails for Gibraltar, the Mediterranean, Egypt, Aden, Bombay, and Upper Bengal, together with 45 passengers. The Pera took out on freight 1,083 boxes specie, value £313,368, for the following ports, viz. :--Malta, gold leaf, £2B; Alexandria, sovereigns, £5,250, watches, chains, &c., £737; Suez, sovereigns, £lOO, jewellery, £57; and for Bombay, bar silver, £'254,t00; silver coin. £050; bar gold, £11,500; gold coin, £0,500; diamonds, £800; and watches, jewellery, &c., £l9B. The Pera also took out a a full cargo of general merchandise. LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS FOR THE, ENSUING WEEK. — /Ilonday—Actaaries, at 7, " Carlisle, Government, Registrar-General's, and other Tables of Mortality." Mr. Jardine licnry ; Chemical, at 8, Anniver sary. Tuesday—Horticultural, at 12, Floral Committee; Enginecrs, at 1, " Structures on the Sea," &c., Mr. Miller. Wednesday - Geographical, at 8, " Recent Changes in Delta of Ganges," Mr, Fergusson. 71uursday—Linnean, at 8, "Physiology of Spiders," Mr. Rackwall ; " Mr. Murray; " Montrosity in Passifloro," Dr Salter ; Chemical, at 8. Friday—Philogical, at B. Athefurtem. PUBLIC SCHOOLS COMMISSION.—The Public Schools Commissioners have held meetings on Tucs d ay,Thursday, and Friday this week, at No.2,Victoria-stteet, Westminster. Present, the Earl of Clarendon, the Earl of Devon, the Lord Lyttelton, Sir S. Noithcote, MP., the Hon. E. Twisleton, the Rev. 'W. H. Thompson (on Thurs.- attended. day and Friday), and Mn, H, 13. Vaughan. The secretary Danish Government relative to the candidature- of Prince William to the Grcck Throne, adds that gnat dissatisfaction prevails on account 01 this can didature, and that objections are raised against it, the succession to the throne of Denmark being re stricted to the three sons of Prince Christian. TURKEY. CONSTANTINOPLE, MAncs 27. The intended voyage . of the Sultan to Egypt has been postponed, Arrangements are being made for the payment of the dividends on the Turkish Consolides in London and Paris. Three commissioners have been appointed to make a tour of inspection in the provinces. THE BOMBAY MAILS. The following telegram has been received at Mr. Reuter's office from the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, March 28 : The Ceylon and M%ssilia left Alexandria, 'with the above mails, yesterday—the former at 10 a.m., and the latter at sunset. The Massilia may be expected at Marseilles on the 2d proximo (evening), and the Ceylon at Southampton about the 9th proximo. The Jeddo ar.d Sultan brought the mails to Suez, arriving there on the 25th inst. (one day early). The Mooltan reached Calcutta on the 4th inst., 68 days from Southampton. SOUTHAMPTON, MARCH 28. The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamer Delta, has arrived here with the heavy portion of the above mails, 54 passengers, £331 in specie, pearls valued at 62,000 rupees, and 2,364 packages of cargo, including raw silk of the value of 1200,000. On the 24th inst. she spoke the steamer Ellora bound for Gibraltar. Gibraltar, March 21.—Exchange on London, 90 days, 50Z t i ; Paris, 530 ; Madrid, premium. Freights unaltered. FRANCE. PARTS, MARCH 28. The Moniteur of this morning announces that all the centres of the Annanite insurrection have been dispersed, and the fortifications and batteries of the insurgents taken by the French treops. All re sistance has ceased. But few men have been lost in the campaign, which was, however, very fatiguing." Le Pays, with somewhat, as it appears to, us, of an over particularity, pronounces the Times to have been rather precipitate in announcing that the conse,nt of the Royal Family of Denmark had been given to the proposed candidature of Prince William (of Denmark) for the throne of Greece. "Everything, however, empowers us to believe," says Le Pays, "that the Royal Family of Denmark will not refuse." To which we may venture to add---Most Probably. BOURSE, MarclA 27.—The market has been firm, but without any large amount of business doing, speculators being already occupied in prepaeng for the approaching settlement. Threes, for the Account, are how at 691. 40c. The Railway Share Market without animation. The market became very buoyant towards the close, and left off as follows: 11 per Cents, .. 96 25 Bank Shares 3380 Do. end month.... Credit Poncier 3 per Cents Do. end month.... 69 70 Do. end month 7O 20 New 3 per Cents ~ Russian Do, end month,... Austrian Credit Mobilie- 1305 Spani,h Threes.... 81i Do. end month 1315 Home Debt 22, IL WAYS Cash. Account. Orleans....:. lll5 1118 75 Northern New. ditto Lyons and Mediterranean 1220 1214 75 Geneva,. Southern .. 7BO .. 772 50 Western Eastern 537 60 .. 538 75 Sardinian Austrian Low') xrd North of Spain Saragossa 731 25 .. 731 25 Ditto to Barcelona POLAND. (FRO➢I OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) The following letter was addres*ed by Count V►ctor Starzenski, one of the Marshals of the Lithuanian nobility, to the other Marshals of the province, acquainting them of the reasons which induced him to ser.d in his resignation to the Government : " Sir,--It could not be a secret to me, when called by the votes of my fellow-nobles to the post of Marshal of the nobility, almost at the very com mencement of the national movement, that I should meet with no little difficulty in perform ing the functions entrusted to me. With the con viction, however, that it is the duty of every citizen that loves his country and is faithful to her historical recollections, to labour mainly to promote the organic development of the moral and material resources of the country ; that such a work is both possible and necessary under all circumstances and under every Government, I accepted the duties imposed upon me, in the hope that my zealous service for the good of Lithuania will be to its advantage, and in the belief that the sincere declaration of its wants will meet with con sideration from the Government authorities. " The pressing necessity for reforms and institu tions, without which Lithuania, long systemati cally repressed and hindered in the development of all political lire, cannot lead to a better, or even a more tolerable, future, is well known to you, as it is to all. Such being the state of cur country, I strove for the past two years, while repressing in my heart the feelings dearest to a Pole, to lead the nation to a sincere union with the Crown, in the hope that I might succeed in obtaining those very institutions and reforms which every citizen, even the most moderate, looks upon as vitally necessary. " This sincere, though modest programme, has yet not been duly appreciated. Both the note I sub mitted in February, my memorial of December last, and the verbal representations I made on every occasion, have hitherto produced no result what ever in the state of Lithuania. And, in presence of the attitude assumed by the Government autho rities with regard to the present events—of the injurious insinuations publicly made against the Polish element in Lithuania—of the simultaneous circulation among the peasants of exciting addresses —arid, finally, of the provocation by the Govern ment of the social resolution which threatens us—l could only conclude that not only is continuance in the office of Marshal incompatible with the per sonal dignity of a Pole, but that every attempt to promote the welfare of the country is now no longer possible. "I therefore find it necossaly, after the sad ex perience of the fruitless efforts of two years, to send in my resignation this day.—l am, &c,, (Signed) " VICTOR STARZENSKI. " Grodno - , March IG, 1863." Shortly after, ell the marshals of goernments and districts in Lithuania' resigned their appoint ments. At the same time all the local agents for the pea sants' question, of whom there arc upwards of 250, zent in their resignations to the marshal of the dis trict by the following letter : " Sir,—The Lithuanian nubility having been the first to take the initiative in the great work of tht eniancipaticn of the peasante, ze-::loutly co-operated in carrying this salutary general reform jute effect ; they could not, therefore, expect either the icctrsations made against them by the Government authorities, or the daily persecutions by which hey endeavour to call forth antagonistic feelings between the poor and the rich, and bring Lithuania to a total general revolution. The position of the Government authorities renders an organic solution of the peasant question !nefftctual, puts a stop to all labour en the par! of the people tending to the development of the moral and Material resources of the country, are renders totally impossible air huller action on to., part of the nobility in this direction. " Under the circumstances we are no longer able to fulfil the duties of agents in the emanci pation qui - fetion with any benefit to the country, -aid we therefore send you cur resignation, leaving the Government. autlictities solely responsible for the further consequences of their deeds." (Here fl=ow the Giguatures.) Wonderfully Rapid Intelligence. The Electric Telegraph has at length been sur passed in rapidity I We have this afternoon re ceived a message from King's Lynn —a message brought to us by rail--describing the reception of their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales upon their arrival in Norfolk, The marvel of rapidity, in regard to the transmission of this mes=sage, consists in its having beaten, not only the Electric Telegraph, but Time himself. The reporter —whose name we have the cruel kindness to abstai❑ from giving, notwithstanding the wonder of his achievment—resembles Shakspere, at least in one particular, if we are to accept Doctor Johnson's interpretation in any way litera'ly— that " Panting Time toils after him in vain 1" For, reverting from Shakapere to the other writer, a writer only, as it happens of " fl.msy"—we re ceive before one o'cicck this afternoon his copy (sent by Rail, but headed "By Electric Telegraph') dated King's Lynn, Saturday," but mentioning nothing at all about the hour. We receive this message at our office before one o'clock, announcing " The arrival of the Prince of 'Wales in Norfolk"— although the Prince of Wales was not to leave the Shoreditch Station until Half-past one o'clock on this same afternoon ! THE SEIZURE OF THE PETERHOFF. The owners of the Peterhof, Messrs. Bennett and Wake, write as follows with reference to the seizure of their ship : "The news, per City of New York, from America, brings us intelligence of the illegal seizure of the British steam-ship Peterhoff by the Federal man of-war Vanderbilt, under orders from Admiral Wilkes, of Trent notoriety. " The steamship Peterbcif was recently loaded and cleared by us from this port, for Matamoras, and we are at present quite at a loss to account for this most unjustifiable act, the ship having left London with perfectly regular British and Mexican consular clearances, and a cargo of assorted goods, consisting of blankets, wearing apparel, &c., having no arms or munitions of war on board. The vessel had been overhauled by the Alabama previous to her arrival at St. Thomas's, and had sailed from that port, from whence the Vanderbilt was sent in pursuit of her. " We have further to state that her Majesty's mails were on board, and we have no doubt it will be di6covered that they have been treated with the same contempt as the ship and cargo. " We consider this seizure only to be accounted for by the known indifference of Admiral Wilkes to the restrictions of international law. " We have organised a regular line of steamers to the Mexican ports, &nd at present have one par tially lorded with a valuable cargo of general mer chandise. It now becomes a matter of great im portance to both owners and shippers to know whether our trade with Mexico is to be thus arbi trarily arrested by Admiral Wilkes or any other Federal commander." Reliance Mutual Life Assurance Society. ANNUAL MEETING (THIS DAY). The ordinary annual meeting of directors and policy holders was held this day at the offices, 71, King William street, Mansion-house. H T. Prinsep, Esq., in the chair. The directors' annual report was as follows : "The directors have the pleasure of laying before the members the accounts of 1862, duly audited, together with a verified statement of assets, and a summary of the actuary's calculations, showing the net liability of the society. They have to report that, in the past year, 387 life policies were issued, assuring £161,125, and producing in annual premiums £5,444 12s; two annuities were also granted, the consideration money for which was £1,493 15s. The re newal premiums received were £29,601 lls. Bd. ; the inte rest on investments amounted to £5,761 12s. Pd. ; and a profit was realised upon the sale of stock, which, with another small asset, yielded £686 19s, Bd. The total income of the year was £42,988 11a, ld. The claims by death were in respect of 31 lives, and the sums assured, with bonus additions, amounted to £14,715. There are 3,277 life policies now in force, assuring upwards of one million sterling. By the annexed estimates it is found that, after allowing for the full present value of the society's liabilities, deducting only the net or r isk premium in respect thereof, a balance of .L 120,101 14s. has ti be provided for, wh,reas the assets, after setting apart a sufficient sum to me , :t outstanding claims, amount to £136,734 19s. Pd. 112 respect of the rec,nt allocation of bonus there has been an increase of the liability of the society by auditions to the sums assured, and the general fund has been diminished by cash vayments and allowances; yet it will be seen by the above statement that a satisfactory amount of surplus funds can be pointed to, irrespective of any encroachment on that portion of premium expectations,which is rightly reserved for future contingencies. The directors consider that both as regards the business of the year and the financial state ment, there is reason for congratulation, and they look for ward with confidence t , ) the increased prosperity of the So cieLy, in securing which they hope to be aided by the exer tions of the members." The following is Mr. E. 0. Smith, the actuary's report: Gentlemen,—After a careful examination of the regi sters of the society, with special reference to recent bonus allocations, I have the pleasure to lay before you detailed valuations of the policies in force on the 31st of December last, chewing the following results, viz, : General Assurance- 2 ; 757 policies, assuring £1,056,346; net liability, £107,267 16s. Industrial Assurance-52'J policies, assuring £8,320; net liability, £675165. Annuities, ituwediate end contingent-85 policies, assuring £3,669; net liability, £17,852 14s ; total net liability, £125,796 Os. Deducting from this amount £5,694 125., the value of re assurance with other offi es in respect of 75 policies for £71,200, the balance of net liability, to be pro vided ior out of the Society's funds, is £120,101 11s. The value of the surplus premiums now, as heretofore, wholly excluded from our calculations of net liability, but which will be brought to account as realised, is computed at £99,862 108. This prospective fund affords a reliable guarantee for the security of the sums assured, and the continuation of liberal bonuses. The cleiras dur ing the past year agree very closely with the estimate sub mitted to you at the last genenl meeting, based upon the experience of offices and the special tables of the society. A committee of the Institute of Actuaries is now engaged in an endeavour to collect 1 rout the various Life Associations the actual mortality to the present time among assured lives throughout the United Kingdom. The result, if they suc ceed in their endeavours, will furnish a valuable test of tables now in use, acd a safe guide for future operations. I'he average ages of lives assured with the society vary but slightly from previous returns, giving 40 as the mean age, the yearly accession of new members counterbalancing very nearly the advance upon existing assurances. Permit me, in conclusion, to express my lively satisfaction at the progress and prospects of the society, and to subscribe my self, with much respect." The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adopti n of the report, congratulated the meeting on the present prosperous con dition of the society. The new 1. usiness for !he last year had been in. excess of the past 12 months, and the report entered so fully into the formal position of the society that he need not detain them at any length of time. The amount of funds belonging to the society was so large that even in the unfortunate event of a pestilence or an enormous mortality, the assured need have no doubt about the payment of the amount of their policies. The motion having been seconded, was agreed to. The directors retiring by rotation had been re-elected. The business terminated with a cordial vote of thanks to 4he chairman and officers of the society for their exertion during the Fast year, THE ROAD MURDER.—Some weeks since a state men was very generally circulated that another judicial investigation of the murder at Road, in June, 18G0, was about to be made. We are informed by a curt spondent, who possesses special means of knowing, that the statement had some foundation in tact. The novement originated in a report that c, rtain members of Mr- Rent's fernier house hold had at length revealed the secia conected with that memorable crime. This result leached en officer who had previously made an active investigation of the case, ,nd he at once determined to test the truth of the statement, and, if possible, to proceed with th e c l ue which might then be afforded. The result of these inquiries was that the officer thought himself possessed of sufficient information to cent menec another investis alien ; but, when the proposition was submitted to the authorities, it was decided that the grounds on which it were based were insufficient to warrant any re newed effort, either publicly or privately, and consequently, the proposed inquiry was abandoned.—Bath Chronicle. CIY6TAL PALACE.— ONE SHILLING DAY, Friday, : l larch sions on payment, 804; ditto by season ickets, 810; total visitors, 1,014 11IE BILL OF MR. i3OAIEB.—Wc understand that he second reading of this till is to be postponed from the 15th of April till the 27th of May, eirci .A' Coup Alexi Loan per C cates to 90 and 97. 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The of Indi n“:nt. and me unythi shirtin C o hE, Arriv Lind, fr Sailed fo Cap( for Port Anchi Nelson, Passe from 01( Lox., cl on itum, from lII' Poth Sailed SUM 'Way ST e tine, Great E Mary H It appea she \Tr-is rengers perfect]: Medical was rou' Veyed to au inqw of the 12( 11.7 411 yest, Ti RlllOl ILI then TI due term will the c 15th day deali close prox Reds dis. ; is ate Ra Forei impo as hi