The Sun. — London, England, 1868-03-24 00:00:00

- - - - SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS. Of course the theme of the morning papers is Mr. Gladstone's motion. The Times' first leader commences thus :—The child of many prayers has been brought forth to the light of day. Mr. Gladstone has submitted to the Mouse of Commons the terms of his motion relative to the Irish Church. He proposes to ask the House to assent to three resolutions. The first declares that the Irish Church as an Establishment must cease to exist, regard being had to personal interests and the individual rights of property. 'The second resolution proposes to enforce the first by pre venting the creation of new interests, so far as the exer cise of public patronage is concerned. Mr. Gladstone asks the House in the third resolution to assent to an address to her Majesty praying heito place at the disposal of Parlia went her rights in the temporalities of the Irish Episcopate so that they may be within the disposition of the Legislature and await the final decision of Parliament on the general question. Much criticism has been wasted, and more will be wasted, on Mr. Gladstone's motion. It is inopportune. It is obscure. It is too abstract. It is too detailed. It ought to have been deferred until after Easter, or after Whitsun tide, or till the next session, or the Greek Kalends. These and a thousand more observations of a similar character may be heard at any hoUr within the charmed circles of Parliamentary intelligence. But there is no man who hears them—indeed, there is no man who propounds them—who does not know perfectly well how valueless they are. All critical motions are inopportune, and are either too obscure or too plain, or both. It would be much better if the cavillers at Mr. Gladstone's motion were to imitate the conduct of Mr. Disraeli. He can not be supposed to appreciate the resolutions of which notice was given last night. He has already lamented his hard fate that the disaffection of seven hundred years should culminate immediately upon his becoming the head of a Ministry. But whatever faults the enemies of Mr. Disraeli may impute to him, it must be conceded that he understands his own position and the feeling of the House of Commons. We shall be surprised if he condescends to the weakness of complaint that Mr. Gladstone has brought his Irish policy to the test of a vote. Last night, at all events, he presented an admirable contrast to such pusillanimity. He treated Mr. Gladstone with frankness and dignity." In truth, it was evident that if Mr. Gladstone meant to justify his position as leader of the Opposition he was bound to pro voke the encounter. From all sections of his followers from old Whigs, economic purists, Dissenting Radicals and philosophers—Mr. Horsman, Mr. Lowe, Mr. Bright, and Mr. Mill—there came one cry, and Mr. Glad stone had no choice but to put himself at the head of the mavement, or to abdicate all claim to lead at all. During the whole course of last session he was " like the cat i' the adage," but the time had come when he was forced to determine whether he would risk wetting his feet or forego the prizes of the future. He spoke out, and his doubts being done his course was clear. The travail of hesitation wail past, and the future was plain. There was nothing before him but to test the temper of the House of Commons upon the next great issue of legis lation. The three resolutions are the result of his delibe ration, and Mr. Disraeli has virtually appropriated next week to their discussion. On Monday the warfare will begin, and on Friday night, the eve of the Easter holy clays, it will close. The Daily News observes that the three resolutions han cr together. No true Liberal can refuse to vote for the first of them ; and practically it carries the second and the third with it. The last two are indeed the necessary translation into practice of the abstract principle affirmed in the first. They are pledges and proofs of sincerity. After what Mr. Disraeli said, it is scarcely possible that he should seek to influence the division on Mr. Gladstone's motion by the threat of dissolving. The only inferenCe of which his language admits is that he will provisionally acquiesce in Mr. Gladstone's resolutions, should they be carried against him, and reserve his appeal for the general election and the new Parliament. Until Mr. Disraeli compels us to abandon this interpretation of the statement made by him, we shall gladly give him credit for a course of conduct which, in being sensible and business-like, is to that extent patriotic. If the imbecility of the Ministerial proposals should compel the House of Commons to act as a sort of Provisional Government, and to enunciate, on the invitation of the Opposition leader, a policy of its own, pending the election and decision of its successor, the blame does not rest with it or him. It is imperative that the great issue should be placed fairly before the country, and that the two parties and the individual members of each should have the opportunity of showing beyond reach of mistake on which side they are ranged. Mr. Gladstone's resolutions, if adopted by the House of Commons, will, in the opinion of the Post, strike the death blow to the Irish Church. If exception be taken to them it most assuredly will not be on the ground of being equi vocal or vague. They embody, in the clearest and most distinct language, the opinion that it is expedient for the interests of the empire that the Irish Church Establish ment should be abolished. The Rubicon is now definitely passed, and it only remains to be seen whether those who are nominally ranged under the banner of the Liberal chief will have the courage to follow the leader. Mr. Gladstbne can only point the way. It would he premature to speculate on the precise manner in which Mr. Grad stone will propose to carry his resolutions into effect. Although, for the purpose of obtaining an expression of opinion from Parliament, it may not be necessary to point out the nature of the ultimate measures which must be taken, satin it is apparent that in order to secure the acceptance of the resolutions their practicability must be demonstrated. The first resolution, for example, affirms that the disestablishment of the Irish Church should be effected with a due regard to personal interests and private rights. The announcement of this proviso was received with laughter by the occupants of the Con servative benches. It is, of course, impossible that personal interests and private rights shall be entirely unaffected by such a measure as that proposed, but it will rest with Mr. Gladstone to shew that such interference may be reduced to a minimum. The forthcoming battle will, however, in the main be fought on very broad grounds. Is the endowed Church in Ireland essential to the well-being of the em. pire? This is virtually the question which the House of Commons will be called upon to answer. To move that the Irish Church should cease to exist as an Establishment is, the Herald says, the cheapest of all ways of bidding for office. It entails the minimum of responsibility upon the movers, and inflicts the maximum Of inconvenience upon the Government. To rob the Church is generally the first step in every revolution. It is a sort of confiscation which involves the least political loss upon the "party of progress," and is the most popular 'with those who are not among the victims of spoliation. It is the most inexpensive way of gaining a character for liberality. Moreover, Church endowments are always more difficult to defend than to attack. The Liberal party, having been recently educated by the philosophers and guides to believe that no good can be done for Ireland sinless we follow once more the old native precedents, and despoil or dismiss every one in possession, have naturally commenced their course of Irish reform by threatening the landlords with evictions and the Church with rapine. The rapidity with which Mr. Gladstone himself has com pleted his education upon the question of the Irish Ciiureh is not the least of the marvels with which posterity will have to credit that profound and plastic genius. We have heard a good deal lately of the education of the Conserva tive party in the true principles of Reform ; but when has there ever been witnessed in English politics a conversion so rapid and so thorough as that of Mr. Gladstone on the Irish Establishment ? The enthusiastic cheers of the Liberals have proclaimed the fact that at last they have contrived, by throwing a net with very large meshes and of a convenient elasticity, to catch some who will lead and some who will follow. As a political device, the raising of the Irish Church question has a certain value. It may give a semblance of discipline to the Liberal ranks ; and this is all probably that it was intended to do. As a measure of relief for the Irish discontent Mr. Gladstone's resolutions are worse than useless. The Stancla;-d complains that Mr. Gladstone has inter. rupted public business and the passing of social measures by his resolutions. It almost questions the policy of Mr. Disraeli in granting the chief of the Opposition a week for discussing a question which has already been discussed very extensively. Mr. Disraeli, however, possesses a con fidence. which disdains to take account of the possibility of defeat, and therefore grants the time. We fully believe the result will justify this tone ; that the House will not consent to waste a year and interrupt in the midst a work to whose principles it has already agreed, and which is now, after years of trouble and strife, in a fair way to be accomplished, for the mere purpose of gratifying the rest less ambition of a leader who is disliked by none so heartily as by the elite of his own party. We do not believe that the Liberals will allow their votes to be forced ; that because many or them are committed on the subject of Irish endowments they will consider themselves bound to vote for a motion which, nowise really affecting that ques tion, has and a real purpose which is not theirs: in a word, we do not believe that they will feel compelled to assent to a motion for the ejectment of a Ministry merely because it is couched in terms which formally coincide with their political professions. The resolutions of Mr. Gladstone seem to the Star almirahly- adapted, not merely to raise the general ques tion, but to raise it in such a way that the prucent Parlia ment may properly take action in it. Mr. Gladstone had to choose between two difficulties. For the present Parlia ment to do nothing would be disgraceful ; to do anything comprehensive, practical, and final, would be impossible. A re olution merely declaring that the House disapproved of the principle of the Irish Establishment would not be enough ; a resolution calling on the present Parliament to proceed at once to sweep away the Establishment would be too much. The resolutions, of which notice was given last night, are more than an abstract declaration ; they recommend the first step towards . practical action, and that just such a step as an expiring Parliament would properly and naturally take in dealing with such 'a griev ance as the 94 tence of the Irish Chute. . . NATIONAL TELEGRAPHY. The Imperial Review compares the results of States telegraphy in those countries where it has been established with the results of private management of the telegraphs as a commercial enterprise in our own country. The comparison is certainly damaging to the latter. Belgium and Switzerland are offered as examples, and the facilities afforded in those countries duringthe last fifteen or sixteen years prove that telegraphic correspondence augments with the increase of the opportunities and facilities pro. vided. Reduced rates work well. Up to the close of 1862 a uniform rate of 15d. was charged in Belgium for every 20 words, irrespective of distance. At that time it was reduced to 10d., and subsequently to sd. Comparing the number of telegrams with the number of letters, its found that, notwithstanding the immensely greater wealth and business activity of Great Britain beyond Belgium, the latter is able to shew a far greater proportion of inland telegrams to inland letters than the former, and it is the same with Switzerland. In the year 1860 the proportion of telegrams to letters in Belgium was 1 to 218 ; while in Switzerland it was 1 to 84 ; and in the United Kingdom it was Ito 296. In 1862, in Belgium the proportion was Ito 187 ;in Switzerland, 1 to 80 ;in Britain Ito 221. The reduction of rates in Belgium to 15d. produced in the fol lowing year a proportion of 1 to 114, as compared with 1 to 74 in Switzerland, and 1 to 197 in Britain. In 1863 took place the further reduction of the Belgian tariff to 5d., and in consequence the proportion of telegrams to letters in Belgium which in 1865 was 1 to 73, was inSlB66 1 to 37, while Switzerland shews a proportion in both years of 1 to 69, and in the United Kingdom the proportion was Ito 151 in 1865, and Ito 121 in 1866. Our contemporary con siders these figures conclusive in proving that benefit would accrue to the public from the proposed transfer of the telegraphs to the Post Office. ANGLO-INDIAN TELEGRAPHY. On Monday a meeting was held at the Mansion House, to consider the question of telegraphic communication with the East, in reference to a memorial addressed to Sir Stafford Northcote, and presented by the Lord Mayor, which memorial had been extensively signed by the leading houses in the City. There was a very large attendance of merchants and bankers interested in the question. The Lord Mayor occupied the chair. Sir Frederick Halliday, addressing the meeting, referred to the select committee of the House of Commons, which in 1866 was appointed to inquire into the whole subject, and upon which both the Home and Indian Governments were most efficiently represented, as were also the interests of commerce and science, in especial relation to telegraphy. That committee, he said, reported that the system was badly arranged and thoroughly inefficient, and that to a great extent 4 was at the mercy in Asia of a set of inca pable and unimprovable Arabs, Turks, and barbarians. That report left nothing to be desired, disclosing, as it did, the whole matter to the House of Commons and the country. Two years had since elapsed, and abso lutely nothing had been done. There was the same delay, uncertainty, and inaccuracy in the transmission of messages, of which he related many instances. To the City of London it was impossible to exaggerate the enormous importance of a punctual, rapid, and accurate telegraphic communication with the East. We had now on our hands a great expedition to Abyssinia, and we might have intelligence from the seat of war in six hours ; hut on Saturday the latest telegraphic communication, which was dated 2nd March, was twenty days over. How was the General to communicate with his base of operations, and what more need be said of the political inefficiency of the system? He did not care who effected this communication so long as it was done ; but he cer tainly did represent a body of gentlemen who were able and willing to do this great work in the only way in which it could be done. What they wanted to see was one line under one control, and that British control, and free from end to end of all political, or Asiatic, or European complications. If the Government did not assist in making that communication, what he asked was that they would not mar it, and he trusted that conference would result in bringing about a better system instead of that of which they were heartily ashamed. Mr. Crawford, M.P., who had been the chairman of the select committee, said any system of telegraphic communication between this country and India through the Continent would be essen tially unsound, dependent as we were on the good-will of foreign countries at the present time, and circumstances might arise that would absolutely cut us off from all communication with India. We had the sea nearly the whole way from this to India, and we could be inde. pendent of almost every other nation, with the single ex ception of the 120 miles between Alexandria and Suez. Again, we had the sea from Suez to Bombay. He believed there was no one who had any practical knowledge of the subject who could not state with the utmost confidence that the laying of a line from Falmouth, or wherever it might start from, by way of Egypt, would be perfectly facile ; and we might always rely on it, except on the assumption of an interruption of our communications with the Viceroy. He thought we were entitled to go to the Government and say they were bound to assist us by par ticipation in the risks in such an enterprise, of anything that might happen to render the line valueless, if Egypt should be at any time in the possession of any foreign Power. Mr. John fender, speaking for the Manchester of Commerce, promised their co operation and that of the Manchester commercial com munity, in carrying out a thoroughly effective line of com munication and on the motion of Mr. John Peel, M. P. , a standing committee of twelve gentlemen was appointed, members of Parliament and others representing various Eastern interests, for the purpose of collecting and supply. ing such further information as may be necessary on avail able on the subject, and of arranging and carrying into effect such action as may be deemed advisable for the pur pose of bringing the subject before the Government and the House of Commons. The meeting concluded with a unanimous vote of thanks fo the Lord Mayor. 1835 AND 1868. On Monday next, when Mr. Gladstone brings forward his motion on the Irish Church, thirty-three years to a day will have elapsed since a serious attempt was made to reduce the Irish Establishment. On the 30th of March, 1835, Lord John Russell, then leader of the Opposition, moved that the House should resolve itself into committee " to consider the temporalities of the Church of Ireland." In committee, he proposed to move a resolution recommending the application of the surplus Church revenue to purposes of general education. At the same time he announced that, if the resolution were adopted, he should move that it be presented to the Crown in an address, with a humble entreaty "that his Majesty would be most graciously pleased to enable the House to carry it into effect." To persons not familiar with the strict rates which for centuries have governed the rela tions between the Sovereign and the Legislature, this method of addressing the Crown—the same now em ployed in the third resolution—may seem unneces sarily circuitous. The explanation, however, is simple. Where the patronage or proprietary rights of the Sove reign are affected by any proposed parliamentary measure, it is necessary to obtain the hoyal sanction before proceeding with the bill. It had been decided, in a precisely similar case, that the House of Com mons could not constitutionally dispose of the eccle siastical patronage of the Crown without the King's special consent, expressed by a message, either upon the advice of the Ministers, or in answer to an address. The motion for going into committee on the question of the temporalities was resisted by Sir Robert Peel, then Chancellor of the Exchequer, but was, after a four days' debate, carried on the 2nd April by a nr.a.;ority of 33. The main issue was, whether there should be an " appropriation" of surplus revenue. The Tory party were willing that the emoluments of the Church should be subject to redistribution and rearrangement, but were not willing that any portion should be applied to secular purposes. A resolution was ulti mately adopted : " That any surplus revenue o: the present Church Establishment in Ireland not required for the spiritual care of its members be applied to the moral and religious education of all classes of the people, without distinction of religious persuasion, pro viding for the resumption of such surplus or of any su c h part of it as may be required by an increase in the number of the members of the Established Church." Lord Derby, then Lord Stanley, spoke and voted with the Government. He con tended that the " appropriation" would not pacify Ireland, and pro tested against what he described as a proscription of the Established Church in particular districts because only a few persons were attached to it. After the resolu tion of the committee had been reported to the House, another critical division took place on the 7th of April, 1835, the majority being 27 against the Govern ment. On the following day the Duke of Wellington in the Lords and Sir Robert Peel in the Commons announced the dissolution of the Ministry ; and on the 18th of April Lord Melbourne notified the formation of a new Cabinet, in which he occupied the place of First Lord of the Treasury. TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION FOR SCOTLAND.—There seems every probability that this question will now be taken up with great earnestness. Conferences and meet igs of a very numerous and influential character hwe been L eld in Edinburgh and Leith and the neighbourhood dm.: lig the past week. Dr. Playfair, Mr. Scott Russell, Mr. Buck master, Professor Thomson, and others, have add ressed large and enthusiastic meetings. Nearly a tl.,usand skilled work. men were present at a meeting held in the Lecture Hall of the Industrial Museum on Saturday. An influential com• mitt* has begn f9rme4 conduct, the epinunAtions, THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING,; MARCH 24, 1868. ARCHBISHOP MANIVING ON IRELAND. this as an injustice and as a penal enactment? The whole population in Ireland would rejoice in the resolution of the national system into bona fide denominational schools. The Protestants would be as thankful as the Catholics. But Ireland wants something more. She claims, at least, to be treated on an equal foot ing with the colonies. Now the Government has chartered and endowed colleges at Sydney . and Melbourne in Australia. " But in Ire land the Catholic University has neither charter nor endowment. Three mixed colleges, which I must call by the Christian name Sir Robert Inglis gave them—Godless—are offered to four millions of Catholics in Ireland; whilst the million of Protestants possess Trinity - College, Dublin, endowed with 190 acres of land and a revenue of upwards of £30,000 a year. These things the British Government has done for the Catholics of Canada, who are 1,200,000, and for the Catholics of Australia, who are some hundred thousands ; but for the Catholic population of 4,500,000 in Ireland, neither charter nor endowment has been given. Is it strange that Ireland is not sufficiently sensible of the benefit of being called a part of the mother country ? Above all, as it is not thus that the mother country treats itself." Such are the two grievances which can and ought to be remedied at once. The other two demand more time for their settlement, but they are both within the control of Parlia ment, and both lie deep in the discontent of Ireland. The first is the Established Church —for which but few men dare to argue—that disgrace and danger to the Empire. It must be demolished and disendowed ; but how is it to be effected, and what is to be done with the money ? The Catholic Bishops and clergy of Ireland will have nothing to do with the money for their own personal use and benefit. When an old chalice has been stolen, a new one is consecrated. If the old one were re stored, as it has been desecrated, melt it down, and give the silver to the poor So with the old endowments. They belonged once to God. They have been taken away, and He has provided in another form for the service of His altar. They ought, indeed, to be restored ; and let the restitution be fully made. But let it be made to Him in the hands of His poor. They are His representatives. Therefore it is that the bishops declare that, " by appropriating the eccle siastical property of Ireland for the benefit of the poor, the Legislature would realize one for the purposes for which it was originally destined, and to which it was applied in Catholic times." By this, the bishops do not mean that it should be applied to relieve the landlords of the poor-rates, or the Government of the cost of , education, but in other ways for which there is no provision. There are many works of piety and charity much needed in Ireland which would absorb much. The rest would go direct to the poor if it were applied to such a settlement of the land as would lift the families of the poor by giving them an in terest in the soil. And now for the foUrth and last subject —the land question , —in corapaiison With which the Archbishop declares all others to be light. It is the question; of the people and of the poor ; of social - poke or agrarian war ; of life or of death to millions. English men think it a maze of perplexities, hut:foreigners See no exceptional' difficulty or eOnii)lc - t4:,4bout it. The . AfehbrshPp begins his SOLVA W* affirm ing that there is ‘a naturar'giA diVine anterior and superior to all " human and civil law," by which every people has a right to live of the fruits of the soil on which they are born, and in which they are buried. On this prin ciple the land in England is charged for the support of the poor: This law was made in the time of Elizabeth, when monasteries had been closed against the poor. For three hun dred years the landlords in England had clearly recognized it as a just law; Irish land lords resisted it as a violation of the rights of property. It is to be doubted if the land laws of England would have lasted till this date-if the Act of Elizabeth had not made their exclusiveness tolerable to the mass of the people. - Having established the right of the people to be supported by the land, the question is " How is that to be effected in Ireland ?" In England the tenants have land customs which may be enforced in the courts of law, and which have, therefore, the power of law. Their lands are their homes, and their interests are even generously watched and guarded by pub lic opinion. But in Ireland none of these things are so. In one-fourth of Ireland there are land laws, or, rather, land customs, which protect the tenant. In three fourths of Ireland there are neither laws nor cus toms. The tenants are tenants at will. Over a vast proportion of Ireland the landlords are absentees. The mitigating and restraining influences of the lords of the soil which, in England, and in every civilized country, do more to correct the excesses of agents, speculators, and traffickers, and to temper legal rights with equity and moderation, are hardly to be found. The substantial improvements upon farms, and the buildings necessary for agriculture, are made, not by the landlord, as in England, but by the tenant in Ireland. Is this to be found in any other country of Europe ? The tenant has no security that his outlay is his own, or that he shall ever reap the benefit of it. Whatever goes into the soil, whatever is built upon it, "fructificat domino." The landlord may raise his rent at will, and give him notice to quit at will. The tenant at will may be put out for any cause ; not only for non-payment of rent, or waste of his land, or bad farming, or breach of covenant, if such can be supposed to exist, all of which would bear a colour of justice ; but for the personal advantage of the landlord arising from the tenant's improvements ; for politi cal influence ; for caprice ; for any passing reason or no reason, assigned or not assignable, which can arise in minds conscious of absolute and irre sponsible power. This is an evil state. Absolute and irresponsible power is too great for man. Even supreme civil rulers do not possess it. After giving some heart-rending descriptions of the awful and horrible results of this glaring iniquity, the Archbishop says that if we are to seek for a remedr.-- We may learn of Prussia, France, Switzerland, and Tuscany, even of Canada and Prince Edward's Island, all of which are in advance of England in the solution of what is called the " land question" in Ireland. How is it to be expected that a people will be industrious who have no security that they will not be swept off the land they till? How will they im prove it if they have no security that they shall retain the benefit of that improvement ? How shall justice be done to the land unless it be improved by advancing cultivation ? How shall cultivation advance if improvements be visited by a rise in the rent, and the increased rent be enforced by notice to quit ? How shall the land so treated fail to breed famine and fever, and a people so harassed restrain themselves from a wild discontent and bitter retaliation? The same would be the state of England if custom, which is the " mother of quietness," and therefore of plenty, did not pro tect the tenant from arbitrary rents and arbitrary evictions. Apply to Ireland that great principle of equity laid down by Lord Derby in introducing his Land. Bill of 1852—" That the property created by the industry of the tenant belongs of right and in justice to himself, and that it is the duty of the Legislature to protect it by law." Make this really the law of the land, add to this obligation of granting leases, and then we shall begin to see our way to the realiza tion of an Hibernia Pacata--then, but not till then.—Westminster Gazette. The Pall Mall Gazette says the Republican Se nators whose course on the trial of the President is con siderod,doubtful are Messrs. Trumbull, Fessenden, Morgan Ross, Van Winkle, and Frelinghuysen. The New York, Anti-Slavery Standard believes that there is no reason for regarding these Senators as likely to decide in favour of the President; but Mr. Wendell Phillips, in a communication to the same paper, deplores the non-suspension of the President during his trial, and says be will not b 3 sur prised "if Juhnsou is able to bril33 or bully the Prrisident into an acquittal." _ The Nova Scotia Legislature is adjourned to August 6th. LAnvEnnsEmENT.l--iloiloway'sPills.—With the weather so cold and t he s so ke e n, what is to be done to keep the human body healthy, to protect the weak, to renovate the diseased ? The reply is, supplant the suppressed ac tion of the skin through an alterative like these pills by a freer action on the liver, bowels, and kidneys; this NN ill preserve the delicate internal! structures from congestion, irritation, and inflammation, and carry off those noxious matters ordinarily transmitted through the integument. A course so natural must commend itself, and must elicit the unqualified approbation of all who think and under stand how nature invariably aids a defective organ by ac complishing its unperformed functions by means of in creased activity elsewhere. AMERICAN MARRE7S. (Front Beldiny, Keith, and Co.'s Circular.) NEW YORK, March 6, 1868. Our correspondents give by their circular markets as. folk iv, :—The money market for call loans has now farly egittled at six per c6nt., while upon indiscriminate c ollaterals and for commercial discounts seven may be [noted as the ruling rate. The dealers in Government s ecurities are, as usual, still favoured in some instances rith round sums at one per cent. under the'current rate, ad even these loans at five are becoming exceptional and r are. The advance in the rates of money has been largely astrumental in depressing United States Stocks, not as :Applied to the dealers, but from the fact that the banks and large money lenders have been free sellers of fonds, whielli they purchased for investment of balances at a time when they could not profitably employ them in any other -way, but which they now wish to release for the require =eats of their business. The exportable bonds are quiet in the absence of any demand from the foreign bankers, and, pending the impeachment proceedings in Washing ton, we can scarcely look for any great activity in local l investments. The Treasury is confining its transactions strictly to converting the 7 3-10 currency notes that ma ture next June and July into the 5-20 year gold bonds, ad , j usting the interest. The Assistant-Treasurer has deemed' it advisable to cease purchasing the 7-30 notes direct. As liar as we can learn the Treasury is selling no gold at present. At the Stock Exchange Erie Railway is still the most active and most irregular, and between suits and counter suits the public mind has become very much perplexed as to the exact status of the company's relations to the Courts. A raid was made upon the Expresa Stocks this morning, resulting in a decline of two and three per cent., for which we can ascertain no reason beyond a mere freak of speculation. The advance in some of the Western Railways, to which we referred yesterday, is well main tained, and various rumours are afloat as to the probable cause of the recent outburst of speculation in them—with most of which reports the name of Mr. Vanderbilt is in some way connected. At this meeting the entire stock market is strengthening, and the dealings growing more active. The activity in the Border State bonds still continues, with a still further advance in some of the issues. On the subject of finances the following, from the Journal of Commerce, is very plain and to the point: "We have before us another instalment of pamphlets on the financial question. One is signed by Wm. Ernst, a highly respectable gentleman, President of a National Bank in Kentucky. There is an assumption of fairness and candour at the outset of his remarks which is not justified by the statements that follow. A writer is at liberty to assert that no wrong would be done the bondholder by paying him off in greenbacks; or, if he admits the seeming wrong, to justify it by the neces sities of the case, or the condition of the country. But he has no right, after all that has been published in eluci dation of the theme, to misstate the facts, or set his belief against verified history. Mr. Ernst declares that a proper examination of the Act of February 25, 1862, must have shown that it provided for the pay ment of Bonds in the greenbacks then authorized, and that, as a matter of • fact, the purchasers took them with that understanding, or were indifferent to the method of payment. He also declares that Congress intended to make a difference in this respect between Ten forties and Five-twenties. None of these assertions are true. When the question came up for the first time two years after, on a sneer from Thaddeus Steveav, who was vexed b6c..use an amendment proposed by him was voted down, the members of Congress declared emphatically, one after another, in their places, that the act intended the payment of the prin 'cipal fn'sold. Bid few Five-gust were then issued, and as applied . to them the .qustion 'was not fin poitant. the bilk 'inthorlzring: a Jurther issue, Brooks of profiosed to add the words niaVtigt, the Trirtp,foW4 4 ,payabie in coin," -as had teen done witty-the "te4Crties'. Hooper said it was not necessary, as they were always negotiated with that express understanding, and read a public decla ration to that effect signed by the head of the finan cial departeent of the Government. On this public assertion and explanation, to which all present assent ed, that this was and should be the meaning of the bill as it stood, Mr. Brooks consented to withdraw his amendment as " unnecessary," and the bill passed in the same way as the first had done. The only addi tional reason then given for not adding the words, even though considered unnecessary, was that some caviller might then claim that their omission in the first bill made that small portion of the debt before issued subject to liquidation in greenbacks. This public discussion and de claration certainly fixed the responsibility of the Go vernment from that time, if it had not been so fixed before, and the bulk of the five-twenties have all been issued since that date. The fact that no such distinction was thought of or designed, as this writer now makes be tween the ten-forties and five-twenties, is further shown by the relative prices they brought upon the market through out the whole of this negotiation. We cannot accept the candour and fairness of those who advocate the payment of these five-twenties in greenbacks on the ground that this was the original ccntract. We were parties ourselves in that negotiat on, and we know better. All editors were authorized and urged by the Secretary of the Treasury, and other financial agents of the Government, to proclaim the fact that these bonds were to be redeemed in coin, and we will not allow any writer to contradict this plain matter of fact, which is within our own knowledge and that of every intelligent financier in this city. Gold has been neglected by speculators who have been attracted to the stock market by the activity there, and the fluctuations to-day would not exceed + per cent., whilst the amounts changing hands were exceedingly limited. Loans of coin were generally made at 5 per cent. At 4 p.m. the following are current prices : United States 6's of 1881 ... 111 to 1 5-20's of 1862... 1101 to 71 1864 1071. to 1 . 1 1865... ... 1081 to 5 ,, 1866._ 77 ~ 1867... ... ... ... 1061 to 107 s's 10-40 ... ... ... ... 1011 to + 17 77 7-30's, second series ... ... 105* to 106 17 77 third series ... ... 105 i to 106 American gold ... ... ... ... ... ... 141 f to 1 London 3 days ... ... ... ... ... ... 110 to 1 ~ 60 days ... ... ... ... ... ... 109/ to * Paris 3 days ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 5.12* t o 5 . 13 i 60 days... ... ... ... ... ... ... 5.15 to Pacific Mail ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 111 to I Western Union Telegraph ... ... ... ... ' 341 to 1 New York Central ... ... ... ... ... ... 130 i to New York and Erie ... ... ... ... ... 75 to 1- Philadelphia and Reading ... ... ... ... 94* to f Hudson River ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 140 to 145 I Illinois Central ... ... ... ... . ... 138 to 1394 Michigan, South and North Indiana..... ... 91 to 1 Chicago and North-Western C om p an y ... 67 t o 68 It Preference ... 75* to 1 , Rock Island and Pacific ... ... ... ... 98* to I Missouri 6's ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 881 to 89 Tennessee 6's new ... ... ... ... ... ... 63f to 4 , 6's ex-coupon ... ... ... ... 66 to 67 Virginia 6's new ... ... ... ... ... ... 46 to 47 , 6's ex-coupon ... ~. ... ... 52 to North Carolina 6's new... ... ... ... ... 621 to 63 7/ 6's ex-coupon ... ... . 63i to 64 CINCINNATI, OHIO. This has now become quite a point for cotton, shipments of which are made on through rates to Liverpool, via Grand Trunk Railway and Portland, cheaper than to United States—viz., 2 cents per lb. in currency ; and as it will be seen by following quotations, on same day there were some 3 cents difference between price in Cincinnati and Baltimore or Philadelphia, it will at once be seen there is a profit in purchasing in Cincinnati via Portland. CINCINNATI, March 6.—Flour firm and in fair demand at $ll to $ll 25 for family. Wheat firm at $2 45 to $2 50 for No. 2 and No. 1 winter red. Corn firm and in demand at 84 to 85c for ear. Oats 67c. Rye $1 70 to $1 75, with a light demand. Barley firm at $2 30 to $2 35 for fall. Cotton dull and unsettled ; middling offered at 22c. Pro visions quiet and unchanged : nothing of importance was done. Gold 1401 buying. Money easy. BALTIMORE, March 6.—Cotton firm at 25c for middlings. Flour firm ; good superfine is in demand. Wheat firm : sales, Ohio and Pennsylvania, $2 50 to $2 60 for prime to choice. Corn firmer : white $1 12 to $1 13 ; yellow $1 14 to $1 16. Oats dull at 78c to 80c. Rye in good de mand and scarce at $1 75 to $1 78. Provisions quiet. PHILADELPHIA, March 6.—Cotton steady ; middling uplands . 65c; middling Orleans 251 to 26c. Petroleum firmer ; crude 16 to 161 c ; refined in bond 231 to 24c. Flour dull; Northwestern extra family $ll to $ll 50; Penasyl vania and Ohio ditto $ll 75 to $l2 25. Wheat comes in slowly and is quiet ; red $2 45 to $2 55 ; white $2 80 to $3 25. Rye steady at $1 75. Corn firmer and more in quiry ; sales 2,000 bush new yellow at $1 18. Oats steady, at 85c. Coffee, sugar, and molasses quiet. Provisions drooping. COMMEM2IAL EPITOME. Nnv Yoßx, Friday Night, March 6. The feeling of incertitude induced by the political situa tion, and the obstructions to business which arise from the accumulated snow and ice in our streets and harbour, have had the effect to restrict somewhat the commercial operations of the past week, but without materially influ encing prices. The following is a statement of the stocks of loading articles of merchandise at dates given:— ,-----1868--, 1867. Mar. 1. Feb. 1. Mar. 1. Boer, tierces and barrels 38,448 51,002 15,039 Pork, barrels 70,263 71,754 95,089 Tobacco, foreign, bales Tobacco, domestic, hogsheads 18,390 20,659 16,803 Coffee, Rio, bags Coffee, other, bags Coffee, Java, mats Sugar, hogsheads Sugar, boxes 5,858 4,811 30,290 Sugar, bags Melado, hhds Molasses, hogsheads Molasses, barrels Hides, No. 173,600 165,000 126,000 PetrOleum, crude, barrels Petroleum refined, barrels 20 ,600 33 , 740 23,300 Cotton, bolo .„ 54,221 180,000 Rosin, barrels Crude turpentine, barrels Spirits turpentine, barrels 1,244 1,578 4,700 Tar, barrels .. 2,040 2,236 6,250 Rice, E. 1., bags Rice, Carolina, tierces 764 924 28 Gunny Cloth, bales 37,150 36,500 19,800 Gunny Bags, bales 25,800 26,000 10,600 Linseed, bags 71,000 93,515 14,450 Saltpetre, bags 19,950 20,242 88,970 Jute, bales 14,850 4,105 11,709 Manila Hemp, bales 26,305 20,040 18,290 Tin, slabs Speller, tons 450 550 900 Lead, tons 4,300 3,800 2,600 Iron, tons In provisions there was a fair amount of business doing, but the market presented rather an irregular tone. Box meats were, as a general thing, in very good demand, and realized about previous rates, but pork and lard could only be sold by making some concessions. The beef product at the moment was attracting considerable attention, and is rather buoyant, particularly on choice lots, of which the packing has been small owing to the scarcity and high price of prime cattle during the past season. Petroleum has advanced on the very reduced stocks crude closing at 13 to 131 c. in bulk, and refined in bond '''c. for standard white. Oils have b een d u ll. = Naval stores have been firm, and spirits turpentine closed. at 74c. free, and common rosin, $3 30. 00l has been quiet after the large business noted last week, but the advance then quoted has been well supported. Freights to British ports have been quite dull, and rates have materially declined, closing by the Liverpool and Glasgow steamers at Bto 811 for grain, I. for cotton, 25.. 6d. for flour, and 35s to 40s. for weight. Vessels to load grain for Cork get 6s. 9d. to 7s. direct, and 7s. 3d. to 7s. 6d. for orders. BREADS TUFFS. FRID" March 6. The market opened the week dull and declining, but atterly, with a good expOrt demand, some speculation, and reduced receipts, there has been more activity, and mane advance in prices. The receipts of flour have been exceedingly small from :d1 quarters—partly owing, no doubt, to the heavy fall of snow. Local millers are doing very little, the largest ;mill in this city is now idle, and wheat being relatively 'higher than flour, there is no disposition to push produc tion, except on orders for particular brands and quality. The trade have operated freely; and about 5,000 bbls. low grades have been taken for export to Great Britain— raostly fair extra State at $lO 10 to $lO 25—in which also we notice some speculative feeling—the rapid reduc tion of stocks now going on at Eastern markets causing a considerable advance to be looked for. Lower freights to British ports are also favourable, as tending to stimulate the export demand. Wheat declined 2 to 3c. early in the week; there was some money pressure on expiring acceptances, and buyers held off. But since• Wednesday there has been some export demand, favoured in a measure by lower freights, and shippers have taken about 50,000 bushels, mainly at $2 39 to $2 41 for No. 2 spring, delivered. Millers have done something, and winter wheats have improved 2 to 3c., California selling at $3 25, and prime amber winter $2 85. The market closes with a good demand, which is met pretty freely by the holders. Corn declined early in the week as low as $1 18 to 1 20 for prime Western mixed, but large freight engagements having been made, and supplies being detained by the snow and ice, the demand to fill those engagements turned the market greatly in favour of holders, and as high as $1 27 to 1 28 were paid to-day. The prospect, however, is in favour of An early renewal bf liberal sup plies, and current quotations are hardly a fair criterion of the market. Oats declined to 80c. for Western in store—re covered to 83c. on a speculative demand, but again relapsed and closed dull at 82ic. Barley and barley Malt, on continued scarcity, have further advanced, and the arrivals meet with a quick sale. Rye is coming forward moderately, and with the subsidence of the de mand from Germany, closes dull and heavy. A LETTER TO EARL GREY. At a time when all eyes are turned upon Ireland we welcome with a double welcome this letter from the pen of the Archbishop of Westminster. At the outset he asserts his right as a citizen to write on political sub jects, for ecclesiastics do not cease to be citi zens. He tells us, too, that he speaks as an Englishman, and with a bias, if there be any, on the side of England : Again, he says, the duties of many years, and the work of every day, have brought me into sues direct and intimate contact with Ireland and the Irish people that I cannot be mistaken as to the gravity of the pre'ent crisis. Ido not believe that it can be overrated. It is the disposition to under rate it, and the readiness to relapse into an un timely reassurance at every momentary lull of public anxiety, which fills me with most fear. It is true that we have had times of greater violence, and of more immediate dangers, than now threaten us ; more fearful atrocities, both against the law and by the law, have been perpetrated, of which your lordship has full memory; but there never yet was a moment in which such wide-spread and irresistible powers of change were in action upon the union of Great Britain and Ireland. But, before entering in detail into the main argument, he protests against the contemptu ous, satirical, disrespectful, defiant language which so many Englishmen use when speak ing or writing on Ireland, and he gives a specimen from the January number of the Quarterly Review. This veracious writer main tains that because a large majority of the representatives (Protestants) of Ireland are in favour of retaining the Established Church, therefore the people of Ireland are in its favour. "Again," he maintains, "that Irishmen seize greedily on every opportunity of parading their undying, irreconcilable hostility to the English connection, oppose and thwart us—not because we are wrong, not because we are tyrannical, not because we are unjust, but because we are English." If, answers the Archbishop, you are thought to be tyrannical and unjust, there must be some grounds for the idea—remove those grounds, and you remove the thought of tyranny by removing tyranny itself. The Quarterly denies that land reform and Church destruction have nothing to do with Fenianism—" but, " asks the Archbishop, " what caused Fenianism but animosity against England ; and what caused that animosity but confiscations and an alien Church ?" Once more—"lt has been the pleasure of Ire land to pass upon herself a sentence of perpetual poverty." Did Ireland suicidally strip itself of all its lands, reduce itself to mud cabins, potato-diet and evictions, fever and famine ? Would this have been the state of Ireland if it had been left to mature its own social order and civilization as Eng land, Scotland, France, and Spain? Who checked its agriculture, its cattle trade, its fisheries, and its munufactures, by Acts of Parliament ? If poverty was ever inflicted by one nation on another, it has been inflicted on Ireland by England. One more example—" As for laws and adminis tration, Ireland is on the same footing with Eng-. land ; and where there is a difference, Ireland *ill be found to be better cared for than England." Let the endowments of the Church of England be transferred to the English Catholic bishops-I%nd' clergy •, let the Anglican archbishops and' bishops be liable to fine for assuming their ecclesiastical titles ' • let the land in England be held by absentee Irish landlords by title of past confiscations, and let their soil be tilled by tenants at will who may at any hour be evicted, and I shall then think that Ireland and England are on the same footing. There is yet one thing wanting. Let some Irish statesman reproach the English for their unreason ing and unrelenting animosity, their self-chosen poverty, their insensibility of the dignity and benefits of being thus treated by a superior race. When the writer in the Quarterly sums up all Ireland's grievances into this one—that the people have to pay the Catholic priests —he manifests more fully than ever his gross stupidity and his utter ignorance of Ireland and the Irish ; and we can only wonder his Grace could have the patience to answer such absurdities. But the answer discloses to us the real motives of these enemies of Ireland. " Pay the priests," says the Quarterly, " and the people will have more money to spend on themselves, and will be contented. They givethem." T grudgingly, say n glyt,haatntdhethlerish give their giftsve grudgingly impoverish or any otherwise than lovingly to their priests, is an unmitigated falsehood. Facts everywhere stare us in the face. Major O'Reilly, than whom few men better know Ireland, estimates the outlay on churches, schools, convents, and other charitable institutions in Ireland since 1800 at /5,500,000. Mr. Maguire, in his book on " The Irish in America," gives ex amples of the same Christian generosity in our North American colonies, and throughout the United States. 'I he cathedral in the city of St. John's, Newfoundland, was built by them at a cost of £120,000. The same profuse devotion to their faith is to be found wheresoever they are. The grandest cathedrals of these days have been raised by their alms. • But proofs are endless. Only let English states men once for all lay aside the, illusion that the people of Ireland give because they are coerced, or that they would accept the relief of a State payment for their clergy, or that their clergy would acknowledge the account to which the counsel of Achitophel has carried the money to ensnare them. Both clergy and people would rather hunger and thirst together than dissolve the bond of Christian charity and Christian confidence which binds them indissolubly to each other. But even when he made this misstatement the writer could not have believed it. He only used it as a cloak to conceal his real meaning. He does not wish to make the people con teied with England, but only dis-contented with their priests. Having thus annihilated the Quarterly Review, the Archbishop passes on to consider the crisis which we have now en tered upon, the existence of which it would be madness to deny. That there is disunion caused by the tyranny of the past is evident to any one who knows Ireland's history and Ireland's present state. But there are other causes of what the Archbishop calls just discontent : so long as there exists upon the statute book any penal enactment against the Catholic religion ; so long as the Catholic people of Ireland are deprived of a bond fide Catholic ed uca ti on; so long as a Pro testant Church Establishment is maintained by law over the face of Catholic Ireland ; and so long as the people of Ireland fail to derive from the land such a subsistence as the labourers and farmers of England and Scotland derive from the soil, there must be a just discontent, which will be the misery of Ireland and the danger of England. Of these four causes of discontent two can at once be removed by Parliament ; two of them are more complex and difficult, and may require time for eradication. But even these can be removed, and, if the peace and welfare of these kingdoms are to be preserved, they must be removed, and that as speedily as can be. The two remedies which can at once be ap plied are these : The first, au► Act of Parlia ment, summed up in one clause, which would recite and repeal all penal enactments against the Catholic Church and religion still linger ing in the statutes of these realms. The second is auch a modification of the National Education Board as shall make the existing schools bond fide denominational schools of Catholics and Protestants respectively. What is now called the national system is really not a mixed system, and statistics prove the as sertion. 1. There are 2,454 schools, containing 373,756 Catholic children, with not a Protestant child. 2. There are 2,483 scbooll, having 321,641. Catholic children, with only 24,381 Protestant children. That is, in 4,937—nearly s,ooo—schools, with 695,397 Catholic children, there are no more than 24,381 Protestants. Nevertheless, in these 4,937 schools, containing 965,397 Catholic children, it is not permitted to teach publicly the Catholic religion, to we Catholic boaks, or to put up a crucifix. This is no "sen timental grievance," but a real and grave interfer ence, which paralyses the Catholic education of the Irish people. It is shown by a Parliamentary return, obtained by Major O'Rtilly, that in national schools of which I'resbyterians have control thousands of Catholic children are obliged to attend. In these schools they received religious instruction from Protestant masters, learned Protestant catechisms, and read the Protestant version of the Bible. Can we be surprised that the Irish people resent NEW YORK IRON MARKET. Scotch pig is quiet, with an ample supply and mode rate demand, but prices may be said to be well sup ported; 200 to 300 tons sold in lots at $39 for Eglinton, ex-ship, and $42 for Gartsherrie from yard. The movement in American has continued to a fair ex tent, but the reluctance of the leading companies to offer their stocks at present or name prices for future delivery restricts business, and we only notice 2,000 tons Allen town No. 1 at $3B 00 to $3B 50 for March, April and May ; 2,000 do other Lehigh brands $37 to $3B ; and 300 do Silver Gray $34 ; Allentown is now held at $39, and for other first class brands $3B has been refused, but some of the makes, we understand, can yet be bought as low as $3O to $37. In other kinds we only notice 1,000 tons new American rails, on terms not transpired. American refined is held higher : we note small sales Trenton at $B5 per ton. Store prices are firm, but business continues light.—Shipping List. IRON. PHILADELPHIA.--There is quite an active demand for pig metal, says the Commercial List, the stock of which is light, and prices have again advanced. Sales of 3,000 tons Lehigh Crane at $3B for No.l ; $36 for soft No. 2, and $3O to $34 for Grey Forge ; 2,000 tons Allentown No. 1 at $3B to 38 50, for March, April, and May ; 2,000 do. other Lehigh brands at $37 to 38; 300 do. Silver Grey at $34. Allentown is now held at $39, and for other first-class brands $3B has been refused, but some of the makes, we understand, can yet be bought as low as $37. 1,000 tons Glendon Grey Forge, and 1,000 tons rails sold on secret terms. We hear of large sales of Glendon Forgo, at the Eastward, on secret terms. It is estimated that about one-half the capacity of the Pennsylvania companies has already been disposed of, hence the firmness and the demand fcr higher prices. It is proposed to erect from twelve to fifteen furnaces during the coming season, and new stacks are now being erected in addition to those already in operation, at the following places : —Two at Bethlehem, ono at Hellertown, one at Glendon, one at Allentown, one at Alburtis, one at Catasque, one at Hokendauqua, and one at Whitehall. Scotch pig is nominal. Blooms continue dull. 'Manu factured iron commands full prices. PITTSBURGH OIL TRADE.—During the past year many of our refineries have remained idle, and others only run to a limited extent. Notwithstanding this, it will be seen that the amount of bonded and free in the 22d district in creased in 1867 over 1866 to the amount of 403,404} gal lons, and in the 23.1 district there was an increase of 45,180 gallons; total increase, 448,584} gallons, or 10,680} barrels. The increase in both districts iu 1867 over 1865 amounts to 10,734,298 gallons, equal to 255,578 barrels; and the increase over 1864 (leaving out the six months in the 23d district., of which we have no record), foots up 15,643,876 gallons, equal to 372,473 barrels. It will be seen from the official report of the number of barrels forwarded East, over the Pennsylvania Railroad, during the past year, that there was a decrease from 1866 of 193,069 barrels—equal to 8,108,898 gallons. This is a curious fact, that whilst there was an increase from our refineries of over 100,000 barrels in production, in 1867 over 1866, yet the shipment East, by the line of the Penn sylvania Railroad, decreased over 190,000 barrels. The number of barrels of crude oils gauged by the city gauger, during the year 1867, was as follows:- 1867. bbls. January 7,727 February 32,618 March ••• 75,713 April ••• ••• ... 268,727 May ••• ••• ... 106,418 June ••• ... 29,462 July ••• 40,291 . August ... 9,402 September ... 8,912 October 13,498 November 14,759 December 52,488 657,965 By special Gagers ... ... .., 62,324 Total ... 720,299 Equal to 29,000,000 of gallons. The exports of the year have been enormous, Philadel phia having increased, and New York decreased, whilst Boston has increased nearly as much as Baltimore has fallen off, leaving the total from the whole country about the same as in 1866. To the English ports there has been a large falling off in the shipments from Now York, as also to Havre, Hamburg, and to some ports in the South of Europe and South America, while to Bremen, Rotterdam, tl o Prussian ports, Africa, Australia, &c., there has been a large increase. From Philadelphia there has been a marked increase in the shipments to Bremen, Rotterdam, Cronstadt, Stettin, Dantzig, Stockholm, Venice, Gibraltar, &c., and some falling off in the exports to English ports. SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 10. Corn—The supply is very meagre, short of the mill de mand. White and Yellow are quotable at $2 25 to $2 35 per 1301bs. On receipt of this grain, since harvest (seven months) arrivals about 13,000 centals, thus showing the comparative insignificance of the California crop. Corn Meal—Several small invoices of frash-ground, in assorted sized bags, are reported sold at 3 n to 3 per lb. There is yet no eastern Kiln Dried in market. The pro s!) ct is good for the 250 'luncheons now en route from New York. Wheat.—Since the incoming of February but little choice grain has been offered for sale. Occasionally small purchases are reported by millers, and for this description $2 71 has been paid for lots suited to the manufacLure of twat Extra Flow•. The sales reported from day to day are as follows :-5,000 sks extra choice milling, in lots, $2 75; 15,000 sks shipping, $2 70 ; 7,500 sks fair shipping. $2 63 ; 13,000 sks common, $2 GO; 12;500 sks fair to good, $2 50 to $2 55; 7,600 sks inferior, $2 40 to $2 45—the market closing dull at $2 50 to $2 75 as extremes. Barley—At the close of January, 250 tons of Cheva lier were taken for shipment to New York at $1 80 to $l. 90 per cental ; GO tone do, sold at $1 871; 1,000 sks Brewing, $1 771- ; 2,000 sks Brewing, iu double aks, for Arizona, sold at $1 90. A sale of 7,100 sks, to arrive within 30 days, is reported, though not generally cre dited, at $1 70. At the close, we quote good to choice Feed, $1 75 to 180 Brewing, $1 821 to 1 87i ; a fevt parties demanding $l9O. Oats—The consumptive demand appears to be on the in crease. We quote sales of 2,000 sks fair quality at $1 8 1,000 sks choice, $1 85 to $1 87k. We quote the market range, $1 75 to $1 90 per cental. Exports of Breadstuffs, from this port from July Ist to February Bth, inclusive : Flour. Wheat. To bbls. 1001 b sks. New York 75,515 295,757 Boston Great Britain 27,562 2,873,545 China and Japan 57,325 • 11,325 Guam 2,667 Pernambuco 2,600 Valparaiso lO4ll Callao ] 4 ,036 Rio de Janeiro Montevideo France .. Other countries 31,985 12,22-i 47,901 18,417 Totals During the past ten days we have had a very quiet mar ket for both flour and grain. Receipts from the interior are beginning to lessen in volume, and the impression is gaining credence that a considerable portion of our wheat crop has already been marketed. The active demand heretofore noted has in some degree ceased, owing to 3 cessation of the export requirement at the high rates nos current for breadstuff. There is, however, at this date slight improvement in the demand for both barley and oats. The former has been taken to a moderate extent for shipment to New York, the latter for local use. Corn is very scarce, and from present indications the corn meal now en route from New York will come to a good market. Bran and middlings continue to rule high, with free sales. Hay is well sustained by the combination. Potatoes are measurably unchanged. Onions are both scarce and high. Flour.—Our millers have recently advanced their job bing rates to $8 to $8 25 per barrel for fancy. and city extras; though for round lots we quote $7 75 to $s for half and quarter sacks extra ; for superfine, $7 to $7 nil for favourite brands. At the latter rate sales of National Mills are reported. Of late several of our millers have been filling contract sales for superfine. These have gone forward to England and other countries, as will be found noted elsewhere. At' present most of the city mills aro either running upon short time, or have shut down alto gether, for the reason, they say, that wheat is now rela tively higher than flour, and that there is no profit to be derived at present frotn sales to shippers, notwith sta ding the high rates paid for mill offal. Recent sales of flour for export, chiefly to the United Kingdom, include the following —say 5,000 bbls Genesee Mills Super fine, in half and quarter casks ; 3,000 bbls Goldon Age Mills, do.; 2,000 bbls National Mills, do.; 4,000 qr 510 Suisun Mills; 3,000 qr sks Napa extra; 2,000 qr sks Grand Inland ; 4,000 qr sks Alemeda Mills ; and 3,600 qr sks va rious brands—all upon terms withheld; but the bulk of the sales were made prior to the advance noted above. At the close, best extra commands $8 to $8 25 ; superfine, $7 to $7 34; fine, $6 to 6 75 per 1961 b. MERCANTILE SHIP NEWS. DEAL, March 12.-Arrived from the River, the Colonist, for Cardiff; got into collision with the Venus, from Shields to New York, during the gale of last night, and received trifling damage. LivErtrooD, March 12.-Sailed , the Cordova, for San Francisco ; the Univers_4, for New York. March 13.-Arrived, the Anglo-Saxon, from 310 bile; sailed, the Delaware, screw steamer, for Boston ; an d the Lancaster, for Philadelphia. SOUTHAMPTON, March 12.-Sailed, the Borussia, screw steamer, for New York. OFF HURST CASTLE, March 13.-Arrived, the Bavaria, screw steamer, from New Orleans. GRAVES END, March 14.- Arrived, The Venus from Shields, for New York. LIVERPOOL, March 13. - The Annapolis for Baltimore, the Lazarus for New York' -LIVERPOOL, March 14.-Arrived-The British Trident , from Mobile ; the Nictaux, from Savannah ; the Cuba, screw steamer, from New York ; the Helvetia, steamer, from New York. Sailed-The China, screw steamer, for New York ; the City of Washington, steamer, for Halifal c • The Viscata, San Francisco to this port, ashore on the Bth March off San Francisco, has been condemned and sold; the sale is said to have realised £1,500. COWES, March 13.-Arrived, the Bavaria, screw steamer, from Ne i !, Orleans, left Feb. 25, brings 86,668 for E ng l an d, and 62,058 for France. She left for Hamburgh. HoDyREADI March 14.-Arrived, the Darien, screw steamer, from Savannah. QUEENSTOWN, March 13.-Arrived, the net vetia, screw steamer, from New York. W EXFORD , Mere' 12.-The Nouvelle Helvetie, from New Orleans to Liver' pool, ashore yesterday at Ballyteigne, went to pieces la st night; nearly all the cotton and a large portion of the Indian corn'had been saved previous to her breaking uf" KINGSTOWN, March 12.-Arrived, the Homeward Bound/ from San Francisco. DEAL, March 14.-Arrived, from the river, the Polite., from Havannah. LIVERPOOL, March 15.-Arrived, the Lady Darling, from Santander ; and the Cuba, screw steamer, from New York. Sailed, th e China/ for New York ; the City of Washington, for Halifax ; the, Ashgrove and the Latona, for Calcutta ; and the city 0 ' Brooklyn, for New York. March 1 6.-Arrived, the Eclipse, from Galveston ; the Island Light, from New Orleans. BRISTOL, March 1,5.-Arrived, the Catherine Scott, from New York. Hopi/HEAD, March 14.-Arrived, the Cor dova, from Liverpool for San Francisco. LoNDeNDERh Y t March 14. -The Pleiades, barque, hence to Baltimore, whilst anchored at Moville yesterday during a gale was driven on a sand bank, but has been towed up here ; making water. ANTIGUA, Feb. 27.-Upwards of 9,000 bushels of corn have been landed from the Ocea n Ranger, Baltimore to Queenstown, which put in here 6th February with damage ; o n survey it wa s fowl, unfit for reshipment and has been or d e r e d to be spin . KINGSTON (Jamaica), Feb. 26. -The Cl a re n d o n, barque, ‘, ,N, London, has been surveyed, condemn e d, a nd is to be sce u by auction. NEW Yonx, March 3.-The Pennsylvan i9, screw steamer, which arrived here yesterday, from Liver pool,: experienced strong westerly w i n d s th e e ntire pas sage, and was detained 16 hours off Sandy Hook by ( a l snow storm. The master (Youn g ) an d th e crow were save from the Virginia, British b arque ,C o l on t o Mi na titl a n, wile was wrecked Feb. 12, at the entrance of the Blewfields h"r" hour. March 4.-The Annie E. Boyd, bound to London derry, has sunk at Philadelphia. The Benjamin Delano/ Havre to Falmouth, which p u t. nte Bermuda, Jan. leaky, &c., had been abandoned by the underwriters, an d was sold Feb. 28 ; cargo to be forwarded. The Aunt' : barque, Baltimore to Queenstown, put into Bermuda, Fe u to 19, in distress, and would discharge. The Huron, Vh . Black River (Jamaicm) to Queenstown, was spoken, -",: s 13, in lat. 24, long. 83, with mas t er s i c k and both nul, and five of the crew dead, by th e J. V. B. Dus e Moore, arrived here, which put a navigator on boa rd who would try to get the vessel to her destisati4 .. • March 5.-The St. Lawrence, British ba rqu e, from Ba u l, s more to Demerara, was aground, March 3, off Sae:. Point, Pataposco Ri ver , b u t wou ld p ro b a bly fl oa t on t r , rising of the tide, which was very low. The Wiley Sn'' Li t British schooner, from this port for Halifax, N.S., T re n o ashore, March 1, at Money Point, ne ar H ar t I s l an d. CunT",d HousE, March 16.-Vessel entered inwards, the 13 4: 0 Charlie,. from Boston. VESSELS SPOKEN Borusga, screw steamer, Southampton to New v",,, March 14, lat. 49 N., long. 11 W. ; the Allemannia, ec,., 1.° „ steamer, Southampton to New York, same day; the og e l s way, steamer, New York to the Clyd e , March 2, 20 0 Mll e east of Sandy Hook. DEAL, M ar ch 17.-Arrived from 1 . River, the Argonaut, for New York. L IVERP OOL, 313r h 0 15.-The Minnesota, steamer, f r om N ew Y or k, and ,c Thomas Freeman from Savannah were foul of ea other in the river this afternoon. March 16.-Arri ved, , the John Ellis, from New Orleans ; the Itic a j ro , from Havannah ; the Eclipse, from Galveston. ° 3ii for the Success, for New Orleans ; the Western Ocenni fo c. Boston ; the Baticola, and the Geo. Palmer, for Hall March 17.-Arrived, the Heiress, from Galveston ;„ Peterson, from New Orleans ; th e Al ex . M'Neil, Charleston. CLYDE March 17.-Arrived, the lowa, sc oa steamer, from New York. VESSELS SPOKEN Wail. , Belvidere, Galveston to Liverpool, F e b. 15, lat. 31 long. 33 W.; the Heiress, Galveston to Liverf',7 p e March 6, lat. 46 N., lo ng . 33 W. ; t h e R a l a home, „Y-s-sr. of Good Hope to New York, Feb. 3, lat. 17 S., long. LIVERPOOL, March 17.-Arrived, the Irene, from t o d Francisco. March 18.-Arrived, the Westmorelan d a 1 the John Geddie, from New Orleans. Sailed, the for Philadelphia; the City of Boston, for New York; .7. 0 03 the Joshia Lorina, for New Orleans. FADmouTil. 16.-Sailed, the Robert Stephenson, for Boston. MILF h as March 18.-The Annapolis, Liverpool to Baltimore s , it. put in here to-day very leaky, and with rudder ,P,!Tii DUBLIN, March 17.-Arrived, the Federico Losoeve,. trtub, New York. LOUGH FOYLE, March 18. - Arrive d Nestorian, stermer, from Portland, United States. f o r TOM-HOUSE.-Cleared out with cargo.-The Agneto Boston; the Active, for Philadelphia. VESSELS SFu ro , W ITH. -The Easthan, San Francisco to Liverpoo!l oged, 9, lat. 56, S. long. 79 W. LIVERPOOL, March 18.-ini t y the Louise, for Havannah; the Mary Scott and th'% ro h of Boston, screw steamer, for New York. COWES , 2 '4,0- 18. -Sailed, the Juliana Gonzales, for Havannah . . MOUTH, March 18.-Arrived, the Lurigi, from Philado4:`f FALMOUTH, March 18.-Sailed, the Fleur de Maurinooo, San Francisco ; the Rambler, for Boston. QuEE NsT March 18.-Arrived, the Brodreue, from New York. Births. 0- FOWLER—On the 22d inst., at 58, Kensington - g arden square, Hyde-park, the wife of Robert Fowler, Es"° , a son. IfonicE—On the 21st inst. , at The Villas, Erith , the Wife of Capt. 0. T. Morice, cf a son. pro' STOKES - On the 22d inst., at Cambridge, the wife of fessor Stokes, of a daughter. Marriages. r eb I BUSH DOGGETT— 0 n the 21st inst. ,at All Saha Ch i] „ 0 .. Leighton Buzzard; George Henry Bush, of Callyie street, E.C., and Eastdown Park, Lee, Sent, to f h too Georgia, third daughter of Mr. Doggett, o f L eig Buzzard. rge'''' LITTLEWOOD —CRAVEN—On the 21st inst , at St. — e° f tbe Hanover-square, Henry Bucknall, youngest son , ° , 1 „,. to late Thomas G. Littlewood, of Lineoln's-inn-Dc.`o"iiis Alice, widow of the late Charles 1). Craven, of L in inn, barrister-at-law. Deaths r . COMPTON— On the 20th inst., at Sidmouth, C on he la te Charles Talbot Compton , R.N., fourth son of tb . H. C. Compton, of Manor House, Lyndhurst. 00 0 ' COTERDALE On the 21st.inst., at 9, Somers-place, —,,, pack, John 03verdale, Esq., of 4, Bedford-row, (-411t1 inn, aged 79. G u ildfo rd CONNOP —On the 22d inst., se at Shalford Ho use r Woodhain Connop, Esq., aged 78. MARTIN— On the 21st inst., at Shame, Kent, Mr. C ll5 Martin, late of Strood, aged 70. WO' ROE —0 n the 21st inst., at Smith-street, Chelsea, Roe, jun. aged 40. Toss—On , the 21st inst., at the Grammar School, 16Srot!t bourne-road, Forest-hill, Z hotnas G. Tibbs, aged of No. 112, Stra London : printed a P n ---- Published aet Se as goy, tn thebTii?: Strand, in the Precinct int o e f ; ih itiddlespx.—Tuesday, March 2 4 , 1868 . Offi ce, 00% _ it? f AFTER After Dr After Ha After Ad After 01 After Su After Ice After St. After Pri Leaden Sing TIIE LUNOHE CUI High -clan ; &c. Privat( CENT OFF TO On and afi P•ui. to One R INAH This celebr Prize Medal. It is Pura. Sold. in Bat the Agents in 8, MU Observe the fn's LL Whi .RAND consequ( new Songs he M ent; kiss a stonishing T ransformsti( SIDNEY FBA' Dancer. Bishop's al Rum Brougha Frail Orches the Great Ma: The The doors the prices of at Mitchell's and all other the Hall from Special Noti and will apps; tns, Jolly Nits 'blarels. "FOND OAN TEI HOLL ENGAGEIII: BLONDIN, the vronderft o'clock, and T ACK°, tho I ncluding th( Talkin g Han Fred. Evans Crystal Salo( With 1,600 f Vlliars, Lond Stalls and 1 Ope Special No On his back a IiArADAN addORTRA ed P to the C Admission, 1 .d. extra. Open from 11 4RGYLI This magnift( by been YY Messrs. Rul ror the AIITIT! 8010 Cornet, 11 STOOPIIS PIGEO] h.'Pollted and c . ° I( YOIENIc CM a ges. It strei gestion, pains be alth and sy ' r aces and sta. st reet, Oxford pußNlsi ,u nlb er of Firs per Wee bid s unfurnished of 3vden 4—re Partio al, l louszs and or SOLE PROPER' D. T. H f'l descriptions Vile outlay. H t 'arahries can ` °7,lB ofbasine t iraristerr xi. A House-squ SPANISH ALEX. Peedily prod n c 6 d., and 1.1 ' 111 Ps• —ALE. a ll Chemists. IVONDE: in 0ne h0 4 . 3 preparaty removin Chemists. inps. Lndon. E 3014 n o les or Ad vic GREY HA eolo ALEX. fe. ur tamed ; e t rY natural e i ;: , : i 3 a n t t s. by pc IAIR, DI ' 1 London. tp Yes supQrfluc c loct out effect tc sent for 54 v,_skin are fl a irtiTAßLE tt2vrness, &c. all "AK LES ,jhernists. 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