The Northern Daily Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-12-27 00:00:00

wed au insurrection in the North, and seems de- I :ruined to upset the government. His first ti "empt was at Tumbes, but he failed miserably s t l e few men he had with him were all taken pri h?llers, and he narrowly escaped the same fate ths ' in self. He is now at Chiclago, near Lambayeque, "'°ng many of his friends and partisans. The kvernment considers his movements so dangerous General Torrico, the minister of war, has gone "'tn 800 troops to the North to put down the insur rection at once. Elias, the more reflecting part of the in seem to think, has played his part cu t l ,, in Peru, and cannot succeed in his desig n s . Zue Bolivian army in the South has passed the 4r ontiers of Peru, headed by General Belzu him self. This movement seems to have aston i s hed t he Peruvians, and at once aroused them into a ctivity. The President, General Echenique, is Preparing to leave immediately and take command cf the troops himself ; meantime Belzu has every C hance in his favor, there being no able Peruvian general to oppose him. The position of the govern inent may therefore be regarded as somewhat Critical ; in the North civil war is dreaded, from d iscontent, with Elias as its mover ; and in the South, the invasion by the Bolivians, whom it may I e no easy matter to repel. The guano commis lion have not yet published their report, and fears are entertained that the quantity is but small. A correspondent of the Panama Herald gives the following review of business matters in Valpa raiso :—There has latterly been some considerable eXcitement in specs to Californiatin flour, but the a rrival of the last two mails has damped the spirits Of buyers considerably. In other branches, busi. tress is somewhat dull, and though considerable Bales have been effected, rates are not such as to Justify shippers in confining themselves to this market StoCks are heavy and late arrivals give a Varrant that even present rates are not likely to be kaintained in English dry goods. Americans are also low and sales have been made in some cases at very low rates. Copper offering at 19 dollars 4 , 0 cents on board. Flour at 9 dollars ; both will decline somewhat during the coming month. In othe r articles prices are lower than last mail. We have advices from Mexico to the 3rd instant Ex-President Cevallos and Marcellus Castanedo, Judges of the Supreme Court, have been removed for refusing to accept the knighthood of the new Order of Guadeloupe, and Cevallos is exiled. It is rumoured that Moles, one of the chiefs of the late Yucatan revolution, has been captured and shot . The cholera had entirely ceased at Grida and else- Where. Rich gold placers have been discovered in ,the State of Sonora. The New Orleans Pic a y une learns from a private source that Santa Anna would assume the title of "Imperial Majesty" on and after the 12th of December. Havana advices of the Bth of December, state that General Canedo was to return to Spain in about a week. Consul Clayton had been duly re ceived. The British ship.of-war Vestal, at Havana, reported on the 18th of November, the brigantine Shamrock, from Matanzas for Philadelphia, was lost on Colorados reef, and the hull sold for 208 dollars. The commercial advices by the present arrival may, upon the whole, be considered of a satisfac- Character. In New York business in general was dull as was usual at the season of the year. The demand for money was rather more active, and although discounts were made with rather more reserve there had been no increase in the rates. The banks generally were in good condition, the last returns sheaving considerable increase in the 'clans, but a very small decrease in the specie and deposits. Exchange on London remained without material alteration, the quotations ranging at 91. .9t. The Stock Market was tolerably active, The ma generally had an upward tendency. - the markets for Bread Stuffs had been less active, and prices had declined from 61c. to 121 c. per brl. ?la Flour ; but the latest reports says the falling off ' 1 , 1 prices and decline in Freights for Grain and F lour, brought in large buyers to-day, and the market closed firm at $6l for State Flour, and 8 167 '! 0 $1 75 for prime parcels of white Wheat. About 0 ,000 bushels Indian Corn were taken at prices 'r anging 76c. to 81-1-c. according to the qua lit y and C ondition of the lots offered. Grain freights to kelperpool are down to 11d. to 12d. Flour, 3s. There were fifteen thousand brls. of Flour t a red at New Orleans on the sth instant, chiefly for Europe. NEW YORK MARKETS.-DECEMBER, 13. a Asnrs.—Are without change-100 kis. Pot brought 4,60 ; and 100 do. Pearl, $5,561. Export, from Ist to 13th December. 1863. 1852. Pot brls. 742 690 ...... . . . . . . p earl 205 151 .. .. .. .. .. .. COPPER.—New Sheathing is now held at 32 cents in lots 4 , wanted, and Bolts 3 6 ; and Yellow Metal and Y. M. ' , Jolt s at 26, 6 mos. Nothing done in Old. Corrox.—The demand since Friday last has been mode rately active, and the market closes steadily at the annexed quotations, which were adopted on Monday by the Board t he Brokers. The Arctic advised a slight improvement on the other side, consequent upon the reduced stocks, but it tlas had no perceptible effect here. The s a l es f or th ree Ys are 7720 bales, of which 2466 were for ex p ort, 2056 'af or home use, 909 on speculation, and 2299 in transitu. NEW YORK CLASSIFICATION. N. Orleans Upland. Florida. Mobile. & Texas. Ordinary 7l 7 1 7 2 7 1 - Middli ng lox i i 10- 4 i 4 10 1 Middling Fair Pair ...... . The arrivals have been from — Georgia 2,714 bales. South Carolina North Carolina Philadelphia Total 4,309 Total import since Ist inst 19,004 bales. Export, from Ist to 13th December. 1853. bales 9,271 Export from the UNITED STATES. Since Ist September, 1853.... bales, 228,359 Same time, 1852 FLotra AND MEAL.—The market for Western and State Flour opened dull and easier under the Niagara's accounts, and after the receipt of the Arctic's . still more unfavorable hews, a further considerable decline was established ; but, With a considerable reduction in freights to Great Britain, and an increased demand, there was a reaction yesterday, and a portion of the decline was recovered. Our revised quotations now stand 6 1 to 181 cents lower than on Friday last, the market closing with more steadiness, and fi r m. The common and medium descriptions are relatively scarce , and wanted for export. Canada is in good request, princi pally for Great Britain, and the sales reach 8000 brls at 16 75c. to $7, the market closing firmly at $6 75c. to 66 871 c. in bond, which is a slight decline. The sa les of domestic were —Saturday, 17,900 brls. ; Monday, 13,000 ; and yesterday, 27,000. tire quote : COTTON c. s c. Sour ..... 6 , ...per brl. oto 6 311 Superfine No. 2 State, common ',rands ............ 6 62' 1 - to 6 681 6 681 to 6 75 St a t e , straight brands State, favorite brands 6 75 to 6 81 1 Western, mixed ditto ..... ht ditto . 6 Michigan & Indiana, straig 811 to 6 871 Ohio, common to goo d brands .. . 6 75 , to 0 0 Ohio, round hoop, comm on .. ••• . 6 io to 6 811 Ohio, fancy brands .............. 6 871 to 6 931 Ohio extra brands ........... 6 93 1 to 7 621 Michigan & Indiana, extra ditto ... 687 to 0 0 Genesee, fancy brands ............ 7 81i to 7 931 Genesee, extra brands •' ..... •• • 7 0 to 8 0 1 Canada (in bond) .. . ..... • 675t06 87 2 Southern is in moderate demand, but our revise d q uo t a tions show a decline of 6' to 121 cents—the sales ar e 5,800 brls., the ma r ket closing firmly ' at $7 to $7 121 for mixed to straight brands Alexandria, Baltimore, and Georgetown, 37 12i- to 87 25 for favorite, and $7 25 to $7 621 for fanc iny -included in the sales were 2,000 brls. " G a llego," at 89 th e mill, and 600 extra Richmond, $6 371. Ry e flour is scarce, and prices are 61 to 121 cents higher—sales 250 brls. at $5 to 35 121 for fine, and $5 311 to $ 5 50 for superfine. uckwheat is plenty, but steady—sales at $2 to 32 25 per 1 00 lb., $4 25 to $4 75 for ordinary, and $ 5 121 for fancy per brl. Corn meal is quiet, and lower, with sales of 150 brls. Jersey at $3 75 to $3 871 Brandywine is nominally as last quoted. Exports, from Ist to 13th December. 1853. 1852. 'WHE AT FLOUR br15.196,044 42,480 GRAIN.--The demand for wheat has been rather less ac 'lye, and prices of common and medium qualities of Western s how a slight depreciation, while prime, being scarce, is firm, and without material variation ; towards the close, with a ec nsiderable decline in freights, there was au increased de mand for export, chiefly for completing cargoes, and the Floarket closed buoyantly—the sales include 16,200 bushels inferior to prime white Canada at 61,55 to $1,70; 7,900 in ferior_ to good red do., $ 1 , 40 to $ 1 , 5 2 in bond ; 10 , 600 ~,° lli nary to fair white Genesse, $ 1 , 70 to 8 1 , 76 1; 5 ,7 00 coin :Lion to ogood white Michigan, $1, 62 1 to $ 1 ,72 ; 11,000 good oprime white Pennsylvania, $1,73 to $1,75 ; 33,600 inferior ‘ r °Jhoic e w hit e S ou th er n, $1,67 to 81,721; 1,300 ordinary )o ,, r 't do., 81,50 t o $1,53; 19,900 common to good red " WWI, 81,46 to ; 81,66 4,000 choice rod Wabash, 0,60 ; and 1 , 600 red Long Island, on private terms. Rye continues in active request for export, chiefly to France and Bavaria, and prices have advanced from $1,03 to $1,12, closing no minally at the latter price—the sales reach 30,000 bushels, mostly at $1,04 to $1,07. Barley is dull, and prices are unchanged—sales 5,500 bushels, at 83 cents for good two rowed, and 86 to 864 for good four-rowed. Oats, with an active demand and moderate supply, have advanced about one cent. Corn has continued in active demand, especially old, which is wanted for export ; our quotations represent this description exclusively. New sells quite freely at 2to 4 cents below our quoted rates—say 78 to 79 cents for white, and 77 to 79 for yellow ; prices have not materially varied since Friday last, and the market closes with increased firm ness—the sales are 157,000 bushels. Export, from Ist to 13th December. 1853. 1852. Wheat .. .. bush. 745,463 169,935 Corn .. 163,174 7,301 laolt.—Since our last, 500 to 600 tons Scotch pig have been sold at $37, 6 mos., and 250 tons, $34 to $35, cash. English bars are now held at the advanced price of $65. LEAD.—Pig is in fair request, and we notice sales of 35 tons German at 63 cents., short time ; 50 do. Spanish, 6 ; 545 pigs Ulster county, 6; and 16 tens old, .sa, cash. NAVAL STORES. —Turpentine is in small supply, and with a fair demand, the market is without change. Spirits tur pentine declined yesterday, which induced a more active de mand, and considerable sales were made at 64 to 65 cents., cash, and 66 to 67, 60 days. The exports of rosin continue large, as will be seen by the freight engagements of the last three days. The sales since Friday are 1000 brls. Wil mington and North County turpentine at $4,75 to $4,94 per 280 lbs.; 1,500 spirits turpentine, 64 to 65 cents., cash, 651 short time, and 66 to 67, 60 days—retail lots 66 to 67, cash ; 2,800 common rosin, $1,64 to $1,65 for North County, $1,75 for New-Berne, and $1,75 to $l,BO for Wilmington, delivered ; and 450 No. 2, $2. Tar sells in lots as wanted for consumption, within our range. PROVISIONS.—The demand for Western pork continues moderate, and with an increased supply offering prices have declined—Mess. 122 cents, and prime, 122 to 26—the sales are 1900 brls., the market closing heavily. Included in the sales were parcels of new Western, the first of the season, at $l5 for mess, and $l2 for prime ; the sales besides include sour mess at $11,76 to $l2, and sour prime, $6,26 to $6,621, Beef is in fair request, and prices are without change—sales 1850 brls. within our range. New city may be quoted $l3 to $l4 for mess, and $6,25 to $6,50 for prime ; extra mess remains quiet and nominal at $15,50 to $16,50. Prime mess is in moderate demand, with sales of 75 tcs. at $22 to $22,75 Beef hams are without change, and the sales reach 550 brls. at $l3 to $l6 for country and Chicago. Pickled meats are more plenty and heavy—sales 375 tcs. at 91, to 10 cents for hams, and 6,1 to 7 for shoulders. Dressed hogs are pressing on the market, and are heavy at 6 to 62 cents. The cutting this season, thus far, has been mostly bacon for the English market, which offers greater induce ment to packers than to cut hogs up into pork at the low prices which have ruled so far this season. Last year, pork packing commenced much earlier than this, and a large business was done for the California and Australia markets. Lard is moro plenty, but with a fair demand prices do not vary—sales 875 brls. and trcs. at 91 to 10 cents for fair to prime old, and 10 to 101 for new —kegs are quiet. Butter is in good demand, and though the receipts continue large, there is no accumulation, and prices remain steady. Cheese is in good request, chiefly for home use at previous prices. Export, from Ist to 13th December. 1863. ..trcs.499 . brls. 1,428 .. 3,911 .keg 5.6,999 Beef. . . Beef... Pork . Lard .. . . ...... .... equal to. 1862. 2,177 982 1,340 944 RICE —ls quite dull, with sales of but 250 trcs. at $3,811 ,o $4,50, cash. SALT.—We notice sales of a cargo Curacao about 471 cents, 4 months; and 3,600 sacks Liverpool fine, and 3,000 do. ground, on terms not made public. TOBACCO is in moderate request, and we notice sales of 75 hhds. Kentucky at 51 to 10 cents. ; 26 bales Kentucky stems, $1 30 per 100 lb. ; 70 Havana, 24 to 40 ; 176 cases Ohio, New York, and Connecticut, 5 to 121 ; and 305 bales Baracoa and Mayaree, on private terms. FREIGHTS.—The market to Great Britain and the Conti nent is unsettled, and decidedly lower rates have been accepted, particularly by vessels desirous of completing their cargoes. Vessels of all kinds are scarce, especially those of moderate tonnage, and in every direction but to Great Britain and the Continent, rates are firmly supported. To Liverpool we note engagements of 10,000 brls. flour at 3s. to 3s. 6d. ; 120,000 bushels wheat and corn, 10d. to Hid., including 10,000 bushels corn in ship's bags, at the lower rate ; 1200 bales cotton, 5-32 d to 3-16 d ; 8000 brls. rosin and turpentine, (mostly rosin), 4s. to 4s. 6d. ; 50 lard, 35s ; 800 spirits turpentine, Bs. ; 500 kegs butter, 375. 6d.; 100 hhds. tallow, 375. 6d. ; and 350 tcs. beef, 6s. 6d. To London, 6000 brls. flour, 4s. 6d. to 4s. 9d.; 25,000 bushels wheat, 14d. to 15.0. ; 1000 brls. rosin, ss. ; 2000 turpen tine, ss. ; 800 tcs. beef, 7s. 6d. ; 65 brls. clover seed, 6s. ; 50,000 lb. whalebone, td. ; 10 pipes wine, 30s. ; 100 bxs. tobacco, a of a cent. ; 150 bales sponge, I cent. ; some ashes, 40s. ; and bacon 455. From Flour. Meal Wheat. Corn Brls. Brls. Bush. Bush New York Dec. 13 423,801 280 3,184,521 286,118 New Orleans . —Dec. 3 3978 . . 36,549 Philadelphia .Dec. 9 144,734 8908 325,743 246,496 Baltimore .Dec. 9 106,300 507 124,688 25,809 Boston .Dec. 9 5,748 186 5,800 16,412 Other ports .......Dec. 3 6,214 . 13,200 3,740 Total 689,775 9881 3,653,852 615,124 Same time last year... 326,325 2 2,216,310 52,465 2 8979 Increase. Decrease. 363,450 1,437,642, 562,659 TO THE CONTINENT. Flour. Wheal Brls. Bush. From New York, to Dec. 13... 348,740 1,087,96 From other ports to latest dates 60,024 13,90' Bush. it 20,092 6,384 Total.. 408,764 1,101,868 26,476 MARKETS BY TELEGRAPH. Cmcmarri, Tuesday, Dec. 13.—Our market for hogs is steady. Sales of 3,000 at $4 25 to $4 30. The receipts to this date are 74,000 short of same time last year. Pro visions are inanimate. Prime hardened lard, Bc. ; shoulders, Sc.; sides, 41e. ; mess pork, $ll 50. Flour has declined to $5. Freights are high, say $1 for pork to New Orleans, and 75c. for flour. _ _ _ NEW ORLEANS, Tuesday, Dec. 13.—The sales of cotton to-day have been 5,000 bales at firm prices. The stock on band is now 205,000. Sterling Exchange is at 9to 91 prem. Freights to Liverpool, 13-16 d. CHARLESTON, DEC. 12.—Sales cotton to-day 1,360 bales. Market fine, with upward tendency. Quotations range from 8 to 101. CHARLESTON, DEC. 13.—Sales to-day, 2,600. Market fine, and still upward. Quotations 81 to 10 1 . HA.VANNA, DEC. B.—Sugars were flat, and the new crop was coming. Coffee was in demand. Rum active. In codfish a fair business was doing. Lard and lumber were in active request. Freights dull. Exchange languid at premium on New York and Boston. KEY WEST. —The brig Rufus Soule of New York, bound from Wilmington for New Orleans arrived in a leaky condi tion, and was repairing. The Br. ship Courser would sail in a week for Liver pool—salvage awarded, 14 per cent, on 5140,000 minus ex penses. RUSSIA AND TURKEY. , t 3 • PI k ) , 0 0 rtz I=l sl o 04 ..bd co . 0 4a 4.. CO r. 4 ' , CI • $.3 0 .13 0 1:1 .a' 0 4 4 tn . p.., +. o a> 4 P. fi t.,, 0 ....° .-. e" -- . :4 `,73 2 VI z . ~..2, 0 Tis 2,c0 1 .4 F.l • , tr cu 73 . ') -41.• 0 ~ 1 1..4 -c. - J • 0 %.5. p °co 4 0 '' go:4 .. 8 i'-.' 8 4''''' 0 4 0 C., 14 a ) s. Mt R.... 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I CA .4 , 1 , • co •-•• • : •---cr, N• car,. vo - •—• — ct co .. CO ILO CO Csl .41 Cm CI 0t.... 0.-• •c 0 o .44 • • ..,1 4 0 I^ -Q, •cO •et, •el• • •CO CO .-I o 4 t•-• ••-i 001^.... .CD 1 . --- •cdc r-1 00 0, : •0 CD • •C, t".• GO ••••1 • 1`... kCJ • •GO Cc' r-i r—r ••••T s GYZ CI LOLO • •0 CO • • 0 r-•I CV Cl • •VD to • • ceD CS7 . CO • •Cq CC) : • r-i • 0 . • • k 4) CD • •a, • ••:1 4 1 - -- ~.`,- CT O "di CI Cn -J.. a) 1 ". ` 4 1 4 • , 4"D t- • • • c..S • • ••4 4 'di r+ CO - Ci .' CO 06 0, C• 11 C) CD.--, •CO • cl) • •tD 0 r-i :00 • . : .co VC o , i IS C.s‘ CA 1--u, • •co co • •co mg a)...k0 • •oo ko • • 1-- ko IN. ...4 . C.i 06 . Cr a c o .-• co C 74 La VD a.] ed 0 La C.l CV C.D La 0 'l+ La La CO La La 0$ CO 0 0 CD 4 . 3 O 's 4' co" C\l Y. CI ri d C 4 0 ri r-1 ri CO 00VZ 0 CD IL.• v•-1 0•1 ktZ C• 11 000 •--• 'IC • 00 00 eic 00 000 C 0 • orys - 4ro6rui' , .: cir c 6 ri ci N a4 A a; a; O .-4 oi c; . . v.. ' ci l ) t tr, C) t) 5 8 ci) . '8 t ,sz .c:, ,n ..0 r. O 4. 0 r 0 pC ) rn en FIEEEEIEIOOEIEI c, c , c..., la. c, c, C, P. c, a) a, a , a, c, a) a, a, 0 a, a, AAAZAA A Z A A ...!. . . . . . •: • . c4l g : : : • 5:-.:., • • • .3 -o , 0 • s 0 • . Al • .3 ~., 0 ~.. • 004 .cdoc-).F.s. P 4 E.,11-•,5•F?' A'4,2•t1.9g 6.. r, in the Receipts. Ports. Augusta and Hamburg December 1 Macon, Geo. December 1 __ December 1 Columbus, Geo . - - Rome, Geo. November 24. Montgomery, Ala. November 14. Memphis, Tenn. November 15. Columbia,: S. ,C. Stock of Cotton in Interior Towns not included cr) co CJ • N co • cr• 06 . ... CV rz C.) cq THE NORTHERN DAILY TIMES. Vessels Loading in the United States for Foreign Ports. Great Other Ports. Britain. France. Ports. New Orleans ..December 2. 26 11 6 Mobile December 2. 5 1 9 Florida Savannah December 9. 7 3 1 Charleston December 9. 6 2 ... New York December 13. 49 16 89 Total 87 33 105 EXPORT OF BREAD STUFFS, FROM THE UNITED STATES TO GREAT BRITAIN AND Since Ist September, 1853. PROGRESS OF HOSTILITIES The following are the latest accounts of the pro gress of the Eastern question, collected from every quarter : - - -- - - - VIENNA, SATURDAY MORNING.—We have advices from Constantinople to the 16th instant. The Vienna Note reached Constantinople on the 15th, when Redschid Pacha had an interview with the foreign ministers. He promised to do his utmost for the furtherance of peace at the Grand Divan, which was to meet on the 20th, but thought that the conduct of Persia and Russia would render an arrangement very difficult. The correspondent of one London journal says : —" The demand for the combined fleets to enter the Black Sea had been refused, because the fleet destroyed at Sinope was under orders to convey ammunition, &c., to Circassia, with a view to in duce Russian subjects to revolt." The other ac counts do not confirm this report. Both the Turkish minister in Persia, and the Persian minister at Constantinople, have quitted their posts, contrary to the advice of the French and English ministers. The Turks are preparing for an expedition against Sebastopol. VIENNA, SATURDAY EVENING.—The Persians and Russians have opened a direct communication The Russian General Yermoloff is to command the Persian force. By advices from Tiflis of the 2nd, we learn that the Persian Beglerbegs on the frontier have received orders to prepare quarters for the reception of troops. BUCHAREST, DEC. 16.—0 n the 12th, 13th, and 14th inst., large masses of Russian troops were marching upon Lesser Wallachia- Prince Gortschakoff has taken the command of the troops in that part of the country. BELGRADE, DEC. 16.—The Russian court has given an evasive answer to the Servian complaint respect ing the dangerous proximity of the ex-Prince Mi losch to the Servian frontier. M. de Fonton has been appointed by the Empe ror of Russia Imperial Commissioner in Servia. Firing takes place daily between Giurgevo and Rutschuk. 34,000 troops are destined for Little Wallachia. The accounts in the second editions of the Lon don morning papers of yesterday, or of the evening journals, do not enable us to add any news of a later date from the Danube or the seat of hostili ties in Asia; and there has not been published any authentic intelligence respecting the move ments of the combined fleets. The Austrian minister in Paris is stated to have declared that it is impossible for Austria to remain passive, and permit the Emperor of Russia to pro ceed in a career of ambition which would be fatal to the balance of power in Europe, and to the interest of Germany. Changes in the French cabinet are no longer spoken of, and ministers are now firmly united. Tries tohfethß t eeu Persians dispatch sians hina vo o ev f e me D ne e tn c e „ tr es 2 de 4 n t K I , ht ms iva, a on t m o d t n h g e , news de stroyed Achmetzen in Independent Tartary. The Patrie contains the following : "We have never doubted that the French Go vernment which has taken in hand the affair of the Levant, the cause of humanity and of violated treaties, would adopt when the proper time came a decision worthy of itself and of France, the massacre of Sinope, which has no precedent ex cepting in the annals of the Lower Empire, has made throughout the whole of kurope an immense and painful sensation. It creates for the civilised nations a new position. The Independent Belge published information as to the new attitude of France, which we are persuaded will be received with a lively sentiment of gratification. We think it our duty to call in a most particular manner the attention of our readers to the following passage. The Government of the Empire, if my informa tion be correct, had put the question to the British Cabinet in terms of such distinctness, that any escape, any compromise, became impossible.'" THE NINISYRY-A MANIFESTO. A remarkable article upon the return of Lord Palmerston to the administration—its probable stability—the foreign relations of the Empire—and electoral reform—appears in the Times of yester day. This manifesto—for in that light we regard it—is ushered in with all the eclat of double-leaded types ; and is couched in that studied formality of language which leads us to conclude that it is as far official as is possible for the inspirations of English journals to be. But while these circumstances will arrest for this article the attention of the empire, we are solicitous to concentrate observation upon one particular sentence, which, if we read it aright, both per se, and with the context, seems to tell us that we are in a position of actual war. This sentence is as follows : " Is this empire, at a moment when it is about to stake its honor and its power on the hazards of war, and reluctantly to take up arms for the first time these forty years against one of the greatest states in Europe, to exhibit to mankind the weak and pitiable object of a commonwealth divided and weakened at its very heart?" We have not overlooked a subsequent passage in which the state of war is rather qualified than de clared; but for our parts we can hardly believe the sentence we have quoted would have been written, unless it has occurred that the Eastern difficulty has been submitted to what has been termed " the last arbitrament of kings" DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN NEW YORK. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF HARPER AND BROTHERS IN RUINS.-OVER 81,000,000 OF PROPERTY DESTROYED The enormous printing, stereotyping, binding, and pub lishing establishment of Harper and Brothers, which has been for many years one of the most magnificent monuments of private enterprise which our city, and indeed our country, could boast, was entirely destroyed by fire on Saturday last, and now lies a shapeless mass of smouldering ruins. The buildings were ten in number, extending through the entire block from Cliff to Pearl-streets, five fronting on each. For the last few months, the Cliff-street entrances have been closed, the principal business being transacted in the build ings on Pearl-street, fronting on Franklin-square. These buildings were five stories high, and all new. Having suffered from a fire some ten years since, the Harpers had taken extraordinary precautions to prevent the recurrence of such a calamity. They had a large steam boiler in the cellar, but, with this exception, no fire was ever allowed to be used about the building in any form. The gas lights were so arranged as to be perfectly safe. All the buildings were heated by steam-pipes, which had been car ried, at an expense of over $6,000, into every part of them, and instead of the charcoal furnaces generally used in bind ing establishments, for heating the tools, gas burners had been provided to take their place. Under these circum stances, a fire was impossible, but for one of those accidents which cannot be foreseen, and against which, therefore, no provision can be made It is necessary to clean the ink rollers used in the Adams presses ; and this can only be done effectually by employing camphine. In order to render the use of this pe-fectly safe a small room had been provided on the third floor of the lower building on Pearl-street, adjoining the press room, so as to be easy of access from it. This room had been lined with zinc, and all the precautions taken which seemed necessary to insure its safety. The camphine used was kept in shallow iron pans, and the paper, rags, &c., with which it was applied, of course, were scattered about the room. It seems that a plumber was employed in this room on Satur day, to make some repairs; and in the course of his work he had necasion to use a light. He lit an oil lamp and threw the match into one of the camphine pans, supposing it to be water. It blazed up instantly,—set fire to the paper, rags, &c., with which it was surrounded,—burst through the partitions, and almost instantly swept with tremendous fury through the entire range of buildings. This occurred at a quarter to one o'clock, and in less than two hours the entire establishment was in ruins. Some twenty minutes elapsed before any engines brought their streams of water to bear upon the flames, and then the conflagration had be come too fierce to be checked. The alarm of fire, of course, created the greatest con sternation among the operatives. Those in the greatest peril were the girls in the folding room, in the story above the one on which the fire had taken. Most of them rushed to the stairway, which was their usual place of egress, and escaped without difficulty. Others were too much bewil dered to avail themselves of this, until it was too late, and were rescued from the windows by the firemen's ladders. Captain Rosenquest, the foreman of the bindery, was very efficient in forcing many of them to go down the stairway, and, by his coolness and courage, aided in saving valuable account and other books. Most of the men employed in the pressroom were compelled to rush out for their lives, being unable to sieze even their hats and coats. All the presses were at work, but not one of them, not even one of the stereotype plates upon them, could be saved. As soon as the alarm was given Lin the business office, Colonel John Harper, the financial partner, took $3,000 which was lying in his desk, called the bank clerk, gave him the book of a bank where he knew his account had been slightly over drawn, and sent him to deposit the amount—fearing lest the bank officers should be uneasy after the fire. He then went to the head of the stairs leading to the pressroom,-- and seeing the hoplessness of attempting to save anything— directed the engineer to make his way to the boiler and let off the steam. The other members of the firm, gathered together all the books of accounts, subscriptions, receipts, &c., &c„ and put them in the large safe, which was dragged out and left on the side walk 'in Pearl-street, where it still remains. The desks, with their contents, ware also saved. During all this time, the bells of the city had been ringing the alarm for the seventh district, and engines, hose carts, hook-and-ladder carts, &c., had gathered in great numbers. Vast volumes of flame poured out from both fronts, and overtopped the lofty buildings; and a black column of smoke rose heavily, but rapidly, from the centre of the block. The engine companies poured streams of water upon the flames, upon either side, but with no apparent effect, and their at tention was soon turned to the task of saving the adjoining buildings. The police were present in large force, under the immediate direction of the chief, and were efficient in preserving order, and in facilitating the operations of the firemen. Not less than twenty thousand people had ga thered as spectators—filling Franklin-square and all the adjoining streets, and gazing with astonishment upon the impressive spectacle. The proprietors of the establishment, having done all they could to secure the safety of the persons in the building, and seeing the hopelessness of any effort to save the property, took up their stand in Firth and Hall's music establishment, from ,which they had a view of the blaze, which was sweeping away, in a single hour, the fruits of their labor and enterprise for thirty years. By 4 o'clock, the walls of all the buildings had fallen down—the vast stores of books and other property had been consumed—and immense heaps of brick and mortar, over which the flames and smoke continued to hover as if with grim and but half-satiated fury, were all that remained of this great and renowned establishment. The amount of property destroyed by this conflagration is very heavy—larger, prolpably, than any single establish ment in this city has ever before been called to sustain—and larger, it is not improper to add, than many others could sustain. The Harpers, as an invariable rule, stereotype every book they publish, being able thus to work off new editions as they may be required. These plates, therefore, are invaluable, as enabling them to . resume business as soon as presses and other required facilities can be obtained. It is believed that they are all saved. The whole of the property in the buildings of the Harpers was estimated at $1,655,000, of which about $450,000 value was saved, the loss being thus not less than $1,205,000. Upon this immense amount the insurance was not over $250,060; so that the nett loss to the Harpers will not be much short of a million of dollars. The insurance was effected in a great number of companies, only one company having over $5,000. That one is an English company, which has an agency in Boston. Enormous as is the loss they have sustained, and over whelming as it would seem to be, the fire had not completed its ravages before the Harpers had taken measures to repair them. We understand that the amount of their insurance is far more than enough to discharge all their indebted ness, while they have very heavy outstanding accounts, and private resources more than adequate to replace the establishment in the position it held on Saturday morning last. Probably there is not another firm in the United States which combines within itself more business energy, enter - prise, and efficiency, than of these four brothers ; and severe as is the disaster, which has fallen upon them, the lapse of a year, we are confident, will see them again in the full tide of an enormous business. The magazine will, of course, receive their first attention. The enormous edition which they print,—over 135,000 copies,—renders it necessary, as a matter of course, that it should be put to press a month in advance. The magazine, which for the last year or two has consider ably interfered with the other publications of the Harpers, will, of course, suffer a temporary interruption. The Janu ary number of this periodical, which has a circulation of 136,000 copies, was nearly ready for the public when the fire took place. Nothing, not even a line of copy, remains of it, and the whole will have be done over, but a delay of a few days only is expected in its issue. Among many new books which were consumed is Dr. Kane's History of his Arctic Explorations,—a large octavo, profusely illustrated with engravings. The establishment of the Harpers was founded by James Harper, the eldest of the four brothers who now constitute the firm. He came to the city in 1810, a lad fifteen years old, and served an apprenticeship of six years to Paul and Thomas, the leading printers of that day. His brother John soon followed him, and learned the trade of M r . S e y mo u r , a printer, in John-street. In 1817, with the small capital James had saved, the brothers opened a small book and job office in Dover-street. The first book they printed was Sene ca's Morals ;—the second was an edition of the Methodist Catechism. The first book they published on their own ac count was Locke's Essay on the Human Understanding. They toiled with unremitting industry, and maintained the highest character for enterprise and integrity. In 1820 the third brother, Joseph Wesley, joined them, and six years later Fletcher became a member of the firm. From that time until now they have carried on the publishing business with a degree of well-directed energy, which has few parallels. They removed to Cliff-street about 1820, and have added one building after another to their establishment as the demands of their business required. The amount of books they have issued is almost incalculable. For the last few years they have published, on an average, twenty-five volumes a minute for ten hours a day; and from three to four thousand persons have obtained a livelihood from their employment. From the Messrs. Harpers' premises the fire extended to many others in Cliff-street, and the consequence was the destruction of property to the extent of one million and a half of dollars, and the burning of fifteen houses. The New York Times of the 12th recounts four other fires in different quarters. The only person seriously injured 'was Ellen Totten, one of the girls in the employment of the Harpers. She jumped from a two-story window, and was caught in the arms of Mr. G. C. Hebbard. The fall, however, produced a dis location of the hip and internal injuries, which, it is hoped, will not be fatal. We understand that the heavy losses of the Messrs. Har pers will not prevent them from resuming their business immediately and prosecuting it with characteristic vigor, i.e., provided the insurance offices are as prompt and ener getic in thtir movements, which we have no doubt they will be. There are so many laboring people dependent upon the enterprise of these gentlemen, that it becomes a matter of great moment for them to resume their works as speedily as possible. We hope to see them in fall operation ih a few days. CIO Csl k•• • ktO mil •CO CO ' e co ,p. cc ._. CO 0 CI • 0 0 •CO VS ' id , t• t- : • CeJ C: , C : 't' • 00 ,-.' , } 4.' 0 . 7 VD ,-, cr) • ..o csi • -di krz - ..*7 it-J c) •-• C 4 CO CV CO • 1 . -- V.. •CO 06 . GC; GO •Gt. kt - J ...44 • c., . g • 1 ia, i'-,). e, 0 d E-I •1 A 31,150 8,749 12,701 1,038 16,356 20,962 30,841 13,377 15,097 1,000 11,120 5,663 SOHO STREET .RAGGED SCHOOLS. On yesterday the children of these schools were entertained at a substantial dinner of roast beef and plum pudding, by Thomas Berry Horsfall, Esq., M.P. It was served in the police-station at Rose-hill, which was kindly placed at the disposal of the school committee for the occasion. The children, boys and girls, to the number of 150, headed by their teachers, and a band of musicians composed of some of their companions, marched into the room at one o'clock, and after they had sung a hymn, proceeded to the " attack," which though not short, was evidently "sharp and decisive." The band, both before and after dinner, played a variety of airs in a very praiseworthy style. Owing to the consecration at Crosby, Mr. Horsfall could not attend ; but the following ladies and gentlemen were present :—Mr. and Mrs. Chilton, Mr. and Mrs. T. D. Anderson, Mrs Horsfall, Mr. L. M. Brodie, Misses Highfield, Misses Brownall. Miss Westrey, Capt. and Mrs. Greig, Mr. and Mrs. Hubback, Mr. Board man, Mrs. Mason, New Brighton ; Mrs. Bull, Mr. and Mrs. Langley, Mr. and Mrs. Dean, Mr. James Gillespie, Mr. James Brougham, cousin to Lord Brougham; Mr. and Mrs. Heath, &c. Mr. David Peake, Richmond-row, gratuitously supplied the knives and forks, table-linen, &c. As an instance of the advantages of such institutions, we may mention that one of the assistants present was himself the pupil of a ragged school. He was taken off the streets just as he was about to plunge into the course of wickedness, pursued but by too many. He attended assiduously to his school duties, and he now fills a situation of considerable trust in the employ of Mr. Hubback, the secretary. Dinner having been partaken of by the children, Mr. HUBBACK, secretary of the institution, then addressed them. He expressed his regret that others were not pre sent whose voices, being less familiar to them than his, might impress them more. However, although his voice was familiar to them he trusted it would prove instructive. In the first place he should tell them that for the entertain ment of that day they were indebted to a kind gentleman who had been unable to be present. He alluded to Mr. Horsfall, with whose name they were no doubt familiar, and who was, as they were aware, one of the representatives of the borough. It was he and he alone who hadinneentect to them that eumptuous repast, and he hoped they would all feel thankful to Mr. Horsfall for his kindness. There was one way in which they could express their thanks to Mr. Horsfall, and only one—and that was to be all good boys and good girls. Yesterday he (Mr. Hubbock) had told them one reason, in fact the great reason, why Christmas was a time of rejoicing,becauit that uponthat day the Saviour of the world was born, previous to whose coming upon earth there was nothing but darkness and wickedness upcn the whole face of the globe, but he came and he showed them the way in which men should live, and how they should be prepared to die. His great mode of teaching was by kindness, and by showing how to avoid all the bad passions which so often disturbed the minds of men. He taught that in place of men beating their enemies they should love them. Since his time, and throughout all ages, that day had been kept as a day of rejoicing, and hence it was that they were met to day, and he hoped an impression had been made upon their minds by which they would ever remember Christmas as a day of joy and a day of happiness. Now, what was required of them in return for the kindness which had been shown them, was simply this—they could not do much, but still they could do something: Each of them in their own little sphere could show to those who did not know the kindly feelings which had been taught to them, how they ought to live, and how they i ought to act. The speaker here illus trated the greater influence of kindness than harsh command, by the fable of the sun and wind contending which should compel the traveller to give up his cloak; and observed, that from that fable, they . could learn a great deal of truth. The truth which they might learn was simply this : that they could never make people to love them, and could never get what they wanted by using strong harsh words. They must try by little expressions of affection, by little atten tions, and not by any bad, coarse, strong language ; and by using kindness, by using affection towards all around them, they would find th w at parties who might have opposed them in what they wanted, would act like the man with the cloak in the fable, and throw all these bad passions and their feelings of opposition aside. He trusted that that day would not in any way be forgotten by one of them, and that the kindness which had been shewn to them, would act as a stimulant upon them throughout the remainder of the time that they continued in connection with the schools in Soho street. They knew that one good action deserved another. Mr. Horsfall had been kind to them ; and in return for that kindness, and the kindness which had been shewn to them by all their friends, they should evince attention to their classes, industry, and a desire to learn that which they knew they should learn, in order to get an honest li ve lih oo d ; f or , as he had often told them, there was not a single boy or girl who went into the schools in Soho-street, who would not, if they did their duty, succeed, .go forward in life, get into situations, and not only get into situations, but, by following the course which was taught them in these schools, keep them and prosper. He would not be satisfied himself, nor would other members of the committee, until they made the Soho-street schools the very best schools in Liverpool. The boys and girls there ought to be the very best in Liverpool. lefauy peumma watohcd uvc. thew. Thule wua not a lady or gentlemen upon the committee who would not give the very clothes off their backs if it would do good to the pupils of these schools. Now, they all knew the way to prosper in the world and do good. The course had been very often set before them, and if they did not follow it, it would not be the fault of the committee. Whose fault, then, he asked them, would it be ? Several of the boys and girls here replied, " our fault." Mr. HUBBACK said he was satisfied that they felt the responsibility, and if they felt that it depended upon them selves they would succeed. Let every one of them make up his mind that if he was not able to read now he would read in a month, that if he could not write now he would write in a month, and let them all be determined to get situations, and determined to succeed, and if they were so determined he hoped that none of them would ever be in that place again, except upon the occasion on which they were now assembled. They should also, after thanking Mr. Horsfall, thank the watch committee of Liverpool, for the kind man ner in which they had granted the use of that noble room upon that occasion. They might perceive that there were hundreds in Liverpool who cared for them. He trusted, therefore, that none of them would prove undeserving of the kindness which had been shown to them, but that they would show, by a course of good conduct, that the t appreciated every effort which had been made for their advantage. The speaker t 1 en concluded his address, which was loudly ap plauded by his hearers. Mr. HEATH then addressed the party. He observed that had he not been forewarned before he came into the room, he would have been very much alarmed to have heard that the ragged school children were in the hands of the police. But even if he had not been so forewarned, that alarm would have disappeared when he saw that they were not only under the kind guardianship of the police, but in their very house; because he knew that upon that occasion the police, as rep resented by their chief constable, Captain Greig, had been their very best friend. It was with Captain Greig that the suggestion arose for their assembling in the station ; and therefore though the police might be a word of terror and danger to the evil doers, to those who did well they were good and kind friends. He (Mr. Heath) wished to improve that little circumstance by impressing upon them that it was just the same way their heavenly Father stood towards them. He was a terror to the sinner, but he did not desire to be a terror ; on the contrary, he desired most earnestly to be a father and a friend to all. If they were good, he would be a friend to them; but if they hid their face from him, when their conscience smote them for breaking his laws, then in deed would he be a terror to them. Mr. Hubback had ex plained to them the occasion they were there, and there fore it was unnecessary for him (Mr. Heath) to remind them that they celebrated on that day the anniversary of our Saviour's birth; but he would recall to their recollection the beautiful language of the angels to the shepherds, when announcing the birth—" Glory be to God on high, and peace on earth to men of good will." Those words should operate on all christian hearts, and it was in consequence of the words of Christ, that they (the children) had so many friends who were anxiously desirous of promoting their wel fare and benefit. In that word " good will," what a great deal was expressed. On the present occasion, it expressed that they should have all the proper enjoyments of the sea son ; but they should not allow Christmas to be associated in their mind merely as a day of roast beef and plum pud ding; no, it should carry to their minds the idea of a spi ritual duty. It was clear that God meant by his command ment peace and good will to all, and therefore he (Mr. Heath) wanted particularly to urge on them the necessity of bearing this in their hearts, and to exhibit it not only in their out ward actions, when under the eye of their masters and friends, but on all occasions, and to all. Let them not suppose that, because they were poor children, they were incapable of doing or showing kindness to those above them. It was in their power to make their own homes comfortable, and by their example to reclaim from their drunken and vicious habits their too negligent fathers and friends. Mr. Heath strongly impressed this point on his youthful audience, and concluded by calling on them for three cheers for Mr. Horsfall. The call was promptly responded to, after which the pro ceedings terminated. LIST OF PASSENGERS PER ROYAL MALL STEAM-SHIP EuRoPA, no NEW Yonx, 14th DECEMBER, 1853,—Mr. Antonio Palacio, lady and child ; Mr. H. G. Wheaton ; Mrs. T. Dyamond; Miss A. Dyamond; Mr. Parnell, lady and child; Mr. Marryat, lady and child; Messrs. R. W. Sykes, I. S. Oxley, C. Miming, S. Spittaler, Roasin, Murray, M. Rothschild, J. A. Knight, Wade, Denholm, Winslow, H. C. Speldon, W. Chambers, J. Howard, and servant, H. C. Becton, Riker, Harty, Shaw, Millet, Corseret, E. Ryan, R. Reid, Manelino Palacio, Broadbent, and lady ; Messrs. T. Savandero, R. Coleman, Tilghman, A. Molson, Chevalier, Muller, J. Dunkin, W. R. Morgan; Mrs. Condon, M. Hughes, and two children; Messrs. McAuslan, J. Koch, J. B. Price, D. Leslie, G. W. Stuart, G. R. R. C. Wells, N. Davis, Frehon, A. Raskeway, Martin, Fitz Milner, J. Lucas, U. A. Franco, D. Farquharson, M. Mellis. DRUNKENNESS IN LIVERPOOL.—There were upwards o 150 persons brought before the magistrates, at the police. office, yesterday, charged with being drunk and disorderl; on the preview day. THE STRIKES IN EAST LANCASHIRE. (FROM OUR OWN REPORTER.) DECEMBER 26. To-day:a large meeting of operatives took place in Union square, Bury, for the purpose of taking into consideration the steps that should be taken with respect to the present struggle between the factory operatives and their employers. On Saturday evening last a meeting of the " Bury cotton spinners and manufacturers' association" was held, the re sult of which was that a notice should be extensively posted , throughout the district, which might in the opinion of the meeting lead to a final settlement of the matter in dispute. 'The following is the notice to which we have referred : " Some months ago we were compelled, in self-defence, to form an association for the purpose of supporting each other against the encroachments and unreasonable demands of a por tion of our work people; and on the 25th of October we issued a notice that if the disputes then existing between the operatives who were on strike and their masters were not arranged by the 10th of November, we should cease working. We did this because we thought it necessary to counteract the action of the Trades' Union—to stop the intimidation used in our mills to compel every person to subscribe towards the sup port of turn-outs, and to prevent combined efforts being brought to bear upon individuals. Since that time the hands on strike have remained in the same position, quite regardless of the misery inflicted by their proceedings; and as we are sensible that many of the hands who are not implicated in the strike' are suffering great wretchedness, we have agreed, at the request of those masters whose hands are on strike, to give permission to such masters as may be desirous to do so, to resume work for any time, not exceeding four days a week until the first day of February next, on the condition, however, which is in dispensable, and compliance with which alone, will enable us to hold out the hope that we can relinquish our associated capacity, that no collection be made among our work people for the support of either local or distant turn-outs ; and we dis tinctly state that we shall resist such conduct by all the means in our power, even if we should again have recourse to the total stoppage of our mills. " As nothing can possibly be gained by the present ---bina tions and counter combinations. hope that mutual good understand;ns out enlightened views, will induce both parties to rely solely on that system of individual arrangement, without which, neither workmen nor masters can enjoy long-continued prosperity. Bury, Dec. 24, 1853." The notice having been posted on the walls, attracted considerable attention in the town yesterday morning, and it was resolved to have an open-air meeting of the operatives to determine what should be done. In order to secure a large attendance the various committees refused to pay the operatives the usual weekly relief until after the meeting had terminated. The operatives walked in procession from the various committee meetings to Union Square, when there were several thousand persons present. A waggon was used as a platform, from which the speakers addressed the meeting. Mr. W. Platt occupied the chair, and the meeting was addressed by Mr. Sh aw , o f R a d c liff e, and Mr. Walsh, of Bury. The speakers commented at con siderable length on the notice which had been issued. Subsequently the following resolution was unanimously carried : " That this meeting is of opinion that the notice of our employers now posted on the walls of this town be rejected, and that we accept nothing less than the free exercise of our own opinions upon all subjects affecting our rights and privileges as Englishmen." After the passing of the resolution, the people were admonished to retire peaceably, which they did accordingly. LORD PALMERSTON'S REPLY TO THE OPERA TIVES OF PRESTON. FR OUR OWN CORRESP OND FZ.Nt. PRESTON, EC. 26.—1 t will be remembered that a short time ago, a memorial was addressed to Lord Palmerston in reference to the contest at present going on between the fac tory. operatives of this town and their employers. That me morial was adopted at a general meeting of weavers' delegates. Yesterday, Mr. Winder Smith, president of the operative executive council, received the following reply from the Home-office : Whitehall, 24th December, 1853. Sru—l am directed by Viscount Palmerston to acknow ledge the receipt of the memorial, dated the 15th ultimo, signed by you on behalf of the power-loom weavers of Pres ton and its vicinity. Lord Palmerston has delayed till now answering this me morial, in the daily hope that he might hear that an amica ble arrangement of differences had been come to between the workpeople and their employers. I am, however, to assure you that his lordship read the memorial with much sympathy and with deep regret. It was impossible that he should not sympathise with th e feelings of a large number of a most deserving class of the community who have been led to think they are suffering under acts of injustice, and it could not but excite his deep regret to reflect upon the severe privations which the state of things to which the memorial refers must have inflicted upon those on whom it so hardly bears. Lord Palmerston desires me to state that he feels bound, moreover, to do justice to the temper and moderation with which the memorial has been drawn up. His lordship is sorry, however, to say he has no means of interposing to apply a remedy for the evils referred to. It would be impossible for him, without much more detailed information than he possesses, to form a just opinion as to the merits of the points in dispute between the working men and their employers. And he could not, as a member of the government, possess any right or power to interfere in the matter. Under these circumstances his lordship would only venture to suggest, in the most friendly spirit, some topics for the consideration of the memorialists. They must be well aware that labour being a commodity like any other, its money value in the market must be regulated by the same general principles which govern the price of other commodities, and that among these governing principles the most influential are the cost of production and relative pro portions of demand and supply. The cost of productions in regard to labour means the price of the necessaries of life, and the proportions of demand and supply must depend very much upon the periodical fluctuations of trade. It is greatly to be wished that the working men and their employers would allow these general causes to act silently, and gra dually, in equitably adjusting from time to time the proper rates of the money reward for labour, and it is scarcely to be doubted that by forbearance on both sides, and by mutual and reciprocal good feeling, these arrangements might generally be effected without a recourse to such in jurious methods as strikes and lock -outs. It may be said that in times when, according to the gene ral principles above adverted to, an increase in the rate of wages would be just, that increase might be too long delayed, and the working men be thus subjected to undue privations if the adjustment was left to the gradual operation of for bearance and good will. But may not an appeal be made to the result of recent events to show that even such incon venience would be less than the evils arising from extensive and general strikes. These evils are many and great. The strike of the workman deprives the strikers of their wages, and so far as wages are concerned, it deprives them of the means of subsistence. On the other hand the strikes, of course, stop production, and unless m ar k e t s h appen at moment to be much overstocked, strikes give to the foreign producer a position of advantage from which he may not afterwards be so easily dislodged. And if strikes were to become too frequent, or of too long duration, a part of that capital which is now applied to give employment to labour at home, might possibly be transferred to other countries, to the disadvantage of British industry, and that this is not a groundless supposition, is proved by the fact that British manufacturing establishments have been founded in Belgium, in France, and in Mexico. This, too, leads to a reflection upon the opinion which seems to have actuated the strikers, that the general prosperity of our export trade was in itself a proof that the rates of wages ought to be increased. Lord Palmerston does not pretend to form any judgment as to whether that opinion was well or ill founded, in the particular instance to which it referred ; but his lordship has desired me to remark, that our power to supply foreign markets with manufactures depends upon the cheapness at which those manufactures can be sold; that their price must depend mainly on the cost of produc tion, and that the wages of labour f orm a material part of that cost. Therefore, as our reported manufactures must always be running a hard race with the similar manufactures of other countries, an apparently flourishing trade may possibly b e checked by an increase of wages, which would add to. the cost of production, and the gains made by the manufacturer may often consist of a very small profit upon each separate article, the aggregate amount of gain depending on the quantity exported, and that quantity depending on the cheapness of the commodities, which cheapness again is governed by the cost of production. In directing me to submit these general reflections to the consideration of the memorialists, Lord Palmerston does not mean to give any opinion on the immediate subject of dis pute ; but his lordship would earnestly entreat the working men to lay aside those feelings which are too apt to be en gendered by a struggle, and to endeavour, if possible, to come to some arrangement with their employers.—l am, sir, your obedient servant, Mr. R. Smith, Preston. H. 11rA.DDINGTON. OPEN-AIR MEETING OF OPERATIVES. This afternoon, a meeting was convened in the Orchard, at the request of some strangers who were anxious to witness one of these out-door demonstrations. The CHAIRMAN (Mr. K. Smith) announced that the funds available for distribution (this being the " little week") amounted to £2366. The chief items included in this amount were—Blackburn, £642 ; Stockport, £240 ; Preston, £206. Mr. GRIMSRAW stated that Blackburn would send nearly . £lOOO next week, and other districts in proportion. Alto gether, next week's income would be £3OOO. (Cheers.) Mr. COWELL having briefly addressed the meeting, the pro ceedings terminated. FIRE AT MCMURRAY'S PAPER MILLS.—We yesterday noticed the extensive fire at these mills situate at Esher, near London. The following appears in the London jour nals of Monday :—Sunday, 6 p.m. There still remains a vast body of flame in the ruins ; and as there are some hun dred tons weight of rags and paper burning, there seems no chance of getting th e con fl agra ti on entirely extinguished for a day or so longer. The property destroyed will amount to a very serious sum ; by those best competent to form an opinion, it is fea re d th a t th e t ota l loss will exceed £lOO,OOO. Upwarcl4 of 260 Rums oait of - Jon' al l ‘ l n o' ttoi of Las, Dig th Ln- FE ,. ., 01 b 0) a, ....„.„. •!.'::. i 0 V 2 c., CD +a g 4 0, 0 0 -44 00 00 ~..:`,=,^ 01 el.