The Northern Daily Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-03-17 00:00:00

Commertfal Silo. THIS DAY THIS DAT, the 17th instant, at a Quarter to Eleven o'clock, at the Brokers' office, 11. Temple-court, 436 Boxes BITTER ORANGES, ex Frankfort, ' 339 Cases Messina LEMONS, ex Lizzie Garrow, • 150 Boxes Lisbon ONIONS, ex Minh°, 300 Bags Barcelona NUTS, ex Estrella, 150 Do. Brazil DITTO, 10 Bundles Faro BASKETS. Apply to HOUGHTON & LEVY, Brokers. Apply to TO-MORROW, TO-MORROW, the 18th inst., at Half-past One o'clock, at the Commercial saleroom, Temple-court, 4000 Boxes American CHEESE, 200 Do. Do. BACON. TRIMMER & GRAINGER, Bank Chambers, Cook-street. ••••A cultivation, we would willingly leave Lords CLARENDON and COWLEY to tie up the destinies of the quarter of the globe on which England's lot has been cast, just as the noble lords might think proper. But France and England cannot exist for the half of another generation on political or inter national benevolence. They cannot remain mendi cants, and live on the crumbs the CZARS of Russia and other military despots may allow them to receive from the Danube, the Black Sea, and the Baltic. Our trade must bo tolerated and respected on the rivers and seas of Europe, as it is on the waters of America, Asia, and Africa. And since treaties, more especially those relating to the Bosphorus, the Euxine, and the Danube, embDdied many stringent conditions affecting commerce, it is positively necessary that the people of both France and England should know what it is the Conference propose doing, to obtain for them that free and enlarged commercial intercourse which the present condition of the Western Powers so imperatively demands ? Let us know, without evasion, what material advantages we are to receive for the precious blood we have shed, and the hard-earned millions we have spent, and Eng land may safely leave Russia to think over her defeats, and diplomatic tricksters, to gloat over their imaginary political gains. We must confess that we have no faith in post-diluvian politics, seeing that the designs of the greatest masters in the art of arbitrary government, have rarely out-lived, or added, one particle to the posthumous fame of their authors. With these impressions, we would freely allow the British representatives any amount of liberty to wander in the tenebrious regions of speculative policy; but where trading, and other :material interests, and subsistent rights are involved, we would have our Constitu tional representatives speak out like honest and fearless Englishmen, that the Parliament and people of this country may know what they have to expect—how far the real land living interests of humanity are to be sacrificed at the footstool of self-destroying arrogance, and a despotism which feels itself so ephemeris that it cannot be persuaded to accept a challenge for another year of war, which, in these days, is nothing more than an " episode." THE glorious triumph of the Joint Stock Banking System is exciting universal attention. The bullionists are amazed at the success that has attended [Banking adventures, in the face of restrictions which they have always thought prohibitive. They pretend to be quite at a loss to understand where dividends, varying from 10 to 20 per cent., come from in these hard times. Such a phenomenon can be easily explained. The Bank of England applies the screw on the first appear ance of a derangement of our banking and currency system. The mercantile public being next refused accommodation fly to the Joint Stock banks, where they get what they want, and by meeting this demand these banks make their high dividends. That they are mainly, if not wholly, indebted to the advances made by the Bank of England in the rates of discount, for their large profits is certain, and that they could all live and do well if they were not allowed to charge more than 4 per cent. for the use of their custo mers money, called, " deposits," is abundantly proved by the dividend returns they publish periodically. It would scarcely be violating any rule laid down by COCKER, to say that a bank which nets 20 per cent. profit, from discounts varying from 5 to 7 per cent., might divide 10 per cent. among its lucky shareholders, from 2 and 31 per cent. interest. If these low rates of discount will give the capitalist 10, or even 5, per cent. for the use of his money, it is quite clear that every sixpence charged above those rates is so much taken from the commercial classes by an infamous system of usury. The mercantile men of London see this very plainly, and they appear resolved to go on estab lishing Joint Stock Banks until they can obtain discounts at a fair rate, and secure for the institu tions they create, a 10 per cent. dividend on their capital; And the only wonder is, that they have not commenced such a movement long before this. The Bankers' Circular, of the Bth inst., published three tables, showing the rapid and extraordinary growth of what are known as " the six London " Joint Stock Banks." The first of those returns show the miraculous increase in their dividends between 1845 and 1855 : Rate of Dividend Rate of Dividend declared for 1845 declared for 1835 Increase per cent. per cent. per cent. London & Westminster Bank Lon. Joint Stock Bank 6 121 108 Union Bank of London 5 20 300 London & County Bank 6 10 100 Com. Bank of London 6 10 66 Royalßritishßank,lB4 9 4 6 50 If this is to be the ratio of increase in every ten years, where will banking profits end ? As the circle of demand becomes wider, and the deposits and interest of capital go on accumulating, the dividends falling to the shareholders will continue to swell the value of their stock, in the ratio the Bankers' Circular has shown : ['aid up Present Premium share market price per cent. .‘• 45 125 London and Westminster Bank 20 London Joint Stock Bank .. 10 WEDNESDAY. On account of whom it may concern. On WEDNESDAY next, the 19th instant, at One o'clock, at the Brokers' office, 8, India -buildings, About 50 Bales Damaged Egyptian COTTON, ex Pactolus, from Alexandria.—For further particulars apply to REYNOLDS & GIBSON, Brokers. ___ THS Aincr T AL SußscßrrnoN TO THE NORTHERN PAILY IMES x TWO GUINEAS PER Aimum. EVENING EDITION 1W An Evening Edition of the NORTHERN DAILY TIMES is now Published every Afternoon, at Three o'clock, containing the Markets, together with all the News of the Day, up to the hour of going to Press. Or .3 - Antall Chum MONDAY, MARCH 17, 1856 PRUSSIA is to be admitted to the Peace Conference ! FREDERICK WILLIAM has been invited to send two representatives to the Congress, to guard Prussian interests in the reconstruction of treaties the Prussian monarch was the first to abandon; and, after allowing Europe to be plunged into war by his silence at the moment of trial, and 'encouraging the con tinuance of bloodshed, when hostilities bad com menced, by a species of " neutrality" which was nothing short of an open violation of the estab lished law of nations But what is this secret conference to be? Is it to confine itself to that for which it has been called together? or is it to enter into a discussion of matters affecting the rights and liberties of Europe, with closed doors, without mature consideration, and that popular sanction which Constitutional countries always look for, and think essential to the maintenance of great principles ? The Conference was tolerated by the people of France and Englarrl on the dis tinct understandhig that it was to receive the acceptance or refusal of Russia of certain conditions of peace. It was never supposed that Lords CLARENDON and COWLEY were to pledge Great Britain to an entirely new political organ isation of Europe, and to conditions of which her Parliament and people know nothing whatever ! Analyze the Congress, and what is it ? A secret assembly, composed of modern Bonapartists, two Russians, two Austrian, two Turkish, two Sardinian, and two British Envoys. The political predelictions of the three first are identical, no matter how wide the breach may be which mistaken and " unfortunate" hostilities has caused, and if two Prussians are added to the representatives of the three Powers, who will assuredly side together, on the readjustment of political influences, what is to become of Constitutional Europe, when defended only by two enlightened Turks, two Piedmontese, and two Englishmen, whose colleagues require peace at any price to secure their retention of office ? We will not answer this last and all-important query in plain English. It suffices for us to know that the Conference is about to travel away from the matters which it was called together to consi der, and embarked in secret, in great questions, which, as a free and Constitutional country, England has a right to expect will be discussed openly and above board. We can have nothing to say to Continental Star Chamber conclaves, which deny to the European public—to the civilised world—all information as to what they propose to do with their rights and interests. There is no need for secrecy where humanity and justice — man's happiness, progress, and prosperity—are the sole objects to be attained and forwarded. The British Parliament, for the first time in its existence, is not suffered to know what this secret --this mysterious Congress—is about. As the guardians of this mighty empire, and of Constitu tional Liberty, its members are to wait for " results" before they are to ask for information touching the proceedings of a great international Council, armed with plenary powers to bind them and their constituents to terms at which the national honour may revolt, which Christians instincts may denounce, and moderation and enlightenment openly abjure. If the Conference has led to the Russian Envoys' accepting the terms of peace proposed to them, the treaty of peace should be signed and ratified before fresh ground is broken. Let us know the terms on which we are to have tranquillity before we are pledged to alliances in which it is manifestly desired to include all the military despots, tyrants, and autocrats of Europe. When we dwell with warmth on such matters the reader must not suppose that we attach any great importance to " treaties," or feel any appre hension whatever with regard to the arbitrary and unjust dicta they may contain. All wars have grown out of a disregard of verbal or written engagements, and if in these days treaties which, in their turn, will be found breaking through the great intellectual, moral, religious, social, and even political bent, and obligations of an advanced age, it is fair to assume that they will again be treated as waste paper, and Englishmen once more called on to re-enact the slaughter of Alma, Balakl ava an d I n k erm ann, and to renew the thunder of Bomarsund, Sweaborg, and that which Sebastopol witnessed on the Bth of Sep tember. We do not like to see the recognised will of the Deity, the teaching's of Christianity, the fixed bent and unalterable purpose of human intellect and greatness, childishly tampered with, foolishly laid aside in solemn councils, and jeered at by the rulers of nations, as it bodes evil to mankind, and is full of melancholy, if not bloody, augury. Sweep away the dangers w hi c h follow in the wake of political darkness, prevent the bloodshed which attends diplomatic atheism, and let us have no more of those barricades which rise out of neglected misery, and all our concern for the future of civilisation will cease' If the industry, the genius, and intellect of Franco and England could live without unrestrained com mercial intercourse with the millions of Russians, Germans, Austrians, Ottomans, and Asiatic nations on the borders of the Black Sea—if the Allies could " drag on" without enlarging the circle of employment, widening the field for mental action, and that restless energy which grows with a nations TILE NORTHERN TIMES..LIVRRPOOL, MONDAY, MARCH 17, 1866 ing the rate of interest, and bringing on a panic in trade ? The deposits made by, the public in thetse banks, exceeds those paid into the Bank of England by no less than 16,174,8351. Now, we would be quite justified in assuming, that not only the whole of this amount, but the 30,090,1141. held by these banks, is gold. And: if this be the case—or, even supposing that amount to consist of nothing but " convertible paper," Bank of Eng- , land notes, legal tenders, or what else you please, short of waste paper—who will pretend to say that a scarcity of money, a drain of bullion, or an exhaustion of the nation's means, has taken place to such an extent as to justify the present rates of interest demanded from traders, merchants, and employers of labour throughout the United King dom? In these bullion banking days, " deposits" can mean nothing but so much gold, silver, or " convertible notes." The deposits cannot be made up of notes in the present instance, for they amount to considerably more than all the notes in circulation at this moment in England ! Where, then, are there any grounds for the excessive restrictions imposed on trade by the Bank of England ? If weilhave not a large bullion reserve in the Threadneedle street vaults, we have more than enough—more than ever we have had before —in the coffers of our joint stock banks. This statement cannot be disputed, unless it is meant to be implied that those flourishing concerns have published false returns. Will the bullionists go this far in defence of their system ? If they dare not, what will Sir CORNEWALL LEWIS say in extenu- ation of a State and trade-prostrating monopoly, which, it was hoped, would have rendered the establishment of such banks impossible, and cut off from commerce the timely succour they have afforded, and from the capitalist so profitable a field for the employment of money. The returns we have given above, show that a 10 per cent. dividend can be realised by bankers charging fair commercial rates of discount; and it is to be hoped, the present movement in favour of new banks will go on, until the country is released from the grasp of monopolists and usurers. MONETAR dERCIAL. LIVERPOOL, SATURDAY EVENING. Only a moderate demand was experienced for Cotton to-day, and with a liberal supply, prices were fairly supported. The sales reach 7000 bales, and include 1000 for speculation and export. The amount of business done in the Share Market to- day was not large, and prices have not shown any material variation. - The course of the London Stock and Share Market during the past week is thus reported upon in the circular of Mr. W. Avens, issued this day:— The principal feature in the Money Market in the early part of the week was a continuously heavy demand, at maximum rates, and a less liberal supply than was offer- ing last week. The pressu_ _ and there was not much prospect of any material abate. ment, seeing that manufacturing production all over the country, and the trades which require large discounts, are gradually expanding. Commercial bills of the best class could not be done under the Bank rates. On the Steel Exchange the pressure was greater than at any period since 1851, owing to a combination of circumstances, one of which was the settlement of the Consol Account for March which closed on Tuesday ; another, the prepara tions for the Railway settlement yesterday, and a third, the payment of a twenty-five per cent. instalment of the Loan, due on Thursday, amounting to 1,250,0001. These circumstances forced up the rates for temporary loans to 8 per cent. upon the average; but the market took a decided turn immediately after the Loan instal ment had been paid, and yesterday and to-day the average rates have been 5 per cent. More ease has also been felt in Lombard-street ; and some banks have made a slight reduction in the rate of interest allowed for money on call. The value of most descriptions of securities has increased during the week. This has been owing to the general anticipation of peace as the result of the Paris Conferences. Business, however, except in Railways and in some classes of Foreign Securities, has rather dimin ished than otherwise, there being an indisposition to con tract large engagements under two such contingencies as dear money, and a possibility of the negotiations suddenly breaking off. Consols closed last Saturday at 91k to f. On Monday they were lower. The rates for carrying over till the April account proved very high, being per cent, and eventually they increased to being the highest that have been known for some time. The last price before closing the account was 911 to ; and the first for the present was 921 to 1. A gradual advance has since taken place, the closing price last night being 921 to 2 for April 10, and 921 to 1 for money. The market then seemed good. Much of the improvement is attributable to the admission of Prussia into the Conferences at Paris, that circum stance being regarded as an indication that peace has been arrived at by the Plenipotentiaries, and that only territorial questions remain to be adjusted. Consol Scrip closed last night at 21 to 21 pm, exchequer "scrip 11 to 2 pm. Railway shares were flat for a day or two, the arrangements for the settlement having partially suspended transactions. They are how ever, now very firm, and a considerable business has been done in them. The traffics of the great lines during the nine or ten weeks of the present half year show a con siderable increase, compared with the corresponding periods in 1855. A limited business has been done in foreign lines, more especially French. Foreign stocks are firm. In the Turkish six per cents there has been an advance of £2 per cent since Saturday. The four per cents are I better. Scarcely any business has been done in the latter ; but the former have been in daily demand, principally on specu`ative account. In joint stock bank shares, nothing is doing; and with : one or two exceptions, prices are lower than last week. The French three per cents which have been depressed to 72f 5c during the week are now recovering, the closing price yesterday having been 73f 35c for the end of the month. No gold has arrived during the week except a small parcel from the Peninsula, valued a little more than £2OOO. About £50,000 have been exported. To-day consols have fluctuated about 1 per cent. Before official hours, sales were effected at 93, upon the strength of Lord Palmerston's speech last night, which was considered to denote that peace is virtually made. From this price there was a decline to 92k, and after some variations the final quotations were 9211 to /, with a firm appearance. Not much business was done. Consols Scrip 2k to pm. Railways were firm at the close, though in the course of the day they were rather drooping . Sambre and Meuse have been in demand at an ad vance of XL since yesterday, closing at to owing to a report of an alliance with the Northern of France. Foreign Stocks are unchanged. The tone continues good. The French Three per Cents opened this morning at 731 r. 40c.; and at noon they became 73fr. 35e., the closing price of last night. The improvement since last Saturday is equal to K per cent. There is no change in the Money Market. Exchequer Bills is dis. to is p.m. In the Mincing-lane markets this week not much has been done. On Tuesday, West India sugar was dull at a decline of Gd, but it has since, how ever, improved. Foreign sorts have maintained The stocks are larger now than previous rates at t►ie corresr 1855, 103,7-10 t n the co g period or last-year market has occurred, the deman being limited. A good business in cocoa and rice has been done at a slight decline. Saltpetre is in a good demand at is to is 6d higher. For rum the market has been dull. The following are the Gazette average prices of Muscovado Sugar for the week ending March 11th, 1856, exclusive of Customs duties payable thereon, on the importation thereof into Great Britain:— From the West Indies, 24s 4d per cwt.; from the Mauritius, 24s 6d per cwt.; from the East Indies, 20s 3d per cwt. Average price of the three foregoing descriptions, 24s 61d per cwt. At the extraordinary general meeting of the Aus tralian !Direct (via Panama) Steam Company, it was resolved that the concern should be forthwith dissolved, and the assets bo divided pro rata among the shareholders; it is expected that 18s. per share will be returned. At the Colonial Gold meeting, to be held on the 18th inst., three points will be brought forward for the consideration of the shareholders, and for their decision thereon, viz.—Firstly : To take immediate steps for the dissolution of the company.—Secondly : The car rying on fresh operations in Vict or ia, i n which case more capital will, no doubt, be required.—Thirdly : To await the report of Mr. Spence as to the desirability of resuming operations in Victoria, before coming to any definite conclusion. The latter course is the one advised by the directors ; the accounts to be pre sented will show a balance of assets over liabilities of 3,5281. 18s 6d. At the meeting of the East Indian Iron Company, held on Wednesday, the accounts presented showed a balance in hand of 5,504/. 193 4d. At the meeting of the British and Colonial Smelting and Reduction Company, held on the 13th inst., the resolution passed at the last meeting for forthwith dissolving the company was confirmed, with only one dissentient. The report presented at the Van Diemen's Land Company's Meeting, was adopted, and was considered satis factory, as the prospect is held out of a dividend being declared this year. The returns of the Bank of France, made up to the 13th inst, present the following results when compared with the previous returns : CREDITOR SIDE. Feb. 16th, March 13th. Specie £8,575,070 £8,563,890 £ll,lBO Decrease • 17, 5 91,770 17,285.860 305,910 Decrease THE PENINSULAR MAILS. SOUTHAMPTON, SATURDAY EVENING The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steam ship Madrid, Captain Bradshaw, with the usual Peninsular mails arrived this morning at two o'clock. Her dates are Gibraltar, March sth; Cadiz, March oth ; Lisbon, March 9th ; Oporto and Vigo, March 10th. The Madrid brings 32 passengers, among whom is Prince Charles Lucien Bonaparte from Lisbon, and 40 distressed seamen. Her frei!iht consists of five packages specie value Si _s3a. and her general cargo comprises 17 boxes eg Kes or aerines, 4 casks, 5 cases Wi 10 packages of government cases dates, and of fhl Canterbur .tones from the wreet The Madrid in her homeward voyage ex perienced strong North East gales, and heavy seas. On the 10th instant she spoke the Pen insular and Oriental steamer Tagus off N.E. end of Bayonas, with the outward Peninsular Mail ; 13th, passed the Royal Mail Steam Company's ship Great Western, steering to southward, in lat. 48.57 N., long. 5.1 W.; 14th, passed the Robert Parker, beating to windward, in lat. 50 13 N., long. 3.05 W. From Gibraltar our dates are to the sth inst. The steam -transport Eagle left for London on the Ist inst. The Peninsula, laden with medical stores for Balaklava and Scutari, and the Northumber land, had left for the Crimea. The Peninsula, Progress, General Codrington, and Black Prince, had also touched at Gibraltar en route to the Crimea. The Prince Arthur arrived in the bay on the morn ing of the 4th from the East, with shot and shell for Gibraltar and Deptford ; and the steam trans port Chanticleer, from Malta to Spithead, laden with gunpowder, sailed on the same day. The steam•transport Pioneer was discharging the stores she brought from Malta preparatory to starting for Deptford. The steam transport Berwick had nearly completed her fittings for horses and mules, which she was to receive on board on the sth instant. There is no news of importance from Lisbon. The Madrid left her Majesty's steam-ship Blen heim, Captain Hall, at anchor in the Tagus, on the oth inst. The Lisbon exchanges for three months are quoted by this packet at 55d for London ; Paris, 518; Amsterdam, 431 ; Hamburg, 498 ; and Genoa, 517. The transactions upon the continent were limited, but a good deal was negotiated on London at 55, and although a few bills were done at 541 towards the close of the change, bills remained over which could not be passed under 55. The Stock Market had again become dull, at 43 to 431 for Three per Cents., few buyers appearing at the recent advance. Bank of Portugal shares 500 to 502 milreis each, and Oporto Bank shares, 16 to 171 per cent. premium. The debates in the Chambers continued devoid of public interest. GIBRALTAR SHIPPING MARCH I.ST.—Steamer Melita, A. Brownless, six days from Liverpool. Steamer Milan, W. Bruce, six days from Liverpool. MARCH Um—Schooner Dolphin, G. Hayman ' twenty eight days from Liverpool on the tad. Schooner Sultana, J. Kerr, thirty-four days from Liverpool, on the 3rd. TRANSPORTS.—The Progress, Captain Doke, left with camp equiparo for the British army in the Crimea, on the 3rd. The General Codrington, with materials for the Crimea railway; and the Black Prince, with stores for Balak!ava, also left for their destination on the evening of the 3rd. The Prince Arthur, with shot and shell for Gibraltar and Deptford, arrived on the 4th. The Chanti cleer also left for Spithead about the same time, laden with gunpowder. The Imperatriz, with artillerymen from the Crimea, arrived on the 4th, and left for Woolwich the same afternoon. By the arrival of the Sardinian, one of Messrs. Lamont, M`Larty and Company's Line of Mediter ranean steamers, we have received the Gibraltar Chronicle of the oth instant, one day later than the accounts given above. The steamer Victor Emanuel reached Gibraltar on the evening of the sth, after a passage of six and a half days from Liverpool. The Berwick (s.) Captain Farmer, embarked on the oth inst. 172 horses and mules, in charge of a foreman superintendent, 8 foremen, 1 farrier, and 45 drivers, all under the command of Lieut. Knox, Ora Ituytil lameablfitu Militia, mia she would plu in the course o the eveni to the Darda ____ Majesty's paddle wheel steam sloop Tartarus, Commander Mansell, started on the sth for Malta, from thence she was to proceed to the Sea of Azoff, where the steamer is to be employed in surveying the intricate inlets of that sea. TRADE REPORT.-SATURDAY. Union Bank of London lO London and County Bank 20 38; Commercial Bank of London. Royal BritLh Bank . 50 64 14 14 Bank of London City Bank The two last-named banks have been recently established ; still, they participate largely in the public confidence and high premiums enjoyed by their older rivals ; and we may fairly expect, to see them coming forth, ere long, with their millions of deposits, as the six old banks do. The increase which has taken place in this branch of Joint Stock banking business is already far more astounding than all the other features brought to light by the returns to which we have alluded. The half-yearly balance-sheets show these results : Deposits in Deposits in Increase June, 1345 Dec. 1855 per cent London & Westminster Bank 3,590,014 8,744,095 143 London Joint Stock Bank.. 2,460,476 6,241,594 154 Union Bank of London.... 2,012,548 8,363,460 315 London and County Bank.. 1,489,738 4,443,359 198 Commercial Bank of London 500,728 1,317,554 163 Royal British Bank (1850).. 353,541 983,052 178 10,407,045 30,093,114 189 If this is again to be the ratio of increase in this department of these popular joint stock banks, what, we will venture to ask, is to become of the Bank of England and its bullion reserves As the business of these banks goes on augmenting, they will be compelled to keep larger quantities of gold in their tills and vaults. And as they aro not required to publish weekly returns of the bullion they hold, how are we to know when there is really a scarcity of the precious metal in the country, to justify the Bank of England's advanc- Discounts 3,442,659 758,230 Increase 2,684,420 Advances on Public Sec. Do on Railway Securities. 1,762,640 1,833,490 70,850 Increase DEBTOR SIDE. Notes in circal. lation 25,109,820 24,764,460 345,360 Decrease Treasury Acct Current.... 2,360,890 3,433,369 802,480 Increase Private Deps. 5,317,710 5,025,674 292,026 Decrease This.return shows the great demand that has been in operation for specie, the . premium pa id for the purchases of gold and silver having increased from 4%577/. to 52,4001. during the past month. The quotation of gold at Paris is about 6 per mille premium, and the exchange on London at short 25.40, making gold about 0 31 per cent dearer in London than in Paris. The price of gold in Hamburg is 4261 per mark, arid the exchange on London at short 13 8, making gold 1.10 per cent dearer in, London than in Hamburg. Commercial advices from Havro mention that the demand for cotton has been limited towards the close of the week ; and the market continues to be well supplied. Plices are not so firm as pre viously, and Louisiana of good quality is heavy at 90f per 50 kilos. Inferior qualities are quoted as low as 85f 500. Some large arrivals of grain and flour from America have lowered prices a little, just as they had shown an upward tendency. A sale of 6,339 sacks of wheat brought 69f 450 to 75f per 200 kilos, and the following lots of flour changed hands at the prices annexed .-243 barrels New York at 48f 500 per barrel ; 751 ditto at 46f, and 700 ditto at 45f. Accounts from Belgium state that the Minister of Finance has presented his budget for main taining the governmrmt offices throughout the kingdom for the current. year, amounting to 10,927,525 frs. against 10982,600 frs., being a diminution of 55,075 frs. The economy exercised hero is in the administration of the treasury departments in the provinces, THE COURT. Prince Edward of Saxe Weimar visited the Queen on Friday, at Buckingham Palace. Prince Albert, attended by Captain the Hon. D. de Ros, rode on horseback in the morning, and visited the ground lately purchased at Ken— sington Gore by the Royal Commission. The Queen and Prince Albert, with the Prince of Wales and Prince Alfred, honoured the Haymarket Theatre with their presence in the evening. BUCKINGHAM PALACE, SATURDAY.—Mr. Buchanan, the American minister, arrived at the palace at three o'clock in the afternoon,lto take leave of the Queen, on retiring from the legation, and :departure from this country. Viscount Palmerston officiated for the Secretary of State of Foreign Affairs (owing to the absence of the Earl of- Clarendon at the conference at Paris), and presented his excellency to her Majesty. Major-General Sir Edward Cust, the master of the ceremonies to the Queen, was also in attendance, and conducted the minister to the audience. Soon after four o'clock, herlMajesty left the palace in a carriage, and paid a visit to the Duchess and Princess Mary of Cambridge at St. James's Palace, and afterwards proceeded to visit her royal aunt, the Duchess of Glouces ter, - at Gloucester House.) Prince Albert rode on horse back in the forenoon, attended by his equerry in waiting. In the evening her Majesty had a dinner party. The dis tinguished guests included the Earl of Aberdeen, the Earl of Ellenborough, the /Duke and Duchess of Rich mond, the Duke and Duchess of Bedford, Madame Tricoupi (wife of the Greek minister),lCount Collerodo (the Austrian minister), Lady Blantyre, Sir George and Lady Grey, the right hon. H. and Mrs. Fitzroy, and Col. V. Maxwell. The band of the Royal Horse Guards was on duty, and played during dinner. To -day the Queen, Prince Albert, and the court leave town In the afternoon for Windsor Castle for the Easter recess. On Tuesday his Majesty the King of the Bel_ gians will arrive on a visit. Her Majesty will hold Drawing-rooms at St. James's Palace on the following days, at twollo'clock :—Thursday, 10th of April next; Tuesday, 29th April next. And notice has been given, that her Majesty will hold Levees at St. James's Palace on the following days, at two o'clock : Wednesday, 16th April next; Wednesday, 7th May next• CABINtT COUNCIL.-A council was summoned on Friday to meet punctually at two o'clock on Saturday afternoon, at the Foreign Office. Previously to the assembling of the Cabinet, the War Committee of the Ministers had a meeting at the War Office, from whence the Premier pro ceeded to Buckingham Palace to meet the American Minister, atZhis audience of leave. At twenty minutes past four o'clock:Viscount Palmerston joined his colleagues at the Foreign Office. ST. ANNE'S DISPENSARY AND EYE AND EAR INFIRMARY 9, ROSE-1111 L.—New patients entered on the books last week, viz., 15th March :—Relieved at the institution, 135 ; relieved at their own dwellings, 70 ; total, 205. Visitors, Messrs. E. Watts and T. Kirk. Hon. secretary and treasurer, Joseph Kitchen, Esq. LIVERPOOL ROYAL INFIRMARY.—Week ending March, 15, 1856.—Admitted : In-patients, 35 ; outpatients, 4 ; casuals during week, 8. Discharged : In:patients cured, 15 ; relieved, and at own request, 6 ; made out-patients, 8; irregular, 2 ; dead, 2 ; remain in the house, 176. House visitors—Charles Freer and Edward Gibbon, Esqrs. Physi cian and surgeon for ensuing week—Dr. Turnbull and Mr. Long. House surgeon—Mr. G. B. Halford. Junio, house surgeon—Mr. Cecil Webster. Chaplain — Rev. H. J. Garrod, B.A. Treasurer—Robert Hutedson, Esq. An inquest was held on Friday, at the Grapes Inn, Thornton, before C. E. Driffield, Esq, coro , er, on the body of Edward Brown, labourer, aged 55 years, who died on the 12th inst, from injuries received while assisting to work a thrashing machine, at the farm of Mr. William Latham, Little Crosby, on the 26th February. The deceased was driving the horses by which the machine was propelled, and was standing upon a portion of it, which is set apart for that purpose, when his foot got entangled in the wheel of the driving shaft, and was crushed very severely. Ile was, however, able to walk home, where he was attended by Dr. May, of Crosby, but lockjaw ensued on the ninth day aft , .r the accident, and continued up to his death. A verdict was returned in accordance with the circumstances. LONDON AND NORTH WESTERN RAILWAY. — The exten sive establishment known as the Waterloo Goods Station (through which two-thirds of the good passing through Liverpool go) is undergoing great changes in its personnel. Mr. Fricker, the long esteemed second in command, is expected to leave in the course of the month for a higher position, and the employes, with whom several commercial men of the town unite, present him with a handsome silver testimonial, and a purse of gold, and public dinner to him in acknowledgment of his affable and able services for many years. Mr. Braithwate Poole,F.S.S., the late commandeur en-chef and founder of this gigantic structure, also leaves on promotion to an office where mind alone will be diplo matically occupied, and no one will doubt his qualifications for the highest post in railway business. FEARFUL CASE OF STAI3BING.—On Saturday morning, before Mr. Mansfield, a female, apparently about 22 yeais of age, named Sarah Bolger, the daughter of a woman who keeps a bad house in Preston-street, was brought up by const Ale 580, on a charge of having stabbed a man, named Donald Campbell, the owner of a house of ill-repute in the same street. The complainant, whose face was bound up, said he was walking in Preston-street, when the prisoner came behind him, and without any provocation from him, or without saying a word, struck him two blows with a knife or some other sharp instrument in the nose. He was very much injured and nearly fainted from loss of blood. Mr. William Sayer, surgeon,, of the Northern Dispensary, said, that at a quarter to twelve o'clock the previous night the complainant was brought to that estab lishment; he was suffering from an incised wound on the right side of the nose, an inch and a half long ; it had divided the lateral cartilege of the nose, and had also caused a compound fracture of the nasal bones. In reply to Mr. Mansfield, the complainant said he had no quarrel with the prisoner, but about a week ago there was a quarrel between her and some of his people, but that was all. The officer, in reply to his worship, said the prisoner ad mitted having struck the man, but not with a knife ; she said she took up a handful of mud and flung it at him, and there must be something sharp in it. The man positively denied this statement. In reply to the bench the prisoner said she was sitting on the steps of her own door, when the complainant came up and insulted her, and then she flung a handful of mud at him. Mr. Sayer said the man would undoubtedly lose the bones of his nose; it was a dangerous ease. The prisoner was fully committed for trial. LIVERPOOL COTTON : The cotton market continues without change, with a moderate enquiry and a liberal supply, prices are supported. The sales—including 300 Pernambuco, 6,1c1 to 7d; 200 Surat, C:id to 411—are reported 7,000 bales, of which 1,000 are on speculation and for export. LONDON PRODUCE: There is nothing new passing to-day in colo nial produce; sugar is looking firm, and saltpetre has a forward tendency. TALLOW : Market closes very flat, at 56s sellers March ; 50s sellers last three months. SATURDAY'S MARKETS. DROGHEDA CORN • : There has been a small supply at market to-day of everything. and holders are unwilling to sell, except at the advanced rates of Liverpool or London ; but buyers would not purchase at these rates. Wheat, from 37s to 39s 9d per barrel ; oats, 12s 6d to 143; barley, 16s to 193 6d ; oatmeal, 24s to 27s ; beans and peas, is advanced since last week. MILITIA •APPOINTMENTS.—The Gazette of Friday last makes the following announcement :-2d Regiment of the Duke of Lancaster's Own Militia—Ensign David Bilham to be Lieutenant, vice Forde promoted ; Ensign Frederic Charles Cross to be Lieutenant ; Edward Ernest Bromilow, Gent., to be Ensign ; March 7. The sale by auction of the entire effects of the central mansion of the two Roman Catholic Colleges of St. Peter and St. Paul, Prior Park, near Bath, having lasted for 16 days, was brought to a conclusion on Tuesday evening. Financial embarrassments led to the breaking up of this celebrated establishment. The sale altogether realized about £7,500. THE RUGELEY POSTMASTER. —At the Stafford assizes, on Friday, before gr. Baron Bramwell, Samuel Cheshire, late postmaster at Rugeley, was indicted for opening a post letter. Mr. Whateley, Q.C., Mr. Alexander, Q.C., and Mr Bros, appeared for the prosecution ; and Mr. Iluddleston for the prisoner. Mr. Whateley stated the facts of the case, which were but a repetition of what has already appeared in the NOIITHERN TIMES. After a considerable deliberation, the jury found him guilty, with a_ strong recommendation to mercy ! Sentence deferred. LITERARY AND MECHANICS' INSTITUTIONS.—We observe that the annual meeting of the Institutional Associations of the Literary and Mechanics' Institutions of Lancashire and Cheshire is to be held, under the presidency of the Bishop of Manchester at the Manchester Athenaeum on Saturday next the 22nd inst. A series of interesting exhibitions in the city will open to the inspection of the delegates invited to attend from every associated institu tion, and a rich intellectual treat will thus be afforded. The names of the gentlemen who will take the leading positions, furnish a guarantee that the reunion will pass off with eclat. THE WEATHER.—The equinoctial gales set in on Thurs day last, and continued with considerable violence since that time. There was a hurricane in the Channel on Friday night, and it is feared that damage has been done to ship ping. The steamboats from Dublin went through the gale, but were nearly twenty-six hours in making the passage. For the last few days the streets were nearly impassable, except at the risk of losing one's eyesight, from the cloo' of dust and gravel whirled about b- y the violence of the ? The wind, as well Whet; are the watering c as being high, is of an extremely cold and piercing descrip tion. The gales this year have set in rather earlier than usual. Last night the wind subsided, and there was a fall of rain LORD STANLEY.—The constituents of Lord Stanley at Lynn have presented an address expressive of their con fidence in his lordship and approval of his public conduct. Lord Stanley, in the course of his reply, expresses an opinion that " the collective legislature is, generally speak ing, wiser than any man in it ;" and says —" In Parliament, certainly, and I suppose, also, wherever public matters are publicly discussed, the combative element is too strong—. the industrial element not strong enough. If men would labour to remove recognised abuses with half the zeal they show in advocating the claims of class against class, or party against party, our people might by this time be educated, our laws simplified, and made available to all, our civil administration reformed in every branch, and the spread of disease, and early death, among the masses be greatly diminished by judicious sanitary arrangements. It is to objects like these, rather than to organic changes in the constitution nnder which we live, that I would respectfully direct the attention of reformers. Each may do something, and there Le work enough for all," 1 THE ACCOUCHEMENT OF THE EMPRESS OF THE FRENCH• BIRTH OF A PRINCE• After protracted anxiety on the part of all French population, after corresponding interest an sympathy on the part of European courts, the eyen ie has at length been accomplished, and the anate b ,, o , consort of the Emperor of the French lias pre' sented to her liege lord, a male heir to the Ira Perl" throne. The public mind was on the tiptoe of exPet9i; tion in consequence of the receipt and publicatiow in the course of Saturday of the following te graphic despatch " PARIS, SATURDAY, 12•2°.,1 " The Empress began to suffer labour Palos " four o'clock this morning. " All the great dignitaries are at the Tuileriled, " The Senate and Legislative Corps are cony " All goes well for the moment." h t it This news naturally kept curosity alive, - 11 , b p was not until yesterday that it was gra tifie d , 0 0 the arrival of intelligence of the fact, that ess Sunday morning at three o'clock, the EniPr be was safely delivered of a boy." We rejoice toiler enabled to add, that the Imperial mother and babe are progressing well. BY TELEGRAPIL PARIS, SUNDAY EvENlOar' e . Her Imperial Majesty and the Infant Prin ce in good health. .4. the The Emperor has presented the Prince t o "'ups, First Almoner, who was habited in his white rou wearing his mitre and bearing his crozier. the His Grace the Bishop, who was assisted hi se Curs of St. Germains l'Auxerois, took a g Ol6 r pd containing the baptisr..al water, which he P °l "iog upon the head of the Infant Prince, pro noun at the same time the usual benediction. take° ) The Te Deum then burst forth, which w as n. ","" up by the choristers of the imperial chape l s e " pa Whils t the Te Deum was being chatint e- :ltsr , Bishop of Nancy remained standing at the w ere and at its conclusion the baptismal registersAie of taken from under a table placed in the m id bed the church by the Cure, and in them were inee.c-0015 the act of baptism of " Napoleon Eugene Jean Joseph, Son of France." f His Imperial Majesty then received a pen 0.0 the hand of the Cure and signed his name '- „ two registers. n erio l Immediately after the name of his Imperial Majesty, came the following signatures :-..-ptike Highness Prince Mural; his Excellency thfs,.,ister D'Alba; his Excellency Marshal Vaillant, Dl A Lm r t of of War; his Excellency M. Troplong, the Senate ; his Excellency the Count du 0.- President of the Legislative Corps. a'64l dal The cannon of the Invalides have ll' announced the event. DENMARK AND THE UNITED STATES• COPENHAGEN, SoS,Pwor The Minister Scheele has informed the ` 1 , 6 hers that the Government of the United Stf l ' f ," t jto , America has proposed to prolong, by two oDtlig► is the treaty which expires on the 14th of APri order to give opportunity fcr the completion 7 to negociations now pending. D enm ark aceea e " the proposals. THE CONFERENC RUMOURED RUPTURE of OUR AL WITH FRANCE. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDEN T.) I have an important A pi T el S' of F n Et e l l D vs AY to E c vglw le ci.; It is to tile s e i ..010, mite to you from a high quarter. that, partly from apprehension of a financial j o l so, and partly to prepare the market for a large ' o re' the government intends to take measures WA' it , , tang French. c.apila.l, horn being inveS te i - dge • enterprises, as is being done on a very at os witness the Italian and .1 ) jo• railways, and the Austrian and Spanish Cred it ifee C ' biliers. The first step it thinks of adopting t ° e 1 e 0 this purpose is to prohibit all foreign industrio tbo teiprise from being quoted or n egocio,ted ° c ool 80 - lrse. Count Morny, M. Fould, and other4oll stock-jobbing dignitaries of the present I t t his, vehemently oppose any such measures, but; moment, I am told, the probability is that thd ant s be carried into effect. An announcement in the Moniteur e°,l3;ited, officially the fact of Prussia having been ' ll ep ta t to h join the Congress, and of her having ° c oo s'; te invitation. It intimates that it was S, g , bei the Powers which signed the treaty of 1 183 " Os' that concerns the Dardan ello th e , Prussia e has been invited ; this has given ri tt report, in some well informed quarters, tv' t - bee' question that nothing definitive has Ye w, e °P. decided with respect to the third point of t he ditions —that which regulates the future e s „ il it ecil of the Black Sea, and provides for the desisoog:t of Russian fortresses and arsenals , and of them Nicolaieff. But the general belie' 1 003 0% Prussia would not have been invited t° eted oe tho Congress, and would not have seeeP, invitation, if an understanding had not 11% si to o by the negociators on all principal ate if, consequently,be peace were not assur ed ' t . of It was expected that the announcen 3 e, ll ; oo - Moniteur would have produced a large ri s ," o gr e ourse ; but strange to say it cause d of effect. .„. : „istet h o Baron Von Manteuffel, the Prussian in,ciat, i 490 Foreign Affairs, and Count Von lia ti- P l l 4 B bassador in this city, are to r eprese n "ht, thein Congress. The former will, no (loti on Sunday. he ld t 6%. Another meeting of the Congress Ras of day. „ Oleo I hear many influential persons e-13 of 1 7 1,0 express the opinion that the conclusi°ll - 03$ A " t will certainly lead to the rupture of t he .cO-1,5 to P,„to eale at presen alliance, and there is a storY afloat that the Emperor has sarcasticallY -, Ore d 1 , 1 0 Clarendon that he has already told ip t` ‘• e n. ,, „e1l - 4 , other engagements." To this story I I;l"peotTi e b r e e e d o it, but I think it likely ensousgh *that ae r- y from concluded, France (id est the Enaperor)Wtoetiiiiii n e a d tu es r p al ot r i e o a p e o ti w o e n r , a 7 b d o p o a b i l t i lLf d ro t ill o 5 A v i d:11 1 0 o ci ; with th "attitude," i as the phrase is, towards:ool'pr \ . thisa t h c e h ir. , :tvsoiul result, ths:eaonn cessationirm omr immense a n t s e co r f l the t a o u i t ao l n i t e . 0 e theirc Ai r : e;), l o t I l i ; peoplemwoeTnidtisee wonderful would ward a not Englandbe at h all a p v s e e o r i t T i n e y o n ; t for un ci e : ri g n o e ! : 4 ° 4 r u e l no ch ve a r n y ge o t f h p at ri E nn n e gli j s e hm oni en e in is ,„ ; ol . - 0 9 :i ii re fl; very doubtful. Ono of his three r PllY si • ° : l3l/eCfr : r6t informed, has refused to sign the his two colleagues represent his e o b o n n li cl eittli°°ll-' fig 1 % 1 favourable than he thinks it. the Cr n ow ot d o s l have been flocking to ra die tlia the A uniei d p e al V it i y lle o i Emperor and Empress for the iniperiti tog r FralieSt ,tail' The monthly return of the Bank °: the nie-t4tlJe I been published to-day. It shows els , ' ii - : ti; ll ioo g 'eserve is the same as it was last niont,',./'1 inn ' O4 discount accommodation has • • e sen '' car' to inci i _,,, e s e 40 1 (francs), that the circulation have advances on p lu".1, 0 au i have declined 20 millions, and that L , .. it; tte • tiol e, newspapers provi s ional announceßepubi i t c h e a d o e v a e t r b o ;i r ' it ° o f te.ii T eii t The under ,. diminished whichris .i s to h e Spe:, steltieebdiyi pi Suberv' who was for a time Minist,te e pt , a iii aw l learn that Count Orloff is great/Yrll'yeroP-iDe absurd tales which the French ' fl e r s, t° 0 0 1 effect that he expresses his immense ado /4 01 for the , mperor, his regret that the Binlle,rtisiastrii, did not know him, his intense er ajj e ftu ss iis li ' Erance, his pride at knowing that 01 1ie Ergi ado were beaten by the French, and not by t 'a , 1 Sze., Sto. The Count protests that be Ilu use of any such silly language. tte" f this l e is ° P.S.—Just as lam about to close i;.fois•0101 learn from an excellent source, that t v i , bu t 40 1 difficulty have been settled in the Con9l'",."'isce",ioo nothing has yet been signed. Thus Pe 9e ' ; pr e° 'o 34 unless at the last moment (to use tile e d iP of my informant) " a shell should bilr" Congress,"