The Express.
London, England, 1864-01-04 00:00:00

person.

[Stamped, ld. Additional,]

Foreign wan' s, which have been so long excluded,
are now by Law the current coin of the country at a
certain fixed value. Some very reformatory mea-
sures have been introduced in the Custom-house.

There is every prospect, it is believed, that the
Argentine republic will become au immenve cotton-
producing country. Thousands of poor people
docked to the government, who distribute the seed
gratis, and millions of cotton plants are now in a
thriving condition. The wool market is active,
and good prices are paid. Exporters are shipping
fast, principally to the United States, in German
bottoms.

The works on the Western Railway are being
continued. The Northern Railway is fast ap-
proaching completion.
In the province of Santa F 6 the government
has called a special meeting of the legislature
to consider the two projects sect iu, one [row the
London and River Plate Bank of this city, and
another from a company of Germans. It is con-
sidered probable that these bills will be passed.
President Mitre enjoys the greatest confidence
and popularity. Rs has shown every disposition
to conciliate contending parties, and to aacrifice
everything to the preservation of peace ; he labours
unceasingly to advance industry and protect corn-
tueroe. The Argentine Republic is steadily advanc-
ing under Os adminietri4.
bans 6Cvree4-VIIIMft le Oft-
' rls. ; no stock ; Matadero salted ox bides 33 to

rla. cow hides at 30 rla. ; stock, 4,000 bides:
Sales of dry hides for the fortnight are 14,000 ;
the total stock of all classes unsold is 78,000 hides.

For England there is but little cargo going for-
ward ; for France there is more activity, and
freights tend upwards. The total amount of ex-
change drawn by the Parana is 150,000/.
The government of Monte Video has disbanded
the national guard of the city, their services being
no longer required.
Medina is said to have had an engagement with
Flores. The latter is reported as outflanked and
Medina in hot pursuit. Flores' forces are said to
be completely demoralised.
From later accounts received it is rumoured that
Flores bas defeated the government troops, and is
advarcing towards the town of Monte Video.
The country has suffered much iu some parts
from drought, and great mortality has taken place
amongst the sheep.

RIO DE JANEIRO. Dec. 9.

The Emperor left on the morning of the .ith in
the steam corvette Nitherohy, to visit some parts
of the seaboard to the south of Rio, %%here steps are
being taken to fortify the coast upon all paints
where a debarkation mighrbe possible. His Majesty
will probably be absent some days.
The national subscription for the armaments of
the country, originated by Theophilo Ottoui at the
time of the Anglo-Brazilian dispute, baa been
closed. It has produced 1,178 coutos of reis, or
about 130,0001. In this sum are not included the
subscriptions of the public officials, amounting to
from 0 to 10 per cent. of their salaries, anal which
appear likely by their indefinite continuance to
become a positive tax.
An American vessel taken by the privateer I
Alabama, and to which tbe Southern commander
gave the name of the Tuscarora, furnishing her
with a crew and munitions, and making her a kind
of tender for provisions and coal, cast anchor a few
days back upon the coast of Brazil, in the
v'cinity of Santa Catharine.. The President of the
province notified to the captain that, in pursuance
of the orders of the Imperial government, he could
not authorise a stay of more than twenty-four
hours; but, at the same time, he gave permissiou
to bay supplies. As soon as the purchcses were
made, the President withdrew his permission, at
the instance of the United States consul, and the
provisions could nut be embarked. The Tusearora
was therefore compelled to leave without her
supplies.

(mom on owic CORRESPONDINT.)

RIO, DEC. S.

It had been expected that the la;;;LTlVtoild
have brought us the welcome news of the solu-
tion of the Anglo-Brazilian question, but wo
were disappointed. It seems strange enough to us
here that whilst our government is thrusting
English commerce on Japan at the cannon's
mouth, it should begrudge the few words of courtesy
which would restore amicable relations with Brazil,
so old and good a customer as she has been, and is
still willing to be. I need not say bow anxious our
English commercial community here is that a good
understanding be restored between the two govern-
ment&

There is still a wide range open in this country
for English speculation and profitable employment
of capital. I will allude to one. What is sadly
wanted here is a free press ; I would say au en-
tirely independent newspaper, written, of course, in
the language of the country, and which, entirely
free from the trammels of party politics, could
fearlessly ventilate and reason upon the great ques-
tions of the day. Gladly would some of our pre
sent Rio newspapers adopt this independent course,
but it is not possible for them to do so.
It is not that the laws of the country prohibit the
freedom of the press; on the contrary, not the
slightest obstacle is thrown in the way of as free
writing and as free thinking as we enjoy in Eng-
land ; but any deviation from a certain beaten track
would ensure the loss of many thousands of sub-
scribers to any one of our existing daily papers, and
probably cause its ruin. But a new newspaper,
backed np by sufficient capital, would triumphantly
override such obstacles, and, if well conducted,
could not fail to be a moat profitable speculation.
On the great utility of such a publication to the
country itself it is quite unnecessary to descant.
The Brazilians themselves, of all political opinions,
are quite aware of this want, and sigh fcr its
removal.