The Express.
London, England, 1855-05-17 00:00:00

The Admiralty have engaged the ships James Gib-
son, Cuba, 'aikido., Emerald, Clarendon, and De-
pendent for the transport service.
At Amsterdam yesterday (Tuesday) the exchange
on London was quoted 11.871, at abort; at Hamburg,
13.61; at Vienna, 12.30 ; and at Berlin, 6.181,
There is no alteration to notice in the indigo sales,
previous rates being well supported.
The following calls fall payable on the 11th June
on the securities of the Grand Trunk Railway of
nada, air-, 21. 10s. on the A series of shares, 101. on
the certificates exchangeable for the company's de-
bentures, and 101. on the certificates exchangeable
for debentures of the province of Canada.

The prospectus is joined of the " Societe Generale
des Clippers Francais," a projected Anglo-French
Company "en commandite," by which the liability of
the shareholder is limited to the amonntof his shares.
The capital is fixed at 5,000,000 fro. (say, 200,0001.),
with power to increase, in shares of 44 each. This
company, state the promoters, has been formed in
Peri+, with the approbation and emotion of the
' Minister of Marine, for the purpose of building and
purchasing a number of clipper-built sailing vessels,
to be employed in the general service of the mercan-
'tile mariae. The expectation of a remunerative
return is referred to as greatly strengthened should
the French government (as is expected) grant its flag
I to the company's vessels, a privilege hitherto never coo-
-1 ceded to vessels not constructed in France, where the
'duties exhibit a considerable difference in favour of
the national flag. The London agents of the com-
pany are Masers. Draper, Pietroni, and Co. Allot-
ments are to be made in Paris alone, and applications
from this side are to be accompanied by a deposit
equal to 10 per cent. upon the value of the shares
required.
A special general meeting of the London and South
Western Railway Company is called for the 31st inst.,
to consider a bill pending in parliament, and to elect
a director. The following meetings are also newly
announced, viz., Electric Telegraph Company and
International Telegraph Company (special), for the
22nd inst., to consider a bill in parliament; Carmar-
then and Cardigan Railway Company (special), for the
25th inst.; Equitable Fire Insurance Company for the
6th June ; National Provincial Fire Insurance Com-
pany, for the 24th inst.; Great Britain Mutual Life
Assurance Society for the 30th inst. ; Times Life Atl-
antan°. and Guarantee Company for the 7th June;
Grand Junction Canal proprietary for the sth June;
I Waterloo Bridge proprietary for the 7th June ; Grand
Junction Waterworks Company for the 14th June.
The Master in Chancery charged with the winding-
up of the Sligo and Shannon Railway Company
proposes oa the 22nd inst. to make a at.o of 51. per
share on the contributories.

The particulars are published of a number of
shares in the Western Railway of Bwitserland,which
will be forfeited and sold unless the calls in arrear be
paid by the god June.
Accounts from Canada state that a violent tornado
had passed over Lake Ontario and Niagara. The
force of the wind had torn up trees and destroyed
buildings, &e., to &considerable amount. The tornado
severely tested the solidity of the new railway sus-
pension bridge near Niagara, which, however, was
not perceptibly affected, nor was there any mil-
lation.

Land shares to-day were steady, at former prices.
The shares of the English, Scottish, and Australian
Chartered Bank, and Union Bank of Australia, were
quoted higher. Royal Mail Steam shares roes IL
Crystal Palace shares also improved, closing at
3 7-16 to 3 9-16. The stock of the Netherlands Land
Enclosure Company meets with some inquiry. Lon-
don Dock stock has been dealt in at 991; General
Screw Steam at 141; Peninsular and Oriental at 61
to 611; ditto new, at 11 to 1 d prem. (101. paid).
Annexed are the latest quotations of insurance,
canal, and other miscellaneous shares, as given in the
Stock Exchange List :—lnsurance shares: Alliance
Marine, 371, 38; Alliance British and Foreign, 181;
Atlas, 181 ; Albion, 83 ; Church of England,3l ; City
of London, 21; British Commercial, 7 ; Cmwn, 171, ;
Eagle, 61; Equity aid Law, 51, 1; English and Scot-
tish Law Life, 4;, I ; General, 51; Globe, 106, 1041,
105 ; Guardian, 551; Indemnity Marine, 671 ; Im-
perial Life, 181 ; Imperial Fire, 331 ; Law Fire, 41;
Law Life, 561; London and Provincial Law, 214 ;
trland General Life, 51; Medical, Invalid,
General Lite, 31; Minerva, 61; National Pro-
vincial Life, 1!; ditto. Fire, 11; New Equitabls, 1;
Provident Life, 371; Professional Life, 1; Palladium
Life, 31_; Pelican, 45 ex div. and bonus; Rock Life,
71, fl Royal Exchange, 232 ; Union, 250 to 255 ;
United Kingdom, 41; Victoria Life, q.
Canal shares: Ashton and Oldham, 139; Break-
nook and Abergavenny, 60 ; Birulingham,92; Derby,
84 ; Coveatry, 209; Grand inaction, 491 ; ditto Gua-
ranteed 6 per cent., 121; kt-nuett and Avon, 61;
Leicester, 491; Leicester and Northampton, 281;1
Loughloorovgb, 6761 Macclesfield, 61i; Meath, 160;