The Express.
London, England, 1846-10-15 00:00:00

No. 39.] LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, OCT. 15, 1846. [3d.

Napisa (Rothseha4),lo2 ; Roman Loan, 1021; Height's tire Per
eflailLo MAO). 091: ditto (1842), 1021; Goulo Rank Shares, 1220
Excesaria on Loivioa, 30 daps, 35 674; thee months. 25 571. The
The per Ce3ta. eloped for the *mount at 117 30; the 'Three per Cents.
at 32 53.

Onr letters and papers are from Madrid to the
Bth instant.

Mr. Bulwer, previous to his withdrawal to Aran-
jaes, is said to have presented another formal protest
on the subject of the Infanta's marriage. This docu-
ment was more decided in tone and character than
that previously sent in. It is understood to have
announced the determination of Great Britain not to
recognise any claim to the Crown of Spain, which
may hereafter be advanced by the issue of the In-
fanta's marriage with the Duke de Montpensier. This
is a decided step in our foreign diplomacy, and one
after all not expected either at Paris or Madrid.
The contemplated assassination of the Duke de
Montpensier had redoubled the vigilance of the
authorities for his safety. A private letter which has
reached us states that "several journals give contra-
dictory statements of an arrest which took place in
this capital on the day of the entry of the French
princes. These are the facts: A person was arrested
at the gate of the French Ambassador's hotel, who
intended, it was reported, to fire upon the Duke de
Montpensier. Two loaded pistols were found on
him. The police, who had an eye on him in conse-
querce of his manner and looks, apprehended him.
His name is Captain Olavarietta, and he is 04 to be
insane at times, and the affair is not looked upon very I
seriously in the capital." This individual, when taken
before the Minister of the Interior, declared that he
intended one pistol for the Duke de Montpensier, and
the other for himself.
During the 6th and 7th as many as 200 persons
are said to hare been arrested in Madrid.
The crime for which the Espanol, Espectador, and
other journals paid the penalty of seizure, was a
statement that the French princes had not been re-
ceived with enthusiasm. "We regret to announce,"
writes El Clamor Public " that El Eapectador was
yesterday sentenced to a tine of 40,000 reals (4001.)."
The tame journal adds: "Yesterday all the journals
who had published reports on the entry of the French
princes, not in conformity with those of El Popular,
El Imparcial, and El Herald°, were seized. What
does the government mean? It is an incompre-
hensible mystery !"
,The French Princes had received at the French
Embassy the visit of the Infant Don Francisco a•
Paulo arid his sons, and the felicitations of the officers
of garrison in Madrid.
El .Espanol a Conservative journal, noticing the
entry of the French princes, says,—
"The procession passed to the Puerta del Sol, up to which
not a single rico —not the slightest demonstration el
enthusiasm—was heard for the sons of a popular King, and
who yet (nun,' themselves in the midst of a people ardent
. and enthusiastic for liberty, and for their sovereigns. But,
we arc mistaken ; near the hospital we heard one cry, at the
very moment the princes passed. One man shouted out,
l'irons los Elpanoles!" Long live Spaniards.' On arriving
at the Puerto del Sol, the groups of people increased, and
then the moment appeared propituous fur some policemen to
cry ' I ern el Duque de Montpensier ;' yet though twice ut-
terred, the cry found not the slightest echo. There was no
further repetition of the attempt. The balconies were crowded
with persons of both sexes, but not a single handkerchief
was waved in welcome : and it may well be said that the
only motive which drew the crawds there was simple curio-
sity. Such is the faithful and simple history of what passed
yesterday, And which we have narrated devoid of all spirit
of party. It would be ridiculous to do otherwise, writing
for a people who were witnesses of the events we have just
- ilesenbed. A Prince who sought, and personally merited,
applause has not met with the reception corresponding to his
desires, and the delicate situation in which he presents him-
self in the midst of this nation, wounded by so many recol-
lections, deceived in its dearest hopes by those who, under
the auspices of this same Prince, try to shelter their ono
unpopularity."
MADIZID. Oct e.—Three per Cents., lib; Four per Cents., 21i;
Five per Cents., 21

On recurring to our files of American papers, we
find nothing that can be considered of domestic im-
portance, except that cotton was backward, and L.
indicated a short crop. It had suffered from heavy
rains, and been attacked by the worm. Between
2.10,000 and 300,000 bales are estimated to have
suffered from that cause, so that even presuming the
weather to prove favourable the crop was calculated
not to exceed 1,800,000 bales.
The grain crops, on the contrary, were larger than
any before gathered, and the high prices would bring
the produce quickly to sale.
As far as we can judge of matters political, from
what was transpiring in different parts of the Union,
the Native American party would seem to be losin
ground, and the Whig interests proportionably ad-
vancing.
The Californian expedition had left New York in
three transports, under convoy of the United States
frigate Preble. There was considerable disappoint-
ment felt that the influence of Santa Anna had not
been exercised with the Mexican government in
favour of peace, and that the propositions of Mr.
Polk had not been readily accepted. The cabinet at
Washington was evidently piqued. The proffered
mediation of England was declined, and orders were
issued to push the war with vigour. Tampico was to
be attacked without further delay ; General Tailor
would advance at once to Monterey, and General M ood
to Chihuahua as soon as reinforced. "Thus," says
the Washington Union, "three camps are in motion,
and we expect to hear of decisive and successful re-
sults from all at no distant day. It is supposed that
in thirty days, or sooner, General Taylor will be in
possession of Monterey, and perhaps of Saltillo. Ge-1
neral Wool, of the army of the centre, will be at Chi-
huahua, and Colonel Kearney will be at Santa Fe.
The meshes are apparently drawing closer around the
Mexicans; and three important posts and sections of
the country will be in our hands, besides the ports
which we may have taken in California."
The Hibernia, from Liverpool, was passed on the
2nd instant, between Halifax end Boston.
The following summary is from a New York

paper :
The expectation which prevailed when the last steamer
took her departure, that the offer on the part of this govern-
ment to treat with Mexico for peace might be aceepted and
lead to the prompt termination of the war, is now dissipated.
The answer on the part of Mexico to this proposition, received
at Washington some days ago, without declining the offer,
refers it to the decision of the National Congress, which is to
convene in the early part of December next—the same period
at which the Congress of the United States commences its
annual session. In the actual condition of affairs in Mexico,
this course does not seem unreasonable, and ought not to be
looked upon as disingenuous. There is no recognised sad
efficient government in that country just now—Paredes wise
had been duly elected President, has been overthrown by a
revolution, which recalls Santa Anna from the exile to
to which Parede's party had consigned him, and consigns Pa-
redes himself to the prison of Perote. A military elief,',Gensi-
ral Saks. exercises ad inierint the chief powers of the govern-
ment, alike without the consent and without the control of
any legislature. A new cabinet has been formed since the
return of Santa Anna, which is of his dictation.
Rejon, Secretary of State ; Almonte, of War ; Gomez
Ferias, of Finance—all three, it is believed, the two former
certainly, companions in exile of Santa Anna. Meantime
this chief remains in his Hacienda, and does not approach
the capital. Yet he seems to be recognised as the arbiter of
the public fortunes and destinies, for on the 20th of August,
four days after he landed at Vera Cruz, General Sales
addressed to him, as the recognised commander-in-chief of
the armies, a statement of the condition of the nation, and
of his own acts as the temporary head and chief. The
tone of the address is not peaceful, and special credit is
taken in it for the effort made to organise efficient resistance
to the American invaders of the soil. Santa Anna, in his
reply, professes his readiness to lay aside his functions as
commander-in-chief, under which title he was recalled by
the various pronunciamentos, whenever the destinies of the
nation are secured by an independent national legis-
lature' and expresses a hope, which full surely he does
not entertain, of being permitted yet " to lay at their feet
laurels plucked on the Sabine." This is mere " caviare "
for the multitude, and is only of importance as denot-
ing the conviction of a sagacious man, who knows his
countrymen, that any hope, however distant, of driving
back the Americans, even beyond the limits of Texas, is
eagerly caught at by the people. In this sheet will be
found some of the proclamations and addresses of Santa
Anna, which all indicate a desire to propitiate the people, of
whom he declares himself only the instrument.
General Sales has also sought, by repeated addresses to
the nation, to arouse it to action against the American armies ;
and in a proclamation of the 15th of August he dam as a
new insult and cause of resentment, the occupation of
California by our forces. Hitherto our own government
have not received any intelligence directly from the American
squadron in the Pacific, through whose agency oar flag has
been raised, without any resistance being offered, throughout
Upper California. Of this fact, however, there is no doubt.
The expedition, which has been in preparation in this port

I for several weeks, sailed for that destination lest Saturday,
although none of the transports were cleared for that region
directly.
The forces on the Rio Grande have taken up there march
I for Monterey. General Taylor, with his army, joined his
adulate. Which under General Worth had reached andpc•
, copied Seralvo, a town about midway between Camargo and
1 Monterey, about the 15th ult. He has sufficient force and
ad, plate provisions for pushing on to Monterey. which he
would probably do without loss of time. General Ampudia
is in command at Monterey, with an army differently esti-
mated at from 3,000 to 6,000 men. Monterey is not a strong
Veen, and the army of General Ampudia, whatey. r its num-
ber, cannot be either well organised, or well paid, or well
provided. There is, therefore, little to apprehend from any
recitation it can make to General Taylor's forces. He will
easily take Monterey, and probally Saltillo, though that is
mere of a fortress. What afterwards will be his course can-
not be anticipated.
The aceounts received from Vera Cruz are to the 6th of
Sept. The Hamburg brig Naiade, valued at 80.000 dollars,
had been seized by the blockading squadron, while attempt-
ing to break the lines, and sent a prize to New Orleans. The
Mexicans had offered to exchange the commander of the lost
brig-of-war Truxton for General. Vega, who was captured in
the engagement of Reseca de la Palm;. The President had
agreed to accept the offer. The sonadron was suffering
severely from scurry. The Potomac, Which had arrived fur
supplies at Pensacola, had upwards of 80 of her crew
invalided. The Raritan and the klissiasippi had left Pensa-
cola to rejoin the Heet.
We base a rumour, possibly premature, but only prema-
ture, far it will be verified, that General Kearney had
entered and occupied Santa Fe. That he will do so can
InAL hardl doubted.. rumour
The rumr we refer to, adds that
easeinsmdsr, renseined in the city.
a Comm matters there is a good deal of animation.
Our wheat crop this year, and that of Indian corn, are very
large, and the farmers are harrying them to market to avail
themselves of present high prices. The quotations under the
tumid head will show what the ruling rates are with us, and
if the next advices from Europe show rising prices there, ours
will take another jump.
The Cotton crop, it is now the conceded opinion, will be
quite short. Sound judges do not carry their estimate be-
yond 1,800,000, and their estimate is founded on the back-
wardness of the crop—unperullelled mince 1838—the known

ravage* of the army worm—and the small receipt of new
Cotton at New Orleans up to the 19th inct. The whole
quantity received up to that date was 2,389 belee, which is
less than half the quantity received in the preceding two
years up to let September. In 1810, the receipt of the new
crop at New Orleans, up to the 19th Sept., was 11,6,50 bales
—and the crop of that year only turned out 1,635,000 bales.

ROYAL MAIL STEAM-PACKET COMPANY.--The
half-yearly general meeting of proprieton to consider the work.
ing account for the half year ended 30th June, was held this
day at the London Tavern. Mr. T. Baring took the chair at
one o'clock. The Chairman having briefly opened the meet-
ing, the Secretary read the report, of which the following is
en abstract —The amended contract with her Majesty's
government, previously announced, had, it was stated, re-
mised formal ratification. The comoany'a ships continued to
arrive and depart, both abroad and at home, with the greatest
regularity. The arrangements for conveying passengers and
treasure across the isthmus of Panama had been completed,
and other means were in progress for facilitating that traffic.
Extended cabin accommodation had been found necessary,
and had entailed considerable expense. The amount
now invested in the insurance account was 50,7731. 4.. in
Three-and-a-quarter per cent. stock, and the claims hitherto
against that fund had been very inconsiderable. Upon the
total expenditure, the working account showed an aug-
mentation over that of the first six months of last year,
amounting to 3,86.31. 3s. Id., principally under the head of
Provisions ;" it was occasioned by the greater number of
passengers. There was an increase in the receipt., amounting
to 10,3321. ISs. ltd. ; showing an increased surplus of
6.469/. 15s. 10d. over the corresponding period of last year. An
addition of sa. per share to the dividend was proposed by the
directors, making it, for the half year ended 10th June last,
1/. Ids. per share, to be paid free of deduction on and
after the 19th hat. The Chairman having moved the adoa-
tion of the report, 'Mr. Ridgway, on rising to second it,
preceded to make some observations on the amount of the
dividend, which was not so great, he contended, as it ought
to be, considering the great increase which had taken place
in the receipts of the company. The proprietary ought to
enjoy the henefitof the increase nearly to the full extent ; the
dividend should, he maintained, be at least 71 per cent.
Many complaints had been made by passengers of being re-
moved from one part of the vessel to another, after they had
commenced their voyage; that after taking a cabin
berth at one island, they were compelled to
resign it on reaching another. This was
a serious grievance. The hon. proprietor then spoke of
the quality of the wises supplied to passengers on board the
company's vessels, of which he said there had been many
lust complaints. The hon. proprietor concluded by second-
ing the mutton for adopting this report.—Jhe Chair-
man, in reply to the above remarks, said that the
dividend was as great as the directors considered it
prudent that it should be ; that the occasional removal
of passengers, allegeilias matter of complaint, was unavoid-
able ; and that, in order to secure wines of the best quality,
the directors had ordered that they should in future be ob-
tained from two wine-merchants, and that the name and
price of those supplied by each, should be exhibited in the
cabin. This competition would, they hoped, supply an
effectual remedy. The report was unanimously adopted.
A vote of thanks proposed by Mr. Poynder, and seconded by
Mr. C. Mills, was given to the chairman and directors of the
ipany.