The Express.
London, England, 1847-07-22 00:00:00

ght epprzoo.

MAILS-. -
The overland closed maiM, via Mane Hies, to the Mediterranean,
f=tiden, Ceylon, India, Hong Kong, he., will be made up on the
of the 24th July.
The mails for Vigo, Owl o, Lisbon, Madeira, Gediz, and Gibraltar
will be made up on the morning of the 27th July.
The maiLs for New South Wale*, Van Diemen's Land, and New
Zealand will be made up on the evening of the 3150 July.
The West India mails, including those for Mexico, Honduraa, and
the tlavanash, au be made up on the morningof the 2nd August.
The mails for British North Amerioa, Bermuda, and the United
States, will be made up on the evening of the 3rd August.
Tbs orerian4 malls for Gibraltar, MaltA,Grecce, the lonian Isianda,
ArrO, Aden, Ceylon, India, Hong-Kong, and China, via Southampton,
will he made up on the morning of the 3rd August.
The naafis for the Brazils, the River Plate, Monte Video, Pernam.
kw, Bahia, Madeira, and Buenos Ayres, will be made up on the
trolling of the ith August.

the southern provinces of China, men like YLIING
and his " boys of the belt" generally stand in a sort
of JONATHAN WILD relation of alternate fend and al-
liance with the rabble of great towns like Canton, and
the pirates who swarm between Chnean and Hainan.
Both of these classes are at this time highly exas-
perated against the English. The latter, hopeful of
plunder, are straining, like greyhounds in the leash,
to be let loose upon them—chafing at the hand that
withholds them. The former, under the impression
that the English are availing themselves of the un-
manly terrors of the Mandarins to make these
intriguers and oppressors the instruments of wresting
houses and farms from respectable families, or, at the
least, of raising the rents upon them, are writhing
under the supposed injustice.
A very different policyonght to be pursued towards
these two classes, yet the English at Canton seem
resolved to recognise no distinction between them.
This is more to be lamented than wondered at in the
case of the majority of the merchants—so many of
whom, though settled so long in China, have not even
attempted to learn the language of the people among
whom they dwell, and by dealing with whom they
have grown rich. But it is surprising that the
English consul should have acted so iajudiciously as
to refuse to receive the temperate and creditable
memorial presented by the elders of Ilonan.
It is fortunate for this country, at a tine when
so little would be necessary to embroil the English
and Chinese at Canton in inveterate hostilities, that a
man like KEYING is placed over the province. The
diplomatic talents, general information, and judicious
spirit of inquiry of this Chinese statesman are
admitted by all British diplomatists who have come
in contact with him. His natural dignity has left a
strong impression on every Englishman high or low
who has seen him. lie has been the unflinching and
unvarying advocate of a pacific policy and extended
commercial intercourse with Europeans. And on the
present occasion he has shown himself as superior
to the mass of his countrymen in moral courage as
in intelligence. Ho has—it is apparent from the
Emperor's resoript—dared to tell his sovereign the
plain unvarnished tale of Chinese discomfiture at the
Bogue forts and Canton, and to advise the adoption of
a just and conciliatory policy, instead of unavailing
attempts at retaliation. It is for the interest of Eng-
land—of the whole civilised world—that the empire
of China should be preserved intact to its full extent;
with a frivolous, ignorant, and over-weaning central
government, it will be no easy task to avoid contri-
buting to its dilapidation. A statesman like KEYING,
fall of national pride, yet far in advance of national
intelligence, is in such circumstances invaluable as
the channel of communication between his country-
men and their foreign visitors.
Would that we could say as much for the repre-
sentatives of the British government in China ; but it
is impossible. There is much of official departmental
talent there. Colonel D'AcuitAn has approved
himself by his conduct of the late expedition a
master of his trade. Mr. Consul MACGREGOR is
great as a statist. Others might be named were it
necessary. And yet the whole direction of British
alLars in China has of late been one series of
blunders. We say nothing of the pitiful and captious
legislation by which our trade has been hampered in
the Chinese waters; nothing of the miserable mis-
takes, financial and municipal, by which the progress
of Hong Kong has been impeded. It is enough that
from the illegal condemnation of Mr. Comeros to the
rejection of the Henan memorial the conduct of the
British authorities has been characterised alternately
by rashness and timidity, each characteristic being
displayed with a "curious felicity" exactly at the
time when it was most likely to do harm. the cause
is that there is no head there—no person qualified to
take the lead.
The present is the critical period which must decide
upon the nature of our future relations with China.
A man of independent habits of thought, and great
self-reliance—a man of clear discrimination to know
the good from the refuse of a foreign people—a man
of indomitable courage to assert our rights, yet of
strong self-control to prevent passion gaining the
mastery over him—is wanted there, to turn to account
that providential dispensation by which a character
like KEYING has been placed so high in the Em-
peror's confidence, at the time when China is for the
first time disposed (or compelled) to cultivate more
extended relations with other countries.

THE unusual lull of party warfare on the eve of a
general election might be turned, and, in some cases,
we hope, will be turned, to great public advantage.
Constituencies have, on the present occasion, un-
wonted facilities for selecting candidates with a view
rather to their personal qualifications than to the co-
lour or faction to which they belong. In 1811, the
majority in most counties and boroughs would
rather have chosen a blockhead or a
scamp than
a political opponent. The field of choice is now
widened ; and there seems reason to expect that the
new parliament will contain more than the usual
amount of political knowledge and ability. It would,
however, be better that the election should be
decided, as in former times, by a trial of strength
between two great rival parties, than that
active cliques and sectional interests should
turn the armistice to their own purposes by
making their support exclusively contingent on the
disposition of a candidate to further their own imme-
diate objects. A readiness to give pledges on isolated
questions is always a sign either of dishonesty or of
imprudence. It is seldom possible to tell what form
they will have assumed, or in what relation they will
stand to the general political system, at the time
when the pledge will have to be redeemed or ne-
glected. When Benedick said he should die a
bachelor, it did not occur to him that he might live to
be married. It follows that those who exact such
' pledges as the condition of their support, not
only disregard, in the exercise of their electoral
franchise, the wider considerations which ought
to determine their votes, but give an advan-
tage to those candidates who display the greatest
amount of levity and unscrupulousness. There are
many questions which stand quite apart from general
politics, and yet interest particular bodies in the
strongest manner ; contests between different lines of
railway, excise regulations, factory bills, and even
personal questions, are naturally urged. by those
whom they concern on the attention of their would-be
representatives: but although such considerations
may sometimes turn the scale of a nicely-balanced
contest, there has been a general understanding that
they are subordinate to general polities, and that a
candidate who differs from a vote on the merits of
the gauges, or on the innocence of the Rajah of SAT-
TARA, may nevertheless be well qualified to represent
general wishes and interests in parliament.
Unfortunately, the false issue which many ill-
judging persons are endeavouring to force upon con-
stituencies at present belongs to the department of
religious politics, which have always formed the
most formidable disturbing force which has affected
English legislation. Love for proteetantism, and
hatred of popery, or a disposition to advocate sec-
tarian theories, are everywhere held out by active
sections of electors as the grounds for choosing one
of the sovereign body of the empire, which is the
greatest in the world, and which comprises the
greatest variety of races, languages, and religions
among its subjects. It is not so much because those
who require religious pledges are in error, ma because
they turn a grave political decision into a sectarian
dispute, that we protest against their narrow and
exclusive dictation. The English Roman catholics
have already in excusable self-defence determined to
act at the election with a view to the advancement
of catholic interests only, and in Ireland the
clamorous hostility of the ultra-protestants may
well provoke corresponding virulence on the
part of the priests and of the people whom
they govern. In the mean time the great body of
intelligent electors and by-standers, who believe t!te
functions of parliament to be of the highest importance,
and yet think that to decide between religious truth
and error is no part of its duties, see themselves
reduced to silence by • quarrel which ought to
take place, if at all, in a wholly different arena.
Eligible candidates are rejected, or intruders
thrust upon constituencies, because they feel, or
neglect, the scruples which may arise when
pledgee are required not to endow the Irish clergy.
We are not arguing in favour of the endow-
ment, but we may appeal to all reasonable men
whether an opinion that it may at some time be de-
sirable is one that should exclude a fit candidate from
the representation of such bodies as the City of
London or the University of Cambridge? Unfortu-
nately, the probable remoteness of the question from
actual decision or discussion in parliament, has
tempted too many candidates on both sides to par-
chase support by giving the desired pledge. That

TO CORRESPONDENT&
patent. Ishmael Aar Tar Xrpraw, Lesiatt earzla...paper, mast M
at Oa Oita Ity Two Vakatate Oa er► a pa

RION WATER AT LONDON-11111D91.
Tut. Ihr—MalTalai, prIS a, Alliarree. 7 als. past 9.
To•Mozao•—Alersista 39 AAA we 9. altsrame. 17 Na. p.. 10.

LONDON, THURSDAY, JULY 22.

In the House of Lords yesterday the business was
merely of a routine character.
Ire the House of Commons the Bishopric of Man-
chester Bill was again made matter of discussion on
the question of the third reading, Mr. HUME moving
that the bill be read a third time that day six months.
The principal speakers were Sir J. GRARAM and Lord
J. RUSSELL; and on a division the original motion was
carried by a majority of 93 to 14. After a clause
proposed by Mr. P. Boarnwicx had been negativel
without a division, the bill pnased.—A discussion at
the instance of Sir D. L. Eves ensued on the sub-
ject of commuted army pensions, where the parties
bad accepted lands in Canada as an equivalent which
had turned oat to be worthless. Mr. F. MAULE in-
timated that the system had been abandoned ; and
Lord J. RUSSELL said there would be no diffi-
culty in restoring the pensions provided the iden-
tity of the parties could be proved.—The sub-
ject of lands belonging to the Duchy of Cornwall,
required for railway purposes, and the conduct of the
Chancellor of the Duchy in reference thereto, was
made matter of observation and complaint by Mr.
HUDSON.-Mr. R. YORKE having moved for certain
correspondence relative to Dr. Itein's case, as con-
nected with the ventilation of the new House of
Commons, Lord Moue ern acquiesced in the motion,
expressing his hope that the proposal about to be
made to Dr. REID for carrying out that object would
be acceded to by him.

TUE news from China is of a chequered character.
Such events as our " Superintendent of Trade" cap-
turing the Bogue forts, and dictating terms to the
governor of Canton at the Factories, could not be ex-
pected to pass over without leaving something like
irritation in the minds of the Chinese.
Consequently, we find excitement enough, and to
spare, among the people of the " Central Flowery."
Care most be taken, however, to distinguish between
two entirely distinct classes of the excited.
On the one hand we have to deal with a shrewd,
sturdy class of disputants, much disposed at all times
to stand upon their right, and having that disposi-
tion heightened at present by wounded national
pride into something very apt to become obsti-
nacy. We allude to the classes represented
by the elders of Honan, who waited upon Mr. Consul
MACG REGOR, to present a memorial respecting the
propoeal to assign a piece of ground on the south
side of the Canton river, under a building lease, to the
English. The details are given elsewhere in this
days publication, and are worthy of serious atten-
tion. The venerable and dignified appearance of the
elders appears to have impressed even the most
thoughtless of our English residents (and a more
reckless set than some of them it would be difficult
to find) with respect. The memorial speaks the
language of clear-headed men of business. And the
manner in which the delegates from 48 villages met,
prepared, and adopted their memorial, betokens a
people among whom habits of popular self-govern-
ment have grown to maturity under the shadow of a
sham government.
On the other hand, we have the incendiary rabble
of Canton, and such characters as the prefect of Sin-
hing-fu and his "braves." The former are merely
reproductions, in Chinese forms, of characters that are
to be found in every great European town. The pro-
testant house-burners, roused to action by the weak
Lord GEORGE GORDON, were their exact counter-
parts. Even their silly insolence to foreigners is not
without its European counterpart: in the Liverpool
docks we once saw the rabble who incommoded a
crew of Lasears by their impertinent curiosity, spit
in the faces of these sailors when civilly asked to
leave the vessel. The class to whom YEE' NO and his
band of " braves " belong, as any one may learn
from Mr. MEADOWS'S ‘' Desultdry Notes," is merely
creature frequent enough under all imbecile govern-
ments—a reckless intriguing courtier, with a band of
unscroludous dependents to work his bidding. In

THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY EVENING, JULY 22, 1847.

each of them as are ultra-protestants or indiscriminate
opponents of all ecclesiastical endowments, may be
justified in complying with the popular demand, we
do not dispute, but we believe that many. have
merely given their promises for the sake of imme-
diate support, in the hope that the practical agitation
of the question may be indefinitely postponed.
The union of religions parties in the opposition to
popery is singular enough. The dissenters, hating
Items much, but Canterbury more, are more earnest
in their opposition to endowment in the abstract than
to the endowment of error in the particular case.
The low church party, on the other hand, instead of
looking on endowments as abominations, think
them things far too good to be shared with a body
of benighted papists. Determined to ignore such
precedents as those of Scotland, of Canada, of Malta,
and of India, and obstinately refusing to recognise the
constitutional equality of catholics with protestants,
they rely on the objection that by endowing more than
one sect, the state proclaims its indifference between
truth and error.--a conclusion which we willingly
admit, and can scarcely repel till wo find that parlia-
ment has some means of ascertaining religious truth,
as well as au authority to proclaim it.
It is clear that these two parties, if they are right
in demanding the pledge which they agree in exact-
ing, cannot both be right in the diametrically opposite
reasons which determine their conduct. If they were
opposing a distinct practical measure, the inconsis-
tency would instantly be felt, but at present they are
engaged in the difficult and complicated task of
proving a universal negative. We are es willing as
any opponent of popish claims to allow that many
very objectionable schemes might be devised for en-
dowing the Irish priests; but till a scheme is
actually drawn up, we are equally unwilling to pledge
ourselves to support or to oppose it. A parliamentary
grant would stand on quite different grounds from a
transfer of the revenues of the Irish church to the
prevalent denomination, and it is unnecessary to sug-
gest that in either plan there might be innumerable
modifications on which its eligibility might depend.
We doubt whether a calm and logical dissenter, how-
ever zealous, would deliberately adhere to the pro-
position that the Irish catholic church should, in all
cases, be debarred from holding corporate property,
from whatever source it might arise. That church
already possesses endowments, and is legally qualified
to hold them on a larger scale. The Eoglrsh Pro-
testant sects, all we believe, without exception,
Possess endowments, some to a very great amoant.
Ile last Scotch secession has resulted in the estab-
lishment of a church which already counts its posses-
Sio/18 by hundreds of thousands, and if the English
Church were stripped of its possessions to-morrow, it
would in a year be again the richest corporation in
the kingdom. We are not arguing on one side or
the other. We only ask the religious bodies to wait
till a measure is proposed before they pledge their
representatives to resist it. When it has become a
party question, perhaps they will not find that candi-
dates will give pledges so lightly.
As a specimen of the absurdity of selecting mem-
bers exclusively on the ground of their adoption of
some isolated proposition, we may refer to a circular
of a not very powerful body, called the Peace Society,
which, like the National Club, exhorts electors to set
aside all considerations but the maintenance of its own

peculiar hobby. There is not, we suppose, one mem-
ber in the existing parliament, and we hope there
will not be one in the next, who would carry out the
scheme of the society by refusing, in all cases and at
all times, to concur in a just and necessary war. It
is, however, not quite so certain that an unscrupulous
candidate might refuse to purchase half-a-dozen
crotchety voters by promising to carry their views into
effect. They will not have advanced the cause of
peace, but they will have taken an airing on their
hobby, and have thrown their weight probably into
the wrong scale. More powerful and impor-
tant bodies should avoid a similar error, and
not choose the candidate who agrees with them
in one proposition, in preference to an opponent who
may perhaps represent their wishes on all others. At
the last general election a Welsh farmer met a
stranger nding over the hills, and inquired of him, as
being probably better informed than himself, which of
the two candidates would by his return be most likely
to raise the price of wool. He (the farmer), for his
part, was determined to vote for the friend of wool.
The stranger confessed his inability to answer the
question, and respectfully suggested that the result of
the contest for the county might perhaps not be de-
cisive in the wool market. Welsh bill farmers, how-
ever, seldom change their opinions, and we have no
doubt the voter went to the poll and voted for his
fleeces. It is to be hoped that he reaped his reward ;
but if his present representative is a good member, he
must, as far as the farmer's vote went, be considered a
happy accident.

NOTHING is more common in France. than what
are called pot de rims, gratuities to people who enable
others to get a good contract, or to conclude what is
called a tonne affaire. The memoirs of °I:VR.4RD and
those of Gisouer most fully disclose how these
things are managed and regularly expected in affairs
of the first, as of lesser magnitude. When omnibuses
were invented, M. GISQUET acquaints the curious
public on what terms the public functionary, charged
, with sanctioning them, did sanction them.
How could railroad enterprises prove exceptions to
the general rule, or that host of undertakings which
sprang up simultaneously with railroads, such as
mines and forges? M. TaSTE was a barrister of
first-rate practice. Marshal Sourr induced him to
give up his practice, and take a portfolio in his cabi-
net. M. TESTE, for this, abandoned a handsome in-
come, and for this, perhaps, was entrusted with that
department, of which he knew nothing, viz., Public
Works. Just at the moment that M. TesTE gave up
his practice at the bar for practice at the French
public works, railroad companies were formed in
England to execute French lines. That of Rouen and
Paris was one. M. TEFTE'S mode of administering the
French Public Works department is perfectly well
known in this country. M. M.'.RnN was Minister of
Public Works before M. TESTE, and M. MARTIN
amassed a very handsome fortune.
This is one of the terrible vices of centralising all
power in the hands of government, especially in a re-
publican country like France. Ministers and func-
tionaries are poorly paid, yet poor men are put into
these places of immense power, and charged with the
sanctioning and adjusting demands and claims made
by the wealthiest capitalists. It is almost impossible,
but that corruption must come of such a system. The
other offices of a French ministry have power and
patronage of great extent. These are used by Home-
office, and Foreign-office, and Finance-office, for what
one might call the legitimate purpose of strengthening
the government, and acquiring electoral and parlia-
mentary support. Public works could not be ma-
naged with such a purpose and to each an end. We
see that it was not maintained free from corruption.
It becomes a serious question, where this sanction
and authority over public works, or over works in
which the public are mainly interested, should be
placed. Parliamentary committees and parliament
itself have been made the scenes of very disgrace-
ful struggles. Our own early railroad projec-
tors could tell stories of the House of Lords,
and of the mode of influencing it, which we
think would startle the believer in parliamentary and
aristocratic independence. Science may make, at no
distant day, a discovery that would occasion, and de-
mand, as much outlay and enterprise as railroads. The
most advanced countries are finite unprepared to deal
with such a state of things. Placed in juxtaposition
with each other, England tried the system of non-
interference, France all-interference. The English
system has turned out the purest and best. A more
tangled turmoil than the French government dealings
with private enterprise could not well be found ; and
of the purity of the direction we may form an idea
from the late trials.
Will errors mend, or will exposure care ? We
doubt it. What law has as yet eradicated electoral
corruption ? What example can abolish ministerial
corruption, if the thing be in the habits and tolerance
of the people? When M. PELLAPRA heard of the
danger that threatened him for having bribed a high
functionary, he replied, " Pooh, I have been doing it
all my life." And M. PELLAI'RA would find ready
and safe means of pursuing his avocation to-morrow.
The wonder in the present instance is not the cor-
ruption that has been disclosed, but the foolish frank-
ness and confidence with which it was carried
on. General CURIERES states the whole business on
the broad sheet of a letter, and TESTE, when he gets
the money, invests the sum in his own or his son's
name. 'the most trifling precaution would have
rendered conviction impossible; and so impossible did
TESTI'. deem it, that ho scouted all the considerate
offers of the government to stop the proceedings, if

of the 36th regiment, and one of the bandsmen of the 62nd,
piumgere on board the Hindoetan, died suddenly on the
16th ; their funerals were attended by their fellow-passen-
gers, the commandant and the medical otlioen of the hos-
pital, the medical officers of the ships in harbour, and a
lieutenant from each ship. The Antonio, Dutch merchant
vessel, called in last night with her ensign half mast high ,•
she is from Batavia, and has on board the body of Colonel
fiteiaachea, of the Netherlands army, who died at sea two
days ago. He is to be interred here this afternoon with
military honours ; the programme of the funeral procession
has inn been issued by the commodore, and will consist of
boats end officers:from the Mariner, Wanderer, Tortoise, and
Penelope, and the officers and marines on shore.

FRIGHTFUL LOSS OF LIFE IN A BELGIAN

COAL MINE.
Bitusence, iI:LY 19. On the night of the
16th inst. a destructive Are broke out on the premises
connected with the Marihaye Coal Works, near Seraing. It
originated in the engine•room near the mouth of the
pit, and rapidly spread, catching in its progress, and burn-
ing, the ladders and ropes which served for descending into
the coal pit, and thus cutting eff for the time all means of
escape for 161 workmen who were at work therein. The
first signal of their danger was the appearance of dense
columns of smoke which came down the mouth of the pit.
The workmen immediately rushed to the ladders, but the
foremost, after ascending them a short distance, were
either suffocated and fell dead to the ground, or
killed by the falling of burning materials from the
top of the shaft. Ihe fire was, after great efforts,
mastered, and a descent into the pit made, when a most
frightful sight presented itself. The dead, the dying, and
the wounded, lay all scattered about the place. Forty.one
dead bodies were taken out of the pit, end thirty-one alive,
but most of them badly wounded. Search was being made
for the remainder.

ITALY.—NAPLES, JULY 9.—lt appears that great
disturbances have occurred, and still conunue, in Calabria,
which now abounds with Deigned!. A band of these, to the
number of 200, well mounted, and commanded by a priest,
carry terror through the country. Another band, of the
same number, and equally well mounted, is in Apulia, Ind both
are endeavouring to make a junction. The excitement occa-
sioned at Naples by this intelligence livery great. Seven bat-
talions of soldiers have been sent to the assistance of the troops
already on the spot, and it is stated on good authority that
the minister of police is going is person to the scene of die.
turbance. The immediate cause of these risings is the pre.
sailing misery and want of the peasantry, but whether there
may be other causes is not known. It is anticipated, from
the present state of the country and the spirit of the people,
that considerable difficulty will be found in putting down the
moveiOment.
ILLAND.—THE HAGUE, JULY 19.—1 t is in-
tended to enter into an arrangement with Sweden to par-
ticipate in the profit which will result in the opening of the
new canal from Helsingborg to Landakron. An arrange.
went of this kind will be a loss to Denmark of its principal
source of revenue, forithe trade of the Sound brings an amount
annually of two millions of dollars. The correspondent of
the Cologne Gazette is of opinion that these new relations
will, probably, render the Danish government more tractable,
and that if Prussia would resume the negotiations which have
several times been interrupted, she would succeed in sub.
stituting for the toll levied on the Prussian vessels, en annual
sum, which she will pay to Russia.
GALICIA.—LEMBERG,JCLY 3.—Aletter from Lem-
berg, of July 5, states that for some time past a great number
of Jews have been emigrating from Russia into Galicia, in
consequence of the late measures adopted by the Russian
government relative to their worship. The Jewish popula-
tion of Galicia being, in consequence of this influx, aug-
mented a seventh, the government of Galicia has decided on
establishing colonies of Jews in liukowina, where the popula-
tion is rather thin.
EGYPT. DAMIETTA. PET CROCODILES. A
dreadful event took place at Damietta in the early part of
June. The governor of the town, Arif Effendi, kept in his
gardens two crocodiles he had succeeded in taming. One of
the negroes whose duty it was to attend to these favourites
having ill-treated one of these animals, its natural ferocity
returned, and in its fury it sprang on the governor's son, a
youth about 12 years of age, who was walking by the negro's
side, and strangled him.
CAPE DE VERD.—It is well known that volcanic
craters exist in most of the groups of islands in the Atlantic.
The island of Fogs, the chief of the Cape de Verd Islands,
contains several; but the volcano had been for fifty years at
rest, and the seven mouths through which the lava was wont
in its fury to rush forth, bad been nearly filled up by huge
masses of rocks, which hod from time to time fallen into
them. It was, therefore, to the no small terror of the inha-
bitants of the island of Fogs, that they were made aware, by
continual internal rumblings, that an explosion was in pre-
paration. Accordingly, on the 9th of April last, the volcano
burst forth with a violent noise, accompanied by a shock
which was felt over the whole island. The rocks
which obstructed the craters were thrown up into
the air, and the passages thus freed for the lava
which poured down from the seven mouths thus opened to
it, carrying destruction before it, killing, on its way to the
sea, a distance of three miles, several head of cattle, and
destroying an immense number of plantations. An unfor-
tunate child was surprised by the lava, and fell, the only
human victim to the eruption. The land thus laid waste
was inhabited by about 50 Portuguese colonists, who fled,
leaving behind all they possessed. A subscription has since
been opened for their relief. These details are taken from
the official account delivered by the Portuguese authorities
of the place to tho Governor-General of the Cape de Verd
Islands.
CALIFORNIA.—FiIes of the Californian (a paper
published by the Americans at Monterey) to the beginning
of March, were received at Hong-Kong on the 3rd of May.
They contain General Kearney's proclamation on assuming
the civil government of the state, dated the Ist of March
last; an ordinance by Walter Cotten, chief magistrate of
Monterey, relative to the employment of Indians; and
another from the same source to prevent the sale of stolen
property. The tone of General Kearney's proclamation ap-
pears to imply that California is considered as permanently
incorporated with the North American Union. A free go-
vernment, similar to the governments of the states of the
union, is to be granted with the least possible delay. In the
mean time " the laws now in existence, and not in conflict
with those of the United States, will be continued." The
ordinances referred to show that at Monterey, as at Vera
Cruz and Tampico, the North American invaders have con-
ferred upon their neighbours of the Spanish race realcffective
municipal government for the first time.
SANDIVICH ISLANDS.—Papers from these
islands to March 27, were received at Hong Kong May 3.
The foragers for the United States troops in California had
cleared the market at Oahu of all that was disposable. The
inhabitants were in consequence feeling the pressure of
scarcity. The impartation of beef, pork, flour, &c., into
California, free of duty, for six months, had been proclaimed.