The Express.
London, England, 1847-09-06 00:00:00

WEST INDIA & MEXICAN
MAILS.
•

The Royal Mail Company's steam-ship, Great
Western, Captain Abbott, arrived at Southampton
yesterday, at 9 a.m. The Admiralty agent, Lieut.
Miller, was left behind sick at Havanna. Mr. Elli-
son, the second officer of the Great Western, took
charge of the mails.
The dates brought by this arrival are :—Vera
Aug. 2 ; Tampico, July 26 ; Havanna, Aug. 11
Chagres, July 27 ; Carthagena, July 29 ; La Gasp&
Aug. 2; Jamaica, Aug. 8; Honduras, July 20;
British Guiana, Aug. 4 ; Trinidad, Aug. 5; Barb.-
does, Aug. 8 ; Grenada, Aug. 9 ; St. Thomas, Aug. 1b;
Bermuda, Aug. 20.
The Great Western brought home 49 passengers.
The freight on board consists of 208,391 dollars
on merchants' account; 591 ounces gold dust;
1,9411. British coin ; 26 bars of silver, valor
63,486 dollars; 10 scrons cochineal ; 2 boxes
pearls; 6.5 bales tobacco; 114 cases cigars; 22 bales
sarsaparilla; 8 bales jalap ; 5 boxes vanilla; 17
packets arrow-root; 27 cases pines ; 62 turtle ; sad
70 small parcels.
The dates from Mexico are the same brought yid
New York by the Hibernia, consequently we have
nothing new of any moment. There appears to be
plenty of money in Mexico, bat there is great di
in a.
calty getting it to the coast. General Varedes
proceeded to Mexico, under the assumed name of
Morgan, in the Teviut from Havanna. We have cot
been able to learn whether he made good his landing,
on which head great doubts were entertained at his
departure.
Santa Martha was sickly, and the want of rain
much felt. On the arrival of the Clyde Packet at that
place on the 19th of July she found there an Ameri-
can high-pressure steam-boat, the first of the three
destined to navigate the Magdalena river. It had
made the passage from New York in 24 days, touch-
ing at Bermuda and St. Thomas to coal. On the re-
turn of the packet to Santa Martha on the 30th of
July the American steamer was still at Santa Martha
taking in a Largo for Bogota. It was to sail in a week.
With 200 tons of coals on board, it drew lees than
3 feet ' • with 80 tons of goods, one day's wood fuel,
and 20 passengers, it will draw 2 feet 8 inches. Ano-
ther is expected in October ; the third is only to be
built if they succeed. Our correspondent procured
the following information from an American engineer
employed in the construction of the canal between
Carthagena and the Rio Magdalena:
The steam-boats in question are to run between Santa
Martha and Bogota, in opposition to others which are to
communicate with Carthagena by the canal. The govern-
ment has given 100,000 dole. to each company, to keep up
the opposition and prevent monopoly. The canal, or the
communication by it with Carthagena, will open into the
large bay or harbour opposite the further entrance, culled
Boca Chia, or small passage, distant about seven miles from
the town. It is an inlet of still water, which runs in a ser-
pentine direction to within 10 miles of the river 60
miles), varying in breadth from 50 to 600 feet, at times very
deep and elsewhere almost dry ; bat by the employment of
the necessary machines the whole will soon be navigable.
On the canal there are about 500 men employed under
American engineer', and seven, out of the ten, miles are
completed.
The new tariff was received from Bogota at Car-
thagena on the 28th of July : the duties on exports
have been considerably reduced, and those on imports
to a still greater extent. It was reported that, at the
lest Congress at Bogota, the proposal to make Panama
a free port was rejected by a majority of one ; the de-
puty for Panama, whose private interests are opposed
to such a step, having voted in the majority. Govern-
ment, however, is understood not to have abandoned
the measure. Don Juan Francisco Martin, plenipo-
tentiary to Peru from the republic of New
Grenada embarked on board the Clyde at Carthagena,
with his family, on the 20th of July, and landed at
:PST, where arrangements had been made to for.
tim en his way immediately. It is believed
that his mission relates to a commercial arrangement
with Peru, by which the produce of that country shall
be transported by Panama, instead of round Cape
Horn.
The Rio Chagree had been flooded by the heavy
rains at the time the packet arrived. The mails from
Panama were three days in reachiog,Chagres, and
in consequence of the state of the roads and weather,
few passengers had arrived from the Pacific. Com-
modore Stockton was expected at Panama on his
return from California, but had not arrived when the
mails left. Some American officers far the Pacific
squadron took a passage in the Clyde from
Jamaica to Chagres among whom was Commander
Rudd of the United States corvette, Dale, whose
former commander had resigned from ill-health.
There was much talk at Chapel' of intelli-
gence from Bogota that the government had
made a grant of territory for 99 years to some
European company (we suppose the Royal Mail
Steam-packet Company), for the formation of a road
across the isthmus. It is believed the road is to ran
from Porto Bello, and that great privileges have been
conceded to encourage the company in their opera-
tions. The feeling at Panama was that if this be
true, the inhabitants will emigrate to Porto Bello.
An American, who has been for some time resident as
a medical practitioner in Central America, mentioned
to our correspondent that the inhabitants of Costa
Rica espouse the cause of Mexico against the United
States with great warmth. Americans, he says, find
it impossible to reside amongst them, and the Eng-
lish, as speaking the same language with the Amen-
cane, come in for a fall share of the disagreeable&
Madame Rivera, widow of the late president of
Hayti, wasexpected to arrive at Jacmel in the Clyde
on the 10th of August. At the suggestion of the'
general in command there, the British consul sent off
• to warn her that imprisonment, and, perhaps, death,
alight be the consequence of her landing, but she was
hot on board.
The Clyde learned on the 12th of August that a
Newish frigate from Havanna had been in communi-
cation with the governor of Porto Rico all day, and
bed made sail for Santiago de Cuba in the evening. It
was said that the answer to her despatches was, to be
seutthence overland to, Havanna to the captain-general.
JAMAICA.—The political news from this colony
'pit, unless we are to give that designation to statements
'kit the governor hes appointed such or such a gentleman
prising barrister, or that he has made a speech—apparently

none of the wimM—at the St. Ann's cattle show. Of this
speech in question, we have searched our files in vain for • I
complete report, but • passe quoted by tbe Jamaica
Despatch is as indacreet as could well be imagined. ✓lf that
journal speaks correctly, his excellency "confessed that the
indignation of a-British subject may well be stirred at find_ I
ing himself driven into competition with the slave-trader."
Now this, if really said, was pandering to the angry misap-
prehensions of a part akin audience. There can be no doubt
that a system like slavery ramifying into all the social and
economical relations of our sugar colonies could not he ex-
tirpated without creating some uneasiness. It is equally true
that the bungling, alternately hesitating, 'and precipitated
manner in which it was sat about aggravated the evil. But
it is equally true that slavery could not be defended,
and that its extirpation was inevitable; as also that
further perseverance in a restrictive commercial policy
would increase instead of alleviating the evils of the
West Indies. These views are acknowledged to be
just by the majority of the resident colonists, who sup-
ported negro emancipation before it became law. Those
who cry out for continued protection, and make sentimental
appeals to our "free labourers," as requiring to be pro-
tected against the competition of sugar grown by slaves, are
precisely those who battled to the last to uphold slavery.
(heir mistaken views and ill.humour we can pardon, but not
the encouragement of it, for the purpose of obtaining a
temporary popularity, by a man who knows better, as the
I Governor of Jamaica unquestionably does.
With reference to the general state of trade in the island,
' De Cordova 's Circular reenarksee—" If we except the de-
cline in the prices of some articles, which will be found par-
ticularised below, no change of any moment has occurred in
the state of the market since our last report. The circum-
stances which were at that period exercising a depressing in-
Beene° on our trade, continue to operate against it to the
same extent. With Teepee& to the new tariff, nothing
(either has been heard relative to the movements of the
home government. We may mention, however, that the o:d
tariff has been ordered to be enforced until the matter shall
be finally arranged."
There is &statement bearing on the delay of information
respecting the fate of this same new tariff in the Jamaica
Despatch, which, as illustrative of the habitual procrastina-
tion of the Colosial-olltes, may has Had a place
wises. dole Item aeimestyxery was publicity to a rumour that
the gentym sad minmarld math* be Ike as, tariff law pawed last
si toss lady Isle vellierell let Se the Bonin of gitaembly for
resendemetlan at IM wet se mien. Bak trim tbs rumour being me-
rest. as rib the alletelmg menieele, engt Irby Lewis Ari Esq.,
free letters reselved br hie In Wand, will convince our
readers to the contrary. The is an extract of a letter dated
London, June I : 1 mblemed the Board of Trade upon
ihesubjeet(ss per ;Imes then I have been at the Board
.(Trade at sad analta 7lam Mr. Wm% the principal se-
sal, tdar_lelltdal Ildiagra3 permattaport duty, with
drawlest, sad malmiJamillia • pit. as odd that both arc what
worm mato Inaba cal r lelaemeset ; but there were other
camiimathastawatted, psstleelmlly as* the Navigation laws, which
are at tide arrasat viadir she eaistematir at the government, and
midi bear as tie PMT aH d Ida* mold be fallsonakiered by
the Semi et Teak ea plum nub tile y to adopt or
reject Ike paltko sad 11101Marbe *as lambs ; sot, as I nagerelood
the subject, ft was very prokelle dug I law he menummil leLife the
board w give evidence on the .eels,. des did, I ban am Mr.
Ixtevre wen, and he told we that the manialai WI pillion had
not yet reached the °face, I shel Militylbrie midi am& they des'''
Another letter to Mr. Aria, under dais 'ldadirk Jr the '
1517,, from the mole correspondent, esehins the 1
Lave been at Islet a dozen lime be al Board of Trade, and crest
the secretary about the hawks messerlal and petition: they have
sot yet reached that office. TY saitetary has promised to write ISC
when they do.' Neat packet; no doubt, will bring some poeittve in-
.. .

Next packet ! Ah, too sanguine Despatch ! You ought to
have known the delays of Me office better. The packet
arrived in due course, but, as our extract from 'Do Cordova
will have informed the reader, not a word about tee tariff.
The weather, up to the latest advice', continued anything
but satisfactory. In St. Mary's it was most destructive.
The rivers throughout the pariah were nearly all dry, there
being in some places not water enough to supply the steam-
engines or the still houses. One estate in the lower part of
the pariah had, for some time pest, been compelled to carry
water in puncheons for the supply of the engine, but even
this resort has at last been giv,n up, and on that, as well
as on other estates, sugarmaking is entirely suspended.
although there is a large field of canes yet to be takes off.
Meanwhile the plants for next yeses crop were alm :rt burnt
out of the ground ; some pieces of spring plants had been i
supplied as often us four times to no purpose. At Montego
Day the weather was very sultry; rein.clouds passed over,
and carried away their contents to the ocean or distant
lands. In the dearth of news possessing human interest, the
following, relating to atmospheric convulsions, may have
interest. It is contained in a letter dated Lucea, July 20:
On Wednesday last one of the most frightful and terrible whirl-
winds that I believe has ever been witnessed In this island assailed
the town and port of Loma. The wind blew from all ganders as If
cooverging to a focus at the same time. The rain mined with hail-
stones fell in torrents The eel roe ILI a =MOIL, ned, and then
retired several feet. It memeal as if an opening in its bed had oc-
curred, and that it limb into the boom of the globe. The lightning
flashed, and then an earthquake followed, which la-led tererul
meads. A gentleman who has nearly reached his Beth year, but
whose strength of body and vigour of mind are unimpaired, declared
to me that it wis me of the severest he ever felt, and that the bou.e
literally rocked, while all the females ran =reaming out of doors.
God be praised that, so far as we yet know, m damage has bees done
and no lives loot. . . _

—•--
The earth, too, has been moved in Jamaica as well u the
air

We understand that during the Lug week of July the submerge-
mad of a considerable extent of land took plate et Greenland Settle-
ment, the mildew* of the late lion. Alexander Grant. We are In-
formed that it was gradual, but had attained a ooneiderable depth ;
tits vacuum thus crerted was exlending by the crumbling edge•, of the
surrounding earth, and the safety of some adjacent house. was con-
siderably endangered. The wreck created by the vortex embraced
several large fruit trees.
- - -

TRINIDAD.—With the exception of the proceed-
ings
in the Legislative Council there is little of general
interest to record from this colony. And the inte-
rest evert of the senatorial deliberations is confined to
• debate on taxation. and a discussion bearing on the
principles applicable to the disposal of waste lands in •
colony. With regard to the first, the governor declared
that the government of the oniony could not b.. carried on
under an annual revenue of 100,0001. The Po. t of Spain
Gazette reserves its opinion on the subject till the estimates
fur 1848 have been laid on the council table. We honestly
confess that we participate in the scepticism as to the
alleged impossibility hinted in the able journal to
which we have alluded. The governor propose* • tax on
all realised property, at a rate that will raise 40,0001. per
annum. The council, after due deliberation, voted • tax of
Is. per gallon on all rem of 24 proof. Doubts are enter-
tained as to whether this may not be an encouragement to
the smuggler. The discussion on the disposal of waste lends
hiu an interest for many colonies besides Trinidad. We
therefore extract a very intelligent abstract of it from the
Port of Spain Gazelle. We may premise that Mr. Burnley,
for whose talents and intelligence we have the highest re-
spect. appears to us to labour under some misconception of
the Wakefield system on one point. We have never under-
stood that • minimum quantity of crown land to be disposed
of was considered necessary by Mr. Wakefield.
Mr. Burnley inquired of the Chief Justice the meaning of the 4th
article of the nonce reepectiog crown lands which had lately been
published. It appeared to him that the governor could sell any
quantity of land, from I ame to 640 acres. It was nece vary
that the public should know If this was the case—The Chief
Jardine stated that he had no objection In answering Mr.
Burnhy's questaen, and as aMeSPOT of the Court of Intendant
he held himself responsible for the advice which he had given. The
Coact of Intendant reserved to Itself the right of granting any quan-
tity of land it chow, in conformity with the instructions of Lord Grey
(which bad been read at that board sometime since). The instruction.
were, fur village lots one acre, and for other grants 64.7 acres. The
board would easily conceive Ike., with regard to estates adjoining
crown lands, where SO, to, 10, Br 80 acres only were required, that it
would not be right to make the party purchase 640 scree when be
perhaps, wanted only acre, -Mr. Burnley considered, as far
as the answer w..ti intelligible, it was perks tly satishc-
tory. lie, however, should give notice of a motion, that tin
excellency be reepeethally reCoeMd to alter the 4th article of the
notice in seW:hh 131•18 don of the Commissioners of the
Lend and Dew& ftempint in Lord Stanley's despatch to
Sir Hairy b INI. IN shreyeanderstood the difference
between *nage Me aft the Isle ter stifte, but did not think the
Conn of ntendent selherieed le mks a pent of any quantity be-
tween them. Mb eneethsey Lord Grey distinctly authorised Lida.
Chief Justies— now objected to had been adopted
Str Hasty Mile the advice of Mr. Fuller, at
that time as, et** le Ifite26ll/. He could name a dazes
eases where womb at ebb had lea hem mule.—Mr. Burnley con.
teed
at thiseleuhl lea OA be softy ant the W egg steid prtnelple, it was neemeary
th be rlibly Wh te.-1113 Bacelle considered
that it wee abelftly ftiesmey fee lbblue prosperitynt7 el the colony,
that the wweemer Amid hare the pews le make grant. or this bind,
of weft eimstithe of bed Yrs 6W sena— Mr. Bonney, with
all deftest* to the therbdib beam of his Kaceilieney,
osaleedel that ea the gebable am welch he Wstudied
the wmelbel..l. wee ebb this tarries should not
bo bream bet balsa mmeurrence
in the ydeelple Is nom, est The quemitty elsould
oat ins ties No sere% se. tre dye leb.—ith Excel-
' Way bee stmellde Weed wry =dm eamdandle• kr the hot
IS yams. ad he bed stedlei ihe imam ancneieb red lea mot,
bream mai le • ed, emededist bet unlit lila Whoa
Horsley smatiom • dm& me sloe the Webildi syste
strictly abbe/ lasby: It MI hem • emu at as..
plaint with Its mbeasiss bee the swam bed me bile wiled amt,
Atter laying eat slip ble he lastrad 1 bed bum lend
that they were WNW se • Masks deft budded Itr• ayes. Sem
when they hid smell Wens at bed de biked it hid
bees bond ebenteld ON le Mew
bed they INlNldisl=eq elides IS Wiry
way Amy eseli le Wee Memel ImeL-7tr. dareley bend ft
wormy tor the pod at the obey, he &mkt Wag *award his
motion at the nod meats&

HONDURAS.—The grand oowt opened its sittings
on Monday, the 28th of June, and closed them on Friday,
the 2nd of July. The greater part of the civil cases were
either withdrawn or thrown out on some informality. There
were no criminal cases of any consequence. The public
meeting assembled on Monday, the sth of July, and closed
its legislative labours on the afternoon of Wednesday, the
7th. Five bills were submitted for the eemeideration of the
meeting :
1. An act to enable a limited Mike of %OMNI= te In
the courts of this Wiliam& IL As ail Maim tbs Ymeofawswains
the public meeting. 3. As ants altor Me woolltoisa al dr Sum-
mary Court. 4. es Mt tar wast pa solar in dr mum-
nit,. S. An act far.las swami Ows of Iwoloners.
The first of thew ISMOZIII was throws out by • 'ty
of 15 to 10. The issued was peeled with so assssiweat
thine the third Tuesday in January and the third Tuesday
in July am the times of meeting. The third bill wee adored
to be read a second time that day three months by a ma-
jority of 14 to 8. The fourth bill was passed. The fifth also
pared. A slightly modified version of the first bill was intro-
duced, bat met with the same fate as the original. The
annual estimates were next voted—their value and amount
are not stated in the Observer. On a report from the board
of gaol superintendence, representing that regularity and
sound discipline were impossible in the present gaol, the
meeting pledged themselves to meet the demand for a new
one as soon as the specifications were laid before them. Earl
Grey's letter on the subject of education for the labouring
classes in the West Indies was submitted to the meeting
who appear simply to have " acknowledged its paramount
importune." The superintendent confirmed the acts passed
by the meeting in a letter to the chairman, dated 16th July.
He refused, however, to sanction one of their votes:
With reference to a resolution adopted by the public meeting, en,
powering consignees and owner. of meets, end the churchwardenat
to send to the hospital such of the man of the said Teasels as may
be At and proper ,eta fee reception:" I comet Goodie it ayes