The Express.
London, England, 1851-12-24 00:00:00

LOCAL SMARR MARKETS.

LivrniToL,Dze.

164—E3-stem Coun-

.„
ties, 6j—East Lancashire (pref. fifth shares, 2nd issue), of
—Great Northern, 181 I—Lancashire end Yorkshire, 581—
Ditto (fifth shares), 8 1-16 d.—Leeds Northern (late L and
T.), 111—London and North Western, 110—Ditto (new
2-shares), 31 p.—Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincoln, 33
I—Ditto (6/. new pref.), 9-10 p.—Midland. 57 t iiit
—South-Eastern and Dover, 211 I—Sheffield, Rotherham,
and (look N.D., 20—York and North Midland, 221—Dutch
Rhenish, 11 d.-I:aris and Strasburg, 2/ d. . . .

MANCHE:VIBE, DEC. 23.-11usiness was somewhat active
in the morning, but towards the des, became weaker. Tho
following are some of the principal transactions : —Cale-
donians, l 6 1-16 ; Leeds Stock, 581, j ; Deters, 213.16, j, 1.
DIRMINMIAM, DEC. 23.—There was increased firDNICSS
in this market to-day, and very little stack is offering. Lon-
don and North Western New Quarters wero done at 3j pm.,
and Midlands at 66j, 571.
LEEDS, Dec. 23.—There has been an improved market
this morning. Midlands, which were yesterday done at
66j, this morning closed at 671. Tho other closing sales
were:—Caledonians, 16; Lancashire and Yorkshire Fifths,
8 die. ; Sheffield, Rotherham, and Gook. 20 ; Leeds
Northern.% lij ; Leeds Northern Extensions, No. 1,
363. 341. dia. _ . .

'`BalaroL, DEC. 23.—The share market displayed increased
activity, and had a very firm tone. (treat Weiterno were
done at the improved quotation of ; York and North
Midland, at 221; and 'ruff Vale, at 11J.

TILE STATCES OF TILE EARL Or CLARENDON,
Loran FALKLAND, Asti Joiix 11,tmenior will be put up
in a few days in St. Stephen's Hall (the site of the old
House of Commons). Workmen arc now putting down

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the tiles on the floors of that new hall, of the approaches to
the houses, and of tho cloisters. The cloisters aro to have

stained glass windows in antique style. They will he appro.
priated for the members' reading-rooms, cloak rooms,
The public entrance will be in Westminster Hall, leading
to St. Stephen's Hall. Tho members will have an entrance in
the middle of Westminster Hall to the cloisters, also by the
former Speaker's porch. Peers and members will go in by
St. Stephen's Porch, opposite the Abbey.

THE LATE FIRE AT MESSRS. CoLLARD'S MANG-
FACTURY.—The ruins although in a dangerous state wfro
yesterday surveyed, and the insurance authorities as well
as the firm attribute the catastrophe to the proximity of
some of the timbers to the flue of the boiler chimney. Mr.
T. Tims, the assessor to the County Fire Office, and a de-
putation of Messrs. Collard's workmen, whose tools are
fortunately insured in that office, are proceeding with the
necessary 'quotations for speedily adjusting their numer-
ous claims. The extent of Messrs. Collard's claims on the
various offices has nut yet been ascertained.
BRIGHTON, LEWES, AND TUNBRIDGE WELLS RAIL.
WAY.—Yesterday Mr. Norris, the official manager, and
the various parties interested, attended before Master in
Chancery, Sir William Horne, to submit a propos.d for a
compromise with the members of the provisional and ma-
naging committee, made liable with a view to avoid further
litigation, and finally dispose of the affair. The official
manager reported that the creditors, whose claims amounted
to about 5,000/., had acquiesced in the proposed arrange-
ment, and that is majority of the contributories hail given
in their adhesion. The members of the committee, Lord
Alfred Hervey being chairman, had agreed to contribute
2.401. each, in addition to 100 guineas each they had paid
prior to the company being brought under the operation of
the act of parliament. The master approved of the com-
promise, the effect of which will be to release from lia-
bility all those who agree to it, hut leave those who do not
to be proceeded with under the act as the law directs.
BATTERSEA-PARK.—It appears by the late report
of the Commissioners of Woods and Forests that the total
amount expended on Battersea-park up to the3Oth March last
was 100,0001. A similar sum remains to be expended. Tho
owners of property to be affected by the park claimed
632,6241., for property of the estimated value of 187,4361.
FLOGGING IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY.—Tho
secretary to the United States navy in his annual message
points out the serious defect in the navy laws arising from
the want of substituting any mode of punishment when
that by corporal chastisement was abolished. Confinement
in or without irons i, the only punishment left to the dis-
cretion of the officer. Outside the United States a court-
martial is almost impossible, and therefore no punishment
can be inflicted for a positive wrong save imprisonment,
which to the lacy and vicious is a boon, and not a punish-
ment. Hitherto the abolition of flogging has proved detri-
mental to the service, and it is submitted that the wisdom
of that enactment cannot fairly bo tested until some effec-
tual means of punishing guilt he provided—either by con-
ferring on ship officers the power of appointing courts mar-
tial, or some other more approved means. The coaside-
ration of the whole subject is urgently recommended to

Congress. _
TILE UNITED STATES SQUADRON ON THE AFRICAN
COAST, undo, Commodore Lavalctte, aro the sloops Ger-
mantown' Nicholas ; the Dale, Pearson ; John Adams,
Barron ; the brig Perry, Lieutenant Foote ; and the Por-
poise, Lieutenant Lardner. This squadron, together with
the British, have been active, aliment, and successful in
suppressing the slave trade in that region, which only con-
tinues in the southern extremity. It was at first thought
necessary to move the depot of the squadron in that direc-
tion, but since the inhibition of the slave trade by the
Brazilian government, it is proposed to withdraw this
squadron altogether, and strengthen the squadron on the
coast of Brasil, which will be requirol to make periodical
visits to the western coast of Africa. This change, it is
hoped, will more effectually check the slave trade.
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