The Express.
London, England, 1848-03-17 00:00:00

LINCOLN ELECTION.

The contest at Lincoln has terminated in the return
of the liberal candidate. At the close of the poll the
numbers were.
Mobhouse 554
Hurafrey
Majority for the liberal

THE PEACE OF EUROPE AND THE
COMMERCE OF ENGLAND.
(From the Economist.)
While the whole world are amazed at the political
transactions which have taken place in France during the
past month, the commerce of England, always sensitive of
whatever throws doubt, uncertainty, or a want of confidence
over the future, has received a sudden shock. On Tuesday
—that being the chief weekly market day—Manchester ex
hibited a scene of great consternation. At this season of the
year, the great northern continental markets being closed,
from the state of the weather—our Indian markets being
much depressed, owing to the great calamities which have
recently interrupted our transactions in that quarter
—the recent symptoms of a panic and crisis in
the United States having imposed additional cau
Lion on the operations to that market—Southern
Europe, Greece, Turkey, and the Levant have recently
been the chief and most active sources of demand for our
manufactures. But, on Tuesday, orders which had been
given for those countries were countermanded or materially
curtailed, and those which had been more recently received,
parties declined to " give out." The monthly circulars of
the Manchester firms, which we quote in another part of
this paper, give a graphic description of these serious conse-
quences. The truth is that we have now so long enjoyed a
general peace, that the commercial relations between differ-
ent countries have partaken, through severe competition, of
all the advantages which perfect certainty and confidence
afford to • trade, in the reduction of profits and commissions
to the lowest possible point. For many years all margin for
unusual risks has vanished from this business ; and goods
manufactured in Manchesterfreach the Mona, Syria, or Pales-

tine, with as low a scale of charges attached. to them, transit
alone excepted, an those which are furnished to any of our
own inland towns. Intermediate dealers, and middle men,
with good round profits, as shippers, have long ..ince disap-
peared; and all that is really paid between the manufacturer
in England and the dealer in Turkey, is a well•earned corn.
mission for careful selection and negotiating the payment.
Such are the beneficial results of long•established peace—the
people abroad are clothed more cheaply, our own people at
home are employed more abundantly, in proportion to the
extended demand created by low prices and such facilities as
we have described. It has been under these circumstances

that these markets, which but a few years since were of the
most secondary character, have recently risen into great
importance.
The effects which new risks and uncertainties will produce
upon our commercial interests generally, are worthy of
close examination. Some take what we regard u a selfish
sad short-sighted view of the case. In the actual disturbed
condition of France, and the possibility of the same or-
tending to other European countries, they only see dis
abled rivals, and a removal of some portion of the com-
petition which exists with them in transatlantic markets.
They do not see them in the truer light of valuable
customers and near neighbours, whose interests, in spite
of hostile tariffs on the one hand, and enormous revenue
duties on the other hand, are so intimately bound up with
our own, that our interests must sympathise with whatever
affects or injures theirs. By refemng to a table which we
publish this day in a supplement, showing the distribution
of some of the chief articles of our manufactures during
1847, it will be seen how very large a portion of them has
been taken by continental countries. These tables, moreover,
exhibit some very remarkable facts, when we consider
them iu relation to prevailing impressions and prejudices.
For example:—Our exports to the Hanseatic Towns
clone (of coune for the trade of Germany) are about equal
to our whole exports to the British possessions in the East
Indies ; the farmer being 6,326,2101. and the latter
6,434,4561. Again, our exports to France alone are nearly
the same as to the whole of our West India colonies and the
Mauritius included ; the former being 2,715,9631. and the
latter 2,815,8181. Our exports to Ho d exceed by nearly
300,0001. the entire amount of those to the whose British
possessions of North America, the former being 3,576,4691.
and the latter only 3,308,0591. Again, our exports
to Italy and the Italian Islands, also exceed those
to British North America; while Turkey is a
larger customer by 300,0001. a-year than all the Bri-
tish possessions in Australia. But even these remarkable
comparisons fall very short of conveying a fair and adequate
idea of the real relative extent of these trades ; inasmuch as
these exports consist entirely of British produce and manu-
factures, and include nearly the whole of our exports to our
possessions abroad ; whereas, in addition to the exports here
enumerated to the continent, we further export foreign pro-
duce of various kinds, consisting of indigo, sugar, coffee, and
other articles, to a very large amount.
A continuance of an unsettled state of affairs in France,
therefore, hazards to this country a market for our manufac-
tures equal to that of all our sugar colonies together ; while
any general disturbance of, or interruption to, the contiuen-
tal countries generally, endangers • trade to this country
more than three times luau than that to all our colonies,
and nearly double of that to the whole British possessions,
including the territories of the East India Company. When
these remarkable facts are considered, it is not • matter of
surprise that an event which furnishes such grounds for
apprehension u to the peace of Europe, should have
produced so great an effect in the capital of our manufactur-
ing districts. At the same time, these facts cannot fail to
show bow close an identity of interests prevails between this
country and France, and Europe generally; end how
ardently we should strive, even on the narrowest grounds
of self-interest, in order to preserve the general peace ; and,
above all, these facts show how false are the notions which
those indulge who see our continental neighbours only as
rivals, whose power of competition they would be glad to
see weaksned. . . . .

What is to happen, as the result of these great political
changes, it would be idle to attempt to foretell. Bat what-
ever may occur, there are some important respects in which
England is peculiarly circumstanced to avoid any severe
loss, or even a sudden panic. The circumstances through
which the country has passed during the last twelve months
I .ave removed ail houses of doubtful credit, and the present
extremely low prices at which all articles of importance are
held, le the best security against any such sudden fall as
would clinpromise the solvency of thae who are holders
of such goods. If prices generally had been high at this
moment, much more serious consequences might have been
apprehended. Again—the great abundance of money and
the low rate of interest, while, on the one hand, they will
prevent our public securities falling very low, will continue
to afford ample means for all legitimate business that can be
undertnaen.
But, above all things, it is the interest of this country that
and order should be preserved in France and ia
panne
Europa.

IRELAND.

DUBLTN Mists 15.

The announcement of Lord John Rtissell that cer-
tain parties in this country would be prosecuted, whe-
ther for sedition or treason does not appear, has ex-
cited great alarm. The meeting of the Irish Confe-
deration this evening will develop the feeling of the
parties at whom the Premier has directed his shaft.
Bluster will keep within the limits of prudence and
safety, for the government reporter will attend, and
pin the orator to his words. Caution will be charac-
teristic of the orators to-night.
With the exception of the little university imeute
rtel
ay, peace and order are still on the ascendant.
Patrick's day will, doubtless, pass over without any
unusual demonstration. That was partly resolved
upon last night, at the committee of trades, on the
suggestion of Smith O'Brien, and the day of rejoicing
postponed to Monday. The scene of eloquence and
patriotism is to be the Irish Spitalfields—the cele-
brated Liberty of Dublin, once the seat of manufac-
ture, now tie abode of unparalleled misery and des-
titution.

The Lord Mayor, in pursuance of his declaration
yesterday, attended at the City Assembly-hoase at
2 o'clock this afternoon, and proceeded to swear in
special constables. Citizens of all classes, bumble and
exalted ; and of all parties, whig, conversative, re-
peeler, and orenge tory, presented themselves and
were indiscriminately sworn. The badge is a piece of
white ribbon, on which is affixed the seal of the town
clerk's department. Amongst those who first pre-
sented themselves were Messrs. Maurice and John
O'Connell, the Hon. Cecil Lawless, M.P., Mr. Peirce
Mahony, and the conservative members of the town-
council. Up to 5 o'clock about 400 persons had pre-
sented themselves and been sworn in, and the court
will remain open during the evening and to-morrow
for the same purpose.
The Mail states on authority that the disposable
force at present in Dublin, including all arms, exceeds
10,000 men.
The high sheriff of Roscommon has convened a
meeting of his bailiwick for the 20th, to petition par-
liament against the continuance of the poor-law.
The address to the Lord-Lieutenant, which lies at
the Chamber of Commerce, health s the Duke of Lein-
ster, bears the names of Lords Donoughmore. I; ingal,
Glengal, and Suirdale.
Independently of the city declaration, which has
received thousands of signatures of the principal
citizens of all creeds and parties, the following decla-
ration is now in course of signature throughout the
entire kingdom:
We, the und, rnigned, under the date of slam and is
agitation which surround us, reel bound to declare our tin-
alterable attachment to our sovereign, and to the institutions
over which she presides, as well as our determination to
support his excellency the Lord Lieutenant of Inland in
his efforts to protect the live., the liberties, and the fortunes
of all classes • and we respectfully and earnestly invite all
our fellow-subjects to join in this declaration of constitutional
loyalty, es the test means for protecting us all from the dan-
gerous efforts now making by a few misguided persons to
create confusion, and thereby to endanger the peace of our
common country.

Mn. JOHN O.CONNELL.—The boo. member for Limerick
has 611111,1 another address, counselling the repealer, to re-
frain from violence, outrage, or breach of the peace, on
Friday, and to abstain from marching in procession also,
The following is the document :
To env P.UYLL or Matt:.—Mardi 14, 1648.—Pellow citizens:
The wanly of Dublin will bold meetings upon St. Patrick's Day, to
petition for the immediate repeal of the disastrous and ruinous lei's.
hart %Mien, and redoration of our native prliamenL We ask
of you to give your assistance, each in hie own ward.
to this constitutional movement, and we earnestly exhort
you to abstain from all pro:amino', in order that there
shall be no chance of the occurrence of anything to prevent the
good and peaceful irate of those meting,. Thus will you assuredly
hams the fell hopes of emus secret euemies—earn the gratitude of
your reel friends; and bring a teeming on our cause. Monday's
Proceedings at the IttroPli Association will prove to you that von are
certain-4f you but continue in your admirabk course of strictly
peaceful agitation—of baring the accession to the came of Ireland of
Irishmen of rank, station, and high and deserved influence in the
land. Peace then—good order. -no processional—so gaga, Oa ban-
ner., nor emblems of any kuld! No chance to be given to the one.
micro of the people of Ireland :! and thus hurrah for the repeal ::
June
WCO/01141.1, Chairman of the Committee.--Corm Exchange.
Llrd Lorton, a nobleman of the pure old tory schosal,
bas addressed his tenantry on the pr. sent state of events as
follows:

To THE TUANTRT UPON THE. BOTIS AND ROCKINOHAEI E,TATEN.—
My friends and tenants, *Well I shall continue to cull you, though
certainly not satisfied with the conduct of all; however, it is my hay
to act at a kind landlord, which none of you can prove to the contrary,
during a spew of nearly half a century; but upon this no more shrill
be said. My object now is, to call upon you, in coneequenoe of having
heard within there few hours, that placards have been punted up
in Boyle, of a most seditious nature, which, if attended to, will
bring die most awful calamities upon yourselves and families. Ton
are to be invited to assemble on St. Patrick's day, I understand, toe
the purpose of being informed of the cruelties, dc., you have expo.
rienced from our government and England, bat whose conduct
and charity, on the contrary, have been the admiration of all Eta
tish ems
during the heavy calamities It bas plowed the Almighty to In t
Zusartelterttagr de:lndreilbt'oniltted PSI at the glorious Hrojurict of France.
a foreign country that we hare no right to interfere wash as regard
her government, or dealings with her people : and you may depend
upon it her riders will he very Play of entering into any disputes with
En land, whore immense power ehe Is well acquainted with, and
which hes been no wonderfully increased by the &sweety of working
ships by steam, the benefit of which our poor etarriag people bare re
fully ex .erienced, by the tratudnimion of provisions to Ireland upon
macrol necesionx, and more pat ticularly for the last year; but which
power, in the event of a war, will prove a moat tremendous weapon
in the hand. of England, though the gasoonading deruarroguee, by
whom no much mischief is plotting, nigh you to believe would add
considerably to the power of France. The fact, however, Ls, that there
is 'camel', a steamer among the few she baa, which la not obliged to
have an Vnglish engineer, who 01 once would leave their serving on
any appearance of war. There would be no difficulty In writing ten
times more and stronger upon this subject, but I hope enough has
been brought forward to induce you to remain in your own houses
upon the forthcoming anniversary of the great tutelar!' mint, and,
therefore shall now conclude with remaining your sincere frien.l and
• landlord, Luaron.—Rockingbiten, March 13, ISO.