The Express.
London, England, 1849-08-20 00:00:00

FRANCE.

PARIS, ScNnar, 5.30 P.M.
A functionary of same standing under the rigime
of Louis Philippe was heard to say the other day that
the party of the present majority, by doing what they
call l's politique d'ordre, were in reality doing de l's
monarchie and truly it would seem es if each would
be the case, so milieu' are they to rr-establish these
very grievances that were 53 fiercely dimounced at the
insti ution of the republic. An instance of this is
evident from the study of the finance qu.stion. I: has
been seen how courageously M. Prissy has put for
ward the situation of the country. L,-t the matter be
put straight bet ire us. said every organ of opi-
nion, and we shell then know what to
do. M. Pauly has done this, but nobody is satisfied.
The aspect of a direct and irrevocable tax frightens
the French, who in finance prefer going round the
difficulty to attacking it strait-forwardly; and thus
VIJ find that income tax, conveyance tax, and esris
on drinks, on a basis differing for the better from the
old, are all repudiated by the organs of the majority.
Tu repudiere is not to remedy, however, and there the
difficulty begins. To-day the Patric attempts to
find a sub-titute for the income-tax, which it reps-
diates, and what will it be thought is the remedy—
the re-establishment of the salt-tax. This, indeed,
would be a crowning piece of f.lly to all that the
party of order and resistance has attemp•td to do.l
'The Petrie comes to these conclusions: That for
the ordinary consumption of salt by man price is no
consideration, therefore the greatness of price
will not influence the quantity c nsumed. Tint
as manure fur land its value is null; that
for the preservation of forage it is of lit'le
importance, but that for the feeding of cattle it
is really necessary. Therefore, for the reasons above
stated, it is highly politic and pleasant to re-establish
the salt-tax as it was of old, merely reserving the
question of salt for cattle by an inexpensive process
may be rendered fit for no other purpose than that
intended. Such is the plan proposed the journal
of the banking community, La Patrte, which, of
course, highly objects to every shade of an income-
t'x. M. Poesy will yet carry his proposed measures,
with the assistance, probably, of those very men who,
in other matters of government, are opposed to the
present ministry.
The railway question in France also occupied much
attention, and amongst other lines, that which occupies
most is the line from Paris to the Mediterranean.
To-day the Debuts urges the necessity of completin.:
this railway as soon as possible. It has been said
that government intended to grant the line to a co n-
pany, and the intention will no doubt be carried out.
Two companies had taken the road as far as Avignon
before the revolu• ion broke out. A lready, how ever, this
Lyons and Avignon Company had found it impcesi-
bre to meet the difficulties under which it laboured,
and it withdrew, sacrificing the caution money of ten
millions deposited. No works had been begun. The
Paris and Lyons Company began the works on its
line, but soon its difficulties were so great that it was
evident the task was beyond its strength, and the
shareholders refused to answer any fresh calls. The
revolution breaking out stopped the whole enterprise.
The shareholders had then paid in instalments the
sum of 100 millions of francs. The government, with
greet courage, purchased the line at 109 f. for every
500 f. share on which 230 had been paid ; that is, it
purchased for 44 millions what had cost 100. This, how-
ever, was better for the shareholdtrs than to lose allege-
thee. The works were then continued by the state, and
during the last six months of 1848, 80 millions were
spent on them; 37 millions will have been in the
course of 1849 ; and there remains yet to expend 98
millions to finish the line to
.Lyons, 24 millions
to pass it through that city, and 121 millions to
carry it on to Avignon. Thus before the railway can
be completed to Avignon it will east 243 millions.
The Debate, after stating these facts at some length,
shows that the treasury cannot afford 243 millions ;
but adds, that even though it could, it is much better
(as all will admit) to put the enterprise into the
bands of private capitalists. Indeed, it is becoming
evident to all that the intermedhling of the state in
all such matters only leads to ruin, whilst the encou-
ragement of private enterprise would lead to the final
prosperity of the country. With regard to the Fan-
ditions much has been said ; but the Debate thiuks
them a minor consideration. The National thinks
them exorbitant ; and to-day the Conatitutionnel de-
votes its leader to show that they see not so.

Manana,Awes Time pee Cana, 23 acet.•, Five per Cents"
1112 paper. 7 paper. Bank of St. Ferdinand, 82 paper.
ElChlllne on London, 60.61.

PAYMENT OP THE HOP DUTY.—The day fixed for
the payment of the first instalment of the postponed duty i•
the 15th October. The second instalment is payable on the
15th November.—Surrey Standard.
SOUTH WALES.—The first permanent rail was
laid on Monday last at Ramsey, on the Newport road. The
works in this town and locality are progressing
weseesshire
THE Commute' STRIKE.—BIItIfINGHAM, AUGUST
18.—The partial strike of the Staffordshire colliers, which
we noticed last week has since spread throughout the entire
district, and there are now more than three thousand men
out of employ; and at most of the collieries from West
Bromwich and Tipton, across the country to Brierley 1611,
operations are entirely suspended. Many meetings have
Men held duriog the week, and it requires the utmost vigi-
lance on the part of the police to prevent a general outbreak,
and to pneerve from violence such of the men as have re-
mained at their work. At the meetings above referred to, it
has been resolved sot only to resist the proposed reduction
in the rate of wv-ges, but even to seek an advance upon those
pald previous to the turn-out. These differences seriously
items, trading concerns hereabouts ; it is therefore hoped
that some amicable arrangement will before long take place.

The news by thWarrival is not important.
Whilst General Casa is delivering ° Literary Lec-
tures" in some of the leading univeraitics, and Henry
Clay is visiting the Northern States to recruit his
health, Colonel Benton is mustering his strength and
marshalling his numbers for the presidential cam-
paign. The southern slaveholders are already launch-
rag the Arent threate sad dewanciatioas against him,
and demand a similar punishment for him to that
awarded any individual guilty of inciting slaves to
insurrection. In the West his name has been enrolled
a candidate for the next presidential chair by several
journ&s, and his cause is warmly advocated by several
persons of distinctior.
In Missouri indications are observable that he will
have the state ticket, and in Texas a pronouncement
had been already made in his favour. Indetd,
through• ut even the south a heartier response has
been given the colonel's late speech than could have
been imagined some time since.
_ -

Several elections were to take place on the 6th of
August, the derails of which had not reached in time
to forward per the Eurcps.
The cholera rep3rts prevent almost the same aspect
as when we lest heard by way of Bos.ol. The
disease is principally confined t 3 the seaport towns,
and it is fiend teat the epidemic will continue for
some time to make havoc amongst the emigrants who
daily urrive. Bishop Hughes, cf New York, is some-
what censured for overcrowdiug the catholic cemetery
by the large ?lumber of interments he penni:s, and
for each of which he receives a considerable fee.

The accounts in general of the cotton crop, reeeiv, d
durit g the week, present similar features to those re-
ceived for acme time past, the rains in the majority
instances having been most prejudicial to the growth
of the plant.
The tobacco crop is also unfavourably reported of.
The late rains have bem in est injurious to the corn
crop is several of the rates, and in Arkansas and other
districts some of the lands under er,,p had been over-
flowed. In Virginia, Missouri, Ind Cncinnati, the ac-
counts were more encouraging than elsewhere. Tue
wheat crop hail suffered least and promised beet.
Several very useful inquiries are being made by
the government into the growth of cotton, ri, e, cane-
sugar, and other resources of the States, both in the
north and smith. Tree government Itu hitherto been
very deficient in their statistical information regard-
ing the capabilities and resources of the Union, at,d
this, the first rep towards improvement, is viewed
with satisfaction.

A railroad convention was taking place at Macon,
in the state of Georgia, attended by a largo number
of delegates interested therein.
The feeling in firour of t'e Hungarians is very
much on thi increase. A legion of 1,000 men, with
500,000 dollars, had Di en proposed to be raised to
send to the *teat of war ; but a hint that this would be
a violation of the neutrality of the country put a stop
to the movernt at. The officers f noway serving in
Mexico have volunteered, almost in a body, their BA:-
vie:tee, if required.
Epireapaliene, Roman catholice, and dissenters, all
united in the act of humiliation en the 3rd of August,
the day appointed by the President of the Unit,d
bates for that purpose.
In Canada, also, a day had been set apart for a
similar purpose.
The League of Canada bad separated atter the open-
ing address which recommended the annexation of
the province to the States and a protective tariff.
The accounts from all parts of Canada regarding the
growing crops are highly favourable. In Upper
Canada the fall wheat is luxuriont and h althv, and
the reaping of it very forward. The want of rain felt
for a tine time has now bier eupplied. The potato
crop looks we'', and hay is an extra yield.
The arrival of the American steamer Hermann, at
New York, is announced as having token place on the
0:h instant. Her passage occupied 16 days. Busi-
ness was very quiet throughout the States.
The money market wis tolerably easy. United
States Sixes, 116. Treasury Notes, 115.
Exchange on London rated at 1081 *to 109,
steady, with a fair demand ; on Paris, with
good hu-iness doing; on Hamburg 33 to 35:; on
Bremen 78 to 781.
Freights were very low, and but little business
was transacted.
The market fur breodstuffe was brisk. Prices had
advances slightly, and considerable transactions had
taken place at the folio.. in' quotations :—Western
Canal flour, 4 dole. 67 tc. to 5 dole. very firm. Genes-
see prime wheat, 2 dole. Sc. to 2 dole. 10e. per 60 lbs.;
southern wheat, 1 dol. 12c. to 1 dol. 14 c. per 60 lbs. ;
Indian c ern, round yellow, 62c. to 61c. per bushel,
steady ; ditto, flat yellow, 62c. per bushel ; Indian
meal, 3 dole. to 3 doll. 121 c. per bushel.
Provisions are very dull, and the stocks on hand

The cotton market at New York is reported brisk,
with a pod average amount of business doing. Prices
have slightly advanced, u will be seen by the fullow-
log quotation :—New Orleans and Mobile, fair tofair,
10Ic. to 10'0. per lb., showing a rise of