The Express.
London, England, 1853-03-24 00:00:00

FRIENDLY RELATIONS WITH FRANCE.

The following is a copy of a " declaration," bearing
upon the international relations between France and
England, which hu during the last few daysbeenexten-
sively signed in nearly every part of the City. The
signatures embrace the names of the Lord Mayor, seve-
ral of the representatives of the City of London in par-
liament, the Governor of the Bank of England, and
many of the leading bankers, merchants, and brokers;
so that the document may be regarded as one invested
with peculiar significance from the strong testimony
which it bears to the friendly feeling existing in the
minds of the mercantile classes cd this country
towards the French nation at large. We find, how-
ever, that the allusion to the tone adopted by the
press in relation to French matters is very variously
construed by the subscribers to this friendly declara-
tion, and that many men, equally remarkable for
their eminent position and consistency of character,
have objected to join in it on account of the slur upon
the press which appears to be embodied in the
phrase in question. The journals which denounced
Louis Napoleon did so on the ground that ho had
betrayed the nation which had trusted him. No
English journal has ever uttered a yvord against the
people of France. They are our neighbours and our
brothers in civilisation and commerce, and the Eng-
lish newspapers, when denouncing the hero of the
coup Vial, expressed warm sympathy with the
French nation.

07 TRZ MIRCKANTS, aANLIRI, TRADII

AND OTLLIU, OF LONDON.

We, the tanderaigned, merchants, bankers, traders, and
others, of London, feel ourselves called upon, at this time,
publicly to express the concern with which we learn,
through various channels of information, that an impression
exists in the minds of the people of France, that feelings of
en unfriendly character are entertained towards them by
the people of England. We think it right emphatically to
declare, that we believe no such feelings exist on the part
of the English people towards the people of France. We
believe the welfare of both nations to be closely interwoven,
as well in a mutually advantageous and extending commer-
cial intercourse, as in a common participation in all the im-
provements of ert and science. Rejoicing in the reflection
that nearly forty years have passed since the final cessation
of hostilities between France and England, we record our
conviction, that European wars should be remembered only
to be deplored, fur the eacrifice attire and treasure with which
they were attended—the hindrances they interposed to all
useful enterprise and social advanosment—the angry and
unchristian feelings which they evoked in their progress—
and the heavy financial burdens which they left behind them
at their cline—considerations which supply the most
powerful motives to every individual in the European com-
munity, to avoid, and to oppose, by every means in his
power, whatever may tend to cause the recurrence of such
evils. We desire to remark, that if in that expression of
opinion on public questions which the press of this country
is accustomed to exercise, it is found occasionally to speak
with apparent harshness of the government or the institu-
tions of other states, the same is not to be understood in a
spirit of national hostility, or as desiring to give offence.
We feel that with the internal policy or mode of govern-
ment which the French nation may think good to adopt for
itself, it is not for British subjects to interfere, further than
heartily to desire that it may result in peace and happiness
to all interested therein. We conclude this declaration, by
proclaiming our earnest desire for the long coy inuance of
cordiality and good will between Frenchmen and English-
men—our determination to do all in our power to uphold
the same—and our f hope that the inhabitants of b3th
nations may, in future, only vie with each other in cultivat-
ing the arts of peace, and in extending the sources of social
improvement for their common benefit.
London, March 1, 180.

CALEDONIAN RAILWAY.—The half-yearly meeting
of the shareholders in this company was held in the filer-
chants'-hall, Glasgow, on Tuesday, William Baird, Esq.,
chairman of the directors, in the chair. The report of the
directors, which was held as read, stated that the revenue
for the six months ending the 31st of January, after the
payment of all charges incident to the undertaking, shows
a free balance fur division among the stockholders of
64,8991. Is. 10d., of which the amount required for the pre-
ference dividend is 15,6411 i. 15s. 7d, leaving available for
the ordinary stock 39,2.601. 6s. 3d., out of which the directors
recommend a dividend at the rate 0(21 per cent. per annum.
This result is mainly owing to increased traffic, but reduc-
tion in the rate of interest and economy in work r.g have
also materially contributed. The report was unanimously
adopted, and a dividend iu terms of recommendation de-
clared. Mr. Rough was re-appointed one of the auditors,
and a motion by Mr. M'Micking for the discontinuance of
fiunday traffic was refused by a large majority. The meet-
ing_then broke up.
TIIE STEAMBOAT EXPLOSION OFP SHIELDS BAR.
—TTNSKOCTII, TUESDAY NIOWL—The coroner's jury,
after sitting two days in the Town-hall in this town inves-
tigating into the circumstances of a fatal boiler explosion
which took place on board a new steam-tug named the Ea-
, gineer, on Thursday week, off Tynemouth Bar, by which
Robert Coulson, a joiner, was killed, and eight other persona
were severely scalded, returned their verdict this evening,
which was that deceased had been killed by the boiler ex-
ploding at the fire-hole, and that such explosion had been
caused by a woolen plug having been left in the pipe com-
municating between the boiler and the safety valve, and
that Robert Findlay, foreman to Mr. Almond, the builder
of the engine, is censurable in not having seen that the
plug was removed before the fires were heated under the
boilers. The explosion happened precisely as reported in
the Daily News last week.
DEPARTURE OF THE UNITED STATES MAILS.—
LlvlekrOoL, WIDNYADAY.—At half-past 9 o'clock this
morning the United States Mail steamship Aretic,Captain
Luce, sailed from the Mersey, with the usual hi-,eeek'y
mails for the western continent, GO psssenpers, and a large
and valuable cargo of general merchandise on board.

MAUNDAY THURSDAY. This being Maunday
Thursday the royal charities, known as Melinda,. Gifts,
were distributed to 34 egad men and 34 aged women, being
as many of each sex respectively as the age of the Queen.
The processiipt to the Chapel Royal, Whitehall, where the
distribution took place, consisted of the sub-almoner, J.
Hanby, Esq., secretary to the Lord High Minorite, a yeo-
man usher, and twelve yeomen of the guard, by one of
whom the altos were carried on a gold salver. The ambient-
secretary, with six children belonging to the Westminster
Naiional Schools, closed the precession, which was met at
the entrance of the chapel by the Bishop of Oxford, Lord
High Almoner, the sub-dean, six priests, eight gen-
tlemen, and the choristers of the Chapel Royal.
The clergy and officers basing taken their seats,
the appointed church' service commenced, and after the
first Anthem 21. 15.. was Presented to each woman, and to
the men shoes and stockings. After the second Anthem
flannels, dc. were distributed, and after the third Anthem,
red and white purses were distributed, the former contain-
ing 21. 10s. in gold, and each white puree silver pansies
equal in number to the years of her Majesty, via., 34. The
interesting ceremony concluded with the two special prayers
appointed to be read on all similar occasions, ' 0 Lord, the
Sovereign of the World, we acknowledge, ilk., dc.;" and
" Most blessed God who art good and dust good, and takeat
pleasure in those that fear Thee," dm., ac.
IMPORTATION OF GERMAN CLUCKS.—Five scores of
tons weight of German clocks are imported into this coun-
try, at Southampton, in the course of a year. They are
brought from Germany into France by the fitraabur,c Rail-
way, and are exported from France at Havre, from whence
they are convoyed across the Channel by the South Wee-
tern Steam-packet Company's steamers.
A FISHER CAUGHT.—A- gentleman, while shoot-
ing during the late Lost on the banks of the River
Loughor, found a crane stuck fast, with its feet under the
foe. It was much emaciated, and in a stooping posture. It
is supposed that it was either standing in the water look-
ing for fish, which its position seemed to indicate, or had
slept, and had its feet covered with ice.—Carmarthen
Jowled!.
DETERMINED SUICIDE BY FIRE ARBlL—Yester-
day morning, between nine and ten o'clock, the neighbour-
hood of Golden-lane, St. Luke's, was alarmed by the loud
report of fire-arms, followed by successive screams from the
house Na. 64. Police-constable Steward, 67 G, on hasten-
ing to the spot, found, in a slaughter-houte at the rear of
the premises, a man lying on the ground with the back
part of his head completely blown away, and a rusty old
horse pistol in his hand. The unfortunate man was a pork
butcher, named Joshua Walden, 56 years of age, for a con-
siderable time tenant of the house. Pecuniary difficulties
are ascribed as the occa.ion of the rash act.
LAMENTABLE SUICIDE AT OLDHAM.—A painful
sensation was created at Oldham yesterday oz.rning by the
rumour, which afterwards proved but too true, that Mr.
Alderman Alexander Taylor, of that borough, had destroyed
himself by cutting his throat with a razor. Mr. Taylor
was almost universally known throughout the manufactur-
ing districts, having been an active free•trsder in the days
of the League. He had become a violent political partisan
at the last two elections, under circummnees which
estranged him from many of his former friend., but the
news of his death will be a source of deep regret amongst
'all parties.
MTsTtgioug OccuaßENce.—An inquest was held .
on Tuesday, at the Liverpool Coroner's Court, upon the
body of Visoento Antonin, Captain of the Brazilian brig
Provideatis, lying in the Queen's Dock, Liverpool. It ap-
peared that on Saturday night he went to bed about eight
o'clock, leaving an iron pan filled with mineral coal, which
had been placed by his orders in the cabin. On Suaday
morning the steward (Lasorrovich) went into the state
room occupied by the captain, and fouud him dead, and
the pan of coals removed from the cabin into the state
room. The surgeon proved that the appearance of the
body alley death would destroy the idea that death was
caused by suffocation from charcoal. What renders the
circuma'auee still stranger is the fact that deceased was
paid WO/. by the consignees of the vessel of which no ac-
count could be given. The jury returned a verdict of
death by congestion of the brain, but how produced they
were unabht to my.
JOINT-STLDE COMPANlES.—Yesterday the report
of the Registrar of Joint-Stock Companies was printed in
a parliamentary paper. Last year 414 companies were
provisionally registered, and 110 were completely regis-
tered. la the year, 351, provisionally registered, had not
obtained complete rebistration. The fees received were
5,6321. 15e. Bd.-5,5451. 7s. Bd. in London, and 1071. Be. in
Dublin.

Ft.ti FORTY TRIRYES.—The police of Paris have
just arrested a band of forty thieves, amongst whom are
several children, aged twelve or fourteen. 'lbis band wan
under the orders of a man who has been several times con-
demned by justice. From his ignoble ugliness he was nick-
named " Tke de Mort," and all the band had nicknames.
The second in command was celled " Fine Oreille," and
the other chiefs bore the names of the " Anguille," the
" Amt icain," the " Flancheur," " Mort Ila Howse,"
&c. The gang practised different species of robberies—
one was to send its youngest members into shops just as
they were being closed, and to cause them to remain
crouching there until the dead of night, when they opened
the doors to their accomplices. Another was to go in small
detachments to different parts of the town, and to the
markets early in the morning, and to steal all kinds of
provisions. The thieves carried their booty te • shop kept
by a female who was mistress to " Tromp la Mort," and
she sold it. The band were accustomed to take their meals

tzgether in a lodging-house in the Rue Beaubourg, and
every Sunday a divison of the profits wu made amongst
them according to a scale fixed by "'I rompe la Mort." All
the gang end the chief were captured at the ume time,
and u con' ..eruble quantity of different sorts of booty 11'43
eizett.

LONDON AND NORTH WESTERN RAILWAY...—
Return of traffic for the week ending March 20, 1853
Passengers, parcels, carriages, horses, and mails,
23,1291. 19s. I Id. ; merchandise, 21,7091. I Is. 103. ; cattle,
8011. 14s. 9d. Total, 45,6414 6s. 6d. Corresponding week,
1862,41,155/. 171. Id.
GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY.—Motunt of trnfEe
for week aiding March 13, 1863 :—Paseengers, parcels, car-
riagcs, horn dogs, and mails, 5,927.. 2s. 2d. ; merchandise
and minrrals, 8,2121. 3s. ld. ; cattle, 2204 Be. 74.
Total, 14,359/. 13e. 10d. Corresponding week, 1852,
10,877 i. 130. Ild.

AND COUNTY DOWN RAILWAY.—The
traffic on the above railway tram, for the week ending
March 20, 1853:—Pasiengers, 1171. 13e. 7d. ; subscriptions,
121. 12a. Od. ; goods and parcels, 421. Is. 7d. Total,
1721.75. 2d. For the week ending March 21, 1852 :—Passen•
prs, 1361. 6s. Bd.; subscription*, 121. 2a. 11d. ; goods
and parcel, 68/. ss. 4d. Total. 216 i. 14a., Ild.
MANIA ANTONIA RAILWAY—TraiIs for week end-
ing March 10, 1513, 1811.; 1852, 147/.