The Express.
London, England, 1848-01-26 00:00:00

' 7)111,014110 CORRESPONDENCE _

post five-fold within a very few years. The state-
ment which we subjoin shows that this prophecy is
already all but verified. The number of chargeable
letters transmitted by post in 18.39 was 78 mil ikons
2-.1547 it amounted to 122 millions :
onhe
ma. ,chia7abio letters delivered In tho UMW
Kingdom Is oath year, frail 1539 to WV..

Teal

143
11141
1442
1843
1844
1843
1848

Number of
Lotto..

76 miflio .$
169 "
194
207
244
if)l3t
322

There can be little doubt that the success of Mr.
Han'e system has been materially promoted by the
facilities which railway carriage affords for the easy
transmission of the mails so immensely increased in
bulk. But the incessant thwarting to which its de-
velopment has been exposed by the unconcealed
scepticism and ill-will of old routine-formed officials,
has at the least neutralised this advantage. Mr.
HILL'e promises, large though they appeared at the
time, have been kept au pied de la !dire.
The country has good cause to congratulate itself
upon this success. The bonds of kindred affection
have been kept strong upon members of families re-
moved to a distance; an incalculable stimulus to
struggle fora higher education has been applied to
the lower orders ; the whole of our domestic trade has

been placed in a clearer light and on a firmer basis.
After such great effects as them it seems an anti-
clirnex to notice, that the first great expenses of esta-
blishing the system having been overcome, with every
year the excessofincomeover expenditure in the Post- '
office department is likely to increase.
These considerations must be a source of unalloyed
satisfaction to all who were instrumental in securing
a fair trial for Mr. HILL'S system, and above all to its
author. It is to be hoped that success in this depart-
ment may encourage our rulers to listen with less of
hostile prepossession to other administrative reformers
who undertake to show them Low, by comprehensive
measures, economy and efficiency may be promoted at
the same time in different branches of executive go-
vernment

• The estimate for 1839 Sr founded on the ascertained number of

letters (or one week in the month of November ; and, strictly speak-
ing, it is fur the year ending December 5, at which time M. was made
the maximum rate. Th. estimate for each rubsequent ye .t i. founded
cm &be ascertained number of letters far oat week in each calendar
mcM.—Vide ReWarn to the House of Orson:mos, No. Sad (017).
+ This to exclusive of about Ge millions of franks.

(From the Daily News.)
PEOPLE are so much accustomed to a tone of arro-
gance and assumption as indicative of prosperity and
resolution, that to address the public in the language
of simple truth is often considered poor-spirited, sad
to complain of the lack of that degree of support
which might reasonably be expected, is taken at once
as a token of despair. That foes and rivals should
leap to what must be to them so desirable a con-
clusion is natural enough. We beg, however, to
warn our readers of the fallacy of such inferences.
There is no resolution more lasting than the calm one,
and none more calculated to overcome obstacles than
that which surveys, measures, and admits them. We
shall, tkerefore, not refrain from reproaching those
classes and persona who, although loud partisans of
cheap knowledge and free trade, overlook these prin-
ciples with respect to us, who have risked and la-
boured so much to establish and develop them.
The facts so manfully stated by our correspondent
at the late meeting of the Manchester Chamber of
Commerce came opportunely in illustration of what
we complain of. No town or region has made such
efforts as Manchester for throwing open and cheapen-
ing the supply of the first necessaries of life.
The meeting iu question was for the com-
pletion of this great purpose. No town or
region has made such efforts as Manchester for the
supply of literary knowledge and intellectual exercise
to those classes who can only enjoy such advantages
where they are to be had cheaply. Bat Manchester,
so generous and zealous in behalf of free trade in lite-
rature and in corn, is utterly apathetic to a cheap
supply of political information. It is even favourable,
until awakened to its supineness, to the monopolists
and dear venders of this kind of knowledge,
bolstering up and fearing to offend such organs as the
Times and Manchester (I,mrdian, to which age has
given strength and influence, but which have joined
only partially sad against their inclinations, and bat
No far as their interests rendered imperative, the
forward and liberalised progress of the time.
Perhaps this may be owing to the general indiffer-
ence which followed the greatvietory of free trade, and
which we noticed in our address of the 21st as hav-

ing benumbed the energies of this great nation. By
a giant effce t the middle classes accomplished one
paramount object, and then suffered marked collapse.
The parties assembled at the late meeting of the Man-
chester Chamber of Commerce were amongst the most
active, enterprising, and intelligent. They were,par ex-
cellence, the representatives of free trade in its largest
and most liberal sense. They know—nonebetter—that
many and small profits are the life-blood of trade and
commerce—they must therefore be interested in and
wish well to a cheap newspaper. They know that it
is &great moral agent, the best able to carry order,
intelligence, civilisation, with all its humanising in-
thence', into the wild hordes that have grown up
amongst and about them—hordes powerful under any
circumstance', fearful if ignorant, or when their pea-
hens are excited—a people not to be fed on literary
spoon-meat, but who demand and will have political
information. Each and every one of those as-
sembled must have known by experience, the
numberless obstructions, greater or less, that high-
priced monopoly could and would lay in the path of
enterprise ; yet not one had looked out or raised a
finger to forewarn or to aid. Why, the members of
that chamber alone might of themselves, and at any
moment, have ensured our memos, without forcing
us to go through that probationary struggle which
has marked the past, and must for a while continue.
The advertisements alone which they could command,
would ensure it. Why then has it not been done ?
Indifference. The distribuion of the resolutions, of

advertisements, and of like things, are left to a subordi-
nate, to some one whose poor brain was never per-
plexed by great principles or moral agencies, and so
they pass as a matter of course, through the
old agencies and the old channels. Yet, to
look at the question in a mere business
point of view, they know, what indeed our cor-
respondent informed them, that though compara-
tively nuaidcd and in a time of unusual depression, no
journal, in so short a time, ever had so extensive a
sale in Manchester; and we will add—nor out of Man-
chester. The statement in oar address that it doubled
that of any London newspaper, the Times excepted,
has been questioned. We repeat it. The stamps
issued for this paper during the year 1847 were
3,447,009. Let any newspaper, before it hints a sus-
picion that our statement is wrong, publish the like
account of the actual issue of stamps from the Stamp-
office. This statement, as the public will observe, is
open to official contradiction—official disproof if it be
untrue. We will go further. As the subject has
been thus brought under notice, we will assert our
firm belief that the number of stamps issued to the
Doily News is, within three or four hundred thou-
sand, equal to the numbers issued to the Herold, Post,
and Chronicle put together.
_ _

If ever, therefore, a cheap, liberal, and popular
newspaper offered itself to free-traders, and to those
leading men of great commercial and manufacturing
communities, it is the Daily News. If such men
and such bodies as these ignore, as far as public acts
go, its existence, and if they remain indifferent to its
success, let them not henceforward show themselves
Si the friends of cheap knowledge or of free-trade
extended to political information. And if hereafter a
monopoly of high-priced and aristocratic journals
should weigh heavily and unjustly, as it has done be-
fore, upon the welfare of the mercantile and the
Popular interests in this country, they will, perhaps,
remember, that the emancipation of the public from
each monopoly was once in their own hands, and that
in pusillanimity and indifference they cared not for it,
and left it to struggle without their sympathies and to
thrive without their aid.

CUSTOYS.—WATERSIDE OFFICERS.—A letter has
hen addressed by the oemmirioners of customs to the heads
enta at the several outports, desiriag them to re-
lent otrrttrith whether, with reference to the iitate of trade
sod the employment of the officers during the past years,
Pleticularly in the waterside department, any, and, / f so,
what number and description of officers can be spared for
NoPontry or permanent employment at other pore where
akt AV be required.

owlizasna.a.rw. •
Thailla•Bookomataiaing the ed-
aaa respect to fiwituriand has Jut ,bess gine-
latmL: We 'here give of it wh.' ••••• slueser" to be
amiss d telonmet kr a tutus oce:aion:
ris-wrPon CANNING TO TIOOOTINT TALIIIIIB4OIt.
a.)a.o. 21.—My last conversation with President Oedema-
heist was more satisfactory; and I now feel a stronger con-
fidence In his ability to realise substantially in the end those
qualified assurances which he then conveyed to me. My
impression I might almost say my belief, so, that the Diet
will not finally separate for the session without the solemn
and earnest recommendation of a general amnesty • that the
army, now reduced to men, will be totally disbanded
in a very short time; that the exclusive payment of war
expenses will be limited; that some indulgence will be ac-
corded in point of time for the entire payment of that sum ;
and finally, that the revision of the pact, though by no
means lost sight of, will not proceed till after a considerable
interval, and then, without precipitation, by a strict ad-
herence throughout to the principle of cantonal sovereignty.
There is one mere point which I may also repeat on the
president's authority. It is this: the cantons, each and all,
will not allow Switzerland to be used es a place whence dis-
contented foreigners may direct their complaints and incite-
, menta to revolt against other governments, but will forth-
with send out of the country any such person known to have
' offended in that way, either by the press or by cone
spondenee.
Dec. 23.—While on this subject I wish to state that the
war ezpensee appear now to amount to upwards of 6,000,000
of trance and I also learn front the highest military autho-
rity that the army on foot in the occupied cantons still ex-
ceed% 32,000 men.
Dec. 27.-1 am anxious to recall your lordship's attention
to a few remarkable facts brought out by the late brief but
eventful campaign. After more than thirty years of peace,
undisturbed by any invasion or imminent danger from with-
out, and after nearly half a century of abstinence from 'any
general armed demonstration, we have seen the Swiss bon
raise in a few weeks an effective army of 104,000 men, alp-
ported by 240 pieces of artillery in the field. We have seen
this army so ably and judiciously manoeuvred by a 0
officer as to reduce the whole of the adverse party to an un-
conditional surrender in the couree of a few days. Four-
fifths of this armament have been since disbanded without
confusion, and the whole collective force is to all appearance
on the point of losing itself once more in the mass of
peaceful population. It may be added that nearly a fourth
part of that population sent no contingent to the federal
army.
Die. 27.—Yesterday Mr. Herrin again waited on the
President at his country house, and communicated to him
such parts of your lordship's instruction of the 21st December
as were calculated to impress more forcibly on his mind the
inespedieney of delaying to remove all remaining causes of
complaint from the cantons still occupied by the federal
troops. M. Ocheenbeia replied, that meuures were in exc.
cution for the early, though gradual, retirement of the
whole army ; that the Diet would soon meet again ; and that
15 data would not elapse before the usual order of things
would bo completely restored. The information which
reaches me from other Founts confirms me in the persuasion
that President Ocluenbein and those who act with him,
while striving to gain the 'seen lancy for their partisans in
the occupied cantons, are sincere in their intentions of re
deeming the pledges given to me, as soon as the Diet shall
resume its sittings after the Christmas holidays. It may
not be superfluous to add; that five years have been allowed
to the canton of Unterwalden for the payment of its share
of the war expenses ; and Gen. Dufour, whom I saw this
morning, informed me that the federal army is now reduced
to the number of 22,000 men.
Dec. 28.—1 have seen the President this morning, and
the facts which he announced to me in the course of con-
versation are these. The army i. now reduced to 20,000
men, aid the whole of it will be disbanded, battalion altar
battalion, in a fortnight from this time. The deputies from
the seven cantons are all either h. re or on their way hither,
except those from the Valais, who cannot arrive in less than
ten days, though the preliminary elections are already com-
menced. The Diet will be re-assembled within a few days
after the completion of its members. An act of amnesty will
probably pass in each of the seven cantons before the Diet
will have an opportunity of recommending it. in that case,
however, there will, I trust, be a general declaration of the
Diet approving the amnesty. One exception will be made
from this set namely, the nine members of the late coun-
cil of war who are accused of having invited Ausuia to send
an auxiliary force in support of the Sonderbund.

cbt court.
WINDSOR, TUESDAY.—Viscount Palmerston is ex-
pected to arrive at the Castle this evening, on a visit to the
Queen.
La Marquise de Trazegnies and Major de Moer-
kerke were in attendance on their Belgian Majesties, ycater-
day afternoon, on their arrival at the Castle.
The royal dinner party at the Castle this evening
' will include their Majesties the King and Queen of the Bel-
-1 fs, the Duchess of Kent, his Excellency M. Van de
Weyer, the Lady in Waiting on the Queen of the Belgians,
the Marquise de Trazegnies, the Lidy in Waiting on the
Duchess of Kent, the Baroness de Speth, Viscount Palmer-
ston, Lord G. Lennox, and the Gentleman in Waiting on
the King of the Belgians, Major de Moerkerke.

General Bell had an interview with Sir G. Grey,
yesterday at the Home-office.
Sir H. V. Huntley, late Lieutenant-Governor of
Prince Edward's Island, transacted business at the Colonial-
office yesterday.
Mr. J. Wood, Chairman of the Excise. had an in-
terview with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, yesterday, at
his official residence in Downing-street.
Sir J. Pelly transacted business, yesterday, at the
office of the Board of Trade. _

Mr. Alderman Challis and Mr. Alderman Sidney
had an interview, yesterday, with Sir G. Grey.
Earl Granville has arrived in town.
[From last last night's GassUs.]
OFFICE OF ORDNANCE, Jas. H.
RI. Reg. of Art —Sea-Lieut. W. IL Mytton, to be first lieut., des
Parson, deceased.
Corps ol ILL Engineera—Pirea.Major J. E. Portlock, to be lieut.-
col., vice Selwyn, dee.; Seeond-Capt. G. R. Hutchinson, to be cant,
doe Fordo& ; Fing-Lieut W. F. U. Jena* to be second not, via
Hutchinson; Second-Lieut. W. IL Noble, to be Ent heat, Tie.
Jennie.

THE GAS MOVEMENT.
The Commissioners of Sewers for the City of Lon-
don Resembled yesterday in the Guildhall. Deputy Pea-
cock in the chair.

The RgetEMBEANCER reported to the court that the stand-
ing orders of the House of Commons with relation to the
new bill for the sanitary improvement of the City had been
complied with, and • few days after the meeting of parlia-
ment, the sheriffs would be prepared to take it down to the
house. It was then determined to place the bill under the
care of Mr. Patteson and Mr. fdastennan, the working
members for the City of London.
Mr. D•w, the chief-clerk, read the following letter which
had been sent by a number of the inhabitants of Bishougate
ward to Deputy Peacock, the chairman of the commissioners
of sewers. It won listened to with much interest, as the
Miele& his for some time occupied the attention of the
WOMB :
Mehopegate Ward, Jan. 17.--84,--The undersigned have seen •
=it in the murmurs stating that the Court of
appointed • ommittes ito inquire into end report open
Ils=pe paid by the dims of London, with • view to obtain
to the nits =wand have cub
miguseely learned that
the City pa lesent. hays thlintldmog go redo.
ing their dsex=ts'pez themeend hot It Ukase dealt, be within
your reedgeftt ad NOM Of es youlated • useedel to the Coat
of Semen, dere y fa abiddleek peememsee et the ward, at
the lattwr end dihe year ISM. whit thee us nide the same
=4.4..esett se lint yeasts yourself now reported to have
fale the MUM mew suplying us at 7w are elsewhere
Mila„ eel yen gebseserelie answer we then received to our
wee by as EN= Ai sew eaneldered we were entitled to
at *dr heads. It theeelbee. with meek *enure we now reeog-
aim led eseualdale re en to bet thea yes ham shown yourself
onsaido be the whim Kum enmelleute, red exhibited a willing- I
new be tots up their men by Whining this warn before the Court of
Ilewees; gad we hut UR not fall to urge and obtain •
thersugi himengstlea et tube hathr, whoa we leanly believe it cm
aoly be by tbe Wheel OM gosh se de les duty, If an ertaagemeat
to ms• ~lid mu* sees alimespesos se the eitioeu of London
' Oea hot sow prosiest byt he ypemsgmbss, which offer at such a
meemeet lie ousel nit shorisot am es an attcmpt on their
port Is bondvlsk d. wegjdst Embers of the Court of Sewn;
end dills *airy by Meths lip sun botelesent of their overcharge.
Veda ergo eift6llllellneee, pedant any public demonenaime on
the pert at the ward, we lave theurbt it right at once, ea fully se
possible, to pinyon in pdanamien at oar views (which we believe to
represent the oggvanel feeling of the ward), in order that, as our
representative. ria may be be a pavilion to support our interests, and
In the balietfor be the poetess you bold by virtue or that rrpreeents.
tion (se cheirserie St the Overt of Sewer.), you pow., and Imo fairly
exercise great wpm Ise els benefit of sour fellow-citizens in the
matter. no elledieleglen• w air to your Settee ere as follows :
Ano linos artists stamowity to every tradesman for the conducting
Igo MEW" It War Ida NM Is Me duty to obtain It as he would
say Wow minbseglio gds chop of that party who end provide him
on the bid hems be tides hlz advantage of all eiretundanoes in
his hum sighigss ef supplying any dietrict with gam ie
C:l7ls hew sf em In shah the lights are numerous on • given
11 efimeletediullut higher in which the lights are remote from
I each otber, so the harm there will be leas capital sunk in
pipes; WI awe, lon pesognes required, and lees incidental
and restoration with rehresso to es amount of revenue there Trail.
The City of London is the mg dimly lighted district in the metro-
pais, there bring in the aqenteseles one light to every three feet
air= main, while in no other of the metropolitan districts are there
I more than OW in every eve feet, ad lemurs the proputio• will be
OM in efteen.—Thy City of babe is known and acknow-
ledged to be the Met pule( Mats be the togeropolio, the amounts
solicited belsylmsgraal hempromphg mil the gimbals, and the
defaulters las Sahriftlaellorameammarlamesa in their
favour, theloldieue el Lades been boon pains more he their gas
than the Is Sleigh II the metropolis. Memos
of this dila of Onsp. S h door Is us, end mat be to you, is that
while Ohm MOM' es arsilig se accapelitkia the City of Lone=
hae bus plowalol tom=l."l ant by tin two eccipiwin hot
apply 11. as dot by is isdastendhey between Om they
, have bins to me se mai es they, pima or tbagsbt
Moe: dent teamed km hoe
essairrom, end hey begs s this
with leldW Mu houdegye that the oisamaledemes of
sewers hive stool le Muhl swam osseerw la mhos.
titian. Th. gins et Oa sonniolenwe of ilearama hr this
state of thlspo twee ben OM oessolSom well swags a briber
thwarters sit tbe Sze* see mob Slolosboi mews* et the
City, sod OA easpreiss not be rannnsnall. he hishwat
go
nisi silMogriesslldby wear azgatay. eWrardre
lost* stretor loz maw Ahem to Ott end. Mils we age whine
losteshimunliossMallhirthowoljte.wehontdolahreserthe
atbigotrnr
eis sposego Mon In aom mod tiMagghlsoise Mho
Sim be lbws obi tbsgMeseedlmillosegorsenbew
to pay ems 'Egli ale gewSl Om t raging hermunt.mfor
lelr
eirceuftwiele eguimitep esOlgomy le ales Ode wph.
ON dale ImilW"m=silurissomli. too IMP Ili to be.
liewOstthoOSKlwden. Maid ohm SI seer alraills ears
etheetellao ale NNE" den apt wig at rtgasie *Om at gay
'town la the Mobs ; big ger Wm histelim dog 16:=
othentspe we We hoollonol rgrly, if nit wise._
.nly of • to
Were MS hams@ to ate taw mash of swontese
tom Ws bagets's erstUbly/sissM hot ho amsMigusli a dio•

AlumAl 17x71934.
74b4m7er of Per cossagn reelionel
Letters. on the number 1.1939.
93millions. 12336 per dent.
10 l4
It!
ll
I
204 :: 25
39
36 37
225 „ 30 „