The Express.
London, England, 1851-02-06 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 6, 1851.

CHILI AND RI

The Chilian government published, on the 12th of
last November, a decree, by which it declared that the ships
of all nations not admitting into their harbours Chilies
vesseh on the conditions of their own bottoms, should in
future pay a surto: of navigation to the amount of 6 nab;
per ton, and that the merchandise imported by such
ships must besides pay differential duties of 10 per
cent. The navigation dues raised by the Chili Cur
tom-house are as follows :—Anchorage duty per ship,
2 piastres ; registration due, per ship, 2 piastres•
tonnage due, per ton, 2 reabi. These dues are not lei ied
on whalers of any flag, ships in ballast, ships taking refuge
against pirates or enemies, or entering for repairs, but they
are raised on all laden vessels entering Chilian ports. This
decree will not set upon Engli-h ships, because England
receives the Chilian flag on the same footing as thou of
I other nations.

But the result to French trade with Chili, one of the largest
France possesses, is very ditlrent. Chili receives from
France exports which, in the year 1642, amounted to
more than a million sterling. Almost a third of these'
French exports consists of silks, woollens, and cotton-stuffs.
The customs tariff of Chili, like that of the United States,
is based on ad ralorem duties; and thus French silks, cot-
tons, and woollens, will have to pay, in addition to two
mals increased tonnage, a differential duty of 10 per cent.,
not on the amount of the principal duty, but on the value of
the goods. For instance, cotton stuffs, which now pay an
ad valorem duty 421 per 100, must pay when iniported in
ships not assimilated, 31 per tent. ad adorns. The same
with woollens, which also pay about 21 per rent.
ad raiment duty. Silks, which pay 15 and 21 per
cent., must also be taxed 2.5 per cent. and 31 per
nut. There are other disadvantages which accrue,
for these differential duties become more unfavour-
able, in proportion ns the principal duty is low. In fact the
[result of the Chilian decree of Nov. 12 must of necessity
have been the complete prohibition of importations under
the French flag; but we burn that, in order to prevent the
evil consequences that must have resulted to the French
flag in consequence of the decree above referred to, the
French government has presented to the Chamber a bill,
giving to the Chilian flag the assimilation which allows the
French flag to be treated as that of the most favoured
nations. France is thus obliged to abandon piecemeal the
protection which must some time hence be given up al-
I together.

SALVAGE OF AN AMERICAN MERCHANT
VESSEL, BY HEE MAJESTY'S STEAMER GLA-
DIATOU.

PORTSMOUTH, FEB. s.—Lieut. Charles IL Robson,
late of the Olathator, 6, steam-sloop, Capt. John Adams, on
the westeoast of Africa statitm, has lately returned to Ports-
mouth from America, having been engaged in the following

case of salvage, which possesses several features of a novel
character ..—The Huntress, an American brig, trading on
the north-west coast of Africa, was fallen in with by the
Jackal, steam-tender to the Gladiator, the former having
her flag hoisted union down, the ordinary' signal of distress.
On being boarded, it was found that she hail lost her cap-
tain, that the mate was dying with coast fever, and that her
crew, entirely ignorant of navigation, were worn out with
anxiety and Ltigue. They had berm soiling for four days
at random, sometimes approaching the main land,
and then bearing away again, to avoid running
ashore or to escape from piratical looking boats that sought
to board them. When the Jackal fell in with them they
were about to run up what they supposed to be the rive?
Cahoon, but which was in fact a small inlet wane '290 miles
further north. Their vessel was a mere estray on the ocean,
at the mercy of the first finder, unless protected by his sense
of justice. The crew ghillie gave up the vessel and them-
selves into the charge of the commander of the Jackal, who I
put an olhrer on board and conducted them to Fernando
Po, at which 'place the Gladiator was lying, here every.
thing was done for crew and vowel that hospitality and
kindness could do, on the part of Captain Adams and his
officer.. The surgeon of the Gladiator went on hoard
to the aid of the mate, but he was already dead.
The vessel was supplied with water, medicines, and
stores; and an anchor was furnished her to replace
one she had lost. The property, which was of '
considerable value, was collected, carefully inven-
toried and sealed up. Disinfectants were also employed
to remove or diminish the causes of disease on board; and
with the assent of the second mate, and in ateardauce with
his opinion as to what was best for the owner's interest, it
was determined to send her to the United States. Accord-
ingly Lieutenant Robson was placed on board to navigate
' her, and sonic men were sent from the Gladiator to com-
plete her eff.etive complement. Now the coast fever, of I
which the captain and mate had died, was found to be in a
high degree tualignant,and,notwithstanding the precautions
which had been taken to disinfect the Huntress, and
although Lieutenant Robson, in obedience to the surgeon's
instruction, kept clear of the cabin as much as possible,
sleeping on deck, and going below only to make out his
I reckonings, he was attacked by the disease a few days after
(leaving the coast, and struggled with difficulty and
through much danger against its effects until he
reached Philadelphia. On his arrival there, 69 days
after leaving Fernando Po, he was a confirmed and broken-
down invalid •' su ill, that his physicians considered him
" unfit to 100 moved." Having somewhat recruited his
strength, Lieut. Robson sought to recover salvage from the
owners of the Huntress, but failing todoso, he had recourse
to the Admiralty Court at Philadelphia, when, in answer
to the libel, the owners contended that the vessel should
not have been sent home by Captain Adams, but should
have been despatched along the coast, in search of a navi-
gator, under whose direction to continue her voyage ; that
the vessel had a consignee at Sierra Leone, to whom shu
should hove been sent ' • that the salvage was complete
when the vessel reached Fernando Po in safety ; and this:
the services of Mr. Robson in conducting her to the Unite 4
States were merely those of a navigator, and to be paid fir
as such. Judge Kane, of the Admiralty Court, hewers,
overruled these answers, and char/Leh:tilled the con-
duct of Captain Adams in the affair as . .

judged, liberal-spirited, sedulously protective of the
interests misfortune had cast upon him, and justly con-
flding in the country whose citizens he had relieved er
merited." " What obligations," asked the judge (we quote
from the Philadelphia Legal Intelliyeneer's report of the
trial)," were there resting on these salvors to do as they have
dons ? Absolutely none hut those of human fellowship
They were strangers, subjects of a foreign power, at a great
distance from home, armed and cruising for a special oh.
jest, requiring their full complement of men to man priers
and meet the casualties of a sickly climate. It illustrates
well the advancing civilisation of the age, that alien flaps
arc thus summoned on distant seas to perform offices of
brotherhood, and the armament of war is found minis
tering to the charities of man. These considerations
higher and more noble than any of policy that would alon,
prompt us to foster the spirit which these salvors maul.
rested." In reference to Lieutenant Robson, the Judge
said: "It manifests a determined energy of character at
the part of that gentleman, which is praiseworthy in a high
degree—that in shattered and sometimes critical health, ant
with insubordination on the part of his only officer, the
mate, he succeeded in conducting the vessel through an lonz
• voyage safely home to her owners." The award was fir
payment of all expenses on account of sickness, &e. on the
part of Lieutenant Rohson and others engaged ; and sal.
cage of one-fourth part of the value of the vessel and liar
cargo, 14,600 dollars, one-third of which was awarded b
Mr. Robson, and the remaining two-thirds to Captait
Adams and the officers and crews of the Gladiator ant
Jackal, including Mr. Robson, to be distributed accordinr
to the regulations and usages of the British service.

MINISTERIAL VISIT TO THE GAOL OE NEWGATI.
—Yesterday, immediately after the conclusion of the trill
of the " Slomes," which will be found in another portico
of our columns, Lord John Russell, accompanied by Sk
George Grey, and other officials connected with the in.
spection of prisons, arrived at Newicate, for the purpose tf
witnessing and inspecting the venous arrangement% ma&
therein by the direction of the visiting justices for the
health and care of the prisoners. Lord John Russell and
Sir George Grey were received by the Lord Mayor, Sit
Jena Duke, M.P., Alderman liumphery, &c., and es-
ode& by them through the prison.
EXT7S.NsIVE FIRE IN TILE STRAND.—A few minutes
before seven o'clock yesterday morning the family of Mr.
White, of the Temple Divan, St. Clement's-churchyard,
11187 narrowly escaped suffinsation from fire. It appeared
Ma! Kr. White, his wife and children, slept on the third
flecm, over the billiard room, and at seven o'clock were
aroused by a 'yang smell ig smoke. All escaped to the
roof, except Mrs. White, whose weight, it aware, broke
down a table on which she was standing. Fortunately
Robinson, with a Royal Society fire escape, was present,
and, being a powerful man, he ascended his ladder, entered
the attic, and, taking Mrs. White in his arms, bought her
down without injury Water was plentiful, mid several
engines having speedily arrived, in about an hour the fire
was extinguishe , but not until the billiard and ether rooms
with the whole of their contents, had been destroyed.
BRISTOL LOCAL MARINE BOARD.—The misun-
derstanding which subsisted between this body and the
government has been removed, the latter having conceded
to Bristol the privileges claimed for it. It will be remem-
bered that the Board of Trade had refused t o the Bristol
board the right to examine for first-class certificates, a pro-
ceeding which was considered so capricious aol unjust in
the face of the concessions to Liverpool, Glasgow, Grecnnck,
Shields, &c., that the members of the board resigned en
masa% and the mercantile population of the city expressed
their determination not to appoint any summers. In this
state of things the corporation stepped in, and adopted a
memorial to the government, in which was set forth the
sommercial importance of Bristol, the terriess which its
mariners had at various times rendered to British com-
merce, and the extensive nature of its foreign and colonial
trade. This memorial was presented to the Board of Trade
on Tuesday by a deputation from the corporation, accom-
panied by the town clerk and the members in parliament.
Mr. King, a member of the town council, and one of the
merchants who had been returned on the decal marine
board, support,sl its prayer, and showed by a reference to
the Custom-house returns that Bristol was one of the
largest porta of foreign imports, the duties pail by it being
much larger than those of Glasgow and Greenock together,
i and vastly in excess of those of Shields, Sunderland, &e.
The noble president of the board admitted that an ample
ease had been made out on the part of the city, and ex-
premed the readiness of the government to grant the re-
quired privilege. The concession of the Board of Trades
has removed a great deal of dissatisfaction.

Vbe Court.

WINDSOR, Fan. 5.
Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Albert dined
with the Duchess of Kent this evening at her residence
Froginore. The Royal family took walking exereise this
morning in the tilupts and R incisor-park. Lord Dufferin
has relieved the Marquis of Ormond° in his duty as lord in
waiting to the Queen, and Lieut.-Col. th, lion. Robert
Boyte has relieved Col. Berkeley Drummond in his duty so
Groom in waiting to her Majgty.

The Duke of Richmond bad an interview with Lord
John Russell yesterday, at his official residence in Downing
street. Mr. WotMauna*: had also an intcniew with the
noble lord yesterday.
Mr. 11. G. Gordon, Chairman of the Oriental Bank, bad
an interview with Earl Grey yesterday at the Colonial-
' office.

The Cambridge University. Commission met yesterday at
the official residence of the First Lord of the Treasury in
Downing-street. l'resent, the Biahop of Chester, the Dean
of Ely, Sir J. F. W. Ilerschel, the Rev. l'rofessor Secig-
wick, and the Itev. W. 11. Bataan, (secretary).
Mr. Hodges, M.P., had an interview with Sir George
Grey yesterday at the Home-office.
Mr. 'W. C. flail and Mr. Thomas Hughes had an inter-
view with the Right Hon. Henry Labouchere yesterday at
the office of the Board of Trade.
Despatches were received yesterday at the Colonial-office
from the Governor of Gibraltar. _

The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council at yester-
day. Present, Mr. Baron Parke, the Judge of the Admi-
ralty Court, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Cornwall, and
Sir Edward Ryan. An appeal from Canada, " Quebec Fire
Insurance v. Multion and St. Louis," was commenced.

WINDSOR ELECTION.

WINDSOR, WEDNESDAY.—The new writ moved for
last night in the House of Commons for the election of a
member of parliament for the royal borough, in conse-
quence of Mr. Mitchell, since his election (now just twelve
months ago), having been appointed Attorney-General
of Ireland, has created very little excitement, in Cause
quenec of there not appearing the most remote probabi-
lity of any attempt being made to oppose that gentle-
I man's re-election. It will be remembered that Mr.
llatehell WWI returned for Windsor last February, in con-
sequence of Lord John Hay haling vacated the seat, upon
his appointment as Port Superintendent of Devonport
Dockyard. by his acceptance of the Stewardship of North-
stead. On the day of nomination Mr. llatehell will be, it
is expected, proposed by Mr. J. T. Beilborough, one of
the magistrates of the borough, and Mr. Henry Darcill,
solicitor, will second the nomination. The learned gentle-
man avows himself to be a friend to civil and religious
liberty, a strong advocate of the principles of free trade,
and a warm supporter of the measures and policy of the
present government.

LORD ARUNDEL AND LORD JOHN

RUSSELL.

Lori Arundel and Surrey has published the fol-
lowing letter:
11, Carlton-terrace, Wednesday, Feb. 5.
My Lord,—lt was not until this afternoon, alter reading
the speech delivered by Lord Lansdowne in the Rouse of
Lords yesterday, and atter referring again to your lord-
ship's speech in the other house, that the conviction forced
itself upon my mind that your lordship did actually believe
the recent appointment of a catholic hierarchy in this
country to be an assumption of temporal power on the part
of the Pope. It really had not occurred to me previously
that you, or any of her Majesty's Ministers, did or could
view the appointment of the hierarchy in that light. I beg,
therefore, most distinctly to assure your lordship, in the
strongest language I can command, that such is not the
fact. The language made use of in various documents
which have been alluded to does apply exclusively to
spiritual jurisdiction, and the looser phraseology of news-
papers, which have also been referred to, either bears the
same exclusive meaning or is incorrect.
The appointment of the hierarchy does not make the
smallest difference in our temporal position as subjects of
her Majesty. This I distinctly amid unhesitatingly affirm. I
therefore hope that, whatever may be said by others, no
minister of the crown will on any occasion again attempt
to stigmatise with disloyalty any portion of her Majesty's
catholic subjects for accepting, as I hold it to be their
bounden duty to do, the purely spiritual organisation given
to theta by the head of their church.
I have the honour to be, my lord,
Your humble servant,
ARUNDEL AND SURREY.
To the Lord John Russell, &c.