The Express.
London, England, 1846-10-05 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, MONDAY EVitt4lNG, OCTOBER 6, 1846.

tumults ought to read the landlords of Ireland, is to'
take advantage a the time gained by the institution
of these pobP,e works, to commence, on all bands,
imProverneeta on their estates,which may provide per-
manent ew.ployment for the peasantry. There is much
in the ohjections urged against public works. It is to the
employment afforded by private individuals that we
ought to look forward for the permanent support of
the Irish peasantry. Public works for the relief
of the destitute are only defensible on the ground
that such an immense increase of private employ-
ment as is required cannot be set on foot at
once, and that the destitution is urgent. The
landlords of Ireland ought to take advantage of
the time gained by the employment afforded on
the extraordinary presentments, to avail them-
selves of the Drainage Act. By degrees, as
their enterprises under that statute come into
operation, one after another the presentment under-
takings may be wound up. In ordinary seasons, and
in normal states of society, we are little inclined to
pay attention to the outcry against absentees. We
are not inclined to punish a man for being born heir
to acres, by compelling him to reside where he has no
mind to live; and probably, taking one with another,
we might not find the estates of absentee proprietors on
the whole worse, or less hamanely managed, than the
estates of residents. At a crisis like the present, how-
ever, it does seem to be incumbent on every Irish
landlord to repair to his estate. There, at this moment,
is his post of duty.
One lesson a portion of the landlords and the
press of Ireland may divide between them, and
that is, to weigh well their words before they
utter them at a time like the present. At present-
ment sessions, and meetings of Relief Committees, we
hear mss-payers denouncing in no measured terms the
niggardliness of Government for not giving higher
wages. The very men who have systematically
screwed down the Irish labourer to a rate of wages
that scarcely supports life, would court popularity by
being liberal, nay, profuse, of public money. A
Galway newspaper, in the very columns which chro-
nicle the arrival of a Government steamer with a
large amount of silver coin for the payment of persons
employed on public works, speaks of "the wonted
heartlessness of British governments relative to the
welfare of the Irish people," and asserts, that the
" English government " is " making no real efforts to
co-operate with the gentry and middle-class" for the
relief of the present distress. Yet nothing is more
common than to hear the fair gains of the retail,
dealer denounced as usurious " forestalling." It would
be in vain to ask speakers and writers capable of
such gross and wanton misrepresentations, or so igno-
rant of economical principles, to abstain from making
" political capital" of the sufferings of the peasantry.
But a regard for their own personal safety ought to
teach them to abstain from addressing such fictions to
ignorant and hungry crowds, so apt to believe and to
act upon their belief in them. It is not the deluded
peasantry, but the men who, regardless of truth, per-
suade them that nothing is doing for them ; that they
are not to be adequately paid for their work; that
jobbers and speculators are preying on them ; who are
morally responsible for every outrage perpetrated in
food riots. The military and armed police of Ireland
are numerous enough, and, what is more, so ad-
mirably posted through the country with a view to
support each other, that no permanent effect upon
public tranquillity is to be feared; bat rash speakers
incur a fearful responsibility by goading ill-informed
men to rush madly and hopelessly on an immeasurably
superior force. History is full of proofs that an angry
mob has ere now turned round upon its instigators,
before the public authorities could interfere for their
tection.

THE second act of the great drama in the Punjaub
is about to open. It had become obvious to us, before
the present arrival, that the native governments esta-
hliehni by the British after the victories on the
Sutlej were already tottering. The Khalsees and
other fanatics, it would now seem to be perfectly un-
derstood, only await the withdrawal of the British
troops to dethrone the Queen Mother and the Wuzeer
LALL SINGH. The insubordination of the chiefs

bought over to his interests by GHOLAB Smolt, and
his own intrigues, prevent him from fulfilling the arti-
cles of his treaty. Lords HARDINGE and GOUGH are
at Simla. Regiments are forming at Ferozepore and
Umbella, into which the best of the Sikh sol-
diers are encouraged to enter. The policy con-
templated by the Anglo-Indian government seems
pretty obvious. It will withdraw its troops at the
appointed time, and leave the Sikh leaders to deal
with each other. It will protect the British frontier,
if possible, without interfering in the internal affairs
of the Sikhs; but for the effectual prevention of pre-
datory inroads, will be driven to extend the away of
Britain over the whole of the Punjaub. Few who
have attentively watched the progress of events in
that quarter can doubt of the ultimate result. Sooner
or later the frontier of the Anglo-Indian territory will
be advanced to Attock.

THE formidable danger which menaces the king-
dom in consequence of the loss sustained in the potato
crop, and the difficulty that must be experienced in
replacing it, have induced us to insert communica-
tions upon the subject, whenever they have proceeded
from correspondents of intelligence. But we feel it
necessary to state explicitly that we do not by any
means identify ourselves with the recommendations
which may be thus offered to the public. Least of all
do we join in the opinions expressed by Dr. ANTHONY
TODD 'THOMSON in our paper of Friday last.

This gentleman assumes that the cause of the
potato disease is the custom of multiplying it year
after year by division; and he recommends that in
future it should be raised from seed, by which means
he thinks that disease may be averted. Now, we
are bound to state that this doctrine, which has been
propounded and examined over and over again, is
entirely opposed to facts. It is certain that raising
potatoes from seed has proved no guarantee against
the prevalent malady. Newspapers which occupy
themselves specially with agricultural affairs abound
in proofs of this. Nor is there any pretence for say-
ing that the seedlings that became diseased had been
raised from unhealthy parents. The reverse is the
reality.
It is not, however, necessary to go into any de-
tailed examination of this evidence ; for the theory of
exhausted vitality is overset by the fact that plants
annually renewed from seeds, and which cannot be
propagated in any other way, are affected exactly
like the potato itself. The tomato, the egg plant, and
the cut-leaved solanum of New Holland, are in a
diseased condition. Nor are our hardy, wild, uncul-
tivated plants exempt; for, in the garden of the Vice-
regal Lodge at Dublin, the common bitter-sweet is
attacked like the potato. These facts, about which
there is no cavilling, not only strike the ground from
under those naturalists whose opinions Dr. Trtosison
has adopted, but seem to point to the conclusion that
some unknown atmospheric influence has led to the
present state of the potatoes.
We have, however, no intention to engage in a con-
troversy concerning this matter, which is better
suited to the agricultural journals; and we only
advert to it thus, from the apprehension that our cor-
respondent's letter may, in the absence of such a dis-
claimer, assist in leading the public astray from the
only course which appears likely to ward off a
renewal of the malady in a future year. That course
is deep autumn planting, immediately after the crop
now in the ground has been dug up.

THE language held, and the resolutions adopted, by
the general- meeting of the county of Argyle, at In-
verary, on Wednesday last, are most honourable to
them. In his opening address, the Marquis of Bread-
albene exhorted his fellow-landlords "first to do what
they could themselves in the circumstances ; " " to
carry on improvements, and to give employment to the

poop iit t " before they went to solicit aid at the hanas
of °Ovum:tient. In a similar spirit, the Marquis of
Urn and others appointed to digest resolution:, pro-
posed that a committee be appointed "to co:respond
with the several districts, and impress on all classes
the necessity of the greatest economy ;" "to press on
the districts the expediency of executing this year any
new works they may contemplate ;" to suggest that
they may raise funds on the security of the assessment
ander the Road Act ; to circulate copies of the Drain-
age Act passed last session, and urge individual pro-
pnetors to take advantage of it; to circulate information
as to the best means of obtaining employment
in the low country ; and facilitate the transport of
those who are willing to go there. It was further
proposed, that as the population is, in many districts,
redundant and far from markets, " government be
requested to establish stores of food in such localities
(as, for example, Oban and Tobermory), so as to be
accessible to the proprietors, to be purchased by them."
The attention of government is also to be drawn to
the encouragement of the white-fishings on the coast ;
to emigration as a permanent means of relief; to an
amendment of the Drainage Act; and to the expe-
diency of granting aid to public works within the
country. The resolutions were unanimously approved
of, and the committee appointed.
We have taken some pains to arrive at a correct
knowledge of the actual state of the potato crop in
Scotland, and of the prospects of the poorer classes
during the impending winter. The failure of the
potatoes, so far as we have yet ascertained, appears to
be universal throughout Scotland ; but it is only in
the Highlands, an more especially in the Highlands
of the western mainland and the Hebrides, that any-
thing like famine seems to be apprehended. The
relative prospects of these western districts, of the
east and of the south-west of Scotland, will best be
shown by extracts from the letters of some of our cor-
respondents. The following communication is from
Galloway, which is pretty similarly circumstanced to
Dumfries-shire, and the rural districts of Ayrshire :
"It Ls no exaggeration to call the potato crop a total failure through-
out the whole south-west of Scotland. Prom personal observation I
can vouch that little if at all above the seed will be raised
sound and free from disease -- probably between two and
three times that bulk in a diseased state. These last are,
while they keep, good enough food for man, but being un-
pleasant to the palate, and it being supposedt from the experience of
last fear, that they will not keep, every one is using theta as fast as
paeuple in feeding pigs, poultry, ere. The result is, that potatoes ore
kanrllyy ntoow in
wn, the market,
not ran
el:. mina:tick fo
pewsnLythewhosumrt of the
poor do
or who have portions planted by neighbouring farmers, are using up
their little crops for the reason I mentioned, sad in a month the, win
have finished them. As regards other crops, our produce is an aver-
age w.litichmuitribeliconcw our distri;
eats ct grows little)
above the
but above on inferior lands. Owing to the potato failure, how-
ever, the farmer and his labourers having to eutaist on his grain
crops, very much lees of them than usual will be available as market
produce. No potatoes, and only about half the wonted quantity of
grain, will be sent from this district into the general market. As
regards the labouring man, there is little reason to fear. The cos-
struction of railways not only altar& work for every one who cheeses
to avail himself of it, but has raised wages everywhere to a fake swot.
14°yr-us:since we paid Is. a-day to a labourer here ; now we pig b„
Our old dare measure of a fair wage was, that it should buy limo
(141b5.) of meal. Thanks to foreign supplies of the people's Oink a
day's wages still procure this amount. In this part of Scotland for-
tunately we have no unmanageable weight of poor ; an increased
allowance is of course called for, and must be made."
Respecting Midlothian, and generally the east of
Scotland, our accounts are as follow :
" Throughout the country the crop of potatoes is nearly gone. It
is difficult to learn what ratio the loss will bear with the supply of
human food. An extensive and intelligent farmer in Berwickshire
informs me that those who have planted potatoes have lost them all :
he could mention instances where the farmer has lust several
thousand pounds. A manufacturer in East Lothian, who is also an
agriculturist, inform. me that he lute lost all his potatoes. Neither of
those informants, however apprehend disastrous coesequence.
Thesesdistricts are partly maniducturuig, pertly agricultural, and they
kook to the revival of trade as auttlaent to onnpezurate the work-
ing claws for any rise in the price of provisions. A
few weeks ago there was not a potato to be bought In
Edinburgh. They are now to be had free of disease, but not
good, at 9d. per peck. American beans arc becoming popular a/
a substitute there, and in some families are used exclusively. In the
Highlands I auspixt there must be great misery. I hope the Board of
Supervision will lay on the new Poor-law powerfully at all events.
Whether it may be sufficient to meet the exigency without contrion-
tioas from those districts where the pressure will be less felt, I cannot
my."
Of the Western Highlands and the Hebrides our
correspondents write in a very different tone :
" In these districts the crop hes failed in some parts almost entirely,
in others from a fourth to three-tourths. In the islands and on
the adores of the lochs where there is a dense population the
labouring closes raise from one-half to two-thirds of
the food they maniple on their crofts; upon them, therefore,
the failure of the potato must press heavily. In Tiree, lons,
and other pixies they are helpless and destitute to a degree
I cannot find wands to describe. The feet is, that the whole system
of managing these estates is bad—ruinous to the landlord as well as to
the tenant. A request was made about a month ago, by three red-
dent proprietors (one in Skye, one in Tiree, and a third In Coil), to
the Clasgow Committee for managing the Highland Relief num, to
take tlicir ease into consideration. The Committee resolved to watch,
but not to interfere for the preileut. since that, Government, as yon
are aware, has sent a COMIIIiMiOOK. The suggestions of the Board
Of Supervision, though entirely timid' place in the Kirkgate of Leith
and Inc Saltmarket of Glasgow, are judicious If applied to our remote
regions, where e there is every came for alarm, and where inhabitants
have no O'Connell to proclaim their sufferings and secure assistance for
them. Here, unites immediate and energetic measures are adopted,
great and lamentable suffering it at hand."

The spinners and manufacturers in the cotton dis-
tricts arc at present in a rather uncomfortable predi-
cament. Ordinary middling cotton which, at the end
of November, in 1844, cost 34d. to 4d. per lb; and at
the end of November, in 1845, 3411. to 4d. per lb., cost
at the end of September in the present year, 4d. to
sd. per lb. The price of " fair " cotton in these years,
respectively, has been 41d., 44d., sd. per lb. Yet,
while cotton has risen, the price of goods has fallen.
Shirtings which, in 1844, sold for 10s. 1 id., fell, in
1843, to between 9s. 44d. and 98. 6d., and have this
year fallen still further, to 9s. 3d. Not only has the
price of the raw material increased ; wages, flour,
coal, and all other items of the manufacturer's
expenditure have risen also. The manufacturers
find it impossible to raise their prices in
proportion to the augmentation in the price
of the raw material, because buyers regard
the increase in the price of cotton as caused by specu-
lation, based on wilfully false reports of the American
crops, as in 1844. Parties, however, who have been
long extensively engaged in the trade, and have
nothing to gain by such speculation, are inclined to
believe that the rise in the price of cotton will be
maintained. The last accounts from America arc so
conflicting that no confidence can be reposed in them,
but the low prices of cotton in Europe have held out
so little inducement to the planter of late years, that
from that cause alone a diminished supply is looked
for. As yet the spinners and manufacturers alone
have suffered; but, if this state of affairs continue, the
labourers, who up to this time are in full employment
and the receipt of good wages, will feel the pressure
also. Several orders for machinery have been coun-
termanded lately, and working short time has been
talked of. Spinners and manufacturers are trying to
stave off the evil day by economising the cotton
used in their fabrics—producing thinner and lighter
goods, and by using more Surat cotton in proportion to
the American. Every encouragement ought to be given
to the growth of cotton ; for on an abundant supply
of this commodity, next to food, depends the existence
of large and important sections of our population.
Yet a heavy land tax is allowed in India to check the
culture of cotton. The consequence is that the exports
of cotton from Bombay to this country which, in
1843, amounted to 133,000, and in 1844 to 178,000
bales, have dwindled down, in 1843, to about 48,000,
and in 1846 to less than 29,000. The influential par-
ties who are agitating for the abolition of the East India
Company's salt monopoly, would do well to embrace
this grievance also in the range of their operations.

The Paris journals of Friday have reached us by
express, together with oar correspondence.
On Thursday an attempt was made to renew the
riots of the previous evening, in the Faubourg St.
Antoine. A large body of workmen assembled, who
raised loud cries and broke the windows of several
shops. The crowd was, however, immediately dis-
persed by troops of cavalry and infantry, who had
been held in readiness for the purpose from an early
hour. The Rue de Charenton was the scene of the
next operations. There also windows were broken,
as also the public lamps, and an attempt was made to
stop vehicles and construct barricades, but the troops
arrived in time, and put the multitude to flight, with-
out difficulty, and happily without bloodshed. The
Debate speaks slightingly of these nocturnal disturb-
ances, and states that the parties arrested were
young workmen and apprentices.
The subject of the Spanish marriage does not
appear to excite so much warm feeling as usual.
The latest article of the Debats is more temperate,
and ridicules the journals who speak of " wars of
succession," " invasions of Spain,' and " ambitions
projects on a crown" which, it says, "will always '
remain separate from that of France." The other
journals have found an object of remark in the fact
(stated in the Heraldo), that the English fleet, under
Admiral Parker, had been ordered back to Cadiz.
The Constitutinnel, after speculating on the proba-
bility of that fleet being reinforced front England, has
the following remarks :
" This order given to the English fleet to maintain its post
of observation on the coasts of Spain is certainly a grave
event; but, notwithstanding the menacing character given
to it in Madrid and Paris, we are anxious that the importance

of it should not be exaggerated. We hope that war will not
arise out of the faults committed by our government; but
see to what they have already brought us ? Not only does
the entente mediate no longer exist, but from coolness the
affair has proceeded to hostile demonstrations. Whose fault
is this? That of the ministers, who have attempted to carry
off an Infanta, with the same foresight, the same wisdom, the
same skill, as they displayed in the conquest of the Marquess.
The state of things, however, is more grave than it was at
the time of the negotiation relative to Mr. Pritchard. The
two governments are more seriously involved, the rupture is
more profound."
Numerous cargoes of corn continue to arrive daily
at Marseilles, and large quantities are sent by the
Rhone to the interior. The average price of corn
in France on the 30th ult. was 23 francs per
hectolitre.
Some unfortunate demonstrations among the mili-
tary at Saint Omer have been made, in consequence
of the ministerial order that the national guards of the
town and environs should come without arms to the
ceremony of the inauguration of the statue of the
Duke of Orleans, although the interdiction is in strict
conformity with the law. At a meeting held on Wed-
nesday, the grenadiers and voltigeurs, the artillery
and cavalry of the national guard of Lille decided
that they should not go to St. Omer, as they were
not allowed to carry arms. The artillerymen of St.
Omer even have refused to appear at the Pte. An
altercation of much warmth is said to have taken
place on the subject between the mayor and sub-
prefect of the town. The mayor declared that the
whole of the notional guard of St. Omer would
refuse to attend, and that the town would not grant
the necessary funds for the expenses of the day. In
consequence of this deplorable discussion the mayor
and his deputies, and the committee appointed to
regulate the preparations for the fete, have resigned
their functions.
The arrests of Spanish refugees continue. Two
Carlist generals, Guibelalde and Zavala, have been
taken to the fortress of Blaye, which already contains
several of their brother officers. M. Cortina, who is
now considered the chief of the Progressista party in
Spain, has left Paris, to join his family at Bayonne.
We have news from Algiers to the 25th ult.
The latest accounts from Tlemcen state that General
Cavaignac ought to have arrived at Lalla-Maghrina
on the 17th ult., with the troops under his orders, to
protect the frontier, said to be threatened by Bou-
Masa. There was a report that that daring chief
was endeavouring to gain over the Beni-Snasscn to
put himself at their head, and to fall upon the tribes
which had submitted to the French, whilst Abd-el-
Kader was to make an inroad in the South-east. Ge-
neral Arbouville, in consequence, left Oran, on the
19th, with a detachment, for AM-Temouchen, a cen-
tral position, from which he could cover the east and
south-east flank of the Tlemcen division. Every-
thing is tranquil in the other quarters.

The Debats of Saturday, quoting an article from
one of the London press, takes opportunity to make
remarks tending to prove that the English government
had lowered its tone on the subject of the mar-
riages ; and that it means to limit itself to a dignified
protest.n That, continues this journal, is far from the
held lately by the English press : and it is
evirel;iliglat the firm conduct of the French govern-
ment has had its due effect in this matter. Meaning,
of course, that the English government had been
frightened by the attitude of France, and dare not go
further in its disapprobation than a protest. The
Debate goes on to say, that it is with feelings of an-
noyance that the London papers renounce the hopes
theey had entertained relative to popular manifestations
in Spain ; and it is sorry, for their sake, that there is
not at least some little bit of insurrection to keep
them in countenance they so much deserve it. Such
is the language of the Paris ministerial journal.
A telegraphic despatch reached Paris dated the 3rd
instant, stating that the French princes had been re-
ceived with the greatest enthusiasm along the route;
and at Tolosa, where a magnificent fete was given in
their honour, the number of persons assembled was
immense. _ _ _

Their Royal Highnesses were to leave on the 3rd
for Vittoria, where a similar fete awaits them.

Great precautions were taken in Paris on Friday,
to prevent the rioters from reassembling in the Fau-
bourg St. Antoine. The main street was occupied by
a regiment; however many workmen were collected
in the streets of the neighbourhood, and the windows
of an omnibus were broken, but no serious disturbance
took place, and no one was hurt.
Some corn riots have taken place also in the depart-
ment of the Saone and Loire.

M. Übago, a Carlist Spanish brigadier, has been
arrested at La Reole. The orders of the French go-
veniment to their agents in the departments appear to
be, to keep a strict watch over the Spanish Progress-
ists, and to put the Carlists under arrest. The fortress
of Blaye contains now fifteen prisoners.
The Queen of the Belgians arrived on Thursday
evening with the royal children at the palace of
St. Cloud.

—.---
There are arrivals from Algiers to the 27th ult„ but
they do not bring any additional information.

We have letters and papers from Madrid of the
27th. The assertions by the Herald() that Mr.
Bulwer wished to withdraw his note is met by the
Timm, which says :
"Tat assuming for true (which it is not) the fact that
the English minister wished to withdraw his note, that
would prove a complete or tardive adhesion of England to
the marriage of the Infanta. On the contrary, if Mr.
Bulwer, authorised by his government, wished to withdraw
the protest on condition of obtaining a further delay of the
celebration of the marriage, as Ei Herald() asserts, it is clear
that he has still the hope that the marriage will not take
place, and that he will not abandon the use of such means
as may thwart it."
Great preparations are making for splendid fi,tes
in honour of the double marriage. The vote of the
law on recruiting completed, yesterday, the labours of
the Chamber of Deputies, who will next be sum-
moned at their own residences.
•

Fco del Comercso, of the 27th ult., states that on the
previous day " the French Ambassador gave a grand
dinner to the Ministers, to General Narvacz, and other
friends, his defenders of a foreign marriage. We
have always thought," adds El Eco, "that he who
applauds should eat, and he who eats is ungrateful if
he do not applaud." The provinces were reported
tranquil.

A letter from Madaid, dated September 27th
states :
" Public curiosity was greatly excited by the conference
which took place the day before yesterday between the Pre-
sident of the Council and Mr. Bulwer. Many versions have
been given of what passed. We quote the following:—
' Mr. Bulwer is said tohave endeavoured to justify the publi-
cation of • diplomatic document in a public journal on the
strength of English customs (his letter to General Serrano).
M. Isturitz is said not to have been satisfied with such an
explanation; and although the conversation that easued
were in the most parliamentary and courteous tone, M.
Isturitz is said to have concluded by saying, that be regretted
to find himself under the necessity of not replying to any
furt'ser communications, as the Cortes had formally pro-
nounced on a question which might be, therefore, regarded
as finally settled. It is needless to add that these details do
not bear an official character, as there was not a third person
present at the conference, and Mr. Bulwer has not thought it
tit to act again according to English customs by publishing
the conference in the Clamor Public°, or Gaceta de
Madrid.'"
El He, aldo of the 29th ult. aaserts that " the double
marriage will take place on the 4th inst., and that the
Queen and her sister, with their illustrious husbands,
will go to Aranjuez, where they will remain until the
10th instant, when the public files are to commence
in Madrid, for which the preparations are being much
hastened." El Espanol of the same date says, "We
are assured that the betrothals will take place on
the 4th of October ; on the following day the august
pairs will set out for Aranjuez, where they will
remain until the 9th, and on the 10th, her Majesty's
birthday, they will be married in the public chapel."
The news from Lisbon is to the 23rd, and wholly
unimportant

FRANCE.—BANK op FRANCE.—The Moniteur
publishes the transactions of the Bank of France for the
third quarter of 1846. The general movement of the caisses
during the quarter was 3,320,000,000 francs. The amount
of bills, discounted at Paris, was 276,000,000, that of the
branch banks nearly 105,000,000. Advances on bars and
specie 18,000,000, on public securities 9,000,000. -Accounts
current and items 2,762,000,000, about one-half actif, the
other parr. The movement of the account current of the
treasury was 216,000,000, of which 92,000,000 actif, and
12.3,000,000 passif ; the average of this account current
during the quarter was about 120,000,000; on the 2.5 th of
Sept. last, it had sunk to 97,000,000. The average amount
of coin in the coffers of the ank, during the quarter, was
189,000,000, and the average amount of notes in circulation,
2.58,000,000. On the 25th Sept. last, the amount of coin in
the coffers of the bank was 174,000,000 fr., and the amount
of notes to order 266 millions.
FRENCH NATT.—LORIENT, SEPT. 28.—The minis-
ter of the marine intends leaving fur li:est on the Passe
partout.
ST. MALO, SEPT. 29.—The government steamer
Le Galibi, has been placed at the disposition of Ouneral