The Express.
London, England, 1858-04-21 00:00:00

AFRICAN MAILS.

(ET ELECTRIC AND INTERNATIONAL TELEGRAPH.)

MON OUR OWN

PLYMOUTH, WEDNESDAY.

The Armenian, Captain Corbett, the last overdue
mail steamer, from the West Coast of Africa, arrived
at Plymouth this morning, bringing with her also
the passengers, mails, and specie, of the Gambia mail
steamer, due the previous month, but delayed at
Sierra Leone. The Armenian dates are Old Calabar,
February 27; Cameroon*, March 12 ; Fernando Po,
13; Bonny, 16; Lagos, 19; Accra, 21 ; Cape
Coast, 22 ; Monrovia, 27 ; Sierra Leone, April 4 ;
Gambia, 6 ; Goree, 6 ; Teneriffe, 12; Madeira, 14.
Her cargo consists of palm oil, ivory, cochineal,
arrowroot, wine, pepper, and 6,000 ounces of gold
dust. Her passengers are twenty-six in number.
She brings also five distressed British seamen.
Her Majesty's ship Myrmidon was at Fernando
Po ; Brune, at Lagos ; Ardent, at Teneriffe ; and the
United States frigate Cumberland, at Madeira.
The company's steamer Gambia, bad finished re-
pairing, and was to sail for England in a few days.
The Candace was at Cape Coast Castle, and the
Ethiope arrived from England at Gone.
Dr. Livingstone left Sierra Leone in the Pearl for
the Cape of Good Hope, March 31.
The Calcutta steam transport from Bombay,
with invalids, called at Sierra Leone for coals, and
sailed, March 30, en route for England.
The Niger expedition had been heard of at Lagos
up to February 22. After the loss of the Dayspriug
it was encamped at Geba, where it then was.
The coast trade was dull, the natives holding out
for higher prices.
A conflict had taken place between the natives at
Borny, and some of their principal men killed, but
peace had been restored through the influence of
the Europeans.
The Armenian was detained five days in the
Cameroon River, through getting aground on a mud
bank, and had had contrary winds since leaving
Madeira.

THE UNITED STATES.

010111 01:1. OWN COI/LIMPONDINS.)

NEW YORK, Aran. 6.
The " revival," or, as it is more generally called,
" the great awakening," has vow for two months
' divided the public attention with the Leoompton
constitution. The former is certainly one of the
most remarkable movements of modern times, and,
as regards the earnestness which characternes it
and the wideness of the area over which it has been
diffused, has certainly had no parallel since that ini-
. tiated in the last century by Jonathan Edwards. It
where wears so extraordinary an aspect as in New
I York, though none of the great cities have been
' exempt from its influence ; but here nothing is ever
; done by halves. AU public excitements, no matter
, in what they originate, are fast opinions. Almost
in every church in the business part of the city
, there are "business men's prayer meetings" in
r the middle of the day, which are crowded
by merchants, clerks, brokers, porters, et hoe
, genus come. Five minutes are allowed for prayer
• or exhortation to those who feel disposed to avail
• themselves of the opportunity, and these is inva-
riably a vigorous competition for the privilege.
r Rigid punctuality is enforced by the leader, and, the
allotted five minutes once expired, the most fervid
i supplication, or most moving recital of "experience,"
• is sternly interrupted by a stentorian call of
" Time !" from the pulpit. Some curious cases of
conversion have occurred. One member of a com-
mon council which governed the city three years
ago, and was so corrupt as to earn the appellation of
" the forty thieves," has publicly declared his sincere
1 repentance and detestation of his former courses. A
; noted pugilist, rejoicing in the sobriquet of "Awful
t Gardner " is also amongst the most enthusiastic of
t the converts, to the greet edification of the faithful,
I and the great confusion of the scorner..
I Those who know the intense devotion of the New
° York commercial world to the business of money-
: making—of New York sinners in general to their
sins—certainly cannot help regarding crowded
• prayer meetings a few yards from Wall-street, at
1 ' the very busiest of business hours, as amongst the
most curious phenomena of the day. In the more
fashionable quarter, as might be expected, the move-
; ment wears a soberer character, but is not less
r general. A few of the Episcopalian clergy have
denounced it as indicative of spiritual decline, and as
" lowering the dignity of the priesthood; " those of
all other denominations have gone into it heart and
hand. One meeting is being held daily in the forenoon
in one of the leading theatres—Burton's—and
Mr. Burton himself, the manager, was on one
occasion held up to the assembler as an ex-
cellent subject for their prayers. This was
followed by an announcement, on the following day,
of his conversion, a statement which he indignantly
denied at the evening theatrical performance in the
same plate.
The contagion, as I have already said, has spread
far and wide. Every little New England town has
now its three prayer meetings a day, and its weekly
list of " hopeful conversions." New York prayer
meetings telegraph " grace, mercy, and peace,"
followed by a string of scriptural phrases, and a
verse or two of a hymn, to prayer meetings in
Philadelphia, and are answered, by the same means,
in the same strain. The movement unquestionably,
however sincere and praiseworthy in its origin, has
reached either the border of extravagance or of
decline, and, as regards good or lasting results, it
matters little in which of the two it ends. To
enable it to leave behind it any traces that will
distinguish it from the ordinary ephemeral "rages "
will require more discretion and good sense than all
the leaders seem to possess.
The Lecompton Constitution had, on Thursday
lest, an amendment tacked on to it in the House of
Representatives, by Mr. Crittenden, of Kentucky,
providing for its submission to the vote of the
people of Kansas, as a condition precedent to ad-
mitting tke territory under it to the Union. As
this conceded almost all that its opponents ever con-
tended for, and ensured its final rejection—for there
can be no question as to its fate, in case those whom
it most concerns hare an opportunity of ex-
pressing their sentiments about it—the Republi•
cans and Douglas democrats coalesced in sup-
porting the amendment, and carried it by a ma-
jority of eight, in a house from which
there was only one member absent. This result has
caused great rejoicing all over the north, and was
received in New York with a salute of 120 guns and
a great display of fireworks. These triumphal de-
monstrations are, however, somewhat premature, as
the battle is still only half fought. The bill as
amended was sent back to the Senate, and by them
the amendment was peremptorily rejected. It re-
mains now to be seen whether the house will adhere
to its determination, and fight the Senate in a con-
ference. The delay, however, is unquestionably a
misfortune for the anti•Lecomptonites, as it leaves
the more doubtful of their adherents still exposed
to the temptations and blandishments of the execu-
tive, who are anything but scrupulous in the use
of either. The blood of the north is so tho-
roughly up, however, and men of all parties on
this aide of the Potomao are so thoroughly
outraged by the daring and open attack of the Ad-
ministration upon the principle of popular sove-
reignty, the darling doctrine of the democracy, that

few, if any, Northern members will venture to re.
cede from the position they have taken. The Plena.
bens of the Southern section of the American, or
Know-nothing, party have,- however, neither the
same stimulus nor the same restraint ; and their de.
fection alone would make a serious gap in the slender
majority of Thursday.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—Tau DAY.

The Elszazza took the chair at 12 o'clock.
The Barnstable Waterworks Bill wee road a third time
and lewd.
PBTITIONS.

A large number of petitions were presented praying for the
abolition of church roam. Mr. Hadfield, Mr. Bawled But,
Mr. Liddell, Mr. Deeds. Mr. Bouverie, Mr. Briscoe, Kr.
Phillips, Mr. Ayrton and Mr. Coe presented a portion of
them. Petitions against the abolition without an equivalent
were presented by Mr. Packet, Mr. Her fleymer, Lord Eliuley,
Sir Brook Bridges, Mr. Calrd, and Mr. Henley.
General P. THOMPSON said be had • petition to present
from the Dewsbury Debating Club, praying for the restora-
tion of the kingdom of Oude.
Mr. WALPOLE apprehended that a petition could DO(
be received from a debating club in it, collective capacity.
General P. THOMPSON maid the petition was eigeed by
many Individuals.
Mr. WALPOLE would advise the gallant genet.' to have
the petition amended, so au to make it as coming `. from the
undersigned membeliofilaiDewabury Debating Club."

Genial P. THOMPSON said the petition should be
amended accordingly.
An HON. MEMBER observed that petitions from Chan.
bore of Commerce had been frequently received, that wen
only alined by the chairman of such bodies.
Mr. HUNT presented a petition from a place in Hunting-
donshL-e, praying that Cknetlanity may be made the basis of
the future government of India.
Sir J. V. SHELLEY presented a petition from the in-
habitants of the metropolis, praying for inch an adjustment
in the income tau as shall make a distinction between
fluotuating or precarious Incomes and incomes derivable from
realised property.
PROBATE DUTY.

On the motion of iii:ifkobk the following return was
ordered:—•' Return of the amount of money lost to the
revenue since 1815 on account of there being no progressive
increase in the rate of probate duty on grants of probate d
above a mfll steeling.
LUNATIC ASYLUMS.

On the motion of the same hon. menarr an ultimo to
the crown was agreed to for return of the number of licensed
houses in England and Wales for the care of lunatics, nom.
ber of patients an the Ist day of January but, with the
amount of land attached to each, and how appropriated.
_ _ CHURCH RATES ABOLITION BILL.

On the motion for going into callosities on this bill,
Mr. PAMIR moved u an amendment that the bill bacon.
mitted this day sla months. No one respected conscientious
objections in matters of religion more than be did, but he sp•
preheaded that in this case the objection to pay church rams
resulted from a leas elevated feeling than that of conscientious
scruples. He cited a number of witusees who were emuliatd
before the church rates committee, including Mr. Courbold,
Mr. F. Crawley, and Mr. A. Pellatt, to show that the
principle objections hitherto advanced against church rates
did not arm out of, nor were they made a matter of
conscience. He dented that there was any general desire in
the public mind for an abolition of church rates, and men.
timed in support of that opinion that Sir William Clay,
Bart., for many years the chief promoter of thews abolition
bills, lost his seat for the Tower Hamlets in consequence ol
his advocacy of such a measure. In the same way Mr. Mis 2,
the editor of the Nonconforntiat, was ejected at Rochdale.
Mr. R. SEYMER seconded the amendment.

Mr. HUGESSEN said the amendment came with a bad
puce from the ministerial aide of the house, because had the
present government not been in power the future chirp
of this bill would have been handed over le
the noble lord (Lord Stanley) the secretary for the
colonies. There wee a great and growing feeling in the
country against church rates. Returns upon the subpar
might not show that, because thousands who objected ts
church rates in principle, paid them, on account of the
smallness of the sums generally levied. Churchrates wet
undoubtedly wrong in principle. They were a pima*
to the dissenter, and so far from the objection to Sot
being made a breeches-pocket question, they um
contested on principle alone. The enforcement of
the church rate was the coercion of the dissenter's
conscience, and on that ground it was that the
bill was @deck:wed. He denied, as had been warted, that
the abolition of church rates would benefit the landed .
interest at the expense of the church. A church rate wee
essentially an occupier's tax, and when this bill peed
the landlords would not be abie to extort asq
more rent from their tenants. As a churchman be
felt himself scandalised when it was said that the existence of
the church depended on there rates. More than half the
population of the country were dissenters, and for the lob
of the church itself this Impost ought to be immediately
abolished, leaving the fabric of the church in poor puisbee
to be supported out of the funds of the Church Estates Cost
mindosere.

Mr. PliOR (Carmartheneldre) announced his intent"' Ss
vote for going into committee, as it was high time that the
animosities involved in the agitation of tbie question shay
be set at rest for ever. The eacrtd cause of Christianity,.
well as the peace of the country, demanded that such a roar
sure as this should be now paned into a law.
Mr. K. SEYMER admits, d that the object of church rata
was one that required legislation. He also admitted that the
application of church rates to the ornamental purposes of tbs
church was wrong, and he was therefore, anxious to rams
di,eentere from church rates, certainly not nron tie
principle that no one ought to be celled upon to contribute I
that tram which he dissents. If that principle we
admitted in this ceise it would not stop at char.
rates. It would very soon be extended to tithes,
and we might have the Quakers refusing to pay war tuts
because they conscientiously olleeted to the levying of wer
under any circumstance,. He was quite reedy es
go the length of relieving the dissent. re from the mud
of church rated, on the understanding that he would sons&
der his present right to vote in tbe election of chose&
wardens, and to take part in select relines. That oompromise
he was d to agree to, but the fact was the dissents.
were aunious to carry this measure intact se NI
instalmemt towards the separation of church and Mate. He
protested, however, against that great cocition being dh
finned or disposed of by a aide wind. Let the diesenten po-
ems the separation of church and state openly and above hard
if they wished, and then the opponents of such a change,
including the noble lord the member for the city of Louden
(Lord .Tohn Russell) would be ready to meet and defeat this
upon fair ground. (Oheers.)
Sir GEORGE GREY thought it woe undesirable to on.
tinue the debate, eeeing that in a brake of 400 members a
majority of 53 had resolved to go into committee on this tall.
The hoar ought to yield to that decision unequivocally ep
pressed. He thought the day for compromiee had rro by,
and the country, he was afraid, would not be eatidied nee
with less than the entire abolition of church rates.
Lord J. MANNERS argued that no one but the dims..
had • right to complain of the existence of church retie, sai
therefore he thought the house ought to diocese the gels.
Lion a little longer before they reaseerted the princip' of
their entire abolition.
The debate was proceeding when our report left.

THE CH.dirCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUUS

STAMPS ON CHSQUAS.

There seems to be every probability of a smog
resistance to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's scheme le
placing a penny stamp upon cheques. The London C
mittee of Deputies from the Joint-stock Backs of Englelde
Wales, and Ireland, have circulated the following meol~
Lions on the subject:-1. That the deposit system tif
banking, which enables individuals to place money in bob
and to make all their payments by cheques, is beneficial Is
the depositors themeelvee, to the banks, and to the eter
munity at large. 2. That the introduction of joint-enet
banks has greatly extended this system and brought Is
advantages within the reach of the has wealthy ober
of society. 3. That the efficiency of this system treeli
be greatly impaired and its progress arrested by the
imposition of a tax of one penny upon each cheque, the
to open banking eccomets will be dune sinyelilbe
the publie will be driven to the use of noise and soli, d
become their own bankers ; money will be thus hoarded, mil
the country will be thrown back upon a system which pw
railed a century ago, wi•hout any consummate sdreate.
to the revenue. 4. That the tax being equal upon cheque
of all amounts, will proportionably prom mo 4 severely
yo
those depositors who draw cheques for small sums, eati
tkre
classes having meat occasion to regard email ear*
will be most likely to close their accounts. 6. The la pry
portion as this tax shall MUM money to be sithdren
or withheld from the banks, in such proportion will
eyid
be rendered unproductive, individuals will be lemmings&
and pecuniary traneactious will be °l:strudel ; rubberised
be facilitated, and demand* crested for additional mum*
either in bank no.es or te .Id, while the banks will led AM
operations materially reettimed and their mesas weal
of aff rding faollities to commerce, or of sustainisg theleer
cial operations of the government. 6. That, theta/01
the opinion of this committee, the imposition it the prePd
tax ought to be strenuously resisted b eh by the bsokiag
tenet and the public; and that a copy of these resolatices
be respectfully transmitted to the Right lion. the Chancalke
of the Exchequer, and forwarded:to every j ant stock honk
in the United Kingdom.

The royal commissioners appointed to inrestillig
sad report upon the military warrant of 18.51, which lat
caused such general di-Fatirfxctlon in the army, arrankki
this morning for the first time at the Horse Gouda I.
determine upon their course of proosedieg. The inquhi".
held to be of a strictly private detractor.

11 venture to re.
len. The mem.
he Ameriesi,, or
re r, nrithEr the
it ; and their de-
;ap in the slender

tMENT.

I).‘y.

rioiroi • t!u•1 time

coed praying d
Bfor the
, Mr. Edwaralk
Mr. Btiaeoe. Me.
mutt d a poritos of
About an equivalent
ymer, Lord Eltunty,
lealay.
a ',swims to pns—t
lag lot the renown-

petition could not
tics capsri•y.
ition Wr lintned by

lent general to nava
" Irons the
),Ewing

petit •boald b.

,tition tuna Chan-
' rrreiveah that wan

a plate in lituttiar
be made tbe Wee el

pelitiou from the m-
. u:4 an adjustment
distinction between
come.' derivable from

It.,ll,ring. Mara Ira.

no•ney"loot
Ing DO vogroosivo
rsttts of yr.to,to of

role r on odtirt .o to
e ountLer of lieemaed
rr of lututtwo, um.
tho

, -
. .pt.n,priattd.
IUN BILL

roo ttusbiU,

that the bill hems-
word cuesciestioes
.n he dal, but he ap.
to p ty rhumb rates
that of rottorteptiog•
who were 'sambaed
Jinn Mr. Cuurbold,
, to eh..., that the
gatata hat. h ragas
made • waiter of
my general Army I*
irdi rata*, ILIA Wel-
d Sir Pitilianf Clay,
rr. of titer, anlitice
a is consequence at
muss way Mr. Ntiall,
irtt at ItorloLtle.
latent.

est ia.nie with • bed
owe, beessiss had ths
the futon ,tyup
hated over ts
secretary tor ths
wing feeling is t►n
is upon the subject
bi who objected ad
os...•seciant of the

Chards rates were
I•eryl a grICV•Sei
bittt kat to them
16.44. they were

ei.foronswitt of
of the dissenter's
t •as !het the
bows aiieerttJ. thee
bitsefit the Leaded
A church me wee
it ibis bill prod

1., flltlft. My
rhurchntaa be
het the 'Reuses of
lore !ham heir the

sad lee lir.abe
In be Immediately
h la pony Fondles
Limb /mates Co-
-

red his tateatioa to
hitch time that the
bug •iuroti,.e sitoald
4 Cattatiastity, to
that each a MOW
IW.

1.-Tt of That'll. Wag
admitted that the
alai parpoors of the
, &axiom to reheat,
I.lv ant up a the
to mat nbuto Om
6at prfaeipk will
any at churclt
itaaltal to tithes,

to pay. vier UMW
be levpitir of Int
quits ready to
'rot the payment
he would mesh-
ktfln of chunk-

That con.yroasisa
RV the dl MOUViri
ialact as Ns
h and ewe. He
10 lion being db-
he dim/niers pee-
-1 ly and above hoard
each a change,
the city of Lenelun
et and defeat thaw

,n t• airable t.) tar
f 400 u emboli a
metre ,12 MIL
uarquiv..cally
mi.s bad vas b 7,
,t be satisfird writ
,b Tates.

Let the eheedeteeit
church retie, sad
duruss the
the prin.iptd

K.rt left.

cIIZQUENS

ty of . strong
ILler's Rhein, far
London Com-
inks of Emend,
following resole-
•ps•t autos d
• mon.y in teaks
i. beneficial lo
•i. I it 'Le coo-
,m jiitut-tionle
and twolght itn
wr.ltL♦ clam"
,ia rys!rm WOUid

arrested by the
h cheque, the La-
d me away with•
'CI Cnia, and
Lui boarded, sad
abi• h pa•

mats adraaige
upon choral
..t wverrly upon

- . -
runts, and dawn

small • oiliest
6. Tbs. Is per

,
p. witbtinwa
rikas will capita
lac-win Dirac.'
; rkbor, is will
i• 1.4 W rummy.
111 will it a 4 tbsk
ON•Ll curtailed
.ii,iag the
thinftra,ia
fora,
the proposed
iha baatiag ta-
ttoos essAatiosii
the Cbaseake
I Ist mak beak

to is to
1364, wllkieb
army, asookla
arm Ott•idie "
ishqsarl