The Express.
London, England, 1850-12-17 00:00:00

PORTUGAL.

Towsans the close of last month the British ('ban-
sal was swept by a storm which filled the boob at
Lkieds with • frightful list of oasaalties. Among all
them there was none more suited to make a pruffiand
end enduring impression on the feelings of the public)
than the loss of the gallant boatmen of Worthing,
who put off to the assistance of the " Lelia Rookh."
Eleven brave and generous men were cat off in the
full vigour of life, leaving nine wives and thirty-seven
children destitute.
We will not allow the idea to take possession of us
that the appeal which is being made to the public in
behalf of the widows and orphans can be otherwise
than successful, or that it can require any agorae-
meat from us. But we would seriously ask the ques-
tion, seeing that similar cases occur annually, can
nothing be done to prevent the recurrence of such
disasters P
It is not on the open coma that the mariner
encounters the greatest risks. Give the skilful sea-
man a tight ship and good sea-room, and his danger is
comparatively smalls But the first touch of the " deep
sea lead" is, or ought to be, the signal for redoubled
vigilance ; the most skilful seamanship can do hi*
little when caught in the Channel, in sash • frenip
cane as raged on the 24th and 23th of November limL
And the stranding of a ship on our shores uniformly
involves many others ip its danger. The humanity
and darisg of our fishermen and boatmen is me to
impel them to attempt to carry aid in the most sNeL
Hog circumstances, and with the most imaged,
means.
The losses of merchandise and valuable lives leg
shipwreck are of three claims : those which occur is
defiance of all, that man'e skill and the most fitting
appliances can do to avoid them; those which ocear
from carelessness; and those which result from the
want of efficient means. The loss of the Worthing
fishermen is a striking instinct of the amass of life
from the want of efficient means. •
Thee gallant fellows attempted to board the Lelia
Booth in an open boat (we are proud to think that
there are thousands along our shores who would have
done the same); and were drowned within sight of
their wives and; children—almost within hail of the
ship they went .to succour.. " When a little to the
windward of the barque," says one account, " she
was distinctly seen to be struck, and the unfortunate
crew, struggling with the waves, and vainly clinging
to their frail and water-logged boat, floated by with-
out the barque's crew being able to lend them the
least assistance." Here we have the efforts of vigor-
ous, breve and skilled men frustrated by the insuf-
ficiency of their " frail and water-logged boat."
The indifference of government and the legislature
to the loss of life which annually take. place in this
way, on our exposed beaches, is disgraceful, and in-
explicable in the rulers of a maritime people. Let
us look across the Atlantic and see what the
American government have done. From Nan-
tucket Shoals to Cape Hatteras, there are beechen
peculiarly fatal to mariners; on which, owing
to the currents and other causes, vi ands, when dis-
abled by mrtain winds are, in ninety-Dine oases oat
of a hundred, stranded. Many lives had been baton'
Goo bamboo. when the attention of the American
t was directed to the necessity of station-
life-boats at intervals along them. This has
been done to a considerable extent, and we have
before us • liet of numerous cases where hundreds of
lives have bees saved by the agency of these boats,
`sot one of which has a single accident happened
to the crews. In the last session of Congress a
bine appropriation was made for the purpose of
Increasing the number of life-boat stations along
the coast, and we believe that in another twelve-
month there will not be an exposed beach or
danKerons bay on the coast of the United States, that
will not have its life boat supplird by the Central
Oevernment. These boats are under the charge of
the coast-guard, or the nearest public officer. They
are very light metallic boats, of a peculiar construc-
tion, adopted by the government on the recommenda-
tion of the Navy Department, and called " Francia's
Surf Life Basta."
Now we have certain bays and strands in our Eng-
lish channels, as notorious for wrecks as " Bquam
Beach" or "Cape May." An intelligent channel
pilot can point out on the chart, the places where a
vessel if disabled will being up or go ashore. They
are not numerous, perhaps not more than forty or
fifty in all. In most of them we have coast guard
stellate. What is to prevent oar following the exam-
ple of the Americans, and putting the "efficient
means" into the hands of the brave fellows who are
always so ready to risk their own lives to save those
of others P 20,0001. would stud every dangerous coast
in Great Britain with life boats, which if upset would
right themselves, and if filled clear themselves. This
is not a very large sum, for a country that has twice
20,000 men ready and willing to man them whenever
and wherever a signal of distress is seen.

The Oriental Company's steam packet Iberia, Capt.
Barney," arrived at Southampton yesterday (as dated
in that day's Exp►ess) and laded her mails under ,
the charge of Liget. B. Y. Fuge, R.N., Admiralty
agent. Her dates are : Gibraltar, 7th Dec.; Cadiz,
Bth ; Lisbon, 10th I Oporto, 11th; Vigo, 12th. Her
cargo comprises 3,5601. in specie.
Oar Lisbon correspondent, writing ea the Bth, soya
that motive measures had been taken to arrange the
differences between the government and the bank.
The Bank of Oporto had come forward and made an
advance of 400 cantos, on the security of the Lisbon
bank notes. The committee appointed to report on
the projected railway from Aldeo Gallop to Elves or
Badajos have sent in a report in favour of the
scheme.

---
Our oOrrospondent adds :
Oa the 3rd inst., as by law determined,the goveranient berth
prbliely the fellewine mass :--Goverameat papers, with In-
terest, 78,498 rob 200 dots ; governmeet papers. withent in-
terest, 373,060 rots 479 dole.; ditto. foreign debt 6,079 Ms 809
dels.k parr money, 1,867 rob 200 dots; Lisboa beak notes,
70,368 ref. 400 dela. ; the Lisboa beak notes remaining
smooth to 2.299,238
The thruway of giving the eardiell's cap by the Queen
to the Ardtbkhop of Braga took place, as I numationed In
lay bat, silks kb, at the Itcyal Chaps' of Neemekledes,
with all the lornislitise, and the Nuncio gave a great soicie
in thaw of the new ordinal. The government is deter-
mined te give greet entioaragemest to the pr jested line of
steamer, to rem hotwma this place, Madoire, Aeons, the
Brasil mid Peragame settimmists of Cape Feld and
Africa, bet I mut doubt their seems.
It seem that the replies given by this goveremsat to the
casino of Lord Palmotstem is behalf of seem Botha sets.
itms, hove setiellost lordebig, mad epee veoy few be will
iodic. The swarth trier Ommmodere Nerds basbeen
roinfomed ci lb* Ist 'Meat by the Bthenster, sad on the
6th by the Homes.
The dry winter for the last three years had parched ap
many foontain, sad wells ; a leer summer end so rale this
winter had dried up everything In dm wintry ; seareity of
water has been felt every when; ewe in this town the
coswequeseea had bees *overfly felt sad mach noes wee
expected, bat fortunately this rein km set ia this day with
a hurricane, sad very likely will last for some days.
Wines and breathes at Oporto bays bets sold at high
prime, both new sad old ; throughout the matey the pries
of winos has rims considerably.
Button ea Louden, 641 per 1,000 rein. Priem of Moth :
Inscriptions of Five per Cont., 491 to 60; Four per Coat.,
391 to 401; Three per Cent., 39 to 396. 00l Apclites Five
per Cent., 491 to SO; Ditto Four ear CIIIIIL. 394 to 406.
Old Debt. 2to 3. Paper money, 21 to 214. Shares ; Beck
of Portugal, 368,000 mil to 370,000; Oporto, 203,000 to
206,000. Discount on Lisboa Beek Notes, 6to 7 per east.

COLONIAL.
AUSTRALIA.
EARL GREY'S REPLY TO DR. LANG.
The following despatch from Earl Grey to Sir
Charles Fitzroy is published in the Now &with Wm
• Merl
Downiorstreet, 15th December, 1849.
Sir,-1. Is mete of the Load= Demmer* on the 17th
and 19th of last month, you will lied that Dr. Lang has
printed a letter which he addressed usme, and in which,
with a essaiderable amount of personal invective, be com-
plains that he has bees mated with diewartasy, that the
smigntion schemes propounded by him nave been unjustly
rejected, that sodas soistance has been afforded to the clergy
of the church of Ragland and of Rome as compared with the
stagy of &Wend, and that I. the mint*s of emigrants ter'
New South Wales ea umiak preference has bean sheds M
Di* orphans **aging to the church of Wien.
2. The charge of diwourtew, eo far so it may relate its
personal isternews, win rest os Dr. Laog's own someday
and can only be met by a direct countwasesetion. Ide
sot remember, nor does be state, that I bad any interview
with him myself. Bat I am enured by the gentlemen of
my department whe had somedon stows Dr. Las& that
his statement as this point Is entlrel without foundation.
I la as far se the sharp may Mel se the styks employed*
des eommssivaekse, you are Is pemserion of all the
=4 Lases whisk haw hem addressed to Dr. Lang.
wag speak far theamelvet.
3. Eat ono cossack which I must make upon this sub-
jest is, that is the wane of nearly three yews, donors
tibia Dr. Lang *forms me that he has been is leg
hod, he sever ewe addressed a complaint to me,
either as to the discourtesy which he alleges he met
with, or as any other at the topics upon which be sow
oalmarherto It we sal, whoa he had alreedy embarked
Is Ye dip which win to team him from this wintry and
it Maim Sewer pomade that Mora* boogied spot to make
end bit statements, sad after it had been discovered that
his eroded in certain transactions might become the subject
of • promeaticsa et law, that he addressed, not la reality to
sae, bet to the public, which is unacquainted with the air-
imantanees to which be adverts, a letter, calculated to
meats an entirely 'treasons impression as to what had wawa
between himself and the departments of the government
with which be has bees so long in communicatioo.
4 The papers enthral in my retest dispoteli, No. 189, of ,
the 30th November, contain evidenc• of the kliowing facts:
Ant, that the plans for the promotion of emigration
which Dr. Long sucensively proposed to me differed so
little from each other, and that to each new proposal he
Wok so little notice either of the objection pointed, out to
those preceding it, or of the offers so repeatedly made to him
to promote the objects he had in view if he would meat to
more reasonable terms, that it is difficult to suppose that he
was acting in earnest, or wished to bring the matter to any
conclusion. Semndly, that while he was *us
in ostensible communication with this once, he
pSiSed the public that he was earryiag on negotiations
with bar Majesty's government Mil* were likely to lead
to a favourable malt, and that eves important ormentions
bad bean made to his advantage. Third 4, thot by a die.
'Miter', though transparent maannine he prateadid to
make a request to me before the departure of awns* vowel,
bat kept back the letter until it had sailed, and in the mean-
while sent oat to you by that very ship • letter designed
to make you believe that his request had** granted, and to
lead yea thereby into making certain payments of money
and fertile grants of land, which he knew he was not
eatitled to claim. Fourthly. That having bean repeatedly
mewed that any immigrants sent out it the manna in
Ildffsik those despatches oa that occasion were sent out
would sot Is entitled to gnats of land, he induced them
sivortlioliso to pay for their pampa, and to emigrate
nadir the impression that they wars SO entitled: es that
those emigrants arrived eider circumstances altogether
different from those they expected, and some of them, it
may be inferred from your report, in weal want of the
mews of subsistence. Thew an the charges, founded on
the evidence of his own letters, under which Dr. Lang
now labours sod,their gravity is such, that, unlace they
con be refilUd, it would seem slalom unnecessary further
to notice say of his allegations.

JAWatt.—Our Southampton eatmepondent writes :
" The panic waa se groat at Janata, on aesonst of the
cholera, that all law and order were almost set at defiance.
The °Beene! the West India WSW/ Clyde, which has just
arrived with the West ladle salt en their outward voyage
to the Golf of Miliilo is October, left agree* portico of that
wardrobes at Jamaica fa sharp of the were laundresses,
lathy of whom get a liviag froth the wail Wow" . When
the Clyde returned abet of those poor creatural we 'mod
to kayo died of the thaw., sod their Muss had bees
broke. fate W the Woke as robbed. A.ormy small poetise
of
the clan` wardrobes was found to the ody of the
per, bet the prinelpal patios was oadmly lost
TPANS-111111PlillIT OP FMCS MAIM AT Boma-
marrox.—The ormairsiosers of the Board of Caelows hew
hewed orders to their subordinates at the port of Booth-
maples to allow the trtheuldpeseat of the Praia made for
the Units' States from the Havre to the Anwrisso mall
="salias at floathsaipteu witheat peeing aerosols the
path-eass at that port, is order to poorest any delay,
as ft apron that the Tread& mail only arrives at tiostbanais-
*OM proWias to the departare of the Atharican pathet
trews theses to New Took.

CANAL lx FltaNCL—The lateral Canal of the
Boerne., between Testes* sod Comets, whisk wog eon-
ossi Is MB, h bees spewed to Bevil/sties to the
eats.* of 127 Ittletootres (shoot 80 miss) hew Toulouse to
Ages; bet it is still Tuidoished to the extent of about 60
ware, beware Apo sod Comma • empeay, repretword
by II Festuttliro of Bordsous, his Wrested to the Maim?
ef Piddle Works a tender, by offish he ostrisede to terainate
W woks at his comm. Oak, wed pod, white tie spore of
two years soda half, oil smithies of rossitiog the due as
the whole len* of ;kg awl, amid* to • lied tariff for
241 polo An inquiry bee, says Um Messitar, been
loatiostsd ea the oldest to the *tisk
the rasa paws, .tar whisk tied= =Works
will brim tie waster bokor tho esiestal•wesibly.
ENIORATIOL—The people 111111 Ain 1111114111i/DS in
cumbers, sow et this oofsasolibesy seems of the yam
From Olasewa there haw ill week depertedowleg hot.
lb" ardllisir asnusfel lamestalisio as mg bld Mewl se
the hod of their birth sod Moods, to brad the of
Use broad idiot* wore Indy heart-readlogr—
itedepessient.
Tax Dane= of Dias Loire.—Witida a bar
days two les steamors Molotov's warty lost between Isedead
and Isdad,ia eceopqmsol eith• au' boy of oftieeetalsden
desk, whisk new sada of weather or &oddest, were saable
to meirlala Sok pukka ea the &ode, add were hadiled to
erne Ma, when Air welsbeftreer tits yodels ea their bees&
ask awl a toil bes, is seek suo, war sty averted by
~Wag air awl of a Mitado —North &died part

DECEMBER

New
, with
the latest news from New York. She Mk en the
4th inst. The Niagara has encountered heavy gales,
which accounts, in some measure, for her krlngthened

Imesaffe•
By this arrival we have the President's message,
,es delivered on the 4th inst., at Washington.
The leading recommendations of the President's
IMMINIMP are as follows:
"'Metall reproach and recrimination, leading to
imam irritation among the several members of the
Woo, should be avoided and deprecated.
"All laws, while they exist, must be enforced and
eheyed, whether popular or obnoxious. The Presi-
dent must see the law enforced, without exception or
discrimination. If any act should pass both Houses
it Congress, which should appear to him unconstitu-
tional, or an encroachment on the just rights of other
departments, or provisions hastily adopted and
likely to produce consequence' injurious and unfore-
seen, he will consider it his duty to apply the veto
power confided to him by the constitution, and
meet it.
"Foreign relation, generally are amicable and
satisfactory. With Portugal, Brazil, Chili, Pere, and
the Hawaiian kingdom, dom, they are improved or im-
proving. Mexico is beingimportuned to grant a
more unrestricted right of way for a railroad across
the Isthmus of Tehuantepec; and the Pre.ident hopes
he shall arrange with Great Britain respecting the
Golan ship-canal through Nicaragua.
"He says that a treaty has been ratified by the
United States and Great Britain for facilitating and
constructing a ship-weal to connect the Atlantic with
the Pacific at that point; and but two objects in con-
nection with it remain to be accomplished—viz., the de-
signation and establishment of a free port at each end
of the canal, and fixing a distance from earth shore
within which belligerent operations shall not be oar-
lied on.
" The receipts into the treasury daring the fiscal
year which closed with June last were nearly 471
millions.
" The federal revenue should be raised mainly by
duties on imports. Those duties should be so levied
as to benefit incidentally home industry, by shielding
it from destructive foreign competition. They should
not be exorbitant, but moderate ; should be specifio as
tar as possible; and, whenever ad valorem rates are
tolerated they should be computed on the home, in-
stead of the foreign valuation.
"Mr. Fillmore recommends that California have •
branch mint, and meantime gold stamped by the
United States assayer should be received in pay-

moot.
" An efficient agricultural bureau should be at once
created.
"The Mexican land titles in California should be
promptly adjudicated, and the land laws extended to
Utah and New Mexico.
" The gold lands should be sold in small quantities.
"The message farther recommends the organisa-
tion of one or more regiments of mountain men for
the protection of the frontiers in New Mexico and
sout► of it, to help to keep the Indians of Mexico
within bounds; also that a law be passed authorising
officers of army and navy to be retired from the ser-
vice when incompetent to perform its vigorous and
active duties, taking care to make suitable provision
for thaw who have faithfully served the country by
awarding distinctions, and by retaining in appropriate
commands those who have been conspicuous for good

conduct.
" A revision of the naval cods is rendered neoes-
eery by the recent abolition of flogging.
" The Poet-office department has cleared 340,000
dollars the past year, and the post-master general and
president unite in recommending • reduction of the
rates of postage. to 3 cents for pre-paid, and 5
cents for unpaid letters, no matter what distance eon-
veyed, with some reduction on printed matter also.
The message recommends also river and harbour im-
provements, lighthouses, &c. ; and a prompt and
disinterested tribunal to adjudicate all claims on the
government.
"Lastly, the President is in favour of the axed
measures of the late session, Fugitive Slave Law
included. He says we have by these seta been res-
cued from a wide and boundless agitation."
This message is looked upon as a quiet, sensible
document, but not an important one.
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
The money market is without change. The supply
is abundant, at 6 to 6 per cent on collateral loans, ant 6 to
7 per ant on first-elaae paper. The market for stinks has
not varied materially elude the last steamer, and the dems,,d
hail been to a fair intent. Hsehanges are firm and in fair
demand. The supply la moderato. Sterling is 91 to 10 per
cent., first clam hills; trawl., 6 20 to 6 181. Continental
bills on silver currency =nutrias are firm ; Amsterdam, 401
to 411; Hamburg, 36/ to 351; Bremen, 79f.
Cotton —Since the departure of theilut steamer we have
aidttlCatarket, and prices are a shade lower. Total sties
sines the 25th ult., 6,400 helm. The receipts are 48,000
behind those of last year. The estimates of the new crop are
2,100,000 bales.
11011.—Tbe market sines our last has bees quite dull, and
we knew of no sales worth reporting.
Freights.—The rates are a trifle lower, with engagements
to some eaten; for Liverpool, at 1014. to Is. per barrel en
flour, and closing at the latter rate; and 4d. per bushel on
wheat,
IN.. ORLIANII. Nov. 20.—The sable of cotton yesterday
were 1,000 bele., and after the receipt of the Europa's news
an advance of 1 to 1 tent. took place, middlins being quoted
131 cent. to 131 cents. The sales of the week have been
26,000 bales.

THE CAPE MAlLL—Pfxmotrnf, DEc. 10.—The
first seals for the Ceps of Good Hope, Sierra Leone, sad
Ceps de Teed, was despatched toilsy ham this port, is the
screw steam ship Employs( The ocessioa (as already
stated would be the ease) was markeb by a grand demoralize.
time; the nulls being conveyed from the Poecolles la a
caniage and fear greys, followed by a proceadon, (minding
threw sadlterj beady the mayors of Plymouth sad Devon-
, Perk dad the magistrates, the police, and a large number of
Celatertated in the property and Ueda of the tows.
lltphorus lay abogs the Millbay pier, sad when the
begs were received ow board addresses were delivered by
EL C. Merles, the poet-a uter; D. Derry, Req., the mayor
tePlymenth • T. GUI, Esq., a large shareholder In the pier
and ; W. Miry, the 'mayoral Devonport ; and
Mr. Leming, oa the part of the Strew Steam Ship Naviga-
tion Company. After the despatch of the vessel the direc-
tors of the company wore 'curtained at dinner by the in-
habitants of Plymouth, at Elliott's Royal Hotel. AU the
berths for pusengers In the Bosphorus were taken some
time since. Letters seat by this mail, which were despatched
at 12 o'clock, were, some diktat, paced at 10 o'clock.
Tax Swill:in Nuis•xca.—Yestarday afternoon
a balleek, which was about to be removed from fienit.hiskl-
- broke away, cad preeseded tats West-street at a
furleas speed, and Emma Into Saffrem-hlll. Here, at the
miter of Charek•street, It broke some panes of glass in the
trri

is la the aloe aria Y aiishod awasual pass of a
pabliakosmo boat. Oa Ito way atiithlooLli the beast coats la
sellidea with a tab, and ipktiy the horse with its
beta Atm peeing sleep Barman, Werservtreet,
lase Cogglawmer. aise salmi woe helo Walks with a age,
the how Is which was knocked dews. It thee went up
Dadmillelleadlowoode Wig Malearrewarrote rowel Wilma's-
iseweree. lows loarsolleatawatrest,
WI caw POW least several auks.
AMMO 41111=1111110.11! sad Bow=green-
'sm. .' elbow w the beast moss its , upon
trhisk it dashed at a wawa& of the an.. of If
fuSs,
aka was ia aa butane liftod km the air several feet, •
are the wails of the harial-groaad ailestaiag. The aa
=sadoedeavottrad agabt to tar bar, betties wu iortoastaly
by the barna. of die Jahn eli hareem petite.
herato, as the weer, who teY4 .he moorbar. The beast
was shoat to gore him, bat lie attontba was draws to two
sails, which it dotted away, smarts' the stores of Nth,
araidatino of obeli flub sad fruit, is ell Wank... It UM
*owned its mourn by the Wan of Dateatios oe to Mediae.
well•gtoria ; theme it misread La Lower Itosamenetrose,
and sot Into the opal apses by the Bosse st Dateatioa,
where there Is no Usomablare, and lay down in a come;
yard of W the W. Johnson, balkier. Aloe
aSal iba the ,
• dim time, evidently exhawaded,
la thietwait of Yr. Jellaba pat a tab of water
la.m....t...hejoest. While &risking it the area ineantioaaly
thoszeideflitirrho LastaatZtrod ia the
:=7 The osu bask. era=mlyed la
a cab to Bt. terkbapitot. °Pia
Warted off the midst of the tellostad crowd, many SI
whoa were knoebed dowa In trying to make their escape,
sad nut into atrisana-street, *bete It hitched down an-
other anne'e, who w taken op Raab blared. It ashes-
milissallY get Into lillastoo, where it took
Crab of du lavvollakparsned by linntenaa crowd.
hatato the shop of mare Tabiad and Co., dye%
brad threagh a valuable square of plate emu
sad hake elto nakopay tram-work, ba the great error of
a raw women, who was "Wag at work. It was eves.
sully Wolfs the yard of Liptak's daisy, Liverpool-road.

,860,.. ,

t
e :.•

court.

•
WINDSOR, Dwc. 16.
Hee Majesty sad Palace Albert, with the Prisms
laelensotrove out id a ponyphimitaithts morning in Windsor
Mirk, Priam Albin •teener& rode out on horseback,
ellitintied by Coined weals. The Rid Family took
filts.r usual airings. The Ball of Liverpool left the Castle

The Puke of Cambridge has left Dablin for
London.
A dektutation from the "Protestant Dissenting
Deputies' to Lord John Russell on the Church Building
Acts Amendment Bill, introduced last session by his Lit-
ship into the Roue of Commons, bad en interview with his
lordship yesterday at his official residence in Downing-street.
The deputation consisted of Mr. J. Rensmington Mills
(chairman), Mr. Pommes. Mr. Odor. Mr. Condor, Mr.
But, Mr. Gem, Mr. Beddow', air. B. Terra, Mr. Ren-
nett, and Mr. Bomtsma (the secretary).
Lord Monteagle had an interview with the Chan-
cellor of the Exenequer yesterday at hie °Anal residence in
D•waing-street. lin lordship had also an interview with
Lord John Russell yesterday.
Despatches were received yesterday at the Colonial-
office from the Governors of the Cops of Good Rope and
Van Diemen's Land.
Despatches were sent off yesterday evening from
the Colonial dies kit the Governors of the West India
Colonies.
The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council at
yesterday. Present: The Muter of the Rolla, Mr. Baron
Puke, the Judge of the Prerogative Court, and Sir Edward
Ryan. A report appease in another column.

BANK OF ALP

Yesterday the half-yearly meeting of this company
took piece at the offices is Austrin-trisis. Mr. OLITZR
FAllaillt in the chair.

- -
The following report was read and approved:
The operations during the hall-year which has passed
since the period to which the last annual report referred
have continued to be conducted with steadiness and caution;
and from the latest &drives received from the colonies, the
results have proved satisfactory; while at some of the
branches an incensed amount of hotlines has been trans-
soted, and additioal profit obtained. The colonies generally
exhibit gratifying evidence of progressive advancement,
the 'market value of wool, the principal article of export,
hansi been oonsiderebly enhanced during the present year,
sad at the urns time the quantity of that and all other
articles of export has materially Increased. A new feature
of much importance to the welfare of the Australian colonies
bee recently presented staelf, in the commencement of a com-
mercial intertwine with California, which, if cautiously pur-
sued by the colonists, cannot fail to be produc-
tive of beneficial results. The long-continued de-
pend= in the once flourishing colony of Van Die-
men's Land will, it is hoped, thus be relieved by the
onetime( a new market for its agricultural produce, and
by this moans a healthy stimulus given to the present limited
°pastime of the bank is .that quarter. The liquidation of
toe debt remaining due by the Bank of Australia proceeds
satisfactorily. Under a very judicious arrangement entered
into by the superintendent, Mr. J. J. Falconer, with the
directors of that company (honourably and punctually car.
vied oat up to the latest advice. received from the colony), it
is sonfidently expected that the debt will be redwood to a
very limited amount during the early part of the 'maim
year. Sims the direotois last met the proprietore, some pso-
green has been made in the realisation of the securities Imiiby
the back, and in the settlement of old accounts, sad Ills
directors will continue to avail themselves of the improviag
circumstances of the colony to carry out these objects ft
their completion. Although in some instances these realise-
tions have fallen short of the *surname made by the direction.
they are happy in being able to snare the shareholders that
this has not been to such an extent as to disappoint the hope
held out of an increseed dividend: and having folly consi-
dered the position and prospects of the bank, they have the
satisfaction to state their intention to pay in April next a
dividend at the rate of four instead of three per cent. per
annum. In accordance, however, with the intention
expressed to the last report, they will not increase this rats
until all question as to the realisation of the securities held
by the bank sgainet the cid dependencies be brought to a
definite issue.'

The CHAIBMAH said it was very satisfactory to the
directors to be enabled to present so favourable report to the
shareholders. lie trusted that the patience and forbearance
they had so long exhibited would won meet with its due re-
ward. At Sydney very little built... had been transacted
by the company, but this was owing to the difficulty which
had arisen in consequence of their having pressed heavily for
payment of the debt due from the Bank of Australia. When
this pressure was removed, no doubt the prospects of the com-
posy in that colony would assume a more favourable aspect.
At Melbourne the state of affairs was moat satisfactory,
and the business continued to increase in that district.
The accounts from Adelaide were equally favourable, and,
in short, the state of the colonies, generally, was gratifying
and hopeful. The market value of wool still continues to
ries, and to this commodity they must look as the great
source of their profit. The imports of tallow and copper
had also materially increased. As a proof of the advance.
meat which had taken piers in the imports of wool, he
would inform them that in the year 1815 the amount was
3,0001b5, whereas is the present year it had reached 36
million lbs. Amongst other things the directors had reason
to hope that the system of intercourse which they established
with California would be of very groat advantage to the com-
pany, and they would take care that in all their dealings with
that country they would not enter into any speculation., but
would devote their energies to a anceeedul prosecution
of their present affairs. The next point he had to allude to
was lice which he regarded with great satisfaction, via., the
debt due from the Bank of Australia. He was happy to say
had now amounted such a shape that no doubt aced be en-
tertained as to its ultimata liquidation. lie was
happy to state that no emanate remained upon their
books except such as naturally arose in the ordinary course
of business. All the money now in the batik must come
into the pockets of the shareholders, except such sums as
would be necessary for the payment of losses which must
Mille in banking transactions. After the increase of the
dividend to four per cont. the directors did not propane any
further increase until Garry liability was " wiped off " and
they found that they were in possession of a reserve fund.
(Hear, hear.)
In answer to a quaint from a proprietor,

The CHAIRMAN stated 'that "Mr. Hart's debt" was
not in a hotter condition then.it was at the last meeting. Mr.
Hart had been is this country, and they bad endeavoured
to obtain semething like a settlement, but they had not sue-
' curled, and they did not expect that the money would ever
be paid, except that portion which was second; and for
this simple lesson, that Mr. Hart was without the means to
pay it. (Imaginer.)
Mr. Berjant GIZELBE congratulated the directors
upon Delo, able to furnish so gratifying a report; and he
wee especially pleased to hear that they had refused to remit
any portiere of the debt due from the lank of Australia. He
was unions to be informed whether the directors had
thought it advisable to open any banking establishment in
New Zealand. It was a email colony, but large numbers of
people were proeeeding there, and it might ultimately prove
a source of fruitful banking.
The CHAIRMAN replied that by the company's charter
they had the power to establish a bank at New Zealand if
they thought fit, but the proprietary would believe
that the directors had been too fully occupied with the pro-
siest affairs of this company to be able to establish any new
hanks. When their capital wee entirely unincumbered
they would be in a better condition to turn their attention
to new undertakings ; but they could not state, at present,
bow long it might be before such would be the cue.
Mr. Bailout GAZBLER then inquired when it was pro-
bable that the company would see their business transacted
iu a building more adequate to the purpose. The present
offices were in a locality white wee quite unknown to the
majority of people, and he trusted that before the Great Bo
hthition the beak would be ta • more favoured situation, se
shit foreigners might be enabkdao diecover its whereabouts.
(Laughter.)
The CHAIRMAN said no ono was more opposed to the
present building than he was, but they could not remove
until their lease of the promisee had expired, which would be
in two years' time. (Hoar, hear.)
Mr. Henderson was then elected • director, fa room of Mr.
Brownrlgg, radioed; dad thanks having been passed to the
directors and eeentary the meeting separated.

THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH TO ROLTHEAD.—Tbe
following memorial to the Liverpool Dock Committee has
been lying on the desk of the Enchsage Newsroom, and
remind muserees sigeanne To the chairman and
members atlas Desk Committee.—Gentlemen.—We the en- '
denigned merchants, shipowners, broken, and others, baying
observed that a proposel has been made to substitute, in
communicating between Holyhead and LiverpooL the elec-
tric telegraph, for the present antiquated and uncertain
method, respectfully urge upon your consideration the pro-
priety of the change, which, if carried out, cannot fail to
benefit this matiaercial community, and the trade of the port
in general."
THE LATE DISTURBANCE AT BIRKENHEAD.—Ap-
I 11EINSION or Pin or THZ RIOTIIII.-11 will be in
:the retrallscrim of our readers that a short time ago a
meeting 'ailed at Birk,nhsad, to addreas the Queen on the
sehMet of the papal aggremion, was forcibly adjourned by a
mob, armed with sticks, &a., who broke the windows of the
Town Hall, and made a furious onslaught oa the polies.
Yesterday morning, at an early ,hour, in ppoustoom of a
warrant issued by the magistrate% Ave penionslrrre eppre-
handed on the Margo of sesselting and beating the Polies.
Tame were Mr. John Brown., it reepeetable meter shoe-
maker at Biekenbeed‘ Edward, Oppith, one of bit workmen;
sad John F.Xers, Driffte, Age Haggerty, .the three
last, we believe. being !!nleVvite" emptcylo on Use
Birkenhead Docks. They .wirmabbaamght . . jit is
o'clock, at Abe Town. HA ificenkeed,
ties, the smsgielzatse booing j6dward
Cost, W. and .I. S. 'eases. tj, J. D. Casa, ;. IL
Shaw, Bre.; and W. Hall, . /dr. Conway, muter,
appeared to prefer Om charge, and Sir 0. B:ephen, oa
behalf of the prisoners. When Hie came was called on, Bir
G. Stephen applied for a copy of the depositions, or other
evidenos on which the warrants bad been founded. The
bends reaulted, and agreed to amply with the regain.
The map was adjourned in sonaegsenoe till Thursday morn-
ha, end will be heard at Chaster. •Tite atootiotratoo sorapui.l
°flail for Mr. Brous; tha othar paisobart wars retained to
eastody.

CENTRAL CRIMINAL Cot-TICT.
THIS DAY.

OLD COURT.
Boost Tut itIiCOMI Rt.
A MILITARY J union.
One of the jurors who had been sumnicrid to u, •
that capacity, claimed an exemption on the ground ',sit s_
was a member oldie Bon. Artillery Con:tinny. .p pt
in the uniform of that corps.
The Recorder inquired upoa what act of parliunsut he
gr.uoded his claim fur a zemption, as Fe was no; aw.,t of
any statute htmaell which conferred the privilege.
l'he Juror a .id he believed the t xenspi;on w„ vat,
by the charter under which the corps existed.
The
maceoffier of the court informed his lordship that au,
common jeant had on the previous deg, redis4rl toaLik.ti,4l
the privilege that was now clamed. hie believed that the
point had also been referred to the judges on a
forcter
occasion, sod after the *tatter had been fully disearetd,tnel
were of opinion that the exemption only spelt. d
courts, burn as the Sheriff's Court or the (.orObtre
The Recorder said hedid net lea tha. ary around of en.
emptioa had been eetabli-hed, sod if any rainy existed lb.
company should wen it in a formal manner, througn tba
medium of their own offfeen.
The juror was then directed to go into the juey.t.,,
and the singular appearance of a pereon inilit,e7 tutdo''
2
acting in such a capacity occuioned a good deal pi ob*.t.'
Tattoo.

THE EXPRESS, TUESDAY EVENINIE44. DECEMBER 17, 11
viously . possessed. The cases, he are . • 0.. Wass as h wee carried se erktbees kedge sew.
aryrt --.'l'..ml,‘•*
ly similr. Fanciful and erroneous o: ,itbe . °nil'. l'a4 " abalidir=o,o4.t " . _ll Wit RICA. ,
,
this view ought by no means to sum, sTt is q.!"...:. ernitter • ''.. ''''', :" ' '-- .79-..—.
quite in keeping with the school of OUDI OT II
able,'" ; "I
swam ;tdiu; it is 1. I, dim :, .: li. ' VHE .
V A.."
French maters of the Vatican. It,. ors a is hi :—I "r . , keryia --
suittd to the meridian of Gut* a i i t uniso .: . 1 dly
It
, &e. Y4e, aAs L , , sr. u BSIVEN TS MESSAGE.
__..:_
with the garriton•orders whic'h tot . :—.1....
yistia; _ -.. ..., . _... *st '
hoe and happy people of Bolos ' It /Math. ewe -,--,,,,..--4.• rft"E"laTall •
modern sources of constitutional spirit that Cardinal Comet Vintage left our ibis BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.
Wtesmax has derived his inspirations, and his moath laerwbuiel:l;_itrettiele the ral anal at nberg,
Mt the poet of commieehry, he bowl= TROIS 001, OWN I.IOII.IMITOKDIXT.
utters the abandenoe of his heart. Bo inspired, it
would be hard indeed for my one to feel the seed- eat" h3r * "Wan (34411" arid its elliala: LIVERPOOL, TuesDaY MOSININO, 10 O'CLOCK.
manta of Englishman or to speak their laagaage. •
• umiirrivrta A V steam-ship Niagara has jut entered the Mersey, with
61... lat Abater... from New York. She left ea the