The Express.
London, England, 1861-11-08 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 8, 1861.

the opportune good taste to picture Baron
RICASOLI as a Minister peculiarly distasteful to
the Emperor of the INENIII on account
et his haughty disdain of transactions and
resolute fixedness of purpose. This is not
a very dignified conception of statesmanship.
Honour and conscience are not necessarily incom-
patible with that skill and discrimination in the
science of exigencies of which political capacity is
composed. Nor is it easy to perceive, on the
other hand, in what degree the French Govern-
ment would be the gainer by the substitution of a
more pliant and facile member for the present
chief of the Italian Cabinet. No change of govern-
ment at Turin could bring a French party, if any
such exist in Italy, into power. No change of per-
sons could constitute an administration more
moderate and conservative than that over which
Baron RicAmou presides. Any change must be
in the direction of the revolutionary and aggressive
party, or as it is called " the party of action ;"
the party which would hurl " the nation " un-
armed, unprepared, unorganized, at the Quadri-
lateral, in the hope of " something turning up."
The party of action, intensely national and inde-
pendent of all foreign influences as it is, seems
ready to lend its hand unsuspiciously to other than
Italian designs in taking up the question of Venice
before the question of Rome is solved. It needs no
malicious imagination to assign an origin and an
object to this convenient " idea." We heartily
trust it will be repudiated by the patriotism and
good sense of the majority of the Italian Parlia-
ment. It is obvious to all but a few blind fanatics
that Italy must have her capital before she can
make her Southern Provinces a strength instead of
a weakness—before she can count and rally all her
living forces for the final struggle against the
merciless enemy encamped on her soil. What-
ever may be the pretexts of the French Govern-
ment for the maintenance of that open sore at
Rome, whether pusillanimity or irresolution, or the
apprehension of contingencies within the Vatican
itself, the fall of the temporal power of the Papacy
is only not a material fact ; morally it has already
taken place, and with the connivance if not the
complicity of its only protector. That it must and
will become a material fact is as certain as that
every day of passive resistance to Austria in Hun-
guy is the earnest of the final deliverance of
Venice. Time fights foe Hungary in Italy, and
for Italy in Hungary. Time fights, too, for Italy;
at Rome and in Paris. It would be madness in
the Italian Parliament to force events of which
the patience and perseverance which have unlocked
so many difficulties, have the key.

Tim English public has been so fully and so
correctly informed of the objects contemplated by
its Government in joining with France and Spain
in common action with reference to the affairs of
Mexico, that the actual conclusion of the formal
agreement for that purpose is an event which re-
quires the least possible elucidation. The convention
was signed at the Foreign Office yesterday week, and
its scope, notwithstanding the capacious views of
some journalists at Paris and Madrid, is judi-
ciously adjusted to the interests and rights of the
Powers which have signed it. The Governments
of Great Britain, France, and Spain merely agree
to employ their forces in concert to obtain redress
for the wrongs which their subjects have suffered
at the hands of the successive transitory authori-
ties of Mexico. The number of ships or men to
be furnished is, however, not stipulated, and will
probably be determined according to mutual
convenience. The three Powers severally
pledge themselves to one another not to
seek any territorial or other special ad-
vantage for themselves, and they further agree
not lo use their influence in a way to inter.
fere with the right of the people of Mexico to
choose their own form of government. This pro-
vision, which from the English point of view
may seem to emphasize needlessly a policy which
might have been tacitly assumed, is nevertheless
of substantial importance, excluding as it does
schemes of intervention in Mexico, which have
not only been discussed but announced both
in France and Spain. The Government of the
United States is to be invited to accede to this
convention on behalf of its own citizens. It is not
worth while to speculate on the probabilities of
compliance with that invitation ; the political re-
lation of the United States to Mexico is sodifferent
from that which England, France, and Spain re-
spectively sustain, and so much more complex,
that a refusal would not be surprising. This,
however, is a point which that Government may
decide freely, without prejudice to the objects of
the three associated Powers.

TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION.

The electric telegraph is now completed between
New York and San Francisco, among the continent of
America, and there can be no doubt that it will be
soots extended from California to British Columbia. The
Ripaiau government has already made arrangements for a
telegraphic communication between St. Petersburg and the
Sea of Jarmo. In 'short time the Russian wires will stretch
to Eastern Siberia, aml from thence into Russian America,
where they will almost join the New York telegraph to
British North-Western America. The length of telegraph
wire between England and the United States, through
Northern Europe, Asia, and America will be about 1:1,000
miles. Tho wholeof this will be above pound, except thedeep
ems cables in the British Channel and in Rehring's Strait;
the latter being only .16 miles iu width. The charge at pre-
seat for short telegrams lest the rate of about 50y per 3,000
miles, and instantaneous communication can be effected be-
tween stations nearly 4,0C3 miles asunder. Some idea,
therefore, can Le formed of the expense and time of mend-
ing a message from London to the Atlantic seaboard of
North America by north-easterly route. The expense now
voluntarily incurred for conveying early commercial intel-
lipnee is shown by the fact of British merchants running
clippers for that purpose between the most northerly
Chinese ports and Shanghai, the terminus of our mail com-
munication in the Yellow Sea. Should it be found impos-
sible to lay down a cable along the bed of the Atlantic, the
marvels of science and the necessities of commerce will
probably be displayed by England communicating, almost
instantaneously, with the United States by way of the
Himalaya and Rocky !fountains.

The Leeds Mercury announces the death of James
Riehardaoe, Esq., the Clark of the Peace for Leeds, in the
734.1% year of hia age.

There is a chance, remarkx the P 1 !mum th Juurnal,
if the Plymouth tradesmen will only avail themselves of
Use advluitages which it will confer upon them, by taking
the 'memory meson to provide the requisite fund, that the
Royal Agricultural Society will hold its exhibition in that
town in 1+164.

Megan. Longman and Co. (nye the are
gnat to rebuild the entire nap of their premises in Pater-
noster•row in palatial style. AS the work of erection is
expected to cover from one to two yaw, they intend taking
refuge in the meantime in a tarp boom on Ludgate-hill,
which was kenterlt is possession of the Milton Club.
ARRIVAL or DIR. ROBERT Robert
Muir, who was arrested at New York swop menthe ago
while stopping on board the steamer for Europe, with de.
'patches from the British Coosa] at New (Moms to Earl
Russell. arrived at Liverpool on Wednesday in the steam-
ship North American. Mince his arrest. Mr. Moir Ma been
imprieolied is Fort Lafayette. awl he is vow out oo parole.
ORA NI;EINN IN THE NORTH or IR /LAND. —T4II
torreaporalent of the Privy:as. writing from lexidoudcrTY.
November 5. Dare:—" Early this morning an Orange Lag,
with a blue border, a hl•be shield on its centre, with a figure
of 'William 111. on horseback. sad IWO underneath, was
koiated .o. the top of the Walker pillar, noel en Oranges'sh
entwined morel the figure of Weller. Tile cathedral bells
have been ncgiug throughout the day. Nu disturbance baa
occarnal."

THE AMERICAN WAR-ITS CHARACTER
AND PROBABLE DURATION.

The following important circular, issuing from
the well-known house of Neill Brothers, has been
received by the last American mail :

NEW YORK, Ocr. 26.

In our circular of 22nd July, issued from our Manchester
office, we warned our friends that there was no prospect of
any early settlement of the difficulties of this country, and
that they must look iu the face the imminent danger of the
loss, for this season, of the usual supplies of .Imeriow
cotton.

We recommended the securing of large stocks, the reduc-
tion of the hours or days of labour, and hoped that when
the public should bef sufficiently awakened to the real facts
of the case, merchants would be emboldened to import as
largely as possible from India and wherever else cotton
oould be found.

The then price of cotton, 811 per lb. for middling
Orleans, and 50. for Surat, did not announce to the world
with sufficient emphasis the nature of the emergency, did
not encourage East Indian merchants to draw cotton from
the interior by outbidding native manufacturers, agents for
China, and others. 51d. per lb. was Id. per lb. below the
price given for the same elate of cotton in September, 1857.
So moderate a price implied faith in the early resumption of
shipments from America, and this view was encouraged by
the London Times, whose commercial editor had informa-
tion from mercantile sources as to the dissatisfaction

created by the war, and the probability of an early settle-
ment. Neither we nor any of our neighbours, to whose
advice' we had access, could trace such views to
any good American source. Among the foreign
merchants of New York who stand comparatively
outside of the arena of political excitement, whose sole
object is business, and whose wish for peace may well have
been "father to the thought," such ideas may from time to
time have had the ascendancy, but to =yore well informed
as to the character, principles, objects, and intentions of
the great masses of the people North and South, it has,
ever since April, when the war was opened by the bom-
bardment of Fort Sumter, been evident that it must be
fought out to the bitter end. Our circulars were called
alarmist, and their views disputed. But what do we now
find ?

At this time last year we had to advise our friends that
the receipts of cotton at the Southern ports, the bulk of
which had already been shipped, or was in process of ship-
ment, to Europe, amounted already to 534,000 bales, and
the year before to 645,000 bales. This season we have not yet
information of 1,000 bales having been received, but we do
hear of the small stocks left over in the principal porta
from last year's crop, having been sent into the interior for
safety, in the event of any of the ports falling into the handed
the Federalguvernment. We have again to repeat what we for-
merly said, that "it is the deliberate intention of the Arne.
rican governments, both North and South, to seal up the
new cotton crop, so that not a bale of it (which they can
prevent) shall leave the plantations during the continuance
of the war," and that so far from the shipping season com-
mencing on September 1, as usual, " there is absolutely no
prospect of its commencing then, or for months to come."
The prospect of its commencement is still, we are sorry to
say, as distant as ever.
Impressed with the responsibility attaching to us in
putting forth any opinion with sufficient confidence to le-
flueoce the action of our friends, our W. M. Neill has
recently come out to this country with the sole object et
investigating this question. There is no doubt that we are
now incalculably more dependent on cotton, and incalcula-
bly more able to pay for it, than in 1825, when prices went
to 20d. So, in placing a limit upon its future price, we
most grant the world's power, and indeed necessity, to me-
mne extensively, and its abundant power to pay fat what
it menet do without. The simple questions are, the pro-
bable duration of the present war and blockade, the increase
of supplies to be drawn from other countries, and the ex-
tent to which the substitution of other materials is peed-
blc. We confine ourselves to the first, leaving to parties on
the spot to determine upon the others.
In inquiring into the probable duration of the war, the
main questions to be considered are, firstly, the nature of
the issue or issues between North and South. Are they
slight and superficial, or essential and profound? It is not
nececemy to go into any lengthened argument to establish
the position that they are the deepest and moat Wean-
cileable which can divide two peoples. One section has gone
to war for separate independence and the maintenance of
the system of slavery, with the right to its extension, and
at the same time to establish free trade and unrestricted
commerce with all the world. The other party has gone to
war to preserve the unity and integrity of • great country,
willing enough (except a small portion) to tolerate slavery,
but determined not to let it continue supreme in the go-
vernment as it has been of late, and not to lot it aid the
wealth and prosperity of the South alone. And while
they serum° this ground, and expect in it the sympathy of the
anti-slavery and commercial nations of Europe, they adopt a
narrow, prohibitive, commercial system, altogether ignoring
the world's commercial education for the past twenty year..
It is manifest that upon the union with the South the power
of the North and its commercial prosperity mainly depend.
The cotton, rice, tobacco, and sugar crepe of the outu are
five-sixths of the whole exports of the country, and consti-
tute the chief payment to Europe for the foreign imports
of the whole country, and are consequently the source, not
only of trade and commerce, but also of revenue, as the sole
revenue is derived from duties on imports. The cutting of
the North from this trade, while destroying domestic
prosperity, would force the government to direct taxation,
at a time when the people, always averse to it, would be
more than ever so. Therefore the North cannot give up the
conflict till convinced of its utter hopelessness. Every new
loan is a further pledge that the war most continue till
success or destruction result. The South is of course im-
pelled by similar motives, and, if conquered, all they have
spent ia lost ; and moreover they would be saddled with an
enormous debt incurred for their own subjugation.
It is easy to see Met, both in their views of human freedom
and freedom of trade, the ditterenom of the North and
South are radical, and not to be reconciled. We have,
therefore, looked in vain here, amuse the more intelligent
men of all parties, for any disposition to let the South go.
They consider it geographically as well as morally impos-
sible, and prefer the alternative of a war of extermination.
'lf there be a disposition for peace, it is not permitted to
show itself ; and if such be the case at the North, it is
equally true at the South, who have added to their other
reasons for persevering in the contest, the desperation that
it gives to the Anglo-Saxon race to feel that their country
is invaded, with a view to their couquest and suppresses.
It may safely be assumed, therefore, that they will allo
tight to the very extremity of their resources.
Next come. the question of the ability of either section to
maintain a protracted contest. We have found no reosoo
whatever to doubt, this ability on either side. Information
from the South is partial and incomplete ; and it is only as
regards the North that wean speak from immediate obser-
vation. In our August circular we cautioned oar friends
not to be deceived by the prevalent idea that the Federal
government would be unable to find the means to carry
ou the war. We argued from the abundance of money
that the earlier loans at least would be takeu at the
high rates offered by the government. Stich has proved to
be the case, and of the 15000,000 dollars, offered in August,
100,000,000 dollars have already been taken, and the
balance has been offered by the banks, subject to the
interest commencing to accrue from the time that the
amount is placed to the credit of the Treasury.
This the government decline to accede to, feeling
quite confident that they will get the third 50,000,000
dollars when required, without any loss of interest.
The enormous government expenditure is giving

• greet impetus to trade, and yet there is sufficient ecOoomy
being practised in all classes of society, and caution in
giving credit, in entering into extended operations, and in
discounting mercantile paper, to leave large amounts of
capital unemployed, and ready to be invested in government
loans. As we mentioned in August, the undrawn deposits
held by the banks of this city amounted to 93,687.000 dots.
against an average of 77,721,000 dole. at the corresponding
dates for the past five years. The amount is now increased
to 126,433,000 dole., including, however, • large amount
to the credit of the Treasure, from the proceeds of
the recent loans. In August the specie held by
the banks was 46,900,000 dole., against an average
of 21,249,900 dole. for the corresponding dates of
the five years ; while the amount now held is 42,242,000
dole., a small decrease since August, owing to the larger
circulation required by the improved condition of trade.
Thus the financial wheels of the government work smoothly
enough, and there is a fair prospect that they may continue
to do so for one, two, or three years to come, should the
war last so long. Higher rates of interest may have to be
given, and the factitious activity imparted to trade may
drive the specie out of the country to pay for the war ma-
terial, clothing, and luxuries which will agsdn be called fur,
so that the books may have to suspend specie payments,
but it would not be a new or remarkable cam for a long war
to be carried on upon an exclusively paper currency.
Financially, the North has no doubt the advantage, but
in many other respects the South has it—above all, in the
fact that she is fighting on the defensive. and in a country
easy of defence and moat difficult to invade. Nearly all
the necessaries of life are produced within the limits of the
Confederate States. Tea and coffee are greatly wanted. and
the latter brings 50 cents per lb. against 12c. to 14c. in the
West Indies ; but people can exist without these luxuries.
Many kinds of manufactured goods are also in short supply,
particularly woollen clothing and shoes, but enough of
these goods may be smuggled in to suffice for bare noosed.
ties ; and a useful homespun cloth is made extensively in
the country from the cotton which is everywhere so chess
and abundant Gold and silver have almost diaappearea

from circulation, the government paper currency supplying
their place, and a system of barter prevailing extensively.
The rank and file of the army is made up, as the North,
of the lower classes maialy,hut consists in a large proportion
of the better class of young men, who have entered upon it
with hearty zeal for the canoe, and thoroughly determined
never to submit. It is probable that these men, coin.
mended as they generally are by good officers, will devote
themselves more willingly than the Northern troops to a
protracted military life, and have a much higher zest for
their work. They will not readily submit to the Northern
labourers and mechanics sent against them. On the whole,
it is pretty evident that the power of resistance possessed
by the South is vastly greater than they get credit for ; and
it is difficult to form any opinion as to which side will tire
of the war the soonest. The present sufferings of the South
may be much the greater, but the North is laying up for
herself a weight of debt and taxation which will spread the
penalty over lengthened years, and probably carry it down
to generations yet unbent.
On whatever side we look we are forced into the conclu
sion that the war will be • long one—to last for years unless
foreign powers interfere, of which, however, we see no
prospect. What the cud will be no man can tell ; but it is
just probable that, iu the midst of the excitement of war,
the slaves may take their cause into their own hands, and
repeat the scenes of St. Domingo. It is to be hoped,
therefore, that wherever there is a climate and soil suita-
ble to the growth of cotton, and conditions favourable to its
productiou at a moderate price, efforts will be made to pro-
mote and extend its cultivation, and that no exertions will
be spared, whether by individuals, companies, or government.,
to extend the area of supply in India, and attract to England
a considerable proportion of the immense cotton growth of
that country. The policy and efforts of the Manchester
Cotton Supply Association are now amply justified, and it
is only to be regretted that they were not at an earlier
period—while the wolf was not yet at the door—more
warmly seconded by the trade at large.—We aro, very
respectfully yours, :sant BROTHERS.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.
(THIS DAY.)

COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH.

Sittings in Banoo.—(Before Lord Chief Justice Cockburn,
and Justices Wightman and Blackburn.)
-
IN RE WILLIAM CORBETT.

Mrs. Cobbett at the sitting of the court prayed for judg-
ment oo her application for • habeas corpus to enable her
husband to appear in court with a view to his discharge from
the Queen's prison on • claim for costa in an action in which
he as the plaintiff, was nonsnited.
The Lord Chief Justice—On further inquiry it is quite
plain that what you complain of is an irregularity.
Mrs. Cobbett—lt is not. (Laughter.) What I complain
of is that Mr. Cobbett has been wrongfully imprisoned for
six years.
The Lord Chief Justice—We think it is nothing but an
irregularity.
Mrs Cobbett—l hope your lordship's judgment will be
founded in law. (Laughter.)
The Lord Chief Justice—l hope so too. There has been a
rule in existence, and acted on for many yearuthat a suitor in
person cannot make such a motion as you have, but that it
roust be made by counsel. Here, however, we have • lady,
not the actual party to the suit, but the wile of the person.
Mrs. Cobbett said she had counsel on a former occasion,
and proceeded with great energy and volubility to charge
the learned gentleman with collusion with the other side
to defeat her ,• and that, in consequence, an order had been
made against 'bee husband, in breach of good faith.
The Lord Chief Justice—But that dues not meet the
Irrei:ty.
retnCobbett continued to interrupt his lordship, when
Mr. Justice Wightman Mid—You had better hear what
his lordship has to say.
Mr. Justice Blackburn—You said just now you would be
bound by the judgment of the court.
Mrs. Cobbett—l shan't be satisfied with it—Boud
laughter)—but go elsewhere. My husband is unlawfully
krn'r prison. I mean I must have your lordships'
judgment before I can go elsewhere.
The Lord Chief Justice—Our decision is that your appli-
cation is irregular. It must be made by counsel.
Mrs. Cobbett—Will your lordships appoint me a counsel'
I can't get one.
The Lord Chief Justice—We can't do that.