The Express.
London, England, 1861-03-27 00:00:00

MR. COBDEN AND THE PREACH COMMERCIAL

TREATY.
At a special netting of the Liverpool Chamber
of Commerce, held yesterday, the following letters from Mr.
Cobden and Mr. Malec,-in connexion with the French com-
mercial treaty, were reed by the secretary :
" Algiers, March 20.
" beg to acknowledge the receipt of the resolution
of the Chamber of Commerce of Liverpool, bearing your
signature as president, thanking me for my exertions in ar-
ranging the commercial treaty with France. I observe
with satisfaction the judicious reserve with which the
chamber abstains from committing itself to an approval
of the general principle of commercial treaties. The
arrangement lately entered into with the French govern-
ment is not, in its old and exclusive sense, • commercial
treaty, but a simultaneous movement on the part of the
two countries in the direction of (opera freedom of
Ueda. Nor should the changes made in the French tariff
be judged merely by the standard of abstract principle, but
with a fair consideration for the opposition which the
government bad to encounter, in its first serious measure
of commercial reform, from so unbroken phalanx of mono.
palate, whose power can be more fully appreciated after the
late demonstrations of the conservative party in the French
Minters. The great feature of the recent commercial ar-
rangements, to my humble apprehension, is their tendency
to limit the power of governments to disturb the amicable
relations of the two countries, by making their friendship
depsial. not on dynastic sympathies, or the alliance with any
particular ministry, but, to borrow the sentiment of Prince
Napoleon, on the union of France with the great English
people. For the first time in the experience of living men,
a huge part of the population of the two countries will be
invested with the meet powerful motives for keeping the
peace. Old diplomatic rivalries may survive, to find
nourishment in topic of shadowy interests; and the rela-
tions of the two governments may even be subjected to
ocsessional disquietude from the resentments of statesmen
who live in the traditions of the pest, and who will accept
with reluctance the new order of things. But I rejoice in
the belief that the legitimate interests of an industrious
people, rather than the caprices or passions of politicians,
will for the future control the relations of my country with
Its great continental neighbour.
" Prey assure the members of the chamber that I highly
appreciate their approval of my services ; and begging you
to accept my thanks for the cordial expressions contained
in your letter enclosing the resolution, I remain, Sir,
your obedient servant,
(Signed) " BD. Colll3=.
" W. J. Tomlinson Eaq., Chamber of Commerce,
LiverpooL"
" Board of Trade, 22nd March, 1861.
"Rir,-1 beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of
the 21st March, enclosing a copy of • vote of thanks to Mr.
Cobden, Mr. Ogilvie, and myself, for our recent services in
connexion with the commercial treaty with France, which
was passed at the annual general meeting of the Liverpool
Clamber of Commerce. I must request that you will con-
vey to the chamber my very best thanks for the honour
they have done me, and assure them that I have received
this resolution with much gratification.—l have the honour
to be, air, your very obedient servant.
(Signed) " LZWIII MALIT.
" Robert 'Tronton, Eaq. , Secretary, Chambord
Commerce, Liverpool.

THE FAMINE IN UPPER. INDIA.—TEIHCEday the
Lord Mayor stated that although be had been under the
necessity of writing to Colonel Baird Smith, telling him
that he could not comply with his wishes and the wishes of
the committee under which be was acting, by calling a
public meeting at the Mansion-house, he had that morning
been waited open by a number of gentlemen, and had agreed
that if they would present him a requisition, numerou►ly
signed, ho would convene a public meeting in the Egyptian-
hall, at the Manaion-house. on Thursday the Dith inst , and
he had no doubt but that through the influence and energy
of those gentlemen, with whom he bad had an interview,
there would be such a meeting as would ensure a very
powerful movement tbroughoat the metropolis, something
at all events to send to the &oilstones of the sufferers in
India for the relief of their urgent necessities.