The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-06-28 00:00:00

TIM NORTHERN TIMES.---LIVERPOOL, SATURDAY.

THE SOUND DUES.

HOtISE OF COMMONS, FRIDAY

The select committee re-assembled to-day, Mr. Villiers
in the chair. The ether members present were—the
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Deasy, Mr. Phillimore,
Mr. Milner Gibson, Mr. Bramley-Moore, Mr. Mitchell,
Mr. Duncan, Mr. Liddell, and Mr. Cardwell.

Mr. Frederick Bolde-naun was the first witness called,
and examined by Mr. Milner Gibson. He said he was a
merchant, carrying en business in London. He said he
was largely engaged in the Baltic trade. Since 183.4, a
transit duty had been irnnosed on goods passing from
this country overland. His Opinion was, that this
transit duty was charged in lieu of Sound Dues,
and he was also of op7nion that if this transit
duty was converted into an ad valorem duty, it would be
found to be at a higher rate than the Sound Dues. The
imposition of a transit duty had a very injurious effect on
British commerce. In many instances, it doubled the
freiglit of goods from Hamblirgh to Lubeck. The over-
land commerce was increasing every year. Last year
300,000 cwt passed into the Baltic by that route, and
every year the value of the goods imported overland
amounted to xmo,coa. The commerce would, no doubt, be
more extensive if no transit duty was charged. In Other
countries small transit duties were levied. For instance,
Austria imposed a transit duty amounting to about 11 per
cwt., but the imposition of transit duties had been con-
sidered contrary to a treaty engagement made between
Hamburg and Lubeck and the government of Danmark.
He thought it was reasonable that if the Sound Dues were
abolished the compulsory payment of transit duty should
also be removed. Any scheme for the abolition of the
Sound Dues would be incomnlete unless the Baltic and
North Sea were free from all tolls except as payment
for services rendered.

By the Chairman : Was confidently of opinion that a
great portion of the goods which now passed the Sound
would go overland by Hamburg and Lubeck if the transit
duty was removed. Did not think that the inconvenience
of reshipment at Hamburg for Lubeck would prevent it.
Supposing the Sound Dues to be removed, and there was
also a considerable reduction made in the charges between
Hamburg and Lubeck, he believed that goods wotild be
taken via, Hamburg and Lubeck in preference
to passing the Sound. He believed that to be a general
opinion among mercantile people. His opinion was, that
these transit duties were imposed to protect the Sound
Dues,

Mr. West, timber merchant, of Hull, was the next
witness called, and examined by the chairman. He said
he was largely engaged in the timber trade with the
Baltic. The effect of the Sound Dues on the timber trade
operated to increase the cost on all their imports. In
consequence of the way in which the duties were calcu-
lated, the amount paid was sometimes two per
cent., and in other cases only one per cent. It
arose in this way :—They paid the same duty
on goods of unequal value. The tariff was so
much per log of 60 feet. Some timber might be of twice
the value as other, and therefore they paid one per cent
in some instances and two in oth,rs. Wirness's firm were
at that moment importing timber from Russia which
would cost them '5, and in the same ship they were also
importing timber of another quality, the same quantity
of which would cost them .elO, and yet the same duty
was payable on both. That was the case in goods of
theirs which were at this moment passing the Sound.
By the Chancellor of the Exchequer : There was a
difference in the duties imposed by Denmark on Prussian
and Russian vessels. It was in favour of Russia, which
country paid the lower duty. There was no doubt that the
effect of the Sound Dues was appreciable in the price of
timber.

By the Chairman : The duties imposed on timber in the
Sound, were in favour of Colonial as compared with Ameri-
can timber. If the dues were abolished, he did not think
that the timbar merchant would have the advantage but the
c,nsumer.

By Mr. Bramley-Moore : Since 1849 the effect of foreign
vessels competing with Eag'ish has been to reduce freights.

Mr. F. Bremer, a Prussian, and a merchant and s'lipper
of London, was the next -tvitncs3 exam :tied. His evidence
went to show that Prussian vessels had certain privileges, by
way of exemption, over other countries, which relieved
them of a portion of the dues levied on the ships of other
countries. The result was, that the Prussian ships
of Rostock, possessing these advantages, had a
monopoly of the carrying trade. He concurred in
the opinion that the imposition of the Sound Ddes
was a great grievance, and he believed that his coun-
trymen would be glad to see the government of that coon,ry
pay a sum for their redemption. They were very unqUally

The Chairman : If it has been stated before this commit-
tee that Prussia requires evidence that a foreign ship has
paid the S tund Dues beLre she is allowed to enter a Prus-
sian port, it, is not true.

Bp Mr. Mitchell : It is not necessary for a vessel to stop
at Elsinore before passing the Sound, but mos+ vessels did
did stop there. Was sure it was not compulsory on them to
ktop,

By the Chancellor of the Exchequer : The money-pay-
ment is what I have to complain ot, and not the detention
of the ship.

By the 'Chairman : If the Sound Dues were abolished I
certainly do not think that merchants would still prefer the
railway.

Mr. Robinson, member of the general shipownerasociety
at London, and agent for ships trading between London and
St. Petersburgh, was next alled. He h4a himself for some
years been resident in the Baltic, and had had considerable
experience of the detention of vessels at Elsinore, and
the consequent loss. He gave evidence altogether in
opposition to that of the preceding witness on this point,
and pointed out several instances of detention which had
come under his own personal observation.

Be Mr. Mitchell :All the valuable goods the witnesses
firm sent from London, were sent by railway, in order to
avoid Sound Dues. They were sent by way of Paris. In
consequence of competition they were compelled to send
goods by this route, in order to arrive at the Baltic ports.
The Sound Dues were very heavy on valuable goods, such
as witness shipped.

Mr. John Timpler, a captain in the Baltic trade, spoke
to the general detention at Elsinore, and spoke to many
instances.

The Committee adjourned to Tuesday,

MURDEROUS ASSAULT BY A GENTLEMAN

On Thursday evening considerable excitement was created
in the neighbourhood of Lorrimore New Town, Walworth,
in consequence of a report that a gentleman, named
IVade, of independent means, residing at No. 4, Lorri-
more-terrace, opposite the Beehive-terrace, had murdered
a man named Nolan, a plasterer, in the employ of
Mr. Cook, builder and house agent, in the Walworth-
road. On enquiry it appears that the report was so far
exaggcrated that, although the unfortunate man Nolan has
received wounds that may in all probabiliry terminate fatally,
he is still an inmate of Guy's Hospital. Mr. Wade, who is
charged with inflicting the wounds, has resided with his wife
and daughters at 4, Lorrimore-terrace for some time, butlatterl y,
owing to his eccentric and extraordinary- habits, asising from dis-
s'pation and intemperance, frequent quarrels have arisen in the
family, and his conduct become intolerable to his neighbours.
On Thursday afternoon he returned home in a cab, after indulging
in one of his freaks of dissipation, accompanied by two females,
and they had scarcely been in the house more than half an
hour when a violent noise was heard, one of the females
rushing to the street door, crying out, " murder, murder."
The unfortunate-man Nolan. who was passing at the time, ran
to their assistance, when Wade, seeing him enter the front
gate, ran down stairs, seized a sabre, and before the poor
fellow entered the passage, aimed a terrific and des fly Vow at
his head, inflicting a severe and extensive wound, penetrating the
front part of the skull. He immediately sank down from the effect
of the blow, and assistance by this time having arrived, the assail-
ant was secured, the man Nolan being ,aken to Guy's Hospital
in a cab by a police constable. Mr. Wade, who appeared to he
in a state of excitement amounting to insanity, will undergo
an examination before the mi,gistrates at Lambeth Police
Court; but as the man Nolan is not in a fit state to attend,
the case will be remanded.

ROYAL ORTHOPEDIC HOSPITAL —Oil Thursday, the
ceremony of "formally opening" this institution since its
removal from Bleomsbury-square to Oiford-,treet was
performed by his Royal Highness Prince Albert. His
Royal Highni,ss was immediately conducted through the
various wards. Many of the patients were presented to
his Royal Highness, who expressed h'n-,,self delighted with
the mode of treatment to which the pat ients were subjected,
and with the various models prepared kr the purpose of
conveying an impression of the remarkably ingenious
Manner in which the most difficult cures are effected.
His Royal Highness then entered the board room of the
hospital, where he was received by the Earl of Shaftes-
bury, the president, Lord Abinger, chairman of the corn-
nth tee. &c. Lord Abinger delivered an address to his
Royal Bigness, acknowledging the honour conferred upon
the institution. The address went on to say that the
institution was fist open-d in Bloomsbury-,qua.re in
1t440, and since its commencement had rendered capable
of exertion and self-support nearly 19,000 crippled poor,
and rescued thousands besides from destitution. His
Royal Highness made a feeling reply to the address, and
then retired, and the company separated.

OUR RELATIONS WITH AMERICA,

DESPATCH OF THE EARL OF CLARENDON
UPON MR. CRAMPTON'S DISMISSAL.

On Thursday evening further papers relative to recruiting
in the United States were presented to parliament. They
include Mr. Marcy's despatch communicating the fact of
the dismissal of the British minister and the British consuls,
and the 01 lavits which accompanied the same; a letter
from Mr, Cranipton to the Earl of Clarendon, dated
London, Juna 19 ; a memorandum by Consul Barclay, con-
taining a denial of Mr. Marcy's charges ipsissimis verbis ;
correspondence of Consul Mathew with Mr. Marcy and
with the Earl of Clarendon; and, finally, Earl Clarendon's
rep'y to Mr. Marcy. The latter important despatch is as
follows :

TRE EARt OF CLARtNDON TO MR. DALLAS.

Foreign Office, June 26, 1856

Six,—The despatch of Mr. l',larcy which you read to rue
on the 11th instant, and of which you placed a copy iu my
hands has received the attentive consideration of her

Ml9sty's government

iler-Majesty's government ate gratified at learning that
the assurances contained in my note to you of the 30th of
April, that no intention extste4 on the part of her
1114 sty's government to viol ate the laws, compromise the
neutrality, or disregard the sovereignty of the United States,
have been unreservedly accepted by the President, and tbat
till cause of difference with respect t,) the question of
enlisttn-nt has ceased to exist between the governments of
Great Britain and of the 'United States.

with much regret, however, that her Majesty's go-
y, rnment have learned that the President has teen nn-Able to
alter the view which he had taken of the conduct of her
Majesty's Minister at Washington, and of her Majesty's
Consuls at New York, Philadelphia, and C ncinnatti, in
regard to the transactions which have been under di,cussion
between the two R4)veintnents.

Air. Mercy h ed-, in his despatch of December 23, 1855,
stated that the President wts of Opinion that those officers
of her 111,j-sty had violated the laws of the United Ste es,
by being parties to enlistments within the Union ; that he,
on that ground, considered that they had become iinac•
eentable organs of her M: es ty ' s government in the United
States, and that he consequently requested that they might
be removed from their respective posts.
Her Majesty's g )vernment did in t share this opinion of
the President in regard to the conduct of those officers of
her Majesty ; and having communicated to those officers
the charges made against them, and the evidence on which
those charges rested, and having received from their full
denials of the truth of the charges, and surh corrobo-ating
evidence as they were able to procure t-nding to invalidate
the testimony brought ag tinst them, her Majesty's govern-
ment laid all these matters fully and frankly before the
government of the United States, with the persuasion that
they would remove the unfavourable impression which had
been created in the mind of the President with regard to
the conduct an,l proceedings of her Moje=ty's min ster at
Washington and of the three above-Mentioned consu's.

It appears, however, that this communication has not
produced the eff%et which her Majesty's government had
exoected ; and Mr. Marcy, in stating that the President's
view of these matters remained unaltered, accompanied that
statement by a number of additional documents, tending to
confirm the view which the President had originally taken
of these matters.

Her Mij -sty's government have carefully examined faese
a 'ditional documents, but do not find in them any evidence
worthy of belief which should shake the confidence which
they have reposed in the assurances of Mr. Crampton and
of the consuls.

Her Majesty's government retain tie high opinio❑ which
they have ever held of the zeal, ability, and integrity of
Mr. Cramptop, and of the earnest desire by which he has
been animated to avoid all just cause of offence to the
government to which he was accredited. Her Niajesty's
government cannot but believe that on many material points
in respect to his conduct, the President has been misled by
erroneous information, and by the testimony of witnesses
undeserving of belief.

Her Majesty's government entertain similar convictions
as to the conduct of her Majesty's consuls at New York,
Philadelphia, and Cincinnatti.
Such a c ntfl;ct of opinions on such a matter between the
governments of two great powers must necessarily be the
subject of serious deliberation by both ; and her Majesty's
government have not failed to give to this matter all the
consideration which it justly deserved.
If her Majesty's government had been convinced, like the
government of the United States, that her Majesty's officers
hid in defiance of their instructions violated the laws of the
United States, her Majesty's government would, both out of
deference to the Mired Stet s, and from a due regard to the
authority of the British crown, have removed those officers
f om the posts which they held.

If the government of a foreign country were cipriciouslc,
and without any apparent belief that it had good grounds
for doing so, to break off its diplomatic relations with the
minister accredited to it by her Majesty. her Majesty's
confi•lential servants, answerable for maintaining the
honour and dignity of the crown, could not hesitate as to
advising her Majesty equally to bre.:k off all diplomatic
intercourse with the minister of such governMents accredited
to her court, _ _

But, in the present case, her Majesty's government are
bound to ac•ept the formal and repeated decltrations of
the President of his belief tha-. the.) officers of her M ijesty
have violated the laws of the Union, and are, on that
account, unacceptable organs of communication with the
government and authorities of the United States ; and her
Majosty's government cannot deny to the g wernment of
the United States a right similar to that which, in a parallel
c tso, they would claim for them=elvi s, the right, namely, of
forming their own judgment as to the bearing of the laws of
the lTnion upon tra(sactions which have taken place within
the Union.

I have, therefore, the honour to inform you that, how-
ever deeply her Majesty's government regret a proceeding
on the part of the President of the United Stares which
cannot but be considered as of an unfriendly character, they
have not deemed it thtir duty on that account to advise her
Majesty to command me to suspend my diplomatic inter-
course with you ; and I have to assure you that the high
personal esteem which is felt for you by all the members
of her Majesty's government will render it most agreeable
to myself to have the honour of entering into communication
with you upon all matters connected with the mutual
relations of our two countries. You will be certain of
meeting, on the part of her Majesty's government, the most
friendly frelings towards the United States, and the most
anxious desire so to arrange all questions of difference, as to
reconcile the just rights and real interests of the two
countries with the maintenance of those amicible relations,
the preservation of which is of such great importance to
both.—l am, &c., (signed) CLARENDON.
Mr. Crompton's letter occupies upwards of eight folio
pages.

Mr. Crampton, after quoting the principle of international
law, which, according to Mr. Marcy, has been violated by
the British minister, proceeds tc quote the opinions of Judge
Kane and Judge Ingersoll as directly at variance with Mr.
Marc3's principle.

It will be remembered that in order to sustain the charge
against her Majesty's agents of having violated the
municipal law, Mr. Marcy resorts to a reiteration of his
implicit belief in what he calls the unimpeached and unim-
peachable testimony of Messrs. Strobel and Hertz, adding,
however, that this evidence forms but a small part of
that upon which he relies, and that there are numerous
acts of Mr. Crampton's and of her Majesty's consuls.
" undenied and undeniable," which confirm it. Upon this
Mr. Crampton observes.

Mr. Marcey has not stated to what acts he alluded, but if
they are acts by which I am supposed to have recruited
soldiers for her Majesty's service within the Uniicrl States,
or "hired or retainett," in the sense of the Act of Congress
of 1818, persons to go and be recruited elsewhere, or autho-
rised ocher persons to do those acts, Ido deny them. If
they are acts by which persons were informed of where
and on what terms they would be received into her
Aljesty's service in British territory, or by which a'd and
assistance was afforded to them to reach that country, I do
not deny that acts of that sort were authorised 5y me ; but
I maintain that such acts were neither illegal nor a viola-
tion of the sovereignty of the United States. As to invita-
tions or inducements, 1 never offered them to anybody,
although it appears that I might legally have done so ; for
cannot agree with Mr. Marcy, that the offer of any in-
ducement short of hiring or retaining, and that by a con-
tract which would, if not rendered illegal by the act of
.1818, he binding, would constitute a violation of the law,
and, consequently, of the sovereign rights of the Thited
StuteA. lam far from seeking to deny to the government
of the United Sates the right of interpreting the laws
of the Unittd States ; but I cannot subscribe to the
doctrine that the executive alone has a ri4ht to interpret
the law. Every act done or authorised by me is
supported by decision of the judiciary in which the
Piesid,lnt himself could not refuse to acquiesce in any case
in which, either in his official or private capaci.y, he
might be concerned,

Mr. Crampton proceeds to examine the various affidavits
with the view of showing that they are "disfigured with
deliberate falsehoods," as well as blunders and mistakes of
all sorts, and are itflaenced by malicious motives. " With
regard," he says, " to those parts in which I am represented
to hare personally played a part, I can only sty that a
more impudent tissue of f.il eh ods was never put together.

I nuver ssw or conversed with any of those men, with the
excf rion of Sierawski; and. when I saw him, I did not
cvEn know his nsme." Mr. Cramptoncontends that those

only were responsible for the illegal acts proved to be
committed who were convicted of them, viz., Hertz and
Wagner, " both of whom actel without any authority from

any British agents ; and, in the case of Hertz, against my
express desire, as is proved by Hertz's own letter to her
MHjestv's Secretary of Legation at Washington, and by
Mr. Bucknall's afDdavit, which is appended to the
documents Paid before parliament.'' Mr. Cranipton
ealli4 attention to papers in relation to Mica•

ragna, rccen•ly laid before Congress, which show
that at the very time when the United States government
were taking ex'reme measures against her Majesty's consuls
and Mr. Crampton for an alleged violation of the law of
nations and the,sovereigntyof the Unitcd States. for having
given information anti assistance to persons desirous of
leaving the United States to he enlisted in the British army.
Mr. Alarcy was contending with M. Molina, the Minister of
Costa Rica, " that the lib, rty to go where hopes of better
fortune may entice them, belongs to freemen, and no free
government withholds it ;" and " that the laws of the
United States do not even confer authority to examine into
the motives which may lead any one to exercise the right of
expatriation." The same despatch reiterates the account
of the interview which took place bet Teen Mr. Cramp-
ton and Mr. Marcy, the accuracy of which was denied by
Mr. Marcy.

In a pOstcrint Mr. Marcy appends certain declarations
voluntarily made to him by Colonel Smolenski, and which
contradict the main statemen:s by which it is sought to im-
plicate Mr. Crampton in the recruitment.

*,.---

CENTRAL AMERICA

REPLY OF THE EARL OF CLARENDON TO

SECRETARY MARCY.

A Parliamentary paper, issued on Thursday evening'

contains th( letter of

Mr. Secretary Marcy to Mr. 15,illás

on the 11th instant, and also the Earl of Clar3ndoli's reply

The latter document is as follows

TILE EARL OF CLA.RENDON TO NR. DALLAS

Foreign Office, June 26, 1856
Sza,—Tie despatch of the Secretary of State of the
United States, dated the 24th tilt.,
placed by you in my hands on the 11tla. instant, on the
subject of the difference of opinion between the British
government and that of the United States, regarding the
construction and effect of the Convention of April 19, 1850.
and the subject of Central America generally, has received
the attentive consideration of her Majesty's government.
Before I proceed to communicate to you the views of her
Majesty's government in reply to this despatch, I will beg
leave to remark, in reference to Mr. Mar Cy's observations
that direct communication upon the main subj et had for
some time ceaseed between Mr. Buchanan and myself, that
such communication had co ised because it appeared to her
Majesty's government that further o irrespondence was not
likely to lead to Settlement of the question at issue. That
question turned upon the interpretation ot the treaty of 1850,
respecting which her Majesty's government learnt for the
first time from 111 r. Buchanan that a view had been taken by
the present government of the United States different from
that of the preading government. The treaty arose out of
the various projects which had been started for commercial
communications across Central America, between the Atlan-
tic and the Pacific, and especially bad reference to the
scheme of a ship canal by the river St. John and the Lake
Nicaragua. The main object of the treaty was to provide a
security that such lines of commercial communication,
through whatever part of Central America they might pass,
should be free for the use of all nations, and should not fall
under the exclusive control of any power.
These objects and purposes are clearly explained and
stated in the first article, which is as follows:
" The governments of Great Britain and the United
States hereby declare that neither the one nor the other
will ever obtain or maintain for itself any exclusive con-
trol over the said ship canal ; agreeing that neither will
ever erect or maintain any fortifications commanding the
same, or in the vicinity thereof, or occupy, or fortify, or
colonise, or assume, or exercise any dominion over Nica-
ragua, Costa Rica, the Mosquito coast, or any part of
Central America; nor will either make use of any pro-
tection which either affords or may afford, or any alliance
which either has or may have, to or with any state or
people, for the purpose of erecting or maintaining any
such fprtifications, or of occupying, fortifying, or colonis-
ing Nicaragua, Costa Rica, the Mosquito coast, or any part
ot Central America, or of assuming or exercising dominion
over the same. Nor will Great Britain or the United
States take advantage of any intimacy, or use any alliance,
connection, or influence, that either may possess with any
state or government through whose territo, y the said
canal may pass, for the purpose of acquiring or holding,
directly or indirectly, for the subjects or citizens of the
one, any rights or advantages in regard to commerce or
navigation through the said canal, which shall not be
offered, on the same terms, to the subjects or citizens of
the other."

a copy of which was

Her Majesty's government deemed that the plan and
unquestionable interpretatitm of this article was, that
each government was prohibited from doing what the
words of the article explicitly declared that neither

government should hereafter do; but that both covern•
merits retained the rights which they had previously
enjoyed. where those rights were not oso
or abandoned

ly limited

With regard especially to the protection which, for a
long course of time. the British government has afforded
to the Mosquito Indians, this article, so far from requir-
ing that protection to cease, acknowledges its existence,
that contemplates its countenance; for the article says
that neither party will " make use of any protection
which it affords, or may afford, to any state or people,
for the purposes of erecting or maintaining any fortifica-
tions, or of occupying, fortifying, or colonising the
countries therein specified.", The treaty, therefore,
does not require existing protection to cease, but only
forbils using such protection for certain specided
purposes.

- Irepeatedly informed Mr. Buchanan that it was the
wish of her Majesty's government to withdraw from the
protectorate of Mosquito, provided they could do £0 with
honour, securing adequate provision for the Kiag and the
Indians of that country; that Ruatan was a possession of
her Mapsty's crown; and that, as her Majesty's govern-
ment could not consent to abandon the protectorate of
Mosquito, or to give up the Island of Ruatan, merely in
pursuance of an interpretation given by the government
of the United States to a treaty, which interpretation her
Maj sty's government did not admit, the most usual, as
well as the most friendly, course to pursue, was to refer
the !meaning of the treaty to the decision of a third
power.

This offer was made by me to Mr. Buchanan by the
direction of her Majesty's government; it was several
times renewed and discussed between us. Mr Crampton
ought undoubtedly, according to his intructions, to have
cornrnuni,,ated to Mr. Marcy, at the time when he received
it, my despatch of the 10th of November, giving an account
of my conversations with Mr. Buchanan ; but his not
having done so was of little consequence, as Mr. Buchanan
had often assured me that everything which had passed
between us had been duly reported to his government. I
am therefore at a loss to understand how it happened that
the President should, as stated by Mr. Marcy, have been
induced only by certain collateral incidents to infer that
arb tration by a third power of the difference between the
two governments in relation to Central America had been
prOposed by her Alajesty's government.
A misconception has, however, taken place, which is to
be regretted, on account of the delay which it has occa-
sioned ; but this has been rendered comparatively unim-
portant by the despatch of Mr. Marcy. and the course of
proceeding which he now proposes for the adoption of the
two governments. Her Majesty's government being as
solicitous as the President to preserve unimpaired the
friendly relations of the two countries, are prepared to
enter into negotiations on these matters, with a sincere
&sire to bring them to a speedy and satisfactory conclu-
sion.

Mr. Marcy is correct when he states that Great Britain
lays no claim to any possessions or territory on the Mos-
quito coast, and her Majesty's government consider now,
as they always have considered, that the future condition
of the Mosquito Indians, for which her Majesty's govern-
ment are bowl,. -wide. might be assured
by direct neg'

It is not co
the British 0

pretens

in!: has b

With rest

governrnent t

mined as regard,

between that count

the settlement of that

culty need he anticipated.

With respect to ituatan aitt.
these, at different periods, have
Britain,_ as well as by Spain, and, h t

_ •
occupied by British settlers, formal poesessi.,
of Ruatan in 1839 by Great Britain, which has s

uninterrtiptealy maintained. The population inci
fast, and magistrates were, from time to time, appointee
by the superintendent of Thlize until i,352, when these
islands received a regular form of colonial government
solely for the purpose of their better internal administra-
tion ; but Great Britain did not thereby acquire any
territorial rights that she did not previously possess.
The government of the United states, however, main-
tain that, even supposing the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty
were only prospective in its operation, these islands were
no part of the British dominions earlier than 1832.
If the differences between the two governments on this
subject cannot be arranged by direct negotiation, there
seems no reason why they might not form the matter of a
reference to a third power.
Her Alljesty's government have learned with satisfac-
tion that you are instructed to enter into communication
with me in respect to Central America, in order to ascer-
tain, in the first place, whether existing differences
cannot, be promptly terminated by direct negotiation,
and, it they cannot be settled, then to discuss the

conditions of arbitration on those points of difference as
to which this method of settlement may be requisite or
appliable.

I - This-is the course which her Majesty's government
has throughout been willing to adopt; and 1 have
I accordingly the honour to inform you that I am prepared

to enter into the proposed communication, and I trust
that our conferences will be conducted in that spirit of
cordiality and frankness which, as Mr. Marcy justly
observes, is dictated by the true interests of Great
Britain and the United States.-4 am, &c.,

(Signed)

CLARENDON.

THE RECRUITMENT QUESTION AND

➢iR. CRAMPrON,

If the British Government believed that the American
Government had acted capriciously, they would have felt
compelled to dismiss Mr. Dallas ; but, in this case,
fze American Government has repeatedly and seriously
alleged that the British agents in America have become
unacceptable to the American Government, because they
have, in fact, violated the American laws. Lord
Clarendon is willing to accept these formal declarations,
and to refrain from advising her Majesty to suspend
diplomatic intercourse with Mr Dallas. Nay, Lord
Clarendon assures the American Minister of the high
personal esteem in which he is held by the Queen's
Government.—Aforning Post.

ALLEGED BREACH OF COURT ETIQUETTE
BY AN AMERICAN.

The Daily News contains the following authentic
particulars respecting the affair at the levee :—The
United States Minister was accompanied by the Pro-
fessor of Military Science in one of the United States
professional establishments. This gentleman wore his
ordinary and proper military uniform, consisting of a
military frock coat, White Waistcoat, and black stock,
such as he presents himself in befort4.
superiors, and he especially selected this as tl

1-,is military

Her Majesty's levee, tor
Presentation by the minister of this government. On
being refused admission by the master of the ceremonies,
Mr. Dallas retired with him, not in anger or disgust, but
with great regret at the occurrence. It is proper to add
that Her Majesty, on being informed of the difficulty
raised by the master of the ceremonies, at once directed
the admission of the gentleman in question. Unfor-
tunately, however, before the Queen's gracious directions
could be delivered the party had left the palace.

costume in which to appear at

LONDON CHARTERED BANK OF
AUSTRALIA.

The annual general meeting of this company was held
yesterday at the London Tavern, Mr. Duncan Dunbar in the
chair. The report stated, that although at the last meeting
the directors announced some losses in the colonies? they had
now the satisfaction of stating, that the bank's affairs assumed
a more favourable aspect. The bank had now opened branches
•
at Maryborough, Ballarat, and Fiery Creek, and the opening
had been attended with successful results. From the accounts
up to the 31st December, 1855, it appeared that, after the
usual deductions and liquidation of the branch to the debt of
profit and loss account £7,743, there remained to the credit of
profit and loss, the sum of £11,104. From this sum the
directors recommended a dividend of 1- per cent. for the half
year ending December, 1855, free of income tax. This left a
balance of £2,854 to be carried over.
The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report, stated
that the bank Lai now deposit accounts in the colony to the
amount of £382,000. The bank transacted a great deal of
lupiness with the diggers, who took their bills currently.
Affairs were going on so satisfactorily that if these proceeded
in the same way the directors would be fully justified in
doubling the present dividend at the next meeting. If the
proprietors should think it desirable to increase the dividend
now to two per cent. instead of one and a half, the directors
would not object.
Mr. Tite, M.P., seconded the motion, and urged the
payment of the larger dividend.
A few questions having been put and answered satisfactorily,
the motion wee unanimously agreed to.
On the motion of Mr. Tite, M.P., seconded by Sir C. P.
Roney, supported by Mr. Haynes, a dividend at the rate of
two per cent., free of income tax, for the half year, payable on
and after the 15th July, was unanimously carried.
The directors and auditors were re-elected, and great
I confidence was expressed by all hands in the prosperity and
success of the undertaking. The proceedings concluded with
votes of thanks to the Cnairman and board of directors.

THE OVERLAND MAIL.

Thus-I'E, Thursday.—The steamer America arrived
this morning, with the Alexandria mail.
ALEXANDRIA, June 20.—The India and China mails
leave here to-morrow, with advices from Calcutta to
May 17th ; Bombay, 27th : Hong Kong, 10th ; Shanghai,
2nd ; and Manilla, 6th.
Public works in India were stopped. The Santhals
are again unquiet. An insurrection is on foot. There
is war at Viguzipatam. The King of Oude has arrived
at Calcutta. Exchagg,e at Bombay, 2s. 111, Freights
have risen. Cotton market active. Exchange at Cal.
cutta, 2i. 1 Nd. Trade quiet. Sugar held at high prices.
Saltpetre in demand. Freights very low. A body of
rebels were approaching Foochow, eighty miles distant
from Shanghai. Exchange at Canton, 4s. Iod, ; Manilla,
4s. 71d. Freights in China, £3 10s. to £4. Redshid
Paella arrived at Alexandria on the 19th, from Con-
stantinople.

LONDON GAZETTE.

BANKRUPTS.—JAMES BRAMWELL, Royal Exchange
Buildings, metal broker and merchant. JOHN WILLIAM
PHILLIPS, Worcester, hop merchant. JOSI-PH FREDERICK
PARLEY, Oxford-street, tobacconist. LOUIS GAME, West-
bourne-grove, Bayswater, sculptor, picture dealer, and vic-
tualler, &c. JOSEPH TUCKER, Southampton, china dealer.
RICHARD NELSON, Lee, tailor and woollen draper. SAMUEL
ROGERSON, Salford, Lancashire, velvet trimming manufac-
turer. Wst. WILKINSON, Scdbergh, Yorkshire, corn and
cotton merchant. HENRY HALL and CHARLES HALL, New
Boswell-court, Lincoln's-inn, and Rcasdon, Middlesex, cattle
dealers and salesmen. EDMUND RUDGE, Tewkesbury, Glou-
cestershire, farrier and engineer.

MADRID, June 25.—The Gazette confirms the news
from Valladolid. Twenty-eight of the insurgents have
been arrested. The agitation has extended itself in
Rioseco and Palencia, but order is beginning to, be
restored.

INDIAN CIVIL SERVICE.—In consequence of an urgent
demand for more civil servants from the government of
India, the competition candidates who last year success-
fully passed their initial examination are to be despatched
to India-without being subjected to the final test. Of
these fifteen are to proceed to Bengal, and five to
Bombay.

THE AUSTRALIAN MAIL CONTRACI% —We understand
that, in fact, the contract is awarded to Mr. Galbraith, a
partner in the firm of Messrs. Patrick Henderson and Co.,
of Glasgow, this gentleman lo( ing the secretary of the
European and Columbian Steam Navigation Company, who
are the real parles to the contract. We believe the
European and Columbian Company h. .Tamers
engagel • -she French 1----Wort seq.

grandsoi.
Melton M
Thursday
The witnesses
the coroner's inque