The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-06-23 00:00:00

ARRIVAL OF THE AFRICA

The British and North American Royal Mail
Steam-ship Africa, Captain Niel Shannon, arrived
in the Mersey this morning, from New York, with
dates to the 11th instant, and bringing about 140
passengers, and 983,920 dollars in specie, and £230
in English silver.
On the 11th instant, the Africa passed the Bri-
tish brig Star, and the American ship Cora Linn,
bound east.

The news of the nomination of Mr. Buchanan
for President, by the Democratic convention at
Cincennati, is confirmed.
A grand rally of the democracy, to respond to the
nomination of Mr. Buchanan, was held in Wash-
ington city on Saturday night, the 7th instant.
Senator Douglas was the principal speaker on the
occasion, and in the course of his remarks paid a
high compliment to the character of the nominee,
and strongly urged the democracy to unity and
harmony, for the " sake of the Union." Gen. Cass
also made a speech, which was received by the
meeting with much enthusiasm. After the speech
of Senator Douglas, the meeting proceeded to
serenade the President, who made a speech approv
ing of the proceedings of the Convention.
The Buchanan ratification meeting in Philadel-
phia last evening was an immense demonstration.
The anti-Fillmore Americans of the Sixth Con-
gressional district at Boston, met on the 9th inst.,
to elect delegates to the National Convention,
appointed to be held in New York on the 12th
instant. There was a large attendance at the
Convention, many leading men being present who
have heretofore supported the nomination of Mr.
Fillmore George H. Devereux, of Salem, the
leader of the American party in the House of
Representatives, presided, and was chosen as
delegate to the National Convention, with Hon.
Timothy Davis as one of the substitutes. The
opinions expressed were that Mr. Fillmore cannot
carry Massachusetts, and that only a union of the
people of the North can defeat the strong nomina-
tion made by the democratic party ; and they send
their delegates to the New York Convention with
the understanding that they will support no candi
date who repudiates a single principle of the
Springfield American and anti-slavery platform.
At a public meeting in Worcester, Mass., four
thousand dollars were subscribed to aid the free
State settlers of Kansas. It is said a large number
of men in that city have volunteered to emigrate
to Kansas. They are to be well armed, and com-
manded by persons of experience in military
tactics.

Considerable apprehension of epidemic has
recently been experienced by the residents of
Washington and Georgetown, in consequence of a
man having died of black vomit on board a vessel
just arrived at the latter place from the West
Indies. Effectual means were immediately taken
to prevent the spread of the disease.
The latest accounts from Kansas state that the
free State forces had burned the town of Bernard,
destroying from twelve to fifteen thousand dollars
worth of property. The town of Franklin was
captured by the abolitionists on the morning of
the 4th inst. after a desperate fight, in which three

pro-slavery men were killed. Marshal Donaldson
and four men were killed at Hickory Point on the

3rd inst. All these reports, however, require con-
firmation. Governor Shannon issued a proclama-
tion on the 4th inst., ordering all the unauthorised
military companies to disperse, and warning out-
side parties to keep away from the Territory, as
he had sufficient force to enforce the laws and
protect the citizens.

The coloured citizens of Williamsburg held a
public meeting, and adopted resolutions sympa-
thising with Senator Sumner and denouncing
Preston S. Brooks.

In the United States Senate on Monday the 9th
inst , Mr. Trumbull, of Illinois, introduced his bill
for the pacification of Kansas. It simply proposes
to abolish the territorial government of Kansas
and the laws passed by its Legislature, and extend
over the distracted territory the government and
laws in force in Nebraska. After a sharp discussion
the bill was referred to the Committee on'Territo•
ries.

In the Senate on the 10th, Mr. Crittenden pro-
posed another plan for the pacification of Kabsas.
In view of the difficulties existing in the Territory,
and the employment of military force for the
restoration of peace and harmony there, he sug-
gests that the President send General Scott to
take command of the troops. Mr. Crittenden
supported his proposition in a forcible speech.
the voice of general Scott, he said, would do more
to restore tranquillity than a thousand bayonets.
Mr. Mason doubted the propriety of making the
request of the President, who by virtue of his office
has sole power over the matter. He did not, how-
ever, think the condition of things in Kansas
demanded such a course. Mr. Seward expressed
himself in favour of sending General • Scott, and
the subject was postponed till to day.
A resolution was offered directing enquiry as to
the expediency of issuing a register to the British
exploring bark Resolute, which, it will be remem-
bered, was brought to New London some time
since from the Arctic ocean by the Captain of the
whaleship John Henry. Mr. Mason proposed that
the vessel be purchased by our government, refitted
and sent back to England as a present. The
resolution was thereupon withdrawn, in order that
the suggestion of Mr. Mason may be carried out.
The steamboat City of Newark, while on the
passage from Newark to New York, and when
opposite Staten Island,' about nine o'clock in the
forenoon of the 10th inst., took fire and was
burned to the water's edge. There were about
sixty passengers on board, the majority ladies. all
of whom, with the exception of two ladies and one
man, whose names were unknown, were taken off
by the steamers Thomas Hart and Achilles.
A telegraphic despatch dated the 10th had
reached from Concord, New Hampshire, announc-
ing that the People's Anti-Nebraska State Conven
tion which convened that morning the most stirring
assemblage that has met here for years. Though
not a handbill has been issued, there are from three
to five thousand freemen on the ground. The
nomination of Colonel Freemont for president is
spontaneous, enthusiastic, and hailed with joyful
acclamations.

A special despatch to the New York Tribune from
Washington, of the date of the 10th, say :--Ne
have a startling rumour that Mr. Fillmore declines,
and avows himself in favour of a Northern candi-
date conservative on Slavery. •
Intelligence had reached from Montreal that the
steamboat running in connection with the Grand
Trunk Railroad had exploded on the afternoon of
the 10th, making a complete wreck of the boat.
Her boiler was blown away an immense distance
and the wharf and everything in the neighbour-
hood is completely shattered. A train had just
arrived, and the boat was full of passengers from
it at the time of the disaster ; the scene indeed was
fearful. A child was blown from the arms of its
mother into the air, and landed on the ferry shed.
The number of killed is estimated at 20, and the
wounded at from 30 to 40. It is reported that 50
passengers still remain unaccounted for.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE:

COTTON

We have had a better enquiry in this market
during the past week, and the total sales I estimate at
10,000 bales. Holders have held their stock very firmly,
arid only sold when a full price could be procured, and I
have again to raise quotations ic per lb on all grades. 'E,e
amount offering is small, and consists mainly of mixed
lists of high and low grades. Even running lots of
Middling Uplands are scarce, and for sueh 11 c per lb
would have to be paid. Orleans of any description is
difficult to be found.

The export fur the week has been, to Liverpool, 8,209 ;
Glasgow, 99; Havre, 396; Bremen, 141 ; Antwerp, 354.
Total, 9,199 bales.
COTTON IN TRANSITU : The sales are necessarily
limited, owing to the small amount here. About 2.000
bales have been disp,sed of on a basis of 104 c for Low
Middling Orleans, with 5.16 d freight.

SOUTITERN MARKETS • The season is now virtually over,
the receipts are light, the stocks small, and much less
than half held by first hands, and the besiness community
are leaving rapidly.
By telegraph the following has been received

Orleans,
New Orleans, June 7.—Receipts for the week, 7,300
bales ; same week last year, 6,800. Middling, Wie per lb.
Frei,,ht to Liverpool. 11-32 d.

fflMobile, June 7.—Receipts for the week, 2,000 bales ;
same week last ycar, 6,000; sales for the week, 5,000.
Middling, 10e to lOie per lb. Freight to Liverpool 5-16 d.
CROP: The reports of the growing crop are generally
favourable. The present crop will not vary much from
3,550,000 bales. _

The following is a statement of the movement in cotton

since the Ist September last, as compared with the preysi
three years :

1856. 1855. Law*. ,;.-...--„no
Receipts at the Ports 3,386,00012.504,000 2,711,000 311!55'00.w-
Exports to Great Britain
~.n 402,
" France 464,000 396 000 279.vus' ~,,d 000
" other For. Porta
~,,,,g 528..
Total Exports . 2,611,000 1,943,000 1,859,vu'l- 330,00 v
Stack-on hand . 320,000 179,000 467,000 t
.....
:Of which during the past week, included in the ab°le.

Receipts at the Ports
Exports to Great Britain.

France..
other For. Porta

Total Exports,

26,000 25,000 36,000 0,000
43.000 36,000 36,000 'O,OOO
A 17,000 7,000 4,000 9,000,,
5,000 7,000 7,000 53,00 v
65,000 50.000 47,000
_,,, nOO

Receipts : Increase at the ports over last year,
bales ; over 1853, 251,000, Exp)rts : increase to uii;ol'o,
Britain, 375,000 bales ; compared with 1853, 145;v000.
Increase to France, 68,000 ; compared with 1853, 'with
Increase to other foreign ports, 225,000 ;
1853, 146,000 bales. „ to
FREIGHTS : The rate for cotton to Liverpool is °""
7-32 d, and to avre ic per lb. 805,
EXCHANGES :There has been a good demand on Loo
at 1091 to 109.1 per cent, and on Paris at 5-161. , but
The total sales for the week in our market moon' ' -
4,709 bales. A very languid and,depressed feelingh° rasecl
vailed throughout, caused by the European advlces'll st
compared
prices have Again declined Ic to 4c per lb, and close chi
our quotations, Freight to Liverpool, Id. re'
WILLIAM P. IT °la
I era°
MONEY AND STOCK.—The suppy of money for ,itioa
rail, investment is very large, but there is little disVst. t
surPt
to speculate, and the market cannot be called buoyan` lag
is probable, however, that the use of so much Apt,
funds will, after a while, create a little excitement,,toelt
withstanding the caution now manifested. .17.1,eh
market opened buoyantly on the 10th, but; w",i" there
pressure to sell, and but little speculative cletaas:bo' ardi
was less animation towards the close of the fir's",,-(1,.
and the market was again weaker at the second
ASHES arrive sparingly, and Pearl remain nonlw'"
brls. Pot sold at 6 dols to 6 dols 12ic.
COPPER : New sheathing is steady at 32c, and rnisgr,oD
and American yellow metal 26c, 6 mos. Refined 0;0
copper remains quiet. 20,000 lb. old sheathing, 14e.'

at 25c to 25ic, cash.
FLOUR AND MEAL: With an active demand for state
c:
and Western flour, both for export and home use. Prillf
of the low and medium grades advanced materia'
on Saturday and Monday, but yesterday there weson.
reaction, and a portion of the improvement was lost, o,
sequent upon increased receipts. We revise our,cl„s,l°
oa
tions, which now stand 10 to 15 cents higher t.„o`" the
Friday last, the market closing tamely; sales for s&
three days, 41,000 brls. Canada flour is also also'at6
firmer, with an increased demand; sales 5,000 b
dols to 8 dols, as in quality. Frid3P
GRAIN :The The market for wheat openedii:lnlY on, sone
but subsequently, with increased- recelpi.s an" lost:
abatement in the export demand, the buoyancy w last"
and prices now stand about as at the date of o`.- if 3
The rye market is firmer and more active, with 01`,:iti,o
limited supply on sale. The market for corn IS 3 g"witli
firmer, some descriptions having improved lc, w
000'
a moderate demand, in part for export ; sales, Julio
bushels, the market closing at 54c to 550 for vv—
,AO °
to
Southern, as in quality, 55c to 57c for yellow do.,
520 for mixed do, 45c to 58c for unsound to prime vies`-for
mixed, 56c to 60c for round white, and 56c to 58s re'
.n
round yellow. Oats are dull and drooping. Be—„,„
steady, with sales of 500 bushels State at 2 dols 'At"' if
IRON : The market is very quiet, and there is ses`—het,
anything doing in pig or bars. 300 brls English sor
singles, brought 3i cents, 6 mos. The Philadelphia Hues
American (of Saturday) says The market and
dull, owing to the difference in the views of buyers
sellers. Stocks are moderate, most of the receipts be
LEADS:previoul There for.'' but
has been something done in Spanish,
p
the
M articulars have noired.
OLASSES : There ist atra steady fair demand foul the
trade, and prices are well supported. titie
NAVAL STORES : Generally, are inactive. TurPenbio.
is in small supply, but neglected—stock 3,000 to 4.0.„,„ 50
Spirits Turpentine is dull. Common rosin is hardly
well, though about as last noted. Tar continues '

inactive. then
PROVISIONS": The demand for pork has been A--11rate
more active, part on speculation, and with a En°7,-8736
stock pressing for sale, prices have advanced '750,;,,pa-
0n mess, and 1 dol 25c on prime—the latter being
ratively scarce. The beef market continues firm, wcneut
fair demand. In prime mess there is nothing of in are
doing, and prices are nominally the same. Beef hapLeett
dull, and prices are without variation. Cut meats ouy-seto
lower, but regained their buoyancy subsequently. "" secl-
is scarce and wanted. Lard is lower and depree
Butter and cheese are steady. trCI
RICE is dull, and prices favour buyers. Sales 900
at 3 dols 75c to 4 dols 25c, cash. the
SALT : In prices there is no improvement, but atore
recent reduction on fine Liverpool there has been As all
activity in this description, and the sales noted incin'wo,
here, and about all the Ashton's known to be on the ths ;
and embrace 4,180 sacks Ashton's at 1 dol 50c, 4 noncus)
and 1,300 do, and three invoices do (together 3,550 saioseg
to arrive, at something less than that. The market e
so
firmer, and the tendency is now upward. In bull
there is nothing doing. With
SUGAR: We notice a continued activity and WOc with
in the Sugar market, refiners and speculators buying
confidence, and prices are again to of a cent. big Da
closing very firm—the trade, on the other hatieted'
sparingly, their wants at this season being res%ined
Refined, too, is in active request, and the prices ebj-froel
are constantly in advance of the tariff or rates fixed

time to time.
: Pig still remains dull, and we hear of no, are
The market for plates is unchanged—the stooks he'
fair.
T-

.with the exception of an occasion,— -
for manufactured, for export, there is little or Ita
doing—the stock is moderate, and agents firm. 0.04
FREIGHTS: The market generally continues fir— e
active to great Britain, while in other directions Otero;
only a moderate business in progress. The engage
to Liverpool include 125,000 bushels at 6d to 7d, othr
and ships bags—including one or two bins for next to° tiler
at 6d to R 6d,
d; 22,000 brls flour, at 2s 3d to 25 16d.
inside rate a short time ahead; 3,000 bales cotton, 1, 29
to id, the latter now an extreme figure; 500 brls
6d; and 500 boxes bacon, 255.
EXCHANGE . A fair business was done for the stesigoerg4
prices are about the same. We quote Bills on Lo n,.161
to 9i per cent premium ; Paris, &c., 5f 17i to 5: .„.,ster-
days, and 5f 12i short sight ; Antwerp, 51 17*;
dam, 41 to 41*; Hamburg, 361 to 361; Bremen, 782 to
Frankfort, 4111 to 411 ; and Thalers, 71f to 721.
SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE. tertl.
Arrivals at New York.—June 7: ship James x°s.r.ifer
Porter, ship Ocean Rover, Pickering—both front
pool.

al encl°:rC

'OBACCO

THE COURT

THE DRAWING ROOK.

The Queen held a drawing in.
James's Palau(1
on Friday afternoon. Her Majesty and the Prince fates
room St.
sort arrived from Buckingham Palace at ten 11,1'14-00
past two o'clock, escorted by a party of the Royal "-ciao'
Guards. Prince Frederick William of Prussia,c 0
Duke of Cambridge, and Prince Edward of
Weimar, were received, and were conducted to
pd
Queen by the Vice Chamberlain. Her Majesty ,a
t.lara
he
oPfripncreusAslibaearnt,dactchoemppaunkieed P
of crainmcberFidrede,erick
throne room, attended by the Duchess Cambridge,
eSnteirlee
utrdlaall cit;
Mistress of the Robes; the Duchess of Atholl
ing), the Duchess of Wellington, the Marchioness of ;;i'
Lady Churchill, and the Countess of Desart, the [4°4i:ilk,
the Bedchamber. The Queen wore a train of crimson rjor
brocaded with a running pattern of crimson ands",ciet
bouquets, trimmed with crimson satin, silver b'o wag
and bows of crimson satin ribbon. The petticoat 0,
white satin trimmed with white blonde and silver rib The
Her Majesty wore a diadem of opals and diamonds., the
Knights of the Garter, tile Thistle, t• t. Patrick, an fats
ora
Knights Grand Cross of the Bath, appeared in the c,
of their respective orders. The Foreign Ambassaro
and Ministers were introduced, when the presentat'°,o,
took place in the diplomatic circle. The general Preq,he
tatioos (which were very numerous) followed. aril
Queen and Prince Albert returned to
Palace after the drawing room, attended by the ewe
and gentlemen in waiting. Her Majesty and the -
Consort, accompanied by the Princess Royal and Princean
Frederick William of Prussia, afterwards drove out 100%
open carriage and four. The equerries in waitihad
attended on horseback. Jn the evening her Majesty
the
adinner party, which included the Duchess of Kent'„,„,sia
Princess Royal, Prince Frederick William of rr— the
the Duchess of Sutherland, the Lord Chancellor,
Earl and Countess of Clarendon,Viscount ai!
roll!)
Viscountess
Hardinge, and Major General Sir --
Campbell.
Queen
BUCKINGHAM PALACE, Saturday June 21.---x taks
appointed an investiture of the Order of the Bath to
place at Buckingham Palace this afternoon,
pose of investing Sir Charles Wood, General Sir W, igthic-
Williams, Sir George Brown, and other officers of_,.."l`;o,hts
tion with the insignia of that order. A number of linTake
of the First Class of the Bath were summoned to ,heir
part in the interesting ceremony, and arrived in sir
different naval and military uniforms. Admirai, sir
General. tha
Edmund Lyons, General Sir James Simpson,
j,or-
Colin Campbell, and Sir John Burgoyne were amog- it
early arrivals at the palace Lord Palmerston an f the
Panmure attended as Civil Knights Grand Cross ° the
Bath. The Queen invested the different officers with
01_,
ensigns of their respective dignities, in the order c
inog
for th4;gatlo3,-
mencing with the Knights of the First Class, con3Pris
,arils
Sir Charles Wood and Sir George Brown, and after s),
with Sir William Williams (thegallant defender cf. gar
and his companions in arms, Colonel Lake and Colonert
Teesdale. At the conclusion of the ceremony the C°ut,
broke up. In the forenoon, the Queen and Prince Alberf
the Princess Royal, and Prince Frederick WilliaToue
Prussia, rode out on horseback, attended by some
.„°' „ce
Ladies and Gentlemen in Waiting. At six o'clock, rrf',ol
Albert left the palace, in order to preside at the anouvat
dinner of the Trinity House on Tower-hill. HiS r
highness was attended by Lord Abercorn and other g
soontlem e na
after
rthe i household.ne clo'clock,
t To hheonQouuerenthweenptertfhoirsineavnecuel!
Verdi's "II Trovatore,' at the Royal Italian OP of
of
Lyceum, with her presence. Prince Frederick Willi.
Prussia, accompanied her Majesty, and also their 1.0.7,0
Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the Princess

You were called together to complete the measures neces-
,arY for electing the members of the Legislative Houses under
uo Constitutional Act.
Tho bills which you have presented to me, and to which I
given her Majesty's assent, will, I hope, meet with as
''eat success as the care and attention which they have received
-4t Your hands merit. On my part no diligence shall be wanting
give them full and complete success.
I thank you for the liberal provision which you have voted
for carrying on the public service. The sanction which you
ea" given to the construction of great national works, and
aad Pecially railways, deserves my warmest acknowledgments,
I trust that the permanent prosperity and settlement of
"e country will be greatly promoted by the execution of these
Uodertakimys.
f 1-011 have placed at my disposal the means which I asked
aQt, continuing and increasing the military protection of the
'"Y. Should a hostile attack (which may God avert) menace
ur territory, I fervently pray that, with the aid of all loyal
:en true subjects, this force may be sufficient to repel the
441 Y, and maintain the integrity of this portion of the

scongratulate you upon the prosperous condition of the gold
olls, and the improvements which are being effected in their
riclug. The enquiries into these matters which you have
Instituted or suggested, and the practical recommendations
l'i.e.eulting from them, clearly establish the advantage derived
"lit the addition to the legislature of representatives of the
miners themselves.
Your resolutions on the subject of immigration shall have
ilrY support at my hands. The duties which the transfer of
is service to the control of the colony entails upon my
6°°Teinroent, are receiving most careful consideration.
t t cannot d'ismiss you to your constituents without adverting
ill the loanentecl cause of my presence among you this day.
e sectrnt and sudden demise of the governor, who addressed
he opening of the session, has deprived the colony of
i
t4e4:l iodefat,g able and earnest friend. He barely lived to see
totit hcommencement of that system of government to which
and you had been long looking forward, and which no
"knee of opinion would have prevented him from carrying
without fear or favour. I trust that, under Divine Provi-
enne) the
""f th anticipations which have been formed of the success
e
tota new constitution will not be disappointed, and that the
(2,,,.Pletepowers of self government, now conceded to the people
,`
e v
tnriai
Itc Will be exercised with benefit to themselves and
nxuation of which they form a part.
1.1 noW declare this council prorogued until the 6th day of
atr nezt.
p '4° Much time has elapsed since the death of the late
eN'erttor, Sir Charles Hotham, that many persons are
ilig,i,4lling to speculate on the advent of a successor from
th;6,tucl; although a powerful party still cherish the idea
Ari',‘r, L:319 claims of the acting governor—at least to a fair
fibe`,l his qualifications--will not be overlooked. It
,"U he recollected, however, that General Macarthur is
44:10ng4tlye of this colony, and that he bears a name eminent
those of its founders and benefactors; and to those
Bud kIIOW, as we do, the force of parliamentary interest,
the
tion perverse malignity " the office," such qualifica-
su 8 Will at once be recognised as fatal to his chance-
-441/48ing him, under all circumstances, to be willing to
,st the appointment.
oveThoever comes will do so under enormous advantages
iy thtl.l3 Predecessor, in the changes that have taken place
;"43 social condition and manners of the colony, as well
be'i the form of government, The Chief of the State will
ttarneeforth, as in England, the head of the family,—a
Altiefne,4 lull of heavy responsibilities and surrounded by
tioi,"' and noble attributes, but free from the galling vexa-
.4 and personal annoyances of those who " govern as
lu p.aaualpower and only multiply enemies by grasping at
il lcl.
With e legislative council closed its session, and its career,
(144 a tolerably close adjustment of the income and expen-
for: of the colony. The additional estimates brought
mli'tat since the first introduction of the financial state-
ttl' 'roe been light in amount, and are about met by the
shalletlt down in the
committee on the estimates. We
tith, therefore, c,:mmerce our new political career without
ati":unsiderable debt, or any necessity for additional tax-
tietigt.. There is still, however, abundant room for improve-
The management the manae•ement of some of the public departments.
listlaie Period under review does not include any of the
sew returns from the banks, and we have therefore nothing
are aa to their position, profits, &c. These establishments
still the principal gold buyers, and on some of the
4AIR4ga their agents have given the high rate of £3 18s to
Dr a n-lt ed Per ounce for gold. At the beginning of the
ietlevaen;juonth, the rate of exchange on London was
neeti to 2 per cent premium. The consequence as
e,oitan,:age exportation of specie ; and even the colonial
'terabit: has been shipped at Sydney for London to a const-
to the Tuount, although this operation must involve a loss
eent, 4) . nY of the cost of coining—viz., one and ahalf peer
ulerition",e reduced rate of interest for money whichw
and it"eiu• in our February summary, continues to prevail ,
t. 4 alleged that eligible securities are frequently.
n
'eellre for money investments. The truth is, that
Where s Which would be considered highly eligible else-
uwin;'. are not always thought to be so in this colony,
laceaiT„'°,t,he extraordinary fluctuations in value that have
eXces,7'aii), occurred. Our own firm belief is, that these
that 've derangements of value will not again occur, and
capitl° better field exists for the prudent investment of
for Public
this colony at the present time offers, whether
Ajc works or private enterprise.
rFc it T
‘ue commencement of the present year, the weekly
Then Per escorts were averaging about 45,000 ounces.
'glow-4'4ra below, for the five weeks ended the 22d March,
bent Weekly average of 67,715 ounces ; while the ship-
-76,000 lur the same period have been at the rate of about
reentB ounces weekly, at the same time that enormous ship-
depo,i,f specie, and an undiminished amount of gold on
tprt' at the government stations are visible. Of the gold
16 I, the official returns for the five weeks ended on the
atet.nstant show that the banks shipped 277,108 ozs., and
bents ue Chinese 21,484 ozs. A comparison of the ship-
stiq r,Or the first two months of 1855 with those of January
ebruary last, shows a vast increase for the latter
It hal being 530,889 ounces against 327,162 ounces.
eff, its been long known that large quantities
gold
were smuggled to the neighbouring colonies, since
WeeuPosition of the gold duty ; out it was not until a few
els9"'_B.shaek that any detection had occurred, except in the
evh..317 some Chinese last year. A more systematic an
detectaale channel for this illicit traffic has now been
ed firm of Jewish gold brokers, Horwitz and

Bran
Flour
Fruit, green 91,408 bushels
GRAIN :
Barley
Gram
Malt 46,647 „
Maize 67,513 „
Oats 1,510,157
Wheat 187,622 ~
Other
Hay
Potatoes 15,768 ~ 9 „
Onions and vegetables
Butter and cheese 1,085 „ 16 „
Preserved meats
The Melbourne Chamber of Commerce has again di-
rected its attention to the subject of postal communica-
tion, by the existing state of which our trade is seriously
inconvenienced. At a meeting of the Chamber, held a
few days back, the following resolution was adopt,,d :
",That in the opinion of this Chamber the most effectual
means of establishing immediately steam postal com-
munication with Great Britain and other countries is for
the Government of Victoria to place a sum not exceeding
£70,000 per annum on the estimates to subsidise a com-
pany or companies to contract to convey our mails once
a month; and in order that our arrangements may at
once be made, it is expedient that an agent be despatched
to great Britain by this Government, armed with full
power to carry out their views; such agent to co-operate
with a board of say five gentlemen connected with this
colony, and to be nominated by this Government."
Since this resolution was passed, the Legislative Council
have recognised its necessity by voting an increase of the
bonus for quick and certain postal communication from
1:50,0400 to .e 5,000 per annum. They have also, in
common with South Australia, agreed to aid the autho-
rities in England, in carrying out the propositions for-
warded here by the December mail ship, in reference to
this subject. _ _ _ _ _

The insolvencies for February, although much heavier
than those for the month preceding, are still on a
moderate scale, and do not include any houses of good
standing or extensive business. The new insolvencies
during February were 23—of which 12 were in Melbourne.
The liabilities of 16 estates are given, the remainder being
unascertained. About £56,000 is the total of the liabi-
lities returned. The assignments in February were seven
in number. _ _ _

The total Customs' revenge from the Ist of January to
the 15th March, was £316,375 14s lld ; of which the gold
duty amounted to £87,339 ss. . _

At a period when the finest opportunities offer for new
arrivals to obtain a footing is the colony on easy terms—
when food is plentiful and cheap, houseropm abundant and
reasonable, and the comforts and conveniences of life gene-
rally attainable by all industrious persons—at such a period
it is vexatious to find the stream of immigration from distant
countries almost dried up, It is true, we are drawing popu-
lation more largely than ever from our neighbours in the
adjacent colonies, now that we have passed the derange-
ments of the gold discovery, and the real value of our waste
lands is beginning to be appreciated ; but we hope, both for
their sakes and our own, soon to see European immigrants
again flocking to our shores, as they did in 1852 and 1853.
We gather from official returns that during the months of
January and February, the arrivals i❑ the colony were—
From the United Kiugdon.
From foreign ports
--- 3160

And the departures—
For the United Kingdom
For foreign ports

Leaving a gain to the colony for the two
months of only
. _

1128 souls.
205 „
- 1333

In calling the attention of our Melbourne readers to these
facts, a few days back, we urged upon them the necessity of
despatching trustworthy agents to Europe, to invite further
immigration, and to explain the resources and posi:ion of
the colony. _ _

The Government Gazette of the 7th inst. contains by far
the longest list ever published of Crown lands for selec-
tion at the upset prices, or subject to deduction for for-
feite I deposits where biddings were made at the time
these lands were put up for sale. The country lands,
with some trifling exceptions, are all priced at £1 per
acre ; and the special country lots vary from £2 to
lOs per acre. The allotments present almost an infinite
variety of extent, some being under ten acres, and some
over five hundred. The whole area extends to 169,774
acres. The quality of the soil, advantages of position,
&c., of each lot, may be fully ascertained at the Surveyor-
General's oihee. With all this opportunity for purchas-
ing land, it appears that only about one-seventeenth part
was selected in the month of February, during which
month 9,972 acres were sold to individuals, for the gross
sum of £10,721, being a mere trifle above per acre
throughout. Thus it will be seen that the lands of
Victoria are now fairly " unlocked" to all comers.
If the number of newspapers be any proof of the intellec-
tual progress of the nation, the present state of the press on
the gold fields is very gratifying. In addlion to the very
large circulation of the daily and weekly Herald, and its
Melbourne cotemporaries, and the bales of English news-
papers and periodicals:which are despatched from Melbourne
on the arrival of every mail ship, Ballarrat supports three
newspapers, the Times, a daily ; the Star, a tri-weekly ; and
the Trumpeter, a gratis advertising sheet. At Bendigo
there is one daily, the Courier of the Mines, and a tri-
weekly, shortly to be converted into a daily, the Advertiser.
At Castlemaine there is a hi-weekly, the Mount Alexander
Mail, and another, the Miner's Right, has lately made its
appearance. At BeeChworth there is a weekly Ovens and
Murray Advertiser, with a rival abAt to start. The agri-
cultural township of Kilmore, in conjunction with, the gold
fields of M'lvor, supports the .11.7lmore Examiner, and a
weekly journal, the Gipps Land Guardian, advocates the
interests of that ultima thole of Victoria, Port Albert.
After the newspapers, the most wonderful instance of
gold-fields progress is the importance of the coaching inte-
rest. Four horse coaches start daily from Melbourne for
all the principal diggings, their average pace being not less
than ten miles per hour, while in many instance passengers
are conveyed for fares very little higher than were formerly
charged in England—between some of the diggings, such
as Ballarrat and Creswick Creek, four horse coaches are
now running three times a. day, at five shilling fares. Fur
these " coaches" we are indebted to the Americans, the
vehicles resembling the furniture vans of England.

The Russian Government has appointed a Consul-
Ceneral at Paris instead of a simple Consul.
COP ENHAGE Thursday.—The Governor of Altona has
been dismissed for refusing to acknowledge the general
constitution of the kingdom.

-„
VIENNA.. Thursday.—'The conferences of the bishops
have closed. The Emperor has promised his best exer-
tions towards carrying out the provisions of the Con-
cordat. He will also, so far as circumstances will allow,
comply with the expressed wishes of the prelates.
DissommoNs of PARTNERSKIP.-Bapty and Co, Leeds,
timber merchants. Taylor, Wordsworth, and Co, Leads,
machine makers (so far as regards J. T. Wordsworth.)
Flockton and Roberts, Manches'er, engravers. T. and F.
Howson, Lancaster, corn dealers. W. Waterhouse and
Co., Keighley, grocers. Bohtlingk and Co., Liverpool, mer-
chants. Shackletoc, Taylor, and Co, Rothwell and Leads,
earthenware manufacturers (so far as regards J. Shackleton.)
J. and J. Kenworthy, Ashton-under-Line, cotton spinners,

Mr. Holt recapitulated some of the causes of
complaint against Mr. Carter. The speaker, how-
ever, stated that he did not wholly approve of
the conduct of the clerks and men, who, he
thought, had acted somewhat rashly, and without that
due discreton which they ought to have exercised ; and,
while he thought they had very strong reasons for com-
plaint, he freely admitted that they had one and all done
wrong in leaving their work as they did. He added, that
when he left the office, he felt he was doing a moral
wrong, but a sense of sympathy for his toiling brethren
around him, and a wish to do nothing which might
injure or oppose them, overcame his sense of wrong and
right in that respect.
A resolution was finally proposed, that a Qeputation
wait upon Mr. Booth, to request that the whole subject
should be submitted to a meeting, formed of an equal
number of directors, of merchants of the town, and of
delegates from the men, to the decision of which meet-
ing, the men should bow.
The resolution was carried by unanimous acclamation.
The meeting then broke up.

STRIKE OF FACTORY OPERATIVES AT
PRESTON.

Another strike of the factory operatives of Preston has
taken place, but we understand that the movement now
being made for an advance of wages, does not meet the
approval of the multitude, and it is certain that this
injudicious step will not extend itself to the whole, or in
fact to one-half of the operatives. The depression caused
by the strike of 1853 and 1854, has not yet ceased to be
felt, not only by the major portion of the operatives them-
selves, but also by a considerable number of tradesmen;
thus, there is a very adverse feeling against the return of
a similar quarrel between the employers and employed.
In accordance with a notice given by thirty winders in
the employ of Mr. William Bashall, at Willfield Mill,
those operatives ceased their labour, and came out on
strike last Friday evening. On Saturday noon, the men
received their past week's earnings at the hands of the
manager, Richard Richardson, but no attempt to compro-
mise or arrange the dispute, was made by either party,
neither has any deputation waited upon Mr. Bashall
since last Wednesday, when that gentleman expressed
his determination against making the slightest advance
upon their present prices. Consequently, the operatives
on strike, will be supported by the Operative Spinners
Association, at the sum of 8s per week. The poa er loom
-weavers' and winders' movement for an advance of wages,
is still in agitation, but it is to be hoped that they will
come to an amicable arrangement, without the alternative
of a strike.