Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-01-10 00:00:00

TO CORRESPONDENTS. -

A. C.L-When any nobleman or gentleman is sworn of Her
Mljesty's Privy Council, the appointment' is "life long,"
unless some lspecial cause should arise to call for a Alrmal
withdrawal of the Royal confidence, in which case a judicial
declarationof the fact requires to be published. This is a process
which has not occurred for a very long period. The noble-
man referred • to, therefore, having been once sworn in of
Her Majesty's Pricy Council, and not having been judicially
deposed, continues, ipso facto, a member of the Privy Coun-
cil at the present time, although it may not suit the conve-
nience of the existing Government to call for his advice.
Short letters are invited 'on matters of public intiiest. They
should be legibly written on one side of the paper only.
Under no circumstances can we insert cOnnnunications not
accompanied by the author's real name and address, which
are required, not aecessarily for publication, but as guaran-
teei of good faith.

E4t gart4,erlC Eimes

TUESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1860.

THE DAY'S NEWS.

The mail from America, which arrived la
night, has brought us at last a telegraphic
synopsis of the President's Message. It
was delivered to Congress without waiting
any longer for the election. of a Speaker,
which had not taken place. The topics of more
immediate interest, to us in this country, are
those which relate to the difficulties arising out
of the Clayton-Bulwer treaty, and the still more
recent dispute about San Juan. The former still
remains unadjusted; although not owing to any
obstacles thrown in the way either by the
Government 'of the United States or that of Great
Britain, but solely, we believe, from the incomple-
tion of treaty arrangements with. the Republics of
Honduras and Nicaragpa . The President evi-
dently expects, however, that what he significaritly
calls this " good work," will ere long be accom
plished. With respect to the adverse claims to
the island of San Juan, under the Oregon treaty,
they arose, he states, "whilst indulging the hope
that no other subject remained which could dis-
turb the rod understanding between the two
countries." 'The affair, he admitted, " suddenly
assumed a threatening prominence." But, as we
already know, by directing the officers of the
territory to avoid all acts, on the disputed grounds,
that were calculated to provoke any conflict, the
dispute has been maintained so far without any
actual rupture, and under circumstances which
promise its amicable settlement. The conduct of.
General Scott, who was sent to take the command
of the United States forces, if necessary, is
highly spoken of ; and it is evidently with
satisfaction that the President adds :—" General
Scott has returned from his mission, having suc-
cessfully accomplished certain objects, and there
is no longer good reason to apprehend a collision
between the forces of the two countries during
the existing negociations." The late events at
Harper's Ferry are alluded to, as likely" to result
" in allaying the existing excitement and prevent-
ing further outbreaks of a similar character."
The course pursued towards China, the Presi-
dent thinks, has been vindicated by late events.
He declares the relations of his Government
with the great empires of France and Russia
as well as the other Continental Powers, to con-
tinue of a friendly character,—" unless," he adds,
" we may except that of Spain," the payment of