The Sun.
London, England, 1852-12-11 00:00:00

THZ WEST INDIA INTEREST.

It is extremelly gratifying to observe that the great West
India question, which for years had assumed an aspect of
hopeless and interminable complexity, has at length re-
ceived a solution of an agreeable kind, and with some appear-
ance of finality. The proceedings by which this conclusion
has been brougl it to pass have been exceedingly remarkable.
The planting in barest, incessantly represented as in a state of
depression and decay, anticipated of course, in common with
other " sufferer from recent legislation," a certain measure
of relief from a Protectionist Government. When the Chan-
cellor of the Elm' hecTuer, however, reviewed the ascertainable
claims of these Ls 3veral interests in his financial statement, he
found himself cc. npelled to show that these very British colo-
nists, alleged to be expiring under the effects of free
trade, had poea tively increased their exports to this coun-
try, had, by tho latest returns, entirely overborne their rivals,
and were actua •y• at that moment commanding the metro-
politan market.. Under these circumstances he naturally
refrained from ?attempting to accomplish at the expense of
the country wh at the West Indians were most effectually ac-
complishing for themselves, and limited his boons to a pro-
position which .appears to be thought of extremely equivocal
value. But the' subject was not permitted to rest with this
confession. Th.e Free-traders resolved to exact a little more.
Mr. Disraeli, while admitting the results, impeached the
legislation uncle r which they occurred, and Mr. Wilson there-
fore, in a most (,:ffective speech, brought forward a motion, of
which the purpc nt was to show that the said legislation had
really been " wits e, just, and beneficial," and that the conse-
quences under re view were due to its direct and natural ope-
ration, and not be any unforeseen or accidental circumstances.
In some respects;, indeed, the motion was a counterpart to
that of Mr. Villiters, but it had at least a different termina-
tion ; for Sir J. Pakington, though he delivered a laborious
defence of his o pinions, could not controvert the facts, and
made no objectic n to the vote. Such was the history of
Thursday's debate.

THE FRENCW EMBASSY.—The Count Walewski, who
returned to the .Embassy, in Grosvenor-square, on Thurs-
day evening, from Osborne House, where he delivered his
fresh credentials, has received the usual instructions to de-
liver passports in the name of the Emperor of the French.
The French minister at Brussels issued the first from his
embassy, on Thursday, to General Lamoriciere, who in-
tended departin,g forthwith on a tour in Germany.
THE DERBY ELECTION INQUIRY. The Committee
resumed their inquiry yesterday with the examination of
Frail, Morgan, and Radford.
Tug CONSIMVATIVE LAND SOCIETY.—The Valuable
estates at Putni3y, in East Surrey, called the Cedars, and
College of Civil Engineers, and the Rectory estate at Eal-
ing, in the county of Middlesex, have been purchased by
this society for distribution amongst its members.
PRINCESS'S THEATRE.—On Tuesday next, the cele-
brated melo-clrni na of The Corsican Brothers, matchless in
stage effect and unequalled in popularity, will be performed
for the hundredth time since its production in February
last.

SOUTHAMPTON, DEC. 10.—The Government emigra-
DII to Australia from Southampton will' be commenced
on the 3d of January, -the Emigration Commissioners
having just taken up the Harriet, a fine ship of 600 tons,
to start from Southampton Docks on that day, conveying
emigrants sent out by the commissioners.
ENGLAND AND BELGIUM.—We understand that the
contractors wait only for favourable weather to submerge
the cable which is intended to inclose the mediums of
electric communication between Great Britain and the
north-eastern portion of Europe. Their Royal Highnesses
the Duc de Brabant and Comte de Flandres, on their re-
turn homewards, visited the office of the Submarine
Telegraph Company at Dover.
OSTEND, DEC. 9.—The landing of the Belgian Prince;
which took place this day, at half-past 12, was nearly
proving fatal to many lives. Just as the Belgian steamer
came alongside the quay, when they were preparing to
place the gangway on board, the platform gave way, and
20 or 22 persons were immersed in the water. Two
minutes later and the Princes might have shared the same
fate. They appeared much affected at the melancholy
sight. Fortunately assistance was near, and boats were
lowered from the steamers, and it is believed no lives were
lost. Several persons wers slightly wounded, some from
the muskets of the soldiers who fell in the wrter.
COLLISION IN THE RIVER.—In the Court of Queen's
Bench yesterday the case of Morris v. Venus was resumed.
It was an action to recover damages for an injury occa-
sioned to the plaintiffs' steam-vessel the Star, by the de-
fendants' vessel the Rose Castle, a large coal brig, running
aboard of it. The question was which party was in fault.
The plaintiffs' witnesses stated that the Star was coming
up from Gravesend against the tide, and was keeping in
" the slack" of the tide close to the Essex shore, when the
Rose Castle, having the tide in its favour, reached across
the river, and by not tacking in time occasioned the mis-
chief. The defence was that the Rose Castle was beating
down the river against the wind, and that in such circum-
stances the Star, which was a steamer, must be deemed in
the condition of a vessel going free, and was therefore
bound to give way. The jury found for the plaintiff
damages 2001.
ALARMING FIRES IN LAMBETH.—Yesterday morning,
two/alarming fires, which were nearly attended with fatal
consequences in each case, happened ; one in the Waterloo-
road ; the other in the house of Mr. J. Watson, licensed
victualler, carrying on business at the " Three Compasses
Tavern," No. 107, Lower Marsh, Lambeth. At the time
the first outbreak commenced a boy was sleeping in the
first floor, and was woke by a suffocating sensation, and
on arising found the bed on which he was lying on fire.
Having succeeded in effecting an escape, the engines of the
London Brigade and the West of England office attended,
and the fire was extinguished before any considerable
damage was clone. Mr. Watson was insured in the Sun
Fire-office. The other fire originated in the back parlour
where a young female was sleeping, and had it not been
for the praiseworthy exertions of another female living in
an adjoining room, there is no doubt but the occupant of
the first-named room would have perished.
SAILING OF THE ADELAIDE FOR SYDNEY, MEL-
BOURNE, AND PORT PHILIP.—This fine British-built,
commodious, and tastefully fitted-up ship left the East
India Docks this clay, conveying a most valuable cargo of
merchandise, and a numerous quantity of passengers,
among whom were some gentlemen connected with the for-
mation of a new fire insurance office for Sydney, buildings
and other property being so greatly on the increase. Also
mechanics of every trade, mostly carpenters, builders, en-
gineers, and printers, several of the latter, it is understood,
so, for new publications at Mel-
being engaged, or partiy
bourne and Port Philip. Many of their friends were pre-
sent at their parting, and many females wore to be seen in
tears,
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DETENTION AT MALTA OF THE OUTWARD
,INDIA
bMe MAILS.—By LwS
e.
regretß Y Maltath
e topennooinnewofarthaen2ddooDrieecnetmal-
Company's steam-ship Haddington, which left Southamp-
ac°°tounletasrfnrotmha
ton the 20th November, and mighetherefore be considered
as due at Malta on the 29th or 30th Nov., had not yet
arrived. This vessel it will be recollected, had upwards
of 430,0001. of specieon board for Alexandria, India, and
China, besides a valuable cargo of merchandise, and 160
passengers, chiefly for India.
SUBMARINE TELEGRAPH COMPANY. The 'Belgian
Princes, the Duke de Brabant and Comte de Flandres,
paid a visit to the offices of this Company at Dover, on
their way to the Continent. We understand that the
cable containing the electric wires intended to communi-
cate between Great Britain and Belgium, will be sunk in
a few clays, weather permitting.
SOUTH AUSTRALIAN COMPANY.—The half-yearly meet-
ing of the South Australian Company was held yesterday,
when a supplementary report was presented, describing the
favourable reaction in that colony since the first announce-
ment of the gold discoveries in New South Wales and Vic-
toria, and referring also to the important details recently
received of the opening up of an extensive gold field within
its own boundaries. The tenants of the company, it was
stated, although making occasional excursions to Mount
Alexander, showed no disposition permanently to desert
their lands or neglect the cultivation of them, and the in-
come for the half-year ending the 30th of April, for rents,
&c., was 10,8671., being only 1751. loss than in the preced-
ing six months. Among the new leases granted were two
blocks of land on the Murray, the attention of the colonists
being now drawn to the probable introduction of steam
navigation on that river. 1,497 acres of land had been

purchased since the last report. The mining operations of
the company had been nearly brought to a close, and, to
facilitate their transactions in land, application has been
made for a charter of incorporation.