The Sun.
London, England, 1837-09-29 00:00:00

I cannot doubt that on this,•as on all similar occasions,
the Federal Government will find its agency most conducive
to the security and happiness of the people, when limited
to the exercise of its conceded powers. In never assuming,
even for a well•meant object, such powers as were not de-
signed to be conferred upon it, we shall, in reality, do most
for the general welfare. To avoid every unnecessary inter-
ference with the pursuit of the citizen will result in more
benefit than to adopt measures which could only assist
limited interests, and are eagerly, but perhaps naturally
sought for, under the pressure of temporary circumstances.
If, there£o►e, I refrain from suggesting to Congress any
specific plan for regulating the exchanges of the country,
relie%ing mercantile embarrassments, or interfering with the
ordinary operations of foreign or domestic commerce, it is
from a conviction that such measures are not within the
constitutional province of the General Government ; and
th►;t their adoption would promote the real and permanent
welfare of those they might be designed to aid.
• The difficulties and distresses of the times, though un-
questionably great, are limited in their extent, and cannot
be regarded as affecting the permanent prosperity of the
nation. Arising in a degree from the transactions of foreign
and domestic commerce, it is upon them that they have
chiefly fallen. The great agricultural interest has, in many
parts of the country, suffered comparatively little ; and, as
Providence intended to display the munificence of its good-
ness at the moment of our greatest ne..d, and indirect con-
trast to the evils occasioned by the waywardness of man,
we have been blessed throughout our extended territory
with a season of general health and of uncommon fruit-
fulness. The proceeds of our great staples will soon furnish
the means of liquidating debts at home and abroad, and
contribute equally to the revival of commercial activity, and
the restoration of commercial credit. The banks, established
avowedly for its support, deriving their profits from it, and
resting under obligations to it which cannot be overlooked,
will feel at once the necessity and justice of uniting tbei..
energies with those of the ►nercrntile interest. The sus-
pension of specie payments, at such a time, and under
such circumstances as we have lately witnessed, could
not be other than a temporary measure ; and we can
scarcely err in believing that the period must soon ar-
rive when all that are solvent will redeem their issues
in gold and silver. Dealings abroad naturally depend
on resources and prosperity at home. If the debt of our
merchants has accumulated, or their credit is impaired,
these are fluctuations always incident to extensive or extra-
vagant mercantile transactions. But the ultimate security
of such obligations does not admit of question. They are
guaranteed by the resources of a country, the fruits of
Whose industry afford abundant means of ample liquidation,
and by the evident interest of every merchant to sustain a
credit, hitherto high, by promptly applying these means for
its preservation.

1 deeply regret that events have occurred which require
me to ask your consideration of such serious topics. I
could have wished that in making my first communication
to the assembled representatives of my country I had noth-
ing to dwell upon but the history of her unalloyed pros-
perity. Since it is otherwise, we can only feel more deeply
the responsibility of the respective trusts that have been
confided to us, and under the pressure of difficulties unite
in invoking the guidance of the Supreme Ruler of Ndtions,
and in labouring with zealous resolution to overcome the
difficulties by which we are environed.

It is under such circumstances a high gratification to
know, by long experience, that we act for a people to whom
the truth, however unpromising, can always be spoken
with safety ; for the trial of whose patriotism no emergency
is too severe, and who are sure never to desert a public
functionary honestly labouring for the public good. It seems
just that they should receive, without delay, any aid in their
embarrassments which your deliberations can afford. Com-
ing directly from the midst of them, and knowing the course
of events in every section of our country, from you may best
be learned as well the extent and nature of those embarrass-
ments as the most desirable measure of relief.

I am aware, however, that it is not proper to detain you
at present longer than may be demanded by the special ob-
jects for which you are convened. To them, therefore, I
have confined my communication ; and, believing it will not
be your own wish to extend your deliberations beyond them,
I reserve till the usual period of your annual meeting that
general information on the state of the Union which the
Constitution requires me to give.
Washington, Sept. 4, 1837. M. VAN BUREN.

A letter from Heidelberg says—" In the course
of the present autumn we may expect to see again our dis-
tinguished countryman, the celebrated naturalist, Solomon
Muller, after an absence of nearly 14 years. In 1825, M.
Muller joined a party of scientific men, who were sent to
travel through the islands of the eastern Archipelago, at the
expense of the Mitch Government. M. Muller is the only
survivor. He explored Java, Timor, Celebes, the Moluccas,
New Guinea, and a number of small islands, and spent three
years in Sumatra, where in 23 degrees south latitude, he
discovered a mountain 2,030 feet high, consisting entirely
of the richest iron ore, without any mixture of any other
mineral. In Sumatra he lost the last of his companions, the
painter, Van Ort. He afterwards visited Borneo, in com-
pany with Dr. Horner, from Zurich, where he penetrated
250 miles into the interior. Here he made a most-inte-
resting collection of specimens in the various departments of
natural history. Among others he has brought with him
an ourang•outang of the enormous size of five feet two inches,
Paris measure, and seventeen of a smaller size. On his re-
turn it is hoped he will make known his important discove-
ries, whicli cannot fail to prove interesting to all the lovers
of science, as he has explored, during his stay in India, a num-
ber of forests and mountains where no European had set foot
before him."

MONTT BE. NC.—On the 22d of August lest Mr.
Atkins, from Berkshire ; Mr. Pedwol, likewise an Eng-
lishman ; and Mr. Hedrengen, an officer in the Swedish
Artillery, set off from La Prieure, with ten guides and six
volunteers, favoured by the finest weather possible. At
four o'clock in the afternoon, after a fatiguing and dangerous
journey, they arrived at the rock known by the name of the
Grands Mulcts. During the night the thermometer sank
to five degrees below Zero of Reaurnur (20 deg. of Fahren-
heit.) At two o'clock in the morning they quitted their
cold bivouac, and, favoured by the light of the moon, they
proceeded so rapidly that they had reached the summit of
Mont Blanc at a quarter past ten the same morning. The
enterprising travellers remained there about an hour and a
half, to enjoy the magnificent panorama which presented
itself to their view. Towards the Italian side of the moun-
tain the thermometer stood at 5 deg. (20 Fahrenheit), but
towards the Swiss side it stood at 10 deg. (about Zero of
Fahrenheit). At three o'clock in the afternoon they
reached the Grands Mulcts on their return ; and at seven
in the evening they were again in the vale of Chamouny,
where a numerous party were anxiously awaiting them.
A most alarming and destructive fire broke out on
Sunday evening about 8, in an extensive range of buildings
near the Folly wharf, Hertford, in the occupation of Messrs.
Andrews, Taylor, Jackson, and others. About a quarter
to 8, Duncan, superintendent of police, who was at the
station-house, having sent policeman No. 6 to prevent dis-
turbance at the chapel door at the back street, the police-
man observed a light in that direction, and immediately pro-
ceeded to this spot, when the fire was of course discovered.
The Hertford engines were in the most prompt manner upon
the spot, but, considerable disinclination was at first felt to
approach too near, when it was stated that on the premises
occupied by Mr. Taylor a considerable quantity of gun-
powder was kept ; however, after a short time had elapsed,
the gunpowder, which was about 601 b. weight, exploded,
but being kept in separate canisters, and not closely packed,
the report was not so loud as might have been anticipated.
The engines then commenced playing, and from the supply
of water (the place being contiguous to the river Lee), and
the number of persons who were immediately on the spot
to render assistance, the flames were speedily subdued, not,
however, till the whole range, which was composed of
timber and infl ►mmable materials, was reduced to a heap
of smoking ruins. The Ware engine was very early on
the spot, and rendered most effectual assistance. We has e
not heard of the slightest accident ; and too much praise
cannot be given to the authorities of the town and most of
the inhabitants, to whose exertions it may be attributed
that the conflagration was subdued without extending fur-
ther.—Hertford paper.

Lieutenants Shaw and Harkness, and Ensign T.
W. Walker, all of the 61st Regiment, were unfortunately
drowned by the upsetting of a sail-boat in a squall, at
Trincomalee harbour, Ceylon, on the 22d of May last. Two
Lieutenancies and three Ensigncies become vacant by this
fatal calamity. Five natives perished with the above
officers. Lieutenants Shaw and Harkness were married
and had families. A letter, descriptive of this deplorable
event, has been received in Limerick.—Limerick Chronicle.

On Sunday morning last a robbery, as singular as
it was audacious, was discovered in the Ministry of Com-
merce. It was committed in the very cabinet of the Minis-
ter himself ; and it is calculated that at least 6,000 francs
in bank bills, together with medals and coins in gold, silver,
and bronze, were taken out of the desk of M. Martin du
Nord. It was soon evident that the robbery had not been
committed by any burglars having broken in ; and, upon
the arrival of the police at the ministry, a very strict inves-
tigation took place, the result of which is not yet known.
Recent letters from Alexandria mention the arrival
there of an iron steam-boat, built at Liverpool, for the use
of the Paella. She is represented as a masterpiece of ele-
gappe, solidity, and lightness. She was intended to navi-
gate the Nile, and draws only three feet of water, yet
proved a good sea boat, and made the passage from Liver-
-001 to Alexanqria in eighteen days ikthe is not, however,
expected to prove of much value tinder the grab ofAcers to
whom the command has been intrusted. These men ere at
all times wretched sailors, but of steam navigtition they un-
derstand nothing at all,