The Sun.
London, England, 1863-04-17 00:00:00

DEPUTATION TO EARL RUSSELL.

A deputation of shippers and merchants inte-
rested iu the Mexican trade, together with the
owner, shipbroker, and underwriter interested in
the steamships Peterhoff and Sea Queen, waited yes-
terday'on Earl Russell. They -A.ere introduced by
Mr. Crawford, member for London, and the impor-
ranee of the interview was considerably enhanced
by the fact of an unnouncement being made during
itspogress which is likely to produce a singular im-
pression, to the effect that while the United States
Government have been seizing our vessels bound to
Matamoras without a single article of contraband on
board, Mr. Adams, their Minister at this Court, has
been giving sp. cial licence for a ship to proceed from
England to Matamoras, free from interference by
American cruisers, to carry supplies (which are
stated to consiet of arms and ammunition) for the ser-
vice of the Mexicans in their war against France.
On behalf of the deputation, Mr. Crawford first
called attention to the position of the captain, offi-
cers, and supercargoes of the Peterhoff. now in New
York, who are stated by the latest advices to have
been detained on board and not allowed to commu-
nicate with either the agents of the owners and
merchants or with the Btitieh Consul. Allusion was
then made to the interference of the American
cruisers with our Mexican trade, and it was men-

tioned that a brisk and cintinuous trade is carried
on between the United States and Mexico, and that
ships are daily advertised to sail from New York
to Matamoras ; so that the effect of tolerating the
proceedings of the cruisers would be to enable the
Americans to establish a monopoly. The next cir-
cumstance pointed out was that the Federal Go-
vernment appear to assume the right to dictate
what trade shall or shall not be carried on by
Britih sub-int:3 ; and on this head the exposure
was then made that a policy of insurance was at-
tempted to be effected in Lloyd's room today, ac-
companied by the following certificate from Mr.
Adams, the United States Minister in London, ad-
dressed to Admiral Dupont, commanding the Fede-
ral fleet :

" Legation of the United States, London,
April 9, 1863,

"Amid the multitude of fraudulent and dishonest enter-
prises from this kingdom to furnish supplies to the rebels in
the United States, through the pretence of a destination to
some port in Mexico, it gives me pleasure to distinguish
oae which has a different and creditable purpose. Messrs.
Howell and Zirman have furnished me with eNidence,
which is perfectly satisfactory to me, that they are really
bound to Matamoras with a cargo intended for the elexi-

cans. I therefore very cherfully give them this certificate
at their request. It isnot the disposition of the Govern-
ment of the United States to interfere in any way with an
honest neutral trade, and it is deeply to he regretted that
the frauds which have been so extensively practised in this
country have contributed so much 'o throw it under sus-
picion. " CU/LIMES FEANCIS ADAMS.
"Admiral Dupont, &c."
As Matemoras is not blockaded, the only pretext
of the Federals for seizing cargoes bound to that
port consists in the suspicion that they may be
intended to be diverted to Confederate purposes ;
yet it thus appears that the Unified States Go-
vernment are eager to step out of their way to glee
official vanction and encouragement to the ship-
ment of stores from a foreign country for direct
use against France, which they profess to regard
not merely as a friendly but almost es a protecting
nation. After a strong expression of opinion with
regard to this letter, Mr. Crawford continued by.
stating that the immediate object the deputation
had in view was to elicit from her Majesty's
Government some assurance of protection for the
steamship Sea Queen, ,now detained by the
owners at Falmouth awaiting a decision. He
explained that this vessel has received on board her
Majesty's mails, the owner being bound by the Mete
cantile Marine Act to carry them under a penalty ;
but that as the seals in the mail of the Adela were
broken and the letters read, and as it had been stated
by the judge in that case that a similar course would
be adopted in any future vessels captured, it was
not only possible but probable the Federal agents
here would send through the Post-office fictitious
letters with the view of compromising the ship.
Messrs. Pile, Spence, and Co., the owners, would be
incurring a risk which they did not conceive they
should be subjected to, and against which they
thought they Were entitled to some protection from
ner Majesty's Government. Earl Russell said that
whatever might have been the case with the Adele,
Mr. Seward had in consequence of the representa-
tions made by the British Government issued fresh
instructions to the Federal officersthrough the Secre-
tary of the Navy, and that therefore he did not an-
ticipate any repetition of that attack. Mr. G. P.
Harding, on behalf of the shippers, observed that
while their goods were on board, and their engage-
ments binding, the vessel was detained, the owners
refusing to allow her to proceed, and alleging that
they cannot be compelled to send their vessel on a
voyage for which they have nut the protection of the
taw; that all interested are desirous of fulfilling
legal formalities, but that, notwithstanding their
readiness to prove the legitimate nature of the
voyage, the vessel is still subject to seizure. If a
suggestion might be ventured, the only practical
one he could offer would be for the Government to
send a mail agent in the ship, who would represent
an offizial guarantee that she was hound to the port
for which she was cleared. As the only pretence
given for seizure was a suspicion that she would
run the b.ockade, it was considered that this
might be a satisfactory solution of the difficulty,
and the owners and' the merchants would
content to send the vessels on such conditions,
bearing all the expenses consequent on the
arrangement. His lordship said he would con-
sider the propriety of acting on this suggestion, and
expressed his surprise at Mr. Crawford's informa-
tion respecting the detention of the persons on
board the Peterhaff, they not bring criminals of
subject to criminal law. Mr. W,lke, on behalf of
the brokers, offered for his lordship's inspection the
manifest of the vessel, and declared the readiness of
the merchants to guarantee that there was no con-
traband of war on board. It was also stated the
insurances have increased at Lloyd's, and that while
they have doubled here there has been no alter, tien
in the rates on French vessels, owing to the free-
dom with which these are allowed to pass the Fede-
ral cruisers.

ROGERS.

The public will learn with regret the death of
Mr. James Rogers, the comedian. For some time
he had been suffering from ill health, and it was
thought by his medical attendant that the change
of air and scene might be attended with
beneficial results. Accordingly Mr. Rogers took
up his residence at the Isle of Wight,
and such was the improvement in his heaah,
that he accepted an engagement from Mr. Frank
Matthews to join the company at the St. James's
Theatre. Accordingly he made his first appearance
there ou Easter Monday in the laughable burlesque
of "The Sensation Trial of Effie Deans." The hopes
of restored health proved groundless, for, after
appearing two nights, Mr. Rogers was again taken
seriously ill and confined to his bed. From this
attack he never recovered, and ho died on Wed-
nesday evening last at his residence, Shaftesbury-
crescent, Vauxhall. Burlesque has lost one of

er most talented pupils, and those who
had the good fortune to witness the burlesque of
" Kenilworth," in which the deceased gentleman
sustained the part of the " Virgiu Queen," and that
of the "Lady of Lyons," in which ho appeared as
the Widow I'vlelnotte, will be of that opinion.
Mr. Rogers was quite a young man. We believe
the cause of death was disease of the lungs.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE,--This Day.

MARLBOROUGH-STREET.

INHUMAN PARENTS.---A little fellow named James
Sharman, about eight years of age, was charged before Mr.
Knox, by Mr. George Wm. Martin, musical conductor,
residing at the Westminster Palace Hotel, with begging.

On the case being called, Mr. Martin was not in attend-
ance, and the child was discharged.
Subsequently Mr. Martin attended, and Sergeant Harri-
son said that although the child hart been discharged, ho
had not left the court.

Mr. Martin said that at 10 the previous night he saw the
boy with a baby in his arms about seven months old. He
spoke to the boy, and was told by him that he had been
out since 12 o'clock, and had only got 11d., and that he
must not return honie without ls. 6d or he would get
severely beaten by his mother. Retuning home frequently
at late hours from his professional duties, he (Mr. Martin)
otten saw babies made use of for a similar purpose at all
hours of night, and in all weathers.
Mr. Knox said the boy had been before him and dis-
charged, and he could not break through the usual rule
and have him again taken into custody At the same time
every one must be thankful for the trouble Mr. Martin had
taken in the matter.

MARKETS—This Day.

MARK-LANE.

A moderate supply of wheat was received fresh np to
this morning's market from Essex and Kent, in tolerably
good condition. The trade for all qualities was devoid of
animation, yet prices were without quotable change from
Monday last.
The market was well eupplied with foreign wheat. The
best descriptions changed hands to a moderate extent, at
late rates ; otherwise, the trade was dull, at previous cur-
rencies.

Floating cargoes of grain were in slow request, at late
rates.

Barley—the supply of which was very moderate—moved
off slowly, at late quotations.
The business transacted in malt was very moderate, yet
prices ruled firm.
An increased supply of foreign oats was on the stands.
Sales progressed E lowly in all descriptions, and, in some in-
stances, the quotations had a drooping tendency.
Beans—the supply of which was moderate— sold heavily
at former rates.
Peas, being in short supply, maintained previous cur-

rencies.
The flour trade was rather quiet, yet prices were sup-
ported.

ARRIVALS THIS WEEK.
Wheat Barley. Malt. Oata. Flout.
English.— 1,250 440 2160 2O 1 1150
tr,311
k'or eign 10,270 6,410 35,920 70 aka

NEW GATE AND LEADENHALL.

The supply of meat on sale is moderately large, and the
demand for all descriptions continues heavy, at our quota•

ions,

Per 81b. by the carcase.
stlad adsd
Inferior beef .. 2 6 2 10 Middling mutton 3 8 4 0
Middling do. .. 3 0 3 4 Primo do .. 4 2 4 4
r rime largo do. 3 6 3 8 Veal .. 4 0 4 10
Do. small do. .. 3 10 4 0 Small pork .4... 4 0 4 4
Largo pork .... 3 4 3 10 Lamb ........ 5 8 6 8
Inferior mutton. 3 0 3 6