The Sun.
London, England, 1853-03-29 00:00:00

RELEASE OF THE MADIAIS.

The following letter has been received from Florence,
dated March 19 :
"The pardon of the Madiais arrived unexpectedly. It
was the intention of the Government that it should have
been kept secret until their arrival at Marseilles. On
Tuesday, the 15th, the two confessors were brought to
Leghorn, and immediately conducted on board a steam-
boat, where they remained 24 hours before they left for
Marseilles. Only the English consul, Mr. Macbean, and
the Rev. Mr. Sleeman were able to see and converse with
them. The former had received the information through a
note which Rosa found means to convey to him. Their
friends at Florence were informed by another channel, but
it was too late. They arrived at Leghorn on Wednesday,
the 16th, three hours after the steamer had left. Rosa was
tolerably well provided with clothing, which Miss S—
had taken the precaution to place in the hands of the direc-
tor of the penitentiary at Lucca, at the beginning of the
new year. But her husband was not permitted to take
what had been left for him by Mr. C at the inn at
Volterra. He was obliged to proceed to Leghorn in bad
cotton clothing. He has arrived knocked-up with fatigue,
and chilled with cold. The English consul sent him
warmer clothing, and a cloak, on board the steam-boat.
As he was very feeble, and almost always obliged to keep
his bed, I much fear the effects of so sudden a change and
such a painful journey. He had fever and delirium dur-
ing the night he passed on board the steamer in the port
of Leghorn ; but, thanks be to God, he is at last free, and
restored to the care of his excellent wife. The Lord will
accomplish what remains, or rather He will do all, as
He has hitherto done. Let us commit into his hands
those He has just delivered,• that He may watch over
them in the day of temptation, and preserve them
from spiritual pride. The Madiais are about to encoun-
ter new trials more dangerous than what they have
already undergone. May the Lord be with them by
his holy spirit. They have hitherto been full of grati-
tude and. humility, but let us continue to pray for them,
and for all who suffer for the same cause. The Madiais
will probably remain in the south of France, or at Nice,
until Francisco's health is re-established. They will
then, if it please God, proceed to Geneva. For a long
time they will much need retirement and repose, and I
am quite sure that, notwithstanding the very natural
desire our brethren will experience to see them, they
will be careful not to compel them to exhibit themselves
in public. Excuse the expression ; but you will doubt-
less understand me. The excellent Mr. C—, whose
self-devotion is indefatigable, has embarked for Marseilles
to rejoin those to whom he has already given so many
proofs of brotherly affection, and, in order that he may
himself superintend the necessary arrangements for their
comfort. The English consul has besides given to them
letters of introduction. This is nearly all lam able to
tell you, and, indeed, it may be that, by the time you
receive this letter, you may, know much more than we do
on this interesting subject. '

THE OYSTER TRADE OF NEW YORIC.—It would hardly
be credited that the yearly sales of oysters in this city ex-
ceed five millions of dollars, and that the number of per-
sons employed in the business, directly or indirectly, is
about 50,000. It is a singular fact, that of the whole
amount of oysters sold in our markets, about two-
thirds come from Virginia, which has a more extensive
oyster trade than any other State in the Union.
The residue is obtained from the waters of our own State,
and those of New Jersey—the East river furnishing
the largest supply. A considerable supply is pro-
cured from Shrewsbury and York Bay ; but very
few of the latter are consumed in this city, as they are
cultivated particularly for the western market. One:of
the most interesting features in the business is the trans-
planting of oysters, or their removal from the "rock,"
or a natural bed to an artificial one. This process is
of peculiar importance, and absolutely necessary to the
successful prosecution of the trade. It would, in fact,
be next to impossible to supply the market during the
whole year, but for the general system of transplanting,
which is pursued by all the dealers. More than a mil-
lion dollars' worth are removed every year to artificial
beds, and by this means prevented from spawning, which
renders them unfit for use. Thus a large proportion
of our East river oysters were originally obtained from
the North river, where the soil and water are not consi-
dered so favourable to their cultivation. Of the fifty
thousand persons engaged in the business, the majority,
of course, are dependent upon their own labour for sup-
, port ; but there are a considerable number of the dealers,
or, as they might more properly be called, gy§ter mer-
chants, who possess large fortunes, amassed from -the
sale of oysters alone. They are among the most worthy
of our citizens, and New York is not a little indebted to
their enterprise for her extensive business in what has
now become an indispensable article of food.—New York
.Herald.