The Sun.
London, England, 1865-04-04 00:00:00

The Firing on the Niagara and Sacramento.

(REUTER'S EXPRESS.)
LISBON, MARCH 28.
The Confederate ram Stonewall arrived here on
Sunday afternoon, and cast anchor in front of the

Old Packet Stairs. Shortly, after the Portuguese
authorities went on board, and notified Captain
Page, her commander, that the vessel could only
be allowed to remain in port 24 hours, a period
sufficient for coaling purposes. At the same
time companies of artillerymen were sent to the
Bugio Forts, to St. Julian, and to Belem Tower.
The Portuguese war vessels were put in a state of
readiness, and swivel guns were sent on board two
of them ; the steamers Mindello and Tagus being
appointed to see that the law was observed. During
Sunday and Monday crowds of people visited the
Confederate vessel, all of whom were treated with
great courtesy by the officers and crew. The
Stonewall is a vessel of 600-horse power, iron-
plated,- carrying only three guns, Armstrongs,
these aro of very heavy calibre, and are called
baby-makers by the officers in a spirit of irony. Her
crew numbers only 86 men. At her bows she has
a very large ram. The officers of the Stonewall
state that she went into Ferrol a few days ago, and
found there the Sacramento and Niagara. She was
ordered by the Spanish authorities to sail, leav-
ing within twenty -four hours, and did so,
after being coaled and provisioned. The day
after she again went into Ferrol, and left
again after being twenty-four hours in port, not
wishing to compromise the Spanish authorities.
She did not again return to Ferrol, but remained
outside the bar for 16 hours making signals day
and night, but the other vessels did not come out.
The Spanish papers also give this information. It
must, however, be taken with reserve.

On Monday afternoon the Niagara and Sacra-
mento Federal corvettes were signalled off Lisbon
bar, and it is said the Stonewall hoisted her
blue peter about the same time. The two
corvettes came up and cast anchor near the Belem
Tower; and were officially warned that they could
not sail until 24 hours had elapsed after the
leaving of the Stonewall. The Mindello and
Jaques war steamers were appointed to watch
the proceedings of the Federal ships, which
kept steam up and did not then ascend the
river. The feeling of the Portuguese authorities
was a determination to see the law fully observed.
On shore, much excitement was displayed, and the
relative merits of the vessels were freely canvassed.
Admiral S artorius, who is now here, is said to have
declared that the Stonewall, with her iron sides and
heavy cupola guns, would prove quite a match for
the two Federal corvettes in the event of a conflict.

The Stonewall sailed about noon to-day (Tues-
day), leaving the Niagara and Sacramento anchored
to the west of Belem Tower, nearly in front of the
Quay and Jerommite Convent. Some four hours
afterwards the Niagara and Sacramento weighed
anchor and moved towards the bar. The
Commander of Belem Tower, who had re-
ceived instructions, observing this, called the
artillerymen to the guns, and fired a twelve-
pound shot at the Niagara which sailed in front.
She did not, however, stop, and six more shots were
fired from the tower. At the seventh shot the
Niagara turned round, came back towards Lisbon,
and cast anchor in front of the Old Packet Stairs.
The Sacramento followed and brought up near to
her. It appears that three of the seven balls struck
the Niagara, somewhat damaging her poop.
The Federal captains allege that they had no
intention of following the Stonewall, but were about
to turn' round and take up other anchorage ground.
The Governor of Belem Tower appears to have had
instructions to act as he did in case such pro-
ceedings were taken by the Federal ships, but the
instructions given to the commander of the guard-
ship were not the same, because the fort is under
the War-office, the ship under the Marine depart-
ment, and unfortunately circumlocution prevails
here as in England. This affair is now affording
matter for diplomatic correspondence, but the gene-
ral feeling is, that the Portuguese Government
acted with great spirit, and their conduct will be
endorsed by the public opinion of Europe.

MARKETS--This Day.

HAY MARKETS.

SMITIEFIELD.—Meadow hay, £4 4s to £5 83 Od; clover,
£5 58 to L 6 8s Od; and straw, £1 8s to £1 14s per load.
Trade quiet.

CUMBERLAND.—Meadow hay, £4 4s to £5 8s Od ; clover,
£5 5s to £6 8s ; and straw, £1 8s to £1 14s per load.
A slow trade.

WHITECHAPEL.—Meadow hay, £4 4s to £5 5s Od ; clover,
£5 5s to £6 8s Od ; and straw, £1 8s to £1 14s per load.
Trade slow.

COLONIAL.

TEA.—Business has been inactive, and the few bargains
reported have been atabout previous rates.
SUGAR.—The market has remained very dull, and prices
in some instances are a shade lower. Good grocery de-
scriptions, however, maintain previous rates. In the re-
fined market there is little change of importance to report.
_ _

COFFEE.—There has been a steady demand for colonial
descriptions, and prices have remained without material
variation; the stocks on hand, however, when compared
with those of the corresponding period of last year, exhi-
bit a slight increase.

Ricx.—A fair demand has been experienced for superior
East India, and late rate rates have in most instances been
well supported.

TALLOW.—The market has continued very dull, and
prices for both present and forward delivery have shown a
further depression. P.Y.C. on the spot is quoted 405.1;
June delivery, 40s. 3d to 40s. Gd. ; and last three months,
418. ad to 425. 6d. per cwt.

COAL MARKET.
Price per ton at the close of the market.

- s. d. -
s. d.
Cowpen Hartley l6 3 Hastings Hartley l5 9
Carway and Duffryn South Kelloe
Malting 22 0 Heugh Hall l9 9
Walls End Haswell... 21 0 Braddyell's Hetton 2O 0
South Hetton
Tunstall
Tanfield Moor Butes 13 6 Kelloe
East Hartlepool
Hartlepool
Ships at market, 56 ; sold, 52.

Liverpool Cotton Market—This Day.

Market opens quiet. Sales probably 3,000 bales.

The Crown agents for the colonies have notified
that they will be prepared to raise a further sum of
£lOO,OOO on 6 per cent. debentures, under the
authority of the British Columbia Loan Act of
1864. The applications are to be forwarded on
Thursday next. The loan is secured on the gene-
ral revenues of British Columbia, and the only
charges now existing thereon amount altogether to
£102,000, or less than one year's revenue. The
debentures, with interest coupons attached, are for
sums of £5OO, £2OO, and £lOO respectively, redeem-
able in thirty years from the Ist April inst. In-
terest at the rate of 6 per cent. per annum, com-
mencing on the first instant will be paid half-
yearly. For the final extinction of the debt, there
is to be a sinking fund equal to 2+ percent. per
annum formed in this country, under the control
of trustees.

A general meeting of the shareholders of the
Bank of British Columbia was :held to-day. The
report presented stated that after paying current
expenses and deducting rebate of interest on bills
not due, the amount of undivided profit at the con-
clusion of the half-year ended 31st December last,
was £18,680 12s. ld., which the directors proposed
to appropriate as follows :—£8,333 6s. Bd. in pay-
ment of a dividend at the rate of 10 per cent. per
cent. per annum (being for six months on £125,000,
and for four months on £62,500, paid Ist Septem-
ber last) ; £7,000 to be added to the reserve fund,
which will be thereby increased to £13,000, leaving
£3,347 ss. od. to be carried forward to the current
half-year.