The Sun.
London, England, 1862-03-10 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Snt,—Observing in some of the papers of this date a
paragraph relating to the Great Eastern, which, if not ex-
plained, would give a formidable appearance to a very trifling
accident, I beg the favour of your inserting the enclosed
copy of a letter received yesterday from the engineer of the
company. The damaged plate can easily be replaced ; but
as the bottom of the ship is dry for a very short period at
low water of spring tides only, it is possible that she may
be detained on the gridiron for a fortnight longer than was
originally expected.—l am, sir, your obedient servant,

T. H. YATES, Secretary.
90, Cannon-street, London, E.C., March 8.
" 18, Duke-street, Westminster, SAY,/
March 7, 1862.
" My dear Sir,—The cofferdam enclosing the ship's rud-
der and new after sternpost was got in place at the last
spring tides and is now being caulked watertight. The
sternpost has since been. shipped ready for fixing, which
will be but a short operation when the place is dry.
" It has been ascertained that one of the blocks put un-
der the ship's bottom towards the forward part at the low
watts, previous to her being finally squared into position
upon the gridiron, has been drawn in with the ship, and in
grounding has stove in and cracked one of the plates of the
outer skin between the kelsons. The timber is being got
out from under the ship, and a new plate is getting ready
to put in. No inconvenience is felt from water finding its
way through the cracked plate, as the ship having a double
bottom it only penetrates between the skins and kelsons of
a water-tight compartment.--Yours faithfully,
(Signed) " It. P. BRERETON.
" Mr. J. H. Yates."

Major-General Johnstone, the newly-appointed
Governor of the Mauritius, embarked on board the Earl of
Hardwicke, at Spithead, on Saturday morning, and was to
sail the same evening,

LATEST NEWS.

PARIS, MARCH 10.

The Moniteur of to-day publishes the report of
M. Fould on the conversion of the Four-and-a-Half
per Cent. Rente and Obligations Trentennaires into
Three per Cente Rente. M. Fould states that
602,575 Obligations have been presented for con-
version out of a total of 675,160 issued.

The amount of Four-and-a-Half per Cente Rente
which has been converted is 131,250,000 f. There
still remains 42,893,750 unconverted.

But Rentes are held as dowry or by minors, per-
sons deprived of their civil rights, and others, which
by legal obstacles are kept in a state of almost
forced immobility.
M. Fould estimates the amount of these Rentes
at 30,000,000 f.

The report concludes as follows :—" The grand
object of obtaining the consolidation of the public
debt is therefore attained."

The result will allow a diminution of the floating
debt by more than 155,000,000 f., and afterwards
the preparing of measures for causing the remainder
of the Four-and-a-Half per Cent. Rente to dis-
appear.

GENOA, MARCH 9 (Evening).

The Committees of the Provvedimen to held a
meeting to day, at which the Vice-President said:—

" The presence of Garibaldi among us will testify
to Europe the concord of Italian democracy, the
programme of which is the execution of the plebi-
scite of the 20th of October.

" We are with the Government as long as it
wishes, like us, the unity of our fatherland, which
we will strive to obtain by legal means, with Rome
for our capital."
Loud applause followed this speech.
The report of the preceding sitting was then read.
The passage relating to the petition for the recall
of Mazzini was received with cries of " Eviva
Mazzini."

ALEXANDRIA, MARCH 9.

The Viceroy has signed the contract for the loan
of 40,000,000 f. to be negotiated by the bankers

Oppenheim.
M. Mellinet, the French Consul, arrived here

to-day.

BE RLIN, MARCH 8.

In consequence of the adoption in the Lower
House of the motion of M. Hagen, that the prin-
cipal items of revenue and expenditure should be
specified in the general Budget, the Ministry sent
in their resignation to-day.

The Minister of Commerce has addressed a letter
to the President of the Chamber of Deputies re-
questing him to adjourn the sittings for a few days,
because the Ministry, being occupied with impor-
tant discussions, would be unable to attend them.
The sittings of the Chamber have therefore been
adjourned until Tuesday next.

TURIN, MARCH 8.

The Movimento of to day contradicts the fresh
reports that enrolments are being made in the name
of Garibaldi, and states that the General has
simply recommended the extension of the national
rifle-shooting movement.
The Italia of to-day says—"We are informed
that the conference between Garibaldi and Signor
Rattazzi has had very important results, of a nature
to exercise a great influence over the destinies of

tie country."
The Marquis de Villamarina is spoken of for the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A meeting of the majority in the Chamber of
Deputies will be held this evening for the pur
pose of agreeing upon their policy towards the
new Cabinet.

GENOA, MARCU 9.

A meeting of 300 popular delegates was held
here to-day in the Paganini Theatre. A great
crowd assembled.

Garibaldi, who had accepted the presidency of the
meeting, was much cheered on entering thebuilding.
In his speeci. he said :
" I am happy to ;.4reside at this meeting of the
representatives of the greai Italian family. I de-
ztives of those
plore the absence of the represent
provinces still excluded from our union:: Garibaldi
took all oath to deliver those provinces, and ex-
horted the people to concord, and the union of the
forces of the nation in the same manner as the
fasces are bound together. "Then," he continued,
" we shall vanquish all tyranny, and extend free-
dom beyond the Peninsula to every enslaved
people."

NAPLES, MARCH 8, EVENING.
A bombshell burst this afternoon near the Church
of Santa Brigita, but without injuring anybody.
Immediately on this becoming known a popular
demonstration took place.

Shouts were raised " Evviva Italia !" " Evviva
Garibaldi !"

AMERICA.

ROCHES POINT, NEAR QUEENSTOWN,
MONDAY, 10.26 A.M.
The Royal Mail steamship Asia, from New York
on the 26th, is signalled.