The Sun.
London, England, 1854-03-20 00:00:00

THE COMBINED FLEETS.

BEIKOS BAT, March s.—The English and French
squadron are still lying here. Her Majesty's ship
Furious and the French steamer Vauban arrived on the
3d from the Black Sea, whither they are sent to recon-
noitre. They parted company in a gale of wind, but
fortunately fell in with each other a few days afterwards.
They visited Varna, Odessa, and went within 2 miles of
Sebastopol, wherethere was a boom across the mouth of the
harbour. They saw lying there 6 liners, 5 frigates, and
some steamers and small craft. Her Majesty's ship
Caradoc arrived yesterday from Tchekmidge, whither
she had been sent three days previously with Sir John
Burgoyne and staff, and some French officers of ar-
tillery. The French steamer Ajaccio accompanied
her. A midshipman belonging to H.M.S. Furious hail a
narrow escape two evenings ago. He had been to a ball
at Constantinople, and while returning on board his
ship in a "caique, " was robbed by the boatman.
He appeared not to remark the circumstance until he got
alongside his ship, when he laid hold of the ladder, and
called out lustily for the assistance of the quartermaster
and sentry. These functionaries had to go and fetch their
lantern, and, while doing so, the boatmen commenced be-
labouring the arm of the midshipman with a stick, which
obliged him to relinquish his hold, and the current soon
cleared the boat from the ship. A scuffle now ensued, the
midshipman armed with a stick, and the boatman with
his knife. This unequal combat was maintained fcr
some time, when the young officer, considering the wiser
part of valour to be discretion, jumped overboard, and
swam to a French steamer. Boats were sent in pursuit
of the caique, hut in vain, as the darkness favoured his
escape.

CABINET CouNort.—A Cabinet Council was held on
Saturday afternoon at the Foreign-office, Downing-
street. The Ministers present were the Earl of Aber-
deen, the Marquis of Lansdowne, the Lord Chancellor,
Earl Granville, the Duke of Argyll, Viscount Palmer-
ston, the Earl of Clarendon, the Duke of Newcastle, the
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir James Graham, the
Hon. Sidney Herbert, and Sir William Molesworth.
The Council sat three hours and a half.
BIRTH-DAY OF THE PRINCESS LOUISA.—The sixth
anniversary of the bii th-day of her Royal Highness the
Princess Louisa was celebrated at Windsor on Saturday,
with the customary demonstrations of loyalty and
resplct. The bells of the Chapel Royal, of St. George
and St. John's churches sent forth their merry peals, a
royal salute was fired in the Bachelor's Acre from the
corporation ordnance, also at Fort Belvedere, and by
the Royal Adelaide frigate, anchored on Virginia water.
The Duke of Devonshire is staying in comparative
retirement at the Burlington Villa, at Chiswick, where
his Grace has received a few select friends at dinner,
during the past week.

The Earl and CounteAs of Clare and family have
arrived at their new residence in South•street, formerly
the late Viscount Melbourne a, from Mount Shannon,
near Limerick.

A deputation, consisting of the Rev. Dr. Johnston
and the Roy. Henry Renton, from the Public Questions'
Committee of the United Presbyterian Church, bad an
interview on Saturday with the Earl of Granville and
➢fir. Sidney Herbert at the Privy Council office to repre-
sent the views of that body on the measure of national
education for Scotland introduced by the Lord Advo-
cate. The deputation were accompanied by Sir James
Anderson, M.P., and Mr. Craufurd, M.P., and had
previously had interviews with the Earl of Aberdeen, in
Downing-street, and with the Duke of Argyll, at his
grace's private residence. We understand that the de-
putation urged strongly upon her Majesty's Ministers
the necessity of removing or modifying those clauses o f
the Lord Advocate's bill which relate to the enactment
Of roligiQufs inutructiwi and itg oupport by the State,

MONEY MARKET

AND
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

CITY, TWO O'CLOCK,

The sales of cotton at Liverpool on Saturday
were estimated at 4,000 bales, including 1,000 Ame-
rican taken for export. The market closed heavily
without alteration in prices. The sales comprised
3,500 American, 120 Pernam at eqd. to 7d., 50
Egyptian at bid. to 7d., 200 Surat at 31d. to 31d.,
and 40 Sea Island at ls. 2d. to 2s. 2d. per lb. Rail-
way Shares were dull, at lower prices.
The letters from Australia by the Sydney steamer
were delivered this morning, and they are of a che-
quered character. The gold production continued
good at the Victoria diggings, but many of the
miners were returning from them to spend the
Christmas holidays. The Melbourne markets are
reported to be overstocked, the arrivals of goods
adding to the glut. Beer and Manchester goods
were most plentiful. Building was going on ac-

tively, but house rent was lower, except for busi-
ness premises in first-rate situations. The roads

to the mines allowed of merchandise being more
freely sent up from the capital.

Mr. Shull, in his Melbourne gold circular, ob.
serves :

" A considerable falling off has taken place this week
in the produce from Bendigo, amounting to upwards of
7,000 ounces. This is partly to be attributed to a con-
siderable number of the diggers being attracted to the
Ballarat side and to Forest Creek ; and it is well known
that many of them keep back their gold at this season,
so as to accumulate as large a quantity as possible to
spend at Christmas. From Ballarat a slight increase
in quantity over last week has taken place. From
APlvor an average quantity has come ; but, owing to
the Goulburn being nearly deserted for want of water,
a considerable decrease has taken place. In fact, this
field may be almost considered deserted until the rainy
season sets in. Upon good authority we are informed
that there is abundance of gold to be got, when the
proper season comes round."
The Geelong gold circular of Mr. William Pater-

son, is as follows :
" The price during the week has continued at 775.
There has not been much offering. Sellers seem inclined
to hold for a higher figure, and on the other hand buyers
are not disposed to advance, and look for a lower quota-
tion. The price of the metal on the diggings has risen.
They seem to have calculated on a higher rate in town
in consequence of the demand for the Great Britain ;

but it midst be evident that at the present quotations:
there is very little margin for speculation or profit on
the article.

" There is nothing fresh in the way of news from the
diggings. At Mount Alexander the escort returns show
an improvement. There are reports of fresh discoveries.
in this quarter, but not enough is known as to richnes4,
or the exact locality to report particularly. The pro-
spects of Ballarat for the season seem to give general
satisfaction to the diggers ; the population is increasing
fast, and there seems altogether a satisfied tone on the
part of those employed.
Of the labour market at Melbourne Messrs.
M'Cormack and Co. report thus :-
" The demand for all kinds of labour continues steady,
as by our report of last week, shopmen and clerks being
seldom looked for. At the close of this week, the rates
were :-Married couples, per annum, with rations, &c.,
801. to 1201. ; shepherds, per annum, with rations, 351.
to 561. ; hutkeepers, ditto, ditto, 351. ; bullock-drivers,
for the roads, per week, 21. 10s, to 3/. with rations ;
bullock-drivers, with ration, 21. to 2/. 10s. per week
(on farms) ; cooks (male), per day, 21. to 4/. ; ditto
(female), per annum, 401. to 601. ; grooms, per ditto,
52/. to 70/. ; carpenters, per day, 30s. to 355. ; black-
smiths, 20s. to 255. ditto ; masons, 30s. to 355. ditto ;
gardeners, per annum, with rations, 60/. to 80/. ; f stri
labourers, with rations, 30s. to 355. per week ; labourers
on the roads, 12s. a day, with wood, water, and tent
accommodation waiters, 30s. to 40s. per week ; female
servants of all work, per annum 25/. to 35/. ; house.
maids, ditto, 20/. to 30!. laundresses, ditto, 35/. to 40/.;
nursemaids, ditto, 25/. to 25/."

Freights to London are given as under :
"Gold, 41d. per oz., delivered at the Bullion Office ;
do. in quantity, aid. Wool, greasy, id. per lb.; do.
washed, id. per lb. Hides, 20s. to 255. per ton. Tal-
low, 40s. to 50s. per ton, and 5 per cent. Oil, 3/. per
tun.

" Lighterage, from Hobson's Bay to the Wharves,
Melbourne, was for Measurement goods (free) 20s. per
ton; do. (subject to duty) 255. do. Casks of all kinds to
be taken at measurement of extreme length and breadth.
Flour, 8, barrels, 10 bags to the ton. Timber, 4s. per
100 feet."

The Exchange on London at 1 per Cent. discount
for drafts against gold .
The Report of the Select Committee on the IsTew
Constitution was regarded as satisfactory.
The New York accounts report a quiet stock
market. The value of merchandise imported
during the month of Feb., 1854, was 312,126,110
dols., against 17,358,490 dole. in the same month
last year. The exports were valued at 6,537,821
dole. this year, against 4,680,337 dole. last year.
The imports of specie into Boston during February
amounted to 25,003 dols., and the exports during
the same time were 78,992 dols. In wheat a
moderate business was doing, but flour was less
active.

A communication has been received by Messrs.
Anderson, from Hamburgh, to the effect that the
Baltic fleet was reported to have arrived in the
Sound. They have, likewise, an extract of a
letter, dated St. Petersburgh, March 11, which
mentions the expectation that the holders of deals
would have to, remove them from the docks at
Cronstadt, as the Russian Government wanted to
take possession of them. Whether this would
have to be done, however, before open water, re-
mained doubtful, for if such removal were insisted on
it would put the owners to much increased expense.
The rate of exchange at St. Petersburg on London
was 37 1-16 to ,on Paris, 380 to 385. The banks
at Hamburgh were giving out less gold in their
payments, but the regular proportion of silver.
It was rumoured that the export from St. Peters-
burgh was about to be prohibited.

The English Stock market has been depressed,
with very little business doing, the transactions
being principally for money. Pending the further
proceedings in the affair of the war, speculators
hold off. Consols have been 90 to 90 for money,
and 90 to -14- for April. Exchequer Bills have been
ss. to 7s. premium, a decline of 2s. to 3s.
Foreign Securities have been inactive. Mexican.
Bonds have been at a decline to 24 and 231. Pe-
ruvian 4i per Cents, are at 59. Brazilian 5 per
Cents. have been at 95k, and the New 41 per
Cents. 90. Spanish 3 per Cents. have been at
36/, and Portuguese 4 per Cents. at 36. Dutch 4
per Cents. have been at 86, and Danish 3 per
Cents. at 721 to 73. Russian 5 per Cents.- bring
85 to 1. _ _

The English Railway Shares are flat at f to
per cent. decline. French Shares have been rather
weaker.

The Foreign Mining. Shares have been heavy,
and the Australian Agricultural Shares are barely
so good.
The current prices for the Jamaica Mines not
officially quoted, were as follows :—Metcalfe, to
g Premium ; Port Royal, to premium.

BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY._ CLOSING PRICES
( Prom the Official )

Ru5•,..11.
3 per Cent Consols Annuities ............. #9O 891 90
India Stock
Consols fbr Account 18th April 9O 89i
Exchequer Bills, 2d.

_
£lOOO .......................
£5OO 5 10 5 p
Small ................... .
PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS THIS DAY.
Erazifian Bonds, 5 per Cent. 954
Ditto Small
Ditto New, 1852,41, per Cent.,... 9O
Danish Bonds, 1825, 3 per Cent 73 2i
Ditto 5 per Cent
'4exiean 3 per Cent.
Peruvian Bonds, 4i per Cent. 59 x d
Portuguese Bonds, 4 per Cent 36
Russian Bonds, 1822, 5 per Cent. £St Bsi 5 6
Sardinian Bonds, 5 per Cent 7B.
Spanish Bonds, 3 per Cent 36i
Dividends on the above payable in London.
Dutch Exchauge, 2. per Cent. 12 Guil
Ditto 4 per Cent. Certificates .....
THREE O'CLOCK.

Consols
Ditto April Account

89k 9911
89i 90

THE FRENCH AMBASSADOR AND THE EASTERN
STAFF. —His Excellency the French Ambassador and
the Countess Walewski intend giving a grand banquet
to-morrow evening to his Royal Highness the Duke of
Cambridge, Lord Raglan, and the members of the staff
about to proceed to the East. The entertainment will
take place at the new residence of the embassy, Albert-
gate, Hyde-park, ao long in the possession of Mr. Geo.
Hudson, M.P.
SINGAPORE.—The advices from Singapore by the
overland mail are to the 3d of February, at which date
the demand for imported articles was exceedingly dull,
and the stocks of cotton goods heavy. Large remit-
tances of specie had been attracted to China, and com-
plaints are made of the want of sufficient banking ac-
commodation. From Labuan the accounts were to the
17th of January. Her Majesty's screw-ship Encounter
had called at the island to coal, and it is mentioned that
the collieries now establishing by the Eastern Archipelago
Company in Borngo and Labuan, will shortly be capable
of supplying whatever quantity may be required for the
purporn of steam uayigativu iu that quarter,

LATEST FOREIGN NEWS.

THE WAR IN THE EAST.

We learn by electric telegraph that the Banshee,
which left Constantinople on the 13th March, had
arrived at Malta on the 17th, and started imme-
diately for Marseilles with despatches for the Go-
vernment.

There is nothing new from Constantinople.
No engagement has taken place either by land or
sea.

The fleets were to enter the Black Sea again
shortly.

The 44th and 62d regiments had arrived at Malta
on the 17th.

The Eg) ptien, which left Constantinople on the
7th March, and arrived at Marseilles on Friday/
brings the following news :

"A corps of 70,000 men has arrived for the pur-
pOse of establishing themselves at Sebastopol.
" Another• corps of 30,000 men has arrived at
Odessa.

" Between Moscow and Odessa 100,000 men are
on their march."

Telegraphic advices from Vienna leave no room
to doubt that the Czar has rejected the ultimatum
of France and England.
The Turkish Government has just named a com-
mission composed of men of importance in the
country to centralise and impart activity to every-
thing that concerns the army and the great affairs
of the country. By that means the resources of
the country will be better ascertained, and greater
unity and activity imparted to the military opera-
tions.

A telegraphic despatch, dated Vienna, yesterday
(Sunday), says :

Something of extreme importance was probably'
settled the day before yesterday between this Go'
vernment and Prussia, as a member of the Prussian
Embassy went to Oderberg by special train. This
was after a conference bet%yeeh Count Buol and the
Prussian Minister.

The prohibition to export weapons from Austria
into the Turkish provinces is extended to Moldavia
and Wallachia.

The subjoined passage is contained in a mani"
festo issued in the Principalities by the Czar :--
" The Sultan having pers'sted in his obstinate
course, France and England are marching against
Russia. We will go forth in the name of .the
Trinity to free our fellow-believers from the yoke
of the oppressors. Let the oppressed make cony
mon cause with us."

The first acts of Fuad Effendi on reaching Jan'
ina were to grant a general amnesty, and remit
part of the taxes ; and, secondly, to send a mos'
senger to Athens, to demand an explanation of the
conduct of the Greek Government.
A powder-mill had been blown up at Shumlal
but there was no loss of life.
The Oest. Correspondenz states that the whole
50,000,000 of loan had been taken.
According to a telegraphic despatch from Berlin,
dated yesterday (Sunday), Baron Manteuffere
speech to the Chambers contained an assurance that
the Government is determined to vindicate Prussia le
right under all the circumstances to co-operate in
the preservation of the peace of Europe, but that
Prussia does not feel called upon in the same mew;
sure, as other nations, from her position or navel
resources to take an active part in protecting the
integrity of Turkey. The King has decided not to
require from Prussia the heavy sacrifices insePe;
rable from war until the particular interests 01
Prussia render such a decision imperativeli
necessary. The Minister is empowered to request
the Chamber to vote a credit of 30 millions.
The Czar is known to have said that the pro'
posal of the Western Powers did not require five
minutes' consideration.

27,000 troops are expected at Revel.
A letter from Warsaw of the 12th says :—" It is
now certain that the second corps d'armoe has re'
ceived orders to proceed to the theatre of war-
Some regiments of the guard are expected in the
kingdom. Preparations are being made for the
reception of General Rudiger, who is to replace
Prince Paskiewitsch. A visit from the Grand Duke
Cesarewitsch is spoken of. This morning was
published in all the churches, synagogues, chapels,
&c., the manifesto by which the Emperor air
flounces the rupture of diplomatic relations be-
tween Russia and England and France."
The Russian General de Benkendorff, who de
sired to leave Berlin for the theatre of war, has re-
ceived orders from the Czar to remain where he ie.
A letter from Vienna of the 13th, in the Wurtz-
burg Gazette, says :—" It is known that the four
great Powers have come to an agreement not to
tolerate any insurrection in the provinces of Euro-
pean Turkey. Austria has undertaken to watch
over the tranquillity of Bosnia, Servia, and Mon-
tenegro. The Western Powers, on their part,
will maintain tranquillity in the Greek provinces
of the Turkish empire. At the beginning of last
week, our Cabinet sent a note to St. Petersburg,
to make known to the Russian Government the re-
solution of Austria to suppress by arms any rising
in Turkey. This communication has been made t°
the Russian Government in order to avoid all
misunderstanding. It would, in fact, have 15011
possible for the Cabinet of St. Petersburg to have
considered the occupation of Servia and Bosnia by
Austria, as a hostile demonstration against it,
whilst Austria only acts for her own interests."
The Voss Gazette of the 16th says We learn
from a good source that last week our government
sent to the Germanic Diet despatches, which will
be published. They will mention again the per:
feet accord which reigns between the two grow'
powers on the Eastern affair. The Prussian go'
vernment is to make it is said, a similar comma-
nication. M. d'Arnim, the Prussian Ambassador,
has had a conference with Prince Buol Shauenil
stein' at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, in which
he has given the most satisfactory assurances as t°
the policy which the Cabinet of Berlin proposes to
follow on the Eastern question."
The Suabian Mercury contains a letter from
Munich, 14th, which says :—" M. Von clef
Pfordten, President of the Council of Ministers,
has been received at a private audience by the
Emperor of Austria. The affairs of Greece are
said to have been the subject discussed. The
Emperor and his betrothed, accompanied by Duke
Louis, her brother, often ride through the
streets."

FRANCE;
DEPARTuRE OF TROOPS FROM
MARSEILLES.

The Moniteur of to-day announces that General
Canrobert, and the first portion of the troops des-
tined for the army in the East, left Marseilles yes'
terday (Sunday) evening at six o'clock.
The subscriptions to the loan, from the 14th to
the 19th, amounted to the sum of 235,000,000 f.
It appears that the state in which Marshal Vall-
iant found the War Department on his entering upon
office does not correspond with the idea entertained
of Marshal St. Arnaud's ability or energy. 111-health,
to be sure, may be alleged ; but it is said to be un-
deniable hat the military preparations for the es'
pedition to the East have not been so far advanced
as they should be. The War-office is not alone de-
ficient; the Navy Department is also backward, and
the means of transport not what they might be. The
Emperor,to whom Marshal Valliant has presented a
report on the subject, understood to be extremely
dissatisfied with this state of things, and has
expressed his displeasure in strong terms, The
fact is, that both for economy, and to prove that
there existed no intention on the part of France to
invade England, the army, it is now said, has been
reduced to a point far below what was generally
supposed. Every effort is now made to remedy the
evil, and, from the rapidity with which we know
a n causeA
lipftsoiriss not
yet
that an army can be organised in France, it is cer-
tain that before long 600,000 men can be placed on
doubt as to their conduct, will be so
p
the war footing, and, if Prussia and Austria give
y
thought that the idea of an armylaced.
on the
Private letters from Turin of the 14th mention
the reception of Prince Lucien Bonaparte by the
King. The-14th was his Majesty's birthday, and,
though he seldom passes it in the capital, he 3113
remained for the purpose of receiving the Prince, to
whom he ha intimated his intention through the
President of the Council. Prince Lucien and his
secretary were accompanied by the Duke de Gulch°
to the palace, when the interview lasted nearly an
hour. The Prince afterwards visited the Duke °l,
Genoa. The Duke de Guiche gave a grand dinner in
in the evening on the occasion of the Prince's arrival,
at which the Ministers, the members of the diplo-
matic corps, and other high functionaries attendea•
The next day tha Duke of Genoa returned Prince
Lucien's visit in great state. It seems that the
Piedmontese are generally struck with the reselw
blance of the Prince to the Emperor Napoleon 1•
_
It is not, however, to Napoleon when Emperor_
that the likeness is so striking, but rather to th
First Consul before lie had become corpulent, and
e
:
while his features were less full. The Prince started
for Milan on the 15th.
The Bourse on Saturday experienced a further,
decline. The 3 per Cents, opened at 66f. 20e., fell
to 66f. 85c., and closed at 65f. 95c. for the end 01
the month. The 4 per Cents. closed at 92f. 40c.;
Orleana Railway awe, 1,057 f. 00c.; Rouen, 870 f.;