The Sun.
London, England, 1853-10-25 00:00:00

SHIPOWNERS' SOCIETY OF NORTH
SHIELDS.

The following reply has been given by the Earl
of Clarendon, in answer to a letter from the above
society :

"Foreign-office, Oct. 22, 1853.
" Sir, —I am directed by the Earl of Clarendon to
acknowledge the receipt of the letter, dated the 14th
inst„ in which, on the part of the Shipowners' Society
of North Shields, you call his lordship's attention to the
number of British vessels trading with ports in the Baltic
and Black Sea ; and in which you also ask to be informed,
whether, in the event of hostilities between this country
and Russia sufficient notice would be given to enable
British vessels to clear out of Russian Ports in time to
avoid capture ; and also request to be informed whether
Lord Clarendon considers the present state of affairs so
critical as to make it expedient for the Society of Under-
writers to prohibit the chartering and sailing of vessels
for Russian ports.
" I am to state to you in reply that there does not
exist any treaty stipulation between this country and
Russia, by which the giving such a notice as that to which
you refer is made obligatory on either Government; and
that, with respect to the general questions, whilst it is
of course impossible for her Majesty's Government to
answer for future contingencies, which might depend on
the conduct of others, her Majesty's Government will
neglect no step in their power which may conduce to
the security of the trade of this country.
" With regard to the last point referred to in your
letter, namely, the question of the amount awarded to
British ships of war in cases of recapture of a British
vessel from an enemy, I am to state to you that this is
a grave question of law and policy upon which Lord
Clarendon does not feel himself called upon to express
any opinion.—l am, sir, your most obedient humble
servant, (Signed) "H. A. ADDINGTON.
"To Robert Clough, Esq., Chairman
Shipowners Society, North Shields."

PORT PHILIP.—The private letters from Port Philip
received by the Eagle are extremely unfavourable with
regard to the state of the markets. Goods continued to
pour in from all parts of the world, and as many were
endeavouring to hold on rather than submit to imme-
diate sacrifices, ships were being purchased in num-
bers, to be used for storage. Other firms had come
to the conclusion that the anticipations of a Great
improvement when the roads to the mines should
again be open would prove deceptive, if con-
signments come forward," it is remarked, "as they
done of late, the market will be perfectly
glutted " Timber maintained its price, but a great
many vessels were overdue from Singapore, which
wou Id bring large supplies, and additional quantities
wer‘., expected from Gothenburg and Quebec. Flot r,
it w as thought, might advance before October or Novem-
ber. According to a return recently prepared, it seems
that the gold licenses issued in the colony of Victoria were
39,2i31 in May, and 42,269 in June. The gold brought
down. by escort during those two months was 301,288
ounces, worth 1,205,0001., and the amount exported
wa5'3:12,839 ounces, worth 1,410,0001. The arrival of
immigi 'ants during the same period was 13,045, and the
departu res s,B9l,leavirg a balance in favour of the
colony .of 7,154. The number of ships in harbour at
Port Philip on tie Ist of July was 222, with an aggre-
gate capacity of 81,006 tons.