The Sun.
London, England, 1854-10-12 00:00:00

THE OVERLASD MAIL.

(By Submarine and European Telegraph.)
TRIESTE, THURSDAY MORNING.
• The steamer Calcutta arrived on the 12th, at
half-past three o'clock a.m., in 112 hours, from
Alexandria, 7th October.
The Indus leaves Alexandria this day, with
dates from Calcutta, 6th September ; Madras,
10th September ; Shanghai, 7th August ; Amoft
18th August ; CAntou, 21st August • 'Hong Kong,
22d August ; Bombay, 11th September.
India was perfectly tranquil.
At Calcutta trade was depressed. Exchange
1.11.

From China we learn that Shanghai is still ill
the hands of the rebels.
Canton continues in a state of siege.
Ningpo, Fuhchan, and Amoy were quiet. The
Lancastrian, Langley, has been lost near Fuu-chose
fuo. No tea has arrived at Canton, and business
is quite suspended there.
Much tea will be exported from Fuhcban.
change at Shanghai, 6s. ; Canton, 4.5. Bd. In rail'
silk little doing.

THE SUNKEN VESSELS OFF SEHIS-

TOPOL.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
SIR,—As the clearance of the entrance to Sebastopol/
the instant the reduction of the north and south out°
forts may render that operation practicable, is of tilt,
greatest importance, I venture to give you my ideas hot(
the matter may be promptly and effectually a 0
com plished.

The absence of all tide in the Euxine renders the opv
ration, perhaps, somewhat difficult. Our engineers Olt
however, no doubt, resort to the usual course of con'
structing a diving bell, in order to pace powder under
the ships, and thus blow them up, or they might try td
raise them by means of submerged empty tanks an,
gutta percha bags. All this, however, it is clear 161'
occupy much valuable time—days, perhaps weeks',
during which our flaet may be exposed to the risks
the seas, and, at all events be unable to refit and repair
in those capacious naval arsenals and docks which are'
I trust, ere this in our possession. I suggest a simpler
means—new, it is true, but which I have every convio'
tion will be found effectual and speedy.
The strength of our iron ships has been much spoken'
of, but is, I believe, fully understood only by those *V
have owned them or been engaged in their construction'
There is now an iron ship off Sebastopol, built by Napitr!
of G:asgow, for her Majesty's Government, and oriffy
nally destined fora ship-of war—consequently, ofstro :ger
build than the common run of iron merchant steamers'
I well remember the tilented builder of this vessel ir
viting me to inspect her while in the course of construe''
tion, and directing my special attention to the careful,
manner in which her bows were strengthened. these'
to use his own expression, would be found just as strong
as if they were actually filled in with solid iron. I
at the same time reminded me that the weight of tul
ship, ready fur sea, would be fully 4,000 tons, and adds,'
that if so solid and weighty a mass were impelled at her
full speed-12 knots—against the broadside of the
stoutest line-of-battle-ship she must cut her down and
go through her or over her.
I have that confidence in the strength of the SimoOl
that, if time prove an object in clearing the port, I wotile
strongly recommend that she be tried against one of OA
submerged Russians. Her bows are so sharp and e°,
strong that I believe her keel will go through the huh'
like a knife, and that her superincumbent weight in set'
thing down upon it will crush it like an eggshell. At
the same time, I am not apprehensive that the shock
will injure either her hull or machinery, although ,
would not say as much for many other iron ships among
the transport fleet in the Euxine.
.To give the experiment I suggest a fair chance, the
hull should he heeled over—which, if the topmasts are'
above water, can easily be done, unless the bot:oin be
very soft, and the ships have settled down—by laying
out an anchor, and bearing upon a chain fixed to the
lower mainmast of the Russian.

In transmitting you these remarks I feel they in.l
perhaps be of use, and can a: all events do no harm.
Possibly the builder of the &mown, or Mr. Scutt Rue
sell, should this meet their uotice, will favour us wit 4
their views on the subject.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

IRONSIDES►

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Stn,—l find by your police report in your piper of
yesterday that a person describing himself as Henri,
Jones, of 23, Soho square, was convicted in a penalty
Si. for an assault on an omnibus conductor. I have re-
sided here for 15 years, and have practised in the immr
diate neighbourhood fOr nearly 40 years ; and I visdl
confined to my house by indisposition during the whole
of Sunday. It was impossible, therefore, for me to have
been the guilty party. As the report is calculated to
prejudice me, may I beg the favour of your inserting this
in contradiction.—l am, Sir, yOur very obedient ser'
vant, HENRY D. JONES.
23, Soho-square, Oct. 11.

THE NEW STAMP ACT.

i ~

A question having arisen in connection with the NO
Stamp Act, which came into operation to-day, whether
bills due before the 11th •f October, and either not pre-
sented for payment until the 11th ,or dishonoured and •
taken up after the 10th, would come under its operation,
the points were brought before the Secretary of Inland
Revenue in the following form :
" Are the following brought within the operation of the
act ?
" A foreign bill due on or before the 10th of October,
but not presented for payment until after that day.
" A foreign bill due on or before the 10th of October,
presented and dishonoured, but taken up after the 10th."
And the following is the answer received :
"The duty is payable in both instances. The words of
the sth section, 11th and 18th of Victoria, c. 83, are, 'II
any person shall present for payment or shall pay any such
bill, &c. The act of presentation or the act of payment
after the 10th requires that the stamp should be at the
time affixed."