The Sun.
London, England, 1853-02-14 00:00:00

MONEY AND COMMERCIAL NE WS.

CITY, Two o'CLoes.
The sales of cotton at Liverpool on Saturday were
estimated at 6,000 bales, of which 500 American
and 500 Pernam and Maranham were taken for ex-
port. The market was tame, but closed steadily at
previous rates. The sales comprised 5,000 Ameri-
can ; 600 Pernam and Maranham, at 64d. to 63d. ;
300 Egyptian, at 6.1 d. to 8.1-d. ; and 500 Surat, at
31-d. to 44d. per lb. Railway Shares were firm at
higher prices.
The railway meetings announced for the week
are the following :
Buckinghamshire, Feb. 18, Euston Station.
Colchester, Stour Valley, &c., Feb. 16, Colchester.
Cork and Waterford, Feb. 15, 2, Delahay-street, West-
minster.
Dublin and Belfast Junction, Feb. 16, Dublin.
Dublin and Wicklow, Feb. 16, Dublin.
East and West India Docks and Birmingham Junction,
Feb. 19, Euston Station.
East Indian, Feb. 18, 50, Old Broad-street.
Gloucester and Dean Forest, Feb. 19, Gloucester.
Liverpool, Crosby, and Southport, Feb. 15, Liverpool.
London and Blackwall, Feb. 15, London Tavern.
London and North-Western, Feb. 18, Euston Station.
London and South-Western, Feb. 16, London Tavern.
Madras, Feb. 15, Office.
Maria Antonia, Feb. 14, Florence.
Norther .1 and Eastern, Feb. 17, Office.
Sambre and Meuse, Feb. 17, Office.

Sheffield, Rotherham, 8., W., H., and Goole, Feb. 18,
Wakefield.
Taff Vale, Feb. 16, Bristol.
Vale of Neath, Feb. 19, Cardiff.
York, Newcastle, and Berwick, Feb. 18, York.

In reference to the import trade of New York,
returns show that in four weeks the increase was
$832,717, and this, it was stated, was quite a mode-
rate augmentation. A favourable feature was the
uniformity in the receipts of foreign dry goods.
The importation of these articles is watched with
interest, as they form an important item in the
total value of imports, and show to some extent the
state of the foreign trade.
From Miramichi we learn that a fishery meeting
had been held, at which resolutions were passed to
the effect that, as the British North American
coast fishery was daily increasing in value and im-
portance, the idea of conceding them to the Ame-
ricans should not be carried out without the con-
sent of the colonists.

Accounts from Caiifornia are of an interesting
character. In the new Pacific state the inhabitants
were suffering very much from famine, floods, and
sickness. The floods were so extensive that many
towns and districts were under water ; miners were
compelled to leave the " diggins," and pro' isions
had become so scarce in some parts of the interior
that many of the people were actually starv-
ing, attributable to the very bad condition
of the roads. The quantity of gold shipped from
the Atlantic States from the Ist ult. was but
little more than 1,800,030 dols., which was owing
to the unfavourable weather. This, however, was
not expected long to continue, and larger ship-
ments were looked for. But to the " diggers" these
floods are generally of ultimate advantage, as they
wash away the earth, and leave the gold on the
surface. In San Francisco flour was cheaper, and
an increased stock was expected ; the wholesale
price was 31 dols. to 32 dols., and the retail 33 to
34 dols. per brl. Money was abundant at 2i to 3
per cent.
At the meeting of the British American Land
Company just held, a dividend at the rate of 30s.
per share for the year was declared, 15s. to be paid
on and after the 11th April, and 15s. on and after
the 10th October next. There is no definite infor-
mation concerning the gold discoveries, but that
gold does exist in the eastern townships is ascer-
tained.

Advices from Constantinople, of January 29,
state that the value of money had risen there.
The Australian florin was worth 41 piastres, and
roubles were at 20 piastres ; francs were at 5
piastres.
The English- Stocks have been firm, but with
very little doing. Consols have been marked
99g for Transfer, and the same for Account. The
New Three-and-a-Quarter per Cents. are at 1031
to g. The advices from Paris are satisfactory, and
upon the opening of the Senate it is hoped the Em-
peror will make such remarks as will strengthen
confidence. Bank Stock has been very steady at
228. Exchequer Bills are 525. to 555. premium,
being scarcely so good. East India Bonds are at
60s. premium.
Foreign Securities have been without any parti-
cular alteration. Mexican Bonds have been steady
at 23i Peruvian 6 per Cents. have been sup-
ports oi at 104. Grenada Deferred Stock is at 11g,
and dull. Brazilian Small Bonds are at 1011, and
the 41 per Cents at 97. Buenos Ayres Bonds are
marked 64. Portuguese 4 per Cents. are 38/, and
Spanish 3 per Cents. 4715. The Swedish Loan is at
11 discount. Russian Bonds, are supported.
The Gold Mine Shares have been very active,
and many buyers have taken them up. Great
Nugget Vein, Colonial, and West Mariposa have
been in most demand.

There is a report that Colonel Fremont's title to
the mineral on his estates has been declared inva-
lid, consequently squatters can occupy the ground.
The Land Company's Shares are firmer, and
South Australian Land are up 2/. to 4/. The Aus-
tralian Bank is rising.
Railway Shares are at very full prices, and in
some cases dearer. The French lines are all de-
cidedly better.

BRITISH FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK THIS DAY.
(From th. Official List.)
Br-iness none.
Bank Stock
3 per Cent. Reduced Annuities..........
3 per Cent. Consols Annuities
New 34 per Cent. Annuities 1034
India Bonds, £lOOO
Ditto, under £IC3 6O
Consols for Account 10th March 99/
Exchequer Bills lid. March. June.
£lOOO.
£5OO
Small

PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK.
Braz:lian Bonds, 5 per Cent. ._
Ditto New, 185-2, 4,1- per Cent B7i
Ditto Small Bonds 1001 & 2031 101,4
Buenos Ayres Bonds, 6 per Cent 64_
Grenada Bonds, Deferred,
Mexican 3 per Cent 23.
Peru eau 6 pc,. Cent.
Portuguese 4 per Cent.. 3B/ a d
Russian Bonds, 5 per Ceut.
Ditto, 41 per cent . 103
Sardinian Bonds, 5 per Cent. 94i
Spanish Bonds, 3 per Cent 47.-;
Swedish Loan li d
HALP-PAST TWO.
Consols
Ditto March Account 99i i

FIGHT BETWEEN THE "MANCHESTER PET " AND THE
"PLUCKY ENGLISHMAN."—A little bit of a "spurt" has
taken place between Cobden and the Englishman. Tho
reporter for Bell's Life was not present, but one of the
combatants has furnished the following account of the
" mill," which is addressed to the " Pet ' in these terms
—" You are a sporting man. I wrote letters, but you
make a book. You post a challenge for the championship.
Yon choose the day, the wager, and the stakes. Ten
thousand pounds to a shilling a week. I take the odds.
Done ! You go into regular training. You eat Burke
raw ; chew, but, wisely, do not swallow Alison ; and
digest the whole Pictorial History of England. The fight
comes off. You ` peel' in prime condition. What bone I
what sinew ! ` Nil nisi nerves cuteau.' You s4ep into
the ring, like ` Spider Bill himself, with high-lows, shorts,
a handkerchief, and bottle-holder. There is a rally, and a
round. You hit wild, groggy, and go down. Time's up.
Where are you ? Nowhere. You and your bottle-holder
have jumped over the ropes, and the word is non in-
veniendus."
SCARCITY OF SEAMEN.---In consequence of the large
number of vessels which have been despatched for, and
lying in the ports of Australia, there is a very great
scarcity of seamen, which is equally felt in Bristol and all
the porta of the Bristol Channel. So much is this the
case, that out bound vessels have been detained for a
length of time, actually waiting for men to man them. At
the Welsh ports, on the other side of the Channel, seamen
are very scarce and eagerly sought for. Her Majesty's war
steam-frigate the Encounter, of 14 guns, under the com-
mand of Captain O'Callaghan, is lying in the Cumberland
Basin, Bristol, for the purpose of enrolling seamen for her
Majesty's service, and a rendzvous for this ect has been
opened in the neighbourhood.
A BLACK DECISION.—At the Mar '-strcet police
court, William Fortinie, a man of colour, was charged with
refusing to support his illegitimate child. Margaret Mackey
said she was engaged by M. Robin, the conjuror, in Titch-
borne-ftreet, to do work, and there met with the de-
fendant, who was also employed to assist in the tricks
and conjurations at the theatre. The defendant con-
trived to become intimate with her, and the result was
the little copper-coloured fac-simile of the father. The de-
feneant, notwithstanding the prima, facie proof of paternity
presented by the child, stoutly declared ho was not the
father. The complainant had no other corroborative proof
than that which was afforded by the unmistakeable resem-
blance between the child and its putative father. Mr.
Hardwick was hardly inclined to think that this kind of
proof was the corroborative evidence contemplated by law.
It was just possible that the defendant was not the father,
as there were other black men in London. He should
therefore remand the case, to see if the complainant could
bring some kind of corroboration of her declaration.
DANCING MATCH.—A dancing match took place at
Bampton, on Saturday night, the 29th ult., for 101., be-
tween the celebrated veteran dancer, Old Tommy Gipin,
of Mardale, late of Kentmere, and Mr. John Hall, of
Bampton. The novelty of the thing drew together a
large assemblage of spectators, and there was a good
deal of betting on the result of the contest. After an
alternate trial of about an hour, and while victory still
hung doubtfully in the balance, Old Tommy suddenly
discovered that he had forgot his "nankeen drawers,"
and offered to double the wager if his antagonist would
meet him on Monday night to decide the contest. This
was agreed to. Monday night came, and sure enough
Old Tommy, his " nankeens," and his backers were
there ; but his competitor did not venture to appear. Of
course, Old Tommy claimed the wager, and threw up his
cap, and declared that his next exhibition should
be at
the Alexander diggings, Amtralia.-7-Codido Awn?.

RAILWAY AND OTHER PRIVATE BILLS IN
PARLIAMENT.

We have prepared the following list of railway and
other important bills which have already been presented
to the House of Commons and read a first time. What
with these and the election petitions, our representatives
will have enough of hard work cut out for them in select
committees during the present session.

Aberdeen.—For raising further monies and extension of
time for purchase of lands, &c.
Ambergate, Nottingham, and Boston, &c.—No. I. To
authorise traffic arrangements with the Great
Northern. No. 11. To authorize erection of station

at Nottingham, and abandonment of portion of the
line, &c.
Ardrossan.—For vesting the company in the Glasgow
and South Western Company.
Bangor and Caernarvon.—For sale of line to the Ches-
ter and Holyhead.
Birmingham and Oxford. &c.—For providing additional
station accommodation in connection with the Groat
Western, and other railways.
Blackburn.—For extension of time, &c.
Birkenhead, Lancashire, and Cheshire.—For making
lines to Seacombe and Liskard.
British Electric Telegraph Company.—For amendment
of Act.
Cheltenham and Oxford Union.

Crystal Palace Company—For diversion of roads and
purchase of lands.
Devon and Dorset.—For making a line from Stoke
Canon to Maiden Newton.
Darlington and Barnard Castle.
East Grimstead.

East and West India Docks, &c.—For dissolving the
existing company and incorporatinr, a new ono.
Electric Telegraph Company of Ireland.'
Eastern Counties.—To make line from Stratford to
Woodford and Loughton. 11. To make line to
Ham Creek and the Thames.
East Lancashire.--For extension of line to Southport
and Rainford.
Great Extra-mural Cemetery Association.---For cemetery
at Willesden.
Great Northern.—I. For amendment of Acts. 11. For
branch to Bedford.
Hull and Holderness.
London Docks Bill.—To augment stock and to form a
new entrance from the river.
London, Brighton and South Coast.—To enlarge London
and Brighton Stations, and to form branch line
to Crystal Palace.
London and North-Western.—The following are the ob-
jects of the different bills promoted by this corn-
pany:—l. To construct line from Northampton to
Market Harborough. 11. Do, from Tring to Ox-
ford. 111. Do. from Crewe to Shrewsbury. IV.
To make branches to Stourbridge. V. To obtain
additional powers as to the Oldham branch. VI.
To construct branches to St. Albans and Amer-
sham. VII. To connect the Buckinghamshire with
the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton.
Limerick and Foynes.
Limerick, Ennis, and Killaloe.—For power to sell, &c.
London Assurance Bill.
London and Finsbury Improvements.—For improve-
ments in London and Finsbury, and for construc-
tion of railway and stations.
Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire.—For alteration
of Barnsley branch.
Manchester and Southport.—For alteration of line, ke.
Monkland.—For branches.
Midland.—For making line from Leicester to Hitches.
Peebleso-sFrom Hawick to Peebles.
Portadown and Dungannon.
Redruth and Chasewater.

South-Eastern.--The following are the objects of the
bills promoted by this company :—I. To form a
junction with the Great Western at Reading. 11.
To make a branch from the North Kent to the
Thames. 111. Do. from Lewisham to Bromley and
Croydon. IV. Do. from Strood to Maidstone. V.
To vest in the South-Eastern the Canterbury and
Whitstable Railway and Continental Packet Com.
pany.
South Devon and Tavistock.--For line from Plymouth
to Tavistock.
Severn Valley.—For making a line from Hartlebury to
Shrewsbury.
St. Helen's Canal and Railway.—For extending the
line to Rainford, &c.
Warrington and Altrincham.—For extending line to
Stockport.
West Cornwall.—For branches, &c.
Wimbledon and Croydon.

Woodford.—From Hackney Wick to Woodford.
Worcester and Hereford.—This company has two bills
for making railways between Worcester and Here•
ford, and for forming junctions with other corn.
panys, &c.