The Sun.
London, England, 1854-12-15 00:00:00

AUSTRIA AND FRANCE.

( From the Pays.)
Every step which removes the Court of Austria
from the Russian alliance must bring it closer to France.
France is no longer that burning furnace where revolu-
tion kept up a fire always ready to spread over the
world, like the lava of a volcano. Without opposing
any of the acts of progress effected during the last fifty
years, and without denying its starting-point, which it
the principles of 1789, the present Government in
France has reduced to impotence the efforts of the de-
magogical party ; and placing itself boldly at the head
of society, it has been able to exhibit to foreign na
tions France pacified, calm, and strong in her right
pdwerful for good ; menacing no one ; but imposing on
all respect, and commanding universal esteem. • On the
Imperial throne, re-established by the unanimous vote
of the people, the world has beheld a man, inheriting
the namemad genius of ,Napoleon, take in hand, by a
generous initiative, the cause of European right, and
in the same way as he had conquered anarchy on
the national soil, arm himself with courage to put
down that other anarchy with which the Czar's am
bition menaced modern civilisation. Such is the new
mad imposing aspect in which France has revealed
herself to Europe, and which must have removed
every element of distrust. Certainly, if the French
Government had consented to listen to the proposi-
tions of the Czar, the equilibrium of Europe would have
been gravely compromised, if it had consented to become
the accomplice of the usurpations of Russia in the East,
it could have been largely indemnified at the expense of
Germany and of other States. But, thank God ! it is n•
longer dreams of conquest which prevail at the Tuile-
ries. The remembrance of the magnificent speech at
Bordeaux is still alive in every mind, and the splendid
picture which the Emperor Napoleon 111. there traced
of the works of peace which our society is destined
to execute, will not be for a length of time effaced.
It is not to extend the limits of a territory or to despoil
her neighbours that France will henceforward draw the
sword. The wars to which civilised States worthy of
that name, may be still forced, will not be ware of usur-
pation, but Conservative wars, in the highest sense of
the word, and the example which France gives in
that respect is as marked as it is significant. All these
considerations ought to draw Austria closer to Conser-
vative France, in proportion as she separates from re-
volutionary Russia ; and it is thus, as we have already
said, that the pivot of the traditional alliance has
by degrees become displaced, and has constantly drawn
nearer to that west, which is henceforward order, pro-
gress, and civilisation. Now the triple alliance, severed
between Russia and the German Powers, is cemented
between Austria, France, and England, that is to
say between the three most powerful nations in the
world, Austria, which has become the head of that Ger-
manic confederation, of which Prussia, by her hesitations,
has lost the preponderating direction ; France, which is
certainly, by her intrinsic strength and by the expansion
of her national genius, one of the greatest continental
powers ; and England, which has remained queen of the
seas and the most marvellous industrial power of modern
times. What could Europe, when supported by these three
gigantic forces which protect and consolidate her, still
apprehend ? She can defy the ambition of sovereigns
and the efforts of revolution ; she can fearlessly conront
the afflicting trials of war ; and is certain to behold
peace re-established on bases which will guarantee for
the future her independence and her equilibrium.
The alliance signed on Dec. 2 is the most conservative
combination that Europe can desire. We do not hesitate
to express the opinion that all the great European States
which do not wish to remain out of the movement of
our period will adhere to it without reserve.

VESSELS FOR TUE BLACK SEA.—It was mentioned
some weeks back that several vessels bad been chartered
in London to proceed to the Black Sea, with the hope
of getting cargoes of grain from the Principalities.
There seems, however, at present to be little prospect
of success. The houses interested, and which are prin-
pplies of grain now purchaseable at
cipally Greek firms, say that the British authorities
decline to remove the blockade of the Danube, and thus
set free the large su
almost nominal prices, altbough urged to do so by the
Austrian Minister here.

AIONEI MARKET

1.2t3)

COMMERCIAL I.NTELLTGENCE.

CITY, TWO o'CLOCK.

The sales of cotton at Liverpool yesterday were
estimated at 6,000 bales, including 500 American
taken for export. The market had a downward ten-
dency, and closed with prices of American )8-d. per
lb. down. In other descriptions the change is less
marked. The sales comprised 5,000 American, 150
Pernam and 111aranham at 5,1 d. to 61d., 100 Bahia
at 6d. to 6/(1., 150 Egyptian at ad. to 8&d, and
700 Surat at aid. to 3id. per lb. Railway shares
were firm. . _ _

There bas been a fair business transacted this
week in Colonial produce, but the supply being
large piices have tended downwards. Sugar has
been quiet on the whole, foreign descriptions being
held more firmly than West India. Plantation
Ceylon coffee has had a fair sale, but native has
ruled dull. The tea auctions have gone off heavily,
and good common sound congou has with difficulty
found buyers at 10d. per lb. Spices have generally
gong lower, including pimento, pepper, ar d nut-
megs. Rice has been less in request and cheaper.
In cotton the operations have been extremely
limited, and the value of the article has not
changed. Saltpetre has been dull, and previous
terms are not supported. Cochineal went rather
irregularly. In flax there have been purchases at
advanced rates, and jute is higher. In Russian
hemp very little has been done, and Manilla has
only been in demand for the better descriptions.
Iron is quiet, and tallow has had a moderate sale.
An extraordinary general meeting of the share-
holders of the Mariquita and New Granada Mining
Company is being held this day, at the London
Tavern, for the following purposes, viz. :—To re-
ceive Mr. Gower's report of his visit to the com-
pany's mines at Marmato and Santa Ana ; and of
the purchase of the Purima Mines ; and to adept
such measures thereon as may be expedient. And,
in pursuance of the following requisition, signed by
more than five shareholders holding more than
1,000 shares, to consider the matters stated in the
said requisition :

-
" LONDON, Nov. 27, 1854.
"To the Directors of the Mariquita and New Grenada

Mining Company.

" Gentlemen,—With a view to obtain for all the
'shareholders an opportunity to give their free and un-
fettered opinion upon the report of the committee of in-
vestigation, and thereby remove the misunderstanding
at present existing, we, the undersigned shareholders
in the Mariquita and New Granada Mining Company,
being more than 5 in number, apd holding among us
more than 1,000 shares, do hereby, under the authority
of the 6th clause of the deed of settlement, require of
you forthwith to convene a special general meeting of
shareholders for the following purposes :
" 1. To reconsider the report of the committee of in-
vestigation.
"2. To make such changes in the direction by in-
creasing or diminishing the number of the directors,
or by removal, or otherwise, as may to the meeting seem
convenient or desirable.
" 2. To amend clause 34, and to confer the appoint-
ment of both the auditors upon the shareholders.
" 4. To close the capital account by amending clause
59, and other clauses relating thereto, and rescinding
all powers now ♦ested in the directors of increasing the
capital stock of the company.
"5. To alter clause 5, and supplemental clause, if
any, to make the meeting half•yearly.
" 6. To make such alterations in the deed of settle-
ment as may be necessary to meet the ♦iews of the
shareholders upon the above points, by supplementary'
clauses, or otherwise, and to register same in the regis-
trar's office.
"7. To appoint a committee of investigation for the
purposes, and with the object required by the meeting."

The following are extracts from the reports on
the mines of Purima, from Captain Eastman (27
years employed in the Marmato mines), head
mining captain p

" Marmato, Sept. 22, 1854.

" R. F. Gower, Esq.
" My dear sir,—Agreeably to your request of the
11th inst. I proceeded to the Purima mines, and on
the 15th, 16th, and 18th examined the various workings
that are at present under operation.
"The general appearance of the ores is of a favourable
character for breaking and extracting, and notwithstand-
ing the lode has as yet not been sufficiently opened out
in extent to enable me to give any accurate estimate of
the quantity of ores it contains, I may, I think, safely
say that at present at least 20,000 tons are discovered ;
and by (hiving another cross-cut about 12 fithoms lower,
another 10,000 would in all probability be made avail-
able, if the lode holds in depth, which to all appearance
it does.

" I saw with great pleasure the encouraging prospects
held out by stream workings ; they, to all appearance,
are rich and extensive.
"The mines, as yet, are not quite in working order ;
however, the instructions given by one at various times
I have visited Purima, and the experience they are daily
obtaining, will soon make them have a more mining
look.
"The cost of extracting, if tramroads were laid down
in the extraction levels direct to the mills, would be
about $2.4 per ton, and I should think the value of the
ore per ton to be about $lO ; this, of course, is taking
good and poor on an average."

In the report of Mr. Thomas Johnson, the super-
intendent of the Sta. Ana Mines, it is stated :
" Purima, 9th October, 1854.

"R. F. Gower, Esq.
" My Dear Sir,—ln reply to your favour of the 27th
ult. respecting the mines of Purima, it appears to me,
from the short time I have been here, and the very cur-
sory examination that I have as yet been able to make
of the various mines, both Lodes and Ori Corrido, that
the company have reason to congratulate themselves
upon having concluded a most advantageous purchase.
"These Lodes have also the advantage of being'worked
by meant of levels or adits, so that there will be no ex-
pense in the shape of machinery for the purpose of ex-
teftcting either mineral or water; and by judiciously
selecting the sites for any new mills which it may ,be
found advisable to erect, the delivery of the mineral to
them may be effected at a very trifling cost.
" Oro Corrido.—As regards the Oro Corrido mines, we
may equally look forward to most important results.
The trials which have been already made show that the
god is apparently distributed in abundance on almost
every part of the mountain ; and when a further supply
of water can be obtained, I feel little doubt that from
this source alone the company will in a very few years
repay the capital invested in the purchase of these mines.
Mr. Charles Johnson, the superintendent of the
Marmato Mines, states, under date of Oct. 9 :

" I now proceed to give you my opinion on the mining
property of Purima, lately purchased by you for and on
account of the Mariquita and New Granada Mining
Company.
" The upper code has been considerably worked
upon, and the greater part of the backs have been taken
away, so that from this ground, I think I may say with-
out fear of being mistaken, that the company need not
expect to reap much benefit.
" The lower level has quite proved this lode to retain
its richness in depth, although contrary to the opinion
generally entertained that quartz lodes decrease in rich-
ness as they increase in depth. However, as another
cross-cut can be driven,; about 12 fathoms lower down,
which in all probahility ought to intersect the lode in
about is fathoms, another proof would be given. •I
think it should be done, more especially, as a mill might
be erected near the mouth of said crosscut, to stamp
the ores extracted from this, and the cross-cut above;
by so doing at least 30,000 tons of ore would be made
available on this lode:"
The steamer La Plata, from the West Indies, is
announced as having arrived at Southampton.
No letters are yet in town.
The accounts from China notice the progress of
the insurgents, and a continued interruption of
trade. The rate of exchange was but a trifle more
favourable.
The Continental advices are meagre in respect to
commercial information, but .they advise dulness
generally. At Paris, the depression in all branches
is stated to be greater than for the last four or five

years.
The English Stock market has been exceedingly
quiet, and Consols which, after the officials hors
of business yesterday bad improved to 91i and 92,
have receded again to 911 The New 3 per
Cents. have been 91 to and the Reduced 91/
to I. Bank Stock has been depressed, at 2671.
Exchequer Bills are 4s. to 65., and East India
Bonds 12s. premium.
Foreign Securities have been mostly nominal.
Turkish Scrip has been 61 to 71 discount. Equa-
dor Bonds are 3g to 31. French 4i per Cents. are
96 25, with the exchange at 25 5. Dutch 21 per
Cents. are 611.
The follorring are the nominal prices of Foreign
Stocks :—Grenada, Deferred Bonds, 5 to 6 ; Mexi-
can, 21k to 21;', ; Peruvian, 69 to 71 ; ditto
3 per Cents., 48 to 50 ; Portuguese 4 per Cents.,
41 to 43 ; Russian 5 per Cents., 96 to 98 ; ditto
44. per Cents., 86 to 88 ; Spanish New Deferred,
181 to 18i ; ditto 3 per Cents., 38i to 39 ; ditto
Certificates, 51 to 5g ; ditto Passive, 4: to 41.
The Railway Share Market has been duller, and
the highest quotations of yesterday have not been
obtained. The account is uow adjusted, VA to