The Sun.
London, England, 1831-07-18 00:00:00

EXCHEQUER BILLS.

There is now no doubt entertained that the sales of
Exchequer-bills on the part of the Bank have been re-
newed, and, as on former occasions, they occupy much
attention in the money-market. The degree of import-
ance that may attach to the measure depends, of course,
on the extent to which it is meant to be carried ; but, on
this head, as the matter is entirely at the discretion of the
Directors, no information is to be obtained. What seems
to be feared by a portion of the monied interest is, that if
the intended sales exceed a given amount, say 1,000,0001.
or 2,000,000/., inconvenience will be felt, more or less, i❑
money transactions of every description. They are well
aware that there may exist an absolute necessity for the
measure, in order to protect the Bank against the conse-
quences of the late large exportation of bullion, but con-
sider the time in which it is resorted to as by no means
the most eligible for such a purpose. The state of private
credit, which is far from being very favourable, must at
any rate be made worse by such a contraction of the circu-
lation ; while the Government may suffer by being com-
pelled to raise the interest on Exchequer-bills, or perhaps
to resort to a funding of them, if there is found to be a sur-
plus in the market, which, again, would alter the relative
value of all the Government securities, The only safe-
guard against these consequences will be, if the Bank only
order the market to be supplied to such an extent as it will
conveniently bear, and if they determine on not selling
any below a given premium, say ss. At that price there
is a chance at least that a large amount of Exchequer-
hills might be disposed of without inconvenience. It
would present an investment for capital perfectly safe, and
on which the loss could he but very trifling, under any
circumstances ; and many capitalists would no doubt em-
brace it, if tolerably secure that the Bank would not pass
that or some other limit. In this way a million or two,
or perhaps more, might by degrees be absorbed ; while any
precipitation would, on the other hand, infallibly bring on
the consequences before stated to be apprehended by the
monied interest.

It ought not to be lost eight of, in considering a ques-
tion of this nature, that the circulation has within the
last twelve months undergone a very remakable change,
brought on by the memorable three days in Paris, and the
train of events which followed them all over Europe. At
that time there was a surplus lying idle in the Bank of
not less than 10,000,0001., for which no profitable em-
ployment could be found. At present nearly the whole of
that surplus, at least such is the general opinion, has dis-
appeared. Mach has gone abroad, the rest has found
employment at borne, and the supply and demand for
money are fairly adjusted to each other. Any futher con-
traction of the circulation, therefore, through a measure
of the Bink, or any other cause, might be felt seriously
now, which at another time would be comparatively
harmless. Hence the extreme caution required in adopt-
ing it, and after adoption, in managing such an opera-
tion.— Times.

It is a disputed point whether the late Sir
THOMAS LAWRENCE did not make an attempt on the
stage, about the year 1787—a matter not at all cleared up
by his biographers. The Duke of DEVONSHIRE has JOHN
KEMBLE'S play-bills, and the name of Mr. LAWRENCE is
inserted, in Ku:gimes hand-writing-, opposite the part of
Philaster, which was printed "to be performed by a
gentleman, his first appearance." The question is, whe-
ther this was Major LAWRENCE, or his brother, Sir
THo►tAs, and it is indisputable that the latter had at one
time a strong passion for the stage.— Observer.

The Merseq, 28, Captain COURTNEY, ar•
rived this morning (Saturday), in forty-four days from
Tampico, and twenty-seven days from the Havannah,
having left on the 13th of March. On her way to Tam-
pico, she touched at Belize (Honduras), Campeachy, and
Vera Cruz. During her stay at Tampico the Monkey,
tender to the Winchester, was wrecked on the Bar ; the
crew and stores were, however, we arc happy to say,
saved. The whole Republic of Mexico was in a state of
profound tranquillity at the period of the Mersey's depaF.
ture ; the revenue was improving, commerce flourished
rn
defiance of every obstacle and exaction interposed in its
way, an additional export duty of two per cent. having
been recently laid on the precious metals. Vessels under
the Mexican flag are now, by act of Congress, placed on
the same footing as those of foreigners ; the law to take
effect in six months from May last ; previously all goods
imported in Mexican bottoms paid six per cent. less duty
than others, by which the revenue was considerably af-
fected, as nearly every foreign house at Vera Cruz and
Tampico, to evade the higher duty, had its vessel nomi-
nally owned by a Mexican citizen. The Grasshopper,
18, Commander ERSKINE, was to leave Tampico in about
three weeks after the Mersey. At Havannah the Mersey
met the Pincher schooner, and left there the Spani,le ship
of the line Heros, of 80 guns, with the Iberia and
Libertad frigates of 50 guns, and several smaller vessels.
It was generally reported at the Havannah that a revolt
had been contemplated by the slaves, but the prompt
measures adopted by the Government totally over-
threw their schemes, which were of a most sanguinary
nature, and not ill-formed. The Mersey has brought
home an inconsiderable sum in freight—about 200,000 hard
dollars. The prejudice against ships of war, as a means
of conveyance, occasioned by the Druid not proceeding
home after receiving on board a very large sum in treasure,
but going to Curacoa, &c. is not yet removed, although
the present Commander-iu-Chief has taken the must de-
cided steps to ensure and enforce the strictest punctuality
in future : on his arrangements, however, being generally
known, there is little doubt that the confidence of the
merchants ri ill he re-established, and the remittances made
by vessels of war appointed for this service. Many would
have shipped by the Mersey, but were prevented by the
instructions received from Europe to remit by packets.
The Camden packet sailed six days before the Mersey
with a considerable freight. The Mersey spoke the fol-
lowing vessels on her passage, all well :—On the 3d of
July, in lat. 45. 20. N. long. 54. 0, the Emma Solid,
of Belfast, 20 days from Mobile, for Liverpool ; on the
Bth of July, in lat. 48. 40., long. 22. 19., the barque
Restitution, from Prince Edward's Island, for Plymouth ;
on the 10th of July, in lat. 48. 26., long. 48. 5., the
ship Ganges, of Boston, 28 days from the Havannah for
Antwerp; and on the 12th instant, in lat. 48. 28., long.
46, 0., the brig Edgar, of Workington, six days from
Rotterdam for Quebec.—Hampshire Telegraph.
CHARGE OF ATTEMPTING TO POISON A
JURT.—On Fiiday the inquiry relative to an attempt to
poison a Jury in the month of December last was re-
sumed, before a Bench of Magistrates. The particulars
were stated on a former day, and no new facts were elicited
upon the present occasion. The Magistrates having con-
sulted together for a short time, disposed of the case by
saying that there were no grounds to justify them either in
committing or holding the accused to bail ; at the same
time the prosecutors might indict them at the Sessions if
, they pleased.

PRICES or THE STOCKS
Bank Stock '200% 199%
3 per Cent, Red. ..... -.MN %3s
:3 per Cent. Cons. B2l/Vi
3% per Cent.
Ditto Red 90%34
New 3%per Cent 9O ~i,
3 per Cent Ann. 1726 -
4 per Cent. 1626
Bank Long Ann to expire
Jan 5, 1861' 16;z; 15-16
Oct. 10, 1859
Jan. 5, 1860 :16 9-16
Jan. 5, 1880.. ......... -- --
April 5, 1880 . ---
Jan. 5, 1870 --

PRICES OT TORSION FUNDS THIS DAT AT ONZ O'CLOCK.
Austrian Bonds — Neapolitan —
Brazilian Bonds" — ,Peruvian Bonds
Buenos Ayres Bonds — ;Portuguese Bonds —
Milan Bonds — Prussian, Old
Colombian Bonds ....... ...... —lDitto, New 2 —

Ditto, 1824
Danish
Greek Bonds — --- 1823 —
Ditto, 1825
Guatisnala — --- Exchange —t. —C.
Mexican Bonds — -- 2 per cent . ..... 391. —,,
Ditto, 1825 — Exchange 2sf. 30a.

PRICES OF SHARES THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK.
Paid. Per Share.
Brazilian Imp. Min. Co. (isa. at 51. pm.) -£2O -
Ditto National l5 21
General Steam Navigation Co