The Sun.
London, England, 1836-12-05 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SlR,—His Majesty's steam-packet, Ferret, on Friday,
December 2, P.M., landed Prince Polignac, and passengers,
at Dover, from the Roadstead, with risk and difficulty : she
then ran to Ramsgate, knowing the convenience of that
harbour from frequent experience, to land the Prince's and
other passengers' carriages, materials and freight, and, im-
mediately on the execution of this service, worked up towards
Dover, to be in readiness the following morning to take on
board the mail for Calais. In this she succeeded, but when about
half channel over, not being able to prosecute her voyage, she
bore up for Ramsgate, and arrived in the afternoon of
December 3d to take in fuel. No doubt weather will be
pleaded as an excuse ; when, in fact, the difficulty arises
from the entrance of Dover harbour being blocked up with
a bar. That the Government Packets, by being placed
on the Dover station, must necessarily'cause an enormous ex-
pense to the country is too evident. The commission of in-
quiry published in 1836, gives us sufficient proof of the
burthen, but not the cause. Here is one of the effects of
the system, and is not a new case. The Ferret must have
had her steam up at least eight hours more than was neces-
sary, had she made the voyage on the 2d inst. direct from
Calais to Ramsgate ; exclusive of the increased expenditure
of fuel,there is an increased wear and tear of the vessels and ma-
chinery ; this unnecessary expenditure of the public money,and
inconvenience to the nation, in her intercourse with France,
via Dover, is a matter of grave consideration, and having a
port at hand suited for the purpose, it becomes a measure
worthy of legislative interference. The increased expen-
diture of the packets on the Dover station (exclusive of
coals) in wear and tear, amounted to 5,0801. from 1833
to 1834 ; and in evidence before the commission of inquiry
it appears that there is a loss of 4,0001. per annum
to the Treasury, from the inconvenience of embarking freight
and passengers, when the vessels are necessarily obliged
to lay in the Roadstead. This occurs from Dover being
a bar harbour ; and in such cases they lay with the steam
up three hours before the mail arrives. This flagrant case
of the 2d instant with the Ferret, it is to be hoped, will
be investigated by those in authority. The despatches she
had on board might have been of importance. Two points
should be ascertained—her position in the Channel when
she bore up for Ramsgate ; the quantity of fuel she had
on board at that time ; and where the remaining four
packets were lying. on the 3d instant. R.
Ramsgate, Dec. 4, 1836.

____
THE MARKETS—(THIS DAY).
-..a..
i CORN EXCHANGE.
The boisterous weather of the past week occasioned the
arrivals of Grain and Flour to be small ; there was, however,
a good quantity of Oats from Ireland. There was little
variation in prices, but the trade was generally inanimate.
This morning the fresh supplies of all kinds of Corn have
been moderate. The continuance of damp weather causes
nearly all the samples of Wheat to come tender, and the mil-
lers were disinclined to purchase. Dry samples, which were
very moderate, obtained last quotations ;.other qualities are Is.
to 2s. per quarter cheaper than this day se'nnight. Barley
meets a very heavy trade, and is also further declined 2s. per
quarter. Beans, both old and new, do not sell so freely as of
late, and are rather lower. Boiling Pease maintain their
former rates. Grey Pease are dull, and declining in value.
The demand for Oats is slack, and the prices of this day se'n-
night could hardly be maintained. There has been a fair
trade for Flour during the week, and the prices of the pre-
vious week are unchanged. There is a report that fifteen ves-
sels for America, with Wheat from the continent, have been
lost or seriously damaged during the late gales.
PRICES ON BOARD/OP SHIP.
Wheat, Red (old) ss. 655. Beans, Small (new) 383.423.
----White (01d).........633. 703.
--lted ;1836) 46s. 525. Tick (new) 313 30s.
Fine 545.. 565.
--- Superfif c .Bs. 62s Harrow (new) "6 - :38s
- IN hto (1836) 483. 518.
---. Fine 565. 60s Brank 343.383.
----- Superfine Cs 655. Oats, Feed 275.323.
----Foreign free ii. —s. New 243.303.
Rye 'Ms. 34s Poland "6s. 333
Barley 3O-.123,, New -,'6, '3',4•
---- Grinding "03.343. rotatoe `?O3. 323.
-- Malting 36s. 40s. New • (ii :JO:.
Malt. 40s. 1;5; Scotch 7 ',. 3.3;•
Fine New 525. 56s Irish 24' ohs 30s
.:se, Grey, New 403. 425. Flour Town (per sack) 503.555.
---Maple New. 403. 433. N3ccond, 46, .595.
-- White Us. 453. North Country 40. 45,.
Boilers 46s 48,. - Bran

)NDON
Sarley.
,311 qrs.
:313
A 35

DURING LAST WEEK,
Oats. Flour.
'551 qrs. 2,960 sacks
11;6131
4,920