The Sun.
London, England, 1849-01-26 00:00:00

WEST INDIAN AND MEXICAN

MR. RIGBY WASOIN'S PROJECT
FOR PAYING OFF THE NATION L DEB F.

TO THE .EDITOTI? OF THE SUN.
SIR,—I feel confident that you will not refuse the
following short observations upon Air. Rigby \Vason's
Project for Paying off the National Debt, inserted in
your journal yesterday. Such a proposition is at
first sight so plausible, and the balance of relief which
it puts forward is so inviting, that it cannot but oc-
casion great excitement throughout the country, in
spite of the glaring inaccuracy which you have your-
self pointed out M the amount to be raised by taking
5 per, cent. from the capitalised value of property in
these kingdoms. Assuming no difference of opinion
respecting the advantage attending paying off the
debt, were the plan otherwise feasible, I proceed at
once to state some reasons for denying that it is pos-
sible in this manner to get rid of the debt.
Ist. The term realised property is not appropriate
for any capital calculated upon so high an estimate as
220,000,000/. of annual returns. The entire incomes
of the country exceeding 1501. annually, yield at
3 per cent. only 5,000,0001.,. corresponding only to
about 175,000,0001. Now, although many small
independent properties undoubtedly lie below 1401.
per annum, yet how many salaries, fluctuating
earnings, fees, &c., are included in the sum now
taxed, which clearly do not deserve the title of
realised property ? Are salaries in public offices, thit
pay of the army and navy, and the countless other
sources of revenue, to say nothing of farmers and mer-
chants' profits, of dividends on stock, railway, mining,
banking, and other shares, realised property ? Yet
all of these are taxed when they pass 1501. per
annum, and consequently swell the 175,000,0001.
income, from which we shall see they must all be
deducted before any trial can be made of Mr. Rigby
\Vason's plan.
2dly. Having established a proper distinction be-
tween what is realised property and what is income
mainly derived from the circulation of the annual
production of that property, we shall find the average
value of the land, houses, machinery, &c., form a
very small sum in comparison with that of the cir-
culating capital employed in paying wages and em-
ploying the labour of the country, whether exerted
with the head or the hand, which combines the two
into a fruitful whole.

idly. But either Mr. Wason intends to throw the
whole burden of paying off the National Debt
upon land and houses exclusively, in which case he
must carefully separate their value, as has been indi-
cated, or he would take in at least the whole of the
recipients of the estimated 220,000,0001., and in that
case include the fundholder himself, and all receivers
of salaries, pay, fees, profits of trade, dividends, farm-
ing profits, in short all receipts whether over or under
1501. per annum. In the latter case, he proposes little
or no transfer of the burden, since the prosperous
mass of the nation (not only the realised property)
has ever formed the security for the public creditor.
4thly. It would probably be found, on a minute analy-
sis, that the earnings derived from unrealised incomes
are far greater than those accruing from land and houses.
Now it is notorious that the existence and growth of
this kind of wealth is what so proudly distinguishes
Great Britain from all other countries. A Gallic
owner of Tamworth would, in all probability, be no
more able to pay the wages disbursed by the present
proprietor, than an English landlord at Cannes is re-
quired to exceed the rate of wages in the south of
France. It is exactly this " wages fund," which
would have been destroyed by foreign conquest, as it
has repeatedly been on the continent, and it is the
" wages fund," as the French now know, which has
first fallen before domestic revolution in that country.
The realised property cannot well be carried off, and
by timely submission might be secured to its original
owner. What Englishmen, therefore, fought fur
especially in the last war, was not the realised, but
the unrealised property of the country. They fought
for the religion, laws, and liberties which
allowed of a sound social and economical
system, of good trading profits, and of the highest
wages in the world. Rents are not higher in En-
gland than elsewhere. It is of paramount importance
fur all parties both that the nation should know for
what the National Debt was incurred, and that the
public creditor should know what is his security.
sthly. The realised property is undoubtedly security
enough, but it is clear that any attempt to enforce
an unfair burden upon it must first destroy all tai-
realised incomes by the panic it would occasion. The
possibility of raising 220,000,000/. by the wave of
an enchanter's wand is a fairy vision of no more solid
foundation than a waking dream of Mr. Rigby
Wason. The ease with which that sum can be ex-
tracted as a loss, with gain to no one, from the
national wealth, is matter of record on the history of
the last two years. The bad harvest of 1846, in the
absence of means for alleviating the pressure occa-
sioned by the temporary sacrifice of 8,000,0001. of gold,
created a panic in which the Three per Cents. fell from
a capital value of 500,000,0001. to 320,000,0001., while
railroad shares were depreciated 50 per cent., making
a capital difference of at least 500,000,0001. more.
Here was no mistake, and if Mr. Wason will go into
the labour market and inquire, he will learn who
were the parties that suffered most by this loss.
Works stopped, mills on half time, mines abandoned,
salaries reduced, establishments-reformed, bankrupt-
cies in trade, were the result of so slight a pressure
when it led to a panic. By maintaining public tran-
quillity and seriously applying to industry, things
have been partially brought round ; wages are
creeping up ; business looks better—in short, con-
fidence is returning. But will any man in his
senses say that rents have either fallen under the
crisis, or that they are likely to rise on the revival of
activity, in any proportion resembling the fluctuations
in profits and wages ? lam sure that no honest man
can declare anything of the kind. Then, Sir, why
should the public be tantalised with any such specula-
tion as that of Mr. Rigby Wason ? a calculation
' adapted to mislead and shake that returning con-
fidence to which alone the recipients of unrealised
incomes can look for improvement. The true friend
of the people is he who shows them the value of the
property they can create for themselves by intern-
( Bence, skill, and industry. This property is now in
England a greater fund than the land, since it sup-
ports three individuals to one agriculturist.
But this immense fund of wealth is only
retainable by high civilization. There is more
matter for pride and congratulation that such an
accumulation of wealth exists, than in the few square
miles of territory which originally produced it. To
its increase we must look for the means of getting
rid of our National Debt, if we feel it a burden, and
we can well afford to choose the period for paying it
off when it shall be most convenient. The price
which the owners of unrealised incomes would have
to pay for prematurely throwing its repayment on the
shoulders of the owners of realised property is clearly
too high to find any advocate besides the writer of
the letter himself.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
TnomAs C. BANFIELD.
Reform Club, Jan. 25, 1849.

FEARFUL COLLISION AT SEA.—HULL, WEDNESDAY
NlGHT.—Considerable excitement was created to-day by
the announcement of the complete loss of the Unicorn
steam-ship, a tine vessel, about 500 tons burthen, which
we regret to state, was run down, off the coast of Hol-
land, by the Rob Roy steam ship, on the night of Mon.
duy last. The Unicorn was a new iron steamer, rigged
with tier( e masts, and had only been running between
Antwerp and this port a fortnight. Shea as trading in
opposition to the Rob Roy, a steamer of nearly the same
tonnage. According to the particulars comasunicated to
Lloyds' agent, the unfortunate accident appears to have
occured about sixty milts off Flushing, during a heavy
gale of wind. The Unicorn left this place early on Sun-
day morning last, with passengers and a general cargo,
for Antwerp. About ten o'clock on Monday night she
met the Rob Roy, which left Antwerp on the same
evening, off Flushing, distant about sixty miles,
when, from some cause at present unexplained,
both vessels came in contact with tremendous violence.
Owing to the fury of the storm, the sea running over
both ships, it was most difficult to ascertain the extent
of mischief, and for a length of time the most serious
apprehensions were entertained on board the Rob Roy
for the fate of the Unicorn, which at intervals was al-
most hidden from view by the heavy seas. At length it
was ascertained that she was cut down to the water's
edge, and, but for her water-tight compartments, it is
d flicult to conjecture what might have been the fatal
consequence attending the disaster. The Rob Roy was
brought to as close to the wreck as practicable, and by
the efforts of the crew all hands and passengers were
safely removed from the wreck. Of her stores or cargo
nothing is reported to have been saved. Her compart-
ments gradually filled in the course of au hour or more,
and she then went down in deep water. The Rob Roy,
although seriously damaged, continued her voyage, and
re ached this port at noon this day. By the collision her
cutwater, head, and bowsprit were carried away, and by
her pumps going it was supposed she had sprung a leak.
The loss will exceed 20,0001.
NORTI3FLELT.—FATAL ACCIDENT.-011 Wednes-
day morning a most serious accident occurred at North-
ficet-dockyard, by which the lives of two men were sacri-
ficed, and another man most seriously injured. It up-
p: ars that while the men were engaged at about eight
o'clock in the morning in raising a steam-boiler, for the
purpose of putting it on board the Canton steam-packet,
now fitting in the yard, the guy-rope of the shears broke,
and, in the falling of the shears, a man Earned Draper,
be longing to Gravesend, was thrown down in the hold
cf the vessel. In his fall, besides other ie juries. his neck
was broken, which, melancholy to relate, produced in-
s'ant :mous death. The shears, in their fall, forced
down another man named Tomlin, of Swaoscombe, and
the she ars falling upon his head, crushed it in a most
frightful manner, producing, as in the previous case,wenas
in-
stantaneous death. A third man, named Gill, echo
also engaged in the work, was struck with the llOiley in
its fall; it struck the unfortunate fellow on otnhe the
scalphead,ln
away,
a slanting dirt ction, and completely o
without, we believe, injuring th o tskr-ull, and, conse-
query ly, at present his life is saved, an
eased t wire are rea-
sonable hopes of leis recovery.
Draper, The deceased man named
has left a wife and eight chil-
drcn.--1 we understand,
11aiddlone Journal.

THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE.
(From the. Manchester Guardian.)
There is, perhaps, no branch of our foreign com-
merce that attracts a saialler share of public attention
than the trade which we carry on with the countries
subject to the Ottoman Porte; and, through those coun-
tries, with still more distant regions. hew Englishmen,
few English manufacturers even, are aware that the
narrow passage of the Dardanelles is continually tra-
versed by fleets, freighted with the produce of English
looms, of English mines, of English workshops, and of
English col. nies; that this great stream of commerce
having at rived at Constantinople, and having suffered
there such ciminution as serves to supply the wants of
that capital and its surrounding provinces, passes on to
the Black See, where, dividing into two branches, the
smaller seeks the principalities of Moldavia and Walla-
chia, through the mouth of the Danube, whilst the
larger, reaching Trebizond, is again subdivided, diffus•
ing itself over Persia, on the one hand, and on the
stretching, by means of the great caravan lines,
into the boundless east, as far as Caubul,lihokand,Bok
hara, and Chive._ _ _

Yet is
this trade important on account of its present
magnitude, and still more important by the promise
which its rapid increase affords of an almost indefinite
future development. The ignorance which prevails re-
specting its resources, can only be explained by the cire
curestance that it is carried on almost exclusively by the
agency of foreigners. It is true that in the days when
t e Levant Company flourished, the Turkish trade was
principally conducted by English merchants, through
the medium of factors, established at Smyrna and
Constantinople ; but since that period a great com-
mercial revolution has taken place. The Greek, Syrian,
Turkish, and Armenian dealers, who formerly pur-
chased British manufactures and other produce from
these factors, perceiving that the trade might be
greatly extended, if the wants of the popu-
lations in the interior of Asia were more attentively
consulted, began, about thirty years ago, themselves to
establish commercial houses in London, Manchester,
Liverpool, and Glasgow, and thus brought themselves
into immediate communication with the British manu-
facturer. These enterprising merchants were enabled,
by intimate acquaintance with the languages, manners,
and customs of the nations of the east, to develope a
trade, which, in the hands of Europeans, had become
stationary, or, more properly speaking, had begun to de-
cline; for it is scarcely too much to say, that where one
piece of cotton goods was formerly sold, 100 pieces will
now find purchasers. And thus, while the Levant houses
have for themselves amassed princely fortunes, they have
at the same time, by their exertions, bestowed no mean
advantage on the industry of this country.
The question is sometimes asked, what interest can
England, a Christian nation, have in the preservation of
the Ottoman empire? When the facts which we have
just stated are known, the question admits of an easy
answer. To place as few restrictions as possible on
foreign trade appears to be an immutable principle of
Turkish policy. The first treaty which the Porte con-
cluded with a Christian power—that into which Mourad
the First entered with the little republic of Ragusa, and
to which he is said literally to have set his hand, having
first dipped his fingers in the ink—is remarkable for the
liberality of its provisions with regard to the trade of his
Christian allies. Whilst countries which boast of a
higher degree of civilization have vied with each other
in inventing complicated contrivances, having for their
object the protection of native manufactures, to the cer-
tain injury and sometimes to the utter destruction of
their foreign commerce, the Turkish Government has
adhered to its ancient maxims; and on this point, as
well as on some others, has set an example of liberality
which has been little applauded and still less imitated
by western Governments.
Now, suppose tor a moment, that any European
power, Austria, France, or Russia, obtained possession
of Constantinople. Would the manufactured goods of
England be p,rmitted in that case to pass into the Black
S: a, as they are permitted at present on paying a small
ad valorem duty of between three and five per cent? Is
it not more rational to conclude, that any European
power on gaining the command of the Dardanelles would
extend its present tariff to its new dominions ? Now
the tariffs of France, Germany, and Russia, are pro-
hibitive of. British manufactures, with the exception of
the half-manufactured article of cotton twist, which
is admitted into the two latter countries as
a great favour, at an ad valorem duty of 30
per cent. We must therefore expect, if the rapidly
approaching frontier of the Russian empire should
ever reach the banks of the Hellespont, Lot merely to
see the increase of our eastern or Greek trade, as it is
termed in Manchester, receive a sadden check, but we
must be prepared for the almost total annihilation of
that valuable branch of our commerce. Nor does this
opinion rest merely on a calculation of probabilities; it
has received the confirmation of actual experience. Up
to the time when the Russians took possession of
Georgia, merchants from the country visited Constanti-
nople in considerable numbers, for the purpose of pur-
chasing English manufactured articles; but a few years
after its annexation to the Russian empire, this com-
merce ceased, and the Georgian traders have entirely
disappeared from Constantinople.
Tne late Lord Grey is reported to have said, that the
meanest artisan in the kingdom is interested in pre-
serving the balance of power. The observation is no
doubt correct; but the interest must, in many instances,
be somewhat remote. The interest, however, of the
Manchester operatives, in preserving• the independence
of Turkey, is direct and obvious. Fortunately, we have
at Constantinople., in the present conjuncture, a repre-
sentative who, by the honest and straightforward mode
in which he has discharged his official duties, has gained
a degree of influence with the councillors of the Sultan,
such as has seldom, if ever, been attained by an English
ambassador ; but neither the representatives nor the
ministers of a country which enjoys a free constitu-
tion, can expect that their words will have full weight,
if left unsupported by the popular voice ; and, there-
fore, it seems most desirable, particularly in times like
the present, that the English people should endeavour to
discover how far their substantial and permanent into-
rests are dependent on the fortunes of foreign States.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.
TATTERSALL'S.—YESTERDAY.
If we except Executor fur the Chester Cup, and
Canezou fur the Metropolitan, both of whom were in
high favour, the horses quoted were backed for small
sums, and with scarcely any effect upon the prices.
Business, on the whole, was very flat.
LIVERPOOL STEEPLECHASE.
30 to 1 agst Lord Waterford's Shamrock—taken
30 to 1 agst Lord Waterford's Sir John—taken
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE STAKES.
12 to 1 agst Mr. Crawfurd's The Cur—taken
20 to 1 agst Mr. Bouverie's War Eagle—taken
METROPOLITAN HANDICAP.
Bto 1 agst Lord Stanley's Canezou
12 to 1 agst Lord Eglinton's Lugar
15 to 1 agst Col. Peel's Dacia—taken
20 to 1 agst Mr. Gregory's Loup•garou—taken
30 to 1 agst Mr. Meiklam's Rowland—taken
30 to 1 agst Mr. S. L. Fox's Executor—taken
1,000 to 30 agst Mr. J. Clarke's Maid of Lyme—taken
CHESTER CUP.
25 to 1 agst Mr. Nolan's Blucher
30 to 1 agst Mr. Greville's Geraldine
33 to 1 agst Mr. Meiklaw's Inheritress
1,500 to 30 agst Mr. M. Blake's Ballinafad—taken
4,000 to 80 agst Mr. S. L. Fox's Executor—taken
1,000 to 20 agst Mr. Dixon's Do•it again—taken
2,000 to 35 agst Mr. Gregory's Clermont—taken
2,000 to 35 agst Mr. Irwin's King of Kildare—taken
5,000 to 50 agst Mr. Mauglutn's Itathinines—taken
DERBY
5 to 1 agst Scott's lot—taken
4 to 1 agst Lord Eglinton's Flying Dutchman
take 9 to 2
22 to 1 agst Mr. A. Niehol's Nunnykirk—take 25 to 1
25 to 1 agst Lord Stanley s Strongbow—taken
25 to 1 agst Mr. Gully's Osterley—taken
35 to 1 agst Lord Eglinton's Elthiron-40 to 1 taken

STOURTONSTEEPLECHASES.
The Hooton Park Stakes of 10 sovs. each, h ft, and 50
added.
Mr. Cotgreave na The Rover, 9st 101 b 1
Mr. Mo,..eley's Dickey Misfortune, lOst 101 b... ... 2
The Stourton Stakes of 20 sovs. each, 10 ft, &c.
Mr. Ralph na Peter Simple, lOst 41b ... 1
Mr. J. G. Murphy's La Sylphide, lOst 81b 2
Capt. D'Arcy'b Knight of Gwyrme, lOst 81b... ... 2
Three or four others ran. Won by a head.
For the third race Equinox came in first, but not
having carried proper weight the race was given to Pet-
ticoats, aged, who came in second.

Prince Louis Napoleon has taken the box at the
opera formerly rented by Louis Philippe. We are
astonished at this, considering that his ex-majesty was
evidently in the " wrong box."—Puppet Show.
THE CHOLERA AT TOOTlNG.—Yesterday morning
Mr. Baker, the Coroner for the Eastern Division of Mid-
dlesex, resumed the inquiry which was commenced on
Saturday, the 13th inst., into the deaths of four pauper
children of the parish of Islington, who died shortly
after their removal from Mr. I)rouet's asylum, on the
Bth inst. The reports made by Dr. Graham and Mr.
Popham were read, but no additional evidence was re-
zeived, in consequence of an intimation from Mr.
Drouet that he was prevented from being present by the
necessity of procuring bail in accordance with the ver-
dict of the Holborn jury. The inquest was adjourned
till Tuesday next.
EAST INDIAN RAILWAY. At the Court of Di-
rectors at the East India House on Wednesday, it v"
resolved to refuse the terms demanded by the In-
dianEasttto Railway Company for the line from Caleciiijta o
dis.
Delhi, or a portion of it. On the Bombay l
will any
the
cussion took place, and its prospects are, etbase e
Board of
ri :fore, not
effected by this decision. In neither
resolution be final until sanctioned by
Control. v- from the ilavr
non in' prices, whiche
ightly declined,
owing market mentions that sales .
The report received
cl,i n yesterday eas tree rdcluate7
alludey to had
sinicreased brisk-
ness to purchasers se
for the rise, and a further wolo,lbetenFortabneksiburhtei
a; holders.
.
public sccuriti, s, occasioned by the general
ness in
the sth inst. state
dttveidcetso b
ad-
vance ln.d been established.
desire of operators to buy
The advices from Smyrna of
that no motel-jai alterations had occurred in
aspee.l of business affairs. Transact •
Transactions
main( d confined to opium, madder, . principally re-
valonia, and wool,
but iu these articles nothing of importance had taken
place. Cotton
was rather firmer in price. The Exchange
on England was 11.91 to :I
The Honourable John Elliot, who
beenwas long em-
ployed in the civil service in India,
one of the Secretari, s of the Board has
Control, appointed
place of Mr.
resigned. of in the
Wyse, who has
We have heard a great dealabout •
being light . This will, lately- Sovereigns
with
which
they always
perhaps, account for the facility
they always fly.—Puppet• Show.

MAILS.
SOUTHAMPTON, JAN. 25.—The royal mail steam-
ship Teviot, commanded by Captain Rivet, arrived
this day, at one o'clock P.m., from the West Indies,
with the usual mails, in charge of Lieutenant Hay,
a.N., Admiralty agent.
Her late arrival is now fully accounted for. She
was obliged to perform quarantine at Havannah, both
out and home, independently of which she experienced
very boisterous weather on her passage. Havannah
way last filling with ships from America and England
—vessels from both of which countries are subject to
a long durance on account of the cholera.
DATES or MAILS.—Vera Cruz, Dec. 19 ; Tam.
pico, Dec. 15 • New Orleans, Dec. 20 ; Havannah,
Dec. 30 ; Honduras, Dec. 11 ; Jamaica, Dec. 22 ;
St. Jago de Cuba, Dec. 20; Demerara, Dec. 19;
Trinidad, Dec. 21 ' • Tobago, Dec. 20; Barbadoes,
Dec. 29; Antigua, Dec. 30; Martinique and Gua-
&loupe, Dec. 30 ; Grenada, Dec. 23 ; Porto Rico,
Jan. 1 ; St. Thomas's, Jan. I ; Bermuda, Jan. 9.
The Teviot brought eighteen passengers; amongst
whom were—Lieutenant Colonel Rawnsley, lady,
and two daughters ; Miss Huston, Lieutenant Joyce,
Messrs. Crossley, Shift, Dalcour, Moss, Haynes,
Mourelle, &c.
Her freight comprised 1,139,884 dollars on mer-
chants' account; 26,363 dollars for the Mexican divi-
dends; 1440 z. sdwts. gold dust; 1,133tr5. 6gs.
silver ; 37,465 francs ; 8111. 7s. British coin ; 194
guilders; 222 serons of cochineal; 17 ditto jalapa ;
$1 cases of cigars ; 40 bales of tobacco ; 15 turtle;
34 packages of sundries.
At Barbadoes there had been abundance of rain,
and the canes are represented as being excellent, with
every promise of large and good crops.
Fever was still prevalent amongst the troops in gar-
rison at St. Ann's, though not to the extent stated •
short time since.

A severe shock of an earthquake had been felt at
Tobago on the 15th of December.
Things in Jamaica were represented in a very bad
state, with little prospect of an immediate improve-
ment. From the accounts received, everything is
represented as being in a worse position than when
the former steamer left.

De Cordova's .Mercantile Inielligencer makes the
following observations on the state of trade :
" In our last we stated that the balance of trade
against this island, or, in other words, the excess of our
imports over our exports, amounted to 200,0001. We
have since found by the official return that we have,
unfortunately, very much understated the fact. It ap-
pears by the document alluded to that, whereas we ex-
ported from the 10th 'of October, 1847, to the 10th of
October, 1848, produce amounting to 894,6214, the im-
ports into the island reached the now enormous sum of
1,289,9141.—thus leaving a balance of trade against us,
of no less than 395,2931., or nearly 400,000/. To this
cause, coupled with the fact that, for some years past,
the same unfortunate disadvantage has steadily in-
creased upon us, are to be attributed the scarcity of
bills of exchange, and the continued drain of specie
which takes place by every packet. These facts offer
subjects for most melancholy consideration; but when
the prospect of the future is taken into reflection con-
templation becomes most painful. The small amount of
specie remaining in the island is being steadily dimi-
nished ; and we cannot make or produce anything that
will recall it ; when, therefore, it is all expended, how
shall we go on ? Where shall we find our means of
barter, when we shall have neither the earth's produce
nor its representative in the precious metals to offer in
exchange for our wants ? Can anything place more
strongly before Britain the dreadful state to which we
have been reduced by the law of 1846, which has ren-
dered our produce valueless, now that we procure it by
means of free labour, while our rival neighbours are
sutured to continue slavery under England's protection
and patronage ? Is it possible to adduce any stronger
argument to prove that unless the law of 1846 be imme-
diately altered, the inevitable ruin of this and the other
British island oust ensue?

" We have said that a disproportion between our ex-
ports and imports has existed tor some time, but it is
worthy of note that the falling off in 1848, as compared
with that of 1847, has been immense.
The imports in 1847 were ... ... 4119,864
The txports were ... 121,284

Showing a balance of trade against the island,

in 1847, of . . 86,200
Balance of trade against the island in 1848 ... 395,293

Excess of balance of trade against the
island in 1848 over that in 1847 ... 4309,093
" We leave these facts to speak for themselves in the
coining session of Parliament, merely premising that it
was impossible to export more than we did, and that it
is extremely improbable that we can ever export so
much as we did even in 1148, while the law of 1846 stains
the statute-book of England.

"In addition to the extreme pressure in the money
market, we have to report that business is still very dull
even at this season of the year. The hilarity which
formerly marked the advent of Christmas in Jamaica, is
lost and gone apparently for ever, because, as we were
compelled to state with reference to the August holi-
days, no one can afford to be happy.' "
A good deal of excitement and angry feeling had
been occasioned by the Jamaica Council passing the
Import Duty Bill, which contained a clerical error;
by which the Bill was made to endure until the 15th
of December, 1849, instead of the 15th of February,
1849, as was intended. This error was committed by
the engrossing clerk. The Assembly refused to
correct the mistake, and sent the Bill to the Council,
who passed it, not having the power to amend it, it
being a money Bill. Then there arose a difficulty,
which puzzled the Council and Assembly, when it
was thought that the dilemma could only be got rid
of by the latter abstaining from meeting for the next
two days, which would afford his Excellency the
Governor some pretence for proroguing it, and calling
it together by proclamation. We find from the
liivston _Morning Journal of the 23d of December,
that his Excellency the Governor had relieved the
Parliament from the difficulty in which they had
pissed themselves by proroguing it, and calling it to
meet again on Tuesday, the 26th of December, 1841.
From Mexico there is nothing new of a political
nature. Her Majesty's Hound was at Sacrificos on
the 19th of December.

THE MARKETS.
(From the Jamaica Dispatch.)
Flour—Sales of New Orleans fine have been made at
285., and of New Orleans superfine, at 30s. per barrel.
360 barrels Baltimore have been taken, 60 at 20s. 6d.
cash, and 300 at 31s. A large sale of 1,275 barrels and
100 half barrels has also been effected at 31s.

Meal—We have heard of the sale of three parcels—
one of 150 barrels, at 15s. 61; another of 200 barrels
(an older parcel), at 155.; and a third of 600 barrels, st
16s. The article is inactive.
Rice-5,700 bags of a cargo from Madras, chiefly
yellow, and some broken white, have been sold at as
per 1001bs. in hand. The holders reserved 2,000 bags,
which are still on hand. Caroline is unsaleable over 16s.
Bread—Pilot is very dull, at 15s. to 16s. per barrel.
Crackers are wanted, they fetch lgs. per barrel.
Butter-50 firkins Cork have sold at I Id. The article
is quoted at 11d. to Is., with a light supply. Recent
arrivals of American have brought Bd. to 9d. per lb.
This description is held in abundance.
Brandy—Martell's is worth ss. Gd. per gallon, short
price.
Tobacco—Cavendish sells at Bd. per lb.; 18's and 20's
are in greatest favour.
Rum is dull, at 3s. 6d. per gallon; proof 21s. for con-
sumption, equal to 2e. for exportation.
Sugar has again receded in value. We must call it
12s. to 15e., according to quality. It is almost unsale-
able. Dark would not fetch so much as 12s.

Pimento sells at 2d. per lb., with a brisk demand.
Freights to England are very dull. The current rates
are from 21. 15s. to 31. ss. for sugar to London.

REPRESENTATION OF SOUTII STAFFORD/WIEN.--
BIRX/NGUAZI, IEtURSDAY.—The canvass of Lord Lew-
dbayosdjto,a'noobtain a
Mien( appears to proceed most successfully, and although
applications are understood to have been made to one or
two gentlemen of influence in South Staffordshire, no
opposition has yet been declared, nor is it epected.
Meetings of the friends of Lord
this
h iLs e
etwtiesevhri
di:n2iihaoryoub.usamoorluaefttshb rtirhirans.
held at Handsworth and other places in
at.. theewas
that n
division, but the most important one of II
proffered
statedv'hieh ocscoumreredfeawt Wolverhampton
a most important representativee
ledge of their interests
o ehdithe
kn°wil, and Mr. Jame .Mr'
s
choauvnintyg, a wpeLefectrious
C. T. Forster, of Walsall, Foster, of
Stourton Castle, q
hWolverhampton yesterday, Lord
to them. At youthful Lord y' Lewisham,
accompanied by the
influential
in . Ingestre (his cousin),
attended a very _ meeting of ironmastera.
t address from Lord
After a short
.Lewisham, Mr. W. H.
Sparrow the ironmastera
Sparrowonly wished
and it was, whether to ask one
question,
really give his time to the business of the district, and
attend to the deputations of the
whatever advanced the corn trade, and generally to
Lewisham replied with commerce of the district. Lord
tainly I shall do so. I much earnestness, " Most ear-
give you every assurance to that
effect. It is my wishand determination to do so." The
Noble Lord, who throughout was
received most favour-
ably, then retired, and the meeting at once broke up, it
being fully understood that his Lordship would receive
the support generally of the ironmasters of South Staf-
fordshire. 'lhis conclusion would appear to settle the
eh etion.
Lord Viscount Molesworth has appointed the Rev.
C. B. de Haviland, M.A., Incumbent of Downside, near
Bath, to be his Lordship's domestic chaplain.
Mr. John Parry sang at a concert at Liverpool, on
Monday evening, to an audience of upwards of two
thousand persons, and was loudly encored in a couple of
his buffo songs. Miss A. Romer and her brother, Mr.
C. Romer, sang several songs with great success; as did
Miss NVhitnall, who gave the ccncert.
TEE PRINCE or ORANGE.—His Royal Highness
the Prince of Orange accompanied by a numerous suite.
has arrived at Fenton's Hotel, St. James's-street.
HUDDERSFIELD COLLEGE.—The bead mastership of
this institution has been conferred on W. J. Read, Esq.,
8.A., of St. John's College, Cambridge.
The son of a reverend gentleman living in this
town, having purchased pickaxes, spades, and other
tools, has lett Brighton for the purpose of seeking his
fortune in the gold mines of California. Another of the
reverend gentleman's sons has emigrated to Australia.
Brighton Paper. . ; ~,..
, —444113. in