The Sun.
London, England, 1849-02-05 00:00:00

THE UNITED STATES.

LIVERPOOL, SUNDAY EVENING.

The North-American Royal Mail steam-ship Ame-
rica, Captain Heitch, arrived this evening, with ad-
vices from New York to the 23d; Boston, to the
24th • and Halifax, to the 26th ult. respectively.
The West India Mail steamer Dee, Captain All( n,
from St. Thomas and Bermuda, arrived at New
York on the lath ult., and left again on the follow-
ing day.
There is little to interest in the proceedings of Con-
gress. The Slavery Question and the admission cf
California as a State had been debated, but without
any result.
The Southern Convention has adopted Mr. Cal-
houn's manifesto. That gentleman was very unwell.
The news by this arrival is interesting, especially
as regards the California movement. Nothing, our
reports say, can exceed in intensity the excitement
throughout all parts of the States on the subject,
and the accounts received of three weeks' later dates
from the diggings are of such a promising nature as
to add to the excitement. Gold lumps are now
daily found averaging one and a half, two, and
two and a half pounds in weight. The extent of
ground covered with gold is now ascertained to ex-
tend at least over three hundred miles ; so that
those who were holding back, fearing that the length
of time taken in the journey might leave them little
to find when they would reach, are again preparing,
and ships are scarcely obtainable in sufficient num-
bers to convey the expectant visitors to this El Dorado.
The articles of agreement for the construction of
a railroad across the Isthmus of Panama have been
Signed. The contracting parties are Messrs. Aspin-
wall, Stephens, and Channay, constituting the Pa-
nama Railroad Company.

A grant of 250,000 dollars a year for twenty years
to Messrs. Aspinwall and Co. is recommended. It is
proposed to complete the railroad in three years.
It is stated in late advises from Mexico that tur-
bulence and insubordination were the order of the
day, and that the Government was in such a weak
condition as to be unable to check these disorders.
The papers are filled with accounts of robberies and
murders committed in the very heart of the city.
Counterfeit gold and silver coin was in circulation.
To add to these lamentable accounts we have details
of atrocities committed by the Indians. Congress
Was in session. It was feared that a quorum would
not be obtained by the Ist of January. The Cham
ber of Deputies had framed several stringent decrees
respecting absentees. The Government was without
funds.

The Board of Health at Havannah had decided to
make the quarantine regulations more stringent. Every
vessel from the United States was to be subjected to
an observation of eight days, and a vessel from an
infected port with cholera, or from one situated
within 150 miles of a place where that malady exists,
Was to undergo a quarantine of twenty days.
The Canadian Parliament was opened on the 18th
ult. with a speech by the Governor General. He
stated that it is the purpose of the Queen to exercise
the prerogative of mercy in favour of all persons
who are still liable to penal consequences for poli-
tical offences arising out of the unfortunate occur-
rences of 1837 and 1838. The restrictions imposed
on the use of the French language are removed by an
Act of the Imperial Parliament. Assurance is given
that steps will be taken for conferring upon the pro
vincial authorities the entire control and management
of the post-office department, and a hope is expressed
that it will be found practicable to establish a low and
Uniform rate of postage throughout the provinces. In
regard to the Quebec and Halifax Railway, the Go-
vernor says the officers employed in exploring the
Country, with the view of discovering the best line
of railway to connect these points, have presented a
valuable report, which sets forth in a strong light
the advantages of the proposed undertaking. The
provision of funds for the early completion of the St.
Lawrence canals is strongly urged. The subject of
,the depressed condition of the commercial affairs of
the provinces forms a leading feature of the Address.
The support of common schools is also alluded to,
and the expediency of setting apart a portion of the
Public domain, in order that the revenue derived
from its sale may form a fund, the interest of which
shall be applied to their support. The amendment
of the existing Emigration Act was intended.