The Sun.
London, England, 1831-01-15 00:00:00

FOREIGN CONTRACTS FOR ARMS.

(From a known Correspondent.)
A good deal has been said of late in the newspa-
pers and elsewhere of the warlike preparations which
have been set on foot in most of the great states
in Europe, and of the contracts which have been
entered into with English manufacturers, for the
supply of arms to France, Russia, and Prussia, to
the value, it is said, of 1,500,000/, sterling. In one
account it is stated that .500,000 stand of arms are
in course of manufacture for France, 600,000 for
Russia, and 300,000 for Prussia. In another it is
asserted that there is no truth in the statement, as
far as the two latter powers are concerned ; that
there is, indeed, a considerable order in progress at
Birmingham on behalf of the French Government,
hut that to furnish 500,000 muskets would occupy
at least 14 years, according to the rate at which the
article can now be manufactured in this country ;
from whence it is inferred that a general explosion is
not so near at hand as some alarmists are willing to

suppose.
There is something in these statements so ab-
surdly contradictory, that it seems to be worth while,
from the gravity with which they are made the
basis of serious argument, as well as from the im-
portance of the facts themselves, to make some in-
quiry as to the truth of what has thus been ad-
vanced. The probability is, that if contracts have
been entered into between English manufacturers on
the one hand, and the continental Governments al-
luded to on the othr, the locus contractus would,
in each case, be Parie s, Petersburgh, or Berlin, the
capitals of the respective countries; and that it is
therefore difficult, at this moment, to assert, with
any pretension to accuracy, that no such contracts
are in existence. In point of fact, we have seen a
gentleman this morning who, so late as Sunday last,
saw three different contracts in Paris, the last of
which had been entered into on the previous day,
between the French Government and the represen-
tative of a body of English manufacturers, for the
supply of arms, at prices, and with dates of delivery,
as inconsistent as can well be conceived, with the
statements in circulation. The first of the three
contracts with the French Government, and the
only one yet in progress of execution, is for 20,000
gun-barrels; the second is for 60,000 barrels, locks,
and other metal furnishings, the stocks being sepa-
rately contracted for in Franca ; and the third,
which was concluded on Saturday last, is for
400,000 muskets, without belt or bayonet, but in
other respects completely fitted up and ready for
;immediate use.
The period stipulated for the execution of this
last contract, in place of being twelve or fourteen
years, is expressly limited under a heavy penalty to
fifteen months ; the arms to be delivered and paid
for in London, in equal monthly instalments; the
British Government having consented to grant a
special order in Council, allowing the exportation of
the arms in question ; and the French Government
having bound itself, during the subsistence of this
contract, to make no further purchases of arms,
which have not been, or are not to be, manufactured
within the territory of France. The price of each
musket, with belt and bayonet complete, is 37 francs,
or as near as possible 30s. sterling. The ordinary
contract price of the muskets supplied to the British
Government, is, we believe, not more than 245.;
but the gun-barrels used in the French army arc con-
siderably larger than ours, and we have reason to
believe that in several other respects the French
musket is a better and more efficient instrument than
the British, It is worthy of remark, however, that
the improvement of detonating or pereuzsion locks
so valuable in the eyes of the sportsman, has not yet
been applied to military purposes to any conside-
rable extent. The common flint and steel lock is
that which the English contractors are to furnish,
under the two contracts, when locks are to be sup-
plied to the French Government. The question,
we believe, wag agitated when these contracts were
under negociation, but the adoption of the percus-
sion, in preference to the flint lock, was ultimately
abandoned. In the lowest English tender the price
of the bayonet was four francs ; but although steel
is cheaper in England than in France, a French ten-
der was found no less than 10(1. cheaper than the
English, and was in consequence preferred.—Tinter.

STATE OF THE COUNTRY.

;fe<orn a Correspondent of the Times.)

BLANDFORD, FRIDAY.

I mentioned to you on Monday, that on my way
from Salisbury hither, I saw two fires, at a distance,
on each side of the road, There was, in fact, a
third on that night, on the same line, but at too
great a distance to be seen from the road. The first
fire, which I described as illuminating the country
for miles round, was, I understand, on the premises
of Mr. Rexwo+tl►y, near Wilton. His dwelling-
house, outhouses, and corn-ricks were all burnt to
the ground. I had not time in my way through
here to-day to get the particulars farther that► that
Mr. Itexworthy had been active in bringing some zf
the late rioters to justice. The second fire, which I
said was i►► the neighbourhood of Wimborne, was
of corn-ricks only. These also were the property
of a person connected with the late prosecut►ons.
There was another fire not far from this on Wednes-
day night, making the eighth since Saturday last I
In one of these, stacks to the value of fire hundred
pounds and upwards were consumed, the property
of Mr. Farquharson, a gentleman of large property,
and who is, I understand, very popular amongst all
classes here. Fires of this kind set all conjecture as
to the object of the incendiaries at defiance.
It is difficult to convey to you the alarm amongst
all persons here who have property of this descrip-
tion to lose. No man considers himself safe from
night to morning. The scene on Saturday night,
at the breaking out of the first fire, which was
within a mile of the town, was at once novel and
alarming. Those who first got intimation of it ran
through the town, crying " Fire ;" lights were soon
at most of the windows, and the town-bells were
set ringing, which added considerably to the confu-
sion. Several persons hastened out to render as-
sistance, but no traces of the incendiaries could be
obtained. I was told to-day that two or three men
are in custody on suspiciou, but I could not learn
whether any important information has been elicited
respecting their supposed connection with these
fire•.
There is a troop of the 3d Dragoons here. I
think it would increase the chances of detection of
the incendiaries, if small parties of these troops were
to be sent round the country in different directions
at night ; but I have t►ot heard that they have been
so employed. I made inquiries this morning on the
subject, and was told that the officers had gone over
last night to Shaftesbury, (twelve miles distant), to
a ball, and were to remain this morning till after the
hunt. If these were the only objects of their visit,
I much doubt whether they would be considered at
the Horse Guards, as a reasonable excuse for their
absence, had any sudden emergency required their,
presence here.
On looking at the London papers, I find that
great exertions are making there and elsewhere for
the unfortunate men under sentence of death at
Winchester and Salisbury. It is impossible to deny
that the object of those who so interest themselves
is good and humane : but in their great sympathy
for these convicts, they seem to be wholly unmind-
ful of the anxiety and terror into which hundreds
of industrious and respectable persons are thrown
here, by the nightly apprehension of a renewal of
the outrages i❑ this neighbourhood.

(FROM ANOTHER CORRESPONDEI,4I%)

IiOUNSLOW, NINE O'CLOCK, FRIDAY

A large fire is visible at a short distance from this
place. It is in the direction of Belfont, where other
fires have already taken place lately. The flame
appears as if from burning ricks.

Early on Monday morning a fire took place on
the premises of Mr. Blake, Swanton Abbotts, near
North Walsh= ; two barns, three corn-stacks, and
a hay-stack were destroyed. A small hay-stack

LONDON,
SATURDAY EVENING, JANUARY 15, 1831.

The Dutch Papers contain nothing of im
portance. A Royal Decree, dated from the
Hague on the 9th instant, postpones the in-
troduction of the national Legislature, and
the judicial institutions, in consequence of the
insurrection in the Southern provinces, until
such time as his MAJESTY may think fit. The
Act which declares the decision given by the
King of HOLLAND, as umpire in the differences
between Great Britain and the United States,
has been presented by his MAJESTY to the
English and American Ambassadors. The
Prussian State Gazette contains no intelligence
of moment from Warsaw, or the Grand Duchy
of Posen

THE HAGUE, JAN. U.—.A royal decree of the 9th
resolves that the insurretion in the southern provinces
having rendered it impossible to introduce the national
Legislature and the judicial institutions at the time fixed
ir. the resolution of the sth July last, the introduction
shall he :i&f...rred till such time as his Majesty shall
think fit.

' portant news. We hear that the Belgians have troops and
I a few mounted gagers . at Weert and in the vicinity. The
HAGUE, J.N. 11.—The States-General are convoked
for Thursday, the 20th of this month, We have no far-
ther official accounts from Maestricht. In the night of
the Alst December, General Mellinet caused several empty
shells to he thrown into the town to announce his presence
to the inlia.bitantsa because he had been led to imagine,
from hearing some inusl:et sh4ts fired, probably to celebrate
the commencement of the new year, that the citizens were
engaged in battle with the garrison. " But," as a Liege
Jourr:zJ says, " these shells produced an effect very diffe-
rent from iieGat the General expected. They caused the
discharge of musketry to cease, and led the troops to
assemble round their officaz to ward off the coming
danger."
These words entirely refute the opinion of llellinet re-
speethig ;-,.. combat with the citizens. It is known, besides,
that such messures have been taken in the town, th it
should the inhabitant.; make any such attempt they would
certainly be severely punished for it.
The same Liege Journal says, tbr,t a cannonade was
again heard in the night of the Ist of January, ;.n the di-
rection of Maestricht.
Later accounts from Bois-le •Duc, given by a person who
left the environs of 11aestricht on the 16th instant, say
that no hostilities had taker: place for some days.
A letter from Eindhoven says-16 That the first quar-
ter-masters of the army had arrived here, ai:d that 6,000
troops were expected in a few days."
Bors-LE Duo,
JAL 9.—The troops forming the army
-
in the field are all in 'notion, The vanguard, under the
command of General Boreal, arrived yesterday at Valken-
sward, Reithoven, and Dommelin• The main body, un-
der the Duke of Saxe 'Weimar, consisting of seven batta-
lions and five squadrons, will be in the environs of Eind-
hoven to-day. The brigades of infantry are under
Colonels de Favange and Sprenger, the cavalry under
Colonel de Posson. These troops have three battalions of
horse artillery'. The reserve is under Colonel Klerek,
and will, it is said, for the present occupy Telburg. It
seems to be believed that the insurgents, in order to ap-
proach in a hostile manner to 3laestricht, have broken the
suspension of arms—that on our part nothing is neglected
to secure Maestricht, and that we may shortly expect im-
: great superiority in cavalry and well served artillery is on

our side, and our soldiers go with much confidence to meet
the enemy.
DORDRECHT, JAN. 7.—We learn from Gorinchen that
yesterday the ice in the Meese was all gene, and that a
steam-boat had come up the river.
THE HAGUE, JAN. 10.-Their Excellencies Sir
Charles Bagot, Ambassador Extraordinary and Minister
Plenipotentiary of his Britannic Majesty, and M.
Piebber, Ambassador Extraordinary and Minister Ple-
nipotentiary from the United States of North
America, have this morning received, from the hands
of his Majesty, the Act which declares the decision
given by his Majesty as umpire in the differences between
Great Britain and the United States, respecting the deter-
mination of the frontiers of their respective territories.
Monsignore Capacini, the Papal Nuncio, had his audi-
ence of leave of his Majesty this morning.
•NISTERDAM, JAN. 11.
Actual Debt, 2% per cent 40 to 40%
Asnort Syndic, 4% per cent.
Ditto, ditto, 3% per cent.
Exchange on London ll 87 5-10
Two Months ............... ....... ...
WARSAW, DEC. 31.—The frontier between Terispo
and Brzese Litewski is strictly closed. Travellers who
went last week from the former place, intending to go to
Russia, have returned, because they are not permitted to
pass. Part of the horses intended for the Polish
cavalry have fallen into the hands of the Russians,
but we hear that other detachments of horses have arrived
here, and that nearly 100 horses belonging to the Cossacks
have been collected in the Waidivodeship of Lublin.
The Warsaw Gazette gives the Mowing article
FRONTIERS OF LITHUANIA, DEC. 19•--The Senator
Novoalitzow has been for this week past at Wilna, where
he arrived from Slonini, having come by way of Lida ;
at Lida he conversed with the Assessor Orsymaias un the
conduct of the Piares, who have schools there. At Wilna,
accompanied by the Emperor's Aid-de-Camp, Chrapo-
wicki, who is sent to assist the military Governor-General,
Korsakew, he visited the University, and conversed with
some of the students, to whpm M. (7hrapowicki also ex-
pressed in the name of the Emperor his Majesty's sa-
tisfaction with their good conduct.
The TVarsaw Gazette of to-day says—" On the 27th
and 28th the Committee of Finance, under the direction
of its new President, and in presence of several Mem-
bers of the Ckamber of Deputies, proceeded to
the examination of the establishments of the Civil List,
the Committees of Public Instruction, of Justice, &c.
Though the expen2iture pf ;Ires,e establishments was con-
siderably reduced under -firince Lubecki, it is resolved to
modify them still farther.
The Municipal Council of Warsaw had a consultation
with the citizens about a new tax to be levied for the
purpose of purchasing uniforms for the troops. A loan is
to be negotiated for this purpose.
Almost all the journals complain of the incomplete
manner in which the election of officers of the National
Guards have been made in almost all the quarters of War-
saw. General Milberg has remained in the capital.
At Praga some batteries are ready for the cannon, which
will be immediately placed on them. The fortifications
of Modlin are carried en with great activity.

BERLIN-.TAN. G.

_ .
St. Schuld Sch. 4 per cent B5
Prussian English Loan, percent. 4114
Ditto Ditto 15•2•2, 5 percent. iv? 91
Ditto Boags 1830, 4 per pent.
ST. PETERSBURGII.--The d:Ournals of St. Peters-
burgh, from the 23d to the 29th of December inclusive,
contain, _ _ .

1. The Emperor's Manifesto to the Russians on the
revolt in Poland, dated December 25.
2. The Proclamation to the Poles and to the Polish
Army of the 19th December.
3. The corresporidence between Grabowski and Prince
Lubecki, respecting the mission of the latter to St. Pe-
tersburg'', and the permission given by his Majesty to
Prince Lubecki to come to St. Petersburg'', on his assu-
rance that he comes as his Majesty's Minister of Finance
for the kingdom of Poland, and commissioned by the
Council of Administration (pot by the provisional go-
vernment) to give to his Majesty an accouni of th?. events
at Warsaw.

Prince Lubecki, and Count Jeserski, Member of the
Chamber of Deputies, arrived at St. Petersburgll on the
25th of lDeceenber.
By the latest 4ccoppts from Moscow, there were re-
maining, on the morning of the 26th of 11. ecember, Q. 5
persons ill of tLe cholera, of whom 47 were expected to
recover.

We !lave repeivfd New York Papers to the
16th ult., but they contain no news of general
importance. The following is the latest stock
list :

SALE 3 AT TnE STOCK EXCHANGE.—DEc:_IS.

United 3tAtea Four 4.114 l} Half, 1831
Union Bank 974
Ditto 97y.,
City Bank 9114
Fulton Bank (Old Stoc,) ll7
Ditto 116%
Ditto (New Stock)

By advices from Martinique it appears that
the Governors of that colony and of Guadaloupe
had been directed by the Minister of Marine to
abrogate all the local Acts, in virtue of which
certain unjust and vexatious prohibitions con-
cerning men of colour had been ordained>

By advices from Modon we learn that the
President of Greece, having acquainted General
SCHNIEDER with the arrival of M. DE RIBEAU-
PIERRE and Count PANINI at Navarin, he
immediately sent an Aide-de-Camp to invite
them to take up their abode with him. On the
30th M. DE RIBEAUPIERRE embarked in a
Russian frigate for Naples, which on leaving
the harbour saluted the fort and the French flag.

Advices from Marseilles state that the Ex-
Bey of TITTER' would be released from qua-
rantine on the 11th, and was at six in the even-
ing of that day to set out for Paris. His suite
consisted of one of his old officers, a M. Suzzo,
an interpreter, and six servants. He preserves
the same haughtiness and despotic tone which
sat well enough upon him while ruling over
Mount Atlas, but is not quite consistent with
his present situation. He fell into a rage when
bargaining for his places in the diligence, and
it was with the utmost difficulty that his inter-
preter could convince him that the fare was
fixed and invariable. lie could not form an
idea that the coach-master would dare to demand
100 pistoles for his conveyance, because at
Titteri a similar insolence would be rewarded
by the loss of his head.

In reference to a late communication from
Mr. LAWLESS we beg, once for all, to state,
our strong objection to the Repeal of the Union,
until the unanimous voice of the Irish nation—
not of the mob that surrounds Mr. O'CONNELL
in Dublin—but of all classes of the people—
declares itself strongly for a separation. Of the
benefits likely to arise from such a separation,
we have already said we have great misgivings,
and therefore it is, that we have urged upon
the Government the necessity of forthwith adopt-
ing measures of so conciliatory a kind, as to win
the hearts of the Irish people. Proclamations
may do no harm, but neither will they do any
permanent good, unless they can turn the
public feeling. To say that O'CONNELL is
the cause of all the mischief, is not a very
philosopical way of accounting for the present
crisis b f things. NAPOLEON was accustomed
to remark, " C'est l'occasion quifait rhonne,"