The Sun.
London, England, 1840-02-24 00:00:00

STATE OF TRADE.

There is no movement of any cons,,qu2nee in any of the
markets. The rivers and small harbours in the neigh-
bourhood are ice-bound, and trade is mostly confined to the
wants of the city. The prospect of financial affairs is by
far too gloomy to allow of any new enterprizes being en-
gaged in by wholesale dealers. The supplies of merchati-
dize of all descriptions are large, and the c.nstant tendency
of prices is to recede. The weather was very inclement
yesterday, which prevented the transaction of much out-
door business. The effect of the news was n7t therefore
very perceptible. The Liverpool is, however, close at hand
with twenty-five days later, and no movement will bemade
until her arrival.

COTTON.—During the fore part of the week, there was
a moderate business done in this article, averaging about
700 bags per day, at rates current at the close of the pre-
vious week, say—Upland., 8+ a SI; Mobile, 9,1 a 10+ ;
New Orleans, 8+ a 10i; Florida, 8+ a 91. The
southern markets evince, generally, accumulating stocks
and declining prices, with very little animation.

On the 18th instant the QUEEN REGENT of Spain,
accompanied by the young Queen ISABELLA H.,
opened the Cortes. This intelligence was communi-
cated to the French Government on Saturday. The
following are the despatches received by telegraph .
" THE SUB-PREFECT OF BAYONNE TO THE MINISTER OF

THE INTERIOR.

" Bayonne, Feb. 20, 1840.
" On the 18th, the Queen Regent, in person, opened
the Chambers ; Queen Isabella was present at the cere-
mony, which terminated well.
" Madrid is perfectly tranquil."

" Madrid, Feb. 18.
" THE AMBASSADOR OF FRANCE TO THE MINISTER OF

FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

" The Queen Regent, accompanied by Queen Isabella,
opened the Session of the Cortes to-day. Their Majes' ies
on entering the assembly were received with the greatest
enthusiasm, and on their rassage the populace testified
similar feelings. The Speech from the Throne has given
genuine approbation. The aspeet.of Aladrid is satisfactory
in every respect."

By the arrival of' the Iberia at Falmouth on Satur-
dlv, we have received Lisbon papers of the 17th inst.
inclusive. Nearly a fortnight had there been consumed
in debating the answer of the CORTES to the Speech
from the Throne, in the course of which the Slave
question was a particularly prominent subject of angry
discussion. Several deputies were loud in their repro-
bation of England, and advised an immediate declara-
tion of war against-this country. This counsel provoked
much merriment among the more sensible part of the
membe!s of that Assembly. The Secretary of State
for Foreign Affairs recommended calmness and the
avoidance of all irritating remarks ; stated that
the national dignity was so hurt by Lord
PALMERSTON'S Bill, that the negotiations for a
Treaty must be considered as broken off; expressed a
hope that the two Governments would come- to an ami-
cable understanding. without foreign intervention ; and
admitted that he had found in his office two proposals
from Lord PALMERSTON for the purchase of Goa,
which had been rejected by his predecessor in office.
The debate terminated in no result of the slightest im-
portance. We copy from the private correspondence
of a Contemporary the following miscellaneous news
from Lisbon :

" The law for the exportation of wine of the first an 4
second quality from the antro for ports not in Europe,
whether in foreign or national vessek at the duty of I pi r
cent. ad valorem, was unanimously passed in the Senate on
the 6th instant.

" A verdict was found, on the 11th inst ant, ag,inst Ge-
neral M'Donald, who has been so long a prisoner in the
Castle of San Joa da Fix, at Oporto, and suspected of
going to Braga for the purpose of raising a guerilla ban-
ditti in favour of Don Miguel. He was consequently re-
manded to prison until final judgment he preferred.
" A band of guerillas, of 33 foot and horse, was fallen in
with near Caveiras by the Queen's troops a few days since,
when a struggle ensued ; two of the former were killed,
and eight taken prisoners.
The British brig Avalon, from Newfoundland, laden
with dry cod fish, was driven on the Cabadello at the en-
trance of the river Douro on Thursday, the 13th instant—
crew saved. A small part of her cargo has been dis-
charged, and, should the weather continue•favourable, it is
exp,Tted the whole, together with her stores, will be
laude.', The hull of the vessel cannot be got off,
A fatal a ident „ ~r
dOn bo d her :iiajesty's,,,ip
tight last ; one, while in the act of to:vet ing down a boat,
fell, and his head coming in contact with her gunwale.