The Sun.
London, England, 1847-01-07 00:00:00

THE WEST INDIA MAIL.

SOUTHAMPTON, JAN. 7.—The Clyde steamer, Cap-
tain Simons, arrived this morning, at ten o'clock, with
the West Indian and Mexican mails. She has not
brought a single dollar on account of the di-
vidends, but she has nearly 2,000,000 on board on mer-
chants' account, the whole of which were shipped at
Tampico. The American authorities have intimated
that for the future the ports were closed against further
shipment. A conducta of halt a million of dollars was
sent express from Mexico, in nine days, for shipment, so
anxious were the merchants to avail themselvGs of the
packet. Santa Anna had published a letter in the
Mexican newspapers entirely disavowing the late con-
version cf the Mexican Bonds. A squadron of six ships
was off Tampico, awaiting the arrival of the troops
from America to make a laud attack on Alvarado. Santa
Anna had collected 25,000 troops at San Luis Potosi, to
await the advance of the American General, Taylor,
who occupied Saltillo with 5,000 men, and a report
was current in Vera Cruz that Santa Anna had ad-
vanced against him with ten thousand men, and
compelled him to fall back on Monterey, the
American volunteers being in a state of insubor-
dination. The Mexican Government were making stre-
nuous efforts to strike a decided blow. Gen. Salons, the
President, had decreed an advance of two million dollar;
the repayment to be guaranteed by the clergy at the
expiration of two years at 5 per cent. per annum.
General Taylor has attempted to negotiate with Santa
Anna for peace, who replied that no terms could be
listened to whilst an American soldier remained in arms
on Mexican ground, or an American man-of-war
blockaded a Mexican port. The news from Mexico is
highly favourable to the Mexicans.—Herald.

DESTITUTION IN THE HIGHLANDS.—We are glad to
find that the inhabitants of St. Clement Danes, St.
Martin-in-the Fields, St. Mary-le-Strand, and the ad-
joining parishes have commenced a penny subscription,
to aid the destitute peasantry in the Western Highlands,
more espedially in the district of Loehaber. Mr. V. G.
Dowling, 4, Norfolk-street, Strand, Mr. F. Stokes, 175,
Strand, Mr. Burfield, 180, Strand, and Mr. S. Sainsbury,
177, Strand, guarantee the proper application of the
funds without delay. Mr. E. Sainsbury, the brother of
Mr. S. Sainsbury, is calling upon the inhabitants for
their subscriptions, and already several pounds have
been collected. We hope other parishes will follow this
good example.
THE INFANT SAPPHO. —ln noticing a concert
recently given in Manchester, the Manchester Examiner
of Saturday says—" That delightful little creature, the
Infant Sappho, to whom song seems to be a natural
utterance, led off the performances with a couple of her
favourite airs, contrasted so as to exhibit her powers in
the pathetic and mirthful. Her efforts in both pieces
received, and Jeserved the enthusiastic applause which
they elicited from the very large and respectable audi-
tory. But it was in Sir Henry Bishop's " Should he
upbraid," which the tiny songster has caught up from
having heard it sung by one of our celebrated vocalists,
that the Sappho exhibited most markedly her quickness,
her fine appreciation, and wonderful execution. She has
only given this classical' song three or four times in
public, and yet, so well did she render its music and
meaning, that a loud encore was the result."
A BRIDEWELL TO DE LET.—Yesterday, the ma-
gistrates, at the Town-hall, Preston, had the satisfaction
of leaving the bench without transacting any business.
There was not a case for investigation of any descrip-
tion, neither was there a prisoner in Bridewell during
any part of the preceding evening. This is indeed a rare
occurrence.--Manchester Guardian of yesterday.
DEATH OF JOSEPH JOHN GURNEY.—This gentle-
man, who has been so long before the world in the
character of a philanthropist died at Norwich on
Monday last. During the very sharp weather Mr.
Gurney attended the meeting of the District Visiting
Society for the purpose of providing for the great
distress the poor of Norwich were experiencing, and
on returning home his pony slipped and fell with him on
passing over Orford-hill. Mr. Gurney was thrown over
the pony's head on to the ground. He was quickly picked
up, and in aFhort time, considering that no serious injury
had been sustained, he rode home on the same pony.
We regret to add that ether symptoms followed, and a
special telegraphic dispatch was sent to London at 6
o'clock on Monday morning last, and before ten a
physician from London was in attendance ; Mr. Gurney,
however, we regret to add, died the same night, about
ten o'clock, aged fifty-nine. The city is generally in
mourning ; all the shops in the market-place and those
in most other parts of the city, are closed, so uni-
versally and highly was the deceased respected.
DEATH OF MAJOR FRASER, GOVERNOR OF FORT
GEORGE.—We record, in our obituary of to day, the
death of this respected officer, and estimable country
gentleman. His amiability of disposition, hospitality,
and kindness, during a period of thirty-six years, in
connexion with that garrison, will long be remembered,
and his memory cherished by a wide and general ac-
quaintance. In him the poor have lost a generous friend.
The funeral took place on Saturday last, with the mili-
tary honours due to his rank and station; and in addi-
tion to the strength of the garrison, his remains were
followed to the tomb by many of the gentlemen of the
surrounding country, and by a large concourse of people.

—Ross Adivrtiser.
DEATH OF THE HON. HENRY DAVID ERSKINE.—
This gentleman expired at his residence, near Clack.
tnannan, in the seventieth year of his age. Ho was son
of the fourteenth Earl of Mar and Nellie, by Miss
Floyer, daughter of Charles Floyer, Esq., for some time
Governor of Madras, and was heir presumptive to his
nephew, the sixteenth bolder of the title. He married,
in 1805, Mary Anne, daughter of John Cooksey, Esq.,
by whom he had issue eight children, the eldest scn
being Walter Coningsby, born in 1810, a captain in the
73d Bengal Native Infantry