The Sun.
London, England, 1841-04-17 00:00:00

THE PRESIDENT STEAMER.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES.
Si A—Before the President had her keel laid I ventured to
prognosticate, from her dimensions, that she wouldsnot prove
a fast goer, and before she was launched I expressed a strong
opinion that she would be very subject to lose her rudder.
The loss of her rudder, with a slight derangement in her
machinery, would leave her at the mercy of the ever-changing
winds in the Atlantic, and she need not be despaired of until
after the arrival of the next Halifax steamer, which may be
expected in about a fortnight hence.
Should we not, therefore, say with Cassio of the Nob'e
Moor,—
" His bark is stoutly timber'd, and his pilot
Of very expert and approv'd allowance ;
Therefore my hopes, not surfeited to death,
Stand in bold cure."

Union Club, April 16,

Yours, &C.,
A. B. C.

MONEY MARKET and CITY NEWS.

(FROM TIIE MORNING PAPERS OF THIS DAY.)
CHRONICLE.—The Funds have not improved to-days
although the proceedings in the case of APLeod leave no doubt
of a satisfactory termination—the case having been removed
to the Court of the United States by certiorari, and a commis-
sion issued to take the evidence of Mr. Fox and the Hon.
Daniel Webster. In the opinion of American gentlemen with
whom we have conversed, these steps are considered to have
been taken in order to pave the way for the discharge of the
prisoner by legal process—it being quite plain that the only
testimony which 31r. Webster or Mr. Fox can give about the
affair is, that it is now adopted as a question to be decided be-
tween the two Governments, agreeably to the principles of the
law of nations. It is most likely that Mr. M'Leod will ac-
cordingly be liberated so soon as the commission containing
the evidence of Mr. Webster and Mr. Fox has been
reported to the Court. At the date of the advices, brought by
the Caledonia steamer, the British Queen had not reached
New York, having been obliged to put into Halifax, with
damage. Owing to her detention, it was not known that the
bills drawn by the United States Bank on 3lessrs. Denison
and Co. and Morrison and Co., of London, had been honoured.
The Money Market, however, had rallied a little, and stocks
of all kinds were looking up. The last cash price for shares of
the Bank of the United States at New York was 16i to 17.
Exchange on London, 7 to 71-.
Mr. Hinchman's bill for legalizing the suspension of specie
payments by the banks, and authorising an issue of small notes,
had passed both Houses of the Legislature of Pennsylvania,
but it was supposed by many that the Governor would inter-
pose his veto. The belief in Philadelphia. however,
was, that he would rather allow the time allowed him
of ten days to elapse without returning the bill, in
which case it would become law, as silence in these points is
held to be consent. Or, at least, that if he returned it with
objections, they would not affect the vital parts of the measure,
but only the details, so as to admit of the substitution of an
amended measure, which would contain all that was required.
The first measure which it is supposed would be considered
by the special Session of Congress, is the tariff, in conjunction
with the exhausted state of the federal treasury, and it is ex-
pected that. a duty will be imposed on tea and silk, and other
articles of luxury, which are at present free. The currency
also, and a national bank, with the distribution of the public
lands, in connection with the subject of the necessity of local
taxation by the States, will certainly occupy the early attention
of the Harrison Administration, and he submitted by them for
discussion in the special Session of Congress.

TIMES.—In the English funds the business transacted
was principally confined to sales, which, under the circum-
stances that stock was not so much in demand as yesterday,
when the account was closing, and that the question between
this country and America, by the deferring of M'Leod's trial,
still appears open, caused some unsteadiness in prices. Hence
the decline exhibited in the day's quotations.
The New York papers contain a document of great im-
portance, which is the Bank Bill, passed by both houses of
the Pennsylvanian Legislature, and presented on the 29th
ult. to the governor. By this it is provided, that the banks
of the commonweath are to be liable for the payment of
their debts, as individuals are liable, and that the extraor-
dinary penalties shall be repealed. The banks are to have
the privilege of issuing small notes to the amount of
15 per cent. on their capital stocks for a period of five
years. The total amount of debts and liabilities, ex-
clusive of deposit, is not to exceed double the amount of capi-
tal stock. Ihe stocks held by the banks (excepting those of
Pennsylvania) are not to exceed 10 per cent. of their capitals,
but the case of investments already made is especially provided
for, as with respect to these, none are to be reduced more
rapidly than 121 per cent. every ninety days. No officer of
a bank is to be permitted to loan its funds, persons eligible as
Directors must own stock proportioned to the capital of the
bank, and no one is to be Director of more than one bank at
a time. With respect to dividends, no dividend at any time is
to exceed 7 per cent., and the excess is to form a contingent
fund, but during suspension a dividend of 5 per cent. is to be
allowed. The Shareholders are authorised to reduce the capi-
tal to $14,000,000. This Bill, it is expected, the Governor
will veto, and the privileges it accords to the insolvent banks
seem to he most unreasonable. As for winding up their af-
fairs, the only measure to prevent further embarrassment,
the
banks, it is seen, have a renewed privilege of issuing
small notes, the most objectionable form of a paper currency,
for the long period of five years, so that their liabilities will be
in a fair way of increasing rather than diminishing. The share-
holders of the Banks are still to be allowed a dividend during
a period of suspension, that is, those who have embarked in a
concern with all its risks, and who of all parties are least enti-
tled to preference, are to receive their income, while the in-
nocent noteholder is subject to constant depreciation of his
property ; but at the same time it is impossible to tell from
what source a dividend is to come while a Bank is in suspension.
But perhaps discussion is wasted on a question to which, on
the first view of the details, so many objections present them-
selves. The document is only worth adverting to as another
form of banking in America.
It may be interesting at this period to know the appropria.
tions made for this year for the public services of the United
States. They are set forth in full detail in a Report by the
clerk of the House of Representatives, which shows that
the appropriations for the support of the Government is
$8,517,079 ; for the army, `6,041,919; for the naval service,
$5,926,337 ; for. fortifications, $485,500; for the Military
Academy, $`165,842; for the revolutionary and other pen-
sioners, $1,044,155 ; for the Indian Department, Treaties,
&c., $1,000,968 ; and for private disbursements, $10,055 ;
the total amount being $23,191,806.

SUN.—The private letters from America give rather an
unfavourable view of monetary matters, but notice in some
branches of trade a slight increase of activity. No perma-
nent and extensive improvement in this respect is expected
before the political questions now pending between the
two countries are in a fairer train of settlement. Money
continues very easy in the City, from sheer want of em-
ployment; but there are said to be some symptoms of a
revival in our export trade.
The Public Securities felt the influence of the indefi-
nite character of the advices from America. Consols for
immediate transfer were marked 90i- upon the opening of
the market; but subsequently gave way to 90, closing at
90 to If. For May, the highest and only value was 90a
to Bank Stock was steady at 172 to and India
Stock at 254, but each of these rates was a shade below
those of yesterday. Exchequer Bills were worth 15s. to
13s. premium, and India Bonds 2s. premium and par.
The New Three-and-a- Half per Cents. were at 991 to.
The Foreign Market was exceedingly dull all day. The
Active Spanish Bonds realised 23 tot, the New Portuguese
33i, being per cent. lower; the Colombian 22i to
and the Mexican 30i to The accounts from Mexico
to-day are not at ail favourable in a political point of view.
Peruvian Bonds were at 17i, Dutch Two-and-a- Half per
Cents. were firm at 52, and Belgian Old Bonds were
marked 1021, or + per cent. below the previous quotation.
There is so little doing in this stock, however, that it is
almost nominal. Danish Bonds were at 77i to
There was some disposition to realize profits on the im-
provement in the value of the Railway Shares that has oc-
curred within the last day or two, and the consequence
was a alight re-action on yesterday's prices. The bargains
effected to-day were most currently on the following
terms :—The Great Western 29k, the New 1411-, the
Fifths 71; the London and Birmingham 69, and the South
Western 18- premium. Brighton were 3z, Blackwalls4,
Eastern Counties 13k, South Eastern 15, Manchester ana
Leeds 4, North Midland 21, and Birmingham and Derby
30 discount. Colonial Bank Shares rose to 10, and Lon-
don and Westminster to 3 premium.

The Foreign Exchanges were firm this afternoon, the
accounts from Hamburgh being still favourable as regards
the rate on London, which was on Tuesday last at 13 41.
Here bills at ninety days were negotiated to-day as fol-
lows:—Paris, 25 67i to 70; Amsterdam, 12 4; Ant-
werp, 12 31 to -; Hamburgh, 13 9} to a ; Frankfort 150,
and Trieste, 10 1i to 2i.

THE SUN L

LINES ON THE BURIAL OF
SIR JOHN MOORE.

TO THE ED.lTute OF THE SUN.
SIR,—Having seen by your Journal, that the question is
again revived as to the authorship of the beautiful lines on
the burial of Sir John Moore, I think is may be interest-
ing to state what I remember on this subject, as tending to
confirm Wolfe's claims to be the author.
It was, I think, about the year 1810 or 1811, that my
enthusiastic friend, Tom Steele, recited to me that effu-
sion of genius, stating at the same time that it was the
composition of his friend Wolfe (not Woolfe, the late
Chief Baron, who was also a friend of Steele's). This
was the first time I ever heard the lines, but I never heard a
doubt raised as to their being Wolfe's, who was generally
designated as " the author o' the lines on Sir John
Moore." At a later period I became acquainted with
Wolfe himself, being invited to meet him by his friend and
biographer, Archdeacon Russell, who is brother-in-law of
the present Protestant Bishop of Meath.
I mention particulars as to persons, as showing that the
controversy may be easily set at rest during the present
generation, by referring to individuals of high character
and eminence, still living.
Knowing these circumstances I own I was much sur-
prised when I first saw a doubt started in a work con-
s ected with the life of Lord Byron.
With respect to the French lines adduced by " Sun-
tator" in your last number, though referring to an evert
which took place long before the Battle of Curunna, it
will be necessary to prove that they are found in a work
of earlier publication before we have a f glit to conclude
that the English lines, which appear to have all the cha-
racter of an original, are only a translation.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
W. S. VILLIERS SANKEY.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
see in your paper of this evening a copy of
some French verses taken from the Boulogne Gazette,
which are unquestionably the source of the verses which
have been called an " Ode," to the memory of Sir John
Moore. You say "it appears there will be no end of
claimants to this celebrated ode ;" perhaps so, at least, I
shall mention one who has long been dumb, and he thought
himself as little entitled to any merit for having written
the lines as the table on which they were first scrawled.
After the death of Sir John Moore, it was but natural
tl at the unhappy event, the bravery, and the merits of the
departed hero should be much talked of by the young and
ardent then in service. Perhaps little else aas thought of by
them, and they could little brook the obloquy which it was
anticipated would be attempted to be thrown upon the me-
mory of the fallen hero. Indeed, a short time elapsed ere
some of the ill-natured or interested began to show symp-
toms of kicking at " the dead lion." Some time after his
decease, a young midshipman of one of his Majesty's ships
lying in the Tagus, was ashore on leave, and enjoying
his full tent of mirth, frolic, and mischief, as of all
he was eminently capable, though posEessed of highly sen-
sitive feelings, and an ardently poetical imagination ; he
was quite a boy —his education imperfect, and his
judgment immature, of course. There was also at that
time, at Lisbon, an old Frenchman, named D'Almand ( I
am not sure the. I spell his name correctly), and he grew
fond of the lively boy, who evinced a respect for age
which he perhaps never showed fur anything else, except-
ing the softer sex. The French veteran repeated such
parts of the lines (quoted in your paper of this day) as he
could remember, for the conversation had been upon Sir
John's death, and the observations of the boy called the
verses to the old man's memory. I was present, and the
lad borrowed of me a pencil, with which, on the table of
the tavern where we were, he wrote, or rather sciawled,
in his youthful enthusiasm, the lines which he called
" The Warrior's Burial," and those lines are the same,
save a few words, which have been since called " an
We to the Memory of Sir John Moore." I was about to
take a copy of them, but was assured by their young
author that I should have a corrected copy on the follow-
ing morning, which he gave me on a leaf of his log-
book, and that very led, I think (at least I hope), I can,
if necessary produce. But it is of little consequence, for
tl .e real author of them is long since dead. I believe he
was killed in the Mediterranean, in his Majesty's ser-
vice, and be never thought half so much of them as he
did of some of Dibdin's ballads, though I have heard him
sing them at the reque't of his messmates in a beauti-
fully soft voice, and with great feeling, to an old Irish
air, the name of which I forget. Many copies of the
lines were given away by Lim. I have been •so long
.from England that I have heard nothing of the claims to
the verses until I saw The ,Sun of this evening, and that
is the only apology I have to offer for trespassing on your
time. Your most obedient servant,

April 15, 1841. R. A.
[The writer of this letter has given his name and address
and also the name of the young officer. We hope he will
oblige us still further, and produce the leaf of the log-
book.]

ODE ON THE BURIAL OF SIR

JOHN MOORE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
Litteris operant dos,
Lucido fulyes oculo.

IluosoN edit., by P. Prout.

SIR,—A gentleman who calls himself Scrutator, I suppose,
from having the luck occasionally to find a mare's nest, has ex-
pressed, through the Boulogne Gazette, strange misgivings of
plagiarism on the part of Chas. Wolfe in respect to the Ode on
the Burial of Sir John Moore.
Why, Sir, this gentleman must be considerably behind the
literature of the age, or he would have known that the question
has been long ago decided in the affirmative by the celebrated
Father Prout, who concludes his unanswerable statement of
facts supporting the originality of the French lines, by suppos-
in. that t. perhaps Wolfe Tone may have communicated them
to his relative, the clergyman, on his return from France,"
modestly subjoining—" Fides sit penes Intorem."—P. Prout.
I suppose this will be sufficient for Scrutator, but I beg to
have one word with yourself, as you say " that Wolfe certainly
left his right to the honour that has been heaped on him very
doubtful ;" and I hope you will allow that you have expressed
yourself, perhaps, hastily, when you take into consideration the
following circumstances :
In the first place, then, Mr. Wolfe acknowledged himself the
author of this Ode to numbers, two of whom have already given
their testimony in your own columns.
Add to this Wolfe's stainless character, placing his word
above suspicion.
In the next place, you have the evidence of those who were
present when the subject was first proposed to him, on which
occasion he actually composed some of the stanzas, though not
in their present order.
Then, consider toe improbability of such a highlymoral cha-
racter falsely claiming wi:at could not exalt his genius in the
eyes of his acquaintance, but might be the occasion of blasting
his reputation for ever.
Besides, you have, what in most other cases is considered
sufficient of itself as establishing authorship, namely, the testi-
mony of the person who first publishes, and who in this case
was Mr. Stewart, at that time Editor of the Newry Comfier-
ciai Telegraph, and who subsequently edited the Belfast
News-letter.
Add to all this the number of pretenders who at different
times have appeared, and who have been signally defeated, and
I think that you must acknowledge that Mr. Wolfe's claim has
actually undergone the experimentum crucis.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
your very obedient servant,
JOSEPH MARSHALL.
Victory, Portsmouth, April 16.