The Sun.
London, England, 1847-09-30 00:00:00

THE SUN LONDOW TIMM

vious misadventures. Both of them have repeatedly
been in more terrible straights than those in which they
are at present entangled. As surely as the sun has
risen above the hill tops every morning, they have
heretofore extricated themselves from their dilemmas.
They have laughed to scorn all the triumphant suc-
cesses of Marshal BUGEAUD and General TAYLOR—
they have retreated almost with the éclat of con-
querors before the formidable armaments of General
SCOTT and the Emperor ABDERRHAMAN. Whole
troops of horsemen have been struck down by bullets
on the plains of Algeria and Morocco ; whole bands
of guerillas have been slain in the meadows of Vera
Cruz and California. And yet, in the very teeth of
these adversities, the warriors of North America and
Northern Africa have gained new influence, have in-
creased their forces with an almost miraculous rapi-
dity, and have started up in the victorious march of
their antagonists to beard them in the midst of their
confidence and grandeur.
It is impossible to peruse the account of the recent
occurrences in Mexico, as detailed by the American
newspapers, without smiling at the flagrant bragga-
docio and extravagant exultation of our excellent bro-
ther JONATHAN. One would certainly be induced to
regard the star-spangled banner as invested with
a more awful sanctity than that which enveloped
the jewelled Labarum of the Great CONSTAN-
TINE, did we not know how often it has
been trailed in the mud. Were we to re-
gard Generals SCOTT, Twiccs, and TAYLOR
solely through the magnifying medium of
the New York journals, we should certainly reve-
rence their prowess as more sublime than that of
either WALLACE, BAYARD, or DUGUESCLIN ! The
progress of PIZARRO in Peru, and the advance of
HERNAN CORTEZ into Mexico, were as nothing when
contrasted with the marches of ZACHARY TAYLOR
and CADWALLADER PILLOW. The passage of the
Granicus was child's play to that of the Rio Grande.
The storming of Syracuse was to the assault upon
Monterey, as ridiculously insignificant as the naval
engagement in Lilliput would have been when con-
trasted with a similar strife in Brobdignag.
Such, at least, is the estimate of the recent
achievements of American valour in the land of the
Montezumas, if we are to credit the descriptions of
the vain-glorious journalists of the United States.
Experience has, however, long ago assured us that no
more reliance can be placed upon the bulletins pub-
lished in Washington than upon the facetise received
from the same fruitful region of outrageous impossi-
bilities. We can as readily believe that the gentle-
man is actually in existence who possessed an oyster
so tame that it followed him about like a dog, as we
can credit the extravagant accounts given of the late
battles in Mexico, as conveyed to us in the Transat-
lantic newspapers. These accounts are as impu-
dent for their exaggeration as the description of a
wedding dinner, the first course of which consisted of
twelve hundred dishes. Those who are familiar with
the belles lettres of France will remember the story
as given by Madame DE SEVIGNE in her inimitable
" Letters," and they will remember that when it was
hinted to the SAPHIRA of the said wedding dinner
that she must have meant twelve instead of twelve
hundred dishes, she replied to Madame DE SEVIGNE,
" Oh, no ; nothing of the kind ; it was either eleven
or twelve hundred—l'm not certain which." Pre-
cisely in the same spirit of effrontery are the
late conflicts at Mexicalcingo and Churubuseo.
The loss, according to the American prints,
sustained by the Mexicans, was about five thousand
—not five hundred by any means, but from
four to five thousand, they are not certain which!
There cannot be any question, however, that the
Mexicans have again been discomfited by the superior
discipline, tactics, and ordnance of the soldiers of the
'United States. At the same time the terrible amount
of killed and wounded shows that the children of
Mexico can fight to the death in defence of their
fatherland ; while the circumstance of the capital still
remaining unoccupied by General SCOTT is a con-
vincing sign that the victory was not so wonderfully
overwhelming. SANTA ANNA, it must be acknow-
ledged, is again defeated, but so also is ABD-EL-
KADER ; in both instances the Salamander is once
more plunged into the flames.

The meeting which took place last night at ANDER-
TON'S Hotel (a full re--. .--','-- which will be found in
...- ....—....r...t--,r ...iduct of .....-.. ~.....z- --...-- —..,"
of the seven enthusiastic iFree-traders, who assembled
together in a small back room in Manchester, adopted
resolutions which led to the formation of "The Na-
tional Anti-Corn law League," and to the final pros-
tration of that atrocious system by which the food of
an entire people was taxed for the benefit of a few,
and the industrious operative was compelled to con-
tribute a considerable portion of his hard-earned
wages to increase the profits of the monopolists. The
only weapons used during that great contest were
those of truth and reason, a statement of simple facts,
and the fair and natural conclusions deduced there-
from. At first, however, the advocates for the change
were only enabled to argue as to the probable results
of a sounder and more equitable policy. They showed
the strength and the sincerity of their convictions by
the earnestness with which they urged the adoption
of their principles, and the fearlessness with which
they encountered every opponent, and such opponents
were then neither few nor contemptible. They gained
step by step, and position after position, by the most
unremitting zeal, the most untiring energy and de-
votion. At length the sharp edge of the wedge was
inserted. Six years since a series of measures were

introduced, slowly and cautiously, by which the
truth of the doctrines so promulgated could be tested
although in a very limited degree ; the new tariff was
submitted to the Legislature by which cattle and
other descriptions of food previously, either actually
or virtually prohibited, would be admitted to our
markets. Here, then, at once data were afforded to
strengthen and maintain the arguments. There were
facts to be adduced to encourage the timid, to fix the
waverer, and to induce the courageous man to a con-
tinued perseverance. The result is well known ;
within five years a peaceful triumph was attained,
new converts daily swelled the ranks of the Free-
traders. The most powerful and intelligent of their
opponents were gained over, conviction was forced
upon unwilling minds, until at length the very
man by whose ability the system had been so
long maintained—who was called to power as
its undoubted and strenuous supporter, who was
placed at the head of one of the most powerful and
influential parties in both branches of the Legislature
that ever followed the fortunes of any Minister—found
that he could no longer resist the popular will, tem-
perately ikut firmly expressed. He saw that it would
be an act of the deepest criminality still to advocate
a system which he conscientiously believed to be in-
jurious to the national interests, and (having failed
in inducing his SOVEREIGX to accept his ten-
dered resignation), he felt that it became his
duty to his QUEEN and country to propose
measures for the total abolition of protective
imposts of every description, although the total
dissolution of his party was thereby occasioned, and
himself and his friends driven from power and exposed
to the fiercest invectives and the most unrelent-
ing hostility of his former adherents.
The lesson is an instructive one. The manner in
which important reforms should be won is clearly and
distinctly pointed out, in a way that cannot be
mistaken or misunderstood, and truly rejoiced are
we to find that similar weapons, and similar means,
are about to be turned against a monopoly, if pos-
sible more injurious, a system still more pestilential,
than that which last year received its death-blow.
By the one our trade and commerce was fettered and
restrained, by the other it is depressed and almost
paralysed—by the one production was checked, be-
cause a market for our manufactures could not be
obtained, and we were prevented from receiving in
exchange the growth of other lands, by which
payment alone could be obtained—by the other the
manufacturer is rendered unable to continue his ope-
rations, all the profit being absorbed by the money-
lender in consequence of the increased dearness of
money and the high rate which should be paid
for the accommodation necessary to carry on his
works—by the one our operatives were debarred from
the food which theycould otherwise have obtained for
the price of their labour—by the other, although that
food is within their reach, they are prevented from
earning the money to pay for it, and brought to the
verge of starvation in the very midst of plenty and
abundance. The great fact may be mmowaced, that

an " ANTI-GOLD-LAW LEAGUE" has been est
blished, and we anticipate from the result of
their labours a victory equally signal, and fully as
beneficial to the people of this country, as that which
crowned the exertions of their fr& e-trading brethren ;
indeed, the one is the natural successor to the other,
and a free trade in money is just as essential as in any
of the commodities which can be purchased there-
with. A consideration of the national resources, and
of the national burdens, will show that the circula-
tion now sanctioned and permitted by the operation
of the Acts of 1819 and 1844 is utterly inadequate
to supply the wants of the country, and is wholly
disproportioned to the enormous weight of tax-
ation annually levied from the people. The
great question is, by what means can that
circulation be increased to such an amount as
will be sufficient to meet those exigencies
without any undue depreciation of the cur-
rency, or the sacrifice of that security and actual
value that should characterise the circulating medium.
It should possess an inherent worth, or there should
be a certainty that the possessor could, under any
circumstances, obtain a fair equivalent therefor ; this
is perfectly practicable, and can be obtained simulta-
neously with the requisite increase. We shall nut now
dwell upon the manner in which this desideratum is
to be achieved, nor on the arguments used at the
meeting—the subject is too deeply interesting, too
vitally important to every British citizen, to every
man desirous of gaining his daily bread by his own
exertions, to be so summarily dismissed. We shall
return to it again and again. At present, we rest
satisfied with once more repeating the great fact,
the NATIONAL ANTI-GOLD LAW LEAGUE has been
formed and is now in existence.

A letter from Naples of the 21st Sept. says—
" A report is current that Girgenti and Marsala are
in a state of insurrection ; but there is nothing posi-
tive on the subject. What is certain is that arrests
continue in Sicily, and the popular irritation is at its
height. A general rising is hourly expected. The
Government continues to send munitions of war to all
points. In the province of Molisa all the districts of
Larino have raised the standard of revolt. In Calabria
the insurrection has extended to Catanzaro, and the
insurgents are said to have fortified themselves in
Gerace. At times divided into guerillas, at others
acting in a body, they fall on the royal troops, and
cause much ravage in their ranks. It is said that the
Bth regiment of the line was not inclined to fight, but
was compelled to do so by the colonel, and sustained
great loss. The arms and uniform of the dead, which
were brought to Naples, are considerable in number.
The insurgents of Casensa, against whom General
Statella had been sent, have joined the bands of
Romeo. A general amnesty and a reform are spoken
of; but little credit is attached to the report. It is
asserted, however, that an important labour, with this
laudable object, has been entered upon by the Prime
Minister, Yietracatella, with the authorisation of the
King."

We read in the Journal of the Two Sicilies (the
official organ) of the I.7th—
" General Nunsiante, after having taken tempo-
rary repose at Gerace, has marched towards Bianco,
Bovalino, Ardore, Staeti, Rocella, the only places
which had intelligence with, or lent an ear to the re-
presentations of, the revolted fugitives. The General
entertained strong hopes of reaching the factious
bands, because he knew them to be also pursued in
the direction of Reggio by the royal troops. We
expect from one moment to another news of the
operations of this General; and as soon as we shall
receive them we shall communicate them. We have
learned by telegraph that two Romeos, chiefs of the
rebellion, have been brought to Reggio, one dead, the
other living. Two chiefs, named Verducci and Bello,
have also been arrested at Gerace."

• The same journal publishes the following article
" His Majesty, desiring to provide for the events
which may arise in case some ill-advised men, not
corrected by what has occurred at Reggio and Mes-
sina should make other attempts to trouble the tran-
quillity of the populations, caused a column to set
out four days ago for the Abruzais. It was composed
of infantry, artillery, and five squadrons of lancers
and dragoons, commanded by General Carabba. His
Majesty had also caused another column to march
for Capitanata, whilst two squadrons of gendarmes,
120 each, are to place themselves in observation, one
between Avellino and Vallo di Bovino, the other
between Bari and Lecce. Finally Lieut.-Colonel
Count Cutrofiano, an officer of great activity, marches
towards the province of Malise with three entire
squadrons of dragoons, some of the best companies of
light infantry, and half a battery."
A letter from Leghorn of the 17th states that per-
sons from Tuscany can no longer enter the duchy of
Modena haying sent troops to the frontier. Tuscan
troops had been sent to Pietro Santa to observe the
Modenese. The Regency instituted by the Duke of
LUCCA on his departure was occupying itself with a
law on the press, with regulations for the Civic
Guard, and with the state of the finances.
A letter from Florence announces that the Cheva-
lier JULES MARTINI, Secretary to the Grand Duke,
had set out for Turin, charged with an extraordinary
mission to the Court of King CHARLES ALBERT.

A letter from Turin of the 9.2 d says :
" The Genoese have just sent an address to the
King, to demand the institution of the civic guard,
and a law on the press, similar to those accorded in
the Roman States and in Tuscany. This document
contains a very great number of signatures, among
which are remarked those of Cardinal Todini, the
Archbishop, and of the Marquis Giustiniani, Syndic,
of Genoa. The Marquises George Doria, Jacques
Balbi, and Raggi, who, so to speak, directed the de-
monstrations at Genoa on the Bth and 9th, were
ordered to Turin. They have been received by the
King. M. Doria had a conversation with his Majesty,
which lasted half an hour. He frankly told Charles
Albert that the Genoese and the Piedmontese in
general desire to obtain the civic guard and a law on
the press. He then insinuated that it was necessary .
to accord an honourable retreat to Count de la Marga-
rita, Minister of Foreign Affairs. The King replied,
that he would adopt all the measures which he con-
sidered opportune ; but he recommended them to
abstain from all noisy or imprudent manifestations.
These gentlemen have departed for Genoa, where they
will receive a letter from Count de Villamarina,
Minister of War and Marine, with the reply of the
King. Monsignor Corboli Bussi still remains here,
and has frequent conferences with the King, who de-
clares on every occasion his firm determination to
make common cause with the Pope."

A Berlin letter of the 22d says :—" It has already
been announced that many of the Russian foreign di-
plomatists have been called to St. Petersburgh. We
now learn that the Prince of Prussia will also proceed
to that capital immediately on his return from the
Rhine. This warrants a belief that some affairs of
importance are about to be discussed at St. Peters-
burgh."

Madrid Journals of the 23d have arrived.

The Gaeta publishes a despatch from the Captain-
General of Catalonia, dated the 17th, announcing
that the French authorities had arrested on the frontier
four refugees who were endeavouring to enter Spain.
These were JOSE PONS (called BEP DEL OLI, a
Carlist Brigadier) and Colonels JUAN HUERTA, N.
CAMPOS, and N. LARGOS. Another dispatch of the
same Captain-General, of the 18th, stated that the
column of PANADES had overtaken, in the vicinity of
San Saturni, a detachment of fifty men of the band of
CALETRUS, which it completely dispersed, recapturing
the parish priest (FELIX Com.), a prisoner among
the rebels.

Desertions from the Spanish army on the French
frontiers still continue. Very recently fifteen men,
belonging to the regiment of Zamora, a detachment
of which is stationed at Elisondo, deserted, and suc-
ceeded in entering France at tirdax; they were
escorted into Bayonne by the police, and will be sent
into the interior.

It was rumoured that SALAMANCA had strongly
urged the necessity of an immediate dissolution of
the Cortes. A house is, it is said, being prepared at
Madrid for ESPARTEIIO. Addresses continue pour-
ing in from all parts of the country, thanking the
QUEEN for having appointed him a senator. NAli-
VAEZ still continues at Madrid.

MADRID BOLSA, SEPT. 23.—The Three per Cents.
were done at 26 for cash; the Four per Cents. at
16i ; the Five per Cents. at 171; and the Debt with-
out Interest, at 171.

We have.received the Paris papers of Tuesday.
The nomination of Marshal SOULT as Marshal-
General of France has created the greatest excite-
ment throughout the political circles of Paris, and is
regarded by men of all parties, save the Janissaries of
M. GuizoT, as another overt act of the reactionary
policy by which the dynasty of the barricades is
seeking to obliterate all traces of its origin. The
; nion Monarchipe, the organ of the Legitimatists,
thus comments on the appointment—
I, A. strange nomination made its appearance in the