The Sun.
London, England, 1847-10-18 00:00:00

AMERICAN AFFAIRS.

Nzw YORK, SEPT. 30.—Great anxiety pervades
this community as to the result of the pending nego-
tiations in regard to the question—" Shall we have
peace or war with Mexico ?" The Government is
but very little better informed on this subject than
active and intelligent business men. If the ground
originally assumed by the President continues to be
occupied by him, then, in my opinion, there is no
immediate prospect of a favourable termination of
pending negotiations. It is understood that Mr.
Trist is empowered to make, and probably has made,
certain specific propositions.
In this stage of the case, uninformed as to what
those propositions are, it would not be discreet to
hazard a positive opinion on the question—" Shall we
have peace or war with Mexico?"
On one point I have Eno hesitation in expressing
my firm belief. There is no doubt the President has
now the power and the opportunity o f making a
treaty of peace, alike honourable and just to both
countries. The question presents itself, " Will he
embrace it ?" That is a very doubtful question. In
respect to it I entertain apprehensions. Mr. Polk is
not a man of a great and magnanimous mind. He is
under the controlling influence of a false pride. He
has committed himself so deeply as to what he will
effect that he knows not how to retreat; and yet, I
believe, he now sees that he cannot accomplish what
he has threatened to do, and is a mere waiter on Pro-
vidence, in the hope that some accidental circumstance
may occur to enable him to escape from the dilemma
in which he finds himself placed by his own im-
petuosity.
:The affairs of Mexico, as an independent sove-
reignty, present a gloomy aspect. The rumours
respecting Paredes are contradictory ; but the better
opinion seems to be that he is preparing to overthrow
Santa Anna, and is advancing towards the city of
Mexico with an anti-American war party under his
command. These rumours seem to have given birth
to others, probably not less apocryphal, namely, that
there was an understanding between Generals Scott
and Santa Anna, that, if the latter would enter into
a satisfactory treaty with the United States, General
Scott would pledge himself to sustain Santa Anna's
Government against Paredes, or any other military
chieftain who might attempt to revolutionise Mexico.
I give this last rumour that you may see the cha-
racter of the reports that continually reach us from
the seat of war, but without placing the least confi-
dence in its truth. General Scott is a man of too
much sagacity and discretion to place himself in such
a position with such a man as Santa Anna; but if,
contrary to all human probability, he should do it, he
would
.soon have Mr. Polk's order to retire from the
army Mexico; for, be it remembered, the General
is no favourite of the President's.

On Mexican affairs the Washington correspondent
of the Courier and Enquirer says—" There is no
news from the city of Mexico later than the 29th of
August. Let us separate, then, the certain from the
conjectural. It is certain, then, first, that General
Scott and Mr. Trist are exerting themselves to the
utmost to effect a treaty of peace ; second, that Santa
Anna is doing all in his power to accomplish the same
object; third, that Herrera is co-operating with Santa
Anna openly for this purpose, and with that view has
even become one of the commissioners." The writer
adds—" Will a treaty of peace be signed ? I think
such a treaty will be signed by Mr. Trist and General
Scott, on the one hand, and by the Mexican Com-
missioners on the other, and that it will be confirmed
by Santa Anna as President. But will it be ratified
by the Mexican Congress ? This point is certainly
not free from doubt."

I give you this extract, premising that I do not
place great confidence in the sagacity of the writer,
or his means of acquiring information, but others
implicitly rely on his statements. Heretofore I have
not concurred in opinion with him, and have not found
bim more correct than other respectable writers in
Washington.

Accounts from Hayti show, incontestably, that a
revolutionary struggle of a most sanguinary cha-
racter has burst upon that devoted people. On Sun-
day, the 22d of August, two negro generals, Semelien
and Alerte, having incited rebellion, Generals Tes-
louge and Descayettes openly revolted. They were
joined by hundreds of negro citizens. This is a civil
war between the blacks and mulattoes.
The President Sonlouque, was absent from Port-
au-Prince at the time of the revolt, and on hearing of
it sent Prince David Troy, one of his most trusty
Ministers, a negro, to restore order. Troy induced
Alerte to return to his allegiance. Semelien
refused, and declared that he acted under the in-
structions of the President himself. The authorities
awaited the response of the President to this declara-
tion. If he denies it, it will cost Semelien his life ;
if he confirms it, the result will be the formation of
a new Cabinet, and war to the knife against the
mulattoes. Such was the state of public affairs at
the latest accounts from Hayti.
General Caleb hushing, at present with the United
States army, and considered, until recently, a mem-
ber of the Whig party, has been nominated as a
candidate for the office of Governor of the State of
Massachusetts. There is not the least prospect of his
being elected. Mr. Briggs, a Whig, and at present
Governor, will be re-elected.

Massachusetts, through a state convention, has
made another nomination. She has designated, with
great unanimity, her great statesman, Mr. Daniel
Webster, as her candidate for the office of President,
subject, however, to the future decision of the United
States Whig Convention, to be held for the purpose
of nominating candidates for the offices of President
and Vice-President. Mr. Webster was fairly en-
titled to this distinguished testimonial of respect in
his native state.

Our local elections in several states are either pend-
ing, or the note to prepare is sounded by political
leaders. These elections are never-failing sources of
great excitement ; and, as a natural consequence,
absorb almost the exclusive attention of politicians.
You will therefore find in our journals little to in-
terest you for a few weeks to come, except what re-
lates to the success or defeat of the various parti,an
candidates.

We have a rumour this day from Washington that
the President is confined to his room by severe in-
disposition. It is probable, however, that the attack
is slight, or it would not be left in a state of un-
certainty. _

A To-ronto journal of the 24th of September says—
" The health of the city is improving. The numbers
in the hospital do not increase, and in the convalescent
hospital the numbers have increased."
—Times. A GENEVESE TRAVELLER.

THE ISTHMUS OF SUEZ.

The Journal des Debats contains a long article on
the shipcanal proposed to be made between Suez and
Pelusiurn, of which it speaks in terms of approbation.
" The announcement of such a project," adds the
Journal des Dki-bals, "is sufficient to prove its import-
ance. An enterprise which is to place the Mediter-
ranean in direct communication with the Indian seas,
by avoiding more than one-half the distance which at
present separates them by the passage round the Cape
of Good hope—such an enterprise interests not only
Egypt, whose territory is borrowed for its completion,
but it likewise interests the politics and the commerce
of the entire world. Thirty leagues to be crossed in the
desert, in the midst of a plain which will facilitate
the works—two ports to be created, under difficult
circumstances it is true, but which present no obstacle
sufficient to dismay an engineer, and in fine an
ex-
pense of 30,000,000 or 40,000,000 ; such are thecon-
con-
ditions, not very onerous it may be seen, on
which this magnificent result is to be obtained.
How, then, does it happen, that this enter-
prise is yet only in contemplation, and not already
a reality accomplished for the advantage of civi-
lization and the commerce of the world ? It is be-
cause the material obstacles are the least in the affair,
and it is because they affect immense interests, and
because their completion will affect more or less pro-
foundly the political and commercial situations of all
Powers, that it has remained so long in suspense,
and that
perhaps it will remain so still longer, al-
though it appears at this moment to be on the point
of receiving solution. No doubt, when the plan
shall be brought foirward for cutting through this
which neck of land
arrests the commerce of so many
nations, and which, when completed, will open a new
career to the Power of b
several
states, every party will
be agreed, and even those who are heartily opposed
to the enterprise will not dare to avow their opinions.
of al
It appears that the policy Cabinetse is unani-
mous as to the principle. Buttoeve Y time when we
.on the actual
wished to depart from theory
sionshave arisen
construction of the canal, violent disnsteer
and each party more or less with his own interests,
proposed to support a different systein
real although not avowed enemies of thand the
dr
taking, availing themselves of the differenoncaner
ie
ered
opinion, prevented every plan from being
into effect. Such is the history, not very honourable
for European policy, but true, of all the plans which
have been as yet brought forward to open the Isthmus
of Suez. All the European Cabinets have joined in
the discussion without having succeeded in agreeing
with respect to interests which appeared to be so
clearly defined. Some of the parties showed violent
passion, and manifested a bitterness which caused
Mehemet Ali, the Viceroy of Egypt, and a man of
great courage, to hesitate, although devoted to the
project and desirous of its completion. Although he
is Sovereign of the country, and perfectly free to exe-
cute within his territories such works as may appear
useful to him, although his finances are sufficient for
the purpose, and although he appears to have chosen
the beat solution, he has not dared to meet the re-
sistance offered to him on this head, although he has
been ever sufficiently astute to discover the value of
every advice offered him, even under the pretence of i
friendship and of a sympathy for him and for the
auccesi of his project. Nevertheless Mehemet Ali is
not easily frustrated in his plans. He knows how to
carry into effect that celebrated axiom, that genius by

patience opens a second road when it meets an insur-
mountable obstacle on the first. This is what he has
done. Despairing of success if he should be reduced to his
own means alone to contend against the adversaries of
his favourite idea, and being well convinced by ex-
perience that he should be unable to act as long as he
left the affair on diplomatic ground, and as long as he
should endavour to obtain the impossible accord of
Cabinets and foreign Ministers, he is at present en-
deavouring to lay the question before the real sove-
reign power in Europe—public opinion. Seeing the
impossibility of gaining over Governments to his views,
he appeals to commerce, manufactures, and to the
private interests of the nations which he knows to be
in accord with his oil]. It is with that object he has
suggested the formation of a company of engineers
and bankers, which he wishes to interest in his pro-
ject. And in order to tranquillise distrust—to show
his impartiality—to prove that he merely wishes to
hold the balance even between all interests, and to give
them all the fullest satisfaction, he expressed a wish
that this company should be composed of three groups,
representing each one of the three great Powers of
Europe most interested in the enterprise under
political and commercial reports, viz., Austria,
England, and France. This company is at pre-
sent formed, and in each of those countries it
reckons at its head distinguished engineers and
influential capitalists. The Austrian group, warmly
supported by its Government, has at its head M.
Negrelli, the constructor of the railroad from Vienna
to Trieste. The British group has for its chief Mr.
Stephenson, now Member of Parliament, constructor
of a number of English railroads, and the inventor
of the first locomotive which ran between Liverpool
and Manchester. The French group is represented
by M. Talabot, whose name is too well known to re-
quire any commentary. That company, now some
months constituted, has already resolved in principle
the question of the most advantageous mode of com-
munication, as :regards
_commerce, to be established
across the Isthmus of Suez. It has declared in favour
of the execution of a maritime canal, navigable at all
seasons and for the largest ships, and it has acquired
the certainty of being able to give such a canal 27
feet of depth; that is more than sufficient to float a
three-decker. Moreover, the company has agreed as
to the distribution and division of the works. The
English are to have, under the sanction and autho-
rity of the Viceroy, the construction of the harbour
at Suez, the French that of the canal from Suez to
Pelusium, and the Austrians the harbour to be
created at Pelusium, on the Mediterranean Sea. The
latter point created some uneasiness, as it was feared
at first that it would cost an enormous sum, but a
survey made on the spot by M. Negrelli relieved all
doubts. The port may be formed at Pelusium and
on better terms than could have been expected. The
French engineers have arrived in Egypt, and it is
announced that they are to be followed by the Eng-
lish. So far all appears propitious for this glorious
enterprise ; however, too much confidence must not
be placed in Fortune. The mistrusts and passions
which have so long succeeded in retarding its com-
pletion have been revived more warmly and more
skilfully, and besiege Mehemet Ali more than ever.
Not daring longer to contest the utility of such a
work, and seeing that at length the opposition should
be withdrawn, they have invented, or rather resusci-
tated, a counter project, of which they warmly soli-
cit the adoption. At present, as three years since,
when the maritime canal appeared to have reached
realisation, a railroad was opposed to it, so that the
enterprise, long reputed so difficult, is now menaced
with being drowned in the abundance of means pro-
posed for its accomplishment. Sueh is the real situ •
ation of the question ' • such are at present the two
systems proposed, and to the merits of which we shall
have to return."

FLANDERS MAIL.
BRUSSELS, OCT. 13.—POPULATION OF BRUSSELS.—
According to the last census, the population of each
of the communes belonging to Brussels were as fol-
lows :
St. Josseten Noode.. 14,850
Ikelles
St. Gillis
Morlenbeck St. Jean . 12,065
A nderlecht
Kockelberq . . . . 2,193
Berchem St. Agetha

Total 60,351

Each of the communes around Brussels contains a
scattered rural population, and the entire population
of Brussels and its environs is, therefore, estimated
at 180,000 souls.
The affair of the incarceration of the four
Communal Councillors, who were kept under arrest
for seventeen days, which has excited so much
interest and curiosity, appears to be as follows :
The secretary of the commune of Couture St.
Germain filled the same office in several other
villages. In consequence of grave accusations brought
against him, the Communal Council resolved to re-
cal him. The permanent deputation annulled the
decision of the Communal Council. The latter
maintained its first vote, and the deputation, in its
turn, persisted in refusing its assent. The conflict
threatened to be endless ; the superior authority in-
tervened, and by a royal decree the decision of
the Communal Council was annulled. The de-
cree was acted upon, the secretary was rein-
stated, but, at the same time, the Communal
Council again recalled its functionary. This
was set aside by the permanent deputation, and
was again revoked upon the part of Communal
Council, followed by a re-annullatien on the part of
the permanent deputation. This diplomatic conflict
was cut short by a royal decree, and before it had
been officially signified to the Communal Council
the law interfered, and four of the Communal Coun-
cillors were shut up in prison. A criminal investiga-
tion took place, and by a decree of the Chamber the
accused were sent to the Court of Assize. The
Supreme Court, we are assured, however, refused to
confirm the sentence of the other court. These facts,
which have not been contradicted, are the actual
state of the case.

Yesterday the funeral of the unfortunate Mrs.
Dupuis and her niece took place in the Church
of St. Nicholas. The coffin of the child was co-
vered with a white pall, surmounted by a crown.
The two coffins were placed side 11y side, in the
cemetery. One of the persons officiating said a
few consolatory words to the relations and mourners,
who were deeply affected This morning the Royal
Procurator and other official persons went to see the
unhappy maniac ; he declared that he was not guilty
of the crime. The medical men say that his recovery
is very doubtful.
The typhus fever has broken out in Lennick St.
Martin, principally among the inhabitants of the com-
mune bordering upon Flanders. Several highly re-
spectable persons have fallen victims to this disease.
Great fears are entertained for the two medical men
who have attended on the poor inhabitants.
The average price of corn for the week ending
Oct. 9, was—wheat, 25f. 89c. ; rye, 15f. 69c.; being
a fall in wheat of 55c. ; in rye 52c. 15 vessels laden
wholly or in part with corn entered the port of
Antwerp from the sth to the 10th Oct. The im•
portations were—
Wheat 893,640 kil.
Rye
Barley
Hay

Flour

Rice .

90,600 „

398,140 „

2,539,670 kil.
STOCKHOLM, OCT. 26.—The district of Arsunde,
in the province of Noreland, has been ravaged
by a whirlwind. This phenomenon traversed the
two pine forests, where it uprooted or damaged
upwards of 4,000 trees, among which were some very
old ones. Many houses were unroofed, and two
barns were carried to a distance of 2,000 feet. En-
tire flocks and herds of cattle have been destroyed,
and 22 persons have died of the injuries which they
received. This is quite an unexampled phenomenon
in the higher regions of the north. The districts of
Arsunde being almost adjacent to Lapland, the
damage which the whirlwind has occasioned is so
great, that the authorities have been obliged to come
to the assistance of the sufferers.

BERLIN, OCT. 9.—THE POLISH Taums.---Yester-
day no less than five of the accused were acquitted. In
the criminal proceedings against one of them the
Attorney-General declared that he could not consti-
tute a charge ; the other four were liberated upon
the solemn oath of one witness, who declared that they
were innocent. We fully expect that there will soon
be some new pleaders, as several of the prisoners have
withdrawn their mandate from one of their former
council.

FRANKFORT, OCT. 7.—COMMERCIAL CRISIS.—The
distressing reports from England and the fluctuation
of nearly all the exchanges, make it a matter of no
surprise that our exchange also is very much de-
pressed, and that our funds fall daily. Great exer-
tions are in general made to maintain the steadiness
of our exchange, and the state of our money market
especially is on the whole satisfactory.—Brussels
Papers, Oct. 14.
t'soaoEflogNraCiOultNdu•—riingßltEhSeTEl;aostc-rm. 4on.—thrflhveereexporrettat-
tio
considerable, amounting to 455,532 barrels, and thamountinge
importations were 200,000 barrels. The stock in
hand at this moment is not more than 584,400
barrels, at the end of September it was 838 3 , 9-0
barrels.
Letters from Odessa state that the crop of oats has
been very bad in the Crimea, it has scarcely rendered
the seed barley, and the other spring grain have
yielded a third part, and corn only a fourth part of
the crop. The crop of winter grain is next to no.
thing. In the German colonies the red corn has
thriven to perfection._

GERMAN POSTAL REFORM. =The general post re-
form, which is to be submitted to the Postal Congress