The Sun.
London, England, 1847-03-30 00:00:00

AMERICAN WHALERS.

MR. BROWNING'; EVIDENCE BEFORE THE
NAVIGATION-LAWS COM IVII,TTEE.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
SIA,—In The Sun of the 24th inst. Mr. Browning is
reported to have said, before a Parliamentary Committee
on the Navigation-laws, that " the American whalers
were generally of an inferior class of vessels, and could
not follow the whiles into high latitudes, or hook on to
them in rough weather."

Happening to be an American myself, and, indeed,
to hare been "raised"—to use a Yankeekm—in a little
town called Nantucket, which is somewhat famed
f.r its enterptlise and success in the prosecution of the
whale fisheries ; and being, moreover, familial• with the
stodus operandi of the whaling buiiness otherwheres, th•
above statement somewhat amused me.

Now it so happens that the one thing for which our
American whalers are pre...eminent, is strength, a quality
more ni cessary than any other to succt-ss. In tact, the
length of their voyages (averaging over three years), and
the great cost and inconvenience of getting repairs while
abroad, makes it of prime importance that such should be
the case. I can assure the Committee aforesaid, that
the Nantucket and New Bedford merchants (and they
do seven-eighths of the whole business) never send a
vessel from their ports until, after a thorough overhaul-
ing. she is found to be every way seaworthy. The com-
monest self-interest would warn them from any other
course. The statistics show that fewer vessels are lost on
whaling voyages than any other. As for the difficulty
of " hooking on to whales " in stormy weather, one
.scarcely knows what Mr. Browning means. The whale
is always attacked, captured, and " hooked on to," from
comparatively small boats—of which every ship carries
from four to eight—and is not brought alongside till he
Nis in a state of most harmless quietus; and it must be a
" stormy " time indeed, when either an American or a
British whaler loses an opportunity to " hook on " to
him. Really, testifiers before such Committees should
be more cautious in their testimony.
On looking at another part of Mr. B.'s statement, we
find the followinc,
_ _

"The shipwrights repairing her (meaning the Ameri-
ca❑ ship), and other artisans fitting her with stores, take
their chance of the profits arming from her fishing. The
same arrangement was made with those who navigated
her, thp ordinary seaman receiving Gne-sixtieth part of
her net profits, and the captain about one-twelfth."
The whole of this is wrong. The shipwrights and
artisans have nothing to do with the voyage, and the
" lay" (as it is called) of the sailor and captain is not a
given proportion of the profits, but of the cargo. The
owners may sink thousands of dollars, and yet the sailor
make one or two hundred, arid the captain much more.
Dundee, March 26, 1847. C.
(The writer of the above has sent us his name and
address.—En.]

LONDON AND NORTH-WESTERN RAILWAY OF-
FICERS, &c.—The officers and servants of the London
and North-Western Railway Company having, much to
their credit, opened a subscription fur the relief of the
distressed Irish and Scotch, have collected the sum of
two hundred and eighty-three pounds, which has been
paid to the account of the National Relief Fund.
. .

It has been stated in a Marseilles paper that the
Government of Great Britain had definitively decided
upon adopting the route to India by Marseilles and
Alexandria, and had abandoned all efforts to procure an-
other mode of transit. This statement has been copied
into the London papers. The mistake of the French
journals has arisen from the fact of the Ardent (Govern-
ment steamer) having been taken from the other
route, and ordered back to Malta. But, in Let, the
Ard, nt had been only lent to our enterprising country-
man, Lieutenant Waghorn, for a series of experimental
trips, six in number, which have now terminated. A
' sutn of money was also placed at his disposal by our
Government to carry out the remaining portion of his
experiment, which is now for the present concluded. No
opinion as to its working has been come to. Indeed
there has not as yet been tune to arrive at a conclusion.
But even should that conclusion be adverse to the rode
by Trieste, in the present state of road travelling, it by
no means follows that the way by Marseilles is to be de-
finitively settled upon as the best, or that our Govern-
ment should be debarred from seeking another—and if
possible a better—mode of transit for our Indian mails,
or from giving all due encouragement to every enterprise
calculated to establish so desirable a result.—Observez,
28th March.

GLASGOW PIG IRON MARKET, MARCII 23:—The
market is firmer this week, mixed Nos. having been sold as
high as 71s. cash, and little iron on sale.— Glasgow Saturday
Post.

MILITARY SAVINGS' BANKS.—A return presented
to Parliament pursuant to Act shows that the balance due
by the public on the 31st of March, 1846, to depositors in
military savings' banks, amounted to 47,938/., and the num-
ber of depositors to 4,177.
THE MAILS.—SOUTHAMPTON, MARCH 28.—The
Peninsular and Oriental Company's steam-ship Iberia, Cap-
tain Mecham, arrived here last evening from Gibraltar, and
landed the mails under charge of Lieutenant Ray, 11. N.,
which were forwarded by the 2 a.m. train this day. Her
dates are—Gibraltar, the 18th inst.; Cadiz, the 19th ; Lis-
bon, the 22d ; Oporto, the 231; Vigo, the 24th ; and Co-
runna, the 25th. The Iberia, among others, brings the follow.
ing passengers:—Mr. Layburne, Mr. King and family, Cap_
tain Stephens, R.N., Mr. Derraz, Mr. Sturge, Mr. Merrit,
Mr. Larigo, Mr. Jose Jobuado, Mr, Ruiz, and live dis-
tressed seamen. The Iberia's cargo consists of a few sun.
dries from Gibraltar, including 6 boxes of leeches, 980 boxes
of oranges from Lisbon, 80 cases of eggs from Vigo, also 9
packages of specie. The same company's steam-packet
Montrose, Captain Burney-, left the docks at 3 F.M. yesterday
for Gibraltar and the usual ports with the Peninsular and
Mediterranean mails, 14 passengers, and a full cargo of bale
goods. The East India and China mails, by the Oriental
packet, Captalu 13rookes, is hourly expected at the blyther-
bank.

310NEY and COMMERCIAL. NEWS.
(From The Sun of lust Night.)
The sales of Cotton at Liverpool on Saturday were
7,000 hales, including 2,000 on speculation and 1000 for
export. The market was steady. Railway Shares were
firoi, though quiet.
Toe reports from the Dublin and other corn markets,
come to hand to day are of an encouraging nature, and
here there is a fall of 3s. to ss. per quarter this morn-
ing in the price of wheat.
There are two or three arrivals off the coast from the
United States, and the intelligence reaching to the Bth
inst. from New York has been expressed to the North
and South American Coffee-house. The Corn Market
appears to have been rather dull. The exchange on
London was 105. It is reported that on the 6th inst. the
New York markets were mostly quiet, and presented
little change since yesterday's report. The uncertainty
about freights tended to check operations. '1 he large
number of vessels which arrived a few days since, which,
it was believed at first, would have reduced the rates of
freights, it seems, from the fact of many of them being
enga,4ed previous to arrival, the expected decline was
not realised. Within a day or two easterly winds have
again prevailed, and a number of vessels being due, it
was supposed many were off the coast, ready to ent, r
the harbour on a change of wind to the south. In this
state of uncertainty, the rates to Liverpool, though no-
minally the same, were rather heavy. Small sales of
Genesee flour were made at 7 dolls.; Southern was quiet
at 6 dolls. 50 cents to 6 dolls. 75 cents. A sale of red
wheat was made at 1 doll. 50 cents. Corn was less firm,
and sales were freely made at 90c. to 92c. for Southern
white, and at 95c. for Southern yellow. Prime Northern
yellow sold from 95c. 98c. to 99c. Provisions were
quiet at yesterday's rates, with some sales of lard and
cleat' middles of pork. Groceries were steady, with a
fair amount of sales, if we except coffee, which continued

Adverting to the Stock-market, one writer states:—
" We have no confidence in an advance in the face of
the present state of things, and believe what improve-
ment takes place will only be temporary. The Money-
!market is tight and must remain so, so long as the de-
mand continues su large and the banks move along so
cautiously. A slight reaction may take place from time
to time, as the shorts come in, to fill up their contracts,
out there is nothing to put up prices of fancy stocks per-
manently. The good, sound, solid stocks, are firm at
our quotations, and in d. wand, and the prosperity of the
country is increasing so rapidly, and has become so
firmly estabiished, that these stocks are daily improving
in value."
The English Funds have been heavier to-day, with
very little doing. Consols bring 89 to 894 for money
and time. Bank Stock for Account is at 2051. Consols
Scrip is at par to f discount. Exchequer-bills have
reaLzed ls. discount to 3s, premium. This flatness is
contrary to precedent when corn has declined.
The transactions in the foreign market have been also
very restricted.
The unfavourable accounts from Madrid, and the ap-
prehension of another political crisis are sufficient to
deter speculation in the bonds, while Kith respect to
Portugal the chief hope appears to be in an arrange-
ment with the insurgents. The old Bonds have been
at 841. Spanish Five per Cents. have been quoted 221
221. Mexican Bonds are marked 24 to 218, Chilian
95, and Venezuela 401. Dutch Two-and-a-Halt per
Cents. bring 59 to and Russian 1101.
In Railway Shares the dealings have been limited.
The settlement of the Account takes place to-morrow.
Prices are a shade lower generally.
BRITISH FUNDS

CLOSING
PRICES.
Three per Cent. Reduced Annuities .. .. ex div 88 4
Three per Cent. Consols Annuities .. .. 8914 89 84%
Bank Stock for Arril 14 .. .. .. .. 2051,i 205 y,
t;onsols for Account .. .. .. .. .. 89 ti, 89 89
Consols, Scrip .. .. • • • • . par IA dis % dis
xchequer Bills. 1% d. 2d.
1,0001... .. •• • • 3p 1 dis
500/. . .. .... par 3p 1 dis
Ditto, Small .... 4p 1 dis 3 p
ONE
O'CLOCK.

ONE
O'CLOCK.

FOREIGN FUNDS.
Chilian Bonds, 6 per Cent ..
Equador Bonds ..
Mexican Bonds, 1846, 5 per Cent .. 221 i 21%
Portuguese Bonds, 5 per Cent .. 84%
Ditto, 4 per Cent .. -
Russian Bonds ..
ipanish Bonds, 5 per Cent
Ditto, Three per Cent ..
Venezuela Bonds, 2 per Cent .. 40%
Ditto, Deferred .. .. 12
Dividends; on the above payable in Lendon.
Dutch Two-and-a-Hall per Cent .. 59,4
Ditto, 4 per Cent. Certificates .. 93%
BUSINESS
CLOSING
PAID. DONE AT
PRICES.
ONE O'CLOCK.

CLOSIN(
PicICES

.. .. .. 110%
.. .. 223 %

PRICES OF
RAILWAY SHARES.

Amber., Notting., Boston, and
Eastern Junction . 2%.... IA •
Birmingham and Oxford Junction 5 .... 13%
Birming., Wolver., & Stour Valley 5 .. • • .
Boston, Stamford, & Birmingham 5 .... ..........
Buckinghamshire ~61.43.,, p........
Caledonian
Eastern Counties . .. 20 .... 19%
Do Perpet., 5 per Cent. No. 1. 61. 13s. 4d. ki p ........
Ditto, ditto.. .. No. 2. 61. 13s. 4d. r 4 p...... • •
East Lancashire .. 17 • • 18% . .• • • It
East Lincolnshire .. .. 4 .... ...... •• .. 6
Edinburgh and Glasgow .. .. 50 .... 71 • ••• • • . 71
Great Northern (London & York
Regd.) .. .. • • .. .. 2 21,4 % ...... • . 21,6
Do., do (Direst Northern Regd.) 314 3%.. ..... 3
Great Southern & West. (Ireland) 30 .... •.• • • • .... 26
Great North of England . —lOO ....232 .... ...... 232
Ditto, New ..
_5 .... 60 GO

Ditto, New .. .. 20 .... 57% ...... •• .. 57%
Great Western .. 83 .. ..117 119........ 119
Ditto, Quarter Shares 12% .... 18 .......... 18%
Ditto, Fifths .. 20 .... 27 •• • . 27%
Ditto, New • 4% .. • • 7% .• • • ••• • . 7%
Huddersfield and Manchester .. .. ••• • • 18%
ilull and Selby .. .• • 50 .. •.. . 102
Lancaster and Carlisle .. 50 .... 64 ..... 63%
Ditto, New
Leeds ink Bradford .. • • .. 35 •• • • .... • • 78%
Leeds an.l Thirsk 22% .... 20% ...... •• .. 20%
Ditto, New .. lO .... ......
Ditto, Preference 6 per Cent. • • 3%....
.........
Liverp., Manch., & Newc. Junct. 2%.... 1%
Lmcion and Blackwall 16/. 13s. 4d. •••••• .... 8
Ditto, New, No. 1 .. 4 ....
Ditto, New. No. 2 .. • • I/. 13s. 4d. 1 p.......... % p
London, Briglston, and S Coast.. 50 .. • • 52% % • ...... 5214
London an North-Western ..100 .• 178 179% .... • • 179%
Ditto, Quarters . •• .. 2 .... 1914 • • •.. 19%
London and South• Western .411. 6s. 10d... ...• ••• .. 64
Ditto, New Consol. Eighths .. 40 .... 47% •.. 47%
London and York Extension Scrip 2% •••• 2% •.• 2%
Lynn and Ely .. .• .. 20 21% ..... •• .. 21%
Lynn and Dereham .. • • .• 15 .... 16% % ........ 16%
Manchester and Leeds .• •• 82 .... —.••• • • • ... 105%
Ditto, Quarter Sharea .. 12 .... •• • •
• • •• .. 16%
Ditto, Fifths .. •• • . 5 .... 10% • • 1014
Ditto, Sixteenths .. • • • • 6% ...• ••• • •• 8
Manchester, Buxton, & Matlock 4.25..... % p..........
Manchester and Southampton .. 2 .... ll4,
midland •• •• ..100 .. • 116% 117% 116 116
Ditto, New •• •• •. 30 .... 34% .... •• .. 34
Ditto, New .. 2•. ... 5% 5%
Ditto, Birmingham and Derby 100 .... 92 .
......... 92
Midland Great Western (Irish) .. 20
~ ~8
Newcastle and Berwick .. •• 20 .. •• 28 % •.
. . . . • 28%
Ditto, New • • • •• • 5 .... 8%
Norfolk .. •• •• ..100 .. _135% ...... • ... 136
Northern Counties Union ..
....
North British .. .• • • •• 25 •• • • 33% .......• • .... • 33%
Ditto, Ilalt Shares .. 12% .... 16 4 . 6
4
Ditto, Quarter Shares ..
.... 4% .
Ditto, Extension .. .. % 1% ..........
Ditto, Thirds .. ..1
.... • 3% 31Ls
Northern and Eastern .. .. 50 55
North Staffordshire .. • • •• 5 .... 8•••• • . • • 8
Oxford,Worcest.,& Wolverhumptn. 22% .... 15% 15%
Preston and Wyre .. • • 25 •
Ditto, Half Shares (A) ..
—•••—.•••• •• • • 12%
Reading, Guildford, and Reigate 5 ...• .
•••• • • • • 5
Scottish Central
Shrewsbury and Birmingham 3 .... • • 4
Ditto, Class B .. • • • • ...• 1 •.. • • . • • I
. %
Shropshire Union .. 421% 5.... 4 di5.....
South Devon .. .• .40 ..... 31% • • • • 31%
South Staffordshire Junction 2/.145. td.. N.% p•• • • • • % p
South Eastern and Dovor .. • • 33% .. • • 37% .. • • •• .• 37%
South Yorkshire, Doncaster, and
Goole .. . • • .. 2 .... 2% % 214
Trent Valley and Midland June. 425. .. • • 14 P •••• • • • • '
Yale of Neath 2 .. • • %••••• • • • • • le
West Riding Union .. • .. 41.25. • ... p• •
York and Newcastle .. .. 25 .... 35 34% ....•• 34
Ditto, New.. .. 10 ... 15% • • • ..• • • II
Ditto, l'reference .. 4 .... 8. ..
York aktd North Midland .. 50 .. • • 84 •••• • • • • 8
Ditto, Extension • • .. .. 20 .... 36%
Ditto. Preference •• 2 .... 11% % „ „
Do. E. and W. Riding Exten.. • 10 .. • 21%.
FOREIGN RAILWAYS.
Boulogne and Amiens .0 .... 16% .... •• ••
Dutch Rhenish .. • • • . 7 .. .. 4VB . . . .
Namur and Liege .. • • .. 10 ....
Northern of France .. .. • • 8 .... 13% %
Orleans and BourdeauX
.. • • 6 .... 6%. 7
Paris and Lyons .. 8 6....
Paris and Rouen .. .. • • .. 20 34%
Sombre and Meuse ..
.. 12 .... -- •• . ..... • •

JOINT-STOCK BANKS.
Australasia .. . • • . .. 40 .... 221,i ..........
British North American .. 50 .... • • • • •
Colonial • • • • • . • •• 25 .... ........
London and Westminster .. .. 20 .... ..........
National of Irelan I .. • • .. 22% .... 1934
MINES.
Real del Monte, Unregistered ,

22 Ss
1534
2614
19N