The Sun.
London, England, 1871-01-04 00:00:00

NOTES FROM AMERICA.

An American correspondent, writing from Philadelphia
on December 19th says :—" The scheme for Government
absorption of the telegraphs has been extensively discussed
by representatives both for and against the project, in
the presence of the Postal Committee of Congress, but
that body is unable to agree upon the matter, and,
finally determining to dispense with further dis-
cussion iu committee, has decided to permit Mr.
Washburn, of Wisconsin, the chairman, without
any recommendation for or against, to report to the
House a Postal Telegraph Bill. The measure will
chiefly affect but one corporation, nine-tenths of the
American lines being now consolidated as the Western
Union Telegraph Company. The bulk of opinion seems
to be against the absorption, the public being afraid to
to trust the Government in the matter, and thinking it
has no right to go into any business operation. Probably
nothing will be done this winter. The Massachusetts
Butler, the General, is almost the hardest worked
of all the House. He is the chief leader in the onslaught
against England on account of the Alabama; he is
waging war against the Province on behalf of the mal-
treated fisherman ; he is anxious to annex San Domingo,
capture Canada, free Cuba, and have non-intercourse
with England. He demands a general amnesty, with
large numbers of exceptions, and declares that Porter
shall not be confirmed as Admiral. He claims to be
President Grant's spokesman, and aspires to be leader of
the House. Added to all this is now a new duty. The
Fenians—overjoyed at his recent speech on the Alabama
question—meditate a huge meetingin New York, at which
Butler is to he the chief orator, and of this a contemporary
says :—` He has not yet consented to take
the rostrum openly for the Fenian cause, but his
letter leads one to suppose that it will not
need much persuasion to bring him out on
the platform so long the exclusive property of George
Francis Train. The Roman Catholics throughout the
United States continue to make extensive demonstrations
of sympathy for the Pope, and to protest against the occu-
pation and spoliation of Rome by Victor Emmanuel.
From all parts of the country intelligence is received of
these demonstrations, which are always attended by large
crowds of people. Samuel K. Briese, Read-Admiral of
the United States' Navy, died at his residence, near Phila-
delphia, on the 17th of December, aged 70. He took part
as a midshipman in the war with England in 1832-14, and
was also in service during the Mexican war and the late civil
war. General Valmaside assumed command of Cuba as
Captain-General at noon on the 13th of December, at
Havannah, there being appropriate ceremonies. The
privateer Hornet, which recently sailed from New York
in the insurgent interest, is said to have succeeded in
getting off without any violation of the neutrality laws.
She carried no warlike stores or armament, having only
coal on board. Her crew consisted of sixty men, and she
cleared for Nassau and Aspinwall. Her armament has
already been sent to one of those ports, where she will
take it on board."

THE REPRESENTATION OF YORK.—With reference
to the report of the intended retirement of Mr. Westhead,
M.P. from the representation of this city, we are in-
formed that no decisive course has been determined upon.
The hon. member, although seriously indisposed, has of
late made much favourable progress.— York,shire Gazette.
WRECK ON THE SCOTCH COAST.—Mr. John
Moffatt reports that the lifeboat Fair Maid of Perth, on
the Ardrossan station, belonging to the National Lifeboat
Institution, was instrumental, on Sunday morning, in
saving a shipwrecked crew. It appears that the brig
Morning Star, of and from Dublin, for Ardrossan, in
ballast, went ashore on the west side of Horse Island
during a strong gale from the S.S.W., and soon became a
total wreck. The lifeboat was promptly launched, and
towed to the spot by the Ardrossan steam-tug, when
some of the lifeboat men landed on the island and suc-
ceeded in dragging the shipwrecked men, six in num-
ber, through the surf from a rock on which they had
taken refuge. They were afterwards all safely landed in
the lifeboat.

CORNISH MINING.—The last week of the year was
characterised by unusual briskness at such a season.
Shares in the principal tin mines were in much request at
higher prices, and there was the novelty of a £3 rise in
copper. Providence mines paid a dividend of £1 per
1-120th share, leaving a balance of £246. Old Wheal
Russell paid ls. per share. Wheal Crebor called is. 6d.
per share, the accounts at the meeting shewing liabilities
in excess of assets of £309. 'lrelyon Consols called 10s.
per share, the accounts shewing an adverse balance of
£4OO. Boswedden and Wheal Castle called £3 per 119th
share. A large quantity of spare materials at East Brea
are to be sold to pay merchants' bills. Wheal Nary Ann
sold 50 tons of lead at £22 15s. 6d. and 45 tons at £l2 12s.
The official monthly statement shews that 21 pumping
engines were reported during the month ; they consumed
1,646 tons of coals, and lifted 12-2 million tons of water
ten fathoms high, the average duty of the whole being
50,000,0001 b., lifted one foot high by the consumption
of 1121 b. of coal. Thirteen engines exceeded the average
duty.
KINAHAN's LL WHISKY.—This celebrated and most
delicious old mellow spirit is the very cream of Irish
Whiskies, in quality unrivalled, perfectly pure, and more
wholesome than the finest Cognac Brandy. Note the
red seal, pink label, and cork branded " Kinahan's LL
Whisky." New Wholesole Depot, 6A, Great Titchfield-
street, Oxford-street, W.