The Sun.
London, England, 1841-08-30 00:00:00

Lieut. Sloan, all of the navy, about 400 men in all, left
Key Biscayenne for the Everglades on the 30th, and an-
ticipate accomplishing something towards the close of the
war. Major Childs, who was to have accompanied the
expedition, was left sick at Fort Dallas. The post at Key
Biscayenne is to be broken up.
LOUISVILLE.—HORRIBLE MURDER.—The Louisville
(Mis.) Tablet, of the 24th ult., contains the particulars of
a most awful murder by a Mrs. Roper, who, in a fit of in-
sanity, cut off the heads of three of her own children
with an axe. The Tablet gives the following particulars :
It was her intention to have killed two more in the same
manner,.and afterwards hang herself with a hank of yarn,
but her husband waking up, discovered something extra-
ordinary in her actions and seized her round the waist;
after a strong effort on her part to escape from him, du-
ring which she tried to draw one of three knives from
the ceiling, which she had previously sharpened and put
there.' They reached the door, when he discovered what
she had been doing.
" She is the mother of eleven children, including the
three which she killed. She appears now to be restored
to reason, and is a pitiable spectacle of the deepest and
most bitter anguish. She says, that while under the
influence of a distorted.imagination, she thought she was
doing a charitable action in ridding her husband of _ the
burthen of supporting herself and their five youngest
children, as he
.is a poor and very hard-working man.—
New York Ameiican.

(From the Papers of the 14th.)
THE BANK BILL.
The probable fate of this bill is the all-absorbing topic
of conversation in every Circle ; and we are happy to add
that not only all the Whigs, but every loco foco of stand-
ing or consideration in the city, unites in expressing
their earnest convictions that Mr. Tyler cannot, will not,
nay, in justice to his own character, dare not, veto the
bill.—New York Enquirer.
(From the American.)
A letter just received from Washington, from the same
source as that published by us on Wednesday last, written
on ThlirMdy night, says—
‘ A ridiculous report prevailed yesterday few a few
hours that the President had signed the Bill. Up to this
evening I know that the greatest uneasiness was felt
among friends about the President's decision."
Other letters incline t) the belief most strongly that
the Bill will be vetoed, but not until after the visit to be
made to day, by the President, Ilea& of Departments,
and members of Congress, to the United States ship

Delaware.
We shall yet have, therefore, some days of suspense ;
meantime, we repeat always, that as to the Cabinet, they
should stand firm, though the veto do come.
COMMERCIAL.—The transactions at the Board on Fri-
day were moderate, and a rather better feeling prevailed.
The sales of United States Bank Shares reached 275, at
15 to 151, an advance of 4 per cent. ; Mohawk im-
proved 4 ; Stoninton, 4 ; Harlam, ; Long Island, 8.
—Sales after the Board : 25 shares U. S. Bank, at
15+; 25 Stonnington, 368, b 10 ; 25 do 36 ; 100 Long
Island, 52k ; 1,000 dollars Indiana Sterling Bonds 568 ;
3,000 dollars Illinois Sixes, 1870, 534.
The sales of State Stocks were, Canal Fives, 1855, at
85k. an improvement of 8 per Cent. ; Indiana Sterling
Bonds HI, also an improvement of 8 per Cent. ; and
Illinois Sixes, 1870, 534.
Our Money Market retains much the same features as
it has for some time past. The uncertainty prevailing
in regard to the fate of the Fiscal Bank Bill, is pro- •
bably one of the causes of its continued inactivity. There
is still an abundance of capital afloat and comparatively
but little demand for it.
(From the Boston Papers of the 18th. :1
THE BANK BILL.—(From the Daily Advertiser.)—
The New York Journal of Commerce, in its second edi-
tion, at two o'clock on Saturday, says—
, " A private letter to the editors of the Journal of
Commerce, dated Washington, eleven o'clock on Thurs-
day night, says—" I have just heard, direct from the
President's house that the Veto Message goes to the
Senate at 12 o'clock to-morrow" (Friday).
LOSS OF THE ERIE STEAMER.
(From, the Buffalo Commercial Advrtiser, Aug. 11.)
DESTRUCTION OF THE STEAM BOAT ERIE BY FIRE.
AND THE Loss OF 170 LlVES.—Little did we think
yesterday in penning a brief paragraph in commenda-
tion of the Erie, that to-day we should be called on to
record the destruction of that boat, together with a loss
of life unequalled on our own or almost eany ether"
waters. The Erie left the dock at ten minut s past four
PM., loaded with merchandize, destined for Chiago,
and, as nearly as now can be ascertained, about 200
persons, including passengers and crew, on board. The
boat had been thoronghly overhauled, and although the
wind was blowing fresh, every thing promised a pleasant
and prosperous voyage. Nothing occurred to mar
this prospect till about eight, when the boat was off
Silver Creek, about eight miles from shore, and when
a slight explosion was heard, and immediately, instan-
taneously almost, the whole vessel was enveloped in

flames
Captain Titus, who was on the upper deck at the time.
rushed to the ladies' cabin to obtain the life preservers, of
which there were from 90 toloo on board, but so rapid had
been the progress of the flames, that he found it impos-
sible to enter the cabin. He returned to the upper deck,
on his way giving orders to the engineer to stop the en-
gine, the wind and headway of the boat increasing the
fierceness of the flames, and driving them aft. The
engineer replied that in consequence of the flames he
could not reach the engine. The steersman was in-
stantly directed to put the helm hard a starboard. The
vessel swung slowly round, heading to the shore, and the
boats—there were three on board—were ordered to be
lowered. Two of the boats were lowered, but in conse-
quence of the heavy sea on, and . the headway of the
vessel, they both swamped as soon as they touched the
water. We will not attempt to describe the awful and
appalling condition of the passengers. Some were fran-
tic with fear and horror, others plunged headlong madly
into the water ; others seized upon any thing buoyant
upon which they could lay hands. The small boat for-
ward had been lowered. It was alongside the wheel,
with three or four persons in it, when the Captain
jumped in, and the boat immediately dropped astern,
filled with water. A lady floated by with a life-pre-
-1 server-on. She cried for help. There was no safety in
the boat. The Captain threw her the only oar, and was
saved. It was Mrs; Lynde, of Milwaukie, and she was
the only lady saved.
In this condition, the boat—a mass of fierce fire, and
the passengers and crew endeavouring to save them-
selves by swimming, or supporting themselves by what-
ever they could reach—was found by the Clinton,
at about ten P.M. The Clinton left here in the morning,
but in consequence of the wind had put into Dunkirk.
She laid there till nearly sun-set, at which time sho ran
out, and had proceeded as far as Barcelona, when just
at twilight, the fire of the Erie was discovered some 20
miles astern. The Clinton immediately put about and
reached the burning wreck about ten. It was a fearful
night. All the upper works of the Erie had been burnt
away. The engine was standing, but the hull was a
mass of dull, red flame. The passengers and crew were
floating around, screaming in their agony and shrieking
for help. The Vats of the Clinton were instantly
lowered and manned, and every person that could be
seen about was picked up, and every_possible relief
-afferded. •
The Lady, a little steamboat, lying at Dunkirk, went
out of the harbour as soon as possible after the discovery
of the fire, and arrived soon after the Clinton. It was
not thought by the survivors that she saved any. By one
A.M., all was still except the dead crackling of the fire.
Not a solitary individual could be seen on the wild waste
of waters. A line was then made fast to the remains
of the Erie's rudder, and an effort made to tow the hap-
less hull ashore. About this time the Chautauque came
up and lent her assistance. The hull of the Erie was
towed within about four miles of the shore, when it sunk
in eleven fathoms water. By this time it was daylight.
The lines were cast off. The Clinton headed for this
port, which she reached about six o'clock. Of those who
are saved, several are badly burned, but none are dan-
gerously injured so far as we have heard.
ORIGIN OF THE FlRE.—Among the passengers on
board were six painters in the employ of Mr. W. G.
Miller of this city, who were going to Erie to paint the
steam-boat Madison. They had with them demijohns
filled with spirits. of turpentine and varnish, which, un-
known to Captain Titus, were placed on the boiler deck
directly over the boilers. One of the firetnen, who was
saved says he had occasion to go on deck, and seeing
the demijohns, removed them. They were re
by whom is not known. Immediately previous to the
bursting forth of the flames, as several on board have as-
sured us, a slight explosion was heard. The demijohns
had probably burst with the heat, and their infia-
placed, but
minable contents, taking fire instantly, communicated to
every part of the boat, which having been freshly var-
nished caught as if it had been gunpowder.
Not a paper nor an article of any kind was saved. Of
course it is impossible to give a complete list of those on
board. Of cabin passengers Captain Titus thinks there
were between thirty and forty, of whom ten or twelve
were ladies. In the steerage were about 140
rants.
nearly nearly All of whom were Swiss and Germane migra
They were mostly in families with the usual proportion
of men; women, and children. The heart bleeds at the
thought.
It is a singulard icio)!ntehi:3ll2ceetshpaottthweheErerithe
ewas
asbuhrninegd-
at almost e
ton was burned
in June, 1838. Captain Brown, who
mandbed the Washington at that time, happened to
be on board the Clinton, and was very active in saving
the survivors of the Erie.
We have never seen our city in a more profound
gloom.. The destruction of the Erie and the appalling
horrible loss of life, impress the heart of every one.
The Mayor of Buffalo, immediately upon the receipt of
the intelligence, very properly convened the Common
Council, when appropriate measures were taken to re-
lieve such sufferers as were in need of assistance.
LATER.—By the Robert Fulton, Captain Hart, we
learn that two more persons were saved by the people of
Dtmkirk. One was Frederick Parmlee, bar-keeper of
the Erie, and an American, name unknown.
The Fulton also picked up two boats, one beloning to
the Erie, and the other a sail-boat belonging to Dunkirk,
which was swamped on its way to the rescue. Those on
board were picked up.
(From the Buffalo Commercial of Wednesday.)
TILE ERIE.—The Clinton, as soon as she could dis-
charge her cargo- yesterday morning, returned to the
scene of the disaster, to pick up whatever could be found.
She found no bodies, nor any thing scarcely to repay the
search. The water was covered for miles with cinders