The Sun.
London, England, 1847-06-17 00:00:00

MAJORITY-NOES, 112.

Adderley, C. B. Frewen, C. H. Monahan, J. 11.
Allies, J. P. Fuller, A. E. 3lostyn, E.
ArkN,-right, G. Gaskell,7J. M. Mundy, E. M.
Bankes, George Gibson, T. M. Norreys, Lord
Baring, F. T. Gill, Thomas O'Brien, A. S.
Bentinck, Lord G. Gladstone, J. N. Pakington, Sir J. S.
Blackstone, W. S. Goring, Charles- Plumridge, Captain
Bodkin, William H. Graham, Sir James Polhill, F.
Bolt!ere, 11. G. Granby, Marquis of Rashleigh, William
Borthwick, Peter Greene, Thomas Rendlesham, Lord
Brown, W. Grey, Sir G. Repton, G. W. J.
Browne, W. Grogan, Edward Rice, E. R.
Buller, Charles Halsey, T. P. Richards, Richard
Buller, Sir J. Y. Hamilton, W. J. Rollesion, Colonel
Bunbury, W. Hamilton, Lord C. Romilly, John
Burke, T. J. Hamner, Sir John Ross, D. R.
Busfeild, W. Harcourt, G. Round, J.
Byng, G. S. Hazris, lion. Capt. Russell, Lord J.
Carew, W. H. Pole Hastie, Archibald Rutherford, A.
Christie, W. D. Hawes, Benjamin Seymer, Henry Fier
Clifton, J. T. lieneage, G. Shaw, F.
Clive, Viscount Henley, J. W. Smith, R. V.
Codrington, Sir W. Hodgson,, Richard Trelawny, J. S.
Cole, Hon. H. A. Houldsworth, T. Verner, Sir W.
Corry, H. Howard, C W.G. Vesey, T.
Craig, W. G. Howard, P. H. Vyvyan, Sir R. R.
Deedes, W. Hudson, G. Walpole, S. H.
Denison, J. E. Hughes, W. B. Walsh, Sir J. B.
Dennistoun, J. Hussey, T. Ward, H. G.
Dick, Q. Jolliffe, Sir W. H. Wilshere, T. W.
Dickinson, F. 11. Jones, Captain Winningto, Sir T.
Duckworth, Sir_ J. Labouchere, Henry Wodehouse, Edmund
Worcester, Marquis
Duncan, George Lefroy, A.
East, Sir J. B. Macaulay, T. B. Young, John
Farnham, E. B. Mainwaring, T.
Ferguson, Sir B. Marshall, William
Floyer, John Manic, Fox
Forbes, William Miles, William
Forster, Matthew Mitcalfe, II

TELLERS.

Tench, IL
Parker, John

REGISTRY of BIRTHS and DEATHS
DURING THE WEEK ENDING JUNE 12.
1
Deaths registered in the week. Births registered in the week.
Males ... ... ... 440 Males ... ... ... 582
Females ... ... 400 Females ... ... 595

Total . . -84-0

Total ... 1,177

ASYLUM FOR AGED FREE-
MASONS.
The twelfth anniversary festival in aid of the Asylum
for Aged Freemasons was held last evening in the Free-
masons' Hall, Great Queen street, Lincoln's Inn-fields,
Rowland G. Alston, Esq., in the chair.
The festival was very numerously attended, and the
gallery was filled with ladies. Amongst the distinguished
members of the masonic order present w e observed—
Major Shute, P.G.M., of Bristol; Major-General Cooke,
the Rev. Erskine Neal, the Rev. S. Rumsey, Dr. Cru-
cefix, Captain Chappell, R.N., Mr. Secretary Whitmore,
Brother Bigg, and several others.
The usual loyal toasts having been disposed of in a
most enthusiastic manner,
The CHAIRMAN proposed what he considered em-
phatically the toast of the evening, namely, "Prosperity
to the Asylum," and in doing so took occasion to remark
that some very sophistical objection had been raised
against the establishment of this most benevolent in-
stitution, and some jealousy had been excited amongst the
order,from an erroneous impression that this society would
interfere with the Freemasons' Annuity Society, but, in
his opinion, it was calculated to advance rather than re-
tard the progress of that admirable institution in its
good work of charity and benevolence. The Hon. Gen-
tleman, in an able and eloquent address, urged the claims
of the society to the support of the masonic order at
large, and concluded by proposing " Success and pros-
perity to the Asylum for Aged Freemasons."
The toast was drunk with the usual honours, as were
also the healths of the Earl of Zetland, Grand Master
of the Order; Lord Southampton, President of the In-
stitution; the Dukes of Athol and Leinster, Grand
Masters of Scotland and Ireland; General Cooke, Grand
Master of the New York Lodge; and Dr. Crucefix, the
Treasurer of the Institution.
Dr. CRUCSFIX, in responding to the latter toast, took
occasion to read the report of the committee of manage-
ment of the institution, from which it appeared that the
funds in hand amounted to the sum of 4,1161., and the
committee th erefore thought no time ought to be lost in
purchasing laud for the erection of an asylum for de-
cayed and a ged Freemasbns ; and at the forthcoming
meeting of tire society, in July next, the managers of
the institution s would be prepared to submit a resolution
to that effect.
The report appeared to give great satisfaction, and
was of course' received with great applause.
A liberal sahscription was then entered into, amount-
ing to upwards of 5001.
The evening's proceedings were considerably en-
livened by the clever performances of the Distan family
upon the Sax horns, and the vocalisation of Mr. Binge,
the Misses Turner, and Mr. Bluett, who sung a number
of songs selected from the most popular operas of the
day, and elicited a good deal of applause. On every
occasion of th eir appearance the Distan family were en-
thusiastically enc,)red, while the taste and beauty of the
singing of the disses Turner and Mr. Binge, added
greatly to the co nviviality of the evening. It would be
an act of injustic .e to omit to notice the admirable man-
ner in which Mr. Hasken fulfilled the office of toast
master, or to Os' erlook the sumptuousness of the enter-
tainment, which did great credit to the casine of the
Messrs. Bacon.

ions.

THE GREAT BRlTAlN.—Several large cases, ca-
pable of carrying t hirty or forty tons of sand or other mate-
rial, are made. o r in progress of being made, on the sand op-
po-ite this noble sh ip, and a number of balks are being fitted
with large sheav, is. The Great Britain has been raised seve-
raltfi
tackle
rcgkwolaefr dt ,
h eb
wereyv-
tef:osuberal lrhaele-gbrseeeestp.acrosnhatinwnduaespde,nsacbiludi attitts.hh,,aisat
feet, without arty external application, except the lifting
apps tightenspars
a ands to
n the pa
ha
ietrh
have been improv ed upon since the arrival ot!)
and Mr. Patterson,. the builder of the ship, the bo.xes being
intended to supers, idle penchaus. After the ship's bottom has
been seen, the box F 6, it is presumed, are to act as canal,
inasmuch as they r ire bevilled to the form of the bottom, and
are intended to floa t her off. The foundation of the break-
water is being dug • ap preparatory to this; which, it is said,
will not be attempt ;e( t until the high tide in next month.
Numbers of carriag/ is and other vehicles, conveying the curi-
ous, daily attend th e Great Britain, and great activity seems
to prevail under t he: superintendence of Captain Claxton,
who, we understand , is quite confident as to her being floated,
when everything is ready and the prudent time arrives.—
Downpatrick Ri port es.
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN THE STRAND. This
morning, a few min at es after midnight, a destructive fire
broke out in Angel- wurt, which runs off the Strand between
Norfolk-street and Surrey-street. It appears to have
originated at the b, Atom of the court, in the factory of
Messrs. Leighton an, l Son, bookbinders, and to have ex-
tended thence on but h sides of the court, but principally on
the side next to Surr ey..street, along which the premises of
Messrs. Leighton run. That portion of the building occu-
pied by the factory has been completely destroyed, and the
upper portions of the t mge of buildings next it reaching
towards Surrey-street, . have also been burned. The
from its situation, and- the slight construction of the houses
(there being no part 7-wall), spread with extraordinary
rapidity, and, in less t han half an hour from ran first
Ap-
pearance, had attained i I. most formidable appeace.
fs-1
sistance, however, was rapidly procured, and six potweru
engines belonging to the Brigade. two from the Cpun y and
e e
the West of England, b es ides three parish engines, w. r
quickly pouring an enor ittous body of water on the burning
pile. After the lapse oft tin hour the efforts of the firemen,
under the skilful direct ion of Superintendent Braidwohed.
o ,
ins
were crowned with succe 33, and the fire was exting
Messrs. Leighton and Son. t are, Ve understand, insured in the
Imperial and and the Sun Fire offices, but not to the full ex-
tent, if certain portions of i he machinery used by them and
the iron safe in which their b ooks were deposited have been
destroyed: We were un able to ascertain how the fire
originated, but we are happy • to say that, whatever may have
been the destruction of propel' .y, no lives have been lost.
MILITARY INTELLIG Elul ;E.—CHATHAM, JUNE 16.—
This morning, at 6 o'clocl 1 he undermentioned non-com-
missioned officers left this I• ;ar rison, en route for Southampton.
From thence they oCeed, the West India mail packet, for
P
the purpose of Wing Ith eir respective corps, viz. ;—lst
West India Regiment—Ref timenta.l Sergeant-Ma jor Thomas
Kinna, for Jamaica; 2d We at India. Regiment—Regimental
Sergeant-Major James Ga, sriel., Company Sergeant-Major
Thomas Kelly, Company Se rge ant-Major Philip Beck, and
James Donaldson, orderly-roc qui clerk, with three women and
six children, for Honduras.
MR. LEIGH HUNT.— .lid ATEUR DRAMATIC PER-
FORMANCES. The literary a mateurs, including Charles
Dickens, the Punch centribut/ ,rs, and others, whose per-
formances have been so highly applauded for their intrinsic
excellence, as well as for the el taritable motives which sug-
gested them, are, we are told in the Athenceuni, about to
give four representations—tlvo .n London, one in Manchester,
and one in Liverpool. The 1.7 ceceeds will realise, it is be-
lieved, a sufficient sum, or, at least, the basis of a fund, to
purchase an annuity for the / 3, eclining years—which are fa,t
running out —of one who is a largE• creditor on public esteem
anti gratitude—Mr. Leigh Hu tit. —.Nanchester Guardian.
The latest accounts rice ire a_ from Gibraltar
quote
the exchange upon London 51.);,/ to lA, which is about the
same as previous letters adv iced. The weather has become
exceedingly hot, and business pursuits, under order from the
Governor, w ere in conseque tice commenced one hour earlier
in the morning than usual.

AMERICAN AFFAIRS.

NEW YORK. 31.—The Mexican war, which is
the t p: og,tss,s slowly. In every
conflict, whether great or small, the Mexicans are de-
feated—sometimes with great slaughter. The truth is,
while they evince devotion to their country and firmness
of mind, they have neither the military discipline nor
the physical strength to cope with their enemy. They
are badly armed, and destitute of the means to procure a
better armament. What, under such circumstances,
must be the result of the present war? Nothing short
of an unconditional surrender of their country—their
whole country.
Although denied by those in power, I entertain no
doubt the intention of the Administration is to pursue
towards the Mexicans precisely the same policy which
this Government has heretofore adopted in relation to
the several tribes of Indians—purchase the most valuable
part of their territory at a nominal, paltry sum, and then
drive them into a sterile wilderness, where they must
ultimately perish, and, as a nation, become extinct.
Every movement indicates a fixed determination to
appropriate all the revenue that can be levied and col-
lected in Mexico for the support of an army of 20,000
or 30,000 men to be stationed in that country. How
long the American people will submit to such a revolting
state of things as the Government is rapidly approach.
ing, I will not hazard a prediction, because it presupposes
an abandonment of all principle.
I am aware that such suggestions are but little con-
fided in, and that they are calculated to arouse unkind
feelings in certain quarters. Be it so. Let them be re-
membered. It is my wish to call the attention of every
moralist, every upright man to this subject. Most ar-
dently do I hope my country may escape the infamy and
disgrace which I fear hovers around her. None living
will rejoice more sincerely than your correspondent,
should he discover that his apprehensions were un-
founded. No ordinary circumstances, however, have
excited them. It may, hereafter, become necessary to
speak more plainly. If it does, it shall be done fear-
lessly, and in a tone worthy the advocate of justice and
humanity. _ _ _

Our latest accounts are, from Jalapa the 11th, and
from Vera Cruz the 13th of May. General Scott has
issued a proclamation, dated Jalapa, the 11th of May,
addressed to the Mexicans, in the hope of influencing
them. The impression is very general that he is now
in the city of Mexico. There are those, however, who
entertain strong doubts of his attempting to enter that
city until he has been joined by reinforcements, now on
their way to head-quarters.
While the United States army are advancing, General
Scott, Commodore Perry, and Mr. Trist, are endeavour-
ing, it is said, to produce peace, but will not suspend
hostilities until a treaty has been actually signed. In
other words, the United States will consent to no treaty
but such as may be dictated at the cannon's mouth; and
this, I have no doubt, is the determination of the Admi-
nistration. The prevailing opinion in this country is,
that we shall shortly have an end of the war. It may be
so, but I see not the least prospect of such an event.
The character of the war is about to change. It is
highly probable there will be no more field fights. The
Mexicans will hereafter adopt a guerilla system of war-
fare. Whether the Americans can be induced to re-
taliate, I pretend not to speak with certainty, but think
they will not go further than to put to death captured
Mexican officers.
We are in constant anticipation of a sad explosion in
the affairs of the Reading Railway Company (Pennsyl-
vania), from which it is apprehended that the most
serious embarrassments will ensue. Understanding that
British capitalists were largely interested in the success
of this enterprise, I have felt it to be my duty to give
you such rumours in relation to it as are current in the
United States, and believed to be correct.

A bill, praying for an injunction, and the appointment
of a receiver, was filed a few weeks since, charging gross
mismanagement, and in several instances fraudulent
sues of bonds, to raise funds to sustain heavy specula-
The company commenced with a capital of one
million of dollars, and is now in debt more than eleven
millions. In each year its business increases, but the
revenue by no means keeps pace with the outlay.
In April, 1845, the Legislature of Pennsylvania passed
an Act to legalise all previous negotiations, however
usurious, and under the guise of this indemnity bonds
have been since issued bearing date July, 1844. It will
thus readily be imagined that the exposure of such an
operation should affect most injuriously the credit of the
company. These peculiar issues were for 3,000,000
dollars, and though put into circulation in 1846, no
mention or reference is made to them in the annual re-
port of January, 1847.
To cover this transaction a negotiation was set on foot
to sell 2,000,000 dolls. of bonds at a discount of 30 per
cent., with a semi-annual coupon attached, payable in
July next, making the company pay 650,000 dolls. for
the use of 1,350,000 dolls. The bill of injunction has,
however, put a stop to this bargain, and a new list has
been "subscribed," stated to be for 1,500,000 dolls. at
par, which subscription is represented to be made for the
purpose of discharging the floating debt, without dis-
count, bonds of 1844 included.
The capital of the company, as reported in January,
1846, was 2,020,000 dolls. ; and in January, 1847 it is
stated to he 3,434,000 dolls. The indebtedness of the
road at the first period was 10,328,500 dolls., and at the
latter, 11,580,600 dolls., exclusive of the 3,000,000 dolls.
antedated bonds. In the fiscal year of the company
ending the Ist of December, 1846, the quantity of coal
transported was 1,188,256 tons, yielding a revenue of
1,600,000 dolls., at an average rate per ton of 1 doll.
35-100.. ; and, according to a recent statement, it ap-
pears that 414,967 tons have been transported in five
months ending the Ist of May, at the rate of 1 doll.
15-100 e., against 295,546 tons, during the corresponding
period of last year, charged at 1 doll. 35-100 c.
The floating debt of the company has been annually
increasing over 1,200,000 dolls., which has been succes-
sively paid off by the sale of stock, or the issue of bonds,
of which most of those put into circulation are ante-
dated. It is charged, that the concern is managed by
stock speculators, and now only lives through the ease
in our monetary affairs. If we had any tightness in the
market, its failure would be inevitable; in fact, it is
thought to be only postponed.
I regret the necessity, in my opinion, of stating the
preceding details, which have been carefully collected,
and which I have no doubt will be found substantially
correct.
A New Orleans paper of late date states, that General
Patterson "thinks that we ought not to look for, or solicit
a peace, but proceed to conquer and occupy the whole of
Mexico." 40,000 men are deemed adequate for this
purpose. The General adds, " When we have gone to
work, and shown the Mexicans that we are in earnest,
and determined to seize the whole country, they will
soon be brought to their knees, and will be ready to ac-
cept of any terms we may offer."
In the public journals which accompany this letter,
you will find a speech of Colonel Benton, delivered at
St. Louis. It abounds in egotistical remarks, but not-
withstanding is well worth a perusal. It contains a
brief statement of some historical events not generally
known or understood. The Colonel, however, studiously
avoids •expressine•. his opinion of Mr. Polk's policy in
making war upon Mexico. The design of the speech is
evident to the most superficial observer. It was
prompted by hostility to senator Calhoun, of South Ca-
rolina, and intended to assail him in an unsparing man-
ner. Between these two distinguished statesmen there
is an impassable gulf, so that reconciliation is next to
impossible. Their virulence towards each other is there-
fore more likely to increase than subside, as will be seen
during the next session of Congress.
At the last accounts from Mr. Webster, it was an-
ticipated that he would reach Charleston in a few days,
and embark on board the steamer Southerner for this
city on the 31st (this day) of May. It will afford the
numerous friends of this distinguished man at home and
abroad great pleasure to learn that his health has much
improved.
The receipts of flour at Albany by canals during the
last week has been 145,093 barrels.

The receipts in the city of New Yoik continue to be
unusually great on a falling market, as prices are checked.
The great bulk of sales is now at 8 dolls. 12-100 c. to
8 dolls. 25-100 c. per barrel.
Sterling exchange at moderate demand at 6i to 7i.
-- Times. A GENEVESE TRAVELLER.