The Sun.
London, England, 1847-06-30 00:00:00

AMERICAN AFFAIRS.

NEW YORK, JUNE 15.
Among other topics the Mexican war continues to
be the subject of conflicting opinions, and of much dis-
cussion in what may be termed well-informed circles.
The great question is, shall we soon " conquer a peace?"
To such an interrogatory we can only reply, the armies
of the United States continue to be victorious. When-
ever and wherever they strike, they are triumphant ;
but yet all is doubt and uncertainty as to when the
war will terminate, and what will be the character of the
negotiation.

In my last letter I stated substantially what I believed
to t,e the p..licy of Mr. and his constitutional ad-
visers. Nothing has ()centred to change tnat opinion.
It be recollected, that from the commencement of
the war I have apprehended that 4 would have been
protracted, and of lung continuance. nis °Pinion Was
based upon two facts,--first, a personal knowiedge of
the temper, disposition, and wishes of the President;
second, the great difficulty of conquering and xeducing
to " passive obedience anti nun-resistance " eveu dis-
tracted and divided people.
In the remarks which I have mace on the subje.nt
did not, and do not, mean to convey the idea, that ti:,o
Administration may not change its views, and with that
change its policy. After the Oregon leap from 54 deg.
40 min. to 49 deg., it would be idle to say that nothing
of the kind could reasonably be anticipated.

The recent movements of Mr. Polk indicate some
change, or rather a fixed determination to pursue a
policy which he hopes will promote the object nearest
his heart—a re-election to the Presidency. That ob-
ject was in a measure the cause of the present war, and
it may tend to promote a peace. To it every other
measure must be made subservient, if not sacrificed.
There is now, it is said and believed, a mission of
peace in Mexico, consisting of General Scott and Mr.
Twist. The terms, it is confidently asserted, are of the
most liberal character, honourable alike to Mexico and
the United States. Here I pause, I doubt—nay, more,
I am an unbeliever, because it is some months too early
to have a great influence on the presidential election.
It affords, however, an opportunity for the display of
management.
It is well known that the Administration dread the
political influence and power of Generals Scott and
Taylor, and would, therefore, willingly promote any
measure that would tend to lessen the influence of either
or both these military chieftains. It is very generally
believed, that the Executive is now countenancing an
intrigue to place these gallant and accomplished sol-
diers in a hostile attitude, whereby both may be in-
jured. This rumour is so general that no one but a
confirmed sceptic seems to express any doubt of its
truth. I continue, therefore, to think, notwithstanding
public opinion to thei contrary, that there is no prospect
of an early peace.
The Administration are strongly impressed with the
idea, that by means of a military tariff in Mexico they
will be enabled to collect sufficient money, through the
Custom-houses which they will establish, to support an
army of 20,000 men. But, in the last resort, the church
property must make up the deficiency. Through the
official journal at Washington (the Union) a feeler was
thrown out, in relation to the wealth, &c., of the Catho-
lic churches, &c., which seemed to shock the American
community ; whereupon the Union retreated into its
shell, and denied that the article was written with the
knowledge and approbation of Mr. Polk. Now, every
person in this country, who understands the oonnexioq
between the President and the Union considers this
denial puerile, and of no force. In short, it is not be.
lieved.

You will perceive that by the contemplated measure
of seizing all the revenue of Mexico for the support of
an American standing army of 20,000 or 30,000 men,
without the knowledge or consent of Congress, you open
a new and alarming constitutional question. It is not
my intention at present to discuss it. But it may be
asked, if this is permitted or countenanced, what becomes
of the constitutional provision against such an army?
With a disciplined force of 30,000 men on our southern
border, what might not an usurper with such a body at
his command suddenly effect?
Strange as it may appear, ex-President Tyler is once
more endeavouring to force himself into notice. For the
last two years he has lived in complete retirement—per-
haps it would be more correct to say, in obscurity. No
man ever more effectually sacrificed himself to a ridicu-
lous vanity and a still more unpardonable ambition. For
these and other sins he has sorely suffered. Yon will
find in the public journals a late letter from him evinc-
ing, to use the mildest phrase, a total want of memory. li
perceive it stated in a Virginia paper, that on or about
the day that a dinner was to be given Mr. Webster in
Richmond, Mr. Tyler visited that city in the expecta-
tion of being invited to meet at the festive board his
former Secretary of State. But no such invitation was
tendered Mr. Tyler. To comment on such an occurrence
would be unkind. It shows, however, the abiding force ee
public opinion.

- By an arrival at New Orleans advices have been re-
ceived from Vera Cruz to the Ist inst., and f;•om Brazos
to the 4th.

General Twiggs had entered Puebla on the 29th ult.

General Scotned left Jalapa with 6,000 troops, but
wh, ther he would procet d forthwith to the city of Mexico
was not known, and considered doubtful. About 3,000
Mexican troops were said to be in the capital.
Santa Anna had resigned the Presidency on tho 28th;
but whether his resignation would be accepted was not
stated. lie was superintending, personally, the fortifi-
cations erecting at Guadeloupe and Majioaeczingo, near
the suburbs.

Nothing new from General Taylor.
After much mortification and disappointment to the
parties concerned, the United States frigate Macedonian
has sailed on her benevolent mission of relief to suffer-
ing humanity. She is, as lam informed, well freighted.
On the merits or demerits of the controversy which
caused her detention I have no opinion to give. She
has my most ardent and sincere hope that she may have
a rapid and safe passage, and that her officers and crew
may return in health to their native lend.
The President of the United States is expected shortly
to visit this city. The precise time is not fixed—pro-
bably between the 20th and 30th of this month. He
will be welcomed and received by a Whig corporation,
and other citizens, with the courtesy and distinction to
which his exalted station entitles him.

Sterling bills, rather inactive, at 6 to 6i per cent.
Flour in moderate demand, on a firm market, at
8 dolls. 25c. to 8 dolls. 75c.

Money abundant and cheap.
A GENEVESE TRAVELLER.

—Times.

THE DISTRESSED SCOTCH AND IRISH.--011 the
27th April last Mr. Buckstone's favourite comedy of
Married Life, with the farce of Advice Gratis, was per-
formed at the Victoria Theatre, Meerut, by amateurs,
assisted by the amateurs of the Queen's Royal Lancers,
for the benefit of the distressed Scotch and Irish, when
the amount of 450 rupees was taken at the doors.
FREE PORTERS OF THE CITY OF LONDON.—Yester-
day
London-bride,
wporters of the City
tymeweat
sinfeldo f thet th
eg general
Bridge-housebod of
n oftreele,
-cbrroidgeC,for the purpose of petitioning the Cowl
of Common Council with respect to an infringement of'
their privileges by the various dock companies on the
north bank of the Thames. Alderman Johnston pre.
sided on the occasion; and among the speakers were Mr.
Wire, Mr. Payne, and several members of the fellow.
ship. It appears that by the custom of the port of
London, the free porters have had secured to them the
privilege of porterage and measureage of all coals, grain,
salt, and fruit imported or exported from the north bank
of the River Thames between Staines (above London-
bridge) and Yantlet, near Sheerness, below it. Since
the formation of the docks, however, the free porters
have been excluded from them, and the dock companies,,
while retaining the services of the measurers, who are
members of the fellowship, have employed for porterage
servants of their own. It was of this infringement of
their privilege that the free porters met yesterday to
complain by petition addressed to the Court of Common
Council. The number of the body is stated to be nearly
3,000, and there is a general fund for the support of
aged and infirm members, considerable in amount; but
their exclusion from the docks has, it is said, deprived
them of the means of earning a competent livelihood.
Resolutions adopting the petition to the Court of Cona.
mon Council, and providing for the energetic prosecution
of their claims, were carried by the meeting, which
broke up after the usual vote of thanks to the chairman.
MEETING OF ROMAN CATHOLICS.—Last night a
very large and respectable meeting of Roman Catholics
of London was held at the Crown and Anchor Tavern,
for the purpose of forming an association for the ra,
moval of Catholic disabilities and grievances. The Re'
Dr. Morris, Bishop of Troy, presided, and was supported
by a large number of Roman Catholic ladies, noblemen,
clergymen, and gentlemen. The Right Rev. Prelate
opened the proceedings in a short address. The Rev,
Dr. Moore proposed the first resolution, " That the
Catholics of Great Britain and its colonies are exposed
to many grievous oppressions, some of them of such a
nature as to peril the everlasting welfare of thousands;
that against these, though admitted to be at variance
with justice, and even the avowed principles of modem
legislation, the Catholic has no adequate defence or Pro'
tection ; that therefore it is their bounden duty to pro.
cure by all lawful means the due administration of tbotio
laws which are just and a speedy reeal of those whist
themselves
Lucas
proposed
are unjust ; and that the Catholics of the metropolis are
more particularly called upon more strenuously to, Mr.
, exert
the second resolution, " That the.op-
pression under which the Catholics suffer, though gtley-
i
ous to them as citizens and subjects, are more especially
most
spiritual
souls,
a n d
however degradation
entail right
thousand theousa nd
and needful it may be to seek redress through means of
easy access, yet our hopes of success pre founded in,
God. This meeting, therefore, hears with satisfacticas
of the proposed establishment of an association for
ost e
ulpton by
so reason
many
London, under the protection of our Blessed Lady,"
&c. A committee was then appointed for carrying oat
the object of the association. A vote of thanks to the
chairman closed the proceedings, which did not termi-
nate until midnight.

UNUSUAL BESTOWAL OF MATERNAL SOLICITUDIII
—ln the plantation near to Foulden-house is a starling's
nest, containing four unfledged warblers, which by some
casualty have been deprived of their natural guardian,
but by a freak of compassion, have been adopted by a
crow. The sable philanthropist is seen regularly to pre.
ceed to the nest, and supply his tiny prows*** wiSks
suitable nutriment.—Berwiek Advertiser.