The Sun.
London, England, 1846-09-24 00:00:00

whether information is circulated or not. Sir Andreas
Stockenstrom has, it is asserted, been without a scrap
of intelligence from head-quarters for two and even
three weeks together.
A detachment of 100 sailors from the Cape Town
(!ontingent marched this day from Graham's Town, un-
der the command of Lieuts. Walsh and Williams, for
Fort Dacres.

SATURDAY.—Received the following information from
Fort Beaufort :

On Tuesday last the Kafirs succeeded in capturing a
herd of cattle, belonging to the Fingoes at this place.
These cattle were taken while grazing, and two of the
Fingoes, who were out with them, are supposed to be
killed. As soon as the report was brought into Beau-
fort, a number of Fingoes, and about 20 of our Beaufort
mounted men, started off in pursuit, but the Kafirs having
the start by about an hour and a half, and night coming
on, the pursuit was discontinued. The next day it was
resumed, and one of the herdsmen was found, not
merely murdered, but his body dreadfully mutilated.
The Kafirs, who are said to have been about 60 in
number, got clear off with the booty. Field-Captain
Loxton and his Hottentot Company returned here yes-
terday from escort duty from Retief's Post with 300
sheep, which they recaptured from some Kafirs on their
route. The Kafirs, however, succeeded in making good
their retreat into the bush.

Information has also been received from head quarters
of Mr. John O'Reilly having arrived last evening from
the camp at the Fish River mouth. By this opportunity
we learn that Colonel Somerset had been scouring
Stock's country, or properly his location in the ceded
territory, but without meeting with any resistance from
the enemy. They appear everywhere on his approach
to have retired into the cover of the kloofs and thickets,
and except falling in with a few stragglers, three of
whom, it is said, were killed, there appears to have been
nothing done which it is material to record.
At present the warfare, on the part of the Kafirs, has
dwindled to a few petty desultory attacks ; but it is not
to be inferred from this that the enemy is subdued, still
less that the colonists will be justified in any relaxation
of vigilance. These desultory attacks, however paltry
in themselves, are in fact of very serious moment, and
should be met with the greatest perseverance and energy.
(From the Ecbtern Province Herald, July 4.)
Intelligence has been received that the cattle belong-
ing to Enon had been taken away by some Kafirs, and
again recaptured at Korhaan's Drift, near the farm of
Stephanus Du Free, about two hours' ride to the left of
Enon. Sixteen Burghers Rent in pursuit, and in a
sharp encounter which took place between them and the
Kafirs, at the Drift, 20 of the enemy were killed, and 36
head of cattle retaken. The casualties on our side were
three Ilottentots slightly wounded, and one Burgher
named Christian Hartman, severely wounded in the arm.

AFFAIRS OF SPAIN.
(From the Times.)
MADRID, SEPT. 17.—The following is the report of
the commission named by the Deputies to draw up the
reply to her Majesty's message :
" Senora,—The Congress of Deputies have beard, with
the most profound respect the communication your
Majesty has been pleased to address to them, through
the medium of your Ministers, informing them that your
Majesty has determined to contract matrimony with
your august cousin the Infante Don Francisco Assis de
Bourbon ; they congratulate your Majesty, because,
while regarding your own happiness, you have given
the strongest testimony that ou know how to reconcile
it with the good and prosperity of the nation which
Divine Providence has recommended to your care.
" The Congress are no less pleased at learning that
your Majesty has deigned to give your consent to the
marriage of her Royal Highness Dona Luisa Fernanda
de Bourbon, your august sister, and the present imme-
diate successor to the Crown, with his Royal Highness
Prince Antoine Marie Philippe Louis of Orleans, Duke
de Montpensier.
" The Congress, who, on all occasions, have given
the most unequivocal proofs of their love for the Throne,
and of their respect and adhesion to representative in-
stitutions, cannot do less than congratulate your Majesty
on the judicious combination of marriages which satisfy
the desires of the Spanish people, who are deeply in-
terested in the domestic felicity of your Majesty and of
your august sister, and in the consolidation of the con-
stitutional monarchy.
" The Congress unite in this expression of the con-
soling hope, cherished in the magnanimous heart of your
Majesty, and trust that, with the assistance of the
Almighty, the decided will of your Majesty, the efforts
of the Government, and the co-operation of the Cortes,
the new era of peace and happiness, announced by your
Majesty, will be as enduring as the submission to the
laws will be profound ; that the oblivion of past disorders
will be more complete, and the union of all Spaniards
will be more sincere.

" JUAN BRAVO MURILLO, President.
" LUIS JOSE SARTORIUS.
" ALEJANDRO OLIVAN.
" FERNANDO ALVAREZ.
" JOSE DE POSADA HERRERA.
" EMANUEL GALLARDO.
" ANTONIO DE BENAVIDES, Secretary.
" Palace of the Congress. Sept. 16."

It would appear that the Opposition Deputies are as-
suming a more courageous tone than they have had for
the last two or three days. A meeting was held last
night to decide on what was to be done. It is said that
34—some say 44—have determined on voting against the
Government on the question of the Infanta's marriage.
It is rumoured that the Infante Don Enrique has
written to his father and brother a strong and severe
letter, reproaching them, and in particular the latter,
with not having kept faith with him in the circumstance
of the marriage.
Some sensation has been caused here by the fact of an
advertisement appearing yesterday in the Diario de
Avisos, announcing the sale of the furniture of the British
Minister. It is taken as an indication of his departure
from Madrid. I believe, however, that at present at
least there is no foundation for any such supposition.
The Gazette states that the Pope has granted the
necessary dispensations for the marriages of the Queen
and her sister. It is expected here in the course of the
present week, so that little time has been lost.
The Government has received, by telegraph, the news
of the disappearance from Paris of the Carlist General
Cabrera. The Liberals of Seville have addressed a
petition to the Queen against the marriage of the Infanta
with the Duke de Montpensier.
El Eco del Collard() was again seized by the police
this morning. There can be little doubt of the inten-
tions of the Government to completely annihilate the
press.
Foust O'CLOCK, P.M.—The two Chambers met at the
usuaThour; oe the Congress is still sitting, and will
probably sit for some time.
In the Congress, the President, Castro y Orozco, an-
nounced that he had a most important document put into
his hands for presentation to the House; nothing less
than a protest on the part of the Infante Don Enrique
against the marriage of the Infanta Luisa Fernanda with
the Duke de Montpensier. It was dated the 7th of Sep-
tember, at Ghent. Senor Isturitz, President of the
Council, stood up, and opposed the reading of the pro-
test, on the ground that he refused to recognise the right
of any subject, how high soever his rank, to oppose him-
self to the will of the Queen. The President of the
Congress declared that the document should follow the
usual, course of papers presented to the House. It was
accordingly read.
The address in reply to the message of the Queen was
then read, and put from the chair to be discussed. Pre-
viously, Senor Pacheco stood up, and asked the Minister
for Foreign Affairs as to the fact of any communications
having passed between him and a foreign Minister at
this Court on the subject of the Infanta's mar-
riage? Senor Isturitz replied, that between him and Mr.
Deliver, the British Minister, no correspondence had
taken place on the subject; he had received three notes
from Mr. Bulwer, the tenor of which was in opposition
to the marriage; but he thought it right to say that
these notes were written on Mr. Bulwer's own respon-
sibility, and without instructions from his Government.
In his last note, Mr. Bulwer stated that he should con-
sider it his duty to abstain from all further official com-
munication with him until he had received further
instructions from his Government. The subject then
d rcpped.
The discussion then commenced on the address to the
Queen. Senor Pastor Diaz stood up to oppose it. His
speech was long, and some passages of it were ap-
plauded in the public galleries, in spite of the efforts of
the President of the Chamber; one passage particularly,
where he said " that all parties could forget each other's
grievances, but there was one party that could never be
forgiven or forgotten in Spain, and that was the Afran-
cesacto faction." This allusion produced much movement
in the House.
The address was supported by Donozo Cortegi who
continued speaking tip to the hour stated in the latter
part of this letter. His speech promises to last for same
time,spe
length.e eta
es ho i
He
re: btilteggeanciner
generally
dhristthoeritneaolstet6sedaiyoud so.fkiaimditelinsies
ktyli the history of the early ages,
and had arriied at the sixteenth century when four
olclock StruA. 'the difisieni in all probability, will not
take place to-night, tts there are three or four yet to
speak on the same subject.
In the Senate, the .President also announced the fact
of having teceited the protest. Armeroi Minister of
Marine, opposed its being read; for the satne reason
given by isturiti iti the Congtess:
Several members, amongst tkedi Seffanb and the
Marquis of Viluma, demanded that it should be read.
The President then put it to the House, and it was de-
cided in the negative. The protest, consequently, was
not read. .

Letters from Paris received here today state that
the journey of the French Princes to Madrid has been
suspended.
Other accounts mention that the representatives of
the Austrian and English Governments on the marriage
question have produced their effect on Louis Philippe.
The Opposition Members are much animated in conse-
quence of the reports.
The Three per Cents. have improved * per cent.,
they were done at 36i ; Four per Cents., 22 ; Five per
Cents., 22i ; Debt without interest, 611. Coupons, 204.
Exchange on London, 36i. M.

MARRIAGE IN HIGH LIFE.—On Tuesday last, the
22d instant, the Hon. Edward Plunkett, son of the Right
Hon. Lord Dunsany, was married, by special license, to
the Hon. Miss Ann Constance Dutton, daughter of the
Right Hon. Lord Sherborne, and sister to the Countess
of Ducie. Shortly after the ceremony the happy pair
left Sherborne Hall for Dunsany Castle, to pass the
honeymoon.
HORSE STEALING.—A daring case of horse-steal-
ing occurred at Catchem's Corner, near Wolver-
hampton, on Wednesday night or Thursday morning,
when the stable of Mr. Tupper was broken into, and a
dark brown horse, about twelve hands high, stolen. The
poor animal has since been found dead, its throat being
cut, on the canal bank, near the Cannock-road Bridge.—
Wolverhampton, Chronicler

EVENING, SEP:T.EMBER,

THEN T VALLEY, MIDLANDS, AND

GRAND JUNCTION RAILWAY.

A special general meeting of the shareholders of this
company was held yesterday, at two o'clock, at the com-
pany's offices, 19, Great George-street, Westminster.
HENRY TOOTAL, Esq., deputy-chairman, baying taken
the chair, said his first duty was to express his extreme
regret that the chair was not occupied by the chairman,
the lion. Colonel Anson. He held in his hand a letter,
stating that severe domestic affliction, namely, the death of
one of his children, prevented him from being present.
The SECRETARY read the advertisement, and after-
wards the report of the directors. It stated that the
meeting bad been specially convened to take into consi-
deration the proposed amalgamation of the company
with the North Staffordshire Company, to ratify the
agreements, dated the 23d February and 19th June,
1846, to that effect, arid to confer the necessary powers
on the directors for fully effectuating that object. The
capital stock of the amalgamated company would con-
sist of 945,000/., composed of 78,750 shares of 121. each,
of which 35,000 would belong to the Trent Valley Com-
pany, and a 121. share in the amalgamated company
would be issued to each holder of one 201. scrip.
The accounts showed a sum of 73,500/. receipts and de-
posits up to the 22d September instant, and 12,7101. 15s.
6d. payments on account of expenses, thereby leaving a
balance of 60,7891. 4s. 6d. _ . _

The CHAIRMAN congratulated the shareholiers, on
their first meeting after obtaining ti ell. Act. At an early
stage of their proceedings the circumstance of another
company having been formed, which aimed at the same
objects and traversed the same country, was a reason
why the directors felt anxious that they should be
brought together. He had now the pleasure to tell them
that the agreements for amalgamation had been pre-
pared, and now all that was necessary to complete it was
the consent of Parliament. He believed the railway
would benefit the country through which it was con-
structed, and be remunerative to those who had invested
their capital in it. He moved that the report now read
be received and adopted, printed, and circulated among
the members. _ _

Mr. J. W. UNErr seconded the motion, which was
carried unanimously.
The CHAIRMAN said the next business was the
election of directors ; he wished, therefore, to state that
in the terms of the amalgamation, the South Stafford-
shire Company appointed ten of the directors, and the
Trent Valley eight.
The eight retiring directors were then unanimously
re- elected.

Messrs. George Sanders, Wakefield, and James Dur-
ham, were appointed auditors, at a salary of 25/. each.
The CHAIRMAN said the special business of the day
now came before the meeting, namely, the approval of
the amalgamation of the Trent Valley with the South
Staffordshire. The other company were to find of the
whole capital 525,0001., and the Trent Valley 420,0001.
The SECRETARY then read a series of resolutions
voting the amalgamation of the two companies, and
authorising the directors to carry it out.
The CHAIRMAN moved these resolutions.
Mr. BEALE seconded them, and they passed unani-
mously.
A PROPRIETOR said he observed that the 201. shares
were now reduced 121.; he wished to know when the bor-
rowing clause would come into operation, if at all?
Tho CHAIRMAN said the reduction was necessary, as
the capital of the two companies would have been more
than was needed, and they had still the same power to
borrow to the extent of one-half as before.

A PROPRIETOR wished to know whether this company
would make the Showbellow Branch, or would leave it
to be made by the Grand Junction Company ?
The CHAIRMAN said it would be made, but by whom
he could not yet say.
Mr. WALKINGSHAW moved a vote of thanks to the
directors, which was seconded, and carried unanimously.
The DEPUTY-CHAIRMAN returned thanks, and the
meeting then separated.

GREAT EASTERN AND WESTERN

RAILWAY.

A meeting of the scripholders and shareholders in this
company was held yesterday at the company's offices, 5,
Gresham-street, City, for the purpose of determining
whether or not the company should be dissolved. Mr.
Ward, M.P., was voted to the chair.
The advertisemnt convening the meeting having been
read, the following gentlemen were appointed scruti-
neers, viz., Messrs Spackman, Huberstey, and Crosbie.
The meeting then adjourned to the Guildhall Coffee-
house.
The CHAIRMAN having made a long personal expla-
naticn as to the occasion of his former non-attendance,
Mr. COHEN said he wished to know whether the
meeting was duly called in compliance with the require-
ments of the shareholders.
The SECRETARY then read the case put to Mr. Lloyd,
the barrister, and the opinion of the counsel that the
present meeting was strictly legal.
After some desultory conversation,
The CHAIRMAN said that with regard to the delay
that had occurred in the calling of the meeting, in the
first place, till. the passing of Lord Dalhousie's Act, they
bad no power to dissolve the company. A meeting
would have been called immediately after the Act had
been passed had not the directors been in negotiation with
the Newport and Abergavenny Railway Company. The
directors had an agreement, by which the shareholders
were secured the possession of one half of the shares in
that Company if they chose to avail themselves of such a
power. The Hon. Gentleman then entered into an ex-
planation of the various meetings which had been held,
and of the reasons for his not attending, and the com-
pulsion to which he was subjected to perform official
duties at the Admiralty, &c., respecting which such
severe comments had been made. Then, with regard
to the subsequent notices that had been served on them
(the directors), there was some informality in all of
them. If the eotices thus served on him had
been legal, he would have attended, as he had ob-
tained Lord Auckland's permission to do so.
From these statements, which he felt it his duty to
make, it was evident that he did not intend to run away
from them. He, as well as the other directors, had no
intention or desire of frustrating the dissolution of the
company as to the terms upon which that disso-
lution was to be effected.—(Cries of " Hear, bear.") An
opinion was entertained that the shareholders had a
claim on the directors for 40s. a share. Now the circu-
lars that had been issued contained a complete perversion
of the facts of the case. As to the legal claims of any body
of shareholders against the directors, it was a matter that
must be decided by a legal test. But it had been put to
them as a moral obligation to meet the views of the
shareholders on this point. If he could see that that
moral obligation existed he, for one, would not be with-
held by legal technicalities from acceding to the views
of the shareholders. But he denied that such was the case.
The documents to which he referred, and which con-
tained the statement as to the obligation of the directors,
altogether omitted the words " preliminary expenses"
in all their statements. Now, it was absurd to suppose
that any men of sense would attempt to carry on
a line of any length for 10s. a mile. Such
a thing was never known in the railway world, and cer-
tainly was never contemplated by him. The simple
question for the shareholders to consider was, whether
or not they (the directors) had discharged themselves
properly of the duties which they had agreed to perform
in the undertaking in which they had embarked, with the
rest of the shareholders. They were all suffering from
the engineer's conduct. (The Chairman here read a
letter, written by him to Mr. Gravatt, the engineer, de
precating his delay in proceeding with the line, and
concluding with the words, " that if the line was not
prosecuted it would be a disgrace.")
Mr. COHEN—Why then go to Parliament?
The CHAIRMAN—By adopting that proceeding they
were now in a position to resist the whole
demand of Mr. Gravatt, as well as to pro-
ceed against him for the money already paid.
Having given a history of the Parliamentary battles of the
company; he, in conclusion, said he had only to repeat
that he' only desired that here should be a satisfactory
arrangement, and as far as he himself was concerned, he
was pre eluded by his position from any future connexion
with rairss ays.
A moat protracted discussion ensued, after which the
Secretary:xead a financial statement. From this it appeared
that the money received was 103,2311. 4s. 9d., while the
liabilities exceeded 40,0001. The balance in the bankers'
hands was, 42,599/., and the outstanding claims were for
the sol icitors, 13,1421.; the local agents, 1,7821. 15s. 2d.;
to Mr. tam vatt, 7,5001., &s.
Captain HEAVISIDE then moved, and Mr. GRIFFIN
seconder'', -that the company should be dissolved, which
was carried.

It was then moved by Mr. GRIFFIN that this dissolu-
tion she .uld not be taken for an act of bankruptcy.
Mr. 11:livo.Lisa seconded the motion, which was car.
ried, and' :the meeting separated.

FIRE TIN THE CITY-ROAD.—Yesterday morning
between four and five, whilst the fire was raging at the
Croydon. -Railway station, another outbreak occurred at
11Whai 1, City-road Basin, occupied by Mr. John Mere-
dith, a s table-keeper. It was caused by the overheating
of ono of the coke ovens in the adjoining wharf, which
was built.: against the wall. When first noticed the fire
had got pc ,ssession of the upper floor, and it soon after-
wards biro] ie through the roof. Several of the brigade
engines at tended, and the firemen threw a stream of
water upa a the burning premises which had the desired
effect, brtt , not before the top floor was destroyed, the
roof burr t off, and the lower floor damaged by water,
Ba. Mr; -Meredith was insured in the Phoenix fire-office.
ED,xs) SIGN or GAS.—Yesterday morning, about
eleven o'cik ‘ck, an explosion of gas, which created the
greatest a um in the neighbourhood of Limehouse,
occurred ott the premises of Mr. William Page, the
Commercial lice-mills, Commercial-road East. It ap-
pears that Mil, es Scatcherd, the fireman of the establish-
ment', pere.eiviL'g a strong smell of gas proceeding from
the counting-bollse,
suspected the gas was escaping from
the pipe, and,
wf:liout taking the precaution of opening
the windows to allow ihf, gas to escape, went with a
lighted candle to the spot. moment he ovencd the
door the gas, which had been confined irc a vt 'ry small
apartment, exploded. The counting-hoitse was shat•
tered, th.e floor blown up, the glass broken, and a large
iron, Iv:'aich was used for the grinding of barley, was
retziovedr and broken. The unfortunate m gn Scatcherd
was severely burnt about the head and body. Ile was
moved to his home, where he remains in a preca-
rious state.
TUE CEI ISOR IN SPAlN.—Spanish nev Fs' Japers are
t the Pres,:mt time two-thirds blank pa r • for the
a
•
Como.
"
Corr.
by dashing out
comes out after thi.

.qtaes o'er the page his purity or sex
-,-;ts each error, and refines the who .10
whole sentences. Thus, the
'speetador
= fashion:—

.Bd thul our be

" All true Spaniards
loved country
The Infanta by her marriage
our next." hes
Very eloquent these blanks ! What. ~ t rUnliPet flOura.
thoi FY, 0 frotdorq 1-I'unche