The Sun.
London, England, 1846-11-16 00:00:00

g" ' litlat;

LONDON, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1846.

CABINET CO ONCIL.

A Cabinet Council was appointed to be held at
half-past two o'clock this afternoon, at the Foreign
Office, Downing.street. All the Ministers were ex-
pected to attend, except Mr. LABOUCHERE, who is in
Dublin.

A lust of teuritorial aggrandisement is plunging
American affairs into the most deplorable involvement.
Before the nationality of the citizens of the United
States had become well nigh established, before the
integral portions of that Republic had been consoli-
dated into a complete and flourishing dominion, in
the very dawning of its existence as an inde-
pendent nation, in the first development of its preco-
cious strength, the spirit of that youthful constitution
began to evidence a craving for a more extended
domination. Immediately after the states themselves
had emerged from the storms of battle they endea-
voured to perpetuate the calamities of warfare
in the western hemisphere by acts of the
most audacious aggression. Southwards their
frontiers were nullities. By insidious treaties,
by positive invasion, by diplomatic guile and
military intimidation, by juggling propositions and
illusory barterings, they have striven inces-antly to
encroach upon adjacent territories, and to swallow
them up in succession by an organized system of an-
nexation. What perilled the stability, and ultimately
conduced to the dismemberment of the Roman em-
pire, even after centuries had imparted to it such con-
summate vigour, and notwithstanding that its power
had become matured by the wisdom and persistence
of many generations, was the gradual widening of its
dominions, the progressive advancement of its
conquests, the unchecked indulgence of it,
avarice of new geographical boundaries. It
would be superfluous, however, to insist upon
the insufficiency of any solitary Government to sub-
ject an entire continent to its sway. The__ moral de-
ducible from the narratives of ARIAN, of PLUTARCH,
Of CURTIUS, of TACITUS, of Can
is notoriously and of SISMONDI,
coincident in thisn"'
articular. What
was manifested under the Byzantine d3.nasties was
manifested also under the sceptre of the Macedonian
conquerpr,under the rule of the great JuLtus, under
the CarloVietitiri and -4pleonian empires, History
has illUstrated:theitetir\truth to whichw e are re-
ferring from the days ;4 SESOSTRIS downwards.
Experience, however; ever failed in warning

,
ITT

either individuals or multitudes. This deplorable
consideration is at this moment being evinced among
the mountains of Mexico.
The farther the American forces advance into the
Mexican territories the more are they embarrassed.
From assuming a commanding attitude on the con-
fines of California and the commencement of the Rio
Grande, they are becoming surrounded by perils and
difficulties in the vicinity of Monterey and Albu-
querque. It is quite certain that the armistice be-
tween Generals AMPUDIA. and TAYLOR, while resulting
from the discomfiture of the former and the temporary
triumph of the latter, will be inaugurative of many
serious trials of American prowess and Mexican for-
titude. While the Government of the United States
are endeavouring to dispatch to the seat of war ex-
traordinary reinforcements, both of munition and
battalions, the invaded population are co-operating
for the destruction or expulsion of their aggressors.
Whatever apathy may have been hitherto ap-
parent in the behaviour of the Mexicans is
now rapidly evaporating. The patriotic adju-
ration of SANTA ANNA has already aroused his
countrymen to a cognisance of their own
perilous position, and has elicited some signs of en-
thusiam for the preservation of their national inde-
pendence. Among numerous other evidences of this
alteration in the popular feeling, the principal eccle-
siastics delegated to represent the Mexican priest-
hood have resolved upon raising two millions of dol-
lars, to swell the somewhat impoverished exche-
quer ; and the generosity of this proceeding
may be appreciated from the circumstance
that the proposed contribution can only be
obtained by mortgages upon the estates and miscel-
laneous property of that church. As a companion
example of the unanimity of the different classes in
upholding the defensive policy of the new Administra-
tion, may be adduced the remittal from the merchants
resident in the Mexican metropolis of five hundred
thousand dollars to the Executive, for the purpose of
facilitating those operations which are immediately re-
quisite for the salvation of the country. Not only have
the mercantile authorities displayed this active munifi-
cence, but they have engaged to forward a similar
amount periodically to the Executive, until the in-
tegrity of the Republic be no longer endangered.
Earnestly do we hope that this generous rivalry
among the various divisions of the community may
not abate, but that the wealthiest citizens may vie
with each other in liquidating the expenses incurred
for their common advantage, and with so righteous
an intention.

Rumour has already carried General SANTA ANNA
to the important position of Saltillo, but the recent
arrival of that illustrious commander in the capital,
with the view of making hasty preparations to drive
the forces of his opponents beyond the frontiers, ren-
ders that report most improbable. It would be im-
practicable to attempt to travel with a numerous body
of soldiery over the six hundred and fifty miles
separating Mexico from Saltillo in so short a period.
It is not credible, therefore, that the Commander-in-
Chief had reached that dangerous and consequently
most honourable post on the 28th of September.
That shortly after that date SANTA ANNA would be
there, for the purpose of personally superintending the
fortification of those passes, is certain. At Saltillo
the fate of Mexico will very probably be deter-
mined ; at Saltillo, SANTA ANNA will in all likelihood
be enabled to realise his own alternative, to become
the successful defender of his country or to perish
fighting her battles. From the active enrolment of the
Mexicans in accordance with the resolution of the Pre-
sidency, General SANTA ANNA will arrive at the passes
of Saltillo with somewhere about 13,000 men, which,
combined with the forces under AMPUDIA, will afford
him an effective force of 20,000 men. Seeing that
General TAYLOR'S division at Monterey was, accord-
ing to the latest estimate, merely 5,000 in number,
the. -Mexican captain would be advantageously situated
supposing the encounter were forthwith commenced.
The Generals of the United States are, however,
aware of the urgency of the moment, and are conse•
quently endeavouring to concentrate their forces with
the utmost possible rapidity. The corps under
General Wool., and a portion of the army under
General KEARNEY, were at the departure of our dis-
oatebes in motion, while the Mexican ports along the
Pacific were declared to be in a state of blockade by
Commodore STOCKTON, at present commanding the
American fleet in that quarter.
Every preparation is being, or has already been
:node, both among the Mexicans and the belligerent
soldiers of the United States, to bring matters to a
reedy consummation. Whatever guile, perseverance,
and lavish expenditure could effect in rendering
the invaders formidable has been considered
and adopted. Whatever the patriotism and the valour
of the few could do towards inspiring the Mexican
millions with similar sentiments has been done by
SANTA ANNA and his co-operators. The fate of
LEONIDAS may be reserved for that renowned patriot,
but it is gratifying to reflect that his forces will
amount to 20,000, while the passes of Saltillo may
afford as many local advantages as the straits of
fherrnopylva.

We alluded last week to the deep sense of respon •
sibility which must necessarily daily attach itself to
the mind of our Prime Minister, in reference to the
present condition of Ireland. So anomalous has been
the social state of that country. that, fur a continued
series of years, it has always constituted—to use Sir R.
PEEL'S language—the " chief difficulty " of the Go-
vernment. This expression dropped from the late
Premier's lips in 1841, before he was called upon to
assume the head of affairs, and, of course, when it
never entered into his views, that Ireland would be
almost paralysed, as she has been of late, by an in-
scrutable dispensation of PROVIDENCE. This addi-
tional element of aggravated distress, so lamentably
engrafted upon the otherwise sufficiently-complicated
miseries of Ireland, has deplorably augmented the
official anxiety of the Cabinet. But the matter does
not end here. The difficulty of the Minister's posi-
tion is considerably enhanced by the peculiar charac-
teristics of the Irish. The result has been,
that many measures, propounded for their benefit,
and not less benevolent in their tendency than sound
in principle, have temporarily awakened unmerited
hostility, and have only established their value and
efficiency through the diminution of ill-conceived
jealousy and the removal of groundless distrust,
neither of which is, we grieve to observe, ever rapidly
effected. Our remarks are painfully confirmed by
the insubordinate spirit which has, in several parts of
Ireland, broken out, and retarded the beneficent
working of the Labour-rate Act. If ever there was
a measure entitled to philanthropic encomium—
hastily digested and enacted as it was, to meet a dire
emergency—it is this measure. If ever there was a
mea-ure which one would have supposed would have
been hailed with universal gratitude, and promptly
facilitated, in every way, by the parties for whose
especial advantage it was passed, it is the Labour-
rate Act. And yet we know that this has been far
from being the actual case. We cannot conceive any-
thing more disheartening to the Lord-Lieutenant,
whose zeal in his arduous vocation has been so
admirable and generous-minded, than the obstructive
policy by which his efforts to provide food for a
distressed and famishing population have been re-
proachfully hindered. Fortunately, a truer judg-
inent of the charitable intentions of the Imperial
_Parliament, and of the untiring energy of Govern-
ment in effecting the same, is now rapidly taking
hold of the minds of the labouring classes. At the
same time, if their distorted notions, and insurrec-
tionary movements had not been, in the first instance,
timely met, by requisite firmness on the part
of the Executive, Ireland must have been
engulfed in irremediable ruin. To the continued
manifestation of the same unfaultering resolution of
Earl BESBOROUGII, we look, with confidence, for the
suppression of the wicked breaches of the public peace,
which still here and there daily cover with dismay
the loyal, well affected, and industrious portions of
the population.

the maintenance of the well- being of the I
society than the regulation, that questions savouring 1
of a political nature should be kept without
the pale of their deliberations. But, looking
to the essential objects of the society, to its very
title, and the particular kind of visitation with which
it has pleased the ALMIGHTY to afflict Ireland, we
hold that no more obviously proper step could have
been taken by such a society at this national crisis,
when every man, and body of men, are expected, both
mentally and physically, to put their shoulders to the
wheel, than the brief suspension of the rule in ques-
tion. Sir GEORGE HODSON, Bart., who was in the
minority, writing to the Duke of LEINSTER on the
13th inst., remarks—
"lt was asserted that the departure from the rule was
alight—the alteration unimportant, and that there was
little danger of the introduction of questions purely
political in their nature ; but, to any one who has
marked the progress of events for the last few years, and
who is at all conversant with the social condition of this
country, it must plainly appear that such a result cannot
reasonably be expected. Introduce but the point of the
wedge, and by a well-known law in mechanics, a very
small continued • pressure from without,' will speedily
rend the well-compacted mass."
The last sentence is the iteration of a truism. But
Sir GEORGE HODSON should recollect that extraordi-
nary circumstances, to be successfully handled, mostly
demand a deviation from a regular course, and that
there is no rule without an exception. Again, it will
be time enough for himself and the other dissentients
to retire when the evil apprehended actually over-
takes them. The rule was merely suspended till the
ensuing spring ; it may then be suffered to revive in
its full force, much of practical good being in the
meanwhile wrought, andyith a much greater prospect
of success, if men of figure and practical knowledge
do not wantonly withdraw their services from the
association. Another 'on dit is, that, should the
Duke of LEINSTER resign, the Earl of DEVON will be
invited to become his Grace's successor. The idea
is a happy one, should the assumed vacancy occur.
The intimate acquaintance which the Earl of DEVON
acquired with the social wants of Ireland, as the head
of the Commission whose elaborate and talented re-
port threw so much light upon the general destitu-
tion of Ireland, and the causes thereof, would render
his Lordship's appointment to the presidency of the
Agricultural Society most appropriate. But, desir-
able an acquisition as the Earl DEVON would be, we
would rather that no defection should take place, and
that, upon due reflection, the society should preserve
its ranks unbroken.

While it is the duty of all classes in Ireland to
exert themselves to the utmost degree for the relief
of the existing distress in that unhappy laid ; while
the Government sanctions the advances of large sums
from the national Exchequer, in order to provide a
fund immediately available ; and the landowners
charge their estates, and subject themselves for many
years to a weighty tax for the repayments of such
advances ; while almost every landlord is affording
to his tenantry great indulgences, both in the reduc-
tions of the rents and the extension of the time for the
repayment thereof; and while every person pos-
sessed of the power, is striving to give the utmost
degree of employment to those in his immediate
locality who may require such aid, it is doubly in-
cumbent on the class for whose especial benefit
these great exertions have been made, and
are making, to receive with gratitude the re-
lief extended to them, to preserve the public
peace and tranquillity, and in everything to comply
to the best of their ability with the rules and regula-
tions laid down fur the distribution of the national
bounty. It is not a time when the peasantry of the
country shouldjshrink from any labour, however se-
vere. If a larger stipend could be earned by task
work than at daily wages, they should be rejoiced at
having the opportunity afforded to them of obtaining
a larger sum; they should cautiously avoid the badly
disposed and turbulent persons, and not lend an ear
to their inflammatory harangues; they should have
such a degree of proper pride as to avoid having re-
course to the public works wherever employment
could be procured from a private source, and they
should be especially rejoiced at having their labour
occupied in the further development of the capabili-
ties and the improved cultivation of the soil, so as to
lead to an increased production of human food
throughout the kingdom. We regret to say, how-
ever, that the conduct of the people is not that which
might have been hoped for from their patient and
exemplary conduct in the earlier stages of the dis-
tress. They are, unfortunately, listening to the sug
gestions of evil counsellors, and lending themselves
to acts of outrage and disturbance, careless of the
consequences to themselves that must necessarily
result from a perseverance in such reckless conduct.
The decided and vigorous course adopted by the
Executive, in suspending the public works in the
barony of Upper Tulla, does not appear to have had
the salutary effect that might reasonably have bees,
anticipated. No submission or promise of amend-

went has as yet been offered. The infatuated pea•

santry persevere in their mad resistance to thf
authorities ; food riots are of daily occurrence.
and an organized opposition exists to the fre(
passage of Edibles of any description throughout
the country. In many instances the farmers arc-
unable to obtain a sufficient quantity of labour for th(
due cultivation of their lands and the ordinary agri-
cultural operations. The ground is not prepared for

the reception of the wheat crop for the ensuing year ;
and the present favourable season is suffered to pass
away without any advantage being taken thereof.
The labourers refuse to work for the farmers at even
a higher rate than that which they could obtain on
the public works. Things cannot be suffered to con-
tinue in such a state. It would lead to the ruin of
every person in any way interested in land through-
out the kingdom. It was only contemplated by the
Legislature, when giving their sanction to " the
Labour-rate Act," that the surplus labour should be
employed on the roads, and other works, not immedi-
ately profitable. These works were, as the Premier
has stated in his letter to the Duke of LEINSTER,
tended to be merely auxiliary to private exertion and
private expenditure, and not the chief objects to be
regarded.
Two orders have been issued from which we anti-
cipate the most favourable results. It was essentially
necessary to prevent the abuse of the public works by
the employment thereon of persons who had other
means of subsistence, or could obtain work from the
neighbouring farmers. It would be the duty of the
relief committees to scrutinize most closely the lists

The rumour is rife in Dublin, that the slight
alteration in their rules which was last week sanctioned,
as we noticed, by the Irish Agricultural Society, has
led to serious differences amongst its members, and that
the Duke of LEINSTER has determined upon resigning
his office of President. We sincerely hope the report
will prove to he unfounded. Nevertheless, there
seems to be little room for questioning the existence
of opposite opinions among this important society.
Under ordinary circumstances, and as a general
rule, nothing could be more conducive to

of those seeking occupation thereon, and to take care
that it was only afforded to the deserving and really
destitute. It is now stated that men in comparatively
favourable circumstances—the occupiers of ten or
twelve acres of land—have been working on
the roads, while their fields have been suf-
fered to lie idle and uncultivated. The first
order which has emanated from the Lord-
Lieutenant is directed to this abuse. His Excellency
desires " that instructions may be given to the officers
of the board that, as a general rule, no person should
be employed whose tenements are valued under the
Poor-law at 51. per annum or upwards, or to the sons
of such persons, unless in cases of undoubted destitu-
tion." The latter part of his Excellency's order is
calculated to prevent the grievances that have unfor-
tunately taken place by the irregularity of the pay.
ment of the wages on the public works, and to prevent
the people from any advantage being taken of their dis-
tressed condition by those placed in authority over them.
He accordingly directs " that the officers shall report to
the board all cases in which the payments have not
been made weekly, as directed ; and that no person
employed under the board should be engaged in the
' truck system,' or in the sale of spirits or food in the
neighbourhood of the works, under pain of dismissal."
There can be no doubt of the propriety and necessity
of those regulations. Although the holder of land
valued at 51. may require the public assistance, he
should be enabled to satisfy the officers that he is in
real distress; the possession of such a quantity of
laud is prink/ facie evidence of his ability to support
himself, and also that there is a fair field for the
proper occupation of his labour in the due cultivation
of his own holding; while, on the other hand, he can
easily afford evidence of any circumstances which
have enforced the necessity of his obtaining employ-
ment on the public works.
The second order which has been made by the
Board of Works is still more valuable; it secures to
the farm ers a sufficiency of labour at a reasonable
rate, ant I obviates the danger of the lands remaining
uncultii rated or a future failure of food. It makes the I
public
,:works really auxiliary to private employment,

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 16, 1846

and not a substitute therefor. " The board ap-
proves of allowing farmers and Gthers requiring la-
bourers to apply to the stewards on the public works
for them, and in case the persons selected by the
stewards refuse to go on, being offered the same rate
of wages they are receiving on the roads, that the
stewards should be required forthwith to discharge
them."

We congratulate the board on the adoption of a
remedy going to the very root of the evil, and a strict
adhesion to which will make the Labour-rate Act
what it really was intended to be. They have, not-
withstanding the reproaches poured forth against
them, well and efficiently performed their duty, and
we doubt not that, at a period of less excitement, they
will receive on every side the cordial approbation
that is already accorded to them by the more tempe-
rate and reasonable portion of the public.

The New Zurich Gazette announces that the Swiss
Vorort, having received from Geneva an official noti-
fication of the Provisional Government of the Canton
of Geneva having been duly constituted, has opened
relations with it.

The Grand Council of Geneva has, after a short
discussion, voted in favour of the proposal of the Pro-
visional Government, for the immediate dissolution of
the Concordat of the Seven Cantons. Nothing, there-
fore, remains but to communicate this resolution to
the Vorort.

The Grand Council of the Swiss Canton of Schaff-
hausen has decided, by a majority of 43 to 19, on a
revision of the Constitution.

A letter from Constance, of the 9th, says—
...

"In addition to the military measures which the events
of Geneva have called forth in France and Savoy, Aus-
trian troops are seen to advance towards Yorareberg.
There is no question of an armed intervention, inasmuch
as France has declared that she will not consent to one,
unless in two cases--first, areal violation of the federal
compact as to political institutions; and secondly, the
entrance of foreign troops into Switzerland. Austria,
on her part, it is said, has declared to Sardinia and
France, that she should not consent to an intervention
unless the confederation itself demanded it."

The Grand Council of Geneva determined, on the
sth instant, to entrust to a committee of eleven the
task of preparing the draught of a new constitution.
The committees are to be elected by ballot, and their
sittings are not to be public.

The Danish Royal Commissioner at Schleswig, hav-
ing refused to present to the King of DENMARK, the
address voted by the States; they have entered the
address on their minutes, with a declaration that their
object in so doing is to secure solemnly and for ever
the rights of the duchy, they have likewise, by a
majority of 36 to 5, ordered a protest to be entered
against the conduct of the Royal Commissioner.

A letter from Leghorn, of the 7th, says—

"According to accounts which we have received From the
Roman states, the population of Fano, in the legation of
Pesaro and Urbino, had risen in arms against the
Jesuits. The population, believing that the Jesuits were
conspiring against the Pope, effected a forcible entrance
into their convent, and ill-treated some of the inmates.
A demonstration was likewise made against some Je-
suits at Peronsa. It appears that disturbances continue
in the Marches. The people, excited by the enemies of
the present system, are endeavouring to oppose the ex-
portation of corn."

A letter from Bologna states that the citizens
having applied to the Secretary of State for permis-
sion to organize patrols for the purpose of repress-
ing nightly disturbances which had for some time
taken place, received the wished-for authorisa-
tion on the 33 instant. The news of this measure,
which was looked on as a step towards the consti-
tution of a civic guard, was received with the utmost
joy, and in the evening at the theatre loud cries
of " Long live Pius, IX !" " Long live Cardinal
Gizzt !" were repeatedly uttered. The next day the
heads of the patrols were nominated, and the service
!ommenced the same evening. A deputation, com-
posed of some of the chief inhabitants, proceeded im-
mediately to Rome to thank Cardinal Gam for the
concession.
A letter from Rome says—

" In ♦arious districts of the provinces the inhabitantf
'laving formally opposed the exportation of corn, Car-
iinal Granettini has issued a severe ordonnance against
,uch proceedings. An agricultural association has just
een formed here, under the patronage of Cardinal Mas-
inio, who has consented to be the president. It is
umoured here that the Pope intends shortly endowing
:tome with municipal institutions, which would tend
;ouch to aid the administratinn of justice, against which
;oud complaints were made during the late Government."

It is said that the POPE has determined to do away
with the system of obtaining commissions in the
Papal army by purchase, and that henceforth merit
done will secure promotion, while all officers not
,ufficiently instructed in the duties of their profession
will be placed on half-pay.

A letter from Genoa, of the 4th November, says—

"We have been assured that Don Carlos, who lives
-etired in this city with the Princess de Beira and a very
mall number of followers, intends to quit the dominions
,1 Sardinia, and settle at Venice. It appears certain
hat his two sons, now in the service of his Sardinian
Majesty, have been appointed Generals in the Austrian
army. The two Princes are yet novices in the art of
var. The Queen of Holland, who has travelled to Milan
tnd to Rome in search of a temperature congenial to
health, purposes to stay some time at Nice.'

Madrid papers of the Bth and 9th have arrived

- -
The greater number of the Spanish refugees in
Portugal had availed themselves of the amnesty to
return to Spain. 200 have already arrived at Cadiz.
The papers contain no later intelligence from
Portugal.
A letter in the Heraldo, from Seville, states that a
public dinner had just been given to Mr. COBDEN in
chat city. General CHAcoN, who was in the chair,
oroposed to the party " the health of their illustrious
guest, and the application of his principles to the
Financial state of Spain !" Mr. COBDEN replied in
English, his speech being translated to the company
by M. ALBERTO BROST Y SOLER.
MADRID BOLSA, Nov. 9.—The Three per Cents. were
lone at 33i for cash; the Four per Cents , at 911; the
Five per Cents., at 21i; the Debt without interest, at
61; and the Coupons, at 20.

We have received the Paris papers of Friday and
Saturday.
The marriage of the Due DE BOURDEAUX seems to
have excited a very great. sensation amongst all par-
ties in France. The Ministerial Epoque has a very
long article, the object of which is to prove that it is
an affair of no consequence, and to proclaim in the
name of M. GUIZOT that he does not care at all about
it. The fact, however, that the French Ministry
should take all this trouble to assure the world that it
has not been tricked, and that it is perfectly satisfied,
certainly carries with it a rather suspicious appearance.
The following, from the Sitcle, we believe gives a
correct view of the feeling of the French people with
regard to the rival dynasties :

journals concur in giving us most flattering portraits of
the Duke de Bordeaux. We do no pretend to say
that there is adulation in this, for we know nothing
about him, and we readily confess that we are not ac- 1
quainted with any positive fact that warrants us in
denying their verisimilitude. On the other side it is
difficult to deny that the sons of the King of the French,
by their education, their antecedents, and their known
character, present guarantees which are rarely to be
found in the same degree among princes. Supposing,
then, all things to be equal, and by this supposition we
do not intend any offence to the son of the Duke de
Berri, if there is but the mere question of one man or
another, why make any change? What would France
gain thereby? I'erhaps we may be agreed with on
this paint ; but the question of principle may be
raised. Well, on this question France has given
her decision, and the reproach she makes to the
reigning dynasty is precisely that it has too strong a
recollection of the doctrines and pretensions which
characterise the monarchy called Legitimatist. Europe, it
is true, thinks on this subject differently from France,
and it is very probable that if the Orleans dynasty is
tolerated by Austria and Russia, on account of the
services which our Government exerts itself to all
monarchies against revolution, the re-establishment of
the elder branch on the throne might appear to these
powers a very differently assuring guarantee. In this
consists the weakness of the Government of July, as it
shows itself unfaithful to the conditions of its origin. It
has made itself, in a measure, the gendarme of Europe,
in order to gain the good graces of absolute kings; it is
only tolerated, and when the English alliance fails it, it
cannot obtain another for France, for it meets every-
where else with only coldness and It has re-
jected that moral force which was in its principle, and
it is in vain for it to seek strength in a contrary prin-
ciple. It is the conviction of this weakness, becoming
more and more manifest, which sustains the hopes of
the Legitimatists—hopes, however, which, in our opinion,
are very ill-founded, for the Government of July, 1830,
is afraid of making itself, in the face of Europe, the re-
presentative of the spirit of revolution, while France is
proud of representing before the eyes of the whole world
the present and future rights of nations."
There is great commercial depression in France,
and the money market is in a very agitated state.
On this subject the National says—
" France, which has lately experienced such cruel
calamities, sees this unfortunate year draw slowly to its
close in the midst of a financial crisis which reacts upon
commerce and manufactures. For some weeks past
affairs are embarrassed, money appears to be withdrawn
from circulation, credit is restrained and diminished,
all the securities quoted at the Stock Exchange are
undergoing a progressive depreciation, and the Bank
of France perceives its coffers diminishing in an alarm-
ing degree, and it is contemplated to raise the rate
of discount, and at the same time to diminish the period
at which commercial hills are at present discounted.
All those symptoms arise one from the other, and it
requires not such a demenstration to prove the
existence of a real evil. We do not wish, however,
to exaggerate wither its extent or its depth. Per-
haps we have a right to show ourselves at present severe,
as we have, thank God, sufficiently and energetically
warned the Government and the country of the misfor-
tunes they were preparing, and to what shocks they
were exposing public credit, by giving permission to
public companies to act according to their fancy, and to
make calls of 80 or 100 millions almost at the same
time. The year has been in every respect unfortunate:
we have been obliged to pay in cash the supplies of corn
required in consequence of an insufficient harvest; the
disasters which have fallen on a portion of the country
demand large sacrifices, both from the state and from
individuals; the period of the year at which we have
arrived is severely felt by all branches of trade, in con-
sequence of the call for money from Germany, gold and
silver having emigrated towards the north, and the
rupture with England, together with the consequent un-
certainty of political events, combine to render capi-
talists timid. All these causes united have profoundly
affected public credit. and it is precisely at this moment
that the railroad companies come forward and call on
the shareholders for 100,000,000. What can we
think of a Government so improvident as to abandon
to the egotism of private interest an action so
influential on the affairs of the country? It might
be imagined that at the moment of a crisis the
Bank of France would enlarge its credit. No such thing.
It is stated that the rate of discount is to be raised, and
that no bills at 90 days are to be received. There wanted
only such an enormity to change a passing crisis into a
terrific perturbation and a real disaster. And whence
arises this terror? Because the stock of bullion in the
bank has diminished. A few days back there were in
the bank cellars but 80,000,000 in silver, 5,000,000 in
gold, and 15,000,000 in pieces of six liards, 15 sous, and
30 sous. But you may conceive that if the demand con-
tinues, it fears to be completely exhausted. The remedy
proposed for this is to increase the rate of interest, which
will prevent commercial bills from being presented for
discount, so that our merchants, at the moment they
have the most need of assistance, shall find less accom-
modation from the bank. We cannot believe that the
governor of the bank will have recourse to such a re-
medy. The diminution of the cash on hand is not a
sufficient reason. The bank has another mode of pro-
viding for all its wants, and the essence of every estab-
lishment of credit is to have its capital moveable, and
susceptible of being at a moment sent into circulation.
The bank need merely convert its unproductive capital
into cash to be circulated, and it will have sufficient
quids to encounter the most perilous contingency."
Affairs in the agricultural districts of France
appears, also, to be in a very bad state. In Nor-
mandy formidable bands of peasants scour the
country by night, and threaten with assassination all
who refuse to assist them. A considerable number
of these mendicants presented themselves a short time
since at the chateau of Canv, and were loud in their
denunciations of the farmers of the Duke of Lux-

" The Legitimatist journals greatly and very naturally
exaggerate the impression produced in France by the
marriage of the Duke de Bordeaux. Public opinion,
says the Quotidienne, is almost unanimous in proclaim-
ing this marriage to be the greatest event that has oc-
curred since 1830. ' The ark of great principles,' ex-
claims the France, has sought shelter in foreign climes,
but there at least it has not perished.' We know not
what the Gazette says, but it most probably is not
behind the other in eloquence. Such exclamations go
far beyond the truth. The fact is that the marriage of
the Count de Chambord is viewed at Paris as a mis-
chievous trick played on M. Guizot by Prince Metter-
nich, who has received from him so many genuflections
and advances. But much has also been said, although
the news was uncertain, about the marriage between
Louis Napoleon and Miss Burdett Congo, heiress of
the Duchess of St. Alban's, who,,it is said, brings with
her a dowry of thirty millions. In all these simulta-
neous weddings of the Queen and Infanta of Spain,
Miss Burdett, and the two archduchesses, sisters of the
Duke of Modena, in each of which the bride,
instead of a crown, brings to her husband at least
20 millions, the public has seen a singular coincidence,
without being occupied with the political consequences
to which the Legitimatist journals make allusion. The
principle of monarchical legitimacy is too miserably
compromised in France to preserve abroad any nume-
rous partisans, except amongst those anciently privileged
personages who still dream of the return of an impos-
sible regime. On the other side, devotedness to royal
families is gradually becoming effaced. This may be
well imagined when it is considered what acts of iegra •
titude, folly, weakness, and disloyalty have dishonoured
mo't of the young and old dynasties within the last
forty years. The people have been brought to think
that it is scarcely worth the trouble to substitute one for
another—to make revolutions for such a purpose. Of
Don Miguel or Donna Maria, of Don Carlos or Maria
Christina, of Isabella or the Count de Moutemelin—to
speak only on what is passing in the Peninsula—which
is most likely to insure to their respective countries
a free or national government ? A choice may be made
between the two principles which these names repre-
sent ; but we are unnable to select either of the different
branches for their proper virtues. We know that
pretenders, because they are unfortunate, and their
faults are not exposed to view, may easily invest them-
selves with a certain degree of prepossession in their fa-
vour, which is too frequently sought for in vain on the
brows of crowned princes. But these have compensa-
tions regde; Om; coment. The legitimatiat

MONEY and COMMERCIAL NEWS.
CITY, QUAItTER TO THUEE.
The Cotton Market at Liverpool on Saturday was
steady. Sales, 5,000 bales, all to the trade, 2,000 being
on speculation and, for exportation.—Shares were much
the same, but upon the whole scarcely' so firm.
Much regret has been expressed in City circles to-day
at the death of Mr. Alsager, who for about a quarter of
a century was the City correspondent of the Times.
Through his zeal and industry that journal owes much
for the high position which it has attained, and in many
circles here it is considered extraordinary that a bare
and single notice of the lamented gentleman's death is
only given in the journal above alluded to.
The following has come to hand from New York:—
" Capitalists feel little disposed to change their invest-
ments in stocks, or to increase them; and the operations
are, therefore, unusually limited. Congress convenes in
about five weeks, and in about the same length of time
the New Tariff Bill goes into operation, and the
financial and commercial classes are waiting the
result of these movements. It is anticipated
that Congress will, immediately after becom-
ing organized, devise ways and means to meet
the financial exigencies of the Government, and a large
direct loan will, without doubt, be authorised. The
Secretary of the Treasury will, no doubt, succeed in
issuing the full amount of Treasury notes authorised, at
the rate of interest established, viz., five and two-fifths
per cent. This amount is, however, but a trifle com-
pared with that which will be wanted to administer the
Government and carry on the Mexican war; and a direct
loan, bearing full 6 per cent. interest, will have to be
resorted to. A loan of this kind could be easily effected,
and the Government, the money market, and the com-
mercial classes generally would be at once relieved from
the doubt and uncertainty under which they now
labour."
The English Stock Market has to-day been rather
dull. Consols have realised 94i to for present transfer,
and about the same for the 26th instant. The
settlement of the share account has been in
progress to-day, and this has occupied chief
attention, although money has not been in particular
request. The jobbers are said to have given pretty
fair support to shares generally, though in .some
instances the advance has been rather more
than - speculators anticipated. The New Three-
and-a-Quarter per Cents. have been 951 I, and the
Three per Cents. 931 j. Bank Stock is worth 205 k,
and India Stock 255. The premium upon Exchequer-
bills has been 10s. to 125., being rather heavy.
The accounts from Lisbon have been rather more
favourable, but the Four per Cent. Bonds are quiet at
37 to 38. Spanish Three per Cents. are 374 being
steady. Mexican Bonds are not higher than 22. Dutch
Two-and-a-Halt per Cents. are 59.
Shares have not moved to any extent. Much anxiety
has been expressed for the official statement of the Court
of Directors of the East India Company, relative to the
line to be granted for the first construction of this rapid
means of communication in that vast continent. It is
premised that something will be definitively made pablic
on Wednesday next.
BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK.
(From the Official List.)
Bank Stock 205%
3 per Cent. Reduced Annuities 93%
3 per Cent. Consols Anns
New 31,‘ per Cent. Annuities
Long 'Annuities, Expire sth Jan. 1860
Do. 30 Years, Expire Jan. 5, 1860.. 10 3-16
India Stock 255

Consols for Account 94%
Exchequer Bills. l%d.
1,0001.
Ditto Small
5001.

PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK.
Mexican Bonds, 1846, 5 per Cent 22
Portuguese 4 per Cents 37
Ditto for the Account
Spanish Bonds, 5 per Cent, 1840 —
Ditto 3 per Cent 37141h
Dividends on the above payable in London.
Dutch 2% per Cents
BUSINESS DONE IN RAILWAY SHARES AT ONE O'CLOCK
RAILWAYS. PAID. PER SHARE.
Aberdeen

Amber., Notting., Boston, &c. 2% 2% to 3
Armagh, Coleraine, & Portrush 1% to
Belfast and County Down .. 43/4 .. ..
Birmingham and Dudley ..... 425. ... . 6 p to
Birmingham and Gloucester..loo ......1281/2 to 1291/2
Do. New (iss. at 71/2 dis.).. 171/2 to
Birmingnam & Oxford Junc... 2
Birkenhead, Lancashire, and
Cheshire Junction.. ...... ... 2% — ..... to
Boston, Stamf , & Birming... 225.
Bristol and Exeter
Do~ New
Bristol and Gloucester 3O

Bristol and Liverpool June... 2% — t•
Buckinghamshire..
Caledonian ...
Ditto, Half Shares
Cambrian and Grand Junct 425.
Chester and Holyhead 27%.....
Churnet and Blythe
Chester and Manchester 42a.
Cheltenham and Oxford
Clydesdale Junction 2O to
.....

COrk, Blackrock, & Passages 225.
Cork and Killarney
Cork and Waterford ll/2 to
Cornwall
Ditto, Half Shares
Cornwall and Central Devon 2% to
Derby and Crewe 2% to
Direct Lincoln, East Retford,
and Sheffield Junction...... 254 — to
Direct Northern
Direct Norwich 1 -
Dublin and Belfast Junction.. 1214 — to
Dublin, Belfast, & Coleraine 21h — ...... to
Dublin and Galway
Dundalk and Enniskillen ... 10 ......
Eastern Counties 14/. 16s 2276%3/4 to
Do. New l2/. 16s. 7%3/4 p to
Do. Perpet., 5 per ct. No l, 6/. 13s. 4d... .. ... to
Do., d 0....... ......... No 2,6/. 13s. 4d...
Do., York Extension ...... 2 ...... 3%3A to
East Dereham and Norwich 1
Eastern Union 35
Ditto, Quarter Shares B3/4 ...... to
Do. Extension to Harwich ITB — ...... to
Do. Cambridge and Ely ... 24 — ...... to
East Lancashire
Ditto, New .. ........... .... . 5
Do. ( late Preston &Ormsk.) 214... ..
.
East Lincolnshire ... 11/4 1 tAt 36... to --
East and West of England... 1% - ...... to
Edinburgh and Glasgow 5O

Ditto, Half Shares
Ditto, Quarter Shares 12% — to
Edinburgh and Northern ... 12% ......
Edinburgh and Perth
Ely and Huntingdon . 12% .....
Enniskillen and Sligo 2% — to
Exeter, Yeovil, & Dorchester 51/4 to
Glasgow, Kilmarnock, & Ayr 50
Ditto, New
Do. 1/4 Shares (5 per ct.gua.) 12% ..... ..
Glouc., Aberystwith, and Cen.
of Wales
Goole, Doncaster,Sheffid., &c 425...... .. ... to
Grand Union (Nott. & Lynn) li, •.... to
Great Eastern and Western... 2% ...•.• to --
Great Grimsby and Sheffield 10
Gt. South. & West. (Ireland) 271
Great Munster
Great North of Scotland 2% — to
Great North of England 100 ... -
Ditto, New
Ditto, New
Ditto, New 1%...... 201 A..... to
Great Western
Ditto, Half Shares
Ditto, Quarter Shares lO
Ditto, Fifths
Do. New
Huddersfield and Manchester 18 ......
Ditto, Extension
Hull and Selby 5O lOB ... .. to
Ditto, Quarter Shares 12% _
to
Ditto, Half Shares
Ipswich & Bury St. Edmunds 111,! l2 ..... to
Do. do. and Norwich
Lancastex and Carlisle
Do. New 5 ...... ••..•• to
Larne, Belfast, & Ballymena 425.
Leeds and Bradford
Leeds ard Carlisle •..... 2%
Leicester and Birmingham... 225. - ..... to
Leizester and Bedford 225.
Leeds, Dewsbury, & lklanches. 221/2
Ditto, Branch (Blue) ..... 21/2
Ditto, Extension (Green).. 21/2 — ...... to
Leeds and Thirsk l7lh — ...... to
Ditto, New , ... ...... .. 5 . ....
Liverpool, Manchester, and
Newcastle Junction 2l/2 214 to
Liverpool and Bury
London ..S, Blackwall...l6/. 13s. 4d B% to
Do. New .. 3
Do. Extension ... .... ...... 7% - to
to
Lond., Bright., & South Coast 50
Do. Fifths 4O
London and Croydon Guaran-
teed 5 per Cent 9 . .....
London and Greenwich... 12/.155. 4d...
Ditto Preference lBl 17s 2d... ...... to
London,Hounslow. &Western 2 . ....
London and North Western..loo 197
Do. Quarter Shares ... 2
Do. do. New ...... .... ...... 2
Do. do. Fifths
Do. Eighths G. J. 121/_
Do. New Quarters ...G. J. 5
Do. 401. Shares.....L. &M. 8
London and S. Western.... 411.6 s 10d 67
Do. New consolidated Bths.. 40
Ditto New ......... ..., ....... 221,4, —
Do. New lB
London and York... ..... ...... 2% — •••• • to
Ditto Half Shares
London and Windsor .......•. 1%••••••
London, Salisbury, & Yeovil 2% — to
Londonderry and Coleraine... 15
Londonderry and Ennisktillen 15
Lynn and Ely
Lynn and Dereham
Manchester and Leeds B2 .....103
Ditto Half Shares
Ditto Quarters
Ditto Fifths
Ditto ti;xteenths ... •• 614...... 73/4'7B to
Do. Extension
425. ll/4 p... to
Manchestmr and Birmingham 40 — to
Ditto Quarters (A)

Ditto Quarters (ii) 5
to
Ditto Quarters (C) 1
Manch, Buxton, & Matlock 425.
11anchesWr,Birmingham,and

MouldJ a action
Manchester and Southampton 2
Midland 100 .....12614 x n to
Ditto Fifths
Ditto, New 24 ...... 32 xn .. to
Ditto, New
Midland, Birm., and Derby...loo ...
Midland and Eastern Counties 2% — to
Midld. Great Western (Irish) 15
. .

Newcastle and Berw;cli -20 33%34... to
Do North Shields
Nevo e4401;01. , rip Art: In Hut' tp le