The Sun.
London, England, 1848-02-10 00:00:00

UN, LONDON, THURSDA Y EVENTINn FPBRTTARY 10, 1846

AMERICAN NEWS.

~~. .

LIVERPOOL, FEB. 9.
By the packet ships New York, Captain Bryce,
and the Waterloo, Captain Allen, we have advices
from New York to the 17th ult.

The New York has brought the mail bags left
behind by the Caledonia, and 12,0001. in specie on
freight. The Waterloo has also brought '22,0001.
The steam- ship Washington arrived at New York
on the 15th ult. A document signed by a majority
of her passengers states, that although she had suffi-
cient coals for live or six days' steaming, the captain
thought it prudent to shape his course for Halifax.
The Havre packet-ship Duchess d'Orleans was
ashore on the point of Sandy Hook.
A meeting was appointed to be held at the Mexican
capital to take into consideration the formation of a
railroad between that city and Vera Cruz.
The intelligence from Queretaro is of an exceed-
ingly meagre character.
The new Congress assembled in January, and a
correspondent of El Monitor says, that many of the
new Senators and Deputies are already on the road
to Queretaro. A rumour was current in Mexico that
the Commissioners from the Mexican Government
had left for Queretaro after having an interview with
Mr. Trist. It is supposed they had gone to have a
new conference with the Supreme Government on
the subject of peace.
Some of the Deputies in favour of revolutionary
measures were endeavouring to get up a pronvicia-
mento in several towns of the State of San Luis, the
object of which would be a convention, the continua-
tion of war, and declaring Santa Anna General-in-
Chief.
The following orders had been published by General
Scott :
" Head-quarters of the Army, Mexico, Des. 15.
(General Orders, No. 376.)
" This army is about to spread itself over and to
occupy the republic of Mexico, until the latter shall sue
for peace on terms acceptable to the Government of the
United States.
"2. On the occupation of the principal point or points
in any state, the payment to the Federal Government of
this republic of all taxes or dues, of whatever name or
kind, heretofore—say in the year 1844—payable to or
collected by that Government, is absolutely prohibited,
as all such taxes or dues will be demanded of the proper
civil authorities for the support of the army of occupa-
tion.
"3. The state and federal district of Mexico being al-
ready so occupied, as well as the states of Vera Cruz,
Puebla and Tamulipas, the usual taxes or dues, hereto-
tofore contributed by the same to the Federal Govern-
ment, will be considered as due and payable to this army
from the beginning of the present month, and will early
be demanded of the civil authorities of the said states
and district under rules and penalties which shall be duly
announced and enforced.
" 4. Other states of the republic, as the Californias,
New Mexico, Chihuahua, Coahuila, New Leer, &c., al-
ready occupied by the forces of the United States, though
not under the immediate orders of the General-in-Chief,
will conform to the prescriptions of this order, except in
such state or states where a different system has helm
adopted with the sanction of the Government at Wash-
ington.
" 5. The internal taxes or dues referred to are-1,
direct taxes; 2, duties on the production of gold and
silver; 3, melting and assaying dues; 4, the tobacco rent;
5, the rent of sampled paper; 6, the rent on the manu-
facture of playing cards; and 7, the rent of post-office 3.
" 6. The rent of national lotteries is abolished—lotte-
ries being hereby prohibited.
" 7. Import and export duties at the ports of the re-
public will remain as fixed by the Government of the
United States, except that the exportation of gold and
silver in bars or ingots (platci y ora en pasta) is pro
hibited until the further instructions of the Government
on the subject.
"8. All imported articles, goods, or commodities,
which have once paid, or given sufficient security for the
payment of duties to the United States at any port of
entry of the republic, shall not again be burdened with
any tax or duty in any part of this republic occupied by
the force of the United States. _ _ .

" 9. The levying of duties on the transit of animals,
goods, or commodities, whether of foreign or domestic
growth, from one state of this republic to another, or on
entering or leaving the gate of any city within the re-
public, will, from and after the beginning of the ensuing
year, be prohibited as far as the United States' forces
may have the power to enforce the prohibition. Other
and equitable means, to a moderate extent, must be re-
sorted to by the several state and city authorities for
the necessary support of their respective Governments.
" 10. The tobacco, playing card, and stamped paper,
rents, will be placed for three, six or twelve months,
under contract with the highest bidders respectively for
the several states, the state and federal district of Mexico
being considered as one. Accordingly, offers or bids
for these rents, within each state or any one .of them,
are invited. They will be sent as early as possible,
sealed, to the head-quarters of Commanders of Depart-
ments, except for the federal district and state of Mexico.
For the two latter the offers or bids will be addressed to
the General in Chief.
" 11. Further details for the execution of the fore-
going system of government and revenue will soon be
given iu general orders.
" By command of Major-General Scott,
" H. L. SCOTT, A.A.A.G."
A Court of Inquiry had be en ordered. for the pur-
pose of investigating the charges against General
Pillow and Colonel Duncan which have been prefer-
red by General Scott. After that investigation has
terminated, the Court is further directed to inquire
into the charges preferred against General Scott by
General Worth. The charges against General
Worth, submitted by the Commanding General, have
been dismissed by the President.
General Scott had not been recalled.
Amongst the documents communicated to the
United States' House of Representatives by the Se-
cretary of the Navy, pursuant to a resolution of the
House, are the following ; they relate to the return of
Santa Anna and Paredes to Mexico :
"90, Eaton-square, Oct. 8, 1847.
" My Lord,—ln consequence of instructions from the
American Government, I called at the Foreign-office a
few days ago to represent to your Lordship the conduct
of Captain May, of the British steamer Tesviot, who, un-
mindful of his duty as a neutral, and using improperly
the extraordinary privileges which the American
Government has granted to British mail steamers ever
since the commencement of the war with Mexico, in the
month of August last brought from the Havannah to Vera
Cruz General Paredes, late President of Mexico, the
author of the war of Mexico against the United States,
and their avowed and embittered enemy.
" By the principles of British law, according to the
opinion of Sir William Scott (6 " Robinson's Reports,"
430), Captain May has rendered the Teviot liable to
nfiscation; or the President of the United States might
effectually prevent similar aid to the enemy by with-
drawing from these steamers the privilege, of entering
the port of Vera Cruz. But I am confident her Majesty's
Government will render such steps unnecessary by
adopting efficient means to prevent for the future such
violations of their neutrality.
" If Captain May, or any of his officers implicated in
this serious charge, are officers in the British service, I
feel bound to ask for their dismissal, or punishment in
such other way as may clearly manifest thist the British
Government has disapproved their conduct.—l have the
honour, &c., " GEORGE BANCROFT.
" To Viscount Palmerston, &c."
"Foreign-office, Nov. 16, 1847.
"Sir,—ln answer to your letter of the Bth, instant
[ult.j. complaining of the conduct of Captain May, of
the British mail steamer Teviot, in having conveyed
General Paredes from the Havannah to Vera. Cruz, in
the month of August last, I have the honour to state to
you that the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty,
having investigated the circumstances of this :affair, her
Majesty's Government have informed the directors of
the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company, to -whom the
steamer Teviot belongs, that the din eters an bound to
testify in a marked manner their disapproval of Captain
May's conduct in having thus abused the indulgence
afforded to the company's vessels by the Government of
the United States; and the directors of the company
have accordingly stated to her Majesty's Cloverninent
that they will immediately suspend Captain May from
his command; and that thiy publicly and distinctly
condemn any act on the part of their officers •rohich may
be regarded as a breach of faith towards the Govern-
ment of the United States, or as an infringement or in-
vasion of the regulations established by the United
States' effiNers in those parts of Mexico which are occu-
pied by the forces of the United States.
" I have the honour to be, Sadv.,
"PALMERSTON.
" Hon. G. Bancroft, &c."

(Private and confidential.)
"United States' Navy Department, May 13,1846

" Commodore,—lf Santa Anna endeavot irs to enter
Mexican ports, you will allow him to pa as freely.
" Respectfully yours,
" GEORGE 13A;NCROFT.
" Commodore David Connor, Commanding
Home Squadron."
" Princeton,Saerificios, Aug. 16, 1846.

" Sir,—The brig•of-war Daring, just about sailing for
New Orleans, with dispatches from the Eng lish Minister
in Mexico to Mr. Pakenham at Washingtom, allows me
an opportunity, and sufficient time to inform you that
General Santa Anna and his friends have jut.t now arrived
at Vera Cruz in the English merchant steamer Arab,
from the Ilavannah.
" I have allowed him to enter without molestation, or
even speaking the vessel, as I was informed by the senior
English naval officer here, Captain Lambert, &be carried
no cargo, and would not be allowed to Wive any in re-
turn. I could easily have boarded the Arab, but I
deemed it most proper not to do so, allowing it to appear
as if he had entered without my conctzrr ence. It is novr
quite certain the whole country, that is, the garrisons of
every town and fortress, have declared' in his favour.
But, unless he has learned something uses rut in adversity,
and become another man, he will only a dd to the dis-
ractions of the country, and be hurled froc a power in less
.han three months.
" Respectfully, your obedient servant,
" D. CONNOR,
" Commanding Hon to Squadron.
" lion. G. Bancroft, Secretary of the Nary.
S. I write in great haste."

14 13.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
NEW YORIC., JAN. 17.
Ashes—Pots have advanced to 7 dolls.; and Pearls
are steady at 7 dolls. Sales 450 pots, 100 pawls. Stock
2,.47 barrels pots, I,sos pearls Saleratus, i.

Cotton—There has been a fair amount of Lirsir,e,,,
done, both for use arid ,•xpert. P- H— 51 rt,
the a,„
for the week, 5,450 bales.
Molasses—The stock of New Orleans has increased ;
the market at the close dull at 28c. ; the sales are 1,200
barrels at 28c. to 290.; 200 New Iberia, 30c.; 180 hhds.
Cuba Muscavado, 22c. to 23e.
Provisions—Beef is rather better. Sales were made
at 5 dolls. 75c. to 6 dulls. for prime, sad 8 dolls. 50c. for
moss. Pork has further declined ; mess sold at 10
dolls. 50e., at which there are still sellers, and prime
at 6 dolls. 50c. to 75c. New mess is in demand at 12
dolls.; the Government bought 800 barrels at that, de-
liverable speedily. Mess pork deliverable in May and
June was offered at 9 dolls. 50c. and 9 dolls. bid. Western
lard sold at Bc. to 81c. in barrels; 500 bags steam rendered
sad at Sic., but the arrivals are large, and some decline
expected. City lard, very choice, sold at 11c. for export.
Pickled hams sold at 7ic. to 7ic.; sides, Sic. ; shoulders,
4ic. Butter is rather dearer ; low Ohio commands
12c. to 13c. ; good dairies, 17c. to 20c., and very choice
20c. to 23c. Cheese has sold largely for shipment at 7e.
for prime to 6c. for fair, and sc. for poor.
Rice-1,000 tierces sold at 3 dolls. 25c. to 62ic.
Salt—A cargo fine Turks Island sold at 25c. per
bushel, and one from St. Martins at 24e., four months;
Liverpool fine, commen marks, may be quoted 1 doll.
50c., but there has been none here.
Sugars are dull. The sales are 650 hhcls. New Or-
leans at 31 to si; 200 Cuba, 4i to 4i; 300 boxes
brown Ilavannah 41c. to sic., four months; and an in-
voice of 6,140 bags Manilla, for refining, on terms not

reported.
CORN EXCHANGE.—Receipts of flour per canal fvr
years, 1846, 2,263,256 barrels; 1847, 2,588,214 barrels;
increase of 1847, 324,958 barrels. Flour has been heavy
and drooping through the week; Brooklyn sold at 5
dolls. 88c. to 6 dolls. 6c.; Troy, Oswego, and Genessee
at 6 dolls. to 6 dolls. 12c.; pure Genessee, 6 dolls. 25c.
to 37c.; extra, 6 dolls. 75c. to 7 dolls. 25c.; New Or-
leans flour arrived freely, and sold at 5 dolls. 88c. to
6 dolls. The sales were chiefly for shipment; the market
closed dull. southern flour sold in a small way at 6
dolls. 25e. to 37ic., and for rather extra 6 dolls. 50c.;
rye flour moves but little, and may be quoted at 4 dolls.
25c. to 37c. for common brands; corn meal became
heavy as the West India demand ceased from the cur-
rency difficulties there. Wheat sold largely for use and
shipment at 140 c. for:very prime Genessee, 135 c. for
prime Ohio, 128 c. to 130 c. for good Western, ordinary
115 e. to 120 c. ; rye was but little moved at 27fc. The
supply of corn was light, and the sales moderate, at
72e. to 73c. for old, 74c. to 75c. for round, 67c. to 68c.
for new flat white and yellow ; 2,300 bushels new,
mixed, on Saturday, at 68c., and 2,000 N. C. white at the
same; canal oats, 50c. to 52c.; Jersey, 42c. to 44c.
Money and Exchanges—For the steamer of the 15th
from Boston the great drawers were able to get 11
premium on sterling bills, but there was quite an in-
crease of good merchants' bills which, would have been
undoubted at another time. They sold at 9to 10 pre-
mium, and some were left over. Francs sold at 5.22
to 25 per dollar ; Amsterdam, 40i toi ; Hamburg, 25

to 36.
Freights—Very little change. Flour was shipped to
Liverpool at Is. lid.; grain in balk at 6d. to Gid.; heavy
goods 225. 6d. per ton ; cottor. id. per lb. The new
ship Maid of Orleans has been chartered by the Govern-
ment for a voyage to Vera Crul:, with troops and pro-
visions, for about 6,000 dolls.
Business generally is moving slowly, but not disas-
trously.
NEW ORLEANS MARKETS, JAN. 10.
. _

Cotton is low; middling to good middling 61e. to 7c.
In sugars and molasses but little done. Flour quiet.
Exchange, sterling bills scarce. Freights, several new
engagements.

REPEAL of the NAVIGA TION LAWS.

PROCESS EON OF SEAMEN.
The denutAtion from the different ports of
United Kingdom, to place in the hands of Sir
George Grey the seamen's memorial, praying her
Majesty to refuse her assent to the repeal of the
navigation laws, proceeded yesterday morning from
Shadwell, accompanied up the river by a very
large body of seamen in a " boat procession," tl•e
imposing effect of which was marred by the stormy
wind, which blew ahead the whole of the way,
and rendered it impossible to preserve the order
and compactness necessary for the grandeur of
which the display might have been capable,
and which it was - intended to produce.
The boats were divided into three squadrons,
arranged in single file, and each division towed by a
steamer. But the unfavourable wind and tide
obliged a number of boats to separate, and stay
behind. However, two or three thousand seamen
were landed at Westminster-bridge, and proceeded
in tolerable order, with a band and numerous flags,
to Trafalgar-square, where, after a short rest, they
were again marshalled, and attended the deputation
to the Home-office. In passing the Admiralty
and the Horse Guards the procession halted, while
their band played at each place " Rule Britannia,"
after which three times three cheers were given by
the crowd of sailors and spectators for the army at
'one place and for the navy at the other. We have seen
many crowded processions through the metropolis
conducted in more military style and order, we have
never seen one of such numbers less attended by any
considerable inconvenience or blameable disorder.
The police exerted themselves with much good
humour to prevent confusion, by the pressure
of the crowding spectators upon the members of
the procession. The deputation, consisting of Captain
Mathews, of South Shields, Captain Dunn, of Sun-
derland, Captain White, of Belfast, and several
gentlemen from other ports, was received by Sir
George Grey at half-past four, when he undertook
to present their memorial to the Queen.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
At daybreak yesterday almost every vessel in the
river and in the docks below London-bridge hoisted
its colours as a mark of sympathy and approval of the
demonstration. No inconsiderable number of the
foreign vessels in the port also let fly their bunting,
probably without knowing very accurately the object
of the procession. The wind being brisk, the flags
floated gaily in the breeze, and it was stated by old
sailors that so brilliant a display had not taken place
on the Thames since the coronation of George the
Fourth. The procession was divided into three bodies,
of which one, headed by a steamer, started from
Northfleet Hope early in the forenoon. This division,
consisting of between 80 and 40 boats, was unable to
get any higher up than Woolwich, in consequence of
the unfavourable state of the wind, which prevented
the steamer from towing so large a number of boats.
The second division, called the Long Reach division,
consisted of about 60 ships' boats, towed by the
Waterman steamer, No. 5. Each boat carried its
union flag, and contained from five to 10 seaman, who
wore a blue riband round their hats and another on
their left arms; on the riband was printed in
gold letters " The Navigation Laws." The display of
colours in Galleons and Bugsby's Reach was espe-
cially good. The third division assembled at Shad-
well, and consisted of the boats from Limehouse and
the pools, two or three deep, and nearly 100 in num-
ber, all carrying the union jack, the sailors being de-
corated with the blue riband already described. As
soon as the Long Reach division appeared in sight,
which was not until one o'clock, the Shadwell boats,
towed by the Waterman No. 12, led the van, and
slowly moved up the river towards Westminster. A
great concourse of persons had assembled at the Shad-
well entrance of the London Docks, who cheered the
procession as it started, and several guns were fired
here and elsewhere up the river. The Thames Tun-
nel-pier and the " hands" commanding a view of the
procession was crowded with persons. The crews
in the colliers and other vessels exchanged lusty
cheers with the seamen in the procession as it
passed. The spectacle, presenting nearly a hundred
boats in one division, in mid-stream, each carrying
the union jack, and passing between the " forest
of masts" which crowded the Pool, almost every
ship on each side being decorated with flags of
all colours, was exceedingly animated and picturesque.
The Tower-wharf Quay, the Custom-house Quay,
and the fishing vessels and wharfs at Billingsgate
exhibited a sea of faces, and up to this point the
procession was received with considerable cheering.
London-bridge was a favourable point of view, and
this popular thoroughfare was blocked up with spec-
tators. From this point to Westminster-bridge the
cheering was all on the side of the seamen, the
public on both sides of the river appearing to regard
the procession with no stronger feeling than that of
curiosity. The best idea we can give of the length
of the procession will be to state that when the
steamer in tow of the first division reached South-
wark-bridge, the last of the monster tail of boats had
just cleared London-bridge. The second division was
about half this length. Southwark, Blackfriars,
Waterloo, Hungerford, and Westminster bridges
contained several hundreds of spectators. The pro-
cession reached the latter bridge about half past
two o'clock. The masters and mates then left the
steamers, and the seamen their boats, and a walking
procession was formed in Bridge-street, which wended
its way in some disorder of march up Parlia-
ment-street to Trafalgar-square. Each boat's crew
carried the union jack ; at the head marched a band
of music playing " Rule Britannia," " Hearts of
Oak," and other national airs. A dense crowd as-
sembled to see the procession land, and an almost
perfect interruption of the thoroughfare for carriages
took place in Bridge-street and Parliament-street,
while the seamen slowly turned up Whitehall. On
passing the Admiralty, Admiral Dundas, M.P., the
First Naval Lord; the Hon. W. F. Cowper, ;
and Mr. Ward, M.P., Secretary to the Admiralty,
appeared on the balcony and watched the procession
with much interest. On arriving in Trafalgar-square
thousands of persons had assembled, and the proces-
sion was here formed in more correct order than the
denseness of the crowd had hitherto permitted.
After a short delay here the seamen returned down
Whitehall, and drew up when the band had reached
Downing-street. On passing the Admiralty, three
cheers were given for the N avy—a similar compli-
ment was paid to the Duke of Wellington at the
Horse Guards, and three cheers were given for the
Queen opposite Whitehall.
The deputation appointed to present the memorial
to Sir George Grey then left the main body, and re-
paired to the Home-office. They were detained about
three-quarters of an hour, and, during their absence,
the procession quietly returned to Westminster-
bridge, and regained their boats in the same order as
before.
Before stating the proceedings upon the presentation
of the memorial to the Home Secretary, we may
mention that Sir George Grey, like the Lord Mayor,
regarded with much disfavour the assemblage of so
large a concourse of persons in the public thorough-
fares, and the consequent interruption to business and
liability to a breach of the peace. Sir G. Grey ac-
cordingly directed the subjoined letter to be addressed
to Commander E. Smith, R.N., chairman of the
general meeting of seamen
" Whitehall, Feb. 8. 1348.
" Sir,--"I am directed by Secretary Sir George Grey
to acquaint you, that his attention has been to-day
called to a printed placard, purporting to be signed by
you as chairman of a general meeting of seamen, an
pouncing an intended procession, to take place tomor-
row, of large numbers of masters, mates, and seamen;
they are to assemble in Trafalgar-square, and then form
into line, when the whole body is to proceed along
Whitehall to Downing-street, to deliver to the Secretary
of State a memorial addressed to her Majesty.
"I am to inform you, that although bir George Grey
entertains no doubt of the loyal and peaceable intention
of the parties by whom the arrangements for the pro-
posed procession have been made, the practice of as-
sembling large numbers of persons to walk in procession
through the streets for the purpose of accompanying
the presentation of memorials addressed to her Majesty
has always been discouraged, as tending to ereate public
inconvenience and disorder.
" Sir George Grey can, therefore, only receive the
memorial, and lay it before her Majesty, if it is trans-
mitted to him in the usual manner, or if it is brought
to him by a deputation consisting of a small number of
persons.—l am, Sir, your obedient servant,
"DENIS LE MARCHANT."
The committee, however, determined that, as it
had been stated the sailors themselves were indifferent
and apathetic respecting the repeal of the navigation-
laws, the proposed demonstration and procession
should take place. Having been informed by
Mr. Mather, an active member of the com •
mittee, that the memorial would be presented to
him by a smell deputation from the delegates, S
George Grey directed the following communication
to be made to that gentleman
Whitehall, Feb. 8, 1848.
"Sir,—l am directed by Secretary Sir George Grey
to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this day '3
I
date, which has just been delivered, and am in reply
to enclose to you for your information the copy of
letter which has been addressed this morning by Sir G.
Grey's directions to Commander Smith
" I am to add, that Sir G. Grey will probably be en-
gaged in the discharge of his public duty in the House
of Commons at the time mentioned in your letter, but
that if from that cause he should not be in his office, the
memorial, if brought in the manner suggested by him
in his letter to Commander Smith, may be left at the
office, or be placed in the hands of the Under Secretary
of State. —I are, Sir, your obedient servant,
" DENIS LE MARCHANT."
Mr. Wawn, M.P. for South Shields, was in attend-
ance to introduce to Sir G. Grey the deputation,
which consisted of Mr. Mather, a delegate from the
Ty ne ; Captain Butcheat, of the port of London ;
Captain T. Elliott, of Limerick; Captain Wright, of
South Shield.; Mr. Edgar, of London; Captain E.
Smith ; and Mr. J. Dunn, of Sunderland, secretary
to the committee.

Mr. MATHER (addressing the Horne Secretary)
said he had the honour to place in Sir G. Grey's
.:ends the inernori9l of the s• of the v.aious
ports in Great Britain against the proposed repeal of
the navigation-laws, and he begged that the Right
Hon. Baronet would, in presenting it to the Queen,
impress it upon her Majesty that the memorial ex-
pressed the true sentiments of the British seamen.
They did not wish to leave the service of the mer-
cantile marine of their country, but he was bound to
state his belief, that if the proposed changes in the
navigation-laws were made, they would leave the
British flag, and enter into the service of another
country.
Sir G. GREY said he was himself the son of an old
naval officer, and he should be sorry to see the result
anticipated by Mr. Mather.
Mr. MATHER—I am sure, Sir George, that if your
gallant father had been alive he would not advise the
measure which it is believed her Majesty's Govern-
ment have in contemplation. If the country forsake
eur sailors, I am afraid they will forsake their flag:
The memorial was then placed in the hands of the
Right Hon. Beronst. It is as follows :
"THE LOYAL AND HUMBLE MEMORIAL OF Tr MAS-
TERS, MATES, AND SEAMEN, NOW ASSEMBLED IN
LONDON, AND THE DELEGATES REPRESENTING THE
OUTPORTS OF TEE KINGDOM.

::itiaYiplease your Majesty,—We, your Majesty's
loyal and dutiful subjects, beg most respectfully to ap-
proach your Majesty to lay this humble memorial at the
toot of the throne, believing that the subject-matter of it
involves not only the well-being of your memorialists,
but the security of your Majesty's dominions in every
part of the world.

"Your Majesty's memorialists have learned with deep
regret and indignation that it is seriously contemplated
to repeal the navigation-laws, the principle of which, for
the protection and encouragement of British ships and
British seamen, has been the undeviating policy of this
maritime state for nearly 500 years.
"Your memorialists most respectfully and loyally, but
firmly, as ardent friends of their country, which they
sincerely love, beg to represent to your Majesty that
the repeal of the navigation-laws will bring ruin on your
memorialists and the commercial marine of Britain.

" That by such a measure, admitting the cheap foreign
ships, half-paid and ill-fed foreign seamen, of which your
memorialists have the most correct personal knowledge,
it will reduce, by a competition the lowest in the world,
the condition uf your memorialists and their families, and
strike a fatal blow at their very existence.
"That thus your memorialists will be driven to seek
employment in another state, speaking the same lan-
guage Lnd possessing similar laws, where seamen's in-
terests and seamen's rights are carefully attended to;
and were thousands of British seamen have already found
protection ; so weakening your Majesty's empire, and
giving additional strength to an already great maritime
competitor.
" Your memorialists therefore urgently pray your
Majesty to throw your Royal protection around your me-
morialists and the commercial marine of Great Britain,
whose predecessors in all ages in tine of war and
danger your ancestors and this kingdom have ever
found their best protection and their greatest glory.
" God bless your Majesty and counsel you in wisdom.
Your petitioners will ever pray.
" Signed in the name and on behalf of the masters,
mates, seamen,aad shipwrights of Britain, by
their delegates, assembled in London, this Ist
day of February, 1848.
Sir G. GREY said, he would take care to lay the
memorial before her Majesty, and the deputation
retired. _ _ _

In point of numbers the demonstration of yester-
day must be regarded as, to a considerable extent, a
failure. Instead of 20,000 seamen, the entire num-
ber of those who took part in the proceeedings could
scarcely have exceeded 3,000. When the procession
passed under London-bridge it consisted of three of
the Watermen steamers, with 1,000 or 1,200 masters,
mates, and others on board, towing 92 boats, in
which were about 550 seamen. There were also
nearly 100 boats, rowed and manned by 500 or 600
men. One of the managers of the day's arrange-
ments estimated the number of seamen who were in
attendance throughout the day at from 5,000 to
6,000, but if so, half of them certainly kept below
bridge. A gentleman who was favourably placed for
viewing the procession on its passing Trafalgar-
square to the Home-office, and who took great pains
to calculate the numbers of those who joined in it,
estimated them at about 1,200 or 1,300 persons, but
many seamen were walking on the pavement among
the crowd, and some had already gone into the
taverns and coffee-houses for refreshment. It is pro-
bable that, on the whole, about 3,000 seamen came up
the river on this visit to Whitehall; and they cer-
tainly deserve the greatest praise for tire exceedingly
orderly and peaceable demeanour which they ex-
hibited.