The Sun.
London, England, 1846-09-14 00:00:00

EDINBURGH REGISTRATION

- _
The Registration Court for the city has now ter-
minated its sittings after an unusually protracted sede-
runt of ten days. The following is the result:—
Claims lodged for persons in the Liberal interest 1,223
Of which there were withdrawn, having been
lodged in duplicate

Leaving to be disposed of by the court 1,202
Of these there were rejccted

Admitted
Claims lodged for Conservatives
Of which there were rejected
Admitted - 194
Claims lodged for persons in the interest
of Sir Culling Eardley Smith, Bart 370
Of which there were withdrawn and
rejected .
Admitted - 313
Claims lolged by persons whose politics
have not been ascertained l2O
Of which there were rejected
Admitted - 91

Total claims admitted .
Since last registration there have been
disqualified by removal, death, sale of
property, &c., now expunged from tho
register—
(l) Liberals 312
Of whom in the interest of Sir C. E
Smith (in the proportion of the num-
bers polled at the recent election) lO4

(2) Conservatives l7B
Of whom in the interest of Sir C. E
Smith, in the above proportion 59
- 119
(3) Persons in the interest of Sir C. E.
Smith
Total number struck off the register - 490

Increase on the register
ABSTRACT.
Liberals admitted on the register
Liberals expunged from the register
Increase of Liberals in the interest of

the present Members for the city •
Conservatives admitted
Conservatives tlxpunged

1,205

1,097
208

Increase of eon-servatives
--
Supporters of Sir C. E. Smith admitted 313
Supporters of Sir CE. Smith expunged 163

Increase
Admitted claims of parties whose politics
have not been ascertained
Total increase on the register, as
before

1,205

Graham Speirs, Esq., Sheriff of the County, officiated
as registering sheriff. Agent for the Liberal party—
John Jopp. Esq., W.S. Agent for the Conservative
party—Thomas Landale, Esq., S.S.C. Agent for the
supporters of Sir C. E. Smith—Donald Beith, Esq.,
writer.—Caledonian Mercury.

NEW MEXICO.
(From the Matamoras Flag.)
The territory of New Mexico lies north of the 26th
parallel of latitude, and its greatest length from north to
south is 700 miles ; from east to west, its boundary has
never been circumscribed within the limits of certainty.
Its geographical position is remarkably singular ; the
Rio Grande passes through it nearly in a central line
from north to south. Its whole entire surface is a suc-
cession of mountains rising in majestic splendour to
that giddy height where even the cedar and pine can
retain no foothold, their conic heads covered with the
white veil of perpetual snow. The inhabitants live in
the deep valleys, and upon the margin of the Rio
Grande. Villages on the river are situated in its diffe-
rent bends, where a sufficiency of bottom lands are left
for the purpose of agriculture. The greatest extent oc-
cupied by settlements is three hundred miles in length
and one hundred in width ; the population, taken col-
lectively, is about fifty thousand.
The first village in the north is El Pueblo de Taos,
which gives name to the valley in which it is situated.
The original inhabitants are Indians, and known by the
name of Pueblos. They were in poesession of this
country when the Spaniards first visited Mexico, and
they have remained until the present time. When the
Spaniards extended their dominion over this Indian
country, by the aid of Gospel missionaries, they found
those Pueblo Indians friendly, honest, and industrious,
brave and confiding ; endowed with great natural good
sense—neighbours to be conciliated but not subdued.
The Pueblo of Taos is immediately at the foot of the
a est side of the first ridge of the Rocky Mountains.
There is a small stream that issues from a ravine, flows
out into a valley and eventually mixes its waters with
the Rio Grande, which separates the two departments.
The village possesses much singularity, combining great
strength with the boldest conception in the architecture,
enjey leg the most complete utility in its honey-comb
formation. The village is formed of two distinct de-
partments, the rivulet dividing it in the centre. This,
at first sight, might not seem to have particular design.
The buildings are exactly similar. The first, or base-
ment story, i:ccupies a large area ; upon this is reared
another story, being smaller than the first by ten feet—
t itch successive story falling off in the same ratio, until
the pagoda becomes nine stories high. In the base-
ment story there are no doors, the entrance being
through a round hole in the offset which forms the
roof ; a pole being planted in the aperture, with a ladder
,atached, by which they ascend and descend. The
buildings resemble pyramids, only being square.
In the formation of this village an equal number of
the heads of families divided themselves off and laid two
foundations precisely similar, and reared upon them two
equal structures. What a field was here for emulation I
what barriers to an assailing enernv I As their genera-
tions grew up, the youth from both sides would meet
and in manly sport endeavour to excel. The great patron
!aint of the %illage is Saint Jerome; they having adopted
the Catholic eligion, through the powerful influence of
missionaries from old Spain. The day of St. Jerome is
celebrated by selecting thirty of the choicest youths
from each side of the stream, to compete with one an-
other in manly sports. A race course is cleared out in
front of the village, four hundred yards in length, and
wide erough for two to run abreast. An equal number
of the old men of each village are chosen to prepare the
lists and mar-hal the competitors. Nothing can be so
animating and siellsstirring to the beholder as to view
those sixty champions in all the pride of nature, adorned
with the simplest arts and yet so appropriate. In
making selections for the lists, the pride and boast of the
villages are brought out, all are chieftains of the greatest
note. The honour of their ancient houses is staiced
upon them; their own fair fame is entrusted to the race,
and their feats are viewed by the " fairest of the fair."
The houses present one vast pyramid of human beings
—all the woman from the adjoining villages coming
to witness this annual festival. About eleven o'clock
the signal is given and the race commences. At each
end of the track stand thirty runners, fifteen on a side ;
as one starts from one end, another from the opposite
party starts from the other, and the first thirty that
run through, are considered as having gained the
laurels of the day. They then form a grand procession,
and in wild chorus of song surround the buildings, from
which in great profusion is showered upon them varieties
of fruits and cakes, the crowd of spectators mixing in a
jeyful scramble. The morning feats having passed off,
the evening's interlude commences. Between these two
heaven reared towers stands a tall, slender pole of na-
tive pine, the bark peeled off and the polished surface
greased. Oa the top of the pole is framed a cross, upon
which arc hung baskets of fruits and festoons, ingeni-
ously woven, of sweet cakes, flowers and emblematical
devices pictured with silver dollars suspended by wires ;
and to crown the rich offering upon the very top of the
pole stands an aged and respectable ram, fast pinioned
to the place. A large crowd has gathered round
to witness the rustic scene, which is announced
by the merry peals of music and the loud
piercing screams oft he scaling squadrons, as they
come rushing to the trial. The pole is to be scaled, the
treasure is to be lowered, the lists are open, the world
may enter. Here then may be seen the resources and
ingenuity of nature's children. The prize would seem
totally beyond their reach, yet their minds once bent
upon the attainment of the object, they make of their
bodies ladders, hoops, chains, leaning pyramids, until
at last some daring spirit reaches the suspended
treasure. As the evening shades prevail, the festivity
commences within doors, where the victors of the day are
rewarded by the maidens of their choice. The sole object
of the separate villagers is to excel in all they under
take in common. In their agricultural pursuits the same
emulation exists ; when they go into battle what desperate
teats of bravery will they not attempt, to wear the vic-
tor's crown. Indissoluble bonds of friendship bind them
togethr r, and they have ever been the white man's friend.
Their honesty and industry is proverbial, and well culti-
vated fields and well stocked farms give token of much
thrift and independence. They are strict observers of
the Catholic faith, the priests being allowed to live in
their villages. If it had not been for these Indians New
ylcxico would long since have been overrun by the sur-
roun(ing Indian tribes. They do not make war a trade,
but their bravery is unequalled in the redress of injuries.
Santa Fe is the capital of New Mexico. It is a small
and inconsiderable village, in its most prosperous days
never having had a population of more than 2,000, and it
is now upon the decline. It is situated twenty miles from
the Rio Grande, upon the east side. It is owing to an ex-
tensive commerce with the State of Missouri and the
gold mines in the vicinity, that has given Santa
Fe a name abroad. From Soda Fe a large wag-
gon-road winds around through the valleys, and
emerges out into the plains before reaching Red
River. Through the mountains to San Miguel or el
Bado it is fifty miles. San Miguel is situated upon a
small creek or river, called Pecas River, which takes
its rise within fifteen miles of Santa Fe, and after
running six hundred miles falls into the Rio Grande.
About half-way between Santa Fe and San Miguel, is
the celebrated Press village, being of the same tribe
that has been described, but claiming a more ancient
origin. They have no records, hut are governed by
oral traditions. They observe the Catholic faith, but
strange to tell, they say they are waiting the return
of their great King, who promised them that he
would return in due season, and from time immemo-
rial they have preserved the same fire that was burn-
ing upon his departure. They describe him as
their great King and Saviour, and they take it by
turns in watching the fire, which is preserved in a deep
well or cellar. The old and most decrepid are destined
to the never-ending watch. In latter years great sick-
ness prevailed amongst them, and the village went to
decay in consequence. They became fearful that it was
some visitation, and about the year 1839, or 1840, they
moved to the west side of the Rio Grande, to a small
village called Jemas, about fifty
miles from Santa Fe,
where they carried the everlasting fire, to continue its
. ominous blaze through all time.

REPRESENTATION OF SOUTH
LANCASHIRE.
DINNER TO MR. W. BROWN,

WARRINGTON, FRIDAY.—A public dinner was give n
last night at the Nag Hotel in this town, to Mr.
W. Brown, M P., iii celebration of his return as the re-
presentative of South Lancashire, and of the triumph of
I free-trade principle=. The el air was occupied by W.
Altcar, Esq., and there were present, besides the Hon.
I Member, about one hundred tried friends of commercial
I freedom. Among them were Mr. Thomas Bayley, jun.,
chairman of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, Mr,
J. Stubbs, Mr. J. Hardy, &c., &c.
The customary loyal toasts having been given,
The CHAIRMAN gave the toast of the evening, The
health of Mr. Brown," and warmly congratulated the
county upon having a representative of such character
and eminence in the mercantile world.
Mr. BROWN, in rising to reply, was received with great
applause. The Hon. Gentleman spoke as follows :
I can hardly express to you, gentlemen, the pleasure I
feel in meeting you on this °cession, to celebrate the
triumph of truth over error. To our worthy chairman,
who has spoken of me in so flattering a manner, and to
you, gentlemen, for the response you have made to
those remarks, I beg to return my grateful. my naturally
grateful acknowledgments. It is true. I have had the
honour of being your representative but for a very short
period ; but short as is that period, it has been productive
of, and as your representative I have taken part in, some
most important events. Taking, indeed, the whole ses-
sion together, it has probably been one of the most re-
markable, perhaps the most eventful, which this country
has ever witnessed.—(Loud cheers.) And to give a
cursory resume of what has been done, I will commence,
as it is meet I should, with the corn-laws. (Loud
cheers.) From the supporting arch of these laws, early
in the session, by the exertion of our friends, we
wrenched the key-stone, and the result will be—if it has
not already been—that the rotten fabric of monopoly
will go down, stone by stone, until not one vestige of the
hideous mass remains.—(Cheers.) To Mr. Cobden—
(Vast applause) —to Mr. Bright—to Mr. Wilson—
(Cheers)— and to other gentlemen—we owe, for this
great work, a debt of gratitude which this nation, great
as may be the desire, will, I think, never be in a position
properly to repay. These were men who, unceasingly
and with prodigality, lavished upon the cause all they
possessed—mind, purse, and health ; and we have now
met to celebrate and glory in the success which they
achieved. —(Cheers.) These were the men who created the
public opinion we have noticed; and public opinion in this,
as in every other case, has proved omnipotent. That it
was omnipotent who can doubt? It was the manifestation
of this opinion which first induced Lord John Russell to
write that marvellous and memorable letter of which
you are all cognizant ; and it was that also which, later
in the day, compelled the then Premier at last to be-
come a free -trader, to make the announcement which so
greatly gratified us, and so greatly dismayed and con-
founded the protectionists.—(Hear, hear.) For both
the letter and the action we are grateful ; and we will
cheerfully admit that nothing could have induced Sir R.
Peel to sacrifice place, power, and to throw overboard
so many of his political friends, but the conscientious
conviction that he was serving, and serving well, his
country. Great cheering.) This country and pos-
terity am confident, do him ample justice ; for
my o , I consider him one of the greatest bene-
factors to mankind.— (Cheers.) I have little doubt that
he will be amused, as we all are, by that small section of
the protectionist party which is left. I say it is a small
section, and sincerely do I hope, for its own sake, that it
may soon grow beautifully less.—(Laughter.) Still,
however, do they retain the-hope of regaining their po-
sition, and their ground of renewed attack upon us will
be that we have not at once created for them an El
Dorado, that gold is not already to be picked up in the
streets. We confess that in this, indeed, we have
failed ; but let them exercise some common sense, and,
calling to memory their knowledge of agriculture, not
forget that it is usually necessary to sow the seed
before reaping the harvest.—(Hear, hear.) Commerce
is not a thing to be created in an hour. Give to it every
facility, and, such, is its nature, it will still be the work
of years, the labour of centuries.—(Hear, hear.) But
we have not altogether failed ; if we can only manage
to retain onr present ground and pre-eminent position,
if we can only so extend and sustain this trade we pos-
sess, as to supply the wants, and afford all comforts to a
rising population, then we will assert that free-trade has
done a great deal.—(Cheers.) And though the ultimate
and final benefit is not yet in sight, we are nevertheless
already gaining many advantages from the free-trade
movement. The Roman Pontiff has liberalised his
tarifl ; the Two Sicilies have adopted the same wise
policy ; the Emperor of Russia has given notice of some
thing like an approximation ; and even in his dominions
I hope we shall ere long see " a step in the right direc-
tion."—(Cheers.) And, more than all this, I as fully
believe as I am sure that I exist, and that we are in this
room, that it it had not been for the shadowing forth of
free-trade principles in the United States before we saw
free-trade become the law of this land—that, with such
a bone of contention between us as the Oregon territory,
if it had not been for free-trade being thrown like oil on
the troubled waters—we should at this moment have
been at war with America.—(Cheers.) Further, I am
convinced, that if we had not indicated reciprocity, Mr.
Walker would never have been able to have car-
ried his free-trade tariff.—(Hear, hear.) What would
now have been our condition had free-trade failed ?
Were the protectionists prepared to have had their taxes
doubled? A great authority has given us a great maxim
—that England can never again have a little war ; and
if that be the fact, were the protectionists prepared to
add, and to be responsible for adding, 200,000,000/. to
our national debt?—(llear, hear) When we go to war
we must fight in right earnest, and sincerity in that kind
of game is very txpensive.—(Hear, hear.) They must
have been prepared for all this, ready to sacrifice the
blood and treasure of the country in a war which, in all
probabilty, would leave us in the exact position from
which we started.—(Hear, hear.) There can, therefore,
in England, at least, be no very great regret at the dis-
appearance of the corn-laws. Next among the impor-
tant enactments of this session is the change in the
sugar duties. I think that this change was equally im-
portant with the adoption of free trade in corn; it was
important as the asseveration of a principle, as showing
us that the present Government repudiate protection,
that they repudiate all class legislation and all differen-
tial and prohibitive duties. The Government has laid
down a broad and intelligible principle, and- has de-
clared its intention to pursue one path only, to im-
pose only duties necessary for the maintenance of the
revenue.—(llear, hear.) This change in the sugar
duities was, in my opinion, beneficial in two ways: first,
as being the proper means of increasing the facilities of
the people in purchasing what may be called a necessary
of life ; and secondly,because I think it was the best means
of adding to the revenue.—(Hear, hear.) The effect in
this must be the same as in every other case. Look at
the penny postage. There was a reduction of sd. on a
letter, and yet the revenue derived from the charge of ld.
a letter amounts nearly to what the revenue was when the
charge was 6d. I might give you a dozen illustrations
of the fact that low duties bring the greatest revenue
I might point to the reduction in the coffee duties ; but
the most prominent and the best known is in the instance
of the penny postage. The great objection urged against
the new sugar law, which you sent me to Parliament to
vo'e for, was, that it might possibly, nay, was certain, to
increase and extend the slave trade. That objection, as
an objection of principle, is worth nothing. We admit
American rice, American tobacco, American sugar,
American cotton, and coffee from slave-labour countries;
and why then take this exception, and exclude the sugars
of the Brazils and of Spain, merely because they happen
to be produced by the slave-labour which produces every
one of those other articles.—(Hear, hear, and applause.)
And as an objection of fact, I must say that
I doubt if it is of value. A great change of
opinion has recently taken place as to the best
mode of putting down the slave trade. Many well-
thinking men, and many of the anti-slavery societies,_
have come to the rational conclusion that the good work
is not to be accomplished by coercion.—(Hear, hear.)
We have 56 sail of vessels of war on the African coast,
all more or less employed in the suppression of this ne-
farious traffic ; they number 800 guns; they are manned
by 9,000 seamen, at the cost of 700,0001., and at the sa-
crifice
yearly of many hundreds of our fine fellows dead I
or invalided.— (Hear, hear.) This is the cost of our
humane attempt, and this attempt, I need not tell you,
has hitherto proved a total abortion, a complete failure.
Coercive measures will not do. What will do ? At an
early period in my commercial life, when I resided at
Baltimore, in the United States, I noticed that labour
was very high—so high that the owners and captains of
vessels found it their interest to resort to Ireland and to

Holland, there to berth their vessels for passengers,

with the statement that they were not on& willing to
rt clive those who could, but also those who could not
pay their passage, the latter class with the proviso that
on arriving in the United States they would consent—
labour being there so high—to sell their labour for one,
two, or three years, thus to reimburse the ship. The
plan succeeded; thousands of Europeans went out under
the name of " redemptioners," and the result was, so
much wa, free labour reduced, that the value of slave
labour fell also, and the slaves became so cheap that

they were sold to the southern states, where the price
was higher.—(Hear, hear.) Now, it strikes me, that if
a portion of this 700,0001. was applied to endeavouring
to induce the hill-coolies, or others of the African races,
to embark, free, as " redemptioners" in some of the
colonies, the object we have in view, to deprive the
slave trade of its profits, might be accomplished quite as
cfrectaally, and certainly with as much humanity, as by
the means we now adopt.—(Hear, hear, and applause.)
I believe that the middle passage between Africa and
the Brazils is more open than we have any idea of.—
(Hear, hear.) I spoke, not long ago, with a Dutch
gentleman, who had resided on the ceast of Africa
fourteen years, and he states that he has seen a fleet of
twenty-six sail of slave ships succeed in landing their
cargoes without passing a single vessel of war. We are
aided by the French vessels and others, and yet the col-
lected force, as this fact shows, is altogether insufficient
for the purpose. The cruelties, as he gave me to under-
stand, practised upon the slaves are fearful; when they
cannot be disposed of, they are put to death ; and I
think it would be somewhat more humane if our 700,0001.
were applied to carry ing them free to our West India
colonies.—(Cheers.) At any rate, I don't think the new
measure is calculated to increase the mischief. I may,
before I have done with the corn-laws, mention a matter
of some importance, Some three or four months ago, at
a public meeting, I attempted to prophecy that a tree
trade being adopted, so far from there being any danger
of Europe overwhelming us with corn, my only fear was
we would not have enough. I was jeered and laughed at
at the time, but now it seems I was not far out. A gentle-
man of East Lothian, a protectionist, used, when he spoke
in public, to tell the farmers, that if they lost protection
they would be ruined, their fields would become sheep-
walks; and he added the usual commentary about the
total destruction of British interests, British industry in
general, and British landowners in particular.—(Hear.)