The Sun.
London, England, 1846-01-01 00:00:00

IRELAND.

DUBLIN, DEC. 29.—TuE CORPORATION ADDRESS TO
71'17. QUEEN.—The Lord Mayor, e.ccompanied by se-
v: cal members of the town council, and the civic officers,
at.a to leave town on Wednesday next, in order to pre-
; sent the address of the corporation to her Majesty on
the 3d of January, in accordance with the inlimAtiort in
the letter of Sir James Graham, addressed to the Town
Clerk. In referring to the presentation of this address,
at the meeting of the corporation on Saturday, Mr.
O'Connell said—" He hoped there would be a better at-
tendance on that occasion than could be expected from
the unreasonable time appointed fur the presentation of
the address. It was the duty of every member of the
council to go over on that occasion. It was not one of
ceremony, nor was it for the purpose of paying a com-
pliment to her Majesty, but they would go as advocates
of the poor, to endeavour to persuade her Mtijesty to
adopt measures for the prevention of a famine which was
cert.,:in' and of a pestilence which would desolate the
lam!. If the potatoes which were affectel by the disease
were eaten by human beings, or even by animals, they
would have the effect of a dangerous narcotic prison. Sir
James Murray had published a case where tour indivi-
duals had lost their lives by eating the potatoes in the
diseased state. It was the duty of all the members to
attend the deputation, that her Majesty might sea how
anxious they were to co-operate with her in the distri-
bution of any assistance to be afforded."
REPEAL ASSOCIATION.—The weekly meeting of the
AssoAation was held this day, Mr. Steele in the chair.
Mr. O'CoramELL handed in a large number of remit-
t.trices, and then read a letter from Mr. Smith O'Brien,
M.P. Having moved the insertion of the letter on the
minutes, and expressed the gratitude which the Irish
people entertained towards Mr. Smith O'Brien, Mr.
O'Connell proceeded at considerable length to vindicate
himself from a series of " malignant misrepresentations"
which had been brought against him by the " Commis-
sioner" and reporter of the Times, with regard to' his
conduct as a landlord. The Honourable Gentleman occu-
pied Upwards of two hours in his defence, which con-
sisted almost exclusively of details, and even an outline
of which it would be impossible to furnish. Having ex-
pressed his gratitude to the Conservative journals which
had espoused his cause, he concluded by saying that he
would submit his character to the decision of his coun-
trymen, and leave his conduct to the judgment of his
,God.

Mr. JOHN O'CONNELL, M.P., denied that there were
any grounds for the assumption indulged in by the
Tablet, that the Repeal cause ran any risk of being
damaged by the accession of the Whigs to office. The
advent of any set of men to power could never have the
effect of inducing the Irish people to abandon a cause
with which they were identified heart and soul. He
(111r.J.O'Connyll) was most anxious that the question of
repeal should be discussed, and he had no hesitation in
saying, that the decision on its merits would be favour-
able to domestic legislation.

, . ---
At the termination of the proceedings, the rent for the
week was announced to be 2371. Ss.

Tne meeting then adjourned.
TORY REYEALERS.

Mr. Bourke, of Hayes, the nephew and the heir of the
Earl of Mayo, the former Tory candidate for Kildare,
has issued an address to the electors of that county, in
which he advocates some of the principal claims put
forward by Mr. O'Connell for a modification of the Act
of Legislative Union. The recent proceedings of the
Peel Cabinet appear to have produced this extraordinary
change in the political creed of Mr. Bourke. "At a
moment," he says, " of unexampled political difficulty
and alarm, when the terms Whig and Tory, Conser-
vative or Liberal, have ceased to convey any distinct
idea of the opinions of those so designated, and when
the closest adherence to principle may often exact a de-
parture from former practice, it appears to be a duty of
all, who consider public affairs, to review their political
creed." He proceeds to complain of the ignorance of
vi,:eroys and chief secretaries, and that Irish affairs
" have been habitually administered, not with reference
to Irish interests, but to English politics and parties."
He complains of the system of outrage and assassination
which our English rulers have been unable to
check, or to find a remedy for the evil. Mr.
Bourke continues—" As a temporising policy best
suits the prejudices of an English Parliament, Ire-
land is permitted to burn, beat, and murder on, un-
checked, almost unnoticed. Again, some Irish measure
is selected from time to time (such, for example, as the
Arms Bill, which, whether it be lest
or carried, is of no
practical importance), to serve for a battle-field, on which
English parties may struggle for the mastery ; whilst our
Irish representatives, instead of uniting in a common
bond for Irish improvement, join themselves to one or
the other of the contending parties, shout aloud for Sir
Robert, or hurra for Lord John, forgetting how little the
cause of our national prosperity is advanced by the suc-
cess of either. Again, who caa over-estimate the mis-
chief of absenteeism? Yet, how unscrupulously are 105
of our principal Commoners and 32 of our temporal and
spiritual Peers, compelled to spend so great a portion of
the year and so large a part of their incomes away from
their impoverished country, advancing measures, which,
for the greater part, affect her little, or not at all."
Mr. Bourke proceecis to propound his remedies, and
it may be expected that he will be hailed as a valuable
auxiliary at the Conciliation Hall, although he may not
yc-t have gone far enough to qualify himself as a Repeal
Meinb, r for Kildare.

MEETING OF THE SLIGO BOARD OF
GUARDIANS.

Oa Tuesday the Sligo Board of Guardians held their
usual weekly meeting at the workhouse, Major O'Hara,
chairman. Mr. Otway, Assistant Poor-law Commis-
sioner, was in attendance.

The CHAIRMAN stated that he had made a report re-
lstive to the potato disease in Sligo, which they had for-
warded to the County Lieutenant, that it might be trans-
mitted by him to Government. The Lieutenant did so,
and r. ceived a very satisfactory reply. The Govern-
ment had issued orders to the county surveyor to see
what works could be undertaken with benefit to the
public.
The CD.AmmAN then read the folly wing :
" Ammhmore, December TO, 1845,

" Sir,—The Board of Poor-law Guardians of the Sligo
Union, comprising three-fourths of the county, availing
themselves of their general and extended means of in-
goirv, having entered into an investigation of the potato
crop in their district, and continued the same by adjourn-
ment for a period of six weeks, have unanimously adopted
the following opinion, viz. : —That the potato disease has
prevailed, and continues to progress in the four inland
baronies of the county to an alarming extent; that a
c-nsiderable portion of the crop has perished, and that
it is impossible to forsee how long the remaining por-
ti, m now safe, or but slightly affected, may so continue;
that in the two baronies near the sea, the disease, though
pArtially severe, is generally much milder than iu the
inland districts.

" That numbers of the poorest classes, totally depen-
dent on their con-acre potato crop, which have parti-
cularly suffered, must be driven to the market for food,
which it will be impossible for them to purchase, unless
afforded early, special, and continued employment; that,
although the oat crop has been abundant, and is still to
an unusual degree in the possession of the grower, it is
impossible to say how soon a portion thereof may not be
sold to meet the various demands of the holder, and be
exported from the kingdom; and though such export
may be under the usual yearly average, the portion re-
maining will not be sufficient to supply the deficiency in
the potato crop, and maintain the poor of the district.
" Thus impressed, the Board feel it their duty to
bring the state of the Sligo Union or Sligo county under
the consideration of her Majesty's Government, respect-
fully suggesting the urgent necessity that early and con-
tinued employment should Le provided by Government
for the poor of the distressed districts, in works na-
tional or local utility, and that depots or stores of pro-
visions be established, such as may enable the Govern-
ment to supply food on reasonable terms to the district
most in need of it. The Board have not entered into

the conversation how these important objects can be at-
tained. Leaving that to the wiser and better considera-
tionls of the Government, they have confined themselves
to a simple, impartial, and a moderate. represenstatoiro f
the existing state of things, and of their grounds
promptf
ap-
prehending the worst results therefrom,
to
situation in our
and adequate measures be adoptedavertu them.
"As you, Sir, hold the highest
the valuable aid of
county, and have afforded the Boardthese inquiries, may I
your presence and asst.stanhc.se
in to her Ma-
request you to transmitcot
blip—anted by such explanation
jesty's Government,
..aF,
I have the honour to be,
as you may deem advisa
servant
your faithful and obedientc K. OTiARA,
" Chairman of the Sligo Board of Guardians.
6, Colonel Arthur Knox Gore, Lieutenant of Sligo."
111 E PRICE of LABOUR.—.A.t the meeting it was
'
stated by the landlords present that the price of agricul-
turA labour was from fourpence to sixpence with food,
and eightpence to tenpence without food. Sir Robert
Gore Booth observed that it could be had at even a
lower rate. The people must, indeed, be reduced to a
wretched state when a man is got to toil from morning
until night for eightpence, and yet, small as the re
muneration is, he would be delighted to get it. If a
dear sumtner should come, what will those unhappy, for-
lorn, destitute creatures do? It is fearful to contemplate
the depths of misery to which they may, and in all pro-
bability will, be reduced.

PRICE OF GOLD.—The premium on gold at Paris
is 11,-; per mille, which, at the English Mint price of 3/. 17s.
lqd. per ounce for standard gold, gives an exchange of 23
43, and the exchange at Paris on London at short being
25 57 j, it follows that gold is 0.57 per cent. dearer in London
than in Paris. By advices from Hamburgh the price of
gold is 433 per mark, which, at the English Mint price of 3/.
17s. lOid. per ounce for standard gold, gives an exchange of
13 9 ; and the exchange at Ilamburgh on London at short
being 13 10, it follows that gold is 0.46 per cent. dearer
in London than in llamburgh. The course of exchange
at New York on London is 10S per cent.; and the par of
exchange between England and America being 109 23-40
per cent., it follows that the exchange is 1.08 per cent.
against England. But the quoted exchange at I\ ew York
being for bills at sixty days' sight, the interest must be
deducted from the above difference.

THE LEAGUE FUND.—The amount of the fund up
to this date is 69,40 W., and very considerable more is ex-
pected to be realised in Manchester. It is estimated that
the sum realised at the meeting was 5001. per minute.
THE RISLETS.—We have had a great number of
equilibristes of late yeart, wiio have attempted a class of feats
which in some cases have become popular; but we are in-
dehted to Professor Kislev for introducing an entirely novel
style, which is extremely pleating in its effect, and which
shows the true poetry of motion. Professor Risley and his
two sons made their first appearance at Drurv.lane
Theatre
on Monday to one of the mist crowded houses of the season.
They were warmly greeted, and received enthusiastic ap-
plause throughout 'their performance, which was remarkably
clever. The feats were all accomplished with much case ane:
grace, and reminded us of the same school of artistes to which
the aerial Taglioni belongs. Bouquets were thrown upon the
stage front the private boxes, and the Risleys retired amidst
deafening applause from all parts of the house.

ENGLAND AND AMERICA.

TO TIP: EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Stß,—The wiiter of these lines (e•ho desires for the
prut,ent to remain "incog") is of opinion that you would
d service ti the trading community of Laticashire by
directing their attention, with as lit.le delay as posible,
to the exact position of the British and Mexican
Governments, in reference to the Oregon question.
Strange to say, it seems to be very imperfectly under-
stood. "We are too good customers for them (say
many) for the Americans to go to war with us." No
doubt they have imbibed these notior.s in part from that
part of the press which cries, "Peace, peace," whilst the
two Governments are actually preparing energetically
for war.

I mean no fulsome flattery when I say that you seem
to take a more correct view of the case than any other
writer whose comments I have read. To my mind the
foil.iwing train of facts point but to one issue:-
Ist. A Bill to take possession of Oregon was passed
thiough the House of 'representatives, by a maj,)rity of
140 to 154 ; mid only missed passing through the Senate
by one vote—this, tuo, when a negotiation was actually
2.1. The Democratic party have, since that time, in.
ci eased their strength by six votes.
31. The then President offered to make 49.0 degree
the InAindary line, giving to Great Britain the free
navigation of the river Columbia, all which she refaced
to :.ecor.t.

4th. Polk has actually retracted that offer—see his
address. " The proposition of compromise which had
been made and rejected, was by my direction subse-
quently withdrawn, and our title to the whole of
Oregon asserted. The right of any foreign power
to the free navigation of any of our rivers through the
heart of our country, was one which I was unwilling to
concede."

In conjunction with the above, let any man consider
the import of the following extracts from Polk's mes-
sage

The extraordinary and wholly inadmissible demands
of the British Government afford satisfactory evidence
that no compromise which the United States ought to
accept can be effected."
" Oregon is part of the North American Continent, to
which it is confidently affirmed the title of the United
States is the best now in existance."

" That it will ultimately be wise and patriotic to make
liberal grants of land to the patriotic pioneers, who,
amidst privations and danger, lead their way through
savage tribes, and who cultivate and are ever ready to
defend the soil, lam fully satisfied. To doubt whether
they will obtain sush pants as soon as the convention
between the United States and Great Britain shall have
ceased to Exist, would be to doubt the justice of Con-
gress."

" All attempts at compromise having failed, it be-
comes the duty of Congress to consider what measures
it may be proper to adopt for the security and protection
of our citizens now inhabiting, or who may hereafter,
inhabit Oregon, and for the maintenance of our just
title to that territory.''
"At the end of the year's notice, we shall have
reached a period when the national rights in Oregon
must either be abandoned or firmly maintained. That
they cannot be abandoned without a sacrifice of both
Aational honour and interest is too clear to admit of
doubt." •

Add to the above quotations that large quantities of
saltpetre having lately been purchased in London for
the United States, and that " large supplies of live oak
timber, and other materials for ship-building have been
collected" by them.*
Then glance at the whole animus of Polk's address,
in which the "balance of power" is three times taunt-
ingly referred to with this clencher, " Should any such
interference be attempted (on the Northern Continent)
the United States will be ready to resist it all hazards."
The whole tenor of Polk's addresses go to prove that
he is a Democrat of the first water, honestly and fer-
vently attached to the genuine Republican principles
which actuated his progenitors to claim and gain their
independency, and entertaining a thorough contempt for
Monarchial Government.

* The Patrick Henry, which arrived at Liverpool,
February 26, 1845, brought American papers up to the
Bth of that month, which stated—" The House of Repre-
sentatives on the 3d passed the Bid providing for the
occupation of the Oregon territory, by a majority of
140 to 54. The general tone of the discussion being
exceedingly warlike. The Bill had been read twice in
the Senate, and then referred to a special committee. It
contains clauses authorising the re-erection of fortifica-
tions, and the abrogation of the convention concluded
on the subject with tireat Britain."
Manchester, Dec. 29.

R. S. W.

CAPTURE OF A GHOST.

It is said that ghosts are not unfrequently inspired
with a considerable share of puissant valour. A si.-Agu-
lar act of bravery on
.the part of a disembodie..z spirit
has just come under our observation, and at ;,he season
of Christmas, as stories of ghosts and gotitins are the
order of the day, it may not prove altowthrr unaccept-
able. At any rate, it may dispel t'ne idea with which
wiseacres occasionally solace their.selves, that ghosts are
altogether harmless. A widow lady, who resides in the
parish of St. Martin, has of late been visited by a ghost
of rather a mischievous character. Inhabiting a lonely
dwelling, with no protection save that afforded by a ser-
vant girl little more than just entered into her teens, the
lady, with her two children, during the last four wei ks,
have had their nocturnal slumbers frequently disturbed
by the escapades of an oil spirit. Precisely as the
clock had struck what the Scotch poet has st) led
" The wee short hour ayout the twal,"
_ _

and which,from its contrast with the previous twelve
distinct sounds upon the hammer, is said to inspire, even
in the strongest minds, a feeling of mysterious appre-
hension, a loud knocking at the dour was heard. Nor
was the feeling of awe in:Tired on the occasion tin?
strengthened by any extraneous circumstance; for on
the third evening of the occurrence of the mysterious
knockings, the disturbed lady, having summoned up
sufficient courage to look out from the window, beheld is
figure, apparently in white, making its escape from the
gateway. "1 he occurrence made a rather powerful fin-
pression on the lady's mind, for it was the first time she
had ever seen a denizen of the world of spirits. For tea
successive nights the same sounds were repeated, every
night the strength of the knocking gradually increasing,
The ghost evidently thought that the depth of the slum-
bers of the inmates prevented them from hearing its
efforts at obtaining an audience, for no notice whatc,ver
was taken of its mysterious proceedings. It was neces-
sary, therefore, to alter his line of tactics, and the line
which the ghost now adopted was of a somewhat novel
nature. Instead of now knocking at the door every night,
it at length began to throw stones at the windows, and
on one evening demolished no less than three panes a
glass in the windows of the drawing-room. This, how-
ever, was not to be endured much longer, and even at
the risk of coming in contact with an inhabitant of thct
lower world, it was at length determined to give battle
to the spirit. The lady having communicated the cir-
cumstance to a gentleman who resides with his family
about a quarter of a mile distant, a watch on Thursday
evening last was set upon the premises. The gentleman
referred to, armed with a good stout cudgel, took his
station at the corner of the building, about ten paces
from the spot from which the ghost was wont to hurt
its missiles, while at the opposite corner stood his man-
servant, armed in a somewhat similar fashion to his
master. Precisely at the usual hour the figure. clothed
in white, was seen to enter at the gateway, 1,,,1id having
slowly made its way to within a few feet the house,
deliberately lifted a handful of pebbles and threw them
at the window. This feat performed, the ghost was
about to depart, but the gentleman and his fellow-watch-
man, not having their spirits completely prostrated, sal-
lied forth and intercepted its p.ogress. The yell of hor-
ror which the spirit now
,Itttered was awful in the ex-
treme, and throwing itself at the feet of the gentleman,
it besought in piteous tones his pardon. The white sheet
in a
moment was thrown from the back of the now em-
bodied spirit, and a bona fide human woman actually
stood before them. A confession soon followed, and it
was discovered that the gho,t had determined to frighten
the poor lady to death, in consequence of havitig been
recently discharged from her service for theft;.--Jersey
Times, Dec. 23.

MUNCH OF AN IRON STEAM FRIGATE.—A most
magnificent iron steam-frigate, built expressly for the
Royal Navy, was launched on the Mersey, on Tues-
day, from the yard at North Birkenhead. This
is the first large vessel of war ever built on the shores of
that noble river, and therefore a few particulars re-
specting her may be interesting. Her dimensions are as
follow:

Length between perpendiculars 2lO feet.
Breadth within paddle-wheels
Ditto, outside ditto 6oi „
Depth of hold 23 „
Tonnage (carpenter's measurement) 1,400 tons.
She will be propelled by paddle-wheels, and the engines
will be of 560 horse-power. The engine-room, maga-
zine, and shell-room, are all protected by iron encase-
ments. The upper deck is flush, and of great area, and
there are two other decks below, the height between
which is ample. This fine vessel was, by command of
tho Admiralty, christened " The Birkenhead." Her
armament will be two96-pounder:pivot guns, one forward
and the other aft, and four 68-pounder broadside guns—
so that, with the aid of her steam, she will prove a for-
midable opponent to any adversary. The launch took
place exactly at twenty minutes past eleven, and the
ceremony of christening was performed by the Mar-
chioness of Westminster. There were present, in addi-
tionthe to her Ladyship, the Marquis of Westminstear,_
Earl of Wilton, Sir Philip and Lady Egerton, S._ir-:pa,
Ed-
ward and Lady Cust, Mr. Ireland Blackbur e,
and a host of the principal gentry in Sienuth
Black, R.N.
id edeffejc.etuende,r,thaet
nCheshire..
The Admiralty was represented by Captain
After the launch, which was beautileUndl
principal visitors sat down to
which the usual loyal
to her Majesty's Steamer The Birkenhead was pro-
toasts were drunk,ksp and_ " Success,
Secretary and Comptroller-General to
posmedr.ainidighreasmp,onded to amidst loud cheers.
the Commissioners for theßeduction of the National
Debt, had an interview on Tuesday with the Chancellor
of the Exchequer.
A Lahr BITTEN BY AN ADDER.—On Tuesday
morning, between eleven and twelve o'clock, Mrs. Jameson,
a lady residing at Petersham, Surrey, was crossing the mea-
dows" from that place on her way to Richmond, when Pal
adder, that lay concealed in the grass, bit her on the foot, and
by the time she reached her destination it had swelled most
alarmingly. Mrs. Jameson obtained medical assistance at
the nearest surgeon's in the town, where the usuni antidotes
were applied with success. She is going on favourably.
Lord Metcalfe who, we are happy to say, continues
to improve in his health, and is now much better than he has
been for some time past, under the able pr9fessional skill and,
advice of Sir Benjamin Brodie and, Dr. Martin, who was bis
Lordship's physician in India. and to consult whom was the
cause of his Lordship's leaving his government, has deter-
mined not to leave London. A further addition to Ids staff
arrived at Ddivart's Hotel on Tuesday, from Canada.