The Sun.
London, England, 1846-12-31 00:00:00

i
I

4114k4 $uN, LONDON, THURS. i)A DECEMDfiIIi, at, 1440.

NITED ,51ATES.

a
Ln ERPOOL, WEDNESDAY.
Since the dispatch of the accounts by the packet-
ship Ashburton, the packet-ship John R. Skiddy,
Captain Luce, has arrived in the Mersey with edvices
from New YO-.1( to the 13th inst inclusive. The run
was made in the remarkably short space (.f 16 days,
and constqueatly the aclvices moentarily expected
by the mail steam-ship Caledonia will be but two
days later than those now received.
The present accounts are not unimportant. The
general aspect of the war had undergone no material
change. The operations of the American forces had
been chiefly confined to an advance against Saltlike
the investment of Monclova, and the garrisoning of
Tampico; while in Mexico, if we may judge from
the indistinct and almost incredible statements con-
tained in the American journals, fresh disorders hare
broken forth, to prostrate the country
still deeper
before its enemy.
Our accounts rom Waahiegton extend toe close
of the 10th instanft. The proceedings of the Senate
since the opening of the session on the ith had been
almost or entirely con fined to te transaction of
to orthe
di-
nary business; and a re,olutionh of instruction
Military Committee to inquire into the propriety of
granting 160 acres of land to each volunteer sei ruing
in the war, and of increasing the pay, had ben
adopted, and a Bill h b
ad een introduced to organize
a territorial government over the Oregon. The pro-
ceedings of the House of Representatives were more
interesting, and a sharp discussion upon tamtion of
he Mexican
war took place on the 9th instant, upon
Mr. Davis, calling upon the President for copies of all
orders to generals and commodores relative to the
establishment of civil governments in territories con-
quered during the war. The question upon the
arol adop-
tion of this resolution having come up, Mr. Hson,
af Georgia, presented, as an amendment, the words—
as
." if not incompatible with the public interests,"
the publication of the official correspondence might
prove detrimental to the national interests, by giving
the enemy possession of the views and plans adopted
in the prosecution of hostilities. Mr. Davis, s,
to
claiming any such intention, then proceeded
speak at length, to the effect, that if it appeared
the President had acted contrary to the constitution,
he (Mr. Davis) was prepared for such ulterior mea-
sures as the integrity of the constitution and the
safety of the Union might demand. Mr. Douglass,
of Illinois, then rose, and invited a full investigation
of the conduct of the Executive. If by " ulterior
measures" Mr. Davis and the Opposition contem-
plated the impeachment of the President, they
would have full latitude. In ordering the es-
tablishment of temporary governments in con-
quered territories the President had only per-
formed his duty. Mr. Davis replied, that power to
establish military regulations for governing posses-
sions held by right of conquest was admitted, but
there was no right to establish civil governments in
such possessions, and he challenged the PSouthresident
ato
produce such a right. Mr. Rhett, C-
rolina, remarked that the occupation of Califor-
nia and New Mexico being merely military, the
conduct of the Government was perfectly Justi-
fiable. Mr. Harolson withdrew his amendment.
Mr. Winthrop, of Massachusetts,
denounced that
portion of the Message in which the justice of the
war is advocated, and the boundary of Texas de-
fended. Mr. Vinton, of Ohio, moved to amend the
resolution so as to inquire whether any part of the
conquered territories belonged to Texas. Mr. Holmes,
of South Carolina, followed in defence of the Go-
vernment. Mr. Darragh, of Pennsylvania, obteined
the floor, when the House adjourned. On the 10th
the discussion was resumed, the motion being so
modified as to make further demands of the President,
calling on him to state, through the Secretary at
War, whether the present war with Mexico was
waged with a view to conquest, or to what extent he
designed to prosecute it. It was also
he r addeceived,
ed thatw thith
e
information communicated should
closed doors. Mr. Darragh spoke in favour of the
resolution. Mr. Stanton, of Tennessee, contended
that the resolution had for its object designs much
deeper than appeared on the face of it, and he de-
fended the course of the President. The question
under consideration was answered in the Message.
The war was not one of conquest, but was solely to
enforce justice on Mexico.
Other speakers followed, and, finally, the question
was informally passed over, and the House ad-
journed to the 14th instant.
betelThs attack upon the
Executive was thought to
serious onslaught at some future and not distant date.
The American forces, since the last advices, had
gained some trifling advantages. .accounts from
Tampico to the 28th ultimo, containing indistinct
accounts from the interior of Mexico, had ben re-
ceived at New Orleans, by the St. Mary's. They are
thus given in the New York journals :
The St. Mary's sailed from 'Tampico on Saturday, the
28th alt., at three P.M., arrived off the Rio Grande del
Norte at five A.M. cn the 30th; landed Adjutant Austin,
3tl Artillery, at Brae ts, at ten. A. M., and sailed for
ass a the
Iselies where s;ie made the light at South•west Pt
,
One P.M., The. 1.
The bteamer Neptune arrived at Tampico, Nov. 22,
with 450 regular troops, under the command of Colonel
Gates.
The steamer Sea arrived with more troops on the 23d,
when the town was banded over to the army.
Fort Orondaga was immediately garrisoned under the
name of Fort Connor, and armed with two long
8-pounders. .
A battery of two 42-pounder earronades was called
Fort Ann, in honour of Mrs. Chase, lady of the late
American Consul at Tampico. This lady behaved most
nobly, showing to the world that she was a patriot
under all circumstances. When our small vessels were
about to approach the town of Tampico, she ran up our
flag in defiance of the alcaide and
other officers.
Some time before Mrs. Chase wrote to Commodore
and gave
Con-
nor, informing him the rlace could be taken,
drawings of the harbour.
Besides the cannon above-mentioned, some
field pieces
are mounted on the house-tops.
The Neptune sailed from Tampico on the 24th ult.,
and encountered a norther, was driven back, and wrecked
on
the bar. All bands were saved. The vesselis a total
loss.
The town of Tampico is already in a state of defence.
Reinforcements are arriving daily.
Saltillo has been abandoned, and there is no doubt
that it is now in possession of the advanad guard of the
army under General Worth.
The condition of Mexico is represented to be even
worse than it has ever been.
Santa Anna lately made an address to his troops, ap•
patently to extract from them an invitation to reinstate
himself at. the head of the Government. He was disap-
pointed, however, at finding that his oration was received
and immediately afterwards. he
sintarptreodfowunitdh shilis€l3:v;alry on a secret expedition. Some
think it was to cut off one of the divisions of our
army, which he will not be I.kely to find. The most
probable conjecture is that h egress ne to Mexico to con-
trolT btheesatc.tii‘,.inaroyf,tshe new C
left over the bar of Tampico the
Potomac, the Princeton, and the John Adams, with
some small vessels off the town of Tampico. She left
the steamer Sea ashore abreast of the town
es north on a mud
bank. She passed the Mississippi 60 mil of
Tampico, bound out. The officers of the St. Mary's are
all well.
A letter from Pensacola,
the Ficayune, says,—that Captain Tatnall, with the of the 7th of December, to
steamer Spitfire, had
A gone up the river 60 or 70 miles
from Tampico, and taken Possession of two towns, ns at
one of which he captured 10 large cannons,
a
heavy quantity' of ammunition, which bad been re-
ceived from Tampico, when the Mexicans retreated from
that city.
The two reeiments which evacuated that place revolted
when they eot to San Luis Potosi, and were disbanded.
They were opposed to Santa Anna.
Great dissensions prevailed at San Luis Potosi.
The army, about 16,000 strong, were in a state of star-
vation. There were four different factions.
The United states brig Porpoise, Captain Hunt—ar-
rived at Pensacola on the Ist of December, about seven
o'clock, in eight days from 'Tampico—reports the squa-
dron all well. There was not the
of shaflovv of a MTroops
exican
in arms to be seen; no opposition any kind.
were arriving daily, and armaments of all kinds landing
at Tampico. The inhabitants seem perfectly satisfied
with the change. There were a great many merchantmen
with assorted cargoes in port. 1' here was a severe gale
on the 18th ult., and the John Adams, St. Mary's, and
a British man- of-war brig, the Darien, were blown off
the coast; they have, however, returned, without sus-
taining any damage. Captain Ingraham came passenger
in the Porpoise, and is bearer of dispatches to our Go-
vernment at Washington. An attempt was maboatsde by the
captain of the Darien to claim the gun- and
schooner of the Mexicans as British property, and he
persisted in it until admonished by Commodore Connor,
when he reluctantly yielded, and abandoned his absurd
pretensions. iThe streets of Tampico were thronged
erican citizens. All was bustle, and business
with
brisk.
Accounts from the Army of the Left at Monterey
have been received to the 11th of November. The
orders of the Government, disapproving the armistice
reached there on the 3(1, and immediately General
Taylor dispatched Major Graham to Saltillo, to
confer with the Mexican camp, and inform them that
each party was at liberty to act as it might think lit.
Not an officer nor a soldier was to be seen at San-
tillo. Major Graham had an interview with the
Governor, and informed him that the armistice was
at an end, and requested him to dispatch the intelli-
gence to the Mexican Commander•in-Chief at San
Luis Potosi. The GOvernor desired Major Graham to
proceed to San Luis and deliver his messag ; but that
officer's instructions being peremptory; he re-
turned to Monterey ; and on the 13th General Taylor,
with General Worth, 1,000 regulars, infantry, a bat-
talion of artillery, and two se uadrons of cavalry, left
for Saltillo. No opposition was anticipated, and
General Taylor was expected to return to Monterey,
after ascertaining the prospects of an advance for the
1 main force along that route to San Luis Potosi. Re-
.

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Rio Grande.
From the Army of the Centre, we learn that on
the 30th the Mexican town of Monclova was quietly
invested. The Governor and a number of the prin•
civil citizens formed an escort, and met General Wool
about tour miles from the city, welcomed him as a
friend, and placed at his disposal for his head-quarters
o. n,-• of the best houses in the town. The army was
n exc-llent health. Reports had reached Monclova
that the city of Chihuahua also had been invested by
a detachment of the Army of the Right from Santa
Fe, under Colonel Doneghan. The American journals
throw doubts upan the last statement.
The latest accounts from the Army of the Right
are dated Fra Christobal, 205 miles south of the
capital of New Mexico. From Santa Fe we have
advices to the 20th of October. The Mormon levy
had arrived, and left on the 18th for California. The
city was in a frightful state; scarcely a day passed
without the perpetration of some outrage by the
Americans, and signs of Mexican retribution were
not unfrequent. Supplies were becoming extremely
scarce ; and, en route from Fort Leavenworth to
Santa Fe, a train of 30 Government waggons had
been totally plundered by the Indians. At Bent's
Fort there were, however, considerable quantities of
stores.
From the Pacific, or the interior of California,
there are no later accounts.
Ihe miscellaneous accounts bearing upon the war
are interesting and numerous. Many manifestations
of increased energy upon the part of the Govern-
ment were being made. Several merchant ships
and vessels had been purchased by the Government
for the national service. Commodore Stewart, it was
stated, would shortly proceed in the line-of-battle
ship Ohio to take command in the Gulf, with a view
to operate against Alvarado, or probably San Juan
de Ulloa itself; and the volunteer regiments were
almost all completed. That Pennsylvania had, in
fact, set out for the scene of war. Great fears
were entertained that the Atlantic would be filled
with privateers. Letters confirmatory of these fears,
it is stated by the New Orleans journals, had been
received in that city from Havannah. The recom-
mendation of the President that Congress should im-
mediately provide by law for the issue of letters of
marque and reprisal had been received with great
disapprobation in New York. '1 he New Orleans
merchants had opened large trading operations with
Tampico. The journals of that city state that
several cargoes had sailed, and that others were
preparing to leave. The Yucatan schooners Ven-
tura and Joaquim, recently captured as prizes, had
been released at New Orleans, by order of the Go-
vernment, on the ground that the neutrality of
Yucatan had not terminated at the time of their
capture. A third schooner had been seized ; it was
anticipated that she, on the contrary, would be irre-
coverably " annexed."
The Washington Union states, that since the battles
of May last, no less than 300,000 volunteers had
proffered their services in the war.
Mr. Calhoun hrd been re-elected to the United
States Senate for a term of six years, from the
4th of March next, by the Legislature of South
Carolina.
The Virginia Legislature assembled on the 7th
instant. The finances of the state, according to the
message of the Governor, were in a satisfactory state ;
the expulsion of all free persons of colour is recom-
mended, and internal improvements, in point of rail-
roads, to develop the riches of the great south
western valley of Virginia are urged. The Mexican
war must not terminate, " except by concessions of
territory by the offending power." The freedom of
commerce is maintained.
The Mormon disturbances had been quieted.
The Secretary of the Treasury had decided, that
the operation of the new tariff commenced on the
Ist instant.
Commercial accounts are interesting. We annex
below the usual reports of the New York and other
markets.
The Caledonia reached Boston on the sth, and her
accounts were published in New York on the morning
of the 7th (Monday).
We extract from the Albany journals the following
table of flour, wheat, barley, and corn at tide water,
during the fourth week of November, in the years
1845 and 1846:-
Flour. 'Wheat. Corn. Barley.
5
1846, 144,450 bls. 122,759 bu. 42,518 bu. 41,021 bu.
,29 bu.
1845, 179,350 bls. 197,269 bu. 1,400 bu. 80
Deer. 34,900 Ws. 74,590 bu. Iner. 41,118 bu. Deer. 38,726 bu.
1 he aggregate receipts of the same articles at tide
water, from the commencement of navigation in 3845
and 1846, to and inclusive of the fourth week of
November, were :-
Flour. NlT;ie at Corn. Barley.
1846, 3,003 050 bls. 2,923,664 bu. 1,586,631 bu
ha. 1,. 1,4151,21,1909 bu.
47 bu.
1815, 2,487,587 bls. 1,581,492 bu.
33,778
Incr. 515,463 his. 1,342,172 bu. 1,552,853 bu. 269,238 bu.
The comparative excess of wheat this year over
theingsutphpusalsieequ sof the correspondent
optefinooudr.o,f, 8w4i51
1,
be
be seen,"says the Argus, " that the receipts of flour
at tide water exceed the estimate we made a fFav
weeks ago of 3,000,000 barrels. The receipts at tide
water of flour alone will exceed those of last year 'l3-
.iver 500,000 barrels, those of 1844 by over
re 800,0110
barrels, and those of 1843 by over 1,000,000 bar 010
The gross receipts at tide water last ear bushels;
bushels;
were :-
Flour, 2,506,125 barrels; wheat, 1,477,
corn, 33,778 bushels; barley, 1,134,646 bushels.
The exports of breadstuff's, &c., from New York
during the week ending Dec. 3, inclusive, were as
follows :-
TO BEAT BRITAIN.
30,350 barrels
Flour ••• ••• •••
Corn Meal ... ..• 1,196 „
Pork •.• • • ••• 502 „
56,010 lb.
Hams
••• ••• ••• 451 tierces
Beef
••• ..• 276 barrels
Beef
.•• ••• 4,001 bushels
Peas .••
65,882 lb.
Lard ••• ••• •.•
44,746 bushels
Corn ••• •• • •••
Cheese ••• •.. "'248,676 lb.
Tallow ... ..• 19,320 „
Butter ••• ••• •.• 64,918 „
Rice ••• •.• ••• 157 tierces
Wheat ••• ..• 44,876 bushels
Leather ••• 8,200 lb.
Hemp •.• •.• •.• 129 bales
Whale Oil ..• •.• 8,085 gallons
Cotton ••• ••• .•• 2.046 bales
Turpentine ••• .•• 1,910 barrels
Hides ••• •.• ••. 42,000 lb.
Hops •.• .•• ••• 21 bales
Apples •.• •.• 141 barrels
Wool ••• ••• ••• 4 bales
Rosin ••• •.• ••• 200 lb.
Clover seed •
•• ••• 8,566 „
TO FRANCE.
Flour 7,701 barrels
Rice 188 tierces
Lard 207,433 lb.
Pork 10 barrels
Wheat •.• •.. ••• 17,501 bushels
Cotton ••• •••• ••• 2,609 bales ;
and a numerous list of miscellaneous articles of com-
merce. Considerable supplies were also forwarded to
the West Indies, &c.
The following is a tabular statement of exports
from Philadelphia during November :-
TO ENGLAND.
Flour 10,152 barrels
Corn Meal ..• ... 5,550 „
Pork ..• ... 119 „
Beef .•• .•• •• .•• 48
Bread ..• ..• ..• 14
Wheat • • 40,338 bushels
Corn ... •.• 47,350 „
Lard ... ... 168,824 lb.
Tallow ... 130,656 „
Butter ... ... 5,250 „
Hams ••• ... 20,250 „
TO FRANCE.
Flour ... •.. ... 5,334 barrels
Wheat ..• ..• ... 7,422 bushels
TO BELGIUM.
Flour ••• •••
••• 3,132 barrels.
Large supplies were also forwarded thence to the
West Indies.
Havannah dates to the 25th November had been
received in New York by the Spanish war steamer
Leon. The Leon visited New York for the purpose
of repair, but the journals do not publish any mtc
gence.

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P. 51.
Cotton, sales 1,800 bales at 3-8 ct., the advance on
last week.
Flour better, 6,000 barrels, from mixed Michigan to
Genessee, at sdolls. 12ic , to ship; 20,000 bushels were
sold yesterday at 5.06 dolls. to 123,c•
Wheat 100 c. to 115 c.; rye, 78c. to 80c.; 2,000 bushels
new western corn at 61c. in the slip; barley and oats
steady.
Ashes 4 dolls. 75c. and 5 dolls. 62ic• not brisk.
Whisky 21c. to 2lic., tending up. Whalebone is held
at 37 and 40c.
Linseed Oil is offered at less than 57c., but at present
there is no disposition to buy.
200 barrels Lelands Dutches Co. Pork brought 13
dolls. 50c., ditto lard, 9c. per lb.
Pork rather better, say 9 dolls. 370. to 50c., and 7
dolls. 75c. sales.
Spirits turpentine sold at 43c. in bad order, atd at
45c. in good order.
The tea sale was well attended, and showed a slight
improvement all round.
Turpentine is nominally 3 dolls., but there are to
buyers.
Exchanges flat, fancy stocks down, because the Trea-
sury report does not propose to alter the Sub-Treasury
so much as was expected; freights steady.
EVENING.—SaIes of cotton, 2,000 bales or more ;
prices closing to cent. better than last week.
Flour-1,000 barrels fancy Genesee sold at 5 dolls.
25c, and the same was offered for large parcels more;
5 dolls. 12io, was offered for common brquds to any

extent; 600 barrels of Howard street flour sold two days
ago st 5 dolls. 12k':.; 2,000 bushels of good barley at 55
to 56 c.nts.

Freights are quite firm; engagements were made at
45. 9d. for flour to Liverpool.

NEW ORLEANS, DEC. 2.
Cotton—Arrived 13,741 bales; cleared for Liverpool
611 bales, Genoa 475, New York 368, Boston 1,238,
Philadelphia, 139—together 8,331 bales, leaving on hand
122,081 bales. Markets closed heavily, as the advanc-
ing tendency in freights and declining exchanges pro-
duce an unfavourable influence. Present stock from
good middling to middling fair, and a decline in these
descriptions of * of a cent.; qualities below good mid-
dling are comparatively scarce, for which inquiry prin-
cipally centres, well sustained, also good fair to fine;
sales three days 3,000 bales; middling 9 to 91, good
mid. 91 to 9f, mid. fair 9i- to 94, lair 10 to 104, good
fair 11 to 11-1.
Sugar—Less animation. Sales, 900 hhds., prices
rather in favour of buyers, market dull, with an increas-
ing stock and downward tendency. Occasional parcels
of very inferior sold at something under; very superior
by the' new process," command 7,1 c. to 73c.; bulk of
the sales for the north; arrival 1,549 hogsheads., cleared
for New York 271.

Molasses—Very goo 3 demand; F ales three days 1,300
barrels at 23 to 23f; arrived 1,192 barrels, cleared for
New Yerk 241.

TobAcco—Without interest ; cleared for Genoa 105
hogsheads ; stock 4,524 hogshead.
Flour—Monday, Ohio, &c., at 4 dolls. 87 }e. to 5 (kills.,
shippers offering the highest rat.., at which the market
closes very firmly ; sales of the three days nearly 22,000
barrels ; arrived 15,605 barrels, (laved for New Yotk,
414 ; B. st n, 2,416 ; ilavannah, 606 ; Liverpool, 2,607;
7,768.

Pork—Good inquiry both for mess and prime, 800
barrel 3 former at 8 dolls. 70e. to 9 dolls. ; bulk of sales
at 8 dolls. 30e. to 8 dolls. 90c. ; 1,500 barrels prime to a
shipper at 7 dolls. 50c. to 7 dolls. 80c. ; stock nearly all
in the nands of one operator ; stock clear 183 barrels ;
mess, 6,832 ; M 0, 436 ; soft mess, 152 ; prime, 2,596—
total, 12,666 barrels ; arrived 1,330 ; cleared for New
York, 115 ; Boston, 495. _ _

Beef—Market nearly bare, sales confined to small
lots ; arrived 270 tierces ; cleared for Boston 180.
Bacon—Large receipts caused a decline, 450 casks at
4ic. to 5-Ic. sides ; 3c. to &ie. for shoulders ; hams sc.
to si::. for bare, and 6c. to Be. for canvassed and extra
sugar- cured.
Export demand for lard has been brisk ; prices are
supported ; to 7c. ordinary to prime, strictly prime
71-c. r arrived, 156 tierces and barrels and 107 kegs ;
cleared for New York 939, Boston 2,819, St. Thomas 200.

Gunny bags—Demand very moderate ; no large sales ;
quote 17c. to 18e. 2i bushels.
Whisky—No change ; arrived 1,955 barrels.
Corn—Animated; shippers have taken aLout 40,000
bushels from 67c. to 70c. for prime lots of yellow or
white; market closed with firmness; arrived 2,400 bar-
rels and 11,255 sacks of corn; cleared for Liverpool,
14,315, Sligo, 4,342 sacks of corn.
Hemp—Receipts very light, only sale 166 bales supe-
rior dew-rotted, at 75 dolls. per ton.
Lead—Arrivals rather heavier; most of the lots re-
ceived are either for shipment or held at prices which
cannot be obtained ; sale 1,250 pigs lower mines at
4 dolls.

Lime—Cargo, 1,500 casks Camden at 80 cents.
Hay—Without improvement.
Tallow firm at to 7i.
Exchange—Less inquiry for foreign; sterling 5 to 6
per cent. premium; francs are dull at sf. 46ic. to sf. 50c.;
bills on North without change.
. _

Freights—Rather more activity in foreign; some 9 or
10 ships and barques on berth for Liverpool; engagements
cotton at id., now refused; two ships for Havre at 1 per
cent. for cotton, one for Trieste at lit cent., and one for
Europe at 4s. 6d. for flour and Is. Id. for corn. Coast-
wise freights continue dull.
ALBANY, DEC. 10.
We have a cold snap again, and the river is well
sprinkled with floating ice.
Fleur—But little inquiry; small orders have been
filled for the last three days at 5 dolls. and 51 dolls.
for Gennessee, the latter for extra brands; some sales at
4 dolls. Vie.
Barley—A load of two-rowed sold yesterday for 56c.
Shipments, Dec. 10—By Western Railroad for Boston,
&c., 1,047 barrels flour.

NEW ZEALAND.
CAPTURE OF RAUPARAIJA.

WELLINGTON, JULY 25. —The native (or Maori) Chief
Rauparaha, or, as he is familiarly termed by the whalers,
Robulla, who is a relative by marriage of the rebel chief
Rangihaietta, has latterly professed great amity and
friendship for the Pakehas (or white men), and has been
visiting the camp at Porirua constantly, and had inter-
views with the naval officers, and, only ten days since,
with the Governor, but has always refused to join them
in attacking Rangi. By those who have known him for
years, and by all the friendly natives, he is considered
the most cunning, crafty, and treacherous of all the
chiefs, and it now appears ho has been playing his usual
double game. It has been known, though it could not
be proved, that he has been in communication with the
rebel Rangihaietta for several months, but fortunately,
the proofs are forthcoming. A body of natives from
Wanganui were about to join Rangi ; to prevent such
junction, the Governor (Grey) embarked on board her
Majesty's steamer Driver, with 140 rank and file of the
58th and 99th Regiments, under Major Last, sad Capt.
Stanley, of her Majesty's ship Calliope, and about 68
blue jackets and marines, and a party of 20 armed police,
under Major Durie, inspector, and sailed on the 20th
inst. for Waikanae and Otaki (on the west coast near
the Manawata river), and where the Ngatiawas, who
are friendly natives, live. It is said he had a consulta-
tion with the chiefs from Wanganui, and they have re-
terns(' home. However, by some means, he had laid hold
of an emissary from Rauparaha to Rangihaietta with a
letter concealed on his person, stating that he had arms
and ammunition for him. Upon this, the Governor
sailed back from Waikanae at night, and anchored off
Porirua about one A.st. on the 24th (yesterday), when
Captain Stanley and a party of blue jackets landed just
under Rauparalta's pah, called Taupo. This Taupo is
near Po: irua, and is on the sea- shore, about a mile from
the camp. There is another Taupe, between Wanganui
and Teranaki or New Plymouth, w here a land-slip took
place about six weeks ago, buryin4 in his pah the Chief
lieu Heu (called Ha cu, French pronunciation), six of
his wives, and fifty of his men. lieu Heu was rather
well disposed to the whites, though he disapproved of
the Government hoisting flag-staffs, &c. Captain Stanley
timed his visit so well, that he took Rauparaha, Charley,
and three others, before they had time to strike a blow;
he also seized some thirty-seven stand of arms and six
or seven kegs of powder. Rauparaha's men all bolted,
and are supposed to have gone to Rangihaietta, in
number about thirty-five. Rauparaha himself, and
Charley, and the three others, are all safe on board the
Driver, in irons. This is the most decisive step Governor
Grey has yet taken. Rauparaha and Charley were both
at the massacre of Captain Arthur Wakefield, at Wairoa;
and the settlers here are in perfect ecstacy at this bold
policy of the Governor.
This will do more than ten battles to settle the affairs
in the Cook's Straits District, as, though the warrior
Rangihaietta (who, to do him justice, is a bold, uncom-
promising enemy) is left free, yet the wily treacherous
head, Rauparaha, is at last caught in his own meshes.
The Governor is not expected back for a few days. The
prisoners will probably be sent to Norfolk Island. They
cannot punish them for the Wairoa massacre, as Governor
Fitzroy pardoned them for that affair.
On the 22d inst. the Levant, from Sydney, arrived with
a detachment of 160 men of the 65th Regiment, which
is still on board, waiting for orders.

TITLE DEEDS.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SIR,—A short time ago I troubled you with a few re-
marks on the absurdity of having a new title deed when
a property changed hands, and the existing deed merely
represented that property, and could go with it, an en-
dorsement properly witnessed being sufficient.
With mortgages I would deal in a similar manner. I
would have a general mortgage Act, describing the
power of mortgagees, &c., and then, when a person
wanted a loan, he would only have to endorse on the
back of the deed that he mortgaged the property repre-
sented by the deed to A. 8., as a security for X—,
and interest, agreeably to the General Mortgage Act.
This (and a stamped receipt, if the Government required
a tax on the transaction) would be as efficient as the
most lengthy and unintelligible mortgage deed that ever
was drawn out.

We must endeavour to get our law as perfect as our
machinery.—l am, Sir, your obedient servant,

A. B.

MEETING OF PARLIAMENT.—A circular, of which
the following is a copy, has been issued by the Prime
Minister to the Liberal Members of the [louse of Com-
mons :—" D.Avning•street, Dec. 23, 1846. have
the honour to inform you that the meeting of Parliament
being fixed for the 19th of January, business of great
importance will be proceeded with ou the opening of the
session. I take the liberty of requesting your attend-
ance.—l have the honour to be your faithful servant, J.
RUSSELL."

Lord Stanley has formally taken up the position
that public opinion had already assigned to him as pecu-
liarly his own. His Lordship has addressed a circular
to the Protectionist Members of the House of Peers, in-
forming them that Parliament is to meet fcr the dispatch
of business on the 19th January; suggesting that matters
of importance will, in all probability, be immediately
brought und, r their con ideration; and expressing a hope
that it may consist with their Lordships' convenience to
give their attendance at the commencement of tho ses-
sion. We need not remind our readers that this is the
usual course adopted by the recognised leader of a party ;
and that Lord Stanley should have thus publicly taken
it, cannot tail to gratify all who still value honour, in-
tegrity, and talent in political men; and to afford the
best guarantee that the Protectionists are resolved to
carry on their war of principle with zeal and earnest-
ness.—Post.

Wol.r AT PECKHAM.—A large and ferocious wolf,
supposed to have escaped from sorne travelling menagerie,
was yesterday morning despatched in a field near Peck-
ham. The skins of several dogs and cats, found near
the animal's lair, sufficiently showed how the master
wolf " got his living."
INCREASE or TITUES.—The tithe commutation
rent-charge has increased the tithes of the parish of
Northwood, in the Isle of Wight, one-third, and in some
instances one-half, of which the agriculturists loudly
complain. What was to have been for their benefit, or
professed to have been so, has had quite the contrary
eff•ct; and the landlords have to pay 3001. fur the
v4luation, the rector being the only person really
benefited. The farmers should take care to deduct the
poor and highway rates and the property-tax, or the
rector may forget to tell them to do so, and take the
whole amount, though he is not entitled to it.

THE NATIONAL MERCANTILE
1 LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY.
The third anniversary of this invaluable and most
excellent institution was celebrated last night, at the
London Tavern, on which occasion were collected to-
gether some of the most influential gentlemen connected
with the City and the commerce of the country; among
whom we noticed Mr. Alderman Sidney, Mr. Wilcoxon,
Mr. Waddington, Mr. Groucock, Mr. A. Wilcoxon, Mr.
Blandford, Mr. Phillips, Mr. Newbon, Mr. Broclalebank,
Mr. Mayne, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Al'Culloch, Mr. Peck,
Mr. Lawson, Mr. Baker, &c. Upwards of two hundred
gentlemen sat down at six o'clock to a dinner replete
with every delicacy the season could afford, and one
worthy the name of the proprietors of this establishment.
The chair was must ably filled by Robert Wilcoxon,
Esq., supported on the right by Mr. Alderman Sidney,
and on the left by Giles Redmayne, Esq.
The dinner, the good things of this life, having been
been discussed in a spirit worthy of so excellent a cause,
and the cloth withdrawn,
The CHAIRMAN rose to propose the first toast, the
" Health of her most Gracious Majesty the Queen."—
(Great cheering.) Born and living among them, they
had ample opportunity of estimating her character and
worth.—(Cheers.) Since she had ascended the throne
she had manifested on every occasion the greatest
anxiety to promote the prosper sty of every class of her
people.—(Great cheering.)
" Ged save the Queen" was then sung in most excel-
lent std le by the vocalists neaged.
The Cuatestass then said that the next toast he had
to propose was one in which he was sere all present
would join as heartily as they did in the last, it was the
" Health of his Royal Highuess Prince Albert."—
(Great cheering.) As consort to their Queen
he was well entitled to their remembrance—(Cheers)—
but he was equally so on account of the many excellent
qualities that he possessed—(Cheers)—qualities, he
could unfeignedly say, that endeared him to the people
of the United Kingdom.—(Cheers.) To his name he
would also add that of Albert, Prince of Wales—
(sTheers) the Queen Dowager —(Cheers) and the
other branches of the Royal Family.—(Great cheering.)
The toast was drunk, as was that of her Majesty,
with the most loyal and enthusiastic applause. Glee,
" Here's a Health to the Prince and the Queen."
The CHAIRMAN then said that the next toast he was
about to propose was (me truly national, it was " The
Army and Navy of the United Kingdom."—(Loud
cheers. It must be acknowledged by all that
this country was greatly indebted for her power
and her commercial prosperity, under the Divine
flavour, to her religion, her laws, and the perseverance
of her combined forces.—(Cheers.) He trusted the day
was not far distant when wars and rumours of wars
would for ever cease—(Cheers)--when the sword would
be beaten into a ploughshare and the spear into a
pruning-hook.—(Cheers.) He thought that their meed
of prat o was eminently due to those noble men who,
not counting their own lives as an thing, were ever
ready to stand up in the defence of their country, and
thereby secure to those who inhabited it all that they
desired, all that was dear to them, a happy and a peace-
ful home.—(Cheers.) The toast was drank with the
greatest enthusiasm.
Duet, " Sound, sound the Trumpet boldly," was sung
in most excellent style by Turner and Farquharson
Smith.
The CHAIRMAN then rose and said, that the toast he
was about then to propose might be called the toast
of the evening.—(Cheers.) It was one in which he was
sure all present felt the most lively interest.—(Cheers.)
It was one that had such attractive influence, that to it
he felt ho was indebted for the present large, respectable,
and influential company by which he was surrounded.—
(Cheers.) The toast was, " Prosperity to the National
Mercantile Life Assurance Society."—(Tremendous
cheering.) It was the third anniversary dinner of the
society at which, by the request of all present, he had
had the honour of presiding—(Cheers)—and he could
not but regret that he did not possess greater ability to
fill a chair, which he was sure any gentleman, however
high by position, would feel proud to occupy. It had
been customary on that day for their chairman
to give them something like an account of the present
position and prospects ef the society.—(Cheers.) Of
the past he would say but little—(Cheers)—they were
all familiar with the dangers, the trials, and the diffi-
culties which they had had to encounter—(Cheers)—and
how, through perseverance, energy, determination,
and an honourable and straightforward course
of action, they had overcome every obstacle to
their success.—(Cheers.) At the present moment,
it was his most gratifying duty to inform them that the
society was in a most flout ishing condition, and that all
their transactions were most healthy and crowned with
success.—(Cheers.) At their last annual meeting, in
March, it was in the poser of the directors of the
society to declare their first bonus—(Cheers)—and since
that period the progress of the society, he believed he
might say, had given the greatest satisfaction to every
proprietor. The success of the present year was most
encouraging to the directors—(Cheers)—and with the
powerful support that they received, especially from
their friends, the commercial men, who were daily en-
listing under their banners an.l joining their ranks, in
carrying their principles through the length and
breadth of the land, he had no doubt that the time was
not far distant when they would become one of the
largest life offices in London, the emporium of the
world.—(Loud cheers.) Their losses during the
present year had been remarkably light, for during the
whole of the twelve months, from the Ist of January to
the present moment, the sum total of claims upon them
for policies falling in amount only to the small sum of
eOOl.--(Great cheering.) This result, he had no doubt—
and he was sure that every one present would agree with
him in that opinion—was owing to the care, the perse-
verance, and the watchfulness that had been exercised
by the directors in the selection of the lives that had
come before them. (Loud cheers.) It also
showed, on the part of the medical gentlemen connected
with the society, the discrimination and discernment
that they had displayed. Irrespective of this, success in
every other quarter had been as great as the most
sanguine supporters of the society could have anticipated.
—(Cheers.) He believed that it was generally known
that they were now in the occupation of their new pre-
mises—(Cheers)—situated certainly in the first locality
of the city of London, and most desirably adapted fur all
the necessities of the institutionll—(Cheers.) He was
sure that the speculation that they had entered into in •
purchasing those premises would be found to be most
beneficial to the society, not only as a purchase, but as
an occupation.—(Cheers.) Before he sat downs he felt
anxious to say a few words on the subject of life assur-
ance. Every one who heard him, he believed, would
acknowledge that it was a most valuable boon—
(Cheers)—and the blessings that it conferred could
never be over-rated.—(Cheers.) flow many a poor
bereaved widow, he would ask—how many a poor orphan
and an orphan family had to bless the day when first
the husband or the father had the prudence, the fore
cast, the thoughtfulness, the well-minded intention
of insuring his life, and thereby enabling his wife
and his children to insuro to themselves a competency
during their lives? Such a competency had mode the
hearth of the widow comfortable, the home of the orphan
happy. Such were the blessings that attended the form-
ing of companies like the present, and such were the be-
nefits that ht', assurance was calculated eminently to
impart.—(Cheers.)
The toast was drunk amidst enthusiastic cheering,
followed by a comic improvisation on the society, by Bru-
ton, in which the allusions to Mr. Alderman Sidney, who
sat on the right of the chairman, and Mr. Redmayne,
who occupied the seat to his left, created considerable
merriment.
Mr. Alderman SIDNEY then rose to address the com-
pany. It was his pleasing duty to propose the next toast,
which he had no hesitation in saying would be received
by all present with the greatest enthusiasm. That toast
was " TN) health of their most excellent Chairman."—
(Great cheering.) He called upon them to drink the
health of the chairman, in three points of view—first,
as a merchant—(Cheers)—secondly, as a gentleman ;
and, thirdly, as a friend. He was known to most of
them, and he was known only to be respected. As the
chairman of the directors of the Mercantile Life Assu-
rance Society he occupied a very proud and gratifying
position. The urbanity of his manners, the excellence
of his judgment, and the good temper he had invariably
displayed, endeared him to all, and made the position
which he occupied one of the greatest benefit to the
society
Upon
amid to
ton whichothep h
public
filled thaticatlarge evening,.—(L
large.—(Loud h
cheers.)
mr.
e(ers.).
the situation
Alderman Si ney) felt that he need not offer any
eulogium with respect to the conduct that he had pur-
sued.—(Cheers.) His conduct had already drawn down
plaudits which were most deservedly bestowed. He
begged, in conclusion, to propose the health of their
chairman, Mr. Wilcoxon, with three times three.
The toast was drunk amidst the most enthusiastic
cheering. -
The CHAIRMAN rose to return thanks amid great
cheering. Ile really did not feel himself competent to
give expression to the feelings that animated
him for the very kind manner in which his
name had been mentioned by his worthy friend,
Mr. Alderman Sidney, and for the warm recep-
tion that it had met with in so large and so enlight-
ened a company as that which surrounded him.—
(Cheers.) It could not but be gratifying to him to know
and to feel that the humble services which it had
been in his power to render to the society
had met with a meed of approbation from
its members which he felt they did not deserve.—
(Cheers.) For the strong manifestation which he had
just witnessed in his favour he begged to return them his
most sincere thanks. To have such a demonstration on
his behalf was the highest reward that he could receive,
and he felt that it was the greatest that the society could
bestow.—(Cheers.) Ile could not, however, receive
these praises from a meeting like the present without at
once acknowledging that he was solely indebted
for them to the cordial assistance that he had re-
ceived from those by whom he was supported.—
(Cheering.) Not only to them were his thanks
due, but to the whole body of the proprietary and the
policy-holders.—(Cheers.) He considered that it was
no mean honour to belong to a society like the present.
He was happy to think that he was connected with it
from its commencement, and that he was one of
those who took his seat at the board at the very
first meeting of their directors.—(Great cheering.)
Since that period he had watched with the most careful
eye over the growing interests of the society; and
through evil report and good report he had nailed
his colours to the mast and had stood up, he
hoped he might say, its firm and its unflinch-
ing friend. It was true that he had often felt
himself incompetent to discharge as he could wish the
onerous duties that had devolved upon him as the
chairman of this society. But with the uniform kind-
ness, courtesy, and consideration which he had invari-
ably ever received from every member of the board,
together with the powerful assistance at all times ac-
corded to him by all by whom he was surrounded, he
felt that his "yoke was easy, and his burden light." In
conclusion, he begged most respectfully to thank

them for the cordial and most sincere manner in
which they had drank his health.—(Great cheer-
ing.) They were, doubtless, aware that this so-
ciety was originally formed and founded by the sole
effort of comparatively few persons—by but a few com-
mercial men—who were determined to have a life as-
surance company which they could emphatically call
their own, and he thought that the scene which that
room presented that night showed that they had not
laboured in vain—(Cheers)—that their exertions had not
gone for nought—(Cheers)—that the seed they bad
sown hatftaken deep root, that it had germinated be-
yond their expectations, and that it had yielded a most
abundant harvest.—(Great cheering.) In conclusion, he
would only say, that as long as he had the cot.fidence of
the board of directors of the present society, so long
would he advance in every way that he could what he
considered to be the substantial, the enduring benefits
and prosperity of the society.—(Great cheering,)
Song, Mr. Genge—" Sally in our Alley," which was
most deservedly encored.
Mr. CHARLES proposed the next toast, " The health of
the Directors of the National; Mercantile Life Assurance
Society, and that of the Deputy-Chairman at the pre-
sent ineetieg, Mr. Alderman ;sidney."
Mr. Alderman SIDNEY returned thanks, and in doing
so, stated that the directors had taken dllce with
the determination, that if they remained at the
helm of affairs of that society, it should not be second to
any in the city of Londoo.—(Hear, hear.) As they
were all aware, the society had emerged from its minor
position to one of the most important d, scrip-
tion. They had now the office placed pro-eminently
forward in one of, the best situations in the city of
London, and since they had occupied those premises
they had transacted business totally unprecedented in
the annals of assurance companies, and wile which,
he believed, the transactions of any other of-
fice could bear no comparison.—(Loud cheekt.)
It was considered, generally speaking, in offices of that
description, that to have an income of 1.5,0004 to 20 0004
a year was doing a great stroke of business, but what
was the state of the present society? Why at the
rate that they had bden going on for the last
four months they had been transacting business to the
extent of between 30,0004 and 40,0001 a year. Such
being the case, he believed no one would dissent from
his statement, when he said that the time aus not
far distant when their society would be the first,
if not the very first in the United Kingdom.
In conclusion, he begged to say that on behalf of him-
self and his fellow-directors, he felt most grateful fur
the manner in which their healths had been drank.
Glee—" Here in cool grot and mossy cell."
D. 'WADDINGTON, Esq., proposed, amidst enthusiastic
cheering, " Health, long life, prosperity, and happiness,
to the Commercial Travellers," which, after some ob-
servations by Mr. Hewett, vies drunk amid great
applause.

-Sung by Mr. Farquharson Smith, " The Ivy Green."
The CHAIRMAN then rose to propose the health of
Mr. Jones, the secretary and actuary of the institution.
On rising to do so he was greeted with the most vehe-
ment cheering, and silence having been in some measure
restored, he said—lt was his pleasing duty to prc pose
to them health and long life to one of the moss, valuable,
efficient, and deserving officers of their institution, Mr.
Jones, their actuary and secretary.—(Tremendous
cheering.) There was not a gentleman present who had
better capabilities of estimating the talents and industry
of their actuary and secretary than hitnself—(Cheers)—
and he could assure them that it afforded him the
greatest pleasure publicly to state that Mr. Jones's
services were duly appreciated, and that he was held in
the highest estimation by the board of directors.—
(Great cheering.) For himself he felt bound to
say that Mr. Jones at all times rendered him
the highest service—(Cheers)—and, by so doing, made
that duty, which would otherwise be onerous, light.—
(Great cheering.) The capabilities of Mr. Jones were
great.—(Hear.) As a mathematician he was unsur-
passed ,• and he was fully entitled and well worthy of
the confidence and support of the National Mercantile
Assurance Society.—(Cheers.) He had the greatest
happiness in proposing " Long life, health, and happi-
ness to their actuary and secretary, Mr. Jones.
This toast was most enthusiastically drank with three
times three, and one cheer more.
_ _

Mr. JENKIN JONES, in rising to return thanks, was
greeted with rounds of applause. When something like
silence was obtained, he said that he could assure all pre-
sent that he most deeply felt the honour that had been
done him. He was sure that he did not deserve the praise
that had been bestowed upon him by their worthy chair.
man.—(Cries of " Yes, you do.") But, at the same
time that he made that statement, he could assure them
that no individual could possibly have felt more anxiety
for the welfare, the prosperity, and success of the insti-
tution than he had done.—(Cheers.) When he made
that statement, he felt bound to accompany it with the
assertion that his efforts would have been in vain had he
not been supported by their worthy chairman and the
board of directors—(Great cheering)—gentlemen whose
hearts and souls were sincerely bent on Going all they
could for the benefit and welfare of the institution.—
(Cheers.) Nothing, he would unhesitatingly say, could
equal the respectability and the independent character of
the gentlemen at their board of management.—(Cheers.)
He had no hesitation in saying that the feeling
that actuated their board of management was the interest
of that class of persons, whose primary duty it was to
consider and protect the policy-holders.—(Cheers.)
They had heard from their chairman how successful the
society had been ; and in making that statement, he
had referred to the report they had presented to the last
annual meeting.—(Cheers.) Now that report had not
been come to without great consideration.—heers.)
M
It had been audited by r. Brodgkinson, by Mr. Mil-
ledge, by Mr. M'Culloch, and Mr. Stockdale.—(Cheers.)
The evidence contained in that report—and he was nut
astonished at it—had startled many, and surprised every
one.—(Cheers.) In that report it was stated, that of ter
the payment of every expense, after the settlement of all
that could be settled, the total amount of claims—after
deducting the payments in respect of lapsed and sur-
rendered policies were only 4,2941. 17s. tel.
Now, if that was a gratifying statement, how much more
gratifying, he would ask, was that he was about to
make ? At the present moment, after deduct-
ing the payments tor lapsed and surrendered
policies, they would be only losers the to extent of
between 2,000/. and 3,0001, and this during nine years.
—(Great cheering.) Their worthy chairman bad spoken
of the premises that had been taken; in doing so, he must
pardon him if he stated that ho had not altogether done
them justice.—(Cheers.) lie was enabled to state that
from offers that had already been made, they would
stand rent free, with offices worth 5001. a year, the
present value of which may be estimated at about
10,000/.—(Great cheering) It had fallen to his lot
some time back, in looking for papers, to read the report
of the Government actuary, Mr. Finlason, in which he
paid a high compliment to the directors of this
society for the manner in which they had gratuitously
conducted their business.—(Cheers.) As an evidence
of the extraordinary success of the society, he might
venture to mention, that whilst it was considered by
many offices that three proposals a week was indicative
of a state of prosperity, what then, he would ask, must
be considered of the state of this society when he told
them that for several weeks past they had had between
30 and 40 proposals each weekly board-day—(Cheers)
—and that very day they had had upwards of 60 7
(Cheers.) The proposals during the present month
alone amounted to the unprecedented number of 152 ;
the amount of the sums assured upon which would ex-
ceed 79,0001., yielding an income of upwards of 2,000 L,
which, if continued, would be upwards of 20,0001. per
annum.—(Cheers.)
Mr. JONES having paid a high compliment to Mr.
Hewitt and Mr. Cotterill for the assistance that they
had rendered him in the discharge of his duties, begged
to assure the society, that whilst they honoured him
with being their secretary and actuary, he would en-
deavour by all means in his power to be a faithful,
honest, zealous, but an independent servant of the so-
ciety.—(Great cheering.)
Comic song by Mr. Bruton.

The health of the stewards, auditors, medical, and
legal officers was then drunk, and duly responded to, amid
much cheering.

Mr. JONES then proposed the health of Mr. Chadwick,-
one of the local agents of the society in Manchester. That
gentleman had taken the trouble of coming to London
tor the purpose of attending the present meeting—
(Cheers)—and he thought that the least they could do
was to drink his health.—(Cheers.) Many of the agents
Lad obtained for them sixty, fifty, forty, thirty, twenty,
and a less number of subicribers. But Mr. Chadwick
had obtained for them, within a very short period, no
less than eighty.—(Cheers.)
The toast was drunk with enthusiasm.
Mr. CIILDWICK, in returning thanks, assured the
society that his exertions should never be relaxed for
their benefit.
The health of the Vice-Presidents of the evening,
Mr. Williams, Mr. Hewitt, and Mr. Julian Aders, was
drunk amid much cheering, as was also that of "The
Press."

These toasts having been duly responded to, and the
air of " Rule Britannia" having been sung in excellent
style by the vocalists present, the assembly broke up,
every party seeming highly delighted with the rich treat
they had received.
Messrs. George Tarner, Genge, Farquharson Smith,
and Bruton enlivened the entertainments of the evening
by their excellent singing.
The great toast-masters, Messrs. Took and Son, gave
out the toasts in their usual sonorous and excellent style,
and the dinner that was provided by Messrs. Bathe and
Breach was all that the greatest gourmand could desire,
or the greatest epicure covet, and the wines were of the
first description.

TUE CONDE DE MONTEMOLIN.—The Conde de
Montemolin received numerous visits from Spanish no-
blemen and gentlemen, with whom he spent the greater
part of yesterday. In the afternoon the Conde took his
usual exercise in the parks.
FROZEN TO DEATIL—An inquest was held at
Broadheath, in Worcestershire, on the body of Elizabeth
Sefton, aged 66, who was found dead on Sunday last by
the side of an unfrequented road. On a postmortem exa-
mination there was nothing but a little watery fluid
found in her stomach. The jury returned the following
verdict.—" That the deceased was found dead, having,
it is supposed, lost her way, and owing to the incle-
mency of the weather she was frozen to death."
At a dinner of the committee and board of ma-
nagement of the Licensed Victuallers' Asylum, which
took place on Tuesday, Mr. Kemp, the chairman, was
presented with a very beautiful and valuable gold snuff
box, manufactured by Messrs. Sari and Sons, Cornhill.
SINGULAR ANNOUNCEMENT.--A placard has this
week been posted on the walls, in the town of Staley-
bridge, announcing that a tea-party of Mormons, or
Latter-day Saints will be held in the town-ball, on New
Year's-day, in which it is gravely stated that " three of
the twelve apostles" will be present on the occasion.
Some other great personage is also to be in attendance
from the " Rely City" in America—Manchester Courier.

NAVAL IN TELLIGENCE.
• WOOLWICH, DEC. 30.—Her Alajetty's royal acht • Fairy arrived at a gust ter past eleven, ear., to-day, y
from
Portsmouth, and was attached to moorings opposite the
Woolwich Dockyard. She is to be taken up to Messrs.
Penn's, at Deptford, the constructors of her engines and
machinery, to be examined; and any deficiency that may
be found to have taken place during her recent trips will
be made good during the winter season.
The only vessels building in Woolwich Dockyard at
present are—the Royal Albert, 120 guns, now in a state
of furwardness, having the whole of her frame timbers
put together, and the greater part of her planking tim-
ber laid over the frame. The bottom or under-water
planks have been converted from beech-wood, and the
upper planks, which are 10 inches in thickness, of the
best English oak. The frame is also of the best English
oak, put together in the strongest manner. A number
of workmen are employed in preparing and fixing the
side pieces for supporting the beams inside, and during
the next year this magnifi6ent vessel will be an object
of considerable attraction to visitors to the Dockyard,
as she will then be in an advanced state to show her
great magnitude, and substantial, yet elegant, appear-
ance.
The Nankin, 50-gun frigate, building under the new
slip at the east end of the yard, from a design by Mr.
Lang, jun., assistant to the master shipwright. at Chat-
ham a ckyard, where the timbers are converted and
st at round to Woolwich Dockyard, has about one-third
of her flame put up, and a number of men employed
upon liar.
The Baz-ilisk steam-vessel, building on the slip next
to the Ho; al Albert,- has only her keel and a small por-
ticti if her frame put together. She is to be built
wetly similar to the Niger steam vessel, recently
launched from this dockyard, and will be fitted with
I,ccdle wheels, the Niger being fitted with a screw pro-
peller, to test their comparative merits.
The timber converted for the Hannibal, of 90 guns,
has remained untouched for a considerable time; and
the Basilisk is building under the slip intended for the
Hannibal.

A young lady, named Fitzgerald, had a narrow
escape on Monday, while taking equestrian exercise on
the Marine parade with her brother and another gentle-
man. Owing to some unexplained cause the horse on
which she rode ran away, and the lady, after many in-
effectual attempts to save herself, was at last unhorsed
by her saddle slipping round, and she came to the ground
and was dragged some little distance before the animal
was stopped by a Hyman. We are gratified to add, that
though tier situation was one of imminent danger, she
escaped with a few slight bruises.—Brighton Guardian.
CORONER'S INQUEST. A MANtSCALDED TO
DEATH.—On Tuesday night, Mr. Payne entered into an
inquiry at Guy's lospital relative to the death of Wm.
Minter, aged thirty-two. The deceased was a stoker in
the service of Mr. Chapman, Francis•street, Lambeth.
On Monday morning, About ten o'clock, he was em-
ployed at the copper in which was about seven feet of
water nearly boiling, and in which he dropped a mop.
He put a ladder into the copper, and was descending,
when he fell into the water. Assistance was promptly
obtained, and he was got out. He was instantly taken
to Guy's Hospital, where be died in a few hours, nearly
the entire surface of his body being scalded. Verdict—.
" Accidental death."

NIGHTLY SHELTER FOR THE HOMELESS POOR.--
T he committee of the above association yt sterday made
a report of the number of the homeless poor who, since
the opening of the three district as)lums on the 14th
inst., owing to the inclemency of the weather, have
sought refuge therein. In the Central Asylum, in Play-
house yard, St. Luke's, 1,321 men, women, and children
have been admitted. The Eastern Asylum, Glasshouse-
street, East Smithfield, 908 men, women, and children.
In the Western Asylum, Upper Ogle-street, Marylebone,
701. The total number of rations, during the same period,
amounted to 26.941.

EFFECI II or RAlLWAYS.—Yesterday the stock of
horses, the property ut Mr. C. Bottom, of the celebrated
posting-house, the White Hart, Newmarket, were sold
by Mr. Aldridge, St. Martin's lane, in consequence of
the opening of the Eastern Union Railway from Bury
St. Edmunds to Ipswich.
SPORT OF THE SEASON.—A variety of the game
of Snapdragon is one of the favourite sports and pastimes
of the City of London. It is played by dabbling in the
Stocks and in Railway Shares; but whilst a few here and
there get plums by this amusement, very many more
burn their fingers.— Punch.

A RAILWAY PRINTING-OFFICE.--The capacious
building at Newton, on the north side of the Liverpool
and Manchester Railway, known until recently as " The
Legh Armi Hotel," is being converted into a general
printing-office. A printing-office in a village like New-
ton, however humble in pretension, a year ago would
have been considered one of the greatest wonders of the
age. Wonders, however, do occasionally appear, and
one of the greatest we know of is the conversion, in such
a place, of a building larger than the establishments of
any of the metropolitan morning papers, or of the
printers to her Majesty, into a place for pressmen and
printers' devils. Toe fact, however, is that the London
and North- Western Railway Company, among other
amalgamations and consolidations, have contracted with
a practical person to undertake this extensive depart-
ment exclusively; and the house in question has been
selected as the best adapted for the purpose, all things
considered, upon any portion of their lengthened terri-
tory.—Liverpool Standard.
RIITMNEY IRON COMPANT.—A special general
meeting of the proprietors of this eempany was held yes-
rday at the London Taaern, Bishopsgate-atreet, for the
purpose of confirming the resolutions and report unani-
mously adopted at a preceding meeting, held on the 16th
instant (the proceedings of which were reported in the
papers of the 17th), in reference:to the best mode of
raising the necessary sum to pay off the mortgage of
40,000/. to the Globe Insurance Company, and of
39,4C01. on loan notes, for which the company was liable.
The minutes and resolutions of the last meeting were
read and unanimously confirmed, and the directors were
authorised to carry the same into effect. After some
conversation Mr. Coles Child proposed that a requisition
be presented to the directors requesting them to convene
a special general meeting of the proprietors at the ear-
liest period for the purpose of takine into consideration,
the propriety of repealing the 13th clause of the com-
pany's deed of settlement, which provided that dividends
only could be declared upon the average returns of five
years.—Mr. Child said that this step was necessary, in
order tp give full effect to that portion of his plan for the
relief of the company which had now received the
unanimous sanction of the proprietary.—The Chairman
(Mr. Wilson), Mr. Alderman Thompson, M.P., and other
directors, at once expressed their readiness to act upon
the requisition to convene a meeting for the purposes
mentioned.—The requisition was at once prepared ; and
having received the number of signatures required
.by
the deed of settlement, it was arranged that the meeting
should, it possible, be held on this day fortnight, but, at
all events, due notice of the day of meeting should be
given to all the shareholders.
DEATH FROM EXPOSURE TO THE COLD.—Yester-
day Mr. W. Carter held an inquest in Horsemonger-
lane gaol respecting the death of Thomas Harris,
otherwise Thomas Harrow, aged nineteen years, who
died under the subjoined circumstances:—The deceased
was a pauper, who had absconded from Epsom work-
house, and when he reached London he stole a sponge-
cake, valued at 4s. 6d., from a pastry-cook's shop. He
was detected. and taken to Lambeth Police Court,
where the magistrates committed him for trial at the
General Quarter Sessions. He was conveyed to the
above prison on the afternoon of Monday, the 21st,
when the Governor found that he was in a weak and
starving condition from the want of food and exposure
to the cold. He was accordingly seen by the prison
surgeon, and removed to the infirmary, where he coats-.
nued to get worse, and died on Sunday last. Mr.
Charles Meymott, the surgeon to the gaol, stated that
when he first saw the deceased he was in a very weak
condition. His feet were frost-bitten, and in a state of
mortification. Witness questioned the deceased, and
found that he had absconded from Epsom, and tramped
up to London. He had gone without food, and slept two
nights under a hedge in a field during the most severe
frost. He had extensive sloughing of both feet, and was
in a precarious condition. Witness, therefore, had him
removed to the sick ward, where he had every attention
that his case required. If the deceased had rallied suffi-
ciently, both legs would, probably, have bet n ampu-
tated, as the, only chance of saving his life. The
coroner briefly addressed the jury on the distressing
nature of the case, after which they returned a verdict
of " Natural Death, accelerated by exposure to the
cold."

VOYAGE ACROSS THE STRAND.—From the diffi-
culty experienced by passengers crossing the streets in
the crowded thoroughfares, it may be interesting to hear
the following particulars from the narrative of " A
Voyage from the Thirty-fifth lamp-post in the Strand
to the Shop directly opposite." Extract from log:
" Three o'clock, P.M. Cleared from the curb-stone,
with fair weather, hoping to reach the opposite side of
the street before dusk ; carrying main-top-coat and
reefed umbrella. 3h. 2ro. Tacked to post to avoid an
omnibus ; shipped a mud, which damaged the patent
boots. 3h. 4m. Stood to the south, coasting along a
reef of cabs ; nearly run down by a butcher's cart ;
passed a milliner girl in distress, who had missed stays.
3h. 7m. Saw an apothecary's light ; tried to take an
observation, but the light was lost in a fog of cabriolets.
3b. 10m. Ran into by a coal cart ; carried away larboard
coat•skirt ; stood off and on to wait for an opening in
the cab-bergs. 3h. 15m. Fetched the end of the coach.
stand ; hailed a buss under blue colours and easy sail,
bound for the westward, making towards Kensington.;
hauled to the north-east, and steered with great difficulty
among floes of waggons. 3h. 20m. Lighted a cigar, and
put on all steam ; hoisted the spencer. 3h. 30m. Came
in sight of land, and two minutes afterwards anchored
in the roads by a street-post."—Punch.
Two CHILDREN ATTACKED DT A FERRET..--.011
Friday evening, two girls of the respective ages of four
and five years old, belonging to a person named Howard,
living in the Old London Road, St. Alban's, were
attacked by a ferret while asleep in bed. The
mother
of the children, after she had put them to bed, between.
eight and nine o'clock in the evening, went into a neigh-
bouring house, where--hearing the screams of her
children—she came home, and on going up stairs, to her
astonishment and alarm, she found the bed clothes
covered with blood, the children crying, and a ferret
fastened to the eyelid of one of them. The woman was
greatly agitated, but removed the dangerous animal as
speedily as possible. On examining the children, their
eye-lids and hands were both found bitten in several.
places, and on the latter, the injuries were received in
the attempts to drive the ferret away. The affected
parts soon became much swollen and showed symptoms
of inflammation, and the children were deprived for a
few days of their sight, but under the medical attention
of Mr. Russell, they are both fast recovering. The
ferret belongs to Howard, the father of the children,
who kept it in a butch downstairs, from which place it
made its escape, and found its way up gain to th 4
children's bed.—Essex Herald.