The Sun.
London, England, 1841-05-04 00:00:00

FINANCIAL STATE OF MEXICO.
..IVIEXICO, FEB. 24.—1 have been wandering for some
yle.rs past amongst these new States of America, and am
en pit in what is called the Republic of Mexico. I have
n a motive for decrying the people of the country; on the
c en:eery, I have received the greatest kiaduess and civility
f torn all these with whom I have become acquainted. Ge-
s.estally speaking, the Mexicans are worthy of a better lot
Lean they ere at this moment doomed to coffer from their
igni want and incapacitated rulers, but they are not possessed
or daring or perseverance to face their oppressors ; all
tee revolutions are headed and conducted by three or
toes it corrupt military leaders, who, for the sake of gain
in plunder or promotion, are at all times ready to sacri-
fice the well-being of the community to their own views.
Idly chief object in occupying myself in this communi-
cereon is, to warn my fellow-countrymen against the
cunning of the present Rulers of Mexico, in order
that they may not fall unconsciously into the snare
that is laid for them. Mexico possesses snore ac-
tual wealth, and means of meeting the demands upon her,
than any other of the et-decant Spanish colonies; but
these means are neither honestly collected nor applied;
:ilia applies especially as regards the English creditor. I
have read with surprise in an English newspaper, an eu-
Ik‘gy on the conduct of our Minister of Finance, Don X.
Igichevaria, for the answer he gave to our worthy repre-
stestative, Mr. Pakenbam's note of the 15th of Septein-
bur last, relative to the British claims, both of which
ape published in The Sues newspaper of the 21st of
December of last year. The attentive observer will at
epee perceive the usual Indian cunning of Don Xavier,
who does net answer satisfactorily one single point ad-
vanced by Mr. Pakenharn as to the justice of the demands
made and the treatment received from the Mexican Go-
vernmtent. When Don Xavier mentions his own pocket,
he (meta to give an account of the profits that he is de-
riving from his office ; his transactions are well understood
in Me xico. These plausible letters are published in the
English Papers by the friends and agents, and perhaps
partreers, of M. Echevaria, the Messrs. Lizardi with a
view only of gain to themselves and associates, but which
have, been the cause of infinite mischief to poor John Bull.
The affairs of the conversion of the Mexican loans got up
by IA . Quintana, the present Consul fur Mexico in London,
and partner of the said Lizardi, was planned and carried
into e ffect for the whole and solo object of their own gain.
Thi a scheme enabled the Lizardis and Echevaria to become
the principal buyers of Coupons, Lizardis being the agents
of t he Mexican Government, and Echevaria the Minister
of I Anance. They have, in fact, realised a great part of
the Coupons they bought at five per cent. discount, which
the y bought in London at 50 and 60 per cent. discount.
Ni ,t satisfied with their rapacious gains, these same persons
hr eve now matured a scheme for the further gulling of John
F sell, which is that of suspending the issue of Coupons, under
t he pretence that the money will be remitted from them to
pay the dividends, when it is well known to every resident
There that such an event is impossible, and the more so now
that the duties are so enormous that no goods can be im-
ported. These endeavours on the part of Lizardi and
Echevaria, are merely for the purpose of being able to
realise the Coupons they have at a greater profit ; they
have made up some story about the country holders in
England of Mexican Bonds, which is all nonsense ; a
fixed sum is to be paid yearly, which cannot be paid
twice over. If paid in the custom-houses of Mexico it
cannot be expected to be paid in cash in London. This 1
affair pas been got up in Loudon between Lizardi and
Mr. Murphy, the Mexican Minister, at the instigation of
ro.jiche saris, the Minister of Finaucu; but what is most ex-
' traordinary is, that this proposition should have been, at
owe admitted by the Committee of the bondholders. 'lt
is tme that the gentlemen who compose this Committee
has euo interest in the bonds, and are consequently led
etat Lely by the nose by Messrs. Lizardi. These infringe-
ments in the contract cannot be done unless under the
gar-A:then of the Mexican Congress. The motives arc evi-
de at to all persons on this side the water. The only
object of Messrs. Lizardi and Echevaria is that of
ershencing the price of the Coupous they hold. The chief
of the house of Vinda de Echevaria c Vigos in this city is
's Don Xavier Ectaivaria, our prcseet Minister of Finance,
who now keeps, his }glace in the Cabinet against the
wish of the Miele nation. Don Xavier, has manifested
in every possi tale way his hatred to Englishmen, and has
even dared to slight the British Minister resident here.
" This country, which in itsslf is a beautiful one,
and ought to be a powerful oce, is fast on the wane;
it is now on the (V 3 of separating into fractions.
Texas on owe side, and Yucatan on tue other, will gra-
dually emtiese other portions of the country to separate
front the, ty:ntre„ The liberal government adopted by
both the..e States will be the means cf attracting a con-
silerable influx of population, which will eventually reader
them we tu.thy and powerful nations.
" It is as matter of great regret that the greater pat of
theft wF so have written on Mexico have done so, as it
Would a ppcar, with a view of depreciating the character
of the p reply. This is not my motive ;my wish is to pre.
vent Jo an Bull from being deceived by the cunning of the
Mexico a rulers, and at the same time to make apparent the
t caps. :ity of the generality of their rulers to promote the
welfat s of the nation; which incapacity must be the more
stAdei it to al', when I say there are not in the world such a
tract' able people as the Mexicans ; and I firmly believe there
are so better seldiers, and who would be invincible were
thei.beadect by officers we:l instructed and equal in bravery
" SAMUEL SAUNDERS."

A WARNING VOICE.

Example, saws the proverb, is better than precept. Mr.
Combo's Travels in America speak volumes on the subject
of the religious disputes which.now agitate this country.
The people of Massachusetts began with the very same
system vrhich the Non- intrusion men are now labouring to
,otablish in this country, and they were compelled
gradu?lly to modify, and at last to abandon it, by bitter
experience of the evils it produced. The facts are ex-
ceedingly curious and instructive, and wed merit a fuller
detail ~nd'more ample emumentary than are can afford.
At first the clergy of Massachusetts were supported by
an assessmeet on toe whole inhabitants without distinction.
They held their offices for life, and were chosen not by
those who paid them, but by the communicants only. Linder
this a-rlngernent a spiritual despotism grew up. Secure
their emoluments, the clergy set the opinions of the people
at defiance, and drove the honest and indepencleid out Of
the pale of the Establishment. Thlt t,,rins of admission to
sealing ordinances were male extremely strict, under pious
vete:ices, of course ; and by this means, the minister
mtriyed to pack the list of communicants, and to
throw the whAto management of the Church and its
s cascrrns into the hands of a small junto of his per-
t .orial friends, and of feeble-minded individuals, whose
c ..nduct he could always Wine:ice. fin was thus enabled
exercise great iaamediate power. and ultimately,
i n many cases, to appoint his successor ; and thus
tit e patronage of the Establishment, while nominally vested
in Vie people, became really the heritage of the clergy.
Toorender the spiritual tyranny more compact, the esprit
de-btorps and a feeling of common interest bound the whole
cle tical body more firmly together as dissent increased,
and. she Establishment acquired the arrogance, the exclu-
sow spirit, and all the other vices of a close corporation.
Such a system could not be permanently reconciled with
the popular nature of the American institutions, and Mr.
Combs has described lkte gradual changes it underwent.
First, though Dissenters were still compelled to pay
truants to the Church, the State repaid an equal
stip to the dissenting clergy. By and by this complex prac-
Lic was abandoned, and Dosecters were allowed to pay
thoir assessment directly to their own ministers ; but
ev try man was held bound to contribute, according to a
fix scale, to one party or another; the clzrgy of the
do:ti,nant sect bad stHi a compulsory ckirn upon all who
alot belong to some other communion, and still the
eioet ion of the minister was vested, not in those who
were taxed for his support, but in the small select body
of coonmunicants. This last practice rested on a series of
legs stivs acts, which were so:riously interpreted;
but the question hhviog at last come regularly
before the Courts of Law, it was found that
the right of choosing the minister belonged, not
to tbe communicants, but to all the parishioners
who were assessed. Another change, not however con-
temp araueous with this, sealed the fate of the Establish-
ment. The obligation on every one to contribute to the
suoNrt of some eligious denomination was done away; men
werelufz free is attach themselves teeny party, or to none—
ip a word, the Voluntary system aria introduced in full force.
The result has been most sati,factory. Peace has toe-
Ceeded to the fierce spirit of sectarian warfare; the clergy,
'brown on the affections of their flocks, are more assiduous
ja the discharge of their duties, less selfish, intriguing, and
arrogant, and the influence of religion has been extended
.yid strengthened.—Scotsman.

NOVEL ECCLESIASTICAL IN-
QUIRY.
Do Wednesday, a Commission issued by the Bishop
of Norwich, in pursuance of an Act of the 3d and 4th
o Victoria, relating to Church discipline, was opened
at the bear Inn, Southtown, before the Rev. Francis
Cunningham of Lowestoft, the Rev. Edward Thurlow
of Louud. the Rev. Charles Green of Burgh, and the
Rev, George William Stewart of Caistor, the Corn-
therein named, to make inquiry into a
mtssionera
chargepreferred by one James Laws, a sail_maker,
Yarmouth, against the Rev. Mark
living in Row 99, in
'Waters, tniniter of St. George's Chapel, a Clerk in
Holy Orders, 'of having offended against the laws cede_
siastical, by soliciting the chastity
.of Ann Laws. Mr.
Waters appeared by his agent, -Nathaniel Palmer, Esq
"
air Learned Recorder, attended by Messrs. Tolver,
Preston, and Tolver, as Solicitors.
The case, partly from the novelty of such proceedings,
as well as front the extensive connexion of tbeparty,
against whom the charge had been brought, excited
very
.considerable interest, and the Court was crowded by gee.
Clem an of the first rank in the town and neighbourhood.
Amoeagst those present were the Mayor, nearly the whole
Beach of Magistrates, and several clergymen'
Tbe Court was opened by the Rev. F. Cunningham,
tlyt Chairman, who read the Commission, dated at the
Palace of Norwich, Bth Apiii inst.
Mr. Palmer applied for a copy of the Commission, which
'was refused him, but he would be allowed to read it.
Tho Chairman desired all witnesses to leave the room,
and refused to allow Mr. Waters' Counsel to address the
Court either on the validity of the Commission,
the manner
of proceeding, or the mode of taking the evidence, insisting
on bisecnilining himself strictly to the examination or cross--
examination of witnesses.
The party at whose instigation the Commission
gaily had been issued was the first witness called,f and
though Mr. Palmer pointed out that by the Act under
which the proceedings were prosecuted such party was not
eiimpetent to give evidence, the objection was over-ruled,
lasi Laws was examined.
—The evidence given may be stated in a few words, and
was altogether most extraordinary. The complainant's
wife stated, that on Saturday, in our market, some indivi-
dual, whom she did not see, dropped a note into her basket ;
that such note was neither signed by nor addressed to any
person.; and that two other notes at different times were
dropped into her basket, without her notice. The notes
were not produced, but Mr. Laws stated one to be, " Meet
sac to-night about nine, or half-past nine, between Pen-
ripe's and the beach." This was on the 18th of July last.
stated, that in c,onsetieenee of thin note he had de.