The Sun.
London, England, 1846-10-01 00:00:00

No. 16,859. LONDON, 'THURSDAY, EVENING , OCTOBER 1, 1846.

TO THE LIVERY OF LONDON.
GENTLEMEN,—Permit me to return you my
corded in myi re thanks for the spontaneous votes which you have re-
favour this day, as one of the two Aldermen from whom
the Lord Mayor is to be chosen for the year ensuing.
I trust by your continued support to be placed in the position to
which it is my ambition to aspire.
I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, your obedient servant,
Cavendish-square, Sept. 30, 1846. GEO. CARROLL.
P.S. The poll commences at Nine and closes at Three.

GREAT SOUTHERN AND WESTERN
RAILWAY (IRELAND).—OPEN TO CARLOW.
ALTERATION OF TRAINS.
On and after TIII72U3DAY, October 1, the Departure of the Trains
will be as follows :

FROM DUBLIN.
MORNING.
Eight o'Clock.
Eleven o'Clock (Mall).

FRDM CARLOW.
MORNING.
• Eight o'Clock.

♦FTERNOON.
Four o'Clock.
Half-past Eight o'Clock (Mail).

The Mail Trains will carry F
only. By ordi

lege-green, Dublin, Se]

ROYAL POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION.
A CHEMICAL LECTURE, by Dr. Ryan, daily, and on
the Evenings of Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Also a
LECTURE on the ELECTROMAGNETIC TELEGRAPH daily.
11ACINTOS/US REVOLVING 4.tIMINE, COLEMAN'S PATENT
LOCOMOTIVt ENGINE for Ae.ending and descending In-
clined Planes, FARRELL'S AIiCHIMEDIAN RAILWAY, the
ATMOSPHERIC RAILWAY, all in action. HALLETTE'S AT-
MOSPHERIC RAILWAY VALVE. The OPAQUE MICROS-
COPE. The OXY-HYDROGEN MICROSCOPE, exhibiting a rine
Collection of Living Objects. A beautiful Picture of the CHAPEL
in the CONVENT of st. CATHERINE, near Jerusalem, by Mr.
Merles Smith, is one of the New Series of DISSOLVING VIEWS.
Admission, Is. ; Sckools, Half-price.

SECOND HAND MITER WATCHES,
Two Guineas each.

A. B. SAVORY and SONS, Watch and Clock-makers, No. 9, Corn-
hill, London, opposite the Bank of England.
A large number of second .hand London-made Silver Vertical
Watches, at Two Guineas each. They are of various sizes, mostly'
in modern engine-turned cases, and having been carefully examined,
are warranted.

THE SHERIFFS' INAUGURATION
DINNER.
The inauguration banquet of the new Sheriffs, Thomas
Challis, Esq., Alderman, and Robert W. Kennard, Esq.,
took place yesterday at the London Tavern, when up-
wards of 220 guests partook of a most magnificent enter-
tainment provided by Messrs. Bathe and Breach, the
liberal proprietors of the London Tavern. The dinner
was on a more than usual scale of splendour.
The services of a rather questionable brass band had
been secured, and Messrs. Hawkins, Hobbs, Lockey,
Machin, Hatton, and Gear, enlivened the proceedings of
the evening with some admirable singing. Mr. Harker,
as toast-master, officiated in a most becoming manner.
The Right Hon. the Lord Mayor occupied the chair ;
and amongst the guests we noticed Lord J. Russell,
NCR, Mr. Masterman, M.P. Mr. Lyall, M.P., Mr.
Hudson, M.P., Mr. Bankes, M.P. (the Cursitor Baron),
the Lord Chief Baron, Alderman Sir C. Hunter,
Alderman Sir James Duke, Alderman Kelly, Alder-
man Hum phery, Alderman Gibbs, Alderman Thomas
Wood, Alderman Carroll, Alderman Farncombe, Alder-
man Sir W. Magnay, Alderman Moon, Alderman
Musgrove, Alderman Hughes Hughes, Alderman Sid-
ney, the Under-Sheriffs Bayliss and Tilleard, his Excel-
lency the Belgian Ambassador, M. Beauveux, the Rev.
Dr. Russell, Mr. Commissioner D. W. Harvey, Mr. D.
W. Wire, Mr. Bircharn, the Master and Wardens of the
Butchers' Company, the Master and Wardens of the
Carpenters' Company, the Master of the Haberdashers'
Company, and many other gentlemen well known and
highly respected in the city of London.
The cloth having been removed, and the usual loyal
and national toasts having been duly proposed and
most heartily received,
The LORD MAYOR gave " Prosperity to the Trade and
Commerce of the city of London.'
Drunk with three times three.,
Mr. J. DILLON briefly responded to the toast. He
trusted that with the citizens of London commerce might
not be employed solely with the view of enriching indi-
viduals, but that it might be made an instrument in the
hands of Heaven for civilising mankind, for ameliorating
the institutions, and for improving the laws of the
country to which we belonged.—(Cheers.) Regarding
this as the great aim of commerce, he could not but
congratulate the citizens of London upon having elected
as their representative in Parliament the Noble Lord
near him whose talents and acquirements, whose honesty
and integrity, had raised him to the proud position of
Prime Minister of this country.—(Loud cheers.)
Mr. Alderman CHALLIS (Sheriff) said, the next toast
upon the list was that of the " Right Hon. Lord John
Russell, and her Majesty's Ministers."—(Cheers.) That
was a toast which had always been received by the
citizens of London without respect of political parties,
and however desirous they might be upon the present
Occasion, and however proper and suitable it might
appear to the gentlemen by whom he was surrounded to
do honour to their illustrious guest, he was sure he
should do no justice to that Noble Lord's feelings if he
were to introduce, upon the occasion of proposing his
health, any sentiment which might be likely to produce
the slightest discord.—(Cheers.) There were features,
however, connected with the circumstances in which they
were placed, and which came more immediately under the
,uperintendence of the Sheriffs, to which he might allude
without introducing any difference of opinion, and which
he thought he might advert to, because he believed that
the wise discretion and wisdom which belonged to her
Majesty's present Ministers were likely to conduct such
questions as conduced to the social advancement and
civilisation of the people to a happy and successful issue.
—(Cheers.) They were too apt to associate the word
"civilisation" only with the notions of such light and
liberty as they themselves enjoyed; but if they could be
conducted to the cells of our prisons, and thence to the
habitations of the poor, they would behold a very different
picture from that which they were in the habit of
witnessing, and they would see that their own -country
and their own neighbourhoods required civilisation
and improvement.—(Loud cheers.) The question to
which he would first allude was the amelioration of the
poor law, if not in principle, at least in its ad-
ministration, so that the witty aphorism of a late witty
member of the Church of England may not continue to
he true—that if they made the gaols too comfortable the
poor would be more ready to break in than the guilty to
break out.— (Hear, hear.) It was often his lot to see, as
an administrator of the law, that the underlings of the
poor-law system treated the poor in such a manner that
they would rather commit crimes in order to be sent to
gaol, than enter the workhouse.—(Hear, hear.) Then
with regard to the amelioration of the criminal law, he
should be glad to carry out every reasonable principle of
improvement which could be effected, everything which
could tend to make the law what it ought to be—a
praise and encouragement to them that do well, and a
terror to evil doers. Upon the question of education, he
believed he might safely say that the integrity, the
honesty, and the firmness of purpose of her Majesty's
Ministers would bear down all the petty jealousies and
prejudices which might disturb the community upon that
subject, and he trusted that they would all unite heart
and hand in carrying out some great general measure,
having for its object the education of the people. It was
not desirable that he should say more upon that subject
in the presence of their noble guest. The efforts of his
noble friend to ameliorate the condition of the country
—his endeavours to preserve all that was sound and
admirable in the constitution, and to obliterate all that
was worthless and inimical to the liberty of the subject,
were matters of history, and would be remembered 11 a
grateful posterity when the feuds and animosities which
had connected themselves with those endeavours should
have been forgotten.—(Loud cheers.)
The toast was drunk with three times three and the
most unbounded applause.
Lord J. RUSSELL immediately rose, and silence having
been restored, he spoke as follows:—In returning you
my grateful thanks for the honour you have done me I
shall not attempt to enter into any of those difficult
debateable questions to which the worthy proposer of
the toast has alluded. No doubt those topics are of the
utmost importance. All I will venture to assure you is,
that to those subjects on which he has touched, and to
many others relating to the welfare and prosperity of
this country, her Majesty's Ministers will give their un-
ceasing and conscientious attention, and will endeavour,
whether in administering, or in proposing measures for
legislation, to submit and to carry out such measures as
they believe to be best calculated to promote the benefit
of the great country to which they have the honour to
belong.—(Loud cheers.) In so stating, I should say that
it is part of the duty of her Majesty's Ministers, in con-
sidering this vast empire, to convey from those parts
which are strong succour to those parts which, however
distant, are weak; and again, to carry relief from those
parts which are in a state of prosperity to those which
are unfortunately in a state of suffering and privation.--
(Cheers.) Of this I am convinced, that if you in this
city of London, partaking and sharing in the feeling
of the whole country, and indeed speaking the
feeling of the whole country, have a sympathy with
all parts of this great empire,then all our fellow-subjects
who live in the Queen's dominions may rely upon our
assistance in their hour of their need—may rely that we
consider them as brethren, living under the same crown,
and as having the happiness to live under the same con-
stitution. And I trust that we may see extended to
other parts of the world those blessings of freedom
which we have had so long established amongst us, and
which, with the light of the Gospel, I trust, will pervade
all parts of the globe.—(Cheers.) I will only now add,
that in proposing to you the health of the Sheriffs, lam
sure, from the earnest you have already had, you will be
convinced that those gentlemen will pay the utmost
attention to the important duties which devolve upon
them.—(Cheers.) I am sure that any plans of reform
and amelioration which may come before them will re-
ceive from them the fairest consideration—the result of
an anxious desire to promote the welfare of all—of the
lowest, of the most guilty even of their species; and I
am sure that in so doing they will earn the approbation
of the citizens of London.—(Cheers.) Let us hope that
those great problems, many of which have hitherto
been hid in obscurity, but which, nevertheless, are
matters well worthy of the attention of statesmen—
matters relating to the social condition of the com-
munity—will receive such attention, that both here
and elsewhere the condition of the great mass of
mankind may be improved; that not only may our
gaols be made places of less suffering, and greater
hope of reformation, but that by more attention to the
means of instruction many may be preserved from the
guilty course on which they now enter, in utter igno-
rance of their duty both to God and man.—(Cheers.)
That ignorance you must all see does not, ought not, to
belong to this enlightened, free, and Christian country ;
but it is quite true, as your worthy sheriff has observed,
that in times of the greatest civilization, and, in a metro-
polis like this, where the greatest civilization is supposed
to prevail, yet while that very civilization is progressing,
it does, somehow or other, leave behind it in its progress
persons among the poorer classes of society, who, as I
believe, receive less instruction, have less information,
and oftentimes live in a more miserable and degraded
state of existence, than was the case with any portion of
the community centuries ago, when civilization was not
so forward.—(Cheers.) This is now known to us all.
Let us pursue these usefnl paths of improvement--let us
pursue them with the hope that we shall not only do
good to such of that description as may be amongst us,
but that other nations will strive with us in that honour.
able emulation, and that we shall seek to surpass one
another more in our endeavours to raise the community
to which we belong, than in those disastrous acts to
which, by a false notion, glory and renown have been
attached. By so doing we may hope to have an era
before us, not only of future prosperity, but an era in
which we may reflect that we have done our duty to all
)ur fellow men—in which we have endeavoured to im-
prove their condition not only in point of wealth, but
have striven to raise them in that moral relation which
shall constitute our highest pride as men and Christians.
—(Cheers.) I beg leave to give you the healths of the
Sheriffs.—(Loud cheers,)
Mr. Sheriff and Alderman CHALLIS responded to the
toast. He could assure them that they entered upon
their office with a full appreciation of the responsibilities
which attached to it. Whatever influence the office
could command should be devoted to purposes of general
utility and practical beneficence.—(Cheers.)
Mr. Sheriff FOINNARD reiterated the sentiments of his
colleague, and added that it would be his greatest plea-
sure, as it would be his highest reward, to merit that
good opinion which the kind reception of their health
bed led him to believe they entertained.—(Cheers.)

Lord JOHN RUSSELL then gave the health of the Lord
Mayor. His Right Honourable Friend had now served
through so great a part of the year, his merits were so
well known to them, the way in which he had performed
the duties of his office, and his munificent hospitality,
of which so many of them had partaken, were so noto-
rious in the City, that he was sure he need not say one
word more in proposing to them the health of the Lord
Mayor.—(Loud cheers.)
The LORD MAYOR expressed his extreme gratifica-
tion at the manner in which his health was received.
He had only six weeks to remain in office, and he trusted
during that period he should continue to give that satis-
faction to his fellow-citizens which up to the present
time his conduct had elicited.—(Cheers.)
Mr. Sheriff KENNARD then proposed as a toast, " The
Lord Chief Baron and the Judges."
The LORD CHIEF BARON, in responding to the toast,
remarked that he had always felt, and never more fully
than since he had had .a seat on the bench, that the pure
administration of justice was mainly indebted in this
country to the large share in its administration which
belonged to the people themselves, and they might rely
upon it that it was mainly to the institution of trial by
jury that the administration of justice, both civil and
criminal, bad obtained, as he believed that it had, such
general acceptation throughout the civilised world.
—(Cheers.) As long as there was a competent appeal
by trial by jury there would not only be an enlightened,
but there must be an incorruptible administration.—
(Hear, hear.) He could not help making one remark
with respect to criminal administration. They might rely
upon it that the question of the suppression of crime did
not depend upon the manner in which they were to deal
with criminals in gaol. It depended upon the mode in
which they treated the oppressed, the poor, and the
ignorant who were not in gaol. By taking care of
those classes, and instructing them, they would repress
crime, and would prevent the gaols heing filled. Let
them, then, as far as possible, raise the humbler classes,
give knowledge where they found ignorance, and ever
relieve where they met real distress.—(Loud cheers.)
After a number of other toasts, including the health
of the Cursitor Baron, of the Members for the City,
responded to by Mr. Masterman, of the Aldermen of
London, and of the late Sheriffs, the company separated
at a late hour.

NAV AL INTELLIGENCE.
PORTSMOUTH, WEDNESDAY.—The Retribution steam-
frigate, Captain Lushington, remains at Spithead for
orders. She requires so much alteration and improve-
ment before she can become a serviceable ship, that it is
considered probable she will be given over to the
engineers and dockyard hands, and her officers and
ship's company, than whom there is not a more efficient
body of men in the service, if we may believe the testi-
mony of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Commander_
in-Chief of the Squadron of Evolution, turned over to the
Amphion, 36, screw propeller, at Woolwich. The re-
sult of the official inquiry into the state of the Retribu-
tion's engines yesterday has not transpired. The re-
port of the court was transmitted to the Lords of the
Admiralty last night, and she awaits their Lordships' de-
cision, which has not yet been received.
When she left the squadron, the Prince de Joinville's
force was up the Mediterranean, but daily expected down
to cruise off Cadiz and the other southern ports, to pre-
vent any arms, &c., being landed for the peasantry or
the people to use against the authorities favourable to the
Montpensier alliance.
In our mention of the operations of the squadron on
Tuesday, we omitted to state that the Cyclops steam-
frigate, Captain Lapidge, had proved herself so efficient
a vessel in all the trials under Sir William Parker, that
that officer had pronounced her a moat useful and su-
perior war-steamer, and inferior to no ship under his
command under sail.

We omitted to mention also that when Sir William
Parker discovered the imposition practised by the Ter-
rible, in exhibiting crossjack and mizentopsail yards, for
which she had no sails, the Admiral ordered those yards
to be immediately struck.
The return home of the St. Vincent, 120, and the
Queen, 110, would, we are informed, make Vice-Amiral
Parker's squadron vastly inferior to that under the
Prince de Joinville. Much dissension and discomfort
prevailed on board the St. Vincent by the last advises
from the squadron.
Major G. E. Balchild, R.M. (1827), of the Queen, 110,
died at Cadiz on the 15th, and was buried on the 16th
inst., ashore, with full military honours. The gallant
deceased, we are informed, was upwards of 60 years of
age. His services are thus recorded in Allen's New
Navy List :—" G. E. Balchild was Second Lieutenant
serving in the Edgar, Discovery, and Meteor, in various
actions against flotillas and batteries between Dunkirk
and Boulogne, 1805-6, and in the latter was severely
wounded at the passage of the Dardanelles, in 1807. Ile
continued serving in the Meteor until 1810, and was
present in action with gun-boats in the Bay of Naples ;
at the defence of Rosas, where he was wounded ; and
in several boat actions in the Adriatic. Commanded a
rocket equipment at the attack on Craney Island ; the
taking of Hampton ; and occupation of Kent Island, in •
the Chesapeake, 1813-15 ; and served in a rocket and
mortar battery at Plattsburgh. Gazetted 1807." Major
Balchild was attached to the Chatham division.
The Childers, 12, Commander Pitman, arrived at
Simon's-bay, Cape of Good Hope, on the 16th of July,
from this port. She would repair damages (having
sprung her bowsprit) and proceed to New Zealand.
The Snake, 16, Commander Brown, was to sail from
Simon's-bay on the evening of the 17th, or the morning
of the 18th of July, to join Rear-Admiral Dacres in the
President, at Madagascar.
The Falmouth navy lighter arrived to-day from the
eastern yards with stores.
WooLwien, SEPT. 30.—Her Royal Highness the
Princess William of Prussia will embark in the Black
Eagle steam-vessel, Master Commander S. B. Cook, at
12 o'clock to-morrow, Oct. 1, at Woolwich Dockyard for
a passage to Rotterdam.
The Lightning steam-vessel, Master Commander
Petley, returned to Woolwich to-day from Grimsby,
having towed the Kestrel yacht, with the remains of the
late Earl of Yarborough, to that port.
The Plover surveying vessel, Captain Collinson, C. 8.,
is to be paid off at Woolwich on Monday next.

PROMOTIONS.
George Giles, to be Second Master of the Grappler ;
George M'Grath, Acting Gunner of the Excellent.

APPOINTMENTS.
C. J. Walton, Lieutenant (additional), to the Hibernia ;
Dr. John Thomson (C), Surgeon to the Rattlesnake ;
Thomas W. Huxley, Acting Assistant-Surgeon, to the
Rattlesnake ; George Reilly, Clerk in charge, to the
Grappler ; Charles Nettleton, Clerk, to the Caledonia ;
Valentine G. Nagle, Clerk, to the Mutine ; Arthur
Bennet, Clerk, to the Rattlesnake ; Charles S. Curd,
Clerk's Assistant, to the Rattlesnake ; H. W. Bennett,
Master's Assistant, to the Rattlesnake ; Henry G.
Thomsett, Master's Assistant (additional), to the William
and Mary ; G. Elliot, Midshipman, to the Recruit ;
William Hewett, Midshipman. to the Rattlesnake ;
Henry Rogers, Midshipman, to the Mutine ; Charles 0.
B. Hall, Mate, to the Devastation ; George Borlase,
Naval Cadet (supernumerary), to the Hibernia ; H. P.
Versturme, Naval Cadet (supernumerary), to the
Mutine ; Thomas Webber, Gunner, to the Mutine ;
Alexander Birnie, First Engineer, to the Mohawk ;
Augustus Mills, Third Engineer (supernumerary), to
the William and Mary ; George Glasson, Acting First
Engineer, to the Grappler ; Robert Allen, Second En-
gineer, to the Grappler ; James Mangnall, Third En-
gineer, to the Grappler.

THE GREAT BRITAIN.
LIVERPOOL, WEDNESDAY._We have nothing fresh
from the Great Britain this morning, with the exception
of the subjoined letter from Captain Hosken, by which
it will be perceived he is acquitted of all blame by Cap-
tain Claxton, secretary to the company. It is stated
that one of the coast lights was not marked in Captain
Hosken's chart, although it is one of 1846 :
" MESSRS. GIBBS, BRIGHT, AND CO.
" Great Britain Steam-ship, Sept. 29.
" Dear Sirs,—By the tug I send Mr. Smith with all
the cargo she can take ; a few packages may be touched
with the fresh water, but I trust not damaged ; all the
parcels, &c., are sent ; about 16 packages of cargo are
still here. Mr. Smith has account of them. I also send
all the useless and troublesome men to get rid of them,
and reduce expenses as much as possible. Will you
please to send by tug again as soon as possible the largest
hemp cable to be got in Liverpool, and a corresponding
sized anchor ; indeed, an anchor one-third heavier than
the right weight will do better, and two cables ; also
two sets of good purchase-blocks, and two 4f falls of
white rope (Manilla), and a coil of 3-yarn spun-yarn ?
I hope they may be here by Thursday morning. We
should have two tugs here on Saturday, as the tide on
that day will be higher than the day we came ashore.
Send also the large Scotch blocks, if you please.
" The weather is now moderate, but rainy ' • the ship
makes very little water. I hope to commence discharg-
ing coals to- day. Please to send copies of this, and of
all my letters, to my directors at Bristol. Captain
Claxton came yesterday.
" Many thanks for all your expressions of Sympathy
and good feeling. I want them all, I assure you ; but
my conscience acquits me of blame, and so does Captain
Claxton, who publicly told me so yesterday.
" I am, yours very truly.
" JAMES HOSKEN."
The Great Britain new lies broadside on to the bay—
a worse position than formerly. Most part of her cargo
arrived this morning by the Dreadnought steam-tug.

DEATH FROM INTOXICATION.-- Yesterday an in-
quest was held before Mr. W. Baker, at the Griffin,
Leonard street, Shoreditch, on the body of Mrs. Ann
Metcalf, aged forty-seven, the wife of a hairdresser, re-
siding in the Curtain-road. It appeared from the evi-
dence that the deceased was of very intemperate habits,
and for the last three weeks she bad been in a dreadful
state of intoxication. On Monday morning last she
complained of violent pains in her head. She resorted
to her favourite beverage, and drank an immoderate
quantity of gin. She continued to get worse, and in the
evening she threw herself on the bed in a very ex-
hausted condition. A surgeon was sent for, but she ex-
pired almost immediately afterwards. Ho attributed
death to excessive drinking. A verdict was returned
accordingly.

CANADIAN AFFAIRS.
The following extract from the Montreal Retold pre-
sents an accurate outline of the condition of affairs in
Canada:—

(From the Montreal Herald, Sept. 12.)
•
Since our last mail the public mind has been more
occupied with Imperial than provincial politics, especi-
ally since the arrival of the last intelligence from Eng-
land, with the news of the passage of the British Pos-
sessions Bill through the House of Commons.
We believe all parties must unite in according the
praise of consistency to the British Government for this
prompt and equitable measure. There appears, how-
ever, to be some doubts as to the extent to which we
should avail ourselves of it. Indeed, the transition from
the old colonial system to the new theory of free trade
has been so sudden, that the mass of the people here
have yet hardly had time to form a decided and intelli-
gent judgment upon the course to be pursued. We
imagine that their final decision will be to sweep away
the whole of these burdens.
The navigation laws and the free navigation of the St.
Lawrence are still being discussed; but the remarks we
have made as to the different duties apply with still
greater force to them.
We have already alluded to the present dullness of
Canadian politics. This arises partly from the topics
brought upon the carpet during the session of Parlia-
ment having been already pretty nearly exhausted—
from men's attention, at this season, being turned to
their business pursuits, and, perhaps, still more from the
change in the head of the Government, which naturally
induces the " wire pullers" to put off their operations
until they can be resumed with a prospect of permanent
results.

'This is the time rather for preparation than for action.
The arrival of Lord Elgin will, no doubt, be the signal
for a general move.
People know so little of this nobleman, that there has
been no room for the expression of strong opinion on his
appointment. In general, he is understood to be a dis-
tant relation of some marbles in the British Museum—
and that is nearly all. It is of more consequence that he
is in the prime of life, and likely to make a long stay
here. The frequent change of governors has produced
infinite mischief. Upon the whole, Lord Elgin's compa-
rative obscurity is, perhaps, in his favour. It will leave
him to rest upon his acts here for his reputation.
The mercantile news by the last mail has given a spur
to our market, which is, at this moment, rather bare in
Montreal, on account of the Lachine Canal having been
closed. This work will open on the 20th instant, and
remove the inconvenience.
From the half-yearly statement of the Bank of Mon-
treal, published in the Herald of the 10th instant, it
appears that on the 31st of August the assets of this in-
stitution were 1,554,7531. 135., and its liabilities 719,2391.
2s. 6d. Of the assets, 117,500 L 14s. 3d. consisted of
coin and bullion.
There is to be a meeting of shareholders in the Port-
land Railway Company to-day, to determine upon the
course to be adopted with such of the English subscribers
as desire to withdraw.
We have a few arrivals from among the autumn fleet
for Montreal, but it is feared many will be late. 200 sail
have recently reached Quebec.
Her Majesty's ship Vindictive, bearing the flag of Ad-
miral Austen, is also at Quebec. Her Majesty's schooner
Gulnare, Captain Bayfield, is now at Montreal, Captain
Bayfield having been applied to to survey the Lake of
St. Peter, upon which the Provincial Government has
undertaken some very extensive works. The lake is
formed by the junction of several rivers with the St.
Lawrence, and it is rendered much shallower than the
stream by the deposits brought down by them. The
object is to deepen a channel for larger vessels than
those which now come here; but after a great many
thousand pounds have been laid out, it seems to be gene-
rally believed that the scheme is impracticable, or that
the plan adopted was not the best calculated to carry
it out. Captain Bayfield's advice has, therefore, been
sought.

The weather has been extremely hot for several weeks,
and the St. Lawrence is lower than it has been for many
years.

LATE FROM HAVANNAH.
The following communication contains information
several days later than received by the last West India
mail :
(Correspondence of the Journal of Commerce.)
iIavANNAH, AUG, 25.--There are very few American
vessels in port, and only one not taken up. The rest
generally are loading for Europe at 3/. 7s. to 31. 10s.
There appears to be no disposition to use the American
flag, particularly when neutrals are plentiful. Now,
although we need not fear cruisers, yet the war has the
effect to decrease the demand for our vessels, which
would not be the case if the United' States Government
sent out to these ports a sufficient number of small craft
to convoy the American vessels through and about the
waters, The United States' Government ought to have
four neat 4-gun steamers here. They would be more
effective than 20 ships on this station.
There is no sale for provisions of any kind.
The oil sent out here some four months ago lies quietly
under the quarter of a shed, close by the Custom-house,
open to the full force of the sun's rays, which is making
sad havoc with it as far as regards " leakage." I don't
know who the lucky owner may be.
There are no good sugars in the market, and quota-
tions are very high ; the worst kind, 4 to 5 reals ; com-
mon brown, 6 reals ; yellow, 61 to 8 reals ; white, none ;
good, Bto 8i reals. The next crop will be in very
early, and promises to be the most abundant ever known.
Much sugar is yet on the plantations, owing to heavy
rains and bad roads; in all estimated at 150,000 to 200,000
boxes yet to go forward. It is very sickly, and dis-
agreeably warm.

THE RIVER PLATE.
(From the New York Herald.)
The following letter from Lord Aberdeen explains
the nature of the mission with which Mr. Hood comes
charged:—

(Translated from the Gaceta.)
" TO HIS EXCELLENCY SENOR ARANA, &C.
" Sir,—The Queen my Sovereign being sincerely de-
sirous of removing every cause of misunderstanding be-
tween her Government and the Government of the
Argentine Confederation, and of restoring the relations
of the two countries to their customary footing of
friendship and cordiality, has been pleased to direct Mr.
T. S. Hood, who for several years discharged the office
of her Majesty's Consul-General at Monte Video, to set
out immediately for Buenos Ayres, for the purpose of
communicating with your Excellency and the Argentine
Government.

" Mr. Hood is charged to transmit confidentially to
your Excellency certain propositions on the part of
Great Britain and France, founded in a great measure
on those communicated to the two powers on the 26th
of October, 1645, by the Government of Buenos Ayres,
with a view to the arrangement of the difficulties exist-
ing in the Rio de la Plata. I trust that the propositions
which Mr. Hood will make known to your Excellency,
and which are dictated by the most anxious desire of
putting an end to a state of things highly injurious to
the interests of all panics, will appear acceptable to the
Government of Buenos Ayres.
" Mr. Hood is likewise bearer of similar propositions
from the French Government, which he will deliver to
your Excellency.
"From the thorough knowledge Mr. Hood possesses
of everything relating to the interests of the two coun-
tries, I trust that the choice that has been made of him
for this service will be agreeable to the Governmeht of
Buenos Ayres. I request that your Excellency will re-
ceive him in a favourable manner, and give entire credit
to whatever he may communicate to you on the part of
the British Government.

" I flatter myself that the Government of the Argen-
tine Confederation will recognise in the step thus taken
by the Governments of Great Britain and France the
strongest evidence of their anxiety to cultivate a good
and friendly understanding with the Confederation. I
have the honour to be, with the highest consideration,
Sir, your Excellency's most obedient and humble ser-
vant, " ABERDEEN."

AMERICAN AFFAIRS.
NEW YORK, SEPT. 15.—Since the date of my last
letter, very little change in the affairs of the United
States has taken place. The Government have, it is
thought, discovered that the war with Mexico was as
unnecessary as it is extravagant and unprofitable ; butif
the Government have not made this discovery, the Ame-
rican people have.
Everything in relation to business is in a state of un-
certainty; all present importations are made on a falling
market, while the season for commercial operations is
rapidly gliding away. Among the importers of dry
goods, the month of September is presumed to decide, in
some measure, the character of the season for business.
It is in this month that our jobbers generally make their
largest purchases. This is a class of dealers between the
importer and the country merchant. If any opinion is
to be formed of the business of the season by the pur-
chases they have made, that opinion will be unfavour-
able. Their purchases have been cautious and limited,
principally at auction.
The auction sales of domestic manufactures, when
compared with foreign fabrics, have been large. Under
the influence of the new tariff, the manufacturers, in
most cases, appear to be panic-stricken, and are empty-
ing their warehouses, and sending the contents to public
auction. In most cases sales are effected at a very great
loss compared to the selling prices previous to the pas-
sage of the new tariff. Whether, by reducing the price
of the raw material and the wages of the labourer, &c.,
they can obtain enough by these auctions to replace their
old stock is the great question. If they can they will
be satisfied to run their manufactories for a year or two
without the expectation or hope of obtaining one cent
of profit, but in the full belief that the next Congress
will repeal the present tariff law.
On the subject of repeal, everything depends on the
political character of the next congressional House of
Representatives. The present House have to serve
another short session, from December, 1846, to Mnrch

1847. If the manuficturing party should have a firm
and decided majority in the next House, favourable to a
repeal of the present tarifT law, I do not think that, the
Senate would defeat the Repeal Bill, and I am sure that
the President has had plate as much to do with vetoes as
ha wishes. Such are my views in relation to a con-
tinuance of the tariff. But whether we shall or shall not
have a Tariff-House, is matter of great doubt.

PRICE SD.

Our wheat crop, there is no doubt, is very large, and
it must, for the coming season, depend upon your market
to fix the price. If you do not require our surplus,
wheat and flour will be lower than they now are in this
country. yhe present price of flour may be put at
4 62-100 dollars per barrel. This may he considered a
fair average price, rather stationary, with an upward
tendency. That tendency, however, is produced by
looking to your market, in the expectation of new orders
to purchase at advanced prices. The home market of
the United States, in my opinion, will not sustain flour
through the season at four and a half dollars per barrel.
Our potato crop is suffering considerably with the
same disease that is proving such a scourge to Ireland, a
species of rot for which no preventive has as yet been
discovered Indeed, so far as I can learn, we are now as
ignorant of the cause of the disease as we were the first
day of its appearance among us. But the loss of the
potato crop in this country is not such a disaster as a
similar loss would be in Great Britain. Here no families,
except a few foreign families of labourers in cities, pre-
tend to live, even chiefly, upon potatoes. Families of
eight to twelve persons rarely consume more than 15 or
20 bushels in a year.
The Mexican war progresses slowly. The season and
the roads, in part, have prevented General Taylor's army
from moving ;
_in addition to which great difficulty has
attended all efforts to procure the necessary means of
transportation. These difficulties, however, have in a
great measure been removed. The prospects now are,
that he will advance with a strong military force, and
that be will meet little or no opposition at Montero, and
almost without interruption march to the city of Mexico.
Such are the opinions of the friends of the Administra-
tion. Your correspondent entertains very different views.
Santa Anna, as you will observe, has arrived at Vera
Cruz; whether he "slipt" in, or was permitted to pass
the American blockading squadron, is not known, nor is
it important. The question is, what will be its effect
upon the United States? Will it terminate or procras-
tinate the war? The impression is universal, that Santa
Anna had an American passport, in some way. to enter
Vera Cruz. The presumption is, that the President
expects a peace. He has made, -it is said, pacific propo-
sitions to the Mexican Government. The friends of the
Administration in this city, and other parts of the
country, are sanguine that we shall have a speedy settle
ment. On this point, I will only say Ido not believe it.
I entertain no such hope.
This Government is just beginning to feel the want of
money. The President is authorised to issue 10,000,000
of dollars in Treasury notes. Yesterday the first batch
of this species of paper money made its appearance
in our city. They are received in payment of Custom
House dues. So long as the amount in circulation can
he swallowed by the Custom House, they will be at par,
and no longer.
It is generally supposed that Santa Anna will be im-
mediately chosen President. I think he will perceive
that the several factions in Mexico can only be consoli.
dated and put down through the army; that without
they are thus prostrated he will never feel himself safe
In this view, may he not wish to be placed, for a term,
at the head of the army, with his friend Genera]
Almonte as President?

You will notice in all the journals of the day the loss,
by grounding, of an American sloop-of-war, and the
capture, by the Mexicans, of the greater part of her
crew. The public generally are greatly dissatisfied with
what appears to be the inactivity of the officer com-
manding the blockading squadron.
A GENEVESE TRAVELLER.

THE BRAZILS.

Fa',mourn, SEPT. 29.—Her Majesty's packet Petere,
Lieut. Creser, arrived to-day from the Brazils with the
mails and several passengers. A direct arrival from the
River Plate, however, put us in possession, some days
ago, of much later advices from the seat of war ; and
a vessel arrived on Thursday last from Pernambuco
reported later intelligence from the northern parts of
the Brazils. The Peterel sailed from Rio de Janeiro,
Aug. 5 ; Bahia, Aug. 19 ; and from Pernambuco, Aug.
26. She had on freight about 20,0001, more or less ;
and the following passengers :—Count St. Martin,
Messrs. Shepherd, Rick, Cottrell, Stegman, Downes,
Burton and child; Tucker, lady, and children ; Dr.
WCormack and son ; and Mr. Tully and servant.
Her Majesty's ships Grecian, Seagull (following
packet), and Spider remained at Rio. Also the American
ships Bainbridge, Columbia, and Constitution, with the
French sloop of war Proserpine. It was intended that
the Brazilian frigate, Constitution, should leave for
England about the 10th inst., bearing the pendant of
Admiral Grenfell, on board of which it was rumoured
that Mr. Hamilton would be a passenger. The Spider
announced, on her arrival at Rio from Monte Video,
that a cessation of war had taken place between the bel-
ligerents, but which rumour must relate to the tem-
porary notification of a cessation, of the character of
which later accounts thence have already informed the
British public.
The Peterel spoke yesterday, in lon. 8 W., the George-
town, from Colombia for London, and reports to have
seen at Rio on the 31st of July the Rozannah Crown,
Tynemouth Castle, Light of the Harem, Emilia, Indus,
Gipsy, Agenoria, John Cock, George, J. T.. Carr, Sa-
muel Spyvel, Equator, Medora, Harmony, and Levenside.
The Empress was safely delivered of a Princess on the
27th of July, on which auspicious event being announced
a succession of grand gala days ensued.
Of mercantile news there is little of importance. The
Price Current of July 31 states—
" The further detention of the Peterel packet induces us
to publish the present number, which, from the limited
amount of business since our last, could otherwise be de-
layed until the report of the month could be presented.
" Coffee--Prices have been unaltered during the week,
in which about 30,000 bags have been sold, but the mar-
ket is rather flat as regards the lower qualities. Shipped
during July, 137,974 bags, of which for the Cape of Good
Hope 4,680 bags ; for Cowes, 4,630; for Hamburgh,
3,630 ; for London, 594 ; for United States, 5,200 ; for
New York, 3,000; for River Plate, 42."
Sugar—None at market, 160 cases arrived July 31.
Hides—Not a sale reported. Market flat.
MONEY MARKET.—Discounts continued to be freely
obtained. Exchange.—ln expectation of the sailing of
the packet on July 26, transactions were brought to a
close on July 24, when 15,0001. were passed upon London
at 264 pence ; nor had the subsequent detention of the
packet materially increased the amount of business,
which, since our last, may be estimated at 45,000/., at
264 pence and 27 pence for interest bills. Exchange
upon Paris, 348.

- The amount taken by the Treasury for this packet is
20,0001. upon London ; upon France, 260,000 francs.
In stwk but a few transactions at 78 to 78g. Freights
for the Channel, 325. 6d. to 355.

ALARMING COLLISION ON 'f HE

NORTH-WESTERN RAILWAY.
Yesterday morning, between the hours of two and
three, a collision of a most serious nature occurred upon
the London and North-Western Railway, near the Wat-
ford station, between two goods trains, by which two
men, a stoker and engine-driver, were vi ry seriously
injured. At the time stated, a train, consisting entirely
of goods carriages, approached near to the Watford sta-
tion, at what is stated to have been the regular speed.
Another train, likewise a goods one, was proceeding in
the same direction. The morning being extremely
foggy and dark, the engine-driver of the latter train, it
is supposed, could not see the one in front, for his en-
gine ran against the rear of the other train with great
violence. The train in advance, and also the driver and
stoker, escaped without any injury. The second train,
however, was not so fortunate, for it was forced off
the line, and the stoker, a young man named
Thomas Cole, together with Henry Gibbs, the
engine-driver, were precipitated one under the
engine, and the other between the tender and engine.
The latter had both his legs broken, and Cole received
a compound fracture of the right ancle. As soon
as possible the line was cleared, a work of no little diffi-
culty, but it was accomplished in time to allow the mail
train to pass along the next hour after the accident.
Both men were taken to the University College Hos-
pital, where it was then found necessary, in order to
save the life of Gibbs, to resort to amputation, and at
seven o'clock last evening we ascertained that he and
his companion Cole were both going on as favourably as
could be expected.
The following is the official report
An unfortunate accident occurred on the London
and North-Western Railway, at the Watford station,
between two and three this (Wednesday) morning, to
the engine-driver and fireman of a goods train, arising
from the heedlessness of the former. The first goods
train had been delayed on the road, between Wolverton
and Leighton, by the failure of power in the engine
which drew it. From the station it was assisted to
Tring by the second goods train, and thence to London ;
the road being on an incline nearly the whole way, it was
allowed to proceed without further assistance, and
stopped at Watford according to regulation. There the
usual signals were exhibited to prohibit any other train
from entering the station. The signals for caution were
also exhibited by the policeman at each end of the tunnel,
and the night being foggy there was additional reason
for the enginemen of the second train, who were per-
fectly aware that the other could not be far ahead, to
advance with the greatest care. Unhappily this was
not observed, and coming into collision with the train in
front, the engineman and fireman of No. 72 engine had
both fractures of the legs. The poor men were, as early
as possible, removed to the North London Hospital, and
in one case at least amputation of the limb will be ne-
cessary."

THE SUSPECTED POISONING IN ESSEX.—Yesterday
morning an inquest was commenced before Mr. C. C.
Lewis, at the Cock Inn, Mamden, a village near °la-
yering, on the body of the child Y. Taylor, whose death
from the effects of poison, administered, as it is alleged,
by Sarah Chesham, has been already recorded. A mass
of evidence was taken, which repeated and confirmed
in great measure the facts elicited before the magis-
trates at the time the woman Chesham was enn;moted
for trial, and the proceedings were adj..urned a r..:t-
n*ght, to allow of full proof froui a po,t mortem ex t:oi-
nation and analysis whether death was the result o: tiie
poison administered.

- FOOT RACE IN THE WATERLOO-ROAM—YeAer lay
Millinin and Collins ran a 250 yards race for 101. The
latter wuu by ten yards.