The Sun.
London, England, 1846-02-24 00:00:00

S Ny FEBRUARY' 24, 1846. PRICE sr.

teach the Directors of the India Board, as well as the Go-
vernor-General and home Government, to act with the utmost
liberality, fairness, and generosity towards the native troops,
increase rather than diminish their pay, encourage promo-
tion, and place them as far as circumstances will admit on a
footingwith their more civilised and powerful rulers. The
dispatch of Sir 11. HARDINGE to the Secret Committee of the
East India Company, describing the important results of
this wanton attack upon the British territory, is brief and
satisfactory. It appears that so early as the Bth of December,
ten days before the first attack, and thirteen before the
battle commenced on the 21st, he had put a
portion of the army in motion to repel the
invaders, and though considerably outnumbered, the
forces he concentrated around Ferozepore i'ere equal to
beat the enemy on every point, capture nearly the whole o
their artillery, tents, baggage, with large quantities of ammu-
nition and warlike stores. In that dispatch we learn for the
first time that no new entrenchments had been made by the
Seikhs on the left bank, for these successful operations had
been followed by the " retreat of the Seikh army
to the other side of the Sutlej, the British army
being now (December 31) encamped between Ferozepore
and the fords of the Sutlej." This will remove much anxiety;
for from the imperfect accounts hitherto received of the posi-
tion of the defeated army, fears were entertained that they
were preparing for further resistance. The Governor-
General thus sums up his remarks :—" No accident or failure
has occurred during the complicated operations of a com-
bined movement; and our army, whether for defence or
attack, has shown, as heretofore, that its power is irre-
sistible."

It is quite illusory to regard the succession of speeches
now uttered night after night In the House of Commons as
likely in the slightest degree to modify the commercial policy
advanced by Sir ROBERT. The discussion altogether resembles
one of those pleasant tragi-comedies which upon the stage
—that is to say, both upon the theatrical and Parliamentary
stage—is formed entirely of conventionalities. It resembles,
we repeat, one of those facetious performances, through the
woof of whose lamentations, and dilemmas, and misfortunes
peeps out—the great, jovial, and CERTAIN denouement. There
are the mournful "walking-gentlemen" no doubt (such as
Sir R. INGLIS), whose office it is to produce white pocket-
handkerchiefs and words of bitter wailing ; there are choleric
"guardians" (such as Mr. Scorr), who are incessantly trying
to embroil somebody; there are satirical "lookers-on" (such as
Mr. DISRAELI), who discharge the duties originally imposed
upon the Greek choruses, of commenting upon passing occur-
rences with smart sallies of wit and sarcasm of much sparkle
and brilliancy. Nevertheless, throughout the alternations of
passion and sentiment which are thus represented on the
floor of tie Low erHouse,in spite of the lugubrious countenances
of many of the principal performers of the important political
drama now in course of representation, we have ever before
us in perspective the final tableau with which the piece will
terminate; we perceive the inevitable consummation
of happiness with which the final scene will conclude;
we already, in the prescience of fancy. see the curtain of
the ',resent session descending amidst the general and
enthusiastic approbation of the spectators (the public) with
the orderly appearance and contented looks of the stage
heroes—the representatives (whether present or future) of
the Lower House. This we most conscientiously maintain
will prove no idle talking, but the true harbinger of what is
now upon its indomitable approach—free importation, free
exportation, plenty and prosperity. Let not any rash an-
tagonist suppose for one instant that the acceptance of free
trade as a relative portion of the British Constitution can be
retarded by any puny obstacles of their interposition ; let
them remember that public opinion is impelling this great
measure forward with a resistless force, that public opinion
infuses, by its accordance, a vast energy and power
. .

into the voice of the Premier and his adherents—
a power which no opposition of theirs, how-
ever spasmodic and infuriated, can overthrow ; let

them remember that the proposed abolition is urged onwards
by no party and no individual class, but by a remarkable
combination of all divisions of political doctrine, by the em-
bodiment of the national will in one hundred and sixty-
eight thousand pounds, by the expressed approbation of re-
presentatives and constituencies almost without number : but
above all, let them follow the bold and glorious example of
many of our most illustrious statesmen, by bowing down
before the majesty of experience and conviction, by sacri-
ficing (if need be) self to society, by acknowledging with
real greatness of spirit the fallacy of their former
opinions, and by diffusing happiness among their coun-
trymen by the performance of an act of justice and reparation.
Another of these instances of self-forgetfulness—of genuine
Parliamentary magnaminity, was witnessed last night in
the person of Sir GEORGE CLERK. There is something
worthy of sincere esteem in the candour and the readiness
with which the President of the Board of Trade confesses the
necessity of some permanent alteration in our commercial
laws. Himself a large landed proprietor—totally- sustained,
we may say, by his territorial possessions in the neighbour-
hood of Edinburgh, Sir GEORGE CLERK is prepared to en-
counter any deterioration in his fortunes (if such can possibly
follow the Abolition Act), ha is willing to risk any amount
in his personal revenues, because he believes that
such a proceeding is requisite for the general welfare
of Great Britain. His survey is not restricted to this pre-
sent hour or this present crop—he sees beyond the horizon
of this.year and this harvest—be calculates the contingencies
of vegetation, increased population, and diffused knowledge
—he beholds the inadequacy of any sliding-scale to prevent
a deficiency of food, or to diminish its price sufficiently for
the means of the more indigent classes; and seeing all this,
feeling all this, knowing all this, comes forward manfully to
sustain by his co-operation the earnest and laudable efforts
of the Prime Minister. His elaborate and detailed analysis
of the arguments advanced by Messrs. DISRAELI and HUD-
sox, were most straightforward and conclusive. He scarcely
so much reposed the nerve of his logic on metaphysical dis-
tinctions as upon manifest and naked facts ; he controverted
their sophistry by statistics ; he scourged them with the
satire of common sense. He pronounced a decided appro-
bation of the scheme propounded by Government
as admirable. because it would equalise prices : how?
"Not," said the Right Hon. Member, "by bringing
English. prices down to the continental level, but by raising
continental prices to the English level." And this asser-
tion he proved to be correct by the clearest and least contro-
vertible chain of reasoning. It was not a mere declaration ;
it was a deduction. It was not a mere vagary of theima •
gination ; it was a bodily and demonstrable truth.
For this staunch and disinterested behaviour of Sir
GEORGE CLERK, he is worthy of our utmost con-
mendation, and we hereby utter that commendation in
simple language. While, however, we would applaud an
individual Member of the House of Commons for conduct

truly praiseworthy, we must utter our most comprehensive
protest against that august House, as a body,
for the inexcusable manner in which *they are
now frittering away time most precious to the
community at large. Their most useless and =en-
durable delay over the settlement of a measure of such immi-
nent and vital importance to the inhabitants of these
islands—more especially to Ireland, where famine is
already beginning to decimate the populace—is inex-
cusable and injurious to a degree. Surely enough
has been said both in favour of protection, and
in favour of free trade; surely the question at issue has
been sufficiently conned and dissected: the kings of the
forest have spoken—we don't want to hear the voice of
every weazel and every field-mouse. Other Bills are wait-
ing ; labourers without employment are waiting ; an im-

patient and hungry multitude are waiting: let the matter,

then, be forthwith concluded : let the maize and the colonial

grain enter the ports : let Government tarry no longer in

some practical signs of its wisdom and its beaefic,ence.

The' Madrid papers of the 16th contain explanations
made by the new Ministers in both Chambers relative to the
late change of Administration, in the course of which General
NAIVAEZ made a very submissive and constitutional
speech. In the Chamber of Peers, the Marquis Da Nina-
FLORES said he should not enter into the causes which led
to the dissolution of the Ministry, but confine himself
chiefly to what related to himself and friends :—On being
sent for by the QUEEN, he thought it his duty to state to
her MAJESTY, that it would not be desirable that NARVAEZ
should form part of the new Cabinet. NARVAEZ readily
agreed to this; and offered his services in any way they
could be useful to the country. The Chief Minister further
stated, that the dignity of Commander-in Chief was merely
honorary, and as regarded the policy of the present
Government, he asserted that he and his colleagues
had adopted the financial policy of Senor MoN, and
that one of their principal objects in assuming the important
task was to maintain public order and respect for the Con-
stitution. The speech gave satisfaction to all parties. Ge-
neral NARVAEZ gave a brief history of the Ministerial crisis,
said his conduct had been regulated by the purest love of
country, and added that he had offered to the new Cabinet
his support, whether as Captain-General of a province, or in
a more inferior situation. Ministers then proceeded to the
Chamber of Deputies, and similar statements having been
maee, the Chamber adjourned. The Gazette contains a
royal decree appointing PENA AGUAYO Minister of Finance.
This appointment and the explanations in the Chambers had
a favourable effect on the Funds.

The Three per Cents. closed at 32% at 60 days; the Five
per Cents. at 22% for cash, and 23 at 60 days; and the Ma-
drid and Aranjuez Railroad shares 2,100 at 60 days.

In the French Chamber of Deputies, on the 21st, a long
debate took place onithe motion of M. ODILON BARROT, to re •
place the Bill on secondary instruction among the orders of the
day. The object appeared to be to embarrass the Ministry,
by keeping alive the disputes between the University and
the Church. M. TRIERS took an active part in the debate,
and defended the proposition of M. BARROT, but all in vain.
GUIZOT resisted the motion, and on a division it was
negatived by a majority of 211 to 144—majority in favour
of Ministers, 67. The papers contain further details from
Mena, and also A dispatch from Marshal BIJOEAUD, of the

11th inst., in which that General fully confirms the report,
almost officially contradicted, that AED-EL-KADER
was in the very centre of the colony, and apprehended
his obstinate continuance in that position, from which it
would be difficult to drive him away, unless the Kabyles
should undertake the task. This is not very likely, and the
Marshal must, therefore, rely on his own resources. the
following is a copy of the dispatch :
MOM MARSHAL THE DUKE D'ISLEY TO THE MINISTER OF WAR.
• " As I have anticipated, Abel-el-Kader has thrown himself Into the
Arjunt, and made unheard-of efforts to establish himself there.
Hitherto he does not appear to have made much progress among the
Kabyl s, but as he still remains, in spite of the check which he re-
ceived in the night attack by .eneral Gentil, it must be that he has
found partizans, and entertains hopes for the future, Under these
circumstances I have recalled General Bedeau, and our two columns
combined will possess a force of cavaliy more than sufficient for her-
vice in the difficult mountain country where we are about to operate.
But I have not been able to collect as many infantry as 1 could
have wished, because it was necessary, at the same time, to guard the
frontier to the south against the attacks of the lieutenant whom the
Emir has stationed in the Desert, and to cover the avenues leading to
Algiers on the west. I am new in march to support the flank of
General (lentil, and to endeavour to drive back the enemy to the
heights out of the valley of the Sehaou. But I fear that the rains
which are commencing will embarrass this operation.
" We cannot abandon the line of the Isser so long as Abd-el-Kader
is in the Jurjura. If lie persists to remain in these rugged mountains
and should find support, we must bring up our forces and force bins
to retire towards the heights, where he will find fewer resources.''
The subjoined letter from a French officer in Africa, gives,
we fear, a too faithful picture of the sufferings under which
the troops are labouring:—

" The newspapers, we are told, dwell on the fatigues our soldiers
have undergone, but one can scarcely form a notion of it in France.
We have had to suffer from cold, hunger, and thirst. We have been
several days without rice or salt, and with only half a ration of bis-
cuit for twenty-four hours. Provisions are distributed to us for
eight days. They are consumed in three, after which we must ilve
as we can. I have eaten corn raw, roasted, or crushed between two
stones ; barley, camel flesh—in short, we have been doomed to eat
whatever can be digested. We have sold our buttons, brushes, and
whatever the Arabs would accept, for a little flour. In the desert of
Angad, where we have long operated, there is no other fuel than
the roots of the gayra, a small shrub that horses feed on. At night
we covered ourselves as well as we could with our half blankets, and
huddled together like sheep to procure a little warmth. At times
we found no water for days together. Twelve columns have for six
months past been in pursuit of Abd-el-Rader, who is everywhere
and nowhere. The soldiers have a hideous aspect. They are in
rags from head to foot. Their formerly red trousers resemble the
dirtiest harlequin garments, and many of us have our coats patched
up with plebs of sheepskins." .

The accounts from the army are understood at Paris to be
of a more alarming character than those published by the
Government. A Cabinet Council was held on Saturday,
which remained for a considerable time in deliberation, and
it was generally believed that affairs were so urgent, that the
Council came to the resolution of dispatching the Duke
D'AtratALE to Algiers immediately. He was expected to
leave Paris on Monday. The Funds, however, continued
firm. On Sunday the Three per Cents. were done at 84f. 70c.
BUSINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THE
LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE, Faa. 24.
Boulogne and Amiens, 11%—Bordeaux, Toulouse, and Cette
(Espeleta), 2% —Central of Spain, 1 —Dutch Rhenish, 6%—East In-
dian, 1 % —Great Nortkern of Fraace Constituted, 11%—Louvain
and Jemappe, 1% —Luxembourg, 2% —Namur and Liege, 31,i
Orleans and Bordeaux, 1144—Paris and Rouen, 4031.

The following members have been selected by the General
Committee of Elections to form the Chairman's panel, and
serve as Chairmen of Election Committees for the present
session :—Mr. Charles Buller, Mr. Hawes, Sir William Heath-
cote, Mr. Hogg, Mr. Pakington, and Mr. Charles Wood.
THE DIVISION.-It is currently reported that the division
on Sir R. Peel's motion for going into Committee on the corn-
laws will not take place until Friday evening, or rather
Saturday morning next, in which event it is not improbable
that the debate may be closed by Lord Lincoln, of whose
return there is no doubt, and who will be able to take his
seat for South Notts in time for the division.

SOUTH NOITINGHAM ELEcnos.--The polling commences
to-day, and from information which we have received, and
on which we can rely, we think we may venture to state that
not only is the return of Lord Lincoln certain, but that his
majority over the monopolist candidate will be as triumphant
as the most enthusiastic free trader could desire.

Captain Lindsay, the new Member for Wigan, having
notified to the Speaker that he does not intend to defend his
seat against the petition presented by Mr. Thicknesse, the
unsuccessful candidate on the return, cannot sit or vote till
the petition has been tried.

DELAY IN THE PUBLICATION OF THE EXTRAORDINARY

" GazErrx."—Great anxiety was produced in the minds of those who
have relatives in India, in consequence of the delay in the publication
of the Extraordinary Gazette of last evening, which delay was also
the source of great inconvenience to the proprietors of the daily
papers. WOW, although it must be admitted that by the
introduction into the Gazette-oftlee of steam machinery,
and the other modern improvements in the art of
printing, the publication of the Gazette might on every oc-
casion be much expedited, yet we do not agree in opinion
with a Morning Contemporary, who blames the authorities
at the Gazette-office for the provoking delay of last evening.
They, we believe, are net at all to blame in the matter,

the Gazette was in type at an early hour in the evening, the
proof-sheets were struck off and sent to the India Board
for revision, and it was owing to the unnecessary delay of
the officials at the India Board in correcting and return-
ing the proof-sheets, that the delay was occasioned. The
authorities at the G arette-office, we believe, exert themselves
to the utmost on every occasion to prevent delay, but the
carelessness and dilatoriness of the officials in the Govern-
ment offices too often render their exertions of no avail. We
know for a fact that on one occasion a Noble Lord (now de-
ceased) holding at that time a high office under the Crown,
put a proof of the Gazette, which had been submitted to him
for correction, into his pocket, and, forgetting all about it,

actually took it down into the country with him, in conse
quence of which the publication of the Gazette was delayed
for two days.

MONEY and COMMERCIAL NEWS,
CITY, QUARTER TO THREE.
The sales of Cotton at Liverpool yesterday were from 5,000 to
6,000 bales, all to the trade. The market was steady, and prices re-
mained without alteration.
There was a better market for Railway Shares, although but a
limited business was done. West Riding Union and Leeds Extension
have advanced in price.
The following are some of the principal sales by Messrs. Wickham
and Co., which took place yesterday at the Hall of Commerce: -
East Indian, 19s. 6d.-Eastern Counties Extension, No. 2., 1405.-
Warwick and Worcester, 175.-Aylesbury and Theme, 285.-Glow•
tester, Aberystwith, and Central Wales, 125.-Cambridge and Ox-
ford, 16s. 6d.-Northumberland and Lancashire, 288.-London and
Manchester (Itastrick's), 715.-Galway. and Kilkenny, 165.-Isle of
Axholme, 303.-Worcester, Warwick, and Rugby, 225.-Cornwall
and Central Devon, 30s. 6d.-Essex and Suffolk, 155.-Grand Union,
275. 6d.-Buckingisamshire, 465. 6d. Wexford, Waterford, and Va-
lencia, 245. 6d.-Trinidad, Great Eastern, and South-Western, 25.-
Manchester, Midland, and Great Grimsby, 285.-Midland and
Eastern Counties, 225. 6d.-Newcastle and Berwick, 4135.-Man-
chester, Huddersfield, and Great Grimsby, 365.-Tring, Beading, and
nasingstoke, 495. 6d.-London and Windsor, 14s. 6d.-South
s2s. 6d.

The mercantile classes here are extremely annoyed at the unpre-
cedented length to which the debates on the corn-laws have already
been carried, with every probability of their lasting till next
Saturday morning; if not longer. Thus, three weeks have
been expended, and the result is, that in all the wholesale
departments of commerce and trade, there is an almost en-
tire suspension of any business of importance. Nor can a
revival take place until it is known whether the proposition
of Sir Robert Peel will be successfully opposed by a majority of the
House of Lords. The transactions In Mark-lace yesterday, and for
several markerdays before, may be said to have been merely nomi-
nal, the most pressing wants only causing purchasers to come
forward. Another branch of trade—that in coal—has been placed
almost hors de combat by the extreme mildness of the winter. The es-
timate en the Coal Exchange is, thot consumption is at least
34 if not one IA per cent under what it is usually in the winter
months. A check, therefore, has been put upon the supplies from
the north, so that, should a few days' severe frost occur—not an
unexpected event—a good rise may be made in the value of the ar-
ticle.

There have not been any arrivals announced this morning from
the colonies of a later date than those formerly received. The re-
cent news from the East Indies is still a matter of much conversa-
tion.
The Consol Market has not fluctuated to any extent thistmorn-
ing as respects speculative bargains. The price has beenjrem
95% to 96. For Money the value has been from 95% to 96. India
Stock was very firm at 260, being an advance of I per cent. upon the
former value. It would appear from this that the news
received from India is not thought so badly of as
some alarmists would fain have people to believe. The
Account price for the same Stock Is 259 to 259%. In Bank Stock
there has been a. ran from 209% to 208%. The New Three-and-a-
Quarter per Cents. have varied from 97% to 98% ; and the Three
per Cent. Reduced from 9614 to 96%. The Government broker made
his usual purchases to-day.
. _ _

In the foreign Funds business has been very slack this morning.
The Dutch Two-and-a-Half per Cents. have improved from 59% to
60 ; but the Four per Cents. have gone baek from 95% to 951 i. Por-
tuguese Three per Cents. have advanced to 59. The Deferred Spanish
Stock has been sold at 17. Grenada are at 223¢.

The quotations of the Railway Shares have not been Ann this
morning. Business is Sat.

ONE CLOSING
BRITISH FUNDS. O'CLOCK. PRICES.
Bank Stock .. .. .. .. .. .. 2093 208% 208%
Three per Cent.. Reduced Annuities .. .. 9614 lz,
Three per Cent. Consols Annuities .. .. 96 95% 96 96%
96%
New Three-and-a-Quarter per Cent. Anns. 983 97% 96 IA 98
Long Annuities, Expire Jan. 5, 1860 .. 10 9-16
Ditto, 30 years, Oct. 10, 1849 .. 10%% 10 9-16
Ditto, 30 years, Jan. 5, 1860 .. .. 10 5-16 10%
10 5-16
India Stock .. .. .
..
.. .
..
..
260
Consols for Account .. .. 260
India Stock for Account .. • • • • • • 95% 96 96
Exchequer Bills. I%d. . • • . .. 259% 259
I%d. 259
.... . 1,0001. .. ..
•• • • 37 39 36 -- pm.
Ditto,i. gin.all.• ----
N :: 33 = "pnmm:
Ditto, Advertised .. 36
39
36 —— pin. 39
.. 36

CLOSING
PRICES.
224
30h
314
167
59%

FOREIGN FUNDS. O'CLOC ONEK.
.
Grenada, 1 per Cent
.•
22%
Mexican Bonds, 1837, 5 Per Cent • •
.. • •
Ditto, for the Account •
•
Ditto, Deferred
.. .. • • • 16i
Portuguese Four per Cents- . • • • 59
Spanish Bonds, 5 per Cent
Ditto, Passive Bonds
Ditto, Deferred ..
Ditto, Three per Cent
Dividends on the above payable in London.
Dutch Two-and-a-Half per Cent .. 595 j 60 60
Ditto, 4 per Cent. Certificates .. 95 34; 93%
RUSLIsTESS
PAID. DONE AT CLOSING
ONE O'CLOCK. PRICES'

PRICES OF
RAILWAY SHARES.

64%
17

Amber., Notting., Boston and
' Eastern Junction .. • • .. 2% .... 23 ..
Armagh, Coleraine, and Portrush 1% .... 1%
Birmingham and Gloucester .. 100 .. . •
Ditto New (lased at 714 die.) .. 17% —••••• • • • • • 31
Birmingham and Oxford Junction 2 .... 2% ........ • • '2!i
Bristol and Exeter .. ••70 85% 86 .. . 1.6
Ditto New .. 5 .... 11 .. ..... . lil
Caledonian .. .. • . .. 10 .... 13% • 13%
Ditto Half Shares .. .. 234 .... • • •• • 3311
Cambridge and Oxford.. .. • • I% • • Ai ..... ••• ' •
Direct Manchester (Remington's) 214 • • 1% -••• • • " • 2714:
Direct Northern .. 2%.... 2%3( %••• • • •
Eastern Counties 141. 16s. .... 21% %•••• • • • • 21%
% P Do. Perpet., 5 per Cent. No. 1. 61 133. 4d. fi% P
Ditto, ditto, .. No. 2. 6/. 13s. 4d.
Ditto, York Extension .. • • 102 .
74
•
Edinburgh and Glasgow . • • • 50 •• •• 74 ...... •• • - •15
5
Ditto 54 Shares .. • •
Goole, Doneast., and iheffield,Btc. 425. p
Great Southern & West. (Ireland) 155 • .
21 • • .. •• • 20
: •.
21 . 21
Ditto, Extension • • • • 85 ....153 150••.••••••• 152
Great Western • • •• " 50 85 •• ..... aa
Ditto, Half Shares • • • • 5 is
Is
Ditto, quarter 110111$ • •