The Sun.
London, England, 1846-08-13 00:00:00

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LONDON, THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 1846.

Intelligence of very remarkable interest, extending
over fifteen additional days, has just been received
through the steam-ship Cambria, after an unprece-
dented _pail: •-; twelve days and sixteen hours
from AQ .` j, Ipcable circumstances have tran-
spitOlfifit}..,:s4:tes, both of a political, corn-
m ere ito; ant nlifit;ati c:hitrac ter. News of a startling
nature has been labeived relative to the deliberations
of the American Legislature ; the feasibility of mer-
cantile-refOrmation throughout other nations besides
-eat Britain and a Flemish principality ; the
im-
of any speedy termination to Mexican
unless the combatants be thwarted by some
interposition; and the internal tranquillity

of the Oregon territories. If received separately, any
one of these fragments of information would have
assumed to itself a peculiar importance, but, viewed
collectively, they cannot fail to arouse an intense and
universal interest. Unfortunately the proposition for
commercial reform introduced into the Chamber of

Representatives has not afforded that extraordinary
sentiment of satisfaction which was entertained

throughout England towards the recent measures of
Sir ROBERT PEEL'S Administration. On the

contrary, it has been received with the
most violent and determined opposition. Mr.
WEBSTEB discharged against it every missile
of invective, and remonstrance, and ridicule,
' and argument, which his ingenuity could devise or

his felicitous imagination could accumulate. Senator
CAMERON adjured hiftrother legislators to deliberate

seriously before they arrived at any decision, as, sup-

posing the Tariff Bill received their acquiescence,

1 -
" there would arise a cry for its repeal from one end of
the northern States to the other." Notwithstanding,
however, all this furious and systematic antagonism, 1
the obnoxious Bill was ultimately passed through the
Chamber of Representatives at Philadelphia, by an
infinitessimal majority of one in a House of fifty-five
individuals. Something approaching to commercial
panic has subsequently developed itself; stocks have
given unmistakeable symptoms of decline ; the money
market was visited by a temporary stagnation ; busi-
ness was generally sluggish ; and all these effects
were attributed by its antagonists to the recent ac-
ceptation of the unwelcome tariff. What appears,
on investigation, to be the principal blemish of
this measure, is the precipitate manner in
which it has evidently been concocted. Some
of the alterations are literally crudities culled
from the horn-book of political economy; there is
an evident want of deliberate digestion throughout.

Wherever anything especially judicious is introduced
in the catalogue of reformation, it appears rather to
be an accidental excellence and a fortuitous beauty
than the result of a wise and sagacious forethought—
this, however, be it observed, merely as regards the
individual items, not with reference to the original

skeleton of the plan. In that skeleton we recognise
the skeleton of ultimate free trade ; there is a strik-
ing analogy between its character and the principles
which have gradually insinuated themselves
into the commercial code of the mother
country. Taxation reserved upon the luxuries
of existence, taxation diminished upon the neces-
saries of existence : that is the system now adopted
by the Government of the United States, and believ-
ing that the introduction of such a system will be
most conducive to the universal realisation of freedom
to trade, we are satisfied with the abstract character
of the Bill in question. As examples of the pro-
portionate extension and diminution of imposts upon
superfluities and upon articles of general consumption
in the former arrangement of customs, and in the one
which will come into operation on the first of De-
cember, 1846, we may enumerate the following :
The duties hitherto levied upon champagne, and whicl,
may be represented as 12, will henceforth be
increased to 30; Madeira, formerly 5, now 30 ; pearl
and precious stones, formerly 7, now 30 ; chocolate,
formerly 12, now 20 ; and in like manner the re
mainder of the luxuries. Among the necessaries we
may instance the following :—Wrought iron spikes.
formerly 168, now 30 ; glass of various descriptions,
formerly 137, now 30 ; brown sugar, formerly 62
now 30 ; silk handkerchiefs, formerly 50, now 25 :
cottons and calicoes, formerly 50, now 25 ; and h.
similar proportions throughout. 'Without question
the latter diminution is laudably conceived, and i:
compatible with the pervading spirit of this enlight-
ened generation. As such we are inclined to welcome
the broad outlines of the present scheme, 26 tending
to equalise the position of the aristocrat and the ar
tisan, and likely to promote commercial intercourse
between different nations, and to ensure the ulterior
civilisation of the inhabitants of this globe, no matter
what may be the anomalies of colour, of religion, of
locality, or of disposition. Nevertheless, it is from the
very circumstance of our satisfaction with the ge-
neral bearing of this new tariff that we are amazed,
with Mr. 'WEBSTER, at such an anomaly as that of
charging twenty per cent. on flaxseed and ten per
cent. on linseed, though those articles are actually
identical. That solitary circumstance would be suffi-
cient of itself to justify our condemnation of the de-
tails of a Bill in itself so particularly laudable, and to
evidence that the blemish which we have already ex-
posed was grounded upon incontestable data—
namely, that the items in the catalogue and the
apportioning of new duties are nothing less than
crudities precipitately amassed together.
Accounts from the Oregon territory are of a
most pleasing description, as far as the preservation o:
amity between the British and American settlers is
concerned. It is, however, lamentable to reflect that
the dangers of the gigantic prairies still present a
terrible barrier to the propagation of civilisation.
According to the most recent sources of intel-
ligence, it would appear that seventy-five out
of two hundred and fifty persons, composing the
St. Joseph's Company, have perished upon those
flowery plains, through the pangs of drought and
contagion.
Of the position of the belligerents in the Mexican
war our readers will find a copious narrative
in other columns of The Sun, explaining
the hopelessness of any speedy termination
to the bloodshed and commotion which have so long
desolated that unfortunate country. From the
communication written by the Secretary of War, and
officially laid before Congress, it would absolutely
appear that aggrandisement, and not retaliation, is
the object of the United States. The ambiguous
phrases contained in that document seem to
imply an expectation of extending the American re-
public in a southerly direction. General Tarnon, on
the contrary, in the proclamation which he has re-
cently issued to the population of Mexico, declares
that war has been drawn upon themselves in
consequence of wilful indignities offered to the
" star-spangled banner." Whether serious conse-
quences may not result to the theatre in which
BOLIVAR acquired his immortality, by the rejection
of the offers of assistance made by SANTA ANNA,
time alone can testify. The friends of Mexico have
cause to tremble for the integrity of her do-
miLions. PAREDBS and Mayo will have to screw
the courage of their supporters to the stick-
ing-place if they would repulse their assailants, if
they would preserve San Juan de Ulloa from cap-
ture, and if they would recal the Yucatecas to their
jurisdiction. When Mexico is threatened in one
direction by no less than seven hundred and eighty
guns, and in another by two hundred and ninety-
eight, the Mexicans may well doubt the perpetuity of
their constitution.

The Gauge of Railways Bill yesterday received its
third reading in the House of Commons. The Hon.
Member for Birmingham moved the insertion of an
additional clause for the purpose of having the entire
line from Oxford to Birmingham laid down on the
broad gauge, so as to avoid the anomaly of two dif-
ferent gauges on the same line of railway. By this
means the people of Birmingham would have the benefit
of a broad as well as a narrow gauge communication
with the metropolis, and there is little doubt that the
consequent competition and rivalry would afford an
additional protection to the public, and ensure that
moderation of charge and attention to their interests
which is so frequently wanting when the entire traffic
is in the bands of a monopolist corporation.
The clause was, however, rejected, and the
Bill passed in its original state, and in ac-
cordance with the recommendation of the Board
of Trade. If the measure was to be a final one, and
the great evil of a break of gauge was to be perpe-
tuated throughout the country, we should respect
this decision, and we think the people of Birmingham
would have just cause of complaint thereat; but
there is every reason to hopeithat the present Bill is
merely intended to be of a temporary nature, to prevent
.iny new difficulties being interposed in the way of
an equitable adjustment of the differences between
the rival companies, and the establishing of an uni-
formity of gauge throughout the kingdom. It has
been stated by Earl GREY that, for all practical pur-
poses, his colleagues are unanimcus on the point, and
fully alive to the great national advantage
that would be attained by putting an end to the
present system, and establishing an uniform
intermediate gauge throughout the length and
breadth of the land ; there can be little doubt that
the leisiire afforded by the recess will be applied to

the discovering of the means by which this great
object can be obtained; and it would indeed be la-
mentable if any crude or hasty legislation should
deprive the public of the advantage. The investigation
that has already taken place on the subject has
elicited the opinions of practical men, fully compe-
tent to arrive at a just conclusion ; and it is now
established that the difficulties which were thought
to be insurmountable can be easily encountered and
overcome at an expenditure, which, however great, is
trifling if put in competition with the corresponding
advantages. Great as are the inconveniences now expe-
rienced, they are as nothing to what must be the case
in a few short years, when the public wants will be
fully provided for, and when the points of contact be-
tween the different gauges will be greatly itcreased
and multiplied. A wise Administration will not be
contented with applying a temporary remedy, they
will be well aware that a state of progressive im-
provement is to be looked for, and they must
provide for the future wants as well as those
of the present time, and expect the accelerations con•
sequent upon the inventive genius of the country
being directed thereto. The immediate reduction of
the broad gauge to the same scale as the narrow
would place a great impediment in the way of these
improvements ; it would enforce a continuance in
that which is now pretty generally admitted to be a
defective system, originally- selected in the infancy
of the science, without the full investigation which a
subject of such importance required, and should have
received. The question hitherto has been rather a
question between the two existing gauges, as to
which shall be perpetuated, than what it ought to
have been—an inquiry into what gauge would be
most beneficial to the nation at large, without any
reference to the lines already in existence.
Such an inquiry took place with respect
to Ireland, where railways were only starting into
existence, and the Commission unanimously recom-
mended an intermediate gauge which would afford all
the advantages to be found in either of the
present, without any of their disadvantages.
the most eminent engineers who were not
already committed by expressed opinions
concurred in the result. The evidence of Mr.
CUBITT before the Guage Commissioners is gradually
forcing conviction on, and receiving the assent of, every
unprejudiced person. He deliberately states, that a
gauge of six feet, which appears to be the best
for all practical purposes, can be attained at
a very moderate expenditure, and that there
:could be no necessity for an alteration in the existing
tunnels, viaducts, or bridges. We doubt not that his
evidence will receive the attention and consideration
it merits, and that at the commencement of the en-
suing session the Government will be prepared with
propositions for the final settlement of the question on
a just and equitable basis.

Some of our Contemporaries are discussing the
result of the St. Alban's election, the return of Mr•
BENJAMIN BOND CABBELL, and the rejection of
Lord LISTOWEL, as if political triumph were to be
claimed for the protectionists, or public principle
declared and enunciated thereby. They are grievously
In error—no triumph was gained, save that of bribery,
—no principle proclaimed, save that the electors of
St. Alban's, will not return any man to Parliament
who does not buy his seat, and pay for their votes.
Lord LISTOWEL would not spend money in corrup-
tion, and he prohibited his friends from doing so—he
lost his election. Mr. B. B. CABBELL found the
means for bribery ; his friends and agents used the
told placed at their disposal most freely—he gained
his return. But the game is not yet played out. Mr.
CADDELL'S return, and a petition against that return,
both appear on the proceedings of the House of Com-
mons ; the glory and the shame, the reward and the
punishment travel together. The corruption of St.
Alban's is as notorious as the sun at noon• day. We
believe it has never been doubted ; but on the present
occasion it has been proved beyond dispute, and evi-
lence not to be controverted will establish the fact
before the proper tribunal. We repeat that bribery
:tnd bribery alone has triumphed at St. Alban's, and
chat the only question asked by a majority of the
-lectors, was, " What price will you give for our
votes .f" For whom the best price was given Mr.
CABBELL'S return supplies the answer.

The proceedings of the Repeal Association in
Dublin on Monday ran to a great length. Before
t most numerous auditory, Mr. O'CONNELL re-
:eived fresh proofs, from various influential parties
in Ireland, of their undiminished confidence in his
governance -of the great body of which he is the ac-
knowledged head.
The sacerdotal order, in particular, denounced in
hitter terms the recent unscrupulous defection of the

physical force" members of Conciliation Hall, and
-tulogised, in the warmest manner, the peaceful policy
which animates the counsel of O'CONNELL. One of the
clerical epistles contains the following caustic sentence,
which is unmistakeably applicable to Mr. S.O'Bmws
—" We fear for the safety of the Repeal Association,
which is imperilled by the rash speeches and reck-
less impetuosity of some sullen and sulky spirits, who
have neither the wisdom to lead, nor virtue to obey."
.11r. O'CONNELL expressed a desire that the Member
for Limerick would rejoin his ranks, but as this can-
)oly now be done by a full renunciation of his former
,gregious errors, we doubt whether so sullen and
sulky an individual would admit his peccability in
)rder to be reinstated in his former position.
Neither, indeed, is it a consummation devoutly to be
wished. The report of the committee appointed to
consider the case of the Nation newspaper was read.
ft has been decided by them, without a dissentient
voice, that that journal shall in future be
cashiered from Conciliation Hall, and all its
tributary streams. Looking to the inflammatory
appeals which the Nation has constantly made to the
worst passions of the people, the Association is much
to be commended for guarding itself in every way
against being mixed up with the propagation of dele-
terious political doctrines. The step thus taken
augurs well for the sincerity with which the moral
force principle is upheld by the repealers at large.
Another prominent feature of the day was the en-
rolment of the Hon. CECIL LAWLESS as a member of
the Association. He has avowed himself a convert
by reason of the public letter addressed to him, not
many days back, by Mr. O'CONNELL. But the
most important part of the proceedings consisted
in the detailed exposition of O'CONNELL'S require-
ments from the English Parliament on behalf of Ire-
land. We must say he has drawn out a pretty long
list of palliatives for the wrongs of his country.
They may be thus briefly capitulated :—There must
be no endowment of the Roman Catholic clergy—
the mortmain clause in the Bequests Act must be got
rid of—the charter of the national schools, the " In-
fidel Colleges" Act, and the Marriage Act must be
severally revised—chapels in the different work
houses to be established—an equitable appropriation
of the revenues of the Established Church—
che number of representatives to be in-
creased—the elective franchise to be extended—
the municipal corporations to be assimilated to those
of England and Scotland, with the appointment of
sheriffs to be vested in them; and, lastly, a good
landlord and tenant Bill. Such is the bill of fare
tendered to the Government; it seems to contain
every political dainty. It is something for the
Ministry to have such a choice. Several sessions
must be exhausted before they can taste and digest
the whole of these select viands. In the meanwhile
they will have the advantage of dining yearly a la
carte. For our own part, we hope the Executive will
deal with the bill of fare in the inverse order in
which it is written out. Let us first address
ourselves to the task of effecting political equality
between the emerald isle and Great Britain, and
when we shall have succeeded in this respect, we can
turn our minds with greater advantage to redress
whatever of religious inequality there may be be-
tween the two countries. The public mind just now
seems fairly attuned to the necessity of reforming the
civil institutions of Ireland, and it would not be wise
to mar this good feeling by stirring up anew the reli-
gious animosities which so disgracefully checked the
reforming career of the Governments of Lords
GREY and MELBOURNE. We collected from the
speech which Lord JOHN RUSSELL made,
when called upon by Mr. DUNCOMBE to ex-
plain the principles on which he intended to
carry on the Government, that his Lordship consi-
dered it most advisable in the present state of parties,
and especially for the welfare of Ireland, that all poli-