The Sun.
London, England, 1851-02-04 00:00:00

AMERICAN NEWS•

THE A
A tax on earnings is a twofoldbaneX.
A blight on liberty—a clog on thrift—
Less like a statesman's than a despot's shift,
We've writh'd beneath 't too long to writhe again.
Uneconomic is it, as 'twould be,
Ere filled with honey, to destroy the wax,
To cut away some mainroot of the tree;
Or drain a well-spring; like the earnings' tax.
But these are petty views, compar'd with this
The constitutional, which, closely scanned,
Shows something with our Freedom much amiss,
When Government's a pry throughout the land,
find Britons' homes their eastles are no more,
But tn—lnquisitors, alas! forge keys for ev'ry door!
FABRICIUS.
all discussions on the income-tax a very brod line of
!list action should be drawn between income haswhic yearly
t. 07 4ed, and income which is not earned, but yearly issues out
from
Permanent capital; the latter of which income is worth
.rm 20 to 25 years' purchase: while the former would not
etrunand, even if saleable and not entirely personal, more
two or three years' purchase.
111

uri'ISTRUCTION OF THE NORTH BARRACKS AT HA-
olornls NOVA SCOTIA.—We announced, on Wednesday
witsl_ng, that a fire had broken out at the North Barracks,
cured, had destroyed the mess building in which it origi•
our. .and conaiderably damaged the barracks. It *is now
etia)!nifill duty to announce further, that, contrary to ex-
trti„,'Pns the flames were not quelled till they wrought de-
lie`Von to a far greater extent than any previous fire in
ehe‘tax. After consuming the barracks the fire extended to
76uses adjacent in Barrack-street, and spread with alarm-
-8 rapidity. About forty buildings besides the barracks
destroyed, and many families at this inclement sea-
Cr• uddenly deprived of their houses. The 38th Regiment
b, sesgolle into the Pavilion barracks, previously occupied
the Te officers, who have engaged 'the City Hotel
Ist Royals have been removed to the Citadel. The
1.4.7c1ipal sufferers by the destruction of private property
Irvin" officers of the 38th, the messman, and Messrs.
btu Pallister, Eaton, Murdock, Patterson, English,
an'Wallace, and the estate of Mr. Holdham.
• a
•
• Snip
sa„. „ EIJILDING IN SUNDERLAND.—Oar local readers,
cofiLloe Sunderland Herald, will be glad to see from the itc-
""i of the shipbuilding of the port, that the year 1850
hasnot autkibrought that ruin to the trade which we were led to
vs_ pate from the prophecies of Mr. Richmond and those
"tk the same lugubrious view of the consequences of
1850 ruling the navigation laws. On the contrary, the year
Whits a large increase in the number of ships and
ihnouneze
i„_ cf tonnage over any of the last ten years. We find
es lrease not very far short of 10,000 tons over 1849, and
;lees!' npwardsof 15,000 over 1848. And along with an in-
. se,een in the number of vessels built on the Wear, we may
as point with pride to their daily improving character, both
c. 'Teets model and tonnage. Sunderland ships are ap-
tfelaied out of port, and almost as many were disposed
uurmg 185
*of ane, , out of Sunderland as in it. We have heard
thies.-",g, 'eats of Sunderland craft that are equal to any-
dee Tat has been achieved by tho cracks of the Lon-
withor 4516 cif' Wight yards. And we have no fear that
eb continued attention on the part of our builders to
e alities of their stuff and the perfection of their models,
Sunderland will hold her own with any shipbuildng port of
the world. Of course, alarmists will point to the increase in
shipbuilding of New York in-1850, and will at once claim
the
difference between the 38,095 tons launched in 1849 end
toevtls26 launched in 1850, as due to the encouragement
eanserriean building and the discouragement of British
to. by the repeal of the navigation laws. Unfortunately
• thistecotheory, New York is of all our rivals the one where
Port 6t of shipbuilding most nearly equals that in our own
s• Indeed, with such a reduction in timber as we trust
to see at no distant day, we could build cheaper here than at
w York. But the increase both on this and the other
, 17" e of the Atlantic is really attributable to a much more
!neouragieg reason—and that is the great activity of cora-
se_ute !ee, consequent in a principal degree, on the repeal of
restrictive laws and the opening of new markets.
lan
• -N SHIPBUILDING IN THE TYNE.--Soule time
tar occasion was taken to point out the many advantages of
Tyne for iron shipbuilding, and the certainty that it
WYuba become the largest iron shipbuilding port in the
World, and that this branch of businees would shortly be-
rue as much one of the great staple trades of the district as
the coal or iron trade. Since that period one of the largest
and most eminent firms in London (Messrs. Miller, Raven-
and Co.) have establislisd an iron ship building yard
eere as s
eu are now busy building a magnificent screw steamer,
and_a it is understood are likely to have tour more large steamers
?_ dialed before long. Messrs. Coutts and Parkinson are now
shut three more East Indiamen of the largest size, being
14 1,000 tons each, two of which are for eminent ship-
Owners, who are fully convinced of the enormows advantages
rgisessed by iron ships over wooden ones in point of strength,
htness, capacity, safety, speed, durability, and economy,
".°t, only in the first cost, but also in keeping them in repair ;
and What is more striking and remarkable is, that these
fentletrien are Clyde shipowners—a fact which speaks highly
TOW" the science and workmanship of this establishment. Mr.
:,_d has launched a great number of steam-vessels for
L-441 Continental trade, and has only one difficulty to contend
With, and that is to get the vessels built quickly enough to
PPly the demand. Mr. Robson, of Gateshead, and Mr.
Marshall of Shields, are also very full of work; indeed, the
Prospects of this trade are such as bid fair to more than
realize our most sanguine expectations, orders and inquiries
I2lving in daily from all quarters, and very many from the
Mediterranean, the Baltic, and other parts of Europe.—
4Verveastle Journal.
LIVERPOOL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.—The first
annual meeting of this chamber was held yesterday. Mr.
T•B. liorsfall, the president, occupied the chair. The re-
port was unanimously adopted. It contained a resume of the
°Perations of the chamber since its establishment, and re-
ferred to the improvements it had been instrumental in effect-
ing in the Mercantile Marine Bill. A lengthened discussion
then took place on the income-tax ; and eventually it was
I"olved to petition Parliament for a modification of that
burdens as levied upon trades, professions, and occupations
" a fluctuating and uncertain nature.
NRW IRON STEAMER FOR THE GREAT EXHIBI-
-I°N.-- Among the various arrangements that are being
Made to facilitate the conveyance of visitors from abroad to
the Exhibition of the Industry of all Nations, we understand
that the Antwerp Steam Packet Company has given orders
.6°, Messrs Robinson and Russell, of Millwall, for the con-
kruetion of an iron steam-ship, of gigantic proportions, to
n between Antwerp and Lonebes. The new sh p will be
'pout 800 tons burden, being the largest iron merchant
steam-vessel ever built in the port of London. Her length
41 be 205 feet, her enines 300-horse power, and she will
have sleeping berths fort 20 passengers. The builders have
Pledged themselves that she will make the passage from port
'•° Port in fifteen hours, so that passengers leaving Antwerp
:d
at five o'clock in the afternoon will reach London at eight
fitted up 'clock the following morning, and vice versa. She will be
in a very superior style, and will be ready for her
tet aloha on the Ist of May. Captain Jackson, who has
been upwards of 14 years on the Antwerp station, will cora-
tand the new vessel, and his well-known urbanity and cour-
tn
esy• and the uniform attention be has on all occasions ma-
nifested for the comfort and convenience of his passengers,
are a sufficient guarantee that no pains or cost will be spared
,e 0 render this new enterprise, in all its details, worthy his
r°risier well-deserved reputation as a skilful seaman and an
aeuotaplished gentleman.
AMENDMENT OF THE PATENT LAWS PREVIOUS TO
Savage
Cvtity,Of
01)italt.GREAT EXHIBITION.—A meeting of persons desiroust ofe
seining a diminution of the expense and an increase of h
British patents, was held last evening at the Belle
ea ge '"°tel, Ludgate-hill. Mr. George Shepherd, civilt
litlineer, the chairman of the Council of the National Paten ef
the Amendment Association, presided ; and the businesshoe
asseer6,ning was the presentation of a prospectus of t
.1
to be
to se;tt.`°ll, which, as was observed, pledged the councit
ing very specific, yet affirmed the principles sough
few
Bstablished:-1. Provisional protection at the cost of a
steaclbio"ng'. 2. Protection by letters patent for 301.
in-
nst
refer f 'OOl., as at present, with the power of paying. y
that ments. 3. A simplification of the mode of obtaining
complete protection. 4. An index of all
wellspatent for
qua' ence* 5. The assistance of assessors ac-
dl ra
Patents, [stator/.
of4tees with inventions, for the guidance of the Crown-
and courts of law, when necessary; and, 6. A
the
statute of what is really the law of
In conclusion the conncil stated that they were
_batared to show that if inventors must be specially taxed
best plan would be to charge only a few pounds for
!latent, and an ad valorem stamp duty on patented articles,
The
would in most cases facilitate the detection of piracy.
'ue chairman said all suggestions would be received by the
n_. were efesustleii, and they intended to hold monthly meetings until a
lorin in the present system was obtained. Some few ques-
tions Put by gentlemen present, which elicited expla-
CiprelinsuaitZ
ttlirs of the prospectus, after which the meeting separated,
yraingto any, resolution, as this was viewed as a
MORE BURGLARIES.—SeveraI burglaries have been
committed in Gloucestershire within the past fortnight, and
thuerally under very daring circumstances. In some cases'
hi! thieves have been captured, but in others they have
._snerto escaped. The village of Leigh, about half-way be-
;non Gloucester and Tewkesbury, has more than once been
tue scene of these outrages. Yesterday (Monday) three fel-
lows appeared before the magistrates of the Combe-hill petty
Leigh on
on a charge of being concerned in a burglary at
old on Saturday night, at the house of two unprotected
.",` Women. It seems that the fellows broke into the house
'ltter midnight, and oceeded to the bedroom of the women,
sarmed With bludgeons, putting them, with their threats, into
toewv_er, they
•Lneine terror. In the course of their lawless proceedings,
made so much noise as to disturb a neighbour,
f.„ as coming to the succour of the poor women, when the
breaddecamped, taking with them nothing more than some
Dread and cheese. They were traced for some distance by the
police, who ascertained that in their track from the old
"omen's house they had attempted to break into three other
nouses, but were toiled in their attempts. They were re-
Mended in order to give time for further evidence being pro-
cured- It is a singular circumstance that one of the old
Women thus threatened with violence has had two attacks
Blade upon her. It is not very long since she was returning
(Mu, from Cheltenham, when she was fired at by a man in
the road, but was not seriously hurt. The cowardly assail-
ant was apprehended, tried at Gloucester assizes, and sen-
tenced, to 21 years' transportation for the offence. One of
the men now in custody for the Leigh burglary is the son of
a farmer. It is only a few nights ago that a jeweller's shop
Was broken into in Tewkesbury, and completely stripped of
Watches and jewellery. A bail was being held at a hotel
next door during the robbery.
TEMPERANCE DEMONSTRATION.—A very nume-
rously attended meeting of the friends of the Temperance
cause took place last evening at Exeter Hall, at which Mr.
J. 8- Buckingham presided. The chairman, in opening the
Proceedings of the meeting, drew an amusing comparison
between the temperance movement and the religious and
political agitations which have lately occupied public atten-
tion, urging upon the audience the greater importance of
the former, and inviting their co-operation in checking the
" alchoal aggression,' by a resolute adherence to, and ad-
vocacy of temperance principles. He congratulated the
friends of temperance upon the past progress, and especially
upon the present encouraging prospects of their cause. It
was intended that a grand convention of the members of
temperance societies should be held in the metropolis in the
Course of the year; and he was sure that their numbers,
their character, arid their station also, would be such as
would surprise many who were not aware of the great pro-
gress that had been made of late years in the temperance
cause.—(Loud cheers.) Addresses upon various topics con-
nected with the temperance movement were afterwards deli-
vered by the Rev. Messrs. Spencer, Forster, Newman Hall,
and
•
G. M. AlSCree ; and the meeting, which was composed
princi
PallY of members of the working classes, broke up at
a late hour.

PROSECUTION FOR THE ILLEGAL MANUFACTURE
os MALT.—At the Shire Hall, Nottingham, on Saturday
last, several malsters, carrying on business in that county,
Were fined in penalties amounting to 3,4001., for various in-
fractions of the excise laws.
A saving of one hour is about to be effected in the
conveyance of the mails from London to Perth, much to
the satisfaction of the " fair city."

ARRIVAL OF THE PACIFIC.
LIVERPOOL, MONDAY.
The American steam-ship Pacific, Captain Nye,
arrived here this morning from New York direct.
She brings thirty-two passengers, and seven days'
later intelligence than that previously received by
the British steam-ship Niagara on Monday last. She
has on freight 50,000/. It is reported that she was
detained on her passage thirty hours by ice.
The steam-ship Franklin, which left Southampton
on the 21 ult., arrived at New York on the 16th ;
and the Asia, hence for New York on the 4th, ar-
rived out at that city on the 17th.
The most exciting interest existed in New York,
Boston, Philadelphia, and all the other cities of the
Union, as to the non-arrival of the American steam-
ship Atlantic, which was known to have sailed from
Liverpool on the 24th December. The prevailing
opinion, however, was that she had broken down, and
had either made for some West India island, or had
put back to England. She had been then twenty-
five days at sea, and it will be about twenty-two days
more before her safety is heard of.
The papers by the Pacific extend to the 231 ult.,
and contain a variety of interesting intelligence from
California, Panama, Jamaica, and other parts of the
West Indies, of a later date than that previously re-
ceived by the West India mail. We take the follow-
ing extracts from the papers :
" Several petitions have been presented by Mr. Clay in
the Senate, praying for the adoption of measures to en-
courage the emigration of coloured people from this
country to Africa. Mr. Clay spoke at length and with
his usual eloquence in support of the petitions. A spi-
rited scene took place on the floor of the Senate, on oc-
casion of a petition presented by Mr. Hale for a repeal
of the fugitive slave law. The Bill for the Cession of
the Public Lands has been discussed, Mr. Walker
speaking in its fay our. A Bill has passed the House for
cheap postage, providing for a uniform rate of three
cents per half-ounce.
" The information transmitted to the United States
Government by the American Minister at Rio, in
regard to the traffic in slaves in Brazil, under the Ame-
rican flag, has been made public. It appears that about
45,000 negroes have been imported into Brazil during
the past year, and that the scandalous traffic is still
continued to a great extent. A very considerable
portion of this trade is carried on in American-built ves-
sels, and under the protection of the flag of the country.
In spite of every effort made by the American Minister
at Rio, the flag of the United States is still used by the
illegal traders in human flesh. It has been found
im-
possible to enforce the Brazilian statutes on the sullied,
the authorities charged with their execution, almost
without exception, conniving at the traffic, and silently
acquiescing in the violation of the laws they had sworn
to support. Although many of the most enlightened
statesmen of the empire consider the slave-trade as hos-
tile to the interests of the country, a greater number de-
fend it as essential to the prosperity of Brazil, and even
contend that the condition of the African is meliorated
when he becomes a Brazilian slave. Under these circum-
stances the influence of the American flag is scarcely
felt, except in support of the slave dealer. The evil has
become so serious as to demand the intervention of
Congress.
" The correspondence on the subject with the Ameri-
can Minister to Brazil has been referred by the Senate
to the Committee on Commerce. A resolution was pre-
sented by Mr. Clay, instructing that Committee to in-
quire into the expediency of adopting more efficient
measures to prevent American vessels and seamen from
engaging in the African slave trade.
" Our news from Texas is to the 31st ult. Judge
Rollins, the United Stites agent, bad effected a treaty
with the Indians, providing for a cessation of hostilities,
and the restoration of all stolen property and prisoners.
Some of the most troublesome tribes were not parties to
the treaty, but there is no doubt they will bo forced to
submit to its provisions. Lieutenants Smith and Mechler
had returned from a survey of the Rio Grande. They
examined the river to a point 450 miles above Camargo.
It can be made navigable for several months in the year
for light boats from Camargo to a short distance above
Laredo. From that point to the end of the explorations,
the average dept of the river was not more than eight
inches.
" A calamitous fire took place at New Orleans on the
18th inst., destroying the magnificent St. Charles Hotel,
the most celebrated public-house in the southern states,
together with two churches, and several other buildings.
The total loss is estimated at 500,000 dolls., on which
the insurance amounts to 180,000 dolls. The St. Charles
was insured for 100,000 dolls., chiefly in New Orleans
offices. So great was the excitement occasioned by the
conflagration that business was generally suspended on
the day of its occurrence. It is rumoured that several
lives were lost by the fire.
" During the year 1850, the number of persons killed
by steam-boat disasters was nearly 700, and about half
that number more or less severely wounded. The num-
ber of accidents was 117, and the amount of capital de-
stroyed over one million and a half of dollars.
" Governor Boutwell, of Massachussetts, delivered his
Message to the Legislature on Thursday last, showing a
prosperous state of the finances, and recommending an
adherence to the compromises of the fugitive slave law.
The ballots for United States senators have not yet re-
sulted in a choice. The free soil candidate, Charles
Sumner, has had a plurality of votes on every trial.
"We have dates from Jamaica to Jan. 11. The cho

lera was still raging with great virulence in the differen
parishes. The merchants of Kingston have made ar.
rangements to supply, by sailing vessels, the deficiency
caused by the discontinuance of the royal steam-ships
between Jamaica and the Main. The Bishop of Ja-
maica has addressed a pastoral letter to the clergy of
the island.
"We have dates from Hayti to Jan. 1. The island
remains quiet. The coffee crop will be less than one-
half the usual amount. The Emperor has just finished
the insignia of the military orders. There was no news
of importance.
"We have dates from Bermuda to Dec. 31. Nothing
important had occurred since our previous advices. A
shock of an earthquake was experienced at St. Thomas
on the 19th of December, but no damage was done.
" We have no later dates from Mexico.
" The lawyer's strike in Quebec, to which we have
alluded in a former paper, is causing much amusement
throughout the province. The bar at Three Rivers has
also struck. In Montreal they are taking time to con-
sider the matter. The sympathies of the public are
generally with the judges and against the lawyers. There
is no movement on the part of the bar in Upper Canada,
as the new tariff is confined in its operations to Lower
Canada. Meetings have been held in Toronto protest-
ing against the intended removal of the seat of govern-
ment to that city. Oa the other hand some of the
French members have resolved not to vote the supplies
in the coming session unless the government is removed
to Quebec in the spring. Several women voted at a
recent election of school trustees, their right to do so
having been legalised at the last session of the provincial
Parliament.
" A fire occurred at Honolulu, on the 6th of October,
which consumed eleven houses. Tho buildings were
principally thatched. A public meeting had been held
to adopt measures for the protection of citizens from
thieves and robbers. Large additions were to be made
to the police force.
" We have dates from California to Dec. 15, by the
arrival of the Cherokee steamer, and the Prometheus, of
the Nicaragua line. The two steamers bring 1,500,000
dolls. in gold dust. Another fire has taken place in San
Francisco, destroying property to the amount of 75,000
dolls., but by the strenuous exertions of the citizens was
extinguished without further damage. The cholera has
been subsiding for some time past, and has now almost
entirely disappeared. San Francisco is making Brest
local improvements, especially in the streets. The
miners receive a good return for their labours. The
diggings are still rich, if not inexhaustible. Several
silver mines, which promise to be of gi eat value, have
been discovered. A number of the inhabitants are now
returning to the Eastern States, having satisfied their
ambition in the pursuit of a fortune.
"At the late election in California, the citizens de-
cided on establishing the seat of Government at Val-
lego, a city laid out on the bay of San Francisco, about
25 miles from the city of San Francisco. A Spanish
speculator offers to give the State 156 acres of land, di-
vided into the necessary grounds for the government
buildings, university, charitable institutions, &c., and to
expend in the erection of 25 public buildings a sum of
370,000 dollars within two years.
" The news from Oregon gives a highly favourable
account of the condition of the country. The agricul-
tural resources are said to be worth more than all the
gold mines on the continent. The Indians in some
places have caused much trouble to the settlers. The
Oregon papers are discussing the subject of postage re-
form. The subject of a permanent seat of. government
for Oregon is also attracting attention."
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
NEW YORK, JAN. 21, 1851.
Our last circular was dated on the 7th instant, since
when we have received European intelligence to the 4th
instant, by the steamers Franklin and Asia. C ttoon is
steady, bread stuffs inactive; money abundant, with a
good inquiry for stooks. Treasury Notes, Six per Cent.,
116, ; United States Sixes, '67, 1161; '62, 113; New
York Fives,
'62, 119; Sixes,
'62, 120;
Pennsylvanian
Fives, '6O, 96; Sixes, 105.
Ashes have been more in request during the past
week, and shipments have been made at the following
prices for Canada brand:-Pots, 5 dolls. 750. per 1001bs.,
288. 3d. per cwt.; pearls, 5 dolls. 65c. per 1001bs„ or 288.
per cwt. f. o. b.
Bread Stuffs-We have no export, on inquiry, to
note; the market is inactive, and confined to local de-
r mend. Our quotations are as follow:-
Flour-Pure Geneseee, 12ic., or 225. 3d.; superfine,
good brands, 5 dolls , or 21s. 10d.; second quality, 41
dolls., or 20s. 3d.; Canada, 41,- to 5 dolls., or 21s. 4d. to
21s. 10d. per barrel, f. e. b.
Wheat continues to obtain full rates. White Genesee
is worth 120 c. to 123 c. per 601b5., or 41s. 6d. to 425. 6d.
per qr. 4801b5.; Canada in bond, white, 110 e. to 113 c.
per 601bs. or 383. ld. to 395. ld.; mixed, 100 c. to 106 c.,
or 345. 7d. to 363. Bd. per qr. 4801bs. f. o. b.
Corn has declined 4c. to sc. per bushel, and holders
appear desirous to realise; but the high rates prevent
shipments to any extent, the transactions are cinse-
quently
jersey yellow sells at 68c. per 561b5., or 255. 6d. per
qr.; southern yellow, 66c., or 241. 9d.; white, 69e., or
255. 10d. per quarter, f. o. b.
EXPORTS OF BREADSTIIFFS FROM JAN. 1 TO JAN. 30.
Flour. Corn. Wheat.
London... 6,756 brls.
Liverpool... 14,401 „
Glasgow 213 „
Cotton---D •
uring the early part of last week our cotton
market was quiet, with irregular prices. On receipt,

35,074 brls.