The Sun.
London, England, 1856-10-18 00:00:00

GRLYTOWN.-BRITISH POLICY.

A large and imposing squadron of vessels of war is
now lying in the snug harbour of Greytown, which is
significant of the care the Government takes to uphold
the joint protectorate of the miserable Mosquito king-
dom, and the honoured banner of England floats lazily,
side by side, with the stars and stripes ; but a short time
ago, from under the latter lag, blazed forth the fire
which consumed the town, and since then the sufferers
by tbat bombardment have been in continued expecta-
tion that the English Government would demand from
the United States that redress and indemnification which
is so eminently their due. Two years have passed away,
and yet no recognition ; and the hopes and fears of men
who had invested capital, created a commerce, and
colonised a swamp, alternate, as they did twenty
months ago, under the acknowledged fact that their
rights as settlers and citizens were to be fully re-
spected under the co-protection of England and
America—these men, who have done so much for
Grey town, await with patience and anxiety for
justice at the hands of the British Government. Grey-
town has become a sort of no man's land ; but yet it is
of sufficient importance to England that its port must
be not only narrowly watched but occupied. Its geo-
graphical position renders it the key-port of Costa Rica
and Nicaragua, and the energy of its inhabitants raised
its value immensely. A few short hours and its transi-
tion from prosperity to ruin was complete, and the
government which stood its guardian observed its deso-
lation and became silent.

The President of America, with his Minister the Se-
cretary of State, will in a short time retire into private
life, from whence the American people may never recall
them, and of whom should redress be demanded but
from those who committed the outrage ? In the name
of the men, women, and children who were burnt out of
their homes by the brand of Hollings that redress is
asked. Oh ! for some independent member of the
House of Commons. in the next session, to ask what has
been done in this matter ! Has redress been demanded
and refused ? Has the Government any decided action
on this subject ? And why is a large squadron of ships
lying at a sickly port while the just claims of Greytown
have remained dormant for two years an d upwards ?
Correspondent of the Morning Herald.

FREE TRADE IN FRANCE.

The Moniteur of yesterday publishes the follow-
ing :

" The progress of our industry was so clearly proved
after the Universal Exposition of 1855 that the moment
appeared opportune for replacing the prohibitive laws of
our Customs by protective duties. It was a great step
towards the goal towards which all nations must wend
their way. In fact, the development of commercial
activity and of international relations prepares the pro-
gress of civilisation.
" Deeply convinced of this truth, the Government
have presented a bill to the Legislative body for the abo-
lition of all prohibitions. This bill could not be voted
last session ; and the Government, desirous of obtaining
every possiblo information on the subject, decided that
a board of inquiry should be formed on the question.
" Under these circumstances, exaggerated alarms
were nevertheless spread throughout the country and
turned to account by factions. His Majesty wished that
all remonstrances (reclamation) made to him should be
carefully examined, aed he gave orders to that effect to
the Minister of Agriculture, of Commerce, and of
Public Works.

" Enlightened by the Minister's report on the real
state of our industry, the Emperor decided that the
projet de loi, submitted to the Legislative body, should
be modified in this sense—that the abolition of prohibi-
tions should only take place after the let of July, 1861.
A projet de loi to this intent was immediately sent in to
the Council of State.

" French industry, forewarned of the firm intentions
of the Government, will have all the time requisite to
to prepare itself for a new commercial system."

'THE ELBE DUES.

A letter from Hamburg, dated the 14th inst.,
says :

" The Washington Cabinet, encouraged by the success it
has obtained at Copenhagen, and going upon the principle
of the perfect neutrality of the Elbe, admitted in European
treaties, has recently presented, through the American
Consul, Mr. Ames, a note to the Executive Power of our
Republic, in which he asks from the Senate a statistical
return of all lighthouses and sea signals maintained on the
Elbe by our State, with their annual cost and the amount
of dues levied to cover that expense on ships navigating
the river, either on their entrance or on their leaving the
North Sea.

" The importance of this American note was soon under-
stood, and it is regarded as a preliminary step to official
measures which will prove of great advantage to our com-
merce, and which the United States seem firmly resolved
to take with the Hanoverian Government, which is autho-
rised, in virtue of the Convention of Dresden of Septem-
ber, 1844, concluded between those German States that
coast the Elbe, to establish in our very city an office for
levying the tolls in question.
" In the note alluded to the American Government ex-
presses a great desire to know the exact amount levied by
Hanover by these tolls during the last 10 years. And, as
they ate paid here at the Hanoverian-office the Consul of
the United States has received orders from his Government
to ask officially from the Senate how far it would support
public force against American captains who might refuse
to pay the tolls. It is as well to mention that the tariff
decreed at Dresden in 1811 was never officially recognised
by the United States' Government.
"As regards the wording of the note, the language is
firm and decided; the Cabinet of Washington expresses
its determination to claim from Hanover a free passage for
all merchandise or territorial produce of the United States.
The article raw cotton is specially mentioned.
"As yet no reply has been given to the American note,
and it is presumed the note has been communicated to the
Hanoverian Government."