The Sun.
London, England, 1856-05-15 00:00:00

SHIPWRECK OFF BRIGHTON.

During the night of Saturday last the clipper
ship Planet was run down off Brighton. The fol-
lowing account of the lamentable occurrence has
been furnished by Mr. Manning Thatcher, one of
the mates on board the clipper, and son of Mr.
Thatcher, of the King's-road :—Our ship was 700
tons burden, and was laden with tea, silk, and
curiosities. We left Shanghai on the 11th Jan.
last, and had fine weather, but a long passage of
four months. Nothing occurred worthy of note
till we arrived in the Channel. On Saturday night
last, the 10th inst., at half-past eleven, we had a
collision off Brighton with a brig. She struck us
on the port bow ; we immediately sounded the
pumps—three inches in the well. Five minutes
after sounded again, and the water came over our
sounding rod, which was two feet in length. We
immediately manned the pumps, but all to no pur-
pose. Our captain (Buckham) saw she was in a
sinking state. The boats, two in number, were
immediately lowered, and when we saw there were
no hopes of saving the ship, we prepared to aban-
don her. Captain Buckham was the last to leave
her. We burnt blue lights and fired musketoons,
and then took to the boats. Two hours after the
barque Margaret, of Liverpool, hove in sight.
She backed her main-yards and took us a-boar],
and remained by the ship till she sank. The brig
that struck us (supposed to be a Dutchman), as
soon as the accident happened, bore away from us,
and rendered no assistance whatever. A pilot
cutter, the Twin, of Dover, seeing the pieces of
wreck floating about, and the Planet's boats tow-
ing astern of the Marg tret, concluded that some-
thing serious had happened. Sao bore down to
us, and took the captain and crew and one pas-
senger, in all 24 souls, on board and took us into
Portsmouth, the wind being foul for Brighton.
We arrived at the Sailors' Home at Portsmouth at
half-past eight on Sunday night.
Mr. Thatcher's son, with the rest of the crew,
lost everything, and was obliged to borrow clothing
to come into his father's house, where he arrived
at nine o'clock on Monday morning. The vessel
was laden with tea, silk, and a valuable China
cargo, no part of which was saved. A case con-
taining religious publications and a translation of
the Bible into the Chinese language, directed to
the British and Foreign Bible Society of London,
was among the lost cargo. We are glad to learn
that both ship and cargo are insured.

MR. BUCHANAN ON TI IN; DIFFICULTY
BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN AND
AMERICA.

Mr. Buchanan, says the New York Daily Times,
has just experienced an enthusiastic reception in
Philadelphia. In his reply to the congratulatory
welcome tendered to him at the Merchants' Ex-
change he said :—" I have been abroad in trying
times, it is true ; but the great principles which
have guided my conduct abroad are these—Peace,
commerce, and honest friendship with all nations,
entangling alliances with none. Ask for nothing
that is not clearly right in our intercourse with
foreign nations, and submit to nothing which is
wrong. These are the two leading maxims of the
great political apostles of our country, and as long
as we act upon such great and glorious principles
we are sure always to be in the right. (Applause.)
Gentlemen, it is hardly proper for me to speak of
the diplomatic business in which I have been en-
gaged on the other side of the Atlantic; but I
have been asked repeatedly—ls there danger of
war ? I think not. But it is simply because I
believe our country to be so clearly and decidedly
in the right on the questions involved between the
two countries that the British people never will
consent to irritate them into a dangerous condition
for both parties. Our commerce now covers every
ocean ; our mercantile marine is the largest in the
world. We have the greatest interest of any
nation on earth in preserving peace. We ought to
cultivate peace with all nations. But there is an
interest superior to all these considerations, and
that is our national honour. If war should ensue
—I feel, however, no apprehension of danger at
the present moment—if the national honour of
this people should ever be insulted by any Govern-
ment upon the face of the earth—l know that the
merchants themselves, who would have the greatest
sacrifices to make, would stand by the country at
the expense of 'everything human. (Expressions
of approbation.) I can perceive no danger. I
ought to say, gentlemen, that I have honestly
maintained the instruction received from my
country in the negotiation which I have had with
England; and, while I have never hesitated boldly,
I but courteously, to express my opinions, I have
never found anything but personal kindness in my
intercourse with the British people. (Approba-
tion.) I do not believe that any American can
ingratiate himself into the good opinions of any
people in Europe by concealing his honest senti-
ments upon all proper occasions. I have acted
upon that principle, and I have no reason to re-
pent it."

[ADVERTISEMENT.]
TB E GENERAL. ILLUMINATION.

PRECAUTION AGAINST WINDOW-BREAKING
The Times Plate Glass Assurance Company have
completed arrangements for including the assurance of
the glass in all ordinary house windows against break-
age at the lowest possible rate of premium.
Householders in any town of England, Ireland, or
Scotland desiring to have their windows insured before
the public illuminations on the 29th inst., must send in
their applications before the 28th inst., at latest.
The directors, with a view to the additional security
of householders who may be insured in this office, and
having a due regard for the interests of the shareholders
of the company, propose to pay, and hereby offer, a re-
ward of 5/. in each case, upon the conviction of any per-
son detected in the act of breaking the windows of any
householder insured in this office upon the occasion of
the forthcoming national rejoicings.
Apply to the manager, 32, Ludgate-hill, London.
12th May, 185 g.

CRYSTAL PALACE.—ONE SHILLING DAY, Wednesday
May 14.—Admissions on payment, 4,529 ; ditto by sea
6O tioliots, 06; total vieitorsi 4,927.