The Sun.
London, England, 1860-02-17 00:00:00

Per ton.

"In the northern zone, which admits all Belgian
coals ..
" Iu the central zone, containing all the large ports,
and most of the manufacturing establishments
of the west of France, and depending entirely
on English fuel
" In the southern zone, embracing the ports of the
Gironde

If. 50c

" It is scarcely necessary to say one word upon the unjust
and malignat ingenuity of such a system of taxation both
to the French consumer and to the English coalowner and
shipowner.
"Now, the only relief which the French treaty gives to
the parties so unfairly taxed is to equalize these duties, by
reducing them to the standard of the northern zone. In
effect, placing English coal on the same footing as Belgian.
Article 11. imposes an equal duty of 15 centimes per 100
kilogrammes' or a trifle mere than lf. 60c. per ton, on all
coal, without reference to its place of entry.
" The effect of the above system of taxation is just what
might have been expected. The consumption of Belgian
coal has largely increased ; a stimulus has been given to the
opening of mines in Belgium, and the Emperor of the
French had only to pursue this vicious system a little fur-
ther to render France, at least on her western seaboard, in-
dependent of English fuel. The following figures will con-
vey better than any words the operation of the present fiscal
regulations. It is to be borne in mind that much of the
importation from England is to the great seaports of the
Mediterranean, where Belgian coal cannot compete with
English :

Belgian. English.
In 1851 the importation was in tons 1,578,000 597,918
In 1858

Increase 1,101,299 712,913
" Had it not been for the large increase in steam naviga-
tion between 1851 and 1858, and the increased demand for
fuel to her great arsenals in the south, it is scarcely possible
that English coal Gould have made such great progress,
loaded as it is with differential duties of 350 per cent.
" It would, in my estimation, be takinga more statesman-
like view of this case to argue it upon the supposition of a
war between England arid France. By keeping up high dis-
criminating duties against English coal the Emperor of the
French might- foster a rate of production in_Belgian and
Prussian coalmines—raany worked with English capital
that, in the event of war, would render him independent
of England. By the present treaty he will not only place
his own navy, but the commercial marine and manufac-
turing interests of France, to a considerable extent, in such
dependence on English coal that, in case of an interruption
of the supply, must create great embarrassment and dis-
tress, as collieries cannot be opened out in less than three
to five years, and capital for such purposes would not seek
investment on the continent iu the event of a war between
France and England.
" It is very significant of the commercial instincts of King
Leopold that, while his neighbour has been imposing such
heavy dues on an article of first-rate importance, the
Belgian Chambers in 1855 repealed all the duties on coal
imported into Belgium, although it eame in direct competi-
tion with one of its most important industrial interests.
" Before I close this letter let me say one word on the
duration of our coalfields—a subject upon which much
nonsense is both written and spoken. Mr. Horsman, draw-
ing his inspiration apparently from the Edinburgh Review,
assumes it. at 300 years ; another hon. member at 1,200. I
may observe that, without taking price into calculation, no
correct estimate can be made of quantity. Double our pre-
sent prices
(which would still leave them below the prices
paid in France), and I do not despair of our viewers finding
coal to last even beyond Mr. Gregson's estimate of 1,200
years—a pretty fair provision for posterity.—l tun, &c.,
" X. Y. Z."

Lieut.-General Sir James Chatterton arrived in
town yesterday from the Pavilion Hotel, Folkestone.

It is said that a marriage will shortly take place
between Sir He7.ry Cottrell, BArt., and Miss Seymour,
eldest daughter of the Right Hon. Sir Hamilton and Lady

Seymour.
AIR. I)ItuMMOND, M.P.—We regret to hear of
the serious illness of Mr. 'Fleury Drummond, M.P., whose
state of health has for some time past been such as to occa-
sion ffTrat anxiety to his family, and to prevent his attend-
ance 'in the 11(,use of Commons.
INTENDED PRESENTATION OF THE FRLEDOINI OF
TILE CITY or 1.0...:00s TO Ma. Conous.—The
freedom of the City will shortly be presented to Mr. Cobden,
as a token of the esteem in which be is held by the citizens
and the corporation. Notice of motion for the presentation
has been placed on the papers of the Court of Common
Council by Mr. Connell, and it will be au extraordinary and
i
exceptional occurrence if the motion s
not carried with un-
animity and enthusiasm. The following is the text of Mr.
Connell's motion :—" That the freedom of this city—in a
gold box, value fifty guineas—be presented to Richard Cob-
den, Esq., M.P., in recognition of his long and eminent ser-
vices in liberating commerce from the shackles which
prevented the development of the industrial enterprise of
this country, and also for his voluntary and patrc exer-
, tions in negotiating the recent treaty with Frances"