The Sun.
London, England, 1860-04-12 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY 'EVENING.. APRIL' 12, 1860,

Between Mr. HALL and Mr. WESTERTON he
would have had but a sorry time of it. The
latter had retired from office weary of fight ;
Mr. HALL, who succeeded him, had tried concilia-
tion for a year in vain. There was no satisfying
the demands of the Jesuits in disguise, and it re-
quired all his nerve to avoid being handed over,
body and soul, to Rome. Two of Mr. LIDDELL'S
poor young curates had been helped over into
Popery ; and then Mr. HALL produced a list of
between 200 and 300 perverts, including members
of Parliament, great men and great women, and
nearly 200 clergymen, which the Puseyite
teachings had led from Protestantism to
Popery. It was the terror of this list which
frightened Mr. LIDDELL out of the chair. A
discreet flight. Mr. WESTERTON had intended to
show by Mr. LIDDELL'S answers that the latter
had paid for his altar candles with the sacrament
money, against the protests of the parish ; that he
and his curates had received young women to con-
fession in the vestry and in private rooms else-
where, and then enjoined penance, and granted
special absolution. Moreover, that he appro-
priated the offertory money to the establishment
of the mission in St. George's-in•the-East
by Mr. BRYAN KING and Mr. LOWDER! Perhaps
as bad a part of the affair as any is that
the Bishop of London, whom the country pays
so splendidly to keep his clergy right, evaded
the request of the Churchwardens, and declined
to interfere ! Can it be that Dr. TAIT is indiffe-
rent to the spread of such Popish practices—and
the consequent perversion of weak-minded Pro-
testants to Popery—as were described at the meet-
ing We need not say more just now. Between
Messrs. KING and LIDDELL we are not likely
soon to want a text, if we wish for one, on the
folly or wickedness, or both, of Anglican Popery.

The letter from the special correspondent of the
New Fork Times, which appears in another part
of our paper, is, though rather long, well Worth
reading. it contains authentic information, from
a new, and as the writer is an American, an im-
partial source, on the actual state of the African
slave trade, and the delinquencies of the American
Government in regard to it. And a mortifying
narrative it is. Here is a person who left America
imagining that the extent and horrors of the slave
trade, and the abuse for its purposes of the American
flag, were all greatly exaggerated for party purposes
at home. He finds, after a sojourn on the Coast of
Africa, that it is even worse than had been repre-
sented. The trade is frightfully rampant, and
almost every slaver hoists the American flag.
Writing from St. Paul de Loando, he says that the
seas on this coast swarm with vessels, whose only
and known object is to get a cargo of negroes—" live
stock." Forty-five hundred slaves at least have
been kidnapped in the year; three out of four
vessels get off; and " almost invariably this work
is carried on under the American flag, and every
merchantman with these colours flying is a justly
suspected craft."

The trade is carried on with even worse than its
old horrors, the exposure to pursuit and capture
rendering it necessary to put negroes and provi-
sions on board with such haste that the stowage
and supplies, of water especially, are more defec-
tive than they would be, if all were done at leisure.
We need not repeat the tale of horrors, our readers
can turn, to it. The state of the poor creatures
found in the Tavernia, a New York brig, captured
by her MAJESTY'S ship Viper, is, the writer tells us,
not an extreme case. The description of the different
classes of men engaged in this hellish traffic, from
the wealthy gentleman who does not lose caste
thereby in New York, to the veriest cutthroats on
earth, a medley of the rascals of all nations who do
the actual work is remarkable, and shows special
knowledge; the slavetraders, our writer divides
into three classes, " the genteel, the semi-genteel,
and the full blown cutthroats!'

As the extent of coast in question is not alto-
gether unmanagable, it seems wonderful how so
many escape. The British receive the praise of
doing all they can. " They take six slavers to
our one," says this American, and tells his
countrymen, that " there is no rubbing this
out, and that all the pseudo-patriotic talk they
may indulge in cannot get rid of it." He com-
mends our vessels as well as our zeal, and observes
that we have no discordant southern element in our
navy assisting to perpetuate the traffic, and wink-
ing at the escape of slaves. Pretended trading under
the American flag is the chief means made use of
by the slavers. "The palm oil dodge" is a favou-
rite one; and though a manifest fraud, is yet suc-
cessful. Three vessels would suffice for that trade,
yet those professedly engaged in it are very nume-
rous.

Our American seems to have no doubt that were
America as earnest as we are, the traffic would be
stopped very quickly. Political chicanery and the
fears of the moneyed interest in the United States
are the real protectors of the slave trade. He would
substitute severe imprisonment for capital punish-
ment, in the case of those convicted, because the
milder punishment would be inflicted, while no one
has yet been executed. He would concede the right
of search within 200 miles of the African coast, as
" the exemption from search is the actual safe-
guard of the slaver," and he would send to the
West Coast of Africa, a squadron suitable for the
purpose, and worthy of his country. A better ad-
viser than the writer of this letter President
BUCHANAN could not have. The letter itself can
hardly escape his attention.

In another part of our impression we publish a
letter addressed to us by Mr. RUEGG, one of the
Board of Guardians, in answer to our remarks on
the case of ELIZABETH HODDER, This poor girl, it
will be remembered, was removed from the Union
at Sherborne while dangerously ill of an infectious
fever, and was taken to a cottage Rye miles off,
situated in a most unhealthy locality. We do not
perceive that the reply of Mr. RUEGG at all excul-
pates the Board of Guardians. In a large Union

like that of Sherborne there should be proper ac-
commodation for patients suffering from contagious
diseases. If there is not the Board of Guardians
•are greatly to blame for not having the omission
promptly remedied. Mr. RUEGG asks us, " What
further can you say when you learn that her fitness
to be removed was certified by the medical officer
in charge of the house, and that she was taken
obvious
so ft
truth,
,ttwhoa
that
sisters?"
away
Ilre
say"
eaxvperreys so
bwvi
ing the Board of Guardians he is making a serious
charge against the medical officer, who, should this
statement be correct, is manifestly unfit for his re-
sponsible office. With regard to the wishes of the
poor girl's relatives, the medical officer of the parish
was bound to inquire into their capabilities for re-
ceiving her, even had she been fit to be moved, and
it is manifest, such inquiry were made, that there
must have been a desire to get rid of an awkward
and dangerous case, as her removal to such a place
as that described by Dr. WILLIAMS, "surrounded
by a stagnant ditch," could never have been per-
mitted.

The best answer to the virtuous indignation
of the Board is afforded by the unfortunate fact
that the poor girl died a few days after her re-

moval, and the test means of ascertaining on
whom the blame should rest would be a thorough
investigation into the case. Blame, and inhu-
manity too, despite our correspondent's anger at the
term, must rest heavily somewhere, and it is not too
much to expect that the attention of the proper
authorities will be turned to this painful case.
May we ask why is an Union capable of contain-
ing over two hundred people there is not a ward
set apart for dangerous or infectious diseases ? As
to our worthy correspondent's view of the Poor-law
and its administration in former days, the less said
the better. Bad as it may have been in those
" good old times" we cannot help thinking that the
present example- is not one to be copied by any set
of Guardians professing humanity to their fellow-
men, however poor or miserable.

LATEST NEWS.

The following telegrams have been received a
Mr. Reuter's office :

PARIS, APRIL 12.

An official decree in the Moniteur of to-day noti-
fies that the Superior Council of Commerce, Agri-
culture, and Industry will proceed to an enquiry
for the purpose of investigating the average prices
of the objects admitted into France by the Treaty
of Commerce with England, and in order to fix an
ad valorem duty upon them.

MARSEILLES, APRIL 11.

The packet arriving here brings news from
Naples to the 7th inst. The offipial Giornale di
Napoli of the 6th instant confirms the repression of
the insurrection at Palermo on the 4th. Letters
received add that the rebels attacked the Royal
troops at 5 o'clock in the morning, then re-
formed and shut themselves up in the convert,
which they barricaded.

A battalion of the 6th regiment of the line made
a sudden assault upon the insurgents, but were
driven back with considerable loss. The Royal
Artillery then opened a breach and the convent was
taken by assault. The insurgents and their arms
were captured.

Several bands of rebels having risen in the
environs in order to create a diversion were beaten
and pursued in all directions.

The Ogicial Journal does not speak of an insur-
rection in Messina, but announces that General
Salzano has placed Palermo in a state of siege, and
also adds a telegraphic despatch received on the
afternoon of the 6th inst., which affirms that al]
the other provinces of Sicily have been tranquil,
and that the inhabitants of Palermo had not taken
part in the combat of the 4th. Letters state that
on the evening of the 6th an immense crowd, esti-
mated to number 80,000, blocked up the Rue Tolede
at Naples, and raised numerous shouts of " Viva la
Constituzione," before the residence of the Papal
Nuncio. The street was quickly cleared by the
patrols.

VIENNA, THURSDAY.

The answer of Austria to the circular note of M.
Thouvenel, of the 13th March, on the annexation
of Savoy and the district of Nice to France, has
been sent to Paris. This answer is very similar to
the despatch of Russia on the same subject. The
Austrian Cabinet, like that of Russia, does not
raise any objection to the fact of annexation, as
long as this annexation is represented as being
the result of a cession freely consented to by Pied-
mont, and not as the effect of an appeal to univer-
sal suffrage. As regards the neutrality of Switzer-
land and the neutralised districts of Chablais
and Faucigny, Count Reehberg expresses a desire
that the French Government, in accordance with
the promise given by M. Thouvenel in his de-
spatches, should maintain the guarantees stipulated
by the treaties.

TURIN, APRIL 10.

Signor Lonza has been elected President of the
Chamber of Deputies by 129 against 90 Totes on
the second ballot.

APRIL 11.

According to news from Naples to the 10th, the
insurgents, numbering about 10,030 well-armed
men, are concentrated in the Sicilian Islands, and
have interrupted the canals communicating with
Palermo. The troops quartered in that city are
attacked every night. The Neapolitan fleet is
cruising along the cos St.

The Opinion° publishes the following telegram,
dated Naples, April 10 :
" The insurrection in Sicily appears to be spread-
ing. The despatch of troops continues. Great
agitation prevails at Naples."

NAPLES, APRIL 9.

The following is official :
" Order reigns at Palermo and in Sicily.
" The inhabitants are tranquil. The landowners
offer to cooperate with the Government.
"An excellent feeling prevails among the

troops."

MADRID, WEDNESDAY EVENING.
General Ortega will arrive to-morrow at Tortosa,
where his trial will take place.

Great efforts are being made to capture Count
,Mentemolin and his brothers ; a successful resull

is anticipated.
Perfect tranquillity prevails.
The boundaries of Ceuta have been amicably

arranged.

The value of the territory ceded to Spain is
estimated at 300 millions of reals.
The news that Count Montemolin and his brother
had been captured has not been confirmed.

CONSTANTINOPLE, APRIL 10.

The Duke de Brabant arrived here yesterday,
and was received by the Sultan at the Tophane
Palace. To-day the Duke visited the British Am-
bassador, Sir Henry Bulwer.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, to M. de Kamptz,
Prussian Envoy at Berne :
Berlin, 30th March.
" Sir,—l have had the honour to receive the cir-
cular note of the 19th, which the President of the
Helvetic Confederation sent to you, as well as to
the other Powers represented at the Congress of
Vienna, to claim their intervention in favour of the
rights which Switzerland may bring forward on the
subject of the neutralisation of certain districts of
Savoy—rights which the Federal Government con•
sider to be menaced by the cession of Savoy to
France.

" It is unnecessary for me to say that the step
taken by the Federal Government, and the situa-
tion which led to it, excite in the highest degree the
serious attention of the Prince Regent's Cabinet.
" Starting on the principle, that the question is
one which equally interests all those who signed
the act of the Congress of Vienna, it will endeavour
to effect between the Powers and Switzerland an
understanding on the means best suited to remove
anything which may attack the independence and
neutrality of the Helvetic Confederation.
" I request you, Sir, to read this despatch to the
President of the Helvetic Confederation, and if he
wishes leave him a copy of it.

" SCHLEINITZ."
The next is from Mr. Harris, British Envoy to the
Swiss Federal Council:—

" I have the honour of announcing to you that,
in reply to the despatch which I addressed to her
Majesty's Secretary of State, in which I spoke of
the critical situation of the question of the neu-
tralised territory of Savoy, his Excellency ex-
pressed himself in these terms—"lle question
which relates to the incorporation of Savoy to France,
and which so nearly affects the interests of Switzer-
land, will be taken into due consideration by the
great Powers of Europe.' " HARRIS."
The following is a note of the Federal Council ad-
dressed to Austria, France, Great Britain, Prussia,
Russia, Spain, Portugal, Sardinia, and Sweden:—

" Berne, sth April.
" The future position of Savoy, as regards the
Confederation, having become the object of diplo-
matic negotiations, the Swiss Federal Council has
maintained with the strictest consistency the prin-
ciple that, on account of the rights guaranteed by
treaties, that question cannot be settled without
the positive concurrence of Switzerland. This
manner of viewing the question is justified at
length in the note which the Federal Council had
the honour of addressing on the 19th March to the
high Powers who guaranteed the treaties of Vienna.
In the notes exchanged at that time with France
and Sardinia, the Federal Council showed the ab-
solute necessity of a meeting of the high Powers,
in order to regulate, with the participation of
Switzerland, the pending question, and to give it a
solution in harmony with European interests and
with those of the Swiss Confederation. The Fe-
deral Council has the greater reason to hope for a
favourable reception of its proposition from the
fact that Art. 2 of the treaty of union concluded at
Turin on the 24th March, 18G0, expressly foresees
an arrangement with the Powers which signed the
treaty of Vienna or with the Swiss Confederation.
This spontaneous stipulation is presented to Swit-
zerland as a sure guarantee that the pending ques-
tion of which all the importance is appreciated will
receive a solution in accordance with the interests
of the Confederation.

" The path which the Federal Council has to
follow to attain this object is traced out for it by
the final stipulation of Art. 4 of the Protocol
adopted the 15th November, 1818, by the Powers
which took part in the Congress of Aix-la-Chapelle.
The said stipulation is in these terms :—' They (the
Conferences of the Powers) shall only take place
after a formal invitation from such of the States as
the said affairs concern, and under the express re-
serve of their rights to participate therein either
directly or by their plenipotentiaries.
" The Swiss Federal Council now sees itself
called on to to address the high Powers the formal
demand that they will be pleased to invite the
Conference referred :to in the said article, in order
to bring the existing conflict, which has already
acquired European importance to a solution
in conformity with the principles of international
law and social order. It will leave to the pru-
dence of the high Powers the task of fixing the
place and the epoch of this Conference. It will,
however, express the wish that this meeting may
take place as promptly as possible, inasmuch as
the increasing disquietude of Switzerland shows
that an early solution of the question is of urgent
importance ; and to that is attached the express
condition that Switzerland shall be called on to take
part in the deliberations.

" Lastly, the Federal Council must strongly
insist that the statu quo shall be maintained
intact in the neutralised provinces of Savoy, and
that no taking of possession, either military or
civil, shall be proceeded to until the decision of
the Conference shall be given. The Federal
Assembly of the Confederation, in its sitting of
the 4th, attached the highest importance to these
conditions. It is indisputable that the maintenance
of the atatu quo is not solely a Swiss interest, but
is of general interest for Europe ; and the Federal
Council may consequently expect that the high
Powers will know how to appreciate its demand in
all its bearing, and will energetically support it."
" The Swiss Federal Council has the honour to
recommend its proposition to the friendly conside-
ration of the high Powers, and in the expectation
of shortly receiving a favourable reply, it seizes,
&c."

The last document is from Count to Cavour to NI
Tourte, Envoy of the Swiss Confederation al

Turin :

' Turin, 6th April.
" Sir,—l ha're the honour to acknowledge the
reception of the two notes which you were kind
enough to address to me on the Ist and sth of this
month.

" According to the desire you have expressed,
I hasten to declare to you that, in conformity with
the treaty of the 24th March, France will not
take possession of the provinces of Savoy before
the populations shall have pronounced, and before
the Parliament shall have ratified the treaty.
" The Sardinian authorities will, in consequence,
continue to administer the country.
" Receive, etc. " CAvoui."

THE WEST INDIA MAILS.

SOUTHAMPTON, THURSDAY.

The Royal Mail Company's steamship Tasmanian,
Capt. Revett, with the above mails, arrived this
morning at 1.30 a.m. She brings 94 passengers,
and specie to the value of 327,191 dols. ; also the
following cargo-34 serons indigo, 1 seron cochi•
neal, 25 casks coffee, 404 bags cocoa, 41 live turtle,
52 bales bark, and 140 packages sundries.
Dates by this arrival are—Honduras, March 17 ;
Greytown, 17 ; Jamaica, 24; Jacmel, 26; Porto
Rico, 28 ; Demerara, Trinidad, and Grenada, 24 ;
Tobago, 23 ; Barbadoes, 26 ; St. Vincent, 25 ; St.
Lucia, 26; Martinique, Guadaloupe, Dominique,
Antigua, and Nevis, 27; Monserrat, 26; St. Kitts
and Tortola, 28 ; and St. Thomas, 29.

On the 25th March, off Jacmel, the English
brigantine Recompense was spoken. At Barbadoes,
her Majesty's gunboats Skipjack and Styx. An-
tigua, Emerald; Grey Town, Gorgon ; Carthagena,
Cossack ; Jamaica, Gladiator.
At St. Thomas the freight market continued ac-
tive. The supply of shipping was not equal to the
demand.