The Sun.
London, England, 1860-02-14 00:00:00

AAIERIGA.

LIVERPOOL, MONDAY.
The Royal Mail steamship Africa, Captain Shan-
non, arrived to-day, with New York advices to the
Ist inst., and 335,300 dols. on freight.
The Royal Mail steamer America, hence for
Halifax and Boston, had not been reported when
the Africa loft New York, probably owing to
westerly gales.
The difficulty in the House of Representatives in
regard to the Speakership appeared to be approach-
ing a solution. On the 28th, at the caucus of the
Republicans summoned by Mr. Sherman, that gen-
tleman announced his indisposition to permit a fur-
ther use of his name, and begged his supporters to
select another more likely to concentrate a success-
ful vote. The caucus at once entered upon the dis•
cussion of other names; that of Mr. Pennington, of
New Jersey, being the one which, by the general
voice, offered the only hope of a triumph. It was un-
derstood that three leading Anti-Lecompton Demo-
crats—Messrs. Reynolds, Biggs, and Adrain—were
ready to ♦ote for Mr. Pennington ; and supposing
the Republican vote to go for him en masse he would
thus obtain a tie vote in a full house. In that event
he was to be constrained to vote for himself, and so
close the contest On the 30th the house resumed
its conflict over the Speakership. Long bEiore the
hour of meeting, the hall, the Capitol, and all the
avenues to them, were thronged with multitudes
eager to witness the scene. It was only after an
hour's struggle that room could be obtained on the
floor for the transaction of business. Order and
space were finally obtained, when Mr. Sherman
rose, and in a short and sensible speech, with-
drew from the contest. Mr. Pennington was
then promptly put in nomination, and the
ballot commenced. The whole number of votes
then necessary to a choice, was 118. Of these
Mr. Pennington obtained 115, Mr. Smith 112,
scattering 6. A sec and ballot, in which Messrs.
Pennington and Smith refrained from voting, this
reducing the number necessary to a choice to 117,
gave Mr. Pennington 115, Mr. Smith 113, scatter-
ing 4. With this result the House adjourned. On the
31st the House came almost as near the election of
a Speaker as on the 27th, when Mr. Smith was so
sadly disappointed. The absentees numbered seven,
five of them being Democrats. Mr. Sherman hav-
ing moved that the House proceed to vote viva vote,
the vote was taken, several gentlemen interpo-
lating speeches as it proceeded. Mr. Smith, of
North Carolina, spoke, declining to run longer as a
candidate. Mr. Reagan spoke, nominating Mr.
M'Clernand in the stead of Mr. Smith. Mr. Hill
(American) would not support M'Clernand. Mr.
Etheridge (American) was quite ready to sup-
port him. Mr. Millson entreated the Conserva-
tives to rally to the nee' candidate, and an ani-
mated debate ensued. Mr. Davis, of Maryland,
voted for Mr. Pennington. Other South Americans
threw away their votes, promising to recover and
use them when they could be made effective. Mr.
Ashmore, of South Carolina, exhorted these and the
other South Americans to sustain M'Clernand, if
they feared to see a Republican in the chair. As
233 members voted, 117 were necessary to a choice.
Mr. Pennington received 116, Mr. M'Clernand 91,
the remainder scattering. The Democrats moved
an adjournment, which, after some resistance on the
part of the Republicans, was carried, there being an
understanding that another vote should he had im-
mediately npon the meeting of the house on the
following day.
No business of importance had been transacted
in the Senate.

The Boston Chamber of Commerce had memo-
rialised President Buchanan on the subject of the
Anglo-French war with China, requesting him to
tender his services in the adjustment of difficulties.
Via California we have advices from British Co
lumbia to the 6th ult., at which date the Fraser
River was still closed.

The New York Money Market was quiet, but
first-class paper scarce. The range for four and six
months' dates was from 7 to 8 per cent. ; and for
choice acceptances, 60 days, 61 to 61.
In exchanges the transactions for the Africa were
not large, and sterling bills closed flatly at 8 to 9
per cent. premium on London, and sf. 17;c. to sf.
20e. on France.

The cotton market, with a moderate demand,
closed slightly in favour of the buyer.

THE LEGAL CHANGES IN IRELAND.—DUBLIN,
Monday.—The Attorney-General, Mr. Fitzgerald, is ap-
pointed Judge of the Queen's Bench, vice Judge Perrin,
resigned ; the Solicitor-General Deasy is to succeed Mr.
Fitzgerald as Attorney-General. There will be an election
in consequence for Ennis and Cork. Mr. Lawson is re-
ported as having been offered the Solicitor- Generalship.
Mr. Sullivan, M.P., has suffered a severe loss by
the destruction of his extensive mills near the city of Kil-
kenny. It is thought that a quantity of oats, left in the
kiln to dry, became ignited, and set fire to the building,
which, with all the machinery it contained, has been de-
stroyed. The premises, it is said, are insured for about
£l,OO0—hardly a third of their value—and £4OO will barely
cover the grain lost.