The Sun.
London, England, 1867-04-23 00:00:00

debt of the United States. On the Ist January this
debt amounted to $2,675,062,505, and on the Ist
April the debt was—

Debt bearing coin interest
Debt bearing currency interest
Matured debt not yet paid
Debt without interest ... ,

$1,499,381,571
... 734,210,780
••• ... 12,825,658
... ... 417,225,343

Total $2,663,713,374
The actual reduction, therefore, was for the quarter
$11,349,131. This would give less than four mil-
lions a month on the whole quarter, which is a
considerable falling elf from the quarters of the
preceding year. The redemption of the green-back
currency lessens the ability of the people to pay
taxes, while bringing financial afT.tirs into a mare

healthy state. During the quarter, trade has been
unusually slack, and few look for any large reduc-
tion. The policy of the Government is towards
lightening the taxes in preference to a rapid dimi-
nution of the debt; no doubt a wise policy, which
gives the country time to breath and grow strong
after its exhausting warfare. Slackness of trade
has caused a marked falling off in the last quarter.
Indeed, the only surprise is that the receipts from
the Customs continue so large hi the face of the
prevailing dulness. The Inland Revenue has been
even more strongly affected, the depression in the
manufacturing districts being the cause.

The " strike" mania has extended to the United
States. Strikes have taken place at Brooklyn, and
at one or two towns in New England. In Lawrence,
Massachusetts, the mule-spinners struck on April
Fool's Day ; in Manchester, New Hampshire, a
similar strike was arranged, but abandoned. In
New York the agitation was more general, em-
bracing nearly all the trades. Their chief griev-
ance is the enormous height to which rent has
risen, with which they desire the Legislature to in-
terfere. The mechanics receive from $2 50c. to $4
per day, which they demand to be increased by half
a dollar. The exorbitant rate for house-rent is
mainly owing to municipal mismanage►nent and
corruition. If rents are to be lowered, the city
government must be reformed. While house pro-
perty is subjected to taxation to supply the misap-
propriations, the occupiers must bear the burden.
The correspondent of the Standard states the fol-
lowing case, which shows how the money goes :
"A few days since the New York Common Council
adopted a resolution appropriating $2,000 for a tile
of the New York Herald, covering 25 years. The
Mayor has vetoed the resolution, the fact being that
a similar file could be obtained for $2O. Of course
the councilmen had a bonus to some favourite in
view when they adopted the resolution."
The Hon. David A. Wells, who was last year
appointed a special commissioner to report on all
questions connected with revenue, is directed, it is
said, by Mr. M'Culloch to visit Europe, there to
study the statistics on customs, labour, wages, and
others connected with industry and revenue, and to '
prepare a report to be laid before Congress when it
meets next December.
Pennsylvania has organised a special armed patrol
to maintain the peace, in answer to the petition of
the peaceful inhabitants of the mining districts.
Great lawlessness prevails in the coal regions, and
more than fifty persons have lately been murdered.
Gangs of ruffians have introduced a reign of terror,
interfering with and coercing the miners, and the
State Legislature has been compelled to take action
on the subject.
Again the inundations of the Mississippi have
caused great damage and loss of life, and the levees
are attracting public attention. During the war the
banks which confined the waters to their channel,
were neglected, but the States interested had been re-
duced to such poverty that they could not execute
the necessary repairs. An attempt was nadde to
.induce Congress to vote the sums required, and re-
ports by engineers were called for, but we are not
aware what the action was of Congress in this
' matter. The destruction in Louisiana has been
immense, and unless the south-western portion is to
be abandoned these levees must be effectually re-
paired. '
The market for mulch cows is unusually brisk
II this spring, and, we are happy to add, also the
prices are sensibly on the decline. H. G. White,
of South Framingham, a well-known and success-
ful short horn-breeder, has of late beenluying and
selling first-class dairy stock of every breed, for
which past experience has admirably fitted him.
His sales of mulch cows in the last ten days have
been rising of $2,700, and nearly $6,000 since the
beginning of the year.
Dr. Nathan Durfee, of Fall River, has proved
his fitness for his position of president of the Bristol
County Agricultural Society, by lately fattening a
4,830 pounds yoke of cattle.
A two-year-old steer of William Nelson, of Wales,
which was recently killed, had two beasts enclosed
in separate apartments, with arteries running from
each. This is said to be the flr instance of the
kind on record.

The directors of the New Hampshire State Agri-
cultural Society have voted not to accept the resig-
nation of Gov. Smyth, as president, and will at-
tempt to prevail on him to withdraw it. The next
annual exhibition will be held at Nashua, Sept.
10-12.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
(From E. F. &Wertltumte and Co.'s. 11'eckl~ Circular,
April ii.) •

Per Australasian we have advices from New York to
the 2nd inst. 'flu demand for money had become more
active, and full rates were demanded, 7 per cent. being
readily paid on first-class securities. Government bonds,
however, were well supported, and in good demand for
investment. in railroad stocks thefe had been less btu:i-
ness than for some time past, but prices were well sus-
tained. State stocks and railroad mortgages were without
any material alteration. The weekly return of the New
York banks exhibits a decrease in the loans and deposits
of about four million dollars. - .