The Sun.
London, England, 1867-12-30 00:00:00

MISCELLANEOUS NEWS.

• -
,r From the Anglo-American Times.)
The rivalry between the United States Express
Companies bas virtually ended in a grand amalga-
mation. Hitherto these companies, competing against
each other, have spread a useful ramification from
ocean to ocean, and from the great lakes to the Rio
Grande. Consolidation appears to be the order of
the day in Wall-street, and one of the biggest
schemes is that which unites the Express Companies.
The capital of the Corporation is fixed at
$35,000,000, of which the Adams get $10,000,000 ;
the Merchants' Union $5,000,000, for three and a
half millions of dollars paid in; and the remainder is
divided between the United States and the Ametican
companies. However beneficial to the proprietors,
grave doubts are expressed as to the effect of this
amalgamation on the interests of the public. Still,
there will be one check to a monopoly, in the ac-
tion of the railway companies, which are even now
discussing the institution of the Parcels' Delivery
system. The line from Boston to Nashua, New
Hampshire, will commence the experiment on the
Ist January.
The Hon. Samuel B. Ruggles, having returned to
America, has shown to the President the specimen
model, struck by the French Government, of the
gold 25-franc piece, proposed as the common coin
for Christendom. Twenty-four millimetres in dia-
meter, it is only slightly larger than the British
sovereign and the American half-eagle. On the ob-
verse is stamped " Five dollars, twenty-five francs.'
It may be hoped that this coin will be adopted by
the three leading countries, when it will find a
wide circulation throughout the entire world, with-
out any inconvenient disturbance of the existing
coinage.

By the cable the news is that Congress had ad-
journed on the afternoon of the 20th inst. until the
6th January. No action had been taken with re-
gard to the cotton tax. The steamers leaving New
York for Europe, December 21, took $1,000,000 in
specie.

California is about to establish a University. In
this object the State is aided by the College of
California, and both that institution and the Col-
lege of Agriculture, Mining, and the Mechanical
Arts, lately formed into a National School of
Science with a grant of 150,000 acres of land,
favour an amalgamation. The College of Cali-
fornia offered 150 acres of land, distant about five
miles from Oakland, to the State for the Agricultural
College, and the board of managers having visited
the spot,. unanimously accepted the offer as the
most advantageous place. The trustees of the Col-
lege of California then proposed to the Government
to donate the 450 remaining acres of their land
on condition that the Legislature would there
establish a first-class University. Such an institu-
tion is 'required by the Constitution, and provided
for by a University Fund, which now amounts to a
considerable sum. The Legislature of California
enacted that the School of Agriculture should not
be united or connected with any other institution of
learning in the State. But a plan has been de-
vised to favour the combination while keeping
within the limits of this restriction.

Great efforts are being made in Virginia to pay
the interest on the State Debt on the Ist of
January. It is asserted that, under any circum-
stances, the obligation will be met. But as about
$700,000 must be raised for the purpose, many con-
sider that these laudable efforts will be in vain. On
this subject Virginia has always shown the finest
feeling, and even if the Virginians failed in paying
on the date due, no taint of dishonour could attach
to a State which more than any other bore the
burden of the war. General Scholelleld will do all
in his power to aid in the object, and the sheriffs
and other officers are making strenuous efforts to
collect the.money.
The American war steamer De Solo, reported to
have been lost at St. Thomas, has arrived safely at
Norfolk. The loss of the war steamer Monongahela
is confirmed. A severe storm raged in New York
on the 12th, preventing the departure of the out-
ward bound steamers. The Borussia from Ham-
burg, and the Caledonia from Glasgow got safely
in and landed their passengers without accident.
The storm continued on the 13th and caused a
partial suspension of business. From Sandusky,
Ohio, it was reported that the water had been driven
into the Bay so as to cause an inundation, floo3ing
the warehouses and damaging the ships, having risen
5 feet above its usual level.
The United States debt on the Ist December
stood thus :

Debt bearing interest in coin ... $1,840,367,891 80
Debt bearing interest in paper 379,292,460 0
Debt ou which interest has ceased 14,178,363 83
Debts without interest... 405,543,857 5

Total debt, December 1 ... $2,639,382,572 68
During the month of November, owing to the ex-
traordinary draughts upon the Treasury, the public
debt increased $13,879,724 66c. ; on November 1
it amounted to $2,625,502,848 2c. On January 1,
1867, the debt amounted to $2,675,062,50543c., so
that in the 11 months of the year that have
since passed it has been decreased $35,679,932 75c.
The Secretary converts the debt into coin-inte-
rest bonds as rapidly as possible, and increased that
species of debt over $62,000,000 during November
He withdrew less than 1,000,000 greenbacks from
circulation during the month, and announced that
he will not contract the currency during December.
The greenback issue now amounts to $356,212,473,
and the 5-20 issue to $1,324,412,550. On, the Ist
of December the amount of money in the Treasury
was $138.176,821, of which $100,090,645 was gold.
Since the Ist of November the gold in the Trea-
sury decreased $11,500,000, while the total amount
increased $4,250,000.
The true nature of Fenianism is best shown by
the following little incident, which occurred last
Thursday in Dublin. The cowardly resort to such
means of injury indicates a gang so reckless where
their bolts may fall—firing their poisoned arrows at
random, in the mere hope that some may chance to
strike an object of enmity—that they can only be
regarded as enemies to the human race :
" A man passing the sub-post-office in Church-lane this
afternoon observed a bright light in the letter receiver,
and gave an alarm. On opening the box four tin packages
were found about the size of a pen or match box, tied with
twine, and having two postage-stamps on each. They
were directed to Colonel Lake, Police Commissioner,
Superintendent Ryan, the Hon. G. Dillon, and another
member of the Viceregal Court. The police were sent
for, and one of the packages exploded and burnt his hand.
The others were brought to the College-street station,
and means taken to prevent explosion. No arrest has
been made."

The States bordering on Canada are moving in
the matter of the Reciprocity Treaty, as may be
seen in the bill introduced into the House by Mr.
Ransom, of Minnesota. Canada is uneasy about
Fenian action and at the tone of the President's
Message. Mr. Cartier, under a pressure, has- pre-
pared a militia bill providing for the organisation'
of a force of 150,000 men. Parliament has also
been discussing the question of the annexation of
the Western British Territories to the Domi-
nion. It is thought if they do not move in the
matter the Hudson's Bay lands will be absorbed by
the United States. Letters transmitted within the
Dominion have been fixed by the new postal bill at
three cents per half ounce, payment being com-
pulsory. On newspapers sent from a known office
of publication after Jan. 1, 1869, one cent for three
papers ; on newspapers now scut, one ceut each ;
o❑ books, pamphlets, &c., one cent one ounce ; on
periodical publications, one cent for four ouncts.
The loan of £3,000,000 in aid of the intercolonial
railways has been considered ; and in the Lower
House it is proposed to authorise the Government
of the Dominion to raise another million without the
imperial guarantee. On Dec. 7 the following financial
statement was made :—The province of Canada
during the past year ended June 30, 1867, received
$16,400,139, and expended $14,729,090. The do-
minion of Canada, from July 1 to November 30,
1867, received $7,427,673, and expended $5,322,685.
The statement of the chartered banks of the pro-
vinces of Quebec and Ontario shows liabilities
$43,455,209, and assets $78,370,726.

The members of the late Convention in Alabama
are "stumping" the State, upon the subject of the
rights granted by the new Constitution, and enlist-
ing negro support previous to the vote which will
soon be taken upon the instrument. The Union
Loyal League adopted a resolution that this Cou-

stitution, as framed by this State Convention, was
an infamous fraud, tending to debase the white
and to destroy the black race. Senator Wilson
moved in Congress to re-enfranchise 284 Ala-
bamians, among whom were Governor Patten
and General Longstreet. At Montgomery there
was a meeting of Conservative negroes, when
resolutions were passed, opposing the new Con-
stitution. In the Louisiana Convention the de-
legates' pay has proved a bone of contention.
Some of the members endeavoured to obtain unrea-
sonably large salaries, and one, on the 7th inst.,
gave utterance t 3 a ferccious threat that, if neces-
sary, the negroes would maintain the rule now
established with revolution and blood. In Georgia a
negro mob threatened au attack on the student:, of
the University at Athens, but were dispersed by the
United States troops. The Reconstruction Con-
vention of that State had assembled, and a disagree-
ment had occurred, as the negroes claimed a more
than due share of the offices. A number of the
delegates of the Virginia Conservative Convention
had proceeded to Richmond, where they passed a
resolution, declaring this to be a white man's go-
vernment, and pledging the people of Virginia to
perform all their constitutional duties on their re-
storation to the Union. Senator Wilson addressed
a caucus of the Convention, advising moderation in
council, and the Convention had memorialised Con-
gress to continue the Freedmen's Bureau, and re-
commended the removal of the present State officials
in Virginia. General Ord has appointed January 7
for the Arkansas and Mississippi Conventions to
assemble. The register of voters is complete in
Taxas, and shows 56,666 white and 47,430 blacks,
giving a white majority of more than 9,000 in a
registry of 104,496. The Reconstruction elections
will, in that State, soon be held.
The treaty for the cession to the United States of
the Danish West India islands has been sent to the
Senate for ratification, and handed over to the
Committee for Foreign Relations. It is announced
that there is a difference of opinion both in the
Committee and in the Senate as to the wisdom of
expending so much on islands so insecure and lately
the scene of such great disaster. It is thought that
the treaty will be rejected by the House, in view of
the small majority by which Mr. Butler's resolution
regarding Alaska was defeated. St. Thomas' is
rejoicing at the annexation, but the joy may be
premature. Mr. Washburne, of Wisconsin, spoke
in the House against the appropriation for the pur-
chase of both Alaska and St. Thomas. From that
island adv ices have been received that Admiral Palmer
and the Danish commissioners were completing
their arrangements for the transfer, and it is said
that this ceremony is to take place on the Ist January.
The Spanish Government expressed anxiety about
the rumour that the United States desired to get
possession both of Cuba and of Porto Rico, and
Mr. SEWARD denied that such was the desire of the
Government. It is, however, reported that he has
re-opened negotiations with Baaz for the purchase
of Samana Bay. There are four treaties now be-
fore the Senate—the Russian, Danish, a commercial
treaty with Madagascar, and a reciprocity treaty
with the Sandwich Islands.

It is now stated that the value of the produce,
chiefly breadstuffs, frozen up in the New York
canals is not less than popopo, and some esti-
mates range much higher. It is ascertained that
among the items are 12,0u0 barrels of flour, 70,000
barrels of apples, 10,000,000 bushels of grain, and
100,000 bushels of potatoes. To move this, would
double the price—to leave it, causes an advance ill
the cost of food. Already a rise has taken place in
corn and flour in the Paris market, and the upward
movement of two francs last Saturday was attri-
buted to the news from New York announcing the
interruption in the canal navigation.
The Lord Brougham arrived at New York from
Hamburgh, December 6, with cholera on board.
She started with 383 passengers, among whom the
disease broke out the day after she left, and raged
malignantly during the passage of 46 days. At one
time a hundred were attacked, and during the voy-
age 73 died. The ship presented a shockiug appear-
ance on her arrival, when she was placed in quar-
antine, having still 2() cases on board, and the
health officers affirm this to be the worst instance
recorded at the port.

We have given almost in extenso Mr. Robert J.
Walker's letter on Finance, as that gentleman ob-
tained a good reputation as a financier when Secre-
tary of the Treasury. He framed and brought into
practice a successful revenue tariff, never losing
sight of the principle that currency should bebased
on coin, and that all other systems were false. Ills
letter speaks for itself ; but there is a singular
statement which the Round Table notic es, that 10
Germany the United States can sell 6 per Cent.
Bonds at par, although by going to any banker at
Frankfort other United States 6 per Cent. Bonds
can be purchased at less than 80 cents on the
dollar.

The Reconstruction Committee was revived in
the House on the 10th inst., and Thaddeus Stevens
appointed chairman. It is stated in the .New York
_Herald that that gentleman has announced that be
will introduce a bill to Congress providing loyal
provisional governments for the Southern States.

The following are announced as the reasons given
by President Johnson, in a message to the Senate,
for his removal of Mr. Stanton :—The lack of proper
respect shown by the Secretary, who attempted, in
defiance of the President, to retain office under
the provisions of the Tenure of Office Bill, which
Mr. Stanton, with the rest of the Cabinet, bad
previously denounced as unconstitutional. Fur'
hermore, that Mr. Stanton was the cause of the
New Orleans riots, by withholding from the
President the information that the Federal cow-
mander at New Orleans asked for special instruc-
tions relative to the anticipated riot. It is re-
ported that President Johnson further states that
Mr. Stanton's successor has already saved the coun-
try millions of dollars, and that the Cabinet are now
entirely harmonious in reference to the reconstruc‘
tion policy.
The Fenians held a . meeting in Faneuil
Boston, on the 7th of December. The procession
formed on Boston Common, and bearing torches,
with banners flying, they marched to the meeting.
Sympathy was expressed for the Fenians executed
at Manchester ; Great Britain was denounced ; Sec-
retary Seward and the Minister to St. James's were
charged with " being faithless to their trust, care-
less of the honour of their country, and accessory Se
the judicial murder of Gould and Larkin, American
citizens, who were tried, condemned, and hung afFie
British subjects, without interference on the part of
the American Government." A similar affair cane
off at St. Louis on the same day. At all these
meetings the demand is made on the Government
to interfere on behalf of the Fenians in British PI;
sons. The Irish-Americans claim the right as Iris
citizens of kindling a civil war in Ireland, at the
same time that they reject the right of the Go-
vernment to treat them as Irish citizens.

Births.
BLOIS—On the 26th inst., at Cockfield Hall,Suffolk, 1,3"
Blois, of a son.
LLOYD—On the 27th inst., at Rhyfoldy, near RhaYacar'
~ the wife of R. Lewis Lloyd, Esq barrister-at-law, 01-
daughter. rt 0*
MILES —On the 26th inst., at Exeter, 11
the wife of T. 0..
Miles, Esq., of Cheshunt, Hertz, late Captain 13th P-
sars, of a son and heir.

Marriages.
ARNOLD—LITTLEWOOD —On the 27th inst ,at the -„°
church, Edington, Wilts, William Vernon. Arnold,
of Croydon, Surrey, to Mary Anna Hayward, oral
daughter of the Rev. Samuel Littlewood, PerPe
curate of Edington.
BROOKSBANK CAREY—On the 26th inst , at the VW:,
Church, St. Peter Port, Guernsey, Thomas Brooksb3P e,
of the Inner Temple, Esq., barrister-at-law, to Iseatric
daughter of Sir Stafford Carey, Bailiff of Guernsey'.

Deth.
BLUNDELL—On the 27th insta
~ at Balham, S. henry 3311111
dell, Esq., aged 79.
BOWER—On the 27th inst., at Tollington-park, Londoo,
Robert Bower, Esq., M.D., R.N., aged 78.
IjIBBONS—OD the 27th inst., at Bath, Sills Gibbons, EA*/
formerly of Winehmore-hill, Middlesex, aged 78. t et,
HARRINGTON—On the 27th it.st., at 3, Richmond-erra
Whitehall, the Countess arrington.
Croyd.ge°ll_
SILTER—On the 26th inst. at Park Rouse ,
William Silver, Esq., of 'HTrinity College, House',
brici
M.A., aged 63.

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ra,170
London : Printed and Published by WILLISAL AND-- „;
of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at Tae SUN Once' No of
Strand, in the Precinct of the Se 'Toy, in the County
Midellesex..—Monday, December 30, 1867.

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