The Sun.
London, England, 1857-02-18 00:00:00

TEA AND SUGAR DUTIES,

A deputation from the Grocers' Commercial Associa-
tion waited yesterday on the Right Hon. the Chancellor
of the Exchequer, upon the subject of his proposal with
respect to the duties upon these articles of universal
consumption.
The deputation comprised the chairman and many•of
the leading members of the association, who were accom-
panied and introduced by Baron Rothschild, MY'
Several of tke speakers remonstrated with the Chancel-
lor on the unexpected nature of his proposal, and the
shortness of the time afforded for its consideration, and
earnestly pressed for the postponement of its discussion
in the house, so as to afford the trade in all parts of the
empire an opportunity of considering its bearings upon
them and upon the community at large. It was fur'
ther urged that the scheme of the Chancellor was in di-
rect violation of the existing act of Parliament, and cal•
culated to involve trade transactions in uncertainty PG
obscurity.
The Right Hon. Gentleman listened with great attest'
tion to the arguments adduced, but declined giving eel
other assurance than that they should have his best con-
sideration. It was not his intention or desire to Sake
the trade or country by surprise, or to precipitate the
passage of his resolutions through the house ; but be
stated that it was impossible for him, in the present con'
dition of the finances of the country, to adopt the duties
of 1855 as a standard.

In reply to this it was urged, on behalf of the deputv
tioo, that the trade generally regarded a single duty for
three years, both upon tea and sugar, as highly prefer-
able to an oscillating scale. Many arguments were Ad'
duced in favour of this proposition.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference t/
this suggestion, promised to give it his best attentioth
and observed that he saw no objection to some such er'
rangement.
The deputation withdrew, highly pleased with their
courteous reception.

SIR JOHN FRANKLIN'S EXPEDITION•

The following letter has been addressed to the Editor
of the Times :

Sir,—On my arrival in London my attention Wis
called to a letter lately addressed to the Times by CsPt'
Sherard Osborn, in which he gives publicity to an AO'
nymous communication from Red River Settletrienh,
wherein it is stated that information, which I kept secret)
reached me at Norway-house in July last, from 1/41;',
Anderson (of the late expedition down the Great Fi'"
River), of traces of Sir John Franklin's party Wald
been discovered on the Back River by Indians. TO
secretary of the Hudson's Bay Company, in my absence)
pointed out the improbability of this story, and my 001
object in now troubling you on the subject is to cor'firw
Mr. Smith's statement, by assuring you that no informs'
tion of the nature alluded to by Captain Osborn, or of
.8101
kind whatever respecting the Franklin expeditms:
reached me from Mr. Anderson or any other person,
Lilo
Norway-house, or anywhere else, in the course of 0,,
past year, although Mr. Anderson had occasion to 0
dress me frequently, his last letter being dated at 4
latter end of July.
In order that there may be no room for misappreh°lr
sion on this point I beg to state that no informatlA,
bearing in the most remote degree on the Franklin e%
pedition, has ever reached me, directly or indirectli:
officially or privately, except that obtained through .n
Rae in 1854, which was confirmed in 1855, by the OF;
dition under Messrs. Anderson and Stewart to thereop.
of the Great Fish River. The reports of those get°,
men were given to the public without one hour of u
cessary delay.—l am, &c., G. Simrsorl•
Hudson's Bay House, Feb. 17.