The Sun.
London, England, 1861-12-16 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 16, 1861.

nary trench that has been constructed from Port
Said, through Lake Menzaleh, to Kantara ; but a
few days ago we heard of its having on a sudden
been discovered that by a deflection of only some
four or five miles to the eastward the difficulty
would be entirely avoided, that the canal would pass
through a tract of country actually on a level with
the sea, and where the engineers need simply follow
the existing vestiges of an ancient canal. It seems
almost incredible that so important a fact should not
have been discovered when the country through
which the great canal was to pass was first surveyed;
more especially so since the termination of the ele-
vated land or ridge of El Gisr, and the traces of an
ancient canal are distinctly indicated not only in Li-
nant Bey's map, but also in others of far older date.
In consequence of this discovery it is announced
that the canal will proceed with even far greater
rapidity than has been promised. But the oddest
part, perhaps, of the matter is an admission that,
as regards this particular portion of the canal "Les
Anglais avaient un peu raison," in laying some
stress upon the difficulty there would have been to
prevent its bed from being choked up with sand.
But this objection is now, of course, altogether at
an end.

I hope I shall not expose myself to indignant
charges of jealous hatred, malice, and uncharitable-
ness when I add that I have heard more than one
impartial person express it as his belief that there
must be more in the matter than meets the eye.
The telegraphic intelligence received from Eng-
land within the last few days has caused among the
great majority of the Alexandrian merchants a
complete suspension of business in cotton. The
mercantile community of this place is composed, as
you are aware, of persons of all nations, and in
general they arc very bold speculators. But on this
occasion their fears seem fully awakened, and the
grounds for these apprehensions, as stated here on
all sides, singularly illustrate how general has be-
come the belief that the United States Government
may allow itself to be guided by what they may
imagine will gratify popular passion, rather than by
a sense of what is due to true national dignity and
self-respect. The decline in the value of cotton
from its highest point this season may at present
be estimated at nearly 7 dols. per cantar.

ME PACIFIC.

Adviecs from Panama have been received to the
23d ult., bringing news from Valparaiso to the 3d,
Callao the 14th, and Paita the 17th.

From Chili the news is favourable to the pros-
perity of the country, and great good was expected
from the present Administration. Confidence was
again reappearing in commercial circles, and,
although the crisis was not yet entirely past, yet
credit was becoming re-established throughout the
country. Congress-had adjourned.
The establishment of the steamship line between
the Atlantic and Pacific through the Straits of
Magellan was urgently demanded, and looked for-
ward to with the greatest interest. The Govern-
ment was likely to accede to the subvention asked
for this object by Mr. Petrie, agent to the Pacific
Steam Navigation Company. The subvention to
this company for their line from Valparaiso to An-
cud had been renewed, but at a diminished rate of
40,000 dols. instead of 50,000 dols. annually.
Congress had empowered the Government to in-
vest 50,000 dols. in erecting forts on the Arauco
frontier and cultivating the lands in that region
now made waste by Indian depredations.
From Peru it is stated that the elections had gone
in favour of San Ramon. There appeared a prospect
of a pacific arrangement of the question pending
with Bolivia. The preparations for a war against
Ecuador were still being carried on. President
Castilla, it was said, was furnishing money and men
to Urbina and Franco to go against Flores and
Moreno. The Peruvian Treasury was reported as being
in a bad way. Castilla had recently tried to raise
20,000,000 dols. in England, but so far had failed.
Mar would probably be the next President. He
was said to be a good, honest, patriotic man. Gen.
Miller died on the Ist ult., deeply regretted. He
was interred with all military honours.
The frigate Amazones had arrived at Callao with
her boiler burst.

The Arica had returned to Callao, having landed
General Echenique, and Colonels Elespuru and
Rivas, and Senor Larranasa on the coast of Chili.
It was believed, however, that Echenique had re-
turned to Peru, and that an attempt would he made
to push him forward again for the Presidency.
From Bolivia there arc very deplorable accounts.
The Commander-General of La Paz, Col. Yanez,
had brutally ordered to be executed some 220 per-
sons engaged in the recent revolutionary movement.
There were shot, in accordance with his order, in
the gaol, Generals Cordova, ex-President of Bolivia,
and Hermosa; the priests Tejada, Larriva, Borjas,
&c., Colonels Espejo, Silva, Larriva, Mendizabal,
and many other persons of distinction. In the
street there were 200 others executed. General
Belzu remained in Paucarpata.
The import market in Valparaiso is reported as
very dull, owing to the entire absence of purchasers.
Copper had obtained an advance, and there was
little bar copper on hand. Money was very scarce,
and likely to become more so, owing to its with-
drawal from the mining districts. A good demand for
shipping had again been manifested, in consequence
of which an advance on previous rates had been
obtained. The British bark Bernard had been
chartered provisionally to arrive at Caldera by the
30th of November at 82s. 6d., and the Pizarro, at
Huasco, by the 15th of November, at 855.,.b0th for
ores for Swansea.

WAR RE'3IOU.RS AND PROBABILITIES.

In Liverpool, and no doubt in most seaports of
the kingdom, much anxiety prevails with respect
to what may be the result of the British demand
for reparation of the insult committed on our flag
by the forcible abduction of the Confederate Com-
missioners from the mail steamer Trent. In the
meantime every reasonable preparation for the
worst that can happen is being made with the
thoughtfulness and intrepidity which becomes a great
people. A notification has been made in the rooms
of the Liverpool Underwriters' Association, that
shipowners sho&d instruct the captains of their
outward-hound ships to communicate by signal or
otherwise to any English vessel they may meet, the
information that war is probable between this coun-
try and America; and this suggestion is said to
have been greatly approved. While private asso-
ciations are thus taking precautionary suggestions,
the Government is not by any means remiss. For
some time past Liverpool has been in a state of
lively excitement in observing the preparations
made to meet the worst emergency which can min
out of the present complication. The splendid
steamer Australasian was despatched from Liver-
pool on Friday evening, for Canada, carrying out
831 men of the Ist Battalion of the Rifle Brigade,
under charge of Col. Lord A. Russell and 27 officers.
She also took out 254 men and non-commissioned
officers of the 4th Brigade of Artillery, under the
charge of Capt. Leslie. On Saturday the Royal
Mail steamer Niagara seised for Halifax, having on
board Major-General Manley, together with 350
men and 20 officers of the Military Train. The Persia
also, an has been previously stated, has been taken
up and fitted as a transport, and this splendid ves-
sel has now, for the first time, had four of her boats
fitted with Clifford's patent lowering apparatus.
Her first complement of troops is to consist of 1,100
men, of whom the 16th Regiment of Foot is to
form the principal body ; she will also take out 120
men of the Royal Engineers, under command of
Capt. M'Quay: Besides he troops mentioned,
each of the vessels named also takes out a large
.amount of military and commissariat stores,amount-
ing, it is said, to 380 tons each. T:le Persia and
Australasian take out of ordnance stores 500,000
rounds of ball cartridge, besides 100,000 rounds
each for the troops. In addition to the Liverpool
steamers named, the Cleopatra, belonging to the
African Royal Mail Steamship Company, has also
been taken up by Government, and will, it is ex-
pected, have despatch in about a week. The Pacific
Steam Navigation Company's new steamer Peru
will, it is understood, in about 10 days sail from
Liverpool, taking with her 60 sailors and 40 marines,
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ALARMING SIRES.

On Saturday, shortly before noon, considerable
alarm was excited at the General Post-office, St.
Martin's-le-Grand, by a fire breaking out. From
inquiries made it appears that as some persons were
sorting letters they had their attention called to a
strong smell of gas. They were unable to say
whence it proceeded. It was found not long after-
wards that a table 40 or 50 long was in flames.
Fortunately the letters were collected, not one being
lost or damaged in the slightest degree by fire or
water. Feather and Bates, two of the fire brigade,
were soon in attendance, but their assistance was
not required. Yesterday morning about half-past
three o'clock, a destructive fire broke out in Union-
wharf, the property of Mr. J. Morrell, a hay
and straw merchant, situate in North Floral-road,
Kingsland-road. The flames when first discovered
were raging in a building about 80 or 90 feet long,
used as stabling and storehouses, in which were
kept five horses and a large number of rabbits and
fowls. Fortunately, owing to the exertions of the
Royal Society's escapemen and the police, the
horses were all saved. The engines of the parish
and of the London brigade were quickly on the spot.
Owing to the inflammable nature of the stock in
trade, the flames at one period assumed a most
alarming appearance. The flames were not ex-
tinguished until about two-thirds of the building
were destroyed. Some damage has also been done
to an adjoining wharf called the Norway wharf,
but principally by water and hasty removal. Mr.
Morrell was insured in the Sun Fire-office. The
origin of the fire is unknown. A fire broke out
about the same time as the above in the premises
of Mr, Pope, wholesale ironmonger, 50, Lambeth-
walk. The discovery was made by an officer of the
L division of police, who by springing his rattle
succeeded in arousing the inmates. They suc-
ceeded in effecting a safe retreat, but not until the
street-door was broken open to allow of their egress.
The engine belonging to Mr. Hodges, the distiller,
of Church-street, attended, as well as the engines
of the parish, and two of the London establish-
ment. The flames were not extinguished until the
warehouse and contents were seriously damaged.
The sufferers were 'uninsured. The cause of the
fire is unknown. A third fire broke out in an
unoccupied house situate at No. 4, Swan-place,
Mile-end, which was attended with considerable
damage.

evidence, if evidence at all, of his being a Roman
Catholic.

Mr. John Edward Walsh, Q.C., LL,D., was the
next witness examined, and the following are the
leading questions and answers :
If a ceremony of marriage be performed by a
Roman Catholic priest in Ireland between a male
and female of full age, one of whom is unquestion-
ably a Roman Catholic, and the other of whom is
at the time of such ceremony a Protestant, or had
professed himself or herself to be a Protestant
within 12 months previously, does such a ceremony
constitute a valid marriage P—lt does not by the
law of Ireland.

Is it by reason of the statute 19th. George 11.,
cap. 13, that such ceremony would not constitute a
valid marriage P—That statute is enough to render
the marriage void; but there are other statutes
which may affect the question, and also tend to
make it invalid.

Is it as indicative of policy, or by virtue of their
special provisions, that these other statutes may
operate upon the question ?—By their special pro-
visions some statutes make the celebration of such
marriages penal or criminal ; and, although the
penalty upon the Roman Catholic clergyman is re-
pealed by a statute of William IV., some of these
provisions may possibly still affect the question, but
not so as to weaken the operation of the statute
19th George 11., cap. 13. .
In a suit of nullity of marriage founded upon the
19th George 11., cap. 13, and upon the allegation
that one of the parties married was a Protestant, or
professing Protestant, to what period anterior to
the ceremony should the inquiry as to his or her
Protestantism or profession of Protestantism, neces-
sarily extend ?—To a year before the ceremony.
Is it by the religious profession of the party for
•12 months previous to the ceremony that its vali-
dity is to be determined ?—lf the party had pro
fessed himself or herself to be a Protestant at any
time within the 12 months, and the other party
was a Roman Catholic, the marriage is void.

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.

NORTHERN CIRCUIT.—LIVERPOOL, DEC. 14.
(Before Mr. Baron Channel!.)
Captain Wm. Wilson was brought up for sen-
tence this morning.
Baron Channel!, in passing sentence, said—Wil-
liam Wilson, the jury have acquitted you of the
crime of murder, and, after an anxious and careful
investigation,have found you guilty of manslaughter,
and since the Court separated last night I have
given the case the most anxious consideration which
I could devote to it. I think it unnecessary to the
ends of justice to proceed upon the other indict-
ments, and I have now to sentence you for the of-
fence of which you have been convicted. Man-
slaughter is, often complete in point of law where
there is little of moral guilt or enormity, but there
are other cases in which the law must visit the
offence with great severity on account of the enor-
mity with which it is accompanied. You are accused
by the prosecution not only with having caused the
death of the deceased by acts of most unauthorised
and unjustifiable violence, but with brutal violence,
with having dashed the man down on the deck
after repeated previous acts of cruelty, and
when he was in a state of prostration and de-
bility from disease, with having jumped upon his
chest when you were wearing heavy boots. The
jury have not only found you guilty of violence
which has caused his death, but they have solemnly
assured me, in answer to a question which I put,
that they believed you were guilty of most wanton
and brutal violence. This is a case of great enor-
mity, one which within my own observation I have
never scarcely seen paralleled, and I have ventured
into this explanation to account for the sentence I
must pass upon you. You were placed in a situa-
tion which gave you some control and authority
over the men who were shipped, and who attended
you on your voyage, and you have not only wan-
tonly abused that authority with which the law
invested you, but under circumstances of the most
atrocious enormity. The sentence of the Court upon
you is, that you be kept in penal servitude for the
term f2O years.
The prisoner, who manifested little emotion, was
then removed.