The Sun.
London, England, 1861-09-17 00:00:00

SOUTH AMERICAN STOCKS.

The increased disposition to enter into business in
South American stocks which has been manifested
during the present year continues observable. The
South seems to revive as the North falls into dis-
credit, and it is a remarkable fact that the number
of defaulting States is now greater in the latter than
in the former. Among the South American repub-
lics there are now only three in disgrace, and none
of these have ever resorted to open repudiation—a
practice which belongs to the North alone. The three
non-paying republics are Venezuela, New Granada,
and Mexico. All the other Southern States of the
American continent have either maintained their
credit intact from the first or have made arrange-
ments for the resumption of liabilities which are
being faithfully carried out. Brazil occupies the
peculiar position of never having had her
financial reputation brought into question during
her whole existence. Chili, Peru, and Buenos
Ayres stand next in rank, a temporary default in
each of these cases having been long since repaired,
and dividends and sinking funds being now re-
mitted each half-year with undeviating regularity.
Equador a few years back joined in the march of
honesty, and, after a short interruption, consequent
upon the rule of an illegal Government, which was
improperly tolerated by our Foreign-office, is now
again meeting her engagements in a commendable
spirit. As the natural result in all these cases a
vast increase of commerce has been observed to
follow every restoration of public credit, and the
figures furnished in this way are such as to war-
rant the estimate that in the average of instances a
country which defrauds her foreign creditors loses
annually about five times as much as she saves by
her breach of faith. Of the three non-paying
States of South America two--New Granada and
Venezuela—seem to be approaching a condition in
which some hopes of a settled Government may be
entertained ; while, with regard to Mexico, we have
at length the assurance that the measure of her
dishonour is full, and that that State, which for its
size should be the richest in the world, is now likely
to be redeemed from the miscreants whose permitted
career has been a stain upon all other nations, and
upon the civilisation of the age. It is within pos-
sibility, therefore, that in the course of a moderate
period we may find the whole of America south of
the United States restored to financial respecta-
bility. Whether the same hope can be expressed
with regard to the great and until recently thriv-
ing States of Mississippi, Arkansas, Florida, Michi-
gan, and Indiana is a question to which few persons
on either side of the Atlantic will be likely to make
sanguine response.

TRIAL OF A SEAMAN FOR STRIKING •
AN OFFICER.

PORTSMOUTH, MONDAY.
A court-martial assembled on board the flag. ship
Victory, in Portsmouth harbour, this morning, for
the trial of John Greer, able seaman on board
H.M.S. Excellent, gunnery-ship, at this port, on
the following charges : Ist, for having on the 9th
inst. made a blow at, and struck, Lieutenant Ken-
nedy, his superior officer, while in the execution of
his duty, such conduct being a breach of the 16th
article of war ; 2d, for having made use of threaten..
ing language to Lieutenant Singer, he being at
the same time commanding officer of the said ship,
such conduct being a breach of the 16th article of
war. The court was composed of Captains Thomas
Wilson (president), Cummings, Coote, and Sec-.
combe, and Commander Bonham, with Mr. Edward
Hoskins, of Gosport, as officiating Deputy Judge.
Advocate. Captain R. S. Hewlett, C. 8., of H.M.S.
Excellent, conducted the prosecution.
Lieut. Andrew James Kennedy deposed that he
was doing duty on board the Excellent on the morn-
ing of the 9th inst., when the prisoner pre-
sented himself to pass in the. third instruction
of gunnery, He (witness) was the examining
officer, and finding that he did not know his instruc-
tions, he ordered him to fall out from the gun, and
go to the middle deck, to wait till he came there.
He then turned his back to speak to the instructor,
and while he was doing so he heard very violent
language, and that a man was rushing towards
him. He turned round, and threw up his arm,
when he received a blow on it and also on the back
of the neck, from the prisoner. He was at once
secured, and taken to the middle deck.
By the Court—The prisoner was perfectly sober
at the time. He had never seen the prisoner before
that morning.
Mr. Morton Singer, first lieutenant of the Excel-
lent, deposed that on the morning in question he
was doing duty as commanding officer on board
that vessel. Between nine and ten o'clock on that
morning a report was made to him, and the prisoner
was brought to the middle deck. By his order Lieu-
tenant Kennedy came up, and he asked him what
charge he had to make against the prisoner.
Lieutenant Kennedy stated that he was passing a
number of men, among whom was the prisoner,
from the third instruction, and finding on trial that
the prisoner was very deficient in his work, he re-
jected him, and went on with his duty in passing
the other men. In a few minutes afterwards he felt
some one touch his shoulders, and he was then
aware that a blow was being made at him. He put
up his arm, and he received the blow on his arm
and on the back of his neck. He then perceived
that it was the prisoner who had struck
the blow. After Benjamin Marshall had corrobo-
rated this statement, he ordered the prisoner to be
put in irons. Prisoner then became very riotous,
abused Lieut. Kennedy, and threatened that he
would knock his head off and rip his -- guts
out. On hearing this he ordered the master at arms
and the men who had him in charge to take him
below without further delay, upon which he used
similar language to him.
By the Court—He believed that the prisoner
came from leave on that morning. He had most
certainly been drinking, but he did not perceive
it until he had broken out in the riotous manner
which he bad described. The prisoner had been
in the Excellent not quite six months, and during
that time, except for breaking leave, his general
conduct had been good.
Benjamin Marshall, gunner's mate of the Excel-
lent, corroborated the above evidence. The prisoner
came behind Lieut. Kennedy and made the blow at
him in full swing in a striking attitude. He did
not think that he was drunk, but he was over-
excited at the time. The prisoner struck the blow
with his clenched fist.
Corroborative evidence having been given, the
prisoner, in his defence, stated that he had been
suffering for a long time from rheumatism in the
head, and, having had leave from the ship, and
taken too much to drink before he went on board, it
so affected his head that he did not know anything
of what took place. He expressed his sorrow for
what had taken place, declared that he had no
animosity against any officer of the ship, and
threw himself upon the mercy of the court.
The court was then cleared, and after some time
had elapsed was again opened, when the president
asked the prisoner if he had any certificates to pro-
duce. The prisoner replied that he had left them
at Bombay. The court was again closed, and after
the members had been in deliberation for a conside-
rable time the public were again admitted, when
The officiating Deputy-Judge-Advocate read the
sentence of the court, who found that both charges
were fully proved, and therefore adjudged the pri-
soner to be kept in penal servitude for the term of
ten years.
The prisoner, who burst into laughter on hearing
the sentence, was then removed.

'IS DAY'S MARKETS.

HAY MARKETS.
SxtrnmELD..—Msadow hay, £2los to £5 5s Od; clover
do., £3 10s to £6 Os; and straw , £1 5s to £1 12s per load.
A slow demand.
CUMBERLAND.—MeAiow hay, £2 10s to £5 ss; clover
do., £3 lOs to £6 Os ; and straw, £lss to £1 12s per load.
Both hay and straw sold slowly at our quotations.
WHITECHAPEL.—Meadow hay, £2 108 to £5 58; clover,
do., £3 lOs to £6 Os Od; and straw, £1 5s to 12s per load.
Trade steady.