The Sun.
London, England, 1861-02-20 00:00:00

PRICE 4D. STAMPED, SD.

AMERICA.

QUEENSTOWN, TUESDAY.
The Liverpool, New York, and Philadelphia
Company's steamer Etna, Captain Kennedy, from
New York on the 9th inst., arrived here at 2 p.m.
She brings the United States mails, 4 cabin and
82 steerage passengers. " The Etna landed all mails.
The Vigo had arrived out.
The Peace Congress at Washington held a short
session on the Bth inst. It still sits with closed doors.
Nothing definite had been accomplished.
It was probable that many points of the Critten-
den, Bag-ler, and Border States propositions would
be adopted.
A member of the Convention had received com-
munications from several leading New York
bankers and brokers, that, unless a compromise
was agreed to, the • in-coming Administrations
would have nothing to expect from capitalists in
the way of upholding the financial credit of Go-
vernment.

A resolution was about to be brought before the
Louisiana Convention, inviting all States except
those in New England to join the Southern Con-
federacy.
Montgomery advices affirmed that the Southern
Congress was about to levy an export duty of one
cent. per pound on cotton.
The New York Times of the 9th inst. says :
" Colonel Haynes, special envoy from South Caro-
lina, and Lieut. Hill, bearer of 112 ajor Anderson's
message, left Washing ton yesterday with despatches,
on which will probably defend the brearn, out of
war.
" Colonel Haynes carries the refusal of the Go-
vernment to surrender Fort Sumpter, and Lieut.
Hill. the finakivatructiontr-from the- Government to
Major Anderson, commander of the fort.
" The impression prevailed that an attack on
Fort Sumpter would not take place' immediately."

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
NEW YORK, Feb. 9.—Money easy ; exchange
lower on London ; bankers' bills 105 to 106 ; com-
mercial bills 104 to 105. The stock market opened
yesterday at lower quotations, but afterwards
recovered. The dealings closed with considerable
buoyancy. The closing quotations were—New
York Central 76-1- to 76,1, Erie 31,-1 to 32, Illinois
Central 75,1- to 76. Flour slightly lower; wheat
and corn cheaper ; provisions, limited inquiry.
Higher rates are asked for freights.
NEW ORLEANS, Feb. B,—Cotton has declined
Sales to-day 6,000 bales. 3liddling is quoted Mt
to 11.

THE FRAUD A 2 TILE • COMMERCIAL
BANK.

No new facts of much importance have transpired
with regard to the fraud on the Commercial Bank,
but it is satisfactory to perceive that upwards
of £20,000 is expected to be recovered from the
large amount of house property which Darden, the
delinquent, has got into his possession, his mania
having apparently been for building speculations.
There is thus a prospect of the ultimate loss by the
affair being reduced from £66,000, or .£6B,oooltto
£46,000, or less. Darden is understood to halm
sustained a complete paralysis of one side, and is
lying at his residence under the surveillance of the
police. There has been no run upon the deposits in
the Commercial Bank, their perfect safety being, of
course, ensured, but a number of the customers
have changed their accounts to the London and
County, Bank of London, and other establishments.
The bulk of them will, doubtless, be transferred
quietly to the London and Westminster. The col-
lapse of the Commercial Bank, through the miscon-
duct of one person, falls with peculiar hardship upon
the officers and clerks, the fruits of whose experi-
ence and. service may now be cut away from them.
Looking, however, to the known liberality of the
directors of the London and Westminster Bank,
and to the accession of business which will be car-
ried to that establishment, it cannot be doubted
that they will take the case of the employes of the
Commercial Bank into favourable consideration.