The Sun.
London, England, 1857-02-20 00:00:00

RUSSIA.

The following ukase bas ken issued by the Em-
peror Alexander 11. of Russia relative to the con-
cession of the railways in Russia :

" In our solicitude for the interests of our coun-
try, whose prosperity we have at heart, we long
since recognised that Russia, bounteously gifted by
nature, felt especially, in consequence of her im-
mense extent of territory, the want of easy means
of communicat ion.

"This conviction was strengthened in conse-
quence of the labours in which we have personally
taken part since 1842, when the will of our august
father, of glorious memory, called upon us to pre-
side over the committee on railways charged to
report upon the construction of the line from St.
P.tersburg to Moscow and others.

" The Construotion itself of that line, which now
so justly bears the name of the Emperor Nicholas,
has given additional proof of the advantages of this
new means of communication for our country ; its
usefulness in times of peace aT well as in times of
war. Railways of which the urgency was ques-
tioned not 10 years since, are now recognised by all
classes of the population to be a necessity for the
Empire, and have become a national want eagerly
desired by all.
" Penetrated with this deep conviction we
ordered, as soon as hostilities had ceased, that the
most efficacious measures should be taken to satisfy
this imperious necessity. A careful investigation
has shown the advantage there would be under the
double aspect of facilities and promptitude to fol-
low the:example of other countries and to entrust
them to private enterprise, national as well as fo-
reign, the latter offering moreover the great experi-
ence already acquired by the construction of many
thGusand versts of railway in Western Europe.
" Various offers have been tendered upon this
basis, and after a'careful examination by a commit-
tee of rainisters and a discussion in our presence,
the conditions unanimously declared the best and
sanctioned by us are those of the company of Rus-
sian and foreign capitalists, at the head of whits is
our banker, Baron de Stieglitz.
" According to the terms of these conditions, the
company engages to construct at its risk and ex-
pense, within the term of ten years, and to keep
up afterwards for 85 years, a net-work of railway
of 4,000 verstes' under the sole guarantee of the
Government of five per cent. on the capital laid out
in the construction, and with the clause that on
the expiration of the said term the whole of the
lines become gratuitously the property of the State.
" Avoiding the necessity of considerable and
immediate sacrifices, the Government in adopting
these conditions will be enabled to effect the con-
struction of the first network of Russian railways
by the sole force of the confidence inspired by the
punctual exactitude with which it has always ful-
filled its engagements, even during the worst pe-
riods of national struggles.
" This network will extend from St. Petersburg
to Warsaw and to the Prussian frontier, from Mos-
cow to Nijni-Novgorod, from Moscow by Koursk
and the region of the Lower Danube to Theodosia,
and from Koursk or Orel by Dunaborg to Libau.
Thus, by means of a continuous line of rails
through 26 governments there will be connected
three capitals, our principal navigable rivers, the
central points of our agricultural produce, and two
ports accessible nearly all the year round on the
Black and Baltic Seas ; exportation will be facili-
tated, transport and the supply of provisions at
home assured.

"Undertaking, in the firm hope of the blessing
of the Almighty, so vast and beneficent a national
enterprise, we appeal to the zealous and conscien-
tious co-operation of all our faithful subjects, and
order the execution of :

"1. The Act containing the fundamental condi-
tions; of the concession of the first net-work of Rus-
sian railways.
"2. The statutes of the Grand Society of Rus-
sian Railways organised for the above-mentioned
constructions.

"Acts and Statutes are annexed to this present
ukase.

" The Senate will take the necessary steps in this
matter.

(Signed) ALEXANDER.
"St. Petersburg Jan. 26, 1857."

The Statutes consist of 51 Articles. The 7th Ar-
ticle fixes the social capital at 275,000,000 of silver
roubles, consisting of shares of 125 silver roubles.
The first issue of shares is to be 600,000, as follows :

• Shares.
Stieglitz and Co., at St. Petersburg and Warsaw 225,000
Baring, Brothers, London
Thomas Baring (for Hope and Co., Amsterdam) 70,009
Pereire and Thurneyssen (for Mendellssolinat,
Berlin)
Hottinguer and Co., 25,000
J. Pereire and Thurneyssen, as well in their
own personal names as for MM. Emily
Pereire, B. L. Fould, and Fould Oppen-
heim, Mallet Brothers and Co., Baron Seil-
Here, J. J. de Uri Carren and Co., Des Arts
and Mussard and Co., A. d'Eichthal, F
Grieninger, and Casimir Salvador

Total

AMERICA.

IMITHAMPTON, FRIDAY MORNING.

The United States mail steamship Arago, Capt.
Lines, arrived in Cowes Roads this morning,, on
her way from New York to Havre, bringing ad-
vices to the 7th inst., three days later than those
received at Liverpool by the Persia.
She bring 50 passengers, the usual mails, 250,000
dols. in specie, 6,210 bushels of wheat, and 1,500
barrels of flour—all for Havre.
She has had moderate weather for the season.
February 17, at 4 p. m., in lat. 49 deg. 48 min.,
long. 16 deg. 29 min., exchanged signals with either
the English or Hanoverian ship Godfrey, stand-
ing E.
The steamer Alps, from Havre, arrived at New
York on the 7th ; the Baltic, from Liverpool, ar-
rived on the 6th, and the Africa on the sth.
The Atlantic Submarine Telegraph Bill hung fire
in the house, but there appeared no doubt of its
passing ultimately.
The National Theatre at Washington was de-
stroyed by fire in the afternoon of the 6th, anctonly
the bare wally remained.

News from various parts state that the ice is dis-
appearing and the rivers gradually rising. Official
accounts from the Philippine Islands state that
15,000 houses were destroyed by a hurricane. Con-
siderable, damage was also done at Manilla.
The European news by the Baltic was considered
more favourable than was expected for cotton, and
the sales on the 6th embraced about 2,000 bales,
the market closing firm. The Africa's news
came to hand too late in the afternoon of
the 6th for 'its effects to be developed. Flour
was less buoyant, while sales were moderate and
prices rather easier ; a lot of handsome amber-
coloured Missouri wheat sold at $1 68c. ; and
Kentucky red at $1 56c. Corn sold to a limited
extent at 70c. from store, and at 72c. delivered.
Pork was less active and buoy ant, with light sales of
new meQs at $2l 60c. to $2l 75c. ; and old ditto
at $2O 35c. to $2O 50c. Sugars were in fair de-
mand, with sales of 350 Mids. Cuba ; 300 barrels
and 70 hhds. Demerara ; and in two days 1,100
hhcls. Molado and 50 boxes Havannah. Coffee was
quiet and steady. Freights were without change
of moment, and engagements moderate. The mo-
ney market at New York on the 6th was in a
depresad state. Money was less active, and the
recent line of rates of discount scarcely passed.
Quotations were continued at Eq to 9 per cent. for
prime paper, and 9 to 10 for No. 2. Stocks.—
Loans 7 per cent. The price of sterling exchange
may be quoted at 1081 to 108, with a tendency to
higher rates. On Paris, sf. 214 e. to sf. 23/c.
There was considerable animation at the Stock
Board, with an advance in some descriptions. In
railroad shares the market was lower than for some
weeks past. Land warrants continued in active
demand, with a vary moderate supply.
At St. Louis intelligence had been received from
Santa Fe to December 27th. The Legislature of
New Mexico organised on the 3d of December
Fernando Pino was re-elected President of the
Council, and RolPz Speaker of the House. The
corn crop was abundant. Indian depredations con-
tinued, The Gazette, alluding to this subject, sap,

that the Governor is either grossly ignorant of the
territory, or intends to mislead the Government.

BALTIMORE, FEB. 5.
The New Orleans papas, of Thursday and Fri-
day last, are received. The only news they con-
tain is a confirmation of accounts of the invasion
of Tampico by Garcia, and the possible seizure at
the house of the British Consul of $240,000 be-
longing to foreign merchants.

CHARLESTON, FEB. 5.
Cotton sales of the week, 13,000 bales, closed at
an advance of ic. to ic. ; middling fa;r, 13c.
PHILADELPHIA, FEB. 6.
Stock firm ; Reading Railroad, 48 ; Long Island
Railroad, 131 ; Morris Canal, 153/4 ; Pennsylvania
Railroad, 481.