The Sun.
London, England, 1861-03-09 00:00:00

DESTRUCTION OF GAETA.

The Minister of War at Turin, says the Gazzetta
Alilitaire, has decided upon disarming the island
of Pianossa, and raising the fortifications of Gaeta
to the ground.

THE BRAZIL AND PACIFIC MAILS.
SOUTHAMPTON, SATURDAY.

The Bora Mail steamship Magdalena, Captain
Woolward, has arrived, with the above mails, 95
passengers, and £3,895 in specie.
Off Teneriffe, on the Ist inst., she experienced a
heavy gale, and was struck by a heavy sea, which
washed everything from the deck. Several of the
crew were severely wounded.
On the Bth ult. she spoke the English ship Snow-
den, on the 22d the steamer Oneida and the Hikalje,
on the 3d inst. the outward French Brazil packet,
and on the 7th her Majesty's ship Marlbbrougb.
The British barque William Perle, from Liver
pool on the 11th of November, had stranded on the
coast of Brazil, 60 miles south of Rio Grande.
There were little hopes of saving either vessel or
cargo.

At Buenos Ayres the political complications and
the rise in the value of gold considerably checked
operations in the markets.
The Federalists and the Liberals were in almost
open hostility to each other.

Colonel Saa had gained a complete victory over
the levies of San Juan, taking.about 400 prisoners.
The aspect
.of affairs continued to be ♦ery
threatening.

Exchange was quoted 65s to 65s 6cl per
doubloon. Ounces had risen during the month
from 338 dols. to 360 dols. The last price on the
Bolsa was 348 k dols.

At Bahia sugar was brisk at former prices. 1,000
bags of coffee from the interior had been sold before
arrival. The remainder of the crops was expected
to come forward rapidly. Freights, 60s. for the
Channel. Exchange, 90 days, 261 d.

At Pernambuco cotton ruled from 8,400 to 9,000
reis per arroba. Sugar, white qualities, declined
from 2 to 3 per arroba. Freight to Liverpool—
cotton, Id. per lb. ; sugar, 17s. 6d., with 5 per cent.
primage. Exchange on London, 90 days, 260.
At Rio Janeiro business was less active. Imports
limited. Export trade in coffee was limited, owing
to the smallness of supplies. Business in sugar was
important for home consumption, at a considerable
decline in prices. The rate of discount was un-
altered.

Exchange had been fluctuating, closing at 26d.
on London ; on France, 360 to 370 reis were the
extreme rates. Small business had been done in
shares and stocks. Sovereigns were dealt in at
9,500 dols.

THE SIEGE OF MESSINA.
A letter from Naples of the 2d says :

" General Cialdini arrived here a few days back,
in the Cavour, with General Valfre, of the Artil-
lery, and Major-General Avenati. After a long
conference with Prince de Carignan, he left for
Messina. It was intended to give him a popu-
lar ovation, but be declined to accept one, and
ho also refused to allow the National Guard to
get up a ball in 'ais honour. He said that he
felt such pain at having had to combat the Nea-
politan troops, whom he esteemed, that he would
not take part in any public rejoicings at their
defeat. There have been sent to Messina from
Gaeta four battalions of Bersaglieri, four of the
Line (the 9th Regiment), six companies of Engi-
neers, 50 rifled cannon, and 22 large mortals.
General Avenati is to command the expedition, and
General Cialdini only goes to inspect the operations.
Some officers of the garrison of Messina succeeded,
a few days back, in escaping, and as a boat of the
English vessel the Terrible happened to be between
them and the citadel the latter could not fire on
them. The English squadron, consisting of the
ships of the line Hannibal, Cressy, and James Watt,
under Rear-Admiral Mundy, has left Naples for
Malta, via Messina. A single English advice boat
remains here. I3elore the English squadron sailed,
Prince de Carignan paid a visit to Admiral Mundy
on board the Hannibal. The ships fired a salute, and
hoisted the Italian flag in his honour."