The Sun.
London, England, 1844-05-24 00:00:00

DUTCH MAIL.

ROTTERDAM, MAY 20.—This morning about eight
o'clock, his Majesty, the King, accompanied by
an aide-de-camp, came to visit the Royal Dock-yard,
where the Minister of Marine had arrived an hour
before.

His Majesty went on board the Merapi steamer,
and after minutely examining that vessel, went on
board the Cyclops steamer lying in the river. Before
his Majesty left the Dock-yard, Captain Cherzen had
the honour to present to him two flags taken by that
officer from the pirates in the Indian seas. His Ma-
jesty returned to the Hague about nine o'clock.
Tim HAGUE, MAY 21.—The Government has
lately communicated to the Chamber, a report on the
navigation of the kingdom, stating the number of
ships that arrived and departed from the ports of the
Netherlands in 1842. We find that the number of
vessels that cleared in 1842 was 6,326, measuring
953,691 tons. Of these, there are under the Dutch
flag 2,704 ; under English colours, 1,563. Cleared
outwards 6,367 ; of which there were 2,785 under
the Dutch flag, and 1,520 under English colours.
The Second Chamber of the States-General, in its
sitting, received a message from the First Chamber,
stating that it had agreed to the several Bills sent
up from the Second Chamber, viz. :-1. For com-
pleting the ways and means for the year 1841, 1842,
and 1843 ; 2. That on the extraordinary tax ; and
3. That for regulating the claims of the late King
William Frederick, Count of Nassau; 4. That for
discharging the debt of the Commercial Company.
The• Chamber received three Royal messages, accom-
panying three projects of law with an explanatory
memorial.—Duich Papers, May 22.
ULM, MAY 16.—Notwithstanding the very un-
favourable weather, from 700 to 1,000 men are daily
employed on the works for the fortifications, and have
been interrupted for a very few days only during the
week. As soon as the fine weather set in the work
was prosecuted with increased activity, and at this
moment 2,000 workmen are employed, of whom 300
are bricklayers. A much greater number is expected.
liamburgh Papers, May 18.

SIGNATURE OF EXCLIEQUFR-BILLS, &C. Sir
George Clerk and Colonel Sibthorp have moved for and ob-
tained some returns relative to the signature of Exchequer-
bills and copies of letters addressed from the Controller-
General of the Exchequer to the Lords Commissioners of the
Treasury, dated the 15th of January and the Ist of April,
1844. From a general abstract contained in these papers, it
appears that the gross total number of Exchequer-bills
signed by the Controller-General in the year ending the 31st
of December, 1842, amounted to 19,236, and the value thereof
to 34,921,8111. ; of those, 10,981 were signed by Lord Mont-
eagle and Mr. Perceval, and 8,255 by Lord Monteagle and
Mr. Eden. The total number of bills signed by the Assist-
ant-Controller, during the same period, amounted altogether
to 13,419, and the value thereof to 9,340,665/. The number
of bills signed by the Contreller-General, from the 31st of
December, 1842, to the 28th of March, 1844, amounted to
24,210, and the value thereof to 63,540,627/. The number
of bills signed by the Assistant-Controller during the same
period amounted to 22,119, and the value thereof to
8 387/ The total number of bills signed in the same
9,21 , •
period ky the Controller-General and the Assistant-Con-
troller amounted to 78,984, and the value thereof to
107,021,491/. The movers of the return having instituted
an inquiry into the number of days in which Lord Mont-
eagle devotes himself to the high and important duties of kis
situation, it is answered that in the year 1842, the Noble
Controller-General of the Exchequer attended at his office
for 199 days, and was absent during the same year 111 days.
In 1843, his attendance was during 204 days, and his absence
106 days ; manifesting a slight tendency towards increased
application to business. Since New Year's-day, 1844, the
Noble Lord has attended 76 days without any interval of ab-
sence. The total of his attendance during the above interval
has been 479 days.
ARRIVAL OF TROOPS AT GIJERNSET.—This morn-
ing (Monday), between eight and nine o'clock, her Majesty's
steam-ship Dee, of 800 tons, Lieutenant Driver, arrived in
our roadstead, bringing, as it is understood, a Queen's mes-
senger, with dispatches for the Lieutenant-Governor, Major-
General Napier. The Queen's messenger, immediately on
landing, proceeded in a carriage to Havilland hall, the resi-
dence of his Excellency. In about two hours after, another
of her Majesty's steam-ships the Blazer, of 500 tons, Captain
Washington, arrived in the roads, and it was immediately
seen that she was crowded with troops. It soon transpired,
that both steamers had left the Isle of Wight yesterday
(Sunday), but no further information could be obtained.
The commanding officer of the troops and Captain Washing-
ton having landed, were met on the pier by Major Bain-
brigge, and shortly afterwards it was seen that preparations
were being made for landing the men. It turned out that the
Blazer had on board the depOts of the 23d, 42d, and 97th
Regiments from the Isle of Wight, amounting to about
360 men. The 23d marched to the Vale Castle, the 42d
were disembarked at Cornet Castle, and the 97th were still
on board the Blazer at the timd of our going to press. It is
understood that two other dep6ts, also from the Isle of Wight,
are now on their passage, on board a transport, and that
the garrison of this island (Guernsey) is to be increased by
,000 men. The unexpected arrival of these troops has

caused a great deal of surprise and given rise to many sur-
mises, but nothing is publicly known on the subject, and we
therefore refrain from repeating any of the speculations
which we have heard. We may mention that the 42d is a
highland regiment, wearing the national costume of the kilt,
philibeg, &c. The Dees is to sail this (Monday) afternoon.
—Guernsey Paper.
INTENDED OPENING OF THE WEST LONDON RAIL-
WAY.—The opening of the West London Railway, which
line has been so long in bringing to completion, is at length
announced to take place on Monday next, the 27th inst.
(Whit-Monday). The line in question is intended as a com-
munication both for passengers and luggage between the Great
Western and the London and Birmingham Railways, and the
south and south-western portions of the metropolis and its
suburbs, as well as for the transit of heavy goods from the
above principal railways and the Thames, by means of the
Kensington Canal. The line commences at the basin of the
Kensington Canal, south of the Great Western road, under
which it passes at the western extremity of Kensington,
whence it proceeds in a northerly direction under the Ux-
bridge-road, at Shepherd's Bush, and crossing Wormwood
Scrubs, passes across the Great Western Railway at Kensal-
green, and from thence under the Paddington Canal, and
joins the London and Birmingham Railway. On the north
side of the Great Western road, and also on the north side of
the Uxbridge road, two handsome stations have been erected,
with convenient waiting-rooms for passengers, from which
station it is intended to run trains every day after Monday
next, to meet corresponding trains on the Great Western
and London and Birmingham Railways. The West London
Railway is intended to be hereafter carried to Knightsbridgeci
green, as its western terminus, and to Battersea-bridge, with
a view to its communicating with the South-Western Rail-
way. Notices of this intended extension have been some
time issued.
GREENWICH Fem.—The erection of booths and
other preparations for the Whitsun-fair, are going on rapidly,
and the prospect of fine weather has induced many of the
shopkeepers in the town to make additions to the usual ar-
rangements. In the fair field, Richardson, Alger, Scowton,
and other well-known caterers for the amusement of holiday
folks have already pitched their tents. The police arrange-
ments will be similar to those at Easter, when they gave
general satisfaction. All the booths and shows will be pro-
hibited on Blackheath. Deptford fair, which lasts three days,
will take place the week after.
APPROACIIING ALLIANCES.—We understand that
a matrimonial alliance is on the tavis between Lord Charles
Wellesley, Clerk Marshal of the ousehold, youngest son
of the Duke of Wellington, and the accomplished Miss
Pierrepont, only daughter of the Right Hon. IL Pierrepout,
and niece to the Marquis of Exeter, Groom of the Stole to
Prince Albert, and to Earl Manvers. The contemplated
alliance between the Hon. R. S. Carew, M.P., and Miss Phelp,
is expected to be solemnised shortly.—fferald.