The Sun.
London, England, 1850-05-08 00:00:00

AMERICAN NEWS.

SOUTHAMPTON, TUESDAY NIGHT.

The United States mail steamer, Hermann, Cap-
tain Crabtree, arrived off Cowes at 5 P.M. from New
York, which city she left on the 20th ult. The voy-
age of the Hermann has been protracted to 17 days
by a succession of easterly winds. She brings 145
passengers, 25 of whom landed at Southampton.
After transferring the mails for England and France
to a small steamer, the Hermann proceeded on her
voyage to Bremen. The American news by telegraph
from Halifax was published in New York on the 20th.
The intelligence by this arrival is not of great
interest.

Our Washington advices mention that the Senate
had rejected Colonel I3enton's amendment, and deter-
mined to refer the subject of admitting California and
forming a territorial government for New Mexico to a
select committee of 13. The committee comprised
Senators Clay, Cuss, Dickinson, Bright, Webster,
Philps, Cooper, King, Mason, Downes, Mag-
num, Bell, and Berrien. The action of
such a committee would probably be a re-
commendation to admit California, and the establish-
ment of a Government in New Mexico, without
restriction as to slavery ; the Senate would probably,
concur, but there were substantial grounds for believ-
ing that no such measure would become law. A
disgraceful scene occurred in the Senate
on the 17th
ult., when, during the heat of an altercation in debate,
General Foote drew a pistol from his pocket, cocked
it, and coolly directed his aim at Mr. Benton. The
friends of both parties interposed, and bloodshed. was
prevented, and a committee to investigate into the
circumstances was appointed. The rumours of a
modification in the Cabinet had somewhat died away.
Accounts from St. Louis of the 19th ult. state
that a band of Sioux Indians, headed by their chief,
had recently attacked a family of Chippewa', num-
bering fourteen persons, at Falls Croix, and murdered
them all.

In the money-market sterling exchange was in re-
quest, and bills on London had an upward tendency,
the quotations being 109/ to 109; ; money easier, and
a supply of money on call more plentiful. First-class
paper was much sought after. United States stocks
were very firm, notwithstanding the efforts made to
depress prices. The cotton market continued firm,
with fair sales in separate lots. Dealers were still
disposed to wait for the receipt of later foreign news
before entering the market to any considerable extent.
The market for New York and Western flour con-
tinued firm, with a good Eastern demand, and a fair
amount of sales. Canadian remained about the same
with moderate sales. Southern was less active, and
prices were somewhat easier. Wheat was in good
demand. Corn continued scarce. Prices had an up-
ward tendency. _ _

Pork was firmer, and sales were freely made at im-
proving prices. Beef continued dull, but meats were
steady.
Lard was firmer, with moderate sales. Good butter
was scarce, and firm. Cheese was in good demand,
and firm.

Coffee was steady, with fair sales.
Sugar continued steady, with fair sales, including
New Orleans and Porto Rico. Molasses:were with-
out change of moment.
PHILADELPHIA, APRIL 19.—Cotton is quiet, but
very firm, owing to the delayed arrival of the Liver-
pool steamer.
Flour is without much demand for export.
Corn meal and rye flour remained quiet. Wheat
was scarce.

NEW ORLEANS, Aram 18.—Two weeks' later
news from Europe being fully due has somewhat re-
stricted the operations in cottons, though prices con-
tinued firm, with an improving tendency. Middlings
sold to- day at 118. The total sales are '2,000 baler.
There is more firmness in corn, and the market is
buoyant. The feeling in flour is still downward.
Coffee steady, with fair inquiry.
The New York Herald states that negotiations are
going forward for an annexation of the island of St.
Domingo to the United States. The project is said
have been favourably ♦iewed by the Cabinet for the
purpose of gaining popularity.