The Sun.
London, England, 1850-07-05 00:00:00

PRUSSIA AND DENMARK.

Mr. DISRAELI—I wish to ask her Majesty's Go-
♦ernment whether they have received any information
as to the conclusion of a treaty of peace between the
King of Prussia and the King of Denmark, and, in
the event of their having received such information,
whether they will inform the House in what
capacity the King of Prussia signed the treaty, whether
as sovereign of his owu dominions, or on the part of the
Germanic Confederation, or in both those capacities?
Lord PALMERSTON—I am enabled to inform the
House that the Government have received a dispatch
from her M.Jjesty's Minister at Berlin, enclosing a copy
of a definitive treaty of peace which was signed cn tae
2d instant, and concluded between the King of Den-
mark on the one hand and the King of Prussia on the
other, acting in his own behaif and also on behalf of the
Germanic Confederation, and that treaty was to be rati-
fied in three weeks.—(Hear, hear.)
DL3TURBANCES AT DOLLY'S BRAE.

In reply to Sir W. VERNER.,
Sir G. GREY said he had not received any com-
munication from the Lord• Lieutenant respecting the
prosecution of parties concerned in the lati disturbances
at Dolly's Brae, and therefore ho was unable to say
whether any proceedings against those parties were at
present pending.
SAVINGS' BANKS BILL.
Mr. HENLEY wished to know whether the Chancel-
lor of the Exchequer intended to proceed with the
Savings' Banks Bill, and if so, whether hel would fix a
day for its being brought on?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he
had stated last night, in reply to the Hon. Member for
Buckinghamshire, that he hoped to proceed with the Bill
before the end of the session, but he was not able at
present to fix a day for the purpose.
REPEAL OF THE MALT DUTY.

Mr. CAYLEY presented a, great number of petitions
from different parts of the country praying for the repeal
of the malt-tax.
Mr. PORTAL presented a large number of petitions
from Hampshire to the same effec►.
Mr. CAYLEY then rose to move for leave to bring

in a Bill to repeal the malt duties, and in doing he asked
the extreme indulgence of the House, because averse
as he always was to intrudinehimself upon its attention,
it was still more difficult for him to explain as clearly as
he should wish the object of this motion.—(Hear, bear.)
He brought this motion forward entirely upon his own
responsibility, without any promise of support from any
quarter of the House, nor could it be considered a
party motion, for his Noble Friend at the head of the
Government and another member of the Government in
the other House had declared that they could" not give
their support to a motion which threatened to rob the
revenue of so large a sum.—(Cries of " Hear, hear.")
He was, therefore, instigated by no other mo-
tive than a conscientious conviction that in the
present depressed state of agriculture, and under the
novel circumstances in which agriculture was now placed
by our late commercial changes, in the absence of a re-
ia3position of the old systemo or modified system of pro-
tection, nothing could conduce so much to the well-being
of the agricultural interest of this country as the
repeal of Ova oppressive tax which he now sought to
abolish.—(Hear, hear.) Taxation was never a very
popular thing in any shape—it was a still less popular
thing when it was not only oppressive but inquisitorial
and partial, as this tax was.—(Hear, hear.) What
was taxation?—(A laugh.) After all, it was
nothing but a nation having run up a long score, the
Chancellor of the Exchequer being paymaster, who
called upon us all to pay what was known by our shot.
—(A laugh.) After half-a-deem gentlemen bad in-
dulged themselves at an entertainment the bill was called
tor, when sometimes four or five of the half-dozen were
ready to pay it themselves, but that might happen once
or twice in way, it would never, if the sat plan
were adopted on every occasion.—A laugh.)—
What he complained of, with recpect to this tax, was
that it was more oppressive, upon agricultural than any
other tax, that nod been imposed upon British in-
dustry.--(Bear.) After a long period of protection
British industry and agriculture were deprived of
that protection under which they had thriven for so
long a periA of time.—Hear, hear.) It had been
theconstant habit to state, for what purpose he could
hardly imagine, that the corn-laws were the subject
of late enactment, and that 1815 was the period at
which they were enacted ; but it was perf.ctly well
known that no less a price for 170 years prior to 1849
was given than 48s. per quarter for wheat.—(Hear,
hear.) In 1670 that system began, and it ended in
February last year; though it was true in 1815 a higher
range of prices had previously existed, and a
higher range of protection was established com-
mensurate with that higher range of prices.
He mentioned that because he thought those
were circumstances under which agriculture was fairly
entitled to justice, and after that long system of protec-
tion entitled perhaps to something even more than jus-
tice, and, if they iequired it—which they did not—to
some more tender consideration, if he might use that
term. During that long period of protection the landed
interest of this country was chiefly in power, and so
long as that interest prevailed their motto had been
"Live and let live."—(Hear.) (The Hon. Member
here read an extract from Mr. Porter's " Progress of the
Nation," to show that protection was first extended to
the woollen manufacturer. He was stating those facts

with the view of showing that it was no selfish policy

on the part of the landed interest, which estatilish(d
the system of protection.—(Haar.) Oa the contrary, it

began with manufacturers. From 1770 to 1825 there was
a discriminating duty between Indian and English cot-
ton roanufacturrs. English cottons were introduced
into India at a rate of 51. per cent. duty; whilst In-
dian cottons were admitted into England, from 1770
to 1825, at an alerage duty of 751. per cent.
Having thus shown that there was a precedent in the
conduct of the agriculturists towards the manufacturers,
which would justify them in their present claim, what
he asked for now was for notbiu but justice, and he
thought he could show that the present duties
which he wished to remove were unjust. He had greet
authorities to quote upon this subject. The Right Hon.
Member for Ripon in 1839 had said that after the repeal
of the corn-laws the malt-tax would not survive one
year.—(Hear, hear.) The Honourable Member for
Wolverhampton had at the same time spoken of
the malt-tax and the corn-laws as indissolubly

joined together. There was also another autho-
rity which he could quote, if under the pre-
sent circumstances it would be decorous for him to
do so; but as he could name no higher authority perhaps
the House would allow him to mention the late Sir
Robert Peel, who bad expressed his wish that he should
use his malt untaxed. He would now proceed to men-
tion the absurd penalties which were imposed upon this
tax. Such was the evil effects of the present imposts,
that the preparation of malt and brewing had
become a great monopoly, small capitalists being
unable to encounter the losses to which those particular
trades were liable. There were fewer maltster now
than there were five years ago, and it was a well-known
fact that eight out of every nine public-houaea in the
metropolis belonged to brewers. The Malt-tax not only
supplied the trade of those who prepared it, but deprived
the poor of obtaining a cheap supply of their
most wholesome beverage. This was notorious to all
prize cattle societies; indeed, the value of it was shown
by the willingness of farmers to pay 7s. a week for the
washings of distillers. Nor would this be considered fair
upon any other manufacturing interest. In former times
when the duty was lower, a malt-house was attached to
every farm-house, and if this tax was repealed there
would again be a malt-house joining every farm-house.
Well, but this tax was said to be a tax on the
consumer ; so it might be, but if they taxed
every other branch of industry—the lawyer or the phy-
sician, for instance—cent. per cent., did they think the
country would stand it; or did the House imagine
the lawyer or the physician would do to much business
as when he was untaxed. He did not dispute that taxa-
tion was necessary, but the gravamen of his complaint
was that this tax was unequal and unjust.
The Howe, perhaps, was not aware teat
many of our manufacturies used large quantities
of soap in their works. Now fur all the soap
they so consumed they only paid half duty,
and what he wanted to know was why
the same indulgence should not Ee extended
to the malster. The Times, in one of its leaders, took
credit to itself fur the taxation it paid in
the shape of paper duties and stamps. The
weight of a Times newspaper was four ounces, and
the paper duty on that a farthing and a
quarter; add a penny for the stamp, and the
tax would amount to twenty-five per cent.
But in all its calculations the Imes forgot that it
paid nothing for the carriage of the article, which
the malster and other producers had to do.
To show what the farmers thought of this tax he would
read several letters. The Hon. Member then read seve-
ral letters from farmers that grew barley, principally
stating that in consequence of the malt-tax their farms
were less saleable than others, while they had to pay
more for their grain in consequence f this tax than
any other species of farmers.
(LEFT SPEAKING.)

MARKET IN TEL LIGENCE.
(From the London New Price Current, July 5 )
SUGAR.—To-day the alteration in the Sugar duties
took place, and the difference is nearly divided between
the seller and buyer. There was very little business
done in West Indian Sugar, still holders fur the most
part would not acct lower rates,
and only I>io hhds,
&c ,were sold, including
at auction 97 hhds 5 trcs and
55 carrels Barbadoes, which went at easier rates, low to
goods
yellow 35s to 395, and fine at 41s per cat.
liE FINED.—To-day Refined goods are operated in
with caution for home trade purposes, and tbeie are
sellers of brown grocery Lumds at 48s 6d. Crushed is
still little wanted.
MAURITIUB.—This afternoon, at a public sale of 5,389
bags Mauritius Sugar, former rates aro barely supported,
but the whole sold, fine yellow at 38s to low to good
34s to 37a 6d, and fine brown 33s to 34s per ea t.
FOREIGN.—This afternoon at public sale 534 hhds
137 boxes Porto Rico Sugar went at steady rates, low to
mid yellow at 36s 6d to 365, and better sorts 39a 6d to
43s per cwt.
• h little attention, and at public sale 3,200 bags
met with EAST INDIA.—This afternoon brown Bengal Sugar
low soft selling at 26s 6 I to 27s
6d, and mid eghoeoadpe2l.B% to 303. Of flue grocery M4drae
43s 6d to 445, being barely equal to
the valuations.
gtoswltseont
at
3w,3enoot 6bda

MOLASSES.—There are ready sellers of West India
at former terms, but few buyers are to be met with;
16s to 16s 6d per cwt is the value of fine new Antigua,
and 13s to 15s 6d for other kinds. Bengal Treacle is
not to be obtained under 12s per cwt, but the demand
continues limited.

COYFEE.—To-day the market for Coffee was in a
quiet state; there was no public sale, and by private
treaty purchases are limited by shippers and home
dealers, still 1-olders f good ord Native Ceyicn require
43s to 42. 6d per cwt. The quantity of Coffei. declared
for sa'e next week is already 100 casks Jamaca, 1,000
bags 1,000 casks Plantation Ceylon, and 410 baga Native.
CocoA.—Holders of West India are firm, and none
has been offered at auction this week; full rates have
been obtained, but operations are limited by private
treaty; the value of Grenada is 37s to 425; Trinidad
grey 383 to 41s, and red 40s to 47s per cwt. The rates
asked fur Foreign are 28s to 293, but operations continue
upon a litni;ed scale; there are, however, several buyers
at a slight reduction.
TEA.—Previ,ius rates are well supported for Green of
the better q•ialities, and a good business has been con-
cluded. In common aitd mid sorts sales have been upon
a large scale; holders obtain rather higher rates. The
home tri;d3 damn,' continues active for ord and good
common Congou, and further parcels have been taken by
exporters; in consequence of a limited supply, buyers aro
compelled to pis lOid to lld per lb. In the sort. from
Is to Is 3.1 a good deal has bsea done; other kinds field
a more active sale at is 44 to is 8d per lb. Scented a-id
Pekoe Tea met a fair sal3 at stiffer rates.

Sews;s —To-day at public sale 161 bags Pimento sold
at tell rates, and realized 54d to 61,1 fir sound, and 4-id
to 6il for damaged. Of Malaber Pepper 780 bsgs went
at at 3id, and good light 3i I,
bu sL
ttrpdaY rates;
part sold;haif heavy
obYags white taken in at 6jl to
60 per lb. Of Ginger 75 cases Bombay sold at 28s to
295, and 13 pkgs Jamaica at 5/ to 91 for good to fine, and
at 31 183 to 100 s for other sorts.
RICE.—To day the market for East India was in a
quiet position, but easier rates were taken. Of 2178
bags 445 pkts Bengal at auction not above half sold,
good white 10s to lOs 61, mid broken 83 61 to 93, and
dam 6s to 93 6d, whilst fine sound was taken in at Ils 6d
to 12s 51 per cwt.
COCHINEAL.—The market has been quiet tbis week,
and prices must be quite I .ather lower, although there
has been a decrease of supply. By private treaty the
sales made have been small for all purpose]. At auction
a part only of 73 bgs found buyers, Honduras silvers,
ord and mid went at 33 8d to 3a 9d, low
mid black 35 10 to 3s 11, and Mexican silvers 3s 81 to
8s 9d per lb.
INDlGO.—Prices remain firm for East India, but the
sales made have Lean limited for all purposes, which
mast be attributed to the qtrarterly sale of 12,225 chests
commencing on Tuesday. A limited business has been
concluded in Spanish at the former value.
SPIRITS.—There has been a falling off its the demand
for Leeward Island Rum this week, but holders are firm,
and will not sell but at full rates. The sales are only
150 puns at is 4d to Is 40 proof, with small parcels
of fine brown at is 51. In East India there has been
very little done, still sellers will not accept less
than Is 3d pro( f. In Demerara sales have been small at
2s to 2s 3d for 30 to 40 per cent. over, still holders are
not disposed to press sales. There is no variation in the
value of Brandy at the same time, however, operations
were limited for sll purposes. Cognac best brands of the
vintage of 1848 at 4s 61 to 4s 8, and 1849 ditto 4s 41 to
4s 6d.

SALTPETRE.—There was not much desire to-day
evinced to do business In Saltpetre, and at the publ:c
,ales of 1.809 bags, former rates were barely supported;
13/ to 2} per cent Calcutta Eelling at 25s 6d to 27s 6d
per cwt

METALS.—To-day there was a much better demand
for Tin, Banca at 72s to 735, and Straits 71s. In the
market fur COMMOU Bar Iron there was more demand at
4/ 126 64 to 41 153 per ton.
TALLOW.—This afternoon there was not a better de-
mand for Tallow ; cf 680 pkgs South American at auc-
tion a part only sold at 33s 9d to 36s 3d; 26 cases East
India at 425; 326 cks Sydney at 34s to 35s 3d, low 31s
to 335.

OlL.—There has been little passing in Rape Seed Oil,
and prices have yet a downward tendency; sales of
brown have been made at 34s to 355. Refined 35s 6d
to 365, and Foreign 36s 6d to 37s per cwt. In Lin-
seed Oil larger transactions have taken place, and at
a further advance; 31s 6d to 32s per cwt having been
paid on the spot. For fine Palm Oil the value is 303.
Cocoa Nut is not cheaper, at auction 74 butts 190 hhds
Cochin were taken in at 31s per cwt. The market for
Olive continues in a quiet state, with sellers of Spanish
and Gallipoli at 41/ to 424 and Barbary, Levant,
and Portugal at 391 103 to 401 103. A good demand
exists for Seal, and prices are firm. Pale at 311 to 311
10s, and other sorts 291 to 301 10F, but pale is yet most
in request. There are buyers of Southern to a fair ex-
t( nt at from 311 to 33/ 163 for corn to f, but the supply
has again become small. Cod is still quoted at 34/ 103
to 351, but is yet purchaed with caution. With Sperm
the market has been less freely supplied this week, and
former rates are well supported with a good demand;
good and fine Colonial realised 84/ to 851 105 per tun,
and prime Ileadmatt,q. 901 to 931 per tun. At public
sale to-day 30 puns Palm Oil taken in at 303 per cwt.

COURSE OF EXCH
A nster •• .. 12 2
Ditto, three months..
Rotterdam .... • ..... 12 3
Antwerp .... 25 70
Brussels ...... 25 70
flamburgh —M.B. 13 12
Paris, 3 dayesight • 25 521/.1.
Ditto, 3 months .... 25 70
Itarseilles ............ 25 72Y4
Bourdeaux.... ..... .
Frankfort on Mains.... 121

INUE.-(THIS DAY.)
Gibraltar • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Leghorn ••.. • • 30 75
Genoa .• •• ••••••• • •• •• 26 12%
Allan.. • • • • • • • • • • • • ••
Venice.. .. .. •• • • ....
Naples 40%
ralermo, .... 1213,(
Lisbon .• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 5336
h,orto ••.. • • . .••.. • • 533;
ttio Janeiro • • . • •
Buenos Ayres ........
New York, 60 klays'sight
Philadelphia .... • • ....

Vienna, effec. f 10...... 12 13
Trieste, ditt0.......... 12 14
Patersburgh, Sil. Rble.. 37;4
kfadrid .............. 495,
Cadiz •• •• •• •• •• •• ••
Barcelona •• • • ......
•• •• •• •• •• •• •••

er BULLION, Mt OS.
Foreign Gold in bars.. Z 3 17 9
Yortugal Gold Coin •• 0 0 0
'ipanish Doubloons .. 0 0 0
New Dollars • • •• 0 4 10%
Silver in bars ........ 0 4 IIN

NEW WORKS AT KEYHAM:

For some time ; a,t a very interesting and satisfactory
series of experiments has been conducted at this yard,
to test the strength and other capabilities of the large
wrought-iron caisson which has just been completed by
Messrs. William Fairbairn and Sons, of Manchester, for
the south entrance to the new basins. As considerable
novelty and great ingenuity have been evidenced in the
design of this caisson, it may interest the scientific public
to have a short account of the principle of action, and of
the nature of the tests to which it has been subjected.
is only right, too,nowtihllairo
Successtattamp, Asian
sofatthet of Works
to h
scheme is
placed beyond doubt,
has re
that duaehsemedriat
vsheroyulidmbpeortantim
d
to its originator,
Admiralty,
Mr. w
y,
who
provement upon the ordinary form of vessel used for the
purpose of closing the entrances to, docks and basins.
The leading dimensions of the "monster" caisson
have already been given in this journal. It is, in fact,
a huge hollow iron box of the form of the entrance to
the lock, perfectly flat at the sides, 82 feet 6 inches
long at the top, only 13 feet 6 inches wide, and of the
enormous depth or height of 42 feet. The lower part
e formedd
the intolunge
a ccarried
ityt
han
of this
the caisson, by a
f btciahfit
irtrso-ocmmahfras ma:
dnhbedae
to side
basoeidrrdeeiwsaht
sat
per-
oa(celaythihse box is
sfheterniotglnyhgt
air-tight.
rrf
-oetnihgodhuet
about
kl2Tw
feet
teh
capacity
from
adjusted that when the caisson is immersed in water,
the confined air exerts a buoyancy a little in excess o!
the total weight of the ciasson ;and, as by means of
sluice valves the water is allowed to enter the in-
side of the caisson and fill it from the top deck of
wtwawtoeurldgree swim
the air chamber— upwards to the level of the water
outside, whatever that may be, it follows that at any
tphoeinettohat whichfthetide, andoe ldwifithoet any depth
dehpeth of
caisson
a few inches clear of the masonry. The total depth
of the caisson is about five feet greater than the
depth of the water at the entrance to the lock at high
spring tide, and this space is made available for the
means empl..yed fur sinking and moving the caisson.
A watertight tank is formed in this part of the cais•
son capable of holding sixty to seventy tons of water
supplied to it from the water-main of the dockyard; and
it depends upon the presence or absence of this quantity
of water in the upper tank whether the caisson remains
firmly resting on the masonry and closing completely
the entrance to the lock, or fl Hits a few inches clear of
the floor ready to be hauled by capstans into the recess
in the earthwork which has been prepared.
The ingenious manner in which Mr. Scamp has
availed himself of this buoyant principle constitutes
the most meritorious feature of his scheme, for the
emi'sion of the small quantity of water confined in
the top tank (which, by means of an ordinary valve
placed in its bottom. is accomplished in about two mi-
nutes) has enabled him to diswnse with the laborious and
expensive process of pumping, which has to be resorted
to in the case of the ordinary caisson every time a vessel
pastes to or from the lock. It may be stated that had
the ordinary caieson been adopted at Keyham, the
pumping would have required at each removal a force
f from thirty to forty
men for a space of two hours.
In the proportioning of the parts of the caisson the
Admiralty availed themselves of the experience of Mr.
the caisson embodies within itself an amount of strength
Fait bairn, of Manchester, and the result has proved that
adequate to resist without injury the most severe
strains. In the course of the experiments the caisson
has twice resisted, in the presence of the Captain-
Superintendent, Lord John hay, and all the Government
officers and contractors, the pressure on one side of a
depth of water of not less than 36ft. 6in. This brought
upon the caisson the enormous strain of not less
than 1,400 tons; and yet the deflection taken at the
middle and at a point where there were 76 feet clear
between the bearing surfaces was nearly iths of an inch.
The ultimate resistance of which the caisson is capable,
according to Mr. Fairbairn's calculations, is fully 7,000
tons.
It has been generally admitted that Mr. Scamp's ar-
rangement of caisson is a very marked improvement.
and one which, from its simplicity of action, and Vie
quickness with which it can be worked, is likely to be
very extensively adopted.

FIRST VEiSEL FROM TILE CLYDE TO CALIFORNIA.
—During the present week the Grace Darling cleared out
from Glasgo -, and has sailed for California, being the first
ship direct from this port for that di,tsnt region. She is a
tine barque, carrying more than .'30,1 tons, and belongs to
Dr. T. 11. Donelly, of Greenock, who accompanies the ship
as owner and supercargo. She has a full general cargo,
consisting of wine, ale, brandy, bottle , ship stores, Ar-
broath stones, coals,9
two strong iron houses, &c. It may
seem strange to send a cargo of more thun 100 tons of coal
such a vast distance, at a freight of three guineas per On,
butwhyn it is considered that by the last advices coals were
selling in California at the rate of eight guineas per ton, the
speculation is likely to he neither unreasonable nor unprofi-
table. The Grace Darling is provisioned for fifteen months.
%ye wish all success t) the first opening of commercial rela-
tions between the Clyde and the golden regions of the far
west.— North Britieh

* Most remarkable—while conversing this evening on
this subject with Mr. Micklethwaite, of the Huddersfield
Chronicle, a milkman, with his ass and cans, passes by,
and several carriages from church; a rap is heard at the
door; the railway porter with a parcel; my friend opens
the parcel and exclaims, "Good God! my mother is
dead!"