The Sun.
London, England, 1845-12-30 00:00:00

VERY LATE FROM CALIFORNIA,

Our private advices from Monterey (Upper California),
to the middle of October last, came to hand yesterday. The
intelligence is important. A British fleet destined for
Oregon was passing up the west coast, of which our corres-
pondent at Monterey says :
" The pioneer of this fleet, the British ship of war America,
touched here some time ago, and the movements of her
commander, Captain Gordon, aroused our suspicions at the
time. He refused to give any news, saying men of war do
not carry news.' He also refused to carry a circular letter
to the United States Indian Agent at Oregon City, remark-
ing that he was not sure of going to Columbia River.
I have ascertained that Lord Aberdeen, the British
Secretary for Foreign Affairs, had a brother on board the
America, and one of Sir Robert Peel's sons was also an officer
or a passenger. We were all glad that these distinguished
visitors had every facility extended to them for collecting
facts in this vicinity. They can give their illustrious relatives
an interesting account of California. At San Francisco they
found every well-built house owned by a Yankee.' D—n
it,' said one of the officers, is there nothing but Yankees
here ?' They had the satisfaction of hearing direct from
several over the mountain travellers of the many hundred
waggons on the road for Oregon and California, as well as of
the excellent facilities for travelling between the States and
this coast.
" The Governor had the militia called out to resist an ex-
pected invasion from the United states squadron, and the
soldiers, ready to run at the first shot, were gratified with the
frolic. Foreigners of all 'nations are respected. Americans
are pouring into the country from Oregon and the States.
The British merchant schooner Star of the West, with a
cargo valued at 30,000/. sterling, was lost near the entrance
to the harbour of Monterey, on the 27th July. The goods
saved and sold fetched only 8,000 dolls. at auction. The tax
of 30 dolls. on whale ships has been taken off by the authori-
ties of California.
"The crops in Southern California have unexpectedly
turned out a failure, owing to extreme drought, in the latter
part of the season: barely grass enough to save the lives of
the cattle • provisions scarce and high. The crops pro-
mised an cattle;
harvest early in the season, but a total
cessation of rain for nearly two months ruined everything.
The climate baffled the skill of the settlers on the Sacra-
mento, and a change in the time of sowing and planting is
to be resorted to, but it is doubtful whether that will save
the most valuable roots and grains. Of small vegetables,
two crops are gathered in a season. The winter is always
mild and spring-like."

LATEST COMMERCIAL NEWS.
NEW YORK, DEC. 15.—The Cotton market is firmer, and
a shade higher rates are obtained.
Flour.—Western Canal flour is in demand for export at
6 dols. 25 c., but holders refuse to sell any more at this
price. 4,000 barrels mixed brands sold for shipment at
6 dols. 311 c., and several lots for home use at 6 dols. 37i c.
Nothing of importance was done in Southern flour ; prices
may be quoted at 6 dols. 25 c. to 6 dols. 3711 c. for common
brands, and 7 dols. c. to 7 dols. 25 c. for Richmond City
Mills.
Corn is in demand for export; 8,000 bushels Southern sold
at 82 C. weight, and 3,000 bushels Northern at 80 c. weight.
Rye ranges from 81 c. to 82c., with a fair demand. Northern
oats are plenty, and dull at 49 cents.
Exchange on England, 108 to 1081.
Great fluctuations have taken place in all United States
stocks; the usual schemes of Bears have been worked, and
the Oregon question made the matter of danger.

CANADA.
The Canadian papers contains but little news. The Saint
Lawrence was closed entirely at last advices, and business
appeared suspended.
The departure of Lord Metcalfe is universally regretted.
The Quebec Casette of the sth says, that for the previous
eight days the weather had been more severe in that city
than it was in the frightful climate of Moscow in 1812.
The thermometer was down to ten degrees below zero, and
the snow lies in heaps more than fifteen feet deep, and then
falling so thick that it was impossible to see at a distance of
a few feet. " The broad St. Lawrence is not only covered
with floating ice, but it is heaped one piece above another,
rendering it almost impossible even for the hardy canoemen
of Point Levy to cross."

in spite of whatever consequencss may arise to the state from
its firm determination either to perish or assure its political
existence. _

' v "The Ministers of England and France announced a mis-
sion of peace, and arc giving rise to a bloody and desolating
war, with the independence of the Republic constantly in
their mouths. They are blockading our ports fur not hum-
bling ourselves before their nod. They may give their own
colouring to these acts in Europe, but here it is well known
that the legal president has with him the whole nation ; that
he is only its mouthpiece ; and that the obstructions offered
to his measures are therefore attacks upon it. They profess
great solicitude for the interests of humanity and commerce,
whilst they are notoriously sacrificing both now, and prepar-
ing for them a future still more fearful.
" An apprehension is affected lest the Argentine Govern-
ment, which acts only in virtue of a natural alliance, and in
accordance with the lew of nations, should have some views
upon the independence of the Oriental state, and this in
spite of its known determination to abstain from any inter-
ference in its internal administration—and yet, while affecting
this, the English and French Cabinets, their diplomatic
envoys, their naval commanders, without any cause, or right,
or dire t interest, think themselves entitled to interfere in
everything—to exact, to blockade, to attack the independence
of both republics, and the admirals go so far as to say they
will take the rebels under their protection, and defend them
by all the weans in their power.
" This, Honourable Gentlemen, proves that they wish to
exercise a despotic dominion over these countries, which it is
our duty to resist at every hazard, whatever be the mask
under which it is hidden. The Government is resolved to do
so, and doubts not that, supported by your patriotic decision,
it will succeed in so glorious an object. •
(Signed) " MANUEL ORIBE."