The Sun.
London, England, 1845-11-24 00:00:00

THE SUN. LONDON, M'CiT DAY EVENING, NOirElkiilitt 24, 1845.

RAILWAYS.
(FROM A CORRESPONDENT.)
If any one looked for illumination as to the course
of railway legislation in the next session from Sir
Robert Peel's Tamworth speech, he must have been
w °fully disappointed. It will not do to leave railway
legislation next session as it has been left hitherto—to
j ,bhcry. Last year the Railway Bills looked formidable,
and the force of circumstances extorted improvements
in the constitution of Committees, for which Mr. Evart
and other Members had long laboured thanklessly and
n vain. Much was done last session in the way of
improvement, but much less than might have been done,
and should have been done, and must be done, to meet
the infinitely more formidable array of Railway Bills
now waiting for Parliament. The heads of the Govern-
ment—the leaders of parties—kept aloof from the
railway questions: it was left to Lord Gran Ville Somer-
set end the business Members of the House of Com-
mons, or rather, we should say, to Lord Granville
Somerset, who could always fall back on the strength of
the Government it he could not get his way otherwise.
But a greater head than Lord Granville Somerset's will
be wanted next session. If Sir Robert Peel tries to
shirk railway questions next session, we trust
be will have them forced upon him. The
time is come when it will no longer suffice to
have particular schemes separately adjudicated upon by
Select Committees, however well constituted. The ques-
tion of existing and proposed railway accommodation
must be looked at as a whole ; and Parliament must do
its best to bring all the lights of statistics and political
economy to bear upon the practical problems—what is
the maximum of additional railway works which Parlia-
ment can now safely authorise, and in what parts of the
United Kingdom is additional railway accommodation
most needed ? Will Government propose a Committee
to investigate these questions ? We had hoped for some
sign from Sir Robert that he had been looking at the
railway question as a statesman—we had hoped for some
guidance from the Prime Minister for our expectations
of the next session. He had an opportunity the other
day, at Tnmworth, but the oracle was mute, and never
was sublime mediocrity more full of platitude than,
when spade in hand, in the mighty presence of King
Hudson, he addressed the Trent Valley Directors and
his own loving subjects of Tamworth :
" I have always attempted to reconcile the perform-
ance of those public duties which official station imposes
on me with the duties which I owe to my constituents,
and to the inhabitants of this borough." This is
the key to the past course of the Cabinet as to rail-
way questions. They generally leave them alone.
During the time given by the House of Commons
to Railway Bills they stay in Downing-street.
But does a Bill come on which interests a Cabinet Mi-
nister's constituency, he is there to vote for it. Had the
Trent Valley Bill had to fight its way through the House
of Commons (it may or may not have done so)—had it
required to have standing ,orders dispensed with or
vioated in its favour,---Sir Robert would have " reconciled
his public duties with the duties which he owes to his
constitutents and his borough" by being in his place to
vote for the Bill. Mr. Goulburn did about as bare-faced
a piece of jobbing in this way, for a saint, as can be ima
gined, last session. The Cambridge and Lincoln Bill
was thrown over in Committee for a great engineering
mistake: no one dreamt of its trying to rise again. But
lo! the Member for the town of Cambridge is a Govern-
ment underling ; Mr. Manners Sutton, the Member for
the University of Cambridge, is a Cabinet Minister—
Chancellor of the Exchequer. The influence of the two
might command the aid of the Treasury itself for a motion
to reverse all the usual proceedings of the House in favour
of this Bill. Mr. Goulburn left the finances of the country to
take care of themselves an hour sooner than usual, that
day, to go and vote, ay, speak for this motion. This is
what Sir Robert calls, " reconciling official duties with
those duties which he owes to his constituents and his
borough." It was greatly to the credit of Lord 'Gran-
ville Somerset's honesty that he opposed and defeated
this attempted Goulburn job.
Improved as the constitution of Railway Committees
was in the last session—further improved as it may still
be in the next session—it is, as we have already said,
idle to suppose that a mere repetition in the next session
of the old course of sending Bills, or sets of Bills, after
they have managed to cross the pons asinomus of standing
orders, to separate Committees will be satisfactory. Of
the innumerable railways now asking to be constructed,
there must be a selection, and a selection made on prin-
ciples. A railway Bill of comparatively small utility--
where the small prospect of traffic has prevented rival
projects, and where landowners' opposition has been
staved off—will pass unopposed, while interested opposi-
tion may defeat another scheme of unrivalled public ad-
vantage on some formal or technical ground. There
must be some mode of comparing the merits of railway
schemes—some scale of utility must be formed. A
Committee appointed to consider the whole question
may do this—separate Committees never can.
We may forgive something to the gout, and to the
Premier's late mortifying defeat in the Cabinet ; but
still, when a god is brought down from the skies to
turn up the first sod for a railway, one cannot help re-
quiring something more edifying from his divinity,
than a discovery that inns languish, when railroads
carry passengers beyond them, er that railway directors,
to show themselves better than gamblers, must endea-
vour to " combine the greatest degree of velocity in
travelling with the greatest degree of safety to the tra-
vellers." Why, even King Hudson at his side could
have said something newer than this.

The office of Comptroller of the Customs at Dover
having become vacant by the retirement of Mr. Kelsey, the
situation has been filled by the promotion, at a reduced
salary, of Mr. Peake, the first clerk at that port; and, as
Dover has been reduced from the sccond to the third class of
ports, advantage has been taken of this opportunity to regu-
late the salaries of the subordinate officers accordingly; the
result of which is, that no promotion takes place among the
other clerks, and the vacancy occasioned by Mr. Peake's
elevation to the comptrollership will not bo filled up. By this
arrangement a saving to the public of 3301. a year has been
effected.— Observer.

MR. WAGIIORN AND THE INDIAN MAIL.—The
Presse has an article by M. Alexis de Valon, upon the at-
tempt of Mr. Waghorn to establish the passage of the Indian
mail via Trieste, in which it points out the importance of
preserving the transit through France, and at the same time
that it blames the Government for apathy in not establishing
a direct service from Marseilles .to Alexandria, it vents its
spleen against Mr. Waghorn. " Let him," it says, "make
his experiments, and let England afford him every possible
assistance, it will turn to the advantage of France, for should
a new service be established by way of Trieste, what will be
the result? We will annul the convention made by M. de
Montebello in 1840 respecting the passage of the English
post, Once free, we will establish an opposition to the ser-
vice of Trieste, which it could not possibly compete with,
sinee our transit would be half as quick again. The English
line of steamers from Marseilles to Alexandria will more-
over by this act be suppressed, and our steamers will resume
their former monopoly. " This reflection is very simple,"
remarks M. de Talon, " and I am astonished that it has
not hitherto been made." As a means of competing with
the English steamers between Marseilles and Alexandria,
the writer recommends Government to alter the days of
departure from Marseilles from the 4th to the 12th of
each month. " The steamers," he says, " instead of starting
seven days before the English boats,ought to start 24 hours
later, carrying sufficient coal to make the passage without
touching at Malta, so that our vessels, which are faster than
the English upon that line, would arrive in Egypt at the
same time, notwithstanding that they start one day later.
Thus they would be enabled to bring letters, news of the
Bourse, telegraphic dispatches, &c., of a more recent date
than the English boats. Our Government has made an
equally clever choice'of the day of aeparture from Alexandria,
which is the 20th of each month ' • this selection no doubt
has been made lest they might chance to be troubled with
any dispatches or passengers from India, for the Bombay
mail arrives at Alexandria on the 22d, just two days after
the departure of the French steamer." .
DISTRESSING ACCIDENT ON LONDON-BRIDGE.—
Saturday, about noon, the following distressing accident oc-
curred on the centre of London-bridge to a young man
named William Ford, whose friende reside at No. 10, Trafal-
gar-road, Greenwich. It appears that he was an omnibus
conductor, in the service of Mr. Nelson, of Greenwich, The
vehicle left the Spread Eagle, Gracechurch-street, with
several passengers inside, and, when they reached the place
above-named, the foot-board on which he was standing gave
way, and his left leg became entangled in the ironwork of
the back part of the carriage, which caused him to be
dragged several feet along the roadway. The foot passen-
gers who witnessed the occurrence, called out to the driver,
but before he could stop the horses, his left leg was fractured
just. above the ankle, and other parts of his person were very
seriously contused. 1-P was carried with all speed to St.
Thomas's Hospital, where he was readily admitted, and
attended to by the house surgeon. Last evening he was
going on favourably.
SHOCKING ACCIDENT AT FRESH WHARF, LONDON-
BRIDGE.—Saturday morning an accident, attended with se-
rious consequences, occurred to a man named Richard Dyer,
aged 35 years, a native of Brixham, Devon. It appears that
the unfortunate man was first mate of the schooner Gratitude,
which was moored off the upper side of Fresh Wharf, Lon-
don-bridge. He was engaged with several other men in
unshipping a cargo of walnuts, and whilst turning a windlass
for the purpose of getting the bales out of the hold,
the man who had charge of the other handle ran away,
leaving Dyer in charge of the machine, but the pressure be-
came so great that the handle overpowered him, and before
he could get out of the way, it struck him on the left temple,
inflicting a frightful lacerated wound. The force of the blow
knocked him backwards, and before he recovered himself,
the handle caught his left leg, which it fractured just below
the knee. He was picked up in an insensible state, and placed
in a cab and taken with all speed to St. Thomas's Hospital,
where he was placed under the care of Mr. South, the house-
surgeon. He is going on as favourably as possible.
SERIOUS ACCIDENT AT BILLINGSGATE MARKET.—
On Saturday morning, between eight and nine o'clock, a
shocking accident took place in Billingsgate Fish Market to a
man named William Leader, aged fifty, a porter. It seems
that he was engaged by a gentleman to carry two large pads
of fish to an eating- house in the City, and whilst walking along
the lower end of the market be fell to the ground underneath
the load, which was nearly two hundred weight. He was
lifted up and conveyed to a neighbouring surgeon's, but his
injuries were of such a nature that it was found necessary to
obtain a stretcher from the Tower-street station-house, upon
which he was placed, and carried by four City policemen to
the accident .ward of St. Thomas's Hospital, where it was
found that he had sustained two extensive fractures of the
right leg. He was instantly attended to by Mr. Jackson,
the surgeon, and the poor fellow, who resides in Falcon-
court, White-street, Borough, lies in a very exhausted con-
dition.
THE SEA SERPENT.—The New York correspon-
dent of the Cincinnati Gazette makes the following statement
concerning the bones recently and now exhibited in this city
as those of a sea-serpent :—" I suppose there is little doubt
but that it is all a piece of trickery on a most magnificent
scale. A short time since Dr. Wyman, of Boston, Professor
of Comparative Anatomy, was conversing with Dr. Ly3ll,
the geologist, about it, when they both agreed it was a de-
ception, but concluded to say nothing about it, till they could
examine it, as Dr. Koch's character was above reproach.
But here a few days ago, Dr. Wyman, who was on his way
to Virginia, stopped to see it. He immediately pronounced
it a deception. The backbone he said, is composed of the
vertebrae of several whales carefully fitted to each other,
while the claws are made of certain species of the nautilus.
Dr. Wyman is a thorough anatomist, having spent several
years in the best surgical schools of Europe, and hence de-
tected the character of the skeleton before him at a glance.-
44rnePican Paper,

IRELAND.

-
DUBLIN, Nov. 22.—The most conflicting reports are
in circulation with respect to the causes which led to
the embarrassment of Messrs. Williams and Lon, not
one of which can, at this early stage, be relied upon as
accurate. The public must, therefore, suspend judgment
until the result .of the meeting of the creditors on Mon-
day next transpires, when all the particulars must be
known. Among the rumours may be mentioned one to
the effect that the Bank of Ireland, to which the Messrs.
Williams were the brokers, had offered to lend every
assistance towards extricating the house from its present
difficulties; but that the proposition had not as yet been
accepted. With regard to their liabilities, also, there is
no certainty as to the amount, but it has been stated in
several quarters that the firm are in a position to pay
20s. in the pound, and that time only is required to
meet their engagements. The following observations upon
this unexpected event appear in the Evening Mail:—
" With deep regret we announce that the money panic
has reached our own market, that one very serious
stoppage, and that for a very large amount, has already
taken place, and that of several others aro talked of.
Having upraised our warning voice some months ago
against projects and speculations which could have no
other end than that of ruin to those who embarked in
them, we may now be permitted to offer a word in the
way of advice to the public. We have stated elsewhere
that there ie nothing more contagious than fear; and we
implore of those who have demands on others not to be
importunate, much less oppressive, at such a crisis as
this. Many a solvent man has been brought to ruin by
a sudden demand ; many an inconsiderate creditor has
mane d his own object, and defeated his own purpose, by
haste. People should he reasonable, they should be for-
bearing. What is called a ruts' is destruction."
THE POTATO DISEASE.—The reports Teceived yester-
day and this day are, for the most part, fully as unfa-
vourable as any that have yet appeared. From almost
all quarters, and from persons of every political hue, the
same lamentable intelligence is conveyed, that the potato
disease exists in every part of the country, and although
in some places the disease has apparently ceased, yet in
many others it is still spreading, and that the loss already
is tremendous in amount. That from the county of
Kilkenny, where it has been supposed the blight was but
little felt, proceeds from the Marquis of Ormonde and
the resident gentry of the district. The ether state-
ments are chiefly from Conservative journals. The
Kilkenny Ce;mmittee report that they regret to say
that all the answers forwarded to their communications
go to show that the disease exists universally through-
out this county, and a large number go to show that the
disease is positively communicable from the unsound to
the sound potatoes, and that it is progressing to a con-
siderable extent, but that much of the injury may be
attributed to injudicious pitting in the old way.
QUEEN'S COUNTY.—STRADBALLY.-.—MY. Leadbeater,
of Stradbally, is planting potatoes. It is to be hoped that
his example will be generally followed. Corn is getting
dear, and the fl ,ur now offered for sale is much infe-
rior to that purchased two months ago as seconds and
thirds. The bakers' bread smells rankly of adulteration.
—Leinater Express.
COUNTY OF CLARE, ENNIS, Nov. 20.—The pota-
toes are rotting fast in the neighbourhood—those per-
sons who thought they had none last week, are not sure
of any of them now, as the most of what they dug are
spotted."—Ballyskannon Herald.
THE EARLY WHEAT CROP.—The Londonderry Stand-
ard says :—" We have heard from various quarters that
wheat sown upon grounds from which potatoes have been
dug has turned out to be a total failure, and this result
is not unlikely, as the ground in question must be filled
with the invisible seeds of the parasitical fungi which
have proved so destructive to the preceding crop. In-
telligent farmers accordingly recommend that the ground
intended for wheat should be ploughed up, and allowed
to remain exposed to the storms of winter until January
next, by which means the seminal fungi referred to are
likely to be destroyed, while, even in ordinary seasons,
wheat sown in January is usually as productive as that
which has been planted in autumn."
ROYAL AGRICULTURAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.—
At the council meeting on Thursday, Nov. 20, Pro-
fessor Kane called the attention of the council to the
propriety of offering premiums, in the different local
farming societies, next year, for the best crops and great-
est quantities of potatoes grown from the original seed
or berries of potatoes, for the purpose of encouraging
that system of cultivation as much as possible. The sug-
gestion was a most important one, and had come from a
very high quarter ; and if the central society could
carry it into effect, it would be productive of the greatest
possible benefit.
It was agreed that the question should be allowed to
lie over until the next meeting of the council, and that,
in the meantime, it should be referred, together with the
list of premiums to local societies for next year, to the
managing committee, to consider the same, previous to
the next general meeting.
Mr. It)PER also gave notice that he would move at
the neat meeting of the council that it be suggested to
the Government to consider the propriety of affording
every encouragement and facility to the importation of
sound potatoes for seed from the foreign districts which
have not hitherto been affected by the disease. The
vestion for seed for next year was clearly and dis-
tinctly within their province, and it was their duty to
direct public attention by every means in their power to
such an important question.
At the Mansion house Committee, Dr. Tuite, of Dun-
beg Dispensary, near Kilkee, county Clan>, reported to
the Committee that dysentery had commenced in his
neighbourhood (having from eleven t , twelve patients
in one day) from the disease in the potatoes. He also
stated that " low fever " had commenced in consequence
of the poor people not having enough of wholesome food
to cat. Mr. James M"fernan, Mountallen, county Leitrim,
stated that he had within the last few days traversed the
counties of Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, and Roscommon, in
all of which he had property, and he positively asserted
that in the county Sligo there would nor be one good
potato in the month of January. The people at present
were feeling the pangs of hunger. In the latter three
counties fully one-third of the crop was lost. Mr.
M'Ternan offered a cheque for 3001. as his subscription
towards any fund that might be raised for the relief of
the poor.
IRISH ELECTIONS.--REPRESENTATION OF ANTRIM.--
Sir 11. B. Seymour, a second cousin of the Marquis of
Hertford, and who formerly represented the borough of
Lisburn in Parliament, has addressed the electors of the
county of Antrim. He says, "In political opinions a
decided Conservative, and, by conscience and conviction,
steadfastly attached to the Protestant faith, I have uni-
formly taken that course in public life which appeared to
me best calculated to. maintain our institutions in church
and state."

COUNTY OF LONGFORD.-Mr. S. W. Blacksll has sig-
nified his intention of seeking the suffrages of the elec-
tors of the county of Longford at the next general elec-
tion. The following is an extract from his address:—
" The principles upon which I ask for your support are,
those of justice to all classes ; and I will never advocate
any measure which appears to be imbued with bigotry
or prejudice."

.
MAYNOOTII COLLEGE.—On last Monday the exami-
nation for the successor of the Rev. Mr. Furlong to the
rhetorical chair commenced, and continued, at the rate
of about six hours each day, until Thursday last in-
cluded. The candidates were four in number, and we
have learned that the answering of each was indicative
of the utmost industry and the most profound learning.
The names of the Rev. Gentlemen who thus honourably
competed are—

The Rev. Mr. M'Eveley, Professor of St. Jarlath's
College, Tuam ; the Rev. Mr. Rogers, Professor of
Sacred Scripture in the Irish College in Paris.
The Rev. Mr. M' Mahon and the Rev. Mr. M'Carthy,
both of whom commened and completed their course of
studies in the establishment of Maynooth, and were both
senior students on the Dunboyne establishment.
On Friday morning the Rev. Mr. M'Carthy was de-
clared elected to the well-contested chair, by the Board
of Trustees, that gentleman having received the ma-
jority of the votes of the judges of the college. We
understand that the new chosen professor is a native of
Kerry ; indeed, from the immediate vicinity of Darri-
nane.—Freeman's Journal.

MURDER NEAR LISBURN.—We regret to state that in-
formation reached our office in the course of yesterday to
the effect that the dead body of a man named James Cotncy
had been discovered on the Moira road. It was supposed
that a dreadful struggle must have taken place before
the murder was accomplished, as deceased was a large
and powerful man, and that more than one or two per-
sons must have been engaged in it. The spot where the
murdered man was found, and for several perches round,
was covered with blood.—Belfast News Letter.

' CRUISERS and MERCHANT-SHIPS.
It must at ali times be a matter of regret when misnnder
standings arise between our cruisers #l.nd the merchant-ships
of other nations, and, although we should be disinclined to
believe ex parte statements, and can readily imagine that
the obstinacy of sea captains does often render the duty of
our naval officers very unpleasant, we think it may be as
well to point out any statements made against the latter,
with a view to their being contradicted if incorrect or ex-1
aggerated. The American journals have recently published
a case, upon which they found some remarks as to the neces-
sity of increasing their naval force in the Pacific, where they
have about 600 ships engaged in the whale fishery. From
the New Bedford Mercury we take the following particulars
of the grievance alleged :
" Capt. Pierce of the whale ship General Pike, of this
port, has furnished the following statement for publication in
our columns, relating to the treatment to which he was sub-
jected by the commander of the British brig-of-war Hazard,
at New Zealand, in April last.
" The imperious manner in which British ships of war
acted towards unarmed American vessels previous to the
ratification of the treaty on the right of search between the
two nations, subjecting said vessels to insult on the high
seas and placing them oftentimes to much inconvenience, has
been again practised in a foreign obscure port towards ships
bearing the sacred symbol of American liberty and inde-
pendence.

" On the 24th of April, 1843, we made the Bay of Islands,
New Zealand, for the purpose of procuring recruits for the
General Pike, of New Bedford, requisite far a homeward-
bound passage. We had been on a whaling cruise of several
months, and in our anxiety to obtain what oil we wanted,
bad nearly exhausted our water. The pleasing anticipation
of obtaining in that beautiful bay a relief from distress, was
fully manifested in the countenance of the whole ship's com-
pany. Our pleasure was of short duration. We had sailed
down the bay but a short distance, when we were boarded
by a person dressed in the naval costume of a British officer,
ordering us to leave the harbour, and denying us all commu-
nication with the shore. I informed him that we were in no
condition to put to sea, as we were nearly destitute of water.
The only satisfaction he gave me, was a recommendation to
another port. The reasons assigned for the orders I received
were, that the natives had thrice cut down the flae', staff
bearing the red moss of England, and showed by so doing
their intention of not submitting to the laws imposed on
them by Government. The sloop of war Hazard was in
port at the time, and her commander considering it an out-
rage upon their escutcheon, as a summary punishment de-
nied us and other American vessels the privilege of procuring
supplies from them, thereby cutting off all their trade. Find-
ing all importunities in vain, I accordingly prepared to take
my departure, and commenced beating my ship out of the
bay, although with the prospect of an approaching gale. At
that instant a sail was descried at the entrance of the
harbour, running in, which proved to be an American whale
ship, also bound in to recruit. After a consultation with her
captain we concluded it was more prudent to put back, which
we accordingly did, and dropped anchors at a respectable dis-
tance from the Hazard. While in the harbour, waiting for
a favourable breeze to put to sea, I took the.libertY of visit-
ing the commander on board his ship, thinking that he
might be induced to allow me the privilege of obtaining the
necessary supply of water, on consideration of the emergency
of my condition, and as it could not have effected his
relations with the natives. He, however, continued infield
ble. I was threatened in the presence of my crew in the
most unjustifiable manner. I returned to my ship with the
proud consciousness, at least, that all nations had been taught
to respect the American flag, and expected no further griev-
finces from him. On the morning preparatory to my putting
to sea, I was desirous to glean some information respecting
the nearest and most suitable port to recruit my ship, and
accordingly I lowered a boat, with the intention of going on
board a vessel lying a short distance from my ship, the cap-
tain of which was an old acquaintance. I had not proceeded
far, however, when I perceived a cutter sent off from the
Hazard in pursuit of me. Thinking I had innocently com-
mitted some act not in accordance with the worthy comman-
der's liking, I immediately returned on board. The cutter
soon afterwards came alongside, the officer ofwhich theatened
if I persisted in holding communication with any persons in
the bay, to fire not only into the boat, but into the ship, making
myself and crew suffer such punishment as the noble com-
mander thought proper to dictate. Such is a statement of
the facts; which I humbly submit to the public."

FOREIGN PRODUCE.
We have on numerous occasions in the course of the past
season noticed the extensive importations of cattle and pro-
visions generally from the various supplying Continental
States, and have frequently enumerated the quantities of the
different kinds of fruits as they arrived in season, which have
been brought for the supply of our markets and vendors of
the article, and it may not be altogether uninteresting, or
unprofitable, now that the fruit season is drawing to a close,
and that the traffic from the northern German and Dutch
ports may in all probability in the lapse of a short space of
time be partially, if not entirely, closed for navigable and
commercial purposes, to take a cursory review of the relative
importance of the different Continental States in our regard
with respect to the supply of the various articles alluded to
for consumption in this country. First with regard to fruit,
which, of every kind, has been brought during the past season
to an extent unknown in previous years, the palm must cer-
tainly be given to Holland for the early supply, for not only
were her productions in the fruit way of every kind in our
Markets before the introduction of our own, but singularly
enough, before the more southern states of Europe, not even ex-
cepting France. But in justice to other countries, it must be
allowed that the produce of Holland, in regard to fruit, al-
though of very excellent, if not unexceptionable quality, can-
not be compared with the productions of France, Belgium,
and other countries usually furnishing us with that article.
An evident intention existed of being the first in our
market., and in that she doubtlessly succeeded most fully.
Holland has produced us in succession currants, cherries,
plums of every kind, more particularly green gages, and sub-
sequently pears, nuts, grapes, &c., the latter-mentioned
article of most superior quality, known as the Hamburgh
grapes, and, as we have before stated in an especial notice,
very little inferior to our best samples of hothouse produc-
tion. France, although rather later, has not been behind her
in her supplies of fruit, for she has in turn supplied us with
larger quantities of each particular description of fruit, and
also a fair quantity of the more valuable kinds of table deli-
cacies, such as peaches, nectarines, &c., the whole being of
superlative quality, especially the walnuts, without the sup-
plies of which we should, in consequence of the mildew and
total failure of our own crop, have been very deficient. The
only remaining place requiring any especial mention for
its supplies of fruit is Belgium, which has also been of
very great service. The inference to be drawn from the
past importations of fruit is, therefore, that all three of the
countries named are of importance in that especial particular,
Holland being the first in the market with her produce.
There is no doubt, also, in consequence of the reduction in
the price of sugar, and the extensive importation from abroad
of the various kinds of stone fruits, that the public have been
enabled to lay in a much larger stock of preserves than for-
merly. With reference to the importation of cattle from
abroad, which has this year increased to so great and impor-
tant an extent, and of foreign provisions generally, we have
so frequently and fully enumerated the particular arrivals
from time to time, and dilated on their quality and their
bearing with reference to our markets and consumption,
that it is superfluous now to enter into a recapitulation of
the matter at the present moment. We will only observe,
that the palm must be in the question of cattle, both in the
case of horned beasts, sheep, and indeed cattle of all descrip-
tions, be given to Holland, the quality and breed having
been improved to a remarkable extent, and the large quan-
tities which have arrived weekly during the summer being
beyond all precedent. The varieties also of every other es-
teemed article of food which have been introduced from that
quarter, increasing in extent, and the universally-allowed ex-
cellent quality of the whole, give a degree of importance to
Holland in regard to the supply of this country with cattle
and edibles of every description, which, previously to their
introduction to their present extent, certainly did not exist,
notwithstanding its importance in other matters of trade and
commerce. The importations of cattle from Hamburgh have
not increased in extent, neither can the quality of them be
compared to the Dutch produce, but the importance of that
city, also, for the supply of all other sorts of provisions, can-
not be called in question. Next in importance is Belgium,
which is constant in her supplies of butter, eggs, and at this
season of the year, poultry of various descriptions, besides
rabbits, which, as we have, we believe, previously stated in
a former particular notice, abound in that country. The im-
ports of articles of food from France are confined to poultry,
which at times arrive in considerable quantities, and eggs,
the extensive importation of which is so universally known
that they scarcely require to be mentioned.

ACCIDENT ON THE BRISTOL
AND BIRMINGHAM RAILWAY.
(*mom A CORRESPONDENT.)
An accident occurred on the above railway on Satur-
day night, which, from the extreme carelessness evinced
by the servants of the Company, might have been at-
tended with serious loss of life, yet most fortunately the
result.was only a few scratches to an engine-driver and a
fireman. The following are the particulars as far as can
be ascertained, but the officials of this railway always
maintain such a mysterious silence respecting any acci-
dent, that there is no little difficulty in giving a correct
statement. A gentleman, who was very desirous of pro-
ceeding into South Wales by the mail from Gloucester,
finding all the trains had left Bristol for that place, had
no alternative but to order an express engine and car-
riage. This was soon in readiness. Upon reaching
Standish junction, where the Bristol and Great Western
lines join, about eleven miles from Gloucester, on the
Bristol line, the engine ran into something on the line,
which proved to be the last truck of a goods-train stand-
ing across the line, without any signal lights, or in fact
any light at all. The concussion threw the engineer
and stoker of the express train engine off the engine
some yards distance, both escaping with a few slight
bruises. The passenger also most providentially escaped
with a severe shaking, and was enabled to proceed at
once by the Great Western mail train from London,
which ran past a few minutes after the accident hap-
pened.
The engine was very much broken, and the trucks
were knocked to pieces. As before observed, the acci-
dent was entirely the result of not putting signal-lights
on the goods' train. Conduct so reprehensible deserves
the severest censure; and whoever is to blame in this
instance ought to be severely punished, as at this part of
the line, even in broad daylight, is very dangerous from
the junction of the two lines (the Bristol and the Great
Western). The guard of the goods' train was given into
custody for a breach of the bye-laws, in not having a
signal lamp with him, and to-morrow an investigation
will take place by the Midland Company, who now have
the management of the traffic on this line.

A SQUIRREL'S RETREAT.—A young lady, resid
ing in the neighbourhood of Tarvin, has two pet squirrels, in
whose frolics she naturally takes considerable interest; during
a recent visit of some friends, they were taken out of their
cages, when one of them suddenly disappeared; anxious
search was made, but without effect, till a shriek from one of
the rural beauties of the party led to the startling discovery,
that the mischievous little animal, in its bustle to escape, had
actually taken refuge in that part of the fair girl's vestments
which is supposed to give additional grace to the female
figure.—Liverpool Mail.
THE EXPERIMENTAL SQUADRON.—Letters dated
the 4th of November, announce that the opportunities of
testing the sailing qualities of the experimental squadron
up to that date, had been but few, although of a decisive
nature. On the 29th of October a trial took place with the
line-of-battle ships. Wind one point free, under all plain
sail, with a head swell—Canopus, Ist; Superb, 2d; Rodneyand Albion, last and equal ; the Daring, 12, keeping her
station during the trial, which she was enabled to do, sparing
the line-of-battle ships, "courses, royals, and flying-jib."
November 3d.—A trial on a wind, with a cross head sea,
under single reefed topsails, topgallant sails and course,
which lasted four hours. The 12-gun brig, Daring, gained
four miles in the wind's eye of Canopus, Rodney, and Superb
(which were all close to each other), and were themselves
respectively 2i miles to windward of the Albion.—. Ham-
pshire Telegraph.

THE ENGLISH IN CALIFORNIA.
(From the New York courier and Inquirer.)
That portion of the Pacific coast known as California, is at
present attracting an unusual share of the attention of the
Governments and people of this country, Great Britain, and
France. It is regarded by them all as in itself one of the
richest and most beautiful regions of the earth, and as des-
tined by its situation, its harbours, and its proximity to Asia,
to influence at no distant day the commercial and political
affairs of the world. We have published from time to time,
from the leading English and French papers, able and im-
portant speculations upon this subject; and special attention
has been excited by the passages we have given from
the Mexican correspondence of the London Times, in
which the possession of California by the British is held to
be indispensable to check the progress in wealth and power
of the United States, which is beginning to excite the jealousy
and alarm of the leading nations of Europe. That writer
has repeatedly, intelligently, and most zealously urged upon
the British Government the necessity of at once acquiring
California by purchase from Mexico, insisting that thus, and
thus only, can the American Republic be cut off from the West
Pacific coast, and shut out from a most advantageous access
to the trade of Asia. Substantially the same view is urged
in the leading and official papers of Paris.
In this state of things the character, condition, and general
relations of California, become to us objects of the deepest
interest. It has been generally understood that certain por-
tions of the territory have been mortgaged to parties in Eng-
land, by whom money has, at various times, been loaned to
Mexico; and that there is a disposition on the part of the
British Government, by means of this mortgage, to acquire
possession and dominion of the whole country. Of
course no just argument in favour of such possession
can be drawn from the existence of such mortgage,
as the mortgage will be equally binding, and acquire
additional value and validity, should California become
part and parcel of the United States. In that case the debt
will be guaranteed by the American Government, and if the
solicitude of the British Government extends solely to the
security of these debts, it will abandon its designs, if such
have been entertained, of acquiring dominion there, and
allow California to assume the position which events may
assign it. It seems clear, however, that jealousy of the
United States, a disposition to check their progress, and to
retard their growth in power and sway, is at the root
of this proposition to make California a province or
dependent section of the British possessions. Such a con-
summation would be to the United States a most serious and
important event—one which would greatly influence our
relations with all the world, and cut us off for ever from
easy and independent access to the boundless wealth of
Asiatic commerce—a consequence to which the United States
can never submit. We lay it down as an axiom—to be en-
forced by war, if necessary—that when Mexico ceases to own
California, it must constitute an integral part of the Ameri-
can union.
Accurate and reliable information upon the subject be•
comes, therefore, of the utmost public importance ; and we
are gratified to be able to publish the following letter from
Mr. Cushing, which was written in answer to the inquiries
of a friend:—

"Newburyport, October 24.
" Dear Sir,—l have before me sundry documents, which
appertain to a subject of your inquiry as to the interest of
the British holders of Mexican bonds in the territory of
California.

" I. By decree of the President ad interim of the Mexican
Republic, issued April 12, 1837, under the authority of an
act of Congress of the 4th of the same month, it is declared,
" 1. That the entire foreign debt of the republic may, if the
public creditors see fit, be consolidated through the agency
of Messrs. Lizardi and Co., and of the Mexican Minister in
London.
" 2. That the existing bonds may be exchanged, one-half
for new bonds of such consolidated fund, and the other half
in land warrants on the vacant lands in the department of
Texas, Chihuahua, Sonora, and California, at_the rate of four
acres for each pound sterling.'
" 7. That 'for further security in the payment of the prin-
cipal and interest of the national consolidated fund, the
Mexican Government specially hypothecates, in the name of
the nation, 100,000,000 acres of the vacant lands in the de-
partments of California, Chihuahua, New Mexico, Sonora,
and Texas, with special guaranty to the said consolidated
fund until the total extinction of the bonds.'
" 10. That foreigners, who, in virtue of their land war-
rants, shall come to establish themselves on their properties,
shall acquire from that date the title of colonists, and shall
participate (they and their families) in all the privileges
which the laws grant, or may grant, to any others of the
same origin and under the same conditions.'
" Other articles of this decree, namely, the 3d, 4th, stb,
6th, Bth, and 9th, regulate various questions of detail in
regard to the new bonds and the land warrants.
11. On the 14th of September, 1837, in pursuance of a pre-
vious
meeting of the holders of Mexican bonds, it was agreed,
between them and the agents of the Mexican Government to
accept of the latter, with twelve modifications proposed, of
which the most material to the present purpose are the fol-
lowing, namely:—
" 2. That, among other things, instead of at once convert-
ing one-half of the old bonds into land warrants, for that
half shall be issued deferred bonds, which deferred bonds
shall be at all times receivable in payment of vacant lands
in the department of Texas, Chihuahua, New Mexico, and
California, at the choice of the purchaser, at the rate of four
acres for each pound sterling.'
" 4. That the deferred bonds shall contain a clause sti-
pulating that the Mexican Government, when thereto re-
quired, shall grant to the bearer of the said bond full right
of property and complete possession in the number of acres
of land corresponding to the amount of said bond, with the
accruing interest thereon, at the rate of four acres of land for
each pound sterling, of which full and competent possession
shall be given by the competent authorities on the presenta-
tion of said deferred bond.'

" 7. That the Mexican Government, In addition to the
general hypothecation of 100,000,000 acres contained in the
seventh article of the decree, 'shall especially set apart
• • . . 25,000,000 acres of Government lands in the de-
partments having the nearest communication with the At-
lantic, and which may appear best suited for colonization
from abroad ; the said lands to be specifically and exclusively
held open for the location of deferred bonds.

" 14. That bonds of the first class may run until the year
1866, and those of the second class until the year 1876.
" The other articles are not particularly Important to the
subject of inquiry.
" 111. On the Ist of June, 1839, an Act was passed by the
American Congress, which—
" 1. Approves the above agreement made with the holders
of Mexican bonds on the 14th of September, 1837.
" 2. Grants one year for the proposed conversion of the
foreign debt.

"4, Requires the Executive to take heed that no lands on
the frontier shall be granted to the subjects of the border States,
in the event of any bonds falling into their hands which they
may be desirous of exchanging for lands,' &c.
" G. Enjoins, that the lands be so divided among the emi-
grants as to prevent their too great concentration on one
point; they are therefore to be located at some distance
from each other, and as near to our towns as may be con
venient.

" IV. On the 29th of July, 1839, there was issued by the
President ail interim of the Mexican Republic (Santa Anna)
an Order in Council, of 24 articles, which regulate in detail
the Itsue of the new bonds, and especially those of the first
class, for which a certain portion of the custom-house reve-
nues were specially pledged; but this Order in Council does
not materially affect the present object.
" Please to observe that the hypothecation of 100,000,000
of acres of land in California, Texas, Chihuahua, New
Mexico, and Sonora, is permanent until the whole debt
be paid, and the right of locating the deferred bonds in
California, Texas, Chihuahua, and New Mexico, also con-
tinues until these are paid, it being a condition inserted in
the bonds.

" I subjoin an extract from an English work on California,
published in 1839, which bears upon the general subject :
" This (the transfer of California to the English creditors)
would be a wise measure on the part of Mexico, if the Go-
vernment could be brought to lay aside the vanity of
retaining large possessions. The cession of such a dis-
jointed part of the republic as California would be an advan-
tage. In no case can it ever be profitable to the Mexican
republic, nor can it possibly remain united to it for any
length of time. Therefore by giving up this territory for the
debt, would be getting rid of this last for nothing .
If California were ceded for the English debt, the creditors
might be formed into a Company, with the difference that
they should have a sort of sovereignty over the territory,
somewhat in the manner of the East India Company.'
" I remain, very faithfully yours,
" C. CUSHING."