The Sun.
London, England, 1826-03-11 00:00:00

(From the HOherr& Town Gazette.)

A principal object of our colonial politics is the enormous
fluctuation in the price of wheat. We have viewed, with no
small degree of alarm, the late excessive price of thii neces4ary
article of consumption. Providentially, we have many helps
which will, we trust, avert any material distress. NVe have no
want of butcher's meat at a moderate price. The late alteration in
the duties of spirits have so affected the distilleries, that a great
quantity of barley is now in the country, and a portion of that,
mixed with the wheat, makes wholesome and even palatable
bread—and our climate is at all times propitious to the growth
of vegt4ables. But the late high price induces many to hoard
up grain, in expectation of a still higher price, and who
thus screw up the public distress to the highest pitch. We have
received some small supplies from Sydney, but that Colony
can never grow enough for its own consumption. The farmers
there have, it is true, many resources which we have not ;
they have maize, in particular, that excellent substitute ; fruits
and vegetables in great abundance; and the season of harve t
commences there at a much earlier period than with, us.
Notwithstanding all this, however, Van Diemen's Land must
always be the natural granary of these colonies; for their wheat
is of a much inferior quality, and so Infected by the weevil, and
other causes, that it can never be preserved through the circuit
of one whole year. They may cultivate the vine, the cotton
plant, and the sugar cane, to what extent they please ; still
they must, from time to time, look to us to supply them with
their bread and meat ; and though New South Wales were
cultivated to its utmost limits, Van Diemen's Land would con-
tinue the great storehouse to supply it on all occasions of need—
occasions which must occur the oftener, the more populous the
country becomes.

It is with the highest satisfaction that we inform the Public,
that letters from London, of the 4th of March, to several re-
spectable Gentlemen here, from a quarter on which reliance
may be placed, have been received, with the gratifying news
that THIS COLONY IS MADE INDEPENDENT OF NEW
SOITTII \VAL Es, and that several new appointments have in
consequence taken place.—(Hobort's Town Gazette.)
(From the ColonialTinacs.)
The prisoners, 179, per the Medina, were landed on Wed-
nesday, and all assigned to the service of the settlers; a great
number of applications were made for men.
A tribe of natives, it is said, has been discovered at the dis-
tance of 4 or 500 miles up the river Brisbane, they are nearly
white, clothed in skins, and superior to all other known natives
of New Holland.—(Australlan.)
SYDNEY NEws.—The outtit here of the French discovery
ships will cost 10 thousand pounds : they will sail in a few days
for Otaheite. His Excellency Sir Thomas Brisbane does not
intend to proceed to England until his successor becomes in-
vested with the reins of Government. Wheat was selling nt
per bushel; bread, at seven pence halfpenny per loaf. The
bush-rangers over the mountains were very troublesome ; several
parties of military were in pursuit of them. The inhabitants
were in great alarm throughout the country by variou► other
bandits. The late rains have been very general throughout the
Colony, and many of the lower grounds are under water.

We are happy to say the Duchess of Gt.on.
CESTER is in the enjoyment of much better health
than her Royal Highness possessed some titne
since.

On Thursday, dispatches were received at the
Foreign Office, from Pads.
Yesterday Lord BEXLEY and Mr. IlusKissoN
transacted business at the ,Foreign Office.
Yesterday a Board of the Lords of the 'Trea-
sury was held, at the Treasury Chambers.
Yesterday a Court of Directors was held at
the East India House, when unsity A
14 LEYAN.
DER, Esq. took the usual oaths, and his seat, as
a Director, in the room of JOHN IluorasTox,
Esq., who had been disqualified.
PLYMOUTH NAVAL CLUII.-00 fru( slay a lar:e
body of those men who were wont to give impulse to the wooden
walls of Old England, assembled at 'Whidelon's Royal Hotel,
to celebrate the anniversary of their day off Cape St. Vincent,
in 1797. The force of the English in this remarkable engage.
meat was beyond all example numerically inferior to that of the
enemy—fifteen opposed to twenty-seven, and many of the latter
very heavy ships; the Santisaima Trinidada, in particular, is
reported to have carried 140 guns. Nothing but the critical state
in which England was at that moment placed could, or ought to
have induced her Admiral togive battle to a foe so numerou cand
Sir J. Jervis alludes to this in his memorable dispatches ; yet
with a just confidence in his cause—in the valour of his officers
and men—and with a perfect and cheering reliance on the disci-
pline of the fleet he so ably commanded, he broke into the centre
all Europe, and was
of the enemy's line, and achieved a victory which astonished
productive of the most important conse.
quences. Our universally respected Admiral of the port, Sir
James Saumarez, was unable, from indisposition, to take the
chair,as had been arranged,and he therefore requested Vice. Ad.
miral Bedford to preside for him. It is almost unnecessary to
mention that Sir James commanded the Orion in this action,
anti that (very small as she was)she took positions most galling
anirdestructive, under the stern and quarters of the Salvador
del Mundt). At the usual hour nearly fifty gentlemen sat
down. Among the guests were several distinguished military
and civil officers, the lioa. Captains Aylmer and Dundas, Mr.
Wright, Collector of the Customs, &c. The evening was en-
livenened by fine music from the band, and choice glees from
professional men, and the party broke up about one o'clock.—
(Deeonport Telegraph.)