The Sun.
London, England, 1844-10-16 00:00:00

AMERICAN NEWS.

ARRIVAL OF THE BRITANNIA.
LIVERPOOL, TUESDAY MORNING, 4 O'CLOCK.
The British and North American mail steam-ship
Britannia, Captain Hewitt, arrived in the Mersey
last night, after a passage of thirteen days from
Boston. She brings about fifty passengers, and the
mails from Canada and the United States.
By this arrival we have New York papers to the
Ist inst., five days later than those brought by the
Sea, at this port to-day.
The most important news by this arrival is from
Mexico, which is described in the following extract
from a New Orleans paper :
The Mexican schooner Fortuna arrived at New Or-
leans on the 19th inst., from Vera Cruz, which port she
left on the Bth ; and we copy from the Picayune a sum-
mary of the intelligence received by that vessel. It is
of great interest and importance.
The first and most important news which we have re-
ceived is, that the town of Matamoras has been de-
stroyed by a hurricane. It occurred on the night of the
4th ult., and was more tremendous in its effects than the
hurricanes of 1835 and 1837. More than two-thirds of the
houses of the city were prostrated, and the remainder
were more or less injured. As to the extent of the loss
of life we are not accurately informed. The correspon-
dent of El Censor de Vera Cruz estimates the loss at
above two hundred souls. The direst destruction, how-
ever, so far as we can learn, was at the two mouths of
the Rio Grande, some thirty miles below the city of
Matamoras. Here scarcely any were saved.
In writing of Matamoras, the editors have nothing to
mitigate the extent of its ruin. They describe it as a
beautiful city, abounding in luxurious habitations, and
provided not only with the necessaries of life, but many
of its most refined luxuries. In a moment, as it were,
every thing was laid waste. We cannot do better than
to copy portions of the Courier's translations from El
Diario del Gobierno, being the report of the first Alcade
of the city to the General Government :
" Except the houses of Don Pedro Jose de la Gaza, of
Donna Juana Perea, and the new church, there is not a
building which is not much damaged or which is not a
heap oeruins. The following persons have perished in
the crash, an infant son of Don Mariano Aguado, an
artillery soldier; three women are badly wounded, but
still survive.
"Among those buildings are the artillery barracks and
the hospital Malta, containing nearly 100 sick, the wall
of the prison, and half of the wall of the grave-yard. To
tell everything in one word—the greater part of the
population are compelled to live in shantees built among
the ruins of their houses. I leave your Excellency to
imagine the miserable condition of all sorts ofiprodune
growing in the fields.
" The sick were carried to-day to the barracks of the
sappers : the park to the church, which has lost one tower
and half of another, the cannon to the lower story of the
consistorial houses—prisoners of all kinds have been well
guarded, and but one has escaped."
l 7
The most active measures were taken at once for the
relief of the sufferers, and a general subscription was
about to be opened for the purpose. But to pass to other
matters.

Our new Minister to Mexico, ex-Governor Shannon
of Ohio, has reached his destination, but, we are sorry, to
say, minus his ready money, and anything he may have
had about his person. On his route between Vera Cruz
and the capital, the stage in which he was a passenger
was waylaid, and the Minister robbed of whatever he
had about him. A fine commentary this upon the effi-
ciency of a Government about to send some thousands of
men into the field against Texas.
The intelligence is confirmed that General Ampudia
—the man who Mr. Cheeves says in his eloquent letter
has put himself beyond the pale of civilisation—is to
command the forces destined to act against Texas. He
has been at the capital, where we almost hoped he would
not dare venture after the atrocities of Tobasco, and left
for his command.
One of the pleasantest features of the news we ,re-
ceived yesterday from Mexico, was the release of the
following individuals confined at Perote, viz. :—Captain
W. Ryon, Col. W. F. Wilson, the famous and efficient
old sheriff of Galveston Island, Wallace James Arm-
strong, and Thomas Tatem. The same day that the
news of the release of the prisoners was communicated
to them, the prison was visited by the Hon. Mr. Shannon,
then on his way to Mexico. Of course, he was most:
warmly welcomed. He inquired particulary into the'
circumstances of each of the prisoners, and into the-
mode of treatment which they received. Most sincerely
do we hope that, through his intervention, the Mexican
Government may be induced to extend its clemency to
the remaining prisoners there.
It may appear rather singular that while Mr. Shannon
was humanely acquainting himself with the state of the
prisoners at Perote, he received from the Governor of
the castle an order for his protection on the road to
Puebla. As it turned out, the escort failed near Puebla,
and the robbery took place which we have mentioned
above.
The treatment received by the Perote prisoners
would seem to vary very much. While some of
them are compelled to work, coupled in chains, like
beasts of burden, others are allowed very great indul-
gence—for prisoners. One of the latter writes us a
truly touching letter, in which he announces the de-
parture of those who were released. They were all
known to be in circumstances of present embarrassment,
and almost of indigence, and the poor prisoners who
were left behind, failed not to contribute the last mite
of their little all to afford to their more fortunate com-
rades the means to reach their homes. Such an incident
is honourable to humanity.
The feelings of the prisoners towards the Government
of Texas, we hardly need say, are deeply embittered.
They deem themselves forsaken by the sole Government
to which they owe allegiance, and in fighting whose
battles they were made prisoners ; and yet they breathe
nothing but enthusiastic regard fur the " lone star."
But we must recur to this theme and others when we
have more room.
As to the preparations which Mexico is making for
the invasion of Texas, we can learn very little of a de-
finite nature. That active operations are going on in
enlisting and equipping troops, there is no doubt. But
our personal informants, and our correspondents, seem
to question whether the conquest of Texas be the object
in view. There would seem to be but one other, and
that is plainly indicated in some of our letters—to make
Santa Anna dictator. But this is a subject on which
we shall not be long left in the dark.
All the papers we receive from Vera Cruz are clothed
in mourning, for the wife of Santa Anna. She appears
to have been held in the highest personal esteem, inde-
pendent of her elevated rank.
The fever had almost entirely abated at Vera Cruz
when the Fortuna left. Our informant heard nothing
of it. The British sloop of war Inconstant, and the
Rose, which lately visited us, and two Spanish brigs
were the only vessels of war at Vera Cruz.
New York, Philadelphia, and other cities on the
seaboard, had been visited by a dreadful storm.
Montreal also seems to have been visited by the same
gale.

Our advices from New Orleans afford us the satis-
faction of stating that the health of that city is most
favourably reported. The Picayune says—
" It is a source of great gratification to us to be able
to say, as we feel confidently assured we may, that the
health of this city was never better at this season of the
year.
There is no pretext for saying that there is an
epidemic, and in many years of residence here we do not
recal one in which we have heard of so little sickness.
We trust sincerely that it may continue so, and that
business may revive at an early date."
NEW YORK MONEY MARKET, SEPT. 30.
SALES AT THE STOCK EXCHANGE.

, 99i
434 t
42
13i

$20,000 Ohio Sixes
5,000 Illinois
835 Farmers' Loan
100 North American Trust
50 United States Bank
25 Canton b3o 46
10 Mohawk... 62
100 Harlem .
25 Long Island . 8314
, 150 shares Long Island
100 Paterson
125 Ditto
100 Stonington
293 Nor. and Wor. 7l
50 New Haven
6 Western R.
25 Hudson and Berkshire l5
50 Reading R.
The operations at the Board of Brokers' this morning
were to a fair extent. State Stocks were firm, with the
exception of Pennsylvania Fives, which fell off 1 per
cent ; Norwich and Worcester Railroad advanced 11
per cent. • Farmers' Loan, 1 ; and Stonington Railroad,
Canton dompany declined k ; Delaware and Hudson, ;
New Jersey Railroad, 1 ; Harlem Railroad, ; and Long
Island Railroad, per cent.
At the Public Stock Exchange, Farmers' Loan im-
proved 1, and Norwich and Worcester Railroad, 11 ;
Canton Company declined 1, and Long Island Railroad
* per cent.
Foreign Exchange was in active demand, and exten-
sive operations were made in sterling at 110, and in
francs at 5 20. The supply was moderate.
Money is easy—loans " on call" are made at 4 to 5
per cent., and discounts at 5 to 6 per cent per annum.
PHILADELPHIA, SEPT. 29.
Operations at the Stock Exchange on Saturday were
to a pretty fair amount. About 1,200 shares Wilming-
ton Railroad changed hands at 241, 241, and 241 ; 2,000
dolls. Chesapeake and Delaware Canal Loan at 691 ;
2,000 dolls. Reading Railroad at 71/ ; 4,100 Philadel-
phia County Fives, 1880, at 93 ; 1,500 Lehigh Mortgage
Loan at 67 ; 50 shares United States Bank at 81 ; 10
Mechanics' Bank, at 261.
Closing Prices.—Ban of North America, 370 ; Penn-
sylvania Bank, 253 a 254 ; Philadelphia Bank, 1064 a
1071 ; Girard Bank, 11/ a 111 ; United States Bank,
88 a 81 ; Reading Railroad Bonds, 711 a 714 ; Phila-
delphia City Fives 105 ; Pennsylvania Fives 711 a 72.

BATHS AND WASH-HOUSES FOR THE Poo
On Monday a committee meeting on the subject of the
baths and wash-houses for the use of the poor in the
crowded parts of the metropolis, took place at the Man-
sion-house, Mr. Cotton, the Governor of the Bank of
England, in the chair, preparatory to the public meeting
in the Egyptian-hall, this day. Archdeacon
Samuel Wilberforce, Mr. Wakley, Lord Dudley Stuart,
Dr. Russell, Mr. Edwin Chadwick, and others will, it
is expected, address the meeting, which will no doubt
be very numerously attended. The Lord Mayor will
take the chair precisely at two o'clock.

MONEY AND COMMERCIAL NEWS
CITY, TUESDAY EVENING.
Consols close a trifle better, 991 to 100* ; but the
Bears, profiting by rumours of important dispatches re-
ceived by Louis Philippe from Spain, have made a bit of
a stir in the market to-day. New Three-and-a-Quarter
per Cents. were 1021 to 102. Bank Stock was 205 to
Spanish was at about previous rates, 23+ 1, and 341 4.
Colombian were at 14+. Russian obtained 1191. Dutch
Two-and-a-Half per Cents. were marked 621 1.
The additional transactions in Railway Shares have
been these :—Bristol and Gloucester were 141 ; Great
Western, 693 ; Ditto, Half, 38 to 1 ; Lancaster and Car-
lisle, 31 ; Birmingham, 113 ; South Western, 32* to
33e ; Croydon, 21. 1 ; Manchester and Birmingham, 11 ;
Northern and Eastern, Quarter Shares, 41 to 41 ; Ports-
mouth Direct, 3 ; Central of France, 2 ; Boulogne
and Amiens, 2+ to ; Orleans, Tours, and Bordeaux,
21 to 1 ; Paris and Orleans, 194- ; Paris and Rouen, 19/ ;
and Paris and Strasburgh, 1 premium. Caledonian have
been Ai to le, and Brighton 21 discount.
The foreign exchanges were steady this afternoon on
the principal continental cities. Trieste was barely so
good, but Paris and Antwerp were firmer.
The following is the official return of the exports of
bullion from the port of London for the week ending
Thursday last:—
Silver Coin to Rotterdam BO,OOO oz.
Silver Bars to Hamburgh
The accounts from America are more satisfactory.
Good remittances have been made, with fresh orders for
the spring trade.
_

(From The Sun of Last Night.)
The Cotton Market at Liverpool yesterday was steady.
Sales, 5,000 bales, viz., 1,000 Surat, at 24d. to 3fd, 500
Egyptian at 6d. to 7d., 400 Pernambuco, and the rest
American.—Shares were good, and a large business was
done in Railways. Birmingham and Gloucester, 1051;
Bristol and Gloucester, 451; Dublin and Drogheda, 71;
Dublin and Belfast, 5 ; Eastern Counties, 14 ; Ditto,
Perpetual, No. 2,20 s. 6d. ; Glasgow and Dumfries,
1/. 3s. 6d. ; Glasgow and Ayr, 64i ; Great Western,
145 ; Liverpool and Manchester, 201 ; London and
Birmingham, 212:; London and York, 4 ; Direct North-
ern, 2/. 17s. ; Midland Counties, 110 ; North British,
54 ; North Union, 123 ; South-Eastern, 41 ; Lyons and
Avignon, 21.85. 6d ; Paris and Strasbourg, 21. 6s. 6d. ;
Orleans, Tours, and Bordeaux, 38 ; Central of France,
31. 16s. 6d. ; Boulogne and Amiens, 141. 2s. 6d.
By the Britannia steamer advices of a late date,
to the 3d instant, have come to hand from the
United States, but as the delivery of letters has
but just taken place, we can only refer for the
general news to the papers, which appear in an-
other part of The Sun, remarking by the way that busi-
ness was moderately active, and that the prices were not
so favourable probably as the English exporters had
hoped, because of the too heavy supplies.
By direct arrivals we have files of papers, and letters have
been received to June 12th, from Western Australia, and
June 4th, from Port Phillip. In the former colony the
Freemantle Whaling Company had commenced opera-
tions with every chance of success. The quantity of oil
expected to be secured by the close of the season was two
to three tons. The colonists very justly express their
surprise at the investment of so much British capital
in foreign railways and other speculations which
might prove very hazardous in the event of
war, while the Australian settlements cannot extract
even a small portion of our huge surplus capital. The
colony of Western Australia, however, does not seem,
financially speaking, in a very favourable position, or at
least the Government income was too small for the ex-
penditure, and retrenchment was the order of the day.
At Port Philip another great separation meeting, the
object being to have a governor and legislature indepen-
dent of Sydney, had been held, and all the leading men
appear to have taken ih it. The advocacy of the
press in the motheTeeilettryTiearnestly solicited, and
we think the colonistn,inakfrAt .11, very good case for
their independence 4. ahlthir colony, instead of being
more directly governed,l4.2;thelparent State. There must
be jealousies in one settlemeht having to administer the
government of a rising, rival, such as Port Philip as-
suredly is.

The Scotch bankers appear by all accounts to be sup-
ported in their opposition to any change in the note sys-
tem north of the Tweed by the people themselves, seldom
disposed to aid the views of monopolists, and therefore
not likely of their own free will, to convene meetings in
support of the continued circulation of paper in which
they have not implicit confidence. The bankers make
out a strong case in reference to the security from mer-
cantile revulsions hitherto enjoyed by Scotland,
The English Stock market has taken a very decided
turn, and is to a per cent. worse than yesterday morn-
ing, arising in a great measure, as we believe, from the
state of the six weeks' account to be settled on
Thursday, but the arrangements for which are
now in progress. Consols have been done as
low as 998 to 100* for Money, and 100 to
1004 for Account. Exchequer Bills have been marked
755. to 775. premium, continuing steady therefore. The
Reduced Three per Cents. are 99* to I, and the New
Three. and-a-Quarter per Cents. 102 to 1021. Bank
Stock has been 205 to 206, and India Stock 288.

The foreign investments have been very quiet, as the
settlement occupies most attention. Spanish Five per
Cents. are flat at 23e, and the Three per Cents. at 3414.
Mexican are 34* to f. Brazilian Stock realises 85 to 85i.
Austrian Bonds are 1151, and Dutch Two-and-a-Half per
Cents. 62k.
The Railway Shares have been steady generally, but
with very little doing, except in the French lines, which
continue brisk and buoyant in price.

PRICSE OF BRITISH FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK.
(From the Official List.)
Bank Stock •.o . o 0000000 «....«.»...... 0000000000 206 t'os
3 per Cent. Reduced Annuities
3 per Cent. Coniols. Anns
New N per Cent. Annuities
Long Annuities, Expire sth Jan. 1860.... 00000 124 1-16
India Stock , 000000000000 00000 296
India Bonds, 0000000000000
Ditto under 1,000...••••..••••••••••....••••.......” 96
South Sea Stock. 116(
Consol • for Account .......„.«.».„.«.„.„.«.».. 100X6
Exchequer Bills. 1 d. 11,4 d.
1,0001. 75 77 pin.
0000000 75 77 pm.
Ditto 5ma11.......... .........77 75 77 pm.
Ditto Advertised. 0000 . 000000
—PRICES OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK.

Austrian Bonds, 5 per Cent il44 ---
Brazilian Bonds, 5 per Cent. ......... B5
Ditto for the Account. 85%
Ditto New Bonds, 1829 and 1839. B3
Mexican Bonds, 1837, 5 per Cent. ••••••• .343 %
Portuguese Bonds, 5 per Cent.
Ditto Converted 504i%
Spanish Bonds,, Five per Cent 1840 234
Ditto Three per Cent. ......................
Dutch 2% per Cents 62%
Dutch 5 per Cent 5......................... ....... .
PRICES OF SHARES AT ONE O'CLOCK.
RAILWAYS. PAID. PER SHARE.
Birmingham and Gloucester...... 100 ....... 104 to 105%
Bristol and Exeter
Bristol and Gloucester 3O ......... 444
Caledonian
Chester and H01yhead............... 5 ••••••••• 7% to
Churnet Valley ........ ••••••••••• ..... 2 ... 44 % ... to
Dublin and Cashel.
Edinburgh and Glasgow ...........• 50 •............ 62
Great Western .... ....... ......m.... 75
Ditto % Shares ....... ....... ........ 50 ......... 87%
Hull and Selby ....... - ...... ........ 50
London and Birmingham. IOO
London and Brighton ............. 50 ....... 46%
London and Y0rk.....„.„.„.„..... 2%
Manchester and Birmingham ... 40 ......... 50_.,..
Dit o 4 Shares 2 ........ 2% ~..... to
Midland Counties - ..
" ..........
Birmingham and Derby........... 100 ...... ... 80%
Northern and Eastern .... ....... ... 45 to
Ditto Scrip 25 35% to
South Eastern and Dover ..... -.. 32%
York and North Midland ........• 50 ~.......106 to 105%
Ditto % Shares 25 52% to La
Ditto Scarboro' Branch
Ditto Selby Scrip
Central of France 2 ... ••••• 3%% to
Orleans. Tours, and Bourdeaux}
I .... 3%% 4 to 3
.. •••
(d'Anthouazd's Company)
Paris and 0r1ean5.•..... .......... •••• 20

Parisand R0uen........................ 20 ......... 3916—.• .•• to

MANCHESTER STOCK EXCHANGE, OCT. 14.—There
has been an extensive business done, and mostly at
higher prices.—Barnsley Junction, 51 f•' Caledonian,
4 3-16; Churnet Valley, 4 5-16; Eastern Counties, 14;
Huddersfield and Manchester, qi- 9-16; Lancaster and
Preston, 31; London and York, 3i; Manchester and
Leeds, Sixteenth Shares, 31 prem.; Bury and Rossen-
dale, 51; Manchester and Birmingham, 511; Sheffield
l-
and Lincolnshire, 2f; Sheffield and Manchester, 97 ;
Ditto, Quarter Shares, 131; Southport and Euxton, 3 ;
South-Eastern, 404; York and North Midland, 106 ;
York and Selby, 43 prem.; Boulogne and Amiens, 4.

CLOSING PRICES.
BRITISH FUNDS.
Bank ...... ..ex dlv 205% Indian Stock ........ 288%
3 per Cent. Red 99% Ditto Bonds ..... pm.
3 per Cent. Cons.
3% per Cent. Red — Ditto New Annuities ...
New SU per Cent. lO2 Ex. Bills, 1,0001.1%d... 77 pm.
New 5 per Cent......„. ..... Ditto 5011............«.. 77 prn.
Long Annuities to expire Ditto Small 77 pm.
lan 1860 12% 1-16 Bank Stock for Acct....
Oct. 1859 Consols for Act. 99%
Jan. 1860 lndia Stock for Acct