The Sun.
London, England, 1845-05-09 00:00:00

(IT tritains

- -
LONDON, FRIDAY, MAY 9, 1845.

The Royal Assent was given by commission to
seveial Bills shortly after Four o'clock.
Their Lordships re-assembled at Five.

Several petitions were presented, amongst others a
petition by Lord BROUGHAM, from an individual named
SOWERBY, against the Syston and Peterborough Rail.
way Bill, The presentation of this petition gave rise to

HE SUN, LONDON, FrtlD.A.V#

a desultory conversation on the general subject of rail-
ways which, however, led to no results.

The Bills on the table were forwarded a stage.
After which their Lordships adjourned to Friday
next, the 16th instant, for the Witsuntide recess.
The House of Commons met at Four o'clock.

Mr. PARKER brought up the report of the Scottish
_Railway Committee—that the House ought not to con-
sent to the establishment of a railway station upon the
Inch of Perth.

Sir. G. GREY moved for a Select Committee to inquire
and report whether any, and which of the standing
orders wl.ich are enforced in the case of Railway Bills
in Great Britain are utnecessary, and ought to be dis •
pensed with in the case of Railway Bills in Ireland.
After a short discussion, the motion was agreed to.
Mr. J. S. WORTLEY then moved the addition of what
he had previously given notice, but as it was not
seconded, the motion was not put. _ _

Mr. HUME gave notice of a call of the House for
Thursday, the 22d inst.

Sir C. NAPIER expressed his regret for having spoken
so strongly of the conduct of Lord SEATON with regard
to the Bandeiras. He had since received information
from Corfu which satisfied him that Lord SEATON had
exercised a proper discretion.
Mr. GISBORNE gate notice that he would on an early
day move that all Railway Committees consisting of only
four Members should suspend their operations until the
call of the House.

Sir T. FREMANTLE, in answer to Colonel RAWDON,
said that a Bill in relation to the regulation of criminal
lunatics in Ireland would be brought in after the recess,
Mr. Hurr then moved " That the House resolve
itself into a Committee of the whole House, for the
purpose of considering the following resolution:—That
it is expedient to permit Grain and Flour, the produce
of Australasia, to be imported into the United Kingdom
on payment of the same amount of duty as is now levied
on Grain and Flour the produce of Canada."
Sir WALTER JAMES supported the motion, which was
opposed by Sir G. CLERK on the part of the Govern-
ment, on the ground that it was unwise to be constantly
tampering with the corn-laws. •
A discussion followed, in the course of which the
House was addressed by Sir G. CLERIC, Mr. LAME-
CHERE, Captain Rous, Mr. M. GIBSON, Mr. DARBY, Mr.
F. BARING, Mr. S. WORTLEY, Mr. BRIGHT, Mr. S.
O'BRIEN, Mr. WARD, Sir R. PEEL, Lord HOwICK, and
Mr. NEWDEGATE ; and eventually the motion was re-
jected, the numbers being, for the motion 93 ; against it
147 ; majority, 54.

The debate which took place last evening on Mr.
HUTT'S motion is the most curious, perhaps, on record.
We believe " Hansard's Reports," which give so mi-
nutely the speeches and acts of the "collective wisdom,"
contain no absurdities at all approaching those which
were brought forward as arguments against a mea-
sure so just to our colonies, and so utterly
harmless to the agricultural interests of this coun-
try. The resolution was simply to the effect, that
Australian corn and flour should be admitted on the same
terms as corn and flour, the produce of Canada. It
would be impossible to make any motion in the How e
so little calculated to excite discussion, yet
the Government, from some perverse disposition
to halt half way in measures for the good
of the country, opposed it almost with as
much apparent sincerity as they will oppose
the motion for a total repeal of the corn-laws. From
Canada grain can be imported in three weeks at a very
trifling cost, and though it may be called the produce of
that colony, probably a large proportion of it is smuggled
from the United States, a circumstance which every one
foresaw when Lord STANLEY introduced his Canada Corn
Bill. But no illicit traffic of that kind can take place in Aus-
tralia. The colony is entirely English, it has no power-
ful, rich adjacent territory from which grain can be
imported ; and, what is of much more importance, the
distance between that settlement and the mother
country is such that possibly no trade in corn, if per-
fectly free, could be carried on without loss. The Vice-
President of the Board of Trade seemed to take that
view of the question. Of what, then, was he afraid ?
Why did he oppose such a very meek and gentle
resolution ? Because, "if they were to accede
to the proposed alterations, a great deal of
alarm would be created among the agriculturists
of this country." Why, the farmers' friends them-
selves are the most determined calumniators of that
class—they seem to regard them as only part of the
live stock on the farm, and as destitute of reason or any
faculty approaching to that of calculation as the
calves and bullocks that graze on their meadows.
They dare not tell the farmers the truth,
because these gentlemen will not, or cannot, understand
it, and have such a horror of foreign corn, that they will
not admit it, even though brought from the most distant
part of the habitable world. The Australian
colonies are on the opposite side of the globe—the farmers
there and the farmers here are standing with their feet
exactly opposite to each other, and it would require
four, or five, or six months to transport a cargo of grain
from these colonies to the port of London, yet not a
move must be made in thec..e.ox.-Lem. -case
a panic at Mark-lane, and wheat would fall
perhaps ss. the quarter. The arguments of Sir ROBERT
PEEL were of a similar stamp ; and we regret the fact
the more, as the public really cannot judge when a
Minister is in earnest and in jest, and will give less
weight to other opinions, which possibly may be of the
first importance to the safety of the country. " Such
conduct," said Lord HOWICR, " was the more to be
denounced, when it was remembered that it would induce
Canada to believe that she was indebted nothing to Eng-
land for the concessions which had been made to her,
and probably.induce other colonies to follow her example,
o demanding instead of entreating concessions from the
English Government."

We have accounts from Madrid to the Ist of May, but
they are without interest, that being the Feast of the
Ascension. The Cortes did not meet, and the Bourse
was closed.

The tedious discussion in the French Chamber of De-
puties on the fortifications of Paris has at length been
enlivened by a violent speech from M. DE LANAHTINE.
It was directed not so much against the Ministerial mea-
sure as against the dynasty of Louis PHILIPPE, and
more especially the KING himself. This eloquent orator,
in a flow of eloquence which occasionally carried
him beyond the bounds of prudence and moderation,
and excited loud marks of approbation from the
Left, and disapprobation from the Centre, stated that
the sole object of the forts was to prevent revolutions
like those in 1789 and 1830, and that they were the
crowning work of a system of policy directed against
liberty. The speaker, of course, was repeatedly called
to order, but, nevertheless, he contrived to present to the
Chamber a strong outline of grievances entailed on
France by the Revolution of July. The following brief
sketch of his speech will therefore be found interesting.
After premising that he should consider the question
chiefly in a political view, he suid

" Any war which re ight hereafter occur would be one of
coalition ; the field of battle would be Europe, with 35,000,000
men on one side, and 250,000,000 on the other—in other
words, one Frenchman against two or three adversaries.
tinder such circumstances their walls and their fortresses
would be not only an insignificant defence, but they would
tend to weaken them; this had been admitted by men much
more capable than he of forming a judgment. Paris fortified
would retain in the centre of France 50,000 or 60,000 men, and
how many important battles had been lost for want of such a
reinforcement. In case of a reverse nothing could be more fatal
than having such a large body of men shut up in Paris, for the
enemy might easily cut off the communications between the
remnants of their armies and the capital. Capitals were best
defended on the frontiers, at a hundred leagues distant. In
support of his argument he would mention the case of Rome,
Constantinople, and China, all of which had fallen into the
power of their invaders from the fault of shutting their forces
within the walls of their capitals instead of defending them
on their reapective frontiers. It was curious to trace the pro-
gress of the scheme for fortifying Paris. At first 18,000,000 f.
had been demanded, but this demand rose afterwards to
80,000,0001'., to provide Paris with 3,000 pieces of cannon
Thus the revolution of July. The moment that the Prince,
for whom so much enthusiasm had been evinced ascended
the throne, a constant struggle had ensued between the
regal power and the national representation. There was
then in the Chamber a man enjoying the respect of
all,—Lafayette, who held the command of the National
Guards of the kingdom. The royal power yielding to
the tendency of all power to encroach, got alarmed
at the immense authority thus placed in one man's
hands. It acted so that the National Guards became nothing
more than a municipal institution, incapable of doing harm.
—(uproar.) Lafayette resigned, in consequence, his com-
mand, and, in a fortnight after, Lafitte, whom they had since
lost , and the men who shared his opinions, were excluded
from power. Soon after, the right of association was proceeded
against, and received a heavy blow. Then came the attempt
of Fieschi, and severe laws were voted against the press, and
new judges were created for new crimes. He accused no one
of bad faith, but he must charge every one of a blind tendency
to strengthen the royal power, at the expense of the rest, by
a violent reaction. It was then that the idea of raising forti-
fications around Paris was first rumoured abroad. The
proposition of the detached forts produced the riots at
Lyons, and it was perceived that, in order to obtain
the fortifications, they must be demanded by the
country itself. In 1839 a coalition was formed to put
down what was called the personal power. That power
(he named no one, but he looked at it in an absolute
point of view), being twice worsted in the Chamber,
felt a warm resentment. It could have chosen its Minis-
ters from the Left, where M. 0. Barrot sat, or in the Right
Centre, but it preferred men of another party, the Left Centre.
Perfect harmony was then re-established between the Minis-
try and the Chamber, but a cry of war arose about the East.
At the moment when France gave Europe a pledge of perfect
immovability, by recalling her fleet, the idea of the fortifica-
tions rose like a phantasmagoria from the tumult, and was pre-
-Brucuncientedthci
peunarnds aiaey rwtwhhheerepetrhtettree,xt of defending Fiance against foreign
aggression. Let the Chamber weigh this chain of proceedings
irwfahtehne rtailheayd bpetinheedld,daowranmtphare tßagristiiine!

there was not cause to fear, he would nol say for-their pre-
sent liberty, but for that. of:the futiire. A_year had scarcely
glided by, after the periodjust alluded to, When the fortifi-
cations were voted—those fertifications whiclfbrOke'the equi-
librium between the Parliamentary power and the Royal
one Since that vote, had the Government drawn closer to
the nation ? Had it done more for the people? On the coni-
trary, they had seen, when they lost that much-re-
gretted Prince whose place was nearest the throne,
a Regency Bill introduced, which tended to dispossess
the nation of all its right of sovereiggnr►ty. ! (Here
he was called to order by the President, and
then proceedeed as follows):—He should not any longer
pursue a discussion which appeared to excite the Chamber
against him; he should merely add one observation. If the
fortifications of Paris were armed, it was impossible not to
measure with an uneasy eye what would, after a time, be-
come of the conaitutional edifice for which France had fought
during fifty years. Let the Chamber bear in mind the vast
prerogatives of that power Which perished not—the appoint-
ment to all civil offices, thenomination to all grades in the
army.—(Noise ; cries of ' Order, order.') All the relations
with foreign powers confided to an irresponsible power; that
civil list—(A violent burst of exclamation)—he did not speak
of the civil list in the ordinary acceptation of the term—he
alluded to that civil list of influence, which placed royalty
in possession of 300,000 employments. Look, too, at the
power possessed by the Crown to create Peers—to change the
majority, if it pleased. The fortifications, would, it was alleged,
prevent revolutions. Did the Chamber know that in that de-
claration was contained a condemnation of those of 1789 and
1830, which were looked on as holy. He had shown the
struggle that was going on ; and it was now for the Cham-
ber to decide if it would throw fresh weight in the balance
of the Government against public liberty. He maintained
that the immediate arming of the fortifications of Paris
would constitute an eternal accusation in iron and bronze
against the Government, and would remain a cause of per-
manent agitation, which he was decidedly opposed to. Ile
therefore called on the Chamber to reject the Bill.—(Great
agitation followed these remarks, and the sitting remained
suspended for some minutes.)"
M. DUCHATEL replied to this cutting satire on the
July Revolution, and defended "the policy of his MA-
JETv's Government. After some brief remarks from
M. GEORGES LAFFITTE and M. GARNMR PAGES, the
Chamber adjourned. Next day (Wednesday) the dis-
cussion on the clauses commenced, the first of which
proposed a grant of 14,000,000 f. This was opposed by
General SUBERVIE and M. AnAoo, who was left speak-
ing.

The Three per Cents. closed on the Paris Bourse on
Wednesday at 85f. 90c.; the New Loan, at 86f. 25c. ;
the Five per Cents. at 1211. 45c. ; Orleans Railroad
shares, 1,2151. Rouen, 1,0901.; Vierson, 8221. 50c. ;
Havre, 8751. ; Avignon, 1,0301. ; Basle, 2701. ; Belgian
Two-and-a-tialf per Cents., 621. 25e. ; Spanish Pas-
sives, 8.,

The following are the quotations for the new lines :-
. Orleans and Bordeaux, 230 f. premium ; Boulogne, 165 f. ;
Troyes antl'Muntereati, 72f..50c. ; Paris and Lyons (La-
fitte), 20f. ; ditto (Calon), 4f. 50c. ; ditto (Ganneron), 15f.
Northern Line (LaUtte), 33f. 75c. ' • ditto (Rosainel), 9f. ;
Tours and Nantes (Mackenzie), 15f. ; ditto (Drouillard), par;
ditto (O'Neill), 15f. ; ditto (Jaques Lefevre), par; Lyons
and Avignon (Lecointe), 32f. 50c. • ditto (Talabot), 35f. ;
ditto (Compagnie Meridionale), 151. ; Bordeaux and Tou-
louse (Mackenzie), sf. ; ditto and Cette (Espeleta), 171. 50c ;
Cteile and St. Quentin, 2f. 50c. ; Paris and Strasburg (Gan-
neron), 15f. ; Dijon and Mulhausen, 61. 25c.
MARSEILLES, MAY 2.-Marseilles and Avignon, I,ooof. ;
Boulogne, 600 f.; Orleans and Bordeaux, 675 f.; Vierzon,
800 f.; Avignon and Lyons (Talabot), 5321. 50c.; ditto (Se-
bastiani), 532 f. 50c. ; ditto (Compagnie Meridionale),
Bordeaux and Cette, 517 f. 50c. ; Toulon, 505 f.

THE CONDEMNED SERMON.
(FROM A CORRESPONDENT.)
On Wednesday, in answer to a question from Captain
Polhill, in respect to condemned sermons, Sir James
Graham observed that " communications had taken
place between his predecessor, Lord Normanby, and the 4
Corporation of London ; and that, in consequence, the
Corporation had made a regulation prohibiting the ad-
mission of the public to hear the condemned sermons on
the Sunday previous to an execution." He also added,
" that he (Sir James Graham) had ordered a prison in-
spector to proceed to Newgate to inquire into the cir-
cumstances connected 'with the last execution, and to
examine the transactions both of the Sunday and the
Monday morning." Alderman Copeland, after ex-
pressing his satisfaction at such a proceeding, observed
that " he thought the time had arrived when these public
exhibitions should be dispensed with altogether : after
the execution, he, in his capacity of magistrate, had
committed many persons for trial, and had con-
victed three for picking pockets even under the
gallows." There are many who defend the pu-
nishment of death for the sake of the bene-
ficial example it affords ; but surely their opinion
would be changed if they but regarded the police re-
ports after an execution—if they witnessed the feverish
excitement such an event creates among the lower or-
ders—if they beheld the eager multitudes waiting for the
verdict, or crowding to the chapel, not to hear the ser-
mon, but to see the prisoner—above all, if they knew
the horrors of the scene of death. Can there be a more
awful spectacle, than a public execution ?

" It is a fearful thing
To see the human soul take wing

In any shape—in any mood"—
but at such a time death is robed in all his terrors; pain
and sickness have not prepared the way to the grave ;
faith and piety have not opened the path to Heaven; and
he,.the least *pared to die, is "cut off in the very
blossom of his sins," and hurried from an earthly tribunal
to appear before a Judge " who is of purer eyes than to
behold iniquity.".. But if it be
l,,id of eternity, is it
to behold thesitmeesokthpx-
spectators P Do we
find them sorrowing tor a brother's fall 2—do we hear
the voice of pity or compassion ? No ; they crowd
round the scaffold to behold the show—brutal ferocity
depicted on their countenances—their only feeling for
the prisoner, admiration for his firmness, or contempt
for his pusilanimity—some even engaged in breaking the
commandments beneath the very gallows on which a
fellow creature expiates his crime. Children are there,
aand even women look on
risethescdein scene with parents'
curiosity a,
ra m
and ;
not emotion. Truly it may
be said that— .

,g Every woe a tear may claim,
Except an erring brother's shame."

A public execution is the most demoralising spectacle
any age or country can produce. Instead of warning
by example, it offers a premium to crime ; it holds
up a man stained with another's blood as a theme for
interest--an object for wonder and notoriety. In this
"age of intelligence" we look with horror at the com-
bats with wild animals, which amused the ancients ; but
even the fights of the gladiators were less terrible in
their consequences than the gloomy scenes which are
constantly recurring in this civilised country, in the
nineteenth century. Sir James Graham expressed his
opinion that such proceedings require investigation: we
trust he will find on considering the matter, that if
capital punishments are absolutely necessary, they shall
no longer afford gratification to the morbid tastes of
ignorant multitudes, or debase humanity, by rendering
crime an object of admiration and not of horror.

AMERICAN NEWS.

(EXPRESS FROM LIVERPOOL.)

ARRIVAL of the GREAT WESTERN
LIVERPOOL, FRIDAY MORNING.

The steamer Great Western, Captain Mathews, arrived here
last night, at ten o'clock. She left New York on the 24th
ultimo, and has brought 142 passengers. She arrived at New
York, on her outward voyage, on the 16th. The Cale-
donian reached Boston on the 21st, at night ; her news were
published at new York on the 23d; but as the Great Western
sailed on the 24th, there was not time to learn its full effect,
but] we think upon the whole that the tone is decidedly
pacific.
The New Fork Courier and Inquirer, In its Money Article
for the steamer, gives the following view of the effect pro-
duced on the public mind by the declaration referred to, and
also a concise and accurate outline of other points of im-
portance :-

" The news by the Caledonia has called forth no little interest.
The discussion in the two Houses of Parliament, and the very re-
solute tone of that discussion, in respect both of the British right
and of determination to maintain that right, are widely and visa.
ously canvassed. -For ourselvcai-ve look upon it as rather fortu-
nate, since in all contested questions it is best that both parties
should understand pith other as early and as explicitly as possible.
On our side the right to all Oregon is officially pronounced un••
questionable ; yet we submit it to- negotiation, thereby implying
certainly that what is unquestionable may nevertheless be a sub-
ject of compromise. Perhaps the opinion has prevailed too gene.
rally here, that England did not really attach any great value to
her Oregon. claim, and upon such an assumption ours has been
pushed with increased hardihood. We are now undeceived on that
Point. The Ministry that is, and those who would like to be
Ministers, and the whole Parliament, seemed.tu have shared exult-
ingly in the declaration of the official persons in both Houses, that
England has a good title and means to maintain it. Now, then, the
ground is cleared of all uncertainties, and the negotiation will of
necessity proceed under the positive and equally confident claim of
each of the contending partial to a good title to the matter in
dispute. Such a negotiation, to succeed at all, can have but one
Issue—mutual concession ; and on that point there cannot be long
delay in ascertaining what can and what cannot be done.
"The temper of this country, as a
whole, is for peace;
though there are portions of it, and particularl! the west, where
war might be profitable and would not be unpopular. We as-
sume unhesitatingly that the desire of England is also for peace;
and from these premises we conclude that peace will be preserved;
for it Is contrary to all sense and reason—to say nothing of moral
or religious obligations—for two cognate and Christian people to go
to war about a barren region which can be of little use or value to
either of them for generations ,to come. Nevertheless, the effect
of the Caledonia's news to-day was, to make men look grave, and
though no perceptible fall was occasioned by it is the produce or
public stocks, it caused a pause:
" The late intelligence from Mexico and Texas also occupies
much of public attention. The possibility that Mexico might at
once resent annexation by hostilities has passed away, and the
worst now apprehended is a commercial and diplomatic non-in-
tercourse. Texas, however, seems uncertain about her course;
and annexation is not as eagerly jumped at as seems by Its zealous
friends here to have been anticipated. The delay or reluctance of
Texas is put down to the interference of England and France,
and therefore some feeling is exhibited.
If From these combined causes there is uncertainty and sensi-
tiveness in the public mind, and therefore business necessarily
suffers,

" Money is easily had at 6 per cent., and as soma as the banks
have made their quarterly statement
will be cheapen • •

" The movements of specie are inconsiderable and unimportant,
the tendency being rather to than from this market.
"Exchange on England has been active for the Western at from
91 to 91, and for France as per quotations below.
6" No certainty can yet be attained respecting the payment by
Pennsylvania of the August dividend. We believe the desire and
purpose of those now in charge of the Government of that state
are to meet its liabilities when and as they accrue, if possible; but
It must be added, upon the best information we can obtain, that the

collection from taxes have not come up to the estimates, and there.
fofe that more doubt is 'entertained whether the full amount of the
'August dividend cnn Ise paid ; but it will be paid rateably to the

whole extent of funds in hands, and thus the disposition to do right
will be kept up and evinced.
"The very disastrous fire at Pittsburgh may not be without
disadvantageous effect upon a portion of tax-payers, generally
amongst the most punctual.

"The Stock market was heavy this morning."
The Money Article of the Express says :

" The excitement that existed yesterday and the day before,
occasioned by the debates in Parliament on the Oregon question,
Is subsiding, and things are becoming more calm and settled.
"The Great Western leaves this afternoon for England. The
news she is to take out is of much importance in the present un.
certainty of political affairs; but among mercantile men there is
nothing ♦ery alarming as yet. Although the remarks of the Bri.
tish Minister in Parliament on the Oregon question have excited
considerable feeling and a good deal of remark, yet they have pro-
duced no perceptible influence upon the stock market. The south,
it is well known, in this country, will not be driven into a war for
the possession of Oregon, unless England acts unjustly or rashly ;
and the south, in the present position of parties here, holds on that
question the balance of power. Mr. Calhoun's views, given in this
paper to-day, are the tem of southern statesmen generally. The
Radical presses make a great deal of noise, particularly such as are
in the hands of former British subjects, but they do not represent
the feeling in the United States on this or any other question. It
would be, however, improper not to add here the conviction Is
universal that the territory is ours, as we claim it, and that It
should not be given up.

" The news from Texas In substance is, that while the people of
Texas wish to come into the Union, the Administrators of the
Texas Government (12 not. A great deal is thus to be done before
Texas can be made one of the United States. Meanwhile, public
attention in the United States, particularly In the southern part, is
much directed towards California, of which, It is probable, that
one of these days the United States Government will become pos.
leased. The Southern States of the Union are bent upon enlarg.
ing the slave-holding territory, and so fir does one of the leading

presses in Orleans go (the Bulletin) as to say that in case' British
intrigue' causes Texas to reject annexation—
"' In that event there is but one step which our Government
can with propriety pursue—that is, to solve the difficulty, as Mr.
Madison solved a similar one in 1840, by taking possession, with a
military force, of the country which is the subject of the intrigues.
The seizure and occupation of Mobile and Baton Rouge furnish
at once an example and a precedent for the present Administration
should there seem to be good reason to apprehend that the offi-
ciousness of Great Britain is operating to the prejudice of the
United States.

" ?here is now no serious apprehension hi this country of a
war with Mexico, but the public mind is far front being easy on
that subject."

Some apprehensions were felt, it appears, lest difficulties
should ensue with Brazil relative to the seizure at Rio, by
the United States Minister, Dia vessel supposed to be engaged
ip, the slave trade.
Nilitary movements towards the Texian frontiers are no-
ticed. • .

The following appointments by the President are officially
announced :—Hon. W. H. Stiles, of Georgia, to be Chargé
d'Affaires to the:Court of Austria; Hon. A. Davezac to be
Chargé d'Affaires to the Hague.
The Toronto papers give full details of a fire in London,
Canada west, the most destructive and terrible ever known
in Canada, which impoverished and ruined hundreds of peo-
ple ; at least 150 families were rendered houseless. The en-
tire loss was estimated at 200,000 dolls.

The accounts from Mexico and Texas are very contradic-
tory. The intelligence from the former country is to the
effect that General Almonte's communication of the passage
of the measure of annexation produced very considerable ex-
citement in the capital. On the 22d of March, Senor Cuevas,
the Minister of Foreign Relations, addressed a circular to the
governors of the different departments, in which he appeals
to the patriotism of the authorities of
.the departments and
ail their citizens, to forget all divisions, and to stand by the
'President, and co-operate with him in defence of the rights
and the honour of the nation. Upon the reception of official
notification; a very stormy session was held in the House of
Deputies, duridg which Senor Cuevas submitted the follow-
ing decree, prefacing it with the remark that the Govern-
ment felt strong enough for the emergency, without the
grant of additional powers. and he trusted that instead of a
grievous calamity, annexation might really prove a blessing
to Mexico, by uniting all her people in a determined effort
to maintain their rights and preserve the integrity of the
territory of the Republic. The Presidents of the-two Cham-
bers responded in much the same strain :

" Ist. Inasmuch as the United States of North America, by the
annexation of Texas to their territory, have openly violated their
friendship with this nation, it is hereby declared, that from the
passage of this law, the treaties of friendship, commerce, and na.
vigetion concluded between the said peoples in 1831, and mutually
accepted and ratified in January of 1832, are at an end.
" 2d. In consequence whereof, from the public ition of this law,
the terms of six months and of one year, for various purposes
agreed upon in said treaties, shall begin to be completed.
" 3d. The Government orders the closing of all ports to the
commerce of the United States, and forbids the use of their manu.
factures.
" 4th. No proposition relative to the restoration of friendship
will be listened to horn the United States, except upon the basis of
the relinquishment of the plan of the annexation of Texas."
The Chamber immediately went into secret session for the
purpose of discussing the above decree.
El Sieglo (of Mexico) of the 19th ult., contains a letter
from the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Cuevas) to Mr. Shan-
non, United States Jllinister at Mexico, informing him that
the Goveenment was in possession of the knowledge of the
passage of the annexation resolutions, and that diplomatic
relations between the two countries were suspended on that

ReitWeSaine day a note was addressed by th.
Cabinet to the Ministers of Spain, France, and England, pro-
testing against the proceedings of the United States in rela-
tion to Texas.
The Texian advices, which reach to the 9th ult., are still
of the same doubtful character, and give us no clue by which
to judge of the wishes of the Texians relative to annexation.
The rumoured guarantee of her independence, and conditiun-
ally, that that scheme be abandoned, is repeated.
The British sloop of war Electra, Captain Elliott, arrived
at Galveston on the 24th of March from Jamaica, with dis-
patches for the English and French Ministers in Texas. The
nature of these dispatches was not known, but Capt. Elliot,
in company with the French Minister, had left for the Texian

The Galveston Civilian, of the 2d ult., announces the re-
turn, on the 31st, of the French and British Ministers from
the seat of government.
The same paper of the sth says, ".The British ship Eury-
dice, Captain Elliot, arrived off this port on Thursday from
Vera Cruz. By this arrival both the Ministers of Great Bri-
tain and France in Texas have received dispatches."
The papers are full of articles relating to annexation. The
discussion appears to be carried on with much warmth,
the tone of the National Register and Galveston Civilian
being decidedly hostile to annexation on the terms pro-
posed by the joint resolutions, while the Ilouston Telegraph
and Galveston Newt strongly advocate anexation on those
terms. While the President and General Houston, accord-
ing to the accounts, are enemies of annexation, the Vice-
President had presided at a meeting in its favour.
The most important information is the following, given by
the Picayune, on the authority of private letters of later
dates :

" President Jones had returned to Washington, and the
United States Minister, Major Donelson, had been treated so
cavalierly by him and his Cabinet that Invoke of withdraw.
ing from the seat of Government to Galveston."

L►TE ►ND IMPORTANT FROM IYIERICO.—By the arrival last
night of the steam-ship Alabama from Savannah, bringing papers
to the 9th inst., we have later news from the City of Mexico. On
the 29th ult., our Minister in Mexico was informed that the diplo.
matic relations between the two countries had ceased.
The trial of Santa Anus was in progress. The robberies between
Vera Crux and Mexico were as rife as ever. It now appears that
Mexico is willing to recognise the independence of Texas, provided
the latter will decline annexation to the United States.—Nete York
Tribune, April 23.

MONEY AND COMMERCIAL YEWS, Aran, 29.
SALES AT THE STOCK EXCHANGE.
$5OO N I' St 78, 1848
IU,OOO Ohio 6s 1860
5,000 Kentucky 6s ...
15,000 Fenn. ss.
20 Shares Union Bank
10 North River Bank
100 Bank of Com. Scrip
300 Vicksburg Bank 9
100 N. A. Trust b3o 13
425 Farmer's Trust ...
475 Morris Canal
375 Canton Co
50 East Boston C 0.... 14%
200 shares Harlem Rd 7l
25 Erie Rd.
20 Utica and Schen Rd l2B
20 Syr. and Utica Rd
114
100 Long Island ...
75
75 Mohawk
50 Stonington
25 Norw. and Worc.
•• 70%
200 Wilmington
42
SECOND BOARD.
$lO,OOO Pennsylvanian
5,000 Kentucky
100%
100 shares East Boston
250 Farmers' Loan
200 Erie Rd b3o 30
50 Reading slo 49
25 Canton Co b3o 43%
25 Norw. and Worc
25 Morris Canal
50 Vicksburg Bank
Flour—Western Flour is in better demand; the principal portion
of the laid, however, have been at 4 dolls. 624 c. Southern kinds
are 561—Georgetown, Brandywine, and Baltimore, 4 dolls. 87bc.:
Alexandria, Petersburgh, and Frederieksburgh, 4 dolls. 75c. Rye
Flour, 3 dolls. A 3 dolls. It c. Indian Meal, 2 dollS. 431 c. a
2 dolls. 62ic.

2,000 bushels of Jersey Corn sold at 481 c.
Ashes-100 brls. Pearls sold at 4 dolls. 50c. per I 00Ibs., which
Is a decline from previous sales. Pots are dull and freely offered ;
50 barrels sold at 4 dolls. 12/Ic.; and 500 barrels (to arrive), at
4 dolls. 121fc. a 4 dolls. 25c.
The• Provision Market was inactive to-day—prices firm. Sales
of Pork were made at 10 dolls. 50c. a 11 dolls, for new prime,
and 13 dolls. 50c. for mess. Old ditto, 9 dolls. 68ic. a 9 .dolls.
75c. f9r prime, and 12 dolls. 75c. for mess. Beef, 6 dolls. a
6 dolls. 50c. to 9 dolls, a 9 dolls. 50c. for prime and mess. Lard is
in demand at -8 aBi cents. Butter is dull at 10 a 16 cents.
Cheese, 7 a 8 cents per pound.
The cargo of Teas per Cincinnati were sold this morning at
prices fully equal to any obtained this season.
The rates of. Freight are, to Liverpool, id. per lb. for Cotton, In
square bales, and-5-16d. in round. Turpentine and Flour, Is. 9d.
a 2s. 3d. per barrel, To London— Cotton, id. ; Naval Stores and
Flour, 2s. a 2s. 6d. To Havre—Cotton, c, a c, per lb. ; Ashes,
8 dolls, a 10 dolls. per ton; Rice, 10 dolls. per ton.
The loss by the great fire at Pittsburgh is stated to be ten
• •
maltorta of dollars,