The Sun.
London, England, 1842-06-24 00:00:00

AMERICAN NEWS.

SEVEN DAYS LATER FROM THE
UNITED STATES.
At 5 o'clock yesterday morning the British Queen
arrived at Cowes from New York, having made the
passage in fifteen days. She left on the afternoon of
the 7th instant, and has brought letters and papers to
that date inclusive. Their contents are not very im-
portant. The prevailing opinion at New
_York is,
that Lord Ashburton's mission will be brought to a
favourable and amicable conclusion, though but little
is said on the subject in the American Journals.
The Federal Government has indicated an inten-
tion of making some reduction in the United States
navy, or at least of not carrying out the increase
which was resolved upon some time ago. This is an
indication that the pending negotiations are likely to
establish a good understanding, and that there is
now very little probability of hostilities between
England and America. The American papers are
very indignant at the contemplated reduction of their
marine.
The Warspite, 50, Captain John Hay, arrived at
New York on the 2d of this month, and it is stated is
to await the departure of Lord Ashburton.
The Great Western arrived at New York on the 4th.
The British Queen has had a favourable passage.
She reports that there is a more than usual quantity of
ice in the Atlantic. At one o'clock on the 12th, in
latitude 42.38 and longitude 52.45, the thermometer
suddenly fell from 60 to 48, and that on that and the
following day she passed through a large quantity of
drift ice and by a number of immense icebergs. The
passengers, about 50 in number, speak in the highest
terms of the admirable skill displayed by Captain
Keane on the occasion, and have addressed a letter of
thanks to him. She also encountered a number of
icebergs on her outward passage.
The commercial affairs of America are improving,
but not very much. The Banks of Lancaster have
notified their intention of resuming specie payments
on all their liabilities on the Ist of next September.
Messrs. Horsley Palmer and Ricardo had arrived
at New York.
Exchanges—on London, 1071 to 108 ; on Paris,
5 37i-, ; on Amsterdam, 39 to 39k; on Hamburgh,
35 to 35,-1-; on Bremen, 76 to 761.
( From the National Intelligencer.)
A Tariff Bill for revenue. was yesterday reported by the in-
defatigable Committee of Ways and Means of the House o
Representatives; and now, if we may speak figuratively of the
business of the session, all the irons are in the fire. We wish
that none of them may burn.
We have glanced our eye over the Bill, with a view to give
the reader a general idea of its character. It proposes to lay
duties on goods imported from abroad, on the chief articles
thereof, as follows:
On unmanufactured wool exceeding eight cents per pound in
value, 30 per centum ad valorem.
On the same article of the value of S cents, or under, per
pound, a duty of 5 per cent. ad valorem.
On all manufactures of wool 40 per cent. ad valorem, except
carpeting, blankets, and some other articles, on which special)
ad valorem duties are proposed.
On unmanufactured cotton 3 cents a pound.
On all manufactures of cotton not otherwise specified, 30 per
cent, ad valorem.
On all articles of silk, according to their character, 30 or 33
per cent.
On unmanufactured hemp, 40 dollars per ton.
On iron, in bars and bolts, not manufactured by rolling, 18
dollars per ton ; on the same article, made in whole or in part
by rolling, 30 dollars per ton.
On lead, in pigs, bars, or sheets, three cents per pound.
On cut glass, from 25 to 45 cents per pound ; on plain,
moulded, and pressed glass, from 10 to 16 cents per pound.
On all articles of china or any other earthen ware, 30 per
cent. ad valorem.
On tanned sole or bend leather, 6 cents per pound; on calf.
skin tanned and dressed, 3 dollars and bOcents per dozen, &c.
On all bound books in the English language, 20 cents per
pound, &c.
On raw sugar, 211 cents per pound.
On teas, according to their quality, 20 cents, 15 cents, 1)
cents, down to Bohea, on which a duty of 3 cents only is pro-
posed.
On salt 10 cents per bushel.
After going through a long enumeration of specific duties, a
duty of 20 per cent. ad valorem upon all remaining articles.
An additional duty of 10 per cent. on all articles imported
in foreign vessels in cases, where a specific dtscrimination is not
• made in the Bill.
All duties hereafter to be paid in cash.
The Bill also proposes to repeal the proviso of the Land Dis-
tribution Act, which suspends the operation of that Act in the
event of any duty being laid by Congress of a higher rate than
20 per centum ad valorem.
THE EARTHQUAKE IN THE WEST INDlES.—Accounts from
Ponce, P.R., state that a very severe shock of an earthquake
occurred there just before five o'clock p.m. on the 7th
which continued about four minutes. Ponce is about 1,500
miles east of St. Martinsville, Louisiana, from which we
published the account of an earthquake having occurred at
three o'clock p.m. on the 7th ult. Allowing for difference of
longitude one hour and forty minutes, there is strong reason to
believe that these shocks were the effect of the same violent
movement from below the surface of the earth. Geologists
tell us that it is to the volcanoes of South America, of Mexico,
and Madeira, that we are to look as the reason why we are
generally so exempt on this continent from these convulsions of
nature.
FURTHER EXTRACTS FROM THE AMERICAN PAPERS.
(From the New York Herald of June 7.)
ASTOUNDING EXPLOSIONS IN WALL-STREET.—Yes-
terday was a day of great excitement in the financial and
rascally circles of Wall-street. The first explosion, or
modern financial earthquake, took place about ten
o'clock in the morning, when it was discovered that
James S. Schermerhorn, who has been Secretary of the
Ocean Insurance Company for years past, had proved a
defaulter to that institution in the sum of upwards of
one hundred thousand dollars. Upon being informed of
the discovery, he confessed the whole affair, and the
manner in which he had succeeded in defrauding the
institution of this large amount of money. Upwards of
eight hundred false certificates of stock, we under-
stand, have been issued as one of the means by which he
has raised funds, besides false entries in the cash and
bank books. These speculations, for such they may be
considered in a general sense, have extended over several
years' time, and originated in that curse which has ruined
thousands—speculations in stocks. During the afternoon,
Abraham Ogden, Esq., President of the Company, ap-
peared at the Lower Police office, and entered a charge
against Schermerhorn to the above effect, upon which he
was immediately arrested by officer M'Grath, and safely
lodged in the city prison. He has a family, and four
children, who have heretofore lived in affluence, and we
understand that he was about erecting a splendid mansion
in the upper part of the city as a private resideuce. He
attributes his conduct entirely to the rascalities of Wall-
street, and dabbling in stocks. The capital of the com-
pany is $350,000, and we understand that he has con-
fessed that his defalcations would reach nearly $150,000.
ANOTHER TRICK OF A FINANCIER.—The devil ap-
peared to have broken loose yesterday, as no sooner had
the above explosion become well known, than it was also
ascertained that Garrett Van Dyne, the aged porter of
the Long Island Bank, had been robbed, or his pocket
picked of $24,000, in bank notes and checks, while pro-
ceeding from Wall-street to Brooklyn. He had crossed
the river, as usual, in the morning, to receive the ex-
changes from the Phoenix Bank, in Wall-street, and after
enclosing the money in a package, returned to Brooklyn,
and on arriving at the other side, found that his inside
coat pocket had been torn open, and the money taken
out. The notes were all of the Long Island Bank, and
form about $lO,OOO of ,the whole amount. A suitable
reward has been offered for the recovery of the money,
or any portion of it, • but up to a late hour last
night, no one had been caught who could be sus-
pected. Mr. Van Dyne, the porter of the Bank, is
upwards of 80 years of age, and has been in that institu-
si m for many years. The officers of the Bank have no
suspicion that the money was appropriated by Mr. Van
Dyne to his own use, as was reported yesterday, as all the
circumstances attending the loss convey a different im-
pression. There is no doubt that the rogues who com-
mitted the act have watched the old gentleman for weeks,
and fixed upon yesterday as the day to accomplish their
purpose. They had selected that day, in all probability
supposing that the redemption of Saturday's business was
more extensive than any other day in the week. Un-
fortunately for them, the money conveyed over was the
receipts of Friday, and therefore the amount was some
10,000 dollars less than it would have been had they se-
lected this day for their operations. The loss to the
oank will be about 10,000 dols. The payment of the
checks, that amount to about 14,000 dols. has been stop-
ped, The notes were from 1 to 1,000 dols. in denomi-
nation. These explosions will certainly lead to others,
it rarely rains but it pours, and no one can doubt for
an instant that if the truth was fully ascertained, Wall-
street would present scene after scene of just such deso-
lation and ruin as the one previously depicted.
CANADA.
The intelligence from this portion of the British Em-
pire by the last mail, is by no means important. The
Governor-General was in excellent health, and so were
the members of his family. He is evidently becoming
very popular with the loyal portion of the Canadians.
Within the last few months a very extensive emi-
gration has taken place from the United States to
Canada, of persons natives of Great Britain, but who
have resided for many years in the United States.
Several thousands of these individuals have reached
Canada since the opening of navigation.
The subject of emigration is deemed one of so much
importance by Sir Charles Begot, as to call from him a
long document from which we make the following ex-
tracts :
" 1 observe that the question of emigration is engaging
much attention in England, and has been pressed on the
notice of her Majestys Government from severalinfluen-
tial quarters. I presume, however, that it would not
be the intention of her Majesty's Government to pay
any part of the passage of emigrants proceeding to this
province. The expense of such an arrangement would
. be very great, and I agree with Lord Sydenham in think-
ing that it would be neither necessary nor expedient. But
the plan proposed by Lord J. 4ussell, .viz.,that the Govern-

ment should pay the tax on such emigrants as should come
out under their auspices, appears to be both practical and
judicious. The funds thus created, together with the pro-
ceeds of the tax on those who come out without Government
assistance, with the annual grant for agency, will probably
suffice for the emigration and quarantine expenses of the
present year. But, if not, I anticipate no difficulty in
obtaining any additional sum that may be required from
the Legislature. Should the Imperial Parliament grant
any further sum towards emigration, 1 would suggest
the propriety of employing at least a portion of it as
suggested by Lord Sydenham, in placing a Government
agent, who should also act as medical attendant, on board
each vessel containing a large number of emigrants.
" During the past season great difficulty was found in
procuring employment for emigrants who came here
merely as labourers, without any previous knowledge of
agriculture or of any mechanical trade. Under ordinary
circumstances the demand for unskilled labour is ex-
ceedingly small, and I should be disposed to dissuade
rather than encourage the emigration of that class. But
during the approaching season so many public works
will, I trust, be in operation, that there can be no fear of
a want of employment for all who are able to work. I
have alteady devoted a great deal of attention to this
subject ; and assumingiehat the loan to be granted by
Great Britain will be ilksed at an early date, I expect
that in the course of the summer a considerable progress
will be made in the improvements of the St.
Lawrence navigation by the completion of the Corn-
wall Canal ; the commencement of a canal liVtween
Coteau-du-Lac and the Cascades ; the completion of the
lock and dam at Anne's Rapids ; and the widening of the
Lachine Canal. The improvements on the Welland
Canal are already in progress, and those in Lake St. Peter
and on the Bay of Chaleurs and Gosford Road will be
commenced as soon as the season will permit. These,
with the completion of the Montreal and Quebec roads,
and with the local improvements which will be provided
by the several District Councils, will absorb all the emi-
grz: nts who can be expected. It is probable also that some
other of the public works, especially the erection of
bridges on the main Province road, will be completed this
year. The great bulk, however, of the labour required
on this work will be skilled labour ; that of carpenters
principally, and masons.
" The emigration during the past year from this Pro-
vince to the United States has been comparatively small ;
and there seems reason to believe that it has been ba-
lanced by the immigration from the United States.
Those who went from this were principally persons
whose relations were settled in the United States, and
who coming out to join them, had taken the route of
the St. Lawrence, on account of its superior cheapness."
The Montreal Herald, of June 2, publishes a highly
interesting letter addressed to Lord Ashburton, on the
growing and great importance of the corn and flour
trade with England, by way of the River St. Lawrence.
It appears that last year this trade amounted to
4,000,000 dollars.

Fifteen hundred emigrants arrived in Montreal on
the Ist and 2d days of June.
The prospect for grain crops this year in Canada
is unusually good.
The Canadian papers all unite in abusing Captain
Barclay's book about Canada.
THE ARMY IN CANADA.—On the Ist of June, Ma-
jor. General Sir James A. Hope, attended by his son,
Lieut. Hope, A.D.C., and Lieut.-Col. Dickson, A.A.G.,
inspected the 70th and 71st regiments, on the Champ de
Mars. The inspection, especially of the latter corps,
was very minute, which went through a number of in-
tricate evolutions, with the precision of which, as well as
of those executed by the former regiment, the Major-
General expressed his high satisfaction. On the ground,
during the inspection, were a strong body of volun-
teers, from the 67th and 70th, to the 71st regiment,
which will enable this gallant corps, on the arrival of
the depot companies, to complete its complement of
twelve hundred men, in as far as volunteering from
regiments in the Province will admit of. Sir
James 11I'Donell embarks for England in the Douglas,
which leaves Quebec in a few days. Sir James A. Hope,
who has susceeded to the command held in this pro-
vince by the gallant "hero of Hugoumont," intends to
make Montreal his head-quarters. Major-General Sir
Richard Armstrong, who is to relieve Lieut.-General
Clitherow in his command in Western Canada, has ap-
pointed Captain Mayne, of the Royal Regiment, his
Aide-de-Camp.
LATEST FROM FLORIDA.—The St. Augustine Herald
of 27th ult. contains more particulars of the Alachua
massacre. The war is not yet ended. A correspondent
at Newnansville, under date of the 23d May, gives fur-
ther particulars of the horrid barbarities committed by
the gang of Indians that passed through Alachua county
on the 15th inst. They attacked the house of Mr. A.
Snowdon, and killed him and three children, and Mrs. S.
they wounded in seven places, and left her for dead.
After setting the house on fire, they took the children
about 200 yards from the flames of their dwelling, and
shot them one by one with arrows, in sight of their
mother, and killed them all before they molested her!
They then shot her with arrows, and left her for dead.
She swooned, and has no recollection of the departure of
the Indians. Ris believed she will recover. She is under
the care of 1)r. J. P. Crichton. On the morning of the
17th they killed two soldiers near Wacahootee,_ and
on the same day Lieut. Britton was in 'search of the
party, and came upon them while in ambush. The
Indians fired on his advance, and wounded three men. ;
They fled precipitately. The citizens and troops are in
search of them day and night. On the 21st in .t., the
Indians were at Colonel F. Sanchez's plantation, at San
Felasco hammock. Captain Sewell and a party of citi-
zens had gone out on the hunt after them, and had not
returned when the mail left. The store-house at Picolata
was burned on the 25th ult., supposed to have been the
work of some evil disposed
_person.
THEATRICALS IN THE UNITED STATES.—The prin-
cipal item of interest in the theatrical world, is the en-
gagement of Mademoiselle Fanny Elssler at the Park
Theatre. She commences at this theatre to-m:01)6w
evening in the ballet of La Sonnambula. She has had
a most brilliant time of it in Cuba this winter, where
her attractions were as great as ever, and whence she
sailed direct for this city.—The Brahams aro out west,
giving a series of brilliant concerts to crowded audiences
on each occasion. They will be at the Falls and at the
Springs this summer.—Mrs. Sutton and Signor Nagel,
after a very successful tour in the south, are now at
Louisville, giving concerts to brilliant audiences. They
intend this summer to visit Niagara, Toronto, Kingston,
Montreal, Quebec, &c.—Mr. and Mrs. Sloman are in
Montreal. Forrest has just closed an engagement with
Thorne.—Niblo opened a few nights since, and has had
brilliant houses every night. His attractions for this
summer are very great. Those old favourites, the
Ravels, are with him.—The Olympic closes a very suc-
cessful season this evening.—The new opera of the Maid
of Saxony, words by George P. Morris, Esq., musio by
Charles Horn, has had pretty fair success, considering
all things. We presume that it will be laid aside for
the present, or during Fanny Elssler's engagement. We
learn that Gen. Morris intends to go out to England, to
superintend in person the production of this opera at
Covent Garden.

FASHIONABLE Moveatewrs.—Lord Morpeth, we be-
lieve, is at this time at the White Sulphur Springs,
Virginia ; he intends to spend the summer at Saratoga,
Niagara Falls, and Upper and Lower Canada. Where-
ever he bets a chance he travels by stages in preference
to railroads or steam-boats, and always takes the reins
and drives himself, if the driver will let him.—Charles
Dickens and lady are in the city ; they leave to-morrow
in the George Washington for "merrie England ;" Mrs.
D. having made her calculation, finds this hasty departure
necessary. as she has determined that there shall be no
yank.. ;ern in her family. • Dickens' portfolio is filled
with Aleus and graphic incidents which be has
met with on his tour ; and it is his intention, as soon as
he reaches England, to publish a book containg Boz's be-
wilderments 'in the United States.—M. Van Buren and
his man Friday, after visiting General Jackson and Mr.
Clay, have gone to Cincinnati, and intend to come round
the northern part of the Union down to Saratoga.—Our
fashionable season bids fair to be a very brilliant one ;
already crowds are on the wing for the Springs and Eu-
rope, and hotel keepers at Sarataga are fitting up beds in
the chtlegies for the accommodation of their customers.
—l)r. Lardner is at Albany delivering lectures. He
goes out west, lecturing all the way.
TRIAL OF COLONEL MONROE EDWARDS.—The trial
of Colonel Monroe Edwards, one of the greatest finan-
ciers and finest gentlemen of modern times, without
the benefit of the bankrupt act, begins to-day at eleven
o'clock in the Court of Oyer and Terminer, before Judge
Kent. The Hon. Daniel Webster is here as one of the
witeessess. This trial will create a great sensation—
almost amounting to a moral earthquake—throughout
this country and Europe. Monroe Edwards has
~560,000 in gold, twenty-two carats fine, in his strong
box in the vaults of the Bank of North America,
Philadelphia, besides being a man of eerie, fashion,
taste and refinement, including the honour of Colonel
in some regular army, but we don't know what—
certainly not the cold water army. He has travelled
in Europe—visited Paris—borrowed money' of Lord
Spencer, and what is more surprising, too, paid back the
borrowed money. His life has been full of flash, fashion,
and adventure—his person a perfect Apollo Belvidere.
His trial will probably occupy all this week, and a bit of
the next. The array of legal talent on both sides is
tremendous. We find for the prosecution James R.
Whiting, Ogden Hoffman, and Charles O'Connor—for
the Gallant Colonel, Hon. T. F. Marshall, and tyre
others.—New York Herald.
LETTER FROM MEXICO.—We yesterday received ad-
vices from Vera Cruz to the 19th inst. Permission has
been given to the celebrated Gutierrez Estrada to rd-
turn to the Repubic. It may be recollected that he wrote
the letter to the President Bustamente, recommending
the establishment of a monarchial form of goleernment in
Mexico, and the call of a foreign prince to the throne.
Santa Anna has issued a decree prohibiting the
deputies
from Campeachy from taking their seats in the Con-
stituent Congress, shortly to meet at the city of Mexico.
There was a rumour in Mexico of a revolutionary move-
ment
in the South, headed by General Alvarez, who is
said to have declared forFederation.-tAIP York Herald.
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