The Sun.
London, England, 1845-10-15 00:00:00

Lave said its object was to turn Lim into ridicule. " Go,

But we are further to remember that not more than two years
have elapsed since the present Government reduced the tariff
of produce and merchandise paying Customs by some hun-
dreds of articles. And last session the Customs' duties
on not less than four hundred articles were entirely
abolished. The wisdom which determined on totally eras-
ing such articles from the list, on contrasting the amount
of net duty they yielded with the proportion ascribable to
them of the gross charge of Customs' collection, is no more
to be doubted now than it was at the time it was first de-
termined to try the experiment of so wholesale a fiscal
repeal. But it is surely to be acknowledged, that
a further contingent reduction of the last year's
yield of Customs' duty must, in fairness, be further allowed
for, inasmuch as from any of the various accidents which
govern such matters—caprice, fashion, popular taste or favour
—it is highly probable that by this time they would have
been contributing some sensible additions to the revenue.
But above all it ought to be remembered that the duty on
foreign corn during the last quarter has been next to no-
thing, while during the same period last year it amounted to
nearly a million sterling. These account sufficiently for the
apparent large falling off in the quarter's Customs.
Much of the reasoning which applies to the duties of Cus-
toms is equally valid as to those of Excise, in appreciating
their aggregate productiveness. Her MAJ EsTY's present
Ministers might, in our opinion, in common with all their
predecessors in Government for the last one hundred years.
have- reduced that most oppressive body of imposts, the Ex-
cise, to a far greater extent then they or those who have been
in office before them, have hitherto even contemplated. Vici-
ous in principle, extravagant in amount, arbitrary in col-
lection, the Excise is a costly and scandalous price to pay
even, for the immense national benefit of the Revolution
of 1688. It is a tax which is accurately framed
to dip deeply into the till of the retail trader, whilst it seldom
or ever visits the strong-box of the wholesale dealer, or mer-
chant importer. It passes by almost imperceptibly the coffers
of the rich, but absolutely and rudely plunders the scanty
purse of the poor man, as often as he draws its strings to pay
fur the most indispensable articles of subsistence. But the
wars which the accession of King WILLIAM left as a rent-
charge on the legacy of our noble constitution have, accord-
ing to the averment of every Minister since Sir ROBERT
WALPOLE, and of every Government which has held office
under the House of Hanover, rendered it necessary for the
discharge of the public obligations to maintain this scheme of
taxation—not the less odious that it was originated under the
Long Parliament, cherished by CROMWELL, and in a century
afterwards excused by the Whig Ministers of GEORGE 11.
And whilst we venture to insist that more might have been
done by the Governments of Queen VicsrontA to mitigate,
if they could nut wholly repeal this very odious branch
of taxation, we most readily acknowledge that the present
Minister and his colleagues have accomplished much in the
way of reduction even under this head. Mr. GouLnunx, for
example, some years ago opened the beer trade, a proceed-
ing which, whatever may have been the partial inconveniences
thst have resulted from it in the abuse of the beer-shop-
Mensing system, must be allowed to have been a great boon
to the poor consumer. The present Ministry have, as in the
articles of glass, stained paper, small stamps, &c., struck oil
various small branches of duty, the aggregate amount of
.which is still so large as to make it matter of unaffected
astonishment to us, and we heartily congratulate the Go-
vernment on the fact. that upon the whole year there should
actually result an increase of Excise income to the
amount of 109,270!., minus an inconsiderable decrease
on the quarter of 5,7841. The Excise has now existed 'AK:
years. The first collection (at that time not an annual one)
VMS in 1643 ; and was as; arbitrarily levied as all the other in.-
posts collected during the arbitrary reign of CHARLES I. After
being still more severely exacted during the Protectorate,
and abused, increased, and misappropriated by that royal
misdemeanant, CHARLES 11., in his usual manner, it was
finally organised by Sir ROBERT WALPOLE, under GEORGE
11., in 1741. The product for Great Britain was then
3,760,000/. It is true that in the lapse of one century it has
now risen to 12,000,000/. and upwards. Nevertheless we
should be delighted to see 1846 distinguished by a Lola
generous, and large effort at least to commence the total re-
peal of these duties.
On looking at the articles of decrease, in addition to the
"Customs," we are glad to find that they consist of a frac-
r!onal item of 160/. (on an aggregate of more than 4,000,0001.
taxes), and 134,8281. on the amount of the Property-tax. At
the fact of this decrease, protesting as 7e have never ceased
to do, against the adoption of so unjust, so impolitic, so
clumsy (albeit it has proved so productive) an expedient for
enlarging the public revenue in the thirtieth year of an unin-
terrupted peace, as the imposition of a war-tax, we should
rather rejoice than grieve, did we not consider, for the reps
ssn assigned in our article of Saturday last, that this decrease
is perhaps apparent, only, not real, and attributable in fact
t the remission of previously collected contributions on
in tomes below the minimum of 1501. On the other hand, the
Post- cffice shows an increase 0f16,000/. on the year, corrobo-
rated by a similar result, to the amount of 9,000/. on the quar-
ter. The Crown Lands, which have produced 10,000/. mo e
on the last than in the preceding quarter, exhibit an im-
provement, for the quarter just terminated, of 20,0001, a pro-
portion that warrants the assumption that the extension i,t
their net rental from 135,000 e to 145,000/. is by no
means the measure of their permanently improved value.
The " Miscellaneous" heads yield a total increase
on the year of 240,000/. The general result of this statement
is a decrease of 570,000/. on the quarter, but not more that
235,000/. on the financial year. We are sorry, indeed. to per-
ceive that there is a serious increase for 1845 on the " Charge
for Permanent Debt," as compared with 1844, amounting ti
nearly 1,000,0001., and that that for Terminable Annuities- his
distitoslied itself by only so small a sum, from what it stood
at for 1844, as 5,100/.

Oar accounts from Madrid arc to the 6th init. Great
preparations were in progress for a grand levee to be held at
Court on the 19th, in honour of her MAJESTY'S birthday.
MAZZAREDO, the Captain-General (4* Madrid, had left for
Paris on a tnission, it was said, relative to the proposed rail-
way from Madrid to Bilboa. The Political Chief had issued
a proclamation, announcing that the authorities had mad(
:arrangements by which the fortl coming municipal election,
would be made with the utmost impartiality, and ,the law
enforced. No p-ablic transactions took place on the Bourse.

The Paris papers are &lay occupied with the affairs of
Algiers and the letter o Marshal BUGEAUD. It is now ad-
rn;tted on all hands to be genuine, and strange, to Pay, the
G )vernment, if we are to believe the official journals, have
made up their minds to I;:abanit to the insult. Indeed, o.
of these papers contai,:a an article heaping the most fulsott ,
praises ou this eccentric character. Had it appeared in at
of those not under the influence of Government, we sliould

--- • -
brave and noble Marshal," says the Epoque, " pursue your
bright career, and rest assured that France will not forget
your sere-leer. Your name will remain attached to that land
of Africa which your arms have made illustrious, by the side
of those of Serino, Mautus, SYLLA, CAESAR, and BELLSA-
MITS. The esteem and gratitude of the country will indem-
nify you for the passionate attacks of a jealous and ha-
rassing press ; and those very attacks will afford you an
additional likeness to men, whose memory dies not !" The
Journal des Debuts writts in a more sober strain, and
ill-conceals the annoyance which this outbreak at the present
time has caused to the Ministry. The following is an ex-
tract from an article in that paper on the subject :—" We
published without any remark the letter addressed by Mar-
shal BuGreatoe to the Prefect of the Dordogne, because we
considered it unnecessary to attach to it an exaggerated
importance. The commentaries which have been passed on
it iu several journals have not caused us to change our
opinion. First of all we cannot attribute to this private
communication any official character, and we cannot he-
lieve that it was destined to be indiscreetly published as has
been done. We are well persuaded that if the Governor
General of Algeria had had any observations to make to the
Government under which he serves, he would have employed a
more regular channel, and used more measured language. We,
therefore,shall assign to this; letter its veritable importance in
considering it only as one of those eccentric outbreaks to which
Marshal BUGEAUD has by this time accustomed every one.
Evidently he does not bear in mind in what times and in
what con try we live. One would almost say that his long
sojourn out of France has caused hin to forget its customs.
We say it sincerely, we regret to see a man like him not
knowing how to accept better the institutions of his time;
we regret to see allied to such great qualities so great a
feebleness of character." The KING, who, Irons alt accounts,
has been greatly distressed by the disasters in Algeria,
has offered bursaries in the Royal College to such mem-
bers of the families of the officers who fell as are
disposed to receive them. The Journal des J)ebats publishes
the following interesting account of the present position
of ABD-EL-KADER, and the preparations made to oppose hint ;
but it is evident., from the statement, that these preparations
are made in the dark, as no one cau tell on what part of th-at
frontier this enterprising and indefatigable chi.l will make
his appearance :
" Our private letters and the African journals announce
that Abd-el-Kader passed by the little town of Nedroma,
four leagues to the south-east of the port of Ghazaouat, on
September 24, the day after the catastrophe of Colonel
Montaguac, proceeding towards the Trara country, which
extends along the left bank of the Tanta. The Kabyle
tribes of the Tafua submitted of their own accord in 1842,
without combats Or razzias, when Mohammed Ouled-
el-Scheik had recourse to the support of our arms to be
delivered from the tyranny of Abd-el-Kader. This
circumstance proves that they have not had any
other motive for their recent revolt beyon I the
preaching of the fanatics sent from Morocco by Abd-el-
Kader before he appeared himself. Letters which appear
marked with exaggeration, attribute to him a force of
10,000 men, of whom 4,000 are horsemen. In the Trara
country, he is within two days' journey of Lelle-Magheura,
about the saute distance from Tlemcen, and four days' InarCh
from Oran ; but he can reduce theie distances one-half by
making forced marches with his cavalry. The ex-Emir had
attempted unsaccessfully in the spring to penetrate into Al-
geria by the south ()lithe side of thedesert, and he found him-
self obliged to renounce the attempt in consequence of the re-
sistance offered hint by the Hamianes-Cheragas and the Lag-
houats, supported by the proximity of our column, on the hue
of Sahara. At present he penetrates on the north-west, by the
sea coast, adroitly choosing the moment when the troops of the
Tlemcen division were occupied in pate ing down the insurrec-
tion fomented by his emissaries. Probably he has no intention
of remaining in ehe mountains of Trare, which are neigboure
ing to the tea, and where he would soon be hunted down.
We are apprehensive of hearing shortly that he has marched
towards the south-east, to revolt the province of Mascara, the
Hachein, the Djaffra, the neighbours of the Fates' who them-
selves touch on the Beni-Oaraghres and the Ouarauseris
countries, where Bou- Maze, at the head of 1,500 horsemen
and 2,500 foot soldiers, according to Groeral Lamoriciere's
estimate in his report. The different corps destined to stop
his march, to turn his flank, and to pursue him, in order to
prevent his attempting to reinstate himself in the country of
:,is ancient power, the column of General Bourjolly, re-
inforced by two battalions, is posted on the Mum, having in
a second line the column of Colonel St. Arnault,
the commandant of Orleausville. General lie-
veu, who commands at Milianah, proceeds to Chelif,
behind Orleansville, to watch the extremity of the
Ouarauseris chain of mountains. On the lower Mina we
have the Kalifa Side el Arabi, an inveterate enemy of Abd-
el-Kader, with six hundred horse. In the district of
Tlemcen General Cavaignac, whom Colonel de Barrai has
joined, has taken his position on the Western Isser, a day's
march to the north of Tlemcen, on the way to Trara. Ge-
neral Lamoriciere, who has arm ived at Oran with two bat-
talions, has also taken an excellent position. He has been
joined by General Korte, who is placed half way between
Oran and the Desert. In front of Oran he has also placed
Colonel Esterhazy, with a large body of cavalry, and he him-
self, at the head of five battalions, is on the road to Tlemcen,
in order to watch more narrowly the movements of Abd-el-
Kader, and to watch lest he should attempt to cross the
'raffia. Colonel Gery commands at Mascara. He has not
many men under his command, but he can be easily reinforced,
should Abd-el-Kader attempt to enter by that route."
The Presse, the Constitationnel, and some other Opposition
journals, make bitter comment on the armicles in some Lou.
don journals relative to the late disasters. Tht se comments
are not justified to their full extent, but it cannot be denied,
at the same time, that they have had some provocation.
Certain parties on this side of the water seem to encourage
a reciprocal bad feeling between the two countries.
Accounts from Italy state that complete tranquillity had
been restored in the Legations. The insurgents who had
escaped were said to be making their way towards Leghorn
where they hoped to embark. The Butvnn Gazette of the
3d confirms the surrender of ;00 conspirators on the Tuscan
territory, who were conducted to Rocca San Casciano.
The Three per Cents. were done at Tortoni's on Sunday
at 83f. 50c.
BUSINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THE
LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE, Ocr. 13.
Anglo-Belgian Luxembourg
Boulogne and Amiens.. 12% Namur and Liege 5Vs
Bordeaux &Mediterran North Jamaica
Bordeaux and Toulou.se Orleans and Vierzon
Do. & Cette (Espeleta) Orleans and Bordeaux 1334
Do. ( Mackenzie's) .. Over Yssel
Central of Spain ..... 21% Paris& Lyons ( Lafitte)
Demerara ...
Dendre Valley
Dutch Rhenish ...... 11% Paris and Orleans-- --
Dieppe & Paris Juliet. Paris and Rouen .
Dijon and Mulhouse Paris and Strasburg
East Indian
Grt Northern of France Do. (Compte Est)
(Laffitte's)
Ditto (Rosamel's) 3% Rouen and Havre......
Do. (Le Boeuf) Royal North of Spain. 2;/8
Do. Pepin Ic Halleur — Sambre and Meuse, ....
Great Paris and Lyons 2 Strasbourg and Basle .
Great Western Bengal l:!.4 rournay,Jurbise, Lan-
Jamaica Junction — dent, and Hasselt...
Do. North 21,g Tours and Nantes
Do. Extension
Jersey
Louvain and Jemeppe.. 4% Verona and Ancona —
Lyons and West Flanders

AM ERICAN NEW 3

LATER from the UNITED STATES.

ARRIVAL OF THE BRITANNIA.

LIVERPOOL, TUESDAY.

The Royal Mail Steamer Britannia, Captain Hewett, ar-
rived here this morning at half-past eleven. She left Bos-
ton at 2 P.m. on the Ist instant, and Halifax at 1 P.M. on
the 3d, and has consequently made the pass,ge in thirteen
(lays. She has in ought 76 passengers. Her advicls from
New York are twelve days later than these brought by the
Great Western.
The steam-ship Cambria arrived at Halifax on the Ist of
October, in eleven days and a half.
The intelligence from Vera Cruz is to the 15th instant. It
now seems to be settled beyond a question that there will be
no war between the 'United States and Mexico, relative to the

annexation of Texas.
o .e of the " States."

That Republic will be funned into

_
An extensive emigration is going forward to California
from Washington, and from the western and south-western
States. In the Oregon territory the American population
already numbers nine thousand. They have organised a Go-
vernment, and intend sending a delegate to the United States.
Gonferene.__

There will, it is stated, be a large quantity of wheat and
flour sbippped to England this season, and *freights are ex-
pected Cr be very high in the shipping ports, and it is likely
that there will not be a sufficiency of vesselss to meet the de-
mind for freights.

The Hon. :iolion White, late Speaker of the House of Re•
presentatives, shot himselt on the 22d ult. _ _ _

A--Company has been formed at New Orleans for the pro-
jection of a steetn-packet line between that place and
Jamaica.

New Orleans and Mobile were perfectly free from
fever, and the south has not this year been visited by any
epidemic.

In Canada the fall trade was going on more briskly than
anything else. There had been an increase of 170 arrivals
from sea thi-; year over last. Several improvements
ping forward in Montreal, and property is rapidly increasing
o value. Lord Cathcart, the ,commander of the farces in
Cunada, had. returnel from a tour of inspection in the western
part of the province. The military establishments were in a
state of great efficiency. The accounts from the interiar re
present the farmers as quite on the alert to sell their wheat,
the great demand for it having brought up the price to a
dollar, and in seine places more.

a n,
lAL NEWS
acyesien.were abutIIONEY and CoMMEW
an
advancespeculation. Thoef
(From The Sun of Last Night )
4000 The
bags,3e of Cottonincluding
50a to Liverpool Amer
Market was firmer, and, in some instances,
i‘d. per lb. Lad been obtained on the business of the early
)irt of last wrek. There was a good inquiry for Shares, and
moat descriptions had advanced.
.übjeet ot so many names of certain parties appearing
in the listsof newly-formed projects for carrying out railways,
cas alluded to by us spine tune
since. It has since been a
!natter of conversation iu most circles in the City, and espe-
cially on 'Change, among the more sober and sedate
-f our merchants. Our Contemporary, the Tines, has this
morning a leader upon the same topic, in part, but we
cannot go the length with him, that for the rail-
ways that may be sanctioned in the next session of
Parliament, hands will not be found enough to carry out the
works to be commenced and continued for years. It is
:ma-ever, an admitted fact in the City, that certain mazes
71aced on provisional committees, of " director' of some 1;
Jr 20 other companies, tend rather to damage the project,
even though it be "lint class," than to promote the interests of
A bona
,fide concern in the estimation of the public. Indeed,
men of substance and high cluirecter reject overtures to
become members of Committees of the best projects rather
than be asso.iated with partners who are now making di-
.-c,ctorships a trade.
There are some later accounts from the Cape of Cond
Hope to-day. It appears that the Kalifs had agaio
become very troublesome, and under the plea of hunt-
ing parties, contrived to seize and take off many heads
if cattle, horse=, and sheep. The Burgher Guard of Graham':
town been cailed out for duty towards the frontie,.
tile revenue of the colony had improved considerably. The
;overnor had been addressed on his return from the frontier,
cut we do not find that he had been so successful as expected