The Sun.
London, England, 1842-12-22 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 22, 1842

MONEY and COMMERCIAL NEWS.

CITY, QUARTER TO THREE.

,
The report from the Liverpool Cotton Market
states that prices have been rather steady, and that a
fair business has been done. About 1,000 bales
of American were taken on speculation, the
total sales being 5,000 bales. In the Rail-
way Shares there had been a better business
doing in Brighton, but the inquiry for the other lines
was dull. Birmingham and Gloucester Scrip were
127-; Edinburgh and Glasgow, 481 ; Birmingham,
New, 331 ; Brighton, 36 ; North Midland, 62 ; Paris
and Rouen, 241 ; and South Eastern, New, 16-1.
The East India files, by the steamer Tweed, fur-
nish but little news. The accounts from Jamaica
represent the weather as having been very favourable,
and the island seems in a more prosperous state. From
Demerara the advices are also more satisfactory, the
drought having been succeeded by copious showers.
From the minor dependencies we find nothing of the
least interest to the general reader here.
Accounts have also been received from the Cape of
Good Hope to the 26th of October. The har-
vest was expected to be most abundant, and
the drought in the frontier provinces had
entirely subsided. One of the Caffer chiefs bad
intimated his disapproval of the reports in circulation
as to an intention on his part to invade the frontier
and which he solemnly denies, calling upon the Go-
vernment to investigate the affair, and bring the ca-
lumniator to justice. The revenue of the colony had
been decidedly improving, there being an increase of
18,0001. in the October quarter.
In the funds we have had no improvement, but
there is a slightly increased disposition to purchase at
the present reduced rates. Consols for the opening
have ranged from 931 to 93-1. Reduced Three per
Cent. Annuities have been 94 to 944, and the Three-
and-a-Half per :Cents. 1001- to 101 i. Exchequer
Bills have realised 495. to 515., and India Bonds
445. premium. Long Annuities are 12i to 12 9-16.
The broker acting for Governmenehas taken about
5,0001. Reduced Three per TCents. at 641.

The Canada Guaranteed Debentures have been done
at 1 premium.

The news from France and Spain, and the further
decline in the Rentes at Paris, prevents, of necessity,
any symptoms of returning buoyancy in the Spanish
Securities, though it is satisfactory to find that they are
not depressed so materially as the anxiety or alarm
felt by many might have led us to suppose. The
Actives have been quoted 181 to 18i, and the Three
per Cents. 231 ; Portuguese, New Five per Cents.
are worth 38f, the Converted 82i to 321,k and the
Three per Cents. 32f, which are rather steady quota-
tions. Mexican Stock is neglected, although the packet
is understood to bring a remittance. Brazil bonds
have been rather good, owing to the satisfactory in-
formation received of the continuance of the present
treaty till the year 1844. The rates have been 68i
to 69i. Dutch Two-and-a-Half per Cents. are at
52f, and Danish Bonds at 84 to 841.
We have scarcely a bargain to notice in the Rail-
way Shares. South Western are 201 premium, and
South Eastern Scrip, 3s. discount.
In the produce markets, though there is not a large
business doing, we have still to notice more activity
than might be expected so near the close of the year.
PRICES OF SHARES THIS DAY AT ONE.
RAILWAYS. Paid. Per Share.
London and South Western ... 41'4 ... 61i t•

South Easters and Dour 5O -

Ditto Scrip.
PRICES OF IRISH STOCKS, DUBLIN, DEC. 20.
Three per Cent. Consols.
Ditto, New, 1830
_ __look,

MANCHESTER STOCK EXCHANGE, DEC. 21.—We
have had a very quiet market to-day in Shares. Our
quotations are as follow :—Sheffield and Manchester,
31i ; South Eastern New, 17; Manchester and Leeds,
73 to 74 ; ditto Halves, 311 to 32 ; Manchester and
Salford Water Works, 52i.

MARKET NEWS.

(THIS DAY.)

HAT MARKETS.

SMITHFIELD.—Coarse meadow Hay, 3/ to 3/ 15s;
useful ditto, 4/ to 4/ 5s ; fine upland ditto, 41 6s to
4/ 10s ; Clover Hay, 4/ to 51 105 ; Oat Straw,
1/ 163 to 11 18s; Wheat Straw, 1/ 18s to 2/ 32 per
load. The beat hay and straw—which were in mode-
rate supply—sold somewhat freely at full prices, but
otherwise the demand ruled heavy.
CUMBERLAND.—Coarse meadow Hay, 3/ 5s to 41;
useful ditto, 4143 to 41 8s; fine upland ditto, 4/ 10s
to 4/ 13s; Clover Hay, 415 s to Si 8s; Oat Straw,
1/ 18s to 2l; Wheat Straw, 2/ to 2/ 2s per
load. Supply limited, and trade dull. Prices about
stationary.
WIIITECHAPEL. --- Coarse Meadow Hay, 31 to
3l 15s; useful ditto, Si 16s to 4l ss; fine upland
ditto, 4l Gs to 4/ 103; Clover Hay, 4l 5s to 51 15s ;
Oat Straw, 1/ 16s to 1/ 18s ; Wheat Straw, 11 18s to
2/ pO?'106{1. A good supply, and a heavy inquiry, at
the above quotations.

MEAT" "MARKETS.
SOUTH ALL, to-day's market, we had
on sale a full average time of. year supply of stock,
both .as to numbers and quality, while the demand
was, on the whole, firm, at the following, quotations :
—Beef, from 3s 2d to 4s 6d ; Mutton, 3s d-to 4s 6d;
Veal, 33 1(1 to 4s 6(1; and Pork, 33 $d to 4s 4d per
Blbs, to sink the ofthl.—Supply—Beasts, 52 ; Sheep,
1,841 ; Calves, 29; Pigs, 32.
ROMFORD, DEC. 21.—For the prime Beasts and
Sheep we had a firm inquiry; but in Calves and
Pigs a very small amount of business. was passing.—
Beef from 3s 4d to 4s 4(1; Mutton, 3s 4d to 4s 6d ;
Veal,3s 8d to 4s 4d ; and Pork, 3s 8d to 4s 4d per
81bs. Sucking Calves, 16s to 29s ; quarter-old store-
Pigs, 16s to 20s ; and Mulch Cows, with their small
calf, 151 to 181 lOs each.

Oansuam, DEC. 21.—We had a very moderate at-
tendance of buyers, on account of which, the general
inquiry was slow, at the annexed rates. Beef from
3s 4d to 43 64; .Mutton, 3s 6d to 4s 6d; Veal, 3s 6d to
4s 2d; and Pork, 35,64t0 43 per 81bs.
ARUNDEL, DEc:.2o:—Beef; from 3s 4d to 4s 6d ;
Mutton, 3s 6d to 4s 6d ; 3s 6d to 4s 2d ; and
Pork, 3s 6d to 4s 2d per 8 lbs. Supply tolerably
good, and trade rather dull.
CH (CHESTER, DEC. 21.—Prime Beef and MUtton
were held at high rates, but otherwise the demand
ruled slow. Beef, from 3s 2d to 4s 8d ; Mutton,
3s 6d to 4s 6d ; Veal, 3s 8d to 4s 2d ; and Pork,
3s 64 to 4s 2d per 8 lb.

COAL M.
Ships arrived since
r. d s. d.
Adair's
Charlotte l7 6 Walls Endßelmout 2O 0
Holywa.ll Main l7 6 W. E. Braddyll'sHetton... 21 9
Ord's Itedheugh l5 a Walls End Hamel!. 2l 6
Ravensworth West Hartley 17 0 Walls End Hetton 21 6
Tantiold Moor Bute's l5 0 Walls End Lambton ..........'1 6
_ . _

lIKET.
last martet.day, 161.

Wy lam
Walls EndClennell
Walls End .3osfo►th
Walls End Hedley
Walls End Hilda
Walls End Kill►ngworth
Walls End Newmareh
Walls End Nur.huniberlai

16 IT 'Walls End Morrison ......
Pi 3 Wads-End Shinela
19 3 Walls-End Caradoc
... 19$8 Walls.Eud Quarrington
... IS 0 Walls End South Durham
18 6 Walls End Tees Helton
... IEI I Wal,s la.d Teoa
nd 18 10 Walls End West Tees

COUNT

Y CORN MARKETS.

19 6
19 0
21 9
20 0
19 6
16 6
t.,1 a
1$ 9

Wheat. Barley. Oats; Beans. Pease.
Per Quarter.' a. to s. s. to a. a. to s. a. to s. a. to s.
Carlisle 66 a 1 23 46
Hexham
blerpeth 48 1.4 28 34 lit 22 40 42
Penrith ...".„. 33 25 411
Sheffield 64' 32 23 43
Winchest.r 53 56 '27- so 20 26 35 40
Per Bushel, s.d. s,d. s.d. s.d. s, .1. s.d. s.d. s.d s.d. s.d.
Carmarthen 6:l 7 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 1 9 5 6 I 0 41 0 0 U
Cowbridge 7 6 8 0 3 6 4 6 2 0 8 0 5 0 5 3 0 0 0 0
Swansea
Per 8011.
16 6$ 9 90 4 74 9 6,,,11 II 6 0 0
120 130 00 80 59 69 00 96 PO 00
illaurrnhaaridncas t 1 e o
Richmond 136 156 90 100 60 sblo 0 11 0 .11 0 00
Stockton
IRISH MARKETS.
DUBLIN MARKET NOTE for the Week ending DEC. 16
• From To Average
2,160 Wheat,peibarreP.o ;tone... 18 0 33 6 25 1
ilere
2,607 Barley
12,093 Oats l4 stone 8 .0 11 0 8 10
Flour, per cwt... U
1,202 8 stone 9 6 12 0 10 7
Sold to Bakers only.
10,533 Cwt. Flour 6 18 0 16 43j
• .•

2,160 Wheat,pet barrel 0
Litre
2,607 Barley l6 Mont
12,093 Oats l4 atone
Flour, per cwt. ..
1,902 8 stone
Sold to Bakers only.
10,533 Cwt. Flour 6 0 1 18 0
Average price at %heat and ilour 46 Sal per sack
Receipts of Flour, 15,419 Flratefrom 165. tkl tofrom 136. Od.
Bales of Do. 10,533 to
Third, from 6s. (Id. to
exICE OF BREAD.
Quarters. Loaf
CORK NIA RKETS.— Dec. 17.
Wheat (pc r 905t.178 041. t 0296. 041.1044 U; (per 14st. 78,6 d. lo 98, Od
Barley (per 1684)10 0 13 0 IFlot,r (per cwt 11 17 6
Oatmeal (per cwt.)............ 14. 0.1 to 93. 61
Reef, 6d. to 60.-51 utton' 541. t 4.641..... Veal, 4141 to 5d
York, 4d. to bd.—Fresh Butter, 1141. to —d per lb.
PRICE Or MITTEN.
To the Merchants. To the Comfit,
Fast Quality.
77. ••••••••••••••••11. ••••••••• 67s
Second
rhird
61 • ....... He* 50
Fourth ..............»..... 55 ...... 45
Fifth l4l ••••••••• •
Sixth 4O .....»..H«.. 0
CLONSIELL M A RKETS.... Dec. 17
Per Cwt.
s. d. o. d.
•
New
a tmßatter
eal 0 1
...... lO oto 1?, 0
I
11 u V
023 0
Rendered Lard 0 52 0 I I —I.
Per Bat .
30 0 It lour,Tiiirda.. 0
23 • 0 -- Fourths...o 0
Per Barrel.
Rapeseed 20 0 —0 I Barley 0 i 1 6
Sere 0 IS 0 Cull! ••••••••••••• ... 0 -••

Fleur,Second ........ 0
-----Household...— 0

d.

18s Od
164 Od
13s Od

tO i

CORN AVERAGE..
GENERAL AVERAGE PRICES OF BRITISH CORN,
For the Week ended I)ec. 17, 1842, made up from the Returns of
the Inspectori in the different Cities and Fawns in England abd
Wales, per Imperial Quarter.
17s. 2d.1 Beans 29 10
Wheat 465.10.1. Oats
Barley 26s. 5.1 I Rye

AVERAGES OF THE LAST SIX WEEKS.
WPeks ending WHEAT, BARLEY.' OATS. l RYE. I BEANS.

P6h3b

17 9
17 10
17 9
17 9
17 3
17 5

Nov 12 4B 9• 27 il 2 31 8 33 2
19 49 8 28 1 8 31 6 34 2
26 4.9 6 28' 1 2 91 4 33 7
Dec 3 4B 627 9 1 13011 33 5
10 47 3 27 1 5 30 3 31 3
17 46 10 ...6 5 , ...o 11 `29 10 32 2
IMPERIAL AGGREGATE AVERAGES OF THE FIE WEvEs
Wheat......... 48s. sd. I Oats .......... 17.. 71 Beam .300.116
Natio, ..... .... 275. 11.1 Rye 'IA. 5111 Pease... 33s. 41.
DUTIES OW FOREIGN CORN.
Wheat ..... .... 20s. (ki. Oats
Parley ~,„,.., 9,1. pd. I Aye . Ns. 614 Peale pm .. Vi- N.

MONEY MARKET and CITY NEWS.

FROM THE MORNING PAPERS OF THIS DAY.
CITY, WEDNESDAY EVENING.

CHRONICLE.—The organs Of the Mexican au-
thorities, who have been supporting them in their
clandestine over-issues of stock, seem to consider that
the communication from MessrS. Lizardi and Ca, in
our columns this morning, and the relative decree of
Santa Ana confirming the agreement made with the
bondholders on the 11th of February last, placed the
conduct of the Mexican authorities in a better posi-
tion. We cannot perceive any reason to think that
the decree in question of Santa Ana, which merely
confirms the previous act of his agent here, forms any
difference on the merits. He • could have done no
less. Messrs. Lizardi and Co. state, in the very out-
set and on the face of the agreement conkmed by
him, that they were fully authorised to conclude the
same, which sets aside one-fifth of the Custom re-
venues, in place of one-sixth, to the payment of
the dividends, in consideration of the sacrifices made
by the bondholders; Santa Ana was, therefore,
bound, on every principle of law and justice,
to confirm the contract. He could not, indeed,
have thrown it overboard, for the notoriety of
the agency of Messrs. Lizardi and Co. was sufficient
to bind their employers. At all events, it is no
ground of laudation to the Government of Mexico or
to the agents of Mexico, that the President of that
Republic has tardily done that which his agents offi-
cially declared they were empowered by him to do,
and which, founding on that authority, they had
done accordingly. Had Santa Ana refused to cor-
roborate the acts of his London agents, the bond-
holders would have had strong grounds of complaint;
but the Mexican Government has no claims to appro-
bation for merely fulfilling the agreement entered into
by their European agents. The question that presents
itself on this point is of a very different character. We
should wish rather to know how it happens that. the
confirmation of the agreement of the 11th of February
does not 'take place till the 10th' of October. We
are told that Santa Ana could not confirm what
Bustiimente had sanctioned without the express
consent of the Mexican Congress. Has that consent,
then, been now obtained, or has .Santa Ana pro-
ceeded on the sole authority of the seventh article of
the settlement of Tucubaga ? The decree gives that
article as the authority on which it proceeds, "as
sworn to by the representatives of the departments,"
but it says not a word of Congress, nor does it profess
to emanate from their sanction. lust it still be sub-
mitted to Congress, or is the decree of Santa Ana
final without "them If his decree in this case, sup-
ported by the representatives of departments, be equiva-
lent to law, the Mexican Congress may shut shop.
Messrs Lizardi and Co. say that they are empowered
either to issue stock for the amount of the commis-
sion and -expenses, under the said agreement, or to
deduct the same from 'the proceeds of the new as-
signment made on
-the Customs' revenues. They for-
merly gave the bondholders reason to suppose that
this mode of defraying their charges of commission had
been resorted to by the Mexican Government, and we
are quite ready to hold their statement as correct.. But
we"must add that it is totally at variance with the
original decree of conversion, and also with their
agreement of the 11th of February. The former
expressly declares that the conversion shall be com-
pleted free of all expense to the bondholders ; and the
latter, we believe, is silent on the subject. This me-
thod of paying agents is most objectionable, and dis-
tinctly contrary to the contract with the bondholders.
But without further reference to that point we should
wish to ask the organs and supporters of the Mexican
Government, in their illegal conduct, whether or not
the bondholders are to infer that the whole 630,0001.
over issue of active stock was appropriated to the
payment of the commission of Messrs. Lizardi and.
Co. ? and if not, to what other purposes of the Mexi-
can Government the proceeds, being fully 200,0001.,
were appropriated? We should wish also to know
whether the surplus'stock created, to the amount of
1,500,0001. was deposited in the hands of the London
agents for the purpose of paying their commission,
and if not, far what other purpose it was created,
and on what grounds that deliberate act of bad faith
is sought to be justified? It would be desirable also
for the bondholders to know what limit, if any, is put
on the issue of surplus stock .by the Mexican autho-
rities ? Are the agents limited to the sum necessary
to pay "their commission and expenses under the said
agreement," or are they authorised to go further ?
Have they gone further ? Where is the limit ? And
where can they be stopped ? The acknowledgment of
any such principle is, fraught with danger to the
bondholders, and cannot be too severely censured.
We understand, by letters from Rio de Janeiro, via
Pernambuco and Liverpool, that the question of the
duration of the existing treaty between this country
and. the empire has been decided in favour of the in-
terpretation put on the clause by our Government;
consequently no new duties on British merchandise
can be levied until November, 1844. It. remains to
be seen what bonus this Government has given to that
of Brazil for its acquiescence.
POST.---The business doing in the produce market
is more than equal to what is ordinarily transacted at
this dull season of the year. In the articles of coffee,
sugar, wool, and dye stuffs, little or no alteration
has occurred. The same may indeed be said of most
othersteple commodities. Tea,. however, declined
very considerably at the public sales which took place
this morning, the dealings exhibiting the same want
of animation as noticed in previous instances since the
declaration of peace with China. The gross decline
has been no less than 3d. per lb„..since, in November,
the lowest price was ls. 6d., and the same quality (com-
mon congous) is now Is. 3d. only; or, as quoted .by
some of the brokers, no more than ls.2id. per lb.
Seeing that the prices have come down to the old level,
t.,ia,considered that it would be no more, than, good
poliCysoii the part of the importers to relie4 the trade
by reducing the deposits in the same degree.
Advices received from Rio Janeiro; by the way of
Pernambuco, mention that the Government of Brazil
had at length conformed to the reading of the Eng-
lish treaty of commerce adopted by the Government of
this country, thereby agreeing to its continuance in
force to the year 1844, or two years longer than there
was formerly a disposition to accede to, as requiredb,y
the provisions of the document. The statement is
given apparently without any adequate guarantee for
its authenticity. It should, therefore, be received with
a caution commensurate with the importance of the
subject.

TIMES.—It will be observed by the quotations of
the day, that notwithstanding the favourable nature
of the Mexican decree, and also the intelligence of
the arrival of remittances, that Mexican Stock has
not advanced, which may perhaps be explained by
the consideration that so much stock now remains
unissued in the hands of the agents, which will
probably, under the operation of this decree, be now
unreservedly offered for sale. It' this should be the
case, it is highly desirable that the matter should be
set at rest, by a declaration from the agents of what
they mean to do, since, if the stock is to be sold, it
would be better for them td take
.the chance of what
it may produce in the open market, than to resort to
any course like that practised heretofore. This re-
mark will, of course, only apply to the Active Stock,
for it is not to be supposed that it would be worth
while in any case to bring the Deferred Stock to
market, seeing how small a sum it yields, and the
Gseat additional liability it entails_ on the Mexican
overnment.
The English Funds continue to droop, under the
depression occasioned by the fear of a collision be-
tween our Government and that of France on the
question of the Barcelona affair.
By mercantile letters received in the City from
Brazil yesterday, it appears that the treaty with this
country is continued to the 10th of Nov., 1844.
'A letter from Madrid of the 12th inst., written by
a party conversant with what is going on there in the
high financial circles, says that the propositions stated
in the journals to have been made.- by the house of
Baring, are by no means accurately described. All
that they have done is to declare their intention,
through an agent sent to Madrid for the • purpose, to
enter into the competition for the quicksilver con-
tract,
and to press upon the Spanish Minister
the propriety of sending, some person to London
csts regarding that con-
tract. from Senor Cala-
trava a polite assurance that he was unfettered by
capitalists tarlei
totracttr.eatTlwieiitrh agoeunrt
any other engagement, and could, therefore, treat
with them, and there the matter for the present has
ended. The account given in the Madrid papers was,
that this house had tendered to the Finance Minister
a loan of 400,0001. on the security of the produce of
the Almaden mines, and had declared their inten-
tion, moreover, in conjunction with other London
capitalists, to make proposals for the loan of
6,000,000/., which the Minister is authorised to raise,
if he can. Senor Calatrava is said to be making
'great exertions to organise anew the Carbineros of
the Finance Department, so as to render them an
effective and creditable force for the especial service
of the Customs. He is endeavouring to give them
the combined advantages of military discipline and
the moral force which attaches to a pecuniary trust
in the hands of men of some. education and charac-
ter. These officers are to give security for their good
conduct, and are to receive regular pay, a point not
provided for under the old regime, so that these
guardians of the public revenue, in default of sa-
lary, necessarily live upon bribes for betraying their
trust—a state of things utterly
e incredible in any
other country than Spain. 'the Minister who has
these most salutary and necessary
reforms in hand is
well aware at the same time that his measures for the
better organisation of this, force will have little chance
of success until a treaty of commerce with England
and a reduced tariff come in aid of his efforts. The
smugglers, while the present system lasts, can afford
to give " silver" against his " copper,,, not to mention
the uncertainty of the final payment.
Doubts having been expressed in some quarters of
the reality of the distress in the island of Madeira, it
is but right to say that this is cltolaredi by
persons

well acquainted with the state of the case, to be a
most erroneous view of the subject. Not only does
the distress. appear to be extensive and terrible, but
this further motive is assigned for stepping forward
at once to give timely assistance, that owing to the
simple manners and abstemious habits of the people
generally, very small sums will go a great way in re-
lieving them, and would save hundreds in danger of
perishing from want in the streets of Funchal. A
well-written letter, describing their situation, says—
"lt is impossible in so expensive and luxurious a
country as England to imagine the low scale of ex-
penditure, the simple life, of every one in Madeira,
nor to guess how far a small sum goes in doing good
to the ill-fed, half-clothed, patient population of Ma-
deira. The greater part of the labourers (except
those working for the English residents), never in the
course of the year receive full pay for daily work,
except in the brief season of the vintage. Numerous
other classes and trades derive their chief support
from the wants and wishes of the English visitors of
the winter season. Even in that comparatively pros-
perous time, I have known charwomen and others
glad to give a hard day's work for a meal, saying
they are better off than those at home who will have
none.' From amongst the gentry I could cite, did
not delicacy to them forbid, instances to prove how
hard the times do indeed go with the once rich lords
of the soil ; add to all this the yearly decay of trade,
a treasury with often less than 51. in it, and it is clear
that never has a more legitimate case occurred for real
unsophisticated benevolence."

Tfie practice which is adopted by the West India
Mail Company of making their vessels call at
Corunna and Madeira on the outward voyage, is
spoken of with great dissatisfaction among the
merchants, who conceive that the English public are
thus made to suffer an unjustifiable delay for the sake
of the Company getting a few additional passengers.
Considering the undertaking to be altogether a public
one; the least appearance of an attempt on the part of
the Company to reap a private benefit which in any
way interferes with the prompt transmission of letters
to the Wrest Indies, is an additional reason for the
merchants wishing that the whole scheme should be
undertaken by the Government. Hence there are all
sorts of suggestions as to modes of rigging sailing
vessels so as to insure a swift passage, given in the
hope that the steam system may finally be super-
seded. A Correspondent asks with some indignation,
why vessels carrying mails should make two stop-
pages, instead of proceeding direct to St. Thomas's
for the mere purpose of taking out a few Spaniard;
and Portuguese, who might as well employ our Penin-
sular steamers, and come to Falmouth, if they are
anxious to go to the West Indies ? The necessity of
taking in coals is alleged as a cause for stopping at
Madeira; but as the American steamers are enabled
to come direct from Liverpool to New York, this ne-
cessity is by no means admitted.
SUN.—The depression in English Funds, though
not so great as that which has occurred in the French
Rentes, is still more serious than would result from
any minor cause, and indicates the anxiety with which
all parties regard the future. There has not been
such a promising hitch for the war-fever, or Thiers,
party in France since the much agitated Eastern ques-
tion. Consols closed at 934 4 for the opening, without
the dividend. Exchequer Bills were 495. to 51s. pre-
mium ; Reduced Three-and-a-Half per Cents., 1004
to 101 ; and the Three per Cents., 94 to 944.
Canada Debentures remained as in the morning.
Business in the Foreign Market was checked by
the heaviness of our own Stocks. Spanish Actives
were 184 to 8 ; and the Three per Cents., 234 to 24 ;
Portuguese Converted remained at 321 ; Mexican
Stock, after touching 314, receded to 318; Venezuela
Bonds were at 284; Brazil Stock realised 69 ; Peru-
vian, 174 ; and Old Portuguese, 63 ; Dutch Two-and-
a-Half per Cents. closed at 521.
The Railway Shares were rather more animated,
but prices were not so high. Brighton, 144 to 141
discount; Midland Counties, Quarter, par; .Northern
and Eastern, Scrip, 5 premium ; Paris and Rouen,
44 to 44 premium ; South Eastern, 28 discount ; Great
'Western, 244 premium; Edinburgh and Glasgow, 24
discount; and Bristol and Exeter, 22 discount.
London Joint Stock Bank Shares were 31 premium,
and British North American Bank, 64 discount.
At the public sales of Tea to-day, about 10,900
packages were offered, of which but 2,000 were sold,
and of this 400 packages were taken by speculators.
On Congou and rwankay there was a decline of 4d.
per lb. The trade will not buy, at least till after
Christmas, and there are sales declared for the 10th
of next month.

ST. THOMAS'S DAY.
CORN MONOPOLY AND INCOME-TAX.

St. Thomas's-day draws out what is passing in the
minds of the citizens of London. Two subjects
chiefly engaged the attention of the wardmotes—the
Corn-monopoly and the Income-tax.
For the hostility to the Corn monopoly we were
prepared. But we confess we were not aware That the
short trial of the Income-tax could have produced so
rooted an aversion to it as was yesterday inanifested.
The ward of Aldersgate, presided over by Sir Peter
Laurie, adopted the amended resolution proposed by
Mr. Besley, in preference to one embodying the reso-
lutions of the Common Council, proposed by Mr.
Ward. Mr. Besley " was satisfied in his own mind
that the Corn-laws were passed away—that they
were in effect abrogated, and that it was only
for the convenient concurrence of time and means
to arrive, for them to be for ever wiped away from
the statute book ;" and his amendment severely stig-
matised the Corporation of the City of London as a
corrupt body, and recommended the'pruning knife of
economy and the reform of abuses which hindered
commerce and deeply affected the population of the
City. The amendment was carried ; but no one
stood up for the Corn-laws; though it is but justice to
Sir Peter Laurie to notice that he has not yet found
it convenient to make up his mind on the principle in-
volved by these laws. We suppose he has made up
his mind as to the Tariff by this time, and he now
waits for a signal from Sir Robert Peel to make up
his mind as to the Corn-law.

In Farringdon-within, which returns fourteen
members, before the last election there were, eight
monopolists, and six free traders. That election re-
versed the state of things by giving six monopolists
and eight free traders. One of the free traders had
become renegade, but the inhabitants of the ward
having determined to improve on this state of things,
met on Tuesday evening, and resolved—
" That the time has arrived when the_prosperity of
this country—the safety of its institutions—and the
loyalty and attachment of the people to its constitu-
tion and laws—greatly depend upon the repeal of
those laws which restrict the freedom of trade ; and
particularly of those which restrain the importation of
food. That this meeting determine to support the
following gentlemen, viz.: Deputies Westwood and
Pritchard, together with Messrs. Ashurst, Bcnsor,
Fisher, Holt, Morris, Ridley, Taylor, Virtue, and
Hartley, having ascertained that they are prepared to
support a repeal of those laws, and they earnestly
hope their brother electors will use their individual
exertions to secure the above-named eleven gentlemen
by a triumphant majority."
The show of hands having been in accordance with
this resolution, two of the rejected, Messrs. Eagleton
and Rutter, demanded a poll, which we trust will not
better their position.

In Billingsgate Ward a vacancy, caused by the re-
tirement of Mr. Potter, was supplied by the election
of Mr. James Roberts, a Liberal, the rejected Tory
candidate having declined a poll.
In I3ishopsgate Ward, Mr. Deputy Stevens de-
clared himself a decided friend to the repeal of the
Corn-laws, and all other laws which restricted com-
merce ; and all the other candidates expressed them-
selves in favour of "an immediate and unconditional
repeal of the Corn-laws." The sense of the meeting
havi.ng been taken, Mr. Alderman Copeland declared
fourteen gentlemen, all Reformers and free traders,
to be duly elected. A poll was demanded by Mr.
Thomas Welch, an out-and-out Tory, but the poll
proceeded very languidly up to three o'clock, at which
hour only
.nine votes were recorded in favour of the
Tory candidate.
In Cripplegate-Within, Mr. Packwood observed,
there was a question agitating the the country from
one end to the other—he meant the Corn-laws ; and
it behoved them to send men to the Common Council
who would support resolutions for their repeal. As
some of their members had not supported the reso-
lution for their repeal, he nominated a gentleman
merely to allow the representatives to give an expla-
nation of their conduct.

A poll having been demanded, the wardmote was
adjourned. _
__

-When public opinion has had an opportunity of ma-
nifesting itself, it has been unequivocally pronounced
against the Corn-laws. At present we are unable,
from the necessarily brief accounts of the elections in
the smaller wards, to form an opinion as to the parti-
cular opinions of the parties elected.
The other subject brought prominently forward
was the Income-tax.

A very short trial of the Income-tax has, it
appears, been sufficient to enlighten the citizens of Lon-
don as to its objectionable character. Resolutions were
passed yesterday at several wardmotes, in which the
tax is condemned as odious, inquisitorial, and vexa-
tious, and the conduct of the surveyors and assessors
is severely censured.
At the wardmote of the Ward of Tower, it was
resolved—

" That it is the opinion of this wardmote that the
Income-tax is a war tax, and should be a war tax
only ; that it is odious, inquisitorial, and vexatious,
repugnant to the feelings, and derogatory to the in-
dependence of Englishmen ; and should, under the
present circumstances of peace with India and China,
forthwith be repealed."

At the wardmote of Broad-street Ward it was re-
solved unanimously—
" That the wardmote expresses its indignant cen-
sure for the unwarrantable conduct of the surveyors

and assessors under the Income-tax in respect of the
houses in the ward, as having occasioned the inhabi-
tants much unnecessary inconvenience, and as having
subjected them, by unjustiable surcharges, to a gross
imputation upon their integrity when making returns
under a solemn declaration.

" That a copy of the above resolution, signed by
the Ward Clerk, be transmitted to the Chancello of
the Exchequer."

At Langbourne Ward, Mr. GLIDE, after a speech
in which he forcibly described the inconvenience and
trouble to which the citizens were put by this inqui-
sitorial tax, moved a resolution—

" That the inquisitorial Property and Income-tax,
having been imposed for the express purpose of raising
money to enable her Majesty's Government to carry
on the war in India and China, now happily termi-
nated, it was the opinion of the IVardinote that every
endeavour should be especially used by the citizens of
London to obtain the repeal of so odious and inquisi-
torial an impost."
The resolution, after being modified in that part
which stated the Income-tax was levied to defray the
war expenses in India and China, was carried by a
large majority.
Several gentlemen complained bitterly of the in-
justice to which they had been subjected by sur-
veyors. One gentleman (Mr. Long) said "He had
seen the books, as he had been appointed an assessor
of Income-tax, but had refused to act, and he could
state that the surveyor had altered the returns of the
house rents."

If in the metropolis, where, for obvious reasons, it
must have been desirable to execute the Income-tax
Act in such a manner as to excite as little dissatis-
faction as possible, we find-the patience of the citi-
zens fairly exhausted, and the tax characterise 1 as
odious, inquisitorial, and vexatious, we may be sure,
that in other parts of the country the surveyors and
assessors have acted still more harshly, and supplied
still more cogent reasons for hostility to the tax. The
London Wards have commenced the war, but it will
not surprise us if the example set by them be not
speedily followed throughout the kingdom. It is im-
possible to make the tax palatable to a people like the
English, who hate, above all things, to be inter-
fered with in their business operations. It did not
require the gift of prophecy to foretel what would be
the result of Sir Robert Peel's experiment. This In-
come-tax was, indeed, a capital blunder, and we are
much mistaken if, by this time, he is not himself of
that opinion.—Chronicle.