The Sun.
London, England, 1842-12-28 00:00:00

THE LATE FIRE AT BRENT FORD MONEY MARKET and CITY NEWS.
CORONER'S INQUEST. FROM THE MORNING PAPERS OF THIS DAY.
Yesterday, at twelve o'clock, a jury composed of CITY, TUESDAY EVENING.
fourteen respectable inhabitants of the town of Old TIMES.—The business transacted to-day in the
Brentford were empanelled in the perlourof the Barge Foreign Exchanges was but to a moderate extent.
Aground public-house, before Mr. T. Wakley, M.P., The rates, generally speaking, may be considered as
Coroner for the Western Division of Middlesex, to rather higher than last post, with the exception of
investigate the circumstances attending the death of Hamburgh, which is quoted a trifle lower.
Mrs. Elizabeth Swan, aged 38 years, who died from ! The premium on gold at Paris is 13 per mille,
the injuries she received in a fire which occurred at which, at the English Mint price of 31. 17s. 10d,
the residence of her husband on the afternoon of Sa- per ounce for standard gold, gives an exchange of
turday last. 25 48, and the exchange at Paris on London at
The jury having been sworn, and Mr. Burness ap- short being 25 65 it follows that gold is 0.68 per
pointed foreman, proceeded to view the body of the cent. dearer in London than in Paris.
deceased, which was lying at her residence; on their The course of exchange at New York on London
return to the inquest-room the following witnesses is 1061 per cent., and the par of exchange between
were examined : England and America being 109 23-40ths per cent.,
Margaret Marshall deposed that her husband was it follows that the exchange is 3.07 per cent. against
a bricklayer, employed at the distillery of Sir England. But the quoted exchange at New York
F. Booth, Bart., in Old Brentford, She knew being for bills at 60 days' sight, the interest must be
the deceased, who was the wife of Henry Swan, deducted from the above difference.
one of the foremen at the same distillery. The de- CHRONICLE.--2The silence of the President of
ceased lived in a house adjoining the distillery, and the United States on the subject of repudiation, has
witness and her husband resided in the same house. given great uneasiness in commercial circles. The
On the afternoon of Saturday last, the 24th instant, holders of American State Stocks looked with confi-
witness was engaged in the lower part of the house, denee to the contents of the Message for some distinct
when about five o'clock she heard the deceased call and specific manifestation against the dishonest con-
her from the upper part in a hurried manner. She duct of the repudiating States, and for some stirring
immediately ran up stairs, and on reaching the land- appeal to the citizens, in order to induce them to re-
ing of the first floor she saw a basin on fire, on the move the stain thus thrown upon the credit of the
floor at the foot of a cupboard which was on the whole Union. They have looked, however, in vain,
landing. The deceased was endeavouring to put out and are surprised ; nay, we fear, much disheartened
the flames, and witness tried to do the same with her to find, instead of any such satisfactory matter, or
clothes, but her gown caught fire, and the deceased even the most distant allusion to it, a total silence
assisted her in tearing it off and extinguishing it, in preserved in regard to it, and an ill-considered charge,
which they were successful. Witness then ran down or at least insinuation, of combination against English
stairs for water, leaving the deceased still striving to capitalists, introduced for refusing to treat with Mr.
subdue the flames, and on her return up stairs met Robinson, ending with a declaration that the resources
the deceased running down enveloped in flames. Wit- of the United States are ample, and that their own
ness then saw that the cupboard and her own (wit- means are quite sufficient to supply all their monetary
ness's) room were on fire, and she immediately raised wants and engagements.
an alarm. When she next saw the deceased she was The following are the official returns of the exports
alive, but frightfully burnt all over, and died about of the precious metals from the port of London, for
ten o'clock the same night. The deceased went up the week ending Thursday last.
stairs for the purpose of getting a woman some spirits. Silver Coin to Calcutta.... 73,000 oz.
Some of the Jury said they were present at the Ditto Bars, to ditto ...
fire, and they thought at the time same spirits must
Hamburgh. .. 59,000
have ignited, or the flames would not have been so
17 Bombay and the Cape
fierce. of &rod Hope. .. 50,000
Lucy Brooker deposed that she was in the service Gold Coin to Ceylon...
of Mrs. Malcolm, a market gardener in Drum-lane. „ „ New Yorl• •••
188
Saw deceased in flames. Did not know how the de- „ „ Bombay 560
ceased's clothes caught fire, but supposed it was in POST.—Looking at the eager perseverance with
trying to put out the fire. which the American Governments have always pushed
The CORONER said, after the evidence that had been the claims of their citizens against foreign States, as
adduced there could he no doubt that some strong also at the unprecedented condition of the public trea-
spirit had accidentally ignited, and occasioned the un- sury at the present moment, and as the claims on
fortunate disaster. Mexico have been for some years lingering in a state
The Jury concurring in opinion with the Coroner, of abeyance, it appears not improbable that the lead-
immediately returned a verdict of " Accidental death ing bases upon which the future good understanding
from burning." of the two Governments is to be established will prove
to be the prompt discharge of the first completely de-
termined liability, and the assurance of a speedy at-
tention to the partially considered claims comprised in
the minor sum of 193,4621. sterling.
The American Government will be quickened in
their efforts to get these portions of their demand
cleared off by the knowledge that tile bondholders in
England are beginning, after a long lapse of years, to
have remittances from Mexico on account of the divi-
dends, and by the operations of the parent State against
Texas. The claims preferred by American citizens
at a period too late for the investigation of the Com-
missioners seem to be eminently calculated to keep
alive a spirit of hostility between the respective Go-
vernments.
It is a melancholy thing for Mexico that she
should have for her near neighbour a nation like the
Americans. She is in a situation to be eternally
harassed by them, for, while she suffers from territo-
rial aggression on the one 'hand, she is becoming an
object of pecuniary cupidity on the other—cupidity,
too, that derives no inconsiderable stimulus from the
daily increasing necessities of a failing treasury.
It is not to be forgotten that although Mr. Tyler
professes to be actuated by good feelings towards
Mexico, he does so in the most guarded terms. "It
is so obviously for the interest of both countries, as
neighbours and friends, that all just causes of mutual
dissatisfaction should be removed, that it is to be
hoped neither will omit or delay the employment of
any practicable and honourable means to accomplish
that end." The passage has a suspicious appearance.
The American President has, it may be feared, an eye
almost exclusively to the settlement of the claims of
his countrymen, and when it is read in connexion with
one that precedes it, the fact can hardly be questioned,
for, after explaining what progress has been made in
relation to those claims, he gives a sufficiently intelli-
gible idea of the step that is about to be taken for
procuring an adjustment of them :--
" The Minister of the United States at Mexico has
been duly authorised to make demand for the pay-
ment of the awards, according to the terms of the
Convention, and the provisions of the Act of Congress
of the 12th June, 1840. Ile has also been instructed
to communicate to that Government (the Mexican)
the expectations of the Government of the United
States 'in relation to those claims which were not dis-
posed of according to the provisions of the Conven-
tion, and all others of citizens of the United States
against the Mexican Government. He has also been
furnished with other instructions, to be followed by
him in case the Government of Mexico should not find
itself in a condition to make present payment of the
amount of the awards in specie, or its equivalent."
Mr. Tyler mentions having received from the Mi-
nister of the United States information which is
esteemed favourable " both to a just satisfaction of the
awards, and a reasonable provision for other claims."
This has probably served to pacify the American Go -
ver nment in some degree, but there can be no dis-
guising the truth, that there is an earliest determina-
tion on the part of that Government to get possession
of the money. The total of the sum exacted is
6,291,537 dollars 61 cents, or, at an exchange of
4s. 2d. the dollar, 1,310,7371. sterling.
SUN.—The English Stocks received sonic support
from the improved tone of feeling exhibited at Paris
in reference to the Barcelona affair, but very little
speculation is going on. Consols closed at 93i
to 93i ; Exchequer Bills at 555. premium; and the
Three-and-a-Half per Cent. Annuities (the Old)
at 101*.
There was an apparent disposition to do business
in most of the Foreign Securities, and the quotations
generally improved. Spanish Five per Cents. left off
at 19, and the 'Three per Cents. at 25. Portuguese
Converted were 33:1, and the Three per Cents. 24k.
Mexican Bonds were rather better, being 31i to 31k;
Chilian were 74-; Buenos Ayres, 25 ; Brazilian, 71+;
Peruvian, 18k; Russian Stock was firm at 113.1 to
1131; and Dutch Two-and-a-Half per Cents. brought
52i to Altogether the Foreign Market was most
buoyant and animated.
Since this morning the only bargains in the Share
Market 'have been in South Eastern and Dover at
27* disciaunt, and in Australasia Bank at 13k prem.
It is satisfactory to notice that the Exchanges were
again more in our favour. These were the rates given
this afternoon:—Paris, 25f. 92kc. to 971 c.; Hamburgh,
13 11 ftol2 ; Antwerp, 12 5i to 12 6 ; Frankfort,
152+ to ; Amsterdam, 12 6+ ; and Trieste, 10 2.
COURSE OF EXCHANGE—(YESTERDAY.)
Amsterdam CF. 12 Ilk:Gibraltar
...... 46
Ditto, at sight
Rotterdam .........2 U. 12 9 Genoa ••
26 25
Antwerp
Hamburgh M.B. 13 15 Venice 47
Alton&
Paris, 3 days' sight ... 25 60 Palermo, per irz 120 k
Ditto, 3 months.. ....... 26 5 Lisbon 52
. 26 10 °ports
Marseilles
...
Bourdeaux 26 10 Rio Janeiro 25
Frankfort en Maine ...152k Bahia
Petersburgh, 3 Us. ... 3f4 Buenos Ayres
Berlin..
Vienna, effee. fl. 3 M lO 2 Philadelphia 4Q
Tsiriadriestde, di. tt.o.
...................... 1
460 3 PRICES
F ee jge OF
G Gold,
PER 7 ci9z .
Cadiz .........
.......
..... 36 Portugal Geld Cein...3 17 5
0 0 0
Bilbao ................ 3:6 NNeeww
DollarsDoloons
Barcelona 4 9i
Seville

THE INCOME-TAX.

LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY OF
STAMPS AND TAXES TO THE SUR-
VEYORS.
Stamps and Taxes, London, Dec. 8, 1842.
Sig,—The Board having reason to apprehend that
some of the Surveyors have misunderstood the law
with reference to assessments under schedules A and
Bin the Property-tax Act, lam directed to inform
you, that the tax is payable on the annual value only
of lands and tenements, and not on the amount to
which such lands and tenements have been assessed to
the poor, and that such annual value is the rent by
the year at which the same are let at rack-rent, if the
amount of such rent shall have been fixed within the
period of seven years from the sth of April last; and
if not so let at rack-rent, then at the rack-rent at
which the same are worth to be let by the year ; and
that it is only in those cases where the annual value
cannot be otherwise ascertained (such as upon lands
and tenements in the occupation of the owners, or let
on beneficial leases), that the poor-rate is to be re-
sorted to, and then only for the purpose of making
the assessment on such last. mentioned properties, in a
sum bearing a due proportion (as near as the same
can be computed) to the assessment on properties let
at a bona fide rack-rent; as, for example :
A house or farm is let at rack-rent for 1001. a-year,
and is assessed to the poor on three-fourths of
the rent, or 751. per annum.
Assessment to the property tax must be on WO/.

a-year.
Another farm in the same parish is let
on a beneficial lease, or is in hand, and X. s. d.

is assessed to the poor at, a-year.... 500 0 0
Add one-third of the said assessment... 166 13 0

Assessment to the property tax must be
on a-year . • • . .. 666 13 0
As the public will have great cause of complaint if
an assessment has been made upon a different prin-
ciple than herein set forth, I am to desire that you
will take especial care that in all such cases the same
may be rectified accordingly.
I take this opportunity of informing you that the
Board have received directions from the Lords of the
Treasury that in all cases where the overseers of the
poor have been called upon by the surveyors for a
copy of the last rate made for the relief of the poor, to
assist the surveyors in checking the assessments, and
have actually furnished the same, all reasonable ex-
penses for preparing such copy shall be defrayed by
this department; and I am to desire, that if any such
copy shall have been furnished to you for the purpose
in question, you will forward the overseer's account
for making such copy to this office, with a view to
its being discharged.

I am, Sir, yourobedient servant,
CHARLES PRESSLY.

IRELAND.

AWFUL CATASTROPHE-LOSS OF UPWARDS OF THIRTY

LIVES.

Duni" Disc. 26.--The particulars of the follow-
ing melancholy catastrophe are communicated by
Correspondents of the Evening Mail. An event some-
what similar, but by no means so lamentable in its
results, occurred in the Roman Catholic Chapel of
Francis-street, in this city, last Christmas two years :
" Galway, Dec. 25.—A melancholy accident oc-
curre3. in this town this morning. At early mass, in
the parish church, there was an immense concourse of
people ; the gallery, as is usual on Christmas morn-
ings, was crowded to excess. One of the rails of the
staircase by the pressure of the multitude was broken,
and some persons in the vicinity having heard the
crackling noise, gave the alarm, and cried out that the
gallery was giving way. An indescribable but tre-
mendous rush was made by the dense mass to escape.
The catastrophe was awful; 30 persons, up to the
time I am going to post, have been made the victims
of the rashness of the assemblage. The gallery did
not give way."
(FROM ANOTHER CORRESPONDENT.)
" I think it but right to tell you that a most tragical
occurrence took place here, at six o'clock this morn-
ing, at the parish chapel, similar to what occurred in
Dublin two years ago. Previous to the celebration of
mass the chapel was crowded to suffocation, and some
person gave the alarm that the gallery was giving way.
The consequence was that a tremendous rush was made
towards the stairs—numbers were thrown down the
stairs and trampled to death by others getting into the
street. At this moment (two o'clock) thirty-five per-
sons are dead, and it is supposed from ten to fifteen
more are also numbered among the dead. There are
a great many besides maimed ; they are all of the
lower class, such as poor tradesmen, labourers, and
servants. There was no danger at all of the gallery
giving way ; it is very strongly built, and would bear
four times the weight that was on it at the time.
There must have been between 4,000 and 5,000 people
in it at the time. I never witnessed a more heart-
rending scene. I saw myself twenty-five dead bodies."
(FROM ANOTHER CORRESPONDENT.)
" I have just seen Dr. Gray, who informed me that
he has ascertained twenty-eight individuals to be dead,
but he thinks there are a great many more, carried to
different parts of the town by their relatives, that
have not yet come under his observation. The town
is in a frightfully agitated state. The sufferers are all
of the working classes. I went through the chapel
an hour ago, and atind the gallery to be very strong,
so that, if the foolish people had but thought for an
instant, they might have been under no apprehension
whatever of its giving way, and the lives of the poor
creatures might have been spared. Two of our
servants were in the chapel at the time, but escaped—
they do not know how. This has been a scene very
like that which took place at Kirkcaldy, and which ei
never can forget."
COMMAND OF THE LIMERICK DISTRICT.—The re-
port of the command of the Limerick district having
been offered for the acceptance of Major-General Lord
Downes is quite correct, but it is not certain whether
the Noble and Gallant Officer will take upon himself
the harassing duties inseparable from such an ap-
pointment.

MURDER, OR HOMICIDE, AT RUTHERGLEN.—From
the number of depredations which have of late been
committed on the potatoe-pitsof the farmers in various
quarters. around the city, it has been the practice to
set a watch upon them during the night. On Thurs-
day night, a man named John M‘Bride, farm servant
with Mr. Mason, at Bulloch's Mill, in the neighbour-
hood of Rutherglen, was sent out with a gun to watch
the pits on the farm. About two o'clock on Friday
morning M‘Bride discovered three men busily em-
ployed in helping themselves from one of the pits, on
which he gave the alarm, and the parties instantly
took to their heels. The man, M'Bride, then fired
after them, but, from the darkness of the morning,
they managed to get out of sight. On examining the
place where the men had been, it was found that
three sacks which the thieves had left contained up-
wards of twelve pecks. About daylight, sonic children
going for milk discovered the dead body of a man
lying in a field, about 220 yards distant from the pit
at which the thieves had been scared; and the alarm
being given, a gentleman, who was passing at the
time, generously paid the hire of a cart, and had the
body conveyed to Rutherglen Court Hall. The ground
around where the body was lying was found saturated
with blood, from several wounds in the man's arm,
inflicted by the small shot, which had severely grazed
; the shot had also entered other parts of th body.
The deceased is an old veteran, wanting the left arm,
blind of the left eye, and of wretched appearance. He
has been recognised as a person named John 'Allan,
residing about Havannah-street. On the information
reaching Rutherglen, M`Bride was apprehended and
lodged ingaol there, from whence he has been brought
to Glasgow prison. We understand that the Sheriff
directed an examination of the body to be made by
rDrs. Easton and M‘Grioxn. on Saturday.—Glasgow
Argus.

Some wag in Bangor (Me.) advertises, at great
length, that he is preparing an immense balloon, to
carry the people of that city out of harm's way when
Miller's conflagration happens in April. He says he
has sent to Europe for an immense amount of silk,
and the car is to be 450 feet long and 90 wide.
Seats in the balloon 200 dollars each. The books are
to be opened on the Ist of April, and a great body of
constables will be on hand to prevent a rush.—New
York Tribune.
Montely, the murderer of the messenger of the Or-
leans Bank, is now quite recovered' from the effects
of his late attempt at starvation. He takes his meals
as usual. Last Saturday, as his breakfast, consisting
of eggs and a cutlet, was placed before him, he ex-
claimed, " What, eat meat on a Saturday ! Not so
bad as thrit! Give me the eggs." Montely's scru-
ples call to mind the conduct of the Calabrian robbers,
who kill a man with one hand and make the sign of
the cross with the other. The trial will, it is sup-
posed, come on next month.—Galignani.

A man in Missouri planted some beans late one
afternoon, and next morning they were up—thanks to
his hens.