The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1839-01-11 00:00:00

CORRESPONDENCE.

THE RAILWAY INTERESTS OF LANCASHIRE.
(No. 5.)

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL ST.INDARD.

SlR,—Permit me to address a few remarks to the Lanca-
shire proprietors of the Brighton and South Eastern railways,
preparatory to the meeting of the former company, to be held
on the lith instant. The great advantages resulting to the
two railways in question, by the trunk line common to both,
on the more expensive portion approaching London, via
Croydon, aad by the use of the latter part of the Croydon
line itself, and of the Greenwich terminus and station, must
be strikingly apparent to every one conversant with the
enormous cost of the first ten miles especially, and indeed of
any railway length of thirty miles leaving our modern Baby-
lon. So obvious would seem to our common-sense view the
great boon to all these lines, contained in their relative bene-
ficial connexion, that one would think no difficulties could be
thrown iu the way of an immediate amalgamation or agreement
of interests on a liberal and mutually conceding basis, and I
do hope that at the meeting on the lith, a strong manifesta-
tion of opinion will be brought to bear on the subject. By
the merging of all petty (and really very impolitic) jealousies
in the different directions, and a hearty and generous union,
how the hands of each would be strengthened.
The railway world are deeply indebted to the gentlemen
constituting the London and Birmingham Direction for the
liberal and truly enlightened tone given to all their negotia-
tions and proceeding., looking out of the contracted sphere
of selfish considerations and really applying the golden rule
to all their dealings. The public have a guarantee of their
interests being safe in such hands, and it is to be earnestly
hoped for that so noble au example will be universally fol-
lowed by other companies.
By the arrangement alluded to betwixt the Brighton and
South Eastern, the returns of each will be augmented 10 or
50 per cent., while the Croydon line (perhaps the most ex-
traordinary nine miles of railway in England as regards
traffic, more than three milEuris of passengers traversing each
mile annually,) will be enabled to offer them liberal and easy
terms. By the way, there wants a little infusion of northern
energy into this latter undertaking, and perhaps never was
there a more favourable opportunity for purchase. The
shares, owing chiefly to stock-jobbing management, are
depressed to a discount of 35 per cent. (El on the £2O
old share all paid up), and the line is ♦ery near ready for
opening. Within the whole range of the share market Idu
not know so good a bargain. Owing to the approximation
of the line to London, and necessarily increased expense for
stations, &c., an addition of capital is required, but this we
are familiar with. in all cases, and offers nu excuse excepting
by interested exaggeration, for the depression of the shares
to the extent at present existing.
I have witnessed with great satisfaction the firmness with
which railway shares generally are held here, the effect of
which will very soon be seen and felt, as money becomes
easy by payment of the dividends, and as attention is with-
drawn from the cotton mania; and I would still encourage
every holder to wait for a considerable rise before he enter-
tains a thought of selling. A large amount of railway,
bank, and other dividends will be spread amongst share men
in a week or two, which will all come into these channels.
I cannot omit this opportunity of doing justice to the brave
stand which the supporters of Eastern Counties have made
and maintained here; and call the attention of Brighton
holders to it. I am, Sir,
Respectfully yours,
W. H.

Liverpool, Jan. 7th, 1039.

PENNSYLVANIA REVOLUTION.
AMERICAN UNION THREATENED.-CANADIAN

REBELLION.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.
Sur,—By the late accounts received from the United
States, it will be seen a revolution has broken out, of a seri-
ous nature, in Harrisburgh, the capital of Pennsylvania.
Scenes of violence have been committed which are a disgrace
to any civilized land. The Capitol is seized by a lawless
force, the doors and windows broken out, the building almost
torn down !—the governor of Pennsylvania kicked out of
the city !—the Speaker of the Legislature almost killed !
the members of the Council obliged to fly for their lives!—
and all this in the most civilized and republican state of the
Union. The city is in the hands of the mob ; anarchy reigns
in the utmost sense of the word; the lives of the citizens are
in the hands of a lawless mob. What is the cause of this
disgraceful work? who are the leaders of this rebellion? are
questions naturally asked, and I shall with much pleasure
answer them.
Ist. What is the cause of this disgraceful work?
I was iu Philadelphia when this " blow up" was threaten-
ed. It arose out of the following cause Philadelphia,
a few months ago, was to be seen sundry proclamations from
the mayor and sheriff of the city, announcing the important
event of a coining election, when the "free and enlightened"
citizens were to choose their congressmen As usual upon
such occasions, sundry other documents appeared upon the
walls, abusing and praising, in unmeasured terms, the prof-
fered candidates. The papers were fierce in fight; all the
cheating and bribing of one party was published, whilst all
the virtue and honesty of another party was made known
through the respective papers. The citizens looked fierce
some shouted " Porter and democracy;" whilst others cried
aloud " Ritner and the people." Both terms suited both
parties; therefore both parties were pleased. So far so
good. At last the eventful day arrived. It was ushered in
with a due quantity of fife and bugle flourishes; the inhabi-
tants drank deeply of " gin sling" and "mint julep ;" dress-
ed themselves with unusual care, and sallied out to the con-
test. Carriages were to be seen dashing to and fro; all the
barbers' posts had unusually large caps of liberty upon them;
and the gin shops, not to be outdone in pot-riot-ing, hung
pieces of fustian, with sundry stars and stripes upon them,
out of the windows. The Court-house, or, as it is called,
" Independence Hull," was the scene of action. Thousands
and thousands of citizens put their hands into little boxes,
dropped little bits of white paper, mystically folded, therein,
and walked off, well pleased with such gallant actions. This
putting into the boxes continued until six o'clock in the
evening, when pop went a gun, and bang went the box lids,
signifying, in other words, the election was over. In anxi-
ous expectation, the citizens awaited to hear the result of the
election. Pieces of paper, with mystic numbers, were seen,
now and then, announcing the progress of sifting the ballot !
tickets. The \Vhigs seemed sure of victory, and a smashing '
dinner was in readiness. The Democrats were also in ex-
cellent spirits, priding themselves with victory. At last a
large piece of paper appeared upon the middle pillar of the
Hull. There was no mistaking it. It contained the result
of the election. A grand rush was made; a tremendous
shout arose; and the Whigs cried aloud in triumphant vic-
tory. The going off of guns was tremendous, and the squibs
and crackers made their wonted noise. On the other hand
was to be seen the poor defeated Democrats, considering
what was to be done. A happy thought struck upon their
minds,—the election note gained by eheatinj. No sooner did
this suggestiou strike upon their excited imaginations than
'they raised a shout which astonished their opponents. Off
they marched to the Hull, demanded justice, and upon a
promise of it, retired. Au election jury were sworn in, to
consider the votes, when it turned out that the Whigs cheated
most shamefully. The judges of the election rejected the
whole Whig mtes, and the northern liberties and entire district
was thrown volt. This was JO to 7. By this tote by ballot
cheating the Whigs lost their congressmen. In consequence
of the district being thrown out, the Democrats have gained
the candidate : so there are two persons to contend fur their
seats in Congress. The Dernocrats have elected the gover-
nor (Mr. Porter) and state senators; but the Whigs have
the majority in state legislature, and are now preventing the
governor and senators elect front coining into office. This
is the cause of the present revolution. Pretty state of affairs
fur republican America! How it will end I cannot tell; but
B Loon must flow ere this civil war be terminated. •
elThe United States are not quite so " happy, prosperous,
and peaceful" as Mr. Van Buren would wish you to think.
The President, in his address, said the government of the
United States was 50 years standing. Now, his Excellency,
President Martin Van Buren, told as great a lie as ever he
told, and if it was his first one, he would choke. The pre-
sent constitutional government of the United States is only
27 years old. It is one entirely different front the one formed
1776. 13oth in form and hearing' the government is upon
an entirely different footing. Van Buren knew this; but he
thought to gull his ignorant dupes by a little flattery, his
bragging so soon of a half century's experiment looks bad.
Twenty-three years must roll over before the fifty years
experiment will be completely tried and tested. In twenty-
three years, where will the United States be? I answer,
broken, divided, upset—a union that was—a distracted, bewil-
dered, miserable—`lb different nations. The Americans quake
about their union—they prophesy its downfall. In Phila-
delphia I houglit a book bearing the following title:—" Ex-

traordinary Vision, as seen by aCitizen of Philadelphia, on
the twelfth days of April, in the years 1836 and 1838. By a
Native of Jones Penn's Neck, County of Salem, State of
New Jersey." In this " Vision" he saw "dreadful wars and
conflagrations—my owe. country all in motion, and her citi-
zens under arms—parents arrayed against their children,
wives against husbands—friends became enemies—the capi-
ta of this republic shaking to its foundation, sod incendia-
ries applying their torches. I saw the southern section of
our union in flames, and the whole country streaming with
blood." Alter talking about the government, he goes on
There is not a doubt in my mind but a plot is fomenting,
and our country will be in the hands of others. Americans,
beware! It may be considered impossible; hut how-easily
might the coloured population accomplish their object !
Think of 30,000 of them in Philadelphia, above that number
in New York, and God knows • how many in Baltimore,
Charleston, and New Orleans; and then ask yourselves,
if it would be impossible at an appointed time to seize upon
the public arms, and commence the work of DEATH ! They
have men among theinfully capable of planning operations,
and determined spirits, of all colours, that are ready to assist
in prosecuting them. The people of this country are widely
mistaken in regard to the number of the coloured population
among them. Of negroes, there are three millions probably;
but from the very light to the very black, there are more
than four millions—a fact beyond all doubt ; and thousands
of Nat Turners amongst them—aye, men amongst them that
could take the command of the most powerful army. And
there is the Island of Hayti, that could understand every
movement, and, knowing an appointed time, lend a helping
hand." This entirely corroborates what I said in my letter
published in your paper of Friday week. The Americans
know the Union must fall; they know democracy is a hum-
. bug—universal suffrage and vote by ballot, a disgrace; a
monarchical government they want, and a monarchical go-
vernment they will have.
The Canadian troubles are another proof of the defective
government of the United States. They have no power over
the scum and dregs of the population, and are not able to
keep their " free and enlightened" citizens from invading a
friendly country to plunder and murder. If they give the
militia aria`, the militia join the pirates : if they order the
regulars to act, the regulars refuse to obey ! If they send
their generale, their generals help and advise the brigands !
Such is the beauty of the republican system.
Are we Britons to be insulted with impunity? Are our
possessions to be invaded by armed pirates—our countrymen
murdered and butchered—and all without redress ? Our
flag is insulted, without reparation; our name degraded,
without satisfaction ; and our country held up to infamy,
without having revenge. It one drop of patriotic blood—the
blood that flowed in the veins of our forefathers;—if one
feeling of patriotism—the patriotism that actuated a Nelson
—that ennobled our troops upon the fields of France, Spain,
and Portugal;—if one spark of loyalty—the loyalty that
upheld our name untarnished for centuries;—if one remnant
of a Briton's feeling remains, let us have satisfaction—de-
mand satisfaction—take satisfaction ! Let us crush the

monsters, the upstart vipers, and snake the name of England
dreaded! Let not this demand be conveyed in any hum-
bugging despatches, but let it be by the presence of a British
fleet—not one, but a dozen ones. Place ships at the chief
American cities—Boston, New York, Baltimore, Philadel-
phia, Norfolk, Charleston, Mobile, New Orleans, &c. &c.
Send in our demand at Washington: if not granted, com-
mence operations: send in your red-hot balls, bomb-shells,
&c.; burn to the ground their cities—seize their ships—blow
up those you don't want—land your troops—liberate their
3,UW,U00 slaves ! This is the way, and the only way, for a
great nation to go about the business. lu one month the
Americans would be as tame as the Dey of Algiers, when the
British Admiral bombarded that place. A great and mighty
nation like England must nut do things by halves. As the gal-
lant Duke of Wellingto❑ said, " It becomes a great nation
to have a great war." We must net like men in the affair.

None of your " His Excellency Mr. Fox, British Minister
at Washington, has received despatches from England, de-
manding reparation for the injuries sustained by her, during
the late piratical invasions of tI):e Canadas, by citizens of
the United States." No; this is all very fine when you
have to deal with gentlemen, but when you have to deal
with blackguards, it must be "Admiral, &c. informs His
Excellency, J. Martin Van Buret), President of the United
States, that acting under orders from England, he has placed
filets at the chief American ports, and if the requisite satis-
lattit,n is pot forthLonaing in 24 bouts, lie 4,031) be otyliged to