The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1854-01-24 00:00:00

ARRIVAL OF THE AFRICA.

By the British and North American Royal Mail Steam-
ship Africa, Captain Harrison, which reached the Mersey
at 5 45 p.m., yesterday, we havet intelligence frem New
York to the 11th inst.
The Africa brought 95 passengers, and $910,000 in
specie on freight.
On the 22d, at 10, a m., the Africa passed the ship
Bannockburn, in lat. 51 30 N., long. 11 23 W.
The ships Great Western, Furber, and Anglo Saxon,
Sinnett, hence for New York, arrived on the 7th inst.
The Shannon, Thompson, and • Isaac 'Wright, Abeel,
hence for New York, arrived on the Bth inst. The Ash-
burton, 111`Williarns, and Siddons, Taylor, hence for New
York, arrived on the 10th inst.
A telegraphic despatch, dated Halifax, Jan. 10, 11 p.m.,
says :—The Cunard steam-ship Cambria, from Havre,
via Southampton anti Halifax for New York, is now about
thirteen days out, and is momentarily expected at this
port, where she will call to take in coal.
P.S.—Half-past eleven o'clock.—A thick snow storm has
set in, and it is unlikely that any steamer would. venture
•
in before morning.
The 'United States steam-ship:San Francisco, passed the
Hook on the 21st ult., with over six hundred souls on
-board, embracing about five hundred and fifty soldiers,
their officers, and many of their families, two or three
other passengers, and a ship's crew of seventy-five men.
It will be remembered that the vessel was destined for
San Francisco via the Straights of Magellan, touching at
Rio Janeiro, Valparaiso, and Acapulco. The following
particulars have been received from Boston :
The brig Napoleon, Capt. Strout, from Matanzas 29th
November, reports experiencing, three tremendous gales,
lost sails, sprung a leak, and had to stave twenty-one
casks of molasses to save the vessel. Capt. Strout also
reports, December 25, lat. 38.04, long. 69.30, fell in with
the steam-ship San Francisco, dismantled, everything
swept above deck, and the.spraymaking a complete breach
over her. Capt. Watkins stated that the steamer was
leaking fast, and requesting Capt. Strout to lay by, which
he did ; but the next morning the steamer was not in
sight, having drifted fast to the eastward. First saw her
at mid-day, and lost sight of her at dark. Her hull ap-
peared sound. The wind blew a fresh gale from the north-
west
during the night, but moderated on the next day,
and was nearly caltn. The first mate of the brig states
that a part of the hurricane deck forward was standing,
and the crew were busily engaged cutting it away and
throwing it overboard. The steamer was on the southeast
edge of the Gulf Stream, and was drifting out. Captain
Strout judged that they were more safe oh board the
steamer than those on board his brig. There were about
two hundred persons on deck, and when the brig hove in
sight they loudly cheered her.
The following additional particulars have been received
of the wreck of the Staffordshire :—A private letter says
the large boat, which was capable of containing 100 per-
sons, put off from the wreck with only a few seamen on
board, and the smallest boat with 14. It is further stated
that the first mate, with pistol in hand, prevented the pas-
sengers from getting in the boats. Persons who were well
acquainted with that officer, however, pronounce the state-
ment false. Capt. Richardson had been confined by illness
to his cabin, for several days previous to the disaster. A
despatch from Halifax names some of the persons saved
from the Staffordshire as follows :—Messrs. Alden, Leet,
Horgan, and Stephenson, mates ; Cobbs, Wibherton, and
Aces boys; RIM tie =ell3 =et uukusoni, 444 Ayi pi*

and one female passengers. They lienrly expected at
Halifax at the last accounts, and 31r: Alden would imme-
diately leavefor Boston.
The brig Athens from New York about Dec. 18, for
Liverpool, went ashore on the night of the 6th inst. on
Nantucket Shoals. The crew are reported to have been
mutinous since leaving New York, and have deserted the
vessel.

The Great Western (Canada) Railroad was to be opened
from Niagara Falls to a point opposite Detroit, on the 16th
inst. ei train would leave Niagara for Detroit on that
day, to return on the 17th. Regular passenger trains
would commence running on the 18th.
A very destructive conflagration occurred in New York
on Saturday the Bth instant, by which the Metropolitan-
hall and Lafarge-house were totally destroyed. The loss
is estimated at more than half a million dollars.
A very destructive fire occurred at Portland Me., on
Saturday morning. The Custom-house building, owned
by government, was entirely destroyed, together with the
contents of the Post-office, the United States Court-rooms,
the Society of Natural History, and various libraries and
other valuable establishments. The loss will probably
amount to half a million of dollars, most of which falls
upon government.

The Texas papers speak of an immense immigration
thitherward. The Gonzalez Enquirer says that Mr.
Shannon, a very gentlemanly and intelligent emigrant
from the State of Missouri, who passed through Gonzales
a few days since, states that at and between Preston, on
Red River and Gonzales, he counted two thousand three
hundred emigrant waggons, bound for Western Texas, a
great many of whom are from Missouri. He mentions
one county in that state as being almost depopulated by
emigration to Texas. The same gentleman says, that in
the vicinity of Bellton, in Bell County, exclusive of the
above, he saw at one view, he thinks, about five hundred
tents pitched, all home seekers.
An establishment for the manufacture of oil from the
cotton seed has been started in New Orleans. It is as-
serted that the oil is of a bland pleasant taste, possessing
all the qualities of olive oil ; that it burns with great bril-
liancy, and is peculiarly fitted for using upon machinery,
on account of not gumming or drying. If the oil is
really valuable, the manufacture will soon become an im-
portant one, for the quantity of raw material is unbounded.
CALtronNrA.—The steam-ships George Law and Star
of the West arrived on the 9th inst., with the details of
nine days later from California, being to the 16th ult.
The G. L. brings the mails and over half a million of
dollars. The Star of the West brings $1,298,099 in trea-
sure, on freight, and a large amount in the hands of 432
passengers. The Golden Gate left San Francisco on the
afternoon of December 16, and arrived at Panama on the
evening of the 28th.
Several daring highway robberies had occurred in San
Francisco.

From the interior the mining news is encouraging.
The rise of the rivers had totally suspended that kind of
mining; but extensive preparations were making to make
up the deficit by thoroughly working the various dry
diggings. Ditches, canals, and flumes were put in opera-
tion, and water brought great distances to the favourable
localities. The supply of rain had been light.
Intelligence was received at San Francisco on the 18th
of December that a party of filibusters, whilst out
foraging, were attacked by the rancheros and greasers of
the town of San Tomas, a short distance from Encinado,
and after a slight skirmish the Americans were compelled
to retreat, leaving two of their number dead on
the field, and two taken prisoners. On arriving
at Encinado the Americans entrenched themselves
in an adobe house, where they were surrounded by
the Mexicans, under the command of Neg,reta, a military
chief, and in the engagement which ensued it is said that
ten or twelve Americans were killed, and that the rest
would likely share the same fate, as their boats had been
destroyed, and retreat cut off. Another account states
that the Americans had been attacked in a defile and com-
pelled to retreat, leaving about one-third of their number
dead or in the hands of the enemy ; that the balance had
embarked on board the Caroline, and sailed down the
gulf, with the intention of escaping up the coast.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
NEW YORK, JAN. 11.
MONET MAnxEr.—The stock market opened and closed
heavy. There was no particular activity in any particular
fancy, and prices were very feverish and unsettled. The
closing rates for sterling exchange ranged from 9 to 9}
per cent. premium. The demand was limited.
COTTON— (From W. P.Wright's Circular, llt h Jan.):
—There has been a moderate business doing at somewhat
irregular prices, with more desire on the part of holders
to realise ; the demand for home consumption has fallen
off, while that for export has been interfered with by the
scarcity of, and advanced rates for, freight to Liverpool.
We have had also a considerable accession to our stock by
recent arrivals. The sales since 3d instant have been-
-6,049 bales for export; 3,820 for home consumption; and
1,305 on speculation : making a total for the week of
14,174 bales. The quotations annexed are those adopted
by the Association of Brokers on Monday last, and at
which the market yesterday was reported dull. The ex-
port for _the week has been as follows :—To Liverpool,
1,497 bales ; Havre, 2,056; Antwerp, 601; Lisbon, 234.
Total, 4,285 bales.
lam advised from every point at the South that a
marked improvement is apparent in the quality of the
cotton lately received, and learn also that planters have
used more care in cleaning and ginning their late pickings,
induced so to do no doubt by the low price obtainable for
the poorer qualities in the markets at home, and the
heavy losses made on shipments of same to European
markets. There is no cotton however of this crop re-
ceived here so far, containing the dust and sand which
was so prominent a feature in a large proportion of last
year's crop. Generally speaking, the Orleans and Mobile
cotton of this crop is of good colour and staple, free from
sand, well handled, but with a large proportion of leaf.
The Upland cotton now arriving is also of• good colour,
tolerably clean and free from leaf, but the staple is inferior
to that of last year.

Decidedly the best cotton this year is that received at
Apalachicola, which, judging from arrivals here so far, is
not only of good colour and staple, but is also well handled,
clean, and free from leaf and dirt. The Texas crop is
superior in handling and cleanliness to the one grown last
year, while from Florida the receipts thus far have been
comparatively inferior to those of any during the past
three years, though I am informed an improvement will
be found in such cottons as are now on the way, and in
the late receipts at St. Mark's, &c. Taking the crop as a
whole, I consider it will be fully an average one as to
quality, and should the future receipts prove equal to
expectation, it will be better than an average, while, under
all circumstances, it will be vastly superior to the one
of 1852-3.

Receipts at the ports again show a decrease as compared
with last year. The total deficiency now amounts to 537,000
bales.

The following is a statement of the movement in cotton
since the Ist September last, as compared with the pre-
vious three years:—

1851. 1853. 1852. 1851.
Receipts at the Ports, 956,000 1,493.000 1,021,000 931,003
Exports to Gt. Britain, 263,000 565,000 326,000 278,000
France 75,000 98,000 122,000 134,000•
„ other For. Ports, 62,000 80,000 48,000 73,C00
Total Exports 405,000 743,000 493,000 485,000
Stock on hand 490,000 595,000 413,000 474,000

From which it will'be seen that the decrease in receipts
now amounts to 537,000 bales ; the decrease in exports to.
Great Britain, 297,000 ; France, 23,000 ; other foreign
ports, 18,000. Total decrease in exports, 338,000 bales.
BREADSTUFFS.—FIour was in still brisker request, at
advancing rates. Nothing new occurred in Canadian.
The sales of Southern amounted to 3800 barrels at yester-.
day's quotations. Rye flour was unaltered. Barley was
rare. No important change appeared in oats. Corn was
doing better.
PROVISIONS.—Since our last, old mess pork has been in
fair demand, from $l3 to sl3t. Beef is quiet, with no
change in price; prime mess slBi to $22. There is a
fair steady demand for butter at former prices.
NAVAL STORES—Spirits of Turpentine has an upward
tendency ; sales were made at 62 to 62i cents, now held
at 6.5 to 66 cents. Crude Turpentine, Rosin, &c., without
alteration.

FREIGHTs.—There was less offering, but rates were
steady. To Liverpool— Cotton, compressed bales, per lb.,
5-16 d to id ' • Flour, per bbl., 3s 3d to 3s 6d ; Rosin, 4s ;
Heavy Goods, per ton. 35s to 40s; Grain, in bulk, per bush.,
11d to lltd ; Beef, per tierce, 6s. 6d. to 6s. To Lon-
don—Flour, per barrel, 4s. 6d. ; Turpentine, per 280 lbs.,
ss. ; Measurement Goods, per ton, 30s. ; Heavy Goods,
Oil, &c., 455. to 508. ; Beef, 7s. 6d. per tierce ; Oil
cake, 4s. 9d. per bbl.; Grain 340. to 151 d. per bush.
To Havre—Cotton, square bales, 4c. per lb. ; Ashes
$lO. to $l2. per ton ; Rice $l2. ; Whalebone, &c., lc. per lb. ;.
Flour, '9sc. per bbl. ; Grain, 24c. per bushel.—To Glasgow,
Flour, 45.; Grain, 12d. to 121 d.

.
NEW ORLEANS, JAN. 7.—The sales of cotton for the.
week have been 47,000 bales, dosing at 91c. for middling.
The total decrease in receipts at all the ports, as made
up by our table of thus date, is 553,000 bales. _ _ _

-111.6 BILE.—Receipts for the weekending December 30th,
23,602 bales. Export: To Liverpool, 4,915 bales; Havre,
5,146. The America's alid Pacific's advrces imparted much
firmness to our markets, and advanced the price of mid-
dling and upwards Ic. per lb. The sales have been 12,000
bales, business closing with much firmness at quotations.
Freight to Liverpool, 11-16 to id.
SAVANNAH.—Receipts for the week ending January sth,
8247 bales Up. and 477 S. I. No foreign export. A good
demand all the week at former prices, which have been
fully maintained; sales 6102 bales. Freight to Liverpool,
Id to 9-16 d.

PASSENGERS.-Mr. and Mrs. Mackenzie and three chil-
dren, Mr. and, Mrs. Hamil, Mr. Marrit, Mr. C. Marrit,Mrs.
Marrit and, servant, Mr. and Mrs. Guillemot, Miss Guille-
mot, Mrs. Wylde, Mr. Le Mesurier, Miss Le Mesurier,
Mrs. Myers and child, Mrs. Merry, Mr. More Myrhman,
Mr. Hisch, Mr. Clarkson, Mr. Sehandaff, Mr. T. C. John-
son Mr. McDougall, Mrs. Urquhart, Mr. J. P. Rae, Mr.
San, Mr. Mittleford, Mr. T. C. Conkey, Mr. Mooney, Mr.
T. Hognet, (bearer of despatches to London U.S. lega-
tion,) Mr. George Mokes, Mr. T. Foley, Mr. George A.
Wittle, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Benjamin, Mr. Walter Col-
quhoun, Mr. Welch Ascher, Mr. Lingsford and son, Mr.
Meildeham, Mr. Theodore Martin, Mr. J. Joseph, Mr.
Keller, Mr. Eggers, (C.D. Roy.,) Mr. Young, Mr. E. Oli-
ver, Mr. T. Gillespie, Mr. B. Courtney, Mr. B. Hayne, Mr.
H. C. Stevenson' Mr. Kerry, Mr. Benjamin, junjun.,Mr-
Hamil Davison, Mr. W. T. Childs, Mr. A. T. Saltine,
Mr. Edward Masson, Mr. J. Masson, Mrs. J. Dunlop,
Mrs. Engelke, Mr. Sharples and Son, Mr. R. Smith, Mr.
lialliwell, Mr, Booker, Mr. ;Bancroft, Miss Theresa Han-
nan, Mr. B. Smith, Mr. A. Fraser, Mr. M`Wee, Mr. Daniel
C. Hickey, Mr. F. Ashlon, Miss Rachael Levey, Mr.
Navants, Mr. Aimi, Mr. Grachard Hasson, Rev. Robert
Wallace, Mr. Sergent Pegenstickn, Mr. John Foon, Mr.
Mullineux, Mr. J. Howard, Mr. Parker, Mrs. P. Holland.

THOMAS'S SHILLING CoNcznas.—The success which
has attended these admirable performances leaves no doubt
as to the ability of a Liverpool public to appreciate really
Food music. An orchestra comprising some of the best
instrumentalists, of the day, and pieces selected with
judgment, leave nothing to wish for ; while the crowds
which nightly throng the Philharmonic-hall testify
by the warmth of their plaudits the delight which
they enjoy. The experiment which Mr. Thomas has so
successfully made, leaves no cause to regret the absence of
Moran Jullien, who is in America ; and those who have
not yet visited these concerts are the greatest losers by
their neglect. We observe that Mr. Thomas takes Ins
benefit on Friday. It would be but justice to his exec-
! dons that the price of admission to the boxes &WI 1)947
the hall 401114 be 0010 tlidt vcciviQui

LIVERPOOL CO ViZtrrY C 0 URT.--•
YESTERDA y.

(Before JOSEPH POLLOCK, Esq., judge.)
The second January court commenced yesterday, the
first day being devoted as usual to the hearing of fraud
summonses, interpleaders, and insolvency cases. There
is a total of 665 claims, which will be heard pursuant to
the following arrangement :—To-day and to-morrow, 100
cases each day; Thursday, 20 cases above £lO in value;
Friday, 120. For the three first days of the following
week there are 100 cases for each day ; on Thursday, 25
above £lO in value : and the Friday will be devoted to
adjourned cases.
The business yesterday was but of minor interest.
FRAUD SUMMONSES.—Orders for Committal to Lan-
caster Castle for 30 days were made against the following
parties :—Jeremiah Findlow, Court 61 and 63, Kitchen-
street, sawyer, for a debt of £3 12s. 2d.; John Oliver,
captain of the Helen, Queen's Dock, debt £l2 10s.; Wm.
Marshall Thompson, Salisbury-street, Old Swan, debt
£8 1 9s. ; John Halsall, at Mr. Manger's, coach-painter,
Richmond-row, debt £l4 ls. 4d.; Thos. Hollis, St. Anne's
Foundry, moulder, debt 16s. ; Patrick Rourke, 1, Tindall-
street, stoker in gas-works, debt 18s. 2d. ; W. B. Reddish,
3, York-buildings, Dale-street, debt £13135. ; Mrs. Evans,
sued as Mrs. Kendal, at Thomas Harrison's Brownlow-
hill, flour dealer, debt £3 2s. 9d. ; Wm. Smith, 13, Queen-
, street, shoemaker, debt £1 14s. 9d. (warrant not to issue
for a fortnight) ; Thos. Perry, 7, Soho-square, Soho-street,
builder, debt £1 6s. 11d. ; and J. Robinson, at Messrs.
Ca.ssavetti Brothers, Fenwick-chambers, Fenwick-street,
debt, £2 2s.
INSOLVENCY CAsns.--John Wagstaff, butcher, of St.
James's Market, and formerly a corn and flour dealer at
Peniston, in Yorkshire, came up for his final order. There
being no opposition, it was granted.—William Sanderson
Smith, of Rodney-street, out of business. In this case an
arrangement had been made with the creditors, and upon
the application of insolvent's attorney, and at his own
request, the petition was dismissed.—Barbara Fisher, of
No. 7, Seymour-street, milliner and dressmaker; final
order granted.—Wm. Allen, formerly of Myrtle Cottage,
Whitefield-lane, relieving-officer and organist of Walton
church. In this case the court ordered the insolvent to pay
£5O this year, £6O next, and £6O the third year, towards the
liquidation of the debt due to his creditors ; the insolvent
to come up for his final order in the second February court.
—James Skillicorn, of Standish-street, baker, general
grocer, and provision dealer. This insolvent passed his
first examination, and was directed to come up for his final
order in the second February court.—Alexander Hair Gal-
loway, surgeon, of Seymour-street, appeared for his final
order. He was opposed by several creditors, and sup-
ported by Mr. Aspinall, barrister. It appeared that the
insolvent had been in a series of difficulties from 1849 up
to the present time, and his Honour intimated that he
could not hold him free from censure in not having gone
before the court at once. Mr. Aspinall said he was a pro.
fessional man, and had trusted that in time he would
improve his position. The insolvent said that he gave
up a practice in Liverpool which was bringing him in
£l5O or £2OO a-year, and had consented to give £lOO for
a practice at Frodsham, but it had not turned out as he
expected. It transpired, during the hearing of the case,
that the defendant, besides being a medical practitioner, is
a literary man, and, that he has written at least one farce
for our local theatres. His Honour, in giving judgment,
thought there had been no proof of fraud, although there
had been of great imprudence. Mr. Galloway might have
known several years ago that his circumstances were such
that he could not pay his creditors, and a man had no
right to experimentalise at the expense of others. The
schedule showed that he was a man of extraordinary
requirements, and his attention had been turned to matters
which generally interfered with the attention due to his
other profession. A man could scarcely spend his time in
dramatic writing. and give that attention and assiduity to
his duties as a physician which they had a right to com-
mand. The Insolvent : That was when I was a medical
student, years ago. His Honour said : Well, Mr. Gal-
loway did not seem to have been guilty of any fraud what-
ever; but he should mark the sense which he entertained
of his imprudence, by adjourning the granting of the final
order till the first April court,—protection being given in
the meantime,