The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1847-06-01 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS.-FRIDAY

The affairs of Portugal, as connected with Bridal-inter-
ference, were, at the instance of Mr. HUME, made the
subjeet of conversation, who, at its close, intimated his in-
tention of bringing the subject formally before the house
on Monday.

Mr. EWART, in an explanatory speech, moved that it
was expedient a more direct system of taxation on property
should be substituted, as faras possible, for the indirect
system, by customs and excise duties, as now in use,
Mr. HUME seconding the motion.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER opposed it, on
the ground that it would be his duty, in the ensuing ses-
sion, to bring the subject of taxation generally before the
house, when it would have to consider whether that prin-
ciple of direct taxation (the income tax) should be made
permanent, or perhaps increased, or whether the country
should return to the old system of indirect taxation. This
great object would be—though he despaired of making any
system of taxation palatable to those on whom it fell—to
endeavour, as far as possible, to apportion it, whether
direct or indirect, fairly upon all classes of the community.
Aftersome further discussion the motion was withdrawn.
The house then went into committee of supply on the

FOREIGN 4- COLONIAL INTELLIGENCE,

ciMERIC

The Black Ball liner

river on Tuesday, bringing dates to the Ist inst. from
New York, being one day later than those brought by
the North American Mail. She has brought the follow-
ing passengers :—Mrs. Stusken and servant, Mr. Schon-
abel, Mr. and Mrs. N. C. M`Lean, Mr. and Mrs. W. G.
Breese, Mr. A. J. Tobias, Master A. H. Lessak, Mr. L.
S. Levy, Lieut. Edward Swenton, R.A., Mr. and Mrs. A.
Norrie, Miss Norrie, Gordon Norrie, Mary Norrie, Julia
Norrie, Miss Van Horne, Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Ewart, 3

children, and servant, M'rs. R. Child and son, Mr. and
Mrs. Charles Wake and servant, Mr. Friede Nictor, Mr.
and Mrs. Andrew Moffett, and Mr. C. Motz.
The Massachusetts arrived at New-Orleans on the 22d
instant, bringing dates from Vera Cruz to the 14th.
The following is from the correspondent of the Picayune

of the 23d ult.

There is no doubt at all but that Santa Anna, with from
twelve to fifteen thousand in, n, is between us and Jalapa.
It is concluded on all sides that if Gen. Twiggs does not
whip him, lie will at least keep him in check until Gen.
Scott, who left yesterday, reaches him, which will be to-
, •

morrow night. --
The Mexicans are playing a bloody and at the sam,
time bolder game than is usual for them, as it is though
they have killed no less than fifty of our men within thi
last three days on the road.
Gen. Scott had issued a Proclamation to the Mexicans
them in strong terms to remain at their homes

urging
and no

••••••• I uy ailLo Wl/ ilia
been leading them to destruction. He proclaims himsel
and army as the friends of all peaceable Mexicans, anc
determined to protect them in all their civil and religion:
rights.

New York, April 30th.
To-day being packet-day the markets have been very quiet,
and transactions too small to characterise the market, or en-
able us to fix quotations with much definiteness. We have no
change of importance to note. Advices by the Sarah Sands
have bad no effect, the tenor of her news having been very cor-
rectly anticipated. In the present state of things prices are
affected more by the amount of supplies, than the slight
changes abroad.

CoiwroN was less active. Sales of 6000 bales at previous rates.
noua—The market is dull. At the usual average rate of con-
sumption, the stock here would not last until the receipts from
the canal could arrive, which will be in about ten days. The
trade, however, buy very sparingly at present rates, preferring
to wait a few days, when the prices must be considerably lower,
say a dollar. We continue to quote Genesee and Western at
.87,621 to $7,75, and Southern at .87,37 to 87,53. GRAIN.—
There was some Ohio Wheat on sale, but nothing done. Corn
is held at 90 to 9gc. for white, and 94 to 96 c. for yellow, on the
spot, very little offering. To arrive, prices are firm at yester-
day's quotations. PROVISIONS continue quiet and firm. Lard
sells freely at 10 to C. SUGARS.—We note sales by auction
to-day of 286 hhds. prime New Orleans, at 417,06 to $7,56 per
100 lbs. FREIGHTS are unsettled. For flour, 3s. is a full quo-
tation, but it has been taken to fill up at 2s. 6d., and in British
vessels reported at 2s.

The royal mail steam-ship Caledonia arrived here on
Saturday, with advices from Boston and Halifax respec-
tively to the 16th and 18th ult.

The last Mexican army, under the first general of the re-
public, Santa Anna, had been entirely defeated at Cerro Gor-
do ; Tuspan, Jalapa, and Perote has been captured and in-
vested ; Puebla, incapable of resistance, was shortly to be
attacked ; and the capital, without defences capable of ar-
resting for a moment the enemy, was entirely at the mercy
of the American arms. The attack on Cerro Gordo
commenced on the 18th April. The American brigade
ascended the long and difficult slope of Cerro Gordo
without shelter, and under a tremendous fire of artillery
and musketry with the utmost steadiness; reached the
breastworks ; drove the enemy from them ; planted the
colours of the Ist artillery, 3rd and 7th infantry, the
enemy's flag still flying; and, after some minutes of
sham firing, finished the conquest with the bayonet ; the
Mexican commander, General Vasquez, with a large num-
ber of his men, falling in the conflict. A strong fort to
the rear, manned by a large force under General Pinzon,
shortly after surrendered to General Worth ; and ere the
second division gained the national road Santa Anna with
Generals Canalizo and Almonte and some six or eight
thousand men, was in full retreat towards Xalapa,
pursued by the American troops. About three thou-
sand men laid down their arms, with their officers and
five generals, Pinson, Jarrero, La Vega, Noriega, and
Obanda. Large quantities of heavy ordnance, field bat-
teries, small arms, and accoutrements, together with
Santa Anna's carriage, plate, money-chest, and a portion
of his papers, fell into the hands of the American general ;
and by two o'clock on the afternoon of the 18th ultimo
General Scott was in full possession of the field, with a
loss of forty-three killed and 265 wounded. The Mexi-
can army was completely disorganized. Its loss in the
field amounted to about 350 killed and wounded, and in
addition large numbers were killed in the pursuit. Gen.
Scott's force numbered about 8,000 men, and Santa
Anna's force was estimated at about 10,000. The troops
who surrendered were subsequently released on parole.
Jalapa and Perote were occupied without resistance by
the American advance.

The news of this defeat excited great alarm in the capi-
tal. An extraordinary session of Congress was imme-
diately held, and a decree adopted authorising the Supreme
Government to carry on the war ; specially prohibiting the
Executive from making a peace.
The capture of Tuspan was effected also on the 18th.
The expedition consisted of several vessels of war, under
Commander Perry. About five miles up the river some
slight resistance from two small forts on the right bank
were encountered ; but the enemy soon evacuated the spot.
Another fort was subsequently occupied after a brief re-
sistance ; and at the same time the town was in possession
with a loss of merely seventeen men killed and wounded.
On the 22d the main force was re-embarked, and the ex-
pedition left, after having destroyed the forty.
The accounts from the Rio Grande announce that Gen.
Taylor was preparing for an advance to San Luis de Potosi.
From Chihuahua we learn, that the capital of that de-
partment was still in possession of Colonel Doniphan.
From New Mexico we have the details of the engage-
ments arising out of the recent insurrection of the in-
habitants. They are, however, unimportant.
The domestic affairs of the States are unimportant.

The most favourable accounts from all parts of France
have been received respecting the prospects for harvest.
The King of Denmark has granted the sum of £15,000
for the purpose of furnishing bread to the poor at a price
below the market rate.
Among the recent arrivals at New York from Europe
are 600 carpenters. Within the last year over 1,200 tai-
lors are known to have landed from England alone.
Ma. COBDEN IN ITALY.—A letter from Leghorn, dated
the sth ultimo, announces that a splendid banquet was
being prepared in that city in honour of Mr. Cobden.
EMIGRANTS.—During the month of April last, no
fewer than 21,882 emigrants arrived at New York, 18,000
of whom were from Great Britain.
Many of the cotton mills of Rouen have ceased work-
ing, and it is expected that no fewer than 50,000 workmen
in that city and its neighbourhood will be unemployed at
the end of this month.

THE CROPS IN EGYPT.—The corn harvest in Upper
and Middle Egypt has been got in, and the produce is
very abundant. A Vienna letter of the sth represents the
growing crops throughout the Austrian States to be in
the most promising state.

Thousands of emigrants are landingasta consequence
and New
qlence the
York-3000 have arrived in a day ! A
streets swarm with beggars. Vast numbers
passage from ship fever : 30 perished in one holdonfrm
the
Havre. The Corporation are building new almshouses on
Staten Island, where the pauper passengers are now landed.
A little church, of a pretty Gothic design, (says the
Jerusalem correspondent of the Daily News,) is waiting
for the roof, which, though of timber, is to be brought
from England. The highest point of Mount Sion
crowned with an English church is an interesting object
for contemplation.
FALL OF IDOLATRY IN INDIA.—Dr. Gutzlaff records a
remarkable effect of the British invasion of China. The
natives expected that their idols would repel the invaders,
but seeing them unable to make the least resistance, even
to save themselves from the hands of an excited soldiery,
veneration gave way to contempt. The idols having
proved their worthlessness, the Chinese refuse to worship
them, and the shrines and the priests are deserted.

MUNITIONS tOF WAR 'FOR ,I'ORTUGAL.—The govern-
ment have ordered the Geyser, steam-sloop, Commander
Brown, to loadwith as much ammunition:and 32-pounder
shells as she can stow, and to proceeddirectly to Lisbon.
It is said Sir Charles Napier will not ,proceed to Lisbon
until the Bulldog returns with dispatches.
On the 9th instant, during high mass, at a church in
Breslau, one of-the choristers put a -cartridge into the
censor which he was waving before thaienerable priest.
It instantly exploded, severely burning ;the clergyman.
The boy is in custody, and is liable to he put to death;
he asserts he only did it-to fright the congregation, and
was not willing to injure the priest, -who had been his
benefactor.
The barque Emilia, from Rio Janeiro,..arrived here late
last night. She sailed on the 6th ult. A detachment
from General Rive's army had succeeded in taking a fort
on the Brazilian territory, by which supplies to Monte
Video could be intercepted ; but it was-apprehended that
this aggression would provoke the emperor to active hos-
tilities against Roses. Exchange at .Rio Janeiro, 281.
The emperor had departed on his northern tour.
Letters from Rome of the 14th instant state, that the
Pope's birthday was celebrated with great enthusiasm on
the 13th. A grand religious service was performed at the
church of St. John of Lateran, after which His Holiness
bestowed his benediction on the multitude, who .eonduct-
ed him back to his Palace in triumph, strewing the streets
through which he passed with flowers, and-rending the
air with deafening cheers of affection.
Cape of Good Hope papers bring news about one week
later. Sir Henry Pottinger had reached the frontier,
where he was prepared, it appears, to commenceeperations
against Pato, or any other chiefs mho might show a dispo-
sition to disturb the tranquillity.-of the country, orto set
at nought the arrangements contemplated for the settle
ment of disputes with the border tribes. Col. Somerset
had gone to Kat River. Heavy-rains bad fallen in the
midland districts, but it is not stated whether they. were
seasonable. The wreck of the Gilbert Henderson,an
emigrant vessel, in Algoa Bay, is reported by this arrival.
Advices from St. Petersburgh, :received on .Friday
indicate henceforth a supply of grain to the south of Eu-
rope-which will be regulated only by the number of vessels.
'ln the St. Petersburgh market alone the purchases for ex-
.portation up to the present time amount to no less than
2,0:0,000 chetwerts, but," it is observed, " the riddle is
.how is it to be shipped ?" The navigation is now esta-
blished, the Favourite, from London, ,and the Rob Roy,
from Hull (both steamers) having been among the first ar-
rivals. The grain market continues extremely active, and
hemp and tallow are without alteration. Exchange was a
shade flatter, the quotation being 38 11-16 d. to 38 Id.

taste .of English readers, are the staple of the Spanish
news. The Queen and her husband, to their mutual re-
lief, are apart : the King, at Madrid, dissipates by a drive
in a close carriage on the Prado, and a quiet game of bil-
liards with his servants—the Queen, at Aranjuez, by rid-
ing, boating, and rabbit-shooting, bull-fights, and
champareB. The gossip about General Serrano has re-
vived, and a.divorce will probably be the next thing we
shall ' " The P

near of lope has scruples, but we are battik
at liberty to doubt that the Queen has a right to insist ox
it, if she is so minded.