The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-12-27 00:00:00

THE STRIKES.

PILESTOIC—No change can yet be reported in the posi-
tion of the contending, parties. The returns show that
the number of unemployed hands relieved last week was
15,781 ; previous week, 15,502 ; increase, 279. The
amount paid to the hands last week was £2,938 12s. ' • pre-
vious week. £2,908 7s. -3d. ; increase, £3O 4s. 9d. To
this sum must be added £274 19s. lid., the expenses in-
cident to the conduct of the agitation. The total expen-
diture of the week amounts to £3,213 lls. ltd. The
working expenses, exclusive of relief, are about five per
cent. on the sum collected. The operative spinners had a
meeting in the Temperance-hall, on Friday night, when,
after a series of speeches, the annexed resolution was
adopted :—" That we, the operative spinners, and winders
of Preston, do still resolve to have our just and equitable
demands before we resume work." .A general meeting of
the unemployed was convened in the Orchard on Satur-
day. Cheers having been given for Blackburn, Stockport,
and their allies, and for the ten per cent., the proceed-
ings concluded at four o'clock, with a vote of thanks to
the chairman. The card-room hands held a meeting in
the Temperance-hall, and, after several delegates had de-
livered addresses, pledged themselves to persevere in their
struggle.
WlGAN.—Though the Mills at Wigan and Hindley
were re-opened on Monday, the strike of factory operatives
is far from being at an end. The total number of mill
hands in Wigan is about 5,000, and in Hindley 1,160 ; and
the number who went to work on Monday was only 633
in Wigan, and •15 at Hindley. At three mills in this
town no hands presented themselves, and the machinery
was therefore obliged to be stopped and the gas lights put
out. At another mill there were four hands, at another
five, at another seven, and so on. In the latter part of
the day Messrs. James Eckersley and Sons had 240 opera-
tives at work, being scarcely a fourth of their full com-
plement ; and the executors of the late Mr. Rylands 150,
or rather more than a third : these two mills were the
best manned. At one mill, at Hindley, two persons went
to work ; at another six, and at a third seven. There are
now about 1,500 persons at work in the Wigan factories,
five of which are still closed for want of hands, but none at
Hindley.
There was a meeting of the masters' association at the
Victoria Hotel, Wallgate, on Friday, Mr. William John-
son in the chair. They were in deliberation more than an
hour-and-a-half. The proceedings were conducted pri-
vately, but we understand it was agreed that they should
continue to maintain their present attitude, and that the
meeting should stand adjourned to that day fortnight,
with an understanding that, should circumstances require
it, any three members might call a meeting of the associ-
ation in the interval.
During the week the town has been in a state of con-
siderable excitement, particularly the lower parts of Wall-
gate and the streets adjoining, the largest mills being
situate in that neighbourhood. When the hands who have
gone into the mills were returning from work, they were
hooted and shouted at by large crowds of persons. On
Tuesday night there were about four thousand persons col-
lected in that part of the town referred to, which bore every
appearance of a riot. The police and fire-brigade were
three hours in clearing the streets. On Wednesday a .
" caution" to persons against thus assembling, &c., signed
by the Mayor, was posted on the walls of the town, but
Tuesday night's proceedings were repeated, and it was quite
as much as police, fire-brigade, and a number of special-con-
stables could do for three hours to prevent large groups
from forming. The people, when driven from the main
street, would collect at the corners of bye streets, and
there keep up their hooting, yelling, and whistling.
Since Wednesday matters have assumed a much less
serious. aspect. Several persons have been apprehended
on suspicion of intimidating the hands at work, and of
being concerned in the disturbances ; but the evidence in
every case was very slight, and all have been discharged
with a reprimand except a girl, who has been bound over
to keep the peace.
On Monday nearly 1,000 of the operatives yet on strike
held a meeting in the area of the Commercial-hall, and it
was unanimously resolved that they would not return to
work without an advance of ten per cent., and that if the
advance was not conceded by New Year's Day, then
twenty per cent. should be demanded. A similar meeting
was held in the same place on Wednesday afternoon. The
income of the " Amalgamated Committee" of Factory
Operatives during the past week amounted to £6O Bs. 6d. ;
£2B lls. 11d. of which came from Liverpool, and £8 from
Manchester. On Tuesday the thirty rank and file of the
_3lth Regiment of infantry left Wigan for Preston. There
. yet remains one company delis regiment, .33 rank and tile.
I

RESIGNATION OF THE OEM SK IRK WORKHOUSE
CHAPLAIN.—The Rev. E. L. Blenkinsop, chaplain to the
Ormskirk Union Workhouse, has tendered his resignation
of the chaplaincy, which the guardians have accepted.
Tun WEATHER yesterday was clear and frosty, and
great numbers were in consequence tempted to enjoy their
holiday by trips to Birkenhead and other places across the
Mersey. Towards evening, however, there was a slight
fall of rain.

HER MAJESTY'S royal bounties to a limited number of
aged poor in the metropolis were distributed, under the
special direction of the Lord Bishop of Oxford, lord high
almoner to the Queen, assisted by the Rev. Dr. Jelf,
sub-almoner.

THE BIRTHDAY of the Duke of Northumberland was
celebrated at Alnwick, on Thursday week, with extraor-
dinary eclat and magnificence, the gentlemen of the county
generally, without distinction of party, attending to take
part in the celebration. The chair was occupied by Capt.
George Selby, R.N. The health of the Duke, the Duchess,
" the house of Percy," &c., were duly honoured ; speeches
being made by the chairman, the Hon. H. T. Liddell,M.P.,
Mr. H. G. Liddell, M.P., Rev. Court Granville, &c.
ADD-EL-KADER.—Abd-el-Kader lives a very retired life
at Broussa, in the bosom of his family, and occupies him-
self with the education of his children. His principal en-
joyment in the day and through a part of the night is
study and poetry, for which he has a decided penchatit.
He carefully avoids any noise, and Broussa pleases him so
much as a place of residence that he has decided on
purchasing a farm in the neighbourhood, in order to give
employment to himself and the persons who compose his
numerous suite. He is disgusted with grandeur, and now
prefers to live retired and tranquil, and to enjoy on his
new estate the pleasures of a country life and study, The
conduct of the Emir is always in keeping with his noble
character, and he allows no opportunity to escape of loudly
proclaiming the generosity and greatness of mind of the
Emperor of the French, and in his devotions he never
fails to pray for the preservation of the life' of him who
restored him to liberty and repose. The Emir is expecting
to receive from Damascus two magnificent horses of the
famous Arab breed called Nedjdi, which are intended for
the Emperor Napoleon, to whom they have been already
offered, and accepted by his Majesty.—Journal de Con.
stantinople.
GIBRALTAR.—Advices from Gibraltar to the Bth inst.
state that when the Governor, from some unexplained
cause, suddenly removed his land cordon on the 27th of
November, the Spaniards established theirs on a liberal
footing, and traffic in supplies proceeded satisfactorily
until the following Saturday, the 3rd instant. But on
that day an order arrived from the real Consejo deMinistro
I (supposed to be in consequence of Sir Robert Gardiner's
measures, the rescinding of which was not known in
Madrid) ordering an immediate closing of all communi-
cations by land, excepting the post ; and a rigid enforce-
ment of ten days' quarantine by sea. Notice to that effect
was promulgated at once, to be put in force from four p.m.
the same day. At the time of the cordon a most painful
spectacle was seen. Many 'hundred persons on each side
the ropes were assembled, and much weeping and wailing
going on. Great efforts were made to get in as many
supplies as possible, but these were wholly inadequate to
the demand. Straw and charcoal rose to prodigious
prices. Straw was sold at $8 to $9 per horse load, being
a rise of 300 to 400 per cent. ; charcoal in the proportion
of 200 to 300 per cent. Butchers' meat has risen 50 per
cent. The stock of cattle in private hands was only three
or four days' consumption. The Government contractor
had 300 or 400 head of cattle, but had little or no straw
for them. It was reported that the Government contrac-
tor was to be indemnified by a grant of the public money
for the losses incurred through the Governor's mischievous
measure.—Globe.

GOLD IN AusTnALlA.—The following extraordinary
news of the gold-diggings at Geelong are contained in a
letter received by Joseph Abraham, Esq., from a relative
in Hobart Town. The letter is dated September 8. Well
may it be called a " quarry of gold," if 18,000 ounces have
been taken out in three days by a few persons :—" Know-
ing how deeply interesting any news respecting Australia
must be to you, I write to inform you of a great discovery
that has again been made on the Geelong side, about fifty-
six miles from the town. They have been digging very
deep, and have come on a table of gold, about 100 feet
from the surface, apparently inexhaustible. All I can tell
you respecting it is that the people's minds are partly
turned, from the immense discovery. Every tubfull of
earth they raise from these holes contains pounds weight
of gold. The more they dig, the more inexhaustible it
appears. At Geelong, a tumult has broken out among the
diggers. The Government has sent up all the military to
quell the disturbance, and the marines of her Majesty's
ship Electra are mounting guard at the Treasury ; and
the sailors of the above steamer of war mount sentry at
the banks. The military from Van Diemen's Land are
about to be despatched to Melbourne, to aid the military
already there. Goodness only knows bow all this will end.
(Hobart Town, Sept. 5.)—By the steamer from Geelong
this day, I find that a gold quarry has been discovered
near Geelong, 100 to 130 feet from the surface of the earth,
putting all other diggings in the shade. 18,000 ounces
have been taken out in three days, by a few persons ; and
one person has got a lump weighing 1901b5., in one solid
pieee. This is no exaggeration, and the greatest excite-
ment prevails."

EREATIIM.—From an oversight at the time of going to
press, a portion of our first impression was printed off
with the first paragraph ,of 4= London correspondence at
the head of the article xn the t.ec on d page, relative to the
local Christmas festivities.

CONSECRATION OF THE
NEW. CHURCH AT GREAT CROSBY.

YESTERDAY, the new Church which has been built at
Great Crosby, to supply the spiritual wants of the inhabi-
tants of that district, was consecrated by the Right Rev.
the Lord Bishop of Chester, assisted by the Rev. R
Walker, incumbent of Great Crosby, the Rev. J. G. Lee,
Walton, the Rev. John Jones, Waterloo, the Rev. H.
Hampton, St. James', Liverpool, the Rev. Evans, the
Rev. Wilkins, &c:, &c.

The church was filled to overflowing on the occasion, by
an assemblage of ladies and gentlemen, chiefly belonging
to, or connected with, the parish ; among those present
we observed J. Buck Lloyd, Esq., Mayor of Liverpool ;
John Myers, Esq., and family; Robert Theakstone, Esq.,
and family; Robert Horsfall, Esq., and lady; Charles
Groves, Esq., Arthur Holme, Esq., ouncillor Henderson,
R. Briscoe, sq., Thomas Carson, Esq., &c., &c.
Prayers were read by the Rev. R. Walker • after which
an appropriate sermon was preached by the Lord Bishop,
from Ist Corinthians xiii. 1. " Though I speak with
the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity,
I am become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal." In
the course of his sermon, the right reverend Prelate took
occasion to allude in eloquent terms to the innate modesty
and unpretending nature of true charity, which, avoiding
display, sought yet to forward, by strenuous efforts, the
benefit of men, and to assist in disseminating God's bles-
sings. He described, in forcible and touching terms, the
true Christian charity of those who, in the earliest times,
had lent their aid in the erection of churches, wherein
their humbler brethren might have an opportunity of
joining in the worship of the Most High. He then, by a
happy turn, alluded to the exertions of those by whose
instrumentality the present edifice bad been mainly con-
structed, sPe4illg pointedly as to the increased accommo-
dation which would be thereby afforded for the poorer
classes of worshippers, as compared with the means pre-
viously within their reach. A collection in aid of the
building fund was made at the conclusion of the services,
when the sum of £lOO was contributed.

The church, which is dedicated to St. Luke, is built on
a convenient and commanding situation on the right hand
side of the village, entering from Liverpool. Its ground-
plan is cruciform, the church having a nave, transepts,
and chancel- It is 108 feet in length from west to east ;
the width of the nave is 40 feet ; the transepts are each 28
feet in length ; the general height of the walls is 20 felt
to the cornice or spring of the roof, and 40 feet high to
the apex or ridge. At the western end there is a tower
and spire, of good proportions and tasteful ornamentation,
rising to the height•of 190 feet. The spire is furnished
with cleverly-carved grotesque water-spoutS, has an
elegantly-enriched clock circle, is surmounted by a golden
cross, and altogether forms an elegant as well as a con-
spicuous feature of the landscape. Standing on an
elevated situation, it will be readily visible from a great
distance, and will be easily recognised by mariners before
entering the mouth of the Mersey.
Interiorly, the church presents a fine appearance, the
roofs being lofty, supported upon arched open timber
framings, intersecting in the form of an airy groin at the
junction of the transepts with the nave and chancel; and
that, as well as the pew divisions, being of stained pine.
The transept windows are tall, and furnished with slender
mullions and elegant tracery, the intervals of which are
filled by stained glass of brilliant hues and pleasing
devices. The chancel, which is octagonal in form, has its
ceiling painted in deep ultramarine, studded with golden
stars ; its windows are filled with stained glass, the
principal being occupied by well-executed designs re-
presenting the Annunciation, and the birth of Christ;
the side windows are decorated by shields bearing the
armorial devices of the Lord Bishop of Chester, of the
Venerable Archdeacon Brooks, of the Reverend R.
Walker, the incumbent, and of several laymen who have
taken a prominent interest m the erection of the
Church. On the south side is the organ recess, divided
off by an open screen. The chancel floor is Laid with a tes-
selated pavement of Minton's encaustic tiles, of rich design,
and as a whole it presents an agreeable as well as a strik-
ing object to the eye. The pulpit has a very tasteful and
unique appearance ; it is richly ornamented by devices of
carved white stone, the interstices between which are filled
up by rock-fa Ced work of pale blue stone. The font is
carved of Bath stone, and the reading-desk is of open-
work carved timber. The whole of the stained glass was,
we believe, provided by Messrs. Pilkington, of St.
Helens, and from the general harmony and brilliancy of
its colours, will support the reputation of their estab-
lishment. _ _ _

The edifice is of the decorated style, and bears an
affinity in its general characteristics to the fine church
recently erected at Grassendale, but is more elaborate in
its details. Like that structure, St. Luke's, Great Crosby,
has been built from designs made by Messrs. A. and G.
Holme, architects, Liverpool; it is constructed chiefly of
Stourton-hill stone, filled up with rock-faced stonework,
from the quarry of Upholland. The building has been
conducted with much spirit, under the auspices of Messrs.
Holme, and it has been finished at a cost of £3,500, con-
tributed in voluntary subscriptions.

WANTED-A HOME SECRETARY.

( }mom THE TEEM

A CABINET COUNCIL was held on Thursday afternoon
at the Foreign-office, at which ten of the Ministers were
present. The Council sat five hours and a half. So far
the Ministerial journals reveal the truth. But had they
favoured the public with some information as to what the
Council was doing all this time, we should have been
spared the trouble of going to the Foreign-office yester-
day, and demanding to see the minutes. However, at the
present crisisove grudge no labour which leads to enlighten
the public ; and here are extracts from the book :
'hits Jnyte, Dim. 22, 1853.
Present—Lords Aberdeen, J. Russell, Cranworth, and
Clarendon, the Duke of Newcastle, Sirs .T. Graham,
W. Molesworth, and C. Wood, and Messrs. Herbert
and Gladstone.
Lord ABERDEEN moved that it was very disagree-
able weather.
Carried nem. con. (with an addition by Mr.
GLADSTONE, that we ought to eery thankful
to Providence that we had any weather at all.
Lord CLARENDON moved that the fire be poked.
Carried nem. con., and that it be an instruction to
Sir C. Wood to do it, as he was sitting nearest.
The Duke of NEWCASTLE moved that he found coals
deucedly dear, on which Sir C. WOOD remarked that few
people liked to carry coals to Newcastle. The Council
laughed, except the LORD Caarrcarmon.
Lord ABERDEEN moved that the place of Home Secre-
tary ought to be filled up, as it was disgraceful to see so
important an office left open for a week, and a Ministry,
avowedly commanding all the talent of the country, unable
to supply it.
Carried nem. con., and Sir C. WOOD observing that
nobody had offered the place to him.
Sir J. GRAHAM moved his chair nearer the fire.
Lord ABERDEEN moved that Lord John Russell, who
held no office, be requested to accept that of Home Secre-
tary; and the Noble Earl, smiling, read to the Council
the article which he had written in the Times, dilating
upon the courage with which it was certain that Lord J.
IL was about to accept the challenge of Lord Palmerston.
Sir W. MOLESWORTH moved, as an amendment, that
he should be requested to accept the office. The council
divided, and the numbers were—For the motion 8; for
the amendment, 1 (Sir W. Molesworth) ; Lord J. Russell
not voting.
Lord J. RUSSELL stated that he should not accept the
office. First, he had enough to do. Secondly, he was not
very strong. Thirdly, he liked domestic life. Fourthly,
he thought they wanted a new man. Fifthly, he thought
it was exceedingly improbable that if he vacated his seat
and went to the electors of London he should be returned,
and then where was their Reform Bill ?
The LORD CHANCELLOR here burst into a hearty fit of
laughter, having just succeeded in comprehending Sir C.
Wood's joke about coals and Newcastle. He requested,
for Lord J. Russell's satisfaction, that it might be entered
in the minutes that his laughter was not at Lord John
Russell's five points. •
Lord ABERDEEN moved that there was a very abomina-
ble smell of tobacco about the Foreign-office, and that it
be an instruction to Lord Clarendon not to smoke.—Mr.
GLADSTONE seconded the motion, which on division was
lost by 8 to 3 (Sir C. Wood by mistake voting both ways),
and the majority immediately lit cigars, but put them out
again on Mr. Gladstone opening all the windows and doors.
Lord ABERDEEN then moved that Sir James Graham
should take the vacant office.

Sir J. Gs~neai stated that he should do nothing of the
kind. He was safe enough at Carlisle, no doubt, but he
had made such a mess of speechmaking that he intended
to hold his tongue most severely until they met Parlia-
ment. He moved that Mr. Herbert should take it.

Mr. HERBERT begged to decline, without troubling the
Council with reasons.

Lord ABERDEEN said that there was nobody else pre-
sent who could be applied to. The Home Secretary must
be a member of the House of Commons, as the Duke of
Argyll knew, or he would have attended and taken the
office. What were they to do ?
Sir C. Woon here stood up on a chair, and pointed to
himself, but, no notice being taken of this pantomime, the
Right Hon. Baronet got down again.
Lord J. RUSSELL stated that it was very unlucky. Lord
Panmnre and Sir G. Grey both pleaded ill health. Lord
Canning did not like changing his place. Bernal Os-
borne—
Sir J. GRAHAM stated that he could not spare Bernal
Osborne. He was getting that intelligent but impetuous
young person into very good training, and was happy to
assure the Council that the Secretary to the Admiralty
had not made a joke for three days.
Lord CLARENDON moved, Mr. GLADSTONE seconded,
and it was carried nem. con., that the thanks of Her
Majesty's Ministers should be presented to Sir J. Graham
for this most salutary reform.
Lord ABERDEEN moved that their situation was most
embarrassing. The country was laughing at them—im-
portant business was at a stand still—and they were
going to pieces. He wished that Lord Palmerston could
be persuaded to come back. It would damage them to
modify the Reform Bill, but it would damage them more
to have to go out.
Lord J. RUSSELL stated that he should not modify his
Reform Bill, and that he was not desirous of seeing Lord
Palmerston back. But inasmuch as, from the time of a
Coalition, Lord Palmerston had been in a perpetual state
of warfare with the Noble Earl on foreign policy, it was
idle to suppose that anything short of the Noble Earl's
yielding could satisfy the Noble Viscount. Was the Noble
Earl prepared to burn Sebastopol, as, if so, he (Lord J.
Russell) might consider the propriety of modifying his
Reform Bill, and then it would be time enough to think
of asking Lord Palmerston to return.
Lord ABERDEEN moved, Sir J. GRAHAM seconded, and
it was carried by seven to four (Sir C. Wood, by mistake,
voting that a message be sent to Lord
pabnersbt(Ointh offweary),
insg to surrender everything if he would,
by returning to office, save the Coalition Ministry from
its inevitable doom. The Council then rose.

ST. PAUL'S CIIIIRCH NATIONAL SCHOOLS.—The
annual tea party and meeting, for promoting scriptural
education in St. Paul's district, will be held this evening
in the Concert-hall, Lord Nelson-street. The chair will
be occupied by Mr, Alderman T. Bold, awl addresses will
be delivered by several gentlemen who take an intereet
in the subject of scriptural education.

AMERICA.

ARRIVAL OF THE EUROPA.

BY the Britishand North American Royal Mail Steam-
ship Europa, Captain Shannon, which arrived here last
night, we have intelligence from New York to the 14th
instant.

The Europa sailed from New York at 1.40 p.m., on the
14th, and reached the Mersey at 8.10 p.m., on the 26th,
having variable and head-winds. She has brought sixty-five
passengers, and $875,000 in specie.
The United States Mail Steam-ship Arctii arrived at
New York on the 11th instant.

The United States Senate has been laying down the
law to the administration, in an act so direct and emphatic
as to preclude all possibility of a misconstruction. 'lt sik_
pears that the Cabinet made the election of General ArTE-
strong a sine qua non—that the last vestige of organized
hostility in Washington to Guthrie and Co. was to be
" crushed out ;" and it appears that to this end General
Cass and Judge Douglas went in for Armstrong ; and
that, after the election of Tucker, Mr. Senator Dodge, of
lowa, declared the result " anything but complimentary
to the democratic organization."
The Senate adopted a bill providing that the Secretary
of that body shall hereafter draw and disburse all moneys
for the pay and mileage of its members. Notices were
given of bills to establish private bonded warehouses, and
to increase the salary of the District Judge of Massachu-
setts. Bills were introduced and referred to establish
mail steamers between California and China, via the Sand-
wich Islands; to reduce and graduate the price of public
lands.; to suppress the circulation of small notes in the
District of Columbia, and to' re-imburse the city of New
York for the expense of supporting the First Regiment
of New York Volunteers.

A serious difficulty has occurred between Senator Gwin,
of California, and Secretary Guthrie, which it is appre-
hended will result in a duel. Intense excitement existed
in Washington, owing to the fact that both are gentlemen
of tried metal, and that their friends, including, it is
alleged, the President and his Cabinet, had thus far been
unsuccessful in their endeavours to effect a reconciliation.

New York was again the scene of another most terrific
conflagration on Saturday afternoon. Shortly after one
o'clock, as the employe's in the large printing establish-
ment of the Brothers Harper, running through from Cliff
to Pearl streets, were about resuming their labours after
dinner, smoke was discovered issuing from the premises,
and in a short time the whole building was enveloped in
flames. In a comparatively short space of time, sixteen
building ' with their &intents, were m ashes. The loss is
estimated at a million and a quarter of dollars.
The revenue cutter Hamilton, which left Charleston for
a cruise on the 7th inst., was wrecked off Tully Breakers
during a hurricane on the night of the Bth. All but one
of the fifteen persons on board are believed to have
'perished.
Lieutenant Joseph Adams, nephew of John Quincy
Adams, died on board the United States steamship Pow-
hatan, early in October.
A card has been published by the Mayor of New Or-
leans, in whiCh he declares that strangers may visit that
place with perfect safety, as the health of the city was
never better.

The weather continues mild, and both lake and canal
navigation are uninterrupted.
Late advices front Texas inform us that Governor Bell
had resigned, the Indians were quiet, and the general
condition of affairs in that State was prosperous in the
extreme, although it was estimated that the sugar crop)
would fall short nearly seven thousand hogsheads. A bill
had been introduced into the Legislature, and was likely
to become a law, compelling the creditors of the State to
speedily come forward and have their claims finally settled.
General Campbell, Commissioner of the Boundary Survey,
had completed the work with which he was entrusted.
Considerable excitement seems to have been produced
among the people of Pittsburg, by the appearance of the
Pope's Nuncio at one of the churches last Sabbath. The
disaffected exhibited their displeasure, after the service
was over, by puffing cigar smoke in the faces of the
Nuncio and Bishop O'Conor.
Advices from the city of Mexico announce that rich
golden discoveries had been made in Sonora. The cholera
had ceased its ravages. Two supreme judges had been
removed, and one of them, ex-President Cevallos, banished,
for refusing to accept the honour of knighthood of the
new order of Guadaloupe. By the way, information is
said to have reached New Orleans that Santa Anna
intendel to assume the title of Imperial Majesty on the
12th instant.

Lower California is a republic ! The Walker expedition,
fitted out at San Francisco, had landed at La Paz, seized
two Mexican Governors, lowered the Mexican colours,
raised the new republican flag, fought and gained a battle,
declared Lower California free and independent and a
republic, and had chosen a President, Secretary of State,
Secretary of War, and a Secretary of the Navy ! All this
was done in one week by a handful cf men from San
Francisco.

WEST INDIES.—We have advice from Kingston to the
28th of November. The news from Jamaica is of impor-
tance, both in a commercial and political point of view.
The economic party in the Assembly have surrendered the
principle for which they so long contended—the right of
appropriating their own money—to the government party,
after having created so much excitement about it. The
new " import duty bill" has been assented to by each
branch of the legislature, and a re-construction of the
constitution is to come up for consideration in the House.
The inter-colonial intelligence is favourable.
News from Havana to the Bth instant states that Mr.
Clayton, the United States consul, had been duly received
by the Captain General. General Canedo was to return
to Spain this week.
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
Dal 4.
STOCKS AND MONET.-41411ftt market —is 'down
again, after showing a rise of 3.1 per cent. during
the past week in Erie Railroad Shares. The demand
for Exchange has been moderate, but with a small
supply of bills, rates have been well supported. Lon-
don, 1091 a 1091 ; Paris, 5114 a 5121 ; Amsterdam,
411 a 411; Hamburgh, 37 a 371 ; Bremen, 80 a 81;
Frankfort, 411 a 41i ; Antwerp, 5 13{ a 5 16.
The giply of money is now nearly equal to the demand,
as there is but a small amount of good paper offered for
discount. First class is in demand at eight to ten per
cent. Loans on call are readily effected at six to seven
per cent.
COTTON.—(From W. P. Wright's Circular, Dec. 14.)
—Since my circular of 6th inst., we have the advices per
Europa, Humboldt, Niagara, and Arctic, the latter with
dates to 30th November. In this market, at the com-
mencement of the week, there was a disposition to sell,
particularly after the arrival of the Europa on Tuesday,
when a decline of 1* to 4 c. was generally submitted to.
Upon receipt, however, of the accounts per Humboldt, via
Halifax, showing that the Liverpool market had not de-
clined as was expected, but, on the contrary, was some-
what firmer and higher, the decline was recovered, and a
good demand being experienced during the remainder of
the week, prices still further advanced, and closed at the
quotations annexed, which were those adopted on Monday
by the Association, and which continue to be the correct
standard. The business of the week has been 16,710 bales,
as follows :—Export, 3,888 bales ; home consumption,
5,653 ; speculation, 1,886 ; in transitu, 5,283 bales ; and
the export during same time---to Liverpool, 2,522 bales;
Glasgow, 50 ; Havre, 440. Total, 3,012 bales. The Southern
markets remain steady, without important change.
Receipts at the ports continue to fall off, the decrease
now amounts to 432,000 bales, and on Saturday last the
deficit as made up in New Orleans was 465,000 bales. It
is quite possible, owing to the low state of various
Southern rivers, very few of which are in navigable con-
dition, that the deficit may reach 650,000 bales, or even
more, and it is also probable that the maximum decrease
when attained may diminish very slowly for many weeks
thereafter.

CROP.—The weather in the South has continued highly
favourable for the maturing and picking the late crops,
which are represented as being of better quality in staple,
cleanliness, and colour, than the early receipts. In this
city, Charleston and Savannah, the general opinion seems
to settle upon 3,000,000 bales as the probable yield ; but
in New Orleans, and in some few instances also in Mobile,
the opinion is general at about 2,800,000 bales.; the ex-
ceptions to this opinion go for 3,000,000, with some few as
high as 3,300,000 bales. The large and increasing deficit
in receipts as compared with last year gives confidence to
parties whose estimates are below 3,000,000 bales.
The following is a statement of the movement in cotton
since the Ist September last, as compared with the pre-
vious three years :-
1853 1852 1851 1850.
Receipts at the ports.. 570,000 1,002,000 649,000 605,000
Exports to Great Britain 155,000 360,000 210,000 207,000
„ France _ 34,C00 54,000 82,000 93,000

other for. p'ts 38,000 52,000 29,000 47:000
Total exports 227,000 466,000 321,000 347 000
Stock on hai)(l
Of which, during the past week, included in the above.
1853. 1852. 1851. 1850.
Receipts at the ports 71,000 138,000 69,1,00 85,000
Exports to Great Britain 24.000 55,000 33,003 15,000
France 7,000 13,000 9,000 20,000
other for ports, 5,000 6 MO 2,000 5
Total exports
From which it will be seen that the decrease in receipts
now amounts to 432,000 bales ; the decrease in exports to
Great Britain, 205,000; France. 20,000; other foreign
ports, 14,000. Total decrease in exports, 239,000 bales.
BREADSTUFFS.-With rather free receipts and some-
what lower English advices, the turn of the market for
flour the past two weeks has been downward, and
although we are within a very few days of the end of
canal and river navigation for the season, still at present
rates there is but little disposition shown to hold for winter
sales. The unsettled state of the money market for a
month or two past has prevented speculation, and caused
the trade to be ready sellers, and we close with not ex-
ceeding 300,000 barrels of all kinds, probably not one-
third of which is of the ordinary shipping qualities. Since
the arrival yesterday of the letters by the Humboldt;
Niagara, and Arctic, the market rules heavy, with but
little inquiry for England, and a few purchases on French
account, at a decline of 26c. to 31ic. per barrel since the
Circular of 29th Nov. last. Canadian brands (in bond)
are in light supply. The shipments by sea from Montreal
this season to Nov.llth, 1853, consisted of 217,420 barrels
flour, and 533,651 bushels wheat, against 202,678 barrels
flour, 309,656 bsls. wheat, to November 13, 1852. The
market is getting quite bare of prime parcels of white
wheat, and that description is firmly held at the quota-
tions, whilst the inferior qualities are more plenty and re-
latively lower : the principal demand has lately been for
red and mixed. The receipts for the season are now at a
close, leaving us an unusually light stock at this port, and
also at the manufacturing districts of the state. Roches-
ter, Buffalo, and Oswego Indian corn, of the old crop,
suitable for export, is scaree the. new is beginning to ap-
pear more freely, the condition 1 S greatly in advance of
last season, and shipments will be made with safety, at an
early period. Barley is quiet, at .81c. to 87c. per 481bs.
Oats are in request, at 51c. to 54c. per bsl. Rye has ad-
vanced several cents, the last arrival having brought nu-
merous orders, (most of them limited too low for execution
with present high freights,) a few of which have been
executed at the quotations.
PuovisioNs.-The stock of old pork is light, and de-
mand is rather small; we quote mess $13.67-3/4- to $12.62-3/4;
prime $11.14 to $11.25. The arrivals of new mess pork
are small ; some sales at $14.60 to $l5 ; prime $l2. Cut
meats are rather quiet ; sales of hams, in pickle, at 9-1, to
100. ; shoulders, 0 to 7c. ; old sides, in bulk, are very dull
and prices nominal ; some sales of long and short middles

at Bto 81c. Lard is in fair demand, partly for export ;
old, in bbls., 91 to 10c.; new do., 10 to 10/c. We have
heard of no new lard in kegs, old sells from 10 to 104 t.
Beef of good quality is in fair demand ; Western and Chi-
cago repacked mess, common light $11.50 to $12.50; good
$l3 to $13.50 ; extra $l4 to $l5 ; country mess $8 to
`10; prime $5 to $5.75; old prime mess $16.50 to
$l9 ; new $2O to $23. State beef hams $l3 to $13.50 ;
Western and Chicago beef hams, $l4 to $l5. Butter—
stock large and prices a little easier—Ohio 10Ie. to 14c. ;
State dairies 16c. to 19c.; Orange County 20c. to 23c.
Cheese—Ohio, 74c. to 81c.; State dairies 81c. to 91c.
FREIgHTS.—There is a large amount of freight offering
for Europe, but at lower rates. Shippers will not pay the
present prices, and rates have decidedly a downward ten-
dency. The following are the asking rates : —To Liverpool :
Cotton, square bales, 3-16 d to 7-32 d per lb ; flour 3s to
3s 3d ; rosin 4s per barrel; heavy goods 35s per ton ; grain,
in bulk, 114 d to 12d per bushel ; beef 6s per tierce. To
London : Tobacco 60s per hhd.; flour 4s 6d per barrel ;
turpentine 5s per 2801bs ; measurement goods 30s to 358
per ton ; heavy goods, oil, &c., 45s to 60s ; beef 8s per
per tierce; oil cake 45s per ton ; grain 15d per bushel.
To Havre : Cotton, square bales, fc per lb ; ashes $lO to
$l2 per ton; rice $l2 per ton; whalebone, &c., lc per lb;
flour 97c to 971 c per barrel ; grain 25c per bushel. To
Glasgow : Flour 3s 6d ; grain lld to 12d. To Antwerp :
Flour 5s ; grain 16d to 17d.
NEW ORLEANS, DEC. 9.—Receipts for the week, 39,600
bales ; total decrease this day, 465,000 bales at all the
ports ; sales for the week 35,000 bales ; middling, flic.
DEC. 10.—Sales to-day, 8,000 bales ; lower qualities ad-
vanced ie. after receipt of Niagara's accounts. Dec. 12.—
Sales 2,000 bales, but after the Arctic's news was received,
an active demand set in and 10,000 bales more were sold
at advanced prices; middling, 91c., and good middling,
10c. Freights to Liverpool dive at id., to Havre Ifc.
Exchange on London, 9 to 91 per cent.
MOBlLE.—Receipts for the week ending December 2d,
5,029 bales. Export to Havre, 2,113 bales. On Saturdays
Monday, and Tuesday, the transactions amounted to some
2,300 bales ; prices for the lower qualities dull and droop-
ing ; whilst in other descriptions there was no change.
On Wednesday the Atlantic's news checked operations,
and but 400 bales were sold on that, and 1,300 on the two
following days, making a total for the week of only 4,000
bales, the market closing dull and declining at 8+ to 9c.
for middling. Freight to Liverpool, id.
CHARLESTON.—Receipts for the week ending December
8th,16,028 bales Up. and 460 S. I. No foreign export. On
the first two days the market was very heavy, and but
800 bales sold. On Monday holders gave way, which
led to more extended operations, and during that and the
two following days the sales amounted to some 4,400 bales,
prices at the close showing more firmness. On Thursday
1,600 bales changed hands, the market closing at a decline
of to lc. on last week's quotations. Total sales, 6,700
bales. Freight to Liverpool, Id.
Saya.xxen.—Receipts for the week ending December
Ist, 12,847 bales Up. and 556 S. I. No foreign export.
We have the Canada's and Atlantic's accounts this week,
and our market, under their influence, has declined full
l c. per lb., closing very dull and inactive. Total sales,
4,434 bales. Freight to Liverpool, id. nom.

OBSERVANCE OF TILE HOLIDAYS.—AS recommended
by our municipal authorities, and cheerfully acceded to
by all, yesterday was observed as a holiday in all our
public institutions ; the members of the Exchange and the
managers of the various mercantile and trading firms
early intimated their intention of eschewing business and
its cares, and, while indulging their subordinates in a day
of relaxation, to allow themselves a few hours of quiet
indulgence from the toils and anxieties of work. The
shops and other places of business were closed throughout
the day. The inhabitants and rulers of other localities,
having entertained a similar opinion as to worldly labour,
advised a kindred mode of enjoyment ; and the result was,
that, even in the busy town, the teeming warehouses, and
the overburdened docks of Liverpool, time was de-
voted to the interchange of friendly and seasonable
greeting. The day proving almost unusually inviting
for the season, from an early hour the streets were
thronged by groups of pleasure-seekers, the town pro-
menaders being augmented and kept in countenance by
numerous arrivals from the country, poured in by every
mode and style of conve3-ance, till, towards the close of day-
light, a drizzling shower induced a general desire for
shelter. Such of the restaurants as preferred the sacri-
fice of their own pleasure to the loss of their en, to awes gra-
tific_ition and comfort, and kept their establishments open,
gained a golden harvest and a shower of blessings from
numerous recipients of their bounty. Hilarity, decorum,
and good will, seemed the order of the day ; and, although
here and there a boisterous reveller or two might be met
with, on the whole the festive time, as far as we could
learn, was passed in decorous enjoyment and good
humour.

CONGREGATIONAL DISCIPLINE IN RUSsIA.—A letter
from Russia gives a curious account of the discipline oc-
casionally exercised over the Pastors by their flocks :
" In one parish in the interior the inhabitants, for a long
time past, have invariably kept their spiritual Pastor
ender lock and key from Saturday evening until twelve
o'clock on Sunday, to prevent his becoming too much in-
toxicated to be able to perform the Mass ' • yet on some
occasions they have been deceived, and lie has staggered
into the church, thanks to the bottle of brandy he had
concealed beneath his frock."
A CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY IN THE INTERIOR OF .ASIA.
—The Christian Intelligencer publishes a singular story
received by a missionary from a military officer :—A man
had arrived at Peshawar, who declared that he belonged
to a Christian nation about eighteen marches distant from
Cabool. They inhabit 12,000 villages, each containing 200
soldiers, and have churches, pastors, the Scriptures, and a
bishop. The people are as fair as Europeans, and ie man
was exceedingly anxious for controversial tracts against
the Mussulmans, with whom his people live at continual
war. The figures given are apparently exaggerated, but it
is not improbable that one of the Nestorian Churches still
exists in Tartary.
PATRIOTISM IN THE HAREM.—The Journal de Frank-
fort, in a letter from Constantinople, says—" M. Baltazzi,
who, some time since, made an advance to the Port of
35,000,000 piastres on the tribute to be received from
Egpyt, has also furnished 10,000 pieces of cloth, and all
the wives of the employe's in the war department have
been set to work to convert it into a cloaks for the
troops. A large building has been converted into a work-
shop for the purpose. The women of the harem are
similarly occupied, although they are not very expert at
needlework."

HUNTING SLAVES IN CANADA.—We clip the following
from a late number of the Cincinnati Columbian :—" We
learn that a slaveowner, who arrived in this city a few
days since from Kentucky, in pursuit of some of his
cattle, went over to Canada, having heard of them there.
On finding them, he began to urge the subject of their
voluntary return, holding out to them the certainty of
being well treated and well provided for in their old age,
and contrasting their prospects if they returned with the
cold climate of the Canadas and the life of toil and priva-
tion they would be obliged to lead in the enjoyment of
their liberty. While talking they were walking towards
the old untenanted barracks, and on reaching the barrack-
yard the runaways seized a hunter, and, tying his wrists
together, they suspended him from the limb of a tree,
when they proceeded to give him 100 lashes, well laid on
with a stout raw hide."—American paper.
PUBLIC-SPIRITED INCENDIARIES.—A strange affair,
says the Colone Gazette, has just been submitted to the
Criminal Tribunal of Gleiwitz, in Silesia, in Prussia :
The little town of Berun possessed a tile-kiln and de-
pendencies which produced almost nothing. Its municipal
council wishing to get rid of them on the most advan-
tageous terms possible, held a secret meeting to deliberate
what should be done with them. In that meeting it was
resolved that, as the buildings were insured, they should
be burnt down, and one of the members of the council was
charged to set them on fire. He executed his commission,
and the buildings were entirely destroyed. The municipal
council then demanded an indemnity from the Assurance
Company ; it was paid, and every farthing of it was placed
in the municipal treasury. The matter, however, though
kept secret, became known, and the law authorities caused
all the councillors to. be prosecuted for arson, The tri-
bunal condemned them to periods of imprisonment vary-
ing from six months to a year, and to reimburse the in-
surance money, with interest thereon ; also to pay
all the costs.

THE CANADA COMPANY.—A general court of this com-
pany was held on Wednesday, Mr. C. Franks, the
governor, presiding. It appears from the statement laid
before the proprietors that the quantity of land sold by
the company to the 2d of December last was 3,681 acres,
at an average of 255. per acre, and that the quantity
leased was 15,925 acres, at 245. 10d., making together
19,786 acres, at 'an average of £1 4s. 11d. per acre. The
land previously leased, and now converted to sales,
amounted to 4.5,580 acres, which had realised an average
of 14s. 6d. per acre.. The receipts in Canada to the 2nd
of December last were £98,836 7s. 2d., while the receipts
up to the same date for the year 1852 were only £51,149
75. Bd., exhibiting an increase of receipts in 1853 over those
of 1852 of £47,686 19s. 6d. It appears that the amount of
debenture debt now unpaid is £85,200, and that the funds
in hand in London are £37,000. A dividend of £2 per
share, free of income-tax, and payable on the 10th of
January next, was declared out of the gains and profits of
the company. A vote of thanks was unanimously given
to Mr. F. Widder and the Hon. W. B. Robinson for their
judicious and successful administration of the company's
affairs in Canada.

THE MURDER. AT HAVANNAII-011 the morning of
the 23rd instant, the famed Matilda Domiguez, the long
favourite actress of the Tacon Theatre, whose personal
attractions were almost irresistible, was brutally murdered
by her husband, Jose Francisco Valdez. With a poniard
he inflicted 32 wounds on his victim, and then stabbed
himself eleven times, but without effect. In his wounded
state he was taken to prison, where he now remains, and
is recovering. Sentence of death has been pronounced
upon him, and as soon as he is sufficiently recovered he
will be garotted. With this tragedy the name of our su-
preme authority has been presumptuously associated in
terms not flattering to his domestic virtues and attach-
ments ; but as to the termination of the wretchedly bril-
liant career of the woman he should not be held account-
able. What La Dominguez was as an actress is due to
her extraordinary talents—what she became in morals
and conduct the miserable wretch} her husband should be
answerable for, as forced upon her by his authority for the
means of his own licentious existence, The story cannot
all be written of this ill-fated daughter of an ill-fated
mother, who perished in the same way, and for a like
cause, by her husband ten or twelve years since—he, with
the same weapon, terminating his own life, leaving the
orphan Matilda to the chance care of relatives or charita-
ble friends. Valdez attempted to kill himself after the
murder of his wife ; but, although he dealt himself several
stabs, none were mortal, and he has a chance for reflection
and the ordinary punishment, which will be administered,
probably, under the administration of General Pezuela, to
the relief of General Canedo. The late residence of La
Dominguez was thronged through the day, the 23rd, and
on the 24th her body was borne to the grave, followed by
thousands of our people, who forgot all but her worth on
the stage and her years of ministry to their enjoyment as
an actress. The remarkable circumstances of her life—
the coincidence of its close with that of her mother's—the
names mingled in relation to the cause which instigated
the monster who killed her, whom he had forced into
shame, and who lived by the fruits of crime that he com-
pelled—were sufficient to create most intense and sadden-
ing feeliug throughout our society, and there was not a
pulse that did not cease a moment to throb under the
awful impression of the event—New York Daily Timer.