The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-04-12 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 185 g.

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TUESDAY 31ORNING, APRIL 12, 1853

THE

WEEK

ONE of the most interesting topics at the present
time, when there is, so to speak, a transition
between Winter and Spring, is the state of the
weather, and in this respect even a disposition to
grumble would find itself at fault. The days have
been sunny, and though the winds, which have
prevailed from the north and northwest, have been
cold, vegetation has attested its prerogative, and
the opening buds and growing grass have given
those pleasant tokens of Summer which are ever
grateful to the lovers of rural delights.
On Saturday the new steamer Hope, which has
been built by Mr. LAIRD, of Birkenhead, for the
African Steam Navigation Company, made a trial
trip down the Mersey, beyond the Northwestern
Lightship, and fully justified the most sanguine
expectations of those interested in her success.
The measured six miles from the Rock-light to the
Lightship was performed in half an hour against a
head wind, and the easy motion of the ship and
really comfortable appointments, left no doubt that
a voyage in such a vessel to the coast of Africa
would be as pleasant as one to Dublin in the
Iron Duke.

Mr. BRAMAH, Clerk to the Birkenhead Dock
Trustees, has published a letter, denying that his
patrons have made, or intended to make, an offer
of the Birkenhead Docks to the Liverpool Dock
Committee. Whether the Trustees have conde•
scended to make an offer or not, they will be
oblivious of their own interest, if they do not cor-
dially join in any scheme for transferring the
Birkenhead Docks to the Liverpool Dock Trustees.
We have alluded in another place to the several
important questions which have been brought under
discussion during the week, and which possess
more than an ordinary degree of interest. The
Town Council, on Wednesday, elected a Receiver of
Town Dues, and entered at some length into the
charges brought by the Magistrates against several
Town Councilljrs for alleged interference with an
Inspector of Police. The Select Vestry rejected
Mr. BANNER'S proposition for re-building St.
Peter's Church in a style worthy of the town of
Liverpool. The Dock Committee, on Thursday,
listened to Mr. GRANTHAM'S remonstrance against
the objections to his High-level Railway scheme,
and announced that the important conference on
the amalgamation of the Birkenhead with the Liver-
pool Docks would take place to-moi;ow (Wed-
nesday) in London.

REPEAL OF THE PAPER DUTY.
THE interval during which the CHANCELLOR of
the EXCHEQUER is preparing his Financial State-
ment is the fitting time, according to the modern
system, for the agitation for the reduction or repeal
of those taxes which appear to bear the most
oppressively upon the interests of the community.
We have on a previous occasion stated that the first
relief should be from the Income-tax, which bears
with greater inequality and injustice upon certain
classes than any other of the public burdens. We
adhere to our convictions on this subject, but at
the same time we feel confident that, with the
several interests demanding relief, some attempt
will be made to divide the surplus income, which
seems destined never to be permitted to accumulate
for the reduction of the National Debt. It will,
therefore, not be out of place to bring before the
public attention a tax, the repeal of which possesses
more than ordinary claims to consideration. In
recent agitation the duty on Paper has been, for
certain purposes, miAca up .liA. %A 1... yucotiona
under the comprehensive term of Taxes on Know-
ledge, but it will be found entitled to the attention
of the Finance Minister, for reasons very distinct
I
from those advanced by the promoters of that
movement.

In the first place, Paper is applied to multifa-
rious uses, beyond that of forming the material for
books and newspapers; and its use would be still
farther extended, were it relieved from the surveil-
lance of the Excise. It has a claim to priority of
notice ; for, many years since, a Committee of the
House of Commons, appointed to take into con-
sideration the various duties upon articles in general
consumption, decided, after a minute investigation,
that the Excise duties upon Leather, Glass, and
Paper ought to be first repealed. The effect of the
repeal would be to give an impetus to an important
branch of Home Manufactures, as was shown by
the reduction of duty in 1836, to the extent of one-
half, which led to the amount of manufacture
being nearly doubled. The tax is unjust ; for while
other manufactures have been relieved from a'l
duties upon foreign raw materials, Paper has to
bear a burden of above tweni,y-five per cent. It
inflicts great injustice upon the honest trader, on
account of the facilities for evading it by those who
are dishonest, and the strong temptation to col-
lusion by the Excise officer. The extension of the
manufacture would add materially to the sources of
employment for the population in rural districts,
where the majority of paper-mills are necessrrily
situate, besides giving a large amount of additional
employment to the numbers already engaged in the
various processes connected with the dissemination
of literature. It would tend to improve the social
condition of the humbler classes, by the diffusion of
a superior kind of cheap publications, from which it
has been proved they are now debarred, solely
through the operation of the Paper Duty. It
would give very important relief to the Agri-
cultural Interests, by the increased employment
operating to diminish the Poor's Rates. It would
also remove the competition to which the Paper
Manufacturer is now exposed, through other articles
similar to Paper—though not liable to the duty—
being substituted for it.

These are reasons why, in any remission of
taxation to be proposed, Paper should not be
omitted, as it would be difficult to find any article,
now subject to duty, the repeal of which would
confer so extended an amount of general benefit,
remove: so much of present injustice, and at the
same time do so little to impoverish the Revenue.
Under these circumstances, we cannot doubt that
the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, in his
cogitations, will give this question a prominent place.
We have alluded to: the agitation for the relief
from what are called Taxes on Knowledge; and
while'on this subject, we:may refer to another item
which is specially recommended to the favourable
consideration of the Finance Minister. It is well
know.] that the Duty on AdveiLisements presses
with great inequality upon the several classes
subject to:it, while its repeal would not form any
serious amount of loss to the National Income. By
the present system, the rich 11121 who advertises
the sale of property worth tens of thousands, pays
no more in the shape of duty than the poor servant
out of place, who anxiously seeks for another
situation. Nor is this all, the injustice--for the
duty is evaded in every possible way; the interior
of railway carriages, public conveyances, the dead
walls, and other means being resorted to, for giving
publicity to announcements, in order to avoid the
payment of duty, which is only levied on Advertise-
ments which appear in Newspapers and other pub-
lications. It is proved by the Journals published
in the Colonies, in America, and other places
where Advertisements are not subject to duty, that
the public freely adopt this mode of communication,
and there is no doubt they would largely avail

themselves of the advantage in this country, if the

impost were removed. It is a question in which all

have some degree of interest, and it is to be hoped
that the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER will
not be forgetful of it in the preparation of his

A WAVERING BRIGADE.—If the Tablet were as
certain authority about what the Brass Band will
do, as it is peremptory about what they ought to
do, we might number the days of Lord Aberdeen's
olnizium-gatherunt almost to the hour. That un-
compromising servant of Rome demands the down-

fall of another ministry, without heeding the neces-
sity that may immediately arise for tripping up a
third and a fourth. "Impatience and Shuffle the
Cards," seems to be the principle, by which it is
expected that Spado will turn up at last, in the
shape of a thoroughly Popish premier. Out, then,
with the present men, before they get "insolent and
hardened by an overweening sense of security."
Half a dozen rolls in the mud may render statesmen
amenable, who are already beginning, like Falstaff,
to forswear sack and live cleanly, in the confidence
of having reached an elevation above the vile
degrees by which they rose.—Dublin Evening Mail.

ENGLAND INVADED BY A FOREIGN ENEMY.--
His ❑ame is Anacharis Alsinastrum, He—she
rather, for only the lady has yet reached these
shores—is from America. The Anacharis is a weed
which has found its way into our canals and rivers,
which is choking them up in some counties, and is
spreading alarmingly. This water-weed (says the
Atheneum) threatens "an entire blockade of our
ports, and to arrest our navigation." The invader
in question, we are further told, is not a number of
water-weeds, but parts of the same individual.
"The plant' is dicecious, and it appears that the lady
only has arrived in this country." The weed, we
have elsewhere heard, is giving immense trouble in
some of our midland counties. In the north, too,
as we have read in a letter from Dr. Latham to the
Atheneum, goitre, cretinism, and idiotcy, are so
extending in certain districts as to call for govern-
ment attention with reference to a remedy for the
evil.—Church and State Gazette.

San Francisco, causing the markets to be well supplied
with goods. The accounts from the mining districts are
of the most cheering and satisfactory character. Two
Mexicans commenced sinking a bole on the 16th Feb.
below Campo Seco, and struck a pocket from which they
took out, by twelve o'clock on the 21st, £5,700 ; one
piece of gold weighed eight pounds. In one hour they
washed out 200 ounces in their Mexican battaias. The
accounts from the El Dorado state that gold dust con-
tinued to pour into Placerville in extraordinary quanti-
ties, and seventy thousand ounces per week may be set
down and safely relied upon as a fair average purchase by
the regular dealers in gold dust, and the coming season
bids fair to be one of unprecedented prosperity. At
Negro Point and Shaw's Point the average value of the
gold found by each miner was from .B'6 to $8 per day.
CUBA.—We have advices from Havana to the 22d
ult. The slaver Lady Suffolk is reported to have landed
a cargo of Negroes on the island. Her Majesty's steam-
frigate Devastation arrived at Havana on the 21st. The
weather in Cuba was excessively hot. It was rumoured
that serious disturbances had taken place among the
troops at St. Jago de Cuba, or some other. port in the
Eastern department of the island.
From Vancouver's Island we have advices to the 12th
February. Two ships arrived there from Liverpool, in
January, with a large number of immigrants.
Sandwich Island advices, of the 7th February, state
that the fever still continued to rage throughout the island.
Business was very brisk at Honolulu.
The English mail steamer Lima arrived at Panama on
the 13th ult., with Valparaiso dates to the 19th, and
Callao and Lima to the 17th February. She also had
$190,000 in bullion on freight. Every thing was quiet
in Lima. A revolution was expected to take place shortly
in Bolivia. The fall of Belzu was considered certain.
Chili was flourishing under the auspices of peace.
COMMERCIAL.

NEW YORK, MARCH 29.
MONEY MARKET.—There was an increased demand for
money, but no change in rates of interest. The market
is well supplied with capital. There is little doing in
foreign exchange, as remittances go forward slowly on
account of the pressure in the money market. Leading
drawers on London ask 109 - ; and on Paris, 5.161 to 5 ;
Amsterdam, 401 to 41 ; Frankfort, 40g ; Hamberg, 361;
to 36.1 ; Bremen, 794- to 79.
COTTON.—The Courier and Inquirtr, of the 29th
March, says, " The sales since our last review per Africa
of the 23d inst., have been daily large, and in excess of
the quantity reported. The unfavourable advices per
Asia to hand, p.m. 25th inst., produced no effect, being
counteracted by the continued falling off in receipts at
Southern ports. The only change in price during the
past four days has been a hardening in quotations of
good middling and upwards, which grades are very scarce
of all growths. Owing to incessant rains and tempes-
tuous weather throughout the South, the wires have
worked only at intervals, and the latest dispatch through
from New Orleans that we have seen is of the 23d :
" Middling, 9-1 ; freight, 9-16 d ; excess, 440,000." One
of a later date is reported to have been received from
Savannah, further reducing the excess to 439,000. Seven
mails are now past due from New Orleans. Considet able
sales, although not reported, have to-day been effected ;
the market c'osing firmly at the annexed (Dal- Aiwa
New Orleans Other
and Texas. Gulf Ports. Atlantic.
Inferior nominal. nominal. nominal.
Low to good ord 9/ to 9f 9to 94 9 to 94
Low to good mid.... lO4 —ll 10 —ll 1(4
Mid. fair to fair 111 —l2 114 124 114
Mr. W. P. Wright, in his circular, of the 29th ult.,
says, "As we are without a mail from New Orleans and
Mobile, since 16th, I am unable to give the usual table
of receipts, exports, &c., for all the ports. The approxi-
mate receipts for the week under review will be 73,000
bales against 118,000 bales in the corresponding week
last year. The to, rcceipts at the ports will, therefore,
be about

1853. 1852. 1851. 1850.
2,685,000 2,253,000 1,845,000 17693,000

From which it is seen that the excess is reduced again this
week and now stands at 432,000 bales over the same period
last year. It should,. however, be borne in mind that the
bad state of the roads drying the past two weeks, weeks of
very heavy receipts last year, has not been wthout infle-
ence in this reduction of excess."

BREADSTUFFS.-A further decline in the p-.:ce of flour,
to the extent of 18i cents per barrel, was submitted to
last week, subsequently to the 22d inst., but the market
has assumed a firmer aspect, and the quotations are rea-
dily obteined. Wheat was in better detrand for milling,
and the market a shade firmer. There were also some
orders for exports, but very little choice offering. Indian
corn is in fair demand, with sales of 20,000 bushels at
58c. to 59c. for unsound;. 60c. to 61c. for Southern
mired; 61c. to 621 c. for white, ditto and 61c. to 6oc. for
Southern and Jersey round yellow.
PROVISIONS.-Quite a moderate business has been
done in provisions. Pork sold in limit d quantities at
$l5 25c. Beef is steady at 814. Cheese Bc. to Slc.,
fair to prime 81c. to 91c., and, choice 92-3. to 9.1 c.
NAVAL STORES.-Tbere has been no movement in
naval stores of any importance. Spii:ts of turpentine is
unsettled ; sales have been made at 60c. to 61c. Common
rosin, $1 40c. to $1 65c. Tar, 25c. to $2 371 c..
Iftow.-Iron was unsettled. Scotch pig was offered on
the spot at $3B, and to arrive at $32 to $36 per ton, on
six months' credit, but buyers were reluct .nt to take it on
such conditions. English bar was nominally quoted at
s6s' for common and $B5 for refined, per tin.
FREIGHTS.-To Liverpool, cotton, 4d. to 5-16 d.; flour
and meal, per brl., 2s. 6d. to 2s. 9d.; rosin, 2s. 7id. to 2s. 9d. ;
heavy goods, per ton, 255. to 355. ; gre'n, in bulk, per
bushel, 7d. to 71d. To London, tobacco, per hhd., 30s.
to 325. 6d. ; flor-, per brl., 2s. 9d. to 3s. ; turpentine, per
2901b5.. 35. 6d.; measurement goods, per ton, 305.; heavq,
goods. oil, Sec., 255. to 30s. ; cheese, 30s. to 355.; beef;.
per tierce, Os. ; oil cake, per bri., 3s. To Havre, cotton►,.
square bales, per lb., Vic. ; ashes, per ton, $8 to $lO ;I:ce,
ditto, $10; whalebone, &c., per lb., ac.
C'HiARLESTON, MARCH 27.
Sales of cotton yesterhy and to-day, 1,0C3 bales ; quo-
4--tions Sc. to 102 c• MOBILE, MARCH 25.
Sales of cotton for the week, 13,C10 bales; receipts,.
8,000; exports, 14,C )0 ; stock, 130,000. We quote mid-
land, 91c. NEW ORLEANS.
MARCH 24.-Srtes of cotton, 4,000 bales ; prices fi7m.
Strict mid., 91c.

MARCH 23.—Sales of cotton, 7,630 bales. The Atlan-
tic's news has produced no effect on the market ;
firm. Sales of the week, 40,000 bales. Increased receipt:
at all southern ports, 431,000 bales.
MARCH 26.—Sales of cotton, 6,000 bales. Markel
steady. Stock, 397,000 bales. Sterling exchange, 81'
Freights to Liverpool, 9-16 c.
MARCH 28.—Sales of cotton, 6,000 bales, at f;--m
for better qualities. Mid., 9c.

_
HAVANA, MARCH 21.
Considerable demand for sugar during the fortnigh
ending 19th instant. Stock over 120,000 boxes, end re.
ceipts daily increasing.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS.-TUESDA.Y, APRIL 5

Several petitions were presented in favour of the Poor
Removal and Local Assessment Bill, and against the
Jew Bill.

The Bail in Error Bill was read a third time and passed.
The Land Improvements (Ireland) Bill was read a
second time on the motion of Lord Canning.
A conference was appointed with the Commons, with a
view to an address to the Crown for a commission of
inquiry into the proceedings at the late Hull election.

THURSDAY, APRIL 7.
Earl Winchilsea's motion on the Maynooth Grant was
postponed to the 18th April.

BIRTH OF A PRINCE

The Earl of ABERDEEN announced the birth of a
Prince, and moved an address of congratulation to HER
MAJESTY.—The Earl of MALNIESBURY, in the absence
of Lard DERBY, expressed his satisfaction at the
auspicious event, and seconded the motion, which was
carried unanimously.

THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

The Earl of HARROW-BY presented a petition from the
native inhabitants of the Bengal Presidency, complaining
of their exclusion from office, and of the general mal-
administration of the affairs of India under the present
system. He supported the prayer of the petition in an
able speech.—The Earl of ALBEMARLE also supported
the prayer of the petitioners, who, he believed, com-
plained of grievances which it was the duty of the Im-
perial Government to redress.—The Earl of ELLENBO-
ROLTH also addressed the house in support of the petition,
and especially implored the government, in any future
plan for the administration of India, to take care that
the Governor-General was placed under the direct and
sole authority of the Crown.

NEW ZEALAND COMPANT

In answer to Earl GREY whether it was the intention
of government to institute an inquiry into the conduct
and proceedings of the New Zealand Company, the Duke
of NEWCASTLE said that last year he had been of opinion
that investigation was desirable before fresh concessions
were made to the New Zealand Company ; but parlia-
ment hal decided that no inquiry was needed. Now that
those concessions had been made, he thought an investi-
gation useless.—The subject dropped and their lordships
adjourned.

FRIDAY, APRIL 8.
MERCHANT SHIPPING BILL.
The Earl of ELLENBOROI:GH presented a petition from
master mariners, mates, and seamen of Hartlepool, against
any repeal of the act of 12th Vic., which restricts the
number of foreign seamen in British ships.—Lord GRAN-
VILLE said that the petition was merely founded upon a
rumour of the contents of a bill which was not yet before
their lordships' house. He disclaimed any intention on
the part of the government to introduce any measure
which would tend to injure British seamen.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—TUESDAY, Arlin. 5.
Mr. FIELD EN took the oaths and his seat for the borough
of Blackburn.

Mr. CHAS. TURNER presented a petition from the in-
habitants of Wavertree, near Liverpool, against the ad-
mission of Jews to Parliament.

Mr. CHAS. TURNER presented a petition from the
pilots of the port of Liverpool against the Pilotage Bill.
Mr. CHAS. TURNER presented a petition from the
trustees of the Liverpool Docks, under their common
seal, praying that the Merchant Shipping Bill may not
pass into a law as it now stands;• and that they, may be
heard by counsel against the same ; also from the Mayor,
Aldermen, and burgesses of the borough of Liverpool,
under their common seal, against the provisions of the
Merchant Shipping Bill, by which, it is intended to pre-
vent the dues or tolls leviable on ships or goods being
charged in any manner without the consent of the Board
of Trade; and also from the Liverpool• Health of Towns
Association, praying for the repeal of the duty on soap.
Mr. WILSON PATTEN announced his resignation of the
office of Chairman of Committees.

DESERTION FROM THE NAVY.—In reply to an inquiry,
Sir J. GR•AUAM said that, since January, a considerable
number of desertions had taken place from the squadron
on the home station, which were attributed to the
unusually high rate of pay in the merchant service. No
perceptible increase of desertions had talten place since
the case of 'dogging of a petty officer in the fleet referred
to, which was in punishment of very gross insubordination
on the part of that petty officer.