The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1843-05-16 00:00:00

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BRITANNIA,

The British and North American royal mail steamer the
Britannia, Captain Hewitt, which sailed from Boston on the
afternoon of the Ist and Ilalifax on the evening of the 3rd
instant, arrived at this port on Sunday morning at eight
o'clock, having made the passage in the short space of 12
days and 12 hours. The passage from Liverpool to Boston
was performed in 14 days and 13 hours. The Hibernia,
Captain Judkins, which sailed from this port on the 19th
ult., was met by the Britannia a few hours' sail from Boston,
having made her first passage in 13 days, and proving herself
one of the quickest steamers of the line.
The Britannia has brought 74 passengers, of whom a list
is subjoined. We need scarcely add, that they speak in the
highest terms of Captain Hewitt's skill and attention during
this remarkable short passage.
From Boston :—Mr. S. M. Buckingham, Mr. Charles
Mixter, Mr. P. C. U. Pierce, Dr. Thomas Sewell, Mr. A.
Chandler, Dr. S. G. Howe and Lady, Hon. Horace Mann
and Lady, Miss Ward, Rev. Amos A. Phelps. Mr. Robert
U. Hami, Mr. Charles H. Don, Mr. H. Grew, Mr. Benja-
min E. Bates, Rev. Jacob Abbot, Mr. Thomas Ward and
Lady, Mr. C. U. Jamm, of Havana, Mr. D. M. Meths, Mr.
H. Smith, Mr. Ballard, Dr. John Moorhead, Mr. Henry
Farnum, Mr. John Stewart and Lady, M. P. G. Appleton,
Mr. Wadsworth, Mr. Crawford, Mr. H. C. Corbitt, of Phi-
ladelphia, Mr. J. Dove, Mr. J. R. Walker, Mr. Antonia
May, Mr. S. S. Lynde, Mr. A. Berry, United States, Mr.
Consul Lyons, Mr. J. P. Holden, Mr. James Riach, Mr.
Francis Peter, St. Lucia, Mr. G. D. Strong, bearer of des-
patches, Mr. J. A. Dickson, Captain Crawley, Royal Engi-
neers, Mr. Sedgwick, Mr. John Hoatson, Dr. Thomas Cook,
Mr. Alfred Morrison, Mr. Alfred Mackenzie, Mr. Thomas
Sharon, Mr. James Ball, Mr. William Burrows, Mr. Wil-
liam Hurd, Mr. Fuller and Daughter, Mr. John Taylor,
Taylor, Captain Hancock, General Duff Green, Mr. G.
Mitchell, Miss Longfellow, and Mr. G. Hiram Wilson.
From Halifax :—Mr. Parker, 64th Regiment, Mr. Henry
Lawson, Mr. W. Stewart, Rev. Mr. M'Sweeney, Master
Michael Tobin, Master Edmund Tobin, Master J. G. To-
bin, and Mrs. Riley.
The papers brought by the Britannia extended over a period
of three weeks, from the 11th ult. to the Ist instant. Their
contents are, however, unimportant, and not very interesting,
The accounts from Washington relate exclusively to the
expected retirement of Mr. Webster from the office of Secre-
tary of State, and the changes in the cabinet which that
resignation would make necessary. One account states that
he had actually resigned, whilst another says that he will not
quit office until the pending negotiations between the United
States and Great Britain shall have been brought to a close.
There had been some discussion about a reciprocal com-
mercial treaty between the two countries, the basis of which
should be a mutual diminution of duties ; but not much faith
seemed to be felt in the States of the practicability of such
an arrangement.
The spring trade had opened with unusual vigour. Still,
business was rather limited. The commercial community
seem to move with caution, and mercantile operations were
likely to be confined, for some time, to the legitimate wants
of trade. The banks were loaning their money at five per
cent. per annum, and even under that rate ; a proof of the
small amount of business carrying on in New York.
The money and stock markets were in a state of remark-
able activity.
The New York American, in its money article for the
Britannia, says,

" All stocks have gone up very much within the past week
or two, and, though some little pause seems to have taken
place to-day, it is only the caprice of the hour; for, if the
prices paid yesterday and the day before were reasonable,
they are not less so to-day, and will be no less so any day
next week ; since nothing has occurred, or is likely to occur,
to change the relative value of the securities. The banks are
at the bottom of this rise.
" All stocks, though not all in the same degree, share in
the rise. United States Sixes touched 113, though now 1
per cent. lower; and, upon the whole, the ready disposition
to avail of the ruling prices has somewhat damped the spirit
of speculation.
" Ohio Sixes, within a week, have risen ten per cent., and
the like stock of Kentucky jive per cent.
" Even fancy stocks are taking an upward tendency, and,
long and cold neglect, have risen, according to quality, or ra-
ther speculative fancy, from one to tive per cent."
There had been a fair amount of business done in exchange
for the Britannia, and at higher rates. The rate on London
was 1061 to 107, and on Paris sf. 32 to sf. 321. The advance
in exchange would, it was expected, check the import of
specie from England, while a small additional rise in French
exchange would cause the return of gold to Europe.
The Canada papers contain accounts of the installation of
Sir Charles Metcalfe, at Kingston. The addresses to his
Excellency on assuming the government and his replies are
published in the papers. He had not developed the line of
policy he intended to pursue. His predecessor, Sir Charles
Bagot, had so far recovered as to be able to walk in doors.
He would return to England so soon as his health would
permit. The Warspite, Lord John Flay, had arrived at New
York to convey him home. The Montreal Herald an-
nounces, that hereafter Montreal will be the seat of the go-
vernment of Canada, and that the necessary government
offices and a parliament house will be commenced as soon as
the plans can be prepared. Quebec will be the military head
quarters.
Accounts from the city of Mexico of the 22nd and from
Vera Cruz of the 28th of March bad been received at New
York. A violent attack of fever, on the 21st, had made
Santa Anna take to his bed, and apprehensions as to the re-
sult were felt. On the 18th he had published a decree, that
the wars against Texas and Yucatan were national contests,
and should be carried on until both Texas and Yucatan sub-
mitted. Extra pay and honours are to be allowed to all who
signalize themselves in those wars. On the 27th the English
man-of-war Spartan arrived at Vera Cruz. On board was
the new Minister Extaordinary and Plenipotentiary of Great
Britian to Mexico.
There is late intelligence from Texas, but it is not of gen-
eral interest. Captain Elliot, our Minister, had had a long
conference with the President on the subject, it was supposed,
of the war with Mexico.
Accounts from Yucatan brought a rumour, that the Mex-
ican troops had pushed on to Merida, the capital, which
would, it was feared, fall into their hands. Campeachy still
out.