The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-06-18 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS.-FRIDAY

A discussion arose respecting a power exercised at the
General Post-office of opening letters, for reasons which
Sir.JAMES GRAHAM declined to explain, except by say-
ing that, as Secretary for the Home Department, he
possessed the power, and believed it necessary to exercise
it in the -case which was brought under the consideration
of the house by Mr. T. Duncombe, and which that hon.
gentleman said he would again bring forward on a night
of supply.
In committee, on the Sugar Duties Bill, Mr. P. MILES
rose. He objected to the change proposed by ministers
in the old amount of protection, as a measure which was
not expedient in itself, and which had not even the merit
of being a final settlement. Ministers ought to have
taken the whole subject into consideration, so that when
it was affected it should be set at rest. An extensive and
systematic immigration tad been promised, but not
effected, and the West Indian colon,st would be ruined by
the abolition of protection before the completion of the
immigration promises could arrive. After entering into
some details for the purpose of showing the general de-
pression of the sugar interests, he adverted to the reduc-
tion which had been made in the protection upon coffee,
and asked what security the planters had, that the small
protection now proposed upon sugar would not be in next
year still further diminished ? He called the attention of
the house to the importance of this country's commerce
with her West Indian colonies, and to the amount of
shipping employed in it, and contrasted the former pro-
sperity of those regions with their present decay. He
wished the Chancellor of the Exchequer would pay a
visit to his estates in Jamaica, and view a state of things
which was the sad spe, tre of what it once had been. He
begged the agriculturists of England to remember that
their cause and that of the West Indians was a common
one, the difference being only that while the British
farmer grew corn, the West Indian farmer grew sugar;
and that if the protection to the one description of agri-
culture should be abandoned, the protection to the other
would soon be at an end. He concluded by moving that
from the 10th of November next the duty on British
colonial sugar should be 20s; on the sugars of China,
Java, and Manilla, 305., with a duty of 345. upon the
foreign sugars, when imported at a certain degree of re-
finement ; and with an addition, as usual, of 5 per cent.
upon the whole.
The amendment of Mr. Miles was supported by Mr.
Baillie, Mr. Labouchere, Mr. Bernal, Mr. F. Baring,
Mr. Hume, Mr. Coiquhoun, Mr. Hampden, and Lord
J. Russell. It was opposed by Mr. Ewart, the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Godson, Mr, Bouverie, and
Mr. Gladstone.
Lord Howler( then reminded the committee that they
were about to divide on the government plan, and should
that be negatived, it would be open to any hon. member
to move any amendment upon the proposition of Mr.
Miles.
The committee then divided—
For Mr. Mites's motion
Against it

Majority against the government ... 20
Sir It. PEEL proposed to resume the discussion on the
bill on Monday night.
The house then adjourned.

FOREIGN AND COLONIAL.

ARRIVAL OF THE BRITANNIA.

At eleven o'clock on Thursday night, the royal mail
packet Britannia, Captain Hewitt, arrived in the Mersey,
bringing papers from the United States up to the Ist,
and Canada papers to the 3d instant.
The United States is in a complete ferment of agitation,
in reference to the presidentship, the tariff and the an-
nexation of Texas being considered as questions valuable.
or otherwise as auxiliaries or impediments to party pros-
pects. There were four candidates in the field, Mr.
Tyler being one of them ; but as a democratic convention
had assembled at Baltimore, for the purpose of fixing the
popular interest upon one, they will now, in all probability,
be reduced to two, viz., Mr. Clay and Mr. James K.
Polk, of Tennessee. Great anxiety was felt during the
sittings of the convention : some were for Mr. Tyler, and
some for Van Buren ; but, the nomination having fallen
on Mr. Polk, it is probable that the other democratic
candidates wi 1 retire. Mr. Clay is the whig candidate;
and Mr. Webster is attending public meetings, making
speeches in his favour. With these speeches all free-
traders would be terrified ; he is for protection for every-
thing; for no reciprocal treaties; and for high-priced
agricultural products. The doctrines of the last century
are all revived by him with apparent approbation. He is
very sanguine of success.
Mr. Wright, who was named by the democrats as vice-
president, has, it is said, declined the honour.
On the 15th of last month. the president seni a message
to congress announcing, that he had made arrangements
for an exhibition of naval farce in the Gulf of Mexico :
and, as the Mexican government felt angry, a collision
was anticipated. The annexation of Texas is evidently
popular in the Union ; for, even Mr. 'Webster, while de-
claring that the presidential power required abridgement,
did not venture upon a single word of disapprobation as
to the Texan treaty—at least, not in his great speech at a
Jersey meeting, last month,
A most disastrous conflagration occurred in New Or-
leans on the 18th ult. The flames were first discovered
bursting from Mr. Goq's carpenter's shop, near the cor-
ner of Franklin and Jackson-streets, which before they
could he subdued spread to the adjoining tenements with
frightful rapidity. The fire raged for three hours, de-
stroying a large number of elegant and costly brick resi-
dences. The total number of houses destroyed is stated
to be not less than 280.
The Bee of the 20th says—
" The number of persons left houseless by this dis-
tressing calamity cannot fall short of 2,000, the greater
portion of whom are of the poorer classes of society."
Another journal of the same date says—
" The amount of loss on the houses is estimated at
335,000 dollars. A large quantity of furniture was burnt,
and insurance had been effected on about one-filth part.
Total loss of furniture, groceries, &c., say 100,000 dots.—
in all 435,000 dollars. This is a heavy figure, and is
much greater than the loss sustained at the last fire at the
Cotton Press.
The Caledonia steamer had made a very rapid outward
passage, having arrived at Boston early on the morning
of the lst of the present month, being only 121. days. The
Boston merchants were thus enabled to answer their let-
ters by the steamer now arrived.
There are accounts of great destruction of property, by
the overflowing of the Red River. Property to the value
of upwards of a million of dollars is said to be destroyed.
From Canada we learn, according to a Kingston paper,
" that the Governor-General has formed his new cabinet,
and that the nomination will be promulgated before his
excellency's departure from Kingston."
The provincial parliament is convoked to meet in Mon-
treal on the 24th of June next.
The latest commercial account in the money article of
the New York American of the 31st, says—
" The prosperous condition of the country seems to be
indicated by what is not generally an indication of pros-
perity—the abundance of money and the consequent low
rare of interest. Yet at this moment trade is flourishing,
industry fully carried forth and rewarded, and wages are
rising while money goes begging and interest is falling.
i Stocks of all sorts have risen." . . . . ..

In regard to the cotton crop the latest circular of
Stewart and Wright says—" the opinion expressed in our
circular of the 30th of April, that the extent of the cotton
crop for the year ending the Ist of September, 1844, would
prove a full average one, has been confirmed by the re-
ceipts during the present month, which have swelled the
amount to 1,899,641 bales, against 2,251,175 bales to the
same period last year. For the remainder of the season,
which, at the south is fast drawing to a close, the number
of bales will be but comparatively small: sufficient is
known, however, to justify us in saying, that the crop
will not vary much from 2,000,000 bales."
As to the coming wheat crops, notwithstanding com-
plaints in parts of Virginia and elsewhere of the divaga-
tions of the canker worm, the crop promises enormous.
Exchange on England had somewhat risen, and was in
demand at from 9to 91 per cent. On France at sf. 25c.

WAR BETWEEN FRANCE AND MOROCCO.
Hostilities have already commenced on the frontiers of
Morocco, between the troops under the command of Ge-
neral Lamorciere and the troops of the Emperor of Mo-
rocco. The same letters also state that there is not one
word of truth i❑ the statement made by the French autho-
rities relative to the proclamation of a holy war against the
infidels by the emperor. As far as our information now
goes, the attack upon Morocco was entirely on the side of
France. Abd-el-Kader acts with the Moorish army.
Ina letter dated Magruia, May 30, General Lamorciere
states that on the morning of that day his troops were at-
tacked by about two thousand Moorish and Arab cavalry,
who, after about an hour's engagement. were worsted
with great slaughter, the survivors flying towards Onschda.
the French loss is said to be only twenty-five wounded.
His despatch concludes as follows:—" Whatever may be
the construction put upon this recital, war exists in fact.
Fortune will demonstrate to what degree it will be carried.
It is not doubtful but that Abd-el-Kader will endeavour
to profit by it. I write this night to all the commanders
of columns. I shall have the honour to address you a
new report as soon as any fact of importance shall require
it."

MR. MACREADY IN NEW YORK.—Mr. Macready
played Shylock last night at the Park Theatre for the first
time in this city. Otir expectations were raised very high
on the occasion, and they were not disappointed. The
trial scene is well calculated to call forth all the talents of
the most admirable performer, and never was histrionic
talent more triumphant. Loud shouts, and three distinct
rounds of applause when Shylock left the stage, spoke the
feelings of the audience.—American paper.
PRAYERS FOR RAlN.—Prayers to the blessed Virgin
were offered up in all the homan Catholic churches for
rain, and high masses were celebrated by the is
York Sun. [lt is constantly denied by Itoantrust.Bl
that prayers are ever addressed to the denied
thei
their authorised prayer-books establish the fact
_.
most convincing manner. Their transatlantio re
shipped, and and they only
gionists do not hesitate to declare openly that sis wora-
more candour t
cannot be disproved, and what is so unblushingly
denied
in this country.j state
withd

Iler Majesty the Queen Ad-laide arrived at Ghent on
the 4th instant, and on the stir reached Cologne, from
whence her Majesty was to proceed the following morning
to Mavence, in the Victoria steamer, belonging to the
Dusseldorf Steam Navigation Company, which the Queen
had caused to be engaged some days ago, through the
London Company.
THE ARTESIAN WELL NEAR PARTS —The volume of
water supplied by the Artesian Well of Grenelle was mea-
sured a few days ago, and found to have lost nothing of
its force or quantity. The source furni-h!s 2,000,00
quarts of water per 21 hours, which is more than suffi-
cient for the quartier of the Pantheon, where im-
mense reservoirs have been constructed to receive it. The
water is as limpid as filtered Seine water, and has conti-
nued clear since tubes have been inserted in the aperture.
—Constitutionnel.

THE POPE AND THE BIBLE SOCIETIES.—The follow-
ing is the conclusion of a rescript which the Pope has just
issutd to the Romish clergy of France respecting the move-
ments of the Bible Societies :—" We recommend you,
therefore, to announce and to explain in proper time and
place to the people confided to your pastoral charge, our
present advice, and ti use all your efforts to withdraw
your faithful flock from any connection with those Bible
Societies. It will be your duty to take from their hands
any Bible translated into the vulgar tongue, or published
contrary to the sanction of the Roman Pontiffs, and to
watch over them that your counsels may be attended to,
and particularly to watch the conduct of those whose duty
it is to expound the Holy Scriptures, that they may acquit
themselves diligently of their office, according to the ca-
pacity of their auditors, and in strict conformity with the
tradition of the fathers and in the sense of the Catholic
Church." The document furnishes abundant encourage-
ment to that noble institution, the Bible Society, to pro-
ceed in its beneficent career. The truth is beginning to
exert its power, and must ultimately triumph alike over
the errors of Romanism and the dogmas of an atheistical
philosophy, which have for so long a time exercised a
wabering influence upon the mind of France.
NEW ZEALAND.--IBy two or three arrivals from Sydney
we have part of the intermediate files, containing the par-
ticulars of the arrival of Capt. Fitzroy at New Zealand,
and the proceedings which immediately followed. Capt.
Fitzroy landed at Auckland on the 26th of December,
and was most cordially received by the official authorities,
with the whole assembled population, including a consi-
derable number of the aborigines. A public meeting had
been called, and addresses had previously been prepared,
embracing all the real and alleged grievances which the
colonists have been subjected to. These addresses, and
the Governor's reply, are very elaborate ; but the main
point embraced is the slate of the land tenures, which it
is obvious, from the conflicting views and interests, will
be the new Governor's chief difficulty, It appears from
what fell from the Governor in this preliminary speech, in
reply to the addresses, that there will be no interference
by the government to dispossess the settlers of land pur-
chased from the natives, except where there is an excess
of the quantity allowed to be purchased by Europeans.
He further observed that the power of selling their land
to whom they please was withheld from the natives by
the Crown for their own benefit, but that he was autho-
rised to prepare for other arrangements more suitable to
their improved, and daily improving, condition. A re-
survey, of the lands held by the settlers he seems to think
necessary, as the most likely mode of terminating disputes,
and he seems also to contemplate introducing a plan to
enable the natives to let their lands on lease, with selling
them outright.
AUSTRALIA.—From Sydney we have accounts to the
16th of February, and from Launceston to the 12th of
December. There is nothing from either place of a corn •
mercial character worth communicating. The general
statistics of New South Wales denote a rapid rate of ad-
vancement. Ten years ago the number of acres under
crop were 60,520; last year it was 115,660; and this is
stated to be only one-fifth of what is required for the pre-
sent population. The number of sheep in the colony 15
years ago was 536,600 ? it is now 6,000,000, and Great
Britain alone could take the produce of 20 times as many
in common seasons. Of horned cattle, at the same period,
the colony possessed 263.000; it has now 800,000. Seven
years since, when its affairs were most flourishing, the
coin in circulation amounted to £420,720 ; last year it
was £475,390. In 1832 its exports amounted to £384,344
in official value ; and in 1842 to £1,067,411. The sheep
now in New South Wales, it is estimated, according to
the ratio of Great Britain, would supply food to about
3,200,000 inhabitants, and its cattle to 2,500,000 inhabi-
tants. The proportion of imports per head, indicative of
the substantial prosperity and comfort of the inhabitants
in general, as compared with those of some other coun-
tries, is given as follows :—Russia, 84d. ; Prussia, 32d. ;
Frane, 11d. ; United States of America, 17s. ; British
North America, £1 1 ls. 7d. ; British West Indies, £3 12s ;
New South Wales, £ll 15s. In contemplation of these
statements, we cannot but concur in the remark of the
Sydney journalist, that the present embarrassments of the
colony are " nothing but the natural and proper punish-
ment of an extreme infatuation."
COLONEL STODDART AND CAPTAIN CONOLLY
Capt. Grover has received letters from Dr. Wolff dated
Meshed, from the 14th to the 24th of March. The in-
telligence contained in these letters was considered so im-
portant, that they were sent open to Constantinople for
the perusal of Sir Stratford Canning : this will account '
for the dates being anterior to those already received, ex-
tracts from which have been published. At Askarea, two
miles from Meshed, Dr. Wolff was met by Mullah Me-
shiakh, the Jew of.. Meshed who assisted him in 1831
when be escaped from slavery at Torbad. He was ac-
companied by Mohammed Ali Seraf, Colonel Stoddart's
agent. They had heard of his approach by the caravans.
This Mohammed Ali Seraf was the man through whose
hands passed all the letters, and the doctor says—" In less
than two hours I found this man to be a lying, treacherous
scoundrel !" Numerous proofs are given of his %Many,
and it is known that he alone, and not Colonel Sheil, is to
blame for the detention of the Sultan's letter. The Doe-
tar discovered that this man had property in his possession
belonging to Colonel Stoddart of the value of £l,OOO
sterling. In a subsequent letter Dr. Woolf mentions that
Aga Abool Kasem, a respectable merchant, formerly Bri-
tish agent, informed him that Colonel Stoddart ha I sent
to Mohammed Ali Seraf shawls to the value of £lOOO
sterling, for the purpose of raising money to pay for some
land. The Doctor says—" I asked him about that. He
replied that he had still the shawls in his possession, and
that he intends to deliver them to Colonel Stoddart's sis-
ter in person ! You see by this that the fellow is a rogue."
A chief of a caravan, named Kurban, who goes to Bok-
' hare every three months, states that Stoddart and Conolly
are alive, and imprisoned in the Kalai, outside Bokhara;
and the Doctor says, " Kukulli, a Turcoman chief,
showed me a letter from his brother at Bokhara, in which
he states that Stoddart is alive to a certainty, and his Ex-
cellency the Assoof Adowla (Viceroy) of Kliora,san, to
whom I sent the King's courier to inquire where I should
go to meet him, at Maclean or Meshed, sent me word that
Stoddart and Conolly were alive last year."