The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-03-04 00:00:00

could nor.
tlic Goi

ment were quite prepared to defend
it, should the bon. gentleman seek to impugn it by a specific
motion. He believed, that by the course the Government
proposed to pursue, they would put a termination to the
abuses which had heretofore existed, not only in the Man,
ritius. hut also on the nassace and in India. The noble lord

!or tha aftaini of Ind

Vith respect to a

in council,

gration to t

:Mauritius, which placed the Indian la-
bourers tOr a period of at least five years in the condition of
slaves to the planters, and said that he had had the fullest
communications with Lord Ellenborough upon this subject,
and that that nobleman had full power, as Governor-General
of India, to carry out the views of the Government in putting

an end to these abuses. He also quoted passages from com-
munications from the Governor-General of India and from
the Governor of the Mauritius, recommendatory of sending
labourers from India to that colony, as being serviceable to
both places ' • as in India those labourers could get only three-
halfpence a day for their labour, while in the :\ I auritius the
price of labour was high, there being a great demand for it.
He would challenge the house to say whether, in the plan
now adopted, there was anything at all in the nature of sla-
very, or whether there was even anything which could in any
way he construed into compulsory labour. He only regretted
that, in consequence of the non-existence of the papers moved
for, the sense of the house could not be taken on the plan

pursued by the Government.
After a few observations from Mr. HAWES,
Mr. HOGG disapproved of the course taken by the present
government, and contended that the noble lord had not
treated parliament with so much respect as had been shown
by the government of India, for the latter had declined to
legislate upon the subject until parliament should have ex-
pressed its opinion, whereas the noble lord had taken an
important step without waiting for any such expression of
opinion. At the same time he thought the order in council
calculated to remedy many, if not all, of the abuses com-
plained of, as far as related to the Mauritius, but not so in
preventing frauds in India by those employed as native
agents to procure coolies to emigrate.
Mr. \VAKLEY hoped the noble lord would abandon the
idea of importing the hill coolies into the Mauritius. Inde-
pendent of its other evils it was an unjustifiable interference
with the rights and interests of the labourers already located
there
Mr. C. BuLLER was ready to support the proposal of the
government as good, wise, and salutary in substance.
After some further discussion the motion was withdrawn,
and the other orders of the day being disposed of the house
adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—WEDNESDAY.
Sir R. PEEL, in reply to a question from Mr. Mangles,
said that no official information had been received as to the
state of affairs in Affghanistan, but he expected to have
some communication in a few days.
On bringing up the report of the committee on the impor-
tation of foreign corn,
Mr. E. Bui

—.cd a scale of duties which was the
same as that of Sir R. Peel, until the price reached 6-Is,
when he proposed from thence upwards there should be a
fixed duty of 6s.
Sir R. PEEL hoped the lion. member would not think it
disrespectful if he declined to follow lftm in his calculations,
fur the fact was, it was desirable that some limit should be
placed to these discussions, or the public advantage would
be sacrificed in the enormous loss of time which they in-
volved.

The motion was then withdrawn

Mr. HASTIE moved that, as it appeared by the returns on
the table that at an average of years, with average crops, a
sufficient quantity of corn is not produced in this country
for the food of the population, the deficiency amounting to
about one million quarters of wheat, 250,000 quarters of
barley, and 250,000 quarters of oats; that in each year, and
before the scale of duties comes into operation, the follow-
ing quantities of grain shall be admitted for home consump-
tion at a duty of one shilling per quarter—viz.: 1,000.000
quarters of wheat, 250,000 quarters of barley. and 250,000
quarters of oats.
Sir R. PEEL said that of all the motions he ever heard of
this was the most extravagant. Such a compulsory impor-
tation, without reference to the existing supply, would have
the effect of depressing the markets at a time when they
might be already far too much depressed from other causes.
He would not give his consent to the proposition.

The motion was withdrawn.
The report was then agreed to, the orders of the day were
disposed of, and the house adjourned.

UNITED STATES,

The New York Packet Ship, United States, Captain Brit-
ton, which sailed on the afternoon of the 14th ult. arrived at
this port on Wednesday having made one of the quickest
passages on record. She made the run from port to port in
fifteen days. The money market has undergone but little
alteration. There had been a fair demand for bills on Lon-
don. The rate of Exchange on this country was Bto 81,
and on France from 5; 281, to 5, 271. Bills on London 107
to 108. Treasury notes were selling at per cent. discount.
There had been some heavy and destructive freshets at the
south. Flour 'was selling at 6 dlrs. 371 cts., the market
steady. Pot ashes at 6 dlrs. 50 cts., but all remaining were
held by one house at 7 ; pearls were offered at 5 dlrs. 75 cts.,
but no sales. Cotton was firm and active, particularly for
the good qualities : Upland and Florida 61 to 9, Mobile 7 to
10, New Orleans 7to 10, and Texas (short price) 8. Freights
dull—Cotton to Liverpool 5-16 d. to 3-Bd. sterling per lb.
The schooner Mokina, from Cape de Verds, reported that
the stern boat and some water casks belonging to the Presi-
dent had been picked up by a vessel and carried into St.
Nicholas. The Mokina also reported the loss, on the Hart-
well Reef, of a British brig, with a valuable cargo for the
River Plate : all hands saved and half the cargo. The fight
alluded to in the last advices, between the Monte Videau
and Buenos Ayrean fleets, had resulted in the capture of one
of the Monte Videan brigs. The advices are up to the 22nd
December from Monte Video, up to which period the re-
mainder of the squadron had not been heard of. Cathagena
papers to December 22, had been received at New York.
The siege and blockade of Cathagena had been raised, and
the rebellion appears in a good measure suppressed. The
provinces of Veragua and Panama were re-united to the
republic of Grenada.

We were unable to find room in our last for the following
additional particulars of intelligence brought by the George
Washington. At the trial of Mr. Jaudon, the following
account of the great cotton speculation of Messrs. Biddle and
Jaudon was elicited :
- -

" Ashbel Green Jaudon, a brother of the accused, testifies
before the Judge, that N. Biddle and Samuel Jaudon entered
into an agreement or partnership in the transaction referred
to, and furnished the witness, A. G. Jaudon, with funds of
the bank to carry on the business as their- agent. Under
this arrangement the witness obtained, at different times,
about 2,000.000 dols. from the bank, with which he purchased
cotton and tobacco at New Orleans. He was allowed 2 per
cent. commission on these purchases, and stated that this
charge was added to the original cost of the merchandise.
The goods were then shipped by him to the most eligible
European markets, and sold. Besides the commission al-
lowed him for purchasing the cotton and tobacco, which
amounted to about 40,000 dols., the witness said he received
a bonification commission' on the return or proceeds of
sales, which amounted to upwards of 20,000 dols. more—
making his compensation as agent rising 60,000 dols. The
money was obtained from the bank by credits passed to the
witness's account, on tickets or orders signed by Mr. Cow-
perthwaite, cashier. The profits arising to the principals in
this transaction amounted to about 50,000 dols. which was
equally divided between them. The witness said he paid the
25,000 dols. due to Mr. Biddle himself; the remainder was
passed to his credit, he being then in London. It also ap-
peared in evidence before the Judge, that this business was
conducted through the Committee on Foreign Exchanges,
and apparently with their knowledge and consent; but two
of the gentlemen who were members of that committee at the
time, testified that they were wholly ignorant of the nature
of the transaction, and would not have permitted its progress
had they known it."
The accounts of the state of credit of the United States
government contained in the New York papers are of the
most formidable description. In the first place there was the
deficit of 600,000 dols. on the Ist of January, and it appears
that since that period all claims upon the government have
been dishonoured. The army and navy are stated to be with-
out pay, and the outstanding treasury notes being at a dis-
count, are almost the only means of payment into the public
treasury, the payments by these being nearly 9-10ths of the
total receipts. Such a state of things, of course, causes a
general alarm ; besides which an anxiety was felt as to the
effect to be produced by the bankrupt law, which was to come
into operation on the Ist inst. Even the soundest banks are
said to have participated in the uneasiness, and to be. there-
fore, exceedingly cautious in all their movements. Nume-
rous obligations, it is expected, will be swept away, and as
they only served to embarrass the parties on whom they lay,
this effect of the law is looked upon as rather beneficial than
otherwise, though at the same time it is expected that little
or nothing will be realised by creditors. That it does not
apply to corporations seems to be a subject of general regret,
as this is considered to be the only way by which the rotten
banks could be swept off. At New York there was a report
that on the 28th ult. the assets lately assigned by the
it United States Bank" to trustees, and placed under the
charge of Mr. Frazer, were seized at New Orleans by the
marshal of the United States for damages obtained under the
judgment on the French bill. In Ohio there seems to be
some real progress towards resumption, as the state legisla-
ture has passed a law that specie payments shall commence
on the 4th of March.

EXPLOSION OF A FIREWORKS MANUFACTORY,

One of the most appalling and fatally-calamitous explo-
sions that has occurred in or near the metropolis, took place
on Monday. at Mr. D'Ernst'a firewcrks manufactory, Lam-
beth-butts, by which the premises have been destroyed, and
four lives have been sacrificed.
_The _Collouring is an accurate statement. of the facts col-
lecta ori.tbe, spa, UV to-a Sour in the evening t —At
twenty minutes to twelve o'clock; the inhabitants of Lam-
beth, Kennington, Vauxhall, and the surrounding neighbour-
hood, were alarmed by a loud report such as is usually pro-
duced by the ignition of gunpowder in large quantities, or
perhaps resembling more strictly the explosion of gas. This
was rapidly followed by reports of less violence of sound, but
sufficiently loud to create serious apprehension even to per-
sons residing some hundred yards distant. The first im-
pression was that the Vauxhall Gas-works had exploded, and
that the successive discharges were created by the bursting
of the retorts. In a very few minutes, however, the nature
of the calamity and its situation were made manifest by a
dense body of smoke which ascended above the houses on the
north side of Lambeth-walk, behind which the factory had
been erected some few years back by Mr. D'Ernst, when he
was engaged as pyrotechnist at Vauxhall-gardens. It was a
detached building, situate in a piece of waste ground, but for
which circumstance it is impossible to speculate on the havoc
that must have ensued. _ _

An abundant supply of water was speedily obtained from
the main pipes, and seven or eight large engines were brought
to bear on the south-west angle of the building, which was
easiest of access, there being at the other extremity enclosed
ground, attached to some small cottages, the inmates of
which fled but in the most pitiable consternation, conceiving
that the whole place must be blown up. In less than half
an hour the factory itself was reduced to complete ruin, and
the dwelling-house in front, a slight building, two stories
high, shared the same fate soon after. The discharge of fire-
works having created sufficient apertures, the firemen directed
all their attention to the cellarage, with the view of prevent-
ing the expected explosion of gunpowder, it having been
ascertained, beyond all doubt, that there were on the premi-
ses at least six barrels of that terrible combustible. By great
exertion they were enabled to throw in some thousai;d tons
of water directly over the cellars, so that the ground was
covered to the depth of two inches.

The tire was got under in less than anthheour, and about four
o'clock, after considerable exertion on
ererison
partr of the police
and firemen on duty, the bodies of all the unfortunate
who lost their lives by this melancholy catastrOPEestewpe
ex-
tricated from the ruins; their names and ages
were
yeas
could be ascertained in the confusion which prevailneeda;
as follows :—Mr. D'Ernst, aged 45 years,•the owner of thel.e
manufactory ; Mrs. Hampshire, his sister-in-law,. about the
same age ; John Whinur.„ aged 32, who worked on the pre-
mises; and an errand-boy, aged about 18.

CLACKMANNAN AND KINROSSSIIIRKS.—GeneraI Mori-
son was elected member of parliament for three united coun-
ties on Friday last, in :the place of Colonel Abercromby,

resigner.

6Pollllp*iG INTRI,LIarvATE

mE GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLE CHACE,
This long looked-for and much talked-of event in the an-
nals of sporting, took place on Wednesday. From the high
characters of the horses named to contest for the prize, great
anticipations of good sport were entertained; nor were those

expectations doomed to be disappointed, for a finer race ne-
ver took place, and the utmost satisfaction was felt by all
who witnessed it. Several horses had arrived at the different
stables on Friday, others came up on Saturday, and on Mon-
day and Tuesday the whole number had arrived. The betting
Talbot on Monday was about as follows :-5 to 1
.gainst Gay Lad, 6 to 1 against Peter Simple, 8 to 1 against
Seventy-four, 10 to 1 against Lottery, 20 to 1 against Ban-
galore, and 20 to 1 against the rest ; and the same figure
might be quoted for the following day. There has not been
much business done in this town, although some heavy sums
have been laid out in Manchester. Some of the Irish horses

at the

were expected to have done wonders ; but it seems that they
have been far afield. The arrivals at the different hotels were

very numerous in the course of Tuesday, " each particular"
train bringing in a lot of spicy knowing-looking blades, whose
occupations and pursuits might easily be guessed at. The
cetuse had been heavy up to Sunday ; but the wind and fine
weather of Monday, it was thought, would have some effect
upon the country. It was clear to all who knew the ground,
that it would try the strength of the cattle and the skill of

the riders. Wednesday morning broke, looking dismal as
ditch water. and wet as a blanket, damping the spirits of

many, who anticipated a bright day. Ti; "pitiless pelting
of the storm" continued till about ten o'clock, when a hands-
breadth of blue sky gave a promise of fine weather : although
the day proved not quite so pleasant as we could have wished,
it still held up. and kept dry to the close. Those incorrigible
blackguards, the cabmen, seemed determined to make a har-
vest of the damp weather, by attempting all manner of ex-
tortion in the various streets where they hailed from ; some
asking 255., others 305., as their fare to Aintree and back,
and coming it very thick with impertinence if a fair offer were
made them. It is a pity that some of these fellows cannot
be made an example of. Towards eleven o'clock symptoms
of a movement towards Aintree seemed to be making along
Byrom-street and Scotland-road, in " vehicles" of every
description, size, and make. On arriving at the ground, we
found but few persons assembled, and began to fear for the
results of the day, as far as attendance went. In the course
of another hour the throng increased, and at the time of
starting there was a goodly muster of the loyal subjects of
Queen Victoria. A great deal of the usual talk took place
on the merits of the various horses, and speculation began
to be rife. As the ground selected was the same as last year,
we need not describe it. The betting previous to the race
was as follows :-
7 to 4 agst Mr. Elmore's three (Lottery, Gaylad, and
Peter Simple.)
fi to 1 agst Seventy-four. I 13 to 1 agst Honesty.
7 to 1 Gaylad. 15 to 1 Bannathlath.
Bto I Peter Simple. I 15 to 1 Anonymous.
S to 1 Lottery. 20 to 1 Satirist.
10 to 1 Sam Weller. I 20 to 1 Bangalore.
12 to 1 Luck's-all. [ 20 to 1 Consul.
The weighing-room presented an animated scene, and great
interest was evinced as the various riders made their appear-
ance. About two o'clock, all. being prepared, the following
started :
A SWEEPSTAKES of 20 sovs. each, 5 ft. with 10) sovs.
added, for horses of all denominations carrying 12st. each.
The winner of tee Cheltenham Steeple Chase in 1840 to
carry 181bs. extra. The owner of the second horse to have
his stake returned, and the winner to pay 5 sovs. towards
the expenses. Four miles.
Mr. Davey ns. Gaylad.
Mr. Powell ns. Seventy-four. Powell.
Capt. Price Peter Simple , Hunier.
Mr. Johnstone's Returned Johnstone.
Mar. Waterford's Columbine Byrne.
Lord Clanricarde's Honesty M`Donough.
Mr. Ferguson's Banathlath .
Mr, Jas. Mason ns. Sam Weller
Mr. Ekin ns. Luck's-all
Mr. Elmore's Lottery Mason.
Lord Maidstone's Satirist
Mr. Moore's Anonymous Moore.
Mr. W. Ramsay's Bangalore Peel.
• Hon. C. Forester's Lady Langford Abbot.

Baron Rothschild's Consul V Oldacre.
Thus it will be seen that fifteen horses came to the start, and
as a shrewd countryman remarked--" a precious soight more
than 'ud come back together." The start took place in a field
on the other—or rather this—side of the road. Sam Weller
made the running, Lottery and Peter Simple hard upon him,
a lot behind them, Gaylad and Seventy-four last. Peter Sim-
ple and Lottery were the first over the great leap, Consul,
Banathlath and a third were not quite so successful. Con-
sul gave up as useless contesting any further, and was hors de
combat. The other two got over and went to it again with
spirit.