The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1845-08-29
FROM EUROPE.
Correspondence Of the Free Trader.
LurppnnL. AuU. A. 1915


have received advices of the virtual an-
nexa,ion Of Texas 10 the United States,
per X. NJ. s. s. Acadia, which arrived on
the 29th ult., at tins port. lsuppose that
the news of this arrival, and Of the eflec,
produced by it in this country, will be
looked for with some in,eres, by you. |
have, therefore, taken some pains to as.
certain what the prevailing impression is
concerning the new position of Texas.
From these enquiries find tina, the peo-
pie here care very little abou, the matter.
The cotton holders, of course, endeavor
to make something of it, but hear moth
ing said "on change" to-day, justiiying
the idea tina, il will lead to any nterle-
renee on the part of the government.
Mexican bonds are the only securities at
all influenced by the news, and in this
stock there are more sellers than buyers.
The arrival Of the Oregon plenipotenti-
airy, per Acadia, has given rise to some
discussion, but the general impression is
that an amicable arrangement vii! be elIec-
ted; this opinion having been also openly
expressed by Mr.. McLane to several of
the prominent merchants here. Indeed,
there seems TO be at this moment, no,
only in England but on the Continent
also. more clear perceptions of the bless
ings of peace, and The positive iniquity of
war, than a, any future period and it be-
comes an interesting question: " What
are the influences which have produced
this state of lhings!' We are in the
habit Of talking about the wonderful re-
suits Of the discovery Of the steam engine,
ID INDUCING in anticipa,ions of its in
creased utility, but we have not half done
justice 10 it, 1t is steam that is leaven-
ing the world with common sense, and
binding it together with ties of interest
that has chiefly contributed 10 this result.
Sill, it so often happens that those en-
trusted with the management of public
affairs are so far behind the people they
govern, that there is no knowing what
foolishness may be committed on this
Oregon negotiation. A discussion which
took place in parliament the other day,
shews what learned asses there may be,
as many members where Mortified when
Sir G. Napier stated tina, the old notion
that British sailor fought for glory, was
all moonshinc as if man forcibly taken
from his home 10 serve his country, should
act from less interested motives than Adj
mirals, Judges, Doctors, or Bishops, who
are all sufficiently awake 10 the value Of
filthy lucre."
| Ny impressions. after 'h'ee months
| residence in England are, that John Bull
has been pretty considerably Yankeeized
during the las: ten years. The men Of
the old school, with prejudices as long
as their pigtails, have disappeared and
given place to more active but less homo
rable race, and more correctly speaking,
they consider, in their transactions, moral
principles less than civil law. Specula-
ton is now far ahead Of what it ever
was in the United States. The railroad
share market is the absorbing topic, and
l know many cases where men who CON-
menced with shilling two or three years
since, have retired with fortunes of one
hundred thousand pounds. After viewing
this subject calmly, must say tina. see
no cause to dread revolution. Railroads
are no bubblcs-the business OF the world
requires them. and l have no doubt that
at this day man Of capital could make
more money in England than in any par,
of the world. The country is preemi-
nen,ly prosperous-the income tax, al
though very harrassing in its collection
to business men, is fair tax las it ex-
empts all the poor and the revenue deri-
we'd from it, has revealed to the ministers
that England is twice as rich as they
thought i, was. 1t is not likely, there
fore, that it will soon be taken off, par,-
cularly as they are reducing the duties
which press more Immediately on the
poor. ] am told that Sir Robert Peel's
income tax is just the same as his salary
as Prime Minister. This is 10 his credit.
The season IS now approaching when
the wheat crop is watched with great in
terest. From my own pretty extended
observations, | must say that the crop is
very heavy. but backward. The weather
continues cold and cloudy, and the harvest
will be from two to three weeks later
than last year. In this part of England
there will be no grain cut for two or three
weeks, and in the meantime the appear
anco of rust, &C., may send up wheat
one shilling bushcl. BY the last arc-
rage the duty was Is. Cd. per bushel oil
70lbs.. equal TO Sos. per imperial quar-
ter. The price is now Cos. and perhaps
this will be the average when the duty
will be less. There can De no doubt bu
that TT s. wheat and ffour will in one