The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-10-04
CEIvED AT THE .'uNi6Ns OFFICE.


of the comparative influences in the Zol-verein,
and Of their different tendencies:
THE GERMAN CoMmERouAL LEAeuE.--At the
conference OF the members Of the German Com
mercial League, which is now sitting at Carls-
ruhe, the minor powers, and especially Wurtem-
burg and Baden, oppose the greatest resistance TO
tho more liberal commercial policy Of the cabinet Of
Berlin. Il is mistake to suppose that the forma-
ton Of the Zo-Verein has secured to Prussia pre-
ponderating authority over that body. She has not
more actual power in its votes than the smallest
state belonging TO il. The seat Of its deliberations
has this year been transferred from the north to the
south OF Germany; and Prussian influence Is IN a
great measure paralyzed by the interests of certain
classes of German manufactures which demand an
increase Of protection. This subject is SO impor-
liant al the present moment, that II can scarcely fail
TO attract the attention Of the statesmen of Germany
and of England; and we trust tina, an enlarged view
OF the real and permanent interests OF both coun-
tries will prevail over the ignorance and absurdity
which look to monopoiies and prohibitions as the
basis Of national wealth. By q strange inconsistent.
cy, the very same people In the heart Of Germany
who profess the greatest anxiety to for their
country a larger share of foreign commerce and the
protection Of national flag are those Who if thew
were left to carry out their own falacous policy
would adopt the measures most injurious to their
export as well import trade. The argument
which they put forward il il were founded on the
public interest, is deusion and we are happy TO
as well as IN those great mercantile cities which do
not belong TO 1t, and in Belgium, more sound and
rational principles are now entertained. AT present.
all we can hope for amongst the states which are
less advanced in the experience of mercantile affairs
is discussion; and such discussion Gun hardly take
place under favorable circumstances than those
which have collected many of the first men of our
time in one place, with less than the ordinary re-
straints and jealousies of official intercourse"
~
EpRorE.-The "London Times" far-seeing in all
things affecting the prosperity of Great Britain has
length taken the alarm at the hazardous length
which the speculatons of the day being carried,
and is now doing its utmost to awaken public atten-
ton to the importance of increased prudence. The
following extract from the London Times of the
3Oh August, willend towardsexplaning TO the read
of the Union" the existing condition of sope-
ra,ionsn in railway stocks in England:
''If evidence of such results, taken from later
times be required, might safely refer to the periods
sof1526 aud 1856 At both periods inordinate spec
ulatons, by means Of commercial companies in the
one case, and by investments in foreign securities in
the other, led to disasters from which the country
did not recover for some years afterwards.
eve know that it has been said, and we fear
with truth, that nations slow to profit by expe-
rience; and that upon the body of commercial
population, neither the record of past times nor the
recollection of recent events has much nf1u-
ence when opposed 70 the prospect of immediate
gain; but the fact established that at the present
moment Of prudence clearly foresee the impend-
ing risk. One broker, of no small eminence, has
publicly announced his intention of not entering into
fresh transactions in the share-market until il shall
have assumed healthier aspect; and others arc
gradually contracting their operations. 1t is in aid
Of efforts like these 10 repress the existing spirit of
speculation, that every honest is bound to CO.
opcrate and il is with that view that have called
the serious attention of readers to the subject
We would remind them, that, under the most favor
able circumstances speculatons of such character
and to such an extent, cannot be long successful
that il is impossible TO rely upon the continuance of
productive harvests, the uninterrupted main
ienance of friendly intercourse with all foreign coun-
tries; and that any rumor OF war, or apprehension
of scarcity, must at dspel their visions of in
ordinate gain, and plunge them, and all connected
with them, in irretrievable ruin.
s'From such grievous disasters, we believe there
is vet time to escape if those who hold high sta
tons in the commercial world win only decidedly
discountenance this speculative gambling by ac-
cepting as security fictitious railway stock, and by
Withholding their counenance well as their credit
from those who are engaged in such hazardous
transactions"
'GALLANr CAPTURE OF A sLAvER.-We merely
alluded on Tuesday to report which had reached
us from the coast of Africa, of most gallant and
successful engagement the west coast, between
the boats of one Of her Majestys ships and large
pirate SLAYER. We have received from cores
pendent at 81. Thomas's by the same ship, con-
6rmaton Of the report, with the following interest
ing particulars: It is with sincere pride that we re-
port this exploit, which for chivarous galantry has
hardly been surpassed during the most stirring pc
Rod of the late war; and which must satisfy those
detractors of our brave seamen who insist that the
navy has lost much of the spirit that was wont TO
animate it, how utterly groundlcss such belief re-
ally Is The boats engaged in the affair belonged to
the Pantaloon, 10, slOop, Commander Edmund Viii
son. The prize is remarkably fine vessel of about
$50 tons, polncca rugged, with immense sails She
is Of great celebrity on the coast is armed with
four 12-pounders, and had mixed crew, composed
chiefly Of Spaniards, amounting to about so; and
was equipped for any vianous service whether
slave-dealing or piracy. The Panaloon had been
bafied in her chase of this vessel supposed to be
SLAYER, for two or three days. and il appears, from
what our correspondent has stated that the pirate
after leading the Pantaloon away to St. Thomas's
and outsailiDg her. doubled the cruiser and then
ran to Lagos; but Captain Wilson was too old an
officer on the coast to be taken in, and on the
morning of the 26th OF May the sloop and the
stranger caught sight of each other about two miles
distant, off Lagos, becalmed. The pirate hoisted no
colors and the captain OF the Pantaoon desirous Of
renewing his attentions, sent the cutter and two
whale boats, under the command Of the first lieu
tenant, Mr.. Lewis de T. Provost with the master
Mr.. J. T.. Crout, and the boatswain, Mr. Pasco,
with marines and seamcn, amounting to about 80
altogether, to make more intimate acquaintance
with the strangertaking especial care, however to
be fully prepared for reception. The pirate
gave the boats indication Of what they were to
expect as they nearcd, by opening on them heavy
nre OF round shot, grape, and canister in such
spirited style, that, after returning the comp
ment by volley of musketry, the boats pre-
pared for hard work. Animated by the show of
resistance, each boat now emulated the other in
reaching the enemy; the pirate continuing a sh,rn
fire they steadily advanced the marines as brsky
using their musksts In half an hour from the dis
charge of the first gun from the pirate the boats off the
Pantaloon were alongside-Lieuenant Provost and
Mr. Pasco on the starboard, and Mr.. Crout in the
cutter, on the port side. The pirate crew. shelter
ing themselves as much possible, nevertheless
continued to fire the guns, loading them with all
sosts Of missiles-bullets, lead. nails, &c; and
amidst shower Of these, our brave sailors and
marines dashed on board. Lieutenant Provost and