The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-01-01
FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.
Fifteen Days Later from Europe,

The iIibernia arrived ut Boston last SGtur-
day morning, with Liverpool dates TO Dec. A.
There was a great improvement in the
money market, The Bank of England, with
the advice of Government, had reduced it's
rate of discount TO 6 per cent.
The receipts of specie from the United
States within three months had been about
81 100000. Large sums had been received
from Other quarters; so that the Bank of
England had $l1 900 900 of bullion on hand.
Trade in all quarters was depressed and
so many failures had taken place that u long
time must elapse before the restoration of
former activity.
In the manufacturing districts there is
somewhat greater activity.
The Cotton Market has been in dull and
depressed state. Prices are l-Sd per ID. low
er than they were on the 18th ult.-The pri-
ces of bread s,uffs have likewise declined.
Best American flour is quoted at 29s. which
is lower Than reported by the last steamer.
Indian corn is also lower, and is quoted at
81 34s per 4S0 lbs; Indian meal I5s I5s
Cd; red Wheat rs Il Is cd; white do Is Cd q
SIS Id.
The Queens Speech was delivered on the
23rd of November. The leading topics are
the commercial distress and the state of Ire
land-in relation to neither of which is any
definite course Of measures recommended.
The progress ofthe cholera was exciting
increased attention. Partly with reference
to it, a commission has been organized TO re-
port on the best means for improving tie
health ofLondon.
A Parliamentary Committee had been ap-
pointed to inquire into the causes Of the late
commercial distress.
WAR ACTUALLY COMMENCED in
SWITZERLAND.
The most important political news is that
which relates to the civil war in Switzerland.
The great preponderance of power on the
part Of the Federal, or as they style them
selves Liberal, or Radical party was such as
to leave no doubt from the beginning what
must be the result of an appeal TO arms. At
the date of our last intelligence the troops of
the Diet were OH The march to invest Erie
burg. The town capitulcted without bat
tie, and provisional government was organ
lied, providing for the immediate expulsion
of the Jesuils. The Canton ofZug immedi-
ately submitted, and the army 10000 stroug,
marched for Lucerne. There was a battle
on the frontiers, with the loss of 200 or 800
men on each side; after which soon followed
the surrender oftbe city and canton. A pro-
visional government was organized favora-
BILE to the expulsion of the Jesuts. At this
juncture, the five great Powers came forward
with an offer of medation,-the basis of
which is stated to be as follows:
/. That the Catholic cantons appeal to
the Holy See for counsel on the religious part
ofthe dispute, 2. That The Diet undertake
to protect those ofthe cantons whose sover-
eighty is threatened. 3. The dissolution of
the Sonderbund. 4. General and recipro-
cal disarmament. 5. An undertaking not
to infringe or i'll any respect modify the Pact
without the unanimous assent of all the can
tons. Should mediation on these bases be
accepted, then the representatives ofthe five
Powers will Immediately proceed with their
work OF .paciiication. If refused, the flve
Powers will respectfully regard the attempt
at mediation at an end, and resume their re-
spective positions as if no such proposition
had been entertained, and act according to
circumstances.
And in this position affairs remained at the
latest dates.
The cholera had appeared at Constantine
pie. Al Bagdad and 1'rebzondit had ceased
MURDER OF AN AMERICAN MISSIONARY TO
CHINA. Intelligence has been received oftbe
murder of Rev. Walter NJ. Lowre ,Missioua-
ny of the Presbyterian Board to China. The
murder was committed by pirates. Itoccur-
red at the time ola meeting of missionaries
at Shangai to revise the translation of the
New Testament. MIR L. left Shangai Aug.
16,-took Chinese boat for Nngbo on the
2otll--and was soon attacked by pirates, who
first plundered the boat; apparently without
intending to injure him as he offered no re-
sistance. Afterwards however it seemed to
occur to them that he might report the tran
sacton to the authorities, and lie was thrown
overheard. The crew escaped. Immediate
were taken to bring the murtercrs