The Shasta courier., 1854-07-22
ARRIVAL OFTHE SONORA.
FIFTEEN OATS LATER FROM THE
~ ATLANTIC.

g ATLANTIC.
The Mail Steamer Sonora arrived at San
Francisco on the 18th inst, bringing the mails,
and dates from New York to the goth Of June.
and from New Orleans 10 the aond
The .I.thmus still continues healthy, and the
crossing 10 and from the railroad is accom-
plished in a few hours
We are under obligations TO Adams & Co.,
and Rhodes &. Co.. for The delivery Of full files
of Atlantic papers.
The following summary of European and At
lantc news is taken principally from the COL
umns of the Sacramento Union
The Atlantic papers by this mail contain CON-
paratiyely few comments upon the position OF
the parties 10 the war in Europe; owing. doubt
less, to the fact that the accounts from the seat
OF war do not chronicle any startling events
Indeed. The signs appear rather favorable to the
final adjustment of the existing diff:culties-
Should Austria unite, as Prussia has done, with
the western powers against Russia, the proba-
biities are strong that Russia will offer to Eego-
tate upon terms which can be accepted by the
Western powers. A general European war is
evidently much dreaded by Prussia and Austria,
as 1t would expose those monarchies 10 revou-
tons at home, which might prove more danger
Gus than foreign wars. To unite with Russia
might precipitate such result hence the rea-
son why they are disposed to side with Eng
land and France. The movements of the armies
and fleets had eventuaied in no important action
or decisive move. The Russian ports in the
Baltic and Black seas were declared in state
of blockade; few Russian ships had been caT,-
tured, and the English had lost war steamer,
by stranding within reach of the shore.
As far as movements have been made on
land the advantage lay with the Turks this
was particularly the4case in Asia.
The money market in England was stringent
The Bank of England having raised interest to
five per cent. Of the large shipments of specie
from the United States, but a small portion re-
manned in England being shipped directly after
its arrival to the Continent.
In Congress the members have been taking
things easy. resolution passed The House
to take recess from August l4th TO October
14th but the Senate amended it upon the sno-
tlon OF Mr., Gwin, 30 TO have the recess COM
mence on the 18th July, and end in October.
This has been principally done in order TO give
the members opportunity Of meeting their
constituents, and explaining their votes upon
the Nebraska question, &C., before the fall elec-
tions.
At latest dates the two houses were figuring
to draw their per diem and constructive mile
age during the recess, with every prospect Of
success.
The Pacific Railroad bill, after standing sew
eral speeches, was, upon the motion OF Mr. Nc
Dougal. postponed until next December. This
was done, as was alleged, 20 give time for get
ting all the reports of the different routes before
Congress; but it looks very like left handed
blow at the enterprise itself Mr.. Benton is re-
ported to have abandoned the railroad. because
Congress had passed the Nebraska BILL One
object of the postponement seems to have been
TO avoid The necessity OF voting upon it until at
ter the fall elections are all passed. The admin
istraion has determined 10 take ground against
the enterprise, Judging from its expressed opin
ions and public acts but is disinclined TO take
The position openly Until elections are over.
Mr.. Latham, of California, had delivered
speech in Congress upon the Cuba question
OF the effort and sentiments expressed, the
Washington correspondent OF the New York
Times writes:
Mr.. Latham, of Calfornia, made an aemira-
BILE speech in the House to-day OH the subject
of the rights ol neutrals, and the general Cuban
question. On the latter subject he was pecu-
liarly happy, tnking the true, middle gronnd
recognising the importance Of acquiring the
Island, and portraying the advantages to flow to
us therefrom, but discountenancing all 6llibus-
terism for the purpose Of forcing the acquisi-
ton, ard warning the country OF the evils likely
to grow out of war to accomplish, in advance
of its natural progression, the fruition of our
hopes aud destiny with respect to the Queen of
the Antilles Mr. Latham is the youngest men,
Der of the House, bnt is one of its most graceful
and attractive orators.
The Presidents veto on tie Indigent Insane
bill was being discussed, but tie result will
not be changed, as il cannot be passed over the
veto.
There seems to be q probability that the
Homestead Bill, which passed the House some
months since by large majority, will al pass
the Senate.
The increase Of postage bill of Mr. Olds, of
Ohio, was defeated by handsome majority
In The discussion, Mr.. Olds declared that Con-
gress had better buy the Collins and California
steamships and then sink them, than continne
TO pay such prices tor carrying the E1ails The
convenience of the people seems to be a small
consideration with Mr.. Olds.
The mail service bill was taken up in the Sen
ate. 1t authorises semi-monily mail between
San Francisco and New York Philadelphia and
Baltimore at n cost not to exceed quarter of a
million dollars per annum.
OF the new tai if bill introduced By the Com
mil,ee of Ways and Means, the Washin g,on
Evsnfng Star reSaayks:
1T is understood that this new project leaves
the hundred per ce entnm list MISUNDERSTANDING
dies, &c.-makes the duties on the bulk of the
imports of the country from which revenue is
now obtained, 90 per centum. establishes l5
per cent. LIST, another at 10 per cent, and
small list at per centum increases the free
list, and assesses all unenumerated articles with
Is per cent. duty
- =,
ed by Mr. Secretary Guthrie, but the Washing
ton Lnaon claims that it meets the views OF the
administration. II is not considered as having
been framed with a view to tue reduction OF the
present revenue. The proposition is to change
rates npon certain articles without materially al
terIng results. The annual amount OF revenue
under the present system for the tscad year
ending June, 1851, was forty-niue millions; in
1872 forty-seyen millions, and in 1853, nearly
titiv-piue miflinus II ia ihou rht the bill II