Polynesian., 1859-03-19


pire, as well as to be dangerous to the commerce
likely to dow from it. Besides. there is already
established an English railway from Portland to
Montreal. Its terminus at Portland is being filled
up with English families, representatives of impor-
tant Canadian and British interests. These inter-
ests the Imperial Government has declared to pro-
tect and enlarge by fair and honest means, if
possible but the possession of the State of Maine
considered so essential to the development of the
projected Canadian Empire as well as the security
OF the trade between it and the West Indies and
Europe that it has, believe, been decided to take
1t by FORCE If the reasonable representations of the
English Government to the Cabinet at Washing
ton, backed by the offer of liberal pecuniary in
demnity should fail.''
FIRST FRUITS OF 0PPosITIoN-The fare to New
York by the steamer Orizaba of the Garrison line
has been fixed at Sl75, upper cabin; $50, saloon;
Sl2O, second cabin with stateroom; 500, second
cabin with open berth /; and $50, steerage. The
fare by the Sonora, of the Pacific Mail Steamship
line Is, $50, cabin; 500, second cabin; and S50
steerage.
Copies of all the versions of Mrs Stoves novel
of Uncle Toms Cabin have been procured or or
dered for the British Museum. Among them are
thirteen different German versions, two Welsh,
two Magyar, two Wallaehian, one Wendish, one
Polish, one Russian, one Greek, one Armenian,
besides Dutch, Swedish, Danish, and all the Ian
guages of Southwestern Europe. No novel ever
attained anything like so broad circulation.
MEMPHIS, February 9th.-The Pacific Railway
Convention, which assembled in this city on Mon
day, adjourned last night after two days session.
The report was adopted that the best practicable
route to connect the Eastern and Western por-
tiOns of the Union by railway, is from Memphis
via Little Rock and Fulton to Ell Paso, and thence
to San Diego. The convention was well attended,
and the proceedings were of interesting char
acter.
ST.. LOUIS, February 9th.-Maior Culbertson,
who arrived in this city this morning from Sioux
City, reports the discovery Of gold in great abund
ance on the point of land lying between the Mis-
souri, and Columbia rivers, in the vicinity of Ste
ven'S Pass. Specimens of gold taken from these
mines are said to be worth from Sl4 to SIS per
ounce. The river is navigable to within a short
distance of this newly discovered gold field.
Speaking of the relations between the United
States and Mexico, correspondent of the s. F.
Bulletin says
By the mail Just arrived from abroad, we have
advices that the whole of the English West India
feet, with the Admiral on board. is soon to be at
Vera Cruz, to make use Of the first opportunity to
chastise these people. As the country now stands
the government cannot be touched except by inva-
sion. This believe John Bull will resort to if
necessary.
In the meantime, what is our precious govern
ment doing After all the smoke raised by Mr..
Buchanan, l venture to say nothing to the point
will be done. Yet, American grievances are on
the increase, and no provision has been made for
them This is too bad, especially after we see
what has been done by England and France. Dur
ing last month, the English and French Ministers
here sent orders of violent character to their
fleets at Vera Cruz, to make certain demands in
favor of their subjects. Amongst other things,
the Ministers took it upon themselves to remodel
the Mexican tariff. Strange enough for a John
Bull, an advance Of 20 per cent was asked on the
old outrageously high tariff. The commanders Of
the fleets who are hard listed, commOn-sense sea-
men, did not obey their Ministers orders, and
hence Vera Cruz is not occupied by English
and French hOrse-marines. But they seized the
Vera Cruz custom-hOuse, and have placed foreign
nterventors in it to look for the interests of En-
glsh and French creditors, and they 1.-THE COM
nanders) also secured the advance of 20 per cent.
on the tariff asked for by the Ministers Is this
meddlng with the Mexican Tariff not species of
interference not 70 be tolerated by the United
States
The Secretary of the Treasury has replied to a
resolution calling for the actual and probable re-
cepts from all sources, and expenses, for the fs-
cal year. He says the receipts during the first
quarter of the present year only S23 23l 009.
and for the remaining three quarters estimated
at S3S 500 600, Of which S37 900, 900 has to
from customs. 1t is estimated that the pension
bill alone which has passed the House, will add
several millions to this years expenses, and
still for the next year. AS a means of revenue,
he advocates the abolition of the franking privilege
and the raising of the rates of postage to five
cents The present tariff, he thinks, should be so
modified as to supply such deficiency as may exist,
and he recommends his views on this question,
as expressed in his annual report, to favorable
consideration. He says that in the estimates of
fha adp r,finD Of
ury notes has not been contemplated, all the cal
cuIations having been made upon the basis of con-
tinuing them in circulation and if they are to be
redeemed it will require nearly eighteen millions
of dollars to do so, at the close OF June next.
Should Congress djourn without doing something
to relieve the Treasury, 1T will be impossible to
meet the current liabilities until another Congress
can be convened. Although opposed to converting
these notes into permanent debt, he Is IN favor
of extending their issue for two years.
II was reported In Washington that the conduct
of the Administration upon the sub bect of Cuba
was not properly understood, and that it had none
other than the most friendly disposition toward
Spain, but wishes to be prepared for any possible
emergency, such as a revolution in Europe,
general war, when the acquisition of Cuba might
be a necessity for us and acceptable to Spain. 1t
is thought the volcanic fires of disorder already
show indications of agitation, and we ought to be
prepared.
An essav, by John S. Thrasher. on the "Pur-
chase of Cuba" has been distributed in Congress
and to the heads of departments. 1t caused
marked sensation.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9.
Tn the senate to-day, after a brief debate, it
was agreed by vote Of 20 yeas to IL nays, to
proceed tomorrow the discussion of the bull to
nlace an appropriation of thirty millions of dol
lars at the disposition of the President to be used
in negotiations for acquiring the island of Cuba.
British Regiment, the 42d Highlanders, are