The Sun. — 1849-02-05 (London, England)

THE UNITED STATES.  LIVERPOOL, SUNDAY EVENING.  The North-American Royal Mail steam-ship America, Captain Heitch, arrived this evening, with advices from New York to the 23d; Boston, t) the 24th ; and Halifax, to the 26th ult. respectively. The West India Mail steamer Dee, Captain Allen from St. Thomas and Bermuda, arrived at New York on the 13th ult., and left again on the following day. There is little to interest in the proceedings of Congress. The Slavery Question and the admission of California as a State had been debated, but without any result. The Southern Convention has adopted Mr. Calhoun's manifesto. That gentleman was very unwell. The news by this arrival is interesting, especially as regards the California movement. Nothing, our reports say, can exceed in intensity the excitement throughout all parts of the States on the subject, and the accounts received of three weeks' later dates from the diggings are or such a promising nature as to add to the excitement. Gold lumps are now daily found averaging one and a half, two, and two and a half pounds in weight. The extent of ground covered with gold is now ascertained to extend at least over three hundred miles ; so that those who were holding back, fearing that the length of time taken in the journey might leave them little to find when they would reach, are again preparing, and ships are scarcely obtainable in sufficient numbers to convey the expectant visitors to this El Dorado. The articles of agreement for the construction of a railroad across the Isthmus of Panama have been signed. The contracting parties are Messrs. Aspinwall, Stephens, and Channay, constituting the Panama Railroad Company. A grant of 250,000 dollars a year for twenty years to Messrs. Aspinwall and Co. is recommended. It is proposed to complete the railroad in three years. It is stated in late advices from Mexico that turbulence and insubordination were the order of the day, and that the Government was in such a weak condition as to be unable to check these disorders. The papers are filled with accounts of robberies and murders committed in the very heart of the city. Counterfeit gold and silver coin was in circulation. To add to these lamentable accounts we have details of atrocities committed by the Indians. Congress was in session. It was feared that a quorum would not be obtained by the Ist of January. The Cham ber of Deputies had framed several stringent decrees respecting absentees. The Government was without funds. The Board of Health at Havannah had decided to make the quarantine regulations more stringent. Every vessel from the United States was to be subjected to an observation of eight days, and a vessel from an infected port with cholera, or from one situated within 150 miles of a place where that malady exists, Was to undergo a quarantine of twenty days. The Canadian Parliament was opened on the 18th ult. with a speech by the Governor General. He stated that it is the purpose of the Queen to exercise the prerogative of mercy in favour of all persons who are still liable to penal consequences for political offences arising out of the unfortunate occurrences of 1837 and 1838. The restrictions imposed on the use of the French language are removed by an Act of the Imperial Parliament. Assurance is given that steps will be taken for conferring upon the pro vincial authorities the entire control and management of the post-office department, and a hope is expressed that it will be found practicable to establish a low and uniform rate of postage throughout the provinces. In regard to the Quebec and Halifax Railway, the Go♦ernor says the officers employed in exploring the country, with the view of discovering the best line of railway to connect these points, have presented a valualsle report, which sets forth in a strong light the advantages of the proposed undertaking. The provision of funds for the early completion of the St. Lawrence canals is strongly urged. The subject of the depressed condition of the commercial affairs of the provinces forms a leading feature of the Address. The support of common schools is also alluded to, and the expediency of setting apart a portion of the public domain, in order that the revenue derived from its sale may form a fund, the interest of which shall be applied to their support. The amendment of the existing Emigration Act was intended.