Glasgow Courier. — 1847-04-27 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

TUESDAY MORNING, APRIL 27.  We have received New-York papers to the 3d instant by a packet-ship which arrived in the Mersey on Friday last. They contain highly important intelligence relative to the investment of Vera Cruz—the retreat of Santa Anna on San Luis Potosi—the re-occupation by General Taylor of his old post at Aguas.Nuevas—and the proclamation by the Cabinet at Washington that all Mexican ports and places occupied by its army are open to the commerce of American and neutral vessels on paying c;rtain prescribed rates of duties, to be collected by the American naval and military authorities. Little opposition appears to have been offered General Scott, who, on the 15th ult., with 12,000 men, effected a landing near Vera Cruz, and having also a naval force of 300 guns, both city and castle were speedily invested by the Americans. The water communications of the town having been cut oz and all means of access to the country closed, it was not anticipated that the garrison, amounting to 4,500 me., would be able to endure a protracted siege. General Taylor's despatches relative to the battle of Buena Vista haw* been published, and from them it would appear that Sal* Anna had been compelled to fall back, and was in full retreat to San Luis. According to the same authority, tbeAmerican loss in the late engagements was only 700 killed, while that of the Mexicans is rated at ah enormous figure. The commercial advices by this arrival indicate no change in mercantile or monetary affairs. In the rate of exchange there was no alteration from the quotation by the ateamer. To a summary in another column the reader is referred for farther details.  The detailed intelligence from India and China, brought by the last mail, possesses little comparative interest. From what is communicated it may be concluded that Akhbar Khan died of hard drinking. He was undoubtedly a man. of energy, though stained by all the more prominent-vices which disfigure Asiatic chieftains generally. Since be of Ilolkar he was the most inveterate enemy to the F name and rule which the Indian empire has seen. It would appear that Lord Hardinge is still in the north-west regions, and that his return to the seat of government at Calcutta is not expected before the end of the year. He is stated to be carrying out quietly and steadily his pacific policy, and his retirement from his present office is not believed in India. The Punjaub is quiet, and the British government is said to be effecting considerable local reforms favourable to the population through the chiefs, whom it is found easier to flatter than to force. There is nothing new from China, but a history of a successful attack on two British schooners engaged in the opium trade by Chinese pirates. The officers and crews were all, with the exception of a few Lascars, murdered, and the vessels plundered. This occurred at a small opium station near Amoy, and we must confess that less energy and courage were displayed on this occasion by our countrymen than we had a right to expect.  The foreign intelligence is of little general importance. The Paris papers of Thursday contain the termination of the debate in the Chamber of Deputies on a motion for Parliamentary reform, which had been under discussion for some days previous. The motion was opposed by the Ministry, and, on a division, rejected by a large majority. From the Peninsula there is no news of any kind. Accounts from Constantinople state that the diplomatic relations between Greece and the Porte have been formally broken off. The precise reasons for this step are not very clear to our apprehension.  Nothing calling for remark came under the consideration of the House of Lords on Thursday evening. On Friday the Customs Duties Bill gave rise to some discussion. The second reading of the bill was proposed by the Earl of Clarendon, who took occasion to state the reasons which had induced the government to fix the differential duty on rum at 9d. instead of 6d., as originally contemplated. The Duke of Montrose opposed the motion, and in a speech of considerable length stated the ease for the Scottish distillers. His Grace concluded by moving that the whole matter to a select committee. The Earl of Eglinton amendment. The Duke of Richmond and were favourable to inquiry, and Earl Grey proposition of the government. After a few Lord Monteagle in favour of the amendment, motion was, on a division, carried by the narrow 9, and the bill read a second time.  i rum  referred  seconded Lord  from