Glasgow Courier. — 1850-03-23 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

GRAND ENTERTAINMENT TO VISCOUNT COUGH AT THE UNITED SERVICE CLUB.  of the boasted send" there would be a lamentable deficiency. (Hear.) When the right hon. Baronet the member for Tamworth proposed the repeal of the Corn-laws in 1846, he warned him that if be did 110, with the preseot monetary system, he would be obliged to Impose a property tax of at least 25 per cent., if he wished the Interest on the public debt to be pall. I * • In his opinion, if they wished to he able to carry on the Government, and pay the interest of the debt, they must revise their mode of taxation, and make property, instead of Industry, bear the harden: 'Meer, hear.) The pity is that property cannot bear the burden. However, let the fundbolders look to it- even Mr. Munts's hypothesis, that property can pay, they must expect an immediate confiscation of one-fourth of their property, or its total loss by a national bankruptcy,or the restoration of protection. There certainly is nothing else for it. The following ominous warning is worth notice:—  At present they were casting about for means to make both ends meet. Some proposed to abandon the colonies. Honourable members conversant with ancient history needed not to be reminded that both Greece and Rome first began to withdraw support from their distant possessions when affairs at home were unprosperous, and their greatnets commenced to decline. Was this country about to adopt a similar policy? He admitted that the colonies under the present system were not worth a farthinf. and that the sooner they went perhaps the better; but we could net well desert them.  In [newer to some questions put by Mr. Munro, The Clio:rowan stated that there was • sum annually paid for the joint-station. at the North Bridge, used by themselves and the EdinburgWand Glasgow Company. Mr. Rionanoao• found himself Impelled to move that the tecretary'seralary be reduced in the saute proportion as the other reductions which had been carried oat. The CHeillblAN said that, in order to facilitate busluss, it would be necessary to approve, first, the report, and then take up my other questions which may arise. After SOW remark', it was agreed merely to receive the report, and The CEltnildig then moved the first resolution, which was to the effect, that a dividend of two per cent, be made payable, as the llth of3Aoril, to the registered holders of original, Dalkeitb, half, and third shares. Mr. BLAIIIILADDift deprecated the mystification always practised in the pre two of capital and revenue acconots. He thought that the tin per cent, dividend wee • perfect delusion, and In begged to wove that there be no dividend paid at all just now. The Hey. Mr. lawis seconded this, though he telt it to he a sacri lice being a poor minister. The Ceritaesiz said it was entirely for the shareholders to decide whether they would take the dividend or not. He considered that they would greatly err in not taking it; although the direstors hod no wish to thrust it down their throats. (Laughter.) A show of hands was then taken, when there appeared a majority in fur of accepting the dividend. The e ammo then moved that, in addition to the sums still on debenture, the directors be empowered to raise £200,000 to meet the Company'a liabilities. '1 he ' that the truth was, the greater part or that sum .srly borrowed—(laughter)--and, therefore, he most !holders to approve of that resolution. There were the Company on Cillf, &c„ and these sums, when i put the Company in a favourable condition. was then unanimously agreed to. Mix moved that the directors never borrow any without the previous sanction of the shareholders. was unanimously concurred in. tit then moved the declaration of forfeiture on cerand it was agreed to. propnecd tha CRAMILAII • of  where, six months ago, there were only a few huts, there are new some 5 000 One wooden houses, and as many tents; in fact, there Is an entire little town, composed of tents, and Denied "The Happy Valley." At present this rainy season has commenced, and will continue about four mouths, and the remainder of the year will be line and unvisited by a single shower. The town at this season is a sea of inud, never leas than knee deep, occasionally up to the neck. Folks walk about with their trousers tucked op as high as possible. Merchants are glad to give £2O for a pair of fisherman's high boots. There is calculated to be aboet 100,000 people in California. In San Francisco, Bohemia, Monterey, and Sacramento town, there are about 70,000. In San Francisco there are 35,000 men, and only 126 women I I have been here fourteen days and not seen one I I will give you now some little Idea of rents. atc. For a moderate sized house run up of wood, the usual price is at the rate of .11,800 per annum; for a small room, about ten feet square, I am asked £6O per month unfurnished. Carpenters, or, in fact, all mechanics, are earning with ease £l3 10s. a-day. Doctors are as common as fleas, yet if they can only gets house and a patient they do well. Meat sells at A. per lb., bread Is. 6d., for a small loaf about enough for one meal. onions 6s. per lb., cabbages from 7a. to 12s. each, potatoes 3s. per lb., board and lodging of the meanest description Afi per week, and at any comfortable place double that sum. Gambling is carried on to an extent hardly to be believed; every other house is • —, and the SUMS of pare gold I have seen played for you would not credit me even if IL told you—consequently murders and suicides are very common; the murders average seven or eight per week, and the suicides double that number. Now that I have given you some few general remarks about the town, I will say a little concerning the mines, or diggings as they are called; they are situated from 300 to 600 miles front this place, and it takes a fortune to get there. The charge Is ZS to go up to the Sutter's Fort, which is only 100 miles up the country. The muleteers charge one dollar per lb. for luggage, and provisions are three times the pries that they are here. Now I will tell you how some of us are gaining sufficient money to pay our duties, &c. :—Captain a young Irishman, who was presented at Court, just before he started, has been earning five or six dollars a day by retailing eggs at aos. a dozen; another has been going from door to door with readymade clothing; he has made enough to pay his duties. I have tried wood-cutting and ' - for &livelihood, both of which are vary ' •- rainy weather, it is very