The New York Herald Newspaper, January 15, 1849, Page 1

HE NEW YORK HERALD. | eens — NO. 5338. THE TWO CONTINE EUPOPEAN POINT OF VIEW. ADDITIONAL INTELLIGENCE FROM THE Other Side of the Atlantio. The Effect in England of the President's Message, and the Dis«overy of the Gold Beds in Catifornia, &e. de. he. Our London Correspondence. Lonpon, Friday, Dec. 29, 7 P. M., 1849. Christmas Rejowings — Theatrical News — Dinner to Capt. Paulding of the St. Lawrence— Shipping News—Loss of Another Emigrant Sup—Finan. cial Reform Association and Mr. Cobden--Elec- tions--Canada Land Company—Postal <Ar- rangements—The Cholera—Money and Railway Morket--General Intelligence. Christm as has commenced with us in right good earnest; 1n fact, there 18 nothing else to be heard than merriment or appearances of merriment. The Queen having set the example of giving private the- atricals, almost every nobleman’s family must, of necessity, follow in the wake, so that quiet, re- served, old-fashioned country houses are having their privacy invaded for the exhibition of the Thespian art ; picture-galleries are metamorphosed into theatres run up for the occasion, and every thing smacks most lustily of the mania. Rejoic- ings are not however, happily, contined to this class, for several parishes liave caused a quantity of provisions to be served out to the persons 1a the workhouses, an annual and a praiseworthy custom, and the season really looks Iske Christmas in every Point save in the weather, which has, after a tew daye’ sensible trost, relapsed into an unhealthy mug- gy aud damp state, thus giving an additional impetus to the resuscitation of the almost expirin, cholera. As gaities are now all the rage, I wil commence with the pleasurable news, and ther turn to matters of graver import. 5 The theatres, one and all, have been doing won- derful business. Clowns, harlequins, and panta- loons are at a premium; they, like other people, have their reign, if even it chance to be brief.-- Last evening was the first evening of represen- tation at ‘Windsor Castle. The Merchant of Ve- nice, and an afterpiece were performed to the en- tire satisfaction of the court, (as a well-bred courtier would ay) Charles Kean and his wife were, of course, the stars. Franconi’s equestrian troupe have commenced operations at Drury Lane, Jullien having closed his promenade concerts.— ‘The excellence of the company has enabled them to stand their ground and gather respectable audi- ences, although ther eis an English house (Astley’s Amphitheatre) in tull swing, with all kinds of at- tractions and wonders. The Frenchmen, never- theless are getting the lion’s share of the encour- agement. The theatre 1s larger, the company more numerous, and the manager, with a relish for no- yelty, has made a communication between the sta- bles and the theatre, so that between the periorm- ances the audience may stroll through the stud. The Adelphi has dramatized Charles Dickens’s new Christmas tale of the ‘¢ Haunted Man,” but not with entire success, it being ill-calculated an the incidents, for stage purposes. Many rush to see it from curiosity, s0 that Webster has no cause to complain of the poor state of his trea- sury. There isa very decent,melo dramatic com- pany at this house, including Wright, Paul Bed- tord, O. Smith, Madam Celeste, &c. Atthe Hay- market, Mr. Webster (tor he holds beth houses, besides one at Liverpool,) has been more suecess- ful. The inexhaustible stores of the Arabian ights have been placed in the hands of clever burlesque writers, who have concocted an exceed- ingly good piece from the eastern tale of Camaral- zaman and Badoura, which, with the additional attraction of the Keans, bring 8 crowds of persons. The #rincess’s has fallen back on the records of history, and produced a pantomime called “ Bluff King Hal.” Charles Mathews and Madam Veatris, at the Lyceum, have founded the comical of the entertainment on the incidents of astory known as the ** King of the Peacocks,” which can boast ef some magnificent scenery. Every species of available matter, from high tragedy to heavy melo dr. ma, has been called into requisition to bring mo- ney to the pockets of the managers. There is, by the way, a sad accident to relate. At the Victoria, one of the minor theatres, the price of admission had been redu, ed to 3d. the gallery, 6d. the pit, and Is. the boxes; and so great was the crush, that when the persons were ascending to the gallery, the staircase gave way, severely injuring about eighteen Persons and killing two. The manager, Mr. Oabaldeston, immediately offered to postpone the pertormance, but it wae deemed more prudent to progeed. This 4s the second time a similar accident has occurred at this theatre. Banvard’s gigantic panorama of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, is in capital repute. Two exhibitions are given datly, from wi uae the proprietor must be realizing a handsome rofit. , Another dinner was oe to Captain Paulding and the ofticers of his frigate, at Southampton, on the 22d instant. It was given by Mr. Croskey, the United States Consul, and was attended as numer- ously as the previous entertainment. Ina the course of the evening, the memory of Washington was drunk in silence, as also that of the Earl of Chatham. Allusions were also made to the pre- sent postal treaty, which would, it was observed, considerably facilitate the means of communica- tion between the two countries. Captain Pauld- ing referred in terms of high gratification, to the compliments that had been paid to him since his urrival in England, and signified his intention of giving a ball on board the St. Lawrence to the gentry of Southampton and the neighborhood. _ I regret to have to record the loss of another emi- grantship off the Kentish coast. The Brarens, Captain Peter Boy Mahger, from Hamburg to New York, 498 tons burden, with 91 emigrants on board, 18 a wreck. She was proceeding up chan- nel, when a sharp wind drove her on the sands— which, about this part of the coast, are extremely dangerous. Having lost her rudder, she was at the mercy of the winds and waves. A couple of iuggers observing the signals of distress, 1mmedi- ately put out to their assistance, and happily suc- ceeded in sescuing the whole of the passengers, and the crew, who were taken into Margate, and rovided for at the expense of the authorities. A jarge meeting has been held, at which tne mayor of the town presided, anda large sum has been collected to make amends tor the losses of the poor emigrants. Itis shocking to have to so fre- quently mention the losses of emigrant ships, but it becomes imperatively necessary to neglect no Opportunity of urging a more searching investiga- ijon into the capacities of those entrusted with the ecmmand ot vessels of the kind. In many in- stances, numbers of emigrants have Udine and to view the cases in the most favorable bearings, they seldom escape, if an aecident occurs, with- out the less of their Leak ts and God knows thatatany time they canill afford to part with that. There are in our docks—in fact [ went over several myself, the day before yesterday—a num- ber of emigrant vessels almost ready for starting. Tow easy it would be for the government to be a little more diligent in their conduct, both with re- ference to the eecommodation on board, and those en whom the care of the ship will devolve. The Cambria arrived in the Mersey on the night of the 20th inst , with 80 passengers. The United States, which was announced to start from Southampton on the Ist of January, will not leave until a week later, viz: the 8th inst The Financial Reform Association has just re- ceived a great help trom a document that has re- cently been made public from the pen of Mr. Cob- den, the noted leader of the late anti-corn law leogue. He promised, a short time ago, to favor the society with his sentiments upon the su ject, and has now kept his word. He enters Ma$ ela- borately into the matter ; but it will be sufficient for me to mention that his views are for reducing the expenditure of the country, rather than endee- voulng, by additional taxation, to increase the revenne. He suggests, also, that considerable re- duction should be made in the ordnance depart ment, that our standing army be cut down, and that the charges of maintaining the country be brought to the same amount as in 1335. That there is ample room for us to eco- nomise, must be clear to those who take the trouble to compare the relative sums granted in the course of a single year to keep your nation and ours in working order. Lord John Russell, while he cannot help soknon ledaing the fairness of Mr. Cobden’s views, refrains from ledzing himself to carry them out in any particular. The statement of the quarter’s revenue will be pub- lished on the 6th January. Now no certau re- MORN NG EDITION- MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 1849. TWO CENTS. marks can te made on its condition; but I have reasons for thinking it will show a considerable increase over the preceding quarter. The Hon. Edward Stanley, a son of Lord Stan- jey, has been returned to Parliament to represeat Kings Lynn, 1n the room of the Jate Lord George Bentinck. Stanley 1s now in the North Ame- rican colonies, and has had no opportunity of de- claring his opinions; but his father, (very conde- scendingly,) ee saved him the trouble, by aver- ring his principles are identical with his own. Mr. Stanley will, it 1s presumed, return to England suf- ficiently early to take his seat in Parliament in February, when the House opens. He was elect- ed without opposition. No other elections have taken place since my last. 1t is now stated that a protectionist will contest Bolton with the free- trader, (Sir J. Walmsley,) who announced himself asa candidate to succeed Dr. Bowring. A few weeks back it was announced that prizes would be awarded for the three best essays to be written by working men on the “Sabbath.” The time having expired, the essays were read over, and the first prize of £25, was gained by a compo- sitor; the second of £15, by a shoemaker; and the third of £10, by a machinist. 4 Ihave seen the proof-sheets of a new work which will be published ina few days by the Hon. aad Rev. Baptist Noel, upon the subject of his late se- cession from the Church of England. It refers ma- teriaily to the State and Church question, which is made the grand reason for leaving ; although ma- ny minor details are introduced into the volume.— It is likely to make a noise in both the clerical and literary worlds, Mr. Noel being a man much es- teemed, and of more than ordinary talents. He is by no means decided which sect of dissenters he shall join, but states his intention of making a statement shortly. The Canada Land Company had a lee of the shareholders at their offices yesterday. he progpeets of the association were satisfactory, and their finances were reported to be ina flourishing condition, <A dividend of six per cent per annum, was declared, which aniounts to £32 10s. foreach share, exclusive of income tax. The plots of land im possession of the company in America, have answered the most sanguine expectations. Ina few years the Canada Land Company will be im- mensely profitable to those who may be fortunate enough to hold shares in the concern. With reterence to the postage of letters sent to America via Southampton, by the American con- tract steamers, such as the United States, Her- mann, etc., the Papen Postmaster General has ordered a notice to be issued to the effect that ‘a remigsion will be made of all charges for packet postage heretofore levied in the United Kingdom upon letters conveyed aptween the United Kingdom and the United States of America, by the contract packets of the Umited States. No charge is here- after to be made upon letters brought to England by such packets, or upon letters posted in this coun- try addressed to be forwarded to the United States by such packets;” consequently the Americans will have to pay both ways by the Southampton route. This does not refer to the Liverpool line of steamers. The cholera has,I regret to add, taken a fresh turn, and reappeared in many localities. Up to last night, there were one hundred and fifty addi- tional cases. The whole number stands thus— 4,039. Out of these, 1,936 have died; 639 have reeovered, and the remainder are still in course of treatment. " The decline I confidently predicted, both in the money and railway markets, has already arrived. Every species ef stock is much lower than when I last wrote. Consols are closed for dividend, but have been seld for the reopening at 884 ; bank stock, 190; reduced three per cents, 8%; three and a quarter per cents, 89}. Mexicans, 244 ; Brazilian, 75; Dutch two and a halt per cents, 49}; Portu- guese, 243; Spanish fives, 143 ; Passives, 3h. In all railway stock, the same decline has been apparent. Those who sold out during the advanced prices were fortunate. It is clear the market was “rigged.” Our Liverpool Correspondence. Livgrroot, Dec. 30, 1848.—10-46 A. M. Commercial Prospects— The Postal Treaty—Ameri- can Steamships—The Cunard Steamers—Mar- kest, &c., &c. “There 1s, already,” says the Atlas of last Saturday, ‘a decided 1mprovement in the general condition of business, end we look forward to a brighter commercial era than we have experienced for along time past.” Such, indeed, is the fact. Our “good old town” has, in a considerable de- gree, resumed its wonted active appearance. Our cotton market, expecially, has been extremely steady, though quiets and the accounts from the manufacturing districts are really most cheering. This J call news worth your reception. The Postal Convention, too, that went out by the “Europa,” 18 doubtless a grant stride towards commercial advancement. By the way, an an- nounccment of the General Post Office at London, which saly appeared to-day, shows that those in authority here are really in e Grrrnat Post O: The Lords Commissioners 0: having authorized the remission of all pac! Postage heretofore levied in the United Kingdom, upon letters conveyed betwee: United Kingdom and the United America, by the contract packets of the United 10 charge is hereafter to be made upon letters ought into this country by such packets, or upon letters posted in this country, addressed to be for- ‘warded to the United States by such packets. I would aaely suggest, therefore, that the car- penters of the Hermann and Washington lose no time in extending the mail accommodation on board those vessels, for, no doubt, they will have bushels of letters. How is it, that the American steam vessels can- not, will not sail on their appointed days? Here 1s the United States’ departure postponed to the 8th proximo. The agents of those vessels, little think how fatally such irregularities war against their interest. And they contrast, too, so strongly with the undeviating regularity of the Cunard steam- ers, which, to my certain knowledge have never once, during eight years, omitted(except by express orders of the government) sailing upon their appoint- ed day—ay, and hour too. The mails (and they are no trifle to arrange, &c.) are never fairly on board ten minutes before the steamer is under we:gh ; and such, I am told, 1s the “military precision” with which this business is conducted, that the very moment of the delivery of the mail-bags to the admiralty agent; and likewise the instant of the ship’s departure, are at once reported to the Postmaster General. I have many a time marked with pleasure, the uniform punctuality that 18 ob- served in this gervice. I have noticed that almost invariably, the packet 1s underweigh while the post-oflice bags are being transferred from the ten- der ‘ Satellite.” Now is there any absolute necessity for such a contrast between the English and American packet service, existing? 1 cannot think that there is. Mark my word, the America will leave her moorings to-day between 11 and 11.15 A. M. rs by 11.45 she will have her mails on board and pe gone, ‘he Cambria reached the Mersey on Wed- nesday, 20th, at 10 P. M.; the Britanma on Thureday, 28th, at 9 A.M. On Saturday night, the 15th December, the Camria encountere a gale from the southwest, which, at 3A. M., on Sunday, increased to a perfect hurricane. At 4 A.M. she lost her fore and ma:n topsails, which were close reefed; also her fore-sail (with one reef in) and main tri-sail. So severe was the hur- ricane thata man could not be sent aloft till noon on Sunday ; she, however, lost nothing but her sails. It is extraordinary that while the Cambria en- countered such Weather, the Isaac Wright, which could not be distant from the eteamer more than seventy miles, and had the wind on Saturday night at 8. W. and W. 8. W., and was ranning under double-reefed top-sails, yet at 3A. M.on Sunday (the commencement of the hurricane with the Cambria), she had all sail set, with wind at west. ¥ 4. The Britannia and Acadia are disman'ling tor the winter. A supplement of the Gazette contains a procla- mation summoning Parliament to meet on Thurs- day, February 1, tor the dispatch of business. Two men belonging to the ship Fidelia were re- manded, on Friday, on a charge of having con- cealed 465lbs. of manufactured tobacco in the wa- ter tank of that vessel. The tobacco was in water- tight cases, sunk at the bottom of the water in the tank. There 18 a very good demand for cotton this morning, and a very firm market, holders asking a jull one-eighth advance on yesterday's prices. The sales may reach from 6,000 to 8,000 bales There is an improved demand for Indian corn, for the north of Ireland, this morning. There is nothing new in other articles. The weather up to last Sunday was very beauti- ful—cold and seasonable. We had a sharp frost, that, however, left us with Christmas day. Since then the weather has been very hazy. The wind, for the ten days preceding Christmas day w: S.E. to E., #lmost without variation from 8.E. The wind is now S.E., and the barometer (18 steady. I think the frost will soon retura. Our Paris Correspondence. Panis, December 28, 1818. The Bourse and Money Market—Commerce. So soon as the election of Prince Louis Napo- leon became ascertained on the Bourse as a cer. tainty, and the large amount of votes given to him became partially known, so good an augury was it held to be of a restoration to order, anda power to preserve it, that a rise immediately exhi- bited itself. The rise continued until Monday the 18th inst., when the Five per Cents reached 79-60, without any important fluctuation between that and the quotation of from 65 to 66 frarcs. This arose, principally, from large erders to buy from the provinces ; but, when prices approached eighty francs, purchasers became more rare: the speculators for a fall commenced their operations, certain that, after so rapid a rise, the moment was well chosen. In this anticipation they were not deceived. Favored by the parquet, who were interested in a reaction, to enable their customers to settle at lower quotations, and also by the reports of the dethronement of the Pope, which was regaraed as likely to lead to some complica- tions, they succeeded in podnang tall of more than three francs at the Bourse of Tuesday, the 19th, This unexpected movement induced some holders of stock to realize, and, during two days more, the sales for account and cash were con- tinued, The sudden proclamation of the President of the Republic has changed the aspect of affairs on the Bourse. | - The rise has decidedly declared itself, and would have continued uninterruptedly but for the success- ful operations of speculators, aided as they are by the quantity of stock given lately to the holders of treasury bons as an indemnity which is thrown on the market. Since the 10th December, the bourse presents a physiognomy toute @ fart diferente to what it had efore that period, dnd particularly the month of November. Prices then were sustained fictitious- ly by means of the discounts, which prevented speculation, and rendered stock scarce in the mar- ket. Since then confidence has been re-establish- ed to an extraordinary extent, by the knowledge of the majority of five and a half millions of votes, ali pledged to the maintenance of order, and which has conferred so much srength on the govern- ment of Louis Napoleon—so that the quotation of 80 francs, which a week before seemed exorbitant, is now regarded as not being so high ae the politi- cal position of the country could fairly authorize. Financial difficulties there certain'y are, and of a grave kind; but none that the country cannot easily overcome, if commerce be restored to its wonted activity, From all that has passed at the Bourse since the 10th December, the conclusion is that the re-appearance of capital, the certain index of the return of confidence, has caused the rise, and that the temporary tendencies to a fall have arisen entirely from the operations of speculators, who, aided by fortuitous circumstances, have success- fully speculated. _ » ‘he settlement is now to come, and it remains to be seen what will be the result, after a period of such fluctuation. Is there, as 1t is affirmed, much stock to deliver? Can the market support this burden? On the other hand, will they be able to continue easily on prices so high? These are all questions difficult of solution at present; but they create a great deal of anxiety at this moment among the habitués of the Bourse. I cannot venture to pronounce any opinion, fer the situation of affairs 3s altogether diferent since the last settlement, and todraw pny inferences sxpan pas expericnce would be decidedly impossible. e must await the is- sue, which I will report to you in due course, if anything material should arise. Almost all securities have felt the activity of the pauls funds. Bank shares are very firm, and have een very much in demand when at about 1700. It 1s said that a large dividend 1s expected for the next half y but from the increased privileges awarded to the bank it is supposed that on the re- sumption of commercial business its profits will be much larger than they have heretofore been. _ The rise on railways has been general, owing in a great measure to the improved position of the frcater number of the companies, who, being large ‘olders of treasury bons, have prefited consider- ably by the conversion of these securities into Three per Cent stock,on which, at the preseat price, they will realize large benefits. Much busi- ness has consequently been domg in them, not only for cash, but also for accouat, which has not been the case for several months past. The shares of the Burgundy canal and the Quatre Canaux are much sought for at this moment, and several commercial companies, shares are again finding purchasers. This 18 a fact, deserving par- ticular notice, as itis a direct evidence of a revival of confidence. : 2 I send you the quotations since my last despatch: Three Per Five Per Five Per _ Bank Cents, Cents (Old). Cents(Loan). Shares. 45 40 74 55 74 00 1620 Dec, 14 4 46 00 75 56 75 00 16 47 26 77 60 17 25 18 48 40 79 60 78 90 19 46 60 76 60 76 15 20 46 75 76 10 75 60 21 45 50 75 25 75 15 22 46 76 76 25 75 50 23 47 60 77 30 76 86 24 Sunday -=— — 25 Xmas Day _-— 26 46 50 76 50 a7 46 95 76 90 The Monitcur contained the other day a finan- cial statement of the condition of the Treasury at the close of the present year, giving the details of the portfolio, from which it is made to appear that on the Ist day of the coming year the govern- ment will have extraordinary resources available amounting to 221 millions, of which the tollowing are the items:— Loan, 64,000fr ; Lyons, 30.000,000fr ; Bonds of the Northern Railway, 12,000,000fr.; Bank loan (second portion), 75,000.000f.; Balance in hand on dist De- cember, 40,000,006fr.; total, 221,000,000fr. The accounts from Lyons, Rouen, Arras, and other manufacturing districts, are generally satis- factory as to the resumption of business. fe The Courrier du Gard announces that business 1s resuming its activity at Romans and Valence, as it had previously done at Lyons. The Franc Com- tois also states that several branches of trade, and articularly that of the watch and clockmakers, are beginning to revive. The Echo de Valenciennes also makes a similar representation as to the manu- factories in that city, and in Lille, Roubaix, and Turcoing; the linen-markets of Belgium were also nising in consequence of large orders trom France; the alcohols, sugars, coflees, leathers, dying mate- nals, and other articles of commerce, were under the same impulsion; the price of gold was falling, and the bankers were reducing their rates of dis- count; the storehouses for coals, metallurgic pro- duce, and pam ware were becoming empty; in short, articles of mere luxury were alone ina state of suflerance. The last-mentioned journal adds that afgreat number of the travelling carriages, which in February, March, May, and June, passed through Valenciennes on their way to Belgium, are now to | be seen there, Sane back to Paris. We may hope, therefore, now soon to see some- thing like a return to the usual state of affairs. P.S.—Since writing the above, the Bank has de- clared ite half-yearly dividend at 45 francs. Our Stutgard Correspondence. Sture@arp, Vec. 25, 1848. The Fundamental Bill of Rights—Our Prospects for the Republic Utterly Blasted. Christmas day 1s come again—the bright, joy- ous, happy Christmas day! The Christmas of 1848 --what is there in it to distinguieh it from the Christmas of any other year? The children are as happy as ever, and can scarcely contain themselves for very delight at the pretty things brought them by “Christkindchen.” The servaits and waiting- maids are hurrying on with their work to geta “free afternoon, and fulfil their tedious duties with a merry air and laughing countenance, in expecta- tion of a rich treat from friends andijacquaintances; all young ladies are delighted with the presents from their lovers, and all beaux hug with unspeak- able ecstacy some delicate token from their lady- loves. And the people in general—the body polt- tic—have they not reason to congratulate them- selves? Did not Christmas, this veritable Christ- mas of hol 1848, bring a richer gift to them than often falls to the lot of man? Our constitu- tion, the much boasted, the long-expected con- stitution of the United German States 18 finished —presented to the people on this day, as a splendid Christmas gift, to be treasured and guarded like a precious jewel,—to be looked up to and reverenced the talisman that is to. bring happiness, prosperity and power to the German people. Why 1s it, then, that the patriot steals with a timid step threugh the streets? Why is it, that the sanguine advocate of the people’s rights, of the people’s sovereignty, the people’s happiness, casts down his eyes te the ground, and 19 insensible to the joy and tumultuous pleasure of the frelicking crowd around him’? Why 1s it, that he scorns the National Parliament—does it not promise enough t Does it not'proclaim the sovereignty ot the people— does it not admit all the points for which he so long Seatended with the crowned enemies of the human race Ay, it does promise, it does proclaim, it does admit all these things—and ,that 1s the very point that causes the regret. It promises to guard the nghts of the people; but it really protects the frances and deapors in their cruel chase upon the juman game. It proclaims the sovereignty of the people, but in reality it binds them, hand and foot, as miserable captives, at the mercy of blood-thiraty tyrants! And when those representatives of this much abused body speak of securing to it the nghts and principles Halanaieane? 8 free nation, when they pretend to give us liberty of the press, liberty of meeting, anda tril by jury, they are farther thanever from obeying either their constitueats or the dictates of their conscience, for all these pretended privileges are mere pretences to deceive and pacuy the multitude. Our constitution, at least one part of it, is well enough, in its way; and, imdeed, every thing taken inte consideration, it 18 a master-piece of diplomacy for such statesmen as Germany can boast of.” But, alas, when | say constitution, [ do not mean it, for indeed Germany hag neither con- stitution nor government. The few paragraphs de- bated upon tor so long a time and at last written down and agreed to by the five or six hundred men assembled at Frankfort, can surely neither unite the various discordant nations of which Ger- many is said to consist, nor give existence to a thing which lives only in the hope-fraught brain of enthusiastic youths; neither can the * Reichsver weser,” his ‘cabinet and all, be called a govern- ment, when all the kings, and princes ana empe- rors, who constituted the * subjects of this ideal state,” just do as they please, and obey the execu- tive power just so long as it suits their interest or inchnation. This is the “* Christmas gift” of the ‘* sovereign” National Parliament to the “ sovereign” German Nation! (Excuse me for making such prolific use of the word “sovereign”; there is so little of it in reality, that | wish to make as much of it in printas | can.) And what is in store for us, a3 a “*gitt” of some other holiday, is atill better than this. We are, in future, to have a German Em- peror, (hereditary, of course,) irresponsible alike to the nation and i(s representatives ; his seat is to be in Frankfort, (which town has been made im- motel by, the famous ** Bundestag” and the infa- mous National Parliament!) He is to sanction and fubltsh all laws, (what a pity they do not in- tend to give him a veto—that would have been quite in keeping with a hereditary emperor for a sovereign people!) Likewise to declare war or of the confederation only a small part of the ne debtedness ot the country. To boast, therefore, that the American government is free from debt, comparatively with other countries, 18 merely to repeat that equivocation, which we have, over and over again, exposed. The federal government. under those restrictions of its powers for internal purposes; which have hitherto existed, and which resident Polk lays some stress on the determina- tion he has shown to maintain, can have very lit- tle use for money, unless when it thinks fit to engage in a war of conquest, and therefore, of course, very little occasion to borrow it — But President Polk should have told ua, if he could, that the States don’t run deep into debt, and that some of the most materially progressive of them don’t run inte debt, and then shirk pay- ment. “The damning blot of repudiation,” ob- serves a morning contemporary (the Chronicle,) “still tarnishes the national fame; and the four years just passed, while they have seen that vast in- crease on which Mr. Polk insists, in the resources of the Union, have not seen a single step taken towards washing it out, The assets, indeed, have increased, but the liabilities have not diminished; and, consequently, while the Americans have more money they have less honor. One fact is worth a thousand assertions about the “ character of the nation advancing,” namely, that notwith- standing the admitted and unparalleled resources of, America, her Federal Stock is to be had, at this moment, at a lower price than those of revo- lutionized France and distracted Austria.” We may take a farther occasion of noticing some of the indifferent compliments President Polk thinks proper to pay the old countries—or our own, at least, whose reputation chiefly concerns us. We allude to them now, to justify our moderate re- prisals on the blemishes of the republic. [From the London Times, Deo. 22] _ When searce a day passes without bringing the inanguration of a constituent assembly, the address of a newly elected President, or the programme of anew constitution, the message ef an American President reads like athing ot the past. By the rule of comparison, the United States will soon be an ancient polity. The successor of Washing- ton 1s an old friend. One feels, therefore, some- what more patience than usual for the annual tax on our tyme which a long series of Presidents have uniformly exacted. The court style of the Union 1s so well known to the taste of this nation, that we need only say it characterizes the message. We can, however, add that Mr. Polk has given an account of American progress which will excite the interest and the admiration of the Old World. In the history of States, there never was any thing 50 rapid, anil never did a preternatural growth ap- reat to rest on so solid a foundation. All that one has ever read of families multiplied as the sands peace with foreign nations, to appoint and re- ceive ambassadors; (but the National Parlia- ment, in consideration of the ‘ sovereignty” of the minor kings and princes, and, probably, the more to carry out their principle of a united and unanimous state, has granted this latter privilege to all the courts of the several states, countries and free cities of the German Bund.) He is to appoint, arbitrarily, a national cabi- net, and the ministers of this cabinet (alas! for the inconsistency of the parliament) ate re- sponsible. The * Reichtag”—an institution an- swering, in point of form, to the American Con- ress, but, in point of importance, to an American lebating society—is to appoint his salary, not to be altered during the lite ot theemperor. | We are to have, likewise, a national council (similar to the American Supreme Court), consisting of a member from each of the German States, which 18 to determine the constitutionality (!) of every law within four weeks from its passage. This council may arbitrarily refuse its consent to all laws, dif- fering in this respect from your Supreme Court, and partaking of the character of the United States Senate. The legislative assembly consists of a “‘staatenhaus” (House ot States), to which the several governments or courts elect are part of the members, and the “ landstaende,” or legislatures, the other, and a ‘vol aus,” or lower house, which is to be elected by the people.” This is to be our government? The government of a free, united, and sovereign people. Truly, a most magnificent Christmas present. You can easily conjecture what a prospect now remains for the realization of the much cherished ee of the republicans. Firmer than ever the yoke ot despotism 1s fastened upon the neck of the patient pecnes leoger than ever 1s the cord that unites the diflercnt tribes of the German nation. Aurtria has already seceded and severed every tie that binds it to the German States. Prussia threatens to do the same, if its king is not made the hereditary emperor. The remaining minorstates are feeble, and can play but an inferior part on the stage of nations. jut yet, I have not lost all hope. I cannot yet believe that the guardian angel of Germany has entirely abandoned it to its ruthless enemies. It seems necessary that such trials be gone through, to make the final triumph of libertyithe more glori- ous and the more lasting. God grant that it may speedily pe achieved ! J. The President's Me: and the Gold Mines of © fornia, [From the London Globe. Deo. 22 } Had the gods made President Polk classical, he might (and there cannot be any doubt would) have drawn a Plutarchian parallel, and established @ proud contrast between himself and Miltiades. hat Miltiades, he would have said, gulled his Athenians by promising—lo! I have performed. The boundless wealth he promised to help them to, if they would but fit him out a fleet, and ask no questions, Jo! I have realized for you, without any naval operations worth mentioning. I have made you a mint of money--that 1s, I ae laid out for you £25,000,000, to get you a territory where gold 1s to be got for stooping to pick it up ; and I am going to make you a mint, which will make money as fast as you bring in the raw ma- | millon citizens, accustomed to ee many of 1 on the sea shore, of swarming tribes, of rieing cities, and prosperous. commonwealths, seems concentred and magnified in this modern pro- digy, whose Anglo-Saxon origin suggests in us so many regrets, and not a littie pride. President Poik surveys with natural complacency the troubled scene of European politics, from which a vast ocean, and a uot less interval of institutions and customs separates the model republic. He hails the new burst of democracy in France, and the attempt at a tederal union in Germany; with what grounds for his confidence time alone can show. The vast resources of the Union, and the sound footing of its ccmmerce and finances, have saved it from any considerable participation in the commercial calamities of this and the continental states. To the continued removal of restrictions on the trade of the Union the President ascribes much of its safety and prosperity. Mr. Polk then hastens to the atrong point of his Presidency—the enormous acquisition of territory effected within these four years by annexation, by treaty, or by war. Texas, Oregon, California, and New Mexico are exultingly measured and almost weighed in the balance. “They contain so many square miles and so many acree, and are equal te such and such countries; but as the English imagination will not revel with so much gusto on these various measurements, it may be sufficient to state that the United States now comprehend a territory almostas large as all Europe. The President ex- patiates with delight on the climate, the soil, and other natural advantages of the newly-acquired re- gions. Their rivers, their harbors, their vicinities and bearings, are reviewed. But to one topic he returns again and again. The mines, or rather the fields of gold and of quicksilver in California, are an inexhaustible fund ot agreeable discussion and allusion. Paragraph after paragraph glitters with gold and groans with bullion. The four thousand gold-hunters wildly scraping the sands, and filling their laps with solid wealth ;—the greedy haste with which whole crews desert their ships for this Lotus shore ; and all the other circumstances of a real El Dorado are described with gloating extacy. A mint is forthwith to be established ou the West- ern coast, which is to deluge Asia and Polynesia with the glittering tokens of the fortunate republic. There was need of many mines to gild the Mexi- can war, and to pay its expenses. Those acqui- sitions have cost the Union twenty-five millions of our money. If in the course of twenty years the principal and the interest be Wepata by the dust collected from the rivers of California, the Union may deem itself most fortunate. Mr. Polk, how- ever, disdains to measure the war only by its re- sults. He points to the energy, the military skill, the administrative capacity, the martial spirit, the indomitable perseverance, and the dexterous tact by which it kas been so speedily brought to its desired consummation under circumstances of unparalleled difficulty. It is demonstrated that the Union, at a moment’s warning, may under- take a war several thousand miles from home, with forces competent to any occasion, conduct that war with promptness and unity of” purpose, and endure, without burden, all the necessary ex- pense. A standing army, in the European sense of that word, is found to be unnecessary. Two them practised in the rifle and hardened 1 ti verities of the ferest, ambitious for distin 2 Se- terial. Ihave proved to the world that free and independent citizens are born fighters, and need no training ; that they invest their combativeness so judiciously, that they not ony come off with glory but with great gain ; and that the model re- public, at the shortest notice, can make war with all | the world and his wife without the slightest appre- henson that they will ever have to pay war taxes. | It 1s well known that monarchies and aristo- | than to all, and exhibiting also a pledge tothe cracies are always ambitious and rapacious; and | world of that terrible unanimity with which the | Union will on future occasions prosecute its quar- that republics are always the reverse of these things. Still Mr. Polk’s Te Deum reads rather | strangely—and_ strangely accordant with all an- cient democratic precedent. Not to return to Mil- tiades, President Polk’s vastly inferior prototype —the Sicilian expedition—which the Athenian moderates vainly endeavored to dissnade trom— the succor of the Roman sympathisers to the Ma- mMertines, in the teeth of all treaties, and in spite of the Senate--these, and sundry other sallies of ancient democracy, are strangely similar in spirit | and origin to this last new specimen of the age of perpetual peace the world is to enjoy under demo- | cratical auspices, We desire to be no satirists of | a regimen, which has naturally enough taken root in the New World, and the lax bonds of which | (Pennsylvania to wit) have favored the free spread of population, and march of material eulture. But | we must wholly demur to Mr. Polk’s averments, j when he says, “Our beloved country presents a sublime moral spectacle to the world. eee | Our fame and character asa nation continue ra- pidly to advance in the estimation of the civilized world.” The nearest approach to a * moral spec- tacle” which the United States just now presents to the world, is the spectacle of the non-re-elec- tion of Mr. Polk himself for a second term of pre- sidency. ‘O ye Athenians! how hard have I toiled to deserve your praise”—had he been clas- sieally addicted, he might exclaim. And now you have gone and superseded me ie sort of sexa- [sitet General Cavaignac! ho knows—if aliformia were yet to conquer—if the Athenian ingratitude of whig, anti-slavery, anti-tarifl, free territory, free soil, free totaller, hunker, barn- burner, ‘loafer, locofoco coalitions had fully been developed at an easler period—-whether out modern Miltiades might not have preferred the part of a new Alcibiades, and carried over to hated oligarchical rivals the lessons of suc- ceseful aggression, and of boundless conquest. President Polk’s fiscal and currency doctrines seem to us sounder than his political ethics ; but in these departments also he indulges in “ boast- ing, which is not convenient.” He says, “ Taoough our debt, as compared with most other nation %y As small, it is our true policy, and in harmony wita the genius of our institutions, that we should pre- sent to the world the rare spectacle of a great re- public, possessing vast resources and wealth, aba lg exempt from public indebtedaess. This would add still more to our strength, and give to us a still more commanding posiuon among the nations of the earth.” Now President Polk el: where describes the federal government, and de- eeribes it justly, as “ intended by its framers to be 4 plain, cheap, and simple contederation of States, united together for common protection, and ch arg- ed with a tew specific daties, relating chiefly to our foreign aflairs.” From this deseription it is clear that the government of the contederation could on- | we allude to any mine of tuture sunitels in this o or ion, supply @ never-failing fund of volunteers. The | army of a republic consists not ot privates, but of | kmghts. Its very staple is heroic. What crowns- | however, both the glory, the grace, and the abili- ty of this conquest is, that all the States, all par- tiee, and all professions equally contributed their juota to the ,field,-thus proving that Texas and ew Mexico belong not more to this or that State rels or its ends. It 18 one of the virtues or the vices of a republican Presidency, as of the an- cient Consulship, that the Executive Chief saddles on his successor the long and baneful responsibili- ties of his career. With him the beginning is the whole. He celebrates a triumph, and lays down his office. It remsins for another to carry out the design. The Union doubled, so to speak. in four years; and taking old populations an semi-barbarous tribes into its bosom, has not a few difficulties of legislation to solve. The question of slavery 18 opened again, at least in an abstract form. Mr. Polk is disposed to go softl on this ground. He 1s willing to believe iBeve dif ficulties are not practical ; that there will, in fact, be no slavery in the greater part of the new terri- tory, and that the questions of government and jaws can be easily settled, as they arise. We will not follow him into this domestic ground, nor wiil united family of States. It certainly 1s for the ad- vantage of all nations that they should remain the “happy family” they are. They give us food and | the materials for clothing, and take off our hands the produce of ourindustry. That civil war which wise men have predicted would impede the opera- tioa of these services. But while we pass over domestic and conjectural difficulties, it 18 1mpossi- ble to forget that the man who 18 closing so bril- lant a presidency, who has stretched the cords of his tabernacle to the Pacific ocean, and almost to the Isthmus of Panama, who boasts that by his measures he has saved the commerce and the credit of his country from excessive inflation and deadly collapse, is nevertheless rejected by the peo- ple he has served, finds himself not reappointed, and a successor, holding other views, installed in his room. Such a fact condemns either the man or thenation. One of them must be wrong. Mr. Polk, by his silence on the subject of his successor, tacitly acknowledges a sense of injustice. The report of the Postmaster, which has come out simultaneously, and 1s referred to in the Message, 1s one of great interest. We will not venture to quote its overwhelming statistics,its length of rivers, its roads, and of seas travelled over ; its daily tons of letters, journals, and government or congres- sional papers. In a matter, however, which is of about the same interest tor ome nation as another, it 18 Important to announce any progress, The Postmaster and President recommend a uaiform yostage of 5 cents the halt ounce for letters, 1 cent the ounce for newspapers, 2 cents the ounce tor riodicals, 15 cents the half ounce for foreign letters, the utter abolition of all franking privileges, and the prepayment ot everything sent (Ae mail. Itappears that the daily tons of rubbish sent by the honorable members to their constituents have entailed a serious burden on the treasury. Certain changes are also contemplated in the department ly be a small part of the government of the coun: ty—and the “indebtedness” of the governineat of the Post office, with a view to provide against President’ egy We are enabled to add @ small bee lement from our side of the Atlantic. Our readers are probably aware that the diff-rence which has arisen as to the postage of letters brought to Eng! or the States by mail steamers belong- ing respectively to the other nation has been happily arranged. A postal treaty has been drawn up, to the effect that one shiliing shall coavcy a letter from any part of the United Kingdom to any part of the United States, and vice versa, with pro= vision for newspapers and pamphlets at low rates. The treaty has not yet been ratified, but in antici« tion thereof, the one shiliing on letters coming Beiha United States packets has been taken off at once ; and there 18 no doubt that the United States Postmaster will take off the extra twenty-four cents now imposed on letters arriving by our packets as soon as he hears what has been done on our side, [from the London Chronicle, Deo. 22] The Message of an American President is @ document of which the importance by no means corresponds with its length, or with the titular po- sition of its author. It is, in fact, neither more nor less than a party pamphlet, containing an his torical statement of the events ol the year elapsed, together with an argumentative detence of the President’s conduct during the same period. With respect to his future policy; or the future policy of his country, the President can tell little more than any erdinasy political observer, 1nasinach as that must depend altogether upon the fluctuating caprice of his masters—the people. More espe- cially 18 this the case where, as in the present ins stance, the Presidentis in the anomalous position ot holding office, not *‘till hissuccessor be appoint+ ed,” but till the time shall come forthe successor; who has already been appointed, to push him from his stool. A new star 18 in the ascendant--a new ‘hero” has the ear of the multitude; and, during the three short months which must elapse before President Polk shall have returned to his original insignificance, his words and actions will be alto- gether destitute of importance or of value, He is the organ of a defeated party—the mouth-piece of aminority; and, although our curiosity may be gratified by hearing what he has to say, it is some what damped by kuowing that he can do aU EE As a party pamphlet, however, his speece call for some remark. rt. Polk is the chosen repre+ gent tive of the lowest section of the American democracy. Ambitious, vulgar, unscrupulous, not without considerable ability of a certain kind, but wholly destitute of the higher qualities of state- manship, he was elected, four years ago, to the as« tonishment of the world, by a combination of alk the worst influences which prevail in the Union. The great question ef that day was the annexation ot Texas, involving, as was clearly seen, war with Mexico, and Mr. Polk entered the “White House” as the exponent of the popular feeling in favor of that measure. Incidentally, however, and in a minor degree, a wise and enlighten tendency towards free trade, which then prevailed in America, contributed to his success. Accord- ingly the Mexican war, and the blow given by the tariff of 1846 to the “American,” or protective system, constitute the chief features of his ad- ministration; and two-thirds of this, his farewell message, are devoted to a retrospective consider- ation of them. ‘There 1s, also, a long constitu- tional argument in support of the exercise of the vete, which 1s absolutely destitute of interest to Europea readers. “In other re- spects, from first to last, the speech, with one exception, which we shall reneauly notice, is simply a song of triumph—a very highly-spiced cup of flattery to Mr. Pulk’s countrymen, implying, of course, indirectly, a sufficientmodicum of applause to Mr. Polk himself—an exposition, setting forth, with all the minuteness of a gazetteer, and all the exaggeration of a panegyrical orator, the greatness, glory, achievements, and resources of the American republic—‘* Peace, plenty, and contentment reign throughout our borders, and our beloved country presents a sublime moral spectacle to the world.” “Our fame and character as a nation continue ra- pidly to advance in the estimation of the civilized world.” Our soldiers have been the bravest and most victorious against the most fearful odds; and “if the services of our navy were not go brilliant, it was only because they had no enemy to meet.” “Our” revenue has been the most productive, “our” finances the most prosperous, ‘‘our” re= sources the most progressive, * our” institutions have shown themselves the wisest and the freest; “ our” territory, already larger than Europe, has been increased by more than one-half; “ our” sea- board has extended itself in a similar proportion. In short, in the opinion of President Polk, America has exhibited, donne his tenure of effice, every element which could make up a Yankee’s “ notion’? ofthe golden age. It 1s an invidious, but a neces- sary, task for a foreign commentator on this, as on similar harangues, to supply the shade of this bril- liant picture—to act the part of the slave at the Ro- man triumphs, and to remind our intoxicated friends that they too are mortal. It 1s true that they have been the spoiled children of fortune. Placed, asthey are, without either rivals or obstacles, in the midst of a vast continent, which offers its varied trea- sures almost in too great profusion to their hands, there is some foundation for the words with which Mr. Polk commences one of his pompous para- graphs:—‘Nothing can retard the onward progress of our country, but a disregard of the experience of the past, and a recurrence to an unwise policy.” peel i the last four years, too, fortune has ap- peared especially and exceptionally faverable to them. A war, undertaken in defiance of justice, has been carried to a conclusion appareatly as pto- fitable as it was undeniably brilliant; while the occurrence of four successive years of scarcity in Europe, contemporaneously with an extraordinary abundance in America, by producing enormous exportations at unpreeedented prices, enabled the latter to bear, almost without feeling them, the burdens entailed by her conquests. What she wants are capital and population, and our famine sent her both; and, accordingly, we doubt whe- ther any former quadrennial period ever saw 60 rapid an increase in the elements of her material wealth. So far, then, we admit that Mr. Polk is Justified in his self-laudation, though we may be inclined to dispute the proportion of this prosperity which is due to his, or indeed to any human, egency. But when he says that the United States “present a sublime moral spectacle,” and that “their fame and character in the world are rapidly advancing ;” and when he professes not to see @ single cloud on their brilliant horizon, then we are compelled to differ trom him totocalo, There are other eonsiderations, which appear even more 1m- portant than those connected with immediate ma- terial progress, to one who would contem- plate with a statesman’s eye the destinies of America; and to these, even at the ris of American indignation, we cannot help alluding, In the first place, America has given to the world an example, during the late Presidential administration, of the most unpriocipled aad rapa- cious ambition. For the firet time in her history openly flinging te the winds the precepts of her older statesmen, she has embarked in a career of conquest; and there is every reason to fear that Mr. Polk has bequeathed to his successors the heritage, not only of national burdens wautonly increased, but ofa national mind permanently de- moralized. Inthe second place, the damning blot of repudiation still tarnishes the national fame; and the four years just passed, while they have seen that vast increase, on which Mr. Polk insists, in the resources of the Union, have not seena single step taken towards washing it out. The assets, indeed, have increased, but the liabilities have not diminished ; and, consequently, while the Americans have more money, the have less honor. One fact is worth a thousand assertions about the “character of the nation advancing,” namely, that notwithstanding the admitted and un- paralleledjresources of America, her federal stock is tobe had at this moment, ata lower price than those of revolutionized France and distracted Austria. The last “cloud in the horizon,” to which we shall allude, has been treated of, by Mr. Polk, with an elaborateness which betrays anxiety. The slavery question 1s coming to a crisis. It i3 ot no avail to say, as he does, that “no patriot would excite geographical and sectional divi- sions”—the fact 18, that they are excited, and will be more so. We called attention lately to a des- cripton given by Mr. Calhoun of the rapid pro- gress of the abolition movement in the North—a moyement which he represented as full of danger to the integrity of the Umon. It appears now that the grand siruggle, between slavery and freedom, is about to take j lace on the question of introducing “domestic institutions” into New Mexico and California, and that the North and South are girding up therr loins for the trial of their strength. Whether the issue of that struggle be decided now, or whether it be postponed by a fresh compromise, there can be no doubt that it must be decided be- fore long; and that, until after the decision, it would be premature to pronounce on the probable destinies of the North American continent. Parts Fashions for the New Year. f Pi throngel. be adopted to is the most in fasbioa or political scandals or abuses, So much for tas | Nothing is more rich in effect, or more than a velvet of rich damsol deers, teimaw