ENGLISH EXTRACTS.

New Zealand Colonist and Port Nicholson Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 42, 23 December 1842, Page 2

ENGLISH EXTRACTS.

(From, the Sydney Morning Herald). Marriage of the Prince Royal of Hanover.—lt will have been seen that her Majesty has signified her approbation of this intended alliance, tjie Royal Marriage Act, we presume, rendering such a step necessary, as the Prince Royal is in the direct line of succession to the throne of Great Britain. The lady to whom his Royal Highness is about to be united, is the Princess Alexandrina Maria Wilhelmina Catherine Charlotte Theresa Henrietta Louisa Paulina Elizabeth Frederica Georgiana of Saxe Altenbourg (formerly Hilbourghausen), who has lately completed her 24th year, having been born on the 14th of April, ISIS. Her Serene Highness is the eldest daughter of his Serene Highness Joseph Frederick Ernest George Charles, Duke of Saxe Altenbourg, who was born on the 27th of August, 1789, and succeeded his father, Duke Frederick, on the 29th of September, 1834, having been married on the 24th of April, 1817, to the Princess Amelia Theresa Louisa Wilhelmina Philippina, daughter of Louis Duke of Wirtemberg, born on the 28th of June, 1799. The Navy of the United States. —The injunction of secrecy having been removed from the proceedings of the United States Senate in regard to the increase of the navy and naval promotions, the reports of the majority and

minority of the committee to whom these subjects were referred have been given to the public. The ■majority of the committee concur in the views of the President on both points. The minority consists of Messrs. Mangum, of north Carolina, and Williams, of Maine. These gentlemen profess to be warm friends of the navy, but think that the increase of the naval force recommended by the President is too large, and the promotions too numerous. The force in commission, should the President’s suggestions be carried out would comprise 7 ships of the line, 16 frigates, 23 sloops and brigs, and 8 steamers. Even this force is small compared to that of England, which has in commission 259 vessels of war, although her mercantile tonnage is not much greater than ours. The tonnage of the United Kingdom on the Ist of January last, counting all merchant vessels above 50 tons, was 2,668,732 tons. The American tonnage on the 30th September last, counting all above 20 tons burden, was 2,180,764. Excess of British tonnage over American, only 487,968. The British tonnage is 115,029 tons less than it was in 1835 ! The American tonnage, on the other hand, has increased about 400,000 tons. The President’s recommendation, in regard to promotions, is, that hereafter there shall be 104 captains, now 67 : commanders 96, as at present; 323 lieutenants, now 320; 63 passed midshipmen, now 103 ; midshipmen 450, as at present. The majority of the committee calculate, that these various promotions would not increase the expenses of the navy more than 72,000 dollars — a sum which they deem of little importance compared with the advantages which would result from it. — American Paper.

Treaties between Great Britain and Texas. —The ratifications of the long-pending treaties between Great Britain and Texas were exchanged at two o’clock on Tuesday, the 28th ult., by the Earl of Aberdeen, Plenipotentiary of Great Britain, and the Honourable Ashbel Smith, Plenipotentiary of the republic of Texas. These treaties are three in number: —A treaty of amity, navigation, and commerce ; a treaty undertaking mediation by Great Britain between the republics of Mexico and Texas, and a treaty granting reciprocal right of search for the suppression of the African Have trade. They were negotiated in 1840, and concluded in November of that year, by Viscount Palmerston and General James Hamilton. The powers to ratify the first two have been a considerable time in England, but their completion has been very properly delayed until the ratifications of the treaty granting the right of search could be simultaneously exchanged. By the treaty relative to Mexico, Great Britain offers her mediation between Mexico and Texas on the following condition : —Texas to assume £1,000,000 sterling of the public debt of Mexico, provided that State recognizes the independence of the new Republic, and agrees to a satisfactory adjustment of the boundary line between the two countries. The proffered mediation of Great Britain between Mexico and Texas will, it is to be hoped, be productive of immediate peace between those countries. Galvanism. —We mentioned, some short time since, a few particulars of Mr. Hay’s new method of coppering boats, &c., by Galvanism. This process is now in full operation in our dockyard, and has been inspected by the Lord’s of the Admiralty, who have expressed themselves highly satisfied with its simplicity, and felt much interested for its ultimate success; their lordships also witnessed the process of coppering iron nails, screws, &c., and calico, intended for roofing sheds and other buildings; the screws and nails were tested by being driven into wood, without the previous use of bradawls, and were drawn out again without the copper sheathing being injured. Two models of boats were coppered in their lordships’ presence, and Mr. Hay took the opportunity of exhibiting to them several applications of the Galvanic fluid, as a power to be used for propelling vessels and machinery, in lieu of steam; also its action on the compass needle.—Hampshire Standard.