The Express. — London, England, 1853-05-04 00:00:00

e..a erreins. TO COI A -wad Calais sr " The Expos," esatalaiso tar suss loadPrs r Lurite;l. ;uriabsd every !sudsy sad Fads; sled, is am 11..ttoaseas. trawls,' kr "TM Enswa" Leaks Seenia, Asps; b e a t t Mk" 10, aosortaana, ay Two Waal' as tlks dar pabiaara. RION WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Tas Day—Montag. Oa. Oat .._.....Afternoon, Oa. 2n. T.seadcw-3enuag. Oa 27a. ---.Aftentsoa. Oa. Ufa. Idr. 11. DRr3I3IOND was quite prepared to withdraw sfte w.,rtt M. had used, at which the haa. baronet ar , ght take ameptioa. NICNTZ should support the motion, which be t heedht neeessaly to vindicate the character of the house, and to esisSle Sir F. Smith to clear his character. &r T. ACLAND was not prepared to Rive a vote ea a questiout of perusal justice and personal character, from sa y regard of what ay be said of his conduct as a member pf ..t beam Ike boom divided : For the useti,m Avast it lBB-110 StsLOIF.RS AT ELECTIONS. Sir .1 11TM:tilt ALD then proceeded to bring a motion, o r which he had given notice, for leave to bring in a bill o revaline that the set of Victoria which regulates the pre war* et robbers is Nr.glawl during • parliamentary &Ac tion be intended to Ireland. He had been induced to bring ' ,m o rd this motion on account of the aid event which bad u; Sees at the reeent election for the county of Clare. The h mimeos' re was proceeding to comment on the eir 'agitation; anneeted with the affair at Sizmile Bridge, whoa An Hoff. M R wed that the house be counted, and three 'wing only ET members present, the house ad journed at ball-peat II o'clock. CONTROVERTED ELECTIONS. NEW COMMITTEES. 11.1r.ro:e.—Lord Robert Grosvenor, chairman ; .n. !Laraine, Mr. Milner, Mr. Williams, and Mr. F. T..:Nr..•-111n. Mr. Lancelet, chairman; Mr. M. T. Rushout, Sir T. Winnington, and Mr. Wt amore. I Null. --Mr. M. G t.kell, chairman ; [lon. L. Menlo, 31: . N,ld. Mr. J. Walter, and Mr. Sandars. LONDON, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4. Toe division on the Income Tax was clearly the crisis of the fate of the Budget, and the majority of 71 goes far towards assuring the success of Mr. be eusroNes financial scheme—always supposing him ready so to modify such portions of it as shall reader his propositions more just and workable. The majority was greater than the friends of the Govern ment expected—an excellent sign ; for when more votes flock to the standard of a Ministry than is generally anticipated, two or three things may be fairly augured from the circumstance: first, that the subject on which the vote has been taken has more than usual claim on public support; secondly, that real though often silent influences from without have acted on the members of the House of Commons ; and, lastly, that the members themselves feel sure that the Ministers are likely to be successful. Possibly, in this instance, the probability that a dissolution might follow any Ministerial defeat may have added a fourth reason wily the anticipated forty or fifty majority was swelled to seventy .one. In the season of success, however, it would be both ungenerous and unwise to:sean too closely the whole why and wherefore of the first formal parliamentary pnnowaciansento on the Budget. The elements of good contained in Mr. 61-11:03TONE'9 scheme have gained it a preliminary success with which all may, for the nonce, be con tent. A further instalment of Free Trade is involved in the decision come to, and at this all Free-Traders must rejoice. Even Mr. DisttaEtt prefaced his un happy and unsuccessful speech by an admission that the principles of the Budget could not be condemned. As a rule, the blame of the EX•CIIANCELLOR of the EXCI11.111:EIL is less suspicions and dangerous than his praise, but in the present instance the laudation he bestowed upon the principles of the mi nisterial scheme of finance may be fairly adopted as no less than due. But if the majority of ;1 must improve the chances of the Budget, one candid declaration made in the House of Commons last night will undoubtedly strengthen the kader of that Louse, aud, through him, the Cabinet to which ho is attached. What the public wish to be able to feel is that the present Government are to be trusted on the vital question of reform of the representation of the people. No one is now in a state of hot haste for Parliamentary reform, but all honest and far-seeing men are very profoundly in earnest in their wish to see such reform accomplished. The Election Exposures of the last few months have demonstrated the existence of an amount of electoral corruption far exceeding what the nation as a body ever conceived possible. Those who had knowledge of Club or Parliamentary life always knew full well tho amount of combined juggle, compromise, intimidation, and bribery, that entered into the arrangements of a general election. All the initiated were well aware that landed proprietors, whip pers-in, Parliamentary agents, and local attorneys, form in fact the clique who dispose of the great majority of the seats in the House of Commons. In the me tropolitan boroughs, in Birmingham, in Manchester, in Leeds, in the West Riding, in Edinburgh, Glas gow, and in perhaps fifty other places, the popular voice since the Reform Bill has been strong enough to upset the calculations of the seatniongers. But in most places the initiated have long known that shoals of M.P.'s as a rule have been sent to St. Stephen's nominally by free suffrages, but really by corrupt agencies of one kind or other. In onespot a great lord "has influence;" in another, like Rye, a managing lawyer settles the election; in I third, like Derby, open bribery does the week; in another, such as Liverpool, corrupt freemen tarn the scale ; elsewhere bludgeon-men, and " bottled voters" have been the successful tools employed. But in all, as we have just laid, those who were behind the segues knew that deep and wideepread corruption did the work of those who desired to pack the . people's House of Parliament. This year a new light has broken in upon the community. The mere Aabituis of clubs, or the loungers in the house, or the inheritors of public ofßee, or the initiated of the law no longer monopolise the secrets of the prison-house. By the ex posures before the election committees, all England— lay all Europe and America—have becomeacquainted with the corruptions before known only to a compa rative few. The honest stand aghast, the roguish chuckle, and the despotic rub their hands with glee at the revelations. Discredit is brought on Parliamen tary government by the exhibition of the loathaotnepa mites that have crawled, and fed, and fattened around it. All men now see that though the law has long declared bribery and corruption to be crimes, yet agents known to be again and again guilty have met no punishment—and this is the mockery that has filled the whole nation with astonishment, disgust, and indignation. The first surprise over, the question in all quarters has been—" What shall be done'" The despots and the rogues—the JONATHAN WlLlii of electioneering life—and the men who wants votes to use with the temper of Austrians—say that representative government is a failure. But the honest and practical have another and a sounder reply. When a house is infested by rats or vermin of any other or more odious kind, wise men do not give up in despair, and go live in the fields that the abominations and parasites may enjoy the mansions meant for better tenants; but they rout the vermin. They look the whole evil fall in the face, count up its strength, prepare accordingly, and having utterly routed the enemy, enjoy their quarters in peace. touch a step, adopted by common sense men in common-place life, for the cure of private nui sances, is just the course the nation is quietly resolving to have taken in this public ques tion of the treatment of Parliamentary impu rity Of the evidence before the various Par liamentary Committees the people at large have gale-1y but carefully " taken stock." As sach agent Las been unkennelled—each briber exposed,—each mode of elect ora l roguery unveiled—the shameful facts have sunk one by one into the minds of the na tion to form the basis for ono loud cry hereafter for Reform. And now—this process thus far corn plete—to crown the climax come the exposures be fore the Committee on Dockyards, and the discussion last night about the prosecution of Sir FREDERICK SnITH for bribery at Chatham. 'ro fill the cup to overflow, we now have it openly shown how gip,- ! ringly and impudently the Tory Government of Lord DERBY used the dockyards as wholesale means of corruption. The hidden recesses where official jobbery has hitherto worked unseen are now laid bare, land rules established for getting competent workmen to build national ships are seen in course of abroga tion that men may get wages from the public pocket—not because they were good workmen for the dockyards, bid because they were useful parti sans to the Tory Ministry. We see a titled officer, high in rank, bribing a man by the gift of a berth in the Post-office, and then, as a last and greatest act in the drama, we behold a House of Com mons, the major part of whom have got their seats by greater or less implication in corrept practices, voting by a majority of 188 to 78 that this officer, Sir FREDERICK SMITH, shall no be prose cuted for the commission of an act which the law declares to be criminal, and which the House of Commons has declared to have been proved against him! It is clear that the House of Commons as a whole feel themselves, in a debate like that of last night on Sir Jour; SHELLEY'S motion, to be in a false position. They feel doubt less very much like a jury of criminals called on to punish a man perhaps very little more criminal than many of themselves, but who has had what they might call " the misfortune to be found out." To his own honour and to the great strengthening of the party he leads in the Commons, Lord ions RUSSELL spoke out like an honest man on the falsity and impolicy of such view. The House hesi tated to sanction the prosecution of Sir FREDERICK SMITIL "Of this lam stare (said Lord Jolts), that if we prosecute poor and low persons, and allow cases like that of Sir F. SMITH to escape, our so doing will be fatal to the reputation of the House." But the fellow-feeling that " makes so wondrous kind " prevailed. The House decided that the briber should not be proceeded against by the ArroasEY GENERAL. Vulgar criminals like MANI% and Moa n INS may occupy the Courts, and—it may be—fill the gaol.; but a General of Engineers shall be per• mitted to buy votes by giving away places in the Post-office with impunity. Mr. AUGUSTUS STAFFORD need not therefore despair. He may, like the Chat ham candidate, be completely convicted of using the vacancies in the public services as his own property for corrupt partisan purposes. But nil desperandune. The House of Commons has within its walls enough of those who sympa thise with corruption to secure his reprieve from the consequences of any official delinqueuey,—shouldsuch be proved against him. Happily one statesman spoke boldly in a different spirit, and as be happens to be at this hour the Liberal ministerial leader, his speech will go far towards strengthening him for that coming duty of Reform which he is pledged to initiate, and which the people will assuredly assist him in bringing to a conclusion—fatal to corruption, much for the public weal, and highly conducive to his personal renown. THE EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY EVENING. MAY 4, 1853. curious revelations as to the state of parties prior to December 2nd. It is aid that a literary treaty has been signed between France and Portugal. It has been decided to-day that one share in the Grand Central Railway will be given in exchange fur eight shares of the credit moodier, and for eight shares of the Bank of Darmstadt. At the Bourse to-day there hes been a good de mand for all descriptions of public securities. The closing prices were:—For cash—Three per Cents., 81f. 10c.; Four-and-a-Half per Cents., 103 f. 30c. Bank Stock, 2,700 f. In the market for railway securities to-day a con siderable amount of business bas been transacted at a general advance in prices. The final quotations were :—Northerue, 919 f. 75c.; Orleans, 1,003 f. ; Pa ris and Strasbourg, 910 f.; Paris and Lyons, 970 f. ; Paris and Rouen, inBof.• ' Lyons to the Mediterra nean, 867 f.; Western of France, 812 f.; ltouen and Havre, 549 E 50c. The serious illness of the patriotic Viscount Sada Bundeira has cast a damp over Lisbon, the voice of the public is one of perfect sympathy for his suffer ings, and an ardent desire for his recovery, of which some hopes are now entertained. Since my last letter the address in reply to the speech from the throne has been carried in the Upper Chamber, but a commission has been ap pointed in that house to inquire into all matters re lative to the contract of tobacco. A bill is to be introduced to facilitate the expro priation of property for the railroad. Mr. Hislop's railroad still remains but a project ; this was to have been the day for breaking ground, but it is put off to the more genial month of May (the 2nd). The work, however, is now more than ever mistrusted, as the public begin to canvass it more freely, and have considered &at for the share holder only to receive his six per cent., with all risk (including that which may arise from the bad faith of the government), will not be quite so good a prospect for him as for a director to receive his six per cent., his benefit upon the government entering into the affair, his salary, his share of the bonus of three per cent. upon the work concluded, and his profit upon the estimate agreed upon and its pro bable cost—a benefit which some say will reach 80 per cent—all this the rules and regulations of the company ought to explain; but the public are in the dark upon every point. It does not appear that any property on the line has yet been pur chased or even agreed for ; nor has the definitive contract been signed, nor can it be till agreed to by the Cortes. On the 20th, the Turkish vessel of war which had been a short time here, sailed ; and on the 21st, the Firebrand steamer arrived from a cruise, and the Fancy yacht, from Plymouth in five days. Exchange, 34 ; discount of notes of the Bank of Lisbon, 2; per cent. FRANCE. PARIS, TUESDAY Evxmo. The four commissioners appointed to make a tour of inspection in the provinces were admitted yester day to an audience with the Emperor, in order to re ceive his instructions. The official journal states that one of the principal effect' of their mission will be to place before his Majesty the expression of the wishes of the country, and to point out various im provements, the execution of which will be beneficial to the public generally. The Chamber of Commerce of Bordeaux are about to have the speech delivered by the Emperor at the time of his visit to that city, engraved on tablets and placed in the interior of the Bourse opposite the grand staircase. This is the speech, you will re member, whish contained the famous phrase, "L'Em piro c'est la Pail." It is very generally reported that M. Pietri, the prefect of police, is about to be relieved from his office, and at the same time created a senator by way of consolation. M. Balestrino now the head of a department at the Prefecture, will ie that case be the new prefect of police. M. Oscar Lafayette, the grandson and representa tive of the family of the famcus General Lafayette, has refused to take the oath of allegiance to the Emperor, required from him as a captain of artil lery, and has in consequence been deprived of his commission. M. 0. Lafayette was successively a member of the Chamber of Deputies cud the Logic. lades and Constituent Assemblies. Before entering on political life, he distinguished himself in the African campaigns; since the events of December 2 he has not been in active service. The Revue des Beaux Arts, a journal connected with the court, gives the following account of the circumstances under which the inauguration of the Emperor's tomb at the Invatides was postponed : Tree company of Pampas Foutebres had been called upon to furnish estimates of the expense of the grand ceremonial so fares concerned hangings and funeral decorations. The first estimate was 122,000 fr., but this was reduced to 100,000 fr. The money question being thus to far arranged, the programme rem daed to be settled. A council was held fur this purpose at the Tuileries, at which the Emperor pre sided, and all the ministers, the staff of the Invalid.., Mar shal Jerome Bonaparte the honorary governor, General Ornano the governor, and General Sauboul the command- ant of the pala ce were present. After • trifling discussion , on matters of detail, General Sauboal roes as if a new light had suddenly flashed upon him, and observed, that Napo leon I. being one of a line of French sovereigns, it would be es conformable to national customs as to the idea of the Emperor himself, to do what had been done in the case of other monarchs since the time of St. Louis, namely to divide his remains into two parts ; the body might remain in the triumphal m.usoleum of the lavalides, and the heart be removed to St. Denis. Prince Jerome instantly started up, and with much energy declared that so long as he lived be would never be a party to the mutilation of the remains i of his glorious brother. The Emperor, alter • moment's' reflection, declared the council at an end, and that the in suguratiou should be postponed till 1864, but without say ing/Al:ere it should take place. Steele to-day points out the perils of the state of political apathy into which France has fallen, and in which the government prints find so mach matter for rejoicing. No doubt it is easy for the moment to govern a people who blindly confide in their ruler, and like the Romans of the lower empire call only forposeon et eireenses. While this disposition lute, not only may the police and garrison arrangements of the state be made without trouble, but material prosperity may perhaps be really advanced, and the absolute head of the state may, like the conqueror of Actium, boast of leaving a city of marble which he had found of plaster. But in imperial Rome this regime speedily deteriorated the stuff of which the people were made, and when a foreign invader appeared he found them an easy prey. The work of , training a nation to be politically indifferent had been so effectually accomplished, that no soldiers were forthcoming to fight on behalf of their raters, and in many towns the inhabitants did not even quit the circus at the approach of the barbarian'. The Sleek continues: We ought to think seriously of it. The political indifference into which France has fallen, an indif ference explained by the events which agitated her be. yond bounds, as well as by the laws which regulate the press, has doubtless its seductive aspect. Vast enter prim, public works, may appear to replace with advantage the effervescence of the forum. but let us look a little deeper, and candidly ask ourselves whether it is good for a nation to become progressively materialised, and to forget political life. Is not indifference akin to estrangement? When we shall have become indifferent to ever thing bat our personal interests and the physical amelioration of our existence, shall we not he ready to fella moral prey to the first occupant ? It is for the government itself to think of this question. We doubt not that on examination it will be con vinced that in the first place it bas gone too far in regulat ing political life, and in the next, that side by side with material development it should provoke and encourage an other of a higher and less useful kind. I notice this, not for the sake of the historical comparison, which is unquestionably strained, but as a sympton of the impatience with which the yoke of the existing tyranny is supported, an impatience which every now and then finds expression in spite of laws against the press too severe to be long acted upon. Two provincial journals, the Union de la Sarlhe and the Maine, were lately prosecuted for having, owing to a typographical error, omitted two words in a "communique," the insertion of which was or dered by the prefect. The tribunal of correctional police has pronounced a verdict of acquittal, to the great satisfaction of the inhabitants of the depart ment where these journals are very much read. The sentence of six months' imprisonment lately passed by the correctional police upon a cabinetmaker named Ledra for wearing a Ileur de lys in his button hole, has been reduced to one month by the Court of Appeal. M. de Larochejaquelin's long-talked of pamphlet' is to be published on the 10th. It contsios some GERMANY. Berlin letters state that the Prince of Prussia re ceived, the other day, a deputation from the estates of Pomerania, of which province he is titular gover nor. The deputation included MM. Gerlach, Kleist- Retzow, and other notabilities of the violent reac tionary party. ross's Gauttc states, that the Prince, without dis avowing that decided conservative tendency which is a part of his character, gave his audience plainly to understand that ho could neither aid nor sanction efforts directed to restore a system from which vi tality had (departed, while, on the other hand, he would watch with pleasure the endeavours of those who should work for the public good, under the new order of things. SWITZERLAND, It is stated in the New Zurich Gazette that the Federal Couneil received on the 29th ult. a tele graphic despatch from Lieut.-Colonel Burnant, secre tary to Colonel Bourgeois, announcing that the Aus trians had established a military post near Stabbio, on a territory which is considered u belonging to Switzerland. On the receipt of this intelligence, it is said, the council assembled at once to inquire into the affair. ITALY. PIEDMONT. The following telegraphic dispatch has been re ceived from Turin, dated the 3rd : " A disturbance took place yesterday evening at Chambery, but tranquillity was immediately restored. The conflict was unconnected with politics.' ROMAN STATES. Letters from Rome of the 20th ult. announce that, in consequence of the conclusion of the loan of 26 millions with the house of Rothschild, a decree will shortly be issued by the Pope, declaring . that all paper money now in circulation is to be withdrawn and cancelled within the space of eight months. The shareholders in the Pia Latina Railway have unani mously accepted the offer which had been mado to them, and the parties interested are looking forward anxiously to the Bth May, when the 40 day's delay fixed for the payment of the aim agreed upon will expire. A quarrel took place recently between some French invalid holdiers and some Roman dragoons; tha former, though un armed, wore attacked by the latter with their sabres, and one of them was seriously wounded. A sergeant of the 21st light infantry, who happened to come up at the time, endeavoured to restore order, but two of the dragoons attacked him. He managed to lay hold of the sabre of one of his assailants, with with which he ably defended himself, and the dragoons were at length overpowered and ar rested, and will be tried by a court-martial for in subordination. The Modena Messenger states that the Roman loan has been definitively concluded at the rate of 8 per cent. for a sum of 26 millions of francs, which is to be paid by fortnightly instalments, to commence on the Ist of May. It is added that the exchange on this paper for silver had fallen from 4 to 2 and 1 per cent. since the intention of the government had been ascertained. By a decree of the Roman Inquisition, dated April 24, Macaulay's " History of England" is placed in the index of forbidden writings. The same dis tinction is awarded somewhat tardily to the Scrip ture lessons published by the British government in 1835 for use in Irish national schools. TUSCANY. A letter from Florence, of the 25th ult., gives an account of a small fracas that occurred a few days before at the Jockey Club of that city, among whose members are the Prince of Lichtenstein and Major Picot, of the Austrian mervior. The latter having left Florence, Prince Lichtenstein proposed the young ' Prince Windischgraetz, who is a colonel in the Austrian army. But, to the no small mortifica tion of the proposer, the candidate was thrown out by ballot. Rumours became current that Prince Lichtenstein looked upon the matter in a very serious light, and that he would have the club suppressed, or prevent the races from coming off that week, by occupying the ground with his troops. Matters were, however, arranged in a more pacific manner. The members of the club were again convoked, and a pro- position to the effect that the ballot should be abolished, and every member should vote openly, being agreed to, Prince Windischgraetz was elected unanimously. SPAIN. MADRID, APRIL 29. The convocation of the Cortes, which was not to have taken place till September, is fixed for the month of July. The Madrid journals of the 27th nit. publish a correspondence - between General Conchs and M. Jose Salamanca. The letters of M. Salamanca are just what might be expected of a Spanish railway -king, whose transactions have been mercilessly exposed before the most dignified assembly of his country. It will be remembered that General Concha affirmed in the speech which overthrew the Reneeli government that the Bravo Murillo cabinet had corruptly and illegally made railway conces sions to M. Salamanca, for the benefit of another party, indicating with sufficient clear ness the Queen Mother Christina. It was mid that the dispute between the soldier and speculator had reached such a degree of bitterness and per sonality, that a hostile meeting was apprehended. Possibly this feeling may have been aggravated, so far as M. Salamanca is concerned, by a circular emanating from M. Govantes, Minister of Grace and Justice, in which the Minister of Commerce and Public Works is directed to issue an instruction to the governors of provinces, that they may prevent dealings in the shares of the companies to which concessions have been granted. The Debuts states that this instruction was signed on the 16th ult., the date of the ministerial programme. PORTUGAL. The Oriental Company's steam-packet Madrid, Captain J. Weeks, arrived at Southampton yester day, and landed her mails under the charge of Lieut. R. Percival, R.N., Admiralty agent. Our correspondent writes : LISBON, Amin, 29. After a debate of several weeks, ministers have obtained the sanction of the deputies for the acts of their dictatorship, by a majority of 61—the numbers being, 81 for, and 20 against. This, of course, is a triumphant majority, but regarded u a national affair, its importance is greatly abated when it is reflected how the majority of the chamber ob tained their seats, and that they are, in fact, little more than government nominees. Ministers have been cautious ; the penal code and the decree on the " Decima da Reparticao," were calculated to alienate many of the deputies ; a meeting was therefore held a few days previous to the termination of the debate, when the government promised a commission to re vise tat code (to consist of 12 members); to postpone the " Decima " in question indefinitely, and bring in a law for expropriating property on account of works of utility. TURKEY. The Augsburg Gazette publishes the notes ex changed by the Austrian Special Envoy, Count Leiningen, and the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, during the mission of the former in Febru ary last. These documents, although belonging henceforth exclusively to history, deserve notice here as the first official data, on a subject which has been carefully surrounded with mystery. From these notes it results that Austria did not pretend to call in question the Sovereign rights of the Sultan over Montenegro; but expressly disavowing such in tention based her demand for explanations, concerning the extent and object of the arma ments, upon the allegation that the notice usually given iu such cases had been omitted, and that the conflict was assuming the character of a holy war. The second Austrian demand relates to the political refugees in the military service of Turkey, and their removal is required. the third article concerns the tongues of land called Kleck and Suttorina, but the substance of the demand is not stated, reference being made to a former communication. The last demand requires satisfaction for a number of claims asserted by individual Austrian subjects against Tur key. To this note Fuad Effendi replied that the inten tion of the war had been stated most particularly to the Austrian government in official notifications which he names ; that if the force sent to Montenegro seemed large, this was in order to diminish the chances of resistance by the display of an overwhelm. ing force; that in any case a powerful state like Austria had no grounds for apprehending aggres sions ; and, as for the suggestion of a religious war, it was completely obviated by the fact that more than half the troops sent against Montenegro were Christians. The Austrian government having acknowledged again the sovereign rights of the Sultan over Montenegro, the Sublime Porte is free to ex plain that the expedition to those mountains was ordered only for the purpose of obtaining guarantees against the repetition of the murderous sallies of the Montenegrins into the neighbouring provinces. In a second note Fuad Effendi gives the following assurance: Considering the important interests common to both states which are in question, and haying regard to the friendly counsel of the Imperial Austrian government, the Sublime Porte declares, without prejudice and with full re servation of its sovereign rights, that it entertains no pur pose of effecting a change administrative or territorial in the argue quo of Montenegro, such u it elided before the illegal movements of the mountaineers. It will accordingly recall its troops from the districts which they now °neap]. and UAL *ILL lb. briefest practicable delay. _ _ . _ With respect to Kleck and Suttorina, the Porte will not be surprised into aoy negotiation , but will consent to maintain the status quo, in the hope of coming to a friendly understanding with tho im perial government. The claims of the subjects of Austria are admitted, and immediate payment is promised, and the military refugees will be employed in a service remote from the frontier. PERSIA. The llamburg ur i f orrespondent has the following from St. Peters burg dated dated the 21st alt.: The government o Persia entertains the project of send ing a new expedition spinet Herat. Colonel Shiel, the British ambassador, has declared that if this object be car ried into execution he will apply for his passports. THE WEST INDIA MAILS. ARRIVAL OF THE MAGDALENA. The Royal West India Mail Packet Magdalena, Capt. Chapman, L.R.N., from the West Indies, &c., arrived at Southampton yesterday, and landed her mails under the charge of Lieut. John Hay, RN., Admiralty agent. Her dates of sailing are as follow: Vera Cruz, April 6; Tampico, 3; Havana, 11; Charred', 8; Carthagena, 9 ; Jamaica, 11 ; Demerara, 9; Trinidad, 9; Barbadoee, 11; Antigua, 13; Martinique, 12; Grenada, 10; Porto Rico, 14; St. Thomas, 18; La . Guayra, 9. • The Magdalena brings 125 passengers, among whom are Major Kelly, Lieutenant Armstrong, Lieutenant Edington, Mr. Parsons, RN., Mr. Mar ryatt, Mr. Heron, Mr. Kelly and lady, Mr. Elder and lady, Mr. Hunt and lady, Mr. Whoffeild and lady, Mr. Gibson, Mr. Pierrepomt, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Mane, Mr. Deana. Amongst the freight are 27,000 dole. on account of Mexican dividend, in dole. and enter bars; gold dust and British coin, 3,000,000 dole ; platina and gold, 3,623 dole. ; 77 serons of cochineal, 22 serons of jalap, 49 tierces of coffee, 54 casks of ditto, 8,000 dole. pearls, 166 bales tobac co, 2,0651. Si, 4d. in pre cious stones, 94 cases cigars, 23 bales eusaperills, 8 packages succadees, and 103 sundries packages. The Magdalena was put in quarantine as soon as she arrived, on account of sickness on board, bat was released in the course of the evening. THE WEST LNDIA ISLANDS. There is nothing of political importance in the 1 islands. Tho yellow fever has subsided at most of them, but at Trinidad and Jamaica it is said to be on the increase. BRITISH GUIANA. The Royal Gazette, in its review for home readers, eays:—" The period since the sailing of last mail has been occupied by the Combined Court of tho colony in devising a scheme of ways and means to meet tho extraordinary votes upon the annual estimate. We regret to have to record a continuance of dry wea ther, which, even fur the time it has lasted, will, we are afraid, materially affect the year's crop. The health of the port is improving, although an occa sional death by yellow fever occurs. Small-pox is prevalent, but ►n a very mild form. PANAMA. Our correspondent , nude; dato of March 28, sup plies the following news: Arrived, the Pacific Mail Steam-ship Company's steamer Golden Gate, from San Francisco and Acapulco, with United States' mails, 560 passengers, and 2,408,000 dollars in gold dust left San Francisco 16th inst. The Pacific Mail Steam-ship Company's steamer Ten nessee went on shore in a fog on the Bth inst., four miles north of the Heads, at the entrance to San Francisco Bay ; the passengers, crew. mails, and cargo, saved, but the vessel is a total wreck. The United States' steamer Independence, which left Acapulco with 400 to 500 passengers on board early in Feb ruary, and waa seen on the lath of February off Cape St. Lucas, has not since been heard of. This steamer was built fur a river boat, and belonged to Vanderbilt's Nicaragua line. April 2. Arrived the Pacific Steam Navigation Com pany's steamer Quit; from Valparaiso, Callao, Ac., with her Majesty's mails, forty passengers, and 119,500.871 dole. in bullion for England. The Quito brings amongst her passenger* Senor Joie Uregorio raz Soldau and suite, Peruvian minister to Bogota, who proceeds, per Dee, to Carthagena. General Belau has ordered all the Peruvian consuls out of Bolivia, and Colonel Lloyd, her Britanic Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires, has asked his passport, on account of insult received from Bolivien authorities, Colonel Lloyd having claimed satisfaction, Mc., on behalf of a British subject unjustly and roughly treated in the town of Corrocorro. The differences between Peru and Ecuador have been amicably settled. The Dee, to leave Colon at 1 a.m. on the 9th, will take treasure from California, 314,247.91 doll. ' ex Quito, 119.503.87 e dot.., and from Panama 44,648.24 dell.—in all 608,397.4 del. Panama is very healthy, although we have had during the last three days as heavy showers as in the worst of the rainy season. The Quito will leave with the mails on the 9th lest., and will take forward to Valparaiso the lion. Captain Harris and family, her Majesty's char 44 d'affairs at Santiago. PARLIAMENTARY DI VISIO2q HOUSE OF COMMONS, NTAT 2. THE INCOME TAX RESOLUTIONS. Ayes, 213; Noes, 232. AYES. Aeland, Sit T. Freertun, tio:onel Murroagb, J. P. s'llousi, C. Gardner, R. Honeys, Lord Adair, LI. Geach, Merles Honeys, Sir D. Aglionby, U. A. Gibson,l bonus H. O'Brien, Cornelius mewls, *Mau Gladidoae, William O'Connell, Manner Amman." Sir James Gladstone; Captain 011ailierty, A. Amon, Gen. Glyn, George Cat Oliveira, Lenjamin Mission, Wm. Goderich, N ni. Osborne, Ralph llamas, H. T. Goodman, Sir G. Otway, Arthur John ti al, John Geoid, W. O wen , Si r J. Baring, IL B. Cordon, Admiral Paget, Lord Alfred Baring, Sir F. Goununi. Henry Page, Lord George flaring, Francis Gower, P.L. Palmerston, Viscount barna, T. Orare, O. Patten, J. bat% m. T. Grainier, Sir J. Ecbeli, sir 0. smaarnolir, W. B. Greenali, Gilbert Peel, sir R. Beckett, Wadi= Greene, T. Peel, Frederick Bell, J. Grepon, Samuel Pellet; A. &Lew, Captain Greaten, 'J. Pennant, Colonel Banbow, Joon Grey, Sir G. Pete, S. tierk.tier. Admiral Gramme, Lord H. Phibip.. John Erenq Berkeley, H. Gramenor. Marl PaLlimore, J. G. Berkeley, lion. C. F. Hall, 0, Phillirnore, R. Berkeley, C. L. Hall, sir Benjamin nine, T. &Biel, Richard Flai.mer, Sir J. Pigott, Franck Binduipb, R. M. Harcourt, G. O. Fdlungton. James Bangs. Willman Harcourt, C ol. Finney, William Mune; J. E. S. HMI* Aletatioise Pollard -Urquhart, W. isontiamsCuter, John Ham* Archibald Entomb), Ha. A.G.J. Hops, Wooed Headlam, T. E. Portman W. Staunton, T. W. jig ge d, J. /, Fowler, ' Lord W. Brand, U. Heath's:re, Sir G. Price, Mr R. ttrigot, John Mebane, Gilbert H. Price, W. P. Brecidelturata John liemesge, aIL W. Pritchard, 1. brosuaan, E. D. Beneage, G. F. Ricardo, O. liriatierton, Joseph Herbert, H. A. Rich, h. t•rOWS. U. Herbert, Sidney Ranee, T. J. A. drown, W. Hervey, Lord Alfred Roche, E. B. Browne, V. Heywood, James Rumbold, C. E. Bruce, Lord A. Ile; woe th, Lawrence Ruesell, Lord J. Brum, IL A. Merin', George Russell, F. C. Bulkeley, A. R. B. W. mai". Charles Ho ell, C. W. Rotor Caules Hogg. Sir James W. Puilleir, J. BYud, U. 11 .Clwrios Howard,r W. G. sandal., a Cardwell, Win. E. Howard, Lord E. bowie. C. B. G. Guided, Col. Hudson, George acholeiield, W. tam uum, C. Hughes, W. B. Scobell, Captain Cavendish. ( jowl* Hume, J. Scrum., G. P. challis, *Merman Hutchins, E. Scull, Francis Chambers, Tbutnan llutt, William Benny, V. Chanute, F. Ingham, Robert Seymour, Lord Cheethano, John logos, Sir It. IL Seymour, H. D. Cbristy, Samuel Jackson, William Seymour. W. D. Cl.;, Sir W dawn._ Jermyn Earl Shaft°, R. D. clulion. Henry N . Johnsto ne, James Shelburne, Earl of Cludon, Lora Banat jahr,tome, Sir J. Shelley, Sir J. V. Cobden, Bich:nil Keating, H. Sheridan, R. B. Cockburn, sir A. K eog h , Willi am Smith, John Ben j . Cocks, Th omas S. Kershaw, James Smith, R. Collin, W. King, I'. J. Smyth, J. Collier, Robert P. Kingstiote, R. N. F. Stafford, Marquis Colville, C. IL kinnaird, Arthur F. Stanley, W. 0. Cowan, Charles Kirk, William Stephenson, Robert Cowper, W. Labouchere, U. airline, W. Crushed, E. Laing, S. Strickland, Mr 0. Crook, J. Langston, J. H. Strum, Rt. Hon. E. Crossley, Frank Langton, H. 0. Stuart, Lord D. t.towder, R. Laslett, William Stuart, IL Curtin, Alderman Lawlees, C. Tottered, IL W. Currie, R. Lawley, F. C. Thicknesse, R. A. Daahwood, Sir G. H. legit, O.C. Thomoron. George Davie, Sir U. Lemon, Sir C. Thornely, T. Denison, E. Lewis. B.r T. Tosnabend, Capt. Denims, .l. E. Lindsay, Colonel Trail'. G. Dent, J. Locke, Joseph Tufnell, 11. Hirai; Edward bulbar; A. E. Tynte, Col. C. J. K. Druntaarig, Viten* Loreden, P. Vane, Lord U. Drummond, U. Lowe, R. Vernon, G. E. H. Duff, George Luce, T. Villiere, lion. C. Duff, James Macaulay, T. B. Villain, J.ll. Duke, Sir James Mackie, John' Vinan, Henry H. Duncan, George Macgregor, James Wall, C. B. Launeumbe, T. Macgregor, John Walivery, Sir J. Dundee, G. m ,. r ..... r, si r J. Walter, J. Dundee, F. MangVs, R. D. Warner, Edward Dunlop, A. Ilsr.hall William Wellesley, Lord C. East, Sir J. B. Martin, John Wells, W. ?marten. W. Mammy, W. N. West, F. R. n iC e etWn ' Eat.: Rigby.. Edward Westerman, B. at t li t eac ese . n, n A s i r j ler.. N W w‘ % v ia ba bbilc : l .bkhan; i m e reid, r ao, ,Cl i st ar i t i : Fw. Elliot, John Maule, C olonel Euiron, Earl Wall , Edward Wilkinson, W. A. Evans, Sir D. L. Miltigan, Robert Wilcox, B. Rua., W. MID., T. William, W. Evelyn, W. Maw, W. M. E. Wilson, James Ewan, William Kilns; R. M. Winaington, Sir T. E. Peilden, M. Mhos, visoctunt Wise, J. A. Versus. John Michell, T. Woad. Sir C. Ferguson, Co'onel liteltatt. O. Woodd, B. Ferguson, Sir R. Kelesworth, Sir W. Wortley, J. S. Ferguson, Joseph Mooch, Viscount Wrightson, W. Flisgerald, J. lioncrieff, J. Wyndham, William Fitzgerald, Sir J. Mansell, William Wynn, Marmadoko Fitzroy Ilan. IL Morntosibmd Young, SG John Forster, C. Morris, ' Fortune. C. Hoary% E. N. return, Fun, It. H. Mara, Colonel Hoyle, W. 0. Yu, W. J. IdwPb7, F. S. Widgrave, Earl NOR. Adderley, C. Malidleld, J. Morgan, C. H. Alexander, J. Proms, C. 11. Morgan, Octavio . Earl of Fuller, A. E. Mulling,. J. R. ltreartiaaount Gallwey, Sir W. P. Mundy, W. Arbuthnot, General Galway, Viscount Moldy, 0. Frederick Arcbdall. Captain M. Osaka, J. M. its., Lard Sail% W. George, John RION: L Henry, Kr J. Goddard. A. L. Redd, John Bailey, C. Goal, Sir E. Medd. Bailey, H. J. Gore, W. O. Nowsr& j Vcount Baird, James Granby, Marquis Newdepte, C. N. Ball, Edward Weaver, Edward Newport, Viscount lialdock, E. IL Gram, J. Noel, Gerard Jams" Banks, 0. lleneft. Obis North, Colonel Baring, T. WWI% I. Oakes, J. H. P. Barrington, Timone Onemerr a r i d O'Brien, P. Barrow, Was. H. O'Brien, Sir Timothy Idama, T. Mra g liw ei llenry Onulston. Lord li onet. Philip Ha/. Parke. C. William Didasals. Lord H. aim% Palteshme, E. =Geo. P. is. lord C. Takinglou, Sir J. William 1111111116111, O. A. Palmer, it. 111Moord, Visoount Eldwilion, J. H. Parker, R. Townley KW, Calomel Bdiary, Hun. C. Peacoc k s, G.M. W. Wes, M. 11milige, C. S. Percy, J. Mad. L. lawardno. W. W. Pond, IL Odom Colonel =l;te Hand Potter, R. IMati. Sir 11. , WOW. rower N. OBeaver,O. liado, J. W. Prime. , R. Ikel7, John Badat, Sir T. Pods, D. Miss. Itzrave =dyad, R. Robert , Kivialm, Hill, Lord A. E. Mak& Mr A. B. Brabant, Lord Mahout, atoll' aims, tftmming Busse, W. P. Scott, Francis Rook, Lewis W. hiss, Samuel &wham, lord Mir, SOL T. i m mix, Viscount Senior, 11. K. Ruda% W. Sir W. 0. H. Si" William latiekil awd ham, Capt. Sibthorp, Colonel T. MSS. D . Ilmljth, Par W. He C. Si. Ilesalm, Robert Kau& W. M. Ber t, 7N. = li tir , P. Smyth, 8.. J. Bud, Oos. NMI Nicholas Somerset, Captain Butt, Isom Kennedy, Tristram anthem's, T, U.S. Cabbell, B. B. Km, D. S. Spooner, Richard Cairns, H. liTCalwand KW, JAMS King &mama, Jr. B. Canoe, Bir J. R. Kisadsbull. W. P. Stanley, Lord = .. E. S. Start, H. O. Ihrguis al Ribald Sullivan, Si. = l ;'.. W. Oheinn, 111mwest Yam, Colossi Swift, IL MK silk Km. W. B. Tenni, C. Cluistoher. R. Adam Loma, Mr E. Timelier, Sir P. Canton. lord C. P. liesn.t IL Tolima:he, Jobs Clive, W. m, Lose" W. G. Toadies, 0. Cam. B. lamas. Lad A. Trollop', Ur J. T : Illbswallor Lamm lord H. 0. Todway, R. Sir W. Las, Obis" P. Turner, C. Osier 117Kamesoll WON, IL 13. Fet?..T. =o . 2 i liessa laidderaA, W. Owed, Sir C.ll. =s, lord once, J. Valle, lied A. Oarkallhil L E. Lowther, Capt. Vansittart, Ci. IL Lary Lwow, P. Verner, Sir W. =i, W. LAG& Sir R. O. Wilson, Rt. Hon. F. Ikedie. D. Mmartney, H. Vivian, J. Ennis Darien, R. Mackenzie, W. F. Vywyso, Sir R. Devereux, J. T. ITCann. J. Wyse, R. IL R. Illsrasit, Benjamin Witalson, P. Waddington, David DM, J. W. Maddock, Sir H. Waddington. H. B. Drax, J. B. W. 8. E. Megan, W. IL Walcot, Adm. Duckworth, Sir J. Maguire, J. Walpole, S. H. , Duly, C. Matins, Richard Webby, Sir 0. 1 Dumombli. Ha. I. Manners, Lord G. Whlteelde, James Doom* W. W. Mennen, Lord J. Whitmore, Henry Mai& Mimi March, Earl of Wigrant, L. T. Drs",Oil. Mere, C. J. Williams, T. P. ..... . . 3 11Imisi Viscount Mamas& T. P. Wodohouse, E. J. Maxwell, Ilan. J. P. Worcester, Marquis i'aga. Weigher, Thomas Wyndham, Gen. Farah 'Es, E. B. Mom, Sir Henry Wynn, Herbert W. PeLlowe7 Edward 1111 m, W il liam Turk. E. T. =ask W. re . : ,.. w i re , =I . 7: Sir G. = r t, Br ent 7iik 8. llmlammary. IL L. TILLTII6 Fouler, Sir O. More, G. B. Mandeville, Viscount Moth, Fitzdaphss Mame, &S. Taylor, Col. CAB REFORM. TO THE RDITOII OP THE EXPRESS. Sta,—Allow me to say that I have read with con siderable pleasure the remarks on this subject co ntained in your paper of Saturday last. In default of any better arrangement for cab reform, would not the following serve as some protection to travellers I—Allow each carriage stand to be the centre of various radii or circumferences ; the charge beyond the first circle to be ed., beyond theie'cO - n - d - 117, - beyoild the third Is. 6.1., and so on, and have these circles clearly:set forth in a large sized map of London. There might be some scale of charges also for stopping, and the whole might be alined up in every carriage licensed to be hired. In riding along there would be ample time for studying this information, and it would certainly arm the passenger with some means of preventing imposition.—l am, &c., A CONSTANT READER. Worcester, April 26, 1953. Me Court. OSBORNE. Tut eDAY. The Queen drove ant in the grounds this morning. Prince Albert and the royal children walked as usual in the park. The Countess of Mount Edgcumbe will arrive to-day so Lady in Waiting to her Majesty. It ill understood that Use Court will return to London on the 27th May. As her Majesty's birthday will be cele brated on the 24th of May no drawing-room will be held upon that occasion. It is also understood to be her Majesty's intention that State Balls shall take place on Wednesday, the 16th of June, and on Wednesday, the 29th of June ; and that Con eats shall be given on Friday, the 3rd of June; Mouday, the 20th of Tune, and on Monday, the 4th of July ; and further, that the christening of the Infant Prince shall taus place on Monday, the 27th of June next. Sir A. Perrier had an interview with the Duke of New castle yesterday at the Colonial-office. Major-General Sir It. Nickh; bad also an interview with his grace yesterday. A deputation from the London Dock Compsny had an interview with the Right Hon. Edward Cardwell yesterday at the office of the Board of Trade. The deputation con slated of Messrs. Cattley, Care, Fowles, Chandler, and Weston. Yr. George Duncan, M.P., waited on the Chancellor of the Exchequer yeeterday at his official residence in Down ' ing-street, and presented the following address: "To the Right Lion. William Ewart Gladstone, M.P., Chancellor of her Majesty's Exchequer, dc. "Sir,—We the undersigned merchants, shipowners, and inhabitants of Dundee, desire respectfully to congratulate you and the other members of her Majesty's Government on the cheering prospects presented to the country by the just and comprehensive measures which have been submitted to Parliament for adjusting the finances and taxation of this great nation. We recognise in these measures the sincere desire of the Government to develop and carry out the great principle of free trade on which the opinions of Par liament have been so emphatically pronounced; and we receive them as a renewed pledge by you and your col leagues of your determination to pursue that policy which has already conduced so signally to the happiness and pro sperity of all classes of the community.—We have the honour to be, Sir, your faithful humble servants," (Signed by 125 of all grades of politics.) Mr. Ross and Mr. .1 sckson, M.P., bad yesterday an inter view with the Duke of Newcastle. De.patches from the Governors of Hong Kong, Ceylon, and Mal a, and also from the Lord High Commissioner of the lonian Islands, were received yesterday at the Colonial °Sloe. TAUNTON ELECTION. This election yesterday has resulted in the return of the Liberal candidate, by a much more narrow majority than bad been anticipated. Sir T. Ramsden (Liberal) ...„ 373 Mr. 11. Padcock 366 Majority for Sir T. Ramaden.... 7 ELECTION EXPOSURES. THE COMMITTEE ON DOCKYARD PRO- MOTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS. Yesterday, on the re-assembling of the committee, Lord Seymour, chairman, Lord Holborn, Sir B. Hall, Sir F. Davie, and Mr. Beckett, the other members, Mr. John Briggs, twenty-seven rears reader to the Board of Admiralty, deposed with great preciseness and importance to the duties that devolved on him in his department., Two Lords of the Admiralty and the secretary wire sufficient to form a board ; but it would be, probably, what was called a " secret " board. His duty was to open all the despatches sent to the Admiralty. They were opened either by the secretary, or by him in the presence of the secretary. He marked the papers and d'atrittuted them—asking the lords if they approved of them. He made the selection of the most important papers, and read all the letters to the secretary and the lords. He took the sense of the First Lord on various subjects as well as the opinions of the other lords, and the secretary entered it in a short minute. He did not know how often a secret board was held. All the most im portant proceedings would be known both to himself and the head of the secret department, whether it was a mes sege from the Foreign-office, the Queen's commend, or an order for the distribution of the fleet. Where there was any secret document, it would be put under a sealed cover, with " secret " endorsed upon it. Was present at the board meeting of September, 1849. I remembered the cir cular being brought before the board. Witness was very glad of the arrangement, which directed that all letters for promotions should go to the Surveyor of the Navy in the first instance, as it diminished witness's labours ; but sub sequently, owing to the cancelling of the circular, they were sent to the secretary, and opened by witness. Wit ness's opinion was, that the old system of sending first to the surveyor was the more desirable one ; and that it would have been better, fur that and other reasons, not to have cancelled the circular of 1849. He thought it oc cupied the secretary's time, which might be devoted to more important matters.. When the matter of the resigns. Lion of tile Surveyor of the Navy was mentioned, witness did not pay much attention to it, it was so common a thing for naval officers to talk of retiring. Had been desired to leave the board room when some matters were discussed, but it had not occurred for many years. After reading all that was proper, I might have withdrawn, and tin n their lordships might discuss matters among themselves. Re membered toe occasion of Sir Baldwin Walker, the sur veyor of the navy, being at the Admiralty on the subject of his letter of resignation. "On my entering the room," said the witness, " the surveyor of the navy appeared to be labouring under great agitation of mind, as if something very unpleasant had occurred." I beard some words and was about to retire, thinking something had taken place. The surveyor was standing at the table, folding up his papers, and I heard him say these words, "very well, sir, I will go to Somerset House and re turn by and by." Seeing that he was muck agitated, I said to Mr. Stafford, I hope the surveyor has not resigned. Mr. Stafford said " the Surveyor of the Navy has been to the Duke of Northumberland, and the Duke of Northumberland informed him that he had never seen the resignation, and that, if be had seen hie letter of resignation, that he should immediately have taken it to Lord Derby ; that the surveyor had been to Admiral Parker, who had told him that he had not thought fit to bring his letter before the board, but that he had destroyed it." Mr. Stafford also made use of these words —" In fine, cuffed by the duke, snubbed by Admiral ' Parker, with his letter of resignation in the fire, the Surveyor of the Navy not only comes to me and recites this in his own proper person, but asks me what he had better do." (Loud laughter.) My remark (said Mr. Brigs) was, " Mr. Stafford, I'm astonished at you, I am." (Laughter.) " Indeed," I said, " let me beg and entreat of you not to press too heavy on the Surveyor of the Navy ; he's a most amiable man, he's a most talented officer, and I beg and entreat you to put a stop to what is going on as quickly as possible, as my firm belief is that no possible good can come from it. Mr. Stafford then put hie hand on my shoulder and said, " My dear Briggs, you've known me long enough to know that I am not vindictive." I had known him five month,. (Laughter.) I felt very much distressed, because from what I knew of the pot I believed that when he said he was going to Somerset House, there would be a bona fide resignation. I said, I did not think the surveyor was to blame. Mr. Grant, private secretary to Mr. Stafford, was then called and examined, with reference to the system pursued in making appointments and promotions. When he went to see Sir Baldwin Walker at Somerset House, it was not to submit names for promotion, but to ascertain whether cer tain vacancies existed, but that they had not reached him, or been reported to him. During 1852 there were several rumours to the effect that Sir B. Walker was going to resign. Witness used to sit in the same room with Mr. Stafford, and the papers that passed through Mr. Stafford's hands, also passed through witness's. I saw the circular of the 26th April, bat could not say it came to him after it had passed the board. Papers relating to appointments and promotions generally came through his hands. Witness here entered into explanations with reference to the system of appointments and promotions at Devonport. It was the usual course after paper had gone through tie kph de partment, where the appointments were made eat, to be sent back to the surveyor of the nary. The Oradea of ceneelment was not looked upon as an important an. *the time it was issued. Could not say whether it was ever sub mitted to the Lords of the Admiralty. He meant to say the Secretary of the Admiralty did not look upon it es an im portant circular, and that he as private secretary did not. Mr. Stafford was then called, and examined at great length on the case of Wells. This examination, which was one of great detail, chiefly went to attempt to establish the statement that Wells never had any appointment, in conic queues of its not having been properly made out and signed, although Wells was recommended by the anbmission of the Surveyor of the Navy. The appointment not having been properly made, would not, consequently, be totted in the record department. He admitted having Seca the submission of the Surveyor of the Navy, recommending Wells, on his return from the Mediteranneon at the latter end of September, and that it was signed in the usual way by Admiral Parker, which would convey to him the impression that Admiral Parker had approved of it. The date of the appointment of Cotsell was the let of Oc tober, and, on seeing the government appointing Wells on the 26th of September, he told Admiral Parker it was his great wish to appoint Cotsell to Portsmouth. Ile did not go to Admiral Parker's room on the subject, but after the board met him. Witness said there would be a difference, but Admiral Parker expressed a strong opinion in favour of Wells. Admiral Parker, in his evidence, says, " I remon strated with Mr. Stafford before I left him en the appoint ment of Cotsell to Portsmouth," but it was a remonstrance before the appointment was made. lie was aware that Ad mind Parker had been superintendent of dockyard. at Ports mouth, and could not, therefore, say the admiral was an in competent person to give an opinion. According to the cir cular 01 . 1817, the opinion of such persons would have great weight, more particularly on subsequently becoming a lord. Witness believed he named admiral Parker's remonstrance to the First Lord, but to the best of his memory the First Lord gave no opinion on the subject. It appeared that Admiral Parker not only remonstrated with witness but with the head of the board by letter, according to the evi dence. Thought Admiral Parker wrote to the First Lord when he was absent on leave. Had no recollection of bringing the matter to the notice of the First Lord before 1 the appointment took place, but thought he consulted 3 I