The Express. — London, England, 1848-04-05 00:00:00

astronomer royal, and the principal librarian at the British Museum, have each of them only 8001. per ow n. We may be told that the well - paid parliamentary janitor does not in reality ta k e his '' PLas porter, that he is in fact a person m:superior statio n o f life, who would disdain t sit in "marble halls" like an ordinary member of the fraternity, and that his duties are performed by some subordinate receiving a comparatively moderate sti pend. This suggestion is to a certain extent authorised by the list of ealaries, which presents us to a second door -keeper of the House of Commons at f:ur hundred a year, and a lower door-keeper in addition at two hundred a year more— so that the door of the lower legislative chamber is not kept under fourteen hun dred per annum. The presumption that the duties are probably per formed by deputy, in the case of the chief at least oi these three functionaries, brings us naturally to the qui.stion, whether an individual whose dignity will not permit him to do his work, ought not to have the honesty to decline the receipt of his salary o n the o th er hand, this gentleman of eight hundred a Tear goes literally on d'uty at the door of the house, it becomes a consideration whether he is not most extra vagantly overpaid for a service that some eighty guineas by way of annual wages would handsomely compensate. We confess that our disgust at the exorbitant salaries attached to the places of porters and messengers is most materially increased by perceiving the niggardly treatment that /Climes) and learning experience when they are engaged on behalf of the public. The first assistant astronomer royal bas, for instance, pre cisely the same pay as the assistant deliverer of the notes of tile House of Commons, while the deliverer in-chief has nearly three times the sum, and is pecu niarily on a footing with the astronomer -royal and the principal librarian of the British Museum. This note delivery costs no less than eleven hundred a year in mere salaries aline, to Fay nothing of the expenses no doubt entailed by the actual doing of the work, which we may be assured is not reformed in person by the two individuals who receive respectively eight hundred and thrt e hundred a year for its execution. It is not in the interest of science that we direct attention to the insignificance of its rewards as com pared with the proti:s derivable from a nominal keep ing of doors and delivery of notes or messages, but it is on behalf of the public that we protest against an expenditure for the latter purposes a s un j ust as it is extravagant. This is not the time perhaps to ask for a more liberal outlay on the study of theaters, by in sisting on an increase to the salaries of the official astronomers ; but this is peculiarly the time to de nounce the shameful waste of money that is caused by a livish endowment of door keepers or hall porters' chairs, aud the situations of note deliverers or messengers. It is a fact, that the chair in the ball of the Admiralty is worth to its occupant nearly two thirds of the sum enjoyed by the gentlemai who fills the chair of profesaor of fortifications at the Royal Military Academy. The former receives one hundred and sixty pounds a year,while the teacher of a most important science, in an institution where young men arc prepared for the service of their coun try, is in the receipt of only two hundred and fifty pounds per annum. These discrepancies may be rendered useful in the cause of retrenchment, by the striking proof they afford that a system of unfair remuneration has prevailed ; and that an equitable adjustment, giving industry and intellect their due but taking from pampered indolence its unmerited gains, is urgently ri quired. We perceive with pleasure that Lord JOIN Rus set'. has assented to Mr. Ht ME'S suggestion for the reduction of the salary of the Serjeaet-at-Arms. THE new number of the Quarterly contains a very remarkable article on military expenditure. It is in deed so liberal and rational, that the direction of the Quarterly have deemed it necessary to append by way of postscript an apology for publishing so reasonable a paper at this revolutionary period, when its sup porters would necessarily look f, r it to be preaching up a war panic and eufo,6ing profuse expenditure on armies. It is lucky for the public that the article in question was accepted and printed before the re cent events in Paris set the editor's wits a wool- gathering. With the entire tenor of the article we will tot pretend to concur. The materials have obviously been 15 , 1130 , d, and unless we are much mistaken put into the shape in which the qt.irterly presents them, by a soldier— by a clear headed and experienced sol• dia. When this is said, the reader will be prepared to expect in it an able exposure of what is defective in the application of the public funds devoted to the maintenance of the army and ordnance, but: at the same time somewhat of that propensity which JEREMY BENTHAM imagined to be exclusively characteristic of lawyers—a disposition to believe that the country cannot easily have too much of the services of the pro fesion, or pay to liberally for them. We demur to the writer's estimates of the necessary cost of a peace establishment, though we admit them to be remark ably moderate for one of his cloth. But we concur entirely in his merciless exposure of the injudicious combination of the various arms which compose our national force, and the aimless extravagant expendi ture with which all military departments are charge- able. The subject matter of the article is discussed under three main heads—the Itoyal Artillery and Engineers or our corps (le genie; the infantry and cavalry; and the general administration of the army. We propose to devote three ar ides to these important topics, turn ing to account the able statements of the /?eviewer when we coincide with him, and assigning our reasons when we differ. And we begin where he finishes, because we agree with him that in the British army the spirit of abuse grows more inveterate and powerful as we mount upwards. The country is army-ridden more by the higher ranks than by the privates. Our army labours under a ple thora of officers ; and it is in the administrative de partments at head-quarters that we find abuse in its most concentrated and virulent form. The Commander-in-Chief has not the entire com mand of the army. Not only is he checked and con trolled in everything by the crown's civil ministers ; his authority in matters of detail is not recognised by a large and important branch of the military service itself. At every point be finds himself in terfered with, and his efficacy paralysed by the Board of Ordnance. This divided sway, objection able were it only as tending to weaken discipline and impair the efficiency of the army, is ten times more noxious on account of the jobbing and irresponsible wasteful expenditure to which it affords opportuni ties. The Board of Ordnance is, indeed, to use the pithy words of the writer who has suggested these remelts, " an incubus on the energies of the country." This will not be deemed an exaggerated figure after the following exposure has been atten tively read : Its [the Board of Ordnance's] existence as a separate de- nartment, implying as it does the severance of two important military corps from the management of the Commander-in- Chief, and the removal of all right from the Secretary-at- War to control an enormous expenditure on what are generally called the civil branches of the army, is an ano maly fur which we have never heard a rational excuse offered. Undoubtedly the Ordnance in its present palmy state has an immense amount of public property entrusted to its management. AU the cannon, email arms, ammunition, and other implements of war, which are or are likely to be required both by the army and the navy, abide in its keep ing. So do military stores of every description. So do all barracks, fortifications, garrisons, chapels, school-rooms, and canteens. Though it does not supply the troops of the line with their jackets, dialects, or trowsers, the care of providing them with great-coats is claimed. It issues or withholds at pleasure blanket., palliasses, straw, fuel, lights, every article necessary to render barrack-rooms habitable. All contracts for the supply of forage for the horses of the army—el ar rangements for equipping the cavalry with saddles, bridles, surcingles, and rugs, are made at the office in Pall-mall. The Board of Ordnance appoints all storekeepers and barrack. masters, with their clerks and assistants—and we need only write down the words " barrack damages," in order to sicken every military reader with the memory of abuses innumer able. In a word, the Board of Ordnance stands between the Secretary-st• War on the one hand, and the Commander-in- Chief on the other, and the military force of this country ; having the power, and not unfrequently using it too, to fetter them in the arrangement of their plans, and so damage the efficiency of the army. The Board of Ordnance is at once the most costly and the clumsiest working of our establishments. The charge for its two offices in Pall-mall and the Tower of London alone amounts to 91,1361. by estimate ; but will generally be found to have exceeded this. Its manner of working is by departments; and these being perfecgy independent one of stingier, appear at times to enter into a competition as to which shall do the greatest amount of business, and therefore tort the country the largest amount of money. To give one specimen of the regatta of this rivalry—whenever the neces sity of providing a site for a new barrack has been decided on, it is the province of the SurveyovG eneral of the Ordnance to look out tor such site, and to bargain for the purchase thereof, when found, after which the board gives its sanction to the arrangement. The Furveyor-General, a few years ego, set about this necessary operation for Glasgow ; Rut without sidling open any competent person to examine The locality, or even to estimate the real value of the land, he completed his bargain, and prevailed, as a matter of course, ups's the board to confirm it. It was to no purpose that the general commanding in Scotland now interfered. Both his report and that of the chief engineer arrived too late, and the con sequence is that the country bra been saddled with a propri etary right is • parcel of land which, because of its prox imity to a huge vitriel.work, can never we bear, be used as a rate even for a pigsty. But marvels similar to this might be exposed by the. dozen, were we so inclined ; for there is hardly a single new barrack is the empire of which the regimental commandants do not complain on some ground or another—and as to the old barracks, with their beastly canteens, and nuisances of every sort choking them up, they are a sheer disgrace. Again, it is an inevitable result of working by departments and boards, that the Ordnance-office shall invariably be be hindhand with all that it undertakes. The Rome Secretary informs the Commander in-Chief that troops will be puma nently needed in an inereaatog manufacturing district ; the Commander-in-Chief or the Secretary of State makes a like announcement to the War-office ; and the Chancellor of the Exchequer agrees, on good cause shown, to provide a certain sum of money for the erection of barracks. Now comes the Board of Ordnance into play. Orders arc given to piepare plans and estimates. These are examined and reexamined —not by military men, not by the Commander-in-Chief, his military secretary, the quartermaster-general, the adjutant-general, or anybody else who really knows what troops need and what they may do without —but by certain gentlemen in Pall-mall, who cut led carve at their own pleasure, and seem to pique themselves oa going as much as possible counter to the wishes and the re quirements of the military authorities. We have reason to believe that the new barracks now in progress at Sheerness have suffered much from this process; and we have no hope that the evil will ever be remedied either there or elsewhere so long as the Pali-mall establishment shall be permitted to exist. Buildings of the first importance to the wide is moral and phesieal comfort—ablution rooms, cleaning rooms, school rooms, di is sheds, are celled for and grunted. A whole year will probably elapse before the Board of Ord nance shall see fit to act on the Treasury minute ; andwhen it does act, the chances are at least equal that the whole affair is spoiled. Mereover, they consider it necessary to build, not for a couple of centuries, but for eternity; and employing officers of the Royal Engineers to plate rued exe cute whatever they undertake, the t apense is on all occasions huge in proportion to the sndlcas faults that may be dis cerned. We have great respect for the officers of the R iyal Engineers, considered as members of a scientific milit cry corps. We want no better men to plan redoubts, or fortify arsenals, or to attack those of our enemies : but not having been initiated into the mysteries of civil architecture, the make but indifferent house-builders. We are tell, though we will not vouch for the truth of the story, that a hand some garrison-chspel, just completed in the Royal Barracks. at Dublin, is so ingeniously arranged that, except the band (in a gallery opposite to the pulpit), not a soul can hear one word of the sermon. The expenditure upon storekeepers, their deputies, and clerics, and here and there even upon barrack-masters, seems to be out of all proportion with the pay and allowances granted to officers of rank end standing in the army. Take the case of Chatham, where there seem to be employed one storekeeper, one deputy, and four clerks. The salaries of these gentlemen, with payments on account of rates aril taxes, aad sums to cover travelling expenses, printing, ad vertisements, stamps, arid other small disbursements, come to 2,0491. per annum. Surely this is more than the nature of their duties and position would seem to require. You have in Chatham, a colonel commanding the garrison, a lieutenant-colonel of the provisional battalion, two chief officers of engineers, a lieutenant-colonel com manding artillery, a brigade-major, and the clerks and pee plc who work for them, and the combined pay of the whole does not exceed the expense of these six civilians by more than a trills. But we are quite contented with the one simple fact, that out of the whole sum required by the heard fur the ensuing year, namely 3,115,2181 e only ;10,2511. are to be laid out upon the pay, allowances, and contingencies of the military ordnance corps. Whatever benefits may arise from • division of labour in the prosecution of mechanical operations—however adverte to public liberty may be the system of centralisation when applied to the administration of justice on • small scale, and to the management of a national police—it is very certain that the executive government of a great country becomes both feeble and costly, in proportion as it distributes its func tions over a larger number of separate departments than are absolutely required to carry on the public service. What is to prevent the military part of the business of the Ordnance Office being transferred to the florae Guards, and it, civil functions to the War Office ? e In neither cue can it be ne cessary to do more than add some clerks and accountants to the pen-and-ink staff of our chiefs of department+, and thee. you have in abundance at Pall-mall aid in the Tower. So also with regard to deputy adjutant-generals, surveyors genera' off etifications, majors of brigade, and so forth ; these should remain ezactly as they are, only that they ought to report to the Commander-in-Chief instead of reporting to the Master-General; while over our barrack masters, store keepers, and the host of civil functionaries doing duty under them, the Secretary-at-War would exercise the tame vigilant control which he now does over the governors, wardens, die. of the military prisons. In like manner, we would hand over to the Admiralty the undivided charge of every article of armament, equipment, and ammunition, likely to be re quired fur her 'Majesty's fleet. Why should there not be an adequate mearaine at every dockyard in the United King dom, of which a naval storekeeper should have the charge, and from which he might issue guns, shot, shell, powder, tee., ad libaunt, We cannot see the smallest necessity for a series of storekeepers beyond the naval storekeepers. Ale' as to the Leading department, our conviction is that—deal ing separately, of course, with the erection and repair of fur tifications—the work would be better done, and done at one I half the cost, were a respectable builder, such as Mr. Cubits, employed to perform it, subject to the superintendence of a really skilful engineer. Only think of the charge for the ensuing year under the head of works, buildings, and re pairs, exceeding the sum that is required for the pay and subsistence of the ordnance corps by very neerly 22,e001. As intimated above, we will return to this theme. At present, we have only to add, that the writer,from whom we have so freely quoted, is no alarmist. We want(he says) no more permanent fortresses, either in land or on the sea-board • • We desire to see no en trenched camp formed round London or near it. • • As matters at present stand, give us what we ask, thirty thou sand good infantry sad cavalry, with fifty guns, ant. we shall have no sort of fear for the safety of London, in case of any attempt in the line of invasion. Give us our artillery in line order, and, in half a year's time no fear but we should be in heart for repaying any 'dale of the sort GERMANY. TILE NEW LAW OF ELECTIONS IN PRUSSIA. THE ASSEMBLY AT FRANKFORT. PRUSSIA.—Our correspondent writes as follows from Berlin on the Ist of April : The two great topics of discussion just now are the open ing of the Diet (which ceremony will take place to-morrow) and the question of the duchies of Slesaig and Holstein. With respect to the former, it is now agreed on nearly all sides that the Diet is no longer a legally constituted body ; that it is not competent to discuss, much less decide upon, any projects of law ; and that the sooner it is dissolved the better for king, people, and country. The members of the Diet appear to be fully aware of the delicate tenure of their position,and the governeue nt would gladly dispense, if possible, with the convocation of an assembly which, not on account of its mem'ers, but on account of the manner in which they were first brought together, is a highly unpopular one. The government, however, have already made a great popular gonce , sion which, pro forme, will be voted by the Diet, and then the real business of the nation will commence. Late last night ministers came to • resolution to submit to the Diet • law of elections, which in fact indirectly guarantees universal suffrage. The plan is the following: The country will be divided into electoral districts. There will be two categories of elec tors ; the first will include all persons—in a word, th •Te will be universal suffrage; the second will comprise electors chosen by the former body, and who. in turn will definitively choose the members of the Diet. There will be one elector of the second category for every 600 inhabitants, and one member of the Diet for every 10,0010. There will be but one chamber. All persons 21 years of age will be doctors and eligible. A preparatory meeting ;,f members of the Diet was held last night in the Hotel de Rusaie, in order to discuss the measures to be taken to-morrow, after the opening of the Diet. It was resolved to vote an eddies& to the King, setting forth the necessity of establishing a thoroughly constitutional onarchy, and of ntinuing to govern on the principles lately est forth by his majesty. It is not expected that the Diet will sit more than a few days. No slight excitement was caused this day by the appear ance of a proclamation, urging the people to a reconciliation with the King's life guards, who took the leading part against the people during the late insurrection. The pro clamations were torn down by the people, amidst suppressed demonstrations of indignation. All is not yet over in Berlin if one may judge by the determined aspect of the working classes, who almost alone produced the last revolution here. A numerod , meeting of that class was held yesterday in this city, and a declaration was drawn up to the effect that the meeting did not approve of the recall of e mili—not that the persons composing the meeting either hate y or fear the soldiery—not that they fear any armed reaction—but be cause they dread a reaction through weak-heartedness. German confidence had long been shamefully abused, and the meeting would not give • place to it in their breasts BO long as the contest remains undecide.d (so hinge der kamf nod+ unentsehieders Another public meeting is announced for to-morrow after noon. I regret to state that business on the exchange of this capital has all but come to a perfect stand still. There are melancholy accounts of failures in Cologne, Breslau, and in this city. A deputation from the German inhabitants of the Grand Duchy of Posen had an interview this day with the Minister of the Interior, in order to induce government to protect their nationality. The deputation, after they have presented to the Diet a petition to the same effect, will proceed to Frankfort, in order to obtain further sympathy in that quarter. Just after writing the foregoing lines, I received a copy of the Berlirasehe Noehriehters of this day, in which the petition to the Prussian Diet is given in extent°. It is but justice to state that it is both an able and a convincing document. It sets forth that in the province of West Prussia, and in various parts of the duchy of Posen, the German race greatly preponderates ; that whilst it is, and whilst it would be, highly unjust to incorporate Poland with Germany, and to attempt to make the Germans Poles, it would be tally wrong to denationalise the former. It is stated that thatol lay claim to the two entire provinces, upon the ground they amerly formed part of Poland. due to Le Athe official ion paid keepum endituie a large contetn ration of financial to he ind the the im as those utrast to les of an :,11 high er y for the ;lade that r that the fruits c t l, f se rvanw. feneroeitY ployment s c apacitY menials. it Poe' ndd be no than t he • to deli • of Ot l e t. ,While the THE EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY EVENING, APRIL 5, 1848. It appellee by • recent article in the Vossische Zeiturag that the entire force of which Ruuia can dispose at present does not exceed 150,000 men and 424 gone, whilst Prnmia alone can. with the Landw elm', muster 120,000 men, with out counting upon what the rest of Germany and Poland and Austria an set on foot. The tiilesials Gazelle (Breslau) of yesterday states that the King has agreed to the following propositions : The national Polish committee shall have the power of appointing the commission to be entrusted with the duty of reorganising the civil and military affairs of the grand duchy of Posen ; the formation of a Polish army ; the fortress of Posen shall be occupied by the present garrison, but they =newly act under the orders of the commission. The Polish committee issued on the 28th a very conciliatory address to the Gernten inha bitants, which it appears has produced a better State of feeling. The Germans are entreated to overlook and forgive a few excesses committed in a moment of excitement by men who have just become conscious that they have regained • fatherlan 4—a blessing which Germans have long been in ion of. Several thousands of Poles have already en• firer Their pay is five eilbergroschen (about 6d.) per day. A great popular meeting was held at Breslaw on the night of the 29th. The chief sentiments expressed were to the effect that peace and not war with Russia was to be dreaded. and that Poland should be restored to independence, but not at the expense of German nationality, and that an army of observation should be stationed on the Prusweltussian frou tiers. It was finally resolved to petition the government to de clove the entire independence of Posen; or to negotiate with Austria respecting the freedom of Gellicia; to appoint Gene ral Von Willisen minister of war; to support the Polish combatants with ammunition and money ; and to demand from ItUtailt the restitution of the originally German pro- ViIICOG of Coorland, Livornia, and Esthonia. Three depu ties wore chosen by the meeting to proceed to this city, in order to present the address to the government. They arrived here teat night. It appears by the above-quoted journal that the Land hr ot the province of Old Prussia (of which Konigsberg is the capital) has already received orders to hold itself in readiness to march at any moment, and Prussian troops have been ordered to advance towards the Emma-Prussian fron tiers, the impelling military force now assembling on the Rut sian side of the frontiers inspiring considerable alarm on the Pruse;an one, particularly in the neighbourhood of Johonnisburg and Lyck. The Pollee question, so far as Prussian Wand is con cerned, is becoming rather complicated. You are already aware that by a loyal ordonnance of the 24th, the King authorised the re-organisation of the Grand Duchy of Posen, in a natural—that is, a Polish point of view. Now, in the duchy—on the borders certainly, but still within the duchy—there are entire districts in Silesia, Neumark, and West Prussia in which tho German inhabitants vastly ex ceed the number of use Polish ones. In the district, for example, of Chadziesen alone, there are 45,667 Germans to 3,61,5 Poles. The peasantry in Silesia are committing great excesses. Letters from Breslau of the 30th ult. irate that the splendid mansion of Count Simms, near Oblau, has been burned to the ground. The declaration of the Minister of the Interinr, that all compulsory concessions were invalid, has exasperated the peasantry in the extreme. FRANKFORT.—The following is the programme that the commission of seven has proposal for the deliberation of the assembly : 1. A supreme head of the confederation, with responsible ministers.-2. A. senute of particular states.-3. A chamber of deputies formed by the electi in of ilex representative to 70,000 souls.-4. lurtolletion of the confederation by the re nunciation of the states ot the following particulars, in favour of a central power : 1. The army. 2. ltepresentatton as re gards foreign powers 3. System of commerce, navigation, customs, money, weights, measures, post, canes, railways. 4. Decrees of civil and penal legislation and pr‘ceeclings ; a court of the confederation. 5. Guarantee of the rights of national liberty.—The constituent national assembly shall be convoked by the federal authorities, sided by men of trust. A commission of 15 members shall have power to convoke. If the convocati shall not he made in one month the assembly shall meet again the 3rd and 4'.h of May. In case of emergency the commission shall convoke the assem bly at an earlier time. A report of the proceedings of the assembly on the 31st appears in the jaunts's. After M. Mittermaier had thanked the assembly for electing him as presi dent, M. Struve moved, in his name and that of seventeen other members of the assembly, that a sum mary of the demands and rights of the people be drawn up and placed before a committee. This mo tion was rejected. M. Sehaffrath, of Saxony - , presented a motion, de manding of thcassembly to choose a committee to exa mine the programme proposed by the committee of seven ; but this motion was rejected. Amongst other motions successively proposed was one by M. Eisen . mann, of Nuremberg, calling on the assembly to de ' vise means that the national parliament may be ' organised, and assemble in the space of four weeks. i After a pause of half an hour the debate was csm menced upon a motion by Mr. Eisenmann, to the • effect that the assembly do consider whether it or ' the constituent assembly to be subsequently formed will pass obligatory resolutions. The motion was adopted. Mr. Schultz, of Darmstadt, then rose and said, that in his opinion the present assembly was not compe tent to determine the future political form of Ger many. Such a right can only exist in an assembly formed after the primary elections, which would have to decide-1. What are the territories to be repre sented in the federal constitution. 2. In what pro portion the population should be represented in the confederation. 3. What should be the mode of election. 4. When the constituent assembly, properly so-called, shall meet. 5. At what time it will unite. And, 6. In what manner it should proceed to its deliberations. M. Wiessner, of Vienna, said he was the only Austrian present, and he could not but express the wish that Austria should be invited to send a deputy to the forthcoming constituent assembly. In Austria the middle classes and the peasantry have not as yet been repres.nuAl, though quite capable of taking part in the most important deliberations. Therefore be thought it the more necessary to invite, as soon as possible, representatives of the Austrian bourgeoisie to the deliberations of the constituent assembly. M. Schleiden, of Sleswig-Holstein, proposed the accession of those duchies to the German confedera tion, and to invite deputies from them to join in the constituent assembly. This was put in the form of a motion, and adopted. M. Wedemeier, of Leipsic, proposed the accession to the confederacy of the Prusso-German provinces of the Baltic, which had expressed a wish to that effect. M. Yunghans, of Posen, expressed the same wish relative to Posen. M. Leisler, of Wiesbaden, said that in order to complete liberty there must be jus tice, and therefore it was necessary to reestablish Poland. M. Bredermann urged the same sentiments, adding that the faculty may be left to the Grand Duchy of Posen to represent itself at the constituent assembly ; but that it was not necessary to invite specially to do so. the assembly decided the incorporation of the Duchies of Sleswig and Holstein, as well as that of the provinces of East and West Prussia, and expressed its sympathy for the re-establishment of Poland. It was also decided that the number of deputies to be elected should be in the proportion of 1 to 50,000 inhabitants. But it woold be allowed to any state not possessing that number of inhabitants to send one member to the asiembly. In the sitting of the Ist, the preparatory assembly for the establishment of a national parliament adopted the following resolutions :-1. The several states must be allowed to make elections according to the mode practised in each. 2. The elections shall not be in fluenced in any way by religious creeds, electoral census, or any kind of privilege. 3. The principle of direct elections for the constituent national assembly must be that of the assembly, but this principle has not been passed into law. 4. Every citizen not a minor is an elector, and may be elected. 5. Any German citizen may be elected for each federal state though he may not be a native of that state. It was also resolved that Frankfort should be the place of meeting of the constituent assembly. AUSTRIA.—Our dates from Vienna are of the 30th ult. Great consternation prevailed there respect lag the state of Italy, and it was apprehended that war was close at hand. At a council held on the 28th it was resolved that the whole of the imperial army, including the Ist Landwehr battalions of the 35 German regiments of infantry should be placed, and the war establishments, and all the disposable troop sent to Italy without delay. Numerous orders have consequently been issued by the Minister of War, and there was a general movement of troops. The Italian' troops were to be reinforced by an army of 80,000 men. M. Von Sommaraga, late Vioe-President of 'the Court of Appeal for Lower Austria, has been appointed Minister of -Education. The estimates for the year 1848 have been pub lished in the Wiener Zeitung Gross Income. Net lnoome. Fkeina Florins. Direct tar ea—Land tax, home tax, poll tax, licenses, Jews' tax, /Se 49,521,00 0 Indirect taxes.—Taxes on consumption, • customs, salt and to.nora monoplies, stamps, lotteries, Poe% was, Pia ve*. ae• Risoellaneous revenue.—Crown lands, aequestratel church property, go. T ernment manufactories, So. Ilrial estimalol Let u owe 155,722,000 ZII•PLUTIMM• Morino. Interest ot tha debt Cavil iYt Y"Alra department and dipomatie eta 2,345,000 Army General administration Institutions Police Sundries 1133,803,000 This leaves a deficit of 83,000 florins, for making up which the treasury trusts to the chapter of acci dents. Under the head of the diplomatic service is included 40,000 florins, and under that of the police 374,000 flotilla of secret service money. The Emperor has addressed the following rescript to the states of his German hereditary dominions : We, Ferdinand 1., by the grace of God of Austria, &e. — Dearly beloved,—ln the midst of the fearful events which are at this moment shaking to the very foundation the peace of several countries of Europe, we feel it necessary to turn with confidence to our faithful states of the duchies of Carinthia, and to find comfort in their loyalty and pa triotism, as well so in the inviolable fidelity of our people. We likewise declare unto you that we desire the maiute nance of peace, so indispensahle to the welfare and happiness of our country that we do not intend either mediate or immediate interference, in the in ternal arrangements which have taken place in other' countries, but rather strenuously to exert all our efforts. with this view we shall adopt the necessary precautionary measures, and while we indulge the hope that no aggressive attack will be made upon us or upon our silks, we shall maintain them upon those frontiers where the indispensable requisitions will tall as lightly as possible upon our people. In r: gard to the measures which these requisitions may necessarily call for, we shall turn to our fidehful states for their co-operation ; and, while we acknowledge the right of the calling of those states to concert with us r%specting the best method by which those um astats can be can ied into effect with the least possible detriment to the weal of the countries, we promise to lay before them an enact account of the state of things, by submitting to them candid explana tions respecting the requirements and allowances of the state, which furni-h the requisite &ace, whereupon they may ground their resolution. Firmly convinced that our faithful States feel an equal interest in the welfare of the whole monarchy, as of those individual countries which they represent, and as whose depatics it is their first duty to act, we are fully resolved to turn our special attention to those petitions and requests which are induced by their attachment to our royal dynasty and their love to their country, We have been graciously pleased by our proclamation of the 11th, and our patent of the 15th of March, to convoke the deputies of the States and of the central congregations, from our German, Sclavonian, and Italian kingdoms, with the least possible delay, to influent's the other powers to which we stand in peaceful relations, an d to avert anything that may lead to &breach of peace. An attack upon our countries or subjects, or upon those sates which are allied to us, would alone impel us to the necessity of meeting them with all our power. While, therefore, we recognise and arc resolved to maintain their constitutional rights, we have at the same time been graciously pleased, for the welfare of our dominions, to de cide by our own free act upon the establishment of a consti tutional administration calculated to connect yet more closely the links of union which bind our various territories ; and have reserved to ourselves the right of making known to our States all further resolutions resulting therefrom. We confidently expect that at this important juncture they will give us their powerful support by well digested proposals, which shall consolidate the safety of the empire at home and thread, give the surest guarantee to the state exchequer, and facilitate the raising of extraordinary resources which may be tilled for by a change of events, without endangering the welfare of the countries. Further, as in conjunction with our faithful state: we arc convinced that the provincial and muni cipal institution., wholes maintenance and censolidat ion can be the object of our special core, way he materially advanced is wisdom, stability, and importance, by the enlarged co operation of our loving subjects, who have hitherto had a very lieni•ed share in the transaction of the Diet, we hereby recommend our faithful States to take this subject into their immediate deliberation, and to submit to us the propositions by which the burghers may obtain a more extensive influ ence with the deliberations of the States, as well as their wishes and proposals respecting the reform and improvement of municipal and corporate establishments. 1 his is our royal will and pleasure ; and we hereby send von our imperial greeting.—Given at Vienna, 18th March, 1914.—(Signed) FERDINAND, and countersigned by the Austrian ministry. BAVABIA.—The Allyemeine Zeitung of the 31st ult. says : Yeaterdly afternoon his Majesty King Max'milian 11. received a deputation from the inhabitants of Munich, and an address relative to the proclamation of the King of Prussia. The King spoke of the present state of Germany, and the mode in which this integral position of Germany could be best eff,icted, with as much energy no decision. When the deputation, in the course of the conversation, spoke of the Berlin excesses of the 18th and 19th of March, the King observed, "Gentlemen, if blood ever flaws among us, it shall be only for the general weal of our country." You will easily in!er from this that the reception was most cordial and tranquillising. At all events, our conviction has been strengthened by the events of yesterday that our monarch duly acknowledges the demands of his people, and is resolved to accede to them in a public and comprehensive manner. SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN.—The Borsehlialle of the Ist inst. contains the latest dates from these pro vinces. They aro Kiel, Altona. and Rendsburg the 31st, and Schleswig the 30th of March. The commu nication by post between Copenhagen and Kiel having been put a stop to, the intelligence respecting the Danish movements was vague and uncertain. Bat private letters from Lubeck had conveyed to Kid the intelligence that the King was about to ship him self for Kolding, with 15,000 men. Doubts were entertained as to the possibility of so many regular troops having bet n concentrated around the capital in so short a time. It was certain, however, that the Danish troops were in possession of the north-east of Schleswig, and had advanced as far south as Hadersleben, which had been occupied by a force of 1,400 Danes. A descent had been made from a Danish man of war on the island of Alsen, off the east coast of Schleswig, and the peasants there declared for the Danes. Some 70 of them had crossed to the main, and having been enrolled as volunteers were stationed near lladersle ben. A volunteer corps of Germans was stationed at Appenrade, but it was inferior in number to the Danish corps at Ha4ersleben, besides consisting of raw recruits, and considerable apjtrchensions were enter tained that the Danes might advance and attack it. It had been commanded, but without effect, by Danish men of war, on their way to Appenrade. Dr. Marcus, of Hadersleben, one of the German leaders, had been arrested and sent to Copenhagen ; the burgomaster of Appenrade having gone on board a Danish brig which anchored off the town, and, upon a summons from the captain, was also carried off. The whole east coast of Schleswig was reported to be in insurrection, and en thusiastic for the German cause, but no particulars are given. At Rendsburg several decrees were pro- mulgated by the Provisional Government on the 30th ef March : one related to educational institutions, another sanctioned the repair of cattle dealers from Jutland to the fairs of Schleswig-Holstein • a third related to the organisation of a municipal gtiard. On the 31st a battalion of 800 strong marched from Rendsburg to the north. The commander of the field artillery set out the same day. At midday a volunteer corps from Brunswick marched into the town. Up to the latest dates only vague reports were heard of troops marching from Prussia to aid the duchies. No an swer bad reached Altona on the 31st to the applica tion for assistance forwarded to Hanover. The duchies have no ships, and fears were entertained of an attack from the Danish fleet. The Diet of the two duchies was summoned to meet at Rendsburg on the 3rd of April. BELGIUM.—BRUSSELS, APRIL 3.—ln the sitting of the chambers on the 31st the Minister of War presented a project of law for an esti aordinary loan of 9,000,000 francs. In his explanation of the causes for this loan the minister stated that be could not state the items required for the various services, and we. therefore compelled to ask for a vote of confidence from the legislature, and submitted a statement showing tYe augmentation to the effective force to be 23,740 men and 2,000 horses. The Pre:curscur of 3rd April lays: "It appears that the government has received positive information which leaves no doubt of the conni vance, more or less direct, of certain French authorities with the late miserable attempt to revolutionise Belgium. LA PLATA.—Advicee from Monte Video to the 29th of January, have been received in Liverpool. The only event of interest mentioned in the letters is that the French squadron had captured two Brazilian merchantmen in the act of breaking through the blockade, and had bad them condemned at Monte Video. THE NEW AND REDUCED DUTIES ON TIMBER AND WOOD goods come into operation tomorrow, the 6th inst. INQUESTS, YESTERDAY.—NEGLECT OP THE AUTHO RITIES OP St. PANCRAS WOHlLHOrtiE.—Before Mr. WA ley, at the Plasterers' Arms, Little Clarendon-stret t, Somers town, 111 to the death of Elisabeth Barrow, aged 65. It was stated that the deceased was ill when she entered the work house ; she was there three or four weeks, was unwell all that time without seeing any medical men, and when discharged was so indisposed that it took her two hours to walk home, a distance of a quarter of a mile. The jury returned a ver dict that "On the 28th March Elizabeth Barrow died from the offsets of a natural dise►se, and that her dis charge only five days before. death was marked with circumstances of negligence and cruelty."— A Cunt) Saor.—On Monday, before Mr. Carta . , at fihrewabury-house, near Woo/inch, on the body of Charles Markham, a child whose death, caused by a shot from a gun fired at a target by Mr. Dennn. re tu r ned we reported in our caper of yesterday. The jury a verdict of " Acci dental death." int Court. Mr. J. A. Fuses.t.t. (Birmingham) said that the middle Sea- I cl an a d ssee tte o p f p li: town had d d e , cla c, Zin th f e a y y w our oul o d f th . e w e r harte nain r, A cabinet council was held at 12 o'clock terday at the Foreign-office. The ministers present were I petition the legislature. They were willing to give every Lord J. Russell, the Lord Chancellor, Sir G. Grey, Viscount I support to the convention in their endeavours to work out Pelmenton,Eul Grey, the Chancellor o f the Exchequer, I these objects by every legitimate means, but if these failed Sir J. Hubhouse, the Earl of Auckland, Lord Campbell, the I they were determined to have the chart er b y whateve: mea n s Night lion. H. Labouchere the Marquis of Clanricarde, might be necessary to secure it. Viscount Morpeth, and the 'Right lion. T. B. Macaulay. 1 Mr. 13_ Kenn (Oldham), stated that in this distrizt the The council sat two hours. great majority of the working classes were mat r f employment A deputation from Norwich, on the subject of the —that many of the middle classes were bordering upon bank- Poor Removal Act, had an interview with Sir O. Grey yes- ruptcy—and that u. iversal discontent prevailed. They bee terday at the Home-office. The deputation consisted of the lived that the contir.uation of starvation was worse than Mayor of Norwich, Mr. G. L. Coleman, the Governor of the death itself ey entertained a notion that the excess of op- Court of Guardians, Mr. A. A. 11. Beckwith, Mr. 4. G. John- I pression begot excess of re .istance ; and though they were von, M r.J. Seltzer, Mr. It. Chamberlin, Mr. R. N. Bacon, . very desirous to protect property and life, they were dccid- Ald. Sidney, M.P., Mr. H. Hausa', the Marquis of Douro, I ed of opinion that if society uid nut undergo an organic kI.P., and kir. S. M. Peto, M.P. . and if the Commons did Let enfranchise the people, A deputation from the illaekburn Commercial As- a war ch ange,f iatereeta wc.‘uld become a war of cla ees, and, in re soeiatien, consisting of Mr. J. Pilhington, M.P., Mr. M . J. alit y, a war of Mira Mr. D. DONOVAN (Manchester) said if the government Fielden. and Mr. D. C. Aylwin, had an interview with Earl Grey yesterday at the Colonial-office. could but see the present condition of the people who had Despatches were sent off yesterday evening from 1 s lit him there as a delegate they would not hesitate to con cede the charter. The people els eiri tt to eee the charter es the Colonial-offim for the Governor of the Falkland told:shed witt.out tke shedding rue drop of blood, but they Islands. said they did not fear life in a qui Mien of liberty. They • " dings but these of cent,. mpt for the insults hereto- (From last night's Gazale.) Wien'Eirott, APRIL I.—The Queen has been ples.sed to grant unto the Rec. W. Jacobson, M.A., the ogle • and place of Regius Proteas.r of Divinity in the Culeersity of Osford, together with the place and dignity of a canon of the cathedral church of Christ in the said University, void by the promotion of Dr. R. D. Hampden to the ace of H, re ford.—The Queen has also appointed J. G. S. Leferre, Esq., to be Clerk Assistant of the Parliaments, in the room of B. Currey, Esq., deceased. had ao irelings but Les.. _ fore offered to the charter by the Worms of Commons. Mr. E. JONES (Liverpool) described the misery, want, and deetitution which prevailed in that town and post. Poverty bed reached thi , middle classes. The people were there, to a mart, arming themselves, and they tell the government that though they bad no desire for biciodehed—they were not anarchists or promoters of confusion—yet they desired to res cue from the hands of despotism the right to live as men, and not as paupers and slaves. Mr. JAMES CUNMING (Edinburgh) said the chartists of Edintmrsh were so not from poverty but on principle, and were prepared to stand by the convention at all hoards. They were almost united with the Irish repeaters, and did r.ot wish the convention rashly to invite government perose cation. They were lovers of peace, but were not afraid of war it it should be rendered necessary by aggressions from without. The recent events on the continent had added considerably to the chartists ranks in Scotland,and they felt. as liberty, equality, fraternity, had achieved a republic for France, Gnat Britain must have its charter. (Cheers.) Mr. J. DRAM/in (Dundee) mid he represented a popula tion of between 60,000 and 70,1,00, which was determined that the pier nt was the last attempt of a moral nature they would make to carry the rights for which they bad so long struggled. Seeing that other nations in Europe hod gained their lib, sty, they felt that nothing ought to prevent them from achieving they own, and they were prepared to back the eonventinie either by moral or by physical means. Mr. Lvsio (Lancaster) said that the generality of the working people in Lancaster, Kendal, and Preston were not prepared for any physical demonstration for the acoomp:ish merit of the people's cherter, but they would abide by the de onion of the convention, whatever that decision might be. They were averse to eiolent measures ; unless there appeared • probability of their success. F. Idiarteen, a band-loom weaver, and delegate from Barnsley, stated, that his constituents were willing to carry out any measure which the convention might consider neces sary to make the charter the law of the teed as room as pee 'l hey were of opinion, that if parliament rejected their petition, it eight to be regarded as a declaration of war by the property classes against the working elassee of this country. Mr. J. WA76ON (Newcastle) said his constituents were determined to have the chart, T. come what might. They we re not poverty-stricken chartists, but so principle were determined to atiord every aid and assistance to gain the rights and privileges which the charter would confer. Mr. 11. Same (Liverpool) correberated the statement made by his colleague Mr. Jones, and added that at a re cent meeting it hau been declared that if the charter was not granted the people would carry it to the Ileum of Com mons on the point of the bayonet. (Hear.) Ile had head that the people in Lirerpoul were preparing arms, but he had cot received pity instructions to say so. The hour &zed :or adjoureieg for the day (6 o'clock) having now nearly arrived, tome routine business in the ap pointment of door. keepers and messengers was disposed of, and the convention adjourned to 9 o'clock tomorrow (this day). THE CHARTIST MOVEMENT. Yesterday the " national convention" of the dele gates of the chartiets met for the despatch of business in the Lecture Hall, Jchn-street, zreyaquare At 10 o'clock most of the delegates had assembled, and the hall wis attended by rather a numerous body of aus'itors.—Mr. P. Dit'Gri.th was called to the chair, and Mr. C. Doyle was ap pointed to act as secretary to the convention. Tl.e CIIAIIt3IAN said the first business to be proceeded with was the production by the delegates of their credentials. He therefore called upon those who were now present to band them in to the secretary.—The following, showing the returns, were then handed in. and read in the subjoined order : " Exeter, Mr. J. T. Wilkinson ; Ipswich, S. G. Francis; Bolton, M. Stevenson; Halifax, E. Jones; Wigan, J. Hitchin; Leicester, G. Buckby ; Nottingham, G. J. Harney ; Birmingham, J. Linncy and J. A. Fussell; 01d hum, S. Hydd ; Manchester, D. Donovan and J. Leach; Liverpool, E. Jones and H. Smith; Eiliatnagh, J. Cum. ming; Dundee, J. Graham; Lancaster, J. T. Lund; Barns ley,F. Mirtield ; Newcastle. J. Watson; Northampton, W. Ashton; Burr, T. Tattersall; Stockport, J. West; Staffordshire ' Potteries S. Devington and E. Sale; Aberdeen, J. Shirrow •' Derby, 0. W. M. Reynolds; Hull and East Riding, 0. Stephens; Paisley, It. Cochrane; Glasgow, J. Adams; ' Irish Democratic Confedenlists of the Ward of Cripplegete,' C. Macorthy ; Bath, C. Baldwin; Bradford. D. Lightowler ; Leeds, Mr. F. O'Connor, M.P. and J. Shaw; Carlisle, J. Lowry; Merthyr Tydvil, D. Thomas; Ashton-under-Lyne, It. Wilde; Worcester, E. Walter; London, W. Cuffay, H. Child, and J. B. O'Brien Plymouth, J. Petrie." On the return of Mr. Charles Macarthy as the delegate of the Irish Democratic Coofederelists being read, Mr. CVFFAY objected to its receptien, as the return was in vio lation of the instructions issued by the executive committee of the National Meter Association. The committee, in order to keep within the provisions of the Convention Act, had authorised 49 places to return delegates, and none other had authority to make a retarn. He moved that tlese cre dentials he not received. Mr. FRAN els seconded the motion, which was opposed by Mr. E. Jones, on the ground that the conventi , n had a paramount authority to that of the committee, and had a rirtht to admit a new member if they so thought tit —Mr. WHEELER moved the appointment of a committee, in the nature of a parliamentary election committee, to examine this and any other disputed returns, and to report thereon. Mr. F. O'Connon, M.P., who bad entered the hall a short time previously, and had been received with loud plaudits, seconded the amendment, which, after a protracted diseussien, Wa put to a show of hands, and carried by a ma jority of 25 to 7, and the following delegates were named of the committee—viz , Messrs. Leach, Fussell, Adams, West, and Cuffay. Mr. Wit emelt called the attention of the delegates to the fact that some of the members of the executive committee had been ele.ted as deli gates, but according to the princi ples of the charter they could not vote, though they might submit :nothing and speak Upon them. He wished the point, if any doubt existed upon it, to be considered by the com mittee already appointed. Mr. F. O'Connor, said he was in the position Mittel, but he would . put an end to the difficulty by waiving his right to vote in the convention. Mr. BRONTEREE O'BtttEN objected to such a surrender of the right to vote. The hon. member had been elected a delegate not as a chartist but as one of the people, and he would not submit to the hon. member's escapieg from the responsibility, whatever it might be, that he hail incurred by his election. If the executive committee were to be allowed to dictate to the convention, he (Mr. O'B.ien) would be no party to the proceedings. Mr. WEST said this IVES not sirnp'y a chartist convention: it was a convention of the nation to superintend the pre sentotion to the Commons cf a petition in favour of the people's charter, signed by many persona whe were not membi is of the National Charter Association. Mr. F. O'Coxacat said, if this w.is rot a chartist conven tion, he fee one would not consent to sit there. As to re seonsibility, so long as he remained a member cf the associa tion, which would be until the charter had become the law of the laud, he would not throw off any responsibility which be had incurred, and which the votes of the majority might cast upon him. A long debate ensued, in the CORM of which no less than four distinct propositions were moved and seconded, and eventually a motion, moved by Mr. West, to the effect that the members of the executive committee who had been elected delegates should be allowed to sit and vote in the convention, was carried by a large majority. At this stage of the proceedings the convention (at one o'clock) a Ijournel for ginner wail half past two o'clock. Oa its reassembling, owing to the absence of the chairman, Mr. F. O'Connor was voted to the chair pro tempore, and called upon the delegates to make their reports from their respective localities. Mr. WILKINSON (Exeter) stated that the locality from which he came had not yet been very forward in the cause of chartisrn, but he was happy to say that the cause was daily gaining ground both in Exeter and the neighbouring districts, 'Tiverton included. They were however opposed entirely to physical force, and through him expressed a hope that at this the most important juncture of elides ever known in this kingdom, the greatest prudence, wisdom, and caution would be *domed in all their proceedings. Mr. S. O. Fitancia (Ipswich) said his report was neces sarily short, inasmuch as the Chartist society in Ipswich bad only b. en in existence about six months. The body how ever comprised a few staonch souls, who were determined to live and die by the charter, and who would not he satisfied with any reform that might be passed until the charter became the law of the land. Mr. MATTHEW STEVENSON (Bolton) said he tepresented on this occasion 70,000 working men, who were unanimous in the feeling that they would be sunk for ever unless some great change was effected in the institutions of the country. To them it was no use to presets patience any longer. Free trade had been tried in the balance, and been found wanting —the system had signally failed—the trade, foreign and domestic, was stopped, and the result was, that the people had been brought to a starvation rate of wages, and were in I a most destitute and pitiable condition. The products ef improved machinery went into the pockets of the free-trade capitalists and mill-owners, and yet the wotking classes, thus reduced, were milled upon to bear an intolerable and in creasing burden of taxation. The question with theca was, that either they must perish or a change be made in the nation's institutions. They did not desire to injure any class of individual., but they desired the rights of labour and in dustry —the means of living ; and those means andrights they were determined to have. His constituents desired him to convey through the press to the government and the country, that they would not quietly submit to such scenes as had been enacted in Ireland during the last eighteen months. They would no longer listen to the promises of John Bright and Co., but claimed from the government some provision to enable them to live on their native lan% tales some change for that object was made, he (Mr. Stevenson) would not answer for what might follow. O'Cosxoa claimed permission to quit the conven tion in order to attend to his parliamentary duties. This was conceded and the hon. member left the hall amieat loud cheers. Mr. Philip fil'Grath having resumed the f . . . I I I , 1 ,• ti .1 • 11 . i k t i ! 1 ..1 :. A II I • ;: k i • . 1 , I / . I !, l' I. i . I . i i 1 i • 1 1, 1 1 . , .1 •,, 1 .I 1 • ii 1 1 ' ll • t . I • : ; II; 11 i ; , 1 I . L' F,li IRELAND. chair, Mr. E. Josms, as delegate from the Halifax district, stated that the chartist spirit there was good and healthy, and his constituents desired that the convention should not separate until the charter became the law of the land. It was also their de.ire that, if possible, the present move Lent should be conducted on moral force principles ; but tkey were ready to a man to light, it necessary, through the hills of the West Riding, sad to march up to London. They, however, wish that the petition in favour of the charter should again be presented to the house of Commons, but that if it was re jected with contumely, or even with courtesy, or if only half measures of relief were ratted, they then advised an appeal to the crown, and if that was useless, the convention must resolve itself into a permanent parliament, and then would commence the struggle. Mr. J. HITCHIN (Wigan) said that, in his locality, the utmost distress prevail-A. The people had determined to try another petition for their rights to the House of Com mon!, but, if it was kicked out or rejected, and if the moral means used by the convention failed, then they were deter. mined to take the responsibility into their own hands and to go to work, let what might be the consequences. Mr. G. BUCKLEY (Leicester) stated that the constituents who had sent him to the convention had not furnished him with any instructions, but be could state that the people in his locality thought they had already petitioned enough, and that, if they could not get the charter granted by moral means, have it they would. Mr, J. HARKEY (Nottingham) said, though elected a delegate for Nottingham, he was not present when chosen by as large a meeting as ever was held in any part of Reg. land. He could, however, state that his constituents had resolved that this was the last petition they would present to the House of Commons, as it was at present constituted, Mr. J. LtEKEY (Birmingham) spoke of 'the deplorable condition to which the population of Baton and other di,. tric:s bad been reduced, and assured the convention that whatever course it naightdetermine upon the people of those neighbourhoods were quite ready to assist in carrying it cut. At ell events they were determined to bare the DCBLIN, APRIL 2. I refer you to the notice report of the examination of Hyland, the blacksmith, which has excited a power ful sensation here. The following military arrangements are on the authority of thisevening's Mail : Apohration has been made to the provost by the government for seroininothition within the walls of the roller far • strong military detachment. The bundlers of the QU(CII . B lima have olso been ap yard to for permission for the military stationed In the Linen 11.1 to therrise in the grounds attached to the inns in lieuriettiestreet. Leinster House is being fitted up for 300 infantry, and a strong Guards of enroll . . The 52 d Light infantry and a battalion of the Guards are under ordero of readiness for 11is tot ltoyais will be moved from Belfast to Dublin. A wing of the Ord Light infantry is to form part sf Dublin garrison. A strong company of Sappers and ?liners has arrived from Chatham, and Wien up guar ere in the bet roths at the Linen liar- the 13th Light Infautty, uot• of Hier, are to orneeed to Scotland. The tills are about to move to the Belfast 'rue following is the declaration alluded to by our Dublin correspondent, in his later of the lst inst. It is said to have received the signatures of s9me influential personages: TJ HlB EXCELLENCY GEORGE E \AL OF CLARENDON, LORD LIEUTENANT GENERAL AND GENERAL•GOVERNOR OP lIILLAND. We, the undersigned, desire to express our respect for your excellency, personally, and as representative of our sovereign, and to declare our determination to maintain the prerogatives of the crown, the privileges of the peerage, the rights of the pubic creditor, and the iusiolability of private contracts. We have witnessed with ter ret aed disapprobation the avowal of designs incompatible with social order and with the legitimete enjoyment of the fruits of industry; and we are resolved and ready with force and nine to resit any at tempt to subvert social relations, or to (fleet revolutionary changes in pr perry. At the Fame tim, Ye are bound to declare our conviction that a general and well-founded heeling of dissatisfaction pervade& society in Ireland, joined to an earnest and grow tog desire for a return to our ancient couatitution. The failure of the Imperial Parliament to provide ade quate means for the relief of our poor, and their refusal of inquiry into the defects of the piceent unjust and partial system of poor-law taxation, joined to the ll:Annelle con tinuance off pernicious and unconstitutional policy of cen tralization, cause us t 3 s)mpatbize in the president feeling, an:. to participate in the general desire fur self government. Considering that extreme opinions and violent language, however censurable, are but the natural exponents of so great a masa of discontent, we humbly beg to represent to I your excellency our opinion that it would be expedient to treat the violent demonstrations which have lately taken place rather ~s evidences of the prevailing desire fora change of policy than as individual offences agairst the law ; and pray your excellency to recommend to your government the speedy adoption of measures which may restore to her majesty's Irish subjects their old feelings of respect for the laws and of confidence in their rulers, uy such a return to the ancient coratitution of this realm as will at least secure to the Irish people their former exclusive power of taxing themselves for their local purposes, and of regulating and serr.inistering their local affairs, through their sovereign, lords, and commons, in an Irish parliament. BENIAL ASSOCIATION.—Tbe usual weekly meeting of this body wee held to-day, Mr. Daniel O'Connell preneing. The assembly was very large, and amongst the persons on the benches were Messrs. Cecil Lawless, J. O'Brien, Maher, and M. O'Connell, members of the legislature. Mr. Maurice O'Connell, in proceeding with the business of the day, 44- vetted to the circumstance of his brother, Mr. John O'Con nell, having morning taken his departu:e for London, and said his intention is to see the prime minister, and to impress upon Lim the immediate necessity of yielding to the just demands of the Irish peogie. After come letters had been read and other matters t acted, Mr. J. H. Dunne entered tha ball and reported the result of the case of the man charred with having procured the manufacture of pikes. lie announced that Col. Browne had avowed that he had emplcved Kirwan to procure the making of these implements.—Mr. Maurice O'Connell ani madverted nyon the circumstances with very greet severity, but took occasion, from the circumstance, to impress upon his auditory the Get, that safety—the safety of liberty and life—was only secured within the ass ciation, and, in ad herence to its first and fundamental rule, that moral force alone would be relied upon, and that none other would be used for the purpose of procuring political ameliorations. — Mr. Ray announced that he hod received from various places 292 prtitions for repeal, ell adopted on St. Petrick's day.—Mr. O'Connell again br:ught forward the address to the Queen, which has sire ady appeared in the E.rpress. Much &reunion er.sued.—The repeal rent for the week was 1 71.185. Ild. PIKE MAKING.—POLICE INVESTIGATION. David Hyland, blacksmith, of 16, Charlesstreet, appeared this day. on his own recognisance, to give evidence in the case of Thomas Kirwan, against whom informations were taker. by Mr. O'Callaghan, on Saturday, for purchaaing pike-heads for an illegal purpose. All the parties concerned baring assembled, Col. Browne, commissioner of police, whim had taken his place on the bench, made the following statement Col. Browne said he wished to offer a few wordy, which he thought would set the matter at reit. He wished to state in the presence of the bench and untie men assembled in the office, that he had r-ceived intelli gence that pikes were manufactured in different parts of the city, and that he had the names of blacksmiths who were engaged in making them, and of persons who watched the process of manufacture. Every one must allow that it was only his duty to have these inquirie) set on foot. With regard to the man Kirwan, against whom informations were sworn on Saturday, he had no hesitation in declaring that he was ene of the persona sn employed by him for the purpose he bad sectioned. He had been furnished with the names of persons who, he VW informed, were manufacturing pike heads to a large amount ; but, as there was nothing in the present state of the law to prevent such doings, he bad not interfered with the parties. In feet, as the law stood, any individual might make pikes, or have them in his poe• session—whether unfortunately or otherwise wu freely a matter of opinion. But at was bis (Col. Browne's) duty, holding the responsible position he d id, to make the government fully aNnainted with everything that was passing in the city of Dublin, and ha there avowed that he did take steps to make himself acquainted swath all the circumstances connected with the manufacture and sale of pike heads in the city. In fact, he had in his pub — s-ins of ettry k;nd of pike which bad been hitherto 's ~I;.ses to bit Aachen to any I ar.:, 11 abate ensued, in the course of which no less than the legitimete enjoyment of the fruits or industry; area we y e w with relations,tre and or a propositions were moved and seconded, and a motion, moved by Mr. West, to the effect that Z r e e m r or tollubantedrtres.'o'letow etas o t revolutionary ti so on y ary st- ere of the executive committee who had been c h at i g s • pr . pe rr y. • legates should be allowed to sit and vote in the At - t!he 'n eamtine - e are bound to declare our conviction , was carried by a large majority. that a general and well-founded reeling of dissatisfaction ; stage of the proceedings the convention (at evades society in Ireland, joined to an earnest and grow- .) a tjournei fur dinner wail half past two o'clock. gff desire for a retain to our ancient couatitution. sembling, owing to the absence of the chairman, • .fhe failure of the Imperial Parliament to provide ade- "Jonnor was voted to the chair pro tempore, d a - • for the of qua.e means relied our poor, and their refusal of I I o the delegates to make their reports from their inqu i ry i n t * th e d e f e cts of the p;csent unjust and partial localities. system of poor-law taxation, joined to the systematic con- -I.IiINSON (Exeter) stated that the locality from tinuance off pernicious and unconstituticrnat policy of cen- I came had nut yet been very forward in the cause tralization, cause us t 3 5 \ rapatbize in the president feeling, o, but he was happy to say that the cause was an :. to participate in the general desire fur self government. ing ground both in Exeter and the neighbouring l Considering that extreme opinions and violent language , Tiverton included. They were however opposed however censurable, are but the natural exponents of so I ' I ' i physical force, and through him expressed a hope great a mass of discontent, we humbly beg to represent to his the most important juncture of erairs ever your excellency our opinion that it would be expedient to this kingdom, the greatest prudence, wisdom, and treat the violent d,.monstrations which have lately taken ould be ado stud in all their proceedings. place rather ea evidences of the prevailing desire fora change O. Fanricis (Ipswich) said his report was neces- of notice than as individual offences egair.st the law ; and , ~ rt, inasmuch as the Chartist society in Ipswich had • - . . pray your excellency to recommend to your government tho . in existence about six months. The body how- speedy adoption of measures which may restore to her wised a few staunch souls, who were determined to majesty's Irish subjects their old feelings of respect for the lie by the charter, and who weuld net be satisfied laws and of confidence in their rulers, lay such a return to reform that might be primed until the charter theancient c t. oratitu 'on of this realm as will at least secure the law of the land. to the Irish people their former exclusive power of taxing A TTHEW STEVENSON (Bolton) said he represented l themselves fur their load purposes, and of regulating and :melon 70,000 working men, who were unanimous ! I , i aerr.inistering their loteil affairs, through their sovereign, ding that they would be sunk for ever unless some lords, and commons, in an Irish parliament. inge was effected in the institutions of the country. it was no ire to preach patience any longer. Free- REPEAL ASSOCIATION.—Tbe usual weekly meeting of , , I d been tried in the balance, and been found wanting this body was held to-day, Mr. Daniel O'Connell presiaing. stem had signally failed—the trade, foreign and The assembly was very large, and amo n gstn the persons on t was stopped, and the result was, that the people the benches were Messrs. Cecil lO'Brien, Maher, I I I brought to • starvation ra•c of wages, and were in and M. O'Connell, members of the legislature. Mr. :Maurice estitute and pitiable condition. The products e f O'Connell, in proceeding with the business of the day, 44- d machinery went into the pockets of the free-trade vetted to the circumstance of his brother, Mr. John O'Con- ts and mill-owners, and yet the evoking classes, thus nell, having te.:. t morning taken his departu: e for London, , were called upon to bear an intolerable and in- and said his inteetion is to see the prime minister, and Ii ' burden of taxation. The question with them was, to impress upon Lim the immediate necessity of her they must perish or a change be made in the yielding to the just demands of the Irish Iwo*. institutions. They did not desire to injure any class After some letters had been read and other matters trills- iduals, but they desired the rights of lemur and in- acted, Mr. J. H. Dunne entered the hall axed reported the -the mews of living ; and those means andrights they result of the case of the man charred with haring procured termined to have. His constituents desired him to the manufacture of pikes. He announced that Cot. Browne . through the press to the government and the count r y , had avowed that he had emplcved Kirwan to procure the i I , y would not quietly submit to such scenes as had making of these implements.—Mr. Maurice O'Connell alai- 'acted in Ireland during the last eighteen months. =Adverted uyon the circumstances with very great severity, could no longer listen to the promises of John Bright but took occasion, from the circumstance, to impress upon , , but claimed from the government some provision his auditory the fact, that safety — the safety of libert y and le them to live on their native lan I. Unle a some life—was only secured within the ass - dation, and, in ad- I for that object was made, he (Mr. Stevenson) herenee to its first and fundamental rule, that moral force not answer for what might follow. alone would be relied upon, and that none other would be O'Cosxoa claimed permission to quit the colleen. need for the purpose of procuring political ameliorations. — order to attend to his parliamentary duties. This Mr. It . ey_ announced that he had received from various 1 ' leeded and the hon. member left the hall &mast places 2.92 p ; titions for repeal, ell adopted on St. Patrick 's beers. Mr. Philip kl'Grath having resumed the day.—Mr. 0 Connell again br:ught forward the addrees to I the Queen, which has glee ady appeared in the E.rpress. i i E. Joins, as delegate from the Halifax district, stated Mock discussion er.sued.—The repeal rent for the week was e chartist spirit there was good and healthy, and his 871. 18s. 11d. aents desired that the convention should not separate 3e charter became the law of the land. It was also PIKE MAKING.—POLICE INVESTIGATION. cite that, if possible, the present move neat should David Hyland, blacksmith, of 16, Charles street,appeared lucted on moral force principles ; but they were ready 1 this day. on his own recognisance, to give evidence in the an to fight, if necessary, through the hills of the West case of Thomas Kirwan, against whom informations were • r , sad to march up to London. They, however, wish taker- by Mr. O'Callaghan, on Saturday, for purchasing e petition in favour of the charter should again be pike-heads for an illegal purpose. All the parties concerned . ted to the House of Commons, but that if it wes re - having assembled, Col. Browne, commissioner of police, wk. i with contumely, or even with courtesy, or if only had taken his place on the bench, made the following . assures of relief were granted, they then advised an statement : to the crown, and if that was useless the convention Col. Browne said he wished to offer a few words, resolve itself into a permanent parliament, and then which he thought would * nce et the - he matte r bench atand reit. Retitle- c ommence the struggle. wished to state in the prese of J. HITCHIN (Wigan) said that, in his locality, the men assembled in the office, that he had r.-ceived intelli- t distress pre (W' The people had determined to genos . that pikes were manufactured in different parts of other petition for their rights to the House of Com- the into, and that he had the names of blacksmiths who but, if it was kicked out or rejected, and if the moral were engaged in making them, and of persons who watched , . s used by the convention failed, then they were deter- the process of manufacture. Every one must allow that it Ito take the responsibility into their own hands and to was only his duty to have t h er ein inquiriee set on foet. With I ' work, let what might be the consequences. . regard to the man Ktrevanagt whom information, were i ' .0. BUCKLEY (Leicester) stated that the constituents sworn on Saturday, he had no hesitation in declaring that ha I had sent him to the convention had not furnished him was one of the persons to employed by him for the purpose ha any instructions, but he could state that the people in bad mentioned. He had been furnished with the names of cality thought they had already petitioned enough, said pe rs ons who, he was informed, were manufacturing pike- if they could not get the charter granted by moral heads to a large &mount ; but, as there was nothing a, have it they would. present state of the law to prevent such doings, he had not ~ J. HARNEY (Nottingham) said, though elected a interfered with the parties. In fact, as the law stood, aay , 1 rate for Nottingham, he was not present when chosen individual might make pikes, or have them in his was freely pos- -1 large a meeting as ever was held in any part of Eag- session—whether unfortunately or otherwise . He could, however , state that his constituents had a matter of opinion. But it was his (Col. Browne's) I l 1 ved that this was the last petition th ey would present to duty, holding the responsible position be did, to make , Noose of Commons, as it was at present constituted, the government fully aequainted with everythieg that ; r. J. LtNNEY (Birmingham) spoke of 'the deplorable was passing in the city of Dublin, and ha therefore avowed i ition to which the population of Barton and other dis• that he did take steps to make himself acquainted with all ' I i had been reduced, and assured the convention that the circumstances connected with the manufeeture and sale Myer course it aaightdetermine upon the people of those of pike heads in the city. In fact, he had in his Pomesd 4o '' hbourhood a were quite ready to meat in car= e t i t r cut. patterns of every kind of pike which bad been hitherto sli events they were determined to have the made i ar. 1., at there was any odimataba @dashes' to any t 1 or bete that the and for tem. that cicil peat, Pera -8 jut than even If ,vern- tempt Bibly their 're for tee, of incee. a the 'earful cora- Itered t with to °ur n:all in ad, no n from ocking D Dub' )orn Of terrible insur- F.urope•