The Express. — London, England, 1853-05-12 00:00:00

ITALY. The r repeto of Genoa was seized on the end is editor thrown into prison. A clergyman, .mied Trucchi. was also limited at Genoa for hay inT rusted up bills without a license. The Off). i,re r. motile says, that the arrest of '.►i. Trucchi had created much surprise. The prisoner, it nye, is well ►nown to be afflicted with religious monomania, and it would le preferable to commit him to the care of B phe•sician than to a gaoler. BELGIUM AM) lIOLLAND BRUSSELS, TVZSDAT. The &Tural discussion on the bill 6- increasing the Ittlgitun army to 100,000 was brought too close IL:. Afternoon, the Chamber of Representatives de cuoing, by a majority of 72 to 21, in favour of that number. In the course of the discussion M. Dumer tur observed that if the people of Belgium enter tained the opinion expressed by an honourable mem ber, that the Belgium army could not resist a French one, they had better affix posting-balls on the fron tiers, announcing " Belgium to be sold or let." The Chamber then proceeded to discuss the articles of the bill. All the members of the late cabinet—the Ito -6,r one—voted for the bill, as did also such eminent liberals as M. Verhaeger and M. Lebeau. f u .sa, the l'resident of the Chamber, voted againit it, hut, contrary to expectation, he did not speak on the subject. I may state here that the patriotic declara tions of M. Dumertter were loudly cheered in the Chamber, and, even although against the rules of the h o use, in the public tribunes. After the division the Minister of Foreign Affairs recommended the cen tral committee of the Chamber to lose no time in drawing up a report on the war budget, as that budget had an intimate connexion with the bill just voted. The budget demanded by the government is 32 millions of francs. VW Court. OSBORNE, WEDNESDAY. The Queen and Prince took their usual early walk yesterday morning. The Princess Helena and Piincesa Lamm drove out in the afternoon in an open carriage. The royal dinner party yesterday included the Earl of Clareador. and Sir Edwin Landacer, who has arrived on • visit. Lend Cl ircndon returned this afternoon to London. The Duchess of Cambridge and the Princess Mary visited the Duchess of Kent yesterday at Clarence Douse, St. James's. The Duchess of Kent, accompanied by the Ditches, of Cambridge and the Princess Mary and the Princess Ade laide of Hoheulobc, and attended by Lady Anna Maria Dawson and Lieut.-Colonel F. Seymour, honoured the performance of French Plays with her; presence last evening. A deputation, consisting of Mr. Charles Turner, M.P., with Mr. D. Rowland, Secretary to the Liverpool Pilot Commissioners, and Mr. John Shepherd. Muter Pilot, had an interview with the Right Lion. E. Cardwell on Tuesday, at the Board et Trade. Colonel W. L. Freestun, M.P., had an interview with the Eat of Aberdeen yesterday at his official residence in Downing-street. Mts. Chisholm had an interview with the Duke of New castle yesterday at the Colonial office. Earl Granvide, Lord President, and the Countess Gran vale, left town yesterday morning for Dublin, to be present at the opening of the Irish Industrial Exhibition. The Earl of Clarendon arrived in town yesterday from a visit to her Majesty at Osborne, Isle et Wight. Despatches were received yesterdsy at the Colonial office from the Governor-General of Canada. Despatches wire also received from the Governors of the Gambia and the Gold Ceast. PARLIAMENTARY DIVISIONS. ROUSE OF LORDS.-MAT 10. MAJORITY AGAIIBT LAN. GREY'S MOTION I Lord Mace:lor Carlielo illontyre Effingham Byron Carboys liaccituch Nagasaki Axial' Galloway Granville Cressona Ilaldler= • De Tabk7 livreweed Defects al MIMI% Ilarrowbe Ilerldae linfadshasu Somers dohs Wields, = Take. lasedserse Zetiasd COVITTS. Welt Ilataertes Omeade _ . TIO Milford Cembi mu*. MIN Omersiose Abeam _ Few' Parpin ... ..- Airlie Limerick - hilicois Albeisol• limadiest-r Petra se M. DA.4l's =slAbinhey /aviary Itarbaitas belsobary CMbow miaow& Welimo COmplit irliesllll. PAU& = I. o 466,sgissey Lad Mae Dabs of Natatras DRY el Maar lad al -Ow lasi hiliansa /ad •11A•gied liiva mi lervidi LW lad airl 41 1 1=oreash 1121.1 . Li11. MO lard Fassia al Osinteg • Uri Douglas ftestlllabop lan at Laves LA " ghe limll.4 Lon! Dr Lilo -- Lidoo of b.... 101 144 3 1 = 1. lan ftrrod Libor= I= U=l llerdslo ef lkoodoic Lei of kola Lirliog itr thol Lori at Iltreirlill lord ai lord Ifororobooo Wet odooroind Lord Doloner• Illoloso el IMAM lord litablasbia llama oollim lord Lorlible Lord SLtied yndhurst Lod Orrei id Wordooraro Lori rd *doom lad loodssionragb Lord ilr. Leonardo. BOWS OF COMMONS—TuTzanky. 11111/011 COURTS (SCOTLAND) (Mo. 3) BILL. Mar be mad read a read : Man nada, sad gawks proposed, "TWA We YD be sow reed a semi ans.:" Atasadaeat proposed. Wawa wt tbe word "now." eat se the ead of ties qweitloa to add the wade " tam Ws day is tiatha" Quake put, " That the word . sow ' semi parted las lesetioe." The boas* divided:— Arm U; Bea WA. ATER Ashmelea. Mamie Galway, Mind Roborearea. P. F. Alberto. WINNE Caw" T. W. alymer. 11. life 1_340y. Orbs* Graas hm is i t i floyassorgi. Dray Dard. haw wBl Dem^ Mom I=ld hs = im Rs* =L V.P. t atls ilic arrfra SlVriand Ak fildlel kW, kis Ilellem. MAW Rea. AMID Jaw. neskant io ß la . Map& el Illeboas Illarady. Oi ci tt eagi Lwebew. Jena Tame. Lad A. Rate, Maim . Walesa& Er J. Mackie. Saba Wißsew.B. WOW* Drat Jews M•TiespeA lik J. Wilthema. Wallas Tesww. Omar Meargy. W. J. Wsllo, Ayeltierd =A. Murray 311111are. g r ba rt Wortley. J. Some Jews B. = Ihreel. 11111bea ass. A. 11114M116 Mira Tram Oeseleera. Lord Cradled. S. R. J. rewels.olbael Elpeteseds Mime; kba hi" h. R. II 8 — skim A'Ocurt. C. H. W. pr i bA na. rsa MEW tedWirsissr7. l'is O. Adair, HIS. B.w. Meseren. Lccd Also*. Timm FararAludes Mias p, T , a. Artmemise. issamis. Iheassao. Crikairow Salmis IL M.lB. T. 0111•11 rime, Wend Berle& Olt P. T. husk Mee% Kends, Bain M. T. Glafferegt, C. . P. OThkerty, Andieny Beaseamsr,W. I. =O. C. W e 4 :ad Ailed Brahrer. grin 18 E. S. Mr J. Berkdry. Aaried Owl" Malta! J. rae ldr ork irrt lisrldshiles. C. v. Gram O. D. MI L.B. Ormil. Mon M. W. B. N. Clew% 828261 Or 0. E. Sm. I. IP. ONO% C. W. lea Cd. had', Jobs Glisy.llA. Nn. ffir 0. PhfillgsbaL 11. Brawn" T. W. erowsior Nan Wks; W. P. Braad, Hots. le m aa. I. 114 li tlaten .s. gus no ,rimid Etm lbart ai j aa Risdko. T. a. =O. Brum, C. L C. heard. J. L lisbirtss. T. J. A. back, L W. afffibests, G. H. DIM. P. urroughes, H. N. Miley, D. Jams Bassell, Y. C. 11. Butt, G. N. UMW* Jams Messel. F. W. Batt, Lase Mmarmilh lawnmos Oradr, I. M a. 1:1;1 1 i C. Vir sr ed.27 l . C.W .0. ill A g t:ll.. 0. Men.C. C. lbeirs, W. B. Deptala Chertsds,trnmeds MEM% W. F. M o r a r . Wilma Mee, WHO= =. V. L J. C. abut Oxklams, Sir A.J.E. M .k lllmull Moly. % mat GAN Walter Askesteirs. him es Skilte hi nt. D. Colville, C. C. AIM. Ix W.O. P. =I: IL Ccmpton, IL C. tCe jl o l lt,g C rll ' a i n a s A. Coute, Sir C. H. Stafford, Marquis Cowan, Chwies Kingseote, R. N. P. Stashorre, J. b. Dalrymple, Viscount Kin gird, Ham A. P. Stirling, W. Davie, Stir MIL P. Kaatchbull, W. P. Tolima:he, J. bonsai. Richard Laing, Samuel Traill, G. 'men, F.dward Lupton, James 11. Trollop', Sir I. Druallusritt. Viet. Langtoe, IL 0. Tyre!, Mr J. T. Drummond, Henry Lowlier, Hon. Edwin Vernon, G. C. 11. Ina kwor th,SirJ.T.B. Lawless, Hon. Cecil Villiers, Hon. C. P. IMP, G. S. Lanky, Hon. P.C. Vivian, H. IL bug, James Legit, 0. Cornwall Vivian, J. E. I mucombe, Thomas Lewis, Al.HanirT. F. Walpole, Hat. IL IL Duneumbe, Arthur Liddell, 11. 0. WelY, Wm. Lando, George Lockhart, A. & Whalley, 0. IL Dural" Frederick Later, Lord Wkatinan, J. Egerton, E. C. Lowe, Robert Whittarsd, S. Ellice, Right Hon. E. ?granary, George Wickham, H. W. Mee. ?Award Dltirepr, James Wilson, J. Elliott, Hon. J. E. St withal% William M lnaingtou, Sir T. E. Early n, Viscount Matheson, Alexander Worlehoam, K. Iroiroode, John Matheson, Sir Loam Wyndham, G. Eu.ton, Earl of Made, Hon. Colonel Wynn, H. W. W. ETAMJ, William Maiwarell. T. P. Wpme, W. W. E. Evin, William Miles, William Yorke, Hoe. E. T. Panama. L IL Mills., Thomas Farrar, James Milner, W. 11. F.. mum& Fel:owes. Edward Moieswortli, Sir W. tarsus, John Mond, Viscount Hayti!, W. G. Zerguros, Joseph Mwelieff, lame/ Millipore, Pori of CUSTOMS REFORM. The following important document has just been issued by the Customs Reform Committee : _ _ It will be seen that she heads of Customs Derwin com prised in the Treasury Minute of 14th April. 1863, aro given first under each heading, and are then followed, within brackets, by suggestions presented to the Earl of Derhe on the 7th December, 1862, and to the Right lion. W. E. Gladstone on the 12th Much, 1863. OF THE WARD OF CI:STOMR., Ist Mead, p. 62.—fhe constitution of the board's still order consideration, and the tival determination of the go vernment will be expressed in a separate Treasury Minute. Meanwhile no emissaries at the board are to be filled up until the whole subject has received their lordships' consi deration sad decision.—See Report of Commisshiners et Customs, p. 2; and also the second paragraph under the fifth head. [Suggestion 1. That one commissioner at least, but the chairman if possible, should have a seat in the House of Commons, and be movable with the government.] [Suggestion 2. That one member of the board at least should be taken from the mercantile clue ] [Suggestion 7. not one commissioner should sit daily in open stun to receive all tatitiuns, memorial:, and com plaints ; should be bound to hear any party interested therein penoually on demand, and decide upon all such cues in open court: that is, a court open to the press sad the public—a court constituted, in fact, as a police court.] The committee have urged on three successive adminis trations the absolute necessity of a reconstruction of the board, and no scheme can be expected to give satisfaction which does not include an alteration in its constitution. It is important also to have a clear understanding as to whe ther the Board of Customs may now be considered an open board. It is essential that the Customs shall be brought into immediate responsibility to parliament, and that the simplification of the department shall not be allowed to wait upon so slow a process as the death or retirement of the existing commissioners.—See Treasury Minute, p. 71. APPOINTMENT AND PRONOTIO 7 .N pe OVEI-CRA. tad Hcad , P.6l.lhersis henceforth to be no bar to the promotion of any officer who shall have distinguished him self by good conduct. Merit will hereafter constitute a claim (or due reward.—See Commissioners' Report, p. S. • _ [Suggestion 3. That promotion should be open to all meritorious diem, and that there should not be any re striction to prevent useful officers in one department from being removed into another [Suggestion 4. That highsr qualifications, a longer pro. betion and much more protracted and systematic training of all officers should be required than are at present **acted ; and that a stricter examination of every perma nent officer should be made by a hoard of officers called for the purpose ] The recommendations of the committee under this bead seem to have been fairly met by the minute, but whether the letter of the law shall be carried into useful effect must depend upon tfte personal knowledge and activity of the head of the customs; and to the goad working of the rule, it is important that neglect of merit shall have to be answered for in parliament. FINES AND SATISFACTIONS. 3rd Head, p. 63.—Tne officers seizing or detaining goods shall in future have no personal or direct interest in the fines imposed, or the profits derived from the sale of goods undervalued ' • but such fines and profits shall be paid into a separate fund , partment. With respect to smugglers caught ty the coast guard, no change is contemplated in the present system.— See Commissioners' Report, p.B. [Suggestion 12. Th.et the system of fines and satisfactions to officers should be entirely abolished.] [Suggestion 15. That all detentions, fines, and seizures for entries or declarations referable only to statistical put , poses, and not involving questions of revenue, should be prohibited.] The suggestions of the committee seem in this case to have received careful consideration, but there certainly should be no fund formed of fines sod seizures. The whole of such sums should be paid to the gross account of revenue ; and if-officers are to have rewards in addition to their pay, let parliament Tote a sum for the purpose. AD VALOREM DUTIES. 4th Head, p. 64.—The recommedations of the Parliamen tary Committee, in relation to this su!ijeet, are to be ousted into effect as far as possiblo.—See Commissioners' Reset, p. 11. LSuggestion G. That ad raloren duties be converted, so be as is at all possible, into specific duties : and that in ono where this could not be done they should be abolished.] Under this head it will ba necessary to go over the entire list of article. subject to ad valorem duties, and it will Of course be impossible to draw up the fitting suggestions un til the new tariff is published. SEIZURES AND STOPPAGES, AND ADJUDICATIONS OP THEM. sth Head, p. Gt.—Henceforth no vessel, boat, or goods, may be seized without a written notice, pursuant ta the notice issued on the 23rd August, 1852. Evidence upon oath will also betaken of the merchants or other parties claiming the property, on the or.e side, and of the detaining officers, on the other, before one commis- Blotter. Greater facilities for amending entries are to be carried out.—See Cotnosissionew Report, p. 13, officer - [Suggestion S. That no ihould be competent to seize, or detain the ships, goods, or person of a subject until the person against whom the seizure or detention shall be adopted has been served by him, in writing, with a fomal, and final statement of the cause of such seizure or detention as the case may be.] The provisions under this head require to be more dearly expremed. This evidence on oath before one commissioner does not meet Suggestion 7. The matter frequently assumes the form of a complaint in which the board is im plicated, and in which the commissioners are interested in soreentag the officers. No hearing is of any value which is sat before an independent tribunal, and with admission et Me peen ; and without this publicity, not to be granted er 11111111611 at the option of the board, but as a matter of sight, to every case, a hearing can be of no value, and might accomplish nothing further than subjecting the merchant to insult from the commissioner. LAW OF COSTS AND PENALTIES. 6th Head. p. 66.—The government thinks that the time has come when the crown should be put on the same footing as the subject; and further, that it should be imperative on the crown, in all eases where the amount shall not exceed 100/., instead of an Exchequer trial, to resort to a lonely court, or such local tribunal as the Treasury shall direct.— See Commissioners' Report, p. 17. [Suggestion 9. That the crown ought net to be exempt from costa; and that every subject should have the right to defend his person and property against the suit of the crown without being called on for security for costs, fines, or penalties.] The intentions with regard to costa and penalties are set expressed with sufficient clearness ; and it will be abso lutely necessary that something more definite than what is now contained in the Treasury minute shall be embodied I. the Customs Bill. For instance, how is the amount in die. pute to be determined by the board or by the petitioner I If by the board, what is to prevent the nominal penalties being in any case conveniently raised above the county court, and there is no reason that every Customs case, how ever vast, should not be heard in the county court, for be the Penalties. dc., great or small, the issue to be tried always of the same kind. THE TRIM= STETEN. 7th Read, p. 66.—Facilities are to be extended, accord• big to circumstances, for goods in passing in transit ; bee caution is considered necessary. The prohibition with respect to arms may be &teemed with; but a Treasury order will be required is erebeese. Bonds are now given for removal is each partkodistase ; but it is proposed, that where merchants prefer it s the, shall be at liberty to give one single general bond is NINE their transactioos.—See Commissioners' Report, p. 22. [Suggestion 16. That the examination and delivery et free goods should be simplified, and a better system should be devised in reference to goods passing through this country in transit. The meaning of tte provision under this head of the Treasury Minute is not sufficiently intelligible. What is to be the nature of the general bond ? FINES ON SKIPPING. Bth Head, p. 67. My lords are of opinion that the views of the committee are now sufficiently provided for by the law and practice of its administration, as they exist.—See Commissioners' Report, p. 26. [Suggestion 10. The merchants, shipowners, and others, should sot be made responsible for the crimes or offenses of their servants or crews, excepting where guilty knowledge or the most culpable negligence can be proved.] The law and practice, as far as we can make out, are op pressive and vexatious to merchants and shipowners, and the approval of them as they stand certainly goes far to prove that neither the law narcotics arc very clearly un derstood at the Treasury. BONDING SYSTEM. _ _ • 9th Read. p. 67.—The original importer is to be held, as at present, liable for the duty until he parts with the goods ; he shall then cause a re-entry for the same to be made in the name of the new proprietor, who shall thereafter be made responsible, except as regards deficiency up to lba time of transfer. Stock is to be taken of all goods which shall have re- seined in bond five years. Special and ordinary security warehouses are, to a eesteia extent, to be placed upon an equality . . Owners of the warehouses are to give bond, and the mm. chant or importer is to be relieved of liability in this re,- speet —See Commissionen' Report, p. 28. [Suggestion 13. That in all eases the delivery of the goods from bond under duty certificate should be held final as to the claims of the crown upon the merchant or im porter, except in cases in which frauds could be proved.] [Suggestion 14. That the liability of warehouse-keepers should be limited to five years ] The various points under this head require west careful attention. There is great obscurity in the statement ; and it is difficult to understand where it is intended that the responsibility should rest, or how far the stock-taking should go, and the whole looks like an attempt to waive the just demands of the commercial community. PASSENGERS' LUGGAGE. 10th Head, p.6B.—Greater facilities are to be given for the examination of baggage, and passengers bringing only one package may have it examined on board.—See Com missioners' Report, p. 30. It is difficult to pronounce an opinion on the proposed change, but passengers certainly would not gain much by being let off with • part of their luggage, as few persons would choose to leave the major part at the mercy of porters and custom-house officers. HOURS OF ATTENDANCE. llth Head, p.6B.—The ezieting plans are not to be dis tarbed.—See Commimioners' Report, p. 33. Great differ ence of opinion exists with regard to the hours of attendance. THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY EVENING, MAY 1853. 611e1IFICATION OF ENTRIeS OF FRER GOODS. 12th Head, p. 69 —The proper and primary business of a revenue department, with respect to free goods, is the bu siness of search only; but a previous entry is considtred ab solutely necessary. The present law and practice may not be satisfactory, but the changes roposi.il by the parliamentary committee did not appear to tho lords of the Treasury to meet the difficulties of the case. The subject is still under con sideration. The use of manifests is in future to be dispensed with. (Does this apply to outward, or to inward manifests, or to both ?) Additional facility is recommended for the entry of free goods, by the establishment of a separate branch for free entries only • but so far as regards the actual mismination of such good's, my lords request that, in place of relaxing the mode of examination, the commissioners of customs will consider what means they can recommend with a view the more effectually to prevent the importation of free goods, and especially such as are bulky, being made the vehicle fomuggling. With respect to goods outwards, the recommendations of the parliamentary committee cannot be adopted ; but cockets are to be dispensed with, except when the shipper applies for them, as in some foreign markets they ere of great utility, being enasiderrd in the light of certificates of origin. —See Commissioners' Report, p. 37. [See the suggestions opposite the seventh head, and aloe a note below.] This heads much too important to be passed over hastily. Under the plan proposed the smuggling may be enormous. As manifests are to be dispensed with, is any other form to be substituted to show the contents of a cargo? If cockets are to be abolished, thi re will be great necessity for wa•ching the old system of dummies." As the extent of smuggling is now so fully acknowledged, it may be wise to consider whether each case should not be recorded and published, as has ba.m frequently suggested by various members of the committee. There seems to be some misapprehension with regsrd to the price paid for entries. The usual charge is 2s. 6d. The provisions generally under this head are not intelligible. CODIFICATION. 13th Head, p. 70.—A new consolidation of the whole Customs' laws is to be made in accordance with the Trea sury minute, to combine all the new provisions of the laws passed since thelast revision. A consolidation of all government orders which it is thought better not to include in such consolidated act, is to be made forthwith, and published. All new orders and regulations to be published from mouth to month.—Sec Commissioners' Report, p. 46. [Suggestion 17. That the acts, treasury orders, by-laws, and board's orders relating to the Customs should be at once printed with a view to codification, and issued annu ally, under the supervision of the board, at a cheap price to the public.] It is now more than two years since this codification was promised, and there is very little hope of obtaining a satis factory document, unless something decisive is done at once. The delay has been most extraordinary. It must be clearly recited in the preamble of the bill that all former act., orders in council, and board orders, are repealed. THE RECENT CHARGE AGAINST M. KOssuIII.—MEETING IN LAMBETH. A very numerously-attended public meetiug of the inhabitants of the borough of Lambeth was held last evening, at the Horns, Kenniegton-eomirion, to consider the alleged employment of the police by the maw nment as political spies in the ease of M. Kossuth, and especially in reference to the late proceedings at BSW - street Police office. The chair was taken by Mr. W. WILLIAMS, the member for the borough. Lord Dudley Stuart, 11.1'., Mr. Mu rough, M.l'., and aeveral of the principal inhabitants of the parish, were present on the platform. Letters were read from Mr. Wilkinsn, and Sir J. Walmeley, stating their inability to attend, but expressing sympathy in the object of the meeting. The CHAIRMAN, in °peeing the business, expressed his satisfaction at seeing so many of his constituents present to join in denouncing a practice foreign to the character and principles of the English constitution, and which had beta resorted to contrary to the principles of hospitality which this country always professed, to bring that illustrious in dividual, M. Kossuth, within the grasp of Austrian tyranny. (Shame.) After setting the police to dog M. Kessuth's steps day after day, and week after week, to endeavour to bad a pretext for charging him with violating English law, the Home Secretary had bees compelled to admit that there war not the shadow of a ground for any charge against him. Bat perhaps the most humiliating part of this affair was the disclosure that we had in this country a system of spy police that would do no discredit to Austria or to France under their present rulers, but which was utterly foreign to English habits and English feelings. (Cheers.) If M. Kossuth was subjected to this treatment, Englishmen:might experience it at any moment. The Homo Secretary had, in short, stated in the Howe of Commons that nothing had been done in re gard to M. Kossuth, which would not be done in the case of any individual who might be suspected. He thought, considering the enormous charge which the police entailed upon the ratepayer, they might be put to a better purpose than that of watching the houses of private individuals, dogging their steps, and acting as spies upon all their ac tions, and, a• their representative, he offered his services to put down this infamous system of espionage which, in the case he had alluded to, had been mane the means of casting an insult on the country. Mr. BLACK moved a resolution expressing the indignation of the meeting at the employment of the police as political epics, and their opinion that the explanations of ministers l in the House of Commons had shown that setting spies to watch the house and person of M. Kossuth, together with the attempt to damaze his character through the discredit able prosecution of Mr. Hale, were mat disgraceful and unjustifiable acts, contrary to the free spirit of English law, and in violation of that hospitality which it had been the policy of this country to exercise towards foreigners of all shades of opinion. lie gave a history of the prosecution of Mr. Hale and the police proceedings against M. Kossuth, urging in conclusion that the only remedy for such a ss•- tem, either in the case of Englishmen or foreigners, was in the return to the old constitutional practice of placing the control of the police in the hands of the local authorities. The resolution was seconded by Mr. WEBBER and carried unanimously. 31r. F. DOIJLTON moved a Tote of thanks to Lord D. Stuart, Sir J. Walmaley, Messrs. T. buncombe, Bright, Cobden, and other members of parliament, who had in quired into and reprobated the base and unconstitutional practice of setting spies to watch the conduct of political refugees; and that they be requested to continue their ex ertions to prevent any iafringement of public liberty, whether attempted by the police or by any minister of the crown. He regarded the meeting but as an expression of the feeling of the country to succour and protect the op pressed of every land. Looking at the state of the continent at the present time, one was led to fear for the ultimate triumph of " right over might," but one almost despaired when, turning to our own country, we found men high in authority, using that authority to aid in the oppression of those whose only crime was, that they laved their country too well. (Hear, hear.) For himself, he had never had much confidence in the present administration. He could cot forget that it was composed of men who had been instrumental in the death of the brothers Bandeira and of those who when ministers in 1848 had allowed France to crush the rising liberties of Rome without even a protest. The police spy system had been going on for months, and probably for year', and would continue unless the peopl interfered to prevent it. It was ridiculous to charge Kossuth with collecting arms and ammunition here (which having given his honour that he would not do, he had.not done, though he would have been morally right in doing so)—when we knew that in the revolutions in Spain and Portugal arms, ammunition, and even men had been fur nished by this country. The Rev. H. CHRISTSISS seconded the resolution. He admitted that we must have a detective police, but that necessity rendered it the more incumbent upon us to take security against the abuse of the system. He regretted much to see Lord Palmerston's name mixed up in these transactions—but he attributed the suspicion that fell on that noble lord (who, by his noble conduct, had earned for himself the hatred of the despots of Europe), to the com pany be was now keeling—to his being mixed up in the same government with Lord Aberdeen and the frigid and mediocre Lord John Russell. The resolution having been put and carried, Lord D. STUAKT, who was much cheered, stated that he had accepted the invitation to be present with pleasure— deeming it a privilege to join in the 'amnion of the princi• plea of liberty and in upholding that which had long been the boast of this country, the right of afford ing free refuge to the .unfortunates of every nation and of every colour. (Hear, hear.) Englishmen desired that all men who left their country for political reasons should find here a free, quiet, and safe asylum, but we know that one of the most illustrious refu gees that had ever honoured this country with his presence, Louis Koesuth—(hear, hear)—had been denied that safe and quiet refuge— that his steps had been dogged by po lice spies, and to please Austria a vile conspiracy bad been got up to bring him within the penalties of English law. (Shame.) And when the charge was found to be utterly groundless, it was not until after frequent interrogations in parliament that Lord Palmerston had got up and exone rated M. Kossuth as he ought to have done at first. But that answer es to the employment of the police in a dis graceful system of espionage was not so satisfactory. If the system did not exist it would not have needed so many words to answer the question, and if it did exist it was a duty they as Englishmen owed to themselves to demand its instant abolition. (Cheers.) They knew that there was no law applicable to a foreigner that was not applicable to themselves, and if the detective police could be set to watch political refugees, they might be set to track the footsteps of Englishmen. (Hear, hear.) Two years ago none so popular as Lord Palmerston. He was then considered the friend of Hungarian patriotism and of liberty all over the world. It was not so now, and the name of Lord Palmerston was now received in a very different manner at public meetings and in public company from what it was then. (Hear, hear.) But the person who was more directly responsible was the head of the government, and it had long been supposed that Lord Aberdeen had no strong leaning towards the patriots of Europe, and that he looked with too much favour on the principles pursued by despo tic governments. Lord Aberdeen might have changed, and become more liberal, end unless he had, he would not long do for Prime Minister of England. (Hear, hear.) He could conceive that Lord l'almerston, acting as he did in a subordinate capacity, had been pressed to commence this pro secution, and that having failed in convincing his colleagues that such a prosecution must redound to the discredit of the government and the honour of Kossuth, said, " Well, If you will have it so, you must, and take the consequences." (Hear, hear .) But there were others who were still more to Manse than the government. He should like to know who furnished the information to the Taus, on which it banded its charge and its abuse against M. Kouuth. (Hear. hear.) It bad been proved that all the statements detailed and precis* words from which the Times bad published, were wholly and entirely false ; they had never been re trained or explained. M. Koanth himself might well look with contempt at these attacks, for nothing which could be said by the Tuner, or any other paper, would destroy the feeling of admiration which the people of England enter tained for him on account of the noble stand he had made in defence of the liberties of his Fatherland. (Hear, hear.) He by no mesas wished this country to engage in foreign quarrels, but when we saws people strag gling in defence of their canetitutiona rights he thought we might properly use our aflame to prevent their being overran by foreign armies. He would leave the parties to fight oat the quarrel by themselves, but we ought to insist that others should in like manner a bstain from interference. Had we taken this course in reference to the struggle between Hungary and Austria ; had Hungary been allowed to fight her own fight without the interference of Russia, she would have been free at this time, and would have been a valuable ally of ours. The same with Poland. Had we prevented her being swallowed up by Russia, she would have been free, and Hungary having her as a free ally would have been free also. (Hear, hear.) He thanked them for the confidence they had expressed in him and the other members of parliament the resolution referred to, and assured them that that confidence would not be abused. After a brief address from Mr. Murrough, M.P., the meeting separated. all 14th Head, p. 70.—N anous regulations are enumerated with the view of obtaining as much uniformity of practice as possible. Cases not exceeding 1001. are, in some eases, to be deeded on the spot. Classificition of ports is to cease, and each port is is future to be treated with reference to its own special cit. .1.•4011.1...6•• The extension of credit upon post entries to be discoun tenanced as much as much as possible.—See Commissioners' Report, p. 47. [Suggestion s.—That whatever system prevail at London, the practice of the outporta should be uniform with it.] It is difficult to see why facilities should be granted to one port more than another. Why should not Liverpool, null, Glasgow, and other ports, have the ume advantages as London ? With respect to post entries, they should always he com pleted before the goods are delivered. This is usually done. The beads of the Treasury Minutes Nos.lo and 11, though highly important, were not mentioned in the Report pre emoted to the Earl of Derby or in that presented to Mr. Gladstone, as they were considered to involve matters of detail rather than principle. No. 12, when recommended by the parliamentary committee, appeared to many persons dangerous and objectionable, and having been noticed in the lath suggestion, it was not put separately. The facili ties which it would o ff er to smugglers are fully explained hi "Postulates and Data," p. 281 : " To a person accustomed to the trade of the port of London this proposition is simply ridiculous, as a free entry only takes a few minutes, and making out a copy of a long manifest would occupy as many hours, besides leading to great irregularity. Some of the continental ships' mani fests, for instance, would take three boors at least, there fore the object is evidently not to simplify Custom-house business ; but the Select Committee have been astutely duped into sanctioning a plan for smuggling on an extensive scale. In the port of London smuggling to any extent would be difficult if not impossible, but at the outports it would be easy enough, and unscrupulous traders would reap a rich harvest in a short time. Of course none of these worthies would think of importing tea, tobacco, sugar, as tea, to bacco, sugar, &c., but they would quietly give orders that any goods subject to high duties should be described in the bill of lading and invoice as something else, and by making things pleasant ' to the officers in charge, these goods would be allowed to pass free, and there would be a repetition of the disgraceful practices of 1841 with the scan dalous compromises of 1843. It is unnecessary to dwell on the lon of statistical information which under such a system must necessaril be very defective, and therefore for prac tical purposes valueless ; but if a premium to the cunning smuggler is to be held out by a select committee of the Rouse of Commons, why not do it more openly 1" The only suggestion of the Customs Reform Committee which has not been noticed is No. 11 : "That the gnu revenue derived from the Customs should be paid into the Exchequer ;" but the necessity of doing so has been fully admitted, both by the present and the late Chancellor of the Exchequer. It will give, not merely the amount of salary to each officer, which can now be obtained without difficulty, but it will also show what pensions are paid out the customs revenue, what sums are received for fines and Indishatlons, and what amount is yielded by seizures of anleggled goods. By order of the comettee, R. L. MoRGAN, Ron. Secretary. 19, St. Swithin's-lane, May 7, 1853. HEALTH OF LONDON DURING THE WEEK. The official report says:—The continuous improve ment in the public health that has been lately remarked seems to have been arrested, for the deaths in London, that had fallen in the previous week to 1,089, rose again in the week that ended last Saturday to 1,169. In the ten corre sponding weeks of the years 1843.52 the average number was 918, which, if raised in proportion to increase of popd lation, becomes 1,010. Hence it appears that the actual mortality exceeds the estimated amount by 149. In comparing the returns of the last two weeks it is seen that the deaths of children under 15 years rose from 607 to 661, those of persona of 60 years and upwards from 223 to 239, while those in the middle period of life did not vary in amount. Of children who died of bronchitis the numbers in the two weeks were 29 and 41, while pneumonia carried off 60 and 68. The deaths at all ages from bronchitis were 100 and 115 ; those from pneumonia, 76 and 83. Diseases of the respiratory organs were fatal in 224 eases last week ; the unusual severity of complaints of this kind will be apparent from the number in corresponding weeks, which was 143, and this with a correction for increased population is 167. Sixty-eight children died of pooping cough. Thor, was only ono fatal case of small-pox last week ; there were 21 of measles, 40 of scarlatina, 41 of typhus, 2 of intermit tent fever, 2 of remittent, 4 of rheumatic fever, one of pumas. At 3, Chapel-street, Woolwich, the son of a deceased builder, aged 3 years, died en 28th April of "scarlatina (10 days), sloughing throat with typhoid fever (7 days)." Mr. Richardson, the medical man who attended this child, writes on his certificate In the cellar of this house there was much stagnated water which would account for the sevaft of the disease." Mr. Jackson, the registrar, odds es. , " In consequence of the foregoing remark I visited lba bossy ad saw the mother of the deceased child, who b aim as WOK of the premises; she states that she will all he a properly qualified person to examine the cellar, omileelneve, If possible, the cause of complaint." noel deaths occurred in the week in the London Fever Mr. Watts, the registrar, says :—The patients an assalag in fat, and 121 beds are occupied. The con tainment. who require nourishing diet, form a large portion tithe establishment." At 40, Phillips-street, Haagarsasai, on 3rd May, a cork eater, aged 43 years, " sedisineed himself by the vapour of ebercoal in a temporary state of Lemaity." (Inquest.) Mr. Rowring says :—" This was a as of most determined self destruction, the window, door, and every part of the room alma air could enter being carefully pasted over with paper W exclude it. On forcing open the door of the apartment a sivratity of charcoal was still burning. The deceased we: tali dead." LA week the birth, of 816 boys and 755 girls, in .. 1,1171 &Men, were registered in London. In the eight Osuespinding weeks of 1845-62 the average number was IAIO. At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the mean height of lbe barometer in the week was 29.773 in. The reading of the barometer decreased from 29.79 in. at the beginning of the week to 29.64 in. by 9h. a.m. on the 3rd ; increased to 30.01 in. by 9h. p.m. on the 4th ; and decreased to 29.46 in. by the end of the week. The mean temperature of the week was 47.9 deg., which is 3.8 deg. below the average of the same week in 38 years. On the first two days the mean daily.temperature was above the average; on all the fol lowing days it was below it; and this depression amounted to 8.8 deg. on Friday, and 14.2 deg. on Saturday. The highest temperature was 66.5 deg. on Sunday; the lo west was 36.3 deg. on Saturday. The greatest difference be. twcen the dew point temperature and air temperature oc curred on Sunday, and was 18.7 deg. ; the mean of the wed; was 4.5 deg. The wind, which in the early partof the week blew from the south-east, changed to north-east in the last four days. LuxArlcs.—The House of Lords has ordered a return, which has just been printed of the number of luna tics under inquisition, who are resident in asylums and licensed houses, and the amount of their respective incomes and allowances for maintenance. The number is 238, and rn;;;;;b7, - of eases the whole income is for their support. In one case out of an income of 5,000/. a year, 700!. is for the sup ‘ ezt of the lunatic. ROYAL LITERARY FUND. The annna festival of this institution was held last night at the Freemasons' Tavern, the Right lion. Bissau's DISRAELI, M.P., in the chair. The company was very large, the spacious apartment being very incon veaiently crowded. Amongst the most distinguished of the guests were:— The Marquis of Salisbury, Lord John Manners, the lion. Charles lierdinge, M.P., Dr. M'llweine (Bishop of Ohio), the Chevalier Massimo d'Auglio, Mr. Justice lialiburtun (. Sam Slick ") the Queen's Advocate, Professor Aytoun, Sir George dead, Sir IL Ellis, the Hon. Butler King (United States), Mr. Evelyn, M.P., Mr. M. Milnes, M.P., Mr. J. M'Oregor, M.P., Mr. Digby Seymour, M.P., Pro fessor Fenton, U.S., Mr. Serjeent Merewether, the Consuls- General of Belgium and the Uruguay, Mr. Spence, F.R.S., Dr. Daubeney, Mr. H. T. Hope, M.P. &demons, lion. S. Auneraley, Mr. J. It. Kenyon, Dr. Luling, the Rev. Dr. Vaught*, the Rev. Dr. Russell, Dr. Latham, Mr. Crofton Cooker, Mr. Theodore Martin, the Rev. it. Alford, Mr. Reeve, Professor Creasey, Mr. Douglas Jerrold, Mr. S. Blanchard, Mr. P.Cunninghans, &e. After the loyal toasts (in giving which Mr. Disraeli eulo- gieed the liberal patronage which the Queen had bestowed upon the institution, and pointed out the influence which her Royal Consort bad exerised upon the science ' arts, and literature of th is country since he hail adopted it for his home). The CRAIIIMAN proposed " The Church and the Bishop of Ohio ;" to which Dr. M'llvaine responded, and pointed ' out the service which the missionaries of the different reli gious bodies had done to the cause of letters, by bringing before the literary world languages which had been pre viously unknown to all but the savage tribes by whom they were spoken. The CUSHMAN then proposed the toast of the evening, " Prosperity to the Royal Literary Fund, and the Health of its President, the Marquis of Lansdowne." The right hon. gentleman observed that it was now nearly three quarters of a century since its founder, not himself an author, but a man of lettered tastes, mentioned to no Irks a ' personage than Dr. Franklin the importau:o of instituting a fund which should at least prevent men of genius and learning from falling into intolerable misery, and should prevent those catastrophes which occasionally occurred, and which were so flagrant en outrage upon the literature of any civilised country. (Cheers.) Dr. Franklin was cer- Willy not deficient in knowledge of human nature, and he looked upon the idea as *speculation too refined to be prac tical. Common charities, he said, sprang from common feelings; and it was vain, however beautiful, to suppose that there could ever be sufficient sympathy between the mass of mankind and the peculiar class they called authors. It was also the fortune of the founder of the institution to submit his views to the three most eminent public charac ters who adorned the end of the eighteenth century ; but the austere and absorbed minister (Mr. Pitt), the genial orator of the opposition (Mr. Fox), and the profound poli tical sage (Mr. Burke), much as they differed on other mat ters, all agreed that the idea was chimerical. A consider able period had elapsed since that epoch, and the institution which had first sees light in an obscure tavern club, had booms the Royal Corporation of the Literary Fund. (Cheers.) It would not, however, le altogether unprofitable so inquire whether the principle upon which it had been established was a true and sound one, and if so, whether that principle had been e ffi ciently and discreetly applied. (Hear, hear.) There were a great many ciscumstances which were necessary to an author's success, or to its con tinuance, even it once secured. He would ask the mem bers of iet corporation, which for 64 years had been watch ing over the idiosyncrasy of that peculiar being, what was as author ? An author was an individual who followed the irresistible impluse of an organic law, and devoted himself to the extension of the domain of human knowledge. With that view he expended infinite research, continued labour, and profound thought. It was possible that ho might be a person of simple tastes and frugal habits, but he was surrounded by the common casualties of life, any can of which might fall upon him with overwhelming and crushing effect. In such cues the institution stepped in and said that such a man should not be made the victim of an exigency, should not be compelled to sell his books which were the tools of his craft, or to mortgage the future exertions of his intellect. (Hear, hear.) That was the principle of the society, and he could not doubt they would all be agreed as to its perfect soundness. But they lived in. en age of criticism and cavil ; and from that criticism, though they might deem it erroneous and unwise,or from that cavil, though they might deem it contemptible, he would ;not advise them to shrink. (Hear, hear.) It was true that they would have to encounter one difficulty from which all institutions of an analogous character were free. Other societies could show to the world those whom they had saved from sickness, from sorrow, from calamity, from disaster, from disgrace, and from death; but the Royal Literary Fund had no witnesses to prove its excel lence. It was its highest merit, its holiest claim, that the aid it rendered was given in secret. (Hear, hear.) Only they who were engaged in the distribution of its funds, or they who periodically occupied that chair, could appreciate its claim, or the services it had rendered to the cause of humaniti. (Hear ' hear.) They were assembled in the neighbourhood of that great store of literary wealth over which his excellent friend Sir H. Ellis so ently presided ; but they might go to the British Museum, or the State Paper Office, they might search the manuscript treasures of the Universities, but they would find no mass of records equal in interest and importance to the archives of the Literary Fund. It was popularly supposed that they were the records only of ill-calculated ambition, of morbid fancy, or of ill-regulated susceptibility; and that the feelings of society had been wrought upon to contribute to the assistance of what were, at the very best, the beautiful but eccentric errors of hu manity. No mistake could be greater than that. (Rear, hear.) The conditions upon which the aid of the society was granted were severe but admirable. They imposed no conditions of civil opinions or religious creed ; of country or clime. On the contrary, the poet of Iceland and the grammarian of Arabia had both claimed its aid and been relieved; and an individual who was amongst the most distieguished authors of the 19th century, as well as the minister of regal France, had also, when an obscure editor, received assistance. (Cheers.) The only condition the society imposed was that the claim of all applicants should be deserved ; and in looking over the list of names they would find none that were un worthy, many that were distinguished, and some that were 1 illustrious. (Cheers.) In the duration of the society's exist ence and the increase of its claims they would find unmis takeable and unanswerable testimony, not only that its principle was sound and true, bat that the manner in which it had been administered had been wise, discreet, and satisfactory. (Cheers.) It was impossible to form any idea of the functions of the Literary Fund from the printed documents that were placed in their hands. Its duties were not to be performed by a secretary or clerk ; and those who were entrusted by the confidence of the subscribers with distributing their funds bad some thing more to do than receiving subscriptions and drawing cheques. (Cheers and laughter.) The different claims must be investigated with the utmost delicacy, and the resources of the society must be administered with a tenderness which gentlemen, and gentlemen of lettered tastes and habits, could alone exercise towards recipients of a peculiar sensibility. (Hear, hear.) They had not to deal out alms —they had to offer a tribute, and an imperfect tribute, to the sufferings of genius. They must visit the suffering author in his home; and they must do more than assist him in his pressing need. They must endeavour that hie future should be cared for, and that he should be restored to that career of usefulness which had been arrested by misfortune. (Cheers.) They must smooth the pillow of the poor expiring author, and whisper to him—" Your genius will remain behind, and will excite the sympathy and affection of the community you; have benefited, and if you leave any loved ones behind you, even they will feel the power of your intellect and the gratitude of society." (Cheers.) The right hon. gentleman thin concluded by proposing the toast, which was enthusia•tically drunk. The Rev. Dr. Itesszu. then laid before the meeting as account of the society's financial affairs. They had received 1,3401., which was a little less than last year, but still con -1 siderably mere than bad been received in previous years. Objections had been made to the society for having cham hers ; but it would be a sufficient answer to say they had an estate which had been left them for the express pur pose, and which yielded 1911. a year after the property let was paid. Would these gentlemen, then, in the name of all that was respectable, have the corporation receive the legacy, and not expend it in the manner directed by the LEGAL AND COMMERCIAL LIFE ASSURANCE. The seventh annual general meeting of the mem bers of this society was held yesterday at the offices, Cheap side—Mr. Alderman LAWRENCE in the chair. Mr. FARRELL, the secretary of the society, read the re port, of which the following contains the principal points : " In presenting the report of our past year's business the directors have to announce the transfer to this society of the business of the London and Provincial Joint Stock Assurance Company. The business of that company had been conducted with great care and discretion for a period of five years; and although not of sufficient magnitude to defray the expenses of separate management, the conditions on which the directors take it render it a valuable and pro fitable addition to the business of this company, inasmuch as very little additional expense of management will be caused thereby. The total number of policies issued by this society from its commencement to the 31st December, 1852, has been 1,456, assuring the amount of 557,820/., of which there remained in force at the end of that period 1,001 policies, assuring the amount of 381,4841. The amount of premiums received during the past year was 13,1541. 14s. 3d., and the income from premiums and interest was 14,432!. 17s. lld. During the past year the amount of new premiums was 4,2031. 84. Bd., and the number of new nolietes effected 226. Ihe number of loan transactions was 33, amounting to 5,4351. The mart of claims by deaths in the past year was 3,039/. 104. The amount of claims from the commencement of the society to the 31st of December last bas been, with bonuses, 10,950/. ; the amount that might bane been' expected as estimated by the Equitable experience rate of mortality, is 17, 0 00 1 ., showing the total amount of actual claims to be under the fairly estimated amount by the sum of 6,0501. The total amount of premiums received on policies lapsed by death and otherwise is 8,2421., showing a difference between the claims paid, 10,9501., to be only 2,7051, without taking interest Into account. The sum of 6,2901. has been added to the general fund. The income of the company from renewals and new premiums during the four months of the current year has been 5,5161. 4s. 42. The directors beg to press upon you the fact that persoas assuring in this office during the present year will be entitled to participate in the division of profits to be declared at the end of the com pany's next quinquennial period, in December, 1855; and the members who have participated already in the bor.us of $5 per cent., declared to the end of 1850, have a profpect of a further considerable addition at that division. It ap peared from the balance-sheet that the balance in hand on the 21st December, 1851, was 25,7741., and the receipts during the year were 14,4831., making a total of 40,2571. The balance on the 31st December, 1852, was 31,90 W." The CHAIRMAN thought that the state and prospects of the society were calculated to afford satisfaction, and he had only to move that the report be adopted. Mr. T. B. Co: secocded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Messrs. Shepperd, Sympson, Yenning, and White, the outgoing directors, were re-elected. A PROPRIETOR moved that a 4 per cent. dividend, as heretofore, be made. . . . Mr. TAiixix said he did not rise for the purpose of moving en amendment, but he thought that the directors were in a position safely to declare a larger dividend than 4 per cent. Their capital had iecreased from 2.5,0001. to 31,0001., making a difference of 6,0001., and the increase on premiums was 3,0001. He hoped that next year the dividend would be 5 per cent. at least. Probably the di rectors were looking to the time when they would giro the proprietors a handsome bonus. Mr. Blown hoped that the directors would not increase the dividend till after the next division of profits. Mr. Alderman FINNIS concurred in the view of the last speaker. The public would have greater confidence in them when they found that they were so cautious. (Hear.) The motion then paned. Votes of thanks were passed to the directors, the auditor,, the actuary, and the chairman. donor? (Cheers) Then they complained that the secre tary was paid 200 f. Really that was mot tco much even for getting together such a magnificent meeting, tilt when thee considered that all the emporia were made, and all the money paid to the reepients through that otfiesr, he felt sure they would agree that the secretary • was most inadequately remunerated. The rev. doctor then • proceeded to answer an article in the Times against charity dinners, and triumphantly asked, if the men who attended such demonstrations were all bores, bow was it that so many ladies honoured them with their presence-250 in the gallery at one end of the room, and 250 on the platform at the other ? (Laughter.) Besides the dinner last year only oost 311., besides the guineas of the diners. The rev. doctor was proceeding, but the company testified their impatience so loudly, that he resumed his seat after reading the list of subscriptions. It was headed by her Majesty'a donation of 100 guineas, and amounted to about 9601. The health of "The Chairman," proposed by Mr M.Milnes, " Professor Creasy and the Historians," by Lord Stanley, "Professor Aytoun and the Poets," by Mr. D. Seymour, M.P., "Mr. Justice llaliburton and the Essayists," by Lord J. Manners, " Dr. Dauheny and the Writers on Science," by Dr. It. G. Latham, " The literature sad 1 Science of other countries, in connexion with the name of Professor Felton," by Dr. J. It. Kenyon, and some ewer toasts, concluded the programme. ELECTION EXPOSURES. -THE COMMITTEE ON DOCKYARD Plto MOTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS. EXAMINATION OF MR. DISRAELI. Yesterday, Mr. Disraeli was ex mined. The Chairman addressing him, said—lt has been stated before this committee by Sir Baldwin Walker, that in a conversation he had with Mr. Stafford, at the Admiralty. Mr. Stafford stated to him, referring to the subject of ap pointments and promotion. in the navy, that 0 it was of no use blinking the question, he was so much pressed by Lord Derby and the Cuancellor of the Exchequer that be could not help himself." Now, I wish to ask you whether yea did express to Mr. Stafford any opinion regarding his taking the management of the promotions and appointments in the dockyard for political purposes. Mr. Disraeli—l never had any conversation with Mr. Stafford, or with any person who held office under the late government, with respect to any such circumstance,. The C . .airman—Then the committee are to understand that you did not give any opinion either one way or the other, with reference to the patronage in the d..eliyards ? Mr. Disraeli—Mr. Stafford never consulted me on such subject., nor did any one under the late administration. They were subjects that did not fall under my department, and it never entered into my head that any one would have spoken to me upon such a subject. The Chairmi;n-1 do not tliink there is any other ques tion the committee have to put. Mr. Disraeli was about to retire, when Mr. Beckett said Mr. Disraeli, in the evidence given by his Grace the Duke of Northumberland, his grace stated that Mr. Stafford told him, "he (Mr. Stafford) was re sponsible fur all the patronage of the Admiralty, that he felt a difficulty in doing his duty, that when called upon by the government or by tits Rouse of Commons to explain anything for which he was responsible, he had not the means of answering, the whole of the appointments and patronage being in the Surveyor's-Mlle°. lie also tcld me the patronage of the Admiralty was used against tho government, and that he felt he had net the power of doing his duty, and that he could not retain his o ffi ce under the circumstances." Now, do you recollect Mr. i.atgrdmol: in any complaint of that kind to you, us a member of thu late administration, under thee„ circumstances? Mr. Disraeli—lf Ow Committee wish, 1 would state to them what, from my own knowledge of the facts, and my own observation of what took place, and the circumstances that have been generally before the committee, I bzlieve to be really the came of these misunderstandings. 1 do not come here to give evidence on that particular subject, but if the committee wish I will explain to them what the cir cumstance% were. When the government was (mein& the Duke rf Northumberland from a high sense of public duty and from a great love of the profesaionlf which he Was a mem ber, was anxious that the Board of Admiralty suotilu be formed as free as possible from what are called political in fluences. No obstacle whatever was presented us the wishes of his grace, and the Board of Admiralty accordingly was formed by his grace of very distinguished naval officer., with the sole object of establishing as efficient administration of that great branch of the public service. The consequence was, I have no hesitation in saying, that there was that want of understanding between the Board of Admiralty and the House of Commons which had hitherto prevailed, which, I have no doubt, prevails with the present Board of Admiralty, said which, anterior to the administration of Lord Derby, has always prevailed. For instsnce, the present Board of Admiralty is represented in the House of Com mons not in , rely by the secretary, but ty a most distin gaisbed naval officer, who is the first naval lord; and the board is also represented by a lay lord ; there , fore between the present Board of Admitalty and the present Douse of Commons, there would be nrourally • perfect and consentaneons understanding. Now, when the Board of Admiralty was formed undrr the adminis tration of Lord Derby it was formed of the most distin guished members in the service; but there was only one member of the llouse of Commons who was • Lord of the Admiralty, and that one member, though a most honourable and able gentleman, was hi:uself a naval officer, and there fore he took • place at the board ; he took his place in the presence of his superior officers ; superior in point of pro fessional 11 putation and rank, and therefore he was neces sarily influenced by them. Upon Mr. Stafford, therefore, under these circumstances, devolved entirely the repre sentation of the feeling of the House of C 011111101111; tie was the only civilian. He entered office not only inexpe rienced, but he entered office under circumstances, and in a position of extreme difficulty. I beiieve that this will explain the circumstances of the case. I may, per hap, add that the consequence of all this was, that from the very first there was cot that sympathy between the late Board of Admiralty and the llouse of Commons which is necessary in the administration of our parlia mentary government. I have no hesitation in sayirg that from my position then as leader of the House of Common', in giving it (the committee) as my opinion, that Mr. Stafford was placed in the position of mainly considering and repre senting the House of Commons without any one allied with him to support him, and the Board of Admiralty, formed of the most able and efficient men, looked at what they called the service, and not with respect to these ques tions of patronage, promotions, and appointments, but it was at first at least with regard to matters of another kind. If I, for instance, felt it to be my duty, as it sometimes be came my duty, to speak to the Secretary of the Admiralty as the present leader of the House of Commons would speak probably to Admiral Berkeley, or to any other indi vidual of the house placed in • similar capacity, on matters of public expenditure—if the Secretary of the Admiralty did his duty—and if he obeyed my instructions, and obeyed those representations which the Heuse of Commons, on all questions of public expenditure, requires should be attended to, and which the minister who leads the House of Commons must truly and fairly represent—no doubt these appeals were listened to with jealousy and suspicion, or there was not that harmony which ought to exist be tween every branch of the Admiralty and the House of Commons, and which can only exist when a considerable number of the members of that department of the ; üblie service are members of the Douse of Commons as well as members of the board. The Chairman —Then I understand you to say that there wu a want of understanding between the Admiralty and the House of Commons ? to say that the Board of Ad miralty look merely to the efficiency of the service. They thought their only duty was to consider the efficiency of the service, but they did not understand sufficiently, I think, the spirit of our parliamentary 'government, and that in ' conducting affairs they must look to the temper, that they must consider the temper of the House of Commons; that temper is represented in the present instance, and was represented before by the several members of the House of Commons who are also members of the Hoard. Take, for example, the ease of the Secretary of the Admiralty re presenting to me, as it wee his duty, that he thought the expenditure was exceeding the estimates for the year—it was my duty, as the guardian of the public purse, of course to attend immediately to it, and I ordeied, I think, that a weekly account should be sent to the Treasury of the expenditure. I believe candidly it could be proved that the expenditure was very well regu lated, but of course it was my duty to do it. That I under stood at the time, and these were things that happened early in our administration. This, however, was looked at as rather an unwarrantable interference with the adminis tration of the Admiralty, but your lordship must knew, and every member of the committee must know, that these are things that are necessary to be done, and to be clearly and completely understood. I only mention them to the committee as an illustration of what I have sta:cd. The Ckairman—W hat you wish to convey to us is, that you, as Chasmllor of the Exchequer, and as responsible for the expendtture of the country, wished to have u control and superinteadance over the weekly expenditure of the Admiralty, for fear it should in any way exceed the esti mates. Mr. Disraeli—Yes ; I merely mentioned it in !that way. I do not want to lay any great stress upon it, but merely to , mention it by way of illustration. The Chairman—Then an application from the Chancellor of the Exchequer, under ordinary circumstances, would not be viewed with any jealousy, if a majority of the members ' of the Board of Admiralty were at the same time members of the House of Commons ? Mr. Disraeli—Perkips it would not even be necessary, so far as the preparation of the estimates is concerned. It was represented to me that Admiral Parker thought that coo " m on e s n id L ered to be an expres sionirte t was rene h , of opinion from a body who ought not to express opi nions on such subjects, :•.nd that it was an interference of the House of Commons with the administration of the Admiralty. Mr. Disraeli—lt was looked upon as an interference of the Douse of Commons with the Admiralty. Mr. Stafford was placed under circumstances of great difficulty, and, of course, he communicated it to me. My advice to Mr. Staf ford was, of coolie, to conciliate as much as possible, cad to do his duty ; not to bring forward any proposition before the board for which they might net be prepared ; to speak to tho members of it privately first; and, in fact, lo :asks them clearly understand what the nature of cur pitha mentary goverment was, which probably no person con properly understand but thole who form a part ol it. Sir Ferguson Davie—lu s'ating those di:lli:allies to you . then, Mr. Stafford stated that they were w ith regard to Eros r