The Express. — London, England, 1849-12-28 00:00:00

tlis‘.lret Obis, that the duties to be paid under OP: ft tr Ina be issitamed by 93,140 fl., on the one 9 8 _ ji g J ew eased, en the Oben by 13, 416 a. The mond /7". es es mey be presumed that the lose gsl_,.." -- latemeegoeses of the redaction of the $101,1.21mg open the resterials for the so n ., r o l ls 7,Fil i tge, will amount to 25,113 florins. from Me thud table, that the complete 10.11,1LITtrneas u res proposed to be carried out by the so the chamber will probably dimiaish the 1 . 1 r — O the tomatry by 44,283 florins. 0181.10,trolos __ ,.so t the prohibition of navigating sags, t ...I. sot bath in Holland is neeeseary, be • .. A . ps l g iosticts, of 'ilk* so trees mut be toned in pee to the law of the 14th March, 1819, ;al 11.8.8eleti tithe principal basis of the system of dif :odaeitisfs assetruction of eine military may be deprived of 11.,.„dessim. The government has arrived at the tall coo .1;10 s isals from the reports which have been sent in by Id a ehamben of comm erce in the countr y , and by sat foreign ports. It there are some places in ''assipbuilding is carried on at less exposes than in ."7-th.ei disadvantages which may result from it to our ■are eadialently eunipensated by other advantages el free compost is us serious danger ma threaten il ralnitag.el4 esto to rd t rere ni st or the m at7i re powner teq panicala* l7beca m W egaipmeat of the ships should be usdar his ow l : Moreover, the repair of vessels generally 11.-s t he shipbuddme advantages sufficoust mow, •••_--,. w oo, the pubis accruing trout the coustruotion of g t a te "Mich compels the shipowner to have the 1,700 width be empllys in all cams consuumed in the dock-1 Ali al the kiredom is valuta the slightest object from issome when the national flag 018/40 to enjoy • pant iTtoostectioa. It is no:. en this account, however that „onus free admission of vessels constricted abetted has 7.1",,,• - paeseted to; they will be subjected to • ditty ot 1 per as t, 1- se more than probable that a Large number et ship- , row ship will s o regard as too high the price fixed for Dutch I goo rie vier; Me favoarable result which will accrue to I go loamy tom this disposition will not have any Mistimes oorgsesees to our shipbuilders. Tiosspoeui of motives is accompanied by three tables : coopirative state of the mercantile marine in the ants 1831 1840,1545, asu 1648. yom tlus teb.e a r.sults that at these different pericds * e poch maries was -1831. Marls. t e sti. ousels. lasts. 1,232 152,932 1,828 153,333. 1845. 1818. s. l asts . v. stela. lasts. oval 183,18 5 2,018 2C 6,2 40 . TIM u suificient root of the growth of the ammeter of gs enutrl• 1, :Seabee of vessels built from 1841 to /848 The tah:e shows that the largest number of vessels IN bide to 1617, the somber being 131 • in 1844 it w oos 66. The number tit biomes built is 11148 is 16 ; it m a sorb los In the former years. la 1843 only one was tot flow this it is dear Utat the amou theonnage he. so Omuta ia the aims proportion is number of vostb• C. Maritime wormiest. in the Ditch ports between 1824 OH ),s E Comparative view of the proportion of the rib morns the Dumb ports and the priumpal commercial sos s• flip% nified r inli 1848. ot other coni.tries dump tbe si es 103, 1340,1616, aad t out:4 view el the steam navigation in our ports tom Mb paper it minim that More than the hal of the o ur noes (in all 63) snivel and atiparted hoot the pot ▪ 1• 01 4,* tettical table of the Hatch vessels which rid the gas between 1835 and 1848. Thu navigati he . M owed from 852 to lers. and the barthen tram 26,000 to 6110 lasts. The irtiotit, which in 1833 was only hat: a rasa, amootted to more than two millions in 1848. L 1. h. Are papers containing a review which the Mi mosa sabmi.ted to the Chambers of the results which Me sesums be Toe proposed will most pobably have en jbe Twig. final rank is, u has been mentieneu !AVM a Lou of 41,285 8.. r. iis4u. SEN kGAL.— 'terse expeditions of the French g l ees .1.1111 80.1 kla have, according to letters just receie. ja)larjeh.salesiliael a ealatell effect on the spirit of sumeroes /I‘..g Mil whose states extend 160 kilometres Island of Si. Lisle, has sAkited•• treaty of eats. mt. 'rah the Preach mo =w name and in tits: of the *Snot Dagen.. Itegnioaad Toil. Their countries reduce caitla, boor,. gold haat, spass, wax, and iemy, which me embenectl for iron glom, brandy, tobacco, sad fams. Thc kingd tee of Walc:centaiss the forest of Taws r, obi& the fin. st elephants sad best gum trees are fuund. PERSONAL SEETCII OF THE NEGRO EMPEROR.— * drat sire of him 055 as be was riding through the ellg, es i , mom hoe every Sabbath morning. attar having weird the army. His colour is the most thorough "owl" Sisk bat his arse, lips, he , are more European than one wield taped from his colour. From his forehead to the 'op ends hew hell swiftly had. He rode a grey hone—very psi ler the'country—cots accompanied by a hundred or men el his life guard', on horseback, Inv ir di d cavalry mite, and paixtd through the principal streets of the eity, sweltering kw tied, and disposing ireely his bows and his milks to** crowds as he rode rapid y past teem He was hewed is fah military uniform, of a very rich character ; Se cobra frost el his east as well as other parts of hie ems, being overlaid with 'heavy golden trinturnge. His age le 'little above fifty, his fern large and erect, near ail iota in Might, wrighlag about two hundred, end wall net . t, with the 'implies of some corpulency. His Lenemau•Lip is of the moat perfect character. Thu attracts the stet tit n of all fort ignere, and their universal remark is, that in this respect he is rarely equalled. He sassily rid and as is the " Bureau of the Pup," the curets hoses, Omagh some of the streets of the eitT, attended by a few of Lis glade, twice Iberia; the week.—Aese York Eogitwer. EMIGR%TION TO AXISHICA.—We have compiled from cifkial sources the number of emigrants from tor. ion awn. , woo have arrived is the city of New York during the peat year, and find th at it ezereds, even up to this Vim, by a great deal, the whole number which arrived in the year I.lli. The following shows the emigration in balk Total emigration in 1914 S Total emigration in 1849. to December 4 230,433 Excess of 1849 over 1849, to December 4 Leaned arrivals fur the nntainiog part of Dumber 6,000 ---- THE EXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 28, 1849. SAVINGS BANK.. ART AND FINANCIAL REFORM. The inclosed circular and form of return has just bees t eat to the trustees of every savings bank, by Kr. Tidd Pratt. (Retract from the Act 7th and Bth Victoria, dup. 83. Section 8. " And bit enacted that provision shall be made in the rules of every savings bank that every depositor therein shall once in every year, at least, cause his deposit book to be produced at the dike of the said institution, kw the rupee of being examined.") National Debt.oflioe, Dec. 17. Gentlennen,—l am directed by the Commissioners for the Seduction of the National Debt to call your immediate attention to the provisions enacted in the above section of the act 7th and Bth Victoria, chap 83, and to suggest to you the importance, now that the 20th of November bee pared, of appointing, by advertisement, two or more specified days on which the depositors should be required to being in their books to be examined with the Wien of the savings beak under your management up to the 20th of November, 1849 ; and that two or more managers should make arrangements so that they may themselves personally examine and com pare the depositors' books with the entries in the ledgers. I am further directed to request that the result of such eta• mutation may be transmitted to the commLeSeaers drawn out la the inclosed form. You are requested to acknowledge the receipt of this letter, I am, gentlemen, your obedient servant, 8. Timms, Secretary. • ^ frpiEf • 9 431:1 1 t 2g e t&R . tte era .1 1 1 lid g !II tin ,i, 111 114 tug. MEETING AT HACKNEY. A riblio meeting was convened yesterday evening rattle: Hackney Perliatary and Finanidal Reform Also , at the Assembly Rooms, Miner Roue, Hookas y, for the dshvery of as address by Mr. H. Vincent. The isepsetionarems wee well filled by ea audience rethapoled of the middle sad working dues& The their wee takes about belt-pad seven by Mr. B. Moline. Mr. H. VINCENT commenced by conffreinlatbsff the sausably on the spread of liberal opinion. in this country. A few years ago a mambo celled himself a widow tegy exer cised undnpnted influence over &large pardons( th a :losegio• Toryism — the toryiem of the Stuarts — was Awl gone; and it would be wisdom on the pert of auk men a. the Duke of Newcastle to remember that if it had posseesed any. *big vital it inset have continued to live. It Sir Robert Peel mild not " march through Coventry" with that ruff. meat, it was impossible for Disraeli to weft& lie would not speak diuespeothilly of whiggery ; for he mild not forget that during the struggles connected with the Com monwealth many whips shed their blood for the people. The people could not afford, however, to show their gratitude by giving up necessary seruures of ed. nose. Unless the party is power did the work of the ropier, whether designated whip, tory, or radical, they would soon lose their influence with the people. The Teasel party was, he felt convinced, a winning party, and nothing could retard its course. He had scarcely had a night's holiday for the last twelvemonth. (Laughter.) In suck towns as Southampton, for example, were convened from Ave hundred to a thousand persons, comprising not merely the working classes, but many iadividuals of wealth and influence. Aud what objects did such persons cheer ? The separation of church and state—(cheers) --the gates non of the suffrage to the working classes—(.been) —the reduction of taxation—(sheen) —the abolition of all indirect, and the substitution tor them of direct, taxer—(oheere)—end • sweeping reduction is the army and navy. (Laud cheers.) Questions of self reform, too, were well received. (Hear.) Fur it was the beauty of the present age, that politicians did sot meet in pot-houses ; feeling that no government Gould Nye the man who was the slave of his vices—(cheep), and that the only sate basis for the prosperity of the nation was the questionhe t t t n u d e ena hadud in e y ia t 7: l : e g n e t the e un o tt f i e t el h s ny e e n l o tp w r e aoc r i o ca r d t hl e . th e . Ff ( or C re t h e thatr s trade) question was settled—(cheen) ; although a number of needy landowners, who were deeply in debt, went to the farmers, and said to them, " You have been terribly cheated, but we are still ytur natural protectors, and we will restore protection if you will only put faith In us." (Laughter.) They were familiarising tee farmers with agitation—(hear, hear)—and as soon mitts farmer hal found out that all the talk about protection was a delusion. from that moment he would become one of the most disaf- reefed of men, and the free traders would have to moderate his seal. (Cheers.) Let protectionist orators beware for to suppose that the country, after having tasted cheap b read, would submit to the re-enactment art then lows, •sa the greatest absurdity that ever entered the minds of statesmen. this was an age of inquiry ; and, as their legislators had told I them all their lives that they lived under • glorious constitu tion, there could be no crime in examining i t a little ! (Laughter.) The people had an undoubted tight to inquire now the public money was spent; and they were beginning to icquire inn Seeneial questions. And even theese who were indifferent to abstract questions at once ap predated the question of taxation. There was I raised is this country 60,000,0001. a year, in- 1 eluding the cut of collection. 60,000,0001., how. ever, did not by any means represent the entire burden of', the country. The people of England paid for governing themstives, after eontrituting 60,000,0001. for c-ntral go vernment. Take, for example, the poor sates—those imposts whose frightful increase ought to he matter of grave concern to ail hinting people. Even under toe amended poor law, the rates amounted to about 7,000.0001. a you. Again, the county rates amounted to 1,800,0001., and the church rates to 1,800,0001 , the highway fetes to 1,337,00 0 /o and the bridge tolls to 100,0001. ; the tithes to about 10,000,0001. a year. There was levied for turnpikes 374,0001. a year. The plies system cost about 1,000,0001. a year. The total addi tional expenditure under the different heads was 22,280,0001. la e 'cutleries the ustional taxes they must take into account not merely the amount, but the distribution of the public burdens. The duties levied on many articles of con sumption were duties which fell with the greatest weight on those who were least able to bear it. T lie matt duty amounted to 5,840,0001., and though a water drinker himself be pro tested against the unjust operation of that impost. Tobacco, susar, and molasses, all prime aecemaries of the people, formed some of the heaviest items of the revenue. The lecturer proceeded to animadvert on the various points In which reform and retrenchment were needed, and said that if our present statesmen did act take the matter in hand, the time was not far distant when Cobden, and his friend Bright, would be called by the universal voice of the people to the direction of affairs. (Loud cheers ) Having glanced et the state of the army and navy, the state of the borough repreientation, and the various omen points which have been so fully and so generally dwelt on and fre quently reported in the Dui/e News, Mr. Vincent con cluded by earnestly advising all reformers to support the Financial Reform Association, and to join the Freehold Land Society. (Loud cheers.) A vote of thanks to Mr. Vincent and to the chairman terminated the prethedinp. , P Fa. Interest en a debenture debt of 218,6881., :and there was also a provision for the company to termi nate at say time within fire years. The company were only able to pay for the year ending the 31st July, 1849, • dividend of 11. 18e. per ant. Undir those circumstances, it was injudkaus for the directors to enter into an agreement for the purchase or lase of this line at • gnu= cod dividend of four per cent., ail still more so to expend upwards 14,0001. on the workshops. Last melon of parliament the Wishaw and Colinas Company got their. bill, and the Greenock Company contrived to get a clause , rescinding the power of compelling them to take Caledonian, , shares at par, In lieu of a perpetual guarantee of four pet cent. The Caledonian directors, without giving any notice to the shareholders, allowed this clause to pea, and thereby fixed • direct loos to the oompany . of about 4,0001. pa annum. The committee are of opinion that the d: were not justified In their submission, and that it r :ota have been better to have risked the loss of the Wishaw bill than have saddled the company with the heavy kiss which this guarantee will entail on it. There was no immediate • necessity to pies the Wishaw bill. The line was worked under an agreement sanctioned by the Caledonian Act, and the directors, in their report of February last declerel that it was worked to their entire satisfaction. The committee ere of opinion that every effort should be made to get this clause repealed, the skaseholders b - iog taken by surprise, and having no notice of any intention to alter the former acts of parliament. Banana an NIBILITOW — The Cakdoniaa Company has agreed to lease this line for 999 years, at 8 per cent., or 110,0001. on half of the capital, and 6 percent. on the other 140,0001. The coalmines ere of opinion that the conduct of the directors in this transaction gives reason to infer a want of judgment, and also a candid dealing with the share holdet s. The following is a tabular view of the terms of those gas ranee', and **lots seeing from them to the Caledonian Company: , ••••1" .. " • it I ii,. Yearly 1 1 1 a Name of Railway. 1 Guaranof tee. im or t lit i l l Guaran. tots. 1 'a V ' 11P. \ 13 Pag g et. on £ E E X Wishaw &Col IS i 0 240,000 0 0 15,700 0 0 LAM i 13,913 11 2 Glasgow Gan. kirk did Coat-1 12 6 186,8551 2\12,500 6 4,260,515 1 2,827 66 1 ... 1 146.651 'Annus 16 2 bridge .. Clyadals Jn. .. 16 6 450,000 00 27,000 0 2102,000 ——. Ditto lininclass .. 2 Glasgow, Dam 6 150, 0000 0 1 head sad i q 3 1500 , 50 5 0 16,500 0 0 50, 000 15 , 520 7 q Newman °L k Gres,- wow Psi& ) a 6 ; 5 500, M 050 0 5 zn, 000 0 0216,466,11,00 0 0 y, and A nook 7 1 . . 1 4 4,4. 2 . 5 . 4 ii e eT e. , T.2;-.A . • gt ggasolg 1 i . ~. ..e... , z A R 'gi RSSWI, I ISF S iSvta; el e I , s ? i gg e ilaht Sw 6' gill E t tr; Et '°6- I ° I t 4 14= lei t., il 51; ea> g.q gi R 114.5 11 ;5 . i 1 1 Elt n 1 .l M t tt glt (To bt connived.) The committee of investigation appointed at the general meeting of the company, held on the 27th of Sep tember last, yesterday issued their report. It is a very vo. luminous d oc ument, extending over nearly 30 folio peg es of foolscap. It states : 'Chat in pursuance of the resolution patted at the general meeting, they entered upon their arduous duties on the 1 ia6th 0! O cto b er . After having inspected the main and subsidry lines, and examined at great length the chairman, deputy chairman, and officiate of the company for the satisfaction of the shareholders, they called in to their ardstance Messrs Quitter, Ball, and Co., the accountants, of London and ia •trueted them to make a searc hin g elimination o f ? the an coin ts and financial position of the company . . They also misointed Mr. J. Robinson, of Hartlepool (a civil engineer), and a gentleman of great practical knowledge and experience and wholly unconnected with other railway', to report on the state of the line, and point out any retrenchment he could aslant in the working of the line and general ex penditure of the company. The committee were anxious to postpone their report until the accountants had finished their labours, but the exi gencies of the affair of the company requiring an early meeting, the committee deemed it right to put the share holders in possession el the information which they had ac quired up to this period of their investigation, in order that they 'might have a more accurate idea of the position of the company previous to the meeting. The report then goes on to say— The Caledonian Railway was projected early in 1844, and the present line was ri commended by the government cont-i son!innerg, after a full and deliberate examination, as bi tug the best and linnet direct route from the south and west of England into Scotland. The bill was brought into paella most in the s' salon of 1848, and encountered severe onposi tion from the promoters of two competing lines—the North British on the oast, and the Nithsdale on the west— and' alter an earns* of upwards of 70,0301., the act was posed, I and the Nitbsdale project thrown out. It might havo been supposed that the company would have been freed from any, further parliamentary contests, at least with respect to the main line, which had been laid down purposely to meet the I views of government. The curved route by Annan and Dumfries being altered be t omes desires of the commis- &loners, who required the shst and meet direct line. Yet in the very next session, in the face of the report of the commissioners, and of its own previous decision, the legisla ture passed the Nithedele line, which formed a parallel and competing line with the Caledonian, and in the following year actually repealed a clause empowering the Caledonian to lease, in sell detence, the southern portion of the Nabs. dale line, from Gretna to Annan. The effect of this upon the directors may be judged of from the state ment of the chairman, that if he could have supposed another set for a competing line like the Nithedale could have been obtained, instead of proceeding under their act be would have taken measures for repealing it, but having entered into various contracts and commenced operations, he felt b .and to proceed with it. From this period the at tention of the directors was anxiously turned to acquire feeders to their line in every direction, and to buy o ff oppo sition almost at any prioe, and to the extent and in which this policy was culled out, may in a great measure be ascribed the present position of the company's affairs. The report then proceeds to state that the amount paid for the construction of the main line wee, contractors 1,434,1051., fee stations 144,0322. le. lid., for railsand chairs 405,627 1 . 93. sd.—total 1,983,7641. lye. 4d.. The committee do not find that any of the directors had any share or interest in this contract, or in the supply of tim ber used in the lormatien of the line, unless for sleepers sup plied to the contractors for their convenience. LAND Pttacasez.—On this subject the committee say the land required for the Caledonian proper was estimated at 173,0001., but the amount actually paid was 389,9791. GUARANTEES GIVEN TO Organ LINES.—WDGIAW AND COLTNESn this line there has been expended 159,9391. 10s. 100. ; the terms of the guarantee are 101 per cent. on 240,0001. It is to be regretted that more moderate terms were nt,t obtained, as the traffic did not yield, when it was taken, more than an average dividend of 4 per cent., and even now its local trains will not yield 5 per cent. TER GARNXIILL RAILWAY.—This line is twelve miles long. The terms given for it are 8 per cent. on a capital of 156,3551. ; in addition to which there has been expended on it 260,6161.91. Id. As an independent lies it yielded 6 per cent., and does not now exceed that amount. CLYDESDALE JUNCTION.—Tbis line is sixteen milts in length. The terms of the guerentee are a dividend of 6 per cent upon 450,0001. with a further right fax the proprietor to have the shares twilight up by the Caledonian Company at a premium of 50 per cent., or rather an enormous bonus of 1225,0001. In addition to these sums, the further sum of 1130,0001. has he-n expended, making the entire cast, with the bonus, 924,6821. For this large outlay the traffic amounts to only 6924. 9a. per week. The conduct of the directors throughout the whole of this transaction exhibits a great want of lodgment. Tun GLASGOW, PAISLEY, AND GRIENOCIL Loot—This line was amalgamated with a guaranteed dividend of six per live't on ital of 150,0201. until November 1853, and par c e nt. alter, and four per mat. on 600,0001., besides ,144 S Sorru STATIOILDSSIPM—Yestarday • requisition from the holders of 50,0001. capital stock in this company was presented to the directors, ceiling on them to convene an extraordinary meeting, to take into coneideratien the pro posrd terms for an emended lease of the line, to be sub mitted to the parties who proposed to become the lessees, and for authorising an application to parliament to enable the company to grant it. LAW EXPENDITURE OP RAILWAY COMPANIES.- % a pamphlet, by Mr. Peter Macpherson, just published, he points to the fact that the return made to the Bowie of Lords of the law and rar:ismentary expenses of 127 railway coral:anise gives the following figures:—Law charges, 1,234,94 81 .; par li a mentary espouses, 3,303 , 4611 .: total , 4,538.409/. But this sum of upwards of 4i millions don not include the law expenditure of some of the principal companies. Th• Great Wntern, the South Western, the Eastern Comelier, South Eastern, Great Northern, Midland, York and North Midland, Berwick, Brighton, and others have not yet wade a return. Mr. Maepht rr.a therefore expecte, and not un. reasunably, since the companies not included have had heavy expenses, one more than half a million, that the law and parliamentary expenses of all the companies up to the present time do not amount to a less figure than 10 millions —a pretty decent sum ; a trifle worth looking at, being equal to about 10 years' dividend of our largest and moat wealthy railway corporation, the London and North Western Com- Pugs THE PRIVY COUNCIL DURING THE GORRAIA AP ' onar..—The London correspondent of the 0 Vora Herald describes the scene, during the last day of the appeal, in the following terms:—" Tho committee room of the Privy Council Office, where tho court is held, is crowded with eager auditors, consisting principally of the clergy. There was nothing very imposing in the scene itself, solemn though the subject is which has been brought under discussioo, and momentous though the subject is which the committee hays to decide. The room is spacious and lofty , its greatest or nament bang a fine arched ceiling. In the csntre of the nom stands an oblong table, at which the committee sits in the following nrder:—At cue side, the Archbishops of Canter bury and York, tbe Bishop . of London, Lord Campbe ll, A nd Mr. Pemberton lamb. On the other, Lord Langdale, Baron Parke, Vice Chancello r Knight Bruce, and Dr. Lushington. The Marquis of Lansdowne, as president of the council , sto od at the head the table at intervals moving about very much, some times to the 'fire, sometime+ to whisper with Lord Campbell, and sometimes to chat with Mr. Greville, the clerk of the council, who had his sent at a side table, and even with one or other of the more privileged o f the sit even ience who w , rr ad mitted within the rails. The counsel were placed between the audience and the committee; the reporter' for the peva, who were in strong force, occup ied a p lace appropriated fur their use at one aide of the room ; and the rest of the outer portion of the room was open to the public. The lords of the council were not in soy official costume—not even the judges; all of them were in plain clothe., most of them in undress coats, and wearing black cravats, which certainly made them look very uclike a solemn judicial assembly. The counsel, of course, were in their wigs mid sowas, which was the only feature of • court of justice that it pre sented. With but few exceptions, the arguments of counsel were listened to in uninterrupted silence on the part of the committee. ATTEMPT TO ENCLOSE PLUMSTEAD AND BOSTOL COMMONS.—Considerable excitement has been produced in Woolwich and Plumetead, by an art attempt which is now makiag by a few freeholders belonging to the parish of Plumatead to enclose those beautiful tracts of land known as Plumstead and Boatel Commons, which from their imme diate proximi'y to the Metropolis and the town of Woolwich have become the favourite resorts of pleasure 'eaten. The Assistant Enclosure Commissioner Mr. Martin held his Court yesterday at the Plume of Feathers, Plumstead. The Court was numerously attended, and amongst those present who opposed the enclosure of the Common were Mr. lien- thaw, deputy chsirman of the South Eastern railway com pany, Mr. flowers, solicitor, who attended Cr Sir Goldsmid, Bart., Mr. Chur c h, solicitor for th e South Eastern Railway , Mr. 0. Hudson, surveyor to the trustees of the estate of toe late Mr. Pattison, M.P., Mr. Brown*, architect to the New England Company, Mr. W. Nokos, solicitor to the commissioners of the town and parish of Woolwich, Mr. Butler, of Deaden Well, Mr. Jones, of Wickham, Mr. .1. Colquhoun, and Mr. Horsley, soli citors, &e. &c. Oe the part of the supporters of the scheme, the only persons who appeared promi nently were Mr. Hayward, of Dartford, steward to the lords of the manor (the Fellows and Students of Queen's College, Oxford); Mr. L. Davis, auctioneer; and Mr. John son, farmer. A letter was read from Mr. Clarke, solicitor to the Board of Ordnance, stating that that body would oppose the passing of any bill through parliament having for its oh jeM the enclosure of the common. Evidence at great great length was given to show that no possible advantage could arise from enclosing the common, which is • barren arid soil ; that the only use that could be made of it would be for buildicg purposes; that it would be injurious to the property already existing around the common, and would shut up theonly open spot of g round available for the health and recreation of a crowded population of more than 50,000 p e rsons. At the conclusion of the inquiry, the oourt stdoo adjourned for a month, when it will be ascertained whether two-thirds of the freeholders are in favour of the measure, as if they are not, the matter will fall to the ground. MYSTERIOUS ACCIDENT.--An investigation wan held at Carnarvon on Wednesday last, on the body of • man named Ellis Jones, • publican. The evidence showed that 'bout midnight on Tuesday deceased accompanied the police officers to the pier head, round which they were in the habit of going before returning to rest. The senior policeman states that his brother officer was challenged by deceased tel a trial of strength and skill, to see which could pitch a large stone the furthest; that the policeman was accidentally struck by a stone thrown by deceased, and fell wou nded and M oniedinto the water ; that Ellis Jones instantly roc d own the pier steps and sprang into the Menai to save him upon this, he (the senior policeman) ran for help, and thereby ultiosatelysucceeded in saving hisbrother officar,who was much hurt and exhausted, but that the body of the deceased was not feud until near daybreak, when it exhibited a severe wound over the eye, and several bruises most difficult to he ao counted for under the alleged circumstances. As the state ment at present rests chiefly on the evidence of the senior policeman, his colleague being seriously ill, the inquest was adjourned. Great excitement prevails, and certainly much mystery at present hangs over the event, as the paliceman denies that any quarrel took place, whilst the worm.!, on the deceased and the survivor would seem to indicate the idea of mutual and deadly strife, there being more than one blow on the person of each, and such es could scarcely have resulted by a fall from a slight height into ten feet depth of water, which was the then condition of the tide. Deceased has left • widow and several children to lament hir hat, and the life of the junior policeman is despaired of.-11treford Journal. SUICIDE BY A BURGLAR IN A STATION-HOUSE.-- Yesterday Mr. H. M. Wakley held an inquest at tl9, he the Globes On. Millman-row, Chelsea, on Edward Davis, aged of a publican and livery stable-lemur, Tooting. Conga:del Brydges, V 51, deposed, tho deceased had been charged with homehreaking at Mr. Savage's, Fulham-road, and with several other burglaries. He W e' remanded on the oyevions day : Witness last saw him alive at ten minutes t) Hie, and at se he asked for beef and tea. Witness went to get him the re'reshment. Soon after silt, witness found him of sus pended by his neckerchie f from the teams of the mutilator his cell. lie was 'cut down withentededny. and • servos attended him, but all efforts to resuscitate him pro un availing. Deceased had been armee* ea Mel lay Verdict—" Deceased destroyed littoitelf, but iEee. evidence as to the state of his nandoliktut he ask" • . tof • ta gbe Court. WINDSOR, Dno. 27. The Qnsen and Prises Albert walked this morning In the Slops. sad Washer Perk. The Royal Family took their amid atria's. The Royal ilium party this Gouges included her Royal Highness the Duchess at Rent (attended by her Royal Riganeee's ladies is waiting), General and Lady Lobelia Wasps, and Sir Gawp sad Lady Carpet. Her Serene Highness the Duchess of Saxe-Weimar, the Primmer. Anse sad Amalie of Sase-Weintsr dined with her Boyd Higksem the Dasher of Gloumater yesterday at Gloseester Rows. Baron de Brnnow, the Russian Minister, had an interview with Lord John Russell yesterday at hie official residence is Downtag-stmet. On Monday and Wednesday, in the current week, her Majesty's Royal Charity to the usual number of aged and distressed poor was distributed at the Almonry in Whitehall, under the direetioa of the Lord Bishop of Oaford, Lord High Almoner; the BAIT. Dr. Jett Suh-Almoner; by Joaspa Hanby, Bog., Secretary and Yeoman of the Mammy is Ordinary. Mr. Campbell had an interview yesterday with Lord John Russell. Hui Granville has arrived at Woburn Abbey on a visit to the Duke of Bedford. COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS' SCHOOL. Total excess of 1849 over 1848 40.267 Thu it wilt be sees that at the end of the year 1849 the emigration from Europe into this port atone will be grata by nearly 60,000 than that of last year ; aid, if we titled° other ports on the Atlantforic as tsall a the newly acquired territory of Ciliria, le chub there has been a considerable emigration Europe and China, sad from the different states et Muth America during the present year, we are safe in esti mating that the population of th e United States will, at the sad of the present veer, have an increase Isom foreigle n seams of at least 400,000 sorb . Narrow-wainded peop will be apt to declaim against this met mini of foreigners tato our country ; bat men of comprehensive ideas will re joke at it, tor it sieve that every addition which is made to ear pepuletioa in this way is a proportienate addition to the real &Atli, strength, and industry of the UnitedSta r s. Admitting that I. reigners, as • general rule, are &sat of our in. itutions and government on their first ar sisal among us, we venture to say that there are but very kw of them who do not know how to exercise the elective fruchist j• &slowly by the time they become entitled to it, sad are naturslized ; and, as • general thing, we will say that when they do become naturalised they at. as ardent supporter of Olaf American ihstithtiogis as the native burn are.—Neic York. Ilirald. UNITED STATES.—The German population of the Coifed States is thawing with great rapidity. They num bee at present shout two millions. I n New York alone there me 60,000.—Jestish Chronicle. LAItCt.TEIt INSOLVENT CoURT.-06 Friday men ial, at the opening of the court, and in the presenos ng h of the e asembled hay, Mr. litOubrey roes, and addrssi lout, said that, as the senior member of the bar present, he thought it his duty to draw the attention of the learned 3•416 toa roan h which had appeared in the last bar of the Lancaste grap r Guardia*, sad which had been copied into see. isl other newspspers. Mn. 1110wheey then pied the I.ilowing paragraph Caution to Persons employ ing S 'haters is the Ltheaster Insolvent Covert.—The Icsel.ent Court ofLart^aster is earning a reputation by Ito somas creditable to the legal gentlemen who motile inenin. It is wiel for persons who eraphiy solicitors or nomad to he informed that so me of these gentle. men ere in the habit of taking refreshment together,l sad drinking wine to freely as to reader them Vie sulk to do their duty to their clients. On several es& laths th ese poetry have appeared before the court se drile& ue,_„.__ta be elarosly able to retain their OM "awl Oat, a most disorderly moue occasred, sad a sell lam wag is admitted to practise in the c rift wee ear magi le dawn vile, and locked up is *the reneethimi l , Jam.' Oa the same day, a learned barrister was Mae ivigtheandisil by the judge for his et:induct wader WV Magral iglugatte of Beeches. The real interests 01 mica be attendee' to by ntha who can thus forget theme KID', sad if they forget themselves, it it not very &Otte that they will remember their clients. reri who have interests at stake, se oppesiag oLitties debtor,, will do well to impure if the putties to whim thaf prices to commit their cases are in the habit& B ,P:wirier drunk le the ettart The evil will then gerrest P l leit y lilt* a the supplier—a just punisitiseg•MUnol, lottifulnese, notating from sash degrading efinglaae Hasse tie" th foregoing parsgregh, Mr. MINIM Mid was ka V dmn old os We owa pert , end also as repressing* be * Mr., liar , ell the other gentlemen of the bar present. sod ba WWI the toasty; to leave the matter in thehanie l , N the &sit withoet a word of comment. 11111 eh& Vadescaniling to say further art& of such skri • age weld be hi low the dimity of the prefessiem W Vida he d hist-anted friends had the honour to helm* gel La swiftly benestk what their rimesters as remeggessa dee used. d. l lee Judge : I ea wog that suchllSrerSO should have st.peared, beemege, es fir as the bar is con cerned, it is totally usfogeeled. Unfortunately, it did hap pen at th last court that • member o f the lower bawl hap pen the pro'eseion did appear la • state of intoxication, but on tie 6410, 1ng manuals he made every proper apology, asid I don't thigh that such se irregularity will happen again With reoard to he commusigation between the members of the tier and the other breach of the profession, I feel boned re itt say thet co undue f a miliarity has eve r happened he. The maim then dropped. —Manchester Gwardian.: ANNIVERSARY DINNER. Yesterday the annual dinner of this excellent charity took plea at the London Tavern, Bithopegete street. The Loup MaTots in the chair. Nearly 300 persons at down to dinner, and the gallery was occupied by a limited number of ladies, together w- th the boys and girls wile are at present Er ceiving their educa tion in the schools of the institutios. The usual ,loyal toasts having been proposed and re sponded to, The CHAIRMAN gave the teat of the evening, and said that the present meeting was intended to celebrate the 'ormatien of a very rain? institution. It was not three years •ittese the Co nautical revellers' Schools (se was very well known to every gentleman present) were originated ; and it was really ex remely pleasing to observe the rapid advance the institution had already made. He 'tiled the exertions of the promotes of this excellent charity would continue •o meet with the same success. It would not be doubted that this would be the ease, when he repeated that only three curs had elapsed niece the institution, and there were at the present moment 45 boys and 23 girls receiving the bent flee of education in the schools. It was, moreover, the intention of the Rostrum to admit 15 more in the course of a few days. lie bad great ;pleasure in proposing "Success to the Commercial 'l:revellers' Schools, and may they continue t a to prosper. (Loud cheers) a' The toast having been drunk with the ittneset enthu- .ff e.. gum, • sung, " written, composed, and dedicated to the el ' ~. 1 Commercial Travellers of the United Hiegdom " (oy J. B. 6 ., r i Walker, Req.), entitled " The Wit and the Way," was "9 i song lbs Mr. Hobbs, end was vicifermuly encored. Pr; The following subscriptions were next announced by Mr. It Holier, the toestmeaster—Tbe Lord Mayor, 10 guieeu ; 5. i John Masterman, RA , M.P., 10 gunteas ; Beejamta Bond 0 ', Cebtsell, BA ,10 guineas ; the Railway Auurance Society, :sl 10 guinea"; °emir Kirere Etej (the treasurer of the insti. *4 g todoe, 1031. ; Mesas. Peek. Brother', 1031. ; the Proprietors 2 of the Daily Neter,lo6l. ; J. B. Weiner, 11,q. (the produce of the wog above-mentioned), 1061. • Nat West bleruntile Aeseranee Satiety, 1001. ; Yachted On:week, Georges2l.los Slave= Copestak-, Beg.. 521 10.. ; Mesas Smith and Sores, 521 10s. • Robert Clarke, jun., Req., 62/. 104. ; Messrs J. and W:Nieholion sand ., 1051. ;T. I/ Cramp tea,Esq.,2ll ; Rogers, Lowry, CI ,211. ; --Macgregor, 211. ; Welch, Mergetson, and Co 211.; end many other mealier sums, amounting ea all to 1,2001. lir. JOHN BRADBURY proposed the •• Health of the Lord Meyer," and,in doing so, said this was the third tar. a he tied had the honour ot meeting him on occasions like the present, and be was quite sure that he would always be ready to came ft/reset wh his services might be required is benefit the chaitele institutions of the country. (Cheers.) The LORD MAYOR, returned thanks, and other com plimentary toasts h.ving been Oven, Mr. Alderman SIDNEY. proposed "The health of George Moore, Req‘, the treasurer, who, in retuning thank., said tie hut now to tavola to them their project for the next year. The establishment, he might state, was situated at Wanste ad. They found of the that the building wee too smell to weekly the requirements society,and during lest year they had been et a very greet ex pense upon otht r people's freehold. It might be prudent to spend moray upon their own property, hut they would spree with him d on when up he stated that a large sum having been etde up a freehold which did not belong ii them , the time had arrived when they should make en effort to purchase a freehold of their own. (11. ar, hear.) They had no particular position in view, but so greatly had the value of property been is Mowed by ealreads, that they bad found et least half a dessa ver y large star.sions wlt bh• d cost considerable sums in the buildii g, end were to be sold at a comparatively small price. If they could meet with en establishmest capable ot sccanonorlatii g 300 childrea their wishes would be ecconpliehed. In order to carry out their views, they coed no cell upon the com mercial travellers in the year 1850 for a WS Mal than 12.0001. This was • Y. vy lade amount, but he considered they bad • claim upon other individuals then the commer. Oa travellers themselves. They had a claim upon ell the [ mercan tile houses in Engbv.d, Scotland, and Wales, that enapleyed commercial travellers. (Bear, hese) R had e been lied .reseed c iromerebil travellers of apathy, and he [ told in reply that they hed not been requested to sube Ito the charity. lie would tell them test during theren suing year they should be asked at all routs, sod the blame 1 1 would be tbein if they tinued to withheld their i ult. I seriptioas. Toey were cold by comment-it waved. re from Liverpool and blanchrster, the - . they had too much power. [ Now be would ge down amongst them, and show them that they could take thie power out of their hands by pheing in I their exchequer a Ceitai` sum of money tower& the ad- I vaneement of the institution they were SOW met to ale ', brat Be did not know that he had anything further to a bates except that, however e nthusi4stic he might be 'Joe -1 soloed (and if he were called an enthwas heusiast, thet in faultell he was in the heed, and not in the heart), he nge I said, for be most docerely believed that of this ch ar it y I sight be w. irked up t o the position 1 lest institutions in this country. As regarded the building they proposed to erect, he might observe that they bed no wish to adorn it with architectural bauties—tney [ desired only to do that which would admiuister to the 041111 dare of the helpless orptuus and the disconsolate widow. Their object was to construe a aria building at the low , at possible price, and to mass it wend as their means wood admit ot. lie would entreat of every commercial travelthe ler In this room to exert hi mse lf towards the promotion of I Itareets of the institution. lie did thias that every commercial in the United Kingdom who the might at MUM future period be re du c ed to near sit y of partaking ot the benefits of hiss arity, might to su b s crioe to the funds; e nd he could help saying, that that man's heart was to be pitied who would n.d give to the itititution one guinea a year. H (ear, beer.) It was only three farthings a day, and these who refuted to sub scribe this amount did not present the commercial travel -1 rep hen as they ought to do. In conclusion be could ooly remark that charity engendered • very healthy ap petite, and the more the indul in Be it coul thed 1 more they wou ld be inclined to d o ed . so [ tot help individuelising • lady who had brought MOD. fits& to this inetinrion than any other of lite own sex. se alluded to Mrs. Cuffiey, who had collected upwards cf 8001., and be had great pleasure in proposing the health ot Mrs. CAI, and the ladies . (Cheets. l The boys and girls at present receiving the benefits of the institution (having previously sang IMO verses %nage for the OCCINYD by Mr. Wainer)) passed ihrough the room and were introduced in due form to the Lard Mayor. Mr. NICBOLBOI4 then rose to propose the next t— " Prosperity, health, and succus to the commercial travel lerirof tee United In edone" M r . WILLIAMSON retrieved thank', and the next toast was that of "The Vice Praidents and Trustees of the Invitation." Mr. ROBERT CLARKE acknowledged the toast, and said that the trustees hod an arduous and diffimit, though pleasing duty to perform; and if the commercial travellers would evert themselves to produce the requisite funds, he and hie a-tout/es would be too happy to latest them for the advantage of the institution. "The Board of Menegement," " The National Mereentile Life 0111,e, •• Toe stewards," da., were successively pro posed and responded to, and the cempeny separated, much gragifi.d by the evesine's entertaiumeat. In addition to the subieriptions already mentioned, a sum of 5/51. (Mt. I. Bradbury's list) was announced, and the - •el &aloud was stated to be about 2,00 C I. ____-------, ,~3 ~~ ,~~, rskh ft PA P 1 3 e e A itt 41 me th e 'Alves to th e nd foe awl!: 'u l 4w at 4u. moor ,Uptgy .st few Loa ir e in th e 14 , ascii to • r. id, I 'world m u gs mitl p ro . Do d oss t to th• I. tow% ergots of 11 to ex, ot the nuke the I of our PIPPIN*. ',gully .fystY• mifileisal red by till ilty iu c am. ley uS ear IRM't tbA esslaalk 4 llfis- 10 7.1t elp..d It is tram to ilipprets !iaae, Ira mahout IPIRI Cl tke la sit its lt. In fact, , tllO than the rateat f est i al foal clue the arivnal tea p r • sat. 17 few cusp s•.. is hot I Its taperer ales, tE• swo t. ad TO r.a • sad do.. sat sr.ieles it is lona 114 ars y hays Ether material ma ths Pre• ism. E on tits tint esjoy t►e Pas* sera i:basely a the tone lot only by tin es by th se GI Robbed wi h so to•setioa ? ui Is protesti.s is e arreireir n is datia., that ft real prate 10 dqekierde et r the prrierturei the takreta. r 1,4 peeeeet N.therlearte ; it big eartarreeial eels. easuallw, earl veered, a cos. A safeveurehlie , he goyim mint ane.srre Ite rod at th, ewe- sow oosTioeoll Beare* awl ow ,OTOTOIDt,t bee iTp which I: Me 01 the rointrl. nand to reply tie totieg the ,t1:41 'yenta& of es.isi. ,ed /*tweet°.y sad in-tatted The world bate ag• I merely, b at e ry to mopes* the prateraiv. devise Ores of reetteir with aunaterter ying the 'yens it el in every owes thought right es. ek'at a&teeone ef ..xcerioael , het pitfall the frearol e ale may render enceinte the ett itterelielh en 4 rod' rgre• of goy I"P -wee far the Illaist• - ur la wbr. t mad act its seasteCestia el Holland • it Ma pi tr 4 he eoadities, a Al naive ep •° the ng the Moe • rfot: Moe this fa. .0., at to r 11• 11 Zr• odaate vii rqtlag 0 _,„. 118 favoseed L"'" M " • le to Dewitt hl ▪ .metre ngIV.AIM • la relerese• totile whor-cOug.U7 aide lied to the c. , 1 geed Isw ibe as. kta foe istrullqahli M ▪ t lise Pete • be *Mains' W of tbe foesiss•i• r? isur•rs sass la this ri.Posi. t ! l • gawk y rd: s▪ ale& SAP Wawa e_ f r ssowasstatios 01,12.0 ads" ..it. rih, ••••.. Nis ("lead iwH era' Ws. is 501e'1"7 " ..; inire V:. die r••••• pasufselsrvel say all of silsia l de she II•12iI•1••• Of Or a I to • lOW WWI d.. / ILES. f••• • the t '" *. a ▪ %hi big et AU.... bees 01. 4./ fsr ss wol paliera t• etas Ltisel v be PS t u• jam res---- Ift 79. THE EXORBITANT DUTIES ON TEA. ----=--=---------_ REYCISAL Of A CLERGYMAN TO MARRY A Diff szscrua.—We (Wonsan CAronick) are reluctantly com pelled at this mason, when we would fain have evoided con trotter-id or disputed topics, tc recur to a charge preferred strains% the rector of a parish near Neuhaus of r• fusing to marry a Baptist lady to an orthodoi ins of the church. Th • lord bishop of the diocese, having discovered that th• clergy man therein alluded to was the ger. Merlin Ansphlett, rector of Couroh Leach, has addressed to him an admonitory letter -. '. lisrtlebury Csstle, near 8/01111TOTt. D- o. 8, 1849. — Reverend Sir,—lly attention was naturall Worceystar Chronicle °slit I to the enc l oe ed letter, which "Teemed is the o f %Lis week, and I have been this day informed that you're the clergyman to whom that letter refers. In that ease, and if the facts are cortectly stated in the enclosed letter, 1 must beg leave to inform you that your cmduct hu been very irregular. I will not refer to your on ideas' to marry the parties at all, as upon being advised you wisely abandoned this, but simply to your cot admitting the parties se usual to the rails round the Cmeamunion-table. The early pert of the service may correctly be read in the body of the church, though the custom has become so universal of having , the whole perform , d at the table; and a/ I such di-like changes and isnovatiou upon es•abilehed customs in things indifferent, I would always recommend the elegy to adopt this course ; but with regard to the letter pert of the service, the rubric specially divests, ' the psalm ended, the man and 1/0•110 kcieling before the Lord's table, :Iv psi et standing at the table, and directing hi,:face towards them, shall say," If, therefore, it is correctly stated that you celebrated mar riage between the parties referred to, 'standing round a table pieced is the aisle,' you were guilty of a gross violation of the rubric, whit* I request may not be reputed.-1 am, rev. sir, year faithfsl friend and brother, H. Woacanza. Tbs Mar. Martin Antphlett." ADDRESS OF THE LIVERPOOL TEA. ASSOCIATION. " The Liverpo ol Association for the Reduc tion of the Duty on Tea on ee more call upon the public to support than in their endeasours to get this most impolitic end un just tax reduced. In urging a reduction of this tax, the assiciation are governed by no exclusively selfish or close motives. For years they have been endeavouring to accom plish this, and the only object, but have always been met with the objection—and the only objection—that the stets of tbe revenue could not afford it. It ii, however, gener have.lly understood and admitted , that the government yid a surplus of two millions at the end of the present fi,ancial year. The association, therefore, now put in their claim and urge it by almost a right of promise, that when such 's surplus did exist a large reduction in the pre rent rate of tea duty should take place. Abundant evidence was Riven before the select committee in 1847, that a redue tiim of the duty to Is. per lb. would not jeopardise a greater loss to the revenue in the first year than 1,200,0001., arid that in the sewed year the revenue would fully recover itself. Of all duties on articles of consumption that on tea is the most objectionable. Its injurious effects are felt in some way or other by all classes of society. Its evils are universal. It may well, therefore, be selected as the first to be reduced; and the association feel convinced that amidst all rival claims it can maintain, upon its merits, and per se ' its priority. 111'Culloch says, " We incline to thick that this is the most objectionable duty . in the Eaelish tariff;' and epic, " Tea in this country is not a luxury, but a necessary of life, which is d•cidedly more indispensable to the poor than the rich." The rate of duty is, on the average, 250 p er cent. The entire . imports of 1818 cost somewhat under two millions while the amount of duty paid n that year ranbeil nearly five millias and a half. On low qualities it is 300 and 400 per cent., and on the lowest 800 to 1,000 per cent. As a matter of fiscal policy, the rate of duty is much too large. Nothing is more certainty proved, now by expe rience, than that inordinately heavy dwies defeat their own object, and that moderate duties US most productive to the Exchequer. To this general experience tea is no exception, as has been demonstrated by actual results en I former occasions, when the duty was reduced, mere cope egally in 1784, when toe population was not so large, nor the use of t ea, so general as now, bat when the consumption . was trebled by the reduction. The present consumption is under 50,000,000 lbs., employing about 100 ships. A similar nerrant, therefore, to what tuok place in 178 i, would give 3.. for every 25. 2d. now paid to the revenue, and would em ploy 200 additional ships, thus calling into exercise all the va rious industries requir.d in building , rigging, victualling, and navigating them. It is besides a direct tax on industry. A piece of shirting worth in Blauchester Ss. 61. t o will exchaoge in China tor 12 lbs. of tee, our import duty on which is 265. 3d. In consequence of this duty the exchange of shittings fur tea is limited, the manufacture interbred with, and industry to tnat extent destroyed. In effect it is a duty of Ns. 3d. on every piece of shining exported to Chine, and exchanged far tea. Its operatiun in impeding the distribution of tea, and by inference is crempirg the expansion of commerce, and thereby lessening profitable employment of many Kinds, rebuking, as it were, industry in its every effort to be air-supporting, has been well des.ribsti in the following 1 1 words : t " The capital which purchases cotton and manufactures it, 1 Welding machinery, paying wages, rent, rates, and charges lif conveyance to and from the seaport; which provides ships. eist u alling,manning, and insuring them , to carry the calico to A na; which incurs all the risks of delay, fluctuating mar la% an: local charges then; which brings tea in r.turn, again manning, vie:spline, acid insuring the ships ; paying lees for bah harbourage, warehousing, and all the attea dant chains, besides interest on its own amouwhant; rf thatwhen cap ce i tal, though it land the tea on the ve r y the eilico was shipped which went to purchase it, is not swoos h:: three times more ca pital is required to pay the duty ea the tea." As an impost on the chief article of export from a country area which' we forced a commercial treaty by war, it is ex tremely unjust, and colony at •,riance with the spt of our recent commercial le.islation, toeing an imp•st on cur part of en less than 26e. 3d. on the tea we receive for a piece of shirting admitted by . the Chinese into their country at the leeepetatie.4 nominal duty of 71d. Surely, we cannot wonder, while such an inequaiity exists in our commercial relations, that the Chinese nit only consider but plainly soli us " Barbarians." But the most injurious effects, and those which render it I peculiarly desirable that this should be the first tax dealt I with, are t l / 4 oes which press upon the phys:eal, social, and moral condition of the great mass of the people. Ia the limits of this address they can be only iudicated; but the gross oppression of taking more than 2d. from every 3d. laid out in tea by the overworked, Ill . paid, and all but starving needlewoinan, to say nothing of the toiling artisan, or still worse off peAeent, needs no illustration—it speaks trumpet-tongued in con demnation of the tax, The statesman, the philanthropiat, an the mora d list, will here alike fi nd ample scope for reflection d ; and each, &car ing to the peculiar phase in which he looks upon soc national grievance. The associati on , therefore, cell upon the p u blic to support them in their endeavours to remove this Head folly—this 'immortal suicide—this social wrong. IMPORTATION OF SPONGE.—AII importation having taken p ace of a quantity of sponge by a vessel from Rott• r dam, and entered as being free of d uty,uty the Officers of the revenue considering that it was euce of Turkey and having been imported from Europe was inadmissible to entry, detained the sponge as having been imported contrary to law. On consideration of the matter it appeared that there was not sufficient proof that the sponge was inadmissi ble to entry for home use, and that according to the beet authority, soonges occur attached to stones at the bottom of the sea, and abound particularly upon the shores of the produces the Grecian Archipelago. If the sponge were the rodu of Aeiatio Turkey it, would be inadmisuble, but it appearing to have been ruled on a former occ►sion that the i laws of navigation t h en app solely to the produce of the land, and that therefore this article was not affected by those laws, permission was granted for the delivery of the sponge, and free of duty, foe hose use. RAILWAY MEETING. FREEHOLD LAND SOCIETY AT STOURBRIDOIL—A public meeting in connection with the above *misty we , held on Monday last, when the second estate was balleAted for, making 6.S lii*A. The meeting was addressed by Messrs. J. Bl u rten, W. Akroyd, and 11. Censer. On the following day the secretary went upsn the land to show each man his re epective lot, which gave great satisfaction to the members. This society, which has been in existence about 18 months, has purchased lend to the extent of 100 lots, thus conferring the franchise on each of its owner. Nearly 300 shuts have been taken, and nearly 20001. has been received.— Worcester Chronicle. OFFICIAL GRATIVITIES IN THE OUSTOBIS.—The Coreptroller General of the Customs having laid before the commissioners a communication made to him by the secre tary to the commissioners for auditing the public accounts, signifying that the board bad been desired by tke Lords of the Treasury to make known to those public accountants, in whose accounts charges for gratuities to bankers' clerks and to postmen and others at Christmas have heretofore ap peared, that no allowances of this description are to be paid by them on behalf o f the public after tke expiration of the pr.sent year, and that noticeshould be accordingly given to the persons who have been in the ha bi t of receiving them. Notification of their lordship' wishes in this matter has been given to the principal officers of the department at the several ports throughout the kingdom for their future go- vern„rat. COASTING TRADE UNDER THE NEW NAVIGATION ACT.--TLOTO are five provisions in the new Navigation Act (in fore, on Tuesday next) for regulating the coasting trade. It is enacted that no goods nor passengers shall be carried coastwise from say part of the United Kingdom to another, or from the United Kingdom to the Isle of Man, or from the Isle of man to the United Kingdom, excet id inton Britihe sh s nips. That no goods or paasengers shall be impo p rte t United Kingdom from any of the Islands of Guernsey, Jer sey, Alderney or Sark. nor shell any goods or passengers be exported from the United Kingdom to any of the said Wands, nor shall any goods or passengers be carried from Man, any of the islands of Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney, Sark or from any of the said islands to another of the same island, except in British ships. That no goods si nor passengers shall be carried from one part of any British posseson in Asia, Africa or America to another of the same possession, except in British ships. Her Majesty in council may regulate the coasting trade of the Colonies on their application, between neighbouring possessiros or the couriog trade of the same. The coasting trade of India is to be regulated by the Gover nor General in council. With these maritime there are no restrictions on trade and navigation. Vessels are now arriving at our ports from all parts of the world. " There go the ships." From and after Monday nest they will be admitted under the new regulations. ACCIDENT WITH A FIRE-ENGINE. —Late on Wed nesday night notice was received at the Wells-street station of Brigade that a fire had broken out in Brunswick square, and the engineer was proceeding towards the mine of con flagration,wher , in turning out of GOOdge-lateet into Totten ham-courtroad, a ma nta named George Brown, of Chenies street, Tottenham- court. road, was craning the road in com pany of his wife, when the pole of the engine knocked the female down, and, before the driver could pull his horses up, the near wheel of the heavy engine passed ever the unfor tunate creature's hod y, ISJ severely injuring her that she was (bilged to be carried to Middlesex Hospital, where she at present remains in a very precarious state. ALARMING ACCIDENT ON THE RlVER.—Yester day forenoon, about 11 o'clock, an accident of an alarming character, by which the lives of several persons were jeopar dised happened on the river, nearly off Bankside, South wark. It appears that, at the time before stated, the Sun flower steamboat , whilst proceeding down the river, just at flood tide, was met: by a coal barge belonging to Messrs. Elmore, of Bankside' and at the same thee a Gravesend sailing barge , which was tackiag from the City shore, ran aga inst the *teenier on the other side. The both conse coal quence was, that the paddles of the steamer stru the barge and the sailing boat, sending one man who was in the vessel into the river, and sinking the skiff which accompanied the cosl barge. For some time the greatest confusion pre vsiled, the machinery of the steamboat being so much .3is placed that the vessel could not be moved, which naturally impressed the piesengers with an idea that the steamer would slat. A great number of boats put off from either shore ; the life buoys were thrown from the Sunflower, and. after some time, the man who was thrown from the vessel into the water was picked up. The steamboat Forget-aie not came alongside the Sunflower, and took her passengers on board, and landed them in safety. The accident was owing entirely to the sailing beige tacking too closely upon the steamer. SEIZURE 01 , A SMUGGLING VESSEL.--On Friday the Smack, John and Samuel, of Portsmouth, was boarded whilst lying_ inside Poole harbour, by the boatmen of the Brownsea Preventive Station, and having been brought alongside the quay, was Harebell, and found to be filled with a false bottom, underneath whir* was stowed upwards of 170 tube of foreign spirit, which were landed, and placed in the Custx.m-house. The Smack was laden with lime stone. Two men were found on board, who were lama ately examined before the magistrates on the charge, which proved against them, they were convicted in trite of 1001. each, and in default of payment, semati to prison for six months. CAMERON'S STEAM-POLL. SWANSEA, AND LOUGHOR RAILWAY COMPANY. Yesterday an adjourned meeting of this company was held at the Mlles in Moorpte street. B. (1. WurranoP, took the 'hair when Mr. 110 WDEN, the estwetary, read the advertisement. The CHAIRMAN would apologies for troubling the hem to lose together so soon after the meeting on the lith instant. They would now have to confirm the re solution paned en that oemilon for raising 21. a share of the the 41. extra stook, previously speed upon for making the branch railway from the company's mines to the port of Llanelly. As most of those now present wore at the former ease ing, he needed hardly to remind them that the resolu ties for snaking this call was passed unanimously. By pro viding these funds they would enable the directors to relieve the remaining temporary difficulties of the company, and carry out the small branch railway so now proposed. Captain NORCOTT, R.N., moved the first resolution for making the *all of V. per share. Mr. FRANCIS FISHER seconded the motion. Mr. SMALLSONE (a director) +aid toot some misunder standing had got . abroad with respect to this 21. call. In all cases where parties had alreadai would would gene re duetion of this 21. all . Re ho ped itbe met lly by the shareholders, as it coal not but tend to the best in terests of the company. The resolution was then confirmed unanimously. Mr. RICHARD HALLETT, jan. moved the next reeo lotion, which was for making the small branch railway from I the company's property to the port 0 1 Usually, but in doing eo he should like to know how the money wee to be got for making it. The CHAIRMAN said the railway was now contracted for, and would be made in about three months, or less, if ac tually necessary for the purposes of the company. This all of 21. would go some way towards making it. The directors also contemplated other means of getting funds, especially upon shares in the power of the board, by making them pre ferential; thus they have three modes of obtaining money. (Hear, hear.) It was not a very large sum that would be required for the railway, which was the very basis of the company's prosperity. He was of opinion that they did N a me of wrong from the beginning in going to work with a prop.rty so near to a port without first having a railway ; in fact, it was the greatest absurdity ; but as he was one to blame in the matter, he could say no more on the subjtct. (Hear.) with about 4,0001. they would now get this railway. and by the sale of shares on hand their ground would be opened to - the bottom of the mine. He therefore hoped the share holders would respond to this call as soon as possible, for he was sure it would be to their interest. e... kn. A PROPRIETOR asked how much would have to be b r k paid at once in respect to the railway. Clyde& Mr. HOW DEN, the secretary, replied that 4,6001. was to Ditto Si be expended on the railway, but parties had offered to ,taketae Glalltews in casn peyment only 83 per cent. , leaving the rest _ .'.„., period of 12 to 18 =oaths after the line should be finished 0 ''",r, and handed over to the company. It could be got ready by ley, r the same parties, and worked by the company in about lie three months. (Hear.) Mr. ELBERTON, the solicitor, said that tun more favourable terms than these had been made to the directors within the last three months. Mr. SMALLBONE observed that, by making • railway for the trifling distance of two miles and three-quarters, they. would get in connexion with the port of Llanelly. Seeing the effect this must have on their mineral property, he could not tell how any shareholder could raise an cijtction. Mr. ELBERTON said he had been in communication with Mr. Hooper, the solicitor to the Duke of Beaufort, together with Mr. Atkinson, the company's manager, and from Mr. Hooper he learnt that his grace would abed the company every facility in their conveyance of coal over his ) rr b d n Swansea. This was very Important, because the company's report of the committee of investigation on that line, it ap peared that the directors did, at one time, contemplate not carrying it beyond Swansea from Gloucester, but that sines they bad altered their minds. This alteration, would, there fore,soMl du prop ert y . t h e r . . . zw B. L A: u t I .1: South - Wales a : ti A i iM eo he Nw i ra e . sial l i d t ir i e bet ct h o a r el which wee palled unanimously. seconded b.d oluobntdtehlet whetherh r e e r t o o l u w Il i ot the seal field was on the other side of Swansea. Now, from the be of great importance to their mining property in Colebrook. The company stated that it was not desirable to proceed further than Swansea at present, but thought it , better to go es fir as Carmarthen. Thus there was no doubt , but they would obtain railway truth to Swansea as I well as to LleneUy, to which latter they now proposed to make their short railway. The advantage of these two junctions would be, that when their w o rks should be in full operatics, the port of Llanelly would not talcs all the company would require, for he held in his hand a letter from a gentleman at Sweneea, from whom be learnt that their hale s now very much de manded in that quarter. (Hear, ) Mr. HALLE4T moved a vote of than to the chairman mid directors for their erections in bringing the company thrsugh its difficulties. (Hear.) Mr. STRELLY seconded the motion. The CHAIRMAN koped the effect of this meeting would be to put an end to all their difficulties. He, for one, never entertained a doubt but that, with adequate lands, this company could work at a great profit, or he would not bate become en large a shareholder. In July there would be a general meeting of the company, by which time he antici pated the end of all their difficulties for the want of this railway, and he hoped on that occasion to be able to present a report which would be highly ratisiactory. (Hear, hear.' The meetit g then adjourned. CALEDONIAN RAILWAY. REPORT OF THE OCOMAT lOMITTEE OF INVEST'. N. E s • Cv,tifile MB pre. to pia mat tame t only to ketkat. •Oitneig t of th e I of th e lotstiook t.