The Express. — London, England, 1864-02-15 00:00:00

HOW COLD IT HAS BEEN. —NEGRETTI and ZAMBRA . 9 celebrated TH/3.310101138 wall cow redly register the lowest temperature. Price be. ed.-1, Batton. garden 58, Cornball , lbb, Pleetwtrest ; and 12, Begentratzert. Agents wanted. WHERE CAN WE MEET AFTER THE PANTORISIES 1y dear fellow! gentlemen rap at EVANS'S, OoventimrSem Ike erprego. 00VENT-43kILDEN. THIS rvanta, SHE STOOPS TO cpNgrER. mews. W. H. Wall, H Corti, G. Pecan, and W. Herftwo ; Mimes L. Pyne and A. Hues.—Conductor, Mr. A. Melton—And the opening 0 ST. GEORGE AND THE DRAGON.—Comatenee HAYItABAIT. THIS ETEXII4. THE RIVAL. 74411111.. Inteludone, Rowe, Chippendale, Farrell. Braid, Rogers, Clark, and Coe , ilesdames Angel. Fitzwilham, Snowdon, Lindley.—And IC INO ARTHUR. Compton ; Mesdames L Keeley, Wright, Lindley, E.Romer. PRINCE:HT& THIS EVETSO, PALLS RETURN. Messrs. % Wing. Nelson, Forrester. Mellon, Berms, Cathcart Mesdanws Marston, Carson. Powell, and Kato SiVIIIC—And HARLEQUIN LITTLE TOM TL CHER. LYCEDSL Tan Hymns', THE LOST CHILD. Mr. Wlddkorab and alba P. Ler BEL DEMONIO. • Love Story. Messrs. Pechter. Brougham, Emory. Charles, end Jordan ; Waft Kate tarry, Laramie, and Blerrorthy, and Mrs. Les. BRITANNIA. TRH EVENING. HICE4I . I7 — DICKORY, DOCK. Hrs. S. Lane and first-rate Pantenalmlsts.—THE GREAT GHOST EFFECT.—Arthur and Itertrand.—lha Fairy Yountaln..=.&nd 31Y LORD WELCOME. SIGH WATIR AT LONDON BRIDOL DA9 mnrou9A 711. Min .. nihirsooll. 7h. CM. I v .ignum.... Inning, Sh. tlm Maws. 94 3m. LONDON, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15. EVERY sh areholder in a public company has an interest in the cue of PaarioNs r. Snazzy, which after occupying Lord Chief .Justice Cocaanae and a special jury for four days was brought to a con clusion on Saturday. Mr. Psitsoes, the is Chairman of the Hammersmith and City Railway Company, in which Mr. SERGET, the defendant, is a shareholder, and the action, which was one for libel, arose out of a speech made by the defendant last July at a meeting of shareholders of the Company, where he made some reflections on the plaintiff's conduct in connexion with purchases of land required by the Company for their line. Mr. l'AttioNs, who was spoken of throughout the trial as a gentleman of great business ability and large experience in railway matters, joined the direction of the Hammersmith Railway Company in March, 1864. In July of that year Mr. PARSONS was consulted by a Mr. BLAKE, who has an estate at Notting-hill, respecting the value of the Portobello Estate adjoining his own. They looked over the land, and Mr..Praisoes expressed his readiness to join Mr. BLAKE in the purchase of it. In October Ittsits bought the land, and PAR sox, acquired an interest in it to the extent of ' three-tenths. At this time, according to a bargain made with Mr. RUMMENS, the contractor, the bur den of any increased value of land requiring to be bought for the purposes of the Company would fall upon him ; but by an arrangement which subsequently became necessary, the Company was restored to its natural position as purchaser of its own land. In November the Railway Com pany went to Parliament for powers to enable them to buy more land. The line was to be carried through the property which Mr. Parisoss had recently acquired by purchase. The Portobello estate had been bought for 8301. an acre. The two acres required for the Company were valued by Mr. RlTcuie, the Company's surveyor, at 3,000/. By other estimates the value was carried to 7,820/. and even to 15,6781. Mr. PARSONS put the matter in the hands of his attorney, Mr. B. LAKE, instructing him not to refer to him respect ing the price to be asked for the land. Mr. LAKE at first claimed 7,5001. for the two acres, but subsequently raised the demand to 20,000/. In June, when Mr. Ps It -ONS'S purchase and claims had become generally known, they were much dis cussed, many of the shareholders being of opinion that it was an extraordinary and unsound proceed ing for a director of the Company—and by this time Mr. PARSONS had become its Chairman— to anticipate the Company in the purchase of land, and afterwards sell it for his own benefit. The defendant, Mr. Sur.orv, being himself largely in terested Urthe Company, and having induced many of his friends to take shares, took up the matter. In the month of June last, several meetings of shareholders were held, and at one of these two of the directors, Mr. FOWEES and Mr. STAN TON, said that they had not been informed of the purchase of the land by Mr. PARSONS, and that if they had known of it they should have pro tested against it. This was said in the preseue of Mr. PassoNs, who states that he was "than " derstruck " by the statement, and that he had informed his colleagues of the fact at a board meet ing held on the 19th of November. A committee of inquiry was held, and on the 23rd of July a spe cial meeting of shareholders was convened by the defendant to consider the report. M-. PARSONS was unable to attend this meeting, but he sent a shorthand writer, who took down the defend ant's words, and thereupon brought this action for libeL The defendant had charged Mr. PAR , ONS with purchasing the Portobello land with the intention of making • profit of it to himself, so far as regarded the portion required for the Company; and, secondly, with sending in au exaggerated claim, making an un due profit from the Company. With respect to his own position as vendor of the land, Mr. PsusoNs spoke with the greatest frankness in the witness-box. He said, "He was always ready to " buy land, either as a director or privately. If " he knew where a railway was about to be con " structed he should buy some of the land through "which it would pass." Of course there is nothing more to be said against this than against any other kind of speculation. But, then, ou the other hand, if a gentleman in the position of Chairman of • Railway lays him self out for this line of business, it is only proper that the shareholders should know what he is doiirj, so far as his operations a 8 zt their interesti. As Lord Chief Justice C0 , 1,11E/IN observed upon the case as presented by the defen dant, " There was not a shadow of doubt of the " impropriety of these things. The Company were " entitled to have the best assistance of the " chairman and the board. What cord they say " to a man who, having an adverse interest, sat "as chairman Could anyone suppose that he " could with propriety fill the chair of the manage " ment when he had a private interest which must " militate with his duty ; but how much stronger " did that apply when his adverse interest was so " great ?" The question of fact which the Jury hail to decide was, whether, being interested in the land for which the Company had to pay, Mr. Prticsoxs had kept the fact back, instead of com municating it to the Board and to the shareholders. Mr. RtasuNs says he informed the Board of it on the 1 9th of November, 1862 ; but several of the directors stated at the trial that the impression conveyed to their minds fell far short of that statement, and only amounted to an intimation that he had a certain influence with the owners of the property. As to the excessive claim, it apvears that Mr. PAR,ONS having full , confidence iu Mr. LAKE, his attorney, left the! THE EXPR!:B_II, MONDAY EVENING, LAffltf3T LNTELLI,diNCE:= (uoTnli =mama.) . AMERICA. A DRAFT QF 500,000 MEN ORDERED. NEW YORK, F. 2, Emma. (Per the Canada, via Roches Point.) President Lincoln has ordered a draft of 500,000 men, to serve for three years, or during the war. The draft is to be made on the 10th of March, crediting and deducting therefrom so many as may have been enlisted or drafted prior to March 1, and not here tofore credited. This order includes the 300,000 men called for in October last, and is in effect an additional call for 200,000 men. _ _ . IRTTARY 16, 1864. and Hansen, and a earriee named Gravestein, have been brought into lners#sag. FRANCE. NEW ELECTION IN THE NORD. PARIS, FIB. 15. A decree has been issued, convoking the electors of the seventh circumscription of the department du Nord, to elect a deputy on the 6th and 7th March. matter entirely in his hands, and did net blow c the amount of the claim until it was made. When it became known he saw that it was extravagant, bat it would seem that be was restrained by a high and chivalrous feeling from interfering, and so exposing his attorney's mis take. We daresay most shareholders will agree with the LORD CHIEF JUSTICE that, admirable as this conduct may have been, Mr. SURGET could not be expected to know Mr. PARSONS'S motive in thus permitting himself to be misrepresented. As a man of business, it was natural for him to assume that he had placed the matter in his attor ney's hands in order that the latter should do as much as possible for his interests. At the trial Mr. SCRIMS had undertaken by his pleas to make good the truth of his charges ; but as to the communi cation of the fact of the purchase to the Board, and the direct action of Mr. PARSONS in the pre ferment of an excessive claim, the evidence was defective, and the plea of privilege was dis allowed because reporters were present. The jury gave a verdict for the plaintiff, damages, 251. 0: course, if the chairman of any company in which the gentlemen of the jury may be share holders, appear to be acting adversely to its inte rests, they will not expect to find a SuaosT eager to champion their cause at the risk of an action for damages. THE NAVY ESTIMATES FOR THE YEARS 1864-64.-(THIS DAY.) This morning the above estimates were presented to parliament. They show a net decrease of 303,422/. The total sum required to be voted for the service of the year, including 314,230/. for the army department—conveyance of troope---is , 1 10,432,610/. The last vote was 10,736,032/. The decrease in the estimates takes place in the following items :—For wages to seamen and marines, 47,3041. less is asked ; for victuals and clothing to ditto, 112,8671. lees ; and in the matter of naval stores, for the building, repair, and outfit of the fleet, &c., the sum for the storekeeper general of the navy is reduced by 169,9511., and that for the comptroller of the navy by 195,1371. ; half-pay to officers is reduced by 21,551!. ; civil pensions and allowances by 949/. ; medicines and medical stores by 1 1 650/ ; wages to artificers abroad, 752/., and the scientific branch by 685/. The total of these items of decrease is 550,8481. ; but against this is to be put an increase in other particulars of 247,4241., distributed thus :—Admi ralty office, 3,283/. ; coast guard service, 1,0231. ; her Majesty's establishments at home, 9,258/. ; her Majesty's establishments abroad, 1,2961. ; wages to artificers employed at her Majesty's establishments at home, 162,4381. • new works in the yards, tte., 16,000/. ; miscellaneous services, 2,9501. ; military pensions and allowances, 7,0961., and army depart ment, conveyance of troops, 44,0801., leaving the net decrease, as we have stated, 303,422!. A statement prefixed to the estimates shows that the net amount of expenditure for naval services for the year 1862-63, after deducting extra receipts and repayments paid to the Exchequer, was 11,532,5651. 13s. Bd. ; the net amount for 1863-64 was 10,462,3221., and the estimated net amount for the forthcoming year is 10,169,022/. Cbc Coum OSBORNE, Fla 13. The Queen and Princess Helena drove out yesterday. It .0 Vice-Admiral Sir Michael Seymour. com maoder-in•chiel at Portsmouth, who waited on how Majesty at Osborn* on Thursday, and not Sir Michael Bruce, ea erroneously inserted in our Saturday's impression. FEB. 14. The Queen, Princess Helene, Primer Louise, Primo, Leopold, and Princess Hobanlobe attended divine service at Osborne this morning. The Rev. C. Prothero officiated. ST. LEONARDS, Fn. 13. The Primers of Wales, attended by the Hon. Mrs. Coke, took a drive yesterday. A Cabinet Council was held on Saturday at the official residence of the First Lord of the Treasury, in Downing-street. The ministers present were Lord Palmerston, the Lord Chancello•, Earl Granville, the Duke of Argyll, Sir George Grey, Earl Russell, Earl de Grey, Sir Charles Wood, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Duke of Somerset, the Right Hon. T. Milner Gibson, the Right Hon. Edward Cardwell, Lord Stanley of Alderley, and the Right Hon. C. P. Villiers. A meeting d the Finance Committee of the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1831 was held on Satur day at the Privy Council-office. There were Dreeent Earl Granville (eha , rmau), the Earl of Derby, Lord Taunton, the Right Hon. R. Lowe, M.P., Sir Alexander Spearman, Bert., Sir C. W. Mks, Bart., Hr. Thomas Baring, ILP., Mr. T. F. Gibson, Mr. Miring, sad Mr. Edgar Bowling, C.B. (secretary). Despetahes were received ou Saturday at the Colonial office from the Governors of the Wee India Islands, the Lord High Commissioner of the lonian Islands, and from the Governor of British Columbia. Despatches were sent to the G.,vernon of Canada sod the Bahamas. THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OP WALES. ST. LEONARD'S-ON-SEA, ScxDAT. The Prince and Princess of Wales continue to enjoy the retirement of this beautiful watering-plaos. The weather yesterday morning was stormy, as on the previous day, the sea rolling in upon the beech with tremendous fury. The Princess, whose drawing-room commands • magnificent sea view, sat at the window for a long time contemplating the grandeur of 'the scene. The Prince of Wales walked in company with Major Teesdale to Heath:op and paid a visit to the ruins of the salient castle over lookins; the town. After luncheon the Princess of Wales, attended by the Hon. Mrs. Coke, took a carriege drive as far as Fairlight. The Princess rode in a close carriage owing to the inclement weather, and her royal highness's progress through the borough of Hastings was consequently scarcely observed. This morning the Prince and Princes, of Wales attended Deane service at St. Leonard's Church, under the Cliff. Their royal highoesseseatered the church through the vestry, and occupied one of the altar pews. The church was very full, but the moat perfect order prevailed. The sermon was preached by the rector, who selected his text from Lake 32, "Remember Lot's wife." The Prince and Princes, returned to their hotel after the service. The Princess wore a semi-mourning costume, without a veil, and it wai generally remarkel that her royal highness looked remarkably well. His Royal Hightteas the Duke of/Cambridge re ceived a select party at dinner, oa Saturday evening, at Gloucester House, Park-lane. The Earl and Countess of Wilton will not come totowo for the season mall the close of the Dustin ma son, sad after the Croxton Park races. The Earl and Countess of Carnarvon have taken • mansion in L met Croeee•or-street for the season. The Earl anJ Countess of Yarborough come to town from Brockesley Park, Lincolnshire, immediately after Ear e-. The Right Hon. Benjamin Disraeli, M.P., enter tained at dinner on Saturday evening, as his residence at Grosvenor-gat•, the Marquis of Salisbury, the Moroni+ of Waterford, the Earl of Winchilsea and Nottingham, Vis count Ingestre, Lord Nam, Lord lochiquin, the Right Hon. C. Add-dry, Sit William Fraser. Colo el Howard Vyle, Mr. Mr. George, lir. Butler-Johnstone, Mr. Mr. Hsmiltos , Mr. Harvey, Mr. Miller, and Mr. Water house. OnSaturd4y night Lady Palmerston bad a recep tion at the noble Premier's inmate residence in Piccadilly. A brilliant c'ree congregated, the ambassadors of France, Austria, Turkey, anl Prussia, end other foreign ministers, nearly the whole of the cabinet ministers, and a large number of the aristocracy and mention of the House of Commons being preamt on the occasion. The company separated just before midnight. - - At the evening meeting of the members of the Royal last.tution, on Friday, a lecture was delivered by Professor Wanklya "Oa the synthesis of organic bodies," The republican journals support President Lin coln's order, but the opposition press attack the administration for continually declaring the weak ness and exhaustion of the South, and yet still calling for such large forces. Longstreet's late movements appear to have been made with the remote object of investing Knoxville, but principally to gain possession of the fertile valley of French Broad River, from whence the Federal. obtained supplies and forage. In this he was successful. The Federal retreat into Knox ville was conducted with much loss and confusion. Southern despatches from Longstreet's command to the Tith ult. state that the Federal& bad evacu ated Tazewell, retreating towards Cumberland Gap. The Confederates afterwards occupied the town. It is still asserted that the main body of John ston's army has abandoned Dalton, Hardie rein forcing Mobile, and the other portion reinforcing Longitreet. Since the weather has moderated the Confederates have resumed operations in Western Virginia. They have occupied Petersburg and Burlington, the Federals evacuating those places. The Confederate General Rosser, after four hours' fighting, captured on the 30th a Federal train of 80 waggons guarded by 800 men, en route for Petersburg. General Lee issued an order on the 22nd ult., stating that the temporary reduction of rations was 1 caused by circumstances beyond the control of those charged with the support of the army, but it was hoped this would be of short duration. The army had proved that the country could refuse no sacri fice too great for its patriotism. Admiral Farragut's fleet arrived at New Orleans on the 20th and 21st. General Banks and Admiral Farragut are said to be perfecting arrangements to attack Mobile. Advice:B from Charleston to the 28th state that the shelling of the city continued. Fort' Sumter tired five shots on that day against the Federal positions on Cumming's Point. The har bour obstructions are said not to be materially in- 1 j ured. The Post declares it has trustworthy information that General Gilmore will shortly come North. Several of his best regiments have been sent from Charleston, and others would shortly follow. General Grant was entertained on the 30th at a public dinner at St. Louis. The tone of the Southern press is very cheerful. The Richmond Sndincl says there is a great general revival in the spirits and confidence of the people relative to the war. The army is in the best spirits, and the welcome news comes from Tennessee and Virgisia that the troops are volunteering by bri gades and regiments to re-enlist for the war. General Banks has issued orders that for sanitary reasons the labourers on plantations will not be allowed to leave. The World considers this as sub stituting serfdom for slavery. General Banks has declared that all plantations in Louisiana not under cultivation by February will be considered abandoned estates, and taken possession of by government. The House of Representatives has passed a bill reviving the rank of lieutenant-general, and re commending its bestowal upon General Grant. Southern journals state that the Federal govern ment insist upon Butler's recognition as a sine qua now for the exchange of prisoners. The Governor of Tennessee has ordered the elec tion of state officers in Tennessee on March 5. No dialoyal persons can vote, and stringent oaths will be exacted from voters. The opposition press declare that the movements made by the administration for reconstruction in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Tennessee are not bona fide efforts for the restoration of the Union, but are made with the view of carrying the presidential election, as all voters taking the abolition oaths will vote the republican ticket. The solicitor to the war department has decided that foreigners enlisted as substitutes for drafted men are not entitled to be discharged from the service by reason of alienage. The steamer Vesta bail been run ashore and burnt, oft Wilmington. Advices from Matamoros to the 13th state that another revolution has again placed Cortivas in power During the revolutionary movements the Federal commander at Brownsville sent three regi ments across the river. One regiment passed the night opposite the American consul's house, and the following day escorted the consul to Browns ville, bringing away 2,000,000 dollars. belonging to American subjects. Juarez was expected at Matamoros. COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. NEW YORK, Fla. 2, &verso. (Per Use Canal.) Money easier. Gold, 57i per cent. prem. Ex change on London : Bankers' bills, 172 ; on Paris, 3.20. Stocks steady. New York Centrals, 132 ; Illi nois, 126 k ; Erie, 1071 ; Si: per Cent. United States Bonds, 106. Cotton steady. Midland upland, 821; petroleum crude, 29 to 30 ; refined, 45 to 47. NEW YORK, FEB. 4, liounrc. (Per the Canada, by telegraph to Haitian.) _ . The Federala have re-occupied Burlington, Western Virginia, driving the Confederates south ward. • The Confederates have made a raid along the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, burning the bridge across the Potomac at the north branch of Patter son's Creek. The Feder&ls drove them off, and pursued them with cavalry, and the railroad is again in working order. The Senate has modified the Spirits Bill, increas ing the tax on whisky, after July and prior to January next, to 70 cents. The duty on im ported whisky, after July and prior to. January is increased from 40 to 50 cents. ; and after January, to 60 cents. The tax on whisky on hand is struck out, and the additional tax of cents. on cotton is also struck out. REPORTED EVACUATION OF SLESWIG. HAMBURG, Fee. 15. The Hamburger Nachrichten of to-day publishes advises from Flensburg to Saturday evening, stating that the whole of Sleewig, except Sundewitt and lawn, has been evacuated by the Danes. Four Danish spies, among them Pastors Morik Prince Napoleon's speech to M. de Lesseps and the shareholders of the Suez Canal Company is now published, and a very long one it is. The following is the text of what the prince said oonoerning England : They lean upon England. Well, let us speak of Eng land, although the task is delkate and disagreeable. Still, by being very candid and very moderate, I shall manage to say all that I think ; and, even supposing that I should by my plain speaking offend some of you here, I beg it to be understood that I my absolutely not a word against the English nation. I always make a great distinction between that powerful nation which captivates me by the mirage of that liberty which I so much love. (Applause, and cries of "The mirage of liberty !") Yes i I say the mirage of liberty ; I that liberty ; I it wherever I see it practised. I draw a great distinction, I was saying, between the English nation and the English government. (Loud Grim of " Hear, hear.") Let us not be too severe, even for the English government. It is hostile to your en terprise. I will not say that it is of course that It should be so ; I blame ita hostility, but I can understand it It does not attack you openly ; it loves in these MIN to resort to circuitous means. Fear no open opposition from the English government ; it has never written any diplomatic notes against you. You will not find a single one. It always puts the Porte forward in front of the battle. Now there is an explanation of the English policy. Do you know where you may snd it? Not in the Bina Book ; but in the Peerage, where you will see the exact age of all the lords in England. Open the Peerage, and you will find that noble lords now in power are respectively 70, 75, and 80 year old. It is not astonishing that together with their old experience they should have hearts somewhat cold. We can understand how it is that their sentiments for the most generous causes are so very calm. (Laughter.) You see now why aristocratic England declared in the facie of Europe that she would give neithera man nor a shilling for the greatest and holiest of all causes—those of Italy and Poland. (Great applause.) Do not, therefore, believe, gentlemen, that this English government will ever resort to the ultenta ratio against a cause like yours which is perfectly just. Do not imagine that England will ever fight against the Isthmus of Suez. That is all nonsense. And here I revert to the distinction I drew between the English nation mad ita government. The &leis& government which has forsaken rights based upon history and treaties; the English government which will yet perhaps fcil remorse for ita desertion of the two grand causes which I just now mentioned; the English government which abandoord the noble cause of Poland, will never dare to drag its country into a war about the Suez Canal. That is nonessee. Shall I speak my whole mind to you ? If it were to dam (and it never will dare), it is not we that would have to defend ourselves, but it is that government whisk would have to defend itself against the English people. It would fall ender the weight of contempt and ridicule. (Frantic applause.) Your rights are incontestable. Costume to amid your rights in Egypt. Go on with your works. You have nothing whatever to do with the Sublime Porte. When ever the Porte chooses to support by acts the political question which it thinks it has a right to raise, then it will be time enough to disease it. As to the scarecrow England take so thought of it whatever. Leave your enemies to prate about that. I defy the go vernment of that great country, England, to drag the nation into any Berko' hostility against the canal. (Basso, bravo.) I resume my narrative of the mistiest of Nubar Pasha. As to the corn'e, be was more against it than anybody could be. Bet M. de Lesesps did not invent the eon* ; it had existed from the time of the Pharaahs. Let it be abolished by all means, compensation being made to M: de Lamps, but it was a little too much to expect that the Viceroy of Egypt should be philanthropical at M. Lessee' exposes. The prince concluded by a strong assurance that he bad no mission whatever to speak in behalf of the Emperor's government. He spoke merely as a private individual. THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. SEIZURE OF A CONFEDERATE CRUISER BY THE GOYER.NOR. II The East India and London Shipping Company's steamship Calcutta, Captain S. H. Wright, arrived at Spithead yesterday morning, from Calcutta and the Cape of Good Hope, after a rapid passage of 68 days at sea, and brings intelligence of the seizure of the Confederate cruiser Tuscaloosa in Simon's Bay, by her Majesty's ship Narcissus, under orders from the governor. The following summati of Cape news is from the Cape Argus of January 6 : Since the departure of the mail steamer Cambrian on the 21st of December, the most interesting event that has occurred has been the seizure, by the government, ender orders from home, of the Confederate cruiser Tuscaloosa, formerly the Federal barque Conrad. The Tuscaloosa, which wee in Simon's Bey rather more than three months ago, re tuned to that port on Saturday, December 26. Lieutenant Lowe, her commander, reported that sines her last visit the Tuscaloosa had been cruising between the Cape and Brazil, and bad spoken zearly 160 vessels. But of that number only one happened to be • Federal. That one was the ship Living Age, which, having an English cargo on bawd, was released on giving a bond. During her cruise the Taa -1 caloosa put into one of the Brazilian ports for water and supplies, but was refused both, in consequence of which her mew are said to have been placed upon short allow►nce. Lieutenant Lowe hoped on this visit to Simon's Bay to get the bottom of his vessel recoppered, as well u to take in all the supplies he needed. But his hopes were doomed to disap• pointment, for on the day after her ar.ivalAdmizalSir Bald win Walker despatched from the flax-ship a lieutenant and • 'boarding party of 2.1 men to take possession of the Tuscaloosa in the Queen's name. The officer promptly executed the order of the admiral, and the vessel was seized accordingly. Lieu tenant Lowe lodged with the admiral a formal protest sg•inst the seizure, which will be transmitted to the home government. The United States consul, Mr. Graham, lodged a claim to the vessel on behalf of her former owners, and has since been informed by the government that she will be detained until she can be handed over to them. The point upon which the authorities at home differ in opinion from Mr. Denyseeo, who was acting Attorney-General, and, as such, legal adviser of the government, when the Tuscaloosa formerly visited the Cape, is as to the competency of Capt. Semmes to condemn prizes without taking them to • rega l•rly coestitated prize court. Such court Captain Semmes &aims to constitute oo board the Alabama by virtue of authority from his government ; and the question at issue is, whether that court, or pretended court, is • court whose decisions aggrieved persons are bound to submit to, sod other governments to acknowledge and accept. In our view the very idea of a court implies that the persons whose property is to be disposed of shall have the right of being presses and the power of advocating their cause. With these conditions it cannot be said that the court held by Captain Semmes on board the Alabama complies. And lus court, certainly, is sot such • court as the other Powers of the world have established. The Fraive Rays that General de Meza hart written to his sovereign that be means to leave Denmark and retire to England. Th; Press of Vienna says :—" After the oommon place, equivocal, perfidious, and cowardly policy of the cabinet of fit. James's in the American (mafiosi, there is wilds' more disgraceful, and at the lame time more pitia ble than that of Lord Palmerston and Earl Rumen in the conflict." ARRIVAL OP THE NIEL JERE AT narmorrn. The Danish screw frigate Niel Jue!, Captain Corti* from Norway, arrived at Plymouth Soiled yesterday afternoon. She has made no further capture. PaoliAztit TUESDAY. O ?to Ennio witr. S. W. to N.W. and back, Comirs. ft.W. to gales to strung. with __._ wi &Mani r, ansettlecL to W. and Witsrrits. gates to trash, rain 8.8. W. to N.N.W.. ions to flesh, some at Masa rata. S.S.W. to W.N.W.. Sootwitts. S.W. to N.W., strong strops. equally, with to fresh, some rate. rata at lama _ . _ 8. ii7c; S. W.. Wily. with rain. lArmut. W.S.W. to IC.N.W., strum squally, an settled. Drum on all coasts on Sunday. Nortbern=licotiand. Mamoru= Ireland. Wales. and ad. 'wends& acathern=linallsh Channel and Biscay Bay. liastern Baatward wand and kisalgotead. The Dublin Evening Pug understands that Mr. Justice Flamersld sad the Hoc. Xs. Preston have been appointed Cottunimioners of National Ednoatioo, in the room of Yr. Murphy, resigned, and the late Dean Nevis,. The numbers now in the Queen's College, Cork, are—Roman catholic; 110 ; setabliehri church, 100; prm byterians, 12 ; Wasleyanr, 12, the total amber being 215. These figures show that Wore last year the Roman catholic students hare increased from 402 par out. to 449 per cent. The Bishop of Algiers has published a pastoral latter against spiritualiant, which, that prelate says, finds more believes' in its doctrines and peactioes among ultra. cathotios than among those of liberal opinions in religious matters. TEE NEW OPERA BY THE COMPOSER OF FAUST. —Gratkrimai of yesterday says:—" M. Oounod'a new opera Mired k, now in rehearsal at the Lyrique, will be brought out in the course of the rat week or that following. The director of Covent-garden is said to have secured it for his Italian arson." PILIMENT FROM THE PRINCE OP WALES.—The Prince of Wale* has sent to the laboratory of Cambridge I University, Masembusette, a copy of the photographs of the Samaritan Pentateuch taken during the visit of royal l i highness to :seldom. In presenting this gift the private secretary of his royal highness writes :—• The Panes of I Wales desires me to add that he will always be glad of say opportunity which may enable him to mince, in however slight a manner, the lively sense which he entertains of the kindness sod hospitality he received during his visit to the United States, and that, with these recollections, be cannot fail cordially to reciprocate the wish to which you have ioethat nothing may occur to interrupt the rriTcl e dlip which ought ever to subsist between the old country and the new. " THE SPEAKER'n DENNEB..—The Right Hon. the Speaker gave his first parliamentary full-dram dinner on Saturday evening. The following noblemen and gentlemen were parent : Viscount Palmerston, Mary ths _at Herta:pi ton, \ Moment Bury, Viscount Castlerosse, Lor d Clarence Paget, Lord Alfred Paget, Sir George Grey, Sir Charles Wood. Mr. William Cowper, Mr. C. P. Villiers, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Milner Gib sou, Mr. Cardwell, Mr. Robert Lowe, Mr. Frederick Peel, the Judge Advocate-General, Mr. William Hutt, Sir Robert Peel, Mr. Henry Brand, Sir William Dunbar, Bert., the Attorney-General, the illolicitor-Genual, the Attorney- General for Ireland, Mr. T. G. Baring. Mr. Chichester Po • term, Mr. Massey, Colonel White, Mr. litatchbull He. ream, Mr. Charles Gilpin, Mr. H. A. Bruce, Mr. Stens fold, Mr. George J. Goodies ; Rev. Charles Merin* M.A., char lain ; Kr. Alfred Denison, private secretary. THE WMITMINSTER ABBEY SPECIAL SEnvicts.— The special Sunday evening *anion in the nave of West minster Abbey are to oomumnos on the 3rd of April, the first Sunday after Easter. SUNDAY EVENING SERVICES AT ST. PArL'S. The congregation attending the special services at St. Paul's Cathedral lost sight was as large as as the Sunday previous, and a considerable number of persons who arrived at the doors even some time before Divine worship com menced, being unable to gain admission, were obliged to tarn away. The sermon was preached by the Rev. W. B. Mackenzie, incumbent of St. James's, Holloway. The preacher, while lamenting the extensive prevalence of the spirit of scepticism at the present day, dwelt with confi dence oe the fact that the Bible, the only inspired book in the world, had maintained ite hold on the public mind through all the progressive changes of centuries, and ex pressed his belief that it would continue to be regarded as the best book, because so better could be substituted for it. THE CONDEMNED PIRATIEs.—A communication was received on Saturday by the Sheriffs, front Sir George Grey, is mower to the application made by those gentlemen that steps might be taken to have the execution of the seven pirates carried out at one of the seaport towns, in stead of the City of London. The reply was to the effect that Sir George Grey did not deem it advisable to have the prisoners removed from Newgete, and consequeetly the execution must take place in the usual course. The cul prits during the past week seem to have been awakened to a slight extent to their awful position. They have most of them relations in some or other of the Spanish islands, who ere, of course, entirely ignorant of their fate ; but upon their expressing a wish that they should he communicated with, and informed of their position, the Sheriffs afforded them every facility for doing so, and letters have been written to the fathers, mothers, and other relations of the culprits to whom they wished them to be addressed, inform. ing them of the position ie which they are plead. The culprits have been continually visited &trim the week by two Roman catholic priests, the Rev. Mr. Haney, from Moorfields chapel, and Father Louis, a Spanish priest, who converses with the prisoners in their own language. The convicts are all awned in separate cells, but adjoining each other, on one side of a corridor on the ground floor. Each of them is alone in his cell, but a consteat and vigilaat supervision is kept over them uight and day by warders who patrol the corridor, and who at any moment as command a view of any one of them from without through elides in the cell doors. For that purpose the gee in the cell of each of them is kept burning duringth ia e s eight. The scaffold is being adapted for the occasion baying 6 feet added to its length, and it is nederstood each of the convicts will be premed separately sad taken to the place of execution alma - ------- The Rey. Mr. Vaughan, of the Roman catholic Ann* in England, Is at present Is Panama en roar( far ealiforuts, where he has been mut o• a collecting tour for the purpose of raising funds with which to found • mis sionary college in &emit —Panama agar. His iionouTsaid that the lapse of time which had taken place rendered it extremely difficult for the court to rely exclusively on theme recollections of conversations as against the statements made in the lease. His Honour, however, was dear upon one point, that the °abduct of the agent, now deceased, who managed this matter was open to great blame. Sir J. Shelley had throughout shows his desire, while he stood upon his rights, to set with peat fairness, which lessened the r his Honour would otherwise feel at his inability to aid the plaintiff. The leave could not, therefore, be rectified with maid to the question of rabbits; but as there would be rectification in some points as to " under. wood," where a mistake was admitted on all sides, and as the Osintiff had not been to blame, the decree would be without costa. EXPRESS FROM PARIS. PRINCE NAPOLEON ON ENGLAND. (nom OM OWN COREWSPOND/NT.) PARIS, SUNDAY EVENING. THE GALE. MELANCHOLY SHIPWRECE. LYTHAM, LANCASHIRE, Skil:Roar MOW. A very distressing shipwreck, with loss of life, ha occurred here today (writes Mr. ai ha mar, seoretary of the Lytham branch of th r : l2 2.= Lifeboat Institution), under the following circumstances : D the height of a very heavy gale which prevailed here from the west, • schooner wee seen making for Lytham. and unfortunately, at a very critical part of the Channel, the wind veered more to the northward, when the schooner fell to leeward and struck upon the Horse Bank, and such was the destructive force of the Ns that she filled almost instantly, and fell over on her broadside, leaving but the slightest chance of swaps for the poor fellows composing her crew. The Lytham lifeboat of the National Institution was promptly launched—a being sent off at the same time for a steam tug—and m : ier that not a moment might be lost, the lifeboat, by means of a rope attached to her was dragged through the surf along the shore by the spectators, a distance of three quarters of • mile, in the direction of the illfated Teasel, when the steam tug coming up, she took the lifeboat in tow, and proceeded with her as near to the wreck sa it was mutest for the steamer to go, when the lifeboat was east off, and upon her itfi±oN at the wreck it was discovered, u had been too y feared, that the crew had unhappily perished. l'l7v — secil proved to be the schooner Gipsy, of Drogheda, John Murphy master, with a crew at four hands. So com plete was the destruction of the vessel that her cargo was floatingont of her when the lifeboat arrived aloopide. HOLYHEAD, &TUMMY NIGHT. This morning a brigantine which was anchored in the outer roads was observed to pert one cable. It was blowing a strong gale from W.N.W. Soon after she drove, and hoisted egad' of distress, upon which the lifeboat of the National Institution stationed at Holyhead was at once sent to her assistance. When the lifeboat reached the anal, which proved to be the brigantine Dos Nova, of Oporto, she was found to be so close to the Chpera Rocks that her stern was in the broken water, and it appeared almost hopeless to attempt to save her. However, some of the lifeboat's crew jumped on board, sod, at much risk, and with great skill, succeeded in canting her the right way, slipped her chain, and ran her in safety to the valley. As the boat was returning her crew observed the schooner Britannia to slip for the outer roads. The lifeboat proceeded to her assistance, sad fortunately succeeded in taking her to the valley. The lifeboat behaved very well, and the mate of the Boa Nova considered her services very praiseworthy, and the conduct of her crew moat meritorious. WEATHER REPORT.-(THIS DAY.) MONDAY, rEIIUART 15, 8 LL I a 4..! - D. W. F. Z. Q. L IR. 8. --.....- - - —; Nairn - - '29.4 0- 41 1 W.S.W. 4 1 10 26 o 0.45 5 Abatises -129.42 1 47' 2 W. 412,20 ro 0.60 2 Leith Ardrossaa 29.66 2 W. 9 10 28 or 0.1 6 Galway Yakut's Uverpool [29.31 60 3 W.S.W. 4 6 20 co - Holyhead 39.74 0 8.13. W. 4,9;22 co - I Pembroke ... - 16490 69 0 S.& W. 3' 8 18 bin 0.12 Pensanos . -39.97 50 1 B.W. 610 22 co I - Brest 40.0810 0 8.8. W. 5, 7 24 om .0.24 L'Orient 120.00 48 0 8. 2; 0 10 to 10.04 Rochefort 30.20 46 0 SAL 4 i 0 Z co 0.08 Plymouth 22.98 49 1 8. 8 , 3 16 lcm 1 - Weymouth '28.96 47, 0 S.W. 3 8 26 loin 'o.oB' Portsmouth 30.01 471 1 S.W. 3, 4 20 I o- 1 Guidon ;e0.00 V, 1 S.W. , sift 9 0 leo - Dover 35.02 45. 1 W.B.W. I 4 5 22 tm - Vermouth - Bcaloooozo6h :22.78 47 1 B.W. ' 4 8 22 co -I 4 Shields .. - 114111101500... 29.83 5.. 0 W.S.W. '6'7 I 24 o - LAW INTELLIGENCE. (THIS DAY.) EQUITY COURT. (Wore Vice-Ctracellor sir W. P. Wood.) FORD V. 11/3 JOHN NHELLIT. The Vio•ChniaTeili; gave udgment in this case. The snit was for the rectification of a lease granted by Sir J. Shelley, the plainti ff being the tenant. Tbeplaintifrs taro was, that Sir J. Shelley's agent contracted with him that the landlord should keep down all rabbits on the farm whereas the clause in the knee only stipulated that the landlord should have the sole right of shooting and killing rabbits. Sir J. Shelley. by his answer, stated that the agreement which he intended to make WSJ not on the lease as it stood embodied, but he always cousidered himself bound for his farmers' mike to keep down the rabbits as much as pos. sible. At the same time he never intended either to bind himelf to destroy all rabbits or to permit his farmers them. selves to do so. . . . . COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH. Alter Term Nisi Prins sittings, M Westmiorter.—(Before Lord aid Justice Cockburn and a Special Jtry.) THE QUINN E. HtANE. This was an extraordinary proceeding by indictment c h arg i ng th e defendant with wilful and corrupt perjury. The defendant pleaded not guilty. The position of the prosecutor, the eldest son of Sir ecilArmitage, and the horrible and disgusting nature • . fie charges preferred winst him by three of his fellow officers which formed the subject of a court martial, have for some time past engaged the attention of all connected with the Royal Navy. The court martial con noted him of two of the cluagrs, and the perjury coin phased of was evidence given during that inquiry by the defendant, one of the parties concernedand aid who alleged that he had bee n grossly indecently smutted by the prosecutor. The prow mace, it was alleged, bad been the victim of a vile conspiracy, sod he had no other means of vindicating his character and regaining his position than by prosecuting the defendant, a ant sy nd by undergoing a rigid examination before a com- Mr. Serjeset &Dentine, Mr. Gifford. and Mr. F. H. Lewis ware counsel for the prosecution, instructed by Messrs. Lewis and Lewis ; Mr. M. Chambe rs, Q.C., Mr. Crawford. and Mr. West were counsel for the 'defeedaut, instructed by Mr. Bristowe, the solicitor to the Admiralty. Mr. Serieurt Ballantine, in stating the case to the jury, said they were called upon to investigate matters of the utmost importance to the prosecutor and the defendant. The plaintiff was and the defendant now is en officer in the royal navy, sod op to the time the charge , were made were gentlemen of apperent honour, integrity and cha racter.. The prclicutor is the son and heir oeSir George Armitage, who at as early age, be being DOW 9.1,7•4 entered the Royal Nat y. He joined the Pem broke ea • naval cadet in 12...5.5, and he was present at the bombardment of Sweaborg, when his conduct r ess honour ably mentioned by his commanding officer. About August, 1856, he pseud his examinatioo, and he was appointed to the Orient* which was stationed at the time on the China coast. He sailed in the Cruiser for the purpose of joining bee, but at the request of her commander he was ' , lowed to remain in her. He raw a great deal of active servios whilst on booed of her. Hs was at the storming of two or three forts, and lanconduct met with the satisfaction of everyone. He was, hewer, wounded, and had to return home, his conduct having been in the meantime honorably mentioned in the despatches. After his return to England be weed him examination as a lieutenant, and be war appointed to the Me lanie at *Scheel, sod he joined her about the 17th of September, 1861. In May, 1862, when he was serving on board that ship at Malta, he was informed by the captain that charges had been made against bim of a nature almost too horrible to dwell upon. Ile was immediately placed under arrest, upon which he applied to the Admiralty for a court-martial. In the fol lowing June the court-martial sammbled and be was tried on eaves charges of indecent assaults on the defendant and Mr. Deliale, two midshipmen, and Mr. Jatkion, master's assistant, of the ship. The trial occupied four days, and during that time he had the assistance of a legal gentleman rending at Malta, but the learned counsel said he need not tell the jury how unfit snob a tribunal was, from the peculiar form of proceeding adopted, for thoroughly iovestigating any such dreadful , filthy, and indecent deck She - court, after hearing the evidence, decided that four out of the seven charges were proved, vie., those re lating to the defendant and Mr. Belisle. The prosecutor complained that imbed been the victim of a conspiracy between those gentlemen, who were scarcely twenty years of age at the time. From that time an honourable career bad been closed against the prosecutor. and he had adopted this inquiry in order that a full and fair ex amination might be made into his condud., and his character cleared from the heavy ignominy that had been cast upon him. An application had been made to the Admiralty to re-hear the matter, bat they had not the power if they had the inclination to do so, and therefore the prouscu*or had no other dowse left open to him but to institute these proceedings. The prosecutor was unable to account for the amegaracy, except that be had had octagon in his official capacity to reprove, on one or two occasions, Mr. Hearse and Mr. Jackson, because from that time there had been an unkindly feeling between them. What was very extraordinary was that the Bret offence were alleged to have taken place six or eight months before the charges were made on board the Malacca, whilst she woe lying at Spithead. The legal advisers had thought it beet to indict only Mr. Means. leaving r. Jackson and Mr. Delule free to be calk -I by the de feodant. The prosecutor denied that he had ever been guilty of any act of indecency towards any human being. The proceedings before the court martial on board the Hibernia in Malta harbour, were put in. The court con sisted of Captain Chad', presidut, °totals T. A. Swett, C. 8., Captain A. C. Gordon. and Commodore Shute Bar rington. rThe trial was proceeding whoa our report left. ] COURT OF BANKRUPTCY. (Before Yr. Commissioner (ioalburn.) IN SE P. B. WATT, OF THE PIES OF WATT AFID The tubers. were 'hippie( merchants, of Broken Wharf, Upper names-street. The baakruptey occurred is Bay, 1862. Long has absconded. Hie Honour mow gave judgment, out the applicatios of Watt for his order of discharge. The sbmooding bankrupt, Long, had committed gram frauds, by purchasing goods on credit, obtsining'advanoee on them, sod stranding with the mosey. The question was whether the bankrupt now Wore the court bad any oomplkity in these frauds. That he was laically re. 'possible no °undoubted ; the question was whether he was morally so. Watt had failed mos before ; and after joining Long, he had surrendered the satire ma nagement of the business to that peso% who had obtained credit to the extraordinary amount of upwards of ISOM, It was almost incredible that a mere adven turer should be able to obtain credit to sorb au amount; but Yr. Linklater had enured the court that it was ma everyda occurrence in the City. The goods thus obt were takes to one et those places owl mercially biome as " slaughterhouses ;" and a named Barton, who had been examined, deposed L er t i l ° t: had geode Long adranees on goods without gain where they came from, or whether they were paid for. The goods, he said, were of a greater value than I,oool.—probably not less than 1,4001. ; and he charged interest at the rate of five per cent. fee sin weeks, or above 40 per cent per annum. Thom goods were afterwards redeemed ; but this transaction was a good apeeinsee of the system —" Ex uao dime omen." Had Watt taken an active part in then frauds, the court would lave paned a IMPOW.Oe of imprisonment ; but, as he bad been merely passive, not iaterfering in say way with Long's pro ceeding, sod probably had no part of the proceeds of the goods, the court would take a more favourable view of the case, and give him the benefit of the dontit. His private debts were very small; and it appeared that he had not had free &cease to the books of the firm. He had so doubt been guilty of great miscon duct, and though be had now been before the court a year sad one mouths, the order of discharge would be suspended for two years god a half from the filing of the petition. on the ground that the bankrupt had contracted debts without probable means of paymeet. WRECK OYr DVSGKRER.-.-DOVRR, SATERDAY..-• At one this morning the Brechin Castle, of Whitby, coal lades, from Llanellv to Landon, became a total wreck in a heavy gale off Beachy Head. The captain and crew were saved, sod were brought in a hovellaig boat to Dover. and were received at the Wore' Home in a state of utter &Mi totic& They were unable to save a stitch of clothing be yond that in which they stood up. FATAL BOAT ACCIDENT IN THE C ULT Or PARIA. —Within au hour's sail of Port of Spain, in Trinidad, there is a group of Wands in the Gulf of Pori*. They are re serted by convalescents and pleasure seekers. On the Lith tilt. the acting goveraor of Trinidad, Major Holworthy, the colonial eaoretary, Mr. Scott Rustle mad a party o f ladles started for these islands oa • pleasure trip in two boats. The Govence Secretary, and two ladies named Percy, were he one boat with four boatmen, and just as it reached one of the islands it was upset in a sadden aqua, and the eight pumas were loon strtugglieg in the water. The other boat was too far distant to render any assistatios. A gentleman named Revell, who happened to bo stoPPind no the island, easing the accident. immediately jumped into a boat, and was enabled to save time whole of the party except the major aed a lady, both of whom were unfor tumitoly drowned. Major Holworthios body had not be.. found when the last amounts left Trinidad. r , 4 ; tr n. Ex IT it; ) 1 11 who soli sill owe