The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — London, England, 1825-05-04 00:00:00

• r - ~- y Armor' r ~. PARLIAMENT/Kr INTELLIGI: HOUSE OF LORDS, TUIADAT, MAT 3. Mr. Brogden and other Members from the House of Commons brought up the Scotch Juries Bill. the Scotch Sheriffs' Court Re gulation Bill, and several private Bills. Mr. Bevan, from the Commercial Dock Company, presented at their Lordships' bar accounts of the number of ships of the average of 300 tons, which the Commercial Docksthave been able to contain at one time; also an account of the greatest number of ships dis charged in those Docks during the present year ; and also an ac. count of the number Of vessels loading in those Dockson the hilt April 1845. Similar accounts ....—.tersccounts were presented from the Grand Surrey Canal Docks, from the LiverpooVDocks, and from the London Docks. ATTAINDER BILL. The Earl of LAUDERDALE, in the absence of Lord Holland, moved that their Lvidships be summoned for Monday next on t tie Attainder Da—Oftlei-ed. EqUITABLE LOAN BILL. Earl GROSVENOR presented a petition in favour of the Equit. able Loan Bill, from .the parish of St. lilies, signed by 800 per. sees.—Laid on the table. Lord SUFFIELD said he would take advantage of the oppor• bawl of troubling their Lordships with a few observations, in con sespeoce of a statement he had made on the preceding night. He Lad received a communication from a worthy Magistrate, Sir Richard Kirnie, which authorised him to state that he was not now a Director of the Equitable Loan Bank Company. It appeared by the statement of this gentleman, that he had been appointed a Director of this Company, but that be bad been so appointed with out his knowledge and consent. He ir..d attended a meeting when the plan for the formation of this Company was discussed, and be had expressed his approbation of its nature and object, in conse quence of which his name had been put down on the list of Directors. He was well aware that it would be highly improper for a person in his situation to act as a Director to such an Institu tiou, and with this feeling he withdrew his name. He ;tad twice been appointed Vice_President to the Society, but had no share in the management of the Company, add in permitting his name to be thus made use of, he merely expressed his approbation olds plan and proceedings. The Earl of LAUDERDALE said, that this statemenewas worthy the attention of their Lordships. since it appeared that a eientleman had been appointed Director to this Company without knowing who appointed him, or even how he was appointed. With al: respect for the worthy Magistrate (and he was certainly entitled to respect). he conceived it nothing his baying withdrawn his name (tom the list of Directors, as he still continued a Vice-President of the Company ; and it he were rendered incapable of acting use Ma gistrate in consequence of being a Director. he was equally so be cause lie was a Vice-President of the Institution. The Earl of SHAFTESBURY presented a petition in favour pf the Equitable Loan Bill, from the inhabitants of To:hill-street, Westmuister.—Laid on the table. CAtfIOLIC CLAIMS. The Duke of MONTROSE presented a petition against the Claims of die Catholics, from the Corporation of Cordwainers of time city of Glasgow. • The LORD CHANCELLOR presented a petition to the same effect from the parish of Bishops Waldron in the county of South ampton, and another from the Dian and Chapter of the city of U luucester. The Bishop of BRISTOL presented a petition to the same effect from the Vicar, Churchwardens, and inhabitants of the parish of All Saints, in the city of Bristol. Lord ROLLE presented a petition against the Claims of the Catholics, from an individual named Hart, residing at Honiton, in toe county of Devon. Earl GREY said he had also to present a petition from an indi. but its nature was very different front that just presented by the Noble Lord (Rolle). This petition was from a Clergyman of the name of Miles Popham, and the petitioner stated his belief that the Clenlymen of the Church of England were not generally hos tile to the Emancipation of the Catholics, but that for certain rea sans they did not come forward to express such opinions. The petition, the Noble Ead observed, was respectfully worded,- and emanated from an individual of high and honourable character. - The Earl of SHAFTESBURY presented a petition from the Dissenters of Redeross-street Chapel, Cripplegate, against the Claims of the Catholic& Earl BROWNLOW presented a petition to the same effect from the Dimmers of a parish in Lincoln. The Bishop of BAT/I and WELLS presented a similar peti tion fram the Clergy of Tewkesbury, In the County of Gloucester, and another front Kingmere, in the County of Oxford.—The peti tions acre laid on the table. CORN LAWS. The Earl of ROSEBERRY presented a petition from Ross-shire against any alteration in the Corn Laws. The Earl of LAUDERDALE presented petitions to the same effect from several Hundreds in the Cnunty of Norfolk. Lord HOLLAND said, that as a Noble Lord (Lauderdale) had given notice of the second reading of the Attainder Bill, on Mon day next, he did not wish to disturb the arrangement; but u he found that the second rewlingof the (lame Laws Bill was appointed for that day, he wished it to be under trod. that it the debate on the Game Laws should occupy any length of time, he should move that their Lordships be summoned on the Attainder Bill for the Tuesday following. The House then Adjourned. HOUSE OF COlll3lO - S, MESDAY, MAY 3. LIVERPOOL AND 31ANOIIESTER RAILROAD. lir. W. PEEL presented a petition from Bolton-le-Moor, in favour of the Liverpool and 313nel:eater Railroad to be printed. HULL DOCKS. Mr. J. P. GRANT presented inopctitions against the Hull Docks RiU.—Referred to the Committee on the Bill. CORN LAWS. Mr. BROUGHAM said h e held in his hand • petition from a large portion of the landowners of the county of Durham ; they felt great anxiety at hearing that meetings were convened for the pur pose of petitioning for a revision of the Corn Laws. The peti tioners saw the absolute necessity there existed that some protection b;- afforded to the landed interest of this country, and looked on a rerumal of the protecting duties as ruinous to their properties. (Hear, hear) The petition was signed by many of the landed prom ietors of the county of Durham, nod he was sure expressed the feelings of all the North 01 England. He was sure, that if the petition had not been prepared before the late statement of the Right lion. Gentleman opposite (31r. Huskisson) they would have added an expression of their regret at the state of uncertainty in which they were left as to his ultimate intention. (Hear, hear.) They were told, " 1 do rot mean this year to do any thing on the subject, but next year I will do that with respect to the Corn Laws which I will not now acquaint you with." (Hear, hear.) In the mean time no Gentleman could feel at ease, nor judge what was the vlaue of his property, •hilit this most portentous announcement was hanging over his head.. (Hear, hear.) Thu Hon. and Learned Gentleman then presented the petition.—Gr dered to be printed. Mr. HUSK ISSON presented a petition from Liverpool on the snhiect of the Corn Laws. The petition also prayed, that a certain Bid DOW before the House may nut pass into a law. From the low tot.e in which the petition way read we were unable to ascer tain to what Bill it had reference.—Referred to the Committee on the Bill. HUSKISSON also presented a petition from Cork, In favour of a revision of the Corn laws. Col. GRANT presented a petition rgainst any alteration in the 'Corn Laws. Lord ENNISMORE presented a similar petition from Fermoy. • Mr. LINDSAY presented a petition front certain spinners of against the duty on linen, against the duty on sulphur, and against the Corn .................. to be printed. CATHOLit 131 S. Mr. BROUGHAM presented a petition from Yeovil, in favour of the Catholic Claims. The petitioners prayed, that as there was slow no pretender to the throne, nor any other circumstance which could warrant a continuance of the exclusion of Catholics from the benefits of the Constitution, the House may take their case into ha consideration, and extend to them the privileges enjoyed by his Majesty's other subjects. Mr. BANKES presented two petitions against further corc.ssion to th e Catholics.—Ordered to be printed. COUNTY COURT& . Mr. M. A. TAYLOR Prestnutfa petition from Doncaster in favour of the County t :ourts' 81/I.—Laid on the table. :SALMON FISH ERI ES. Mr. T. F. KENNEDY brought up the Report of the Semen Fisheries Bill.-a-Ordered to be taken into consideration on the IVth &natant. SPITALFIELDS M;T. Alderman WOOD moved fur a Return of all the penalties levied under the Spitaltields Act. distinguishing by whom they were received and bow disposed oi.—Orderell. ISLE OF MAN. • Mr. BROUGHAM presented a petition from the Speaker and Members of the Howe ot Key., in the Isleof Man. The petition was unanimously agreed to. The petitioners oirtervcd, froth the Votes of the House, that a Commission had hero appointed to re 011ie the customs of the Isle of Man, and also to purchase certain 7iglits from the Duke of Athol. The petitioners prayed that the powers of the Commissioners might bee:tended, to enable them to purchase all the remaining rights of that Nobleman, as they felt they never could enjoy security —Ordered to be printed. APOTHECA RIES. Mr. BROUGHAM moved that the order for the appointment of a :ielect Committee on the Apothecaries' Bill be discharged and that the Bill be recommitted to a Committee of the whole House. . . . HH3IE opposed the motion. 'lle looked on the whole mass of the Bill as degrading to the apothecaries; it vested power in the Apotheearia.' Ha/I to send persons to visit the shop of any individual, and examine all the medicine in it, no matter whether for tale or not, and destroy or turn whatever quantity lie thought either bad or adulterated. Such an authority he could not consent to vain any body, particularly when their interest urged them to abuse is ; for apothecaries, in moat instances, purchased their nie dit.nes from druggists,and of course the Apothecaries' flail had an evident interest m depreekving them. Another complaint be had to urge against the Bill was, that it compelled an apothecaq, at any Laur st the day or night, to make the prescription of a physician, •rw though it was sent Mr the purpose of annoyance. The Hon. ‘lNnbde hoped his Lenrned Friend would allow the Bill to lie ..mr till next Sessi,n. Ile thought the course now about to be 7 . 3rsavd not in accordance a nit the t'orms of the House. l'he SPEAKER stid: the usual course was to refer a Bill to a Comillittee after the second reading. This was done whether the Bill be private or public ; and it was coppeteot to have the Bill referred to a Select Committee before it ckme before a Committee of the whole House. Nothing was more usual than for any Mem ber interested in the prosecution of a 14111 or in Its details, to have the original order for a Select Committee discharged. If he under. stood the first motion, it was, that that order be discharged, and the Bill brought to the House ; and here he wished to apprise the lion. Member (Mr. Hume), that the course now sought to be pursued would not deprive hint of the power of urging, in a Committee or the whole House, any objections he might have advanced up stairs; and even according to the forms of the House, if the objections failed up stairs, there was no objection to their being pressed again in a Committee of the whole House. Sir J. NEWPORT supported the motion. When the Com mittee met last, there being then five present, they were anxious for their own dismissal. lie considered the Bill as calculated to remove an existing evil. After a few words from Mr. J. P. GRANT, and from Mr. BROUGHAM. in explanation, Mr. W. GORDON said, that the College of Aberdeen, which was excepted from the operation of the present Bill, had come to a resolution not to confer degrees on any individual who did not undergo an examination, which they determined to make as strict as that of the other Scotch Colleges. The lion. Member went into a derail of the fees to be paid by a graduate of Aberdeen Col lege, and which he said amounted to 261.75. 64. Under all these circumstances, he trusted his Honourable and Learned Friend (Mr. Brougham) would include the graduates of that College in his Bill. Mr. A BERCROMBY suggested to the Honourable Member for Aberdeen ( Mr. Hume), whether he had not better allow the Bill to go on now, and if he pleased he might bring the question before the House neat Session. _ . Ale. HUME corroborated the statement of the lion. Member opposite (Mr. W. Gordon) as to the resolution which the Aberdeen College had come to. Mr. BROUGHAM was glad to hear what had fallen front his Honourable Friend (Mr. W. Gordon) sod his Honourable and Learned Friend behind him (Mr. Hume)—(a laugh)—he pardon, but his Honourable Friend was at the head of b:C.I - and had therefore a fair claim to be called " learned." He rejoiced these Colleges had taken the last step towards removing the taint which attached wall Scotch degrees. The order was then discharged, and the Bill ordered to be re committed to-morrow. Mr. Al. A. TAYLOR presented a petition from the seamen of Sunderland, on the subject of the Combination Laws. They were anxious to have an opportunity afforded them of disproving the charges made against them. Mr. Alderman WOOD presented a similar petition from certain journeymen brass-founders.—Referred to the Committee on the Combination Laws. Mr. CARTWRIGHT presented a petition from the master boot and shoe makers of Nottingham. It stated. that within the last six weeks the journeymen struck a second time for higher wages ; that they hold clubs and exact tines. The petitioners further complain, that if they be allowed to go on striking for an advance of wages, they, the petitioners, must give up all their navy and army contracts. (Hear, hear.) They attributed all the evils to the repeal of the Combination Laws. TheAionourable Member wished to know from the President of the Board of Trade whether it was his intention to propose this Session any thing on the subject of these laws. _ Mr. HUSKISSON said, he had been asked hy the Honourable Member to declare, In his official capacity, as President of the Board of Trade, what it was his intention to propose with respect to the present state of the Combination Laws. The subject he ad mitted was one of the most vital importance, and he regretted that, instead of abating the spirit of combination, it was more and more extending itself through every class of trade. (Heir, hear.) The Honourable Member ( Mr. Cartwright) must be aware that the subject had been referred to a Committee up stairs, and he (Mr. Huskiason) begged to inform him, that the Committee were pur. suing their investigation with all proper diligence, and hoped in a short time to be able to make their report ; they were most anxious that no delay should arise from them, as they felt most sensibly that the subject presses. (Hear, hear.) He believed they did not in tend proposing any measure that might interfere with the meetings of tradesmen to consult as to what the prices of labour ought to be, so as to afford them a fair remuneration for their services. (Hear.) He thought they had a right to do so. and also to consult as to the propriety of making a greater demand for their labour, if the price of provisions should become higher, fur the degree of remuneration for labour must in a great measure depend on that circumstance ; but at present they did not stop there ; they proceeded to the most unjustifiable lengths; they went so far as to dictate to their em ployers in what warmer their business was to be carried on—to dictate to them as to the tatting of apprentices—to dictate what are to be the hours of labour, and what the pay of each individual; and one of their regulations is, that every work man, be he good or bad, must receive the same wages.—( lime)—. They levy severe fines for any violation of their laws.--(Hear.)— He did not complain of their system because it alone affected the employers, but beciuse it equally pressed on many workmen, and prevented them from getting employment. They have established a system of ititimidation.which deters masters from giving work to any 'persons but such as belong to those associations which are un. , dermming the trade of the country.—(Hear.)—Unless some speedy and decisive steps were taken to remedy the evil, he trembled for the consequences. At that very moment there was almost a total stagnation of trade. The woollen trade, fur instance, stood still; nearly every trade in the country was in the same circumstances.— ( Hear.)—lle would be the last man in the world to advise the re vival of the old Combination Laws (hear), or support any mea sure that did not afford equal protection to the employed ass well as the employers.—(Hear.)—lt had been said on a former occasion that the tyranny of the many over the few was worse than that of the few over the many ; that worse species of tyranny now existed, and for it they were bound to provide a remedy. In conclusion, lie assured the Honourable Member that the Committee would lose no time in framing their Report, in order that the entire subject might be brought before the liouse.—( Hear.) Lord A ['THORP regretted, that when the Combination Laws were repealed no precaution was taken to define what should be considered a threat to the employer, to enable hint to institute a prosecution against the offender. The present evil was not confined to Nottingham, as he had a petition of a similar nature to present from Dsventry. Mr. EI.LICE wished to know something more satisfactory than what had fallen from the Right Honourable Gentleman opposite (Mr. Huskisson). No one could deny the very great inconvenience which ever resulted from workmen forming themselves into associ ations of the nature described ; but the House should consider from what a state of thraldom the workmen had just emerged, and tee if that did not In some measure account for their present vio lence. All other classes endeavoured to enlarge their own in comes at the expense of the labouring classes ; he hoped, therefore, that the fair claims of the workman would be well weighed before the House legislated on the subject. General GASCOYNE raid there was a strong isles abroad, that the Committee intended to interfere with the benefit societies; such a proceeding he thought most impolitic; those who were not connected with the illegal associations admitted the excesses of the others, but hope that the errors of the few may not be visited on the many. He considered that there had not elapsed sufficient time since the repeal of the Combination Laws, to judge accurately of its effect; it was but twelve months since that repeal took place, and since that period peevish fla had borne a high price; and he dreaded, although the Right Honourable Gentleman might have no in e nation of reviving the old Combination Laws, lest he might in troduce some measure perhaps more obnoxious. The Honourable Member went on to say, that the spirit ot combination by no means extended as widely as had been represented. Not a single instance of combination had occiaterW in Liverpool since the repeal of the laws ; not a solitary act of violence was committed in that city. lie trusted that there existed no intention of interfering with the funds of the friendly societies; theirfoundation had produced the most beneficial results; there was one in particular to which he begged to call the attention of the House—the Society of Ship. wrights. It contained four thousand members, bad been estab lished thirty-three years, built almshouses, and not a single indi vidual of the Society had ever applied to the parish for relief. Mr. MABERLY thought that what had fallen from the Right Honourable Gentleman would give great satisfaction to the public at large. He had heard that in Aberdeen the men not only coin. bined to obtain an advance of wages, but actually to regulate the number of apprentices, and sometimes to require that there be no apprentices at all. Such a method of controlling the masters must be injurious to manufactures, and he thought, therefore, that the subject required consideration. Mr. PHILLIPS was of opinion that the language used upon both sides of the House in this conversation was much to be re. gretted, because it was desirable to put an end, if possible, to all combinations, both of meters and men, and he thought any thing said in that House, which might be supposed to give a triumph to one party over the other, was imprudent and impolitic. He could net help saying, however, that the combinations amongst the muter,/ excited more jealousies than those amongst the men ; and that there had been, both at Liverpool and elsewhere, limy in stances of great oppression of the masters, with outrage and violence, since the repeal of the Combination Laws. Mr. HUME said, that what the House wanted upon this subject was information ; all the individaals examined hail spoken only of one side of the question. If, however, the matter were properly in vestigated In a Committee, he was sure that niany of the mistake, under which lion. Gentlemen laboured would be cleared up. As to the outrages said to be committed, he had never hesnl of any but in Dublin, and then the number of people said to have lost their lives had dwindled down from 20 to 2. Evert* man examined be fore the Committee had borne testinion; to the remarkable fact, that the character of combinations was wholly changed, and that they were now universally conducted with peace and systematic order. The dictation upon the subject of apprentices, or the violence used to compel a surrender, either on the one side or the other, he ob jected to as much vie any musts; but he would ask lion.Geutlenten,if they had *quantity of wheat, and the price was only his. a quarter, whether they would think it criminal if they agreed to watt until the price was 85s. or Ns.? Would they not then allow a poor man, wile could get only 2s. fel. a day for his labour, to welt, if he could, until he got Ss.? This was what he contended for—he wanted per. feet freedom, for, without that, they must have a law for raising the rice of corn, and reg u l at i ng th e wages of l a bour. On the be half; therefore, of those men, who had not yet been heard, he ire. plored the House not to proceed upon this subject without proof of the charges laid against them, or without adequate itiformetion on the advantages derived from the repeal. Mr. PH ri.id PS explained. The repeal, it was said at the time would put an end to all combinations, and all violence, but let those who held or maintained that opinion look to Manchester and Glas gow before they repeated their assertions. Sir M. W. tuDLEy would have all the labouring classes al. THE 'BRITISH PRESS. lowed individually to obtain, by legal means, the fair price of their labour; but when they conregated together in large bodies, and said to their employers, " 1 ou shall not employ this or that person, or give less than stht a price," and forced this upon the master by threats of violence and outrage, he thought it right that the begis lettere should interfere. Time should be allowed, however, to those who lived in Northumberland and Durham, and other distant counties, to tome for ward in their own defence. He begged to add, that fin his part he had never heard one word in the Committee upon the regulation of Friendly Societies, Lord A. HAMILTON could state that there was one man now lying at the point of death from a beating inflicted by the Stirling_ shire colliers, for taking less wages than they thought proper to command; and a weaver, in another case, which he had heard of to-day, was sentenced to whipping and transportation for an at tempt to assassinate the Judge who tried him, declaring that if Lord Elleriborough's Act had extended to Scotland he must have suffered death for the crime with which he was charged. On be half, therefore, of that class who were sufferers from another class having got the upper hand of them, he appealed to the House far protection. lie did not know what had taken place elsewhere, but front his acquaintance with recent events in Lanark and Stirling Whims, he felt strongly inclined to support a change in the laws, en the same grounds which had formerly induced him to vote for the repeal, namely, that labour should be allowed to bring heel( to the best market ; for when they heard of men not only prescribing to their masters at what price they are to work, when, and how, but even where they are to send their goods, and at what price they , were to sell them, (hear, hear,) he thought it time that the House should extend its protection to the masters as well as the men. Mr. BARING had hoped that the Right Honourable Gentle , man would not have given any answer to the question of the Ho pourable Member for Liverpool (General Gascoyne), because he wished the House to go to the consideration of this question alto gethcr unprejudiced by any statements of the Minister. The crude repeal of the Combination Laws lie had always thought one of the most mischievous acts that House had ever committed, The in tereets of manufacturers had been very much injured by it • and if there were not more acts of violence upon record, it was be cause the men had it all their own way. He hoped, however, the House would remedy the evil, when they had made an impartial in quiry. Captain MABERLY said a fcw words, which were not audible in the Gallery. Mr. MABERLY explained. The r etition was then referred to the Committee on the Corn bination Laws. CATHOLIC CLAIMS. Mr. ESTCOURT presented a petition from the Archdeacon and Clergy of Becks. praying that no further concessions be made to the Roman Catholics --Ordered to be printed. Lord ROBERT SO3IERSET presented a similar petition from Leelilacle. Mr. DENMAN, in presenting a petition from the Mayor and Corporation of Nottingham, said he was happy to say that a town so much devoted to Whig principles, as to have been the first to present an Address to King William, on his landing in this coun. try, was now dieposed to grant, without tear, the fullest constitu tional privileges to the Roman Catholics. They d es i r ed too t o ex press their opinion, that as they feared no dangers, so they required no securities ; but if the House thought tit t require them, they had no disposition to oppose it. The Honourable and Learned Gentleman then observed, that the Catholics did not ask for the ap pointment to office ; they asked for the eligibility to office ; and if those situations at the Irish Bar were thrown open to Mr. O'Cun nell, what danger could arise from that concession, when those who have the nomination to such elevations were at liberty, as in the case of the Learned Gentleman who usually sat below him (Mr. Brougham), to withhold the appointment. A King, therefore, jea lous of any individual, always would have it in his power to exclude him from any place of trust to which he might be even eligible. The petition was laid on the table. IRISH FREEHOLDERS BILL. Colonel TRENCH said, lie would take that opportunity to give notice of his intention to propose a clause in the 40s. Freeholders' Bill, enabling freeholders whose freeholds fluctuated between 40.. and 101., to exchange that privilege for an exemption from the county assessments. Mr. R. MARTIN said, the Hon. Colonel's proposal would be very well, if it did not throw the burthen upon others. The rases must be paid. COMBINATION LAWS. Lord ALTIIORP presented a petition from Daventry, on the subject of the Combination Laws.—Referred to the Committee. COUNTY RATES BILL. The House, upon the motion of Lord ALTIIORP, then went into a Committee on the County Rates Bill. The Noble Lord proposed a clause, granting compensation to se veral O ffi cers of the King's Bench, Clerk, Cryer, etc. and to the Filasera of the Common Pleas. Mr. HUME begged to ask upon what evidence they were to make the grant and from what funds it was t o b e p a id? Lord ALT IIORP said it was not possible to ascertain ex actly what was the amount of the fees gained by these officers. After a conversatiot., in which Mr. Sergeant OxsLow, Mr. TINDAL, Mr. PEEL, Mr. HEATHCOTE, and Mr. BRIGHT took a part, the several clauses were agreed to, the House resumed, and the report ordered for to-morrow. Mr. JONES presented a petition from the Borough of Caermar then, against further concessions to the Roman Catholics. Mr. BRIGHT presented a petition from the Broad Silk Weavers of Spitaltields, relating so certain alteration in the Combination Laws. CATHOLIC CLAIMS. Mr. BROWNLOW presented a petition from an individual of the name of SPCullen, in the County of Armagh. The petitioner stated, that he was a freeholder of the County of Armagh ; that he kept a mathematical school, for which he did not receive assistance from any society. He further stated, that he had been brought up a Roman Catholic, but was induced to separate himself from that male of worship, in consequence of having heard the Rev. J. Coyne declare, that there was no salvation for any person out of the Roman Catholic Church. ( Hear, and a laugh.) The same Clergyman also prohibited the use of a Spelling-book, in which the Lord's Prayer was inserted with the concluding wo*la, " For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory," he. he. The House here manifested same impatience at the reading of the petition, and it was ordered to be laid on the table. LEVANT COMPANY'S ACT. Mr. HUSKISSON moved that the House resolve itself into a Committee on the Levant Company's Act. Resolutions to the effect of abolishing the present system of dues, and of rendering void the present charter, were moved and agreed to, and the report ordered to be brought up to-morrow. ARREST FOR DEBTS' BILL. Mr. S. RICE moved the third reading of the Arrest for Debts' BUI. The object of the Bill was to prevent vexatious arrests.— It was read a third time and passed. CUSTOM AND EXCISE ACTS. Mr. BERRIES moved that the House resolve into a Committee on the Customs and Excise Acts.—The resolutions were agreed to, and the report ordered to-morrow. The Irish Exchequer Bill also passed through a Committee. DISSENTERS' MARRIAGE BILL. Mr. W. SMITH moved the second reading of the Dissenters' Marriage Bill.—The several clauses were ■greed to. and it was ordered to be engrossed, and to be read a third time on Thursday next. The other orders of the day were then agreed to, and the House adjourned at half-past Seven u'Clock. HOUSE OF COMiIiONS, THIS DAY. NOTICES OF MOTIONS. Mr. nobhouse—Select Committee to consider of the Working flours of Children in Cotton Factories. Mr. Monck—Bill to prohibit, in certain cases, the payment of any part or portion of the 's'ages of Labourers out of the Poor Raul. PRICES OF BRITISH Bank Stock 230 a 31 3 per Cent. Red. 91 901 91 911 per Cent. Cons. 911) a a a Ditto Acct. 9g A a a a a 34 per Cent. 34per Cent. R . a ew 4 per Cent. 1031 a a 1 India Stock 2804 iTOCKS YESTERD y. India Bonds 74 72 74 pm Long Ann. '2O 16-16 22 South Sea Stock South Sea Old Ann. 94 Es.Bills,lid.l.oool. 4116260 pm Ditto, MM. 411 SI 50 pm Ditto, Small 411 53 pm Lottery Tickets, IW.l k. ~;f;, ; 404..411 . 1c1„,. - J• Iva • PRICES OF FOREIGN Austrian Bonds (II Gu. per E St.) 96i ex dlv Brazilian Bonds 841 Ditto Scrip (1822) e Ipm Ditto Acct. 14 1 pm Buenos Ayres Bonds 904 Ditto Acct. 904 rolotnbian Ronde 834 ex div Ditto Acct. 85.1 ex div Ditto Bonds (Ma) 084 8 a Ditto Acct. 884 8 74 Danish Bonds 1014 24 Ditto Scrip (1823) 24 14 die Ditto Acct. II I ii 24 4 4 dis Greek Bantle 618 2 Ditto Scrip (182 i) 44 dis Ditto Acct. 44 die STOCKS YESTER Y. Mexican Bonds 77 6j 1 } 1 Ditto Acct. 77 61 Ditto Scrip (1823)1 , 212 folio Ditto Acct. 1118 121 } 1 2 dim Neapolitan Bonds Ditto Bonds 08241 93 1 Peruvian Bonds 79/ Ditto Acct. 79 Portuguese Bonds 901 90 Prussian Bonds 100} 1 Ditto Bonds (UV) 1011 Russian Bonds 954 1 Ditto Acct. 931 } Spanish Cons. 24 14 4 n Ditto Acct. 24 114 3} 4 Ditto Cons. (1R.23) 1 1 Ditto Acct. ,NDE YESTERDAY. COURSE OF EXCII. Amsterdam Al F. 12 1 Ditto at II 18 Rotterdam ....2 U. 12 2 Antwerp 12 2 llamburgh 24 U. 36 6 Alton* .24 U. 36 7 Paris, 3 days'aight 9 3 IS Ditto .2 U. 25 45 Bourdeaux 25 45 Berlin 7 I) Frank.on Main Ex. M. 1594 Petersborgh, rble. 3 I's. V. ienna, ef ectivef.2sl. 9 34 Trieste ditto Ai 54 Madrid 26 Cadiz Bilbao 381 Barcelona 35 Seville c 16 tithe/Altar 31 Leghorn Genoa L'i I Venice 27 Malta • 0 ,' Nap lee ....... ...„..., 4l Palermo per as. 122 I,irbon 511 1 I Irorto AI kto Janeiro ' Bahia. 68 ' Dublin Cork rli BULLION, PLR OZ. I:. N. (1. Portugal Goldin coin° 0 0 Foreign (10 1 l in bars 317 101 New Doubloons 3 17 6 New Dollars 0 4 Silver in bars, stand U 5 I PRICES OF SHARES YESTERDAY. MIXES. Share. Paid. Premium Pee Mao. Anglo-Ilfelican 4:100 20 7tl 75 70 A nglo.Chilian IOU i 2 1 Anglo-Peruvian Association—. 100 5 1 Pi 1 dia Arigna Iron and Coal 5O 7 5j f.t si Brazilian IN 5 N 10 In Chi1ian....,—................ 100 0 Gi Colombian WO 5 19 General Mining Association Hibernian 5O 4 324 3 Paseo Peruvian lOO 6 94 01 981 it 81 Potosi, Ls Paz, and Peruvian 50 5 43t4 34 United 31exican...,.. 4O 20 19 Ditto New 4O 5 20 22 10 Walsh Iron and Coal 2l 10 i ASSUItAIICa COMPANIES: Palladium SO 2 Protector Fin 2O 2 i i dim ts LIGHT AXD COKE COMPANIES. Provincial Portable.. IRO% RAILWAYS. London and Bristol. 2O 1 1 dis MISCILLAW SOUS. Australian lOO 3 27 British Iron Company lOO 5 14 British Rock and Salt Coin lO 5 34 3 Canada. lOO 10 20 .11.1 canal Gas Engine 6O 1 14 Colombian Agricul. Company 100 6 8 Squitable Loan Bank 5O 1 Honduras Company lOO 5 1 41 01 Imperial Plate Glass lOO 2 1 London Brick Company 5O 1 par pm London Drug Company 3O 1 1 dis I'd ex ica n Company lOO 10 dis Metropolitan Alderney Dairy 26 4 Pearl lii.hery (Yellow) 25 2 Ditto (White) l2 Provincial Bank of Ireland lOO 6 444 1 1 Patent Bricks 5O 2 1 l'atent Steam Carriage S 24 4 dis Peruvian lOO 6 14 Of 1 dis Riodela PlataAgric.Company 100 6 14 United Pacific Association 5O 5 1 dis iVest India Company ISO 6 14 1 1 dis lirittOlt likroo4 DRURY-LANE THEATRE. Thu Evening. W EDNIFS na v. May 4. will be wronged DER FREISCIIe TZ. Caspar, Mr. Worn; Adolph, Mr. T. Cooke; Bernhard. Mr. Bedford; Ilertr.lt. Mr. Sheriff: Kilian, Mr. Fitzwiltiam. Linda. Miss Grad. don; hose, Mims Povey. After which, ARON HARSAN. The Caliph, Mr. Bedford; Ahon Hassan, Ur. Horn; Z►bone, Mr. Barley. 7.ullma, Miss Graddon. To-morrow, Guy Mannerina. and the Pantomime. COVENT-GARDEN TII E A 7'R P. Mb Evening, WEDNESDAY, May 4, will be performed ORESTES IN ARGOS._ _ _ The Prinefpil Characters by M . Bennett. C. Kemble, and Cooper Mesdames Bartley, Lacy, and Junes. Atter which LOFTY PROJFCTS; Or, ARTS IN AN ATTIC. Mr.%alentine Versatile, Mr.Vatep. To conclude with THE POACHERS. The Principal Charnctere''''''''''''''''''''' ' and Blanchard Mesdames Chatterley and Love. To-morrow. A Woman Never Veit, and Cent. Ter Cent. HAYMARKET THEATRE. This Evening, WEDNESDAY, hay 4, will be perfusion** THE BEROARS" OPERA. Peachum. Mr. Williams: Lockit, Mr. Dowton Captain MacSes Madame V estrisl Filch. Mr. J. Russell. Mrs. l'enchum. Mrs. C. Junes; Polly, Nils* George; Lucy. Mrs. Hunan , . After which (2d time) a new Comedy. called TRIBULATION; or, CNN ELCOME visrrons. . _ The Principal Characters by Messrs. Dowtou. Vining. and Raymond lleadames Davison and Glover. To conclude with THE WEATHERCOCK. Tristram Fickle. Mr. Farrell: eeriella. Mrs. Newby. Te.worrow, The Belle's Stratagem, and Scotch Lovers. The Muslim Passe commenced publishing yesterday morning at Bre o'clock. LONDON, WEDNESDAY, MAT 4, 1895. The contents of the Paris Papers of Sunday are of little interest. The law relating to the expenditure of 1823 was still under discussion. The Paris Stock Exchange on Saturday was as much agitated and depressed as our own. At one period the - renter were as low as Int f. 2.5 c. By some well-applied efforts, they were afterwards raised to 101 f. 80c.; but the sales for the account showed the desire of the stockholders to disengage themselves, and against real sales no artifice can succeed. The price at the close of the market was lulf. 50e. Many reports were current to explain the cause of these fluctuations. According to the new law for the reduction of the rentcs, the Sinking Fund no longer operates on the five per cents., and the cessation of this in- ' fluence has no doubt tended to favour the decline. The opposition papers advert to the circumstance with great satisfaction, as a proof that the rate of interest differs widely from the calculations of M. DE VILLELE. The 'five per cents. are sinking to par when be has fixed the rate of interest at 31. The retirement of the French from Spain is proceeding regularly. Cardona and Ilostalrich have been evacuated. The people of the latter place rejoiced at the departure of the French, but they soon had reason to regret the change; the Spanish authorities had scarcely entered the town when they levied a heavy contribution on the inhabitants to supply the wants of the garrison. FERDINAND has issued a royal ordinance or manifesto,.in which he declares his determination to maintain his absolute authority in every respect undiminished, lie is resolved to " preserve entire and in all their plenitude the legitimate rights of his sovereignty, without giving up, at any time, the slightest Frecle of them, and without permitting the establishment of Chambers, or any other institutions, of whatever deno mination, which may be contrary to the present laws and usages of his realm." Ile declares further, that " all his august allies will continue to support his legitimate and sovereign authority, without adsising or proposing any in novation in the form of his government." We attach little importance to this deel::ration as an evidence of FERDINAND'S wish to remain absolute as long as he can ; it is only what we were always prepared to expect from him. The freedom of Spain will never owe its establish ment to his good will and pleasure. If the Constitution should be restored during his life, it will be, as before, be cause he will not have the power of preventing it. As to the disposition of the Allies, our faith in the veracity of his Catholic Majesty is not sufficiently strong to induce us to pay any attention to his asseverations. M. UoAIITZ, it appears, was still lingering at Bayonne on the 21th ult. with no prospect of his speedy departure. The correspondence from Milan, in the Constitedionnet, is interesting, if it be true. The Emperor of Ausrat• would arrive on the 28th ; and it was rather believed that the Emperor of Russia and King of PRUSSIA would yet visit that capital. The Count de BeDNA is said to have declared, in a numerous party, that the object of the E kk ROM'S journey to Milan is to render some great service to the Italians, by which they will be raised from their present state of inaction and depression. This may be only an idle flourish, or perhaps some empty measure of regal splendor will be substituted for the provincial dependency in which the Lombardo-Venetian States are held. We can hardly expect from the Cabinet of FRANCIS I. any enlarged or liberal system of policy. All the principles of his government are in hostility to any reasonable hopes we might have from almost any _,other Sovereign. By the Lisbon Mail which arrived yesterday, we have received letters dated the 23d ult. The following is an extract from one written by a gentleman possessing the very best information :—" Sir CH/LIMES STUART will shortly leave this for Rio, it being understood that he has completely accomplished the object of his mission. His Excellency has declared that all may be considered as settled relative to the recognition of the Brazils ; but ~, 41 mpreji.wqr.- ...V.OIOIIVP.D. nothing will be publicly made known until his arrival at Rio. Sir CHARLF.B Will he the bearer of the proposals „f this (the Portuguese) Government. His Excellency sill sail as soon as the Thetis a - A Phaeton Frigates arriye. This great work has been brought about under 'heal powerful influence of England." Last night we received New York Papers to the Bth of April, brought by the Siiu, Richards, which arrived at Liverpool on Monday, from New York, from when ce A t sailed on the Bth. It appears that a further and import. ant advance had taken place in the price of cottotios Ri p as in other articles of American produce. Indeed a spiri t for trade and speculation existed in America, that pt o . duced a continued and progressive improvement in al no n every article of produce, many of which had remaincd a long time wholly neglected and dormant. The articles which have risen most in price arc cotton and tobacco. The Philadelphia Democratic Press states. that there are large order* for pig iron to be sent from Pennsylvania to England ! The proceedings of the Levant Company on its dis solution will be found highly worthy of attention. Our article is extracted from a pamphlet printed for the use of the members of the Company. The portion we hare given comprises all that is of general interest; the r e . minder consists merely of the resolutions passed in con sequence of Mr. CANNING'S letter, the petition of the Company, praying his MAJESTY to accept the uncondi tional surrender of their charter, and the deed of surrender itself. The speech of Lord Gs E NV11.1.1 Will be perused with peculiar satisfaction; it is a profound and impressive ex• position of the just claims which this country may advance to the glory of having first promulgated and established those principles of free trade which are so intimately con. nected with the progressive and general improvement of the world. " There is no period so remote—there is no nation so barium:l, in which we may not confidently anticipate that these sucrepful researches of British philosophy, this auspicious example of Brinell policy, will become, under the favour of Providence, a pure and ample source of continually increasing human happiness." His Lordship,-in • concluding his address, was anxious to urge on the Levant Merchants the importance of " fol lowing up to the utmost this beneficial and happy system of public policy; carrying into full execution, in so far at least as depended on them, the gracious recommendation from the Throne, and the wise determination of Parlia ment, for the removal of every restraint by which the native freedom of trade is still unnecessarily, and there fore unjustly, fettered." CITY, TI:ESDAT EVENING. At the commencement of business this morning on the Nock Exchange, prices were firm, considering the fluctuations of yester. day, and a rise was expected. About the middle of the day, Cot. soh 3 :errograded above per cent., u will be seen by the following quotations. At the opening of the Market, the money prim was VII ;at its close, bargains were done at 9lg. The account price fell from 9li f, to Ulf. About three o'clock, the English Market was a scene of considerable speculation, as sell as real business, and extensive sales and purchases were effected. As a fluctuation in the British Funds cannot take place without an accornpanyirg report of some kind, the decline of this morning was attributed to unfavourable news from Russia ; but in what that unfavourable news consisted, the authors of the rumour were not prepared to state. In the Foreign Market the transactions were limited; indeed, attention was chiefly directed to the English Funds. Old Spanish Bonds were done at 23 , 1 24, and the New at 181. link gap continued buoyant, at at I discount. The Bonds wen 51121. South American Securities have suffered more depression Man any other in the Foreign Market, and the re-action from yesterday's panic was scarcely observable in them, even in the early part of :he Morning. Colombian Bonds were BEI 4, and Mexican Scrip 213 discount ; Brazilian Saip was 14 I premium ; and Danish ditto. 21_2 discount. In the Share Market, Paseo-Peruvian was done at the new Potosi at 3e, and Anglo-Mesiean at 90, 93. A new 31ining Company, we understand, has been formed under the title of " The King's Field and Peake Association." The projectors have made the best arrangements to secure the pros perity of the undertaking by employing really scientific and prac tical men to satisfy themselves of the advantages deducible from the operations of the Company, and by offering the Directorship of it to gentlemen of habits of business, as will as of high character. Every thing was exceedingly dull in the .'Market :his morning. There were bit few Sugar sales, and those at reduced prices. The quotations of Coffee are also lower. The letters received from the north of Europe indicate very strongly an approaching rise in the exchanges. At Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antvrerp, and Hamburgh, bills on England were becoming scarce, and gold so abundant, that a very small increase in quantity would make it ne cessary to amid it back to this country. The Lisbon Papers received yesterday contain no intel ligence of the slightest political interest. The Board of Police at Oporto had issued a long circular to the Corregi dors of the Provinces, directing the manner in which fo reigners should be allowed to reside in Portugal, and the particular municipal regulations to which they would be expected to conform. Letters from Gibraltar state, that two merchant vesvtls are chartered to bring home to England-entire cargoes of British manufactures, which arc unsaleable. The Frtrs!i Authorities are stated to have taken the most vigorous measures to prevent all English goods from being introduced into Spain. A letter from Malta, dated April 3, says—" We have been hanging pirates here by the dozen ; but those whom Captain Hamilton took are acquitted —a thing strange etioUgh, since they fired tint, and brought down every man at the oars of the Lieutenant's boat before they were boarded." The Prussian Government has ordered the annual cele bration of the entry of the allied troops into Paris to cease, as since Legitimate Monarchy has been established in France, that country is no longer hostile to Pnissia. The Papal Government have published a decree, by which all foreign vessels are to pay in the ports of the Pon tifical States the same duties of tonnage, anchorage, 211 ' 1 quarantine, as are levied on the vessels belonging 10 the papal States in the harbours of foreign States, on the foot ing of perfect reciprocity. PLAGUE IN Eovrv.—From the Agent to Lloyd's at Milford, dated May t :—" Arrived the i)almarnock, Fora ger, and the Tinley, from Alexandria (Egypt), all Whit unclean or suspected bills of health, as cases of plague wise occasionally occurring in the city of Alexandria." A letter from an Officer on board his Majesty's ship Cambridge, stationed off Calloa, states, that the President, Bolivar, had written a letter to Miss ltowcroft, condoling with her on th e unt i me l y f ate of her father, an d intimat ing that the Government intended to appropriate to her use a pension for life. By letters from Port-au-Prince we learn, that the emi grants who had arrived there from the United States have been not only well received by the Government, but that every facility has been afforded by the native inhabitants. The Provincial Parliament of Lower Canada was re" rogued by the Lieut.-Governor on the YYd of March. .' dispute betw een t h e two b ranches of the Provincial Parlia ment, which had lasted fifteen years, Nincerning the ex penditures of the province, was amicably terminated by the adoption by both Houses of a law granting the supplies of the year, which has received the sanction of the Lieut.- Governor. Several measures were adopted during the Session for making important improvements in the internal communications of the province and of the neighbouring pros inces. i 1 ~~~ ti.~ ~