The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — London, England, 1825-04-28 00:00:00

~aolion and return from the Went Indies, by Sir William In- AlZ ietit.. u. Wilson.. Ith Light Dragoons, on his appointment I departure for beim, by thi Duke o f W e lli ngton. poi Brooke on his return from France. li o n our shle Mr. Spencer, on his arrival from Vienna, by Lord Ho• nou rable Augustus Spencer, on his appointment to the 43d ;Amine, by Lord Churchill. 'The Manias of Exeter on hie marriage. Th e Earl of Belfast, on his marriage and return from abroad, by 31arquis of Conynghetn. Mr. H. Brandretli by the Earl of Harrington. Eg s Remo, on his marriage, and on being appointed Colonel, rfteryt,-Tal Meath Militia, by the Marquis of l'onyngtinro. o r . Christopher Tower, jun., on his going abr oa d, by M r . ch e atoplier Thoniss Tower. Lieutenant G. Buller, on his promotion and appointment to the gis e Brigade, by Major-General Buller. Mr. !deckhouse, on being appointed a Commissioner of Excise, lathe Earl of Liverpool. "Mr. Frederick Seymour, on his return from abroad, by the Earl eCt beme. Mr. T. Coltman by Sir W. A. Ingilby. to Philip Musgrave, Bart. M.P. by Colonel Woodford, on his n oises. Mr. T. Boone, on taking the surname of Boone, by Sir George Wrstphat jar W. Ingaby by Mr. Chaplin. Mr. 11. Ellis, oniseing appointed Clerk of the Tellers, by the N u cellor of the Exchequer,. mr. Win. T. Law, on Ire appointment as Commissioner of the healvent Court, by 3lr. Peel. Mr. [J. F. C. Johnston, Judge of Criminal Inquiry of Trinidad, Ful Bethune. lieutenant-Colonel Vernon on hie promotion, by the Archbishop d Park. 'main W. E. Sutherland, 33d Regiment, on his promotion and trim from the West Indies, by Lieutenant-Colonel Sutherland. Lord Macdonald on coming to hie title. (*ratio Prescott, C.B.R.S. on his return from foreign sendece. ftptain Wheler by the Ilon. Major Cunt. captain Eden, R.N. on his return from the Mediterranean, by fee-Admiral Sir Graham Moore. Optain Willingion Shelton by Sir A. Barnard. Ensign Barton be Major-General Barton. Rev. Mr. J. F. Foord Bowes, Chaplain to his Majesty. 'Am e ns:it Stevens, Royal Marine Anillery, on his return from Algiers, by Lieutenant-Colonel Sir R. Williams. Lieutenant Bertram on his appointment to his Majesty's ship Garry. Cornet Edward Harvey on his appointment, by Sir Arthur Dichester. • • • • :sant Mundy by Sir Henry ?arms. :norm (' harks IL Drinkwater, R.N. on his promotion and , ine abroad, by Colonel Ehar.kwater. ,autenant E. Lerman Gower. Rifle Brigade, on his appoint r ,t, by Major. General Sr Andrew Barnard, K.C.B. retain J. B. Dundas, R.N., on his returu from foreign service, I). !tondos. I , 4ign Barton by Afajor.General Barton. c c tein IV. (tall upon his promotion, by Mr. J. Hall, K.G.11. Com slinteral thy Hanover. lactonnt G. T. Maitland Purvisby Rear-Admiral Maithtnd. Lieltenant W. illansell , R.N. on promotion, by Admiral Sir W J.llope. bosenant J. Brown by Viscount Torrington. bolenant Dallea on promotion by Lord Dutferin. Colin Daeid Buchan on being appointed Sheriff of Newfound. lard, ki Earl Bathurst. tepee) Melville by Lieutenant-General Sir Miles Nightingale. ititai , C. Colville Frankland on his promotion, Aty Rear- Sunni lewd Colville. captsirPrickett on promotion and return from service on the toot of :fries, by Viscount Melville. Leto AJ. Kamie by 31ajorAlen. Sir Colin Milken, K.C.B sad 0 C.lt Linesman Smith on promotion, by Earl Cathcart. Treat It.• N. Nixon by Gen. Lord Lynedoch. tong h. Wellialey by the Date of Wellington. IMuI. Leshington by Admiral Sir W. J. Hope. rsio Cngkwnod by Lord ITufferin. Cop Ciavell on appointment to the superintendence of his Ma join ships in Ordinary at Portsmouth, by Viscount Melville. • Linz J. Byng by Viscount Torrington. Cot. Boyce on promotion, by Lord Churchill. Cap. Fielding, by the Earl of Winchelsea. Mr...betel] O'Reilly, Lord Kenmore, Lord Killeen, Hon. Mr. ?tenon, Viscount Gormansion, Mr. O'Connor Don, Earl of Fin pd. 3lr. More O'Ferroll, Mr. Clinch, Mr. Fitzsimon, Mr. ()Ton na Mr. O'Gorman, Mr. M'Donnell, Mr. O'Connor, Mr. Power O'Shee, Mr. Fitzgerald, Mr. Daly, Mr. Winston Barton, Mr. irfarrell Caddell, Mr. Maurice O'Connell, Sir T. Esmonde, Mr. ['Bellew, and Mr. Deane, to present an address from the Roman Coholice of Ireland. Capt. Methold 14th Light Dragoons, by Vice-Admiral Sir NVin. • E.C.B. on promotion. Lieut. Bingham on his appointment to the Royal Artillery, by a father Lieut..( 01. Bingham. Lieut. Mansell R.N. on promotion, by Admiral Sir AV. J. Hope. Capt. No-they on his appointment to the 3d Guards, by Sir Her * Tagloy7 Capt. St. ge Royal Welsh Fusileers on his appointment, dlolyneux. Unreason J Henry Johnston, R.N. by Vice-Admiral Sir Innis IwAasa Bart. K.C. B. C7(611 3lootagu, R.N. eel C.R. by Vise. Melville, on being mooted a Commissioner of Stamps. (amain Morgan, M.l'. Coldstream Guards, by Sir C. Morgan. Cs;lain Cornwall, Coldstream Guards, on his promotion, by Coknel Woodford. Laptain Charles Cochrane, R.N. on his return from South Arne tt', lay Sir Philip Durham. Captain Thomas, R.N. on resigning the superintendence of his Inecy's ships in ordinary at Portsmouth, by Vise. Melville. Captain George Gooch, R.N. on prornotirn. by Mr. Gooch. fiptain EUrce, R.N. by Sir Andrew Barnard. Captain Newbery, by Sir Andrew Barnard. Captain W. Dumartaq, Royal Staff Corps, on proeeedMg to In South Wales. Crptsir; litirrowes, 2d Life Guards, on promotion, by the Earl (Cathcart. Captain French, 18th Royal Irish, by Mr. Curtis. Captain Wm. Fisher, R N. by Viscount 31elville. Csrain Maclean, R.N. on his return from South America, by ldtl4al Sir IV. Hope. Liesk - nant-Colonel Abernethie, R.M., on promotion, by Sir i.l. ;Lope. Itanaldson 11PHonell, of Clanronald and Glengarry, iollisilarn from Paris. DEAF AND DUMB INSTITUTION. Toads, the Anniversary Dinner of the Friends or the above =elk% institution took place at the (;it of London Tavern, the C B , .beeseate-street, his Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester in lAir. After the cloth was removed, Bcnedicift Deus, was sung. Hie ROY•I. HIGHNESS proposed the " Health of his Mejesty," *del was erthusiastieally drank, with four times fPur.—" God are the sing." Theses! toasts were—" The Royal Family"—three times three. The :Irmy and Navy."—" Rule Britannia." SOT. TEUTON aid. If-chef. was one thing more than another Vt rendered pre-eminent all the members of the Royal Family, it en their promoting charitable institutions. (Applause.) Theirs va not a cold donation ; they were not satisfied merely to give. lat they gave from the heart, and their zeal, energy, and every el•Tlion, went to promote any institution to whisk their names ace lent. (Appl ause .) To his Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester, this institution was particularly indebted for being ar Prrn and indefatigable supporters.(Applause.) Ile would, vitheut further comment, propose the health of his Royal High- His ROUE Illewstess returned thanks. He felt grateful for it:l:altering manner in which his health had been received. This at the eightenith time he had had the honour of presiding at the kuiresiary Meeting. There existed in this moat charitable country N'y valuable institutions, but none he thought afforded more benefit to its objects than the present one (applause) ; it not 5 give them support but education, and restored them to the rat of human beings. (Applause.) The Institution was every 1 7 rxeiving greater support. He trusted its friends wont! not 'van in their exertions, for if the funds were twice or three their present amount, a corresponding number of children be found to require the assistance of this most charitable ' In conclusion, he expressed his hope that they would and always hear in mind that the more money they con xsed the more happiness would they confer. (Applause.) • Anil several other toasts, his ROYAL HionMeal proposed the of the three Canadian Chiefs who had honoured them with resence After the toast was drunk, one of the Chieftains _,'•- 7 '”••d a few words in a very low voice to the Chairman ; on id Lis Royal Highness rose and said, that ft had been anti , ' , Led to him on the part of the Chieftains, that as they were " . •`':r to address the company in language intelligible to • :hi) , would feel great pleasure in singing their war song, •r hoped would afford equal gratification. As soon , • ',use which followed this annoucement had subsided, ains proceeded with their song whoop, in the course of h:y danced round the room in their country fashion, throw . ••eises occasionally into the most gem : twine attitudes. We • ;attend to soy what may be the inspiriting effect of either et or song on as Indian army, but we confess that we felt as disposed at its conclusion, as at any previous part of the ^ling their seats, they were greeted with considerable ap , • iich they acknowledged by repeatedly bowing. They • `,`clads which were presented to them a few days since by a )1, . v. r: :he evening the children of the Institution were intro e'Stewards. They presented a very gratifying spec- • .• neatness of dress, and the care which seemed to be be- • . . •• them, mafiosi deep impression on the company. One of , Wren recited, in a very distinct and intelligible manner, lea expressive cf the gratitude he and his fellow-pupils felt ~,.. ~,,,e;rl,sllto. the benevolence of which he owed the ability of • 18,,,t,ri:,t'resaurer announced the amount of subscriptions to be , 1 " o'clock the Chairman retired, with a considerable portion of •ipany. EAST INDIA HOUSE. A General Court of the East India Company was held yesterday, at their house in Leadenhall-street. CAMPRELI. MARJORIB•NNS, Esq. in the Chair:. The Stec read the minutes of the proceedings of the last Court. FIRST ASSISTANT ) TN THE OFFICE OF SURVEYOR. OF BUILDINGS. The CNAT•IiI•W said it became his duty to inform the itiamie tors that this Court Lad been specially summoned, in conformity to the 17th section of the 6th chapter of the 87-laws, for the purpose of submitting to it for confirmation, the Resolution of the General Court of the 211 ultimo, approving of the Resolution of the Court of Directors of the ?filth January last, for the appointment of a per son in the capacity of First Asaistant in the office of Surveyor of Buildings, at a salary of 3501. per annum. The question was put upon the Resolution, and it was confirmed accordingly. PENSION TO SIR JOHN M A LCOLSI. The CwataltlaW said he had to inform the Proprietors that this Court had been further made special, for the purpose of submitting for confirmation the Resolution of the General Court of the 21d ultimo, approving the Resolution of the Court of Director' of the sth of January last, granting to Major-General Sir John 31a1- colm, G.C.B. a pension of 1,0001. per annum, in consideration of the eminent services, both civil and military, which had been rendered by him during a long period of active service. He should content himself with moving--" That this Court do confirm the Reso lution." Sir C. FORBES not having been present at the last General Court, at which this Resolution was carried, felt extremely desi rous of expressing his cordial approbation of the measure, and his opinion, that in conferring this mark of their esteem upon Sir John Malcolm, they were merely doing justice to the merits and services of that distinguished individual. If that respected and gallant in. dividual had p er f orme d no ot h er serv i ce t h an t h at of putting an end to an unnecessary and hazardous war, he was fully entitled to their gratitude, and the present recompence. The manner in which Sir J.Maloolm had conducted the negotiation to which he had alluded, was deserving of the highest praise and comrneodatitei. IVith re spect to the policy of that war, Sir J. Malcolm bad nothing to do. but it was certainly desirabte that it should be terminated as soon as possible, and he had succeeded in that object. Ile (Sir C. Forbes) felt an unfeigned admiration sad respect for the services of the gal lant General, from the earliest period of his connection with India. Helmet known him tor a spare of thirty years, and was satisfied that there existed no individual more deserving of respect as an offi cer and a man. With those feelings, he could i.ot but express his great satisfaction and cordial concurrence with the present vote. WEST INDIA COMPANY., TO THE EDITOR OF THE BRITISH PRESS. Sig,—ln this period of public - when the abundance of capital is daily '-a rise to to adv a nc e th e trite. prosperity, , ..- giving , ... new projects ... .__. rests of foreign nations,it is melancholy to observe,that measures de digned to benefit the possessions prom own country are assailed with rancour and the grossest misrepresentation. A pamphlet has lately appeared, entitled " Observations on the West India Company Bill." professing to embody all the arguments that can be adduced against that measure, and prophesying that those who take its shares will assuredly lam their money. The tone of the whole pamphlet proclaims it to be the production of an interested opponent ; it betrays in every page its author's dread, that whatever is likely to benefit the West Indies will endanger his own " Free Labours' 'scheme, and abridge his anticipated profits. This motive is so ob vious as to disarm the pubhcation of its intended effect ; but as the more the advantages of the Bill aye canvassed, the more they will be apparent, and for the satiaractiqn of ;tote shareholder* who are imperfectly acquainted with the nature' West India securities, it may be worth while to ezpote the fallacies with which it seeks to delude the public. . The objections deserving reply ;hay be darned under three heads. First—That for a miles of years sugar-pito jag has been a ruinous business ; the Colonial Assemblies„ as well as Parliamentary Committees, having stated that loaf per edit could not be obtained on the capital invested ; that it iii, therefore, absurd to suppose that six per cent. could be given fur any loan of money where good secu rity existed. Secondly—That the concerns of priests merchants must always be better managed than those of a public company; and as all {Vest India merchants are now drawingln their advances, it is a decisive proof that the system is a bad dire , and ought to be aban doned. Thirdly—That a public company will increase the evils of slavery: properties may hereafter fall into Its possession, and if it remove distress and enhance the value of slaves, as ia contemplated, it must increase the difficulty of metuunission, and vendee the pros pect of emancipation more distant. These propositions combine, I believe, all the arguments against the Bill, ant it now remains to examine their accuracy, and to show how f ar th e y are ent i t l e d ito p u bli c a t tent i on . It is at tied freely Admitted that the West India Interests labour under very R au. nerd distress; and as the statements of the Local Legialatures an perfectly correct, that the low prices of produce are Inadequate to defray the cost of cultivation, it is requisite briefly to explain the causes of this depression. It is not necessary to expatiate on the vicissitudes which have always marked the progress of sugar culti vation. It is sufficient to observe, that whatever nosy have been the fluctuations in property in this country during the last 30 years, they have been much exceeded by those in the colonies. Besides the casualties incidental to a state of war, a number of circumstances conspired to encourage speculation. The extraordinary inducement held out to augment cultivation in the British possessions, subse quent to the insurrection In St. Domingo, naturally created a west spirit of adventure; and these eventful changes will aatisfactorily ac count for the falling of so many estates into the hands of creditors, without impugning the general advantages of the colonial system. With respect to any estimate of the return which properties are now yielding, it must be apparent that a specified per tentage must be entirely a relative term, having reference to the amount of mochas., money given for the estate. Persons not intimately acquainted with West India properties are apt to labour under misapprehen sion in this particular, and to confound depression which is ac- Mdental with that which is permanent. It is easy to illustrate this point. Every one remembers that immediately after the peace there arose a great demand for colonial produce; prices advanced in an extraordinary degree ; and It was reasonable to suppose that a corresponding change would succeed in the West Indies, leading to a material enhancement in the value of property. This brilliant prospect was but of short duration ; a sad reverse ensued, and those who had made purchases discovered that the yearly income they obtained fell far short of their expectation. It cannot be denied that, like many speculations in land in this country, sugar planta tions were carried far beyond their reasonable value. The proprietors, therefore, might conscientiously declare, that they were 'obtaining but a miserable pittance, in proportion to the capital invested, while at the same tune the property itself is not necessarily reduced in value. Certainly their sufferings could not properly be an object of national relief. They might expect the answer given the farmers at home a few years back—" The distress you complain of is much to be com miserated, but you yourselves alone are to blame—the cause is simply that you gave too much money for your estates." 'l'his is advanced without the least hesitation, both because it is necessary to explain the many changes that have taken place among pro prietors in the West Indies, and because great distress may exist from totally different causes, as is the case at present. It should never be forgotten, that as properties may be elevated above, so may they be depressed below, their equitable value. This latter, 'then, is the evil of which the West Indians now complain. They repine not that sugar has declined from 80s. per cwt., but that it has fallen lower than could have been contemplated as possible; and that the reduction has proceeded from circumstances over which they have no control, and against which they deemed themselves secured by the assurances of Parliament. So long as the prices of our sugar are dependent upon those of the Continent, it is obvious that the fertile soil of South America, assisted by the Slave Trade in full activity, can produce the article at so low a rate as to an nihilate the hope of profit on that which is grown in the Old British Colonies. This, however, which is the true cause of the present distress, leads to a very different conclusion from what is nefariously insinuated by the writer of the pamphlet tow under diadasiora. It shows' that the embarrassments of the planters are caused, not from the system beings bad one. but because foreigners possess advantages which are denied to our own subjects. Having thus traced the circunstaaces which may occasion a de. preciation of West India property, It is easy to perceive, that a { h ough at, the present moment a low return is yielded, still sugar. rating, fairly speaking, has been most benehcial and Profitable. he extraordinary assertion, that it has, generally tai:en, ever been, not only otherwise, but ruinous, proves in its author a most convenient disregard of veracity, and shows that he considers him self as writing for readers utterly ignorant of the subject- It is perfectly true, that estates innamerable have been surrendered to creditors; but what does this prove ?--not that the business in the aggregate has been bad, but simply that great fluctuations have occurred—greater than can in any probability happen again. To estebliali the proposition of this writer, it 'would be essential to show, that from the, earliest period things have be-n progres sively getting worse ; and that no temporary gleam of prosperity has ever enlighted our Transatlantic possessions. If he insists on the number of planters who have been ruined by their speculations, in common justice he should admit the number of those who have succeeded ; who at a favourable juncture have disposed of their properties, and have returned to this country to enjoy their earn ings. Ludicrous as it may appear to waste time in arguing that V. est India cultivation has yielded profit, I cannot retrain from employing one simple mode of at once displaying to the most careless observer, the extent of its advantages. 'I he amount of imports from the Colonies annually exceeds eight millions, while the exports from this country, after deducting what may be re. shipped from some of the islands to the South American States, are equal to about three millions and a half. There is thus obvi ously a balance of four and a half millions flowing to this country. Now, for the sake of argument, let it even be supposed, that no part of this may be denominated clear gain or income, but that it is all consumed in payment of loans made at sonic former period, by merchants in the country. It is clear, then, that these loans must either have been made previous,or !subsequent to the abolition of the Slave Trade. If subsequent, let us imagine in what shape they went out to the Colonies: there is no uullion, no gold or silver exported; they must, therefore, have gone out in manufactures; that is to say, the loan since 1807 are included in the 3i millions, which form the total amount of our exports: if previous to 1807, we have simply to take in addition the value of the commodities sent to Africa, and also a fair return for the capital employed in the slave ships, amounting to a few hundred thousand pounds, to be placed opposite the millions obtained by this country. By thus taking the trade in a comprehensive view, and fairly compassing all its ra mifications, we fully perceive that though great distress has fre quently prevailed, yet taken nationally, at has been immensely pro ductive; and i do fearlessly challenge contradiction, when I affirm that the British empire does not affind another instance of the in. vestment of stock affording such lucrative returns as \Vest India plantations have done, including every vicissitude, from the first conveyance of the slaves from Africa to the present moment. This mode of meeting the question, and exhibiting a general balance of the trade, at once exposes the shallow sophistry of the assailant of the West India Company. I trust it has been unanswerably shown that the number of estates which from time to time have been given up to creditors, has arisen from speculations, from great Pin tuations in price, from changes in the political world, and in a word, from causes which ate quite accidental. But this writer, per ceiving his errors detected, may turn round and exclaim—" Even admitting the distress In former times to have been accidental, and that, in the main, sugar planting has been profitable, you bare admitted that such, at all events, is not the case at present, and that, as 4 per cent, cannot now be obtained on the capital in vested, it is manifest no opportunity is afforded to lend out money OS mortgage at 6 per cent.' It is not a little singular, that after the most mature deliberation I could not produce a more decisive argument in favour of the West India Company than what is here urged against it. It is because matters are very much depressed in the West Indies beyond ordinaty, that 1 conceive loans made at present must be particularly safe. It is in times when a borrower of money is in temporary prosperity, that much risk is run by his creditor, as then prices, on which his stability depends, may be regarded as being at an unnatural rate, and some reverse may infallibly be expected. But when a borrower is in adversity, persons examine more closely into his securities ; and as any change is likely to be for the better, the capitalist is then sure to derive the advantage. if, for example, the price of wheat were 120 s. the quarter, and the rent of land adjusted in proportion, a loan to a farmer taking security on this high estimate must be deemed pe culiarly hazardous, as so high a price as 120 s. might justly be con. I sidered unnatural, and likely to be of short continuance. But if the price of wheat was only 24e. per quarter, and the rent and de clared value of the farm reduced in a similar ratio, a loan would plainly be perfectly safe, as it is to be supposed a speedy improve- I went should be anticipated. Thus it is as to colonial produce; If sugar were selling at 802. per cwt. I acknowledge I should find difficulty in procuring satisfactory arguments to induce individuals to take shares in the new Company ; but when prices are down so low as 30s. ; when that depression proceeds from the continuation of the slave trade by foreign States; whe i his Majesty's Ministers are continually declaring that they will eventually succeed in sup praising the traffic, and have it declared ;army; when thus the distresses of the planters are merely accidental ; and when it has been proved that West India cultivation is in the aggregate most profitable, it is manifest Met a were desirable or season:lls Lieutenant-General Tiro'Nrow concurred In the propriety of the Resolution now before the Court. At the same time, he wished to take the present opportunity of 'tying, he hoped the talents of Sir J. Malcolm would not be lost tolhe country and the Er.st India Company, on account of the present pension, in case of an oppor tunity again occurring, for availing themselves of his services. The Resolution was then confirmed. SALARIES OF JUDGES IN INDIA. &c. The CHAIR MAN said he had to lay before the Proprietors the draft of a Bill now before Parliament, for further regulating the payment of the salaries to the Judges of his Majesty's Courts in India, and the Bishop of Calcutta; and for authorising the trans. portation of offenders from the island of St. Helena: and for pro viding for the administration of justice in Singapore and Malacca, and in certain possessions on the coast of Coromandel anti in the Northern Circars. Mr. OAHAGAH could not let the Bill to which their attention had been called pass :Lb eilentio. An Bon. Baronet (Sir M. W. Ridley) had given notice of a motion in the House of Commons, for the purpose of classifying and simplifying the statute law, the confused nature of which had excited the observation of the highest law authority in the kingdom—he meant the Lord Chan cellor, Now at the very time that those alterations and improve inents were in progress, what did the present Bill do ? It classed burglars and Bishops in the provisions of the same Act of Parlia nient ; and gave the Bishop of Calcutta a claim upon his revenue by the same provision that defined the transportation of felons from St. Helena. Ile could discover no reason for this anomaly, except it were done fur the purpose of saving a sheet of foolscap. (A laugh.) Mr. C. Fotwts entirely concurred in the remarks which had fallen from the Honourable Proprietor with respect to the confu sion that existed in the diet of the Bill. Mr. W. ASTELY. explained, that in framing the present Bill he had followed the precedent of the 53d of his late Majesty. The Hon. DOUGLAS KINNAIRD adverted to the case of an ,dividual named Arnell, who had been transported from India under circumstances of peculiar severity. lie thought that allow ing the necessity of the power to transport individuals from India being vested in the superior authorities, due provision should be always made for the exercise of that power in the most moderate manner possible, and without unnecessary suffering to the indivi duals liable to deportation. The CHAIR MAN said, those provisions could not be introduced into the present Bill. LOSS OF THE KENT EAST INDIAMA N. The CHAIRMAN said, that as he had • near connection of his owe who was in command of the Kent at the time of its loss he had not voted no the question when under consideration before the Court of Propr i etors ; he would also on the present occasion beg leave towitlss:raw. The chair was then taken by Sir G. Rnistwsnx, who submitted to the Court the following Resolution of the Court of Directon of the 30th ult.— " That It is the opinion of this Court, that the Commander and OWTICTI of the ship Kent, are fully acquitted from all imputation of neglect or misconduct in respect to the loss of that ship.' Sir C. FOHBEs did not rise to offer any objection to the resolu tion ; but was desirous of having the documents and papers con nected with tile inquiry laid before the Court. The CHAIRMAN said, the Honourable Proprietor had reminded him of an omission on his part. He should have stated that previous to the period appointed for the ballot, the papers and evi dence in question should be laid on the table. Sit C. Foawas said, he would confine himself to one or two ob servations on the subject before the Court. The lion. I). KINNAIRD thought that line of proceeding pre mature, before the documents were submitted to the consideration of the Court. The CHAIRMAN did net see that the course intended to be pur sued by the !ion. Proprietor (Sir C. Forbes) was out of order or irregular. Sir C. FowaEs said, he had no intention to offer any opposition to the resolution in the absence of doeementary evidence ; on the contrary, be was satisfied the conduct of all parties concerned had been what it ought to be. and that every exertion was made which the distressing situation of circumstances permitted. lie, however, felt much disposed to censure the practice pursued in sending out ships to India singly, and unaccompanied by any consort. This practice hail originated in the desire of the Directors to avoid the payment of demurrage and salvage to vessels concerned in saving the crews or cargoes of other ships, and the consequence had been that the Company had lost to an immense amount, as was to be ex pected. If the bent had been accompanied by a consort, much more might have been effected, not that he meant to undervalue the exertions which had been made on the occasion. He would next al lude to the number of persons crowded into the Company's ships-- 750 in the use of the Kent, which was at least 100 or 150 more than she should have carried. He repeated he had no intention to depreciate the exertions of the officers, &c. of the Kent—he doubted not every, thing practicable had been done, and he did not think any individual deserving of blame, with the exception of the officer who entered the spirit-room so Incautiously with a lighted candle, which caused the conflagration. The Hon. H. LINDSAY denied that the Kent had been over loadziL, as had been stated by the Hon. Baronet. The CitataMAN said, that Sir Alexander Cliristie, the Inspector of the Boyd Navy, hail expressed his opinion of the eur.rior at commodation afforded on board Indiamen, to that given in his Majesty's ships. The number of persons on board the Kent was 1511 f, instead of 750, as stated by the Hon. Baronet. With regard to the despatch of ships in company, that subject had been maturely considered, and the difficulties were found to be greater than any possible advantage* which could result from the practice. Before he concluded, he wished to state a circumstance connected with the loss of the Kent, which was not generally known to the public, and reflected great credit on the passengers on board the brig that assisted the Kent. The persons who were cabin passengers in the brig were miners proceeding from Ireland to South America, and when a compensation for their humane exertions was offered them, they requested it might be appropriated to the use of the infirmary belonging to a town in Galway frnm which they came. (Hear.) It was unnecessary to say that this wish was complied with. Mr. CARRUTHERS said, that as it had been stated by the Hon. Aar:. (Sir C. Forbes) that the disastrous loss of the Kent had o:curred in consequence of an officer going into the spirit-room with a lighted candle, lie wished to explain the circumstances connected with that event. The candle was contained in the box he now held in hie hand, which was technically called a bull's eye (the Honourable Proprietor exhibited a small tin lantern, with a glass front). In consequence of the lurching of the ship, while the officer in question was in the spirit room, he handed the lantern to a man then present, and directed him to hold it while he went on deck to procure farther assistance. In the ab sence of the officer the snip again lurched, and a cask of spirits bursting, communicated with the small taper contained in the bull's eye, and ignition immediately took place. Those were the precise ctreumetanees of the case. Mr. Wasaoaciuse had conversed with the officer in command of the troops on board the Kent, and learned that the vessel was not overloaded, but that every necessary accommodation was afforded to the men. The ballot upon the Resolution was appointed to take plats on ‘Vednesday, the llth May, and the Court adjourned. Yesterday evening the Freemasons' Grand Anntial May Festival took place at the Freemasons' Tavern, when up wards of 400 of that class sat down to a sumptuous dinner. His Royal Highness the I)uke of Sussex in the Chair. The Munster Bar met on Saturday in the Court of Ap peals, when an address to John Franks, Esq. was unanimously agreed to, expressive of their high estimation of that moat worthy and respected gentleman, snit the gratification they individually felt at his appointment to the Chief Justiceihip of Calcutta. 'I he recently-published Novel of Every 1)?5, Occurrences has produced a considerable sensation in the higher circles, as a most amusing and caustic, though not ill-natured picture of domes tic life in the country. Few writers have brought together so many graphic sketches of character exhibited In so many ludicrous attitudes. THE BRITISH PRESS. opportunity could not-possibly be offered far a mobil! Company to advantageously invest its capital. As great stress is frequently laid on the instability of a system where its supporters are so much burdened with debt, it is yet necomary to give some explanation, to prevent misunderstanding in this particular. The writer of the pamphlet asserts, that debt is the chronical disease of the West Indies. That It is a disease I cannot adroit, hut most assuredly it is the distinguishing charac teristic of all colonies. No person possessed of twenty thousand pounds is likely to emigrate, and perspire away the best part of hb life in a tropical ...dimate. It is the opportunity afforded to the enterprising and industrious, to emigrate to the Colonies, and through the assistance they derive from capitaiiits in this t,ountry, ultimately to acquire properties, that Mr. Brougham Po mianaweraLly demonstrates to be the chief advantage of the Colonial system. In place, then, of holding forth, in opposition to the establislunent of a Company, the want of means existing abroad, it should rather be adduced as a striking argument in favour of its expediency. ; There are few persons who have consigned property to the Colonic:, who are not aware how very dilatory returns are in being realised.. This circumstance, which at first view would lead to a conclusion to condemn every thing professing to be connected with the West Indies, in reality operates diametrically the contrary. The capital employed in a sugar plantation may be divided into what is hied and what is cir culating. It Is well known that from the expensive nature of the buildings, as well as from the machinery employed to lessen the labour of the negroes, the amount of fixed capital far exceeds what is sunk in agricultural cultivation in this country. By this means a planter may be possessed of considerable property, and yet labour under great inconvenience for want of ready money to meet his contingent expenseS. Of the effect of this privation upon the comforts of the negroes 1 shall hereafter treat; I now wish to point out the class of persons who most suffer from the want of means on , the part of the planter. It unfortunately happens that the difficulty which imiustrioua tradesmen frequently meet with in disposing of their wares at home, induces them to overstock the Colonies. Oreat competition in making aides abroad naturally succeeds, and the result is, that numbers of storekeepers are ready to sell to planters at long credits. As this class of persons, from the mimes assigned, possess not the ability to make purchases for ready money, we here perceive, at one view, the prolific source of evils attendant upon the planter, as well as upon the jetailer ; the former's profits are abridged, from ti.e unfavourable made in which he lays in Me supplks, and the latter experiences accumulated dis tress, from being unable to remain long out of his money. All these evils the new Company will at once supersede; what it re quires is, merely to have a handsome rate of interest for the ca pital invested, and fee the attainment of that end abundance of se curities may be found. I have thus demonstrated the general advantages of the plan, and in my next I will show that it can be better undertakes by a public company than by private merchants. 36th April. I NI/EX. COLONEL TRENCH'S PLAN. TO THE EDITOR OF THE BRITISH PRESS. Sr a,—Some strictures in a leading article of last Sunday's John null appear to me so singular, and at the same time so unfair, that I shall claim permis.ion to offer a few remarks upon them. The writer says of Colonel Trench's Plan, " '1 hat all doubt on the subject of the new scheme appears to be at rest." Where and to whom doom this appear? That "in its progress and details it be- t came evident that, as originally projected, its effect upon the cur. rent of the River would be very equivocal." It would be desirable to know when, how, where, and to whom, it became evident." The writer did not obtain this evidence from the Report of the Na vigation Committee, which states " that It will not be prejudicial or injurious to the navigation of the River," while Mr. Rennie has stated, that the navigation of the River would not be injured, but much improved, by the adoption of this measure". The writer adds, that " the interests of thousands would be as criticed, without adequate advantage to the public." What proof is there of this? On the other hand, it is evident that the interests of millions will be promoted, and that the advantage will be im mense in every point of view—utility, beauty, salubrity, and com mercial facility. The writer intimates that a portion of the scheme has been now abandoned, in order to " appease public feeling. " Is it not unfair to carp at the particular portion of a plan which no longer apper. tains to it ? _ He terms the relinquished part of the project (contending with which is, indeed, altogether fighting with air,) a " wall of houses." This may be witty, but I am afraid it is too profound to be com prehensible by less nimble and volatile imaginations. We may hear of a house of walls, but A WALL of houses is not a very gram matical, if a " plausible," phrase. The writer's reasoning is (to be candid) as turbid as his wit. He tells us that this " wall of houses" was, nevertheless, the " most plausible feature of the plan. and the only possible means of giving it any thing like splendor;" yet a few lines lower it is said, that the scheme, in consequence of the existence of this " wall of houses," will lose ALL the cha racter of magnitude and even beauty. How then could the " wall of houses" contribute to make it splendid ? T1.:3 is indeed writ ing equivocally. As to the allegation in the next paragraph, that the Quay is an erection of " long bridges," there is not a word of sense, wit, argu ment, or plausibility in it ; the plan is fldclibus °rolls summissa, and that is the best reply. The structure and features of the Quay are totally different from any bridge either on the Thames or any other river. " While this schema, however, was ALOIX before Parliameat," continue, the writer. The scheme is now ALONE before Parliament ; the Bill has been read a first time under the sanction of a large ma jority of the House. The writer in the John Ball proceeds—" anti while any doubt existed of its ultimate fate", (no doubt exists or ever did exist with rational persons of its ultimate s [ICC ESS,) " we felt a difficulty in opposing it." The public will be at no loss to discover " plausible " reasons for this difficulty, in the fact which the writer hinwelf acknowledges, that he obtruded his uncalled-for opinion tri Mr. Nash, and " got buffeted" fur what that gentle. man obviously considered an impertinent interference. The anonymous opponent, however, appears, from his own con fession, not to have been very delicate about this difficulty, since ft seems that he charged Colonel Trench, whom he justly acknow ledges (as everybody must) to be " conspicuous for his high and estimable qualities," with having borrowed or stolen the scheme from Mr. Nash. It now appears, however, that the writer „ is con vinced that he had unjustly suspected" him of borrowing ; and hay ing made the antende honorable, he proceeds to render it as worth less as possible :—" The plan has little in common with that of Mr. Nash, beyond the general scheme of drawing forth one of the finest features of the metropolis from obscurity, &c. So then it seems " the wall of houses" was not the" only plausible" part of the scheme Again—" The writer felt a jealousy of the precocious offspring of an unprofessional man." Persons reading this might be de• ceived into a belief that professional men of the first stamp, both as architects and engineers, were not concerned in the Quay, and that Colonel Trench had taken upon himself to interfere in matters of which he must be supposed to be professionally uninformed, instead of Nailing himself of the talents of professional men of the first eminence both as architects and engineers. That they felt ■ jealousy is sufficiently obvious, though it will not be so readily ranted, that " they felt a delicacy " in adverting to Mr.- ash's scheme, or that they felt a delicacy in referring to the subject while the measure was agitating. The allusion to it which we have noticed was not very delicate; in fact, there has been no abstinence whatever hi making attacks of every description. Let us next see how he proves that Colonel TrenTies plan has " little in common with that of Mr. Nash," and how he compares the demerits of the former with the unequivocal advantages of the latter. " St. Paul's Cathedral will not only be rescued from its dark prison house, but produced and opened to the very shore of the Thames." Now, as the writer has seen Colonel Trench's plan in the " very pretty etchings" which "are before the public," he must know that Colonel Trench's design embraces the very same object. " It will essentially assist the course and current of the tide."— Colonel Trench's plan proposes the same result. " The mud banks of our famed River will no longer present their nuisance to the eve." This improvement is also effectually pro-- vided for by the Thames Quay Bill. " The purposes of trade and commerce will be facilitated." C o . lonel Trench ',t plan contemplates precisely the same advantages. "A broad and uniform communication from Westminster-bridge to Loodon.bridge, along its north bank, will be open to the public." Colonel Trench's plan proposes a communication along the north bank, open to the public, from that part of IVestminster where the great tide of passengers from the west to the east end of the town takes its rise, and varying in width according to circomstancat. But it does not embrace any thing so manifestly absurd or mis. chievous as the writer's " broad and uniform communication from IVestminster-bridge to London-bridge" must be. For if broad, with relation to the width of the river opposite to Craven street, or Scotland-yard, and equally broad (which to be " uniform" it must be) at London-bridge, its effect, with reference to the width of the river in that part, would be no less than to block up nearly half the river, even at high water. April 27, 11328. X. FLOUR TRADE. Yesterday a Meeting of the Owners of Flour Rills, and others interested in the Flour Trade, wis held at the London coffee house. ___ Mr. V{ •TSIT took the ('hair at three o'clock, and after the Requisition for calling the Meeting had been read by Mr. Talbot, the Secretary, Th UMAJRIIIIaN stated to the Meeting the objects for which they were assembled, and regretted that it NU not more nunw. rowdy attended. but accounted for it by informing them that It was originally fixed for Friday, and that it was not geuerally known that it WWI to be that day. Several Resolutions were then proposed and agreed to, expressive of the sense of the Meeting. Letters were read from persons interested in the finer trartr. from Manchester and Devonshire, expressive of their perfect A/lament in the objects of the Meeting. The thanks of the Meeting were then voted so the L'hoinnon, and the Meeting separated. Despatches, dated the 26th of February, have been re. ceived from Major-General Turner, at Sierra Leone. The transports that had arrived there with troops from England had proceed to Cape Coast Castle. The 2d West India Regiment had embarked from Cape Coast for the "I . LAW INTELI.Iar.YCZ. —saateew--- WERT Of KING'S BENCH, WEDNESDAY; APRIL ri. 111/NE V. PAttfitS. • Mr. Baonowax, on behalf of the defendant., begged to move that, this ease should be sent to the Consideration of a third Jury 5 he did this upon the affidavit of the defendant, and he well knew the difficulties . under which he laboured in submitting this ease tip the favourable consideration of the Court. First, he had not heart] any of the former prouseding,not even being present as a by-stander for more than ten minutes during the trial, and therefore for any thing that hid pained, he (Mr. Brougham) was not responsible ; the defendant, however, on the last trial, labotwed under difficulties which his (Mr. B.'s) experience led him to think was great, for he considered that his character was at . ;take, and therefore he had thought proper personally to meet the charges he was unused of, and had therefore 'personally preser.., ti himself before the Jury ; he was, too, at the time deprivEff of the assistance of his vei -- respectable and able solicitor, who was from a dreadful malady pre vented attending the Court on the trial, and was compelled to pot up with the mete assistance of the Clerk of that Solicitor, who was totally ignorant of tlic 'main points of the cause. Ale. Justice BAYLEY—AII tbititrould have bead grounds fall an application to postpone the trial. Mr. Raoul:ilia n—lf the defendant had been assisted by Coen sel, perhaps he would have adopted that course. Mr. Justice Barter —And it was his own fault that he did flOkavail Mineell of Counsel's assistance. Mr. Baot:GH•11 —Perhaps so ; but still he looked up to the Court for the protection of his character: two juries had certainly given verdicts agaitiet him, and those verdicts were consistent with eact other( but when the Court recollected the grave nature of the charge against the defendant, be trusted that it would Interfere. The pre sent action icdpvited to the defendant that he had appropriated the moneys of a public charity to his own use. This was a Margie which he (Mr. Dvougham) trusted the whole public-spirited life and character of Mr. parkins tended to rebut. He had by his purm contributed largely to the public spirit of the times. He might have had his whims, but he certainly was not the man who woult! rob a till, a church, or the pooetii.hox of it. This was conduct that could not be attached to alr.,Parkins and he appealed to the com.: mon sense and humanity o f th e i r Lot ' dihips in support edit. The. sktintony which gave foundation for •the verdict win that of Air. Cobbett. He ( Mr. therugham) would not, ,ax applied to Mr. Cobbett, make use of an expression thrtt ...night be considered as harsh or offensive, but, like other men, he must be liable to pre-i judice, and if he war prejudiced either against or for Mr. Par.. kins, his testimony ought to be very closely watched. Now Mr. Perkins swore in his affidavit that th ere h a d been an action peadin between himself and Mr. Cobbett regarding a horse; that Mr, P. had recovered. verdit t, and that Alr. Cobbett, at the time Ca gara his evidence, smarted under the effects of that verdict, and had im bibed a spirit of rancour, hatred, and prejudice against Air. Par kins ; indeed the very questions and answers of Mr. Parkins and Mr. Cobbett showed that no very great affection existed between the parties--(loud laughter)--for Instance, when Cobbett was sim ply asked on *hat day did such a conversation take place. instead of giving a day, a mcnth, or even a year, he replied—" Why. is was the day that you told me that you were the son of the lat.: Duke of Norfolk, to whom you had lent 28,0001." Orthat "it was the day you told me that Lord Sidmouth had paraded all his daughters before you, for you to choose one of them ler a wife." (Here there was a loud roar of laughter, in which the Es-Sheriff appeared to join heartily, anti their Lordships shook their sides with it.) The Learned Counsel then proceeded to comment upon the evidence at - great length. He contended, if Mr. Parkins did really make the admissions imputed to him, that he must be coo sidered as toning at random—he lids the author of the subscrip tion for Byme—it was at the time his favourite child ; (a loud laugh ;) he was anxious of being congratulated on its success, and perhaps be bragged of his doings--hut no man of sense could for moment suppose that so large a sum as WWI alleged could ever be collected by twopenny subscriptions dropped into little tin boxes. Mr. Justice BATLEY—But, really, all this was a matter for the j ury . to consider ; and, by y our own admission, Air. Brougham, two juries have come very nearly to the same conclusion. Air. Baoucinam then contended that the writings of Mr. Cob bet in the Statesman, and in his Register, published at the time lie fixed as the period at which Mr. Parkins acknowledged the amount of the subscriptions he had received, were totally at va riance with his teetimony on the trial ; and Mr. Parkins, in the affidavit upon which he (Mr. Brongbarn) non moved, denied these admissions in tom. Mr. Justice BAYLET.-But that is not evidence that could go before another jury, and whets would be the use of a third trial Mr. C. PHILLIPS here observed, as we understood, that Mr. Cobbett was not editor of the Stalerman at the time which Mr. Brougham had alluded to. Mr. BROUGHAM, in reply, rather sarcastically observed, that whether .Ir. Cobbett was, or RAS not, editor of that paper, the articles he alluded to were signed ‘• Witham Cohbett," and with regard to his own Registet that would speak for itself. The Learned Counsel then urged strongly the con.asaistancie of Counsel on the part of the defendant at the trial. The LORD CHIEF JUSTICE—Tim defendant complained of the gentleman who was to have conducted his case on the first trial, be• cause he was prevented attending by indisposition ; he then abused the gentleman who, at a moment's notice, undertook Ins defence; and he has since that heaped abuee upon almost every gentleman at the bar. Mr. BROUGHAM then went on to contend that a new trial might to be granted, because a witness named Lemoine, who had been subpoenaed, was not present at the second trial, ahhough he was examined at the first. The character of Mr. Parkins upon some occasions might not have been judicious, but his honesty, his honour, and his morality in money matters, had never been at tempted to be impeached, and upon these grounds be submitted with confidence his awe to their Lordships. Mr. Justice Iletcr y, Mr. Justice Ho nOYD, and Mr. Justice LITT LEDALE then gave their opinions, seriatim. They thought that the present verdict ought not to be disturbed ; the ease bed been calmly considered by two juries. The evidence of Lemoine they did not think of importance. Upon the second trial, the defendant went before the Jury under more favourable circumstances than defendants generally did. for he had heard the evidence given on the first trial, and could not ba taken by surprise; if the defendant had been damnified by t h e non attendance of Lemoine, lie had his remedy, either by acuon, or the summary mode of attachment for contempt. The LeBD CHIEF J !MICE did not delirer his opinion. Rule refused. COURT OF COMMON PLEAS, APRIL ?. ROEBUCK n. DUNDIRDALT. This was an avian fur a breach of promise of marriage, tried before Mr. Justice Bayley, at York, in which a verdict was found fur the plaintiff, damages 5001. Mr. Sergeant Caoss. last Saturday, moved to reduce the de. mages, on the ground that they were extortive. The defendant's father had been sworn to be worth 5,000/.: the defendant lived with his father, and was not, in fact, worth 1051. The defendant's father swore that he was not worth 2,0001. On these grounds he moved to reduce the damages. Both the parties were farmers, and the courtship continued for lire years. The Couar took time to consult Mr. Justice Bayley on the subject, and now The Loan Cori? JI`STICE said, that the 4inion of Mr. Justice Bayley way, that the damages were not too much I in fact, he was rffrall at the trial that the Jury would not, under all the circumstances of the vise, give sufficient damages. The Court were therefore of opinion that the motion must be refused. Motion refund. UNITED THAMES WATER COMPANY. TO THE EDITOR OF THE BRITISH PRESS. Stn,—Anxious on the one hand at all times not to obtrude our selves on the public, we yet feel it necessary on the present occasion to notice • singular and absurd application made to the Court of King's Bench, against many respectable individuals as well ita ourselves, with reference to this once-proposed Company. The facts are briefly these :—We were applied to by same persons to establish a Joint-Stock Company, fir the purpose of supplying London with filtrated water. As Solicitors to those individuals, we attended several meetings of Gentlemen of high respectability, who resolved on appointing a 'dab-Committee to examine into the eligibility of the plan. Mr. Wilks was a Member of that Com mittee, and after fully entering into the investigation of the sub ject, he reported that .t would be injudicious to prosecute the scheme. Ihe Gentlemen present at the meeting when the Sub. Committee was appointed, subscribed Amon& themselves the full amount of the deposit on the capital, and pain it into the banker', with the exception of a sum of 1251. which was paid by four or five Individuals, before we were employed in the business. When the Report was made by Mr. Nl'ilks on behalf of the Sub-Goin niittee, recommending the matter not to be proceeded in, we were requested to deliver our account. This, however, we declined doing, although upwards of 1501. had been expended by us ; and for our trouble and expenses we refused to make any charge, or to receive any money. A unanimous vote of thanks to us was passed, and the Gentlemen who had subscribed the capital and paid the money to the bankers, received it back in full. Al . Elm's and Hollingsworth, whose expenses were very considerable, also in the most handsome manner waived any claim they might h:sve as the Asseciation. The few individuate who subscribed the 1261 before rartetioood, have not yet received back their money, and Mr. Moon out the guru subscribed by him from the bankers, then ti:• , c ,, • 11, the 125 L in the honker's hands for his accounts thereby admitting be had no claim upon us, but only on the funds—then delivered his account to the Company, and afterwards delivered us his aceonnt. charging us with the amount, which no certainly did return, not having anything to do with the matter, and from that time to the present day we have never beard of the business. As to the et , poises incurred by the Secrstary of the Association whilst it lasted, 1 many of the Gentlemen present at the dissolution Of the prop osal Society agreed to subscribe togethir to pay Mr. Moon's and the printer s bills, and other little expenses. The subscription is collected; Mr. Moon's account, if correct, would Imre been, "l 2 'still will be, paid; and all the parties who subscribed, either d h ed av u e ct or ion w .vr ill e r are cce . iv iz e ir t . hei yo r ar mo o n b e e y :ac t k ha is m , b it le l4 B. W m ithell uts. i a &tibia( 28. New Broad-strut, WILLS sad VERIISIE. April 27, 1826. S .~ cla A It of I hi, u. I IV , II