The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — London, England, 1824-01-23 00:00:00

iFICATION qf PUPPING at LLOYD'S. of Merchant era, and Underwriters, was at the City of Tavern, pursuant to a rno. at the General Annual Meeting of the i n to last, " for the purpose of taking into caw la the proem system of the Classification of Shipping, bg. old the two Registty Moults used at Lloyd's atal o f a ppointing a Committee to collect die fulls* the 'object, and to consider and report to a subs& MectinF such Alterations in the system as they cpedient.' Among va s very nunicrously and respectably attended Ewa a fter one o'clock, THOMAS WILSON, 11I.P. was 411 If the Chair. Cumuli ox. a fter waiting a few minutes in vain fur a • containing the requisition for the meeting, p roc a t deg _Aucons wed at the previoue meeting. I taring thus Ike soceting aware of the object hit was asiernbled., Wrote) said he would occupy bu t t s short time in addrearing as be conceived the object was not to be discussed by the but by them. lle felt gratified that the meeting had to gether this ucearion, heesune he was of opinion, • the on re existed a doubt trpecting any matter affecting • -, Of the county- to the manner in which such ships may hare been classed by their rurtevors? if not—if they have uniformly supported Mims Nuke plet, use complaints of unfairness or mistaken estimate OD their irieb. out in any instance ascertaining by personal inspectica • such tempi:tints have been well or ill founded ; then I ask ida o rscricufbt, the surveyors are the regulators and whiten of shipping; and if you concur with me in this conclusion, I ask, anti I entreat your serious attention tom, interrogatory—Will you—m• you, consistently with a due regard to your own individual interests, to the efficiency of our mercantile merits:, and to its just chi. racier and estimation abroad—can you, I say, passively submit any longer to a system, which operates so detrimentally as your own Interests, and on the natomal reputation of our trad. mg shippirg ? I have recently heard it asserted, that the ship-owners and merchants have no right to complain of the system practised by the conductors of the present books; that they are private undertakings, originated by, and having no object but 10 afford infonbstion to. the underwriters. Rut, Sir, I can hardly conceive it possible that the underwriters can, on such grounds, refuse to concur in the institution of the committee of which I seek the appointment. If their books never went beyond the precincts of Lloyd's, if they were accessible to no persons but the undtrwriters, for whose exclusive use and guidance some per sons profess they arc published, then, indeed, the argument would have Nome weight ; but circulated as they are, not only throughout .... cr • nianladuritig, orvithii4pitorign.iianetet-rato tio ts n a — :lout all, tr ita Y ' the United kingdon, but through every part of the worlti where des ruing the orathshivowners, to exaniine the mode British enterprise can discover a channel r w commercial interoomse, 'ettntleirenniiier:rificabini or the alleged evils. lie felt it they vamp, not in Britain only, but also in all foreign ports the that he WWI present when the character *nil estimstion of every British ship which melts them , nit on biro also to at ght tot:atrdetat the General Meeting of the and while, in nemerous instances, now st . the finest of uur mer h. then hear d i t „B anta m, end that the chant shipping have been unable to obtain employment in foreign sas fint beau ' Tht , wat t ‘ ut r ie eter 4 in which the subject was brought ports, owing to the brand of a second-rate chit:echo, in what are i n h n e :a t t em r t : t m ei an d, as it appeared to him, generally . denominated IJoyd's books, vessels absolutely unlit to anywills tsoper pa ty, but sincerely, he be. carry perishable cargoes command the choice of employment, solely 1 h " 8 w L ie ‘;2 6 .2 ll : oco 4re w o n" bete inte r rot% generally, as Mer , frau' the mistaken and absurd plan of placing them in the first class hear.) Ile had, (Toni age only. lam desirous, at present, to avoid . initting . forward iou 'l ler e winters. (Near, o . "; nria :.... 4° 7 4 ,,, a( l7 . te hh request thre.irard.atiention to the gentleman who any notiens of my own with teepees to the substitution ot a better system ; that is the Ithjeet and proper business of the committee gain bring the * t .t hl uee'•and addressed the meeting to wish to use established. But I cannot refrain from obscrvieg. that oc . this oecoion, with very strong the present system of allowing the surveyors to take fees owns. nig effect :—I rise. Sa t , and I shall therefore be obliged to claim lively calls for alteration. It a pp ea r s to me i a di npmm id e to th ee. niorraasm ent •suited m e . When any ficiency of any plan which may he devised, that the surveyors should .oftener you and the meeti ng Ca rr tato it is nut surprising be liberally paid. so as to comniand the best talents; but in no case un s.. bia .i..... kl i n n °at ) berryd-ulirritsul s t ro not ' venied in the art of should they be allowed to receive fees : and it is one of the strong ob. y; eel that it will be safer as to novself, jections to h eapt resent system, that its conductors, from the minter — um ▪ ;* ---- rs.aprer f n on i rai tin n ;i r - c l ou t. . it', instead of relying wholly no toy ir approion and support, aye so crippled in their nieans, that the II at the eloquent of utterance, I surveyoreemployed by them are obliged to seek their chief sources Itloweatietelpfurelllsnontesisti have of Y the matter I may done it cape. m e e t l from those whose property is subjected to theirjudg „n„„„„.. o f th e rmo l o ttem shall ; and while man is the erratum of lowest, while his nature lu sd jubmi l twat s un t the wasting all o t me to follow this count remains what It indanallaelbew. crud Purl, at conduct "thane be public s pe e h e e andof my loishade for under such . * systOm. I deem it.propet,Sir, to yoke ir_ t a t f l t w oy use incri an i ti ewe ill4h ile owe l r impropertexprosion these . observations, explimatlrry, in some degree, of the grounds on r h ea r h ear )__Wh e n which I consider a revision of the present system necessary. It will joimtheightteiuutibneruittuot th h e el ei rs hip ed -o ( wner:' Society, in Na not. however. .efos.t. be "%Peet"' that should, at Present, offer the subject we it now met to consider, I certainly did suggestinos tor its improvement : I have my own views and ou ie that I should hare to Point' forward in an assembly niuns on that head ; but this is not the moment to p ut them for. as Its advocate. It is n ot front an overweening ward ; all I contend for now. is, that solid grounds of conrslaint y myself that I venture no w to address this numerous exist against the mode practised in classing our 'hipping ; that up to this period it has gone on without any general legitimately orating; I should have been glad to have 11 , 1 1'7 E tahle .bietaa w er W it h,, of w hi c h there are s o ma ny devised system for its regulation and government; and that it ma snag originated the me a s ures from which this meeting essential to the well bring and prosperity of the commerce and ne ed, I find it is expected that I slinold submit to you to. vigation of the empire ; that a revision of it, in all its details, further seamen" which seem to grow out of the previous elinucl . forthwith . be entered upon ; and although it is said that then and in doing no I trust I may reckon on the candour are a few individuals reluctant to part with the system they have so .nce of those who hear nit, while I make such prelim'. long p mrj resided over and . fenced round with each care, as to inter. when diet hitherto anything like approach to it ; yet, I trust, the good ehweeatta " It• °p r at ' to me ht he neeellar g' "avin t .1 . sense and I spirit of this noising will not hesitate in support ive's' y I brouebt forward the molutions which were a opted at t s ap .en general meeting, stated isonie of the reasons which, in wy ing the moderate and reasonable propositi oi with which I shall pa mei a revision of the present system of classing ships sently conclude. That proposition is, that a Committee, to consist it would he inipernimus to travel over the of an equal number of the 'mot respectable, intelligent, and sex y necissary, 1 believe there are few poisons connected perienced persons, connected with all the great interests concerned - riligig et iftl i m u i n o i r the empire, who do not feel (in the language in the definitive settlement of this most important question, be now of the Resolution.), that, in many important respects, the present appointed, to consider and report to a subsequent general meeting, system b highly objectilmable. Am - coding to that Plan, mgr is the what i . alterations appear to them to be expedient for the future te criterion by which the shipping of the country is regulated, and the g u i ch latun rod an s i m l e r lasaihcation of die matantik marine, and to suggest epetatkei of that principle decidedly is, to cause ninny inferior ships ales and regulati ons. to, they shall deem to be must to be built, and to discourage the repairs of those which have out. desirable. s If there are those proem who do not concur in the Rt lived their dent character. It is notorious that mane ships are built eessity of the •proposed inquiry, I would submit to them, that if aa ham a r, are en „ q „,, n 4 o f notc h i n f er i or or te en yheierd materials, the present system doe; really work so well as they would repre arel see sitogether so improperly minstructed, that it may almost be sent it—if it is, as I have heard it asserted to be, es little liable to said that, from the hour they &relaunched, they are unfit to be em- objection as any which can be devised by erring man, It his then ployedul the tonveyanceof Ilableuniamage. But the builders nothing to fear from a body of men, composed o the most sensible .nth vessel% have felt thre7l or If years they are secure, under and practical merchants, underwriters, and @hippie ages ; a Com. the present system, of the gest character at Lloyd's, and consequently mime thus constituted, would fairly represent all the great interests ess, at the inferior prices at which they are enabled to alfned them, concerned, and the result of their labours would, I SRI persuaded, dvsys find purchasers. The merchants, ton often acting on the combine the approbation and support of all. Some consideration same principle, give refereisee to anything denominated •• A 1,” and attention, too, is due to the great body of shipowners, whose sod th:comequence tin, that a large portion of the merchant ship- propenn is the subject . matter in question ; and amoog them the Tog it far wile being what it ought to be. Again , When a vessel feeling is general and strong, that the simnel under which their pro., halloo age lost her first character, the owner is deterred in many petty is now controuled, is at once Middy unjust and oppressive to tamer, Imo, repairing her. because if he do s so, this eStiAlliStion wards them, and exceedingly injurious to the character and effi of Ideally) is nut p y better than a considerable portion of ships rossortionahly raised. although she may thereby amity of our mercantile marine. It should also, I think, be an in. ke made tatrinairall strueiton to the ) ' nominee, to suggest the best mode, In their opt &said in the Met clams. The WHIR reasons thus with himself' : Man, °inuring a fund, liberally sulticient, to meet the necessary " If I repair my ship thoroughly, she will still have the brand of milieus'-% of conducting the system they may recommend, to public a mewl-raw character ;ifl do nut repair her she will stand with adoption. Thy revenues of the books now en use., ire estimated to Os moo official designation at I,loyd's Ile therefore rims his he nearly as follow :—The old book has about DM subscribers, at *es es we a well-unierstood Orem, flier/ We lire fog*, and eight guineas each ; and twenty guineas each for the RoyiJ-Ex fhe uosequeoc: is, she damages her cargoes, or perhaps s mote change and London A ssurance Companies, gives, as I assume, an, mem result occurs, she founder* from inrailleiency, and the t i t I- income of about : the new book has about one hun ekain and underwriter both too frequently ex peeience,ir. one of them Bred and twenty-six subscribers at the saute rate, and, with molts, the practical consequences of the pleseut regulations ; two similar donations, realizes about I,OIWI. If, instead of two, wham if the principle of classing theme:candle shipping affunksl only one hook was published, and that on a principle which 11111.** to Its proprietors to have their ships built by scientific would combine general approbation, the aggrega te number of ao, in an Micron and durable manner, and held out per in. Nubile:Fibers would, be much encreaaed, and the ability to pay fit insolent to keep thou in 'sampans., state ,of mair--if In woe- and competent surveyors, and other necessary and efficient otheers of misses of such ropers a ship toed proportionably high la public the oissishativiont primensienahly augmented. Thenomber of woo n e eiet i on , and could obtain employment wading to her intrinsic oh registered in the old book i s, in round numbers, about I SUP— exedleore, the tux/chant would less frequently hare his cargoes in the new one, 13,9311; and nom an numerous {marine a revenue damaged, and the unddwriter would he much more secure might, in toy 'minion, be raised without any undue pressure on its spent the hires to which the present absurd system ex. proprietors, fully adequate to the expellees of an establishment. in poses him. I emu the underwriters of Lloyd s to take all respects efficient for its object, and worthy the magnitude, value, a renuspeetire riew of their books during the last few and consequence of the mercantile marine of a country, which, years. sod from them oleo the average number of ships lost by whether contemplated with reference to her riches, lower, freedom. Moldering at sea, or, abandonment front being water-log- or the intelligence, enterprise, and happiness of her people, he. in Red, and inquire of emlneta builders, or competent judges, every point of view, the greatest nation ever yet exhibited to the the principal causes of this great destruction of property; and wonder, the admiratior, and the delight of mankind. Let us not they weeild find, that a vast majority of these eases have or. then hesitate in endeavouring to improve the condition of the pm (treed through ill-construction, or inefficiency . of the vessels, or perry with which we are more immediately and intimately connected, hem the want of dune substantial repairs which they prevent by or be deterred by those, who, for ever doubting the expediency of the inioaken system they have so long adhered to. Practical measures, see grievance% perpetuated by their inJecision; let us non Oil tell them ' that it is to their present 'node of registry proceed with caution, at the same time reinembering, that they have to attrib ute, in many instances, the demands on their " Our doubts are traitors; pockets; a slop-built vessel in their books possesses the same re- And make us lose the good we oft might win, Kamm, so ha as official designation can give it, with the best By fearing to attempt." onsiluered ship; a limited number of years pass over; both are re- I trust I have laid sufficient grounds to induce this meeting to moved from the tint to the second letter: hence arises the induce- concur in the resolution. I uhali therefore conclude with submitting rant ai owed.' to procure ships at a low price, their reluctance it to your consideretion; and i trust it will receive the sanction of all Is keep diem in a proper state of repair ; the wrecks I have who are present. It is to the following effect : slisaly alluded to occur, at once depriving the country of the " That opinions are entertained that the existing western of class envied of hundreds of valuable seamen, and their families of their mg shipping in the books at Lloyd's operates imuntiusly towards deperidente fur support; thereby spreading thane'', want, and the ship owner, tends to mislead the shipper and underwriter (in emery in the abode' of a clams of men whose value can hardly he numerous Instances), encourages the building of inferior ships, and overrated, and whose. widows and orphans might have ewitinued prevent', the essential repairs, whereby the efficiency and reputation in the enjoyment of comfort, contentment, and happiness, had the of the mercantile marine is materially affected, to the prejudice of madly of these„ who are indispensable to us, by a due regard to all parties concerned therein." am part, to the efiiciency of the vessels in which they boldly I have, finally, to express my acknowledgements for the attention mature their lives, been niade a proper object of our care and at- with which I have been heard. The facts 1 have stated will, I ninon; while, at the same time, the Underwriters would be saved have no doubt, be borne out by the general knowledge of the meet not liens of money. But, Sir, Ido not found my complaint ing.—Mr. Marshall then sat down, amidst the warm and general against the invent .rate n, principally on the grounds I have now applause of the meeting. :maimed, strong as I regard them to be. I see the vast worm- Alf. J nu,e DAWSON seconded the resolution. tile shippilig of England without any general system legitimately Illy. HAIL, the Hanoverian Consul, suggested that it would be devised toe is tegulatimi and government; and such has been the etteptable if all the resolutions were read before any was carried, per of its penprieors, that we actually And it u n ie? the control in order that the meeting might see the connection between them. *MOO*, who hue devised a plan for its management directly Mr. Al AItPIIALL said it was intended that the other resolutions giroe.l to its ediciency, and contrary alike to the interest of the should be moved and seconded by other gentlemen ; but as he was itser,, the merchant, and the underwriter, and what is still not aware that there could be any impropriety in his reading a copy owe temarkabk, die persons who have been so long permitted to of them which he held in his had, he would do so with the utmost exercise this vast influence over the shipping of the realm, are self- cheerfulness. t r ase w ed,anil wholly irr es p ons ibl e to, rind beyond the control of, The resolutions were then read ; after which, no person appear base property they preside over. It may not be dm- ing disposed to address the 'netting in opposition to that under fte:pee Iwo to draw the attention of tile meeting to the origin of consideration. eustine books at Lloyd's. About the year 17611, at a time The CHAIRMAN put the question, and it was carried unard. alien nu reentry existed. a n d when the "nematode shipping was moody. wm p ratic t ely small, some individuals deemed it desirable to set Mr. W. Myrettest. then roae to movemove the second resolution. {bait su ch , a Woo as would would {Nerd the underwriters and After the able and eloquent address the meeting had heatd from ter m e sonic Information regarding that important branch the gentleman who had originated this business, it was hardly ne pr. hard 'This ly tu ne' known Iseyond the precinct, of I ba- t t i edition, nor was that the veriest fur him to express himself, as to the linheldww it whose name since hasbeconie un Is im ' -ee immortalised w as the the mode in which those evils should be °helmetl in future. He public dmegna.thin of the most omdent and kw, had of in If II that it hihl desirablethat o miter° should emhteted tettit the trade of the "'his had r an " emeteed y from its en be romiet e l, y ronsistin w g m of pensionsfsueh various fl oc ' occupations an Deighall obscurity Sal this first effort at an thin like an or would lead them to take an interest in the subject, and of such Mod classificet ion of ships went un 17110, alien the arbitra ry and or or seve r al years umill about contniercial exp er ience as would well qualify them to undertake etllldlloool gore such cure fo 'e ..ati. . facti cond uno u h ' c a t , o f some of its the important task of making a report on a new system of clan& secolol, an d met up a sec ondmipersons ration, correct in Its principles, intelligible in its details, and sada hafn the fluor but, molt, ddi r ring 114111 iner points factori to all parties concerned ( hear, hear). lie also agreed that It I _ eq u ally p i regenitor, owing Its origin to a few about, be an instruction to the Committee to raise the funds ne ii;'`it';'.uwis anuoam th a i :l h 4 cool of the sanction of public au- cowry to awry the object of their meeting into execution. He time t books have been the only realists of should therefore move— th wore or freeloader, bare, fiam 'wet-poky, been *t ifirmamtle shi rl a t l F! intl, from the above •of se other " That a titt ce consisting of thirty-six members, with emeemcd : but such is the reserved to i by all power to add to their nunther. (of whom seven shall be a . 'quorum), They . irapprobation of the manlier in which be nos appointed, to collect the fullest infonuation on the subject ; . ko f e s t. te ; e and ohd w utt . e . l,that . they are supported only in a very limited and to consider and report, to a subsequent general meeting, such whelk t he funds of one of these books arc quite inade- alterations in the present system , and to sugge s t such roles and re mute to the expens e of (Inducting it, tlie other, which has rape- ifulations, as they shall judge to be expedient thrthe future claming neri:ol the largnit share M public summit, is also travelling slowly of the men hint shipping ; with their opinion of the b ee t m ode of si t thiai"tear"etvehr to nth) for lam informed that the expense of raising a fund adequate to meet the expenses of conducting the clo seting it during the last year recoiled i ' come by about system they may recommend for adoption." °° "P re a' ll " of the want of pu . lane end sup- Mr. Sto& the rtamAttiOn. was also carried i laet „.„ mait on the system be on which they are due ml ; and such unanimously. row e d enth'aue to be the result of any sys an which is Mr. Jot's( Rost )(sox rose to propose the third resolution. lie ern e , di sregard of public feeling, at variance with the felt that it was proper, in effecting this important improvement, of those most deeply concerned, and presided over by that all the great interests concerned should be fairly and equally et od " .. _ao .an . however respectable and excellent they may . be as indr- represented . ; and it was therefore the object of his rowhition that de :7 t ut no man can view them in that light with a higher the Coo tee should be deems! in equal portions by the mer e" respert than myself), it must be obvious, can chants, ship-owners, and underwriters , and by the parties at the m :„ . f little praetleal knowledge of the management of tne pro. out-ports. Ile then moved— The' hey Ore mouton! to theniselves the power of controlling. " That, it being eliential that all the greet Interests concerned in "" important part of the influence exert-hied by them Com- the definitive arrangement of this important question should be • °", has been the appointing surveyors in Lf4•41011 and the out- represented in such Committee, the members thereof do consist Port . % _Anon g thew so, appointetl, there are persons of whose proles- of eight merchants, eight shipowners, of London, and one tepee j•;4l4l,l ts and integrity I entertain a high milnion, and of whom imitative (resident m within) to be aopointed by each of the fol. mi n • 1° Irak with respect ; but they sre fallible men, liable to lowing porta, vit. Liverpool, Hull, Bristol, filasgow, Newcastle, •laditnient, and consequently she Id not be invested with the Sunderland, Whitby, Yarmouth, Maryport, and Leith ; and that ' ! whin _ther now exercise: ta n mire u also others who should the the subscribers to Lloyd's be invited to appoint eight of their EA er," h 1,7' been placed in a situation of such extensive authority body to represent them, and that the two chartered Marine Insur. Mal - Tito e--.men, alike unfit, front ignorance, seleiufficiency, awe Companies be solicited to appoint,etch one member of the •c::weilohness: and is it to the contml of mob men that our pro. said Committee." " enetinue to be subjected? I ask the members of the Mr. AaTuuß Wit.sts seconded the resolution. wpm, 111 . the existing books, is there hardly an instance an Mr. Tax oasis suggested that it should be added, that a reve .ll"l4 re complaint being made of the arbitrary conduct or sanative should be sent to the Committee from all the ports having • sare of their surveyors In closing particular ships, of these a custom-house. fetialr l i ' r Imams personally %sorted the woe, and ascertained, 31r. Illaasitst.l. remarked, that there were some petty pLie . es, own knowledge, whether they were justified in adhering ma. miles from the coast—for example up Ole DAIIUbeTWIOCb ctis oficATlt A OOPS of Per' ... ro d". A s toe at the ( . 1 • w S orctuber • , the preactit ai copritteen of the of &PI" det P i l e b' ivn t... sis Intol l ra j mettini lieaz i y age sr‘tlen- The Meeting was eel sopa i f t a one 0 .6 . the (hair. i eantaintrg ti t he t oolut lons pal the nutting 'rat Chairman gaol he ,un to he conceived yNman, but by then , called together on etteneva there en fading, rt:inial.tett 110 Well &MIT ' Mg ants, nointit3ettt tot out tor the rt eumbent on hint a jeer am brat ',mug ~,,g y m Seete , y ; bole iris conducted mud, with Mops Ith ne lien le IpVi red, with intent te ants, ahipownera. •• onclutden, only to , gagain bring the Mr. Jolla 111 sitter . Wowing effect • ings of minimum I the indulgence. yo arbeeks in what it be should min • r!etuperaneous ova nil more respectful ility to vipers , ' ni ft/ to some full not lent to submit to th • t e; and I trust tin eassideration of en) • siety to avoid the •to which 1 might nt addresned the Cu amber, on the nithje contemplate that . he the present, as • Adore la myself and laighly-rearectab porreadered this Edit here, but baring wig het melted, I find it day the further son frortudiogsi used in andiadulgence of tie nary observation. BA I bnny fl i t forward thi owners general nireti mind. rendratel a rel indispensably neon' awe punnet 'gait 11l aids the naViglltinn 11 of the Resolution.), Item is highly obit. eiterlon by which tie operation of that prin to be Wilt, and ti. di lined their dint chant so hastily, are comp and are sEngetlier alt said that, from the he ployed in the conveys] of twit crude have I the present system, 1.1 de, tt the infer int pi always find Nudist, ume principle, give and th:con‘e,ittence ping it far 10111 heir holm age lost ha initinees tmni repel of his i. nut re . . had eustont.houses, but from which it would hardly be neteseary to have representatives. As the object, however, was to make the new system as general as potelble, be would not oppose the amendment. (Some conversation weal held deer dee Wile an this amendnwnt, in the cosine of which it was that representatives might be admitted from all the r ports.) Mr. MAaPRALL said it was net necessary OM that all the . lead ports should have represensetives. All the towns its England win Dot actually represented in Parliament, but they were vino. sap. If the representedea Moe confined to the ports named in the rambition, there would be desegh to be essential for all the IPTOw which they viscid be down. .Tagenaar said, it appeae to him that all they had thou ▪ die was, to appoint a spatial cammittee to solicit the *Noosed= of the subscribers to Lloyd's, sod esafer with them on the subject. Rehm the meeting proesubd hroppoint any genera committee to a new system of eboilliatiefi, It would be better to asst. tales w the subscribers leleyd's would co.opttate with them. He was aware of the feefinp Odle mercantile Interest v....crony eve to the necessity of an alteration of the present system--not, indeed, be thought, so much in marbles the ships as in surveying them. The only way in which they could get others to join them in this necessary work was, by appointing a special committee to confer with the gentlemen at Lloyd's, for it was quite clear if they weeid not join in the undertaking, no efficient book could be form ed. At present neither of the books maintained itself. Mr. Powt.te asked how a committee could be appointed unless they resolved how it should be framed f Mr. U•nti HART said, his objection was to the appointment of a committee to fix a new system. He thought they ought not to go -further than to appoint a committee to confer and investigate oalr. As yet they did no: know whether the subscribers to Lloyd's would meet them at all. Mr. Ilviramt remarked, clot a number of gentlemen from Lloyd's were present, and had voted for the resolutions (hear, hear, hear). Mr. l'eutratier added, that them could be no doubt as to the desirableness of an alteration of the present system. It was the interest of the unechanta and chip-owners generally to have the snips merited &My, but it could sot be concealed that it was the interest of the underwriters to have them marked es low as possible. Mr. DOMETT said, he did not apprehend there would be any objection t the proposed alteration. He belonged to one of the books at Lloyd's, and he perfectly concurred in what had been done at the meeting. Mr. Aso? ow sail he he Mod no doubt that the_gentlemen at Lloyd's would go hand and bon with tie meeting. They walla be happy to find that the resolutielleheilressi with such a gamut I agree/mitt. Mr. Tern/awe then withdrew hll'amterdwient. He believed the minor ports would be milllciendy represented. The CHAIRMAN then reed the resolution again. and it was car. rind unanimously. The following gentlemen were then elected members of the corn tuittee : As 31erchants,—Mr. George Palmer, Mr. Robert C,otosertieth, Mr. John Hodgson, Mr. Km. Mitchell, Mr. Andrew Colville, Mr. Haley Douglas, Mr. John Iliggin, and Mr. Alexander. As Shipownua,—Mr. John W. Heckle, Mr. George Lyon, Mr. U. k. Young, Mr. John Howson, Mr. N. Domett, Mr. T. Spence, Mr. James Gregg, and Mr. Urquhart. Mr. Massiatt.t. was nominated, but he declined. He stated that he was requested to act as the reptesontative of the shipowners of Hull. The Coat anew was also nominated ; but, at his express re quest, his name was withdrawn. Mr. 111AlteliaLL said, he had only one other resolution to move, which be did under the sanction of the individual named in it. He moved, " That Mr Simon Cock be invited to act as Secretary to the Committee, and to afford them the benefit of his assistance. Mr. Lititz. seconded the resolution, which was carried una nimously. Mr. MARSHALL then observed, that there ought to be a right understanding how they were to obtain the requisite quota from Lloyd's to oOnalltute the Casalnittee. The CHAIRMAN said, hi=umed that the communication of the resolution would be suc Mr. Brume said he had to propose a resolution, In which he was sure they would all mom It .had fallen to his let, in com mon with many other to Awns the oral with I which the gent .ren who bed the rebeadins that day hail originated the subject, and lA* whisk be bad since followed it up, and be felt that dile 1 , 1111 dhe neteting were due to him (hem, bear.) It wore. Wise imam that one of the members of one of the book endeitness= himself anxious to stow, that a better spleen of ought to prevail, and that one of the weiphos ii,c r kit moved one of the resolutions. To theilittiTer teglß • the subject forwent they were all he should move— •• .. . • - " That the best thanks of this Medium `Wes deb to Jehr Marshall, for the great attention end ability reinemlby Sabo dieranee of the hypertext objcets of this t4os tid et t. , •d hie. Dousee mended the awoke. • ' Mr. MA asitALL begged that it might not The Cu Atagast, bsfere he put the mtedleet, malt le ems Ida , duty to bear teelon ; i t to the great merits she by thirkelten who hied iatiodurtsd subject, as well in the panise sad ability with which he had .matured it, as in the timpsetind saw damson with with* he had originated it (hear, him) The .resolutien was they carried by seclantatieen ' Mr. MARINALL said, he would express kieloilf =Tetibut sincerely. Be felt the mark of appeobseisa thug bad on Dim strongly. He weg conscious be liti aft impited it ; but he rouaoi it it as Alen likely duce the the end he ha is view. seem" them, NIT all his services In future he woeM y give in the same cause (cheers). Mr. LYALL then moved— " That the thenks of the Meeting be given to the Chairmen, for the reel and ability he had alwa_ys shewn in promoting the com mercial interests of the country. The resolution was welcomed with fiord applause. The CHAIRMAN shortly reterned thanks, and the Meeting im. utediately separated. THE GREEK LOAN. The following letter was posted up in the Foreign Stock Exchange yesterday " b, Jefferies-square. " Fir,—l beg leave to announce to you, for the information of the Gentlemen of the Stock Exchange, that the person calling himself his Excellency the General Count de %Vint:, Knight of the Order of Stanishius, &c. has no authority from the Greek 00- vernment for raising any Loan for that Account. The powers for that purpose arc vested In a gentleman now on his way to this country. " 1 have the honour to be. Sir, " Your obedient servant, "JOHN 111/WRING, " Hon. See. to the Greek Eonuntuee. " To R. W. Wade, Esq. Secretary to the Committee, Stock Exchange.' THE GREEK CAUSE. The following letter, from the London Greek Committee, to the Chairman of the Aberdeen Branch Committee, in acknowledgment of the receipt of the money subecribed at Abenleen, with a general account of the application of the funds raised, gives a cheering prospect of the favourable issue of the cuntevt:— " Greek t'ommittee Room, London, Jan. 6, 1824. St a,—The Greek Committee have the greatest satisfaction In acknowledging the receipt of fifty pounds, as a second remittance to the London subscription, from Aberdeen, in addition to their first remittance of 1301. Their thanks are due to the subscribers, and especially to yourself, for the exertions which have been made, and made so sucentsfully. " It cannot but be pleasing to those, who have so warmly sup. po red the Greek cause to learn, that accounts have been received of the safe arrival of the stone, which were sent by the Committee la August, to Greece-.they consisted of printing presses, typel dGreek and Roman), mathematical and surgical instruments, me. ivine, fee., and there accompanied them, tone German engineer officers, and a very intelligent young surgeon, who has bec-i•ne the Correspondent of the Committee. The second stores, wh l ^"t sailed iu a vessel chartered by the Committee in October, must have ar rived by this time, and amounts are expected daily of such event. These latter consisted of a very large quantity of materials for cont.' posing rockets, and every species of destructive iire-works--two bri. jades of mountain guns—mathemstical, surgical (both naval and military) instruments--printing and lithographic presses--types and medicines—books of military instruction. A fire-maner and eight artificers accompanied them, to construct the rockets, dic. and to instruct the Greeks in the use of them, and a surgeon alsb sailed with this expedition. All the above were directed to the care of lord Byron, or the lion. Colonel Leicester Stanhope, who have undertaken to act as the representatives of the l'ornmittee in Greece. " The Committee feel confident as to the result of the struggle; yet the touvistacce which they &Word, and which they still hope to afford, Is of the highest importance, as the means of encouraging ' the Greeks in their glorious, but hard contest ; as the means, in fact, of shortening fact, a war so marked with barbarism, anti all that is most revolting to humanity. " The Greek Co 1111 l dace reiterate their expressions of grati tude, and hope that a farther assistance of their labours may be derived from the influence at the noble example set by the sub scribers in Aberdeen. We have the honour to be, Sir, " Your very devoted Servants, " .11)S El', 1 111'31E, Chairman. "J(111\ 1101Y1113IG, Hon. Sec. " To Alex. Bannerman, Esq. &c." A letter from Odessa, dated Dee. 23, states, that the Sultan hail made a formal request to Englund to mediate between him and the Turks, and that Lord Strangford continued to enjoy much influence in Constantinople, not withstanding the conduct of Great Britain towards the Tu nisians, who are the faithful allies of the Turkish Govern ment. _ - Alexander has permitted the erection of a monument to the memory of fiusciusko, near Cracow, which has be come an object of extreme veneration to the Poles. 1415110 N, DEC. 2S.—Ottr ♦omuerce to the Brazils has received the last death blow ; Cocht.ow has taken seven of! cur ships. TO GEORGE CIIETWYNI). ESQ. CIIAIRSIAN OF THE QUARTER SESSION , o, ANP RE PRESENTATIVE OF THE TOWN OF STAFFORD. Sta—There are some moat disgraceful rumours in cir culation relative to a recent transaction in this county, in which yourself and the magistracy in general are said to be implicated. As I am not now a Magistrate, I have no means of preventing abuses of authority proceeding from what should be the Bench of Justice; nor can I interfere, with authority, to protect the unfortunate inmates of a prison from the tyranny of meaner minions of the law. But although it has pleased his Majesty's Ministers in ge n cal, and my goal Lord Eldon in particular, to erase my name from the Commission of the Peace, I still hold a rank and situation in the county, which not only authorize me, in cases that seem to bear the stamp of oppression, but which imperiously call upon me so to do in behalf of my less fortunate fellow-countrymen. I therefore take the liberty of asking you a few questions relative to the case of Mr. I7harles Flint ; and 1 shall ex- pect that you will answer them, as will'become a Magis trate, a Legislator, and a man. That lam somewhat late in putting these questions you will attribute to my expec tation that you would ha►e felt it necessary to put forth a :justification of your conduct, as it has been represented by the public press ;• for I could not suppose a man, with the obligations of senatorial_ and magisterial responsibility upon his shoulders, would hsve suffered such re . presenta: tions to remain for one hour uncontradieted if th.y were - not true . This wits ,ny opinion. And, if there was no explanation due to the public, surely your own consti tuents—those whom you affect to represent—had a right to an explanation at your hands. But, since I have seen no ' thing in the shape of defence, I am induced to come for ward, and inquire into the facts, that you may not shelter yourself under the pretence that it is net your duty to reply to indefinite reports. It is said that you, as Chairman of the Sessions, with the concurrence of the rest of the Magistracy present, have sentenced a respectable professional gentleman to three months' !wed labour at the tread-mill, who had committed no other offence than that of demanding from a constable a sight of the authority upon which he had arrested a client. I could not believe this possible when I read it ! I thought the journalist was giving an imaginary case; and when I was compelled to believe there was some truth in it, I felt as indignantly as I have often done in perusing the instances of perversbn of the law to an instrument of private ven geance, in foreign countries. I looked most carefully over the reported evidence against Mr. Flint, and I found none to warrant the conviction. I know, however, of what ma- teriale a Sessions Jury were compose' I, and I did not won der that they should look rather to the summing up of the Chairman than to the evidence of the witnesses ; but I did hope that, on the bench, there would have been discri mination and honour enough to have made an accurate dis tinction in the case of Mr. Flint, who was present in his professional character, and who had an undoubted right to act as he did act, whatever custom may have determined the legal courtesy to be. I shall not enter into any detail of the evidence ; but had I been a Magistrate, I should have felt it my duty to have told the Jury that there was no proof of riot against any of the prisoners ; and that there was evidence to prove that Mr. Charles Flint, instead of being riotous, had ac tually endeavoured to repress the sour, which was tortured logo riot.t I rimed have told the Jury that it was not a licentious use of the tongue, nor a trifling indecorum of :manners that constituted a riot in England. We have grown wondrous delicate of late. When a respectable man, whether knave or foul, will swear that he is alarmed at the conduct of the multitude, the Authorities exclaim, " A Rios. ! A Rms.!" and " away with them to prison!" Mr. Gtattage gave you, Sir, a very proper answer to year seerdsti,” to whether he was "disturbed in his own house by 41111.aaa He told you he was disturbed, but not alarmed; it does not appear that any further mischief was done or • • plainest of, than keeping Charles Clarke, Esq. out of his 'bed an hour later Man usual. Yet yOu, Sir, in your sum ming up of the evidence, are made to say, that "it was sweetly Ismaili* to conceive a more outrageous breach of the peace; and, in support of this, you refer to Mr. Charles Clarke's evidence, calling him " a gentleman of fortune norlays Connected with the parties:* Now what was his evidence? " Ile would not go to bed at ten o'clock, his usual hour, because there was a Boise!" Why did you not point out also to the Jury the declaration • tiratlsse. Arius said, "that although thee noise, it did not alarm him ?" Did you find the restlessness of Mr. Clarke a better prop to a lame cause ? I would also ark why you concurred in the opinion laid down by Counsel, that "the dispute between Cooke sled Jerningliam should be put out of the question." You must have known that could not have been correct, if you afterwards made use of the language set down for you. via. that you (the Magistrate) "had considered the case— first, with reference to the duty you owed to Me defend ants; secondly, to the duty which you owed to the pub lic; and thirdly, with reference to the duty which you owed to Sir George Jentinghain, the prosecutor ; and lastly, with reference to the duty which you owed to your selves." A plain man might have thought the duty you owed to the public included all the duty which was re quired to be performed ; and it is difficult to assign the particulars of the other duties to any creditable bearing on the case. Your duty to the prosecutor, to the defendants, and yourselves, was to administer strict justice between the parties. Was it then justice to order the most degrading punishment that the law awards to the vilest felon, to be inflicted upon a professional gentleman—one who tn., hereafter rank even above the pre,ent all-powerful Magis trate who has dared to inflict this insult upon his feelings for an alleged ofFetice, which, if fully proved, and ten times u aggravated, has been hitherto considered by the law as sufficiently atoned for by imprisonment and fine, without the addition of mental and bodily torture? Your duty to Sir G. Jerningliam evidently csnsiatal in putting his opponents into custod f ; but what queer ditty was it that the magistracy owed to itself? Are you, Sir, or any of your Colleague', holders of any portion of the an cient barony of Statlbrd, now claimed by " the Cookes ?" Did you begin to fear for the " consequences" of such pro ceedintrs towards " yourselves," and " others having lands; ' points you are reported as having pressed very ear nestly upon the jury? after having agreed that Me cause of the alleged riot was to be kept entirely out of view ! I would further ask you for the reason which yourself and your colleagues had, for passing the same sentence upon Mr. Flint as upon the others, when you also are made to state that you " had found semi at circumstances of mitigation in his ease ?"—when you admit that he was there " on business," and " did not come purposely to aid in the riot." You had read the preamble of the 'trespass Act to the jury. and you had there found that " persons must assemble with a mutual intent to assist one another against all who shall oppose them," before they can be le gally accused of riot; yet you see Mr. Flint accused of riot, and pass sentence upon him, allowing that he was there on business ; and his business being to ascertain that his client, the prisoner on the charge of trespass, was not unfairly dealt with. Is not this monstrous, Mr.Chetwynd? But if the report of the p roceedin g s be true, there is some thing more monstrous still; for you state, in the paper, that " one little admonitory word from him might have pre vented the occurrence!" Why, Sir, you have it upon oath, and upon the oath, too, of a constable, one of the leading witnesses for the prosecutions, that Mr. Flint did request the people to be quiet! What demon of Inconsistency sat at your elbow, and prompted you to give utterance to such contradictory nonsense? But I must not yet believe you capable of this; and I ask, whether these nunistrosiiies can be true? 'L'he worst of the questions, however, are yet to come. I have read of practices which almost led me to think that " Bridle" had ben appointed Governor of Stafford Gaol, and the Magistrates of " llchester" transferred to this county. Is it true, that Mr. Charles Flint, a respectable professional man, was not only sentenced to hard labour, but absolutely put upon the tread-mill, under the sanction of the Magistracy, with Mr. Chetwynd at its brad? Is it true, that Mr. Charles Flint was put upon the pri son allowance of food, and prevented from supplying him self, at his own expense, with any addition to it? Is it true, that Mr. Charles Flint - fasted forty hours, because his appetite could nor brook the fare set before him ? Is it true, that Mr. Charles Flint reported himself un- • See the RritiA Press of January fo, 1624. t Robot Jones. a constable, swear* that Mr. Mit told the peo• ple to bo quiet, and not to make a noise. Well to the Doctor of the prison, and that no notice was taken of his condition? Is it true, that Mr. Charles Flint was compelled to put on the prison dress? Is it true, that when Mr. Merles Flint had prepared a statement of his treatment, the Governor, during the pre sence of the prisoner at chapel, stole such statement, and deposited it in your hands, Mr. Chetwynd ? Is it true, tit& Mr. Charles Flint was afterwards de prived of pen, ink, and paper, that lie might have no means left of making !•is family, and the higher authori ties of his country, acluainted with his miserable condi tion ? And is it further true, that his friends were denied access to him ? If these things are trite-- , mod they are boldly stated in a London Journal—then is the county of Stafford as much disgraced as any county in England, not excepting even Lancashire, Cheshire, and Somersetahire; and Mr. Chet wynd may take his station linong the Tratfords, the Hays, the Ethelstones and the Warrens. I have Font these viues. lions publicly, because they demand a public answer; sad because my name has been erased from the list of the ma gistracy ; for had I been Magistrate, I can hare no hesi.. cation in declaring that such abuses COVLD NOT, SHOULD NOT have occurred. I might not have been able to have shielded the parties from ill the effects of passion and pee. judice ; but they should not hare been degraded, they should not have been tortured, while I had stood by armed with my power to restrain oppression. Those who were instrumental in depriving me of the power, are con , sequeutly parties to these outrages, If they here been per petrated: and it may be imagined that those who could perpetrate them, are not sorry to have bad a troublesome check upon their arbitrary propensities removed. The Lord Lieutenant, it is publicly stated, has been defeated by yourself and friends, in an attempt to inquire into these circumstances ; and thus even the Home Seca+ tory cannot prevail against the supreme authority of Mr. Chetwynd, in Staffordshire! If this be correct, I can emir the more regret that I was not in a condition to enter the lists with you ; for, be assured, I would hare prevented these abuses, at whatever responsibility to myself. I relish*, Sir;Nntird, &c., &c. January It, lIU. CHARLES WOLSELEY. POLITICAL CIIA - 11 - ACTi iS of Me LAST REIGN. GEORGE BUDBDODDINGTOft George Bubb Dodtlington was eon of an apothecary at Carlisle, by a sister or near relation of Mr. Doddington, of Eastberry, in Dorwtshire, Who bequeathed him his estate and name, with obligation to finish the vast scat at Esstberry, designed by Vanbrugh ; and which was pulled down by Richard Grenville, first Earl Temple, on whom it was entailed, in case of Bubb's having no issue, as hap pened. Doddington had a great deal of wit, great know ledge of business, and was an able speaker in Parliament, though an affected one, and though most of his speeches were premeditated. Ile was, as his diary shows, vain, fickle, ambitious, servile, and corrupt. Early in his life he had been devoted to Sir Robert Walpole, and in an epistle to him, which Pope quotes. had professed himself, " In power a servant, out of power a friend." At a much later period of life he published an epistle to Lord Bute, whom he styled Pollio. Mr. Wyndham, editor of his Diary, wrote to Dr. Joseph Virarton, in 1784, that he had found, among Dothlington's papers, an old copy of that poem, but inscribed to Sir Robert Walpole. He fell more than once under the lash of Pope, who coupled him with Sir William Yonge in this line— " The flowers of Bubbington, and flow of lionge." Soon after the arrival of Frederick Prince of %Vales in England, Doddington became a favourite, and submitted to the Prince's childish horse-play, being once rolled up in a blanket, and trundled down stairs ; nor was he negligent in paying more solid court, by lending his Royal Hi"hness money. " This is a strange country, this England (said his Royal Highness once); " I am told Doddington is reckoned a clever man ; yet I got 5,000 L out of him this morning, and he has no chance of ever seeing it again." He was, however, supplanted by George, afterwards Lord Lyttleton, and again became a :ourner and_placeman at St. James's ; but once more reverted so the Prince at the period where his Diary commences. Pope was not the only poet who diverted the town at Deddingerm's expense. Sir Charles Ilanbury ridiculed him in a irelleknown dia logue with Gyles Earle, and in &ballad entitled "A Grub upon Bubb." Dr. Young, on the contrary, wbo was intro. nosed by him, has dedicated to him one of his satires on the love of fa me, as Lyttelton had inscribed one of his cantons on the progress of love. Glover and Ralph ware also countenanced by him, as the Diary chews. Doddington's own wit was very reedy. We will men tion two instances:—Lord Sundon was Commissioner of the Treasury with him and IVinnington, and was very dull. One Thursday, as they left the Board, Lord Sundon laughed heartily at something Doddington said; *and when gone, Winningron said, " Doddington you are very un grateful ; you call Sundon stupid andslow, and yet you we how quick he took what you said." "Oh, no!" replied Doddington, " he was only laughing now at what I said last treasury day."—Mr. renchard, a neighbour, telling him, that though his pinery was expensive, he contrived , - by applying the fire and the dung to other purposes, to make at so advantazeous, that he believed he got a shilling by every pine-apple he ate. " Sir," said Doddington, " I would eat them for half the money."—Doddington was married to a Mrs. Ikhan, whom he was supposed to keep. Though secretly married, he could not own her, as he then did, till the death of Mrs. Strawbridge, to whom he had given a promise of marriage, under the penalty of ten thousand pounds. He had long made love to the latter, and at last obtaining an morignation, found her lying on a couch. However, he only fell on his knees, and after kissing her hand for some time, cried out "(fit, that I had you but in a wood !" "In a wood!" exclaimed the dis appointed dame; "What would you do then? Would you rub me?" It was on this Mrs. Strawbridge that was made the ballad— " My Strawberry—my strawberry Shall bear away the bell; to the burthen and tune of which, Lord Bath, many years afterwards, wrote his sung on " Strawberry Hill." Doddington had no children. His estate descended to Lord Temple, whom he hated, as he did Lord Chatham, against whom he wrote a pamphlet to expose the expedition to llochfort. _ _ _ Nothing was more glaring in Doddington than his want of taste, and the tawdry ostentation in his dress and fur niture of his houses. At Eastberry, in the great bed chamber, hung with the richest red velvet, was pasted on every panel of the velvet, his crest (a hunting horn sup ported by an eagle) cut out of gilt leather. The foot-cloth round the bed was a mosaic of the pocket-flaps and cuffs of all his embroidered clothes. At Ilsiiimersmith, at his ; house, since called linindenburgh House, his meat, us pebbles, was stuck into the cents', of the turf before his door. The chimney-piece was burg with opts, re presenting icicles round the fire, and a bed of purple, lined with orange, was crowded by a dome of peacock's. feathers. The great gallery, to which was a beautiful door of white marble, ►npportel by two columns of fops /0-znii, was not only filled with busts and statues, but had an inlaid floor of marble ; and all this weight was above stairs. One day, showing it to Edward, Duke of York, Dod dington said, " Sir, some perrins tell me that this room ought to he on the ground." " Be easy, Mr. Doddington," replied the Prince, " it ‘. ill aeon be there." In the approach to his villa at Hammersmith, Mr. Dod dington erected a noble obelisk, surmounted by an urn of bronze, to the memory of his wife, who died before him. Mr. Wyndham, his heir, took down the obelisk and sold it. The Diary was certainly not published entire. A gentleman, who saw it five years before it was published, missed some particular passages. ' Another instance of ikeldington's wit.—Dorldington was very Icthargic: falling asleep one day after dinner, with Sir Richard Temple, Lord Cobham, the general, the latter reproached Dorlditigton with his drowsiness; Itoddington denied havingibeen asleep, and to prove he had nut, of fered to repeat all Lord l'obliam had been saying. Cob ham challenged him to do so. Doddington repeated a story, and Lord Cobham owned he had - been telling it. " %Yell," said loddington, "and yet I slid not hear a word of it ; but I went to sleep because I knew that about this time of day you would tell that story." Kt x 6 .8 BENCH.—The four Judges sat yesterday in the chamber adjoining the Sessions House, to bear term ques tions in arrcar. Mr. Cramer is to lead, and Mr. Greatorex to conduct the Choral Fund Concert. 11 1 1 ..., i it. 1 111 i ' i'l 1 14 , ir i ' / F {! i~ !.1* L i ~i 3 I