The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — London, England, 1826-10-31 00:00:00

WEST INDIA SLAVERY. TO THE EDITOR OF THE BRITISH PRF- 6 14. s uo —The eyes of the British people have been long w eed with intense anxiety to the subject of West- Indian Slavery, and are now looking for the result of the reconunentlations of his Mejesty's Government to the Colonies upon the measures proposed by them for the amen liorstion and gradual extinction of slavery in the British ,dominions. The friends of the Negroes have been vehe mently charged with pressing the subject with unjust& able zeal and precipitation, and have been assured both at home and abroad that the Colonists themselves were not only willing but desirous to reform their Slave Codes, and only required a little time in order to procure a sufficiently &geared view of the object to enable them to accomplish it themselves. The delay which had already taken place, when Lard Bathurst required of them a further considera tion of the proposed measures, gave but little hopes that any thing effectual would be done or even attempted, and die result leas fully justified, at least in the case of Deme rol% all the fears of those who even declared that it was uselees to trust reform to the hands of those men who did not hesitate to proclaim to the world that their prosperity, and the abuses of their system, must stand or fall together. In your Papet of the 27th ult. is a very long article, by which we are informed that in Demerara the proposed ame lioration of the state of slavery has been rejected altoge ther and a Correspondent, who signs himself Q. thinks that the arguments used by those members of the Court of Policy who spoke against the measure are quite unanswer able. His first tirade is directed against Mr. President Wray, for daring to propose to their adoption, though un der modifications which moat essentially diminish their value, the recommendations sent out in rather a peremptory manner by the Noble Lord at the head of the Colonial De. partitive. One of these modifications is, that the slave having the means to purchase his freedom should, before he was allowed to purchase it, first prove that he had ac quired the means by hie honest industry. Were ever such principles of legislation heard of excepting in a slave colony, dist a man should prove a negative to his possessions, or that the pitiful accumulation of years of parsimonious savings should be accounted for, item by item, before its legal possessor was allowed to make use of it, for the spe cific purpose for which it had been—by perhaps the un wearied exertions of a life—obtained? What should we think of a law, in this country, which obliged every man to prove, to a public Court, that he obtained his money by honest industry, before he was permitted to complete a pur chase? With us, indeed, it is thought sufficient to require proof that property is stolen, and not that it is honestly ac quired, the latter being always assumed until proof of the former is produced • and surely th e Demerara planters might be content to leave legislating upon principles which, if applied to men-stet.krs, would leave but a small part of the question between us and them to be determined. Nor is such proof required from the slave in other cases : be may buy ruin or other articles, the price of which returns his money into the pocket of his master or his agent—but when !Acre?. dear liberty, is to be the object of the pur chase. every shilling of the price must be proved to have been honestly acquired! Yet even this proposal is indig nantly rejected ; and Mr. President Wray, for such contu macy, is presumed to have abandoned the interest of the co lonists in obedience to his official instructions, which, how ever, until I have seen, I never can believe,contain such prin. ciplea of legislation as were proposed by him to the Court of Policy to adopt. The apology put by Q. in the mouth of the Members of the Court of Policy is, that by acceding to the proposed improvements, they would violate the oath taken upon their becoming Members of that body. I sup pose Q. was in the corner, without either fire or candle light, when he wrote this; because it necessarily implies that their oath upon that occasion obliges them to break their previous oath and duty of submission to the Govern ment of this country. This I leave to Q. to explain. Another proposal made by the worthy President was, that a slave, being a member of a family, should not be permitted to purchase his freedom singly, but must also at the same time purchase that of the other members of the fern:ly. A proposal to which it certainly would have been useless for the Court of Policy to have acceded, as a (restriction, of this kind, which w mid in ninety-nine in stances out of a hundred have effectually prevented the Ne groes acquiring their freedom, never could have been i allowed by his Nlejesty's Council. consistently with their recorded views and intentions. Yet Mr. President Wray did not go far enough for these gentle refortillsts, although it is plainly to be perceived that the adoption of the restric tion recommended by him would, if allowed in this coun try, effectually have rendered abortive every other facility given or pretended to be given to promote the manumission of slaves. The arguments used by the Court of Policy in justifica- Cult of their conduct are summed up by Q. in three heads. First—the allowing slaves to effect their own einaticips- Lion must interfere with the mortgagee, and be a direct in fringement of the rights of private property. To this I reply :--The mortgagee has the estate upon which he has advanced his money, in pledge for the repayment of it, with interest; and if he gets (what the manumission of the sieves will produce to him) the amount of his pledge, in what, in the name of wonder, is he injured? A question too obtrudes itself here, namely—are the Colonists the mortgagees or mortgagors of colonial property? Because, if they are not the former, it were better to leave that ar gument to those who are. But " emancipation must be a direct infringement of the rights of titivate property." And so is every public exercise of legislative power that affects property at all. Witness the " private properly" interfered with in this rowan - for various public purposes—for building a new Pas: Office—a new London-bridge—a new Dock. It is needless to instance more cases; but why should the slave owners alone be exempt from an infring ement of w hat they deem " the tights of private property, as in every public appropriation of it a full equivalent is awarded to the owner ? So in the case of the emancipation (with less ap pearance o f justice) it is to irefully given ; and to say that the value of a negro cannot be estimate d, is to say that the buyers and sellers of human flesh give and take sums of ir eniy leap-hazard for their commodity, without being able at all to judge whether they obtain any thing like an equivalent or no. This is a sufficient answer to your core respetelesit's second objection. The third objection is of that most extraordinary class, the reason of which cannot be perceives' by any hotly but those oho, like the Counsel in the fable, are only able to see through a case by the help of a pair of silver or golden spectacles. The reason given is, that to allow to a slave the right to purchase his freedom will make him " idle, and debase his moral character." Why then give him his freedom without obliging him to pay for it, which, as the converse of the proposition, if it be correct, will make him industrious, and elevate his moral character. This, however, has been continually denied by the colonists, who, attempt ine to justify their tenacious adherence to their system of Y. , ),;g,ing and coercion, have perpetually asserted that the slaves are already so idle, that the whip is indispensably ne cessary to make them work ; and that, as to " moral cha racter," they are brutes, and not men. One won& rs, therefore, how the proposed measure could do the colonists listen in this respect. But is there any foundation for the oljection itself? Is it true that when the produce of the savings of a mart's labour is to lead to the attainment of the object which, of all others, he most desires, it will be an hiducement to idleness and not to industry ? and that he who is doomed to labour for life for another, with out hope of reward, will be more assiduous than lie who labours fur his own benefit, under the influence or the strongest inducement which can p oss ibly be placed before him ? 1 feel that I may safely leave the conclusion to your readers without pressing an argument further. which, if it eludes the grasp at all, does so from its being an empty nothing. But, before I conclude, per mit nee us a frb nd to humanity, to present my hearty thanks to the Coat of Policy of Demerara, and their friends. I thank you, Gentlemen Legislators of the Island of Demerara ; you arc active promoters of the cause of your oppresses' and injured slaves ; you have now put the whole subject in dispute upon a different footing. The qneation is not now between Abolitionists and Slave Owners, but between Great Britain and Demerara, whe ther a petty colony shall set the Parliament of the United at defiance, and the Privy Council of his Ma jesty be bearded by the Members of a West-Indian Court of Policy ?—I am, Mr. Editor, yourbbedient servant. Oct. 25, 1026. X. THE ST. PATRICK INSURANCE COMPANT• [From the /elegem*. I It is not very much a subject of surprise, with any man who has observed the disposition of the human mind to magnify every eVil and prognosticate every misfortune, that in a case where a great multitude of persons are deeply interested, whose apprehensions and fears are itt the exact ratio of the risk they have at stake, it would be a matter Of such difficulty to compose their nerves, allay their appre hensions, and keep down their suspicions. The f:elings which have been displayed at the various meetings of the Proprietors of the St. Patrick Insurance Company were to be anticipated. It was quite natural that a great body of men, whose entire property Was involved in the result of the deliberations which took place should be variously agi tated by hope, by fear, by suspicion, by a jealousy of all and every tl►ing around tl►em, and an apprehension that they were going on from bad to worse, from the positive to the superlative degree of misfortune. We were, there fore, prepared to hear much unworthy observation—much of informant invective, as well as idle declamation, against characters who were themselves the greatest sufferers, and whose fate would be first pronounced when the storm of prosecution approached. But now that the tide of public indignation and public vengeance has fully flowed in, and that public feeling has 1 e u:► to ebb, we will be permitted to make a sober and disinterehted appeal to the good sense and public spirit of the great majority of the Proprietors of the St. Patrick Insurance Company. It is quite char that it, is necessary to make a great effort to rescue the whole Company from a responsibility which might ultimately involve their entire properties; and that this effort should be made promptly is equally obvious to every observer. According to the Report of the Committee of Proprietors, the Company will enjoy ample resources to meet all possible exigencies, on the condition of paying up their instalment of 2/. 10s. on their respective shares ; or, in other words, the addition of 50,000/. to the capital of the Company, will enable it to meet all risks, and not only to ' meet all possible engagements, but to go on with the busi ness of the Company with se much spirit, and, we will say confidently, with more knowledge of its duties, than, perhaps, any other Company in Ireland. What, then, are the diffi culties to be overcome, in order to effect such a result? In our minds, the difficulties are few and inconsiderable. The great majority of shares are in the hands of men who see their way clearly, and who are impressed with the per fect practicability, not only of meeting all exigencies, but of completely resuscitating the character and credit of the Company. Those who will be a bar to such an arrange ment, or who will not be willing to pay up the called-for instalment, hold the. fewest number of shares; they are the late speculators on the fears of those they putcltased from, and make a loud and noisy clamour on points which other extensive Shareholders treat with contempt. These men will d:e hard—they will endeavour to infuse their fears into their wealthier neighbours, and to bring the latter down to their own humble level, because they have not themselves the means to main tain their ground. But, as we said before, the men we now describe are comparatively the boldirs of a small num ber of shares, while the great holders will pour in their instalments, find a sufficiency will be obtained to meet all fair and legitimate demands. 1t is agreed on all hands that the entire possib!e responsibility to which the Com pany may be subjected, even according to the calculations of the mast alarmed, could not exceed 70,000/. It also ap pears that the r nources of the Company, without any ad ditional instalment, are upwards of 40,0001. It also ap , pears, from the testimony of the most respected among the Directors and Proprietors, that the possible losses by agents, some of whose securities were considered imperfect, will not be one-third the amount. Wird, then, is the fact?—That, including the called- I for instaltneut of et. los. on each share, the resources of the Compauy would not be kss than between su and 100,000/. to meet the possible demand of 70,000!. But, from what we have heard and seen, we are satisfied that sixty thousand pounds will more than meet any possible 7xigency. But let us be understood: we thus argue on :he condition that the instalment of 21. lOs. shall be paid in—that all demands shall be promptly answered—that the sword of litigation shall not be unsheathed—that the rapa cious attorney, like the wolf, shall not be suffered to go abroad .seeking whom he may devour. Indeed, if public infatuation should be so great as to leave the Company ex 7,mM to such a visitation, we know not what amount of re sources would be t'qual to meet the demands of the harpies of the law—then there would be no shelter but in the obscurity and indigence of the individual—the wealthy and independent Director or Proprietor would be the first victim, and the small fish might afterwards be swallowed. But what is to restore public confidence? We will answer, the existence of two circumstances ; the first, the possession of such increased capital as will meet all possible demands ; the second, the appointment of such a Committee of Direction as the severe and suspicious scru tiny of the Proprietors may elect. It is admitted that, among the Proprietors and Directors of the St. l'atrick In surance Company, such a Committee could be easily found, and it will not be denied that the experience of the past would demonstr►te the necessity of a ftequent examination and inspection of the conduct of any Committee, however respectable, which may be appointed. Instead, therefore, of idle and unworthy suspicions, unmanly invectives, or womanish apprehensions, the St. Patrick Insurance Com pany should put their shoulders to the helm, and though the storm has raged and the waves have rolled mountains high, we have no hesitation in saying, that the ship may not only be righted, but that she may once more put to sea, perfectly confident in her strength, and in the hope that she will ultimately reach the haven of prosperity. We are informed that an adieu is to be brought against Mr. Sergeant Wilde for special damages, sustained by the plaintiff in the Sandywell cause, in consequence of his non appearance at Gloucester, on the retainer he had accepted. This will raise a curious and very important question. On a common retainer a Counsel subjects himself to no re sponsibility—he cannot bring an action for his fee, and therefore not subject to one in consequence of any damage from his non-attendance ; but in this case the relative situa tion of counsel and client assumes a different character— the former entering into a special contract, and receiving payment of the consideration.—Sunday Paper. PCIITII.—A respite, during his Majesty's pleasure, of the sentence of death pasted at the late Justiciary Court upon Duncan Clark and John Locky, was received in town on Saturday morning. The Lord Provost and Bailie Wright lost no time in communicating the joyous intelli gence to the two convicts. Clark, on being apprized of the prolongation of his forfeited life, feelingly and gratefully exclaimed, "God bless his Majesty and Mr. Peel !" Locky, who occupies a separate cell, heard the interesting Informa tion with the sullen and stoical indifference that has marked his demeanour since his conviction. The news of Clark's rep:it:ye circulated almost with the rapidity of electricity through the city, and was every where the cause of heart felt congratulation ; nor did this general expression of joy indicate in any way a mitigated abhorrence of the crime for which the unfortunate individual was sentenced to suffer. The dubiety which still exists as to the prisoner's guilt, when associated with the extreme innocence of his former habits, justifies the prevaling anxiety that was felt and expressed for an extension on his behalf of the Royal clemency.—Dandee Adverliver. SIGNS or Tile TIN vs.—A tradesman being recently arrested in the west riding of Yorkshire, he sent for two of his neighbours to give bail for him, who, on their arri val, were accosted by the Sheriff's officer with " I'm glad to see you, gentlemen; I have a writ for each of you, and your coming hither has saved me the trouble of seeking you." The domestics of a family residing in Halifax, were last Monday morning, at an early hour, thrown into a state of considerable alarm by a well known commercial traveller, coming rolling through the ceiling of the false roof into one of the rooms below. On being called upon to explain the cause of so extraordinary a visit, ' lie said that he had been closely pursued by a Sheriff's offi cer, when he took refuge in the false roof, from winch by ' an accidental slip he , had been precipitated into the room below, and now claimed safe convoy, which was very rea dily granted to him. THE BRITISH PRESS. LO DON UNIVERSITk. A General Meeting of the Proprietors of the Loudon University. was held yesterday at the Crown and Anchor Tavern, Strand, to receive the Report of the Council previous to the commencement of the building. At one o'clock idit slaty ' , topsiders had assembled, amongst whom we noticed Lied Auckland,' Mr. Brougham, Mr. Hume, M.P., Cel.Seashope, CoL Jams. Mr. Camphtll, and se verahodier distinguished pesdigam Lard Auc.a LAND. 1111,1DX been called to the Chair, briefly stated that the blest* had ken called for the purpose of promoting an unreserved goosettaktadon and complete satisfaction between the Council and Proprietors, the former conceiving that, before they eommenced the important proceeding of building, it was material that the Proprietors should kuow how they stood, and what mea sures hut been adopted. The Secretary ( Dr. Cos) then read the Minutes of the last Meeting, and the Report of the Council, of which the following is - - a copy -- 6 The Council constituted by the deed ofsettlement, bearing date the 11th day of February last, have proceeded incessantly in pro moting the great nhiect intrusted to their care, and have convened this first General Meeting of the proprietary according to the pro visions of that deed, for the purpose of submitting to them the pre sent state of the funds of the Institution, the proceedings hitherto taken by the Council, and the further measures they would re commend to the Proprietors for their sanction, with a view to the gradual completion of the proposed establishment. " To this Report is subjoined. by way of Appendix, the half yearly balance sheet of the several sums received and paid on ac count of the Institution up to the 11 di of August last, as checked and verified by the auditors. " Subsequently to such account, further subscriptions have been received, whereby the number of shares on which the deposit has been paid has been Increased to 1157, in addition to which up wards of 143 shares have been subscribed by individuals of the , greatest respectability, on which, owing to various causes, the pay ment of the deposit has been delayed, but may be considered per fectly secure. The total amount of shares actually subscribed may be thus stated as amounting to 1300. " The Council were desirous of obtaining further subscriptions to the extent of 1300, constituting the suns of 150,0001., the smallest amount of capital prescribed by the deed; but obstacles presented themselves, arising not less from actual pecuniary difficulties which many laboured under,who would otherwise have zealously supported the cause, titan from thegeneral prevalence of that distrust which tire failure of so many speculative undertakings had induced. In these circumstances. the progress of the Institution must have been sus pended until the restoration of confidence thus for a time disturbed, had the Council not been encouraged and supported by the voluntary aid of several Individuals who took upon themselves to subscribe the deficient 200 shares, for which they have consented to become responsible in all respects, subject only to the sanction of the Pro prietors to a declaration that the capital of the Institution shall be considered as limited to the sum of 150,0001. until such 200 supplemental shares shall be replaced by subscribers to that amount. The engagement entered into by these Proprietors con stitutes N 0.2, in the Appendix. 66 The capital required having been thus provided for (exclusive of 6331. contributed by way of donation), the Council were enabled to proceed in the exercise of the powers confided to them; but the only material step taken by them has been, a selection from among the several plans submitted to them, 'of that designed by Mr. kins—a selection in which their own judgment coincided with that of almost every Proprietor who inspected the drawings ; and the Council are enabled to state that the work in its execution will have the benefit of Mr. dandy's superintendence, in conjunction with Mr. Wilkins. " The wish of the Council will appear to have been rather to select a great design suited to the wants, the wealth, and the mag nitude of the population for whom the Institution is intended, than one commensurate with its present means; but as they were de termined to take no step in this important part of their trust, with. out first ascertaining and limiting the utmost extent of expense to which any contract or engagement might lead them, they adver. tised for tenders, by public competition, for the execution of the works. The lowest offer was made by Messrs. Lee, who engaged to complete the buildings for the sum of 107,0001., exclusive of stone ornaments, to the amount of about 3,0001. " This sum exceeds by flO,Util l. tl:e estimal made by Mr. Wil kins, who, in explanatittn, has slated that his specification in the quality or amount of the materials goes far beyond the usual course of building, his main object having been to give durability and beouty to a building which would find but few in this country to vie with it. " In the present state of the subscription, and with the design of the building so far matured, the Council consider themselves fully justified in assuming that, after making a more than adequate al lowance for any . probable defalcation, a clam sum of 100,000/. will still remain available for the immediate objects of the Institution ; and, alter minute consideration of the circumstances, they feel as sured that, with that sum at then disposal. a poi lion of the building may be forthwith erected, adequate to the accommodation of the medical school, and of all the elastics composing the more essential parts of a good education, leaving a sufficient surplus fur the putt. elia-e of a library and museum, and as much as may be absolutely requisite for salaries to professors. A portion of the building, coin. prising the library, two museums, tour great theatre& of instruction, and about twenty-six other rooms, and affording ample accumulate. tion for the objects immediately proposed, will require an outlay, including fittings, of' about 50,00 a, to which adding 10,000/. toe the library and museum, and a lake sum to meet contingencies, sa laries, and other incidental expenses, the whole would amount to 70,000!., which, with the 30,000/. alreasy paid for the land, make up the sum of 100,0004 "To that except, for the present, the Council would bound their views, not doubting for a moment that, as the building proceeds, and the merits of the undertaking are gradually developed, it will obtain such additional encouragement and support (by an increase' of subscriptions to the extent of 300,0001., the maximum of capital contemplated by the deed of settlement) as will, at no distant day, amply provide for the completion of the buildings, and for. the full establishment of the Institution on as liberals scale as its most san guine friends can desire. 1 " The Council therefore propose, that the contracts for the ' building be entered into in such subdivisions of it as shall from time to time be required, and be so framed as to admit of the completing or abandoning any . such subdivisions upon due notice at the will of the Council, strictly adhering, as they pledge them selves to do, to the provisions of the deed of settlement, and to the fixed principle they have established, on no account, and in no circumstances, to incur a liability beyond the amount of the re sources under their control. In the mean time, and as the only measure which consists with the season, they are desirous of com mencing operations by causing the foundations to be excavated, which will he done under a distinct contract, and at a cost not ex ceeding 1000/. " The Council, having given in their Prospectus a general view of the ends proposed to be attained, are unable at this early period to enter into any further detail ; all more specific regulations and arrangements most brim subject for future consideration, as exi gencies arise and experience is obtained. All they can now do is to sulmit to the Proprietors the expediency of sanctioning the Council in immediately commething the excavation of the ground, and proceeding to the gradual erection of the buildings in portions under separate contracts, as already suggested ; for the aceom. plishment of which, further instalments of 10 per cent. on the subscriptions, at intervals of six months, will, it is believed, prove perfectly adequate. " Three months may probably elapse before these preparations can be completed, after which the Council propose an address to his Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex, requesting him to lay the first stone of the building, his Royal Highness having been pleased to add his name to the list of proprietors, at the same time ex- pressing much interest in the success of die Institution, and an- I nouncing his intention of becoming one of the first donors to the library." Mr. Stitrooan then moved the first Resolution, which was to the effect, that the Report should be received and entered on the' books. Mr. Betionwast then wise and observed, that for the informa tion of those present he should shortly endeavour to explain one part of the Report which the Sleeting was called upon to sanction ; it was that part which related to the 200 supplemental shares which had been conditionally taken by some highly respectable and pub- Ile-spirited gentlemen. The Sleeting had already beard that the deposits had been actually paid on about 1,157 &bares. About in dims bad who been taken by some most respectable gentlemen, on Widelt deposits had not been paid from various accidental reasons, and not that the subscribers lad any difficulty in paying the amount of their subscriptions, or felt any unwillingness to do so. In sonic Instances Gentlemen were on the Continent, and neglected to pay their subscriptions; and, in one instance which had just come to his notice, &gentleman went out of town, and forgot to leave orders for the payment. He had met rids gentleman a short time ago. and be had promised, when he returned to town, the subscription should be instantly paid. Ile need only mention that Mr. Denison was the individual he alluded to, than whom the Bank of England was not more secure. (Herr.) There was not the slightest doubt that the deposits would be paid on the whole of those 127 shares, so that it might be estimated that in all 1,300 shares were subscribed for. The Council then found themselves in this situation • by the deed of settlement—.whether properly or improperly it was not now to consider—the Proprietors had bound themselves not to begin, nor to consider themselves in existence for any effective purpose, until 1 500 shares had' been subscribed for. As he had before stated, only 1,300 shares had been subscribed for, so that go on they could not, and time was lost. As to motley, they had alread y sufficient to start the concern. The whole amount of subscription on 1,500 shares was not necessary at the commencement. Little more then 100,0001. was considered Mulch foe completing a library, museum, lecture-room, a n d going on for perhaps a couple of years. The centre of the building, without the portico, wo all that It was deemed necessary at first to erect. Notwi thstanding all this, the Council thought it was better sot to sudlici themselves to an Imputation of flying In the face of the deed, and as It were subverting the Cooatitutioo under which they had existence. They thought it much better to me up to the words as well as the spirit of the rule, which had been agreed upon, after a full, anti he aught say a Imnlfinising. dissaiss. When this tesolution was stated in the Council, two klembere of that Council—he might be excused for mentioning unit anaesa...Mr. John Smith and Mr. Goldsmid, came forward and declared their willingness to be accountable for 103 shares, or be/shares each, open the condition that Oils provi sional responsibility should be abeelred as soon as direct subscribers were found for over the number of 1,550 slisv; l 4 (Applause.) Au application was then made to .51r. Morrison in the City, and that very evening lie (51r. u i d R. received a letter from that demon, stating his willingness to follow the example of M. S n • dlr. GoMonth'. These three gentlemen took upon them the provisional responsibility for 134 shares, and several other gentlemen came forward to a entailer extent, so that I%) shares ware disposed of out 012110. Under such circumstances, the Conseil looked leftward confidently to the exertions of individual Proprietors, to induce I others to become ivtbscribers. When he looked to the real and activity Which was displayed in the Council, and to the itonediate prospect which there t. sot of in actitsl commencement to dos peat undertaking—for they were about immediately to proceed to exce -1 voting the ground, which was nothing less than digging for. 2nd in 1 1 some measure laying, the foundation—when he knew that the foundation Atone was to be laid in about three monllis, and that in about double that time the walls of the InatitutiOn might be seen rising above the outward paling, he could not doubt that they would have the cordial and zealous el-operation of the whole body of Proprietors. and that every exertion would be made to procure subsenptions from persona who were not yet members Of their body. By placing in the hands of the Council a larger fund, grad additional improvements might be made; besides %Welt, in the find instance, they would redeem the supplemental or provisional shares, and relieve those public-spirited gentlemen from that it• imonsibility which they had so generously taken upon themselvelt. In addition to all this, they would leave in the hands of the Council, under their own control, a considerable sum for the ex tension and improvement of the original plan. (Applause.) The resolution was then agreed to. SES% moved the second Itesolution,which was, that the capi al of the Institution should be limited to 1.10.0010., with power to the Council to extend the same to every ambunt not exceeding 300.000/. Illr. R. Taysost moved a Resolution to the effect that the meet. ing confirmed the Report of the Council, and requested them to Oversee the excavation, and superintend the progress of the building. A PROPIZTETOR said he understood by the Report that the lowest estimate was 107,0001., but that the Council conceited 87.000 f. would effect all that was immediately desirable. Now he wished to be informed what was the cost of what was at present contemplated. The CIiAIRMAN said the first contract was for 36.000 f. without, the portico. The portico would probably cost about 14.00Q1., and for the wings a third contract would be entercd into, which would amount to about 311,0001. more. It might be at well to state that the contract had been reduced as much as 10,000, by abridging the ornament, and substituting some that were less laboured. Mr. II UM E said the Council had preferred separate contrac's. in order that they might effect all without the possibility of being above the amount of the contract, or of any considerable intermit. Lion arising in the progress of the works. (Applause.) Mr. ilaotntnam said, the great object of the Council was that they should not be hampered by obstructions in the most important part of the undertaking, opening the classes. At least twelve most Important classes would be opened in that pan of the bullring which was now about to be commenced. Indeed it was more pet. bable that it would be found to accommodate eighteen classes, but at least twelve would be accommodated _ _ BD. SHEPHERD inquired bow it was intended to act in ease there was not sufficient accommodation at first for a student ap. ;Tinted by each proprietor. Would the seniority of substatlptitin give the right of priority in the appointment ? The CHAIRMAN laid the Council had not yet deeded on that po'nr. The right of appointment would probably depend on the priority of signature, but the point was not decided. Illr. CAMPBELL said, that although the proceedings of the Council had not the stamp of perfection upon them, he believed It was very generally acknowledged that they had acted to the best of their .tudgment, and that what they had done was not opt n to any material objectiona. (Hear.) If no more had been done than the acquirement of a locality and a freehold in London, he thought it was effecting much. When he tint joined in NI great and ini. portant undertaking it made him nervous and sleepless at night to think where a sufficient space could be found within this great town for walks and building% such as were required. He felt that it would require lunga to breathe as well as a station to stand upon. This had been gained ; they were now in possession of sufficient apace of no Ices titan eight acres, In a situation wonderfully com modious, considering what a place London was. He fared that they might have beea seeking for years with half a million In their pockets, and, though money was omnipotent, they might not have effected so much. The thin!, however, was now fairly afloat, and, being so, lie could not help adverting to one circumstance which surprised him not a little. It was that the deed of settlement had not been signed by a majority of the subscribers. Without entering into •legal technicalities, he thought it was a part of the duties of those who subscribed to share in the general responsibility. He knew and cared nothing for the strict legal obligation. He was surrounded by British gentlemen, who came forward to support this Institution without any selfish feeling, or any hope of lucre. Ile might ad. dress them in the words of Henry to his men, and say, " There are none of you so mean and base That !lath not noble lustre in his eyes For this great speculation." (Applause.) Mr. IlnounilAat said that, strictly and legally speaking, those who had not signed the deed of settlement could not vote. A PROPRIETon observed, that if those who did not sign toad not vote, they could have no right to select a student, if priority of appointment depended on priority of signature. Mr. TOOKE—Certainly not ; the registry is the sign of prc prietory. Colonel Jorens thought that objection might be got over by the payment of the money, and not by the signature of the deed. The CEAlRstAß , —Perhaps, without pressing this subject farthe at present, the Council might be allowed to deliberate upon it. Mr. II uME said he would be sorry if the idea went out that there would not be room for the student appointed by every sub scriber. His own opinion was that there would be full room ; and he thought this ought to he generally understood, lest some should decline becoming subscribas, upon the ground that they had been anticipated, and, as it were, lost their chant - . Mr. BuottostAm had no doubt there would be ample accommo dation for all. Take the class must likely to be crowded—the the. odor) , class, for instance, there would be accommoda ion for from 300 to 500. Some doubt now existed upon the propriety of teach. ing the classes In halves, so that if the class incranied above what could be c mveniently accommodated, it would be only to determine that they should be taught separately, and then they might be fully accommodated. Instead of one lecture accompanied with examina. don, (for there was no use in lectures without examination.) there would be two lectures in the course of the day. 'Fah was the only difference it could make, so that the deficiency of accommodation was quite out of the question. (Hear.) There was one individual he must mention before he concluded. It was an act of justice to him and to the body of proprietors. He meant their worthy soli citor, Mr. Tooke, who had given them his gratuitous exertions on every occasion, and attended with as much zeal and didgence as if he w is the professional and paid solicitor of the Council. (Hear.) Co'onel JoNts mitred that the Report of the Council be printed, and the Resolutions of the Meeting advertised. 3lr. SHEPHERD moved that the cordial thanks of the Meeting he given to Mr. Tooke, for his great attention to the interests of the London University. Mr. Burn:Guam begged to call the attention of the Meeting to the claims of another Gentleman, who was deserving of their warmest gratitude. He alluded to the Rev. Dr. Cox, who acted as their Ilonorary Secretary. (Applause.) A PROPRIETOR begged to inquire how soon it was likely the building HAIRMAN would be completed. The C said it was not likely that a building of such magnitude could be completed in leas than eighteen months. Mr. Beton/111AM thought it was not desirable that the building should be completed much before that time. The selection of fit professors was a most important point. Their fitness should be un deniable, and their capacity and experience for teaching strictly scrutinized. It would take from four to six months before a choice could be made of any of the candidates, and some time must be al. lowed to give an opportunity for the candidates to put in their claims. A saving of time in these particulars would be dearly . pur. chased ; and when the choice was made, those who were appointed professors ought to be allowed time far preparation. Nothing could be more indiscreet than to hurry them on without time for prepara tion. These two inevitable delays, then, the time spent in choos ing, and that allowed for preparation to those chosen, would oc cupy not less than fifteen months. Ile thought it would be fifteen months well bestowed, and that there was no reason to regret that the building could not be completed before that time. or two or three months after. His opinion was that they should be able to proceed to business io eighteen months from the "time he was speaking. ' A PROPRIETOR was surprised to learn that the work could be executed and prepumtions made for commencing in so short a time. He was more than answered by the able statement the Meeting had just heard. Ale. Hung Said it ought to be understood that the Council were ready at any time to receive presents of books or other bequests. Thanks were then voted to the Chairman. Lard AUCKLAND said he was proud and happy to think that that undertaking was now placed beyond the possibility of failure, which might be justly ciaracteristd as the most finponani, bear- j &la', and useful of our time. Mr. GoLnsurny observed, that however what had been done might go out to the world as the proceedings of the Cootie!, the greatest share was to be ascribed to the talents, seal, and activity of the Noble Lonl. A PROPRIETOR then moved the grateful thanks of the Meeting to the Council. tor their disinteres•cd and public-spirited setrices. Mr. JOHN Saturn returned thankson behalf of the Members of the Couocil, and stated that they were amply repaid by the cond. deration that they had successfully promoted the most important and useful project that had ever been entertained. The Resolutions were duly seconded, and passed unanimously. There is a flower at prevent, at Strathtyrum, near St.l Andrew's, a fine specimen of the Yucca Gloriosa ; the plant is eight feet long, and the flower stalk is three anti a half feet long, and contains about 110 flower buds. From the appearance of the plant, it must be of a great age; and this is the first time it has ever flowered. STEAM COACII.--MT. Borstal' has now so far succeed ed with his steam carriage, that he made a trial of it on Monday, along the Ferry-road fora short distance, coming round by the Fort on his way home; and, considering the many improvements it must still underp, it was really wonderful to Bee the mann er i n Which it - plodded its way along, running at the rate, we should suppose, of five or six miles an hour, though we understand a greater velocity could have been given had a slow motion not been neat- Pry to observe the working of the machinery. THB GliEb.lr LOANS. Luriottis has addressed a long letter to the tionei oit die subject of these Loans, in which, after explaining some of the suites hunts made In the Report of the Committee of Greek floadbolderi, he proceeds to ensure Alr. flouring, Mr. Hume, and other gent*. nice. We extract the following passages : • " The tircek Scrip baying fallen to about 18 discount, Mr. Mph 'ring al:plied to the deputation, and earnestly besought therm to re lieve hltn from the loss which, as th e holdef of 26.80111/. Scrip, he we's likely to sustain. The Deputies hesitated to co i mply with hie request ; but„ after he had urged it upon them again and again. both personally and through the medium of mutual friends, atql had represented that he could not liter up against the loss. they assented. It was at first proposed that 5.00 W. should be advanced. to him ; but the Deputies having stipulated that he sherd,' pay the (mirth instalment, lie objected to this, and it was ultimately ar ranged that the Scrip should be purchased from 1:1111 at the tate et 10 per cent. discount. " Tit a arrangement being concluded, Mr. Howling addressefi to the deputation it letter in the French language, of wheel , :he (Moo ing is a translation " • 5, Jeffrey's.squate. Sept. 21, 1824. •• • My . Friends,—lt is my duty to return you my earliest thanks fur the leveret you have done ine in withdrawing for the account of your Government the 25,0001. Scrip. at 10 per cent. discount. The atteritice of 2,509/. I make with pleasure, as a further pledge of my wishes and love tor your country, and I hope that her credit as well as her independence will be established by subsequent events. mu still the holdiT of a considerable sum, anti 1 hope that we shall see the loan rise to a good price for the benefit of every body. " • 1 salute you cordially, (Signed) •• •J. Bowmfget.' " On the 19th of October the deputation received another letter b French, to the following effect:— " • 3, Jeffrey's-square, Oct. 19, 1894. " • My Friends,—Now that the mists of the loan is past I shall feel greatly obliged by your giving an order to Messrs. 'Lougnnart ao4 Co. to deliver to me the 23,00111. Scrip on my paying them the 6.0001. and the other instalments: and I thank you shyster for 1 the assistance you afforded me as a nionamie when 1 so greatly I needed it. " Accept my cordial salutations. (Signed) "• J. isovaiiro. " 4 Meant. Orlando, Zalmfu, and Luriottis.' " Mr. Howring made a similar application in another letter to tre of the Itch of November, and in even move urgent terms. to which we replied, that, in consideration of his having acted as Honorary Secretary to the Greek Committee, we woull coaiply with h.* request, provided that it was diednedy declared and explained to have been a sale, so that we might not be compromised with cur Government, to which we had written, stating such to be the nature of the transaction. To this letter Mr. iiownng sent the following reply : " • London, Nov. 15, 1824. " Gendemen,—l have received yen, favour of the 15th ir.at. I regret exceedingly that there should be any misunderstanding on the subject df the Scrip. For the services rendered, or Which I may be able to render, to the Greek cause, I have been, and shall be. sufficiently rewarded, if they can be considered to have pro. duced the slightest benefit. I have not a copy Or my letter of the 21st of September, lint, as you state it to recrgaise an absolute sate of the 25,000/. to the Greek Outernment, I ant satisfied that it shall be so considered ; but, as the difference to me IS a serious one. and to the Greek Government of little importance, 1 hope you r!1l oblige me by allowing the return of the 25,000/. Scrip on the repayment of the 5,000 f. received from Messrs. LOUglill6o, Son, and Co. _ _ . " I am, Gentlemen, xour obe‘l nt servant, (Signed) " * JOHN ildwartcG. " ' Mesita. John Orlando, J. Zriatis, and And. lAitiutus „A transaction of the same nature also took place kith Itlr Hume; and which, on the score of even-handed justice, 1 feel compelled to avow, is, as narrated in your paper, substantially corTiTt.• •• I must now, in justice to myself, advert to the'next paragraph in the Report, which refers to a sum of 7,fanal. allowed by Messrs. Rieerdo, tad of their commiseion, to the Deputies (Messrs. Or. Zaimis, and leurioais). The treaty for the second loan was carried on and conclutisil during my absence front this country, and whilst I was endeavour.' ing to negotiate a lien at Paris. I returned to London on the l Eta of February, 1113 3 3, and reached eackville.street about wo 'mitts after midnight. At about half-paet 'even in the morning I was I formed Mr. E. Ellice was waiting to see me. I immediate., went to him; he told me be had heard, through Messrs. Ricardo, that L had made arrangements for a loan in Paris, and he requested that would slow hint the contract. This I refused to do, telling hide that as I had only arrived a few hours before, and as my colleagues had not seen it, I could not show It to him; but in answer to his inquiry I told bins that the price was b 9. Mr. Ellice then inquired if I did not know that my colleagues had concluded a contract for a loan with Messrs. Ricardo, Which excluded every other loan's 1 told him that I was as yet wholly unacquaintea with the arrange. menu they had made. Mr. Ellice then requested that Messrs. (Jr. lando and Zaimis shout.' be allied to join us, which, after lasho:t time, they did. Me. Ellice said, it would be necessary to reject the contract entered into at Paris, as that with Messrs. Ricardo yes about to be signed. A similar observation was made by Mr. Or. lando. Some remarks were then made as to the difference in the price of ,the two loans, and, pets iouslyito annulling the one con cluded at Paris, I wished to be better informed of the bases of the Contract with Messrs. Ricardo. A memorandum was shown t, me, which was by no means clear or satisfactory to My mind, and I suggested that the terms should be distinctly defined. It aws agreed that it should IT done, and Mr. Ellice said that he would see ale. Ricardo, and would shortly return to us. In fact, about twelve o'clock, Mr. Ellice, accomparued by the Messrs. Ricardo and their Solicitor, brought with them an agreement, which, after consider. able discussions upon several points, was signed. In the course of our discussions, I pointed out the propriety of introdocing a shpt:. tallith that the proceeds of the loan, including the dividends, sliculd be deposited in the Bank of England, for better security; but this. as well as some other suggestions, was over-ruled. Mr. Ellice pro. posed that lie and Mr. 1. Ricanlo ;Mould be introduced Into the contract, as Commissioners of the third i at; but this was objected to by all the Deputies, and particularly by Mr. Orlando, to whesu Mr. Ellice observed, • 1 am aware that you have sufficient re lot for making objection from what has already occurred ; but as 31 r. Mende and myself will constitute that third part, you cannot doubt but that we shall concur with you in whatever may be the most likely to serve your country.' This, however, was not agreed to; the memorandum was signed, and a letter written, which Mr. Ricardo was requested to bend express to Paris, to the b ink! s with whom I had made the arrangement, informing them of the conclusion of a loan in this country, and the consequent neceseity for arm ling the contract 1 had concluded with them. L`p to this time, no mention whatever has been made to M 4 that any commission had been reserved for the Deputies ; but a few days afterwards Mr. Zaimis, Itsvieg heard that his brother was implicated in the dissensions between the military Chiefs tier! the Government, resolved on returning home, and desired to Wee with him his proportion of the commiseinn to be allowed by Messrs. Ricardo. This was the first intimation I had ever received of the circumstance. I expressed my great astonishment at such an at. rangement, and declared that I would never participate in it. " After this it was considered that money would be wanting fart an expedition to be sent to Greece under an English Colonel, and it was agreed that the 7..aftat. should be appropriated to it, and Messrs. Ricardo were accordingly requested by Mr. Orlando and myself to puss that sum to the credit of the Government, and the saute appears credited to the Government in their accounts, whi.cla were laid before the Committee. This measure, however, was out carried lam execution, but the whole of the 7,.:00/. was, with a further sum afterwards, remitted to Marseilles to be laid out in the building of a frigate. Owing to political di ffi culties, this object I placed by us with Messrs. Rani, Brothers, in whoee bands it has I ever biIICC remained. I. • The following article, which appeared in the Times of Satur. , day, contains the account of the transaction to which Mr. Lutiottil refire:— "GREEK LOANS.--We yesterday alluded to some advantages which had accrued to certain members of the Greek Committee ; we now state what we hare beard on this subject, and what, with. out pledging ourselves for its perfect accuracy in every part, we be lieve to be so hstantislly true. It iv stated, then, that of the first loan Mr. Hume hatt assigned to him 10,000/. stock, at the rate of 391. per hundred ; the original price at winch the contract was Matte. 31r. Hume accepted the stock at this value. Some time after. words the bands fell to IC per cent. discount. 3lr. Hume, alarmed at the depreciation of his property, applied to the De. puties and Contractors to rei eve him Irani this loss. After some discussion, in which it was intimated that If the stock bad risen there would hare been no analogous sacrifice on the part of Mrs flume, it was agreed to take the stock off his bands at the rate of 13 per cent. discount. Mr. Hume consented, and thus lost 1,30.!. instead of I.GOOL Some time afterwards Greek stock rose tiln.te par. 111 r. Hume now thought that lie might as well recover the 1,3001. He a. cordingly made strenuous application to have this suns returned to him. The application excited onsidcersWe surptite; but from an unwillingness to disoblige ko faithful a friend of the Greek cause, this sum was given to him. Mr. flume must now, it nab thought, be satisfied : every thing had been done to relieve hint from the loss which his patriotism had so neatly infEcted upon Mit no; Mr. Hume is. as is well known, an able arithmetiet.m. He discovered by calculation; that, since the date when the ow tractors took his stock from hm at 13 per sent. discount, and the date when they pail hint the 1 , 3001 ., a certain interest hail accrued • ' I,3Ottf. He accordingly applied atnnunt, which wall Committee, on the said I He accordingly app s this gnaw, amt actually rehired its amount, which wet the unimportant rum of 541. Another Member of the Committee, 31r. llowrii:g, had as- signed to him MOM at the origioM price Of 1.91. per mitt 'Aa Block having follooli a lrinada velissessit remonstrances, coupled with , representatWouC services es the Gretk cause. lie MiC4tedal so far shut the Deputise relieved him, and bought the stock at the. rate of 10 p e r ce n t. dieesant. The stock subsequently knee to 4• prem i um . Sir. Howeisig...mst satisfied, like 3r. Hume, May merely losing aillikem.appilei is have the stack returned io Muf t i now that it bed desalts Wow He was shown, by his own header writing, that ha had mid the Meek to the Deputes. lie dedgysa, he had forgot the cirmemerisee t td the Dcputtee, though D i et refused to give him befit the stock, paid him bask 2,600 i . %ink him in the situation he Eras is fish he int Wight the I feek„ The Deputies were the mew suspeised at aim 111•110C1 in •thhi aseesdh friend of Greece, al heibidepit !LOW he lab shimeet the essesubut Ilion of the time loss, Mr. MON ara i s a , ol 7laer et dee Gnat !.Committee. on the 10th of Meech, 1 agreed temze: tho . building of a steant.loat fee the sum of 11, The were shied f and, what we behests is tithes unainesl, the mealy wee, . 1 1 i i el; 1 . , i i 411 • 1 11 l i i 1 ,; ei , ~ d 1 oe