The Sun. — London, England, 1846-02-13 00:00:00

RAILWAY COMMITITES. (YESTE RDAY.) Sub-Committee No. 1. The members of this Committee met this day at 12 o'clock. Strutt, the Chairman, was absent for some time in taking the opinion of the Speaker on several disputed points connected with cases part-heard. At a quarter-past one o'clock, Mr. Strutt not having arrived, Mr. Beckett was called to the chair, and the Com mittee proceeded with the case of THE NORTOMIC EXTENSION (STOW .IIIAUXET, WYMONDHANI, AND ATTLE nonouGlic BRANCH). Mr. Pnerr appeared for_ the promoters, and called the wit nesses to prove the deposit of the plans and sections, and the books of reference: Mr. WEBSTER appeared on two petitions against the Bill. Mr. STRUT C having returned from Mr. Speaker, he called the parties in the adjourned case of THE COLCHESTER, STOUR VALLEY, SUD BURY, AND HALSTEAD. The , CIIAIRMA.N said that having consulted the Speaker on the point raised :Tainst receiving the petition presented by Mr. Webster against the Bill, the Speaker was of opinion that a petition signed by the verbal authority of the parties could not be taken, and in that opinion the Committee en tirely concurred. Mr. WEBSTER said he was most anxious to explain a few circumstances connected with that petition. The promoters presented a petition to the House, charging the opponents with having forged the parties' names to the petition against he Bill. The CirArnmAx said no such charge had been made before that Committee. Mr. C. PARKES said that ha was not instructed to make a ny such charge, nor had he intended to convey even such a suspicion. Mr. PARKES said be would call a witness to prove that two witnesses summoned by the Committee in this case had refused to attend. The witness having been called, said that ho served the S peaker's summons on two witnesses, named Field and Meadows, clerks to Mr. Sarjeant, of Norfork •street, Strand, and they informed him that they could not leave their busi ness. They explained this refusal by stating that Mr. Sar jeant could not spare both witnesses. The CIIAIRMAN—Did you tell them the hour at which the Committee would sit, and the number of the room? Witness said he did. The CITAIRMAI4 intimated that the Committee would re port accordinLly. EXETER, YEOVIL, AND DORCHESTER. The CHAIR3IAN said that in this case objection was taken to the petition against the Bill for not having the name of the Bill on the back of such petition. The Committee would report this case to the House, and then deliver the order of the House at a future sitting. NoltroLlC. EXTENSION (STOIATIKARKET, WYIVZONDT.TADT, 'AND A TTI.E73 °ROUGH BRANCH), This case was then resumed. Mr. WEBSTER. submitted several allegations of a trivial niviire against the plans and sections and books of reference. A few of those allegations were sustained, but the larger num ber were overruled. The next allegation was that there was no fixed point shown for the datum level. The room was ordered to be cleared. Upon our return the parties were informed by The CHAIMIAN that the Committee were of opinion that the standing orders were complied with in this instance. Mr. WEBSTER then submitted that the names of certain owners of land were not properly stated in the books of re- ference. Mr. Pntrr contended that the allegation was not suffi ciently speeitic. The Committee decided in accordance with the opinion of the learned agent, and the petition was thereby disposed of. The Committee said that the case would stand adjourned till Monday, till the opinion of the House was taken as to whether the standing order, 111 A.,. should be enforced. This standing order makes it imperative on the petitioners, for and against L'Alls, writing the name of the Bill on the back of the petition, and several Bills are interested in the coming decision of the House on this point. LEICESTER AND BEDFORD. Mr. COATFS appeared for the promoters. The deposit of plans and sections was then proved. Mr. l'utrr appeared for several petitioners against the Bill. Mr. Josmit I'tI:KES also appeared on a petition against the Bill. The CIIAIRMAN said that as the case was likely to occupy some time, they wonld not go into the allegations in the peti tions till the next day. h e Committee then adjourned at four o'clock till twelve o'clock to morrow. Sub-Committee N. 2, Cloi-ter-. 6. CHELTENIUM LIND oxro nz • (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) The petition also alleged that no application was made to the owners of the land not to be taken for the purpose of the proposed railway. Notwithstanding the negative in the terms of the petition, which should have been affirmative, the Committee heard s.nne of the alleged instances of neglect. These were respecting aectiors 57, 58, and 59, in the parish of Cheltenham, which were not sustained. It was also alleged that in the pari-h of Charlton Kings, in Nos. 9G, 97, and 101, the right owner of a stable, arable land, Egc., had not been served with notices of the proposed railway. The Committee were of opinion that the standing orders had been complied with by the Cheltenham and Oxford Railway Company. WEST RIDING UNION. The object of this Bill was to construct a railway through Huddersfield, Halifax, &c., to the Manchester Railway, and other railways already is operation or to be constructed. The petition stated that the same railway would be of great public advantsge by opening a communication between Leeds and Manchester. The formal evidence was then gone through, and it ap peared that the estimate of the work was 2,000,0001., while there had been deposited 1 ; 600,000/. There was one petition against the Bill from Mr. Charles Naylor, of Yorkshire, alleging a non-compliance with the standing orders generally in the plans and sections. The Cumnxix said he thought it would be better to adjourn then than to enter on any allegation of the petition. The Committee accordingly adjourned, at a few minutes to four o'clock, till twelve o'clock to-morrow. Sub-Committee No. 3. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) SHOTTS AND CLUMPY. _ _ This was another petition of the same Company for leave to bring in a Bill to improve their line, and to make the branches. one to Shotts, and the other to Clumpy. The estimated cost was 200,0001. The standing orders were decided to have been duly com plied with. WISHAW AND COLTNESS (GREENHILL 33 RILTZ C II ) . This was a petition for leave to bring in a Bill to construct a railway to run from the main line of the Wilsontown, Mori ingside and Coltness Railway, at a point called Wishaw, to a place called Green bill. 'rho branch was estimated to cost 207,0001., aid the subscription contract amounted to 155,250/. upon which de posits had been paid amounting to 15,525/. The Committee eecided that the standing orders had been properly complied with, and the petition was passed. SZADIANNAN ANT, BOUROWSTONESS This was a petition for leave to bring in a Bill for the con ttruction of a line in connexion with the Glasgow and 1. - dinburgh R ii:w y, to run from Slamannan to Borrowstoness. The co-•t was estimie el at 165.000/., the subscription contract was 78,9001., and the deposits 7,875/. Parliamentary agents, Dle , si•:. Grahame and IN een , i ; cugitse-r, Ali. Attie. The Committee decided that the standing orders had been duly complied with. SLAMANNAN (33ATIIGAI 33 AND 7A.W. CRAIG BRANCHES). This was a petition preferted by the Slamannan and Bor rowatunc's Railway Company, for leave to bring hi a Bill to construct two branches from their intended main line, one to run to Bathgate, and the other to run to Jawcraig. The cost of both branches was estimated at 60,000/. Ihe sub scription contract was 57,600/.. and the deposits 5,6701. Messrs. Grahame and Weens are the agents, and Mr. Adie the engineer. The Committee decided, after the adduction of the usual proofs, that the standing orders had been duly complied with. ST. HELEN'S CANAL. AND RAILWAY. This was a petition fur leave to bring in a Bill for the construction of a line of railway in connexion with the St. Helen's Railway, to run from Eccleston to the proposed new docks Et GarstiM, in the county of Lancaster. The Bill also sought for powers to construct docks at Garston, which is a Tillage on the banks of the Mersey, distant about five miles from Liverpool. The estimated cost of all the proposed works was 390,0001. ; the subscription contract amounted to 300,0001., and the deposits to 30,0031. Messrs. Burke, Pritt, and 'enables are the agents, and Mr. Randall the engineer. The Committee decided that the standing orders had been c mplied with, and the petition was allowed. 'EASTERN UNION AND tit ADMEI G It YUNC- TION. This was a retition for leave to bring in a Bill for con stricting a branch line from the main line of the Eastern Union Railway to lladleigh, in the county of Suffolk, a dis tance of seven miles. The amount of the subscription con tract was 57 ' 0,50/ the deposits 5,705 L, and the estim a te 75,00,3% Engineer, Mr. P. Brough • agents, Messr.:4. Dyson and Co. The Com m i ttee decided that the standing orders had been complied with, and then adjourned until the usual hour to morrow morning. The following Bills have been added since yesterday : Midlands Railway (Syston' to Peterborough Railway, De viation and Brandies). Great North of England and BoroumhbridEre Branch Railway. Great North of England Railway Purchase. Great North of England and Bedale Branch Railway. York and North Midland (East Riding Branches) Rail way (No. 2). Sub-Committee No. 4. . I (Continued from our Afternoon Editiol of yesterday.) Pft ST AND WEST YORKSIDCRTI nriste—rio n .. The object of this Bill is to make a railway from Rola - borough to York, the cost of which is estima ted at 20 0,0 r A . The length of the line will be fifteen miles. Mr. Thomas Grainger is the engineer, and Messrs. Parkes and Co., the Parliamentary agents. The Committee decided that in this case el'o the standing orders had been complied with. SOITXTI PX 1161,11. ND (HUNTINGDON IgRANCH) .1117 D SOUTH MIDLAND (NORTHAMPTON AND ELDPORD). It will be remembered that on Monday the Committee orlered these two Bills to stand over, in order that they might consult with the Speaker as to the legality of having but one subscription contract for two Bills. The (7oninit ten this day gave their opinion that one snb scrtption contra...t was F n ill cient, and declared the st wiling orders 'complied with. NORTH-WESTERN. The obizet of this Bill is to connect the Leeds and Brad ford Exins:on 'inf., at Skipton, with the Lancaster and EliVtirtill l ll4 4 4 The co=t is estimated at 1,350,0)0/., the length -- • ....,- ii•g9P l 7:g 73 miles. ...,: s.: .•, -"`'fir`'' 'f Vignoles, and Walsoi, are the engi- A,..t ,{.• 1 Ire.,:mrsi.4 ,Ae e nt s to the Northern and Western Railway an 0 . fri - .;.,?., , i:,1 t .• 5 4*M 1 , 4840r fi • s complied with. c c , , ,k,:••1-, ,,\, '" n t1 . . , 0 1,ye,A," • this Bill A is ivt ex ' p a T 'e7sit EinXtMheOtUitlTe.H.The ( ..:, ---,-- klp' - 11120': , th We will be seven snit e e t . and the expense is c * *......... "e 3 ' - faTitC 100,000/. Mr. Arthur Wilitelicad is the engi- N c - if neer, and Messrs. Burke and Co., are the Parliamentary agents. Standing o ders complied with. EXETER AND EXIVIOUTR. • On this Bill coming before the Committee yesterday, an objection was made to the admissibility of certain evidence as to a letter of assent from two rersons whose property was interf: red with by the line. The matter being again brought before the Committee by the Parliamentary agent (Mr. Ellicombe), the Committee declared that the standing orders were complied with. xavEremoor. DOCKS AND ELLESMERE AND CHESTER CANAL• In both the above Bills the standing orders were complied with. The Committee having disposed of the above Bills, ad journed at a quarter to four o'clock. LAW INTELLIGENCE. COURT OF EXCHEQUER, Feb. 12. (Sittings after Term at Nisi Prius, before. the LORD Cittux BARON and a Special Jury.) DANIELS r. FIELDING. This was an action to recover compensation in damages for alleged false imprisonment. ' Mr. Jervis, Mr. Humfrey, and Mr. Pollock, appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. Martin and Mr. Jones for defendants. The plaintiff, it appeared, was a wholesale perfumer in Brompton some time since, and was engaged last autumn in railway speculations, when several transactions took place between him and the defendants, Mr. George Fielding and' Mr. John Fielding, stockbrokers, at Manchester, by which it was alleged that a balance became due to defendants. The defendants, in consequence of an affidavit made before one of the judges, that the plaintiff was about to leave the country, obtained a capias for his arrest, and he was accordingly arrested on the 12th of November last. The circumstance which led to the statement made by defendant in obtaining the capias— that plaintiff was about to leave the country —was that he had stated to defendant a short time previously, that he in tended to go to France for a few days along with his wife, on 1 a pleasure excursion ; and the defendant stated the fact of his leaving the country, without stating the circum stances under which he was leaving, or the time he intended to be away. On application made to Judge Patteson, the order was set aside, and the bail discharged, when the Learned Judge was made acquainted with the circumstances under which it was procured. The object, therefore, of the present action was to obtain damages for what was alleged to be a malicious arrest. The affidavits sworn before the Judge were put in, and se veral witnesses were examined to prove the above fact., and that plaintiff hsd no intention of leaving the country or re maining abroad. Mr. MARTIN addressed the jury at considerable length for the defence, and contended that there was no malice whatever in the arrest. All that the defendant wished was security for the debt. _ _ _ The LORD CHIEF BARON then addressed the jury, and after explaining the law of arrest, adverted to the circum stances which had been adduced in evidence, and left the case entirely in the hands of the jury, who he tru!ted would not suppose that in the remarks he made he gave an opinion one way or other. The jury, after s short consultation, returned a verdict for the plaintiff—Damages 51. The Court then rose. GREAT FREE-TRADE DEMON- STRATION. BRISTOL, WEDNESDAY NIGHT.—This evening a tea meet ing was held at the large public rooms, Broadmead, in aid of the Quarter-of -a-Million League Fund. The attendance was numerous and highly influential, several of the leading merchants of the city being present. The chair was taken by George Thomas, Esq., and merchant, and a liberal sup porter of the League. When tea was concludea, The CHAIRMAN said that a petition had been sent from this City, signed by 18,000 persons, for a total and immediate repeal of the corn-laws. It was sent to Mr. Berkeley, one of the Members for Bristol, with a request that he would pre sent it to the House and support its prayer. A similar request was also made to Mr. P. Miles, the other Member. Letters had been received from each of those gentle men, the former agreeing in the sentiments of the petitioners, the latter saying that he could not give his Tote in favour of total and immediate reveal. The Chairman went on to state that the present n.eeting was to assist the League fund, which some time ago it was determined should be raised, so that they might en deavour to obtain a majority of free-traders at tee next general election. It was their wish to raise a quarter of a million, and they ought not to relax in their efforts because they now had a prospect of attaining their end, as it was possible that there might Le an opposition in the House of Lords which would give rise to a dissolution of Parliament. If Par liament were dissolved, they would want the money. lle hoped, however, that they would not want it. At present it was only their intention to call for 20 par cent. on the amount subscribed. It was the wish of some parties that the League might be dissolved, and so it will be when the total rereal of the corn-laws was effected; but till that period the members of the League must not give up their exertions. They were not disposed to offer a factious opposition, indeed, no opposition to the Ministry, in carrying the present mea sure. If the Bill of the Government were carried, they would attain the object which they had in view, in 1849; and, therefore, it would be folly in them to run the risk of losing it in its present shape. It was a matter of congra tulation that they had arrived at the present stage, se as to be able to see that at no distant period they would at tain that which they had all along been trying fur.—(Hear.) After some allusion to the state of the port of Bristol, which he regretted was not in a position to reap the advantages of free trade, in consequence of the dock question, lie expressed his regret that opposition;to the Government measure should have been introduced by one of the Members for the City of Bristol. He felt that Mr. Miles, as a merchant of Bristol, in doing that, had compromised the character of Bristol —compromised it by his having opposed a measure which would result in so much benefit to the city.—(Cheers.) He was sure that that gentleman's constituents did not ap prove of his conduct ; he did not doubt but that three quarters of the Conservetives of the city were in favour of free trade. Some bow or other, it now appeared that hun • dreds and thousands of the people had become converts to free trade in a very few months.—(Hear, and cheers.) After soaae remroks upon the benefits which would result from free trade in a commercial point of view s the Chairman said that after they hail obtained free trade they would hear but very little more of wan—Olean ) ' Free trade would destroy wars. He firmly believed that free trade would be the best, and, perhaps, the only way, of set tling the dispute between th k country and America.—(Hear.) This was evident from the way in which the question had been met by the Americans, from the sentiments uttered by the Secretary to the Treasury of the American Government, bich were in accordance with the views of the free-traders.— (Hear.) So many circumstances cbming together must im press upon their minds the fact that the finger of Providence was to be traced in them. What they considered to be a great evil, namely, the rot in the potato, brought the ques tion to its point. No doubt but that the Government had made up their minds upon the subject, and were waiting a fitting opportunity to bring forward their measures; that op portunity had arrived, and they had taken advantage of it. There was no doubt but that Sir R. Peel had long entertained the principles of free trade, and when Sir Robert Peel went out of office, he (the Chairman) felt very thankful th a t L or d John Russell could net succeed in f rating a Ministry. When , there seemed to be a prospect of his succeeding in the forma tion of a Government, he (the Chairman) trembled for the consequences; and when Sir Robert Peel resumed office,' he was satisfied that the question would speedily be settled.— (Cheers.) He hoped that they would all be united in support ing the Government on this great measure, and if the !louse of Lords should not accept it, he trusted that they would be in a position to show that the voice of the country was with the Ministry.—(Cheers ) The Rey. Geonos: Aemsrnoxis (Unitarian minister) fol lowed the Chairman. Ile congratulated Colonel Thompson and the free-trade advocates upon what he might call the successful termination of labours extending over a period of twenty years. It was gratifying now to find men of all par ties agreeing that free trete is the only measure which can work advantageously for this great empire.—(Cheers.) Colonel Trio-sit-sox then rose, and was received with loud cheering He said that they met under very altered cir cumstances from what they were in twelve months ago. He could truly say that their enemies were made to be at peace with them ; let them, then, lay aside all unfriendly recollec tions and hostile feeling, let fhein make the utmost of the bounty which Heaven had bestowed upon them, and take all reasonable care that none of the advantages slip away from their own carelessness, that they would do their en deavours to carry forward the fruits of their great success, wherever the condition of mankind should open the occasion. He rejoiced that the trust of executing this great object had fallen where it had. He should be glad if they would throw aside all remnants of party feeling, throw aside all recollection of what had passed, and, ashonest men,know anti feel nothing except that they were seeking the improvement of the con dition of the country.—(Cheers) It was most remarkable to see how men's convictions had increased, hors their appre hensions had sunk, how their jealousies had diminished, till at last the truth broke forth in that very place where they looked for the greatest opposition.—(Cbrers.) Reasonable care then was all that was wanted to improve the present object, and that reasonable care it was the intention of the League to exert, as it was not for prudent men to be hasty in think ing all the danger was over.—(Hear, hear.) In respect of this great measure one of their representatives in Parliament was with them. " I know him (continued the Colonel), I know him well ; he is a ladies' man.—( Laughter and cheers.) So am I. —(Renewed laughter.) I know hint because we met in what was called a ladies' committse in the House of Commons. Perhaps he would remember me ; but, whether he does or does not, I am Sure he would not take it amiss, ilbeforeyou all I should offer him my humble thanks for the part he has taken on the present occasion in support of your cause, and that of all of us."—(Cheers.) Your other Member is in a way of learn ing--(Laughter)—there is, however, less hopeful ways than that; you must teach him.—(Laughter.) You must in struct his ignorance wherever that seems removable. On one I oint lie is right already—he says that if this great change is to take place, it had much better take place now.— (Hear and cheers.) " A Daniel come to judgment."— (Laughter and cheers.) That is what you elected him for— you knew that he was capable of uttering such a wise sentiment as that when your city sent him to Par liament.—(Loud laughter.) lfrge him upon that point ; let it be publicly known that you approve of his conduct ; beg of him that be will impress the necessity he sees on the House of Commons, and let him know that you and he co incide in the belief that it would be wiser to remove the evil than to postpone it for three years, and that much evil would result from such postponement. That the proposed measure would give the Continent three year,' warning, by which all the corn that the Continent could produce would he grown, which would, up to the end t to h t e a r l efor e it would of the th ree years, be poured upon our country; and th a t be much better for the farmer that th e repeal should take effect at once.—( Hear, hear.) I wonderl,ighte laughter.) oughtw.)llat Nowt‘ to mind, and fariner's friend " invented th a t plan.—( L ou d thatsurely is youone of maythed points which upon wlfich the it Minister a he le only waiting for good assistance to induce bim to amend it, if I am not mistaken.—(Lond cheers.) The speaker west - on to say that there was another subject which grieved him a littl e . H e di d not like the leaving of a remnant of the duty, even the one shilling. If something of the sort be desired, in order that it might be known how much corn came into the country, he would suggest that their object was to get corn rather than to know how much came into the country.—(Laughter.) If, however, it we,e desirable that we should know the quantity which came in, he would ask if such knowledge could nut be equally ob tained by a one shilling bounty instead of a one shilling Ile did not doubt, however, th a t duty ?—( Hear, hear.) without either duty ore procured. Le bounty correct tth e return reb e a 5o of thepenalty eut). quan tity imported could be decla d ra t t o ion r , is a k n d a v e ery peu fe a w lty ca . p c ta o i l n o s u o el f Thompson proceeded v i e r s vessels k i e n oe g ul a d Il b .r e ong tempte respect of this Oregon questio n, to extol t s h t e at c i o n n g d t u h c a t t o hi f t s h p e r P om re p m ti ie tu r d in e w pr h o i gn ch o h st a i d . begun to manifest itself in the United had had the effect of subduing the w d ar States,spirit and eating that his (the Premier's) measur es would have the effect of averting the war altogether. (Hear, hear.) R. R. R. MooRE, Esq., was next introduced to the m eetin g , and was received with loud cheers. After congratulating the company upon the change which had been wrought upon the minds of the people at large, and particularly upon the minds of a considerable portion of the Legislature, during the last few years—a change not effected by public clamour, or by threats of vio!ence, but by strength of argument—proceeded to comment upon a passage in the speech of Mr. Sidney Herbert, de livered in the House if Commons on Monday night, in which he said that the Corn Bill of 1815 was the worst measure which was ever sanctioned by the Legislature, and that the passing of it was a great error. He (Mr. Moore) believed that the measure of 1815 was worse than an error, it was on the part of many a n ilful injustice and a delibe rately done wrong, and he so believed because of the history of the enactment of that measure. --(Hear, hear.) He had no desire at the present time, when it was so near its end, to go back to the origin of that injustice—of that wrong or to call attention to the hot haste with which the law was passed, and the refusal of time for popular opinion to spelt out. He had no desire to go into the history of the working of the law, and to point out bow popular opinion was put down. by spilling the blood of the people at i'eterloo, in 1819; nor to go over the black catalogue of crime which the law had brought upon the people during the 31 years of its operation; but he would go to the legislators now living who assisted in the formation of that law, and tell theM that all which was past would be forgotten and forgiven, if they wonld, now that they must have teen their error, exert themselves to obtain for the people a total and immediate repeal of the obnoxi an law. (Cheers.) After enlarging upon the importanea to the country of having immediate repeal, the speaker said he could say upon authority that the Government were desirous for it. The other day he was talking with a gentleman who had been informed by Sir James Graham that both himself (Sir James) and Sir Robert Peel were desirous that the repeal should be imme diate.—( Loud cheers.) The farmers, too, were equally soli citous upon that heal, fearing that very serious consequences might result from the three years protection. Aftersomc further observations, Mr. Moore came to the immediate object of the meeting which was to aid the great League fund. He hoped the money would not be wanted, but as the League were pledged nett° dissolve till the total repeal was finally settled, they must continue their exertions; and they would con tinue them in the registration courts and alter places till no vestige of the corn-law was left. The speaker then an nounced the subscriptions, observing that at present only 20 per cent. would be called for :—George Thomas, Esq., 250/. ; Joseph Eden, Esq., 2501.; Edward Thoinas, Esq., 250/. ; William Tothill, Esq , 2001.; Edward Keate, Esq., 1001.; Naish end Co., 1001.; James Charlton, Esq., 1001. ; Thomas Sanders, Esq., 100/. ; Wm. Wills, Esq , 1001.; H.O. Wills, Esq.,lool. ; S. S. Fry and Son, 10(1. There were several 50/. and 25/., and sataller sums, and we believe the collec tions amounted to about 3,0001. After the collection the meeting broke up. CHAItING-CROSS BRIDGE co AJPANY. The half-yearly general meeting of the proprietors of this Company was held at one o'clock yesterday afternoon, at the Company's office., No. 9, Villiers-street, Strand, for the pur pose of receiving the directors' report and the transaction'of other business. There was a large attendance of share holders. Amongst the directors present we observed Messrs. Cory, Sutton, Miller, Vaughan, Todd, Christie, and Seeger. Ilawess, Esq., the Deputy-Chairman, took the chair, and called upon the Secretary to read the advertisement convening the meeting, which having been done, Mr. LAWRENCE (the clerk) read the directors' report, which stated that the directors had to congratulate the proprietors upon the continued success of the bridge, and that the tolls received during the last six months, from Ju'y 31, 1815, to Jan.3l, 1846, would justify the payment of a dividend of 18s. per share, or nearly 7-1 ! per cent. on the capital stock of the Company, and interest at the rate of 5 per cent. on the capital paid on the eighth shares, amounting together to 2,937/. I6s. against the net reccip's, after the payment of a:1 expenses, of 3,0661. Bs. 4d. The directors regretted their inability to arrive at any amicable settlement with the Market Company with respect to the passage of the servants of that Company over the bridge. They were very sanguine as to the last proposition they made to the Company, because it was in every way advantageous to the Company. That offer had been met in so uncompro mising a spirit that nothing appeared to remain but an ap peal to a court of law to decide the claims and rights of each Company. Such a step the directors much regretted as well on account of the expense as to the trouble and injury to both Companies incidental to such a proceeding, but in jus'ice to the Company they felt that no other course was now left open to them. The directors had also to report that they were proceeding with the Bill in Parliament to enable them to complete the sale of the bridge to Messrs. Jackson and others, and in consequence of those proceedings they had not exercised the powers vested in them by the Act of Parliament obtained last session for raising additional capital to form approaches ; nor had they attempted to raise loins to pay elf the Exchequer Loan Commissioners, both or either of which they were authorised to do by the resolutions of the general meeting of proprittore, held in August la t. The balance, after payment of the pre sent proposed dividend, would be 1861. Bs. 4d. The CHAIRMAN, at. the conclusion of the report, said he had very few remarks to make upon the report. The paragraphs in the report chiefly calling for his observations were those referring to the directors' inability to come to any amicable arrangement with the Hurgerford Market Com pany. The directors were particularly anxious to lay the whole affair open to the proprietors. The agreement, out of which the present dispute arose, was made in 1836, by which it was arranged that a certain portion of the bridge should be apportioned to the public, and another to the servants of the Market Company. That Company now called upon the proprie tors of this Company to give them increased a lvantages,which of course could not be conceded. The Market Company de manded that the public should pass over the bridge toll free. Arbitration had been agreed to, but nothing satisfactory could be done That Company said they had no funds to improve the state of the market or the approach to the bridge, bat the truth was that they were possessed of up wards of 3,000 shares in this Company, and they had not themselves paid any dividend for the last five or six years. (Several proprietors of the Market Company who were present, and who are also shareholders in the Bridge Company, here denied that truth of the Chairman's state ment.) However, he di,l hope that they would shortly again meet and endeavour to settle the present differences in a manner just and honourab!e to both parties. The Rev. W. ORD said that this Company ought to tell the Market Company, openly and honestly, that they would pay the expenses of the settlement (Idle dispute existing between the two Companies, because he really believed that the Market Company was in the right and this Company in the wrong.—(Cheere.) Mr. LUNG said lie believed, on the other hand, that the Market Company had not a leg to stand upon, provided they . went to law.—(dear, hear.) Mr. FOWLER sincerely hoped that some amicable ars rangement would be entered into for the sake of both Companies.—(Loud cheers.) He thought that the Chair man's doctrine, that because the two Companies were now in different positions the old agreement could not be strictly carried out, would lead to very dangerous results.—(Hear, hear.) The Market Company, with a view of satisfying this Company, had gone to much expense.— (Hear, hear.) He really believed that this Company had in several instances violated the agreement, to the great pre judice of the Market Company, in one instance to the ex tent of 3,oool.—(Hear, hear.) He could not believe the statement of the Chairman, that the Market Company had "most unreasonably repudiated the reasonable and fair pro posals of this Company."—(Cheers.) The Hon. Mr. BOUVERIE also recommended, this Com• pany to enter into an amicable arrangement with the Mar ket Company. The Cit.►tiimas then rose to vindicate the conduct of him self and his fellow-directors with regard to the Market Com pany. It had been said by Mr. Fowler that the Market Company had conceded a great right in carrying out the alteration of the pier; but that was carried out by mutual agreement, and that Company could not, therefore, claim anything in that respect. With respect to dredging the shore, as alluded to by the same speaker, that was also done by mutual agreement; and if the Market Company had fulfilled their part of the agreement at a greater expense tha . this Company, they bad no right to charge this Company with any injustice.—(llear, hear.) This Company proposed that one-sixth more of the bridge should be appropriated to the Market Company than they were entitled to, for the purposes of their traffic, and surely a proposition of that sort should be at urea accepted by them. Mr. STAINTON charged the directors of this Company with ijostice to the Market Company, although had it not been for that Company the Bridge Company would hare been bankrupt.—(Cheers.) The CHAIEDIAN denied that such was the fact. Mr. SEAGER, as a director of the Hungerford Market Com. pang, appealed to the Chairman and also to the shareholders present, who were proprietors of the Market Company, v hether he and his co•directors had not done everything that could be reasonably expected of them to bring this long existing dispute to a settlement? Believing that the Market Company had honestly done their duty, lie did nat think it prudent at present to answer the call that had been made upon him to enter into an explanation of the conduct of him self and his brother directors.—(Applause.) The CHAIRMAN, in reply to an Hon. Proprietor, stated that the Market Company had positively refused to pay any por tion whatever of the expense of the proposed alteration, and it was on that ground that he and his co-directors recom mended the Company to institute legal proceedings to com pel them. Mr. ADAMS recommended some arrangement by which the traffic to the boats and the passengers over the bridge should be kept quite distinct.—( Hear.) The expense of that ar rangement ought, in his opinion, to be equally paid by the two companies. He called on such proprietors of the Market Company ac were present to avoid all legal proceedings by at once recommending their Board to accede to the requests of thia Company.—(Applause.) The CHAIRMAN then said that he had given the discussion fair play, and he believed he might ray that the unanimous w i s h o f the meeting was, that two distinct ways should at once be made over the Midge.—(hear, hear.) He then moved that the report be received and circulated amongst the proprietors The motion was seconded, and carried unanimously. The CHAIRMAN, in reply to an Hon. Proprietor, stated that the contract for the purchase of the briege was being properly carried out by Messrs. Jackson and others. He then proposed that the dividend recommended, viz., 18s. per share, by the directors, should be paid to the shareholders. The motion was seconded and passed. - . . . After some further remarks, with respect to the differences existing between this and the Market Companies, in the course of which The CHAR: MAN said that the question in dispute was whether the public at large, as well as the servants of the Market Company, had a right of access to the pier. Mr. 13treKmAsTER moved, and an lion. Proprietor se conded, that the best thanks of the meeting be given to the Chairman for his able conduct in the chair. Thy rest lution wai put, unanimously- carried, and responded to by the Chairman, after which the meeting separated. NORTHERN AND EASTERN RAIL- WAY. A meeting of the proprietors in this railway was held yesterday at the Company's offices, Shoreditch. Richard Paterson, Esq., occupied the chair. The SECRETARY read the report, the substance of which was as follows : "The directors had to report that the agreement between this Company and the Eastern Counties' Company, li d been engrossed, and that the common seals Of the two Companies bad been affixed thixeto.' "The leading feature of tke agreement waA, that the share holders of the Northern and Eastern Company should retain their guarantee of 5 per cent, per annum, after having received two Eastern Counties York Extension shares of 20/. each for every• 501. of their capital; or be guaranteed 6 per cent. per annum interest in perpetuity, to commence from the Ist of July next, and forego all right to present and future extension shares; but both to receive a rateable dini gion with the Eastern Counties' shareholders of any surplus, in lieu of their portion of one-third of any divisible fund, as provided by the agreement of December, 1843. "The extension of the Northern and -..!.astern Railway to Cambridge and Brandon had necemarily IToduced a consi derable increase of traffic, but, owing to the Want a engine power an carrying stock, the Es:4ton' Counties Company TILE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVE, ING, FEBRUARI 13, 1846. bad, up to the present time, been unable to afford all the acilities necessary for its full development. "The dividend which the meeting would have to declare for the half-year ending the 31st of December last, at the rate of 5 per cent. per annual on the respective shares of the Company, to become payable on the Ist of March, would be as follows :—viz., 1/. 2s. 6d. per share on the registered shares (50/. paid)—less property-tax; 12s. 2d. per share on the registered shares (301. paid)—less roperty-tax ; 17s. 6d. per share on the scrip shares (401. paid —less property-tax. " RICHARD PAT 'RSON, Chairman. "•Shoreditch, London, Feb. 4, 1846." The Treasu'rer's statement showed a balance to the account Of 47,171/. ss. 3(1. The CHAIRMAN, in moving the report, said that he did not think it required any exp l anation ; but he was ready to answer any question which might be put to him. Mr. KINNAIRD seconded the adoption of the report. In answer to several questions from proprietors, The CHAIRMAN said that the total number of shares in the Company was 23,108, and out of that number 170) had agreed to take the New Extension Shares. The Eastern Counties Company had agreed. to declare 6 per cent., if the receipls on the Northern and Eastern should be 132,5001.; but as they were only 115,5001., they only declared 5 per cent. • _ . _ _ _ contirmatory of the report were then passed, and, after a vote of thanks to the chairman and directore, the meeting separated. GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY MEETING. This Company held their usual half-yearly meeting at the Board-room, Paddington, sest,rday, at which there was a large attendance of shareholders. _ _ Charie3 Russell, Fay., M.P., having taken the chair, the advertisement calling the meeting tsas read, and the seal affixed to the deeds of regiAer. _ _ The CHA inota lc proceeded to address the nontieg, which he did at great length. Having congratulated the meeting upon the statements contained in the report relative to the results of reducing the fares and increasing the accommoda tion, he went on to observe upon the projects the Company had then in progres , and the position of hostility in which they were obliged to stand in regard to the Birmingham and South Western Companies. With regard to the former, the di rectors did not think that the terms offered them were at all commensurate with what the Great Western had a right to expect ; and, therefore, all negneiations between them and the Birmingham had ceased; and, as regards the latter, he would not then enter into a series of charges of bad faith against them, as they would he brought forward at the proper time before the Parliamentary Committees. With respect to the Bristol and Exeter Company rejecting the terms - of. amalgamation, he regretted they had done so; but when their lease expired, this Company would be glad to meet them again. In reply to a suggestion from the Rev. Mr. Nicholson, that lists of the shares held by the Great Western Company in other Compa nies should be laA upon the table, he would beg to say that these lists were ready ; but he would also say that it would not. be very judicious, for many reasons, to read those lists ; but he hoped the shareholders had sufficient confidence in them not to believe them capab'e of acting as stags and stock jobbers. The Hon. Member continued to address the meeting at some length upon the nature of the projects they had in contemplation, and the general state of the Company's affairs, and when be had concluded, The SECRETARY read the report, which was one of con siderable length, but the substance of which was, that not withstanding that they had reduced their fares, and platted an additional number of carriages on the line, their traffic had in creased beyond their anticipation. The former had increased in one year, from 960,010 to over 1,000,000, and the latter from 90,000 tons to 150,000 tons ; and the account of receipts and expenditure shows a balance to December, 1845, of over 3 1,0001. to the credit of the company. The report . went on to say, that after pa, ing certain rents, tolls, &c., a dividend of four rr cent. might be declared, and sill leave a balance to the credit of the current half year of over 6,800/. After a few words from Lord Reddesdate, suggesting that the Company should tako no steps until the Gauge. Com miss'on had sent in their report, the meeting a g reed to adopt the director's report, and resolutions founded th ereon. The usual vote of thanks was passed, and the meeting se parated. COURT CIRCULAR. The Queen and Prince Albert took their accustomed early walk yesterday in the royal gardens of Buckingham Palace. His Royal Highness Prince Albert, attended by Colonel Wvlde and Dr. Prcctorius, honoured - the College of Chemistry, in - Hanover-square, yesterday. with a visit. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent visited her Majesty yesterday. The Prince of Wales, Prince Alfred, the Princess Royal, and the Princess Alice were taken airings yesterday in the pleasure grounds. The rt,yal dinner party at Buckingham Palace on Wednes day included her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, the Earl of Liverpool, the Earl of Jersey, Luly Fanny Howard, Baroness de Speth, Mr. George Edward and the Hon. Mrs. Anson, Sir George Anson, and the Hon. and Rev. C. Leslie Courtenay. " The band of the First Life Guards was in attendance during dinner, and performed the following pieces : Grand March of the Ist Life Guards—Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent. Overture, Oberon—Weber. Walzer, illemis Fest Klanze—Labitzky. Medley, Seotell—Waddell. Medley, Cori-IZos,ini Cavathia— Verdi. Tlie royal dinner party yesterday included her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, his Excellency the Duke de Sotomayor, Earl Talbot, Viscount Canning, Lord and Lady Ernest Bruce, Lady Fanny Howard, Baroness de Speth, Lady Augusta Catogao, Gorge Lennox, Honourable Francis and Lady Anne Charteris, Sir George Coupar, Bart., and Mr. Edmond Mildmay. The band of the Royal f:egirnent of Horse Guards attended at the Palace during dinner, and performed the following pieces:— _ _ Overture, " Egmont"—Beethoven. Waltzes, " Astrea"—Strauss. Duet e Finalr, " Marie de Rolian"—Donizetti. {Disperse in Silence, Chorus, Ci,me with Torches, Mendel.shon. Prayer Finale, Baron de Moncorvo, Portuguese Minister,-was prevented by a family bereavement from attending her Majesty's Levee, on Wednesday. The Lord Advocate was present at the Levee, and Cornet Soame Gambier Jenvns was presented to the Queen, on appointment to the t3aLight Dragoons, by the E int of Hardwicke. A deputation of the Aborigines Protection 'Society, con sisting of Jo. , ,eph T. Price, Joseph John Gurney, Sir E. Bux ton, S. F. Wooliner, V. Leslie Fost er , S amue l Gurney jun., s - Henry Chris', J. Bevan Braithwaite, G. L. Neighbour, James Bell, William Grimshaw, A. B. Wright, E. Martin, and G. L. Neighbour, attended at the Colonial-office on Wednesday, to present an address to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, on the occasion of his taking office, and to make an appeal on behalf of the Indians cf British North America and the Aborigines of Southern Africa. The French Ambassador transacted business yesterday at the Foreign-office. Mr. Dean, Chairman of the Customs. had an interview with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on Wednesday. The Cabinet Ministers dined with Sir Itlbert Peel on Wednesday, at his residence in Whitehall-gardens. ___________ mill' R. Y -LANE THEATRE. A new ballet, in two acts, entitl e d th e Th e I s l an d N ymp h , was produced at this theatre last evening, for the rentre'e of Ma demoiselle Maria and Monsieur . Desplaces, an d f or t h e d e b ut of Mademoiselle Neo d o t, premtlre danseuse at the Grand Opera at Madrid. The plot is simple. Leara (Monsieur Demplaces), a youn7 Greek, is wrecked on an island, inhabited by nymphs. Edda . (Mademoiselle Maria), a ny m ph, fi n d s h im on the shore, and falls in love with him. Th e Q ueen o f t h e island (Mademoiselle Neodot) cond emns hi m to death a at the ns- an she pardons him, and g i ves hi m hospitality.leriionnt intruder e a r ia3ms o id t: rrites to take him t o hi s nat i ve l and. a the sacred territ or y ; but,i'c The nymphs prepare tor the chase, and here we have a pas de Masseuses, by the coryphees and the Corps d e b a ll e t, an d a grand pas sent, by Mademoiselle Neodot, the debutante. Mademoiaelle IScodot pilsesses a b , sautiful figure, and expres sive features ; she is excedingly graceful in her movements, and her pantomime is very expressive. She is a perfe-t mistress of her art., and her pa x are twinkling yet clearly defined, and crisp, if we may be allowed to make use of such an expression, in reference to the choerogr a phi c ar t. While the nymphs are resting from the fatigues of the chase, Leara appears, and renews his vows of lore tl Edda. This scene gives occasion to the introductio n of a gran d pas d e deux by Mademoiselle Maria and Monsieur Desplaces, which is the great feature of the ballet , and i n w hi c h th e t ours d e force of Mademoiselle Maria are really wonderful. She was applauded to the echo, and rapturously encored. Leara, how ever, is not a constant lover. He meets with another nymph, a certain Cloe (Mademoiselle Louise), to whom he also makes vows of love, and is struck blind by the avenging gods for his infidelity. In this scene is introduced a pas de deux d'action by Mademoiselle Louise and Mons. Desplaces, in whic:i Mademoiselle Louise exhibited great powers both as a dansettse and a pantomimist. This young lady has taken a giant's stride in her professional career, and the day is not far distant when she will occupy a conspicuous place among the premiere danseuses of the day. Wa bare not had such a promising danseuse on the English stage since poll- Cara Webster. Clue deserts her blind lover, but Edda is faithful to him. In answer to her prayers his sight is restored ; and, sacrificing her immortality to her love, she accompanies him as his wife to his Grecian home, The scenery by Grieve and Telbin was magnificent, and the music of Schira was r xpressive arid appro priate. At the fall of the curtain Mademoiselle Maria, Nlademaisella Neodot, and M. Despaces were called for, and honoured with the usual ovation. The house was crowded. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. was last evening in company with an honest English farmer, a distant relation of mine, and in course of conversation the corn-laws acre introduced. I asked him his opinion regarding the law, and he stated that a more-absurd arid slavish law could never exist. I asked him if he had signed any of the petitions in favour of pro tection ? He said he had been compelled. as heretofore, to sign his landlord's petition, at the risk of losing his farm, but that if he dared to face his hereditary land lord in the Commons House, he could make him look rather foolish. I cannot give you my name and address, or should hive b:en glad, owing to the great respect I have tor this worthy man, and the awk Nerd position, as regards his numerous family, in which he would be placed, were compelled to appear at the bar of the House of mis rerrosent atives. Pledging myself to the truth of the foregoing state ment by a solemn oath, I am, Sir, your sincere friend and TOP-wisher, JUSTICE. GLASGOW PIG IRON TRADE, FEB. 6.—We had ex pected ere this tcrhave noted an improvement in the money market, Which is regulating the price of this commodity; no improvement, however, has taken place, and, consequently, prices continue to recede. Yesterday, two lots were disposed of at 78s. and 776. Gd., and to•day we heard of a sale of 700 tons at 765. We quote the price 78s.—dull market. FEB. 10.—Since the above was written little alteration has taken place. On Monday a large business was done, say 3,000 tons. s•rld at 775. and To- day several parcels were ()Erring at 785., but no buyers above 77.=.; a lot of h 0 tons was sold at 765. for immediate cash. To give an idea of the money marina, as much as 86s. 3 in. has at the same time been raid for iron. We quote the price at 775. Gd. prompt cash.— Glasgow Natimal. THE POTATO ROT Iti lIIELAND.—Ii appears from a letter addressed by Lord Cloncurry to the DubUa Evening Poe, that there is unequivocal evidence of decay in the new crop of potatoes, sown in November, and upon the early gathering of which so much reliance has been placed as food for the people in the beginning of the summer. There was a tiro t esterday eveninz et the General Pest-office, that for the moment caused some alarm in the City, bat it was speedily subdued. The iamage done is confined to the burn ing of a workbench and some thilber, arid the melting of the gas- VrcE. The origip> he fire was not asccrtalned. IMPERIAL PARLIAM NT. HOUSE OF LORDS, Thursday, Feb. 12. The Earl of SHAFTESBURY took his seat on the Wool sack a few minutes before Five o'clock. _ The Marquis of ELY took the oaths and his seat. CORN-LAWS. The Duke of BUCKINGLIAM presented a large number of petitions from various places in the county of Buckingham against the repeal of the duties on corn, and praying their Lordships not to take any steps with respect to those duties until an appeal had been made to the country, in order that the real feeling of the people might be obtained on the measures brought forward 'by her Majesty's Gm ernrnent. Lord fIATHERTON presented a petition from New castle-under-Lyne, in Stafforishire, ,signed by 1,500 persons, praying for an immediate and total repeal of all the duties which tended to diminish the supply of food. THE POTATO DISEASE. The Duke of BUCCLEITCH hid on the table a re., turn - with respect to the potato disease, which was or» dered to be printed. CRIMINAL LAW. The NODLE DUKE also pr,sented a report from the Commissioners of Criminal Law, which was ordered to printed. Earl GREY presented two petitions, one from a town in Scotland, and the other from Stockport, to the same effect. REPORT ON RAILWAYS. Earl DALHOUSIE brought up the report of the Committee on Railways. The Noble Lord read the re solutions at length. Their Lordships would recollect that, by an arrangement previously marle, Irish Railway Bills were to be originated in that House. But as this course would, in consequence of certain resolutions of the House, place those Bills under considerable disadvantages, the order now submitted, had fpr its object the correction of that evil by assimilating the practice of that House to that of the House of Commons. By adopting this order their Lordships would not in any way delay the progress of these Irish Bills. Ho (Earl Dalhousie) was further authorised to state that. although no report could be formally made on the subject, the Com mittee had taken into consideration the expe diency of making some such arrangement with respect to these Bilis in this session as bad be n adopted in the last session of Parliament, namely, the placing in one group the lines which were intended to accom modate certain districts of the country ; com peting lines; and in fact all lines which were in some way connected with each other. This arrangement could not, however, be carried into eff,ct until the Bills should have come before that House. He repeated that this proceeding would not in any degree delay the progcss of these Mils. lie should to-morrow move the adoption of these resolutions. BROAD AND NARROW GAUGE. Lr,rd KIN NAIItI) said, as it was important to those who were making lines and laying down rails that the question of gauge should be settled, and as he believed uniformity of gauge was perfectly practicable, he hoped the report of the Commission appointed to inquire into the subject would sown be produced. He hoped the Noble Lord would be able to say when the report would be Lid on the table. The Earl of DALHOUSIE said the Government had done everything to forward the objects or the Commis sion. Considerable delay, however, touk place at the close of last session from one of the gentlemen who was entrusted with an important branch of the inquiry, hav ing been called away to the continent, so that the business could not be gone into as soon as it was expected. Though the Commission, therefore, bad not been able to produce their report sooner, he was happy to inform the Noble Lord that the result of the inquiry had been placed in his (Earl Dalhousie'o hands that afternoon, and as soon as it was put in proper form it would be laid before their Lord ship. The Marquis ;f LONDONDERRY called the atten tion of the Noble Earl (Dalhousie) to the fact of a measure being about to be submitted to their Lordships, which would have the effect of creating a large monopoly in the counties of Durham and Northumberland. He hoped the Government, which professed to be a free-trade Go vernment would net approve or sanction such a measure as this, placing the whole of the North of England under the management of one board. The Earl of DALHOUSIE said he could not give an opinion on the measure, which was not yet before the House. The points objected to by the Noble Marquis would have to be submitted to the Standing Orders Committee, and could not be brought before Parliament till embodied in the Bill, when they would be open to discussion. BURDENS ON LAND. Lord MONTEAGLE gave notice that when the Noble Lord (Lord Beaumont) brought forward his motion for the returns of the public burdens affecting land and real property, he would move an addition, that the inquiry be also extended to the exemptions of land and real property from such burdens, so that both sides of the ipestions might be seen. PROTECTION. Lord BEAUMONT presented a petition from Holder ness in favour of agricultural protection. . . . A NOBLE LoRD - presente3 four petitions, complaining that the standing order of the Midland Great Western Railway (Ireland) Bill had not been complied with. STATE OF IRELAND. The Marquis of CLANRIC ARDE said he rose, in pursuance of a notice given by a Noble Friend of his I d H r e o s ultth teoNthoabtlecoLunortrd? ) e re o l n a c t e i l•l e m t i o th th a e t much state of in ju lr r e y la w n ( d .m . by interfering in that House, while other measures were being considered. It was for the Executive Government to administer the law of the land. He thought that Government was much to blame for their neglect of du - y in that respect. He would simply call the attention of their Lordships to the notorious fact of the increase of crime in Ireland. The infection had extended to a degree, he was going to say quite, but he believed almost unprecedented. The return given would not show any great number of crimes with reference to former years, but they would show that a system of combined oterage existed to as great an extent] in every place of note in Ireland as ever was known within the memory of man. It was principally in the central parts of Ireland that these outrages were com mitted. The system increased gradually but rapidly, and he accused the Government of great neglect, be cause even if they had no better means of intelli gence that that possessed by the public, they ought to have been aware of the state of things that now existed. He had had the honour of presenting a petition last session, setting fort's the state of Ireland, and asking the interference of the Ministry on the subject. The state of crime having increased greatly, it was the duty of the Ministry to take acme steps to prevent that increase. The fault must eitlur lie in the law or in the mode of its administration. The law ought to be able to put down crime, and afford protection to the honest num, and it would do so, on doubtedly, if it were put in force ; but he was afraid that it was not put in fence. If the law was not suffi eit nt, it behoved the Ministry to make such an alteration in it as would suffice for the protection of life and pro perty, or to avail themselves of some temporary Act, No such thing had been done, for instead of enceurag encouraged the evil doer, and discourage 1 the honest man, ing the honest man, and suppressing the bad one, they had a ho had had the manliness to come forward and withstand outrage. The rrescnt petition prayed for an improve ment in the criminal law. In his opinion in cases of outrage or murder a fine should be at once inflicted on the district in which it took place; and further, the locality should be bound to provide for the person injured, or for his family in case of murder. Such a course would have in a great measure the effect of preventing these crimes, which it seemed the present law could not prevent At the beginning of the session her Majesty's speech intimated that some attention nould be paid to the sub ject, an.i the language held out was such as to assure them that steps would be taken to repress the crime which the state of that country presented. Her Majesty was made to say too, that she observed with regret the assassinations which had taken place, and saki, in the very next paragraph, she hoped that measures would be devi:ed to protect life in that part of the kingdom. That intimated a doubt of the sufficiency of the present laws to do so. He was of opinion that it was not life alone to which their attention should be directed, but also the outrages that were committed on property. Now three weeks had elapsed since Parliament had met, and. no notice had as yet been given on the part of the Government of any improvements to be made in the existing laws. After the communications which had been made to the Government in re ference to the occurrences to which he alluded, and after the notoriety which had been given to them, it was the duty of the Government to take some measures —some energetic steps—in reference to th'sm. There were secret associations and combinations existing which had engaged the attention of the Repeal Association as well as that of the Government, and it could not be denied that a great part of the country was in a state of insurrection. Immense masses of people had met in different places, and in the county of Limerick a meeting had lately assembled in open revolt in mid-day. Another outrage of a most daring kind occurred" within a mile of Roscommon, where a policeman was taken off his horse, which was immediately shot, and a threat expressed that a similar fate would happen to himself. A police barrack also had been demolished within sight of another police-station. He had not, however, heard any instance in which th e Lord Lieutenant had not paid immediate attention to the applications which were made to him at the Castl e , to afford the applicants protection from the dangers with which they were threatened ; but then he could not properly attend to every case, or avert all the dangers, of which the parties complained. Dur ing the spring, summer, and winter of the past year these outrages had increased to an almost un paralleled extent. Last s: scion the Noble Lord who was then at the head of the Colonial department, but who Lad since resigned that office (Lord Stanley), said in re ply to a question which he (the Marquis of Clanricarde) put to him with regard to the state of Ireland, that " no coercion" should be exercised to put an end to the out rages of which he complained ; but he (the Marquis of Clanricarde) meant to say that the time had arrived when coercion was necessary.---(Hear.) When the returns he had moved for were presented they would show that it was the lowest class who were the greatest sufferers and who were least possessed of the means: of defence or flight. Could they wonder then that he was selected when the property he possessed was not pro perly protected by those whose duty it was to do so, and that he was obliged to succumb to the will of those who could do him injury, and who consequently exercised great influence over him?. They could not alter the position of affairs in that country, unless they adopted an elementary system of legislation with respect to They might talk of devising means to improve the agri culture of the country, but he held that it would be . impassible to teach the proprietors or renters of the soil to do if they did not take steps to prevent that property and necessary expenditure from spoliation and aggression. With respect to the ma tt er o f agr i cu lt ure , he could mention a case of one gentleman, who was the owner of a large farM, which consisted principally of fine grass land. List year he was ordered by the people to give up a portion of this grass land, in order that same part of it might be devoted ti the cultivation of potatoes. He was in the habit of keeping a large number of cavle, who con sumed the whole of the grass which his farms p - o lured, the soil being particularly adapted for pasture land. He yielded and placed some of his cattle in stalls, but this year the people did not care to have cattle fed in as they would consume food which they required ; and he thought it pru lent to submit to this, as he had received an intimation th-t if he did not acquiesce he would be compelled to do so: If he had not been misinformed, the person to whom he referred tried t.) ascertain how far he would be sup ported by the authority of the country if he set his face against those who tried to coerce him. That person was, he b lieved, in communication with the Castle of Dublin, and received certainly, if not public, at least private advice,.that the wisest course would be not to expose his property, but to give way, as he hail done.—(Hear, hear.) He knew that in the present state of Roscommon there was no protection for property, and he did consid , r the advice goad if there was no protection for life or property. He would not go into party matters ; he woted not inquire how far political mismanagement had to do with the troubles of that country, but he would say that some thing ought to be done in the shape of an efficient administration of the criminal lAw. They had now met three weeks, and no steps had been taken for that purpose. The returns he had moved for would, he was convinced, justify the remarks he had felt it his duty to make, and the views he had adopted, with reference to the sate of the country. Perhaps he might be told that when that return was laid before the House it would exhibit a diminution of crime of bite days, perhaps of late weeks. He would almost say, although the expression might sound Irish, that he was afraid it would be so. He we uld explain this very simply. Ho knew that in one portion of Ireland there had been less crime,—less out. age; but what was the reason? Because these combir ed law-givers htd it all their own way.—(Hear.) As he had said before this•combined system of outrage had spread from one country to another, to a most alarming extent, and this ho believed was solely oning to the supine ness of the Government. It was very true that Tipperary had been in a disturbed state since the days of Queen Elizabeth, but now portions which had not before been tainted had become infected. He con- tended that all this was owing to the iniuilicient protec tion given by Government. He concluded by moving for the returns he had referred to. Earl St. GERMANS did not rise for the purpose of opposing the production of the returns which had been moved for by the Noble Lord, but merely to state that it was the intention of her Majesty's Government to bring uFon the table a Bill on this subject referred to in her Majesty's speech. He thought that the Bill would be found calculated to remedy the evils which the Noble Marquis had painted so darkly, but not, he (Earl St. Germans) believed, in more gloomy colourz than the subject deserved. He would merely observe, in refer ence to the charge of supineness brought against the Government, that it was no light matter to set aside the other laws of the land, or to abridge the liberty of the subject. It was a matter of deep consideration whether the existing state of the country justified a measure of this extra ordinary nature. lIQr Majesty's Government had, after mature deliberation, come to the opinion that the state of the country did justify the adoption of such a measure, in order to repress the actions of those who were opposed to all law and order. Lord FARNHAM must, in - common justice to her Majesty's Government, give them credit for haring dune all in their power to produce a better state of things in Ireland. The Earl of CLARE said the measures which had born taken by her Majesty's Government in Ireland had been attended with the most beneicial results. Earl GREY was glad to find that it was the intention of her Majesty's Government to bring in a Diii on this eubject. He entirely agreed with his Noble Friend (the Marquis of Clanricarde) that some measures should be taken by which security would be given to life and property in Ireland. This un doubtedly was the first step towards improvement in that country, but he hoped their Lordships and her Ma jesty's Government would not for a moment delude them selves with the idea that what they were doing was all that was necessary for the present state of things. Any measure that proposed to check insubordination - , while it merely afforded temporary relief, in his opinion, was not equal to the case. It was not sufficient to meet the failure of the potato crop, bet they must devise measures for the permanent improvement of the country. He thought it right that he should state this. Let them look to the state of Ireland as a whole. There was something radically wrong in so ciety there, else these symptoms would not perpetually occur. And until both Parliament and the country looked the real difficulties in the face, and adopted their measures in a large and comprehensive spirit, not shrinking from going in opposition to long cherished prejudices and opinions—till they did this, they would not be able effectually to remove the evils of that unfor tunate country, It was their duty to propose compre hensive measures for the evils of Ireland, so as to ef fect their abatement and work out a cue. The ques tion had long been under the consideration of both Houses of Parliament, but unfortunately party views had interfered with its dispassionate consideration; but he hoped the time had come when they could, without re ference to party feelings, all agree in the propriety of investigating into the real causes of this unhappy state of things, and in devising a remedy.—(Hear, hear.) Ile thought it right to state his opinions, as, from what fell from the Noble Lord opposite (the Earl of St. Germans), the Bill to be introduced by the Government was to be confined to the single object of establishing security and repressing outrage. He (Earl Grey) considered that the Government would fail in its duty to the House and the country, it, while it proposed rigorods measures, it did not give a statement of the general policy, and the measures it intended for the permanent improve ment of the condition of Ireland. Ile hoped that some accounts would be given of the general mea sures intended to be proposed at the time when the Noble Lord introduced the Bill to which he had re ferred. Their Lordships then adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS, Thursday, Feb. 12. The SPEAK Mt took the chair at a few minutes before four o'clock. NEW MEMBERS. The Marquis of CHANDOS took the oaths and his seat for Buckingham. • Lord HENRY LENNOX also took the oaths and his seat for Chichester. The Nuble Lords were greeted with load cheers, on their entrance, from the Conservative side of the tiouse RAILWAY BUSINESS. Lord GRANVILLE SOMERSET moved fora Corn mit:ee of Classification of Railway Bilk to LI! appointed. The committee m ill consist of the following Member;:, viz,:—Lord Courtenay, Mr. Fox Mettle, Mr. Wilson Patten, Sir William Somerville, and Mr. Paltington. The Nobl;, Lord also moved that the resolutions con tained in thP report of the Railway Committee be adopted. Mr. I)UNCOMBE wished to move an amendment to the last resolution. It was notorious that the time of the Committees during the last session was completely wasted by the great lengths to which the promoters of the various lines were allowed to go in proving their traffic tables. What he wanted to add to the last resolu tion was, that if the Committee should deem it expedient to hear no evidencexespeeting the traffic, they be allowed to do so. Lord G. SOMERSET would be glad if. the lion. Member would not press his amendment. The subject alluded to had been, and was still under the considers• tion of the Committee. After a few words frem Mr. B. DENISON and Mr. P. M. STEWART, requesting the Hon. Member to wait fur the final report of the Railway Committee, _ _ Mr. DUICOMBE consented to withdraw his amend ment. Mr, HUDSON brought in several Railway Bills for the construction of branches and extensions of the Mid land line, which were read a first time. SHEFFIELD AND LINCOLN RAILWAY. Mr. J. PARKER brought in the Sheffield and Lin coln Railway Bill, which was read a first time. Mr. GISBORNE presented petitions fur leave to bring in the Birmingham, Lichfield, and Blanchester, the British and Irish Union, and the North Devon Railway Bills. Colonel WOOD presented a petition against the Northumberland Rail% ay. NOTICE OF MOTION.-FRIENDLY SOCIETIES. sir. T. DUNCOMBE gave notice that, on Tuesday next, he should bring forward a motion relative to the laws with reference to friendly societies. SHIP OWNERS. Mr. LIDDELL presented a petition from the Ship Owners' Society, and moved that it be printed with the votes. THE SALMON FISHERIES OF ENGLAND AND WALES. Sir THOMAS WINNINGTON obtained leave to bring in a Bill to regulate the salmon fisheries of &g -land end Wales. CAPTAIN JOHNSTONE. Admiral DUNDAS said it had been pretty generally rumoured out of the House, that it was the intention of her Majesty's Government to send Captain Johnstone, who had recently taken his trial at the Old Bailey, for the murder of some of the crew of the ship Tory, to some distant colony. lie wished to he informed by the Right lion. Baronet, the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether that report had any founda tion? The man ought certainly to have been hanged.— (Great laughter.) He also wished to know whether the Government intended taking any steps to prevent such men being appointed to the command of ships in future? Sir J. GRAHAM said that with respect to the question r; Ilia had been put to him by his Ilon. and Gallant Friend . in reference to Captain Johnstone, who was not found guilty by the jury, bat was found to be insane—(llear, hear)—he had to state to the I:on. and Gallant Officer and to the House, that her Majesty's Government had no power whatever to. interfere in the matter under the present circumstances of the case, with respect to sending him to a colony.—(Dear, hear.) They felt it their duty to place bim in close confinement for the re mainder of his life. With regard to the second question of the Honourable and Gallant Officer, he might state that he was glad to inform him ard the House that it was the Government's intention to make proper examination in ,future into the characters of candidates for the command of vessels,--(Hear.) NAVAL STAFF OFFICERS. Captain LAYARD wished to be informed by th e Right Hon. Gentleman the Secretary at War as t° what had been done by Government with respect to the, pensions of the naval staff of officers that were engage!: in the late Chinese war, and also what progress A' been made with the proposed medals? Mr. SIDNEY HERBERT said, that the Goers. ment was engaged in making arrangements for the Fel l ' sions, and 17,000 medals had been cast. MR. M•Cr REG OR. Mr. STAFFORD O'BRIEN depr eca ted the cifetd a ; tion of the blue book, entitled " commercial regulatioos.? inasmuch as it was full of the most egregious blund"rnie As to the malt and excise, the compiler of the 101;114. had taken the amount of the duty at 8,993,7524 01.11 any rerson possessing the least arithmetical ealtiql, e , •161 show that the duties amounted to 10.326,i"E Therefore it was desirable, not alone for their own ° l 'd ' meters' sake, but 'also as regarded America, that au disgraceful inaccuracies should not be permitted to,g forth as authentic.—(Hear, hear.) t Sir G. CLERK, in reply, said , that he coul d 00- 40 train from expressing a wish that notice had uu d given him on the subject—a subject so gra ve o re serious. —(Hear, hear.) The House should be L a h , to that it was utterly impossible f o r him to be aur a-mount at a moment's notice for the accura c y mt volume in which weralet down upwards of 1,400 1t,`003 —(Hear, hear.) But if the Hon. Gentleman. ' s o' have the courtesy to inform him of the particularna racies, he would inquire into the cause, and Ire,s tain whether they arose from an error of tt or intentionally.—(.iear, hear.) As the only m e cou ld publishing the volume was accurate information, b e t o ut assure.the llos. Gentleman 'that if he would P°: n i fort the iniccuracies to the Board of Trade they v"'"'` 0 3 0 most grateul to him,, and most assuredly ha ve corrected. the OY5' Lord SEYMOUR said it was difficult, from e e ior, tern pursued at the Board of Trade, to ascertale"rats reetly any information upon the trade and comet the country, for the officers who prepared the d cc o rt o of that department often gave such a tone to v air ; facts as to make them serve the purpose of P; ' seo' views, lie wi s hed, th ere f ore , t o h ave l a id on the Idjiie the House the original minutes from which t he a - pia ti ' tical information of the Board of Trade was c° , l " t t be k It would be well, he thought, if the Noble Lora,:eil" head of that department, who discharged his de4tats to great zee' and ability, would direct his eel 17 ; ad' confine themselves to facts rather than ineltaga s aa v clamatory language against the tyranny of other - , a ment .—(hear, hear.) t t he . " 1 ,, Mr. T. M. GIBSON had had occasion to te, s e etsa',4 curacy of Mr. M'Gregor's compilations, aeu t aeal la he had generally found that they corresponde u esrf e ; facts.—(Hear, hear.) It did, however, sometime'. °y Of that unintentional inaccuracies- found their g t 9 asers' public documents—for instance, did not the Ilee a s f,o o ';,l ber a most remarkable case of inaccuracy of t e ' il a t o b' namely, a document stating that a quantity 0 ' -P e ( been imported which was grown in the provin ce ,be loa?—(Hear, hear, and laughter.): He though t ' p j Member for Northamptonshire had used at' c a 'ao a which was too strong to be justified by the circa,'" In I: 0 lie meant the word disgrace.—(Hear, hear') opinion the volume in question was a most ' l t i l e P one, and mightibe read with advantage by a t tera , e Member and his friends.—(Hear, hear, and l e % 3t c h e Mr. T. DUNCOMBE regretted that the la' ae o l :4 ber for Northamptonshire had not given' sle' l ecai question, for now it would go forth to the rot' ii only that the calculations mere inaccurate, lat,t, the motive of the compiler were impugn ed : o (l ° pr was insinuated that these papers were prePaati a eurately, for with the view of carrying eot a views.-- (Cries of " No, no," and " Yes, Yes' " t is a Mr. STAFFORD O'BRIEN denied the cis ) of his expressions; if any such expression fe" tbe i y he most heartily retracted it ;"„ but Wh e e n e taott l f , public eervants to perform work, they sl'a Mai the work was properly done.—(Cries 0 ' jil o ', 0 The Honourable Member inquired if he sca S ., - s sl o i —(Hear, hear.) He was quite willing, if b e :As fed to meet the case by motion, but nothing e e , to from his intention than to impute such Die t ' a' been assigned to him.—(Hear, hear.) the aa Mr. HORSIMAN - thought, that whetbeet; s e d mation was correct or not, attacks upon pu b '„" c o t P ie ' should be made very guardedly, as they wer e " ' IP to defend themselves. ' Ella i k THE CORN-LAWS.— n ADJOURNED -; e o° The order of the day being read for resteah v y of journed debate, „ ese ,' th°4 oi , Mr. LlDDELL.presented a petition Iswaa s tlasa owners of the city of London, praying tha t afire would reject that part of the Ministerial max` aa laid a restrictive duty on foreign timber. sett elog,t? Mr. MUNTZ presented a p e tition from I '' t tlic t ifYr praying for a total and immediate repeal ogeece°° laws, and that they should be delivered at ever from that obnoxious impost. rill Sir JOHN TROLLOPE presented se ve a,as in favour of the present corn-laws, and Praajois confidence should be placed in the present breaotja Petitions were presented in favour of the P go 10'0 s ar laws by Mr. John Hall, Mr. I3l a ckburne, 01 ;, cal Mr. Greene, and Sir John Yarde Buller, ft .° aj oi o sex, Buckingham, and Devonshire. Mr. Gfeat o,teis tions prayed that the present measure te'g a tel' , passed until the sense of the couutry had h ee ea e 4 a general election. - or ,r< : . Petitions in favour of the abolition of tbe asied were presented by Mr. Townsend, one of which t, sited by upwards of 12,000 persons ; by Mr. Dan c " e op tl e .s , by 3,000 inhabitants of Dundee, who we r 'a ig / if with the linen trade, and who felt that Wi l es oi were seriously affected by the present state ° o f laws ; and by Mr. T. S. Duncombe. tac 10' An Iloa. MEMBER presented a petition , i t fts i the Government measure, very respects We 4 e merously HlND signed. iti° 9 ' t he Mr. LEY presented a similar P et by 2,200 of the inhabitants of Pontefract. fro° Mr. BRIGH'r presented a similar petitiotoo. std V( mayor and corporation of the city of Dear th firg,4 An HON. MEMBER presented a petita% far' 2,200 of the inhabitants of Derbyshire a °I protection. es/f t ( e Mr. ESCOTT presented a petition nuaier°ootiatai from a town in Sornersetshire, complall' i ll f r aoso tition-had been presented by the Agricultaleopio SO Society which did not represent tbe a 0 0 . ,, 4 the inhabitants, and praying for a total e l/ Jilt abolition of the duties on foreign corn. , Td Crol. l f if Mr. GIBSON presented a petition IN.: v eil , 0 0 4 in favour of a total and immediate a ''' eff i e4,f corn-laws ; also a petition from l' e o ol o. oa e , i i of Manchester engaged in -the Irish trades ° la el g a jeas the falling off of orders in their trade in ler fraif ' the failure of the potato crop, and prlierin e ,gay 5 1/ C' ( Government to adopt such measures as ''"- /Pa' people of Ireland with food. 001 0 1 1$ ,ita Mr. TIIORNELY presented a petitifi l ' a aje s l d north, approving of the policy of her ` - 0 1ala V vernueent, but praying that the a bolitio l a i ate t hat et on foreign corn should be total and inito e i t ' s ted a °at Mr. COLQUITOUN then rose and ,'"; lq i- eS' t r e' wished to make some explanation to r a t" s ea l la some observations which had fallen ' re p?, a t e! Honourable Baronet at the head of h c o r a t ell ! c i . ,; , " vernment. 'lt might be in the se c t 11 e s , House that the Honourable Brron' 2 "aela e ctlarj; that he (Mr. Colquhatin) had one f ;:aa similar to those entertained by t'",,Jy, , Ch s , l ," Member for Wolverhampton, iit ip a - 6 itl e ile,: i stl repeal of the corn-lads, and that he °e o n , bot h them for the principles of high proteCi" E vil, te rt7e. assure the Right Ilon.Paronet he was te l ' e t3 as ca ll ) 1 5? the opinions he then held and those lie e ", elca j 'e i' iler With regard to his former opinions , ar felt; c ial:l t° l would think him very inconsistent. I . a t a' o e oi,„004 lit to be one of very great importance, solua t be " ta air, able difficulty and anxiety. He must vaa t asa s itkal, arrive at his present convictions er a p , eaaelee''„ given the question his most sieriog-00 ' 00 0;er for many years. He was excluded fr the 0 1 , l 'oe s ' in 1841, at which time the question coeliac:A' assumed an aspect of the most ' , gr o ws a set,', o l, ance, and during that period he had ° Cd P' c lo si .i ‘ t )) , ° o tion the deepest and the most anxieabse 0 0 1 0 e s and he felt it his duty to adhere to t a re,O Ol V O had come to. The lion. Baronet IT o 'st j tbe a ptc o in 1841 he had found his (Mr. Coleaa ° 1 3 ` e rlig a si ° , that of the Member for Wolverhamptoeyed; t ai' ti , d'a Baronet remember that the Member fa r 0 ie 0 ( 0 , ,fr it ee e , moved for a Committee in order to sw ec o aie j 'ae a t o i t ; all those persons who were not of his ia aea e tio t t l e ee''; debate on the subject, in 1838, he reo l . ,,bor ' t i l e l''' sobs • the Hon. Member for Sheffield. A i ''' bY,' tl' c ret ee l ,. one made in 1838 was made in 1 13 " t ore/ pi P'' es' a able Member for Wolverhamptoev ' as' Pa of the Honourable Member for Lo n ` t yr e , alsa si , that division. They also knew that 10 P a l et c )jes i , l e man more strict in his political prisiel te rhia rl o o'oo, s Member. The Hon. Member for C l 'ael la s a l oV r ti t ' a the Member for Wolverhampton , g ` s eala 0° r I° ll ''' ) l her fur Portsmouth. Why should he sm e tab e a llic a el c i a remarked as having agreed with th e ee per 0 0 9 t it verhampton? He had found ars a' e l o d te r b w i s ia c a lb; h it Wined some of his opinions, as g i% 10 0 ' it .ble' of' at Kilmarnock, but in such a etre! , iiri a, o sti . p io o f constituency was of a liberal ions 'as 0 1) . 0 aP i e li e l a policy to exhibit as liberal apiln. his o o g re ),,, long as they did not clash 'wit ° he bas OA, rl on t biolf dio t tt ° -When he (Mr. Colquhoun) was to t o d oif his -constituents put the total e ali s c a t ti• c al es que stir an d iffl ot e 'I it , prepared to vote for a peal of the corn-laws ? fixed l ea!' e `e, low n ot l 00 e ta" he was favourable to a II niti t o' his op i n i on. . lie TOO co al 4 1 0 ,j O. was Still his opinion• , Her a, o f . „ 4 0 et e disturb the interests of the a gricu ve st . 4 ae at e ro , thought protection was the best s :H oc evil; i f it i l ti i e Fie and he was favourable to any 51 _% r y to t t c oo t ' he ( t he hold that protection without io./ _ t oe ne ea ,' , e f a classes. He belleved that tb9r.seu they ,P ritg re ,4 ; c fe lie tection in this country nolas cote eing; ia sses tig o i tli a pert of the mercantile arid memo of th C6e , ti rl ' e el") . e l country. He found that nia°Y ort , soil, e s T a o to e favour of a low fixed duty on a . or° iv y poi a the' a d ( nig all'e now found they had change the 5 the 0 elf tonally on that question. 4• 5 :, te re! , t.%. th 0 5 1 49 so favourable to the mercantile ii: iirat esoe jaaoa Abe should tering intereet, it was not I .itiio nt to o s st P t. l e ' llt should have changed their a c Y a t e , I _i ri .l ° c oi' ,:; opinion that the views 0 1 ' 0 b e cs t i m Go o ' s pr o ,. sound, and such as ought , ow., . ction s esic co re, views of Mr. Huskisson wer t e a r estr i t . s ioei . c ae olie was bound to relax coml i va i r i c e il a dete: ii ° ol t he}' 0 tra y possible, consistently wilt i ede in " e ate l ' e urS e d 10' merce, in every possible ne co __ an d _ Let e 00 r a „ , move commercial restric i h o e ' sr.) a cii i , 7 pa al o t a ae e loti a i s of the country.— ( ' llea h r ' u ld b c , c 9 erve d 11 t he his most desirable, and se° b a d o F ~hen, in ~,,c1 , u rse n u t e o, - maintained that. sucn ace a ...., re e e rr ase re t ee ceived his most cordial suPP i ° ,o r n a el i f a s sla tori oef t a s Lord the Member . fo r ata of gia ttig et ~..e ite 4 ,I pe speech, to the authortity the the a l o e oaa a a r e lle expressed a m arvel e _ l ai t astr s a .. t ia Glitz Baronet at the head olcao;:aoto eel. an authority, he (M r ' ‘' 1 NObli 4tteni Qrk th of ia t 1