The Sun. — London, England, 1837-03-03 00:00:00

n I )) alloned to have the Bill read a second time. He sup ported the MI, because it would obviate the necessity of encroaching- upon the private property of individuals, as was contemplated by the promoters of the Oxford line. That he considered to be the great leviathan which swallowed up the whole of the county of Oxford, and the line through which it was proposed to pass. If the present parties were not al lowed to go before a Committee, it would be a monstrous injustice to all concerned in it. Mr. HUGHES HUGHES hoped the House would allow the second reading of the Bill. Ile had presented petitions from the great body of his constituents in its favour. Mr. PO Ul. ETT SC RO PE thought the principle in volved in the opposition to the present Bill went to the very basis of all their proceedings as regarded Railway re gulations. The object the House had in view in its regula tions upon that subject was to prevent the unnecessary mul tiplication of railways throughout the country—to prevent the lavish and useless expenditure of capital—to prevent the estates of landowners from being improperly interfered with, and t o p revent unwary shareholders from being entrapped by plausible speculations. If he was right in supposing that such was the object of all their legislation with respect to railways, he would ask, uould not these proceedings be entirely stulti fied, if, after Parliament had investigated a line, with a view to ascertain the amount of traffic, and had given its sanction to that line, they would now admit another line, which laid claim to the same traffic as that laid down on the previous line ?—( Hear.) If that was done, what was the use of their making any calculations at all upon the amount of traffic? The Hon. Member for Yarmouth had alluded to the obser vations made by the Right Hon. Baronet, the Member for Tamworth, as to the propriety of encouraging railways; but the House must first be satisfied that there was room for another railway on a line previously occupied. He would ask the House whether, after having sanctioned one railway, they Would now give up their time and attention in Committee to the details of the Bill, having precisely the same objects in view ? He begged to call the attention of those Hon. Mem bers who were on the Committee on the Great . Western Railw a y Bill, th a t the traffic upon th e li ne between Glou cester and London was calculated to a certain point, and for that purpose a branch was made to Swindon. The Bill for that purpose was passed therefore the whole line between London and Gloucester was in a course of exe- cution—all the money was subscribed to the amount of 750,000/., and he would ask under such circumstances what would be the effect of allowing other rail-roads to come in, and without delay appear as competing lines? In his opinion the effect would be, that all railroads so effected would not be carried on with any spirit or vigour—they would be carried on doubtfully, slowly, and without vigour—the country intersected by rival lines, not one-half of which would ever be completed. He considered it would be a gross injustice to the whole of the shareholders, by preventing them from that share of profit which they were led to expect when they procured their original Bill ---to the landholders through whose property they went—in fact, to every one connected with railroads. Upon these grounds, and upon the general principle that the House should not stultify their resolutions, he moved that the Bill be read that day six months. After a few words from an Hon. Member, who was totally inaudible, Mr. P. M. STE WART was sure that the House would not listen to the motion of the Hon. Member for Stroud ( Mr. P. Scrope), if they would do him the honour to listen to him for one moment. He ( Mr. Stewart) had last session moved the re-committal of this Bill. It was then distinctly laid down that this was not a competing line with the Swindon Rail way, and that when this Railway was brought forward, it Rail should be considered on its own merits. Not only was there a distinct resolution of the House to this effect, which induced him to withdraw his motion for the recommit- Mont of this Bill, but the other House had come to a distinct resolution to the same effect. He was astonished that the Hon. Member for Stroud should have the boldness to get up and call upon the House to violate the principle it had itself laid down with respect to railways. lie was sure that if the House believed that this was the understanding upon which he had withdrawn his motion for a re• committal, they would nut consent to the motion of the Hon. Member for Stroud. Th e list to which this railway had been referred was the strongest and most respectable that had ever been submitted to that House; and they had come to the resolution, as the 'louse had also done, that this was not a competing line of railroad--that it was a distinct and different line; and yet the whole argument of his Honourable Friend the Member for Stroud was, that this was a competing line. He called upon the House to adhere to their own resolution of last Session. As he had been too late to present a petition upon the subject from Woodstock, he hoped the House would now allow him to do so, in order that it might have its weight upon the deci sion o f he House. Air. CRIPPS thought, if this line were allowed to be pro ceeded with, it would inflict a very great hardship upon the other Company. It had been said that the other line was not proceeding. He denied the truth of that statement ; and could assure the House that it was progressing most rapidly. The opponents to the Bill were not afraid of going into Com mittee, as they were convinced before that tribunal they would adduce facts which would induce them to throw out the Bill. The statement made by the Right Hon. Baronet ( Sir R. Peel) the other night, had no application whatever to the present case, and if this Bill were allowed to pass, it would be impossible for either of the Companies to go on.—( Loud cries of " Divide, divide.") Sir H. VERNON thought the House could not decide which would be the best line, but public competition would. Sir THOMAS FREMANTLE begged to remind the House that the proposed line would be a saving of 22 miles be tween London and Cheltenham ; but it was not upon that ground alone that he advocated it. He supported it because it was connected with the interests of the intermediate places. The present railroad was an extension of the line to Aylesbury, and it was intended to continue it in a north-easterly direction connecting the western and eastern parts of England. Ile thought sufficient reasons were adduced to allow the Bill to go to a Committee. Mr. ROBINSON protested against compelling his consti tuents at Worcester to go a round, as they would be, in case they had only the Swindon Railway to travel by. He hoped the House would consent to the second reading of the Bill, and send it to a Committee, where its merits might be can vassed. Mr. CRAVEN BERKELEY merely rose for the pur pose of bearing testimony to the respectability of the par ties who had signed the four petitions which had been pre- Eented by him. It was quite clear that the opposition to the pr e s e nt Bill did not arise from the landowners, but from opposing Railroad Companies, and among those the Great Western Railway was conspicuous, because the pre ut line did not branch into it. Mr. POULETT SCROPE rose amid loud cries of " Spoke, sp o ke." He was understood to say that the Bill of last Session had for its object the connection of the manufac turing district of Gloucester with London, and as that was not I h e object of the present line, he had felt it his duty to oppose ;;'—( Loud cries of " Question, and divide," amid which the "on. Member said he would withdraw his amendment). The Bill was then read a second time. A discussion took place as to the list to which the Bill ° ught to be referred ; some Honourable Members contending t hat it should be referred to the Buckingham list, inasmuch as there were more Members from towns connected with the rai lroad than in Gloucestershire, even though the terminus was in the latter county. Evehtually th e Bill w a s referred to the Buckingham list, to i ioe h were add e d a ll th e members fur counties and boroughs which the railway was to pass. GR EAT WESTERN (PADDINGTON) RAILWAY. Al r. SHEPPARD presented a petition from Mr. John w hit e of Westbourn Green, in opposition to this Bill. GRANTON HARBOUR. On the motion of Sir GEORGE CLERK this Bill was re ad a first time. Mr. HAWES presented a petition from Paddington pray 'nig for th e ex t ens i on o f t h e G reat W estern R a il wa y t o th a t Place. Captain PECHELL, b e f ore h e presente d t h e pe titi on h e held in his hand, wished to know whether the rule that had been laid down with respect to the presentation of peti tions. prevented Hon. Members from stating, as briefly as Possible, th e particulars connected with petitions against Rail way Bills. H e had presented several petitions of that nature, but he had been debarred from entering into a statement of their merits, in consequence of the rule which the House had adopted. The result was, that there was no possibility of stating the vi ews o f t h e petitioners till their case was brought bef ore the Committee. He thou , ht that in cases where petitions te st were d against Bills, th at t h e groun d s o f o bj ect i on s h o uld b e a. to tall The SPEAKER ma d e a ,few o b servat i ons w hi c h w h ere y inaudible in the Gallery. Capt. PEC EIELL stated his readiness to bow to the deci sion of the Chair, and he would now merely present, without Qunment, a petition with which he was entrusted by a gentle !nail of the name of Field, against the Oxford and Birming t_nt n Railway. The ground on w hi c h t h e pet i t i oner o bjected to that undertaking was the great injury it would inflict on his property, Mr. HAMILTO N presented a petition from Dublin, against the Dublin and Kilkenny Railway. PUBLIC WALKS. which,r• BUCKINGHAM brought i n t h e P u bli c W a lk s Bill, was read a first time. YORK AND NORTH MIDLAND RAILWAY. Mr. LOWTHER moved the second reading of the York and North Midland Railway Bill. Mr. lIANDLEY did not wish to throw out the Bill in its present stage, but he wished the 2nd reading of the Bill to be postponed for one week. Agreements had been entered into a vvhich had been the subject of discussion in the Courts below, and _ Judgment was likely ato be g iv en to - morrow , or i n Made very f ew days, with re f erence to an agreement with Lord Howden, that his Lordship should receive certain remuneration from that Company, in Ll r. ?nsid erat i on of the line going over part of his estate. Lord . 42 de n had b roug h t a n action against the promoters of the traand they in order to stay proceedings had instituted a suit in ncer y' Now he (Mr. Handley) b e li eve d the o bj ect o f r e promoters of the Bill t o ga i n t hi s stage of the second t ead nig, was t o frustrate the ends of ju s ti ce, and he therefore ttsted th at the House would consent to the postponement of 1.1 e_second reading. Mr. Lo WT H E R. could not consent to postpone the second r eading of the Bill. The Bill was then read a second time, and ordered to be committed to Mr. Lowther and the Yorkshire list. WORCESTER CATTLE MARKET. b rz ` n l,the motion of Mr. ROBINSON, leave was given to ii:tti t tretay Bill to ot•o erect a Cattl e M ar k et , i n t h e c ity mar k et, of rcester. POST-OF FICE REGULATIONS. .114:1130 ftrAtI36O.I3CHER.. E said lie rose to ask the leave of the introduction of several Bills to consolidate the laws relating to the Post-office. Those laws were now scattered over the Stitute Book. There were 141 Acts, or parts of Acts, relating to the Post-office—they were so nume rous and so scattered as to lead to great inconve nience to the public, as well as to the department which they regulates!. He thought, and had long felt, that it was extremely desirable that those Acts should be consolidated, and so arranged, that at once they would be understood and easy of access.—( Hear.) It was not his object to throw blame upon the establishment of the Post-office--indeed he felt bound to say that when the Commissioners turned their atten tion to this subject, they found that a most intelligent and useful officer of the establishment, Mr. Peacock, the Solicitor to the Post-office, had already considered the subject, and that it was then engrossing much of his attention. The Government had long felt the necessity for such a consolidation of the laws as was then proposed. He be lieved the reason of the delay had been a fear on their part that as the Bills must comprise every point relating to the management of the Post-office they would lead to much discussion, and would therefore interfere vith the pro gress of the other business of the House.—(Hear.) He had felt that difficulty so strongly, that notwithstanding his extreme desire for a consolidation of those laws, he would not have felt himself justified in introducing the Bills, had he not communicated with those Gentlemen who usually took part in the discussions relative to the Post-office, and had their assurance that they would consider them as Bills merely for consolidation—so that they would not in terfere with the important business already before the House. Of course these gentlemen would speak for themselves. He hoped the House would have the kindness to exercise its usual indulgence in allowing him to bring in these Bills— that they would be pleased to consider them simply as a consolidation of the existing laws—as lie certainly had endeavoured to keep out of these Bills anything that might endanger their success. The Bills which he pro posed were four in number. The first was simply to repeal all pre vious Acts relating to the Post-office. The second was to regulate the criminal laws relating to the Post-office; the third re lated to the management of the Post-office, and the rates of postage, and the fourth to the privilege of franking letters. He had stated that the measure he proposed was one of mere consolidation, and that it contained no substantial alteration. At the same time in that which related almost entirely to the criminal law, lie believed there was no diffe rence of opinion as to the policy of alterations which he meant to propose.—( Hear.) lie was, therefore, desirous of stating these alterations. This Bill related almost entirely to the differences existi.ig between the punishments for the same crimes in the English and Irish post-office. —( Hear, hear, hear.) The difference was this, that a very much heavier penalty attached to the same offences in England and in Ireland. Whilst the penalty of death was liable to be inflicted in Ireland, the same offence was simply a misdemeanour in this country. lie was sure the House would not longer allow these differences to remain on the Statute book, and he, therefore, proposed to alter the Criminal Law in this respect. lie had communicated with his Hon. and 1 earned Friend, the Attorney- General ; and it was under his sanction that these alterations were proposed. The offences of robbing the mail-coach, or stopping it with intent to rob, were punishable with death in Ireland. In this country the punish ment was transportation for life; and he proposed that this penalty in future should attach to the same offence in Ireland as well as in England. He proposed also that the offences of stealing a letter, or opening and detaining it, should be visited with the same punishments in Ireland as in Great Bri tain.—( Hear, hear.) There was one other point of diffe rence relating to the two countries—namely, the privilege of franking enjoyed by the Irish Members and the English Members. He proposed in future that this privilege should be assimilated. He need not trouble the House with any further observations, and would conclude by moving fur leave to bring in a Bill to alter the criminal law relating to the Post Office. Mr. WALLACE begged leave to second the proposal of the Right Honourable Gentleman. He could assure the llouse that after a most anxious inquiry into the laws it was now proposed to consolidate, he was convinced that this was one of the most beneficial measures that had been brought before the House for a long series of years. The laws upon this subject, he believed, amounted in number to 160 or I64—he could not say which, as they were in such a state of confusion as to render it almost impossible to determine which had been repealed, and which had not. —(Loud cries of Hear.") He thought great good would be effected by making one or two good laws out of the whole; the grievances which now existed, and which were greatly complained of, would be put an end to by altering and consolidating the laws upon this subject.—(Cheers.) He could not sit down without expressing his sincere thanks to the Commissioners on the Post-office Inquiry for the mode in which they had conducted their different departments, and he could assure the Right Honourable Gentleman and his coadjutors, that they would find a general response to that statement among the public generally. No Gentleman could read the Report of the Post-office Commis sioners without being convinced of the great good that would be effected by carrying their suggestions into effect. He hoped most anxiously that Hon. Members would accede to what the Right Hon. Gentleman had brought forward, and encourage him, by all means in their power, to consolidate the laws upon this subject. Mr. 11 UNIE thought it was of no use to pass laws unless there was an efficient executive to carry them into efkct. The Chancellor of the Exch equer l as t y ear h a d i n t ro d uce d a / Bill for the purpose of altering the executive of the Post-office— that Bill passed that House with little or no opposition ; but in another place it was taken no notice of, on the ground that they had not time to attend to it. It was of great importance that the change in the Post-office, proposed last Session, if it were to be introduced this Session at all, should be introduced as soon as possible. The propo sition was to place the executive in Commissioners instead of one Postmaster-General, who was a Peer, and had too much to do elsewhere to enable him to attend to the affairs of the Post-office.—( Hear.) He (Mr. Hume) did not think that there would be much advantage derived by having the head of the Post-office in the House of Com mons ; but he was unwilling to throw any difficulties in the way of the plan of the Government. He hoped that the Chancellor of the Exchequer would state, that he intended speedily to introduce the Bill, so that it might have full consideration in the other House, and not be rejected under the plea that it was sent up there at a late period of the Session.—( Hear, hear.) There was no department of the public revenue that required so much attention as the Post-office. The amount of revenue derived from the Postlofice - ;ras tilesarie - incieed as it was 15 years ago, which could only be attributed to great neglect and mismanagement. It was therefore due to the country, if the Post-office was to be made the source of revenue, which he thought a bad principle—(Cries of Hear. hear)—_ that it should be rendered as advantageous as possible. In conclusion, he trusted they would soon have an Executry which would render that department efficient for the purposes for which it was established, and make it productive of profit—at present it was neither. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, who spoke with his back towards the Gallery, and in a very low tone, was understood to say that he adhered to the opinion which he had expressed last Session, that the Post-office department in its present state was defective.—( Hear, hear.) He admitted also that in order that measures of this kind should be brought to a satisfactory conclusion, they ought to be introduced at an early, not at a late period of the Session, in order to give thee for their con sideration in another place ; and, without pledging himself to the details of the measure, he would state to the Hon. Mem- ber that it was the intention of the Government to introduce a Bill in a few days on the subject. The Right lion. Gen tleman proceeded to reply to the other questions put by Mr. flume, but in so low a tone of voice, and in such a position in reference to the Gallery, that none of his observations could be heard by the Reporters. Major BE A IiCLEIZK was surprised that the Post office Duties had not increased, but it was owing in a great degree to the immoderate charge for postage. The postage on letters operated as a heavy tax on the trading classes of the community; and he hoped, after the consolida tion contemplated, that they would get rid of so great a grievance. • Leave was then given to bring in the Bills. SITTING OE THE HOUSE. The SPEAKER intimated his intention to sit to. morrow at three o'clock, and continue to receive till four petitions on public business, after which the private business would be proceeded with. MARINE INSURANCE. Mr. ROBINSON presented a petition, signed by six hundred persons, comprising the intelligence of the city of London, as connected with the shipping in terest, praying for a reduction of the duty on Marine Insurances. Also one from Liverpool, most numerously signed, to the same effect. POOR LAWS (IRELAND). In answer to a question from an Hon. MEMBER, The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he had hoped that the second reading of the Poor-law Bill for Ireland would hare been had the night before last. He would regret to bring on the discussion in the absence of the Noble Lord who introduced the measure—alear)—but he also agreed with the Hon. Member that the earliest time that could be fixed would be the best.—(Hear,y hear. It was certainly of the utmost importance they should have an early discussion on the Bill, in order that they should receive the suggestions of Hon. Members—that time should be given for their circulation in Ireland—and that the Government should have time for considering the sug gestions which might be thrown out. He would take an early opportunity of seeing his Noble Friend, when they would fix as early a period as possible for the - discussion, and he would in form the House of their determination as soon as possible. CHURCH-RATES. Sir R. PEEL wished to know, from the flight Hon. Gen tleman, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what course he in- tended to pursue with respect to the measure he was about to introduce respecting Church-rates ? The Right Hon. Gentleman might have an object in placing his resolu tion upon the paper, unaccompanied by any explanation; but he trusted that the Right Hon. Gentleman did not pro pose that the House should express an opinion upon the principle of the measure on the first night of its being introduced.—( Hear, hear, hear.) He supposed that it was intended by the Right Honourable Gentleman to move his resolution in Committee, which was the usual course in matters affecting the Church—no doubt the Right Honourable Gentleman meant to adhere to this course. He hoped the Right Hon. Gentleman would move his resolutions in Committee, involving, as they did, the whole principle of his plan, and affecting the most important interests of the Established Church, and also the interests of a great number of individuals.... (Hear, hear.) lie trusted that the Right Honourable Gentleman did not intend to do more than state the out line of the plan he wished to propose, and move his resolutions, so as to give an opportunity of two or three days' consideration, before inviting the House to pronounce their deliberate opinion upon the principles involved in those resolutions. lie cared not how early that day might be afterwards ; but in a matter of such importance, brought forward for the first time, he was sure the House would recognise the justice of his de mand, that there should be a sufficient interval between the statement of the principles of the measure, and the time when that House should be called upon to pronounce its deliberate opinion on such principles. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the course he intended to take to-morrow was that which was forced on him by the forms of the House, and by those forms a Bill of the character which he was about to introduce must originate in a Committee of the whole House. If l►e asked for leave to bring in a Bill, and if there were nothing contrary to a decided principle in it, gentlemen on both sides were in the habit of admitting it to be introduced, re serving to themselves the right of discussing it at a future period. lie, however, could not take that course now—he must have a resolution of the whole House in order to be enabled to introduce his measure, and the object of the Government in doing so was just and candid; and he would put in that resolution the whole of the facts, and in doing so he did not act with a view of asking Hon. Gentlemen to commit themselves more than they would if he asked for leave to bring in a Bill ; and in moving this resolution on the subject of the nature of Church -rates, he would be enabled to place the Bill be fore the public, which was of the utmost importance. He was most willing to arrange the matter to suit the con venience of Honourable Gentlemen who differed in opi nion from hint ; but he anticipated from what had fallen from the Right lion. Gentleman himself, that he was desirous that the question should not be postponed longer than was consistent with an early expression of opinion upon it. He was anxious to do whatever would accommodate Mem bers on the other side of the House. If submitting his re solutions, and then discussing them at a subsequent period, when alone leave would be given to bring in the Bill, would meet the views of the Right Hon. Baronet, he was ready to accede to that plan. They would thus have tile reso lutions printed, and have the Chancellor of the Exchequer's statement, such as it was, before them, and they would go in some measure prepared to its consideration.--( Hear.) He thought that would answer the purpose the Right Hon. Baro net had in view. Nothing in the world was further from his intention than to take any course which might compromise those Hon. Members who differed from him. If it were con sidered that that plan would give him (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) any advantage in the discussion, he was quite ready to adopt any other course the Right lion. Baronet 'night suggest.—( Hear.) Sir R. PEEL—It appeared that the Right Hon. Gentleman himself concurred in the course which appeared most de sirable, and that was the course which he (Sir R. Peel) took in 1835, when he was Minister, on the Irish Tithe Bill, and the Noble Lord the Secretary for the Horne Department had admitted that he would not feel himself committed by ac ceding to that proposition.--( Bear.) That, he believed, was . the last decision of the House on the subject. I►► th e case of the Tithe B►ll the matter had been frequently agi tated, but in the present case the question was entirely new. The fair course then would be for the Right fio►►ourable Gentleman to state his plan and to pro pose his Resolutions, and then adjourn to as early a day as possible the farther debate upon the subject of the affirmation or rejection of these resolutions. It was important to come to a decision as soon as possible with respect to the Irish Poor-laws; and probably if the course he had suggested were pursued, and the discussion was not long, an opportunity might be afforded of going into that question. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that he should adopt the course the Right Hon. Baronet opposite had stated that he thought best to pursue. It was true that he had adopted a similar course in the introduction of the Irish Bill in 1835. He shculd to-morrow make a statement, and move his resolutions with respect to the Church-rates. Whether the debate was proceeded with or post poned was another question. The Right lion. Baronet knew the House of Commons too well to think of fixing that a priori. The subject had excited a good deal of interest in the country, and it would probably lead to some lengthened discussion. With respect to the Irish Poor Law Bill he could make no arrangement. He should not ask the House to come to any decision to morrow on Church-rates, though be was convinced a decision should be come to as early as possible. It was, however, a subject which, in its preliminary discussion, ought to be ac companied by the Bill itself, in order to make that prelimi nary discussion intelligible to all parties. Sir. ROBERT PEEL objected to the Irish Poor Laws coming on without sufficient notice. He wished to know what course was intended to be adopted with respect to Monday. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the Canada question was fixed for Monday, but what course it would take would depend very much upon the debate of to morrow night. MARINE INSURANCES. Mr. ROBINSON again rose for the purpose of presenting a petition from the merchants of London, praying for the reduction of the duty on Marine Insurances, and also to submit the resolutions of which he had given notice upon that subject ; hut in consequence of the noise occasioned by Members leaving the House, the Honourable Member was for some time inaudible. When order was re stored, we understood the Honourable Member to say the petition, corning as it did from the intelligence, respect ability, and wealth of the City of London, connected with the trade, commerce, and navigation of the country, supported also by petitions from England, Ireland, and Scotland, and from all the large trading and manufacturing towns of the kingdom, he was certain would have great weight with the House. There was one allegation in the petition which he would state to the House as well worthy of their attention. In the year 1;310, the imparts and exports of the United Kingdom amounted to eighty millions, and at that time the annual duty on Marine Policies was 414,2051. At the present moment the imports and exports were estimated at 125 millions; but so far from the Stamp Duty on the Marine Policies having brought into the Exchequer a corresponding increase of revenue, it had absolutely dwindled down to 219,0001. ( Hear, hear.) Nothing, he thought, could show stronger the impolicy of the tax. The trade and commerce of the country hal increased about 44,000,0001., but still the revenue derived from marine insurances had decreased nearly one•half. Now, this was a highly-important fact, as tending to. demonstrate the impolicy of the system. It was no doubt true that the tax might be continued, but it was equally certain that, not only would the sum to be derived front it by the revenue di minish every day, but that it would throw a decided advan tage into the hands of foreign countries, by affording induce ments to have insurances effected abroad rather than at home. The Hon. Gentlemen showed that between 1814 and 1835 a great increase had taken place in the amount of marine insu rances effected at Hamburgh, Antwerp, and other commer cial towns on the Continent. In the United States of Ame rica there was no stamp-duty on the marine insurances ; and in France not only were they free from duty of any kind, but exempted even from the operation of die patent laws. Such a duty was not only indefensible in principle, but highly injurious in policy, and this he could assert on the authority of the Right Honourable Gentleman the Presi dent of the Board of Trade. The Honourable Gentleman read a passage from a speech delivered by the Right Hon. the President of the Board of Trade, in 1830, in which the exist ence of the duty on marine insurances was stated to be a Brie - vance which should be got rid of, and added, that should he be obliged to press his motion to a division he hoped to have the support of the Right Hon. Gentleman's vote. It was true that in 18:10 a reduction of this tax took place, but what did Lord Althorp, the then Chancellor of the Exche quer, say on the subject ? Why, he expressed it as his opi nion that a reduction of it ought to be effected if possible, and said he did not believe that a slight remission would occasion any greater loss to the revenue than 100,000/. Well, a reduction on a moderate scale took place, and what was the result? Why, that so far from a loss of 100,0001. being sustained by the revenue, the whole deficiency did not exceed 11,0001.—( Hear, hear.) He was aware that his motion would encounter the opposition of the Right Hon. Gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on the ground that there were a variety of other taxes as much entitled to his considera tion as this, and it might even be said that an individual Member of that House should not bring forward such a motion, until after the financial statement for the year had been made. Now, there could be no doubt that there were motions on the books on the subject of the soap, the window, and the malt duties; but still, as the tax on marine insurances did not yield more than 200,0001. to the revenue, he thought it ought to be given up. The whole object of his resolution was to obtain front the House and the Government an admis sion that it was impolitic to continue this tax—that it should he either repealed or reduced ; and unless the Right Hon. the Chancellor of the Exchequer was prepared to a,sent to either alternative it would be his duty to take the sense of the House upon the question. Ile would admit that the duty on poli cies of insurance against fire was higher than that on marine insurances, but here was a strong difference between the two cases. The duty on marine policies were chargeable, per haps, twenty times in the year on each successive short voyage, while those on fire policies were only paid once. This gave a decided superiority to the one claim over the other. He hoped that the Right Hon. Gentleman would give a satisfac tory answer to the question which he had put, and not resort to evasion. The Hon. Gentleman concluded by moving the following resolution :—" That the gradual diminution of stamp duty derived from marine policies during several years of in creasing trade, commerce, and navigation, has fully demon strated the impolicy of this tax in the discouragement of British insurances and the promotion of successful foreign competition, and that it is the duty of this house to take an early oppor tunity to repeal or reduce the same. Sir J. R. REID seconded the motio n . The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that without any opinion as to whether the claims of the petitioners ought or ought not to be complied with, he would simply re mark, that it was very easy to make out a case on such a sub ject. There was scarcely any one tax that would stand the test of argument on its own merits, as all taxes were evils in themselves ; but then he asked the House what other course he could take in considering what taxes should be retained, and what ought to be either reduced or altogether repealed, but by weighing the relative inconvenience of all ?—( Hear, hear.) The House were not i❑ a state to come to a proper conclusion on this subject. They had not heard what surplus they had to dispose of; and yet the Honourable Gentleman called upon him to declare that he would be prepared to take off this particular• tax.—( Hear, hear.) The Hon. Member for Manchester had a motion on the paper respect ing the important subject of the cotton duties ; but bow were they to go into argnments on such questions until they tHE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAI, MA4CIi 3; .837 knew what the surplus was which they would have at their disposal? Other Hon. Members had motions for the repeal of the duties on soap, malt, tobacco, windows, and life and fire policies of insurance, and yet it was said that marine in surances should be preferred to all these. All he could say, however, was, that he admitted that this claim was entitled to his most serious consideration, and that he should bring it under the consideration of the - Government.—( Hear.) When he brought forward his Budget he should be prepared to state the reasons why he thought the tax was to be preferred or not to any other; but beyond this he could not now go, nor would it be just to require him to give any further explanation on the subject. The Right Hon. Gentleman denied that the duty on marine insurances was a dwindling duty. In 1835 the amount was 201,000/. ; in 1836, 218,000/. ; and in 1837, 254,000/. He was unwilling to meet the Hon. Gentleman's motion with a negative, and should, therefore, move the pre vious question. One reason why he objected to the resolu tion was, that it was too vague to be placed on the journals of that House; and, besides, he thought that the House should not pledge itself to any proposition of the description. —( Hear, hear.) Mr. Alderman TH OMPS 0 N thought that the repeal of the tax would be a great inducement to the extension of our maritime commerce, and a great benefit to the shipping inter ests generally. He hoped that the Chancellor of the Exche quer, in consideration of those interests, would feel it his duty to propose to the House either the total repeal of this tax, or a very large reduction of it. Mr. BA RCLA Y said this tax operated as a peculiar hard ship upon the coasting trade of the country ; for, whilst ves sels thus engaged made on the average ten voyages in the year, and had to pay this tax ten times, a vessel engaged in foreign voyages might only make one voyage in the year; so that the tax was peculiarly oppressive on those engaged in the coasting trade. He hoped the subject would, however, be left in the hands of the Chancellor of the Exchequer ; but if the motion was pressed to a division, he would support it. Mr. PEASE did not think it right to be disposing of the surplus revenue of the country until they first knew whether there would be a surplus or not. He, however, whilst he said this, was as anxious as any one for the repeal of this tax, which could not be maintained much longer. Mr. HUME was of opinion that the tax on insurances, both home and foreign, was injurious to the commercial interests of the country; but he believed that the tax on foreign in surances, if continued, might expose this country to the risk of losing a very valuable branch of trade. He did not wish to see too great a surplus left in the hands of the Chancellor of the Exchequer ; and, with respect to the reduction of taxa tion, he thought the better they pressed him, the more he would be disposed to concede. If it was found that, when the Budget was brought forward, the Chancellor of the Ex chequer was not prepared to make a reduction of this tax, he would recommend the Hon. Member to take the sense of the House on the question, which he could then do with more advantage. Lord SANDON hoped the Hon. Member would withdraw his motion, which he could bring forward with more effect when the Budget came before the House. He (Lord San don) felt strongly the impolicy of maintaining a tax on pru dence and foresight, and would join in seeking its repeal ; but he did not think it desirable to press the motion at present. After a few words from Mr. CH A PNIAN, Mr. CLAY felt that the Financial Minister, in reducing taxation, was bound to consider the respective claims of the different classes in the country. So far, however, as his opi nion went with respect to this tax, he considered it most dis advantageous. Mr. M. PHILIPS entertained a strong opinion of the im policy of this tax. He thought, however, that the Honour able Member ought for the present to be satisfied with the declaration of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, that he would give the subject full and fair consideration. After a few words from Colonel PARRY, Mr. ROBINSON said that, after the general expression of opinion in favour of his motion, it was not his intention to press the subject to a division. He considered, however, that the Chancellor of the Exchequer had admitted that he had made out a strong case, and that he was disposed to give it his favourable consideration. Under these circumstances ha would beg leave to withdraw his motion. The motion was accordingly withdrawn. SHERIFFS' COURTS (SCOTLAND). Mr. WALL ACE moved for a— " Tabular return of the number of days of residence of every Sheriff and Sheriff-substitute in his sheriffdom in Scot land, during the years ending 31st December, 1834, 1835, and 1836, showing the Courts held by each respectively in each sear, and the dates thereof ; and distinguishing those of registration of voters from others; also, of the annual s a la r ie s and all other emolum en t s rece i ve d by Sheriffs and Sheriffs substitute respectively, for judicial duties, and all other public services respectively performed by them, as above, in their counties, distinguishing the sums received for attending the Justiciary Circuit Courts and for holding Courts of Registra tion, and for travelling and o th er c h arges re l at i ng thereto. and the dates thereof; and stating also if Sheriffs or Sheriffs substitute are employed and paid ,for arbitrations, convey ancing, or other professional business, and the average annual emoluments derived therefrom. Also, in columns, the number of causes of each class in dependence, and of those instituted and decided, in the County Courts, or appealed to the Sheriff and decided by him when out of the county, or when in his county, during the years ending 31st December, 1834, 135, and 1836 ; also, the average period causes have depended, and the number advocated to the Court of Session in the above years from the Sheriff or his Substitute respectively ; also, the number of interlocutors prOnounced by Sheriffs-sub stitute and Sheriffs respectively, distinguishing how many of the latter were affirming the Substitutes' interlocutors, how many altering on incidental points, how many in part on the merits, and hew many c on ti nue d, an d h ow many rem i tted to the ordinary action roll ; also, the number of summary cri minal trials, and of criminal jury trials ; and of civil causes tried with the aid of a jury, as above, in each county in Scot land. The above returns to be signed both by Sheriffs and their Substitutes." Motion agreed to. TURNPIKE ACTS AND TRUSTS. Mr. MACKINNON moved to renew the Committee on Turnpike Tolls and Trusts, for the purpose of considering such legislative enactments as ought to be recommended on the subject. Mr. FOX MAUL E was fully impressed with the necessity of some system of consolidation for the better management of these turnpike trusts. Mr. W. S. O'BRIEN thought that the roads would be bet ter managed by county boards than by the turnpike trustees. Mr. 1 - 100GSON FIINDE would have no objection to the appointment of .a Royal Commission, to inquire into the state of turnpike trusts. Mr. L. CHARLTON thought that inquiry was unneces sary. There was no necessity fur any change. Sir G. STRICK LAND was favourable to the manage ment by county boards, but thought there would be great diffi culties to surmount before they could be brought into full operation. Mr. HUME thought that if Government did not themselves take up the question they ought not to stand in the way of any other Hon. Member. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER denied that the Government wished to throw obstacles in the way of the iiou. Mover: they rather wished the Hon. Gentleman to bring forward a specific proposition, to the modification of %Nliich they would give their best assistance. After a few words from Sir T. TR 0 ÜBRIDG E, . Mr. MACKINNON withdrew his motion, and moved for leave to bring in a Bill on the subject. Mr. W. ROCHE moved for certain returns connected with the application to the Crown for relief to the sufferers by the late gunpowder explosion at Limerick. Mr. W. S. O'BRIEN seconded the motion. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER thought that to make any grant would be to establish a very dangerous principle. He deeply sympathised at the same time with the unfortunate sufferers. Motion agreed to. Mr. DUGDALE begged to call the attention of the House to the depredations committed by persons employed by rail road, canal, and other public companies, for the purpose of in troducing some measure for the protection of the persons and property of his Majesty's subjects during the time such public works were constructing. The Hon. Member detailed several instances of outrages perpetrated by workmen em ployed in the constructien of railways, and concluded by moving for leave to bring in a Bill to remedy the evils com plained of. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER would not oppose the motion for the introduction of the Bill, but he thought the House should not sanction any measure which might have the appearance of an exclusive character. Mr. PEASE thought that some legislative enactment was absolutely necessary to correct the evils complained of. After a few observations from Mr. C. Fergusson, Sir If. Verney, Mr. H. Ilinde, and Mr. Dugdale, Leave was given to bring in the Bill. Mr. WALLACE then moved for certain returns for the regulation of the Court of Sessions, Scotland. The LORD ADVOCATE said that the information looked for could already be found in the reports of the Com mittee of Judges of the Court of Session relative to the fees of sheriffs' clerks, dated Dec. 17, 1833 ; and he would there fore move, as an amendment, that that Report should be laid on the table. Mr. HUME supported the motion of the Hon. Member for Greenock. Sir W. RAE opposed the motion. Mr. AGLIONBY thought the motion might be so worded as to obviate the objection and prevent a division. The SOLICITOR-GENERAL was of opinion that the amendment would of ird all the requisite information on the subject. r O'CONNELL requested of the Hon. Member for Greenock to agree to the amendment, as calculated to pro duce the effect which he desired. After a few words from Dr. LUS INGTON, - Mr. WALLACE withdrew his motion, giving notice of his intention to bring it on again in another shape, as the report referred to by the Hon. and L earne d G e n t l eman (the Lord Advocate) did not contain the information which he sought. Motion withdrawn. Mr. WALTER would not, in the present state of the House, bring on his motion, namely, that the names of Messrs. Beauelcrk, FreshiLid, Hardy, and Sergeant Goulburn, be added to the Committee on the Poor-laws. Ile would, there fore, take his motion on one of the Orders of the Day on Monday.—(Cries of " Oh, oh 1" and " Go on.") The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER reminded the Hon. Member that Monday was an Order Day. It was str.tnge that with a House like the present, and when it was 0;ily twenty minutes to ten o'clock, after a Committee of 21 had been agreed to, on the motion of the Hon. Member him self—( Cheers)—it was strange that, under these circum- stances, he should abandon his own motion on a day when notices had precedence, and propose to bring it on as an amendment on an Order of the Day.—(Cheers.) Mr. CHARLTON, understanding that his motion would not be opposed, would not trespass on the Hfmse with any observations. The following arc the terms of the motion : " Return of the cities and boroughs in England and Wales in which the appointment of charity trustees has devolved, by order of the Lord Chancellor, on the Masters in Chancery, giving the names of the Masters who heard them, and of the trustees appointed." Mr. HUM E, at the request of Mr. C. Wood, postponed his motion for the return of the late Brevet, until the first night for Supply, on Monday or Wednesday. The other Orders of the Day were then disposed of, and the House adjourned at Tcn o'Clock. LAW INTELLIGENCE. HOUSE OF LORDS, THURSDAY, MARCH 2. VERE V. VERE. In this case, which was not concluded yesterd.►y when we went to press, their .Lordships, after hearing the arguments of counsel, took time to consider their judgment. Judgment was consequently deferred. ROSS V. MAOLEAT, WIDOW, AND OTIIERS. This was an appeal from certain interlocutors and decrees of the Judges of the Court of Session, by which that Court had decreed certain accounts between the appellant and one Kenneth Mackay to have been duly rendered by the latter to the fo:iner, and held them to be settled accounts. The appel lant held the office of Deputy Paymaster to the Forces in the West Indies for some time prior to 1796. Ia that year the bad state of his health compelled him to leave Martinique, and go to America. From America he returned to England, and in the meantime the management of his affairs was left chiefly in the hands of Mr. Macleay. A brother of the appellant and a Mr. Jones also partially interfered in the appellant's af fairs. The arrangements between the parties terminated shortly afterwards, in consequence of the appellant being obliged to resign his situation as Deputy Paymaster-General. Accounts and letters on disputed claims in the accounts passed between the appellant and Mr. Macleay up to about 1803 or 1804, but no proceedings at law were taken till 1824, when the appel lant claimed a very large sum of money front Mr. Macleay. The defence set up was, that there was no debt due; that the debt, if any, was borrowed by prescription ; and that silence as to demand for many years amounted to a bar by prescrip tion. The Court had adopted these defences ; and against the several judgments in favour of Mr.. Mackay on this point, Mr. Ross now appealed to this House. Their Lordships post poned the further bearing till to-morrow (this day). INSOLVENT DEBTORS' COURT, MAncff 2. THE IMPRISONMENT FOR DEBT BILL.---IN TILE MATTER OF ARTHUR JEPSON. The insolvent had taken the benefit of the Act on three oc casions, viz., in 1822, 1825, and 1834. The whole admitted debts in the three schedules amounted to 1,2271. Is. 10,1., and the insolvent had recently become entitled to property on the death of his mother, Mrs. Margaret Jepson, amounting to about 1,4001. lle was further entitled to a reversionary inte rest on her death, the value of which was 2,0001. The insol vent showed that he had a large sickly family to support, and alleged other circumstances for the consideration of the Court. The Learned CIIIF.F COMMISSIONER ordered the amount of the debts under the three insolvencies to be paid into Court, with 201. in each, to meet the. costs. George Cocking was opposed in person by Mr. Garratt, a bootmaker. The opposing creditor had discounted a bill of exchange for the insolvent to the amount of 131. ss. The bill was accepted by one Dominique Deaulain, a Frenchman, whom he represented as a responsible person, residing in Leicester square. Mr. Garrett gave him 101. and the residue in boots and shoes. The bill had not been paid either by the insolvent or the Frenchman ; the latter was in Court, and said he could not pay. The opposing creditor stated that the Frenchman belonged to an Embassy, and consequently could not be arrested. CHIEF COMMISSIONER-Oh, indeed I Pray, Sir, what Em bassy has the honour of your services ? To which are you attached ?—The Frenchman belonged to the Buenos Ayres Embassy; he was a relative of the insolvent. The Learned COMMISSIONER would mark the sense the Court entertained of the insolvent's conduct by a remand, under the discretionary clause, for a period of four months. ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE. MIDLAND ClRCUlT.—NonrmaarPro,v, 111Ancn 1. CRIMINAL COITRT.-John Newton, Samuel Swann, and Richard Lee, were charged with having, on the night of Mon day, the 9th of January last, entered certain lands, the pro perty of the Earl of Cardigan, armed with offensive weapons, for the destruction of game and rabbits. Lord Cardigan is the owner of very extensive covers in the county of Northamp ton, and the keepers of his Lordship's preserves having some reason to suspect that an attempt would be made on the game in some of the numerous preserves belonging to his Lordship at the breaking up of the frost in January last, two of his Lord ship's keepers, assisted by fourteen or fifteen others, stationed themselves on the night in question in a wood called Burnt Coppice, in the parish of Dean Thorp, in different places. After having been in their several stations some time several of the assistants proceeded about one o'clock in the morning, to a place called Slade Field adjoining the wood, where they discovered the prisoners stationed at the end of some nets. As soon as they found they were discovered an assault was made upon one of the assistants, named Saunders, and Swann aimed a desperate blow at him with a dreadful bludgeon, which for tunately Saunders was able to parry; and the weapon glided down his arm ; as did also another blow aimed at Saunders by one other of the prisoners. It being found the keepers were on the alert, and too numerous to afford the poachers any hope from resistance, they were arrested, their nets seized (being of the length of 300 yards), and 15 dozen of rabbits were found in the same, or packed up in parcels ready to be taken away. The jury found all the prisoners Guilty, and they were sen tenced to one year's imprisonment with hard labour. CRIMINAL COURT-(THURSDAY.) OLD COURT. Charles Bradfield, a horse-dealer, was indicted for stealing a chestnut mare of the value of 361., the property of Sir Rob6rt Gill. Sir R. Gill had lent the horse in question to his brother, Hamilton Gill, of Sheuley Lodge, South Minims, Herts, Esq. On the night of the 29th of December, the mare was put into the stable and the door fastened. On the following morning the door was found to have been broken, the padlock was hanging by one screw to the wall, and the mare gone. On examining the ground footsteps were visible from the high road to the stable and back again ; it was evident that several persons had been engaged in the robbery. The mare, when stolen, was unclipped, and had a swish tail. On the 30th of December the prisoner went to a horse-clipper, of the name of Bush, residing at Stratford, and said he wanted him to clip a mare, observing that he had not brought the animal with him, but that it belonged to a little man at the Harrow public-house. lie (the prisoner) was of opinion he should have the mare, although they could not then agree about the price. Bush then accompanied the pri soner to the White Horse and \Voolpack public-house, Old lord, and he there saw a little man join the prisoner, who said, " You shall not have her for less than 10/." The sum of 91. 10s. was offered and accepted, and a receipt was written, but no money was paid. Bush then went and clipped the snare. She isas very dirty and much distressed, and appeared as if she had been ridden a considerable distance. There were no shoes on the hind feet, and her tail had been recently docked, for it was bleeding. He then clipped the mare, and was paid by the prisoner, and then went away. Two da)s after, the prisoner exchanged th e mare f or a horse with a person of the name of Osborne, a pork butcher. The pri soner was apprehended at the Cock and Magpie public-house, Worship-street, by Holland, a police constable. Mr. Justice BOSANQUET summed up, and the Jury found the prisoner Guilty. Ann Lloyd, aged 55, was indicted for feloniously breaking and entering the dwelling-house of Martha Knight, and steal ing a shawl, the property of An n G e ll e tt. The prisoner, - in her defence, said she had purchased the shawl. Mr. Justice COLTMAN, in summing up the evidence (it being the first case tried before his Lordship), remarked that there was a difference between the indictment and depositions as to the parish. In one the parish was called that of St. John's, Hackney, and in the depositions, and from the evidence of the police constable, it was called St. John's, West Hackney. In cases of burglary it was necessary that the parish should be clearly set out. Mr. Justice PARK—The indictment is quite proper. The whole of Hackney is but one parish, and the term of West Hackney is merely applied to the district church. Mr. Justice COLTMAN—As that difficulty is got over, gen tlemen, the case is so very clear as to render it unnecessary for me to trouble you with the evidence. The Jury found the prisoner Guilty. At five o'clock their Lordships left the Court, and were suc ceeded by the RECORDER. Alexander Christie, aged 32, a respectable-looking person, was indicted for feloniously intermarrying with Amelia 13u1- lerd, his wife, Elizabeth, being alive. The prisoner, who was in service, was married to his first wife, Elizabeth Pearce, on the 9th of March, 1829, at the parish church of St. Marylebone, and, living with her for some years, four children were the issue of this marriage. Some time since he left her, and occasionally allowed her money for the support of two of the children, the other two being dead. On one of the children being placed out to nurse he discontinued making any allowance to his wife since August twelvemonths, but paid the weekly sum of ss. for the child. The prisoner subsequently obtained a situation in the family of Lord Garvagh, as butler, where he met with Ame lia Bullerd, who was lady's maid to Lady Garvagh, and hav ing represented himself as a single man, be paid his addresses to his fellow-servant, to whom he was married at St. John's Church, Hampstead, on the 12th of November, 1836. The marriage was discovered by the family of the first wife in the course of the last month, and the present inquiry was insti tuted by them. The jury found the prisoner Guilty. The REcortnrst, i❑ passing sentence on the prisoner, said it was the determination of the Court in all cases of bigamy to pass a severe sentence, for a stop ought to be put to such ac tions. He should he imprisoned, and be kept to hard labour in the House of Correction for 12 months. THE DIVORCED.—We understand that there is not a shadow of truth in the report so prevalent in the circles of fashion, relative to the particular origin of this story, how ever true it may be that it has a living original, from which the leading character has been drawn. POLICE INTELLIGENCE MANSIOIV-HOUSE. Two young men, named George Smithers and Thomas ' Jackson, were brought before the Loan MMus, charged with • Navin; committed a burglary and robbery in the house of Mr. Hca:h, the Sardinian Consul, in the Old Juwry. The pri soners were remanded. A female, of a decent, motherly appearance, named Mary Gephart was charged with shoplifting. W. S. Purdey, shop man to Mr. Lee, of No. 21, Bishopsgate-street, babe.dasher, stated, that the priscr,er came into the shop, and purchased a little crape, and other trifling articles, to the amount of a few thil!ings. After having remained a little while in the place, she was suspected of having deposited something she hal n)t paid for under her shawl, and witness called in a policeman, who asked her whether she had not other people's propel ty about her. She denied that she Ld, but the policeman pulled a dress from under her cloak, au I a second dress fell from her. The prisoner cried aloud, and implored his Lordship's pity. upon her chUren. She had, she declared, never before been in so dreadful a place, and had never been suspected of any. thing dishonest. The LORD Mayon—And how do you account for the pea. session of these dresses ? Prisoner—l don't know how it hap pened at all. The LORD MAYOR—Wh a t I you don't know how the dresses you had about you got under your cloak ?—( A laugh.) Pri soner—.No, my Lord, I don't know how in the world it was. I had the misfortune to have a little drop at the tune. It's the first time I ever did anything of the kind. The policeman who apprehended the prisoner produced two large new rolls of ribbons which he had found on the person of the prisoner, and said he believed she had stolen thorn front some other shop. Prisoner—Oh, dear, never; I bought them, as I was going into mourning. The S!mpman of Mr. Lee—They are white ribbons, and must have just been taken from a shop, for they have never yet been unfolded. Prisoner—l bought them cheap to dye black. I was going into mourning for my poor dear cousin's child.—( Laughter.) The husband of the prisoner said that his wife was a most honest pelson, and did not think she would take anything she had not a right to take, barrio' it was her own. The Lou MAYOR—And what are you, my good man? Ilusband—l am in the coalheaving line, please )ou, my Lord. I gets a matter of a pound a-week sometimes; and she's a shoe binder. The prisoner was committed for trial HAT T ON- GARDEN. At the final examination of Mrs. Newman and her daughter, Mr. LAING asked them whether they were acquainted with an officer of the 27th Regiment, but they made no reply. Mr. LAING said that he had received a threatening letter— that he should suffer for it in the event of their conviction at the Old Bailey. Whoever he was, he had not acted as their friend, but their enemy, and be (Mr. Laing) might find hint oLA by applying at the War Office. He should like to see this officer of the 27th Regiment ; he would cut a pretty figure before a Court-Martial. If he was before him he might depend upon it he would deal with him in a very sum mary manner. An officer was before him the other day when Mr. Hunter gave bail for her appearance to prosecute the prisoners. Mr. White assured Mr. LAING that that gentleman was a respectable individual. He was an officer of the navy, not of the army. Mr. LAING cared little about such threats. formed his duty. Mrs. Heathcoat stated that the prisoners took lodgings in the same house as herself in the name of Newman, in Novem ber, 1835, at No. 45, Allsop-terrace, Regent's Park ; during her absence from her apartment s!le missed a dressing-case containing a considerable quantity of valuable jewellery, a bank post bill indorSed by her husband, an•l payable to him, six so vereigns and a half, and two diamond rings. The prisoners occupied the parlours. They quitted the lodgings immedi ately after the robbery. Mr. Robinson proved that several articles of jewellery were pledged by the younger prisoner in the name of " Mrs. Gor don," on the 18th of July last. Mr. White stated that, after the robbery on Mrs. Hunter, that lady mentioned her loss to Miss Newman, and she said she was very sorry. Miss Newman—lt was never mentioned to mc, Mr. White. Mr. LAING suggested that Mr. Rawlinson should attend the trial of the prisoners, and he ordered the inspector to go immediately before the Grand Jury to present the bill. There were five charges upon which they stood committed. The prisoners, at the suggestion of their solicitor, main tained silence, and seemed to treat the affair with indifference. There was, however, a change in Miss Newman, whose eyes seemed to be affected with grief. It was generally remarked in the office that Miss Newman bears a striking resemblance to the Countess of Harrington, late Miss Foote, the actress. The prisoners, it is said, had an income of 2001. per annum. He had per- THAMES-OFFICE. • Yesterday Cornelius Duly, a ragged urchin, aged 13 years, was brought before Mr. BRODERIP, charged with having, in conjunction with two other boys, committed a daring highway robbery on the person of a lad named George M'Dougal, and stealing his jacket. The lad was passing over Cowderoy's fields, Ratcliffe, on Tuesday last, when he was met by the pri soner and two others about his own age. One of them asked him to pawn a silk handkerchief which they had just " frisked" (stolen) from a gentleman's pocket. M'Dougal told them to pawn it themselves, on which one of the juvenile gang knocked him down, and the others began beating him in a brutal manner. While two of them held him down Daly stripped him of his jacket. He was left on the ground, and the thieves ran away and escaped. The prisoner was seen a short time afterwards with the jacket on his person under his own. The jacket was pledged by one of the gang, on the same evening, at a pawnbroker's in Shadwell, in the name of John Smith. On Wednesday afternoon the prisoner was taken into custody for another robbery ; and Daniel Derny, a police sergeant, of the K division, who suspected he was one of the party who robbed young M'Dougal, put some questions to him, and he said he knew the boy very well, and met hint in Vinegar-lane-fields, when he gave him (Daly) a jacket for the purpose of raising money at a pawnbroker's. Derny asked him if there any other boys with him, and he said there were two, and their names were Giles and Delvin. He also ac knowledged that his companions pledged the boy's jacket, and afterwards destroyed the duplicate. Mr. BRODERTP S iid the prisoner was young in years but old in iniquity. He committ e d hi m f or trial for the capital offence of assaulting the boy, putting him in fear, and stealing the jacket from his person. The prisoner was then charged with stealing a pair of new shoes from the shop of Mr. James A,yres, of 86, Ratcliffe- Lizhway. Mr. BnonElms committed the prisoner on the second charge. CORONER'S INQUESTS. Last night a❑ inquest was hell in the Board-room at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, on the body of Mrs. Mar!raret Mar low, aged It), who was burned to death. Th 2 evidence of a lodger in the same house, and that of the mother of the de ceased, induced the jury to believe that she had fallen asleep while sitting over the fire, and that, her clothes having lilted, and being without assistance, the melancholy result had occurred. They, therefore, gave a verdict of " Accidental Death." Ythterday an inquest was held at the Swan Inn, Stockwell, on the body of , Mrs. Mary Catterwood, of Augusta-1.1a,..e, Clapham-road, who, being subject to fits, had, when under the influence o' a affection of that nature, been burned to de tth, in consequence cf her clothes catching, tire. The jury expressed themselves satisfied, and returned a verdict of " Accidental death." Yesterday evening an inquest was held in the W..rden's room of the Fleet Prison on the Lady of William Burnham Blackwall, Esq., aged 59, who was committed to the prison for contempt of the Court of Chancery. Mr. H. Mitchell, surgeon, of Chancery-lane, deposed that he had attended the deceased professionally in the prison for the last five months. ll's complaint was water on the chest. Ile saw him last alive on Wednesday morning, when he was in a sinking state, and witness anticipated the worst results. Ills death took place or, Tuesday evening, and was perfectly natural. The jury expressed themselves satisfied, and returned a verdict of— " Died by the visitation of God." The deceased was of highly respectable connections, and for a number of years was in the commission of the peace in the county of Norfolk. FIRE IN BASING-LAN E.—ln conscqunce of a report having gone abroad that Gerard's Hall Tavern was materially injured by the fire which took place yesterday, T. Younghusband begs most respectfully to inform his nu merous Friends who may have occasion to visit London at the present season, that such repot is void of all truth, as, on the contrary, the fire never did at any time entond to the premises. T. Y. begs to acknowledge with grati tude, the kind proffered assistance of his numerous Friends in the neighbourhood. The Lords of the Admiralty have issued a circular forbidding, the practice in the navy of sending midshipmen and other young officers to the mast-head as a punishment. It is currently reported at the East India House, that Major-General J. L. Lushington, Colonel of the third Madras light cavalry, will succeed to the deputy chair next April. The General Steam Navigation Company's packet the 'lnwood, from Rotterdam, arrived off the Custom House at half-past two o'clock yesterday afternoon. Tilt: SCOTCH MAIL.-Iry a letter from Mr. Wal lace, the Member for Greenock, to the Lord Provost of this city, we learn then the principle of two direct mails from Lon don to Edinburgh and Glasgow has now been conceded, and that there is evei y reason to expect that we shall have this im portant change carried into operation within six months. A. second mail, direct from Liverpool to Glasgow, is much wanted, and, we have no doubt, will speedily be established. Should the Mo. Gentleman's anticipations be realised, a great boon will be conferred on the mercantile community of Glasgow and of the other towns in the west of Scotland.— 0/avow Courier. M. Guillotine, the inventor of the horrible instru ment which bears his name, is said to be still living ; the story of h i s h av i n g been decapitated by one of his own machines being a mere invention. REPRESENTATION OF HASTINGS.—On day last the guests at Mr. Hollond's dinner were so numerous, that they were compelled to dine at four different hotels- Mr. Hollend starts for Hastings on the Liberal interest, in the place of Mr. Howard Elphinstone, the gentleman who lately travelled from this country to Nassau in the monster balle. o n; he is a Barrister.