The Sun. — London, England, 1846-02-12 00:00:00

Cbtritt ambition SUN OFFICE, Seven o'Clech. TO TIIE ELECTORS OF WESTMINSTER. IBELIEVE I am asserting but a fact, that at the last general election, a majority of your body were de sirous of recording their votes for me. We need not now stop to in quire by what neglect or joggle a stain on your hitherto bright and long established fame was then inflicted. But you and Myself conse quently are placed In a peculiar position. Under such circumstances —after so many years in your service— after so Many marks of your confidence, which I have scorned to betray or abuse, or to pander for fee or reward, it has remained Irn- Parative on me to be prepared to co-operate in removing that dis credit. But a week since I stated, at the instance of pure minded and in fluential electors who enjoy your esteem, my determination to fulfil that obligation. The occasion has arisen. lam present with you to lhlfll my-part. Last night a numerou s assembly of your public spirited local representatives, at which I was present, decided on this contest. In five preceding contests their decisions have been with me, irrevocable. Never before have I been honoured with a more kind, generous, or unanimous reception. I need not tell you, I am a free-trader, total and immedia teen ; not, however, of a few weeks or months, but of many years, wh the cause was in contempt and disrepute, and when its support was not the road to worldly advantage. And I have no motive now to aban don it—nor will Sir It. l'eel find amongst his most obsequious fol lowers or officials a more ardent supporter of his present measures. lint, gentlemen, though deeply conscious of the necessity of unqua lified assistance to these measures, I am not so silly a political or party pedant as to believe that this Is the sole matter ivorthy . of con sideration, that there are not also other quite as great objectsof Civil and Religious Equality and Amelioration to beyet- struggled for. Of these I will, you know, be also a staunch adherentwerful- . And I will not wait to be sop!' th e conversions of the g reat and Po The day of election will arrive quickly. You will findthe me, then and intermediately, at my po st. I will do my duty, to best of my humble ability—do you yours ; and lam sure I need not call to your recollection, that the first and paramount of all political func tions are those of electors. It Is they who have truly b the power to teach their governors tha t a just, upright, d honouraly course can alone receive their yermanent sanction. I have th honour to be, Gentlemen al , Your faithf Servant, LE LACY EVANS. Bryan ston-square, 12th Feb., 1846. RAILWAY COMMITTEES. (THIS DAY.) Sub-Committee No. 1. The members of this Committee met this day at 12 o'clock. Mr. 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 havi n g arrived, Mr. Beckett was called to the chair, and the Com mittee proceeded with the case of THE: NOR.FOLIC EXTENSION (STOW MILRXET, WYIVIONDHAM, AND ATTLE ROROUGH BRANCH). Mr. Pam appeared for the promoters, and called the wit ne:ises to prove the deposit of the plans and sections, and the books of reference: Mr> WEBSTER appeared ofltwo petitions against the Bill. Mr. STRUT r having returned from Mr. Speaker, he called the patties in the adjourned case of THE COLCHESTER, STOUR VALLEY, SUB MIRY, AND HALSTEAD. The CHAIRMAN said that having consulted the Speaker on the point raised against 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 eould not be taken, and in that o p inion the Committee en tirely concurred. Mr. NlTl:nsTisn said be 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 CHAIRMAN said no such charge bad been "made before that Committee. Mr. C. PAnur.s said that he was not instructed to make a ny such charge, nor had he intended to convey even such a suspicion. Mr. l'auxEs raid he 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 he 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 CHAIRMAN —Did you tell them the hour at which the Committee would sit, and the number of the room? Witness said he did. The CHAIRMAN intimitel that the Committee would re port according. EXETEE, YEOVIL, AND DORCHESTER. The CUAIR3IAN 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 the House, and then deliver the order of the horse at a future sitting. • NORFOLIC EXTENSION (STOVTIVIARRET, WYMONDHAIVI, AND ATTLEE °ROUGH BRANCH). This case was then resumed. Mr. WEBSTER. submitted several allegations of a trivial no. ure 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 CHAIRMAN 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. PRITT contended that the allegation was not suffi ciently specific. 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 Dills, 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. COATES appeared for the promoters. The deposit of plans and sections was then proved. Mr. Purrr appeared for several petitioners against the Bill 111 r. JOSIAH PARKES also appeared on a petition agains the Bill. The CHAIRMAN said that as the case was likely to occupy some time, they would not go into the allegations in the peti tions till the next day. The Committee then adjourned at four o'clock till twelve o'clock to-morrow. Sub-Committee No 2. CIEZZTENNANE AND OXFORD. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition.) 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 hare been affirmative. The Committee heard some of the alleged instances of neglect. These were respecting sections 57,58, and 59, in the parish of Cheltenham, which were not sustained. It was also alleged that in the parish of Charlton Kings, in Nos. 96, 97, and 101, the right owner of a stable, arable land, &e., had not been served with notices of the proposed railway. The committee were of opinion that tht standing orders had been complied with by the Cheltenham and Oxford Railway Company. 117 M ST RIDING UMON. 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 advantage by opening a communication betwecn Leeds and Manchester. The formal evidence was them gone through, and it ap peared that the estimate of the work was 2,000,0004 while there bad been deposited 1,600,0001. There was one petition against the Bill from Mr. Charles Naylor, of Yorkshire, aliening a non-compliance: with the standing orders generally in the plans and sections. The CHAIRMAN said be thought it would be better to adjourn then than to enter on any allegation of the petition. The Committee actnrdingly adjourned. at a few minutes to four o'clock, till twelve o'clock to-morrow. Sub-Committee No. 3. (Continue-] from our Afternoon EditiLn.) BIZOTTS AND CLUMPS. 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 Shone, and the other to Clumpy. The estimated cost was 200,001. The standing orders were decided to have been duly com plied with. WISHAW AND COLTNESS (GREENHILL BRANCH). This was a petition for leave to bring in . a Bill to construct a railway to run from the tram line of the Wilsontown, lilorningside and Coltness Railway, at a point called Wishaw, to a place called Green bill. The bran c h was es tim a ted to cost 207,000/., Tici the subscription contract amounted to 15i,250/. upon which de posits had been paid, amounting to 15,525/. The Committee ee ' cirled that the standing orders had been properly complied with, and the petition was passed. STakivlANlazar AND IMORROVISTONESEI This was a petition for leave to bring in a Bill for the eon stri.tction of a.hne in connex i on with the Gla3gow and Edinburghlt to run from SI atnaun an to Borrowstonee. The cost was estimated at tt35.000/., the subscription contract was 78,0004 and the deposit parliamentary agents, Messrv. Gralluxie and \Ve en , ; engineer, M r . Adi e. The Committee decided that the standing orders had been drily complied with. Lityr /ANNAN (DATROILI Ada JAW. CRAW BRA 21011748). This was a petition preferred by the Slamannali n rowstoneis Railway Company, fur leave to bring aal3for construct two branches front thHr intended main ill on to to run to Batligate, and the oilier to run to Jawcraig. The cost of both branches wss estimated at 60,200/. The sub scription contract was 57,6001.. and the depozits 5,6701. Messrs. Grahame and Weens are the agents, and Mr. Adie the engineer. The Committee decided, atter the adduction of the usual proofs, that the standing orders had been duly complied with, AT. RZLZN'S CAN AL AND RAILWAY. This was a petition for leave to bring in a Bill for the con6:rurtion of a line of railway in connexion with the St. Helen's Railway, to run from Eccleston to the proposed new docks et Garston, in the county of Lancaster. The Bill also sought for pow2rs to construct docks at Garton, which is a. village on the hanks of the Meraoy, distant about live mile from Liverpool. "rlie e4itnate 1 cost ()fall the propo=ed works was 390,00.1/. ; the soh.cripani contract amounte.t to 300,00 a, an I the deposits to 30,003/. Burke, Pritt, and Venables are the agaits, and Randall the engineer. The Committee decided that the standing orders had bean complied with, and the petition was allowed. 'CAST - Y.7Rn UNION AND 8A737.E1G11 =NC. TION. This was a petition for leave to bring in a Bill for con structing a Prance line from the main line of the Eastern Union Railway to Hatlleigh, in the county of Suffolk, a dis tance of seven miles. The amount of the subscription con tract was 57,050/., the deposit 5,7052., and the estimate 75,000 Engineer, Mr. P. Brough ; agents, Messrs. Dyson and Co. The committee deAded that the ataidiag orders had been TNE SUN, LONDON, TIITIRS DAY EVENING, FEBRUARS 12, .1846. " 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 annum on the respective shares of the Company, to b‘corne payable on the Ist of March, would be as follows:—Viz., 1/. 2s. 6d. per share on the registered shares (501. paid)—lees property-tax; 12s. 2d. per share on the registered shares (3W. paid)—less roperty-tax ; 178. 6d. per share on the scrip shares (40/. paid —less property-tax. ~ RICHARD PAT UZSON, Chairman. - " Shoreditch, London, Feb. 4, 1846." The Treasurer's statement showed a balance to the account of 47,1711 ss. 3d. The CHAIRMAN, in moving' the report, said that he did not think it required any explanation ; 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 17,93 had agreed to take the New Extension Shares. The Eastern Counties Company had agreed to declare 6 per cent., if the receipts on the Northern and Eastern should be 132,500/. ; but as they were only 115,5001., they only declared 5 per cent. Resolutions confirmatory of the report were then passed, and, after a vote of thanks to the chairman and directors, the meeting separated. TATTERSALL'S—THIS EVENING Six o'CLocx. CHESTER CUP. 8 to 1 agst Wadlow's lot 18 to 1 agst Best Bower 20 to 1 agst hinstone 25 to 1 agst S W weetmeat—taken 30 to 1 agst Mermaid 40 to 1 ngst Colleen Dhas 50 to 1 agst Weatherbit—taken 50 to 1 agst Libel—taken 100 to 1 agst Advice—taken. DERBY. 9 to 2 agst Sting 18 to 1 agst Brocardo 20 to 1 agst lago 30 to 1 agst Malcolm 33 to 1 agst Tibtliorpe—taken. EXCHEQUER.-(T111.8 DAY.) (Sittings after Term at Nisi Prius, before - the LORD CHIEF BanoN and a Special Jury.) DANIELS V. FIELDING. This was an action to recover compensation in damages for alleged false imprisonment. Mr. Jervis, Mr. Hinnfrey, and Mr. Pollock, appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. Martin and Mr. Jones for defendants. The plaintiff, it appeared, was a Avholv , ale 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 d e f en dant 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 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 madelacquainted 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 acts, and that plaintiff had 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 Loin) 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 trusted 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 Le plaintiff—Damages 5/. The Court then rose. THE EXPRESS EDITION. SUN-OFFICE, Half -post ,high, IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT (THIS EVENING.) HOUSE OF LORDS. The Earl of SHAFTESBURY took his seat on the Woo: sack a few minutes before Five o'clock. The Marquis of ELY took the oaths and his seat. CORN-LAWS. . The Duke of BUCKINGHAM presented a large number of petitions from various places in the county of Bur kingham 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 Government. Lord HATIIERTON presented a petition from New castle•under-Lyric, in f:itafforishire, signed by 1,500 persons, praying for an immediate and total repeal o' all the duties which tended to diminish the supply o food. 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 forth 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 some steps to prevent that increase. The fault must either lie in the law or in the mode of its administration. The law ought to be able to put e down crime, and afford protection to the honest man, and it would do so, un doubtedly, if it were put in force ; but he was afraid that it was not put in force. If the law was not suffi cient, it behoved the Ministry to make such an alteration 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 encourag ing the honest man, and suppressing the bad one, they bad encouraged the evil doer, and discouraged the honest man who had had the manliness to come forwaed and withstand outrage. The present petition prayed for an improve ment in the criminal law. In his opinion in casts 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 vi ould be paid to the sub ject, and the language held out was not such as to assure them that steps would not Le taken to repress the crime which the state of that country presented. She was made to say, too, that she observed with regret at the assassinations which had taken place, and said, in the very next paragraph, she hoped that measures would be devised to protect life in that part of the kingdom. That intimated a doubt of the insufficiency 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 them. 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 within a mile of Ros common 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 the Lord Lieutenant had not paid immediate attention to the applications which were made to him at the Castle, 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, end winter of the past year these outrages bad increased to an almost un paralleled extent. Last year 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 be (the Marquis of Clanricarde) put 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 it. They might talk of devising means to improve the agri culture of the country, but he held that it would be impessible to teach the proprietors or renters of the soil to do so, if they did not take steps to prevent that property and necessary expenditure from spoliation and aggression. With respect to the matter of agriculture, he could mention a case of one gentleman, who was the owner of a large farm, which consisted principally of fine grass land. Last year he was ordered by the people to give up a portion of this grass land, in order that some part of it might bo devoted to the cultivation of potatoes. He was in the habit of keeping a large number of cattle who con sumed the whole of the grass which his farms produced, the suit 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 calk, fed in stalk as ithey would corsume food It hich they required ; and he thought it prudent to submit to this, as. he had received an intimation that 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 to ascertain how far he would be sup ported by the authority of the country if he set his face. against those who ttied to coerce him. That person was, he bileved, 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 had done.—(llear, hear.) He knew that in the present state of Roscommon there was no protection for property, and he did Nimbi , r the advice good if there was no protection for life or property. He would not go into party matters ; he would 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 bad now met three weeks, and no steps had been taken for that purpose. The returns he had moved for would, he was convinceeljustify the remarks he had felt it his doty to make, and the views be had adopted, with reference to the state 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 late days, perhaps of late weeks. He would almost say, altheugh the expression might sound Irish, that he was afraid it would be so. Ile would explain this very simple. He knew that in one portion of Ireland there had 'oeen less crime,—less outrage; but what was the reason? Because these combined law-givers had it all their own way.—(llcar.) As he had raid before this combined system of outrage had spread from one country to another, to a most alarming extent, and this he believed was solely oe ing to the supine ness cf 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 insufficient prctec tion given by Government. He concluded by moving for the returns he had referred to. Earl St. GERMAINE did not rise for the purpose of opposing the production of the returns which had benc moved for by the Noble Lord, but merely to state that it was the intention of her Majesty's Governmen to bring upon 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.. Germains) believed, in more gloomy colours 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. Her Majesty's Government had, after mature deliberation, came to the opinion that the state of the country did justify the adoption of such a measure, iu 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 having done all in their power to produce a better state of things in Ireland. The Earl of CLARE stated the measures which had been 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 Bill on this subject. 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 the it Lordsliips' and her Ma jesty's Government would not for a moment delude them selves with the idea that what they was 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 to meet the failure of the potato crop, best they must devi..e 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 he 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 case. 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 . c ould 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.) He 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 &Ritz its duty to the House and the country, if, w bile it proposed rigorous 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. He 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. I Their Lordships then adjourned. namely, a document stating that a quantity of corn bad been imported which was grown in the province of Can ton.—(Hear, hear, and laughter.) He thought the Hon. Member for Northamptonshire had used an expression which was too strong to be justified by the circumstances. He meant the word disgrace.—(Hear, hear.) In his opinion the volume in question was a most ce i n strueti one and might be read with advantag e b y the Ilon- Member and his friends.—(Hear, hear, and laughter.) Mr. T. DUNCOMBE regretted that the Hon . ber for Northamptonshire had not g i ven notice of no his question, for now it would go forth to the public, n only that the calculations were inaccura te, but that the motive of the compiler were impugne d. For it was insinuated that these papers were prepared /sec" curately, for with the view of carrying out particulsr views. --(Cries of " No, no," and " Yes, yes.") takrn an.. STAFFORD O'BRIEN denied the vie ws of his expressions, if any such expression fell from he most heartily retracted it. But when they Pr a t • public servants to perform work, they should see t the work was properly done.—(Cries of " Order.") in • ordeirr . ._ST ( A k l a ' r F .) Oß H D e Ow'aßsßglnEitNe willing, if he .ohitesvre not s e ° , . to meet the case by motion, but nothing was fort h from his intention than to impute such m otives as In t been Mr. to him.--Heer, hear. HORSEMAN ) thought that whether the tpfoirt; mation was correct or not, attacks upon p ublic Se cot should be Made very guardedly, as they w ere not pose to defend themselves. THETbnC orderO R of N theL A CORN-LAWS.—ADJOURNED day S— being A D J reado U R fo N r Er resit' rlatthe . journed debate, Mr. LIDDELL presented a petition from he shir owners of the city of London, praying that r Beialrich would l reject rmesutrNi tiai,lvzleppdarnrettsyeonoftnetafhnear petit Ministerial ttomnbferro n s m u e;;;: . 0 r ~„„inetat °' praying for a total and immediate repeal of for laws, and that they should be delivered a t once 311 ever from that obnoxious impost. tit say Sir JOHN TROLLOPE presented several P,` ao in favour of the present corn - laws, and prayinFetfl confidence should be placed in the present MinleTc'sre' Petitions were presented in favour of the presen...:4ole laws by Mr. John Hall, Mr. Blackbirrne, gr. - 7,r - kialr Mr. Greene, and. Sir. John Yarde Buller, from ti* P e i, sex, Buckingham, and Devonshire. Mr. Grer e s:st ;„° does prayed that the present measure migur„ure passed until the sense of the cou.utry had been '" a general election. es iri s° Petitions in favour of the abolition of the - r ciee e s a were presented by Mr. Townsend, one of which ici ts ;igaw . , by upwards of 12,000 persons ; by Mr. D 001194010, by 3,000 inhabitants of Dundee, who were , O. t oo t ' with the linen trade, and who felt that ther 11) corn were s e ; seriously an d b y Mr.affected ,r : s. b u t the n present state of f An HoN. ISIEMBER presented a petition in A l a the Government measure, very resp ectablY inerously signed. . Mr. HINDLEY presented a similar petition, th e fr om Mr. 2,200 of the inhabitants of Pontefra ct. Mr. BRIGHT presented a similar petit' fr n, n o b J mayor and corporation of the city of Durham' ;Adof An How. Memetna presented a petition, As,'7oar 2,200 of the inhabitants of Derbys hire in 1"6 protection. Mr. ESCOTT presented a petition nuineron st ftritoimona b t a o d w b n ee in n pSroemseenrtseedtsbbyirteb,ecAomplaining tii,rotereo( Society which did not repres g en ri t cul t t lr the inhabitants, and praying for a total an '- abolition of the duties on foreign corn. cara- r t be Mr. GIBSON presented a petition frem of.,s in favour of a total and immediate rePe'operou,of corn-laws ; also a petition from tbe..,,„lllo'ef of Manchester engaged in the Irish trade, enP" r the falling off of orders in their trade in conseitisjuiv the failure of the potato crop, and praying h e i r pr j' Government to adopt such measures as mat -ti .dge people of Ireland with food. d id, people Mr. THORNELY presented a petition fr°.,,,ti'V north, approving of the policy of her St lie v vernment, but praying that the abolition o . e " ,)1 on foreign corn should be total and iminednni Mr. COLQUHOUN then rose and s °llo o ol o wished to make some explanation to th° t he ;;0 0 ' some observations which had fallen fre„ r tisetrob e , Honourable Baronet at the head of her ,'"'„e s st c ' t se' vernment. It might be in the recolt ec hs a s 'eP 6 House that the Honourable Barone t i d of il3 o tl e that he (Mr. Colquhoun) had once he Ile rl°° l olj l similar to those entertained by the s des, Member for Wolverhampton, namely, cl'sll' repeal of the corn-laws, and that he had st ife o to them for the principles of high protection.o, assure the Right Hon. Baronet he was naistaheate.lote't the opinions he then held and thoSe he 10.7 /0 . 0 , Y e ,sie‘' With regard to his former opinions, the n s ,itie r , would think him very inconsistent. of c ° , ss 4,S .° to be one of very great importance, and on be tsv-e,, able difficulty and anxiety. He must not es Be. ; arrive at his present convictions per salt0:00 given the question his most serious evierlirjoss for many years. He was excluded fr°133,1,04f0r in 1841, at which time the question of ' ti o I tie' assumed au aspect of the most pare ui° ,o tb, e r sti l ,; ante, and during that period he had gi / ; a sie e eo",/ tion the deepest and the most anxious c ",,,,e 0 : 1 40 1 ,' and he felt it his duty to adhere to the e f .,„ - had come to. The Hon. Baronet had r e ; ) or e li"' in 1841 he bad found his (Mr. Colquh0 013 ;)"el v oles that of the Member for Wolvrrhampton ss ,'"i v er o ;k s l `' he Baronet remember that the Member for'vv.° moved for a Committee in order to ;Veep.7o. all those persons Is ho were not of his oPl i at tie ll o e t r , debate on the subject, in 1838, he recete t eetljell °ll l 6 the Hon. Member for Sheffield. A silet r t he 0, 0 0 one made in 1838 was made in 183 9 'la th. e fo se u t able Member for Wolverhampton , 1 00 , 5 11 ,7 0 S of the Honourable Member for Isoll n° " s e W 'islS )l that division. They also knew that tbedisal'tsl,os man more strict in his political principleetaisi leh>l*,v Member. The Hon. Member for Cant e , s r " o ls ofr h& the Member for Wolverlaarepton, as Candid coleier ber for Portsmouth. by should be (t r A r. o brr i seh : 1 4 remarked as having agreed with the '' e s sr ti! e vcrbampton? He had found an old Pr i r l i s cot' tamed some of his opinions, es given to w og 0 , 0 0 1 at Kilmarnock, but in such a ease, r o ° it ,s islee constituency was of a liberal fee`liVs 1 7 4 11 ;i 1 policy to exhibit as liberal opinions , oviS `'o )0 long as they did not clash with 1113 b ott fi s ir 6 rei When he (Mr. Colquhoun) was on th e bee, ec ett 9 ll : : his constituents put the question t o ioi° 3 „ f eci fh,; prepared to vote for a tota l an sa te' t i, o 4 ;; peal of the corn-laws ? " E d titl e he was favourable • to a low I' s " at Pr op ilros' was still his opinion. He "' I,l O O°l ll O Y r ; disturb the interests of the agriculture' . t , of f oll tr eo , , thought protection was the best inte re :bie l) ,, o r,• and he was favourable to any weasel.% see „' i sel" hold that protection without injerf,,t"„st c ° ,'" th e ,o l , l ; classes. He believed that they coin ° lie' re ofe k , tection in this country unless th e Y s iet g : e s i f ;l l ' port of the mercantile and manufactt:r!r:;slose 6A; country. He found that many of ti l '",, - o se t i ! i se r) , s Vi e . favour of a low fixed duty on corn Ac h e; 7f now found they had chan,ged their P t ..; t of terially on that question. As the fist se st t r° so favourable to the mercantile inter e , ss ieg „ turing interest, it was not surl 3 ` , should have changed their oeini°l;fittlril' t rolloeco opinion that the views of 10 o rrlt'svool c "ft r o e sound, and such as ought to h e th e ' 5 pu r e' views of Mr. Huskisson were th3tostiOrpotiol de was bound to relax commercial re : of cc ", ir s ilo Possible, consistently with the safe t .l ish beg the he tnerce, in every possible mode in extesetico.lo r . move commercial restrictions end oat c sf t ,'s of the country.—(Hear, bear.) 0,0(.3 sa ke most desirable, and should he sc rf. yet e maintained that such a course hed dF` t i sh e s e ° I) Je ceived his most cordial support. f3t/referr,osoool4o Lord the Member for London tle' tt speech, to the authority of ili r i l igh t o te9' expressed a marvel that the bad di Alt Baronet at the head of the Mi n •1 1(10'1004' an authority, he (Mr. Colquhoun) 104issossolly Noble Lord, and maintain that thenCsht u p 1,0', 1 ,0 attempted, would have failed the A d ;0 0 ' 3 6, 0 0 on the occasion.—(Hear.) There h tl .,,e, 0 ..0 4 jiif' c o' of laying on heavy and proteenivisg;oll 0006 duties ; and Mr. Huskisson, Percesalcl Led t ine l e of manufacture there were which c.,;oololl;sesc,,ete il° with them, and which were more ' p ot 514,0 if sisted by such, withdrew from the ln jel ~,s1 vole I. enjoyed. He (Mr. Colquono It; s e pe' maintain that bad Mr. Ilusl"s" „cto r present moment he would .. c ha v „, c eer f ` i ) '10:1 system. The Noble Lord the ol e F o ose r . :hy s ,ati e d ero exception to an argument put s eed "„. 1 0 ',01firs Member for Northampton, son 7-,,, c sari ° 4l. / 1 " o°l', tection be removed from man" - be Isle' 'oil e , o'o l 1 T n ot Of) AA" allowed to remain on the sot w as e V Adam Smith, to the effect that it and poll ait iOdsc J O" of a state, but was also wi,cotoo°,o vf e) should impose duties on foreig n the ir °, s cee e e l , to the taxes which they laid n_. co o , t ,11 ) _:, How did that apply in the Pro; is on° licso,lll., enormous taxation resting on ", debt' pee, oat , because it arose from the nati° D e l si s pr° ts re s 00 1 , ra 1 50 0 the habit of putting a duty on f ° v r e ,700nnco' net t ' tee quate equivalent ; then why ic f l ed e u et se eit'f, category ? why, but because itotio look quate protection. No Inan i. ,. c re Witn s ares, eo s s Staffsrelsbire or Lanes sn% that 1 i! tP to amount of mineral, in r ot 24 , ° „ s ed 5r erc e o s , O , advantage over all s w as e are Agriculture in this c ountrY 03,bile AO O sit , e s more capricious , more varie. b s te iaroP e !og.. that of any other country ilucorresioeted ho ts , ca ul' factures of the country a ha B a rone t re g en a eit' i ri t r But the Right Honourable ,_ rce is ) o t the experience of the last tn .riev i t ar- in t•co. the: apprehensions of the Itis oke e pr l O ,l3 O A that the reduction which hau_atics,i I! si lt 11005e,11,, tion of foreign cattle had Piv Th e rket. than depressed the Ins- . 4 o vitiV ell „wil t r iCs , however, did not fee that the urg e _ Lees e' so pe self, for in another part octbelslpisos 0 11 )c l : 1 'p 13 100 1 ( is i c o lfi t ; change was necessary ti g ht f l o p() l oad 0 0 ot ov is this country. The ,(is t he e c es however, wrong in suPPT i s a s iff c n. , : t ' s t° f ‘, high prices, for, when tee . d ea d sion got abroad that they r,`,,r t ; i' s e s with oxen from all parts . I , s tb u n quence was the market was ,:i.ter,,ss ovoi o n e tt to, duce; (Bear, r rice on a , 1 1 . 1 sift: il ato / which had produced thessaetinsgctiopliaronet t _the year of Vier s ° , ad d , e tb e , s it he could refer witlionourable 01 1° ,0 11 t r.) . 1 / limited ::1 1 1 ( 3 1 pl i ; raving the Right stinselatiebbi, cot' Deti cause bad the effect or es __,,„ t / oaf, .Aopiter:ol bled the labouring class ,,„ n da,,,'",oo:ipt butcher e d ree s es mend more uni t tho v d P T • elis coital/ en ;0 g person could ge epen de arltl' A' it ° railways to A , ended a o f lileY r legieletrOlkn i lb e s oysteD l capitol', WA 011 THE POTATO DISEASE. The Duke of BUC U CL tato disease ECH hid on the table a.re turn with respect to the po, which was or.. dared to be printed. CRIMINAL LAW. 'The NOBLE DITKIE presented a report from the Com missioners of Ciimmal Law, which %vas also ordered to be printed. Earl GREY presented two petitions, one from a town -in Scotland, and tie other from Stockport, to the same acct. REPORT ON RAILWAYS. Earl DALIIOUSIE brought up the report of the Committee on Railways. The Noble Lord road the re solutions at length. Their Lordships would recollect that, by an arrangement previously maee, Irish R a il wa y Bills were to be originated in that k louse. But as this course would, in consequence Of certain resolutions of the House, place those Bills under considerable disadvantages, the order now submitted, had for its object the cerrection 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. He (Earl Dalhousie) was further authorised to state that, although no report could be formally made On the subject, the Corn mittee had taken into consideration the expe diency of making some such arrangement with respect to these Bdls in this session as had been 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 t ff, ct until the Bills should have come before that House. He repeated that this proceeding would not in any degree dela:, the progess of these Bills. He should to-morrow move the adoption of these resolutions. BROAD AND NARROW GAUGE. Lord KINNAIRD 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 soon be produced. He hoped the Noble Lord would be able to say when the report would be laid on the table. The Earl of DALHOUSIE said the Government had done everything to forward the objects of the commis sion. Considerable delay, however, took 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, had not been able to produce their report sooner, he was happy to inform the Noble Lard that the result of the inquiry had been placed in his (Earl Dalhousie's) hands that afternoon, and as soon as it was put in proper form it would be laid before their Lord ships. The Marquis of LONDONDERRY called the atten tion of the Noble Earl.; (Dalhousie) to the fact of a measure being about to be s ubmitted to their Lordship; 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 not approve or sanction such a measure bynot yet before the House. the Noble Marquis was as this, placing the whole of the North of England under the management of one b oard. The Earl of DALHOU SIE said he could not give an would p o i ti n i i d o n have The n v the pointso themeasure, objected submitted' l lic tlio to the Standing Orders Cornmittee, and could not be brought before Parliament when they would lm open to till embodied in the Bill, disztrision. BURDENS ON LAND. Lord MONTEAGLE gave notice Oat when the Noble Lord (Lord Beaumont) brought forward his motion for the returns of the public burdens affecting land and real property, be 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 questions might be s.;en. PROTECTION. • Lord BEAUMONT presented a petition from Holder nese in favour of agricultural f rotcction. A NOBLE Lotto presented 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 CLA.NP,ICARDE said he rose, in pursuance of a notice given by a Noble Friend of his relative to the state of Ireland. Ile (the Noble Lord) conceived that much injury would result to that country by interfering' in that Ifouse, 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 duty 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 b3lieved 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 outrage existed to as great an extent in very place of note LORDS' SUMMARY. Their Lordships commenced business at Five o'clock. The Marquis of ELY took the oaths and his scat. The Duke of BUCKINGHAM presented a great number of petitions from places in the counties of Buckingham and Oxford against any alteration in the corn-laws. The Duke of BUCCLEUCH laid several reports on the table. Petitions in favour of the repeal of the corn-laws were presented by Lord HATISERTON and Earl GREY. The Earl of DALHOUSIE laid on the table the report of the Committee on Railways. T he Noble Earl stated that the object of the resolutions come to by the Com mittee was to assimilate the proceedings of the Com mittees of the House of Lords with those of the House of Commons upon Irish Railway Bills. It was his in tention to-morrow to move the adoption of the report. Lord MONTEAGLE gave notice of his intention on Monday, in case the motion of Lord BEAUMONT, with respect to the burdens on land, was carried, to move, as an addition, for a return of the burdens from which they were exempt, in order that both sides of the quas tion might be properly understood. The Marquis of CLANRICARDE moved, pursuant to notice, for returns with respect to the commission of crimes in Ireland. He was shocked to see the increase of crimes of the deepest dye in that country, and he could not but think that great blame was due to the Government. It was not only the combination against life, but that against property, in Ireland, that ought to be put down by the Government. The greater part of Ireland, he asserted unhesitatingly, was in a state of in surrection, and no step had been taken by the Govern ment to put it down. As the law at present existed, the poor man, if he was honest, must be crushed. The state of Roscommon was such, that life and property was not protected there. lie considered that it was high time that something should be done with respect to [ the criminal law in Ireland. The House had now sat three weeks, and the intentions of the Government on that subject had not yet been made known to Parliament. Earl ST. GERMANS said: it was the intention of the Government, at an early period, to lay on the tables of the House a Bill which he trusted would have the effect of remedying the evils complained of by the Noble Marquis. After some observations from Earl FARNHAM and Earl CLARE, Earl GREY said he was glad to hear that it was the intention of the Government to introduce a mea sure upon the subject that had been introduced by his Noble Friend. There was something radi cally wrong in the state of Ireland, which required Legislative enactments to remedy. He hoped, when the measure was introduced, some account would be given of the general policy of the Government with respect to Ireland. The returns were then agreed to, and the House ad journed. HOUSE OF COMMONS. The Speaker took the chair at a few minutes before four o'clock. NEW MEMBERS. The Marquis of Chandos took the oaths, and bis seat for Buckingham. Lord Henry Lennox also took the oaths, and his seat for Chichester. The Noble Lords were greeted with loud cheers, on their entrance, from the Conservative side of the House. RAILWAY BUSINESS. Lord GRANVILLE SOMERSET moved for a com mittee of classification - of railway Bills to be appointed. The committee sill consist of the following members, viz,:—Lord Courtenay, Mr. Fox Maule, Mr. Wilson Patten, Sir William Somerville, and Mr. Patkington. The Noble Lord also moved that the resolutions con tained in the report of the Railway Committee be adopted. Mr. DUNCOMBE 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 evidence respecting 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 considera tion of the Committee. After a few words from Mr. B. DENISON and Mr. P. M. •STISIVRT, requesting the Hon. Member to wait fur the final report of the Railway Committee, Mr. DUNCOMBE consented to withdraw his amend ment. Mr. HUDSON brought in several Railway Bills fur 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 for leave to bring in the Birmingham, Lichfield, and Manchester, the British and Irish Union, and the North Devon Railway Bills. Colonel WOOD presented a petition against the Northumberland Railway. NOTICES OF MOTIONS—FRIENDLY SOCIE• TIES. Mr. T. DUNCOMBE gave notice that on Tuesday next he should bring forward a motion relative to the laws with reference to friendly societies. Still? 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 Eng 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 sonic of the crew of the ship Tory, to some distant colonies. He wished to be informed by the Right Hon. Baronet, the Secretary of State for the Home Derartment, whether that report had any founda tien ? Tee man ought certainly to have bee hung.— (Great laughter.) He also wished to know whether the Government intended taking any steps to prevent such men being appointed to the corn wand of ships in future? Sir J. GRAHAM said that with respvct to the question which had Leen put to him by his lion. and Gallant Friend in reference to - Captain Johnstone, who was not found guilty by the jury, but was found to be insane. —(Hear, hear.) He had to state to the lion. 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.—(Hear, hear.) They felt it their duty to place him 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 and 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.) NAUTICAL. Captain LAYARD wished to be informed by the Right Hon. Gentleman the Secretary for War as to what had been done by Government with respect to the pensions of the naval staff of • officers that were engaged in the late Chinese war, and also what progress had been made with the proposed medals? Mr. SIDNEY HERBERT said, that the Govern ment was engaged in making arrangements for the pen sions, and 17,000 medals had been cast. Mr. STAFFORD O'BRIEN deprecated the circula tion of the blue book, entitled " commercial regulations," inasmuch as it was full of the most egregious blunders? As to the malt and excise, the compiler of the volume had taken the mourn of the duty at 8,993,752 L, whilst any person possessing the least arithmetical capacity could show that the duties amounted to 10,326,742/. Therefore it was desirable, not alone for their own cha racters' sake, but also as regarded America, that such disgraceful inaccuracies should not be permitted to go forth as authentic.—(Hear, hear.) Sir G. CLARKE, in reply, said that he could not re frain fromexpressing a wish that notice had been given him on the subject—a subject so grave and serious.—(Hear, hear.) The House should be aware that it was utterly impossible for him to be able to a. , :count at a moment's notice fur the accuracy of a volume in which were set down upwards of 1,400 items. —(llear, hear.) But if the Hon. Gentleman would have the courtesy to inform him of the particular inaccu• racies, he would inquire into the cause, and ascertain whether thethtr they arose from an error of the press or intentionally.—(tiear, hear.) As the only object in publishing the volume was accurate information, he could assure the Hon. Gentleman that if ho should point out the inaccuracies to the Board of Trade they would fceltnost grateful to him, and most assuredly have them corrected. Lord SEYMOUR said it wa difficult, from the sys tem pursued at the 'Board of Trade to ascertain cor rectly any information upon the trade and commerce of the country, for the officers who prepared the documents of that department often gave such a t o ne to certain facts as to make them serve the purpose of peculiar views. He wished, therefore, to have laid on the table 'of the House, the original minutes from which the statis tical information of the Board of Trade was compiled. It would be well, he thought, if the Noble Lord at the head of that department, who discharged his duties with great zeal and ability, would direct his compilers to confine themselves to facts' tether than indulge in de clamatory language against the tyranny of other Govern ments.--(Hear, hear.) Mr. T. M. GIBSON had had occasion to test the ac curacy of Mr. Macgregor's compilations, and certainly he had generally found that they corresponded with the facts.—(ileac, bear.) It did, however, sometimes happen that unintentional inaccuracies found their way into public documents—for instance, didnot the. House remem ber a most remarkable case of inaccuracy of this nature complied with, and then adjourned until the usual hour to morrow morning. The following Bills have been added since Yesterday Midlands Railway (Sy stun to Peterborough Railway, be yiaticn and Branches). Great North of England and Boroughbridge Branch Railway. Great North of England R a ilway Purchase. Great North of England and Bedale Branch Railway. York and North Midland (East Riding Branches) Rail way (No. 2). Sub-Committee No. 4. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition.) EAST AND WEST TORKSUXRE JUNCTION. The object of this Bill is to make a railway from Knares borough to York, the cost of which is estimated at 200,0001. 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 also the standing orders had been complied with. SOUTH MIDLAND (HUNTINGDON BRANCH) AND SOUTH VIZI:OLAND (17 ORTHA. WIP TON AND szpropm). It will be remembered that on Monday the Committee ordered these two Bills to stand oyer, in order that they might consult with the - Speaker as to the legality of having but one subscription contract for two Bills. The Committee this day gave their opinion that one sub scription contract was sufficient, and declared the standing orders complied with. NORTH-WESTERN, The object of this Bill is to connect the Leeds and Brad ford Extension line, at Skipton, with the Lancaster and Carlisle line. The cost is estimated at 1,350,0001., the length of the line being 73 miles. Messrs. Stephenson, Vignoles, awl Watson, are the engi neers. The agents to the Northern and Western Railway are Messrs. Burke and Co. Standing orders complied with. EXETER, TOPSHAM, AND EXMOUTH. The object of this Bill is expressed in the title. The length of the line will be seven miles, and the expense is estimated at 100,000/. Mr. Arthur Whitehead is the engi neer, and Messrs. Burke and Co., are the Parliamentary agents. Standing cutlers complied with. EXETER AND EXMOUTH. 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 interfered with by the lice. The matter being again brought before the Committee by the Parliamentary agent (Mr. Ellicombe), the Committee declared that the standing orders were complied with. LIVERPOOL DOCKS AND I.I.LESMERE AND CHESTER CANAL. -- - 1 jln 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. GREAT TREE-TRADE DEMON- STRATION. (BY EXPRESS.) BlusroL, 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 lcadirg 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 concluded, The CHAIRMAN said that a petition bad been sent from this City, signed by 18,000 persons, for a total and immediate repeal of the cora-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 vote in -favour of total and immediate repeal. The Chairman went on to state that the present meeting 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 the 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 their might be 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. He hoped, however, that they would not want it. At present it was only their intention to call for 20 per 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 repeal of the corn-laws was effected ; but till that period the members of the League must not give up their exertions. Tney 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, so as to be eble to see that at no distant period they would at tain that which they had all along been trying for.—(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, he expressed his regret the 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 Brit tol, it doing that, had compromised the character of Bristo' —compromised it by his having opposed a measure which would result in so muoh 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 Conservatitrs of the city were in favour of tree trade. Some how 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 some remarks upon the benefits which would result from free trade in a commercial point of view, the Chairman said that after they had obtained free trade they would bear but very little more of war.—(Hear.) 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 this 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, IlLich were in accordance with the views of the free-t raders.— (Hear. ) So many' circumstances coming together must ins prers upon their minds the fact that the fingrr 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 thel Government had made up their minds upon the subject, and were waiting a fitting opportunity to bring forward their measures; that cp portunity had arrived, and they had taken advantage of it. There was no doubt but that Sir R. Peel had lung entertained the principles of free trade, and when Sir Robert Peel went out of office, he (the Chairman) felt very thankful that Lord John Russell could net succeed in forming a Ministry. When there seemed to be a prospect of his succeeding in the forma tion of a Government, he (the nisi man) 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 House 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 Rev. GEORGE At:Ammons (Unitarian minister) fol lowed the Chairman. He 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-trade is the only measure which can work advantageously for this great empire.—[,Cheers.) Colonel Tiromrsox then rose, and was received with loud cheering lie said that they met under very altered cir cumstances from what they were in twelve months ago. He could truly say that their enemies e. ere made to be at peace with them ; let them, then, lav aside all unfriendly recollec tions and hostile feeling, let t'hein 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 carelessn ess, 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. lie should be glad if they would throw, aside all remnants of party feeling , throw aside all recollection of what bad passed, and, as honest men, know and 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, how their appre hensions had sunk, how their jealousies had diminished, till at last the truth broke forth in that very place where they lookedfor the greatest opposition.—(Cheers.) 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 iu 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 him because we met in what was called a ladies committee 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, if before you all I should offer him my humble thanks for ie 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 pint he is right already—ha 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 vou elected him for— you knew that be was capable of uttering such a wise sentime .t as that when your City sent him to. Par liament.—(Loud laughter.) Lrge him upon that point ; let it lie publicly known that you approve of his conduct ; beg of him that he will impress the necessity he sees on the Home of Commons, and let him know that you end 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 propcsed measure would give the Continent three years' warning, by which all the corn that the Continent could produce would be grown, which would, up to the end of the three years, be poured upon our country • and that therefore it would b e much better for the farmer - that the total repeal sh ou ld take effect at once.--(lleac, bear.) I N 01' ll su rel y Ministerg i e r . wonder what "f a r mer's friend" invented that plan.—( Loud lau) ought to ~, ,,t . h aa t is one of the points whi :h the he is only waiting m e soien d good n n u you may assistance to induce him depend upon it rn t ; i s e t r a e ke w .n.—(l.oud cheers.) to amend it, if I The speaker west on to say that there rot likess another subject ef something k l v w i n n o i of ofa which grieved him a little. He remnant of the duty, even the one shilling. the sort be desired, in order that it might much corn came into the country, he would suggest that w their object was . to get corn rather than to 1:now how much came into the conntry.—(Laughter.) if, however, it ave.e desirable that we should know the quantity which came in, he would ask if such knowledge could not be equally ob tained by a one shiiling bounty instead of a one shilling duty ?---:Hear, hear.) lie did c n o o rr t ec d t ou re b t t u , however, that without either duty or bou s° c captains a e i n n a s l t o y l penalty. Colonel for tlty nn it a n k p i o n r g t imported lycouldrnn wrong e d p e rc7acruarteidn.n .Laentdthveerreybefeaw conduct of the Premier in NT'eanelspsownoulprdocebede edteintop had had the effect of subduing the warlike spirit which had begun of the Oregon question, statingthat hisp romytit h ud d e extol ttempted t cst. r ei s c k o the begun to manifest itself in the United States, and prognosti eating that his (the Premier's) measures would have the effect of averting the war altogether.—(Bear, hear.) R. R. R.:11loos,E, Esq., was next introduced to‘th e me e tin 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 nut effected by public clamour, or by threats of violence, but by strength of argument—proceeded to comment 'upon - a passage in the speech of Mr. Sidney Herbert, de livered in the House a Commons on Monday night, in which he said that the Corn Bill cf 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 vs 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 wring—or to call attention to the hot haste with which the law was passed, and the refusal of time for popular opinion to speck out. He had no desire to go into the history of the working of the law, and to point out how popular opinion was put down by spilling the blood of the people at Peterloo, 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 would, now that they must have teen their error, exert themselves to obtain for the people a total and immediate repeal of the obnoxious law. (Cheers.) After enlarging upon the .importance 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 anxious that the repeal should be imme diate.—(Loud cheers.) The farmers, too, were equally soli— citous upon that head, fearing that very serious consequences might result from the three years protection. After some 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 not to dissolve till the total repeal was finally settled, they must continue their exertions; and they would con tinue them in the registration courts and other places till no ye:lige 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., 2501. ; Joseph Eden, Esq., 2501.; Edward Thomas, Esq., 2501.; William Tuthill, Esq., 200.; Edward Keate, Esq., 1001.; Naish and Co., 10C1.; James Charlton, Esq., 100/. ; Thomas Sanders, Esq,. , , 1001. ; Wm. Wills, Esq , ; 11. 0. Wills, Esq.,loo/.; S. S. Fry and Son,lool. There were several 501. and 251., and smaller sums, and we believe the collec ions amounted to about 3,00 a. !Ulu the collection the meeting broke up. CHARING-CROSS BRIDGE CO-M PANY.—(THIS DAY.) The half-yearly general meeting of the proprietors of this Company was held at one o'clock this , afternoon at the Company's offices No. 9, Villiers-street, Strand, for the pur pose of receiving the dirc - ctors' report and the transaction of other business.; There was a large attendance of share holders. Amongst the Directors present we observed Messrs. Corv, Sutton, Miller, Vaughan, Todd, Christie, and Seeger. W. HAWES, Esq., the DeputyXhairman' took the chair, end 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 Jury 31, 1845, to Jan. 31, 1846, would justify the payment of a dividend of 18s. per share, or nearly 71 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'. 16s. against the net recciptssefter the payment of all expenses, of 3,06E1. 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 vas 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 justice 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 Parliathent obtained last session for raising additional capital to form approaches ; nor bad they attempted to raise loans to pay off the Exchequer Loan Commissioners, both or either of which they were authorised to do by the resolutions of the general meeting of propritt're, 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 Burge; ford 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. 1 hat Company now called upon the proprie tors of this Company to give them increased advent agee , wh ich 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, but the truth wa.; 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 j years. (Several proprietors of the Market Company who sere present, and who are also shareholders in the Bridge Company, Here denied the truth of the Chairman's state ment.) However, he did hope that they would shortly again meet and endeavour to settle the present differences in a manner just and honourable to both parties. The Bev. W. Odin said that this Company ought to tell the Market Company, openly and honestly, that they would pay the expenses of the settlement of the dispute existing between the two Companies, because he really believed that the Market Company was in the right and this Company in the wrong.—(Cheers.) Mr. LAING said lie believed, on the other hand, that the Market Company had not a leg to stand upon, provided they went to law.—(dear, bear.) Mr. FOWLER sincerely hoped that some amicable ar rangement would be entered into for the sake a 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 re:mites—(l - leer, hear.) The Market Company , wi th a view of satisfying dtis 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,ooo?.—(Hear, hear.) Ile could not believe the statertent of the Chairman, that the Market Company had "most unreasonably repudiated the reasonable and fair pro posals of this Company."—(Cheers ) The Hon. Mr. BOIIVERIE also recommended: this Com. pany to 'enter into an amicable arrangement with the Mar ket Company. The CHAIRMAN then rose to vindicate the conduct of him self and his fellow-directors with regard to the Market Cvm. pany. It had been said by Mr. Fowler that the Markel Company bad conceded a great right in carrying out du alteration of the pier; but that was carried out by mutua. agreement, and that Comp my could not, therefore, clahr 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 pert of the agreement at a greater expense tha 7 this Company, they had no right to charge this Company with any injustice.—(Neer, bear.) This Company proposed that one- sixth more of the bridge should be appropriated to the Market Cmnpany than they were entitled to, for the purposes of their traffic, and surely a proposition of that sort should be at once accepted by them. Mr. STAINTON charged the directors of this Company with injustice to the Market Companv, although had it not. been for that Company the Bridge Company would have been bankrupt.— (Cheers.) The CHAIRMAN denied that such was the fact. Mr. SEAGER ' as a director of the Hungerford Market Com. pany, appealed to the Chairman and also to the shareholders present, who were proprietors of the Market Company, .yhether be 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 nut 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 lion. 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.—(llear.) The expense of that ar rangement ought, in his opinion, to be equally paid by the two companies. lie called on such proprietors of the Market Company as were present to avoid all legal proceedings by at once recommending their Board to accede to the requests of {his Company.—(Applause.) The CHAIRMAN theta said that he had given the discussion fair play, and he believed he might say that the unanimous wish of the meeting was, that two distinct ways should at once be made over the bridge.—( 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 bridge was being properly carried out by Messrs. Jackson and others. He then proposed that the dividend recommended, viz., 18s. per share, by the directors, ehould 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 CHAIRMAN 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. BUCKSIA , :rtH moved, and an Hon. Proprietor se conded, that the beet thanks of the meeting be given to the Chairman for his ab!c conauct in the chair. rho resolution was put, unanimously carried, and responded to by the Chairman, after which the meeting separated. NORTHERN AND EASTERN RAIL WAY.—( rills DAY.) A meeting of the proprietors in this railway was held to 7. day at the Company's offices, Shoreditch. Richard Paterson, Eq., occupied the chair. The SEotETAny 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, had been engrossed, and that the common seals of the two Companies had been affixed thereto. "The leading feature of (lee agreement was, that the share holders of the NJrtliern 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 50/. 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 divi sion 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, 1813. "The extension of the Northern and Eastern Itai:way to Cambridge and Brandon had necessarily produced a consi derable increase of traffic, but,nwing to the want of engifie power and carrying stock, the Eastern Counties Company had, up to the present time, been, unable to afford all the acilities necessary its full development. al l Ivh, l ttiEtti