The Sun. — London, England, 1846-03-03 00:00:00

P AILWAY CWIMITICEES. (YESTERDAY) Sub-Committee No. 1. i ;pis Committee met to -day at 12 o'ci„cs in room No. 7 ; Mr. Strutt, chairman C 02,NW.0.16 L. T his case, which was part heard on Friday, was resumed. • 51. r. Burke appeared for the promoters. Mr. F,Liacomas proceeded to open the case for the petitioners against the Bill. The petitions contained a large number of allega tions, many of them of the greatest importance if they should be sus tained. The first was the joint petition of Mr. Thomas West!ake and others. Mr. BUR RE said he bad to object:to the petition being gone into, inasmuch as the petrtion purporting to be Mr. Westlake's had not been signed by that gentlenian. Indeed, he was prepared to prove that MrltWestlake was perfectly willing for the line to go on his property. Emacoares was prepared to prove that th e p etitioner had Mr. authorised the'solicitor for the opposition to append his na me to the petition. Mr. BURRS contended that the petition could not be received, inas much as it had been decided over and over again that it was a breach of privilege to append the name of any person to a petition without not only his authority, but even had he give, such authority without, in case of his not being able to write, his mark being placed opposite his name. In this case, even admitting the statement of Mr. Bllicombe, the petition did not contain the mark of Mr. Westlake, who could not write his own name. The Committee decided that the petitioner's names lind not been appended to the petition in conformity with the standing orders, and that, therefore, the petition, so far as regarded Mr. Westlake's pro perty was concerned, could not be entertained. The allegations in the petitions of the other parties.avere then gone into. The first allegation was, that the standing orders had not been compliti with, inasmuch as the cross s ection did not show the alter a tions proposed in a road which crossed the line. Mr. BIIRAE contended that it was not necessary to do su ch altera so. Mr. BRUNEL said that it was not necessary to show lion on the cross sections ; the cross sections were valueless when the Bill passed the standing orders. Mr. ELLICOMBE would maintain that the allegation was a most im portant one, and he was certain the Committee would take the same view of the question. If the promoters were allowed to titre the same view of it as Mr. Brunel, there would be no necessity of coming before a Standing Orders' Committee at all. The room was then ordered to be cleared, and after a few minutes' deliberation, The CHAremAN said the Committee were unanimously of opinion that the standing orders had not been complied with, inasmuch as the cross sections of roads at No. 67 on the plan did not point out the alterations w hich would take place on the line, should the Bill pass into a law. The next allegation was, that certain roads marked on the plan were not shown on the sections, in compliance with the 23d standing order. Mr. Buakk said that as the roads in nuestion . were mot intersected by the line, although within the limits of deviation, it was not ne cessary for them to be delineated on the section. Mr. Emacomaz would maintain that the omission was a non cempllance with the standing orders. The CHAIRMAN said the Committee were of opinion that, as the roads were not intersected by the lind Of railway, the allegation must be overruled. She next was that the lessee of property, Nos 53 and 54, on the plan had not been served with notice, - nor Lad his name appeared is the book of reference Mr. Busks contended at much length against the allegation, but lie was stopped by The CHAIRMAN, wee said that the Committee were of opinion the standing orders Mi. na been* complied with, inasmuch as the lessee of certain fields had not been served with notice, nor was his name on the books of reference as lessee of the property mentioned in the allegation. Several other allegations of a similar character were sustained, and a few unimportant ones were abandoned. This closed the case. Sib-Committee, No. 2. ZDZNNUNGN, GLASGOW, AND DITATBAR- TONSIIIR.E JUNCTION. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) Mr. PRITT, in his cross-examination of this witness, inquired as to the accurate distance of the road from the point marked 133 being two miles and four furlongs. Mr. YoRKE, (who entered a few minutes before) objected to this line of examination being proceeded with, and a discussion then arose which endeed In the room being cleared. The Custansx (on our re-admission) said that the Committee were -of opinion. that Mr. Pratt might pursue the line of examination he had adopted with reference to the accuracy of the section. Mr. Frew re-examined—Made his survey at Helensburgh, and carried it up .(in conjunction with Mr. Kyle), to the point 231, and the section . was wrong at that point. It would follow as a matter' of course that the plan would be wrong at the point that he had been called upon to examine. Both the points alluded to were wrong. Mr. Kyle, engineer, examined—The previous witness was his as sistant for a number of years and he generally found him correct in his surveys. There was an error of 3 feet 6in the notes of persons who had checked the line for the promoters of the Bill at the point in quation. The notes passed through /he point of the line• alluded to, and the result showed that the error alleged was committed Was convinced, from the perusal of these notes, that his own calculations w ere correct. _ _ _ Cross-examined—lt was not an unusual thing fbr engineers to make their levels from different datum points, which was the case In the present instance. There was a change of gradients at two miles three furlongs and eight chains. There was a difference be tween his calculations and those of the notes made by the party who surveyed the line for the promoters. The Committee were of opinion that the allegation was not sus tained, and therefore that in this case the standing orders had been complied with. Several allegations tq the same effect were abandoned. The next was an allegation by the proprietor of the ferry at Bern hill, which was crossed by the railway by, two bridges. Mr. M'KENzis proved that Mr. Smollett had a right by crown charter to levy ferry dues on the bridge in question, which he had substituted for a ferry boat. The line of railway did not touch the bridge. Mr. Smollett was prqprietor of the laud on the side of the river. Leaven, where the railway came to. Was agent to Mr. Smell et. The allegation was not sustained. It was also klleged that the radius of the curve at the Glasgow Terminus, which was a mile in length, was not marked on the plan deposited. Mr. Pairr contended that, the allegation was not sufficientlyspecific, specific, inasmuch as it did not , state what section was meant. The allegation was not sustained. Mr. GRAHAM suggested, that as the next case which related-to the Canal Company could not possibly , terminate that day, the case should be postponed. The Committee then adjourned shortly before four o'clock to twelve o'olock to-morrow. Sub-Committee, No. 6. SOUTH WALES. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) Considerable delay was occasioned in this case in consequence of a point raised by the Chairman as to the sufficiency of the declaration regarding the mode of raising the necessary funds for the estimates. Thedeclaration set forth that the sum of 1,101,0001., which was part of a sum of 1,611,0001., was provided for by a surplus of the original funds of the company, of which 2,530,0001., had not been required. The consitleration of the point raised occupied about an hour, and on our readmission to the room, which had been cleared of strangers, the Chairman decided that the declaration was sufficient, but post poned his final decision until he should have consulted with the Chair men of the othbr Sub-Committees: This waa the only railway petition *which came under the con sideration of the Committee, and they adjourned at four o'clock till twelve to-morrow. STANDING ORDERS' COMMITTEES HOUSE OF LORDS. This Committee resumed its labours at twelve o'clock this day. ' Several cases came under the 'consideration of the Com mittee, but, in consequence of the non-attendance of wit nesses, they were adjourned till a future day. The case of the WATERFORD, WEXFORD, and DUBLIN RAILWAY, -which occupied nearly the entire day, . has been fixed to come on at twelve o'clock to-morrow morning. The '.TEMPLEMORE and. NENAGH RAILWAY with the CLONMEL and THURLES have also been adjourned. ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE. WESTERN ClRCUlT.—Winchester, March 2. The Judges going this circuit, Mr. Baron Rolfe and Mr. Justice Erie, arrived her.) on Saturday last. They ere met by the High Sheriff, John Beardm ore, Esq., and his train w , at about two o'clock, and immediately proCeeded to open the commission with the usual formalities. Yesterday (Sunday) both the Learned Judges attended Divine ser vice at the Cathedral. The business of the assizes commenced this day. The cause list contains an entry of fourteen causes, of which two are marked for special juries. Mr. Baron Rolfe, who presides in the Civil Court, has disposed of eight of the common juries this morning, of which several were undefended. The special juries are fixed fur Wed nesday. The calendar is very heavy, containing the names of ninety-five prisoners. The crimes with which they are charged are also in many instances of a very serious character, there being two charged with murder, one with manslaughter, one with attempt to murder by poison, four with unnatural offences, three with rape, twelve with burglaries, and a like number for highway robberies. It is a circum stance deserving of the greatest attention that in this long cata logue of crime, out of the whole ninety-five prisoners only one is pos -I,olal of superior education, fifty-two can read and write lamer tly, while thirty-two can neitherjead nor write at all, so that it would seem that more than the usual amount of ignorance to be found in rural districts exists amongst the poorer inhabitants of this county. • There is a report prevalent in the town that Lieutenant Hawkey, 'aim, cur readers may remember, was one of the principals in the un happy duel which took place some months since, near Southampton, the result of which was the death of Captain Seto!), will surrender to take his trial at the present assizes ; but we believe the fact to be that Lieutenant Pym, who was Mr. Hawkey's second at the duel, will surrender and be tried, bnt that Mr. Hawkey will nut do so at present.. We understand that Mr. Cockburn and Mr. Sergeant King lake are retained for the defence We need scarcely say that the above report has caused considerable excitement, as the parties are .so well known in the neighbourhood. Nothing of importance has taken place in the Crown Court to-day. OXFORD ClRCUlT.—Reading, March 2. • - CROWN COURT.—(Before Mr. Baron PLATT.) Charles Ford, aged 27, was indicted for having, on the night of the 20th of December last, unlawfully entered some hind, the pro perty of tke Earl of Falmouth, armed, and in pursuit of game, and for assaulting William Wood, one of Lord Falmouth' , gamekeepers. Wood and two other gamekeepers went out on the night in ques tion to a place called Bannister's coppice, and at about 25 minutes to one in the morning they heard the report of a gun in the direc tion of Chaplid's coppice, between which and the spot they then were watching in runs the River. Kennet. They immediately went towards the coppice whence the sound proceeded, and before reaching it heard two more reports, and actually saw the stock of the gun in the last instance. On going farther they perceived three men under a tree. Wood, who was the foremost of the three, tried to take them, and, although two got off, he laid hold of the smock-frock of the third, which tore in his hand, and this man also made his escape. A close Pursuit. was the consequence, and . on Wood coming up with the poacher he found him fighting with Saunder,i, one of the other gamekeepers. A scuttle ensued, and Wood was thrown down, and his assailant also fell ; a man whom the poacher called "Bob " joined in the fray, and Wood was severely beaten with a. short gun. Wood identified the prisoner as the party wh, was fighting with Saunders, and by whom he himself had been struck. Another cir cumstance corroborathay, this evidence was, that in the scuffle the man had lost his hat ; a hat was afterwards found near the spot in which the prisoner's name was written, and which wits clearly proved to have belonged to him. whom f I. Williams was ri nor. -Semerset. prosecut e d ; and Mr. J. ros, with defended the p The Short Learnedeliberation Ju,no th E e prisoner Guilt havin summed y up, the j ury found, after a d Mr. Baron PLATT passed sentence of transportation for ten venni No other case of interest came ou in this Court to-d a S y. piCer, accused o f having murdered his wif e , will be tried ' a w t a th rd f the Court on Wednesday next. °P lll li t ng the Nisi Prins Court. the Lord Chief Baron was occupied the grater part of the day 111 trying an action of trespass, in which the a lleged to have erected a pig - stye on land not his own. clue possessed nothing of interest. CENTRAL -CRIMINAL COURT. SENTENCES AND SESSIONAL RESULTS. Appended Is an officially correct account of the principal sentences passed in the three Courts, together with other minor results and adjudications : Leath—Thomas William Wicks, 20 (for murder). Banishment—The under-mentioned convicts were sentenced to be transported beyond the sea fur the periods set against their respective names : For Life—T Tovin, 44 (for rape), Feacy (manslaughter). Twenty Years—J. Stone, sen., 50 (for arson). Fifteen Years-, 0 31. Reason, 24, A. Jones , 20, E. B. Carey (for forary)• Ted Years—J. Williams, J. Murphy, J. Brasington, G. Breston, G. Ryan, 22, W. Lawson, IL Weston, T. Miles, J. Doyle, alias 19, J. Kelly, alias I'. Towel!, 19, G. Brown, alias W. Cullum, Louts Phillip. Seven Years—G. Smith, 19, W. Dixon, 10, G. Hopkins, S. Soper, T. Goodey, W. Howard, 19, W. Dobson, 1 7, Adam Hay, T. Cox, -J. Morley, Mary Ann Smith, 43, Sarah M. Chamberlain, Imprisonment wtih Hard Labour-The following were erdered be Confined to hard labour in the House of Correction for the coati tles wherein the offences were committed for the periods named : For Two Years:T. Brown, P. Thompson. For Eighteen Months—Mary Wilson, J. Stafford, H. Brown, Eleanor Clayton, Rivers Tuck, H. Winton, G. Cooper, W. Satoh. For one Year —W. Brett, J. Walker, Fanny Goldsmith, Ann Weston• H. T. Kellerby, Ann Jones, S. W. Alabaster, R. Hickratt, j. Leggatt, J. Weston, 11. Davis, W. Parke, R. Williams, J. Mur phy, J. Wllmott, C. Pearson, H. Stevens, U. Hester, W, M, Higgins, T. Jones, T. Davis, T. Glynn, R. Lamb. For Nine Months—G. Melts, C. Chubb, T. Wilner, T. Bench, sJiZ Months - J. West, alias Rogers, W. Lapham, F. T. Pepe% Harriet Rachael Steggie, Phoebe Dredge, Ann miner, Mary Fletcher, M a ry Ann Morgan, W. Fostlowaite, It, osb•ras, alias Emery, X. T. Knight, G. Smith, 30, W. PaSSMOre, J. Westbrook, W. Austin, R. Thorpe, F. Whale, H. J. Peterson, T. Lowe, J. Ward, G. Smith, 19, W. Francis, T. Shields, J. T. Syers, H. Hunter, Mary Martin, J. Risen, E. Chits. Four Months—J. Green, Catherine Hulbert; J. Smith, I. Barnes, Three Months—Emily Elwood, Elizabeth Gard, Elisabeth Webb, W. Smith, G. Mitchell, J. Ferguson, J. Gibson, J. Smith, W. Jones, G. Cripps. T. Cripps. Discharged by Proclamation—T. Clark, T. Russell, G. Langston, C. Llewellyn. Acquitted and Discharged—T. Brown, W. M Gro aves F , T. Smith, R. Davis, W. Seeley, T. Silk, Mary A. Morgan, ry Smith, H Bolt, William Newell, T. Olpin, A. Sellis, T. Stone, jun., H. Bolden,ln W. Bentley, W. Dovor, T. True, H. Stagg, J. Adams. Adams, jun., A. Adams, J. Rogers, W. Groves, T. Jenkins, H. Hale, J. Hill, W. Ford, Mary A. Goldsmith, Mary A. Rogers, Mary A. Keeley, Ann Stone alias Ann Hyde, Mary A. Morgan, W. Richard- son, W. Franklin. Minor Sentences and other Adjudications —Imprisoned for two months, 5 ; for six weeks, 2 ; for one month, 6 ; for fourteen days and under, 8 ; for one hour, 1. Privately whipped, 4 ; surrendered for trial, 8 ; acquitted, 33 ; remanded and traversed, 4 ; judgments respited, 4 ; discharged on recognizanes, 2 ; admitted as evidence, I ; confessed guilt, 21. The session having terminate], the Court adjourned to Monday, the 30th instant. DREADFUL ACCIDENT at GREEN WICIL—THREE LIVES LOST. On Saturday an accident of a very distressing charac ter, by which three persons were prematurely hurried into eternity, occurred in the extensive chemical works belonging to Mr. Hills, situate near the Pilot, East Greenwich. From the few particulars that could be ob tained during the confusion that prevailed, we ascertained that three men, named Francis Reeves, Thomas Birken, and Richard Middleton, were employed in the factory cleaning out a large vessel in which some chemical pre paration had been. The two former had hardly got to the bottom of the vessel when the fumes of the spirit contained therein overcame them, and they both fell senseless on their faces. The other unfortunate fellow not perceiving what had happened, or else desirous of assisting his fellow-work men, also descended the same vessel, and almost in• stantaneously shared the same fate. An alarm was im mediately raised, and several persons quickly repaired to the factory to render assistance. Upon gaining the ill-fated utensil, a lamentable sight presented itself. The three poor men were observed lying in a heap at the bottom. What to do for the best the parties present scarcely knew, but the foreman of the factory, more bold than the others, instantly leaped into the place, with the hope of rescuing the men. In this praisewor thy endeavour he was foiled, for no sooner had he got into the vessel than the fumes also overcame him, and had it not been for the extraordinary exertions of others he must likewise have perished ; as it wlks he was got out alive, but in a very exhausted state. As soon as possible the three others were got out, and a surgeon was promptly in attendance, but not in time to be of any assistance, life in each being extinct. The bodies were subsequently removed to a neighbouring public-house to await the coroner's inquest. It is re ported that the men had received strict injunetions that they were not to enter the utensil until they bad tried the same with a lighted candle, to ascertain whether or not it was perfectly safe. This order, it seems, was not attended to, and the fatal consequences that followed was the result. It is stated that two of the deceased have left large families unprovided for. An inquest was held yesterday, at the Pilot Tavern, East Marshes, Greenwich, on the bodies of the three unfortunate men, when the jury agreed to the following verdict :—" That the deceesed, Richard Middleton, Francis Reeve, and Thomas Middleton, had met their deaths by suffocation from the effects of sulphureted hydrogen gas, which had escaped from one still to another still, and that this was owing to the deceased Middleton himself, by his neglecting to supply water to the other still." THE ARMY. INCREASE OF THE ARMY. CIRCULAR MEMORANDUM. HORSE G [YARDS, FEB. 20. The following augmentation to certain corps of ca valry and infantry having been sanctioned by her Ma jesty's Government, officers in command of the regi ments and depots concerned are requested to use their utmost exertions in raising men to complete their corps respectively to the proposed strength. The men so raised are to be borne as supernumeraries until the Ist April next, from which date the increased establish ments will be authorised by the War Office. 1. Four men per troop to be added to the following 17 regiments of cavalry, viz. : -Ist, 2d, 3d, 4th, sth, aed 6th Dragoor. Guards ; Ist, 2d, and 6th Dragoons ; and the 4th, 7th, Bth, 10th, 11th, 13th, and 17th Light Dragoons. 2. An augmentation of 400 rank and file to eight regiments of infantry at home, to be hereafter specially named. 3. An increase of 200 rank and file to the following 27 regiments of infantry, the service companies of which are now serving abroad-viz., Ist battalion Royals, 7th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 19th, 33d, 34th, 35th, 38th, 46th, 48th, 52d, 54th, 60th (2d battalion), 66th, 72d, 73d, 77th, 79th, 82d, 88th, 89th, 93d, and 95th Regiment, and Ist battalion Rifle Brigade. In order to provide for the immediate recruiting of those regiments and depots of infantry, an additional sergeant and corporal may forthwith be appointed to each company at home, without the necessity of any previous reference to the officer commanding the regi ment abroad ; but the appointment of the remaining six non-commissioned officers of each class to be allowed on the new establishment must be reserved for the ser vice companies, where they will be appointed on the re ceipt of the order, and from whence they will be sent home by the earliest opportunity, together with any others who may be at the same time supernumerary to the regular establishment of these companies. There will thus be 26 non-commissioned officers of each class with the depot, and only 24 with the service companies, exclusive of staff serjeants, but has not only the recruiting of the whole corps, but the staff of the depot is to be provided for, the distribution now pre scribed has been deemed expedient. In the regiments . ,thus augmented to 1000 rank and file, the drummers will be equally divided between the service companies and depot. With regard to the regiments about to be augmented to 1,200 rank and file, they will for the presed'remain, as heretofore, consolidated in 10 companies, but it is in tended that they shall hereafter be divided into two battalions, of six companies each, in the same manner as those already organised on that footing. After this separation, and during the period both bat talions may remain at home, the non-commissioned offi cers will be equally divided between them, but when ordered to proceed abroad, the Ist battalion will embark 24 and the reserve 28 non-commissioned officers, leaving eight of each class at the regimental depot ; there to be maintained by the battalions to which they respectively belong, exclusive of those who from time to time may be sent home for immediate discharge. In order to provide for musicians, &c., the Ist batta • lions of those corps, as well as the service companies of regiments, will henceforth be permitted to embark 560 rank and file, but they will carry with them only 540 stand of arms and sets of accoutrements ; and reserve battalions not being allowed bands will, as heretofore, consist of 540 rank and file. In regiments on an establishment of 1,200 rank and file there will be 10 drummers with the Ist battalion, 12 with the reserve, and at the depot. The services of an ensign at the depot of these regi ments will no longer be required; each of the battalions will provide a lieutenant for that duty, and the captain will be furnished by the battalions alternately. These instructions will be understood to apply as well to regiments already formed as to those now p roposed to be augmented, and they will be expected to conform to them accordingly. . _ _ By command of Field-Marshal the Duke of We' lington, Commander in-Chief. JOHN MACDONALD, A.G. ARMY ESTIMATES. The army estimates for the year ending 31st of March, 1847, provides for 108,608 officers, non-commissioned officers, and rank and tile, and 6,250 horses for the United Kingdom and colonies. The number of her Majesty's troops to be employed in the East Indies is 30,497 officers, non-commissioned officers, and rank and file, and 3,506 horses. Of th ese troops 6,011 are officers, 9,994 non-commissioned officers, and 123,100 rank and file. The cost for the land forces employed in the United Kingdom and colonies will be 3,776,0001. ; and for those stationed in the East Indies 976,5171. The votes fur stair officers will be 169.4351. ; Public departments, 94,4391. ; Royal Military College, 17,043/. ; Royal Military Asylum and Hibernian School, 14.323/., volunteer corps 8,2751., and unprovided services (of former years) 36,3011, making a total to be provided for (deducting the cost of troops employed in the Ea,t Indies, appropriations in aid to the amount of 20,5050 of 4,169,701/ The charge for the non- effective service, consisting of 75,316/. (after deducting appropria tions in aid) is 1,913,204. Total charge for the eff ctive and non-effe.ctive servie , s, 6,082,901/. The non-effective service comprises rewards for military service, army pay of general officers, full pay of retired officers, half-pay and military allowances, foreign half-pay, widows' pen sions, compassionate allowances, &c. ; in-pensioners and out-pensioners of Chelsea and Kilmainham Hospitals, and superannuated allowances. ORDNANCE ESTIMATES. The Ordnance Estimates for the year 1846-7, are—For the effective services, 2,594.3521.; and for the non-effec tive services, 123,5821, teing an addition to the esti mates for the year 1845-6, of 401,4471. The charges for the respective ordnance corps are as follows:—Royal Engineers, 97,0001.; Royal Sappers and Miners, 45,3901.; field-train Royal Artillery, 36,2691.; Royal Horse Artillery,36,o43/. ; riding-house troop, 1,5781; master gunners, 4,0741.; 3 t c4 c t . )o t r a ,pia l sB 1 i. ; department, 1,8121.; medical department, 11,0091.; miscellaneous hospital expenses, Divine service, movement of troops, and recruiting, supplies,lB ordnance 99l Pay, allowances, and contingencies of the . 575,6701. Commissariat and barrack ments :n the United ° 'ldcitalgndee,, office, 95,6031. ; establish wages of artificers and laboure rs , an,d827,1372is 3 o o r t i O n o a 2 n / c . e ; stores for land and EPIt SerViCere4rlso build ings, and repairs, 660,4061. ; scientific ; •.% urlts, The non-effective service for the ensuing year esti mateda6rle327ll2B,sB2l. Total effective and non-effective at 2,7 17 , 9341 . Under the head works, buildings, &e., and abroad,ng; B, se c r . vices, , we have for fort ifi ca ti o n s at 263,96 q. ; ,1951. ; b arr acks, 340,05 2 1 for vrdnamod civil buildings, 251 FIRE AT THE RESIDENCE OF THE COUNTESS OF WEsTstotterAtio,—On Sunday night an alarming lire occurred at the residence of the Dowagel, COntess of Westmoreland, No. 8, Dorset- Pi4ce. A few minutes after her Ladyship 1240 retired to rest on the above mentioned night she discovered that the candle having aced room were on Apo, owing, it is supposed, to the &litany fallen against ppm. Miss Dovien, who slept In the same Mom, ineffectually trie',l to extinguish the fla mes, and received some injuries in the attempt; and the fire assuming an alarming appear ance, the two ladies gave an alarm, and fortunately succeeded in making their escape. The engines were shortly in attendance, and the flames ware subdeed, with no damage beyond the partial destruc tion cf the furniture in the apartment, TgE EARL of MAR.—We are authorised to state that there is not ens word of truth in the report that Lord Mar has been seized with apoplexy and not likely to recover. His Lordship never had any such attack, and le 43 Roffoct 3iotail.--Alintol4l4 IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. .HOUSE OF LORDS, March 2. The Earl of SHAFTESBURY took his seat on the Wool sack at Five o'clock. • IRISH RAILWAYS. Lord MONTEAGLE rose to present a petition from certain individuals in Ireland, praying that some trifling irregularities which had occurred in the serving of notices on parties connect d with a line of railway between Wexford and Carlow, might not impede , the passing of those works through the Standing. Orders' Committee. The expediency of passing measures to facilitate the providing employment for the Irish people was denied by no one; and their Lordships, as well as the other House of Parliament, seemed to feel that these rail roads were the most natural and most useful source of employment. They complained that a stop might be put to these works unless the House interfered. He gave notice that to-morrow he should call the attention of their Lordships to the petition. PROTECTION. The Duke of RICHMOND presented thirty-six peti tions from various parishes in Montgomeryshire, praying that protection to agriculture may be continued. He also presented a similar petition from Fermoy, in the county of Cork. PROTECTION OF LIFE (IRELAND) BILL. Lord BROUGHAM said that highly approving of the general scope of this measure, introduced by the Noble Lord (Earl St. German s), and as there were seme important amendments to be proposed by his Noble and Learned Friend Lord Denman, who was absent, he (Lord Brougham) should; as the organ of his Noble and Learned Friend, suggest that the Bill be considered in Committee to-morrow, or they might commit it pro forma now, and re-commit it for the consideration of the amendments to-morrow. The LORD CHANCELLOR suggested that it would be better to have the Bill printed and laid on the table te-morrow, and that they should go into Committe on Friday night, which was agreed to. IRISH COERCION BILL. Lord GREY rose and said, that unless some change took place in the Coercion Bill, respecting persons who were found out before sunrise and after sunset, he would feel it his duty to move an amendment. Lord CAMPBELL said that a power should be given, when it could be made to, appear that a fair trial could not be had, to change the venue to some country or other place where a fair trial could be secured. A NOBLE Loan suggested the propriety of post poning the second reading until Monday, when Lord BROUGHAM said his Noble Friend was not aware that the Earl of St. Germans was leaving town on Friday. • After a few words from Lord BROUGHAM and Lord CAMPBELL, Earl GREY said that he had not had the opportunity of seeing the amendments introduced by the Lord Chief Justice, and he could, therefore, only say that unless these amendments embraced one which he intended to propose—namely, to mitigate the punishment of those who might be out after sunset—he, considering that transportation was much too great a punishment for the offence alleged; should such an amendment not have been introduced, he would feel it his duty to divide the House upon the subject. The LORD CHANCELLOR believed that the amend ment of his Noble and Learned Friend embraced in sub stanee that contemplated by the Noble Lord. THE VICTORIES IN THE EAST—THANKS TO THE ARMY. The Earl of RIPON then rose to move the thanks of the House to the officers and men employed in the army of India. Their Lordships were never niggardly in offering their thanks to those whose services were given to their common Sovereign and their common country, who had exercised all the powers of their minds and the strength of their bodies with the view of promoting the honour, and the interest, and the safety of the country ; and their Lordships might be well assured that they never tendered their thanks to those gallant men without inspiring them with feelings of gratitude which must toll, and did tell, in their future exertions,' and contri buted to produce those resolute actions for which they were that day called oa to return their thanks. It bad always been the desire, in order that the expression of their Lordships sense of gratitude might be tendered in the most gratifying and graceful manner ; it had always, he repeated, been their Lordship's desire that no thing in the words in which the thanks were expressed, or in the manner of recommending them, should prevent their Lordships from coming to a unanimous vote upon the subject. That was the course which he intended to follow on the present occasion ; and in the mode in which these resolutions of thanks bad been worded, he thought that he would give occasion to no expression of dissent from any of their Lordships. It would be his en deavour, of course, in the observations he should have to make to them, to avoid saying anything that would be inconsistent with this principle. Their Lordships would bear with him in proposing this vote, if he stated as briefly as possible,' the circumstances con nected with these affairs, for which they were about to give the thanks of their Lordships' House. The papers which had been laid upon the table, were not placed there for the purpose of calling on their ordships to express an opinion with regard to the political ques tion involved. Those papers were laid upon the table for the purpose of exhibiting to their Lordships one singular feature in the state of affairs in the city of Lahore. In trigues of every kind, violence of every kind, murder after murder from time to time practised against those who had obtained power in that state. All those circum stances occurred time after time for a long period, extending disorder and confusion to a degree that had no parallel even in India itself. It was obvious that this state of things could not fail to excite the constant anxiety of the Government, still the policy which was pursued by the Governor, on which- he (the Earl of Ripon) did not call upon their Lordships to express any opinion—was that it was not desirable for this country to embark in hostilities for the purpose of attempting to put an end to the horrors which were taking place. It appeared however in the course of these transactions, that an idea was en tertained among the ruling powers of the Punjaub, who were exposed to constant apprehension fur their own lives —a . notion became prevalent among them that their best chance of securing their own lives against this powerful and mischievous, and, as it must in truth be called, mutinous army, was by inducing that army to pass the frontier and commit itself to hostilities with us, not for the purpose of conquests in our territory, but for the purpose of com pelling us to commence operations against them, which should end in the destruction of the army itself. He believed that this was an unparalleled circumstance in the history even of uncivilised countries. But it was not that circumstance alone which justified the 'Go vernor-General in assembling an army for the purpose of passing the frontier and carrying on the war. It did, however, render it necessary, in convection with the other events which had occurred in Lahore, for the Governor-General to consider how he should meet the contingencies which might or might not arise, and with that view he directed a considerable force to assemble near the frontier. There appeared to have -been great vacillation in the councils of the enemy. At one time they were for war, and at another they were terrified at the prospect of it. It appeared that the person who had exercised the ruling power —the brother of the Ranee, the mother of the Sovereign on the throne—it appeared that he, a drunken profligate, was influenced by a sort of ambition, and was also terrified by the prospect of be;ng put to death by the rivals of his power ; and, in order to secure himself, it appeared that he caused the assassination of a certain Singh, who was reputed, al though he was not supposed to be, the son of the late Runjeet Singh; and that murder was exceedingly dis tasteful to the troops, and induced them to threaten his life. He subsequently met with his fate, which of late years had been common to those who had ob tained power in that country; he was himself assassinated. At length there did appear some distinct grounds for supposing that some mad project was in contempla tion. About the end of November intelligence was conveyed to the Governor-General informing him that the Seikhs were collecting in the neighbour hood of . the Sutlej. The information received was to the effect that the plan of campaign which they (the Seikhs) had undertaken, was to move out of their territory into ours, and attacked it, with several divisions at different points. This plan of ope ration, if it had taken place, would have had the effect of detaching, on several points, the Seikh army, con trary to all military principles, and subjected them selves to being operated on in different quarters, so as to be defeated in detail, while %heir chances of success were very small. In consequence of this the British army, or that portion of it, at the head of which was the Governor-General, concentrated its force at those points which were threatened. Eventually the Seikh leaders altered their policy, and several portions of their army, which had been detached at a considerable distance from each other, collected near Peshawur, to the num ber of about 8,000 men, and 24 pieces of light artillery, while they had in reserve, partly mounted, from 30 to to 42 pieces. The Noble Lord here gave a number of details respecting the collection and concentration of the Seikh forces on the Sutlej, and the steps which were taken on the part of the Governor-General and the British army to meet the threatened invasion. As soon as it was evident that s descent was to be made on the British side of Sutlej, it was deemed expedient to collect the largest possible force in the shortest time to meet the enemy. That was done by forced marches, and subjecting the troops to great fatigue, which they willingly bore, with that cha racteristic fortitude which the British army has always evinced. They arrived at Peshawur in perfect order, and were immediately prepared, if called upon, for action. He took up. a position in that neighbourhood so as to give him the greatest command ; in fact, he took it on the right flank, and the pass of that district was consequently rendered exceedingly formidable, and, under many circumstances, most dangerous. It was ab solutely necessary for him to interpose between the etl - acti o nnrt ttdoa ord e re d t s vane; of our army from Moodkee to Ferozepore. The opposite force was approaching within a com paratively small distance, and he was deter mined to make an attack. The remainder of the army amounted nearly to 40,000 men, and he believed that forty pieces of pennon, were moved forward to make an attack upon our advance forges. ft was an nounced that he had taken possession at Moodkee, and to ad vance; ica w aod - en a avt s iitcl o tee. b es ; it was necessary to take immediate steps to repel that ious that that policy was a v v v e , very wise one, b ecause it would bring the other force? into ret ,,,, i rm oc ie ctrtt 1510, 1 . gt e 4 ,:t enemy wa4 entirely repulsed with a very considerable loss of their men and nineteen pieces of cannon. The effect was that the enemy retired into a position which w as adverse to our interests. Cemmunicatien K ith Ferozepore was established .by taktng a position qq right. There were no plans of the battle, or he should -SUN' LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, MARCH 3; 4 1846. refer their Lordships to it for flrther explanation. At Ferozepore a junction was forned for the purpose of uniting the forces, and when united they took the enemy's entrenched camp. The effect of that junction was apparent on the morning )f the 2 ist, and the po sition which we then occulted (whirl was about half-past one) was, as far as he could make out by the clispatcies, an oblong, and which enabled us to entremh the enemy's camp. It being still within three or four hours of daylight, it was deemed advisable to make s Further attack when day should appear; a wise and nco e proceeding, although there may be, and I believe Pim are some, who con sidered it was rash to do so. The attack, in spite of all difficulties, in spite of the great number of the enemy, was determined on and made with vigour, and after a severe conflict, a portion of the camp of the enemy was taken, and his hopes of effectual resistance abandoned. The darkness of the night rendered any further attack at the instant impossible, but the work was only begun; it was necessary to press forward, and it was determined in the morning, as soon as day broke, that an attack should be made. I need hardly say that the night was passed in considerable anxiety, but they determined to maintain their position, and follow up the success which they had gained. During this bivouack the enemy made an attack, but they were the first, and immediately driven back. This was one of the most gallant portions of the proceedings, and it seemed to have paralysed the enemy, who con tented himself for the remainder of the night with a distant cannonade. In the morning the troops at day break were again put in motion, and in half an hour swept the whole line of the enemy's entrenchments, and captured many of their guns. It was immense success, particularly when you consider what their position was. It was taken up, with regular'entrenchments formed and the cannon fixed, some of which were so heavy that the enemy considered themselves perfectly safe when they got into the rear of them.' To recapture these guns they made three several attempts, and they were at length obliged to abandon the position, and left us in possession of the field. They retreated to a village in the rear of their entrenchments, but here they had no position in a country perfectly fiat, from which they were obliged to retreat across the Sutlej. Now, my Lords, I believe that is a brief account of the transac tion, and I feel how truly inadequate I am to describe the merits of those engaged in that great battle, for I believe there never was an occasion in which British valour and military skill was more remarkable. In these desperate and hardly-fought engagements, there were of course moments of t,t 41.01 luaptirtmum when all the resources of a general are called for to meet the emergency of the occasion, but of course there were moments when the skill and the energy of the ge neral are most called upon, and when the general shows himself worthy of the country and the man. My Lords, there are some things personal with respect to the Go vernor-General, which, although he does not mention, I believe it necessary to mention, as they not only concern him, but because they happen to show the peculiar cha racter of the proceedings of that day, and because more over they indicate at the same time the invincible reso lution and untiring energy of the general and his men. My Lords, the Governor-General was placed in a most critical and dangerous position, during tke night of the 21st. When darkness had completely closed in, he had ordered the four European regiments to lay down upon the field, and in order to show them an example of the advantage of cool self-possession and intrepidity, he went with his companions in arms to lay for the night amongst them. What, my Lords, must have been his feelings when taking that position, and what must have been the feelings of the men on this occasion, whom he commanded, when they discovered that their commander, and he found that his men, were comrades in arms in the Peninsula. It was, happily, unnecessary to rouse their courage in the com bat on the following day ; but still the influence must have been considerable. In order to show the great danger to which he was exposed, 1 have only to state that during the succeeding day that every officer on his staff was killed or wounded, with the exception of one. The Governor-General, my Lords, had five officers in his staff killed, the only exception was one from whom he had received great assistance during that day ; this was an aide-de-camp, a little boy only sixteen years of age, his own son, who had only recently joined the army, and was entirely ignorant of warlike movements, but who was actuated by the noble intrepidity and excellent example of his father, and was employed during the whole of the day in conveying orders to different parts of the field. I would not use any words on this topic, for his father does not mention the circumstance, but I thought it but right that this statement should be made in justice to the boy, who may some day emulate the high qualities of him by whom he was commanded.— (Loud cheers.) The Governor-General had, at the same time, the assistance of another son, who, although he was not a military man, yet continued to render his assistance throughout the engagement. He had been originally intended for the army, but, in consequence of a severe accident in his youth, he was obliged to suffer an amputation of the foot, and was, consequently, obliged to adopt some other profession. That young man continued with his father throughout the whole of the day, but the Governor- General conceiving that he might distract his attention, with a fatherly anxiety, and much against the young man's inclination, had compelled him to retire.—(Loud chgprs.) This, my Lords, is but a small portion of all that the Governor-General had to go through, but it is sufficient to give you an idea of the perils and anxieties he had to endure. But, my Lords, we cannot too highly estimate the vast advantages to our country by the result of the battle. These advantages, however, were not gained without very heavy loss: One of the most distinguished men in that or any other field fell nobly in the cause of his country. Who, my Lords, does not know the character of Sir Robert Sale ? His name is on the tongues of all, and who is it that did not glory in the honours which were showered upon him by a grateful country ? It is not only necessary that we should take notice of his great actions, but it is our duty to keep his fame imperishable in the annals of his country. I may say of that distinguished man what Lord Hutchinson said of Sir Ralph Abercrombie, that the memory of his glory should be as a living mouu ment in the history of his country. There is another, my Lords, who has fallen, and we must not forget how highly he had been spoken of by Sir Hugh Gough. I allude, my Lords, to our political agent, who fell bravely in the field. He performed many actions in his political capacity, with great service to the Government of India. He was well acquainted with the whole country and the feelings of the people, and therefore he was most admirably qualified for the c position he had filled. But while performing his poli tical duties, he did not forget the duties o e f o hi l smilit s a a r i y• Ifrtehe v rr e ee r t f in forward whichwoas aonnyntehxiino in the fac e o f d anger , even with this officer, it was anythinggn cbha h y t ra hte c at wayet r. h of g e was ever where his services were not called into action. Let us look to the objects of the enemy, for it is by looking to the objects of the parties that we shall be able to judge rorthuranvitnhgegtialinnieddfrom possession of the their allegi of the important results. The object of the S e ikh s was to overrun the whole country, from the S u tl e j t o th e J country,um n a; andto attemptthen, af ance, and in acquiescence with their plans, t o coerce t h ose who might have felt it their duty to remain with us, and eventually drive us with disgrace from our territories. All these objects had failed. The objects of the British troops had been to force them back, to beat them out of the city of Ferozepore, to compel the doubtful to adhere to their allegiance, to support and confirm those who were friendly to them, and to show the enemy that they would not be insulted and invaded with impunity. All the objects of the Seikhs had failed—all their objects had entirely succeeded. When they considered that in the short space of three weeks their objects had been attained when they considered the combination of courage and exertion that was necessary to gain these great bsetles—battles which the Seikhs would-not be likely soon to forget, he thought that these thanks were well claimed at their hands. The Seikhs were a warlike people, but he (Lord Ripon) entertained considerable doubts whether they were not greatly averse to personal conflict ; but he thought at all events they had received a lesson which they would not easily forget; and they, in that country, had a right to suppose that these victories had given that security to the I'unjaub which it was of so much importance should be maintained. He (Lord Ripon) hid been led to speak personally and particularly of the Governor-General. He had been led to do so, perhaps, from his intimate ' knowledge and he would add, his affectionate regard for him ; and he might, perhaps, have, in consequnce, passed over the gallant deeds of others. But he would beer his willing testimony to the admirable spirit and gallantry of that experienced and tried officer, the Commander-in-Chief—(Hear, and loud cheers)—of a man who had served his country under the great man who sat next to him (Lord Ripon), who had fought the best years of his life, he believed seventy, for his country, who had served in most of the quarters of the world with undoubted credit and high renown, and who do.. served well the honours with which her Majesty had been pleased to reward his exertions. It was the duty of Government, with all the means in its power, now that the war was brought upon them —forced upon them— it was the duty of the Government ,by every exertion which they could make, to contribute to the success of these operations. The Governor of Bombay, with infi nite activity, forwarded a considerable reinforcement of British troops and artillery. H e also held in reserve two more regiments of cavalry, who were ready to serve if required. Troops had been ordered from Poonah to join the army upon the Sutlej,and every exertion had been made by Sir J. Macmahon to give effect to these movements. soldier'suntb,r the o c n o if m or m m a , n command of r When he moved the troops to Kurrachee they were collected all the means at his disposal for the purpose of bringing them to bear upon the point where they could be most efficiently applied, and any one who knew Sir Charles Napier must know what his military talents were, and above all what was his talent of inspiring Charles gallant an Napier.—(Cheers.) a pihen as ever wore a (Cheers.) He unlimited confidence among those whom hp com manded, and should it he ; v i e fate to take part in the operations of the war, they wopld find the glories of Meanee and Hyderabad revived in his person, and they would again be called upon to return him their thanks for his services. Evemything, continued the Noble Earl, has been done, at least I hope so —everything that was possible with the view of facilitating any niteripy opera tion. 13ut yen may dspend 141 3 04. 14 y `Lords, that that which are propbseto you to do—to tender to these gallant men your thanks—is not among the least efficient modes of exciting their to future deeds of valour, and of leading them to renew on other occasions those heroic actions which have g ven impel-41)4We renown to our arms. t is therofoA - with "these reelini4—conscious how little worthy lan to' state questions of • this kind, and to make militars op e rations intelligible to your Lordshini—it is with these feelings, which I am sure you will' respect, that I beg to mop the thanks of this hone to those who hove been concerned in these great battles' in 'the fell confidence that I shall have your unanimous support ; and all those who are concerned, and whom we are about to thank, will feel that they are serving not an ungrateful country. The Noble Earl then moved the resolutions, which will be found in another column. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE said, it must be the opinion of their Lordships that such resolutions as those proposed by the Noble Lord the President of the Council, and such events as those resolutions were founded on, ought not to pass without some observations !rem other quarters. Although he (the Marquis of Lansdowne) felt that the Noble Lord had done full justice to the subject, it was grateful to his feelings to state, that after perusing with the greatest attention the documents which herMajesty'sGovernment had laid before their Lordships, and also after examining the particular terms of the resolutions founded thereon, and proposed by the Noble Earl, he must give, in the sincerest manner, his testimony in favour of the troops that had been engaged. And he hoped that their Lordships would not merely give their acquiescence to the resolutions, but their sincere support.—(Cheers.) Those resolutions went to prove the expression of their grateful admira tion at the valour, zeal, and devotion to thepublic service evinced by the whole army ; and also to express their satisfaction of that distinguished officer who filled the situation of Governor-General, and whose energy and ability had been employed and placed at their disposal, to repel the invasion of the Seikh army.—(flettr, hear.) To both these objects, he (the Marquis of Lansdowne) gave his most cordial support. From the particular tactics and the particular course of military operations that had been pursued during the conflict, which lasted four or five days, and also from those papers which had been laid before their Lord ships, he would venture to say that there was ample evidence that the zeal of the British army during that conflict had known no bounds, and had never been ex ceeded in any country.—(Cheers.) It was impossible to peruse those papers without observing that every con currence of circumstances—all of which were incri table, and most unfortunate—were attended with those glorious results of which their Lordships had heard. The armies, in the course of great movements, were compelled to submit to privation and disadvantages,to fatigues, and occasionally to disc ;urage ment—(Hear, hear)—and it was necessary to display their valour in the face of a superior enemy; and in the course of one week every one of those unfortunate cir cumstances was brought to bear in the most unfavour able manner upon the situation in which those troops were placed, and yet by the combination of all those cir cumstances a result was produced—the glory of which he would not say was unparalleled, bet was one which he would venture to say would add the most brilliant lustre to the British armies. And it was to the zeal and devotion displayed by that army that we owed the addi- tional lesson which had been afforded to the nations of Asia—(Cheers)—and that the military and the not military of that country had been made to see that the star of British power had shone on this occasion, not with diminished but with increasing lustre, and had added to those claims of gratitude and confidence which should be shown towards us by those nations which he trusted it would ever be :our fortune to defend. He was sure the Noble Earl opposite (Earl Aberdeen) would pardon him for adverting to the papers that had been laid hefore their Lordships, but he would say that they showed that not merely did our European forces. but that of the Sepoy—(Loud cheers)—employed on the occasion, had acted in a manner which, whenever it was exhibited tended to strengthen and to cement the ties that ought to etist between the two nations. Their con duct was worthy of the greatest praise.—(Cheers.) In this day, when they were giving thanks for public ser vices, he hoped that the public services and the peculiar services which had been rendered to the country by the Indian army would not be forgotten. With respect to the distinguished Commander-in-Chief, it was not to be doubted that in the position in which he was placed during a week or fortnight previous to the invasion of the Seikh army, his conduct was that both of &civilian and a military man. His position was most peculiar, he may venture to say most unusually so, but, neverthe less, that distinguished military man did not only do his duty as a civilian, but when he found it necessary to draw his sword, as a soldier; and, what was even more valuable, added to the glory of the day by the example which he set in inciting to deeds ot . valour. Ile, therefore, thought that on that particular occasion he eminently deserved the approbation of the country. He would not, for the same reason that the Noble Earl had assigned, attempt to dwell on the merits and great abilities of Sir Hugh Gough and the other commanders who had exhibited such prowess ou that occasion. Their Lordships, he was sure, would feel that they were all entitled to share in the approbation of the country, and on that subject he was sure they would be all unanimous. He would not follow his Noble Friend into the political allusions which he had made, but he was sure, if it should be necessary to make any inquiry into the circumstances which had preceded the events in question, they would come to the conclusion that the policy would prove deserving of their warmest approba tion, being of a pacific nature. He was sure their Lord ships would feel that every effort was made to avoid all unnecessary war, but at the same time, to go beyond that, would not be consistent with the duty which they owe themselves and the country they govern. It was palpable to all 'the world, that if ever they acted the part of aggressors in India, it was not on the present occasion; but that was a consideration into which he did not wish to enter, or pronounce any opinion upon, although if he were, it would be of a favourable nature. The Duke of WELLINGTON rose and said, I should be particularly cautious, and not say one word, if I was of a different opinion on the question now before the House relating to the military operations in India. But, my Lords, I could not omit an occasion of this kind without adding to what had bean stated by the two Noble Lerds my own unqualified approbation of the conduct of the troops, and of the officers who commanded them, particularly of my Noble Friend the Governor- General ; who, after having made all the arrangement appertaining to his duty as Governor- General, in order to collect all the resources of the country for the pur pose of fighting the great contest—having collected all the troops, and made all the arrangements that were possible, he gave his assistance to the officers in command, in order to secure the public approbation of the country. My Lords, it is seldom that an officer is placed in a situation to take that course—there is, per haps, no similar instance of a man giving such an example —an example, my Lords, which I hope will be always fol lowed. When he found his services would be useful in the field, his situation as Governor-General did not pre vent him acting there, and overlooking every military operation, and volunteering his services in that great contest. My Lords, the Noble Marquis said truly that the army did all in their power to obtain great results. My Lords, it may not be generally known, but the coun try ought to know that the position of the enemy was completely closed in by entrenchments, and that it was more a fortress than simply a fortified position. Not withstanding the disadvantages which the troops in India laboured under, they performed their duty to their entire approbation ; notwithstanding their singular dis advantage, being without water for twenty-four hours; because the villages were distant, and those whose duty it was to supply them could not do so, and they were in consequence for twenty-four hours without refreshment. They carried the position of the enemy certainly with very great honour, and he hoped the affair had not left them in a state to be inefficient, if their services should be called into action on any future occasion. My Lords, I have not for a length of time known any occa sion that has given such full and entire satisfaction as this affair. But there is one matter connected with it which I regret. It is said that a panic was felt in one regiment, which I hope was not the case. I see, my Lords, that by a comparison between Eng land and France that the general to whom that officer has referred lost five-twelfths of his number within en hour after he entered the action; and I learn by this report, that in the course of this attack that within the first quarter of an hour one-third of the officers fell. I find, upon inquiry, that there are several inaccuracies in the report of this general officer in the number of killed and wounded, which in his report, have been greatly exag gerated. In that report it is said, that as they were moving on to the attack the men and the officers were actually mowed down with the severity of fire to which they were exposed. Now, I find, my Lords, that the regiment to which this reference has been made had been serving, without intermission, for sixteen years in the East Indies; that during the forty years which it had servei, it had :served thirty-three years abroad, leaving only seven years for duty within the bounds of the United Kingdom. I find moreover, upon inquiry, my Lords, that during its service in the East Indies, that during that time, it has served in all parts of India, and that during that time, of the men who were engaged at the moment of this attack, nearly three-fourths had been only seven years in the service. My Lords, I have felt it my duty to examine into the allegations respect ing this regiment. I find agt eat many inaccuracies in the report of this general officer. I only wish he had written a much more deteiled report of the action, but I will read a paragraph to show the real conduct of that regiment, with which I think you will be satisfied.— (The Noble Duke searched among his papers but was unable to find the one he wanted.) I can't find it, my Lords. I can assure you, my Lords, that it spoke in the most unqualified approbation of the devoted bravery - of that regiment. I should, indeed, my Lords, have great pleasure in reading this report to you, and I deeply regret not having it.—(Hear, hear.) The fact of two-thirds of the men having been mowed down speaks highly of their conduct, and calls for our most unqualified praise.—(Cheers.) The Marquis of LONDONDERRY felt that after the speech of the Noble Earl who had first addressed their Lord ships, and more especially after the speech of the Noble Duke who had just sat down, he could not say much in addition to the question before their Lordships. There was one point, however, which he thought had not been sufficiently adverted to, and that was the most extraordinary devotion of the gene ral officers who had been engaged. in this most sanguinary en gagement. The conduct of the officers who had fought was above all praise, for they forgot anything like personal feeling, and mingled in the fight. It was well known that the per sonal bravery of our officers had a great effect upon our man. If the soldiers were to see our general officers backward in per. sonal bravery, it would cause them to relax in their devotion. The point which he consid ere d to b e overlooked in the despatch . was that of the morning after the engagement. When the morning dawned, after a night spent as deacribed, the Governor- General, in passing from onp reg i ment to another, exhausted as he was with ht ring the . cries of the wounded on the one hand, 4nd the savage cries of the Seikhs on the other—when the morning dawned, true to his saying that he would diQ on the field rather than relinquish thgeterritaoril of lie possessed, he ne Bank placed himself on th e the line, and the Commander- 11-Pllief on the other, at least thirty yerds in front of th e w h ole line—fearing lest the troops should rashly rush upo n th e i ntrenchments, he placed himself ros thus in front to keep the men steady in their position; he marched them forward, reserving their fire until close to the enemy. when the intrenchments were talon at the point of the bayonet. He thought there never was a battle in which any movement was attended with more success than this. It was impossible that a victory like this should not be attended with great and corresponding loss. When they saw Sir Hugh Gough, one of the bravest men in the army, thus incurring the charge of rashness by placing himself in the front of the battle, they might be sure that it was tw ordinary . cireneastanoe that cons- pelled him thus to encourage his troops. It was true that this was but a lesson from the olden school, for he well knew that the Noble Duke was ever the first to expose himself at the post of danger. In residing the discussion which occurred on Fri day the impression produced upon his mind was, that an anitnad version had been east upon the situation in ehich the two officers, Sir Henry Hardinge and Sir Hugh Gough, had been placed. The manner in which these two officers had conducted themselves in the engagement was most commendable.— ( Cheers. ) There was one point which he wished to allude to, and that was, the youth of the commanding officers of the various regiments. Four regiments were commanded by majors. He did not know whether this arose from economy, but if it did it was a most unwise economy. It was a great advantage to go into a general action with a sufficient comple ment of field officers, and that the commanding officers, in stead of doing general duty should go into the action at the head of their regiment.. To limit the number of officers, as had been done, was a most niggardly economy. The Duke of WELLINGTON said the Noble Lord was quite mistaken in attributing the economy he spoke of to her Majesty's Government, the whole army establishment being paid by the East India Company. It had been the invariable practice in India, both at the time he was in it an d s i nce , t o require field officers belonging to the regiments of the army to perform general duty—that is, to com man d b riga d es according to their rank. There were not sufficient general officers to command the brigades. The Marquis of LONDONDERRY, in. all humility to the superior judgment of the Noble Duke, said he did not think he had answered the question. He (the Marquis-of London derry) said the general officers were not sufficient, and that commanding officers should not perform brigadier duty. The Duke of RICHMOND said he would not have risen had not the Noble and Gallant Marquis referred to him, find ing fault that he had not given notice of putting the question he had done to the Noble Earl at the head of the Board of Con trol. He (the Duke of Richmond) did that which was more regular. On the Noble Earl laying the papers in relation is our Indian affairs on the table, he (the Duke of Richmond) asked whether any order or instructions had been given respect • ing the Governor-General officiating as second in command in the army. He had not, as alleged, made any attack on the Go vernor-General, for whom he entertained feelings of the greatest respect, but notwithstanding those feelings he (the Duke of Rich. mond) could not pass over this most dangerous precedent. It was a general principle that there should be only one com manding officer in the army. In making that observation he was far from saying anything against the Governor-General ; and he now begged to state that he most cordially concurred in what had fallen from his Noble Friend at the head of the Board of Control. He most cordially concurred in everything that had fallen from his Noble Friend that evening, and also that which had fallen from his Noble Friend, the Gallant Duke, and the Noble Marquis (who haat then left his pla6e) with respect to the good conduct and the heroism of those men who had been engaged in the late splendid battle.—(Cheers.) He had also seen with the greatest satisfaction that Sir Henry Har dinge had intimated to the army by a general order his inten tion of awarding to the officer., and eon-cmmissioned officers, and private soldiers of that army a medal, as a reward to those brave men who had the good fortune to participate in the late splendid battle. It would be a medal which would record their unparalleled bra very. He did hope that her Majesty might be advised to take this opportunity of ordering a favourable answer to be returned to a memorial most respectably and numerously signed by the war and veteran officers who served in the Penin sula—men who, he could assure their Lordships, feeling not the slightest jealousy, but, on the contrary, highly approving that their successors in the very regiments in which they had served in the Peninsula should receive medals, but all enter taining the deepest feeling that there could be no reason why they who served in times gone past should now be the excep tion, and not the general rule, having nothing to show except indeed their numerous wounds. They stated that they, too, had often received the thanks of Parliament for the very able, efficient, and honourable manner in which they had served their King and their country in a time of the greatest danger. He hoped and trusted that their prayers would not be rejected, and he must now request his Noble Friend, the President of the Board of Control, to consent that the names of the non commissioned officers and of the private soldiers should be pub lished in this country. They were aware that many soldiers could not write, and that many others were incapable in an arduous campaign of becoming correspondents. He believed he was correct in stating, that whenever there was a naval engagement the name of every private marine and of every private soldier was invariably published in the Gazette.— ( Hear, hear.) Such a proceeding might be considered to be difficult with respect to large armies, where there was a considerable loss; but he helieved his Noble Friend (the'Duke of Wellington) would bear him out in saying that the birth place of every soldi er was reg i stered in the War-office, and the list of their names were made out and sent to the different local newspapers for insertion. He was quite sure his Noble Friend would agree with him, that it was most desirable to re lieve the deep anxiety and the agonising suspense which the parents and relatives of those brave men—( Hear, hear)—many of them in the humbler situations of life were now suffering under, to show what was the fate of those whom they loved the most. From his (the Duke of Richmond's) practical experi ence, whilst residing in the country,in mixing with the labourers in his neighbourhood, he could assure their Lordships that such a course would give the greatest satisfaction to the hum bler, but honest fellow-subjects.—(Cheers.) He had thought it right to make this suggestion to his Noble Friend, because lie could not see, since they admitted this principle with regard to the navy, why they should not also carry it out with respect to these who served in the army in foreign and distant places. The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH perfectly concurred in what had been said by the Noble Marquis opposite (the Mar quis of Londonderry). He would not attempt to add anything to what fallen had from the Noble Duke (Wellington), because he knew that one word of approbation from him—Cheers) — was more valued by the soldiers—(Cheers)—than any complimentary words whfch might possibly fall from any other person.—(Cheers.) But he hoped their Lordships would forgive him for not allowing this discussion to close without taking that public opportunity of expressing the deep gratification with which he had witnessed the last victory whieh had been achieved by the army with which he had been so recently con nected ; and also of expressing the entire confidence which was reposed in them on this as well as on every former occasion, and by their late splendid triumph they had even increased that confidence. Their success must be satisfactory to all, and par ticularly to the troops concerned. But when he said that the British army had done their duty in the most praiseworthy manner, he must not forget to add that the native troops had conducted themselves in a manner quite as satisfactory as that which had been alluded to by the Noble Duke, with respect to her M; jesty's 62d Regiment.—( Cheers.) He knew too that the present Governor-General's confidence in those troops had been increased by their recent conduct. He (the Earl of Ellenborough) was extremely satisfied by the manner in which the Sepoys had conducted themselves on this occasion—they had endured the most serious privations in the most severe dis trict.—( Cheers.) In their long marches they had scarcely any food or water, and they had to bear the most destructive fire of the enemy. Their con duct was certainly entitled to the greatest praise, Having had the opportunity of observing the fidelity of those troops to their colours, he could hear his personal testimony to the high honour and military fidelity of those troops. They hid been encamped within forty miles of the Seikh army during a period of eighteen months, and throughout the whole of that time, although they had seen successive crimes, followed by successive donations, until the pay of the Seikh troops had risen to double the amount of their own, and yet, after those troops had passed. the Sutlej, not a single man had deserted from his colours, or shown the slightest inclination to desert his allegiance to his colours. He rejoiced in this, not only because it had been productive of great advantages, but also because it was the presage of future triumphs, and he knew, not only that they had driven the Seikhs across the Sutlej, but that they would follow them to Lahore. He was induced to express his feelings upon this subject, because he had intimate knowledge of the troops who had fought this gallant action, and the more so because he felt it was necessary to sustain the Governor-General in the harassing and anxious position which he occupied, for he felt that that Gallant Officer required all the sustenance which moral courage might give by the vote of that House to-night.—( Cheers. ) The Earl of AUCKLAND had but few observations to ad dress to their Lordships, but he felt the debate shobld not close without expressing his feelings, as he had been intimately acquainted with many of the officers of the gallant army to which this discussion referred. He was glad of an opportu nity of expressing his perfect concurrence in all that had fallen from the Noble Earl opposite, and was glad to give his assent to the vote of thanks to the noble and gallant army who had just achieved this splendid victory, The vote was then passed nemine dissentiente. The County Works (Ireland) Bill was thsn read a third time and passed, Several Bills were then advanced a stage, and the House ad journed. HOUSE OF COMMONS, March 2. The SPEAlalt took the Chair at a few minutes before .Four o'clock. NEW MEMBER. Mr. ITILDYARD took the oaths and seat for South Nottinghamshire, in the room of the Earl of Lincoln, who has accep•ed the office of Secretary for Ireland. The Hon. AL.mber was received with loud cheers on his entrance from the protectionist benches. SECOND READINGS. The following Bills were read a second time, and ordered to be committed, viz.:— Colchester, Stour Valley, Sudbury, and Halstead Rail way. Burnley Improvement and Waterworks. Newcastle and Darlington Junction Railway and Tyne Dock. Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Carlisle Branch Railway. Kennington-lai 0, &c., Lighting, &e. Mitcham and South-Western Railway. Derby, Gainsborough, and Great Grimsby Railway. Shrewsbury, Oswestry, and Chester Junction Railway (Crickheath and Wein Lines). Shrewsbury, Oswestry, and Chester Junction Railways (Extensions and Deviations). North Wales Mineral Railway (Deviation and Branches). Monkiand Canal. Great North of Scotland Railway. Bromsgrove Improvement and Small Tenements. Rochester Bridge. Electric Telegr a ph C ompany. • Salford Hundred Court. City of London Coal Market and Improvement. Billingsgate Market. Sheffield, Ashton-under-Lyne, and Manchester Rail way (Peak. Forest and Macclesfield Canal Purchases). Huddersfield and Manchester Railway and Canal (Old ham Branch). Huddersfield and Manchester Railway and Canal (Hud dersfield Diversion and Cooper Bridge Branch). Wishaw and Coltness Railway (Greenhill Branch). Glasgow, Paisley, and Greenock Railway (Harbour Branch), Glasgow, Paisley, and Greenock Railway (Polloc and Govan Branch). Scottish Midland Junction Railway (South Inch of Perth Branch). Scottiqi Midland Junction Railway Branches. Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ardrossan Railway. Aston Rates. Eastern Union and Harwich Railway and Pier. London, Newbury, and Bath Direct Railway. Great Western and Uxbridge Railway. East Lancashire Railway (Deviations and Branches). Great Western and Wycombe Railway. THE CASE OF LIEUTENANT WYBERG. Dr. BOWUING presented a petition from the sisters of Lieutenant Wyberg, praying the attention of the llouse to the circumstances attending his captivity in Bukhara, and praying the Government to take some measures, with the view of ascertaining whether he is alive or dead ; and if the former, of demanding his Ifteration from the Ameer of Bokhara. The facts of the case seemed to be that Lieutenant Wyberg was, in the year 1835, sent by the East India Company on a mission to Khtva, but in proceed ing through Bukhara, he was detained by the Ameer, and, it was believed, thrown into prison. Some inquiries were instituted by his family, and dispatches had been received from Lieut. Shiel, giv„i tt g reaon to believe that he was then in prison. u r ' Wolff, who had recently left that country, had, .. 105 " ever, heard that this unfortunate officer had been mini: manly murdered. So many incongruities existed, t no dependence could be placed upon this inforina ti° , o 1/ ' and the petitioners therefore intreated the House t° take measures to ascertain the fate of Lieutenant Wy bero. g He should to-morrow put a question, founded o n the petition, to the First Lord of the Treasury. TIIE TEN HOURS' BILL. Mr. WILSON PATTEN presented a petition in fao ur of a restriction on factory labour to ten hours a day. THE CHARTIST CONVICTS. ,; ( ,• 0 Mr. SHARMAN CRAWFORD presented a pet'" - f from a place in Lancashire, praying for the liberation ° Frost, Williams, and Jones. RECLAIMING OF WASTE LANDS. , Mr. O'CONNELL presented a petition frail., place in the county of Galway respecting the proprien, of reclaiming the waste lands of that county as a Weil of employing the people. THE GOVERMENT MEASURES. n „ r Mr. WALKER pre se nt e d severa l p e ti t ions in Is v "„" of the 'commercial 'measures proposed by the G °Ye,. went. ENROLMENT OF THE MILITIA. ff ,. 0 0 An HON. MEMBER presented a petition from S, Walden against the enrolment of the militia. Mr. T. DUNCOMBE presented a petiti6n from Edinburgh to the same effect; also one in favo ur t o het total and immediate repeal of the corn-laws; and an„ ° ,* from Hertfordshire in favour of the Ten Hours' M A `" b y Lord J. RUSSELL presented a petition, sig:' the shipowners of the city of London, the peutioeseed stating that they did not concur in the views OEl' l l O l in a petition of the shipowners of the north of En, against against any alteration of the timber duties. TheY,t 00 fore prayed the House to reduce the present daw,`" ) ol timber. The Noble Lord moved that the petition so l o be printed with the v; L tes.—Ordered to lie on the TILE ANDOVER UNION. the An HON. MEMBEit presented a petition fr e ll i ka 1 medical officer of the Andover union, Mr. I'V,lhim complaining. that the guardians are about to discos ° o i for having exposed abuses existing in the uniee' stl ee praying the House to institute an inquiry into ther e THE CORN-LAWS. ..,j o a Mr. M. GIBSON presented a petition from IP°"" favour of the Government measure. teeer Mr. COBDEN presented a petition from •-•° 11 ,, signed by 2,500 persons, praying for an immech ie ' peal of the corn-laws. NOTICE OF MOTION. futur e Mr. EWART gave notice of his intention, on $ r o• day, to move for a reduction of the duty on the inlP n tion of foreign books. SIGNATURES TO PETITIONS. et• Mr. BERKELEY said that he wished to call the tention of the House to some circumstances CO with a petition which was presented on FridaYheeif He understood that the petition came from Chelten O r o! but he had ascertained that it did not e . t je from Cheltenham, but from Manchester. He 011- fie that to be a breach of' the privileges of the Hous e ld b° was quite ready to adopt any suggestion that al l bit made by the House. He had letters in et pocket to prove that a great numbe r soi, the signatures to that petition w ere forgeriese4bee many of the names would n eve r h ave been subsritio to the prayer contained in that petition. (In der e -0 1i circumstances he left it to the House, whether it it think proper to carry th e b us i ness an y furth er ' f f be was a subject worthy of th e a tt e ntion e tt the: House, as it was a very general c omplaint °:;" cor petitions of the people did no t command sak i , sideration in Parliament, and, ind ee d, be " 0 . 1 e0 114 ,, wonder at it, considering the means used ibA o n signatures. He therefore moved that this Pew - sir referred to a Select Committee, before whom natures should be examined. , to b° l. Mr. NEWDEGATE said' that he was Oat sp o , that opportunity of making a few remarks with s , to the practice of forging signatures to petitl eer r ei l would call the attention of the House to the pr h of the agents of the Anti-Corn-law League ! ,e/i i " n ahe° l) to the petitions that had been presented—(M ,e , t - t her; —as forgeries to a great extent had been prove°.; re .. % —(Hear, hear.) The privileges of that Hous e '',, e itan fringed when petitions falsely representing the seas of the people were presented, and when wholesw o e was adopted to misrepresent the feelings of ri t hcl „ it eitt h ; had a right to vote. He was anxious that a L' e a l ee . .ar should be appointed to inquire into the subjec t „"ja fore the House, and that the inquiry sb e- intil„, be confined to that alone, but should do .4 P . into the far more serious question of 1111 n eeFi_.; terference with the registration laws of the T", The Hon. Gentleman then proceeded to decal is la where 30,000 notices of objection were poste(' OP A night in Manchester. be Mr. HUME rose to order. He would r er, happy to hear any statement connected with the etaAr tration of voters, but he sub m itted that tu ments of the Honourable Member had u se. g o ( whatever to c:o with the question before the the Honourable Gentlem an wou ld m ake any ri p ci o silf'd an inquiry, he would support hi m , b u t at the Pr e 7; 107 0 it was surely the more proper course to abide by e t o ,- of the House. He had no wish to prevent the q from being brought forward at the proper ticae• b ide Mr. NEWDEGATE replied that he would lore i 4 the decision of the Speaker. He only brougba his statement in corroboration of the facts sidle I, ll ,vei o Tts n theb . ere F de r ot i on ep fim d no . e SPEAKER decided that, unless Mr. e• - be <, -NTeWa ve a m n se a l m f e to nd t m be en e t x u sc p t on the m. otireior, question House. bbd Mr. NEWDEGATE begged to give notie e the (& would move that it be a further instruction t o of er mittee to make particular inquiry into the ea se to d particular name attached to the petitions. e °Pot Mr. BRIGHT said that o n a former night ( " O r hi, i s to second a motion fbr a Com m ittee, if move ° for to Hon. Member for Cheltenham; but, having r e sell explanation, he thought it might be tion submit it to the House before the 10° h i s disposed of. He held a letter in cet from the secretary of the Anti-Cor n -law Leag il " t s dg, chester, in which it was stated that several sb i e e to ge .ho il petition were sent to Man c h es t er no t paste° 0 41 ? and the clerk, or party there, found the first she es tboi signatures, and accordingly transferred five nand b o al to. The Member for Cheltenham was reP° rle sipp e , said that a Mr. Barry, a miller, whose newe r - 10V attached to a petition, had never signed it, Il e s e ever authorised any person to attach his A io j thereto, but Mr. Berkeley was rectort e : Morning Herald to have said that u e ig it O letter from his agent, in which ~et stated that he (the agent) was Pre - cl ue•; s Mr. Barry did sign the petition „ esi° The individual who had transferred the five 0 1 :0 another sheet of the petition, did it in or de rese e petition might be such as it should be whoa t he o r the House. That individual had acknowle dge d ,000. fro and although it was not one of the most . 1 . ) ...v et regular things to do--(Protectionist cheers) roil, could be no doubt wb atever that it might ba y , e , tlied without the slightest intention of infringiuhe g V g lio of the House, or presenting names to dined both' which were not genuine, and had not been ti s t be t , petition. He (Mr. Bright) had just to In e tt ia 0 00' servation by way of explanation, and be sbe i eith A te r hope that the House might be satisfied the liir t her explanation —(Cries of ‘‘ No, no." from v y• i w t ie titmists)—and not feel itself bound to take $ 5 ,. 0 0 ,td steps. If it did, he should be most happy t ° ii - stt e ` s er° proposition for a Committee to go into tbe eit e n or the most rigid manner possible, for be vr t s i s ee P .- , if that neither petitions nor anything else COtil 010 tisfactorily unless the petitions were th e ge Feb pressions of those who sent them. he r tbercea A :d to Mr. HINDLEY wished to know wbe t ' h Th s llo' e la any other flaw in the petition that had b e t - ee 11 00 1 /" Mr. BRIGHT said that the letter whieu a no it 11 1 ; his hand did not refer to any; but be tb° ;e °- whatever from the heading of the petition, bo ail lo ieli the original petition sent from Cheltenham' filer wording of it was different from that in the e 00 0 had been issued by the Anti-Corn-law Le he re l lieved it to be a genuine petition, and tha t frr ed t_e," fen irregularity in it except what had been re,` it iette'„ h : 8 3 Mr. FERRAND said he had receive d iswbi Sheffield in corroboration of the stritemeu, ge t° t he had made the other night in that l ieu ,;ieer,,,, i n also an extract from the Leeds Irate" w' f ro r ' e ra let a n d r e same effect. He had also a o ti ro pe d gentleman who resided in London , 4.0 ,, aP_l; e re him t o the engraving which had la .. v fo • c i t ii 0 0 ,101 in the Plu,trated London News, as a P e ' itn ti-C e /1 0 0 present ation of the manner in which tie Leaguers procured signatures, to theirr . ' .ed to "•isTobl t yet the petition, which had been refer „ the . last named paper, had been presen ted „.°./ se Ito VOO ; Lord, the Member for London (Lord I' a s ige fr oo w hoh'i lo d be was in fact signed by mere children , l i e a ~ or natnes two or three times over. floe , letter which was only a thee time of the e If l ' a jj st would therefore trespass upon the t follow ° in .: while he read it. That letter was as you st 2 t° OPP ° further information will be of any u ( re , gue' leas Al,l opposition to the Anti-Corn-law Lei° relit P g cheers and laughter —I should feel _F ho is eat 00 04 forwarding to you the name of a man w% fi eturte p tte ti L ti e ou agu fr e o , mend thathas a b ffi o x d e y d . ab,gterlo4. ,aoroeo.,stlavvion3:oorseetr; tion by one party before he left the r doubt t " asiumoilictrlycaesem,pinloywebdi.o-b (51-o.ooundsmlaeusgohteleglor9rhoeintiaffibeinsbed,rvoiihtusiacthi:o:r;i; viro m ,t ' a e hr r e( e ir: w i,n r sl it tia t e e n n (c . eiro ( . l;a et u hr g er h asn t a e dm r ) .) ecokn l ien l i i civ a d ir re e riaihissinoebrisecirioveatot bd stating that he would move, as, an ,one rallY_ in 0 .. 5 a Committee be appointed to inquire Leagli e l loco method adapted by the Anti-Coc t er ouse ?--(i. vd e fi ef° tainingsiematures to petitions to t a f e w , W riati rh Lord MANNERS wished tosay atioe fo ro sy re.pet to the remarks of the Ilen e - ' l _ l l v king clo o wf or i t t bIE (Mr. Bright). He happened to bw A , L r e loo n k o i r n - g p t a c k e e t r b , s e ; bootyh sad g, o w n e o ll rhis l e un _ l i ip c s o - n r i7Sw or i_3 old boy, have you signed the as bejieve„ tion ? I have signed it three e t a ir .st he n .„o laughter.) This was an isolated o f sig a 7oo; that parties were in the constant habi t cued to P a s Vroteif petitions as often as they -iar , exh ibitet< o os o the streets in which they were oc i to P a r' tionist cheers.) Parties were alloow Pe r ' lid nded t` names as often as they thought. P l i w Ferra ~„o p o be The SPEAKER inquired to w°L btoadincsulubdmeitthteedctoasetbliee ; Commit tee d investigated by the same e eferre- • D O tion :Arr f . ro F m E i C u h i e L l i te N n p h a r t); 911 ' e ou t tr a t° rtne: Y tiv: ut IrP ale ill: Mr. C. BERKELEY was anxious boo p _„ b on the subject before the 'House: su id spio 7 3. t , .5 0 0 1 that he viewed with very great s achest e . .40 0 ad o ursrifit; e d o rc t l .° e r itniaeoll)et-i -from Cheltenham whicPhhijaecdadmibileelrem guid.?” represented Cheltenham fnr 1 4 =" _,..---- ...