The Sun. — London, England, 1846-03-06 00:00:00

• 114.-1-"teeeeesesewsesseeeeee- wesweeetweseeweeeeeeteemeee 1 44 e " hem his situation. He (Sir damce i.arhani) . the net the elighttet wkli to keep Deck one parteee ef th y fee- fence which heed been taken on that case, and a cted that it was highly desirable that all pacers ceii t4r'ied with this tbqeiry, ehuuld be laid on the table. ~ PERI:AND, belore the question was pu', eieh"d ori ,Ht al heifer he could eecoed the amencluieet to the ;gine! resolutiee, :the SPEAKER having• :a plied in the affi reeitiv,-. e le ~`' WAKteleY said lie' Kan 1 ., 11' the shawl., .11,),,,,.. t re ' ril io,r the amendment also, because he thought it ex with? desirable that the House should be furnished It a tlen particulars respecting this important matter. j,J .. P ared to him that the better plan would be to ad ireT: tared debate for three weeks or a month; and there toe it „ r , 4 eens fo r the adjourement of the debate of which so t ' ) r' -°n. Members were not aware. There was now ,13,terreittee sitting, of which he was a member, which . p,orl.ialturing into the appointment of district officers in tilty coW, UrilOnS. The Commissioners had as much as the ,-Ihd aecomplish in furnishing the Committee with. the -*ee'sary documents ; and he felt sure that if etkri3pPosed C omm i ttee were appointed, it would be letej Posed for the Poor-law Commissioners to kti t° thei Ho (lir, Wakle)) had never k th4 Zt e e a eas e which required a . more searching scrutiny le k e °II ' now in question; and he felt sure that the the Commie r who had moved for the appointment of Irteatitee would be of the same opn.. The Itieoidt,ribtahtiiitt was merelyßight H a on. Gentleman opposite had , " workhouse squabble," was Por: tl Y creditable. He (Mr. Wakley) admitted the im. del iber l ee t; °f the matter that had been brought under the 4hste, ration of the House. He would hot undertake t . o ge es ec o ct th e Progres of public opinion on the point in te te than It involved the consideration of something '404,-*TI,It workhouse squabble. The powers of the .41beei: Ca workhouse which had been characterised eoe h: extraordin y and even unconstitutional, had retb ler ae t et!oteiroe n re h i al da b r et r h t r 4 o e u s g p h a t c h e e o e e f ee lo th y e e H ar c s tu . House with te ke to ri, e , rs h e , wee manner in which the Poor-law Commis the ; 4 exercised' their functions. He considered it t , l4 tei e e ,:'„ e tit Y of the House to inquire in what way the 13 41 etle a- "ers had fulfilled their office. It was therefore a te dr*ngtircie_ore than a workhouse sq , uabble. The Right C e tak en „wan had stated thet scveral improvements cat an tlaee, and that, amongst others, the amount of el l et ' "ad been increased. But did he know that tisliiit%wi, the increased is not sufficient? It was e°l4l eik le W hich had led to the dismissal of an assistant- N I 4.011er who le intee ter 2 0 had performed his . duties in a satisfac -1.4 feu . /or a long period previous to the inquiry. th e co*llesioners complained of Mr. I arker, and Mr. %h e eel e „ 4l Plained of them. M`Dougal, the master of -4 , r ges - h ' ,eotnplained that the most outrageous e t tl- ,e, e at been made against . him. He had e i 'ele 2d ( red the opportunity of defending himself. 4 1441 te i n August the Right Hon. Baronet undertook te i , l nde4l t hrtes on the subject of the bon e e e •c m ru pl s a h i i i n a g s th e wi t h • There had been also further e " coed reference to the treatment of the paupers, and erot i act oe le e P tie, d 'the governors of that workhouse.. He t & _ l icee d of the manner in which that inquiry had vi •- •" a lible t *e ted with reference to throwing all the mi . , Il i t t l e stte ll ,', aner providing funds, and the expense o te,vad t e s ' "1 34 1 the medical officer of the workhouse. e ti ,"ther ~llPPear before the public as the accuser of W e ' r e re;„ • " e er, and upon him was thrown . the ti ll ' the,Onsibility and expense of the examination. h e ; le e r e e e ver such a shameful thing known before, &-., It s -..., cer 'is to appear before a Court which was 4,lttry•e,,t`YeePeaking,-a tribunal ? There was no judge, r k ... e nee t-a t a no witnesses allowed to be called for the he.' •• * thi s • e (Mr. %Vestlake) did not, however,. flinch 4' 4 . h i Inquiry which was thus unjustly laid upon t t illip s . vvs Witnesses were procured at a great expense e l p t y llt,,p gone into, and , proceeded with to a great tt ie e a Mr. Porker then considered it was neces kre Order that the master (Mr. M'Dougal) might efl *4l evid tee 4 3's le ence, to postpone the farther . inquiry for t t b • 4 e 'came up to London, and was immediately h ll ed ark i , bY the Q ;003 - tto go on with the inquiry, notwithstanding 4 4 ' 4 eir eu - °I . five days to prepare the evidence. ' kw 44 , tastance,, is it likely that the public will L be ' eCoelree:lneidering thepower exercised at the Poor etle e44stoners'-office a power never before granted te: t e oe ir °f th en —superior to any power of either 01,44111 arliarnent, which enables them by a rule or %rent p tenspend the operation of an Act of Par -1,,Y 0 14 . 've strould be jealous of that power. Not til'Piei„ It quiry shculd be made, but even the bare tee u e l l ° .f that Power being misapplied should lead to to 'ligation that House. If, however, there kti Ile homed .no inquiry —if we are to remai n L o . i e .. Without instituting any Committee, the Ny N the boards of guardians will not be so Natisfied. The public will see how the paupers are assinh.ow they have been suffering in that work- I N te pt .„t -e the passin g of the Poor-law, from the want of 'lle alteration of the dietry sufficiently proves k e „ tie hoped the Right Honourable Baronet would to withdraw his opposition to the present t k#6 o, and to appease the feelings of the suffering poor. N% reflect upon their feelings if they found that this b, shut their door against investigation of their l et t : ll ..ee He did not wish to go into any of the tl4:4ltotis against Mr. M'Dougal, because he had not itli h°PPortunity of rebutting them, which lie said he 'S e :" d one, had he been allowed to do so. lie . will 14 1 4 ave an opportunity if this Committee is af tett,* e him If the present motion was an appeal from LleZt, he would not support the motion. It is ol e iet e , : e er, 0 " . The inquiry was not complete, it was et i o L at, tgeetleman who had not power to do justice t f steighi D ar ker was the last person to be sent down k ) l t rt I t I v ! have been sent down to make that in he t ° be :,"td to inquire into his own conduct, it was )4, - agacected, therefore, that he would make a re V i t e orel! biniself. He was a gentleman, who, by k ellt lvas e his self, was supposed to have known all 'o,„ta in: .. g on in Andover ; ho was sent down to iti' file t stleation, and he was the culpable party. :(4,ititit'egr,,°undo therefore, he considered that another I k e ebieft%°ltld be made. N' ir ,il-IE considered that the Right Hon. Ba- N the -‘alee Graham) did not always look back ha lt tatter in so light a manner as he had done V b hle, g ie did not always consider it a workhouse kttii-4ritee4,4eerned, froma pamphlet published by S i lt 0 0 • ,,,%,,, t u,at he received a letter from one of his ; 4 10e 11 .- 0 7,,ssioner s , in which he states that he had •v - el h ,, i "' !lon Baronet, the Secretary of State, il•tillfepr,"essed his . opinion upon the subject as being od e it -114 Matter cbut now he thought fit to . de- VAtd4 matter'; wo ' rkhouse squabble. The subject 1 1 I t t4 n„ e i l v i e e t• 'Union had been before the public for 174;1 ti t ."' oad assumed many shapes, but from first L ett n et te It had always been a desire on the L'kerktee,,,.';'ght Honourable Baronet and the Poor -011,-k4O s e V l° heis to keep back all unfavourable I:koL' l it tl- d e ,et• • In refusing a Committee of Inquiry Llli i ; e 4 ey lll o , 4 ',lght Hon. Baronet was only acting in 1 .4,.Ft11 - e ; ‘ t iak his former conduct. With reference M ' 4 4 t- 14) which the Right Hon. Baronet refers in Cq k ' t e lle4i t it ' he (Mr. Christie) would ask why were Cle m leeeeePers produced before this ? It was more 1:% - "Itee r i i l. since they were moved for by an Hon. c i :istlie I ,T. The Right Hon. Baronet has kept k ki tr t ih r 11. ttek to the last m . oment, and he then IPlo t i lk. t ug proposes to substitute these papers, in tj t ke h. ed. r t which the Hon. Member for . Andover _ ll C% u t b did not wish to be unparliamentary, 1 / 4 'uti t 'vre I -7 I I; thought that it was nothing more to I t e s `et, eggie e m the part of the Right Hon. 04n 4 3 h` Le ar, hear," hem Mr. Ferrad.) lie did OC u tl ttleW e re the papers Cone enough t()ex to lin_ kN h a p' 4 ,1 1 d he wished by these means t ee,ttll th areament and the country that he was t l N h oti ta t could possibly be done to promote an e th il t- ele :t....•4‘.eubject. The simple facts of the case til t 4 th L.311r. Commissioner Parker was sent down k ‘l4l ,ho :i August to make inquiries on the subject o;tiseelliov'ecrushig, and other alleged misconduct " 8 tg t r union. He sent up a report of the de- V t lte "on that occasion. On the Bth August Bee, called nee on the Right Hon. Baronet at the k i t l St: t 4 e h eo a conversation took place there tytiOitt,-Caotte Secretary, Sir Edmund Head, til' b ut 4 s e er , - Immediately after that conversation ,ellt r vi e. Baronet came down to the House, and 1 4 , 1, tetl .l o k i. asistant Commissioner Parker had . corn klth t e u ial that he had made inquiries with re ettlil tlear l e m P d an a e r r r s ew of the Andover Union having of putrid bones. He (Mr. I kl\: • tbe t . ll4l ePed that the report of Mr. Parker went f eats t'h, lt ,l'd Contemplated a greater number o k' 4l Q i e - ts `ing to this horrible practice than the t 4 th e had b 'laid by the Right Honourable ik'thelt h"I l l tahl "j House. He says in his re tte te t il e t e;hi., lt tm e a o t r es t o b f e thew . orkhouse had eaten the L *ll` ei ge, bo n e n had been found attached in a putrid Nt -,` etr e s . and other stinking meat. He also stated toe 'O 4 oe +l Y l ta necessary to be . taken, in order to 11 . 4tid A II ire "la Paupers,who was in the habit of thus ll re' ) 4 % 1 '3 H u l as considered to be in an unsound state \ 44 %, whote'lng near the bonehouse or the hog-tub. be t o !, , ,, e k t, t W„ere described as . men of depraved ap N.'e t ee yt t_kidition to other inmates of h the work -1 kA t he 4 'cl that they had been in t . habit of tttN k C ' all:?eat and breaking the bones, in order to k iV )-I‘ Ntie l i w f rom the bones, which were brought h itleji3pk:ltelnehlYbyresh state from the tab th le e s p of ah t lie e tit l y wL A,1, 1% , a itauts of Andover and exce _. fh.,t,yet ,th e nothing of this report, with the P PtlyN, t a eotild obtain from the sources of daily iA 'ln • - • t hey had just reason to consider them it . 4 1; ri 4 . 14 t - kst*, had placed in his e t 4 1, 4,,,t, eetory. Mr. Parker teltlf Jit e) Aat is memorandum of a conversation t I, te , , t 1 c e ,,, .• a . 11, ro t sO r) to, iN tween the Right Honourable Baronet t i tiVtee ll ln e g P t her i'iior-law Commissioner ; and PtiOtt, ; ,'Ner t - c : his (M ee Christie's) general statem eese. , Ntyee ttii re r 4 th,, m,m , --morandum to the H oran. it te '44 * Metal wear on to read the m . ern ke k 1 14 ell s fr bee t k titPle e Nteree °lll which' it a! geared . d that Sir James e4thdt e n nee. - `" to Me ye -ker t hat he did not 1ik . ... ileNee tts,,'' of t o -• "' t. etishinee He said vit tt. - N t , ti eot 41 4 poor in elme'n. Fitt-Bee ro w ' ,e dilY put an end to, there would be 11, th ef...ltt eh ' n the Reuse on the salver.. would It was 1 1',,/,, ° . u,"'tk Ould the inquiry be c emtinneel it . tt 10N - rah -- tr e d e „......,„,, .e oe t h e next six INitti 0 ,, e ,_ ree_r for the A iM.. . , Mr . Parker, itlrah att 7 ence to the repute o f ‘N, No ll : NE" T h ad stated that the repore must not thitit tied. 411, mso n that state. Mr. Nichol, oele of the ', l l, t as * les 44 fie expressed an opinion to thee same evete,„ 'At er le Sir James Graham undertook - to 1 i e l '4l l3 ', , ,,tpnzieib u t e lere the House, in the most favour- I', "le 7" to 1 - • The Honourable Member went tr„ i it'reen.,4•4Posit;e"ofit could be derived from bringing i 14 i, t e •m t:Uld' e - :°, 11 of witnesses taken upon the second l e t % h t .,ee'l ( otel t h e - ° 1 1 had taken place upon the subject. i. ke ti . i li tv `ltl et ,..slv eet *ll Productive of no beneficial results, 'le'' h ,* e -`4llle sat to no parties whatever. l it 4 4.14 -11 4 e 4 the Right `n Gentleman should ti‘ll u g t e ttith 4,0 fee; , Hon. . ~,.t: h„ - t t „ hm b een decided by the tribunal esta- N to Mere' h . „, l ;e - ,ease .of the master was a pecu 4, p t . , k m ia, Petitioned the House, detailing ' ha pre s tati sig . that if he had been allowed ' le e hi s ' c' C'ttld b ( fence against the alleged -It Ve , leeee t able to have met them TH. VON, LONDON, - FRIDAY EVEN'Igd, WARCII 6 5 1846. sutisrac _ .I ,l, ruoreus er, that where he had time to prepare, he had entirely - estallished his inte.ceite.. Ile further stated that Air. Parker bad premiseu him dine to pvepare his evidence, and that that premise had been fulfilled; in consequence of winch, he found it rnecessery to resign, or proeeed to his de tenee without being able to furnish any evidence ~ hiz iniiooe ee. Under these circumstances there was urn vot.r.o (pep to him to itdo;2t, and that was nut euntinue, and to Llitow the de nial of justice on the Poor-law Commissioners. 'Fhere were two incidents in that inquiry, which struck him in a remarkable manner, and which, he must say, ap peared to him inexplicable, except upon a supposition to which he was most unwilling to give his assent, namely, that the Poor-law Commissioners, thoroughly scared by the inquiry, were determined to stop it, at every hazard, no matter who might suffer or be injured. —(Hear, hear.) At a time when the public prejudice was at its height, the Poor-law Commissioners suddenly sent down an order suspending an inquiry, and with it a proposal that another course should be adopted, which he (Mr. Christie) must say was of a most extraordinary and unjustifiable character, It aas that Mr. Wesley, the party bringing the charges, should select one case of embezzlement upon which the Commissioners would prepare an indictment against the master, and one charge of an a , ternpt to take liberties with the female inmates, upon which also they would prepare an indictment, and send tie cases for trial at the sessions. Now he asserted that this was a most unjust proposal, for if the master was acquitted on one ease, wou!d he not have reason to complain that he had not been allowed to defend himself from the other charges which were brought against him, especially when it is considered that the evidence supporting those allega tions was before the public—and even were he acquitted on that one case, would it not have been said ever after by the public, that he would not have been acquitted on the others had the evidence been gone into. He said, therefore, that such a course would not have been avail able for the purpose of justice. The proposal, however, being unsatisfactory to both parties was refused; and when it was so the Poor-law Commissioners determined to resume the inquiry, and accordingly Mr. Parker re commenced the investigation. That gentleman pro posed that the master should be allowed some few days to prepare his defence ; this was, however, negatived, The counsel for the accused then applied for time and sought a respite of ten days. After much discussion, however, all parties consented to the propriety of a grant of five days. Mr. Parker returned to town, and had an interview with the Poor-law Commissioners, whom he found strongly disapproved of the course which had been adopted in permiting the delay of five days. Now he (Mr. Christie) contended that fora defence to the charges which had been made, five days was but a short time to prepare some of those charges ; especially those relating to improper conduct, which were of a nature diffi cult to disprove ; and particularly so when the party is inno cent. But it should be recollected that many oft hese very charges referred back to a period many years anterior to the time when the charges were first made. But the Poor law Commissioners overruled the delay, though Mr. Parker assured them that if they did so the counsel for the accused would advise his client to throw up the case, and throw the odium of the denial of justice on the Commissioners. His remonstrances, however, were without effect, and the matter turned out exactly as Mr. Parker had anticipated. Now he considered he had made out a case upon strong grounds, which fully jus tified him in demanding an inquiry into the conduct of the Poor-law Commissioners. Somethinc , had been said of the mode in which Mr. Parker had conducted the inquiry, and he must say he heard with great surprise an observation which fell from the Right Honourable Baronet in depreciatien of that gentleman. He had been dismissed from his situation, but there was one thing which must strike every man, that Mr. Parker invited inquiry ; the Poor law Commissioners shunned all investigation. If the Right Hon. Gentleman alluded to the appointment of Mr. Price to the office of master, he (Mr. Christie) had only to state, that before Mr. Parker went d own t o An dover, he had an application from Mr. Price, for Mac dougal's situation, for such time as would b e th oug h t fit. Mr. Price had the highest recommendations, and Mr. Parker had an opportunity for some years of judg ing of his character and capabilities when placed in a similar position ; and, from what he then observed, he highly approved of his conduct, and, be sides that, Mr. Price had letters of recommendation from the chairman of the board of guardians at Oxford, speaking in the highest terms of him, and urging Mr. Parker to get some better situati o n f or him. Mr. Parker had also seen Price when he was applicant for the Swin burn Union, and he then examined his testimonials, which were of the highest character, and he was there fore not surprised to receive the application; and having such a high opinion of Price, he had no hesitation in ap pointing him. No person who considered the circum stances, could ever blame the course pursued by Mr. Parker. It would have been much more agreeable to his (Mr. Christie's) feelings if the Right Hon. Gentleman had felt it his duty to consent to this inquiry, for he would then have moved for it without any preface, but under the circumstances of his refusal, he could not have sought one without making a case which would justify his demand. He had the honour of being acquainted with Mr. Lewis and Sir E. Head. No one could deny their abilities, and he was sure he would be the last person who would be a willing party to any harshness. But he must say, that Mr. Parker had been most un fairly dealt with by the Poor-law Commissioners. Mr. Parker had been in the service of the Poor-law Commissioners for a term of nearly ten years. He had been first engaged as assistant secretary, and subse quently as Assistant Poor-law Commissioner. He left the honourable profession of the bar to enter their service; and now, after the lapse of nearly ten years, by that act, that arbitrary act of dismissal, he was again thrown back on his profession, though every gentleman who knew anything of human nature should be aware that, having given up a profession for so many years, and then returning to it, the man who did so laboured under very inauspicious circumstances.—(Hear, hear.) His peculiar hardship was that, in the course of the inquiry, facts and circumstances had transpired, and statements had been put forward in the newspapers that caused great excitement, and brought much odium on the Poor-law Commission, in the administration of which he held a prominent pert ; yet no steps had been taken to explain why he was dismissed. He (Mr. Christie) certainly thought, until he heard the statement of the Right Honourable Baronet (Sir James Graham) that there had been some cogent reason for his dismissal ; but after what had fallen from that Right Honourable Gentleman, it would appear that the Poor•law Commis sioners disapproved of the mode in which he had con ducted the Andover inquiry, though everything he had done in reference thereto was done under their order.— (Hear, hear.) However, the dismissal of Mr. Parker at that time, and under such peculiar circumstances, led the public to infer that he had been dismissed be cause the Commissioners had adopted all the complaints made to them in reference to the conduct of the Andover investigation.—(Hear, hear.) There had been a petition presented to that House by Mr. Parker,in which he stated that he believed, and was fully prepared to prove before a Committee of that [louse, by evidence the most unquestionable, that the Poor-law Commissioners dismissed him (Mr. Parker) in order to divert from themselves the odium that naturally would attach to them from such an inquiry.— (Hear, hear.) And ho (Mr. Christie) should say, on behalf of Mr. Parker, that he had made out, in his opinion, a strong, a powerful case in support of his statement.—(Hear, hear.) So strong did he believe the case to be, that the Right Hon. Baronet, the Secretary for the Home Department, should, in justice to the Poor- law Commissioners, grant the inquiry, and then let these gentlemen produce their re butting testimony, when the public could judge who was right and who was wrong.—(Hear, hear.) The Right Honourable Baronet had. however, moved an amendment which he hoped would be negatived ; and though it might be said that the Poor-law Commis sioners had a discretionary power to remove and rein state their assistants at will, yet he (Mr. Christie) wished to know if that discretionary power was to be exercised by them without responsibility ?—(Hear.) Ile looked on it that there was a responsibility, for the House of Commons annnally voted these gentlemen their salaries ; and he then begged to acquaint the Right Hon. Gentleman opposite, that if he should think fit to shield them from inquiry by negativing his proposition, he would feel it his duty, when the period for voting such salaries arrived, to confer with any other Honour able Members in resisting the payment of such until such an act of injustice and harshness should he inquired into and explained. (Hear, hear.) One of the principal charges advanced against Mr. Parker was, that he published documents that became known to him as a public officer, and in the discharge of his duty as such. Now if the Poor-law Commission ers had the power to dismiss an Assistant-Commis sioner, and then refuse all inquiry, such a doctrine, as precluding the injured party from making known their grievances, with a view to procure their redress, would lead to a great hardship, and the result, in his opinion, would be that there would be no security for any public servant hereafter. (Hear, hear.) He then left the case of Mr. Parker in the hands of the Right Hon. Gentleman ; and he hoped he would, in justice to the Poor-law Commissioners, grant the inquiry which ho (Mr. Christie) sought for. But it the Right Hon. Gentleman should persist in refusing the inquiry, he should appeal to the Hon. Members of that House, and tell them that the case was not alone the case of Mr. Parker, but that of every public servant ; and that, judging from the way in which he had been treated—his past services forgottee—no allowance made for the single indiscretion of a long-tried and public servant—such would also be their treatment, the result of which would undoubtedly prove disastrous to the most important interests of the country.—(Hear.) Sir JAMES GRAHAM (who was quite inaudible in the gallery) was understood to say, in reply, that it was true he had received a written report from Mr. Parker about the last day of last session; and he did not hesitate to say that he thought he used that document for the public good. The lion. Gentleman opposite (Mr. Christie) had given it as his opinion that Mr. Parker had not transgressed the bounds of his duty, in introducing to the public reports of conversations that had occurred between him and the Poor-law Commis sioners. Now he (Sir J. Graham) should say that such a course of proceeding was indeed very novel. Now, as regarded the inquiry sought for, he begged the House wobasd consider what the position of the Poor-law Com missioners really was. Parliament had given them the absolute power of appointing and dismissing their assis tants, inasmuch as they were responsible for every act done by their assistants. The act of the assistant was the act of the Commissioner, for the assistant was the agent, as it were, of the Commissioner ; and if there rested not such a power with the Commissioners. how was it possible that any business could be performed, or who would make themselves responsible for its due performance ? (Hear, hear.) It would, in his opinion, be destructive of the entire machinery, if the power of that body were questioned ; and he then felt bound to tell the lion. quiry. Gentleman that it was not on account of the mode is which the Andover inquiry had beet con . ductal, nor was it for any specific act, that Mr. Parker was dismissed. Mr. Parker had been the subordinate officer,of the Commissioners, but, in a spirit of insubor dination to his superiors, he qaarrell.d with them ; they became dissatified, and accordingly dismissed him.— (Hear. hear. ) He would not trespass further upon the attention 01 the House, as he wished to confine himself to an explanation relative to Mr. Parker. Mr. FERRAND said that he might consider this, not merely as a work hcuse squabble, but a Somerset House one. He thought the day had arrived when the Right Hon. Baronet should declare by what means he became possessed of those documents, as he considered that his character required him to make that explanation. He congratulated the country that bone crushing had, in conpequence of this exposure, been abolished from work houses. He remembered well the treatment he received from the Right Hon. Baronet, in reference to the erec tion of a rag-mill in the Halifax union. The Right Hon. Baronet then gave a pledge to the House and the country—and how had that pledge been fulfilled ? The present question was an answer to that. He was travelling on the continent when the news of the pro ceedings at Andover union were published—(llear) and the foreigners whom he met were quite disgusted. He thought it was the duty of the House to grant the Committee of Inquiry. He gave notice, that afternoon, of his intention to add a few words to th.s motion of the lion. Member, and he hoped the inquiry would lie ex tended to his own neighbourhood. Ile had no hesita tion in saying that these reports were drawn up by the Special Commission, to serve the views of the Right lion. Baronet, and that Mr. Mott was employed for the purpose of drawing up a false report, to crush him (Mr. Ferrand). Mr. Mott entered the union on the 13th of April, 1842, and in the June following the Right Honourable Baronet got the report drawn up. Mr. Mott was sent down to the north of Enngland to make these caluminous statements, and Sir John Walsham was sent down some time afterwards to con firm the statements of Mr. Mott. The Hon. Gentleman, after referring to the Keightley Union, proceeded to say that a Committee of Inquiry had been appointed to in vestigate the accuracy of the statements, and he had no hesitation in saying that it was a packed committee. The Right Hon. Baronet resisted the motion for the p'roduction of all papers. The Noble Lord the Member for the city of London said that he could not under stand the reason of that refusal. Until the Right Hon. Baronet made some explanation in reference to these re ports, he (Mr. F.) should treat any resolution of the House with contempt.—(The Hon. Member, having been called to order by the Speaker, withdrew the offensive expres sion.)—The Right Hon. Baronet used language towards him (Mr. Ferrand) for the purpose of bolding him up to the scorn and ridicule of the country. At the time Sir J. Walsham made his inquiry there were fifty inmates in the union at Bingley in the state that had been de scribed. He could prove that there were at that place four and five crowded in a bed. The Secretary of State for the Home Department was to blame kr all that had taken place there. He was, to be sure, backed by the Poor-law Commissioners and the Assistant-Commision ers, but it was in the power of the Right Hon. Baronet to remove them. He hoped that this inquiry would end in removing the Commissioners, and that the Ministry would also be obliged to resign. Captain PECHELL thought there was a groat ne. cessity for the production of papers for the purpose of a thorough and searching inquiry. Ile thought that the Andover Union called for some explanation, and he trusted the result of the labours of the Committee would be the doing away with the abuses complained of. In one union the guardians say that they have one ton of bones on hand, and there being a refractory pauper, the bones were to be ground by him. It was well known what a punishment this bone-grinding was. They were green or damp, and it was by the severest labour they could be reduced to powder. He hoped the Right Hon. Baronet would reconsider his amendment, by al lowing this Committee to take place. Sir R. INGLIS wished to call the attention of the Right Hon. Baronet to the facts attending the case of Mr. Parker. It appeared to him that that gentleman had been too severely punishied for what was at the most an act of indiscretion ; for it was not said that he had com mitted himself wilfully. He was a gentleman of an honourable profession, yet by this act of indiscretion his whole prospects were blighted. He trusted the Right Hon. Baronet would see that Mr. Parker had been treated too harshly, and that he would yet be reinstated in his former position. If any Hon. Member would say that Mr. Parker had been guilty of anything more than an act of the most trifling indiscretion, he (Sir R. Inglis) would consent to the withdrawal of the petition. Sir JAMES GRAHAM said that not only had there been indiscretion committed by the Assistant-commis sioner, but the consequences of his conduct were insub ordination and want of discipline in the workhouse. Mr. T. DUNCOMBE said that notice had been given for the production of certain papers relative to the Andover Union, so far back as six weeks ago ; and that had been complied with. He had read the whole of Mr. Parker's case, and he (Mr. Duncombe) considered he had made out a very good case. But if his case was to be gone into by this House, it would be only to do over again all that had been done already. He conceived that the only mistake Mr. Parker made was in resigning his office at all. He should have waited till the Commis sioners dismissed him. It often happened that Go vernment Ministers were recommended to resign, but they declined to do so until a majority of this House compelled them.—(Laughter.) lie would say that as Mr. Parker was not a member of that House, and could not therefore lay his own case before it, it would be much better if the Hon. Baronet opposite, instead of laying these papers before the House, had agreed to the vote at once. Mr. P. BORTHWICK said he did not think that this matter should be regarded as a mere workhouse squabble, but as matter of somewhat more importance. They had sent out missionaries to foreign countries to alleviate the miseries of the natives ; but would they not be more ready to make inquiry into the state of Englishmen who were at home, and within reach, and where their miseries could be more easily ascertained, and the manner in which those miseries had been aug mented by those to whose tyranny they were subjected ? He saw by the paition now before the House, that much had been suppressed before the original inquiry that should have been made known ; and that through the assent and connivance of the Commissioners, evasions had been made in the books of the guardians, and that the Commissioners and guardians had entered into a com bination to dismiss the physician for having done his duty'.—(Cries of " Divide, divide.") Mr. HUME said the Right Hon. Baronet opposite had stated that acts of insubordination had been com mitted by the paupers. Now he (Mr. Hume) would like to know what the nature of this insubordination was; for he would contend that there should have been a minute made and a record kept of the nature of these acts.—(Hear, hear.) lie would defy the Government to refuse this inquiry, for the House would grant it if the Right Hon. Baronet attempted to screen the Com missioners in this way. _ Lord POLLINGTbN said he would only utter one sentence, and that was, that from all he had heard this owning upon this question ho would vote for the in- MC. JARVIS said he considered it would be of the greatest public importance that the Government should define the duties of the Commissioners. He would ask, if Mr. Parker had been indiscreet before the inquiry, why was he appointed to make this investiga• tion?—(Hear, hear.) He would say that he was at a loss to know what was meant by the term " refractory." Surely, it could not be said that Mr. Parker had made any admissions of this sort, or any admission even of in discretion. On the contrary, ho made a fair and hum ble statement of his conduct, and, therefore, further and strict inquiry should be made. He hoped the Right Hon. Baronet would grant this inquiry, regardless of the consequences to the Commissioners, and he had no doubt that the result would prove creditable to Mr. Parker ; but if it were not made, the public would not be satisfied. —(Criesof " Divide, divide ") General JOHNSON wished that a Committee of In quiry should be appointed. The public were not satis fied with the present state of affairs. Even if the com mittee of inquiry were appointed at a late period —even after the recess, the Hon. Member would be content to withdraw his motion. Mr. AGLIONBY said that the public service was too much implicated to allow this inquiry to be suppressed and an inquiry was certainly necessary in order to clear up the mystery that had hung round this question. The public mind had been for some time past absorbed in this question. They thought that something had beenkept from them, that some instructions to higher quarters had been kept in the back-ground. A man might certainly be a Commissioner, but would the public think that he ought not to conduct himself as a gentlemen. There had evidently been an act of insubordination committed by some of the parties employed, and therefore he thought that the inquiry ought to be made more general. Mr. SHARMAN CRAWFORD said that he would not occupy the attention of the House for any length of time. He certainly thought that the present question ought not to pass without the attention of Government. It was not only the Commissioners but the guardians that were implicated in the proceedings that had taken place. These proceedings had been brought to light by parties who were not interested. The people were com mitted, without any remedy, to the mercy of Poor-law Commissioners and guardians ; so that where miscon duct had occurred, both justice and every sound prin ciple of policy demanded a more extended inquiry, and he wished that the sense of the House should be taken upon the subject. Mr. FIELDING said, that in his opinion a Select Committee should be appointed to carry out the in quiry. The public felt interested in the inquiry. They would look to the decision of the House on this matter with more anxiety than they would to the corn-law question—(Hear)—and if Hon. Members wished to do what was reasonable, the inquiry would at once be granted.—( Hear.) Sir J. GRAHAM said, that when it was said that he was always ready to attend to the general feeling of the House—nothing more than justice had been done to him.—(Loud and prolonged cheering from all parts of the House.) The production of certain papers on this subject had been moved for, but he believed that a Com mittee of Inquiry would not be necessary if the House should, after the production of those papers, remain of the same opinion. He certainly was willing to withdraw his amendment, but with respect to the motion of the Hon. Member for Weymouth, he should offer the most decided opposition. The Poor-law Commissioners were respon sible for the acts of their o wn servants, and therefore he thought that no interference should be allowed with the power of appointing those officers. After a few words from Colonel SIBTHORP, Mr. CHRISTIE wished to say a few words in addi tion. After what had fallen from the Right Hon. Baronet, he must press his motion. He considered that the inquiry into the causes which had led to the dis missal of Mr. Parker should be coeval with the investi gation into the tiff Airs of the Andover Union. 0 Mr. JARVIS rose, amidst loud cries of " Divide, divide." He should vote against the amendment. He thought it would be better to inquire into the affairs of the Andover Union first, and afterwards find a Com tnittea to investigate the circumstances that had led to Mr. Parker's dismissal. He was of opinion that many parties in the House only supported the amendment, not caring for Mr. Parke;, but to embarrass the Right Hon. Bar , met.—(Cries of " Oh, oh.") Such was his opinion, and, under those circumstances, he should vote against the amendment. Dr. BOWHING said the remarks of the Right Hon. Baronet (Sir James Graham) decided him to vote for his Hon. Friend, as the inquiry ought to be full and complete. He must support the amendment. Mr. WAKLEY hoped the House would unanimously agree to the fullest inqury. The feeling out of doors was unanimous for an investigation. If the Poor-law Commissioners had this unlimited power attributed to them, in Heaven's name, let the country know how they use it. The Right Hon. Gentieman has shown him• self squeezable, and he (Mr. Wakley) would advise him to yield a little further. By doing so a division would be avoided, and the disagreeable possibility of a defeat. He must take that opportunity, in justice to Mr. Westlake, the medical attendant of the Andover Union, to inform the House, and through them the guardians of that union and the public, that he (Mr. Wakley) had never received any communication from that gentleman till after the period he brought the subject before the at tention of the House. Ile said so that Mr. 'Westlake might not suffer in his interest, as he (Mr. Wakley) understood that a conspiracy was on foot which was to be carried out next Saturday by driving that gentleman from his place. It was but proper that this ejection should be prevented till it was known whether he de served dismissal or not. They had shown great sym pathy to the legal gentleman (Mr. Parker) who had been dismissed, and he trusted they would also extend it to the medical profession which was attacked in the person of Mr. Westlake. Mr. T. DUNCOMBE said he had always maintained that the Poor-law Commissioners were responsible to the Home Secretary, and that the Home Secretary was re sponsible to the Honse of Commons. The Right Hon. Baronet therefore was bound to satisfy the House re specting the proceedings of the Poor-law Commissioners. If Mr. Parker had been guilty of insubordination, the I'oor-law Commissioners had a right to dismiss him ; but that ought not to preclude inquiry. The question was whether Mr. Parker was in the wrong, or the Poor-law Commissioners ; and in order to arrive at the truth there ought to be an inquiry. He called on the Right Hon. Baronet to concede the whole inquiry at once, and not make the half-concession he had done, as ho was sure to be defeated. Grant the Committee for the full inquiry at once, and it would soon come out which party was in the wrong. Sir B. HALL briefly stated his intention of voting for the amendment, The gallery was then cleared for a division. On our re-admission to the gallery, we found that the numbers were— For Mr. Christie's amendment 92 Against it _ Majority for the amendment... THE NUNS OF MINSK. Mr. COWPER then rose to move that copies of dis patches received by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affair's, containing information about the persecution inflicted upon the Basilian nuns of Afinsk, should be laid upon the table. (The Hon. Member then referred to the punishments which were said to have been inflicted upon the nuns of Minsk.) The report of the horrible barbarities perpetrated upon them was authenticated by the deposition of each of the unfortunate victims. They wero employed in works to which they were altogether unaccustomed, and Of six hundred and fifty-eight that were alive at the commencement of the persecutions, which lasted seven years, only fourteen were now living. if the history of their persecutions was true, it was a most lamentable and awful one—(Hear, hear)—and one which cast a stigma upon the age in which we lived.— (Hear, hear.) It was true that some people were in clined to disbelieve the statements, from the very atrocity of the affair ; but that was no evidence that the cruelties complained of had not been exercised.—(Hear, hear.) Indeed, the annals of religious persecu tion showed us that such cruelties had never been exercised within the memory of man. In past ages we had seen, by the annals of the In quisition, that scenes of great horror and unprovoked slaughter had occurred. In England itself we had had too many instances of horrid barbarites committed some centuries ago on account of religion. But the Inquisi tion had been put down by the public voice of indigna tion of the civilised world. The persecutions to which he had alluded as having occurred in England had stig matised every one connected with them. The leader of the Reformation had been blamed in the severest manner. And a sovereign living in those times had been branded with the named " Bloody Queen Mary." And although such barbarities had been perpetrated years ago, it was no reason why we should nut show our utmost indigna tion at the late persecution in Russia. On the contrary, he thought that it became the civilised portion of the com munity to protest loudly against such barbarities, snd so induce the Government of every country to prevent the holding of certain religious opinions to be placed in the same category with those offences which might be con sidered as injurious to private individuals in the Govern ment of the country. If they allowed transactions of this nature to be perpetrated abroad, without attempting to ascertain whether they were capable of proof, and if proved, without expressing their sorrows and grief at them, he conceived that we lived in a country where we had not the advantage of a free course to pursue with respect to our religious opinions ; and, further, he conceived that they should not be discharging the duties which they owed to society at large.—(Hear, hear.) There had been many opportunities of disproving the statements of these offences, if the reports were false. The accounts had spread all over Europe. They had been published in Rome, when the Emperor himself was present, and when he had, of course, ample opportunities of dis proving them.—(Hear, hear.) And until they hal some superior information, which he (Mr. Cowper) had not yet seen, they had no other alternative but to accept the accounts us true. Now, lie did not necessarily accuse the Emperor of Russia with being cogaisant of the varieties of torture to which these unfortunate nuns had been subjected ; b ut h e t h oug ht th at that illustrious individual c ou ld not b e acqu i tte d of having at least permitted the exercise of such perse cutions in his dominions. He hoped that the House would not object to his motion, as the venerable Greek church, which had been charged with these cruelties, might then have an opportunity of clearing itself from the charges. He understood that there were authentic documents in the hands of the Government respecting this subject, and he trusted that they would not have any objection to lay them on the table of the House.—(Hear, hear.) -23 Mr. T. WYSE seconded the motion, and in so doing thought that it was well known that the report of these atrocities, which were of the most ex traordinary nature, had been contradicted by the Warsaw Correspondent of an Edinburgh journal, but by way of rejoinder to that contradiction, a full detail had been published at Rome by the abbess of the con vent at Minsk, under the sanction of other authentic authorities. Now, either that document must be a com plete fabrication, or the statements of the Warsaw cor respondent were untrue. Now he would ask on which side was the truth likely to be ? The Hon. Gentleman concluded by making a few further remarks in support of the motion, which were not very distinctly heard in the gallery. S'r R. PEEL—Sir, I am not enabled to communicate to this House any official dispatches which would throw a light on the painful subject to which this motion refers. Her Majesty's Government has not received from its representative at the Court of St. Petersburg, or from any other quarter, any official or authentic information on the subject. The only communication we have re ceived is from the British Consul at Warsaw, a most re spectable and amiable gentleman, who, seeing the reports in the French newspapers that the barbarities—for they can be called by no other name—had been commit ted in Poland, thought it his duty to write to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and state dis tinctly that it was a complete error to suppose that any thine. of the kind had taken place in Poland, and his confident belief was that the report must have been with out foundation, or must have been grossly exaggerated. That is the whole of the information we have received, consequently it will be impossible for her Majesty's Government to produce any official information on this subject which would throw any light whatever upon it. Now Sir, I should feel the deepest regret if there were any foundation for these reports. I have certainly a strong persuasion that nothing of the kind has taken place either with the sanction or with the knowledge of the Government of Russia. I understand, from private communication which I have had with the repres en t a ti ve of the Emperor of Russia at this Court, that wh en th e Emperor was at Rome, on the ma t ter being mentioned by the Pope, he expressed great su r p ris e , and stated to the y, and witho u t hi s knowledge ; but a strict inq uir y sho uld be instituted. b P e n e p ri e, entirely that if without anything of the kind had occur re d , i t h a d his autho r ' t This fortifies one in the belief that if anything of the kind had given sanction to these statements, it was with out the authority of the Government of Russia, and that an inquiry would be instituted by that Government into the facts of the case. Sir, I should therefore strongly advise every individual Member of this House to suspend his judgment on this matter. It is ve ry possible, and I hope that the result may prov e it to be so that these re ports are without foundation , or hav e been much e'en era Iteds.tillßntlintriensoturrongy u rge you not t o set the example capacity as a branch o f t h e Legisla ture, ftYp minister, o r any Govern of interference with the acts o f anoth er Government. It me would nt, be e r impossible an y party, to for repress the outb rea k of those feelings which naturally arise on statement of facts like those to which the lion. Gentleman had referred. I cannot divest myself of individual feeling,and I declare that if this statement should be founded in fact, I s h ou ld view with the greatest regret such a violati on o f th e rights of conscience and humanity. But, as a House of Commons, I advise you on no account, whatever your private feelings may be, to establish a precedent of inter ference with the domestic affairs of other Governments How have we ourselves been occupied to-night? What has formed the subject of discussion for four or five hours ed—ther e b e i ng before the lion. Gentleman brought forward his mot i on ? An allegation that inhabitants of this count ry — t h e p n s subjects b n j ( s h e e t s r e o h f a t r h g i this realm—have against poverty— had been employed grinding bones, some of th ose b ones supposed to have been human bones , and that th e i r sub sistence was so scanty, that on their finding b ones i n a decomposed state, from which marrow could b e ex tracted, a general engagement of the parties em pl oye d took place to get possession of one of those b ones , an d t theca been than the em chargeloy of that the party getting possession of one of those bones was obliged to hide it, in order to derive some suste nance from it. Can anything be worse than that ?—and yet we should deeply resent it if one of the Chambers of France thought themselves justified by a regard to prin ciple to take any notice of that. surely, we should re. quire from them that they should place confidence in the justice of the House o: Commons, and in the justice of the Executive Government. That con fidence would be perfectly justified, for my Right Hon. Friend has stated that directions have already been given by him for the suppression of this practice in every union workhouse. But that is beside the question —no other Government has a right to interfere in our proceedings. Ido conceive that nothing would be more injurious than that we, as our example is looked up to by other countries, should, prompted by feelings in themselves natural and laudable, attempt the establish ment of a precedent by an interference of this natare in the domestic concerns of another country. Again 1 must repeat that I hope every gentleman will suspend his judgment with respect to the truth of this story. It is highly probable that it is untrue, or it has been grossly exaggerated, and I hope they will be individually satis fied with the assurance that the Government of Russia has undertaken to make inquiry into this subject. I have stated to the Hon. Gentleman that I have no dispatches to lay on the table. That assurance will probably induce him to withdraw his motion, and I must strongly recommend you not to establish a prece• dent, which I think most injurious, and fraught with deuger as inducing other powers to act on our example for worse purposes than could possibly be imputed to us now, Mr. COWPER said that after what had fallen from the Right Hon. Baronet, he should withdraw his motion. Sir ROBERT PEEL said he had stated every thing that he knew to the Hon. Gentleman. Mr. THOMAS i)UNCOMBE called the attention of the Right lion. Baronet to tbe address that was pre sented to her Majesty immediately after the visit of the Emperor of Russia to this country. He was sorry to hear the Right Hon. Baronet mix up the Andover case with the atrocities perpetrated on the nuns of Minsk. He considered that it could not be compared with the atrocities committed under the Russian autocrat. He hoped, however, that as an extended intercourse was going on between this country and the court of Russia, we shall be able shortly to hear that the Emperor of that country has established an inquiry upon the subject as they had done in this country. Mr. MILNER GIBSON stated that the principles of such a policy as that propounded by the Right Hon. Baronet did not correspond with the efforts which this country had made, and was still making, to procure the abolition of the slave trade. Mr. P. HOWARD considered that public opinion should be expressed in a dignified manner upon the sub ject. He hoped the time would speedily arrive when all the subjects under the Emperor of Russia's rule would have a perfect liberty of conscience in religious matters. Doctor BOWRING considered that the Emperor of Russia would be glad for having the opportunity afforded him of defending himself against these opinicns which had been gathering around him. Mr. NEWDEGATE said that in consequence of the lateneness of the hour, he would withdraw his notice relative to vexatious objections against votes, and would mould move it on Tuesday next. Sir R. PEEL, in answer to a question of Mr. Philip Howard, said that he proposed going into committee on the corn-laws before he went into the committee of supply. The other orders of the day were then disposed of, and the House adjourned at Twelve o'clock. PARLIAMENTARY DIVISIONS. From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Commons, THURSDAY, MARCH 5. ANDOVER UNION. _ _ Motion made, and Question proposed, " That a Select Committee be appointed, to inquire into the administration ofthe Poor-laws in the Andover Union, and into the management of the Union Work house :"—Amendment proposed, at the end of the Question, to add the words, " and into the conduct of the Poor-law Commissioners, and their late Assistant Commissioner Mr. Parker, in reference to the two investigations held at Andover, and into all the circumstances under which the Poor-law Commissioners called upon Mr. Parker to resign his Assistant Commissionership :"—Question put, " That those words be there added." The House divided : MAJORITY-AYES, 92. Acton, Colonel Fielden, John O'Brien, A. S. Aglionby, H. A. Ferrand, W. B. Packe, C. W. Aldam, William Finch, George Palmer, R. Allix, J. P. Fleetwood, Sir P. Palmer, G. Arkwright, George Fuller, A. E. Pechell, Captain Bankes, George Gooch, E. S. Plumridge, Captain Barnard, E. G. Raiford, Sir H. Bart. Pollington, Viscount Benett, John Hall, Sir Benjamin Rashleigh, W. Benet, Philip Balsey, T. P. Rendlesham, Lord Bentinek, Lord G. Hamner, Sir John Repton, G. W. Beresford, Major Harris, Hon. Capt. Scott, F. Berkeley, Grantley Hawes, Benjamin Seymer, H. K. Bodkin, W. H. Henley, J. W. Sibthorp, Colonel Borthwick, Peter Hildyard, T. B. Somerville, Sir W. Bowring, Dr. Ilinde, J. li. Spooner. It. Browne, W. 'Lindley, Charles Spry,!Sir S. Buller, Sir J. Y. Hudson, George Sienaleld, W: R. Busfeild, William Hume, Joseph Staunton, Sir G. Cayley, Edward S. llumphery, Ald. Stuart, Lord J. Clayton, R. R. pigestre, Viscount Stuart, J. Collett, John Inglis, Sir It. Tancred, II.:W. Collins, William Johnson, General Taylor, J. A. Copeland, AM. Langston, J. H. Thompson, Ald. Cowper, W. F. Law, lion. C. E. Troubridge, Sir E. Crawford, W. S. Lawson, A. Waddington, H. S. Deedes, W. Manners, Lord .T. Walsh, Sir J. 11. D'Eyncourt, C. T. Matheson, James Williams, W. Disraeli, B. Miles, W. Yorke, H. R. Dodd, G. ,Mitealfe, Henry Duncornbe, T. :Neeld, Joseph Etwall, Ralph Newdegate, N. Evans, William Norreys, Sir D. TELLERS. Wakley, Thomas Christie, W. D. M I N rIF, iol O to f vrtoee l yrr T i Y si3ifi — erantjrt NOES, 69 . Acland, T. D. Martin, C. W. Adderley, C. B. Fitzroy, Lord C. Morpeth, Viscount Baring, W. P, Morris, David Bouverie, E. I'. Pakington, J. S. Bowles, Admiral Glynne, Sir S. Patten, J. W. Boyd, John Gordon, Hon. Capt. Peel, Sir Robert Brisco, M. Goulburu, Henry Peel, Jonathan Bretherton, J. Graham, Sir J. Reid, Colonel Bruce, Lord E. Greene, Thomas Russell, Lord John Bruges, W. H. L. Herbert, Sidney Smith, J. A. , Buller, Chance Hill, Lord M. Smythe, George Cardwell, Edward Hope, G. W. Strait, Edward Carew, W. IL Pole Howard, P. H. Sutton, Henry Childers, J.W. James, William Theslger, Sir F. Clerk, Sir G. Jervis, John Thornely, Thomas Cockburn, Sir G. Jocelyn, Viscount Trelawny, J. S. Corry, henry Johnstone, Hope Trotter, John Courtenay, Lord Jones, Captain Villiers, Charles Cripps, William Kelly, Sir Fitzroy Walker, Richard Davies, D. A. S. Lanibton, 11. Wellesley, Lord C. Denison, E. B. Lockhart, A. E. Wood, Charles Dennistoun, John Lockhart, W. TILLERS. Douglas, Sir C. M`Geachy, F. A. Young, John Escott, Bickhana Mahon, Viscount Baring, henry PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS. From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Commons.) THURSDAY, )LARCH 5. The following Petitions for Railways were reported, and the Bills ordered to be brought In by the undernamed lien. Members : Lynn and Ely (Extension to Spalding)—Lord G. Bentinck and Vis• count Jocelyn. Lynn and Ely (Extension to March)--Lord G. Bentinck and Via. count Jocelyn . . Leeds, Wakefield, and Midland Junction—Mr. Lascelles and Mr. M. Bell. Shrewsbury, Oswestry, and Chester Junction and North Wales Mineral Companies Amalgamation—Sir W. Wynn and Mr. W. 0. Gore. London, Bristol, and South Wales—Earl of Shelburne, Mr. 11. Berkeley, and Mr. Pusey. RAILWAYS. The Committee of Selection have nominated the following Select Committees on Railway Groups : A Committee consisting of—Lord Worsley (Chairman), Mr. Spooner, Mr. Gasket!, Mr. Archbold, and Colonel T. Austen—to whom they have referred the Bills comprised in Group No. 9, viz.:— Caledonian Railway (Glasgow Termini and Branches), Garnkirk, and Coatbridge Railway (Extension), General Terminus and Glasgow Harbour Railway,. Glasgow Harbour (Grand Junction Railway Terminus), Glasgow Harbour (Mineral Railway), Glasgow Southern Terminal Railway, West of Scotland Junction Railway, Glasgow, Paisley, and Greenock Railway (Polloc and Govan Branch), Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway (Amendment and Branches). The Select Committee will meet on Monday, March 10, at twelve. A Committee consisting of—Mr. Protheroe (Chairman), Lord Emlyn, Mr. Grogan, General Lygon, and Mr. Joan O'Connell—to whom they have referred:the Bills comprised in Group No, 14, viz.:— Kent Atmospheric Railway, North Kent Railway, South-Eastern (Canterbury to Dover), South-Eastern (Chislet to Margate), South-Eastern (Greenwich to Chart, near Ashford, with Branches to Tonbridge anti Riverhead), South-Eastern (Greenwich to Chilham, near Canterbury, with Branches to Sheerness and Faversham Creek), South-Eastern (Maidstone to Strood, near Rochester), Dover and Deal. The Select Committee will meet on Monday, March 16, at twelve. A Committee consisting of—Mr. Daniel O'Connell (Chairman), Mr. llindley, Sir Hobert Price, Mr. Mackinnon, and Captain Hatton—to whom they have referred the Bills comprised in Group No. 15, viz.:— South-Eastern (Ashford Station Enlargement), London and Brighton (East Grinstead Branch)„ South-Eastern (Godstone Station to East Grinstead), Brighton and Chichester (Bognor to Littlehampton Branches), South-Eastern (Eye to Rye Horbour), South-Eastern (Touhridge Wells to Hastings and Rye), Chichester and Bognor, Brighton and Chichester (Steyning Branch), Brighton, Lewes, and Itastings Deviations, and Eastbourne, Halls ham, Seaford, and Newhaven Branches. The Select Committee will meet on Monday, March 16, at twelve. PRINCESS'S THEATRE. A grand dramatic masque, entitled The Ruins of Athens, was produced here last night ; and, as a most gorgeous spectacle, it met with deserved success. The bills state that the whole of the music is composed by Beethoven, the meaning of which is, we imagine, that the music has been selected from the works of that celebrated composer, and certes the selector has shown his judg ment in his selection. In the opening scene we have an Olympian cave, in which Minerva, (who has been there confined for two thousand years), is discovered be wailing her unhappy lot. She is set at liberty by Mer cury, and wends her way to her beloved Athens, which she finds a city of ruins, inhabited by barbarians. Mercury tells her of a new Athens, which has arisen . in the far west—a land of liberty, and science, andc!vi lization—a land which has produced a mighty magician, inspired equally by Melpomene and Thalia, and who to the sublimity of /Eschylus joins the calm dignity of Sophocles, the tenderness of Euripides , and the wit of A ristophanes. This mighty magician is Shakspere ; and Minerva, transported to London, does homage t o the genius of him who, of all un insp i red writers, ap proached nearest to inspirat i on — (if perchance he were not actually inspired, for upon no other theory can we satisfactorily account for his marvellous insight into the workings of the human heart)—and the piece end s w ith a grand pageant, (an i m i tat ion of the Stratford Jubilee), in honour of " the Sweet Swan of Avon." It is a gor geous spectacle, admirably put upon the stage, and will no doubt have a run. The house was well attended. COURT CIRCULAR. The Queen and Prince Albert took an airing in an open carriage on Wednesday afternoon. Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales, Prince Alfred, the Princess Royal, and the P r i ncess Al i ce were taken their walking and riding exercise on Wednesday afternoon, in the pleasure grounds of Osborne House. There was no addition to the roy a l di nner party at Osborne House in the evening. Her Majesty and her Royal Consort walked yesterday morning in the plantations. The Royal Family were taken on the beach in the forenoon. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge honoured the performances of the French Plays with her presence on Wednesday evening. Mr. A. Beresford Hope, M.P., had as interview with Mr. Secretary Gladstone yesterday, at the Colonial-office 17r•t OVERLAND MAIL INDIA AND CHINA. (From the Times.) Our extraordinary express from Marseilles, in anticipation of the Bombay mail of the 3d of February, has reached us . It brings important news from the theatre of war on the banks of the Sutlej. The British "army, of about 43,000 men, is thus described in the Delhi Gazette of the 23d of January Men. 11 Troops of Horse Artillery, say 1,000 8 Companies of Foot Artillery, about ... 600 7 Companies of Sappers and Miners 800 3 Regiments of European Cavalry, at 450 1,350 7 Regiments of Native Light Cavalry, at 400 2,800 5 Regiments of Irregular Cavalry, at 700 3,500 9 Regiments of European Infantry, at 750 6,750 26 Regiments of Native Infantry, at 800 20,800 2 Regiments of Local Infantry, at 800 1,600 Forming a total of about... ... ... 39,800 Besides which, the following corps are on their way, or under orders : The 4th Regiment of Bengal Infantry, from Sinde; the 7th Regiment of Bengal Infantry, from Delhi ; the G7th Regiment of Bengal Infantry, from Bundelktuid ; and the Ktunaon Local Battalion ; as, also, Captain Smith's Light Field Battery, from Sinde; which, when they have joined the force, will make " the Army of the Sntlej " of the fd lowirzg estimated strength t Men. ... 1,680 ... 800 Artillery ... Sappers and Miners Cava!ry : European ... Native Irregular ... Infantry : European ... Native ... Irregular ... Ordnance : Heavy 24 -pounders Howitzers, 10-inch Howitzers, 8- inch Iron 12-pounders (elephant battery) ... Already with the force, siege guns taken from limballah, where they were sent for practice from Delhi ... ••• 11 Troops Horse Artillery ... .., ••• 5 Light Field Batteries ... 30 —making the proposed army to consist of 42,480 men, witl 140 pieces, of ordnance of all sizes. There are also 21 mow• tars of various sizes under dispatch from Delhi to day. This army is formed into five divisions of infantry and four brigades of cavalry, with a large brigade staff. The cavalry is commanded by Major-General Sir J. Thackw ell ; and the infantry divisions by Major- Generals Sir H. G. Smith, W. R. Gilbert, Sir R. H. Dick, Sir J. H. Littler, and Sir J. Grey. From the 22d of December, when the victory was;won by the British at Ferozeshah, up to the middle of January, both parties appeared to be preparing for the approaching struggle on the right bank of the Sutlej. The Governor- General remained at Ferozepore, engaged in raising the bridge of boats, and in making preparations for the crossing of the river by the British army. The boats, which had been sunk, were found to be somewhat injured, and time was required for their repair. The crossing of the river was expected about the 4th or 6th of February, when the heavy guns, which had left Delhi on the 10th of January, were expected to have reached the camp. Sir J. Littler's division was stationed at Attaree, about seven miles from Ferozepore; the head-quarters of the Com mander-in-Chief were at Aruffkee, twelve miles thence ; and Sir Harry Smith's force was in advance of the others, not far from Hurreeke Puttun, which is one of the great fords of the Sutlej. In the meantime the Lahore Government was making every effort to reorganise its army. Several attempts had been made in different placess to cross the river. A strong force was collected at Phulloor, opposite to Loodianah. This force was independent of the grand Seikh army stationed on the way from Hurreeke ghat to Lahore and its neighbour hood, with the object of protecting the capital. Some skirmishing took place near the Seikh bridge of boats on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of January, without any re markable effect. On the 15th the Seikhs came over the river at Phnlloor, plundered the neighbourhood, and pitched a camp on the left bank, in the British territory. On the following days they made some further advances, and entrenched themselves near a nulls. Sir 11. Smith moved ••• ... 1,350 • - ... 2,800 •• • ... 3,500 -- 7,650 • • • 6,750 ... 23,200 2,400-32,350 ... ... ... ... 12 ... 6 ... 6 12 his brigade up the Sutlej, driving the enemy before him until the 21st, in the morning, when he came upon one of the fortified positions of the enemy, which fired grape shot amongst the British troops. Some of the native troops are said to have thrown down their arms, and to have fled, leaving the Europeans to bear the brunt of the battle. Her Majesty's 53d and 31st were engaged, and are said to have suffered severely ; but they demanded to be led anew to the fight, which Sir H. Smith did not deem it prudent to do, and therefore withdrew the troops. The Agra Ukbar construes the retirement into a defeat; while the Delhi Gazette states, that heavy firing was beard in the direction of Loodianah during the whole of the afternoon of that day. Nothing positive appears to have been known as to the results of that day when the mails were leaving Bombay. The preparations of the Governor-General at Ferozepore appear to be of an efficient kind, sad it was supposed that the British army would move over the Sutlej, and before the hot weather set in, in April, take possession of Lahore, the Seikh capital, which is not fifty miles from the Sutlej. There is said to be considerable dis union amongst the Seikh chiefs, many of whom have made propositions to the British authorities, declaring their willingness to join the British standard as soon as it appeared on the right bank of that river. It was supposed that the Seikh troops would try another battle before they would allow their capital to be taken. The gallant conqueror of Sinde, Sir Charles Napier, was again in the field, and, at the head of about 15,000 Bombay and 5,000 Bengal troops, was expected to cause a powerful diversion, by proceeding to attack and to conquer Moulton and the southern provinces of the Seikh dominions. The very name of Sir Charles Napier infuses dread among the native inhabitants of the banks of the Indus and of the five rivers of the Punjaub ; he is called by them S/*eitanka Melee, " the Devil's brother." His troops expected to be in movement towards the enemy's frontiers on the _l6th of February. The latest intelligence from the Bombay troops in this ex pedition describes them as in the highest spirits, for they lcek forward to victory for themselves, and even to a coronet for their experienced leader. It is undeniable that the Seikhs are a brave enemy, whom the discipline they have learned from European officers renders far more formidable than the other inhabitants of India. The necessity of the most strenuous efforts to subdue the troops and the fanatics of Lahore is evident. Their emis saries have attempted to tamper with the Bengal sepoys, but, as yet, they have gained nothing. The British troops have abundant supplies of all kinds, and it nowremains to be known if anything of a decided nature will occur before the hot season. The late attempts to produce sedition amongst the troops and inhabitants of Dinapore, Patna, &c., have failed, and the ringleaders have been seized and punished. The latest intelligence from Upper Sinde states, that her Majesty's 86th Regiment had reached Bone on the 23d of January. The Sinde Horse, under Captain Jacob , bad them. bad gone to Subzulcote, j where some Bengal troops hador . A circumstance had occurred in the Seikh territory, near Bhawulpore, which it may be useful to explain. Captain Brown, the chief of the Sinde mounted police, went about ten miles into the Seikh district in pursuit of a robber. The head of the village promised to surrender the robber; but, instead of doing so, he collected a number of horsemen (said to be 3(Y)) and proceeded to attack the Sinde police. The first volley killed three men. This proves the spirit of the Seikh authorities to the southward. Moult= was quiet, but great efforts were made to restore the fortifications, as a siege was expected. An augmentation has been ordered of five regiments of irregular cavalry to the Bengal army, and of three regiments of infantry to that of Bombay.: The Bombay Railway, or, as it is called, the Great Indian Peninsular Railway, has been most successful. The engi neers who have examined the districts through which it is to pass into the interior, have found far more facilities for the undertaking than they ever expected. The utmost tranquillity prevails in the interior of India. The Bombay Times adds the following particulars to those details which we have already received in a more authentic form from the official dispatches:-- " For nearly a week after these terrible encounters the Seikhs continued on our side the river; nor do we ap,iear to have considered ourselves in a condition to follow up our victory or drive them across. About the 27th they seem to have retired in safety within their own dominions, and to have encamped on the other side, leisurely and unmolested, within sight of our pickets. The different divisions of our army, now rapidly increasing in numbers and in strength, were encamped near to, and in close communication with, each other. General Littler and his division were posted at Attaree, seven miles from Ferozepore ; the head-quarters of the Commander-in-Chief some six miles higher up the river ; and the Umballah force four miles beyond this, or seventeen from Ferozepore. The Governor-General has, since the action, continued at the place just named, and which may be considered the point of advance, maturing his plans, and hastening on preparations. The enemy mean while were permitted to complete a pontoon bridge without interruption, in hopes that they might be induced again to cross over to our side ; the heavy ordnance sent from Um ballah being so posted at the same time as to command the passage. A foray had been made across the river by about 200 of the enemy of the 14th, with the view, apparently, to plunder, and of course the robbers were speedily driven back. The enemy, at the same time, continue to muster in formi dable force, and 70,000 men, with 110 pieces of ordnance, are said to be assembled ready to oppose us. The bridge they have established is one of much solidity, well placed, s and protected by heavy ordnance. Frequent demonstrations had been made on Loodianab, where the force was l Co t l . lsi , d an d weakest. About 20,000 had crossed over by the 8 h i t i h it e; e • n l e ia n d in o o n u t r h r e ie l ig 9 i t l h be s u e r t i t l l o e o d d. themselves, open hopes of learning particu and proceede ' d to E" We have kept our columns . (12 o'clock), safely Warranted,. believed to have occurred about lars of tlhi general action, b to the latest moment n S d i r ,O H t H. ,Snt encounteringith m ove d buthis division s t .0 up I t t h i e s s said ttJß t t o h neo a t t imie G i ' n e l e g n 9 l e t e i : in a a l little opposition; sight about eight o'clock in the morning of the 21st, he prepared fur action, being sbopay afte - twaraz joined I:ythe i4tio4itmeo force. No particulars have reached us; the battle is slip• posed to have been a severe one, a heavy cannonade having been heard at Simla and Loodianah, as, we believe, also at Ferozepore, till three o'clock in the afternoon. It is probable that the steamer may be detained till the Governor-General's express brings tidings to the Presidency; so that the home reader may, shortly after the arrival of this, know more than we at present do of the matter. " Since last night mails of the 24th have arrived from Cal cutta, of the 25th from Delhi, and the 26th from Madras. They bring us no news of any importance, and we infer, therefore, that no further particulars had transpired of the alleged action on the 21st. The communication along the disturbed districts is at present irregular and much inter rupted.] The services of the force under Sir Charles Napier, whose co-operation seem to form a portion of the Governor -Gene ral's plan, will hardly be available before the Ist of March, and considering how soon er this the fierce and tremen dous heats set in, it appea m ore th an d ou b t f u l w h ether a regular campaign beyond t e Sutlej will this season b e en it tered on. It must be remembered that the country pro posed to be invaded, if intended to be annexed to the British dominions, must be throughout completely subjugated; that it comprises an area of 25,000 square mile, traversed by vast rivers and mountain ranges reaching the greatest altitudes known to in n; that it contains a fierce and untamed popu lation of nearly 5,000.000 of human beings. Nor must it be forgotten that not one4ourth of the magnificent artillery.of Runjeet Singh has been captured or disabled; that two thirds of his army remain undamaged and entire. It seems not improbable that this season Lahore may be occupied and garrisoned, the communications with Ferozepore—the post where our troops and magazines must be collected—being kept up; and that thus will their own capital become the centre and emanating point of next year's operations. The war-advocates at home have for years past talked of the con quest of the Punjaub as at once easy and desirable—the de struction of the Seikh empire the task of a few months. The exploit has been forced on us, and we must perform it as best we may; we doubt not but in the end we shall do so triumphantly; but we must add 30,000 men to our army, and 10,000,0001. to our debt , and this, with an income not able of late to meet our expenditure by nearly 2,000,000/. a year." THE ARMY ON THE SUTLEJ. (From the Delhi Gazette, Jan. 21.) Matters at Ferozepore continue much in the same state as when we last wrote, and must remain so until our opera tions for crossing the Sutlej are complete at all points, and that cannot now well be before the 4th, sth, or Gth of Feb. The only event that might vary the monotony of a standing camp would be an attempt on the part of the Seikhs to cross to our side, and that they have thought of so doing may be inferred from the fact, that about noon on the 14th a picket of theirs came over, about 200 or 300 strong. Their object in doing so is not known to us, but the Commander-in-Chief lost no time in ordering out a party, which speedily d r o ve them back again, and when they had succeeded in so doing, th sir heavy gnus (our Lahore correspondent, whose letters are necessarily brief, says they have 120 pieces of ordnance w ith 10,000 men ready to oppose us) commenced firing at us across the river, on which some of our heavy ordnance were brought up un to di g r n e fi u e n d i t c h s e n n c o o l i l n a p a l e i m w e ss n t , k st e n p d t th s fo a r N n v e e a ry r 118 fou e; hours,less an and' patty doing any execution. One of our cor responcleii European artilleryman killed, and a native one wounded. a o ls n o the night a the sl l ig 3t h l t e i s n ki w n i t i l i i c s h h w l e vi l t o h st one the same picket, These skirmishes occurred at the point where the Seikhs have or had th lir bridge of boats; former accounts were to the effect that they had themselves broken up the bridge; others now say drat our artillery destroyed it on the 14th, while time rest are' silent regarding this point; so that we may conclude that the Seikh pickets come over on their pen bridge, and that the bridge is still standing. Asa sample of the reports which are' carried about, we may mention, that the firing was, at Fersizepore, placed to th e account o f a general ttle, and magnified, by the time the Ferozepore letters got to Umballah stud Kurnaul, into a victory in which the Seikhs had been eignally defeated in large numbers and driven into the Sutlej. The contents of our La hore newswriter's communication, although brief, seem to show that the Seikhs are determined to stand out, and we have every reason to think, from present appearances, they will do so. At Ferozepore itself the 27th and 44th Native Infantry, and the 3d Irregular Cavalry, supported by Cap tain Garbett's troop of Horse Artillery under Brigadier Car negy, are encamped at the Khoodee Ghat as a protection to the boats, and a check upon the ghat three miles below. The boats had, at the date of our latest letters 17th January, been nearly all raised, but require, on a careful inspection, much greater repairs than was at first thought would be the case, as they suffered considerably in the burry of sinking them. Captain Prendergast (who has been ap pointed second in command to the 14th regiment of Irre gular Cavalry, and not Lieutenant Pattinson, as we formerly stated) left Perozepore on the 16th, in progress towards Sa haranpore, to assist in raising the corps, Captain Fisher: being unable, from the nature of his wounds, to take the initiative in the formation of the corps, of which he has obtained the command. The question has already been asked us, by what authority Queen's officers are appointed to such situations ? We can only say that they are made in the face of the most positive existing orders of the Court of Directors. How far the prospect of such a campaign an the one now in progress may have induced the Court to fur nisi, the Governor-General with extreme latitude in these matters, we cannot say, but we apprehend Sir Henry Har dinge, who has hitherto been extremely cautious in the in fringement of general rules, except on this identical point s would not act without authorityin a matter of such very material importance, affecting ,the rights of the Company's army. Time will show, but we think it would be well to say at once what is the extent of the authority under which those rights have been infringed. At Loodianah the Seikhs have presented a bolder front than at Ferozepore, proportioned tea the strength of our force at that place. They crossed, it ap.. pears by our native correspondent, on the 13th, and a friend on the spot furnishes such a clear view of the subsequent events, that we prefer giving it in his own words : " Loodianah, Jan. 16. " I do not know whether you have any correspondent here; if not, a few words on our proceedings may be arcept able. Our friends are gathering rather strong, ands have a camp on this bank of the river, apparently at least a mile long, with another smaller one several miles lower down, which was pitched yesterday, I think. They have, it is said, brought 47 guns of various sizes over, and four mortars, and are entrenching themselves ; so, probably, intend to give us the pleasure of paying them the first visit. If they should come outside the reach of their great guns, I imagine we are now quite able to walk into them. The lit Cavalry and Lane's four 6-pounders arrived here en the 14th ; that is all we have of cavalry or artillery, but wq have the two Goorkha regiments, and the 30th and 36th Y.a. tive Infantry, besides a detachment on duty in the fort, 'We marched out on the 14th about 2,000 strong, a mile towards their camp, which is some five miles oft; and after standing : in most martial attitude an hour or two, marched home again, covered, if not with glory, yet with dust. The Horse Artil lery alone remained in camp all harnessed, and the enemy's' artillery fired off a feu de joie on the occasion ; a reconnoitring party afterwards went out end saw nothing but a similar party of the enemy. This was our first day's operation, and it seems clear they had the better of us ; both par ti es ad vanced, but we have retired while they have kept their ground. On the 15th, the 30th marched in from Bassean, and our neighbours had increased their amp considerably, and sent a large division of horse to the camp, some. miles lower down, probably to look after the Ferozepore road. Our friends of the 53d are expected from that direction (Bassean), and had better look out for their baggage. Major Bradford, with a troop of the let Cavalrso. went out to reconnoitre, and got close to the enemy's camps when they were very near bagging a tine string of camels, but were fired on by matchlock men concealed behind a sand-hill, so retired; there was much less noise this day, so we suppose they were employed intrenching themselves. Heavy firing about noon to-day for some ten minutes, at nothing I suppose; two squadrons of the cavalry went to reconnoitre. There are a multitude of Mikhail idlers about here, who, it is said, would willingly take service, and. might at least be depended on against the Seikhs, fine able bodied fellows; they would at least fill a ditch much better than those Puteealah scaranmouches. Futteh Jung conk/ raise a regiment of them in no time. One can conceive, no men at arms more beggarly than those same Puteealah allies of ours, horses and men. One of them came to Lieu tenant Lake the day before yesterday, as they were going out reconnoitering with one troop, and said be was afraid of his life, so be was permitted to go home and take care of himself. "There can be little doubt our neighbours are detemined to have another throw before they give up the game, but I think th ey w ill let us pay our compliments , to them ,. in their own nd g ca n ni ri p h . e. h T e h re e) . c , don't , seem to like tue took o f our little mud Reports had reached Innballah on the 19th that the Seikhs had been driven across. (From the Delhi Gazette of Jan. 24.) The news received this morning is not so precise as we could wish it, as •we cannot reconcile dates and distances without more detailed information, but it appears, and we give it as we have it from a station not on the frontier, that Sir Ham' Smith moved his division up the Sutlej on the 19th ot fann . rda th fcut e irtn Se hne i rs k ,n h tdh e aco n t ca nis m u r renurce en air t ylss and 20t1i, overcoming such opposition as he met with in his, progress, and that on the morning of the 21st he e, he, battle, a h a ast a t ee about nsnute tweenl about e a un immediatelytd half-past o'clock, c p l o a c s k t ,8 preparedi o'clock, cl eight oe h, aoc'etluoaelkl),, (jhodintedskebpylatch: LasooddwiatelaarhefoinnneelinedThto-e ryn ahesaevvyerefiroinneg, e md ac i co an u a n h t, must leave th at been apsl"oieterelelitatnercefroonm thL continued till half-past 3 (of the 21st). We regret to hear from a most respectable party at Loodi• anah, that such has been the feeling at that place regarding the unprotected state of the station, " that the Mahajuns and cloth merchants generally have deposited their wealth in Phulloor, and given large presents to the Seikh fora' there to protect them in the event of Loodianah being plundered." We learn f rom th e general orders, received- this morning also, but too late for insertion in the supplement, that a 15th Regiment of Irregular Horse is to be raised at Meerut. The name of the commandant is not stated. The following ap pointments connected with these corps have appeared:— " 11th Regiment—Lieutenant R. H. Hicks, Ist Ensign Light Infantry, to be second in command, in lieu of Small page. Ensign C. Cureton, 38th Light Infantry, to be Adjutant. " 12th Regiment—Cornet A. W. M. 174 ylly, sth Light Cavalry, to be Adjutant. " 13th Regiment—Lieutenant C. Need, 7th Native Infantry, to be Adjutant. " 14t1i Regiment —Captain Fisher, her Majesty's 3d Dra. goons, Commandant ; Lieutenant G. M. Prendergast, 44th Native Infantry, to be second in command; Lieutenant W. D'Oyly. 58th Native Infantry, to be Adjutant." It is with sentiments of notch pleasure we mention an in stance of much tact on the part of the Governor-Getieral which was evidently intended to smooth down any little asperity that might be shown on the publication of General Litt pra t, report along with the dispatches, and we have no dp_ubtthe it will have the good effect intended by Sir Henry lard r gig h 7; who asked the officers of the 62d Foot to ade me a handsonas Littler at his table, and after dinnor in m them highly for speech eulogistic of the regiments on the 21st of Decemeer, their bravery and gallant bearin g 0 . that their loss in killed and showing at the same time wounded exceeded that of any other regiment in the field, and bore incontestable evidence to the noble manner in which they endured the destructive and truly awful fire from th e enemy's entrenchment, This must have been extremely sa tisfactory to the gallant General and to the officers of a re giment which will yet have many opportunitie s o f dis tinguishing itself and of commanding greater su ccess. I t ought to be a source of General Littler and satisfaction, both to the 62d, that if they did not do all th ey could have. • I m o, and all they deserved, the attack on his side must have most materially influenced success elsewhere, and Oaalt the victory of the centre division was based on the, efforts of all. (Fro►il the Bcrigal Ihirktitu.) it now comes out that we are indebted to Captain Lum ley, the Assistant-Adjutant-General, for our deficiency at Ferozeshah, in cavalry and artillery, that officer having taken upon himself to order the cavalry and artillery en gaged at Moodkee back to Ferozeporto. As may be sup posed, Captain Lumley was, immediately on this being known, superseded in his appointment, and a court-martial ordered to be held tal him. A medical certificate has, it is said, be inbsecptently produced, declaring that Captaia ‘,