The Sun. — London, England, 1846-04-03 00:00:00

RAILWAY COMMITTEES. (YESTERDAY.) OF CO MMONS. GROUP VIII. NO? BRITISH (HAIWICIC BRANCH). (i. l dinatinned from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) Sir. =sr, the engineer, accordingly stated that there had been very considerable difficulty about the station to be formed in the neighbourhood of Kelso, and that it had been eventually decided to form one within half a mile of the town, and it was further in tended, if possible, to extent the branch into the centre of Kelso in little more than twelve months hence. If the Berwick and Kelso Railway Company had agreed with this Company to construct a bridge over the Tweed, the station of the Kelso branch would have been made in the first instance at Kelso ; he had, however, no doubt that negotiations would be shortly entered into between the two Companies to effect the desired object. This Company included in their schedule quite sufficient land to make a more convenient sta tion than they intended to make at present. All the clauses being passed, Mr. PATON, on behalf of the trustees of the road uniting the village of St. Boswell with Kelso, submitted a clause which entitled them to compeusation. The liabilities which they lay under at present in respect of the making of that road was 2,9501., upon which interest Was due to parties who had advanced them the money. The clause which he submitted would leave the settlement of the amount of cOmpensatiou to the arbitration of the sheriff of the county. In support of the trustees' claim Mr. PATON called Mr. Robert Currie, who deposed that he was well acquainted . . with the west branch of the Kelso Union turnpike-road. The annual average income on that road was 3221., the annual expen titure being 3061. Ss. 10d., which included interest on the total debt, 2,950 d. The road was parallel with the Kelso branch of this Com pany, and it would, no doubt, be rendered almost useless to the trustees. Cross-examined by Mr. Sergeant BELLAsts—Was not aware that the trustees were personally r, sponsible tbr more than 4007. Mr. Sergeant BELLASIS then objected to the clause and contended that as there was no personal responsibility involved in the case, the trustees were not entitled to compensation. The matter would, no doubt, be settled by a compromise, but the truetees at any rate had no right to , compel the Company to give them any amount by way of compensation. Mr. PATON replied—The trustees had come forward to make the road in question for the benefit of their countrymen, not merely for the purpose of speculating ; and he hoped that the Committee would make a distinction between the case of his clients and of those whe were mere speculators in such matters. The Committee negatived the clause. Two other clauses, which were submitted by the same Learned Gentleman for the purpost of compelling the Company to compensate the same trustees in rePpect of their north and south roads, were also negatived. The Bill was tb.'en passed. The Committee then proceeded with the EDINBURGH AND PEEBLES. Mr. HOPE opened the case on behalf of the promoters, and in doing se stated that in the district of Peebles there was water power of up wards of 3,000 horse power, which gave employment to 500 people, and that the construction of a railway there would of course develope the traffic very considerably. At present the district through which this line would pass was almost exclu sively agricultural, and the farmers were in a great measure deprived of lime, coals, &c. The present price of coals there was between 17s. 6d. and 1/. per ton, but if this line were formed the price would be reduced to 6s. per ton. The same remark would apply to lime. The farmers would aise have better opportunities of Importing artificial manures from Leith. There was also a considerable quantity of freestone in that district, and if this railway were con- itructed the result no doubt wonld be the erection of several villas, as the country was 'very picturesque. The line would also afford ac commodation to the paper manufacturers of Esk. The quantity of paper manufactured there annually amounted to 350,0001., the duty alone being 50,000/. The Company also proposed throwing off branches to Rosslyn and Ross wade, where the traffic was considerable. There would also be a branch to Gilmourton Greenlaw and the neighbour hood, where there were extensive coal mines. If this line were per mitted to be made, some 100,000 people would have the benefit of 'railway accommodation. This line weuld join the Edinburgh and Hawick, which would give the most 'valuable access to Edinburgh which could possibly be devised. They would also, by that junction, have an excellent commanication with Glas gow and the East Coast Railways, as well as the Aberdeen, &c. This brought hint to speak of the Hawick line. The Hawick Company were quite willing to enter into an amalgamation with this Company, *which, if it were permitted by the Legislature, would be most advantageous to the public and the two Companies. It would be found, from the evidence of the engineer, that the 'proposed line was the very best that could he formed for the purpose of connecting Peebles and the district with Edinburgh, and although the gradients were difficult, they were such as were sanctioned by the Legislature in the case of the Hawick line last year. The esti mated cost was 317.0001. Mr. Parr, the constructor of the traffic tables, estimated the gross ' revenue of the line at 22,4601., which, after deducting one-third for working expenses, would give 4% per cent, on the estimated cost of 317,0001. Mr. David Stephenson, engineer on theline, described its character. Its length was 21 miles. The steepest gradient lin 40, and the nar rowest curve was a quarter of a mile. Captain Moorson considered the line to be well laid out. It was impossible to avoid the decline proposed by the promoters. The deepest. gradleat, one in forty-five, could be conveniently used with locomotive engines, such as were used on the Manchester and Leeds, and several other lines. Six-wheeled engines were at this moment traversing similar curves to that on the proposed line at 40 miles per hour. He believed that it would be found that no more accidents occurred on curved than on straight lines, although the theory was the reverse. The engines could be worked better On this than on the Manchester and Leeds line. There would be eight trains daily, four each way. To Mr. ENTWISLE —This line would he a remunerating adjunct to the North British Company, but he could not say that it would be very valuable to them. 'Jr. HOPS said that he was prepared to submit further engineering evidence, if necessary. The Committee decided that they had heard sufficient evidence of that description. Mr. William Semerrnle, jun., paper manufacturer in the neigh bourhood of Esk., then deposed that there were several paper and other manufactories in that district, the annual value of the paper manufacture being 572,0001. Me believed that about one-twelfth of the white paper used in Great Britain was manufac tured in that district. The manufacture had to be carted to Edin burgb, &c. If the projected line were formed, and the Company united with the Hawich and other companies, there would be a direct communication with Edinburgh. By the CRAISMAN—Was not a shareholder in this Company, nor did he know the value of tbo shares, but he believed that the project was a fair one. Messtis. Chambers and other paper manufacturers were the principal shareholders. The shares had sot been allotted to the North British Company. The Secretarystated that, of the shareholders, there was a vast number who were locally interested in the: line, but he could not state the precise portion. He had no means of knowing bow often the shares had changed hands. There had been no meeting for the purpose of giving the shareholders an opportunity of expressing their opinion of the project. Mr. Cowan stated that he and several other paper manufacturers In the district of Esk had projected the line for the purpose of ob taining a better communication with Edinburgh, &c. The share liolders' respectability was beyond all question. It was not a specu lative project. To the CHAIEMAN —I am not a director of the Company. I con- Sider it a most desirable undertaking. If the line is not sanc trk..„,el2. Yams district where the means of communication with the principal towns of Scotland and England are better. I have increased the number of my shares lately, but I am not prepared to say that I have done so merely because of the guarantee offered by the North British Company. The Kent paper manufacturers, who till lately had not the same advantages as those of Esk, can now, in conse quence of the railway accommodation furnished to that district, sue essandly compete with us. Mr. Wm. Stuart corroborated the above evidence, and also stated that the district of Peebles was sadly deficient in coals and lime, which were of the greatest consequence to the farmers of Peebles. To Mr. ENTWISLE —I firmly believe that this is a fair commercial scheme, projected by commercial men. I believe that the landed proprietors in the district are decidedly in favour of the line. Sir Graham Montgomery gave similar evidence, Was now, and had been since the commencement, a shareholder in this project. This ended the evidence. The room was then cleared. On our re-admission, The CHAIRMAN said, the Committee have passed the preamble of the Bill, and will proceed with the clauses to-morrow at twelve. The Committee then adjourned. GROUP IX. WEST OT SCOTLAND JUNCTION. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition et yesterday.) Mr. Hawkshaw, civil engineer, deposed briefly to the advantages of the proposed junction. It was important to concentrate traffic as much as possible at central points. He thought it a good and effectual scheme. Any line on the south side, and only touching the city, would not do away with the necessity for a conziexion through Glasgow. Cross-examined by Mr. FOitsrrg—lf the nnnession with Edin burgh proposed from the south side was al: mile shorter it would be a mile better. He did not attach uvlo importance to the gradients of the Wilsontown and Coltness !;Ile. They could be easily worked. Mr. AVG&lie, valuer and builder in Glasgow, deposed as to the value of the land along the line. If the one line was constructed the value would be 75,0:01. • and if the alterna tive lint was take n th e amoun t wou ld be 46,0001., or 9,0001. less. He values the property with Mr. Lindsey and Mr. Bell. Mr:ssrs. Bell and Lindsey deposed briefly that they concurred wit'a the previous witness as to the valuation. Mr. Gibb, builder, was examined respecting the present Glasgow bridge. He built it, along with his father, about ten years ago. The foundation was of good hard sand, and would easily admit of the construction of such a viaduct as the West of Scotland Junction proposed. . . Cross-examined—lf tte west of Scotland viaduct drove a founda tion lower than that of the prevent bridge, there would be some danger to the latAer, but by driving piles and by the construction of coffer-dams the danger as far as possible would be obviated. This closed_ the case tbr the Bill, with the addition of evidence of Mr. LyJns, respecting the foundations of the bridge, which was put in from the minutes of the Committee who sat en this scheme last year, Those minutes having been...referred by the Standing Orders Committee to the present one. Mr. Sergeant BELLASIS said the opposition were arranging a com bined case, to save the time of the Committee, and therefore would not be ready to proceed till next morning. After some conversation, it was arranged that, under the eireum- Stanees, it would be best to go on with the opposition of the Glasgow and Greenock Company, as landholders, to the West of Scotland Junction, that being the only case ready to proceed. Mr. Talbot and Mr. Forsyth appeared for the petitioners. Mr. Locke, civil engineer, examined —He deposed that the junc tion would go through the Bridge-street station, end take down their coal and coke shed, beside: destroying a portion of the goods station. The junction would also take the mineral Vatic over their branch to the Polloc and Govan, in fact, destroy it. The cross-examination of this witness elicited that the small branch on to the Polloc and Govan Railway, which it was said would be destroyed, would be supplied by the junction line ; but he cora -plaineci that the arrangements for the mineral traffic would be more Imperfect, on account of the connexion at the goods station. The existing branch was on a sharp curve, and has a severe gradient ; -and, in point of engineering, any of the proposed connexions were better. Mr. Errington, civil engineer, followed to the same effect. He had laid down the Glasgow and Greenock line. It had cost about 800,000/., and had, since the opening, conveyed four millions of persons without an accident, If the West of Scotland Junction was formed, it would destroy the but part of their passenger station, take down their engine, coal, and coke sheds, and join with their rails in 's most inconvenient manner. It would also take away part of the goods station. At the close of the examination of this witness, the Committe ad journed till to-morrow at half-past eleven o'clock. GROUP XII. GLASGOW, PAISLEY, AND GREENOCK. (2117RSTON AND BRIDGE OP WEIR ILRANCII). (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) Mr. Andrew Brown, manufacturer at Linwood, thought the pro- Imsed line would facilitate trade in the district. He codsldered it su perior to the blue (or Ayr extension) line. The witness was cross-examined by Mr. Hope on minute points, whiols fully established the equality, if not the superiority, of the Ayr over the Greenock extensions. Nr. William Hardie gave similar traffic evidence. The CHAIIIMAN suggt - ated that this was but a repetition of evidence they had had on former days, but the witness was allowed to pro axed. The general impression in the district was, that the red line would got be made, because the traffic between Johnstone and Pert Gies sow ennid not possibly pay the cost of construction. lie knew the country, and quite coincided in this opinion. Cross-examined by Sir T. l'annups—He knew that many of the gentlemen of the country were in favour of the red line. He did not %Mak that they would deceive the public. Mr. MaJloch, manfacturer Johnstone—He employed 400 hands, and 29,000 spindles were at work. The markets for the mills were Glasgow and Paisley. He knew the lines, and he thought the blue line would best serve the wants of the district. They had many fa vourite watering nieces on the coast, he might mention Gourock, Mehrishurgh, Dunoon, Rothesay, and Lugs, and the line would l be easeful in carrying persons there, The witness gave evidence siar to that which had been given by the other witnesses. Mr. George Stirling Napier, Mr. James :Blum, Mr. John William. eon, Mr. M'Clintoek, and Mr. Robertson, all preferred the blue line, as giving greater advantages to the distriet. Mr. Davidson, C.E., had prepared the plans and estimates of the blue line. The steepest gradient on the main line was 1 in 100, and On the branch lin 92. The witness was not examined as to the es timates in detail, these having been given in former evidence. Mr. Buchanan, goods manager of the Greenock Railway, did not think that the Ayrshire trade would ever increase to Greenock or Tort Glasgow, the great markets far Ayrshire being Glasgow and ,Paisley. The counsel on either side consented to prefer their right of ad dressing the Committee. The Committee then retired, and on their return, The CliatumaN announced that the Committee found that that part of the preamhie of the first Bill (the Ayrshire, Bridge of Weir , and to, and Ki Greenock and Port Glasgow Junction) , wh i c h referred to th e line between ' Johnstone and Bridge of Weir , with the small bpraanis was proved, and they decided that the Glasgo w, Wenches, to Houston and Bridge of Weir, was not proved. The Committee then acljourned . GROUP IW. SMITE-EASTERN. Committee Mat to-day at Orebro o'clock ; prweat Dat. Prothel toe, chairman, Lord EvelYi4 deieral LYgon, Mr. I. O'Connell, and Mr. Grogan. Mr. Ansi* intS'dined the examinatiell 01 Mr. Georg/011(1de, who Stattld that the South-Eastern line joins the Ashford and Canterbury line at Cnitiri. The country between Canterbury and Dover is a difficult country for railway operation, and the Works on both lines are, necessarily heavy. There are two ridges to cross. After passing the second ridge both lines get into the same valley. There Is no other course. On the South-Eastern line, the aggregate amount of tunnelling is 2,796 yards in length, and on Mr. Vignoles's line the total amount of tunnelling Is 2,760 yards, being a difference of 36 yards in his favour. On the South-Eastern line there are to be two stations, one for general purposes and the other for lecal traffic. The South-Eastern Company's station will join with the Dover terminus of the existing line from London to Dover. Such a junction will afford many facilities and conveniences to both lines. A pilot-engine should always be kept at the tetrainia, to go forward in case of any emergency arising. Such emergency would be most likely to arise on the existing heavy gradients between Dover and Canterbury. In case of the junction of the two stations, the expense of maintaining two separate pilot-engines Would be I avoided and many advantages would be gained, The Deal branch, as proposed by Mr. Vignoles, is a good line ; but the traffic of Deal would not support the lite. The length of the branch is seventeen miles. The cost of the branch would be about 200,0001., exclusive of stations, and varicits other incidental expenses. The entire cost of the Sotith‘Eastern line would be 2,600,000/., and the cost of the N'ofth Kent would be 3,200,0001., but the South-Eastern would have to raise 350,0001. more for the Graves end and Rochester branch, still leaving a balance of 230,000/. in favour of the South-Eastern line. The Parllaffientary estimate of the North Kent is only 3,000,0001., het Witness believes that it will test 200,000/. more. The Smith-Eastern scheme, if in connexion with the existing lines would afford travelling accommodation from Maid. r stone to all parts of the county without any change of carriage. The North Kent line is to be an independent editipahy, and is is be worked on a plan of its own. Tile ttuth-Eastern Company will have less station outlay at Canterbury, Dover, and Deal. Mr. Vig notes proposes to werk the traffic by quarter-hour trains to Wool wich, half , hour trains to Chatham, and one-hour trains to Denr. There are also to be two independent quarter-hour trains to Woolwich, not going beyond Woolwich. One independent half-hour train to Chatham, also stopping there, and that train will accom modate one of the quarter-hour trains to 'Atoolwich, and also one in dependent hourly train to Dover, which will accommodate both the Chatham and Woolwich trans. Suck an arrangement would net be a difficult on% bet it Mild occasion considerable intotiVenience and delay to the pith& and to the traffic. me through traffic of the South-Eastern from Dover would be carried up from Chatham by the southern loop, taking tip at Chatham the passengers to London from the Sheerness branch, and transferring to the Sheerness train there ttle ite.al passengers for conveyance to Woolwich b y the northern loop. The adoption of the system proposed would cause difficulty at Dartford by the clashing of the through and local traffic. The express trains would take precedence of the local traffic trains at Chatham and Stroud. The superiority of the levels of the South-Eastern at the London end would compensate for their inferiority at the Canterbury end. The relative merits of the two schemes being taken into consideration, witness- is decidedly of opi nion that the South Eastern scheme is preferable. The Ciaiiamats here stated, for the convenience of all parties con cerned, that on Thursday next the Committee would adjourn until the Tuesday week following. The Committee then adjourned. Group XIX. BRIDGEWATER AND 111rNz8!sikro WAY AND PIER. (Continued from our ♦fternoon Edition of yesterday.) Mr. Conway and Mr. Adams, merchants, residing in and carrying on their business in Cork, were then examined. Their evidence showed the trade existing between this country and Ireland, more especially regarding the trade at present subsisting between Bristol and Cork. Mr. Conway stated that, during the last year, the number of pigs shipped from Cork for Bristol was 67,853 ; black cattle, 4,300 ; sheep, 7,600 ; bacon and butter, 2,000 tone ; and salmon, 520. The latter was quite a new article of export, and, he believed, greatly in demand In the English market. They were favourable to the pre sent scheme, as it shortened the distance of water transit, so much desired in the conveyance of live stock. several other witnesses were then called, who all gave their evi dence in favour of the proposed scheme, among whom was Col. Lutrell, the line going through six miles of his brother's property, and passing close to Dunster Castle, his residence. The Committee adjourned, shortly before four o'clock, until twelve o'clock to-morrow. GROUP XXI. LONDON AND OXFORD. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) Mr. Addis= examined by Mr. TALBOT—They might avoid the house of Mr. Neale at Wycombe, if necessary, Without exceeding their line of deviation, but they could not be less than 100 yards from the house. In this Asti they would run almost on a level. Unless they were to devziate they would intersect his carriage road. If they made thtete deviations they should cross the Amersham road, which Was ettep, close to Wycombe, on a level. He considered that they might obtain equal speed to that Oh the London and Brighton Railway, with moderate loads. They should not carry such heavy loads as the Great W estern, on account of the diversity of gauge and the difftectite in the weight of carriages. An empty broad gauge and a full narrow gauge carriage weighed the same. On the Man chester and Leeds, which was a succession of bad gradients from end to end, as great speed as en the London and Birmingham or Great Western Rallway4 Mit obtained. Crossed the property of Sir John Dashwood At Bradenham for about two miles, partly by cutting and embankment. The extreme depth Of the cuttings was fifty-two feet. He believed that nO part of the embankment could be seen from the liaise (which was situated OR the other side of AO turnpike road, about three-quarters of a mile distant, although some portion of the line was within half a mile) en account of the trees. The line passed through the property of Colonel Spiller, four Miles west of Uxbridge, within 150 yards of his house, and en an embankment of 30 feet to 35 feet high. Lady Wen man's property at 'name, was crossed in several places, about four miles altogether. The longest run was about five miles, but the line would only interfere with the agricultural portion of her pro perty. Was engineer to Leicestershire and Warwickshire projects, which had been handed over to other companies. He was a small shareholder in the Warwickshire project. He declined to say whe ther he had tried to sell shares in the London and Oxford. Estimated Cost.—Contraction, 739,8781., land, at Is. per yard throughout, 100,6001.—total, 840,4751. The following are the chief items:—Stations, 22,2181.; bridges, 78,6151. ; level crossings, 13,0001. ; permanent way per mile, 6,0001. ; fbncing, 4s. per yard ; contingencies, 101. per cent. ; ballast, 103. per yard ; rails, 121. a ton. ; chains, 125. per yard ; viaducts, 751. yer yard ; tunnels, 42,7031. The expense of the stations depended con siderably on the approaches. The stations at Reading and at Derby would each have cost as much as the sum named. None of the ori ginal subscribers bad complained that the line was not to be extended beyond Oxford; none of the committee had " bolted." By Mr. CALvEIT—On the proposed Wycombe branch of the Great Western Railway there was a gradient of I in 72 for a mile and a quarter, which crossed three public roads on a level at its foot. On the Worcester and Porthdynallen, of which Mr. Brunel was the engineer, there was a gradient of lln 63. On the proposed Chelten ham and Worcester there was a gradient of 1 in 50 for five miles. Mr. Rastrick, C.E. to the London and Brighton Railway, investi gated the whole of the proposed line and the plans, and considered that it was pretty well selected. The works would not involve any engineering difficulties. The estimates are sufficient for their con struction. Stations are first made with the view to the con struction of others of a permanent character. The gradients, as in strict conformity with the natare of the Company and its requirements. Advised Mr. iddison about the slopes. There must always be some inconvenience where branch lines exist on account of the necessary delays to prevent accidents, and, there fore, he considered that Oxford would be benefited by the proposed 11 sa. r:Ma‘sltrAly:illl,9 z.A.*?a, if -Am „a= f.Prilyizie‘ h s,ollJl2, EtßititiV the trains would not have to be hooked on to others. _ _ _ ...., .. .. ........ By Mr. TALBox—Went over the line in about twelve hours, which was quite sufficient for him to form an opinion on its merits. The Committee then adjourned. GROUP XXV. The Select Committee appointed to consider the merits of the Bills comprised in this group re-assembled at one o'clock this afternoon, in the Westminster Sessions-house, Mr. Monckton3llllloB in the chair. STOVE VALLEY. The business of the day was commenced with the examina tion of Mr. Petet trough, the engineer of the line. He had made repeated surveys for a line of railway in the district of the Stour Valley, and he considered this was the best line that could possibly be laid out. He had taken in t➢at part of the Eastern Counties line between Colchester and hionkstay, because it would be exceediagly expensive to make another line in that portion of the district ; indeed, he was of opinion that a direct line from Colchester to Sudbury would never prove remunerative, se large an outlay would such an undertaking involve. The Hythe branch Commenced at the Eastern Union line, and ran down to the Reays in the port of Colchester. It stopped at the commencement of the quays, because there was a Bill now before Parliament for im proving the port, but when those improvements were effected the line could be easily extended. The severest gradient on the proposed line was I in 90, between Mawkstay and Sudbury for about two miles. On this gradient there was a bridge crossing the Caine, but neither the gradient nor the bridge would interfere with the working of the line. The line entered Sudbury and Halstead on the level. His esti mate for the line was 250,0001. The line would be single, but the estimate was sufficient to include culverts, viaducts and bridges for a double line, should it ultimately be found necessary. The witness was cross-examined by Mr. JAMES on behalf of several landholders who objected to the line. The distance between Colches ter and Sudbury by this line would be 17 miles. The distance from Hewers to Colchester was about 7 miles, and from Hewers to Sudbury 5 mres, making the distance, as the crow flies, from Sudbury to Colchester about 12 miles. His difficult works were between Hewers and Markstay. His embankments and cuttings would be only for a single line. The whole expense of earth work for the single line would be 66,8211. ss. 9Xd., and the expense of the same work for a double line would be about one-third more. In answer to a question from Mr. Dvscsac, the witness stated that the probable cost of the line, had it been double, would have been 3 I 4,0001., or thereabouts. Captain Moorson► had also examined the: line, and considered it the best the character of the district could afford. A more direct line might be got between Sudbury and Colchester, but it would not afford so much public accommodation as the present. The Member for Colchester (Sir H. Smith), the Mayor of Col chester, and other witnesses from the neighbourhood, gave same general evidence in favour of the line, and the case for the promoters closed. Mr. Josue then addressed the Commitree on behalf of the oppos ing landholders who resided in the neighbourhood of Sudbury, and producing one of the original prospectuses issued by the Company, read one of its paragraphs, in which it was stated that the object of the Company was to effect a direct route between Sudbury and Lon don, and upon the faith of that statement the peosle of Sudbury had been induced to subscribe their money towards the undertaking. That object, however, was now abandoned, and the parties now relied upon getting their line for local purposes. Well then, he would show that this was not the best line that could be procured for local purposes. Ho would show the Committee that there was a shorter, a better, and an easier line, which would rua from Sudbury to Bewers, and from Bewers direct along the valley of the Colne, and shortening the communica tion by four miles to Colchester, without diverting the traffic and touching upon the Eastern Counties, or the Eastern Union line. Mr. Braithwaite, the engineer and originator of the principal eastern counties projects, proved that there was a better and shorter, by three miles and three quarters, and a more easy line, between Bewers and Colchester than the one now proposed. The earth works over his line would be very much lighter than Mr. Brough's, and of course cheaper. His evidence was corroborated by two of his assistants. The Committee re-called Mr. Brough, and asked him if he ever examined the country between Bewers and Colchester. He re plied that he had ; but the expensive nature of a line running in that direction had indneed him to take the other route. Mr. litmus replied. After which the Court was cleared and the Committee, after a short consultation, decided that the preamble of the Bill was proved. This closet the labours of the Committee. GROUP XXIX. The Committee to whom the consideration of the merits of the different lines comprised In this group were referred re-assembled this morning at the usual hour ; present, the Right Hon. H. La bouchere (Chairman), Sir W. Molesworth, Sir J. Duckworth, Mr. John A. Smith, and Col. Rawdon. RUGBY AND STAMFORD RAILWAY. The evidence on the part of the promoters of this project was re sumed, and as the Committee had yesterday expressed themselves satisfied with the sufficiency of the evidence which had been brought before them, as to traffic and the accommodation required by the country through which the line would pass, the engineering evi dence was gone into this morning, and the first witness called was Mr. Charles Liddell, who was engineer for the line, deposed to the general course of the railway, and that it would be a complete and integral lino between the London and Birmingham Railway at Hu gby, and the Syston and Peterborough Railway near Stamford. That there were no peculiar engineering difficulties—that there would be one tunnel of 440 yards in length which would not be diffi cult of construction, as the strata through which it would run was indurated blue clay tending to shales—that the steepest gradient on the line was 1 in 148, and the sharpest curve three furlongs, which occurs at the junction with the London and Birmingham Railway, at Rugby. The length of the proposed line was 34 miles and 7 fur longs—there were no branches—that a number of highways would be c-ossed on the level, the general reason of which was stated to be, the greater inconvenience that would arise to the public from carry ing the roads by bridges over that line, which, from the level nature of the country, would occasion an ascent and descent in crossing such bridges —and that the traffic on many of these roads was so small that the convenience of a level crossing would be scarcely felt. The following was the expense of the different works required : Excavations, 114,009/. ; tunnels, 26,400/. ; fencing, 14,971/. ; bridges and level crossing for turnpike and public roads, 29,137/. ; for occu pation roads, 17,000/. ; river bridges, 11,320/. ; culverts and common drainage, 9,537/. ; stations, 35,000/. ; permanent way, 157,010/. ; purchase of land, severance, and building, 99,345/. ; Parlamentary and contingent expenses about 10 per cent., or 55,2811., making a total of 600,0001. The estimated expense of maintaining the railway was about 10,0001. a year, inclusive of the cost of working, but en tirely depending on the amount of traftle. There were of owners 33 assents, embracing 11 miles 6 furlongs, 47 dissents, 10 miles 6 fur longs ; neuters , 1 mile 2 furlongs. Of lessees, there was 1 assent and I dissent ; of occupiers, there were 53 assents, 188 dissents ; and neuters, 6. by Mr. FLOOD, on chaff of Mr. the len th of railwaom- Marshal , cross-examined This witness was cerrososn y Company, when he was interrupted by the munication Constructed by and under the control of the Lon don e end CnataxAN. Birmingham it w a re a- asked what was the object of the present line of examination ? report of the Amalgamation Com project militated agains t the L o ndon and Birmingham Com pany Mr. FLOOD explained that he wished to show that the present mince, and was an attempt b y the to obtain a new main line in th xami the direction of the not th- east. seln isbeachand the East to lion as to the diffe n rent communications to NY The Leared Cou then proceeded to Continue be effected effected by the present line, when he was again interrupted. COlllO4 14011 C.911/211C4 111111Seli in as crookmulguatola tv 1,14 14111:7 HE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, APRIL 3, 1846. which would be sustained by Mr. Marshall in consequence of the in tqicrellVe of the line with certain ornamental property belonging to him. IVitnems denied that there was any reftisal to give Mr. Marshall information as to the Rae, or that if any was refused by the parties employed by witness; the refusal was not by his orders. He laid out the line by direction of Mr. Stephenson. Mr. Da Jax, on behalf of Mrt. Jane West Anti Sophia Mary Trost; alto creSs-examined witness as to the injury hla clients would sustain by the lint passing elose to their mansion-house. Mr. C. P. Berkely, a land valuer, was then examined as to the value of the land. The valuation was estimated at 99,1451. Mr. FLOOD then addressed the Committee at great length on the injury which Mr. Marshall, his client, would sustain. He contended that the proposed lihe formed part of a chain of communication Ut.st slid iivbst, and referred to the superior advantages that the Rugby and Huntingdon line presented as a means of such communi• cation. He called upon the Committee, though the latter line was not then before them, not to lose sight of its objects. IlabVsan here intimated that the promoters had just settled the differences between them and Mrs. Jane and Mary Sophia West, and the only matter therefore remaining forothe consideration of tke Committee would be the case of Mr. Marshall. P. Squirrel!, a land valuer, was then examined by Mr. Flood in proof of the allegation of Mr. Marshall's petition. Mr. Gibbs, the engineer of the Rugby and Huntingdon line, was called to prove that a better line might be selected, by which the pro perty of Mr. Marshall would be avoided. This closed the case on hehaif of the opposition. Mr. HILDTARD briefly replied. The room was then cleared for the deliberation of the Committee. On our re quiraission, The CRaiattas announced the decision of the Committee—" That the preamble of the Rugby and Stamford Railway was proved, but that the Committee would not report it to the House till they had heard the case of the Rugby and Huntingdon Railway." Mr. Sergeant WasNowa!, who had made an application before the roam was cleared that the Committee would postpone their decision on this line till the case of the Rugby and Huntingdon was heard, proceeded to open the case of the RUGBY AND ZUNTZNOBONs He went into lengthened details to prove the great advantage which would result in opening out increased facilities for the conveyance of the tasterti, northern, and midland traffic. At the conclusion of the Learned Counsel's speech, the Committee adjourned till to-morrow. gub-Committee No. 1. cutzunernaz IMPROVEMENT SILL (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) The further cOnsideration of the Bill was then postponed till to morrow. The Committee then proceeded with the EDINBURG Et AND WrON DIMECV. The object of the Bill is expressed in the title. The length of the line is twenty miles. The engineer is Mr. Miller. The agents for the Bill are Messrs. Dean, Dunlop, and Hope, and Mr. M`George, of Edinburgh, the solicitor. The formal evidence having been gone through, Mr. LANG appeared in support of petitions from the Duke of Hamilton and other landed proprietors. IMPORTANT TO PROMOTERS OF BILLS. The agent for the Bill stated to the Committee that several ma terial witnesses were absent, and he, therefore, applied for a post ponement of the case on that account. The CHAIRMAN said that it was the duty of the promoters to have their witnesses in attendance, and, therefore, the Committee could not consent to the postponement. They would accordingly report that the standing orders had not been complied with, and the promoters might make what statement they pleased to the Standing Orders' Committee up-stairs. But the Suh-Committee was determined, that whenever witnesses were mot ready when a Bill was called on, the report should be that the standing orders were not complied with. Subsequently, however, the witnesses arrived, the formal proel were proceeded with, and the Committee adjourned at four o'clock. Sub-Committee No. 4. (Centinaed from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) BIREENHEAD and HOLYHEAD JUNCTION. _ _ The object of this Bill is to form a junction between Birtenhead Port and the Holyhead Railway. The estimated cost is 350,0001. The agent for the Bill is Mr. Wyatt, and Mr. Thomas appeared for the opponents. The engineers are Messrs. Gaudio and Brunton. The formal evidence having been puti Mr. THOMAS presented a petition against the Bill, on the ground of imperfect notices. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. FIOUSE OF LORDS, April 2. Their Lordships assembled at Five o'clock. ROYAL COMMISSION. The Royal Assent was given by Commission to the Mutiny Bill; the Marine Mutiny Bill, the Chelsea Out- Pensioners' Bill; the Green with and Chelsea Out Pen sioners' Bill, the Downpatrick Gas Bill, and the Ayles bury Poor-rate Assessment Bill. The Commissioners were the Lord Chancellor, the Duke of Buccleueh, and the Earl of Haddiegton. Mr. GREENE brought up several Bills to the bar of their Lordships' House, as having been passed by the House of Commons ; amongst them was one, giving power to the Great Western Railway Company to ex tend and amend the works of the said Railway. POOR-LAW IN IRELAND. Lord CLANCARTY presented petitions from Cork and other places, praying for certain amendments in the Irish poor-law, and expressing their satisfaction that the judicial officers of unions were to be paid out of the WHITER A.VEN AND FURNESS. This Bill was again called on, and after some discussion on points of no public interest, the decision was given on the two reserved points, on the first of which, that as to the rivers Clake and Levan, it was decided that the allegations were not proved, these not being navigable rivers, but only estuaries, and on the second it was decided that the standing orders were net complied with, as in the Bill the line was represented as crossing certain roads upon arches, while in the cress sections it crossed them upon a level, which was impossible. NORTH GRAVESEND. The object of this Bill is to oonnezt the Stratford and Thames Railway and the Eastern Counties Railway with the River Thames, at Tilbury, opposite Gravesend. The length of the proposed line is eighteen miles, and the estimate 250,0001., of which 188,0001. have been subscribed. The engineers are Mr. Bidder and Mr. Phipps, the Parliamentary agents Messrs. Burke and Co. This Bill was unopposed, but the formal evidence not being com plete, the case stood over. BIRICENHEAD AND HOLYHEAD JUNCTION. The evidence in support of the petitions against the Bill was not concluded when the Committee rose, at four o'clock. Sub-Committee No. 5. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) NORTHAMPTON, BANBURY, AND CHEZ- TENHADT. The object of this Bill is expressed in the title. The length of the line is 52, miles. The estimated cost, 1,160,0001. The engineer, H. E. Scott. The formal evidence was given. Petitions were presented against the Bill with the usual allegations against the plans, sections, and notices, and the consideration of the allegations occupied the remainder of the day. Sub-Committee .No. 6. (Coot-limed from our ♦fternoon Edition of yesterday.) SHEFFIELD, ASHTON—UNDER-LYNE, AND MANCHESTER (WHALEY BRIDGE AND HAYFIELD BRANCHES.) This is a Bill to make branches from the existing Sheffield, Ashton, and Whym Railway to Whaley Bridge and Hayfield ; the total length will be about 15 miles, and the estimate is 400,000/. ; Mr. A. S. Jee is the engineer, and Messrs. Blake and Co. the agents, which being unopposed, the standing orders were declared to have been com plied with. MANCHESTER. AND BURT ATMOSPHERIC. The objeet of the Bill is to make an atmospheric railway from Bury to Manchester. The length of the line 7% miles; the esti mated cost 180,0001. The engineer, Mr. J. D. A. Samuda ; the agent, Mr. James Coppock ; the solicitors, Messrs. Sale, Worthing ton, and Shipman. The formal evidence was gone through. The evidence in support of the allegations against the Bill occupied the Committee till its rising. ST AN DIN G L ,9ap sLiwymiTTBES, The Committee did not meet till somewhat after tke usual time. The Earl of Ghattesbury in the chair, THE BELFAST AND COUNTY DOWN RAILWAY. This Bill came before the Committee in the form of a second re ference, in order to show that the promoters of the Bill had paid up the second five per cent. in the shape of deposits upon the whole capital, thus making the required lodgment of ten per cent. in the hands of the Accountant-General. The certificate having been produced and proved. the Committee decided that the standing orders had been complied with. COMMITTEE ON MERITS. NEWRY, ARMAGH, AND LONDONDERRY RAILWAY. In this case, the usual proofs having been gone through, The Committee decided that the Bill had been passed, and that they would report It to the House, when it would be set down for a third reading. The Committee adjourned at five o'clock. LONDON AND BRIGHTON RAIL WAY COMPANY. A meeting of this Company was held yesterday, at cne, Richard Hill, Esq., in the chair, for the purpose of sanction ing the several Bills before Parliament, for making branches to East Grinstead, to Dorking, from Croydon to Wands worth, to give the South-Western Railway another Bill to make a branch to Bognor and Little Hampton from the Brighton and Chichester Railway, and others to Steyning, Eastbourne, Sleaford, and New Raven. The meeting was also called ito confirm the amalgamation of the Chichester and Fareham and the London and Croydon Railways with the London and Brighton scheme. Another point was to make the meeting called for the 2d April special for the ob jects for which it was called. All the proceedings for the branches, the first of which had passed Parliament on its merits, and the proceedings on the rest, were confirmed. In putting the amalgamation of the London and Croydon Companies, the CHAIRMAN stated that the reason why the design for this purpose had not been carried into effect was, that a difference had ensued respecting the arrangement of the board of directors of the combined Company. The board of the Brighton Company were desirous of introducing a clause, by way of rider, into the Act for amalgamation, which should provide for an election of the joint directory, but it having been shown by the observation of one of the Croydon proprietors that under the Bill there must be an election at the first general meeting after the amalgamation, the design of the clause was dropped. It was agreed that the Bill should proceed as it now stands before Parliament. Thanks were voted to the Chairman, and the meeting separated. LONDON AND CROYDON RAIL WAY COMPANY. A special meeting of this Company was held yesterday at the station at London-bridge, at twelve, to take into con sideration the amalgamation with the London and Brighton Company, and for sanctioning the proceedings of the Com pany in endeavouring to obtain Bills for branches to Deptford, with wet docks and other works, and an extension to Dorking from Epsom. These were confirmed. A conversation then ensued respecting the number of directors, which was considered too large, and that it should be reduced to ten. The matter was ultimately left to the discretion of the directors. The expense of the line to Deptford was calculated at 35,000/., if made on the atmospheric principle. With respect to that principle it was a satisfaction to the directors to state that their confidence in it was not at all shaken, for, although several accidents had occurred to impede the completion of the working of the engines and the pratical efficiency of the railway, still the directors looked forward to a prosperous application of the invention. It was ultimately agreed that, with a reservation as to the number of the directors, the amalgamation with the Brighton Company should be completed, and thanks being voted to the Chairman, the meeting separated. LAW INTELLIGEN CE. PRI VI? COUNCIL, April 2. The Judicial Committee sat to-day in the Council Chamber, Whitehall. The Lords present were the Duke of Buccleuch, the Lord Chancellor, Lord Cottenham, the Master of the Rolls, the Judge of the Admiralty Court, and the Chan cellor of the Duchy of Cornwall. IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF CERTAIN HiIIABITANTS OF CAPE BRETON. The arguments in this case—the short facts of which we gave yesterday—were resumed, but not concluded, to-day. Mr. Buss finished his arguments on behalf of the peti • titioners. Mr. WARREN followed on the same side. The SOLICITOR-GENERAL was partly heard on behalf of the Crown, and the further consideration of the case wad ad journed till Monday next. HER MAJESTY, SIR R. PEEL, AND THE WOOLSORTERS BATHS.—About ten days ago, the Secretary of the Wool sorters' Association, Bradford, addressed a letter to Sir R. Peel, informing him of the baths, &c., which they were in process of constructing. He has received the following gra cious reply :—"Whitehall, March 19, 1846.—Gentlemen, — Sir Robert Peel has received the communication which you addressed to him on behalf of the working classes of the town of Bradford, requesting him to solicit the patronage of her Majesty in favour of a proposal for giving to those classes the benefit of baths and a pleasure garden. Sir Robert Peel has the satisfaction of assuring you, that her Majesty has been graciously pleased to approve of this plan, and has directed Sir Robert Peel to contribute, on the part of her Majesty, the sum of 1001. in aid of the local subscriptions for the ob ject. I will give directions for placing the said sum to the credit of the fund, if you will apprise me in what manner the payment should be made. I am, Gentlemen, your obe dient servant, G. ARBUTHNOT. The members of the Society of Woolsorters, Bradford." This is hand.omely done on the part both of Sir R. Peel and his Royal Mistress. We under stand the money will be transmitted through Mr. Laycock, of the Bradford Bank. We may state that the baths, &c., are nearly completed. Presents of ornamental shrubs, flowers, &c., will be thankfully received by the woolsorters.—Leeds Mercury. GRAVESEND AND ROCHESTER RAILWAY.--The fol lowing are the traffic returns for the week ending Mara 28, 1846 : Panageili 6,18$ tuaQuat MP*, 1 0 3 i. OD 6d. ~. w THE QUARANTINE LAWS. Dr. BOWitING gave notice that he would mov e to•' morrow for certain papers to show the absurdity of thole Consolidated Fuud. VOTES OF THANKS' TO THE INDIAN ARMY. The Earl of RIPON then rose. He said—My Lords, I flatter myself that you will pardon me if, in the course which I am sheet to take this evening, 1 do that which is not altogether conformable to the usual practice s and proceed to submit a motion to you of which I had not previously given notice. My Lords, I am sure that you will believe that I could hare no de sire improperly to depart from those rules, and still less can you believe that in the proposition of which I have given no nutite thei• *as any notion on my part, or con ception en yours that the splendour br the achievements which I am about to bring under your notice, can by any possibility dim tho u oeiginal brightness of that glo rious achievement to wich I had first referred. But I do think, ttly Lords; that on an occasion like the present, therein that intimate Connexion between these victories —these successes themselves, and the honours which be• long to them, which seems to render it et reasonable and a proper course that they should both be considered together, and that the very fact of your Lordships re cording your settee Of them on the same day would show, not only to the people of India, het to the whole world, what your feeling is of the power and resources of this country, and how cordially you accord your thanks te those who develop them, in whatever part of the world they may be called on to act. I, there fore, did anticipate that if I took the course I am now about to pursue I should receive your Lord ships' indulgence. I will, first, then advert to that part of case for which the notice of motion had been g iven, I mean to the battle of Aliwal, and I am very sensible that it will not require any eloquence on my part to inspire your Lordships with those feelings which such a display of skill and courage on the part of our armies is of itself naturally calculated to excite. It is impossible that any description I could give would be so clear, so precise, or so intelligible as the description which has been given by the conqueror himself —a specimen of com position which would do honour to the most literary Member of your Lordship? House. I shall not therefore trouble myself to enter into a very deep detail of what has been already so eloquently described ; for, to all that read that dispatch, it would be quite unneces sary ; but I will advert to some of the circumstances which preceded that action, for the purpose of showing the consummate skill by which the operations of Sir Henry Smith have been conducted. Your Lordships will recollect that when it became necessary for our army to advance, the forces which we had at Loodianah were required to be withdrawn to join the combined force. The effect of this arrangement was to expose Loodianah to the attacks of the enemy, but the main object in bringing the army from Ferozeshah and Loodianah was to increase the force in order to strike the decided blow. No sooner did the enemy cross the Sutlej after the battles of the 21st and 22d of December, and it was deemed advisable to strengthen the force at Loodianah to meet the enemy's force, which were concentrating in that quarter. Yet still the position of our army in Loodianah was such as might cause extreme inconvenience to our troops, by enabling the enemy to adopt such means as would facilitate their attempts to cut off all communication with our forces, and therefore it became actually neces sary to take every measure to guard the reinforce ment, then on the road to Sir 11. Smith, from any surprise, and to preserve from di vergence the heavy battering train which was also in its progress, and which was absolutely necessary to enable Sir H. Smith to carry on his future operations. It was, therefore, resolved upon to concentrate our forces at Loodianah, to carry out this project. Sir H. Smith was appointed to accomplish this movement, and by the 15th of January he had a very considerable force assembled at that fort, and was perfectly prepared against any sudden attack of the enemy. About this time a report was received at head quarters to the effect that a very large force of the enemy was assembling on the opposite side of Loodi anah, and that it was supposed he was about to intrench himself at the spot situate in a turn of the river, caused by a sudden divergence of the Sutlej. Now it was ne cessary to prevent this, and accordingly the 53d Regi ment was ordered to move forward in that direction. In the meantime Sir Henry Smith's division was ordered to attack a fort which lay on the right flank of our army, and which was of consi derable importance to us as regards our position with the 3utlej and Loodianah. His forces proceeded to at tack this fort, and it only required two or three shots to be fired in order to induce the inhabitants to surrender, and the result was, that a considerable property in grain and other articles fell t,~nrto Thom ,ne-sveti On to Loodianah, and there they were joined by the 53d and a considerable body of native troops, which were expected on the 23d January. In the meantime the enemy con tinued to increase his forces ' and, therefore, it became necessary to increase Sir IT. Smith's forces also. In the meantime the enemy moved forward to a ford that lay half-way towards Loodianah. The road passed through several villages, and placed the enemy exactly in the line which Sir H. Smith's force would have to pa3s in their way to Loodianah. W hen they arrived at the ford their position was in a line parallel to that which the enemy was taking. Many men might have been tempted to avail themselves of such an opportunity of attacking the enemy, but Sir Henry Smith was too wise for that. Instead of doing so, he made a deviation. He was not to be led away by the idea of making a successful attack from the instructions he had given him, and he accordingly took a circuitous route, in order to effect a connexion with the force at Loodi anah. He deviated 'to the right of the enemy's po sition in order to accomplish that object. The enemy had an excellent road for the progress of his troops while the course of Sir Henry Smith was through hardened sand. He moved onwards to his and effected the junc destination not in the least dismayed, though he was t almost ion a t Loodianah withth am enemy,coparatively trifling loss of men from the shots of the enemy, and the loss of some bag gage. This was nothing compared with the grand objeee of concentrating the forces at Loodianah. Any of their Lordships, by referring to the map, would see the im portance of that movement as a necessary prelude to the events that were to follow. Arriving at Loodianah he was joined by the force under Brigadier Wheeler, who had but just come up. That officer, before moving on to Loodianah, had been told that an action had been fought on the 21st, in which the British troops were entirely successful, and he was about to change his operations, and stop in h is course ; but hearing arertseorlvweadrdtgo newstake a more of anentirelyopposite t en d e ncy, he circuitous route in order to avoid falling in with the enemy, and, in consequence, effected the junction with Sir. H. Smith. Thisj unction ren dered it impossible for the enemy to retire over the river. On the 26th Sir Henry Smith was joined by Major Wheeler, and he proceeded to the attack with a strong force, though considerably inferior to that of the enemy, which had been reinforced by the flower of their troops. His orders were to drive the enemy across the Sutlej, and he did it, executing a series of beautiful manoeuvres which ended in their utter discomfiture.— (Hear, hear.) He could not enter into a detail of the skilful manoeuvres in which his Gallant Friend had ar ranged the order of his march, and the provisions which he made for every possibility of an attack which could be made upon them, and the facility which his dispositions gave him for making the attack himself if required—they were beyond his panegyric.—(Hear, hear). They were those which gave proof of the presiding spirit of a great master in the art of war.—(Hear, hear.) He manifested the utmost coolness and self-possession throughout the whole trying scene. When he came within a few yards of the enemy's position he halted, for the purpose of observing, with the eye of an experienced leader, what was the keystone of it ; and he found it in the little village of Aliwal ; and in forcing that position he out flanked the left wing and drove it back in confusion on the right. This was what he calculated upon, and gal lantly did he effect it.—(Bear, hear.) The success was most complete, the enemy were driven across the Sutlej. There was no doubt, no wavering, no resolution, no hesitation. They were attacked ; nothing cou ld exceed the cool intrepidity with which the troops proceeded to the execution of their orders. They were most resolutely encountered —defeated and driven across the river with the consciousness of regret at having been engaged in such an ungracious cause. In this splendid achievement the conduct of all the troops was exc lent. In this conflict all were brave, determined, and success ful. It would be inviduous to make comparisons, for every portion of the army vied with each other—the cavalry with the toy pse hereafterhi navinformed eveem troops o ob b o ePes infantry—the nativ es w i t h the European s ; and it is one of the alluding u troops most gratifying:ci r c umstances t h at t h e native troops, not only upheld their old re nown , b ut a b so l u t e ly held equal ground with ther b European r services were required. l am aware that your Lordships need not efn distinguished,l theipn that cied t p iri to o na r tnidoin: buttshoef the n field valourspiritc cannot for d o i n by h e whichp thefu those t r future service o f to the country, which their lsercoutry. Henry Smith's r Lordships to it in th e p resen t instance, a s it tells of the reliance which m t,witilhatrecßolrliegeat dier Cureton's C ava l ry were disposed on the right recollect, according flank • • ; it consisted of her Alajesty's 16th Lancers, the sth Native C a v a l ry , an d the Governor -General's Body Guard, "It . was placed so as to make an eff i c i en t a ttack with the Ist Native Cavalry in reserve, so as to render the attack as com plete as possible. The General in-Command , althou g h the obstacles app eare d t o b e insurmou n table, addressed the men in these simple, but effectiv e , wee d s , " Now, my brave boys , charge that camp, an d carry it " They did make the charge, and the first salute that they . met with was a volley of grape shot. They did charge—th e throu h it—they returned y went and drove out the enemy, completely successful, were . although with severe loss and to take. He object they desired He could not refrain from mentioning one instance of particu lar bravery to their Lordships. There was a young officer of the name of Elli s , a son of a Rig ht Hon. Gentleman , wh o was engaged i n th a t attack. He had not joined his regiment more than a few months—had seen n o warfare —certainly no service of anything like that. After cutting through the camp in the attack, he turned round and saw himself accompanied by only eight men, with a considerable body of the enemy before him. What did he do? Without he-itation he immediately charged the foe—the enemy unable to bear the force of his charge, opened to allow him to pass through, but cut down four of his eight men in the passage. But what was the result? The enemy disheartened by such intrep7Lit, had fled towards the river, and were entirely dispersed. I know that this had nothing to do with the ultimate success of the day, but I speak of it as an instance of the intrepidity by which the whole army was actuated, and of that fiery spirit with which the troops were impelled, and that thirst for glory which will always carry them on to success. It is with that view, therefore, that I have taken the liberty of adverting to it ; and your Lordships will feel that when there prevailed such a spirit of chivalry like that amongst tha young and in experienced, it must have been greatly increased on the part of those whose mature years and knowledge of the science of war was brought to bear !on resolute ;kind determined men. The trophies of that day wet e all the cannon and the ammu nition that they had brought across the river, the stores of every kind that were accumulated in their camp; and the waves of the Sutlej carried down to the ford of Hurreeke and to the tete de pont that the Seikh army had erected, the bodies of those men who had at tempted to escape from the slaughter with which they were threatened, and the discomfiture which was about to overwhelm them. Not long after the fort of Philiour, a place of considerable strength on the opposite side of the Sutlej, was taken possession of. And now, my Lords, after these achieve ments, the time had arrived when the Governor-General and the Commander-in-Chief felt that their task was to be per formed. They had received a reinforcement, which they con sidered absolutely necessary, of heavy artillery, from Loodi anah. Then, with a just reliance on the character of the troops, and the skill of the officers acting under themselves, they felt that the time had arrived for driving the enemy across the Sutlej. Orders were immediately sent to Sir H. Smith to return, with a portion of the troops under his command, to the camp which he had recently left. I should be wasting your Lordship? time if I were to describe the battle ; it was described by those who had planned and won it. I should be but conveying a poor idea of the glorious battle, which was to us victorious, if I were to attempt a description, and I shall leave it to your Lordships to judge of the skill with which it was planned and the way in which it was carried out. All, from the Commander-in-Chief to the humblest soldier, deserve the thanks of your Lordships and the country. But, my Lords, there were heavy losses. Men of renown have fallen in this glorious victory, and we must, and cannot but, lament the fall of these great men. I believe it is not ge nerally known, at least it was not generally known till the pub lication of Sir Hugh (tough's dispatch, that the Governor- Geneeal Was suffering from the effects of an injury he had re ceived a few days before by a fall from his horse. Some days before this action something occurred to him which he thought required him to have a communication with the Commander in-Chief; he set out in the night, and rode a distance of 25 miles, to the Commander-in-Chief's head-quarters. It was on his return thence that the accident occurred from the effects of which he was suffering at the time of the battle. Though his ener gies were never broken down, his body was weakened, and those who knew what fighting is, and what the feelings of a general must be on sush an occasion, will well understand what must have been the feelings of Sir H. Hardinge when he was obliged to proceed to the field of battle in a carriage. But, once upon the field, the carriage was not his post ; he mounted his horse, although, my Lords, he was obliged to be lifted upon it, and there he was, probably under bodily sufferings of an acute kind, ready to take his share in the service he might be called on to do, services so ho nourably recorded in the language of the Commander-in Chief. Immediately the battle was over, Sir H. Hardinge proceeded to superintend another part of theed plan. in the With two di.'isions of infantry and cannon, he mov over night to Kussoof--a strong defensible position, had the enemy been in a condition to defend it. But that they were not ; their losses had so their army that i e t f he t y e were c de o - f prived of all means of opposing tn. rem" - er Kuss h oor, on the the Commander-in-Chief and the army o.s '--t river ether side of the Sutlej, sixteen miles between • and Lahore. From Kussoor the last dispatch is dated, ann, without doubt, the army has by this time reached Lahore, without the smallest obstruction, or the appearance of an enemy to oppose it. This, my Lords, closes the scene up to the period of the last dispatch from the Governor-Ge neral. I forbear—it is my duty to do so—from saying anything with respect to the terms that may be agreed upon between the Governor-General and the Court of Lahore ; that would involve considerations we are not at present called on to discuss. I only call on your Lord ships to certify, which I am sure you till do unanimously, he high esteem you entertain for those gallant men who have fought so bravely in the service of their country. You will feel how much your gratitude is due to the Governor- General, burdened as he was with a weight of responsibility which those who do not know of those matters may not thoroughly appreciate. But I would show, by letters addressed to officers in every department, the energy and activity of his mind. There is nothing to be done for which he does not provide ; there is no exigency which he does not contem plate. I could produce many letters which would show the comprehensive views of his mind in providing for the execution of those operations, which would be a parallel for the correspondence of Napoleon, and of that .great and illustrious man—(Cheers)—with whom he once served, and which, in every line, exhibited that clear and distinct understanding which is one of his characteristics. It was in that school, too, that Sir H. Gough learned fighting He shared in the glories of the Peninsular war—in a humbler sphere, indeed, for I am not aware that he had then arrived at the rank of a general,—but he showed himself a worthy pupil of the greatest master of the art of war.—(Loud cheers.) It must, indeed, afford cause for gratulation to that great man when he finds that those who once acted under him in inferior capacities, and who have drawn lessons from his precepts and example, come, in after times, to serve their country in great and responsible command', and, by fresh achievements of their own, add to their claims on the admiration of their countrymen as noble inheritors of the fame which he left them, but which, thank God, he yet lives to enjoy.—(Loud cheers.) The victories we now propose to commemorate have been achieved in that same hemisphere where the Noble Duke's career commenced, where he first displayed those great qualities which will rank him among his countrymen—aye, and among the enemies of this country—as one of the greatest names that have adorned the annals of history. —(Cheers.) I know that lam speaking in his presence, and therefore I beg his pardon, for I know I should not do it, hut I am sure you will concur in the feeling which has dictated those expressions. My Lords, I will not further waste your time by dwelling longer upon this subject, and shall now conclude by reading the motion which I intend to submit for your Lord ships' approbation.—( Here the Soble Lord read the motion, Lord AUCKL A grfAg n i:”.l 3 l•2_ _ I.IIV I,l6lYu l u Lansdowne, to second the motion. He was sorry that his Noble Friend, who was so much better able to do justice to the motion than he (Lord Auckland) was, should be absent ; still, though absent in body, he was present in mind. Had he been here he would have supported the motion so well ad vanced by the Noble Earl opposite, in a much clearer and more effective manner than he (Lord Auckland) did. As it was, he seconded the motion of the Noble Earl in the absence of his Noble Friend, He felt a deep interest in the subject, but no expressions that he could employ, could do anything like stating the feelings of admiration that he felt, in common with the members of that House—an admiration which was felt not only by their Lordships, but throughout the whole country, respecting the wonderful success which had been achieved by the army of India.—( Hear.) He could not place it in a stronger and distincter light than the dispatches which had been placed in the hands of their Lordships, anti in the clear and eloquent speech which had been made by the Noble Earl who had introduced the motion. From a few sentences in the dispatch of Sir H. Smith, they would see the discipline mad skill which were manifested—in the face of provocation and danger—so as not to risk an attack till the proper time had arrived. They saw there how much more orderly was the held of battle than at the battle of Feronshur. Here there was no advantage, but in the vast superiority of the enemy in numbers; and the victory was gained by the determined bra very and skill of the gallant troops against an enemy, who throughout did everthing they could to insure success.— , (Cheers. ) He was proud of that victory, and glad that he felt the satisfaction of knowing the gallant officer who had led the war to success—(Cheers) —one towards whom he had al ways felt the greatest regard and respect, and who, to his skill as a commander, had superadded the glory acquired from many a victorious and hard fought field.—(Loud cheers. ) To the latter battle he would only refer in the language of his Noble Friend, that it was a hardly contested battle, and he was gratified that one who had already rendered his country so many signal services, Sir H. Gough, was present there to add one new laurel to the wreath which he had already won. He would be glad to point out to the House one or two circum stances of minor importance. The force under Sir Henry Smith was directed only by a European commander, captain, and adjutant, every other officer in the corps was a native of India. He would also allude to the Shakawatee corps, led by a native, the son of an European father, who did not even hold a commission in their army, yet who drilled a regiment of cavalry and artiller, which took a chief part in the action,—( Hear.) The Indian troops were arranged alongside the European forces, and were described as contend ing with them for the front ranks.— ( Hear, bear.) They had won a fair share in the profits of the victory. and they were entitled to their full !need of praise. That corps con sisted of not more than 640, and they lost in the two battles to which he had referred 140 men—yet at the end they were forward in the onset. He would call the attention of the House to one other point, on which he was anxious to make one or two observations. He thought that after the battle of Ferososhah, an opinion generally prevailed that the appoint ments of the Bengal Artillery were incomplete, and perhaps his Lordship might be aware that various discussions had taken place as to whether the calibre of their guns was not too light; and, certainly, when opposed to the heavy artillery of the Seikh army, placed in entrenchment, they were not in their proper position, and success could not in every case be depended upon.—(Hear.) He, however, thought that the very lightness of that artillery was compensated for by the celerity of their movements ; and if any Noble Lord would take the trouble to refer to the dispatches of Sir H. Smith, he would see that artillery was ever in the front, that they were always in the pursuit, and that even they had followed the enemy across the river after their defeat. Sir Henry Smith said, with reference to this artillery, that the guns and gunners, officers and men, might be equalled, but not excelled by any artillery in the world. He would not further detain their Lordships upon this subject, but he would, with their leave, make one remark upon the great events which had occurred, and to which their notice had been directed. Those events might be summed up in a few words. An attack was made upon their territory by an army better equipped, more nume rous, and, in his mind, better directed than any army w i t which the British army had to contend. The attack had h taken the British army in some degree by surp r i se , an d their preparations were not altogether i n so advancederefe astoartcef as they could wish. Yet, in littl e more than the space seven weeks, four fiercely conte s t e d b a t t l es h a d be nfought four victories had been gained, the strength of this army had been dispersed and annihilated ' • and where there had been every appea rance o f d anger, secu rity had been sub stituted, and the British Government was now as firmly secured as it had ever been. The Governor-General was in a condi tion to impose terms upon the enemy, but what those terms were, they, in England, were not yet in possession of. For himself he cordially expressed his thanks to the brave men who had been engaged in those victories. These great successes however could not have been accomplished without a heavy loss; and, deeply as they lamented the circumstances under which some of those battles had been fought, yet their conso lation was that the measures taken by the Governer-General and the Commander-in -Chief were so prompt and energetic, that success was at once secured ; they might otherwise have been engaged in a protracted war. They might have had to encounter, not the enemy alone, but the hot season, and the rains of India, and then they might have suffered a more heavy loss than had been occasioned by these successes. The Duke of WELLINGTON then rose and said—My Lords, I deeply lament the absence of the Noble Marquis who spoke on the late discussion on a similar subject, who so eloquently applauded the conduct of those engaged in India. I should have been happy to hear him support my Noble Friend in the motion to which he has called your attention. But, my Lords, I am consoled for the absence of the Noble Marquis by the statements so eloquently put forward by my Noble Friend on the other side. My Lords, I rejoice that the vote of your Lordships will be unanimous, thus corresponding with the uni versal feeling of satisfaction which prevails throughout the country on this subject. At the same time, although I cannot help alluding to these actions, I do not wish to enter particu larly into the details of the subject, but I do wish to remind your Lordships generally of the cour.e of these events; and I must, therefore, call the facts to your minds. In doing so, I would wish to 'coal it to your Lordinips' recollections that the Governor-General was particularly desirous to avoid giving cause of offence to the Seikh Government. He was very anions to pravent soy collision between that Go. Ifernment and the Powers placed in authority by the British Co'vettarnent on the frontier; and, in order to carry out that design, and rerimee any cause of offence, he had increased the strength of the barrier against any breach of the peace against the British Government, on the north-western fron tier of these provinces. He was aware of the irregnlaiity of their army, of the uneasiness which it gave to the Government, and his anxiety was consequently increased to restore distieline to its ranks. But he hoped, by giving no cause of collision, that he should be enabled to prevent any collision between the two powers ; to prevent, net only any hostility, bat by that means to provide additional security to the north-western fron • tier of our Indian possessions. With a view to that effect, he had strengthened the out. posts of Ferozepore and Lo elianah— he had also provided stores in the ten. of Umballah. Under these circumstances the attack was made, on which my Noble Friend has expressed an opinion, as well as on the first operation. The second operation was that which my Noble Friend ha- just detailed to you. It was necessary to keep up a communication between Loodianah and Ferozepore. It was in con!eqtrence of the attempt to cover these two points, that the action of the 22d took place, and the enemy were obliged to retreat on the Sutlej. Dispositions were made to compel the enemy to cross that river, to enable th-e Commander-in-Chief to carry on the contest with a certainty of eventual success and honour. Ihe troops were so stationed as to oblige the enemy to re treat, on bringing up the reserve from the rear in the middle of January. In all his attempts, the Governor-General had been completely successful, and the enemy had been compelled to cross the Sutlej. It should be recollected that these places are 250 miles distant from each other, and in the mean time the enemy had made a diversion towards Loodianah, and had burnt a catoon. Sir Henry Smith was sent with a detachment to Loodianah, to drive the enemy from the posi tion which they had taken. I must beg your Lordships to keep in mind that Sir Henry Smith had three objects in view. One was to give security to the post of Loodianah, which had been already reinforced by Brigadier Godby ; another was to secure a communication with the rear of Loodianah, a post of great importance, which now it was necessary, above all things, to keep open in communication with Ferozepore and Delhi in the rear. At Delhi the whole of the heavy siege train was placed ; and, in order to bring it up, it was necessary to pass, in the. course of the march, within twenty or thirty miles of the enemy's camp, whilst the distance of Ferozepore and the main body of the army was not less than fifty miles. These were the objects to secure which Sir Henry Smith was detached from the army. He immediately directed his atten tion to secure these objects—in the first instance to relieve Brigadier Godby, who was stationed near that post before his arrival. One of the main difficulties, ray Lords, in a warfare of this nature—and I can speak from experience, having served in that country—is the keeping open a communication in these parts, and in the conveyance of artillery, arising from the great number of light troops which attend upon the armies of the enemy. Under these circumstances, and in order to keep up the communication, Sir IL Smith was under the ne cessity of moving within reach of the entrenched camp formed by the enemy, in order to preserve his communication with the army. In doing so, he was attacked, and lost a small part of his baggage. I mention this, my Lords, because this is the only check, if check it can be called, which the troops have ex perienced. This loss of the baggage, of which so much has been said, was, after all, insignificant, and utterly, in fact, unavoidable. I will beg your Lordships to observe that not only had Sir H. Smith continued his march, but he also assisted General Wheeler. I have read the account of many a battle, but I have never read an account of any affair in which so much ability has been shown as in this battle. I have never read of any battle in which so much ability to command has been shown as in this glorious achievement by this great General. It was one in which the nicest movements were carried out, and the gallantry on the part of our officers and troops was never surpassed.—(Cheers.) I have no hesitation in saying that General Sir Henry Smith is an officer who is an honour to the service and an acquisition to his country.—(Cheers.) I ',Deur with the Noble Earl who has preceded me, with quite Bengal Artillery. Many reports to their dis respect to to• abroad, but I am sure the vulgar preju advantage have sou..- -'worts will not weigh with your dice which dictates such - et them on this are Englishmen like occasion— Lordships.—(Herr, hear.) Loon _ it is the most effective in the world—they ours-Ives, and they will always show themsete„: F.oghsh men in the service of their country. I wII refer ace more to Sir Henry Smith. He fought a battle ~n the .9th, ars: he returned on the 7th of the next month, and anather battle was fought on the 10th. At that time the plan was formed to take the enemy's entrenchments. Their position was not nn'y strongly entrenched on one side, but on the left and right banks of the Sutlej they were strongly, I mey say formidably, en trenched; so that when the left was carried, tins army was exposed to attack from the right hands Every arrangement was made to ensure the success of our plane. First the artil lery was brought to the ground and placed in such a position as in some degree to get the better of the enemy's ',wrench talents. Under the protection of these guns the attack was made, and the result was a gloriousvictory.—( Cheers.) It is impossible to read these accounts without seeing the gallantry of all our troops. But we must lament the fall of these brave officers arid men, who have done honour to their enu,try. Seeing, I say, my Lords, the gallantry, the energy. and the activity of our officers and troops—seeing that they have, in the short space of two months, passed this great river—a river that is one of the most difficult in the world to pass — and gained these great victories—l say, my Lords, that after having done eo much in this short space of time, the army of India deserves the thanks of this country ; and it is with such feelings I molt cordially eessond the vote of thanks proposed by the Noble Earl this evening.—( Cheers. ) Lord COLCHESTER said that there were others who were beyond the honour intended by titer votes of the House that night. 'T here were officers who had fallen in that battle who could not be included in those resolutions, but he hoped they would not be neglected by their Lordships. He alluded to Brigadiers Taylor and Dick. who had died in the service of their country, and who, by their gallantry covered themselves with glory.—(Cheers.) He hoped her Majesty's Ministers would recommend that similar honour should be paid to these brave officers. Lord STRAFFORD, who spoke in so low a tone as not to be heard distinctly, was understood to express. his gratification on he sple n did achievements of the British troops in India, and to fully concur in th e honour about to be conferred by the votes of that evening. The Earl of RIPON, in answer to the Noble Lord (Col chester) said—her Majesty's Government would recommend that all posthumous honour should be shown to the gallant officers who had fallen.—( Cheers.) The LORD CHANCELLOR then put both votes, and they THE NEW HOUSES OF PARLIAMtN Viscount CANNING begged to move that a message be sent from their Lordships' House to the Commons, to com municate the opinion of their Lordships' Committee on the present condition of the new Houses of Parliament.—( Hear. ) IRISH RAILWAY BILLS. Lord REDESDALE gave notice that he would, to-mor • row, call the attention of the House to the reports submitted by Committees on several Irish Railway Bills. The House adjourned shortly after Seven o'clock. HOUSE OF COT.IIIIOIVS, April 2. The SPEAKER took the Chair at Four o'clock. Mr. GREENE moved that the Blackburn, Clitheroe, and North Western Junction Railway Bill, the Black burn, Darwen, and Bolton Railway Bill, the Hudders• field and Sheffield Junction Railway (Darfield Branch) Bill, and the Kinross Junction Railway Bill, be read a second time, according to the notice given at the Private Bill-office, although the breviates of such Bills respec tively were, in consequence of the House not sitting on Tuesday, not laid on the table of the House until Wed nesday the Ist of April.—Agreed to. ',MAXIMUM TOLLS. Lord GRANVILLE SOMERSE I.` moved the re newal of the order of the 24th day of April, relative to fixing the maximum rates of charges in all railway Bills. The Noble Lord also moved ti at the following clause be inserted in all railway Bills passing through this House And be it further enacted, that tattling herein contained shall be deemed or eon-trued to exempt the railway by this or the said recited Acts, authorised to be made from the provisions of any general Act re lating to such Bills, or of any general Act relatirg to rrilways, which may hereafter pass during this or at.) future session of Parliament, or from any future revision and alteration under the authority of Parliament, o" the maximum rates of fares and charges authorised br this Act." The motions were severally agreed to. Sir J. Y. BULLER moved that leave be given to the Sub-Committee on petitions tor• Private Bills, in the case of the Ipswich, and Bury St. Edruund's Railway (Eaten sion to Ely, and a branch therefrom) petition f. r Bat referred to the said Committee on the 6th day of Feb ruary last, to proceed upon a copy of the petition, Bill. and agent's declaration, the originals having been lost in the House. The motion was agreed to. SUNDERLAND DOCKS. Mr. H. lIINDE postponed his motion on moving amendments of the third reading of the Sunderland Dock Bill. laws. Mr. HUDSON gave notice that be should move on an early day, that a clause be inserted in all rail way authorising the regNered shareholders at any .pedal gen,n.al meeting, to be held within six moi tti•s aftvr the•pAssinc of the Act, at which meeting thvet Uths at least t:f the shareholders shall be present, t o declare either nersonally or by proxy that the cot span y t:hall be tii,oived, f u ll cu ,:npensation being paid to landowners and others for any loss which they map sus rain by the operations of the company:. The Hon. Member made several ineffectual attempts to speak upon his motion, and at length sat down. An lIONOULIABLE MEMBER presented a petition from the inhabitants of Kelso against the Kelso - ligtuch of the North British Railway Company. FRIENDLY SOCIETIES. Mr. MUNTZ gave noticeo;llis iiit.,ntion to mo - re fo.r ri,turn of till friendly societies certified by Mr. Tidd i2rait, particularly of that which called itself " Odd Fellows ugh tor.) IMPROVEMENTS IN WESTMINSTER. Sir DE LACY EVANS, seeing the Ili.;ht .ion. G.e-i -tlematt the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his pia° e, wished to inquire whether the sum of 10,0001. (t .security tor the same) had been deposited in the haul s of the Goverament, on or before the 31st day •of January, 1846, the period required for this payment b y the Commissioners named in an Act for the Improve • ment of Westminster, which received the royal as: ten t on the 31st day of July, 1845. If the question wit answered in the negative (namely, that the said deF °sit had not been so made), whether the Government iut end to tako the improvements so much required in that 1 rata of this city into their own direction ; or whether it c (lay be now considered an open question, on which s ach portion of the public ash may be anxious to promote tt teats improvements, muy make propositions on the subject to Government ? Time CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER cc old not give an answer with reference to the course of c on duct intended to be pursued by the Commissioners. Sir DE LACY EVANS then moved for a retl xrn showing the number of houses in each square, str ee t, place, lane, or other locality of the parishes of Sail it George's, St. James's, and Saint Martin's, in the city •of Westminster, of the value of 101. and upwa,^ds, or .of chambers of the same value, the owners of whicth hit ye been excluded from the last registered list of votANrs fi 'r the election of Members of Parliament in the said' Cit, by reason of neglecting or omitting payment of I loot c rates or assessed taxes within the limited perio d sat present required by the Parliamentary Reform A. me. — Agreed to. SECOND READINGS. The following Bills were read a second time, and ordered to be committed, viz. : Plymouth Great Western Docks (by order). Kinross Junction Railway (No. 1). Blackburn, Darwen, and Bolton Railway. Huddersfield and Sheffield Junction Railway (Darfield Branch). Blackburn, Clitheroe, and North Western Junetion Railway. REPORTS. The following reports were brought up, the amend ments and alterations agreed to, and the Bills ordered to be engrossed, viz.:— Royal Asylum of St. Anne's Society. Upwell-cum-Welney Rectory. Harwich and Eastern Counties Junction Railway and Pier. Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ardrossan Railway. Woodstock Roads (to be considered). Brighton and Chichester Railway (Bognor and Little hampton Branches) (to be considered). Midland Railway, Syston and Peterborough Railway (Deviations and Branches). Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock, and Ayr Railway Amend ment and Branche IRD (Ne. 3). TH READINGS. The following Bill were read a third time and passed, viz. : Sunderland Dock (Amendments to be proposed) Enfield Chase Road Bury Gas Great Western Railway Ellesmere and Chester Canal Capt. BERKELEY presented a petition, praying for an inquiry into the management of the Merchant Sea men's Fund. Mr. C. LEGH presented a petition from certain in habitants of Chester complaining of frivolous objections being made to their votes. Also a petition from Congle ton, in favour of a Ten Hours' Bill. THE LIVERPOOL, MANCHESTER, AND NEW CASTLE-UPON-TYNE JUNCTION RAILWAY. Mr. M. GIBSON presented a petition, signed by upwards of two hundred of the leading firms of Man chester, in favour of this line of railway. Mr. W. FATTEN presented a petition in favour of the same scheme from the town of Liverpool, signed by upwards of five hundred of the leading bankers, merchants, and others of that place. Mr. C. WOOD presented a petition in favour of the Factory Bill. Mr. PALMER presented a petition from Berkshire, praying that a superannuation allowance be made to poor-law officers. MESSAGE FROM THE LORDS. Sir A. CLIFFORD appeared, to summon the House to the bar of the House •)f Lords, to hear the royal assent given by Commk,ion to sevf)! - al Bills. The SPEAKPR returned in about ten minutes and said that her Majesty had beiat wort gn.eiousl) plettoe6 to give her absent to the Mutiny, Marine Mutiny, and THE MILITIA. Dr. BOWRING wished to know whether the Go vernment, in the course they had pursued towards ; re organising the staff of the militia, had any nit( trior design of re-establishing the militia? Mr. SIDNEY HERBERT, it: answer stated the it it was only the intention of the Government to .fill up such vacancies as mays have occurred in the staff of the militia. VOTES OF THANKS TO THE INDIAN ARV'. Y. Sir R. PEEL—Sir, the motion which takes preo dence this day of all other motions, and which I am et :- tided to bring forward, is that of which I gace notit immediately on the receipt of the intelligence of Our re - cent successes in India. lam about, Sir, to nit vice . a motion which, interposed as it is between discussio ne etf great political importance, leading to much eager an& angry contreversy, and great differences of st mti ment and opinion, will, I know from past e ape riens.:Pe meet with a perfect and unanimous concurre ince. I ate ahoot to make a motion' which will enable the. re prosentetif es of g great empire, proud of their mill nary skill and ref:fur, to unite in acknowledging the prote4ctive !: of Almighty God, the giver of all good, but an :the Hama time to express their exultation in this a .x -imple of heroism, which has maintaineo', to nd even raised the military character of this ce aintry. --.(dear, hear.) I am about to make a n toil on which will enable us to pay the tribute of ci )rdi al gratitude to the generals and the officers, and ts. a the 'nen who have been concerned in the victories that liseve been lately achieved on the banks of the Sutl t (Ches rs.) It will enable us also to min Jo with our ' eel esiretioe for their skill the expression of manly, lout heartfelt Sorrow for the loss of their comrades, who I nave sacrificed their lives in the defence of their country, and el the maintenance of their Sovereign's rights. The rs is o latieti which I shall move will convey the grateful ackni se a sedgements of this House fer two splendid victorfei echi , ved eithin a very limited period, and also in a limits-d space, but I have telt it to be my duty not to in - corporate our thanks for these victories in one resolution y but to move that for each victory the separatt, acknowledgements of the House he presented to due Indian army. It has been my good fortune sinees the month of February, 1843, upon live separate occa-. sions, to propose to this House that the thanks of thee Commons of England should be conveyed to the Eura peen and native army for their exertions in the service of their country. At the termination of the Chinose war, I proposed the thanks of the House to the army, and on differeni; occasions I have moved the thanks of the House for victories achieved in that part of the globe, but the repetition of those acknovledgments in no degree tend to din; their lustre. The rational gra - titude must, and ought, to keep pace with the aavanoe of national achievements, awl our acknewledgemeot f every achievement adds lustre to our national honour. she, I propose to make two separate motions, one in ace knowledgment of the distinguished and gallant conduct of Sir Henry Smith and the division under his com mand, and the other conveying an equal acknowledge ment for the glorious services rendered. by the army under the command of Sir Hugh bough.—(Cheers.) The House, no doubt, recollects that on Le termination of the battles which already entitle the Indian army to our best thanks (I mean the battles of Moodkee and Fcrozgee), the army with whom we had to contend displayed great military skill, to gether with that undaunted and characteristic bravery for which they have been so long distinguished, notwithstanding the reverses they bad met with on the 18th and 21st of December, collected on the banks of the Sutlej in considerable force, and protected by if powerful artillery. They establishad themselves o ai nZ right bank of the Sutlej in considerable force, possession of the bridge, by which tf2. - sy were enabled to pass from the north to the south silo of the river. They established on the left, bank of the Outlej au en trenched camp, and by constant accessions to their force they were enabled to collect an army of not . less than 35,000 men, supported by seventy pieces of artil lery; of great range and heavy calibre. 'inhey not only did this, after the battle of Moodkee, in the' f ac e of the British army, then under the command of Sir .1 - lugh Gough, but also detached a force of not less than 2,0,00 0 men of great skill and courage to conduct an opera:io n against the city of Loodianah, from which our forces we're necc , sarily withdrawn at that time by other duties" They did this not merely for the purpose of investing' 4)r occupying the city, but also with a view to threatent , ur communication and intercept the arrival of our •atillery, which was then advancing towards than faint with a reinforcement. In oreler to prevent that most skilful movement, Sir Henry Smith was detached by Sir Hugh Gough, and Sir Henry hirdinge, who reserved their forces for the porpose of tat( sly defeating the formidable enemy that; threatened ,ur cfmamuilicetion with the rear, and by that means transfer the seat of general war from the neighbooirhood etf Ferez .pore It was intended that Sir Henry :niithe hefere tie st.acked the forces under the command o f the Seikh leaslers, not less than 24,000 strong, with 6 0 pieces of artillery, should attack the division at Looditanal and that desperate action was fought under the comman d of Sir Henry Smith—the result of which was the echo plete discomfiture of the enatny, the capture of all hi s vire . , the disorganisation of ..his whole army, and the verest loss, across th o e fight of that army, with the se Riser Sutlej. These operations were described wit h 5 much precision —(Hear, hear)—ao these operat ionst without exception (be they descr,ibe'd by whom th e ft may), are described with such f u l n e ss ushd such beat Ide s cl arness, and the Housse must be so facei. liar with a ver i one of them, that I will not attempt to weasken the uffec, by attempting the description over again.. All ahet:i can say is, that the hand that held the p on wield e d, it with the same success as it wielded the " t)r —(Hear, hear.) But the House an d the .loui ltrf i know only of- the successes of Sir Henry Smith:. ;, on e I wilt now speak—with c onfidence that it will be t4e) h" honour—of the interrupt ions and checks which r.e: ceived. There cannot be an uninterrupted succs is s war ; and I like to see the man who recovers from tom, disappointment, for it adds to his real gl 01 f: It is unwise to conceal reverses for which he is not r s "; ' spossible, and I will end e a vour t o p rese nt to the Ho 11 . e the reverses which took pl ace b e f o r e that battle in whs e e he was so successful. In the accounts which we be only recently received, there is no account of the ditn; culties and disc ointments encountered by hi m Wit' pp the same spirit with which he afterwards ach ieved the victory. It is because those difficulties were so encountered that he is so well entitleel to o ur , e thanks. On the 21st of January, the gre at ba t e: having been fought on the 28th, Sir Honey Smi th met with what some persons might conside r a re verse. He was encountered before he could offect junction with Colonel Wheeler and the five Tag l , is ments which ere at Loodianah ; and in stbe absence of all intelligence, he encountered tba, enemy, and was exposed to a serious loss. let me eead to the House in what manner he ex trical himself. In writing on the 21 st, after hav in g sineeeedeo in relieving Loodianah, he says that he had effeeeed th operation, but it was under circumstances not so f a vour; able as those which he had before. In the lettei Sir Hugh Gough he says that the enemy we r e moving parallel to him to interrupt his advance. 'II% had a series of villages in their front, each of which ton" capable of being formed into an entrenched poeitieer The enemy was moving on roads, and I was moving ho, over- The sands. He was in advance beyond the right flank of L"4.. Europeans, with a numerous array of infantry and Piller Ile opened a furious cannonade of thirty-five gun s IF. very large calibre, and, as usual, they were right area,served. My object heing to unite myself with tile O o r at Loodianah, which every moment I expected to ePPv e l in sight, for it was nine o'clock, I moved fe ars he to the enemy, resolved to attack the 'Rome tit o n Loodianah farce reached me, mad I so pressed' a p e d him that the effect was considerable. I was prtr ee e. to form a line upon this wing of the enemy, sewn rT b e afents, with their guns, being at right angles wit 1 ; 4 , e e. line I was about to attack with considerable "_yee Now, we were under the impression, that wh at : en i posAion the enemy might obtain, it would not be a ee , ' matter to overpower tie m, but tittle , 14 to wheluaing numbers were of such sup.riority ft? Lo y sheir guns, 1 had no alternative but to throw h 4 e"; be' line on its right, forming a small line on theahlr" &rah Ili oast of a right anglo—thatis to say, the two