The Sun. — London, England, 1846-03-28 00:00:00

ea on the ion of the :idrrarion. • could cot of former vied with law upon of foreign e principle Ist be ap •d on that underland , ion to the - THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, MARCH W I 1846. • 4 ," „1 is Ineonspetent to entertain a measure which is neeesary tri „'.'' Public good. —( C heers . ) you were to admit that doe- Yen would shake the foundation on which a Legislature u 'd he based. Why that doctrine was not mail taned at a l as time of th e union between England and Ireland. It anot maintained in this country by Mr. Fox. It was t I y alluded to by fun Sheridan, at the time when R e message about the ion was delivered. Parliament as elected without having the slightest respect to the C rlnc iPles maintained by the constituencies. Mr. She -1l„ t 4 an slightly hi nte d his objection to the competence of Par ti a meat to d ea l w i t h th e quest i on t h at came b e f ore i t, i n hi s eir, respecting Ireland. But Mr. Pitt me t th a t o bj ec ti on a t th • onset—he met it in the following manner :—Mr. Pitt said, the fi rst o bj ection that I have heard made by the Hon, Gen tleman opposite was that the Parliament of Ireland tali in temPetent to entertain the discussion of the question, or rather act upon th e measure p ro p ose d, w ith ou t h av i ng prev i ous l y . ' ut ahled the consent of the people of Ireland, and the whole r.stituents of the Irish t'arliamentary representatives. This a Point, Sir, of so much importance, that I think, if we did spossess the power of dealing with these questions without ti r t s t appealing to the country —I submit that if you recognise W i s Principle it would be a most dangerous one ; indeed a more hßerous one could not be adopted in a civilised state. h at a state of things we should have if this principle were , pted I It that principle he a true one, look to the extent Cuich it may be carried. If such an argument be held to 0 7 Rood, then the dealing of the question of the Principality Wales was not justly carried on, because the then Parlia 7tit did not appeal to the sense of tin ir eistituents. Indeed p 0 very law of succession to the English throne was not W l R h t4 made if this principle was a true one." Then, if that w e , said of Ireland, what shall we say of the present proposal, hall is to affect the whole of the United Kingdom '? What e l l we say of that law which was made for the admission of ,2_ l3 ,terl Ca. holies to seats in this House? We made no ap r'st to the country. Whatever may have been thought of the trePriety of the present measure, I never heard it said that it th e be unfair to discuss such a question without appealing to constituencies of the country. lam sure that no one will sob. rie contend that that principle is constitutional. If it were allowed to be a good one, then as Mr. Pitt had very pro rrtY said, the right sif succession to the English throne was lea questio na ble. Sir, I contend that there could not hove e ° "a more dangerous example"—( Hear, hear,)—a more ti tr ele democratic precedent (if I may use the expression) an that this Parliament should have been dissolved upon the t'''und of its incompetency to decide upon any question of this nature —( Hear, hear.) And therefore, Sir, I am ready to PEe th e responsibility of not haying advise her Majesty to missolve Parliament for the purpose of appealing to the country P a this measure. Now, Sir, I am not aware of any other matter : e lating t o thi s question, in which I am personally concerned, it t ' l of which I dare not have given a full explanation. If i ere is any poi n t in my conduct which 1 have omitted to ex g:in, I shall be quite ready to afford any explanation which may w desired, and Income aswer toyan uestion that may be put to me. „t ll now, Sir, ` ll e interests that under the present circumstances of the "Tntry, and in the present state of public feeling and opinion .15 it advisable, I say, that we should at the present time e itherl r e f use t o mo dif y the existing law, in order to meet the distresses of the people of Ireland, or that, having modified It ' we should still have a continuance of the present corn-law, °r whether it would not be better to adjust permanently and i t ttisfactorily the whole question ?—( ear, hear. The Hon. 'etnber who spoke last says you might have dealt with maize ; that was an ar ti c l e of f oo d fit for the I r i s h people ; you need , e 1 1,7 to admit that and do nothing else. Now, Sir, I con ter that if Honourable Members wished to undermine e existi ng c orn -l aws , no bette r pl a n could be adopted th an that proposed by the Honourable Member. What ! t ° hold out to the people of Ireland, suffering under severe pri letlon that maize is food good enough for them—to tell them teat the law should be altered so as to admit maize, but wheat atid ba r l ey s h a ll not b e a d m i tte d. Si r, b y suc h con d uct , you wo uld rouse a storm of indignation against the laws you t 'enlist to maintain. But do we, however, mean to do nothing w ith ref erence t o maize? Th ere i s a t p resen t a duty of eight shi llings buY upon that article. You say that Government ou.sht to Nmaize and remit the duty on it, so that by supplying it to o People of Ireland, the Government would lose nothing. the w, Sir, our doctrine is that the Government cannot support doe people of Irland. We powerless—we can no without earnest, instant, ee lloca exertion, on the part of th e wea lthy c l asses o f th a t coun t r y. W e sa y, th a t th e d uties of charity, though not legally enforced, are imperative 11 ,1 ) °n those classes. The duty of the landlords of Ireland, and 4 ' all classes possessing property in that country, is to miti gate by all means in their power the evil, and the calamity. w hich has befallen their country.—(Cheers.) It is not suffi .cikent for us, that we should pay the duty upon maize, and :en reimb urs e the Treasury the amount of duty so paid. Be' "htt are we to say to those whom we are inciting to acts of c h arity? A re we to say to them—the potato crop is failing— t general distress is felt throughout this country consequence, and the food must be supplied. e t You shall pay a duty of 8s upon all maize which you shall dis tribute among the suffering poor. You shall pay also a duty „ e "' 18s. up on wheat, and there shall be no relaxation whatever ~ the law ?—( Hear, hear.) Do you not think it would be I°Poasible in a state of distress, even to the extent which you c annot geny to exist—would it be possible to vote half a : b illion of money from the English treasury towards the Wort of the people of Ireland, and to incite the Irish pro prietors to acts of charity, or to the purchase of food t °,, relieve the necessities of the people? Do you irilt in the face of Belgium, Prussia, and Holland -110 admit the necessity of adopting every natural erecaution to remove impediments on the importation ° f food—to propose a vote of half a million, and to buy c orn for the people of Ireland at Bs. duty, and make no relaxa tion whatever ? It would have been impossible. The Hon. erbber, the Recorder of Dublin (Mr. Shaw) said he could n ot deny ther e was great scarcity in Ireland. I should doubt his yr , er 'l if he said otherwise. He could not deny there was great ,w— -so„reitYs and great danger of the disease, but these were •com io tings in Irelnd—this is the eneral state of Irelan „Tae h are the Hon. a Member's own words d. upon the subject on ' large portion of the Irish people are always nearly jn i la's verge of destitution—there has been no year MY recollection when the said statements, with reference to disease, might not have been made w ith i equal truth." Well, be it so. The admission of the • Member goes some distance to mitigate the present em ergency ; but it has been said the present is a labourer's question. W e ll, t h en , i s t h e ma i ntenance o f protect i on a benefit to the Irish agriculturist? And does protection come to this ? In that part of the United Ki ng do m it h as a l wa y s been contended that protection was absolutely necessary to the interests of them persons who depend upon agriculture. Has protection, then, brought you to this—that the agricultural abourers, who form so large a portion of the Irish people, are always living on the verge of destitution?—(Cries of ,` a Oh, oh," and cheers .) Is it true, also, that there h as been no year in the recollection of the Honourabl e Member when some statements with reference to disease might not have been made ?" Be it se !I'M This is the permanent annual state of Ireland under t he operation of your restrictive laws. Is not that then a rrong argument in favour of the abolition of the existing com sat's? Ax Hors. MEMBEIL—Why did you not repeal them before? _ Sir ROBERT PEEL—The Hon. Member asks why I did Lot do it befo re ; I answer that, although we have not done it before, that is no reason for not doing it now. You are so t'neased by the force of these arguments that you are reduced to e neeessity of asking us why I did not do it before ? Cheers.) Sir, we have been neglecting our duty in not doing it bef ore ; but that neglect of duty, Sir, is no reason why re should con tinue to neglect our duty now.—(Cheers.) _ we have a great failure of the potatoes in Ireland, which con stitute the food of a large portion of the population there, and fate danger threatening cf having a population of many millions Alin are dependent for their supply of food upon such an article 14 potatoes, subject to such a dimunition of quantity and dete rioration of quality as in the course of Providence we have been visited with in the present year; and hearing, as we have, from t he Hon. Member, the general and permanent rate of the conatry, is it not, I say, a cogent and unanswerable reason for staking some permanent change in the system ? To do nothing in such a case would be impossible. To modify !he existing law, and to propose such a change 1 11 the system of the country, as professed by the Hon. Mem ber for Southamption, would be merely to excite and en tourage agitation, lead to no beneficial result, and w ould be rejected by the agricultural population—would, in tact, would be laughed at and scouted by them. It would effect no good. There is, therefore, no alternative, except trying t o lay the foundation of an ultimate and satisfactory a •djustment of the question. My firm conviction is—charge the if yon please with treachery—that the safest and the best %ode of settling the question is that proposed by her Ma- Jetty's Government.—( Loud cheers ) The Noble Lord the Ain:giber for Newark asked me repeatedly if I pronosed to ruin the agricultural interest? Sir, I attach the utmost importance tO the prosperity of that class.—( Cheers and counter cheers). Why, Sir, do I not know why I have not as much right to feel as %eat an interest in the prosperity of that class as those Hon. embers have who have sneered at and received with scorn my opinions upon the subject.—( Loud cheers.) I attach the utmost importance to it. I think, Sir, for great political reasons, that it is of the utmost importance that the agriculturists should possess a great weight in the government of the country. I think, with Burke, that land is the safest basis of political Power in any country. He says that all writers— Aristotle speaking of Coe Grecian states, and Cicero s peaking of the Romans--that all writers upon politics have attached the utmost importance to the landed Interest. They always considered that it was the safest basis of a sound protective Government. I remain, Sir, in that opinion, and deeply should I deplore the day when the landed interest was excluded from its full share in the coun sels of my Sovereign.—(Loud cheers.) Burke said that it was fortunate for this country tha• the landed interest was so pre dominant as to direct the Government of the country, and the reason of that was, he said, that the landed aristocracy and proprietors have never been a class disassociated from the ge neral interest.—(Protectionist cheers.) They had never been °Pposed to public opinion—they have always preserved and shown an unity of interest. Now, Sir, this is just the question. By what means shall we secure a continuance of this just and beneficial power to the landed interest ? Will it be by maintaining your privileges upon grounds of restrictiveness and exclusion of food to the people of this ountry ?—(tt No, no," from the protectionists.) Well, then, if ;hat offends the Hon. Members, I will not use the term ex clusion of food. I will say by the imposition of taxes upon the importation of food. Will it, I ask, more conduce to the per manent quiet and legitimate interests of the country that the present corn-laws should be repealed, or that they should re • Main in tact. My opinion is, and I repeat it—accuse me of treachery if you please—that you will satisfy and maintain the influence of the landed interest, by now making these arrange• means rather than, in the present state of feeling and opinion, pertinaciously contending for the continuance of the existing laws—that is my opinion. Take, for instance, the taxes on butter and bacon—which have not existed for more than twe n ty years, is it safe, I say, to rest the privileges of the aristocrecy and landed proprietors upon such a foundation? Let tut consider the bearing of the corn-law on the land, which Maintained, as it ought to maintain, a just and legitimate influ ence in the country. We have to deal with a population which, according to the census of 1841, consists of about 19 millions *tt people—l am excluding Ireland. But you have in this country a population of 19 millions, and how are they divided? lon have of the agricultural interest 1,500,000—0 f landed pro- Pvietors, of farmers and occupiers, above 20 years, 1,500,000; ar,d you have of labourers employed in other occupations, 1 ,761,000, including miners and quarriers. You have "gusted in commerce above 3,110,000, and you have 200,000 belonging to professions, and you have 611,000 psolons of independent property, not including 20 0,000 pauper; and lunatics ; the rest of the population are Women and children. What an immense proportion of that Population consists of persons who earn their subsistence by Manual labour— what an icsmense proportion of persons of all those must subsist on wages below 30 shillings ! Just consider how taxation, apart from food, bears upon that class of the People. You raise about 32,000,000/. by taxes, by customs and excise. Now take the articles which enter into the consump tion of a family having leas than 30 shillings a week. I have a r eturn here of the artieles, which are used by families in that 'lass of life—independent of bread, butter, cheese, a little rat, potatoes, lard, candles, soap, and a small portion of tobacco. " there is not one of them, which is nut taxed. It is from AO want of sympathy that you tax them. In my opinion it is necessary that you should raise a great part of your revenue by indirect taxation, but all indirect taxation is unequal. You have establi s h e d a great c l a i m on th e confidence and gratitude o f b e country, th a t you did take upon property an annual h u i r e _en of 5,000,0001., not alone that it might supply a de "Y• but that you might relieve the labouring elevee4 01 1 those burdens which press upon them. I have before me a return of the expenditure of a labouring man in the receipt of ten shillings a week in sursamer, and eight in winte?, with a wife and one child. I leave out bread - the following articles entered into his weekly con sumption :-four gallons of beer, bacon, beef, butter, some sugar, some tea, some soap, some candles. All of these articles, with the exception of candles, are taxed in directly. We have reduced the duty on salt beef, and the duty on butter and cheese. Now can you repent for having made that reduction?-( Hear, hear.) The man died and left a widow and one child ; she earned 4s. 6d. a week, the guardians allowing I s. 6d. a week to her for a pension. What was her outlay? Rent, Is. 6d. ; candles and soap, 4id. ; butter, 24d. ; tea, lid. In that case the soap was taxed, the butter was taxed, the tea was taxed, and the sugar was taxed.-( Hear, hear.) I will new take the wage. of a Yorkshireman, living more com fortably. These were not fictitious cases. This mats earned fifteen or sixteen shillings a week, and he spent fourteen. His expenditure was as follows :-There is beef, 2s. ; sugar, 7d. ; grease, 3d. ; candles, 2.1. ; butter, Bd. ; soap, 3d. ; tea and coffee, Is. 6d. ; oitmeal, 74d. His expenditure :was 83. out of 14. Now, the great proportion of the food of the poor consisted in flour, something in sugar, something in meat ; but more than half in flour. Well, suppose you pass the law the Government propose, will it not produce a reduction on the most important articles-and will you not most materially add to the comfort and enjoyment of the poor ? Let me assure you that this is by far the most important part of the measure.- Hear, hear.) It is impossible-it is impossible to over-rate it. I am quite aware of the sympathy which actuates you for the poor; I donut agree with those who charge you with a want of sympathy ; Ido believe that there is as much sincere and honest desire on your part to sympathise with the poor, as there exists in this House. But you cannot increase direct taxation. I believe you would if you could-but you already raise seven millions in stamps-five millions in property-tax-four millions by the assessed-taxes,. and these are limits beyond which you cannot possibly go. If yen add to the income-tax, you will not be benefiting the poor. Though the taxation may appear to be falling on the rich, it will have no less injurious effect. The Noble Lord, the Member for Lynn, would have me to state what the price of wheat would be after the abolition of protection. Well, I have repeatedly replied, and I once more state, that it is impossible for me to know what the price may be hereafter. The Noble Lord in reply to that said, that in 1835, a cargo of wheat had come to this country frem Dant zic, the price of which, after all expenses were paid, amounted to 395. ; and insisted that, supposing there was no duty on the importation of foreign wheat, the price would fall to the same level as it did then. I am not prepared to admit that the price would be lower, for the comparison he made was not a true criterion by which the matter could be tested. That was my statement. The Noble Lord had got a return of certain cargoes of corn that came to this country from Dantzic, and he contended that because in 1839 the price of corn amounted to only 26s , that if you establish free-trade the price must ne cessarily not exceed that amount. I firmly believe, however, that if a free-trade in corn existed at this moment, the price would not be less than 39.1.-the price which it was in 1835. It is impossible, however, to argue what the price of corn may be when the ports are freely opened; for until the system is in operation, no argument can be raised on - the matter which can be relied on with any degree of aocuraey. You sent Mr. Jacob to the Continent, to report what the price of corn was in the different states of Europe. He said in his report, that although there would be a large surplus of corn to be imported into this country, he could not think the price would fall below 335. That was the true state of the case. If you encourage production abroad, there must necessarily be a fictitious price given to corn, and the Noble Lord argued from the instance he brought forward, that that price would be the rule in all cases. It was for that reason that I said, that even were there free-trade in corn in 1835, the price would not fall below 355. The British consuls in different places were also required to re port what was the quantity of wheat which could be annually sent to this country from the places where they respectively re sided, and at what price. Now what was the answer? The general answer was, that it could not be im ported free on board under 465. 6d. per quarter, and that general freight would amount to 4s. 6d. In one place the price was 395. Id., and the freight from 4s. 6d. to ss. At Dantzic the price was 40s. and the freight 3s. 6d. At Hamburgh the price was from 35s to 465., and the freight from 2s. 6d. to Sc. Relying, then, upon the opinion of Mr. Jacobs, and relying upon the returns of your own consuls, as to what the price of wheat would be free on board, at thole ports from which it may be expected-relying upon these two Parliamentary returns, I repeat to you, that with free trade in corn, the price will not be reduced below 395., as it was in 1835, In 1822, although agricultural distress prevailed to a very great extent, the price of wheat did not fall below 385., and in 1835 it did not fall below 395. No foreign competition existed in either case, and although in 1835 the prise fell to 395. Id., that depression was entirely to he attributed to the abundance of your own harvest. In 1836, following the example of 1822, no foreign corn was admitted, yet a Parliamentary Committee was appointed to see what remedies could be applied for the purpose of relieving the great distress which then prevailed. I was attempting, therefore, to show, looking at the immense population-looking at the enormous masses of peocle who made wheat the principal source of subsistence, of what great importance it was that the price should be as moderate as possible. I have shown, then, that half of their expenditure went to the purchase of wheat, and I wish to know what we can do better than to make this article as moderate in price as we can ?-( Hear, hear, and cheers.) If we can give a guarantee that the price would not rise above 70s. or 80s., surely that would be an advantage of immense importance to the labouring classes. We are about to try maize, and other articles, to meet anything like a rise in corn. Suppose corn should fail, we shall have maize to make up for the failure ? and I am sure if that article should fail that we shall not be exposed to such extreme want from the fact of our having Indian maize to rely on Taking the whole circumstances into consideration, I do consider that the labourer's interest is deeply at stake in this question. Ido think the condition of the agricultural labourer ought to be a question of consideration. If then you can rely upon the system of protection, why is it that you cannot exhibit a happier condition of the labourer than we have at pre sent ?-( Hear, hear. ) Colonel SIBTHORP-Give protection to corn. Sir R. PEEL-Yes, you have had protection to the agri cultural interest, and what is the condition of the labourer? You have had protection to corn, and what is the result ?- ( Hear, hear.) If the price of corn had such an effect upo., she wages of the agricultural labourer, why is it, that the wages of the manufacturing labourer has been much higher than the former class of labourer, at a period before the rise in corn took place. But there is no comparison between the wages of the agricultural labourer and the price of wheat. If the wages of the agricultural labourer varied with the price of wheat, why were wages 13s. in Kent, when they were only Ss. in Wiltshire? Now, as we find the labourer employed in the manufacturing districts, we invariably find that wages are much higher, and indeed the wages of the agricultural labourers adjacent to a manufacturing district are always higher than in the purely agricultural districts. If this is not the case, how is it we find the agricultural labourer paid 13s. in Lincolnshire, and Bs. and 9s. in Wiltshire, and other places? Why, because, not only was the land adjacent to a manufacturing district, but because it was brought into better cultivation than in other places. I wish to show that where skill is employed to cultivate the land, remunerating prices can bo had for the farmer and the labourer. Colonel SIBTIIORP—The wages were higher because there was a remunerating price for corn? Sir R. PEEL—There was just as much a remunerating price in the parts where low wages were paid, as in the others ; and I think the Hon. and Gallant Member might easily reason that to be the fact, without any material stretch of his logical faculty.—( Loud laughter.) This, then, being the case, can we say that the state of the agricultural labourer is as it ought to be? Was the state of the men who had to work for their bread so laboriously in that state which it ought to be? Are you, not, then, I ask, deeply interested in rendering less irksome the social condition of the great mass of the popula tion of this empire ?—( Hear, hear.) Believe me, the great point which you have to attain is to appease the apprehensions of the people, and that the only way to attain that is to let them have, in the first instance, abundance of food.—(Cheers.) You may in vain attempt to induce habits of cleanliness and purity in their dwellings, and all the other elements of social comfort, but they will fail, if you do not give them, in the first instance, abundance of food.—( Hear, hear.) If there be any apprehension on the minds of the population that there is likely to be a scarcity of food, depend upon it it will be in vain for you to try and induce any improvement in their social condition. Hon. Members may laugh at this if they will ; but allow me to tell them that the last three years' experience must have proved that lam correct. I will quote a few figures, in order to show that I am correct, and I will quote none that lam net prepared to verify. Now take the variations in the prices of wheat from the year 1837 to the present time. I took care to have accounts furnished me from farmers in the purely agricultural districts, of the amount of wages paid to their labourers from the year 1837 to 1844 inclusive, and it amounted to this in the Sudbury Union in Dorsetshire. The sums I am now about to qu to are those which the labourer ►eceived in money and in beer, and the comparative amount of wages in summer and in winter. Let me also remind the House that since the year 1837, prices of corn and of labour varied very much. In the year 1837, the price of wheat was 555. 10d. ; in 1838, it was 645. 7d: ; in 1839, it was 765. 84.; in 1840, it was 665. 4d. ; in 1841, it was 665. 4d. ; in 1842, it ITlti 575. 3d.; in 1843, it was 505.; in 1844, it was 51s ; and in 1845 It was 555. 10d. Therefore you see that since 1837 to 1845, the price of wheat varied in the proportions which I have stated. But now let me observe that I have also seen a disposition in this country, I regret to say, to substitute the potato for wheat. We have heard much of the allotment system, and we have been told that it has been adopted most benevolently; but I shall only say that I think this feeling only tends to reduce the peasantry of this country to the state of the Irish peasantry—(llear, hear)—and I should consider it a great calamity indeed that the potato should be substituted is this country for the use of wheat.—(Hear, hear.) will now give you the variation In the rate of wages in Dorset !rom the year 1837 upwards. In 1837, the wages amounted to 10s. ; in 1838 to l Is.; in 1839 to I Is. ; in 1840 to its.; in 1841 to I is. ; in 1842 to 113 ; In 1843 to I Is. ; and in 1844 to 10s.—(Hear, hear.) In East Suffolk, the variation of wages has been from Rs. to 10s. per w ek, and the supply of labour in that quarter is greater than the demand ; and consequently- the farmers pay what they like. In West Suff 1k the waves paid fluctuate between 9s. and 10s. per week, that Is when task labour is not employed. lam not saying that 10s. per week is the maximum of wages, because I kt.ow there is extra pay In the harvest. Now is this not demonstrable of the fact with which I set out?—(Hear, hear.) If I show you that in eight years, there being no rise in the rate of wages, but a consld-rable advance in the price of corn, do I hot demonstrate the position with which I set nut?—(Cheers.) Ilave I not proved the fallacy of theAlpetrines of Hon. Gentlemen who contend for the opposite? — (Renewerrcheers.) Therefore we cannot continue the existing law on the ground that it is for the benefit of the agricultural labourer. I believe that Adam Smith's doctrine is true, although he says In some part of his works that there is a tendency in the rate of wages to increase according to the price of corn. He says that the rate of wages depends on the country being in a flouri•hing state, and the amount of capital ap plicable to the labouring interest. And it is the flourishing state of agriculture, manufacture and commerce, and not the price of pro vision, that regulates the rate of wages. So I say, that by removing eihv r increase s o t 1 the i e d , ez g a e n s d o f f o t r h l e a bur a ti i i l e d r t c h s a tr t i i c s ti t T e s m on od i e la t t ) s y ss w try hi , agri cultural labourer, and not by raising the price of food. Let us observe what advantages we shall gain by it. I t cannot be denied that we shall guard against the rapid increase of prices, and relieve ourselves from the responsibility of regulating the supply of food. My Right Hon. Friend has told the what has passed since this mea sure has been brought forward. I could prove to you, if I thought it necessary, from various parts of this country ; that there is no tariff with respect to the pries of land. I could adduce en instance re specting S:otland. There have been 11 farms in Roxburgh let since the proposal of this measure by Government. I could prove the enormous price given for land in this country, and where capital and skill are most employed there is no apprehension of tide measure. I could prove that in Lincolnshire several farms have been let since this measure was introduced. I could show that the agricultural portion of the community exists on this subject. If a law could be maintained, that would protect bad farming and insufficient capital protection is the law best calculated for such a purpose. I do not deny that there may be individual cases of Injury. There may be suffering—there will be property encumbered, and tenants in jured, but on the whole, compare that injury with the advantage you gain—compare it with the security you gain against ruinous prices— with the comfort you secure to yourselves, in not being responsible in times of scarcity for the supply of food. Compare all that with the advantage that may be done, and see from which side the most ben"f4 is likely to accrue to the agricultural interest. Look at the probable advantage to the labouring classes; look at the security of your own positions, which I believe will be elevated, and not depressed, and the legiti mate influence you will exercise in this state of thing.. In snaking this concession, my Ilrna belief is that I do not act as an enemy to that interest with which my own is so intimately identified. In making this proposal on the part of the Government, I intended it to be for the benefit of all classes ; for you could not expect to con tinue enforcing the endurance of protection. Was not the case one for the agricultural interest to consider impartially ?. You say that the present time is one of prosperity, and is not that an additional argument in favour of this measure? You can altar it with honour to yourselves, and without fearing the:infliction of injury. The lion. Gentleman who spoke before me said that there was no fear of any scarcity this year. He said that we would get over two years with out 507 Clikto, for apprehmiou. I* AO that so tidaiti9ll4 prof • that tide' s the beet time for the introduction of this measure? Con sider all these things—consider how long this law could have been nialntairmd. It might be maintained for a time, but it cannot be permane,tly secured with that degree of good feeling which te so es sential to a good Government; and if it could not, is not the time most favourable for the alt4r.ttion. The calamities of Ireland were the, causes of this measure, but they wound not in themselves justify the alteration of :he law. It forces on you the necessity of consider ing what you will do when the period of suspension arrives. Tho calamities I have spoken of would force that consideratetin upon you. Now these arc the reasons I had for the alteration of the law, and fur which, with a clear conscience, I have encountered oblsquy, and submitted to the loss of your confidence, which I deeply lament; but which I must incur.—(Hear, hear, from the Protectionists.)—The Hon. Gentleman has said that the proposal of this measure was some political }manoeuvre. What object could I have ?—(Hear, hear, from the Opposition.) What end could I answer by making such a proposition as this? I wished to relieve a terrible calamity. Honourable Gentlemen have told sue, with assurance, that my stay in office, as a Minister, will not be long.—(Vear, hear, from the Protectionists.) Well then, the more confident they should feel that this is no political measure. (Immense cheering from the Opposition.) Honourable Gentlemen ask me how long I can count on the support of the lion. Gentlemen opposite ? lam frank with you, as I have been on all other occasions. —(" Oh, oh," from the protectionists, and loud cheers from the oppo sition ) I have no right to place any confidence in their support, but it is by their agency this measure will most probably pass into a law. It is not on personal, but on public grounds, that I feel, as a public mart, the obligation I am under to those Hon. Gentlemen for their support of the present measure. However much I may be indebted to them for not doing anythiug to ombsrrass the progress of the present bill, I feel I have no right to claim their future support. That question settled, the difference between us will remain the same as before. I freely admit that I cannot expect the support of those who now advocate protection, after taking the course on the present question which my public duty has induced me to take. That connexion which has for merly existed is no doubt at an end, and I feel I have no right to look for support from that quarter.—(Hear, hear.) S ill less have I a right to expect to carry on the Governinent, and maintain my present position, with tile support of those lion. Gentlemen who have supported me on this side of the House.—',Hear, hear.) This being the case, on any great measure of policy, I admit that with the assistance of Ile Members, or one-sixth of the Members of the House of Commons, I shall not be able to carry on the bu siness of the Government, and that it is right to suppose that my present tenure of power is nearly at an end.—(Cheers from the pro tectionists.) Let this measure pass into a law—suspend your in dignation till then, and I will ask you no further to foliose me.— (Hear, hear.) I shall then pursue my OWn course, and it will be for those Gentlemen on the Opposition side of the House to decide on theirs —('tear, hear.) I hope they will permit this measure to be passed at once, let the future be what It may.—(Hear, bear.) I deeply deplore the loss of confidence of those who have hitherto been my supporters.—(Hear, hear.) That affects me infinitely more than the loss of political power.—(bear, hear.) Your accusations affect me the less, because I feel that I am holiest, and that my motives are pure. L'very man has within his own bosom the scales that determine tile real weight of reproach that ought to attach to his conduct. If I had acted from corrupt or unworthy" motives, then one-tenth of the accusations against me would have proved fatal to my existence as a public man. You may think that .1 took too great precaution respecting the potato failure in Ireland, and that events will prove that I was mistaken in supposing such precaution to be necessary. But if so the motive—the saving of a whole people from a dire calamity of a natural famine, will plead my excuse. I will not say that the measures I have proposed will save that country from this calamity. I only speak of the motive.— (Loud cheers.) I say, with this unfortunate prospect before tne, even admitting that ttle precaution I took was superfluous, I can only say, with Burke, under similar circumstances. He said, In every pressure of affliction, in sickness, 10 penury, in difficulty, and in distress, I will call to mind that accusation, and be comforted." It is no reproach to be attached to me, even if the precaution was supertitions. But, in June or July next it will be established whe ther my precautions were founded in truth, and my motives wor thy. But I speak of this measure not as a temporary, but as a per manent measure ; and if I fall, I shall have the satisfaction that I fall because I prefer the general interests of the people to that of party. I shall have the satisfuction that, during my official career, my object has been to mitigate monopoly—to increase the demand for industry —to remove restriction from commerce—to equalise the burden of taxation—and to ameliorate the condition of the labouring classes. — (The Right Hong Bart. resumed his seat amid long and loud cheering.) Mr. S. O'BRIBN rose amidst loud cries of "Divide, divide." lie said, if tkey had any objection to hear him, then he bad no objection to move the adjournment of the debate. lie rose in consequence of some remarks which had fallen from the Right Hon. Baronet, and to vindicate the position of that portion of Hon. Members who advo cated protection, and with whom he acted. The Right lion. Baronet said that if he fell he would fall striving in 1119 official career, to mitigate monopoly, and improve the condition of the people. He thought that the Right lion. Baronet, skilMl as he was in addressing the House on any personal matter, had not in this instance been peculiarly happy in making out his case. If the Right Hon. Baronet did fall, it would not be as he himself expressa it, in striving to mitigate monopoly, but his consequence of his desertion of those principles which had guided him previous to the last three years. The principles which the Right Hon. Baronet now espoused might be right or wrong, but for the ten years preceding these last three years, it was the chief object of the Right Hon. Baronet's life to construct and build up a party, and he (Mr. S. O'Brien) thought the principles he then advocated were just, sound, and true.—(Hear, hear.) Noble and well had the Right Hon. Baronet then laboured, and well had his party supported him.—(Cheers.) The result was that the Noble Lord the Member for London was removed from these benches to the Opposition. He (Mr. S. O'Brien) did not know what influences had been at work to occasion the change in the opinions of the Right Hon. Baronet —he did not know what influences had led to his fall.— (Cheers and cries of " Oh, eh.") Ile did not know what machinery had been at work, but he would never admit that the Right Honourable Baronet had yet stated his case fully, and, therefore, not fairly, when he stated that he fell because he had laboured to remove restrictions on imports. He thought that the Right Hon. Baronet, before entering upon the agricultural de tails with which he had favoured the House that evening, should have furnished them to Hon. Members on that side of tke Hence who were locally interested. The Right Hon. Baronet, indeed, said that ho was willing to give those tables of wages and estimates of the prices of wheat to lion. Members who might be locally con nected with the districts referred to. But what good would that do? Long before they could have corrected his errors—long before they could have observed his fallacies, millions would have read what the Bight Honourable Baronet had slid, and this measure would be in too advanced a stage to combat it with any degree of success. Many of the county Members connected with the several localities t n which the state ments of the Right Hon. Member had reference, knowing that be In tended to express his opinion on that question, had pointed out many contradictions, many errors in those statements, but he did not feel himself justified at that late hoar to enter into details, with a view of exhibiting these inaccuracies. When the Right Hon. Baronet entered Into an analysis of the domestic expenses of a Yorkshire la bourer, he but introduced a statement the Noble Lord, the 31em ber for the West Riding of Yorkshire. He (Mr. S. O'Brien) was most anxious that the motives by which Hon. Members on that side of the House were actuated in their opposition to this Bill, should be fairly stated, and he thought it would be advisable, by Hon. Gentlemen opposite, as they might, if so inclined, have embarrassed the Government to a greater degree than they had done,—they might, for instance, have moved an address to the crown, for a dissolution of Parliament. They might have asked for a vote of want of con fidence in the Government.—(Cheers, and " Oh, oh ;")—and they possibly might have caught some stray votes by the adoption of such a course.—(lronical cheers, and "011, oh.") But they had acted in a fairer manner, and he was sure that the lion. Member for Stock port would conclude, at least, that they had adopted the fair, the open, and the manly course. They were determined to bring the question of protection Imo the open field, and if they were beaten upon it, they had the consolation at least of knowing that they had not Incurred disgrace—although left to fight the battle by themselves, the country would have the satisfaction of knowing the energy, the support, and the zeal, which had been exhibited by those around them, and especially by the younger members.—(Cheers and laugh ter.) This was no question of modification ; they had supported the Right lion. Bart. in his different changes, but this was a question of total remission of duty; and when they considered the tremendous interest involved, the mighty nature of the consequences that might follow, they could not give their support to the ill-timed measure proposed by the Government. The Right Hon. Baronet, the Secretary of State for the Home Department, had said that the averages spoke untruly in the present year. lie said that the price had varied from 4Ss. to 745., and lie, therefore, argued against the sliding scale. Now, when the Noble Lord, the Member for Lynn, in quired of the Right Hon. Baronet at the head of the Government what he was going to do with tithes, the Right lion. Gentleman im mediately answered that the averages would answer for that. They said the averages were delusive with respect to the foreigner, but they kept them on with respect to tithes. That was manifestly an injustice. lie was ready to admit that the Right Hon. Baronet had not exaggerated the state of Ireland ; and to give him the best proof that he felt so, he might state, that as soon as lie (Mr. O'Brien) could get away from these discussions, lie intended to go over, and see what ho could do personally to mitigate the distress of that country. He did net, however, think that the temporary distress of Ireland had anything to do with the measure they were discussing, and as a perpetual measure it must ultimately increase the difficulties of the poor of Ireland. The Right lion. Baronet had given them no cal culations upon which to found this measure. lie had told them nothing about the price of corn.—(lronical cheers.) lie understood that cheer. Hon. Gentlemen opposite, whenever the least allusion was made to money omit that (the Ministerial) side of the House, assumed that the interests of the protectionists were mercenary. Ho could not but remember that the Hon. and smiling Member for Durham, when the question of a penny a pound supon cotton wool was proposed, wits most anxious upon that subject. Hon. Gentle men eonld not deny that the landed interest had legislated upon their conviction., and now, when the Legislature was about to be come commercial or manufacturing in its character, he trusted that at least the supporters of the new system would acknowledge that the protectionists had battled to the last for what they believed to be true. Lord PALMERSTON then rose amidst loud cries of " Divide, di vide." He wished briefly to state and explain the views which he had been induced to take of the two important questions wh'cls formed the subjeet of their discussion—the one question commercial and the other constitutional—(Hear, hear.) He thought that the Government were completely justified in de parting from the party engagements into which they had entered on the formation of the present Parliament. He believed that public men were public property (Cheers)—and that that which con cerned the public interest should be discussed without consulting the particular interests of a private class, which must be in opposition to the general good of the country. The Government had introduced measures this year, not so much at variance with their former opi nions as with their f, rmer practical course.—(Hear, hear.) A large section of those who were their former supporters were content with merely opposing the measure on the ground of its being dangerous to a certain class in the country; amt, because they held that opinion they were determined to withhold from the Right Hon. Gentleman that support which they had hitherto accorded to him. That section of politicians had asserted that the Members of the Government had betrayed their followers.—(Hear, hear.) Bat he could not acquiesce in the doctrine which was implied in that charge, for, while they made it, they also fairly acknowledged that the Govern ment had been itetuated, in the course which they had pursued upon this occasion. by a sincere conviction that they were doing that which the public interests required.—(Hear, hear.) And the charge implied that public men should obey the engagements which they had contracted with their party rather than de that which was consistent with the public interests.—( clear, hear.) He, on the con trary, held that, however important political associations were for the useful working of the British Constitution, and however the man belonging to a party was bound in his political relations to act in accordance with his political associates, yet he would say, that any man who held the relation of Minister of the Crown. should consider the interests of the country in preference to those of any political party with which he might be as sociated.—(llear, hear.) He thought that the Government had placed upon a somewhat too narrow ground the justification which they had advanced for the change which had taken place in their con duct. They had ascribed that change to their experience of the last three years ; but he thought they might have said that it was rather to the experience of the last four years—the debates of the last four sessions, the speeches of his Hon. Friend the Member for Stockport —(Hear, hear)—and of other Gentlemen on his side of the House, who, session after session, had advocated the measure in eloquent ' unanswerable speeches—(Hear, hear)—that their change had been effected. It was very well for Gentlemen who sat listening to the debates, and others who came down at the eleventh hour to divide in the lobby, to record the triumph of their party—it was very well for such to maintain, sessions after session, and year after year, their old opinions ; but the case of the Minister of the Crown was very different.—(Hear, hear.) The Minister of the Crown had to sit throughout the whole of the debates—(Hear, hear, and laughter), and listento the speeches, and moreover find arguments to answer the objections brought against the propositions of Use Government, and those arguments must be such as must not disgrace a 3finister of the Crown.—(Hear, hear, and cries of "Question.") The Members of the Government were obliged to watch the progress of the public opinion, and concede to the requirements of the intelligent and just men of the country.—(Hear, hear.) The Noble Lord then proceeded in the following terms :—Tkere are certain climates which are specific cures for certain diseases.— (Loud laughter.) And I would venture to say I would take any men who are labouring tinder the most acute and inflammatory type of the protection fever, that, after a time—after they had for a few months breathed the free-trade atmosphere of Downing-street—they would be altogether cured ! —(Laughter.) Now, Sir, with regard to the commercial part of the question. Having taken the liberty some years ago of expressing a wish that the word " protection" might be blotted out from our commercial vocabulary, I cannot hut hail with cordial pleasure measures which have so great a tendency to carry that wish into effect.—(Cheers.) Sir, protection is, ne doubt, a plausible word ; and many are the evils which mankind have had to endure from plausible words cloaking and disguising injuries.— (Hear, hear.) What does protection in the commercial sense mean? It means nothing but the injury of the many to the benefit of the few —(Loud cheers)—with this difference, that the injury to the many is real, and the benefit to the few is for the most part delusive. There can be no benefit to any class of men unless they are stimu lated to exert their industry, and intelligence, and activity to the utmost extent; but protection is a baneful influence which para lyses the vital energies of human industry, which curbs de velopment and cripples its growth, and so far from benefiting the parties for whose advantage it is intended, it frequently leaves them perhaps even in a worse condition than they would have been if that protection had not been afforded.—(Hear, hear.) Sir, then I say, protections being injurious to Use many, and not even ad vantageous to the few, it is against one of the fundamental maxims which ought to guide legislation —namely, that you should legislate for the benefit of the many, and not for the adeantage of the few. — (Cheers.) But it is contended that free trade and the absence of pro tection must be very well for a country in a natural state of society, but that we are in an artificial condition—that we have large esta blishments, naval and military, to support—that we have a great debt, whose interest we are bound to pay —and that we cannot afford all these expenses unless with the principle of protection. I hold that to be a complete fallacy. I hold the position not only to be un true, but to be the very reverse.—(Cheers.) What is the effect of protection? Why, the meaning and effect of protection is, that you should, by artificial taxation, raise the price of commodities that come front abroad, and by that means raise the price of the like commodities at home—that you should make com- Meities dearer than they would Othenvliebe, — ZdTis I contend, worse than they would otherwise be.—(Loud cheers.) He believed that the high WM! of rriuice and Eughtiad were mutital and reciprocal injuries to cash country. He thought'; that the example of this country would be more benefiel al than any negotiation into winch they had entered. He.licadr that them was no reason to cousid,ce,that free-teadc in,,c9rit would . ..re) be 719 advantaecous to the country as frrs'trade in any other you unodity ; but by free-trade he did not mean trade free from Ell. duty—(Cheers irons the benches below tile gangway)— which they were obliged to have for the purposes of revenue but sue is taxation as was levied for the prevention of export or import —(Hear, hear,) —and not free trade in the abstract. His own opinion_ was that corn should not be an exception from this rule. He had,heen always for a fixed duty, and m'ght it be permitted him to say he had not taken up his opinion, when the late Government were in anti tole mortis, for he held them in the years 1830 and 1840, when there vas no prospect of a dissolution. His wish wculd have been a low fin ect duty of about four or five shillings, which could have been effecte'f..vithout any great transition or prejudice to the feelings of any clan sin the community. But Members in that House must MI 3 what they can have, and not what they would have.--Cheering.) His Noble' and Honourable Friends have abandoned fixed duty in despair. The Anti-Corn law League profess that nettling will satisfy them but total repeal ; and finding a deny out of the question, he had no hesitation in giviirg his eordial support to the measure of the Government. The c ommise - oners who had been appointed under the Enclosure Act received .46 applications for land, and they hal a Bill before the House for the parpose of rescuing 400,000 acres of land from the Ger man ocean. I.;bse he would ask when this was the case, what ground WAS there for apprehending that this measure would throw land out of cultivation. .`le stated that the landowners would be sufferers from the immense . influx of foreign corn, but he would ask, where was the immense Quantity of corn to come from.—(Cries of " Divide, divide, and' adjourn.") Prices would rise abroad when they went into the hereign market, and there would, therefore, be no great alteration a the prices in this country. He dented, therefore, that there would lee any alteration in the prices. —(cleer, hear.) But if it was admitted that the change would have the effect of making the price of corn lower, that was a confession that their nnts at present were too high.—(Cries of " Adjourn, and divide.") The English aristocracy were a proud aristocracy. They ought to be proud. If they failed In their appeal to their sense of justice, they should appeal to their pride.—(Cries of " Divide, divide.") This question would increase the wealth and prosperity of the country, and It would do more—it would preserve peace.—(Bear, hear.) The Noble Lord then continued :—lf monarchies are ambitious and threatening—if democracies are encroaching and aggressive, and that you wish to bind them to keep the peace, fetter them with commerce —(Cheers.) If you wish to inspire them with better feelings, and imbue their minds with more just and moderate sentiments, spread before them the book of the merchant, and In that volume they will find more conclusive arguments than they would perceive in the pre cepts of the wisest moralists, or the sagest doctrines of the greatest statesmen.—(Cheers.) Upon these grounds I will support the mea sure before the House, because, in my opinion, It is calculated to ad vance the public welfare, to promote the comfort and prosperity of the country, and because it is founded on principles which will secure to mankind the great and Incalculable blessing of interna tional peace. (The Noble Lord resumed his seat amidst great applause.) titrangers were then ordered to withdraw. The House then divided, when there appeared : For the Second Reading............ • • • . Against it ................. ...... Majority for the Second Reading.. • • • • • • On our re-admission we found Mr. F. MAULE inquiring whether the further progress of the Bill was postponed pro forms for a week, or whether Government in tended to go int.> Committee on it next Friday? The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that it was the in tention of Government to proceed with the measure on Monday next. Lord G. BEN TINCK wished to know when the Committee of the Customs Bill would he fixed ? The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER named Thursday next. The Burghs (Scotland) Bill was read a third time and passed. The report on the Indemnity Bill was brought up and received, and the Bill was ordered to be read a third time on Monday next. Mr. F. 3IACKENZIE moved for a Select Committee to take into consideration the system of granting certificates for public-houses in Scotland. After a few remarks from Mr. F. MAULE and Sir J. GRAHAM, the motion was agreed to. On the question that the House adjourn, PROTECTION (IRELAND) BILL. - • Mr. C. BULLER wished to know whether Government intended to take the first reading of the Irish Coercion Bill on Monday? He regretted that such a course would interfere with the progress of the Corn-law Bill, and thought that the Government would do well, before asking the House to read the Coercion Bill a first time, to lay on the table the various returns on which the Bill was founded, and in the meantime to postpone the first reading. Sir J. GRAHAM regretted as much as the Hon. and Learned Gentleman Old that anything should interfere with the progress of the Cern-law Bill. The Government had intimated their intention of taking the first reading of the Protection of Life (Ireland) Bill on Monday nest, and intended to abide by their intimation. It had not been found possible as yet to obtain the returns in the perfect form which the Hon. and Learned Gentleman wished. lie had hoped that the Bill would have been read a first time as a matter of course ; and though he regretted the resistance intended to be offered, it would nevertheless be his duty on Monday, at five o'clock, to move the first reading of the Bill. After a few words from Mr. F. MAULE, who urged on the Go vernment the propriety of considering between that night and Mon day next whether they had not better pospone the first reading, The House adjourned at a few minutes to Three o'clock. RAILWAY COMMITTEES. (YESTERDAY.) HOUSE OF LORDS. THE DUBLIN AND ENNISKILLEN. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) Mr. J. C. Morris, cross-examined by Mr. BOYLE —The grand Jury of Meath preferred this line to that of the North Midland Company, because it would pass through the heart of that country. This line would accommodate 580,000 people. I see the name of Donnybrook included in the list of parishes which it is said this line will accom modate. Why do you include it ?—Because there's a great fair there. Yes ; for who has not heard of Donnybrook fair, but they cannot derive much traffic from that source?-1 here is A great many horse-dealers who attend the fair. What side of Dublin is Donny brook on ?—On the soutk-east side. And on what side is Clonullagb, the proposed terminus of th!s railway ?—On the north-side.—(Laugh ter.) Ile did not think that Tyrone was a grazing county. Some of the parishes included in the list were much more distant than five miles from the line. It was not a general rule in Ireland that the produce was sent to the nearest port. The traffic which was carried from the north of Ireland to Dublin was very great, and would include more than agricultural produce. Mr. Joseph Hill Was next called on behalf of the promoters. Had been employed by the Poor-law Commissioners in Ireland as valuator. Was well acquainted with the district through which this Hue would pass, and believed that it would afford the best communication to the district. Mr. Barnes, a magistrate of the county of Meath, was of opinion that there would not be as much traffic and passengers on the line through which the North Midland would pass as on that of this Company. Drogheda, through which this Company's line would pass, was an export town to the county of Meath. After some further evidence in favour of the line in preference to the opposing scheme, Mr. ALEXANDER, Q.C., on the part of the opposition, applied to their Lordships to have the case adjourned until Monday, on the ground that the opponents wished to consult their engineer, and that Saturday was the only day on which ho was disengaged. If their Lordships decided to proceed with the case to-morrow, It would be a great inconvenience to the North Midland Company. The CHAIRMAN said that their Lordships would have preferred sitting to-morrow, because on Tuesday they were afraid that they would not be able to sit. It was ultimately agreed that the Committee should stand ad journed until Monday. Mr. John Farrell, another magistrate for the county of Meath, stated that he was possessed of considerable property near Kells, and was well acquainted with Meath. The amount of cattle produced there was very great, and the owners preferred sending them to Dublin for sale and exportation. Navan was a very important town' and as this line passed through it (which the North Midland did no) ho should much prefer it to the opposing scheme. Cross-examined--This line would be more advantageous to the people of Trim and Athboy than the opposing line, beeause it was more direct. Cross-examined by Mr. Muitt , nv (of the Irish bar), who appeared on behalf of the Belfast Junction Extension Railway Company, who contemplate forming a branch from their main line, which should connect Navau and Kells, and there join the North Midland. If their Lordships sanction the Belfast Junction branch to Kells, world not that afford the most direct connection by railway with your nearest port, viz., Drogheda? —Certainly it would. Mr. Lambert Disney, a steward of Lord Farnham's estate, near Athboy, was next examined in favour of the Dublin and Enniskil len line, which lie considered by far the more preferable project. Ile should oppose the line of the North Midland, inasmuch as it would pass through the estate of Lord Farnham, and compel him to change his residence. The county through which this line would pass was a very important and commercial tract of country. Cross-examined —Did not know that there was any particular traffic between Athboy and Dunshoughlan, but he believed that it was only to justify the formation of a branch from the main Rue of this com pany. lie had never sent any cattle to Drogheda. He was more particularly acquainted with the county of Meath, and as regarded that county, lie was certain that this line would be more advantage ous to the public than the opposing scenic. The evidence of this witness having been concluded, the Committee adjourned until Monday. ROUSE OF COMMONS. GROUP IX. WEST OF SCOTLAND JUNCTION. (Continued from ear Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) _ _ - - Mr. Sergeant BELLASIS briefly cross-examined the witness with the purpose of showing that one of the alternative branches would Interfere at a crossing with the Barrhead ands NeListon Direct Railway, M r. Witeox, ironmaster of Dundy van, near Glasgow, was next called in, and was undergoing examination as to the great advan tage the proposed junction would confer on the trade of the sur rounding district, when The diunims.i4 interfered. Ho said he had sent to the Admiralty for Captain Washington, one of the Tidal Harbour Commissioners, to be examined as to the crossing of the Clyde ; and as that gentleman had arrived, it would be convenient to take his evidence at once. Captain Washington was then examined, and said his attention had been called to the Harbour of Glasgow last year. He gave evi dence then against the proposed crossing of the Clyde, but he had not attended to the present plan. [The plan was here produced and placed before the witness.] Looking at the plan he considered it a decided improvement on the plan of last year, still he objected to it. It would still interfere with the harbour, and rather than the smallest obstruction should be offered to the navigation, ho would prefer that the present bridge be pulled down, ae,d one of two or three spans built in its stead. He would also prefer that it should be built further up the river. A letter from the Admiralty was here prodused, to the effect that the Admiralty would not interfere with the present plans, but leave the matter to the Committee. Captain Washington, in continuation, said ho believed the Admi ralty would not put a veto on the plan, but submit the whole matter to the discretion of the Committee ; still he was certain if the subject was lett entirely to theta they would decide against the proposed plan. At the close of the examination the roam was cleared. On our return, The CHAIRMAN said there was one point on which the Committee required spt cial engineering evidence. It was about the proposed junction in the tunnel on the north side of the line. Unless the pre sent impression was removed about the danger of that junction, there would be little use in occupying time with the other parts of the case. Mr. Sergeant ANDREWS said they would be prepared with evidence on that point on Monday morning. The COmmittee then inijountecitill Monday at twelve o'clock. GROUP XII. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) . The Committee then decided that the preamble of the Bill, THE GLASGOW, PAISLEY, ICILDIA.RNOCIC., A ND AyR. (No. 3— WITII BRANCHES TO ZADIPITS AND LESNZAHA.GOW), was proved, as also THE GLASGOW, RILMARNOCIC, AND AILDROSSAN. The Committee intimated that when the cl auses of the latter Bill came to be considered the one which referred to the purchase of the harbour would require to bo amended. The clauses of the first named Bill were then agreed to, and the Committee adjourned. GROUP ZIP'. NORTH MONT. (Continued from •ur Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) By Mr. Sergeant WaANortAm —There would be a loss to the pro prietor, but that less might be estimated and compensated in money. In the absence of Mr. Austin, he preeeeded to address the Com mittee in support of a petition against the proposed line by Messrs, Hall, the proprietors of the gunpowder-mills in Favers ham. He called Mr. Colter, an assistant to a surveyor in Canterbury, who proved the accuracy of the plan of the mills, and the course of the intended line. Mr. William Hart, a superintendent and manager of the business of Messrs. Hall—The mills originally belonged to Government, but were purchased in 1823 by Messrs. Hall. The mills existed in the time of Queen Elizabeth. The business is very large, and the average sale is about 560 barrels of powder per week. Is in the habit of contracting with Government. Within the last fortnight Messrs. Hall have contracted to supply 2,340 barrels of powder. By Mr. Sergeant We ANG lieu—Cannot explain the process us carried on in the different mills. Mr. Win. Monks, foreman to Messrs. Hall, stated that he had been employed 24 hours. The materials for the powder are prepared in the saltpetre refinery, and aro then taken to the other mills. There are six pairs of runners, or millstones at the Osprich Mills, and in the other mills the number varies from two to ten pair. Af ter the runner is turned round once or twice on the materials, they are called " mill cake," and is stronger than when it is in a manufactured state. A two ounce charge of "mill cake" will send a 68-pound ball 20 feet farther than a 2 oz charge of the manufactured powder. The contents of a barrel is 1001bs., and there are "charge houses" in all the mills. The charge house of the Osprich Mills contains from 30 to 40 barrels of powder. The mills are 185 yards from the line. The mills are built of slight materials, to mitigate as much as possible the effect of any explosion, but the charge houses are built of very thick masonry, and in case of an explosion, it would be very violent. Great precautions are taken to avoid accidents. The men enter the mill with list shoes. The powder Is very volatile, and the roofs of the mills are covered eitlt powder dust, as also the tree" round it. A. lbws pump is kart at each mill to wash of that powder. The eOntents'of the magazines are removed by water. The "Ore Creek" comes close up to the mill. By Mr. Sergeant WRANGBAM -The powder, when in the state called the " green char: a ce," is c s explosive as the manufactured powder. The magazines are built much stronge- than the mills, in order to keep the powder safe. There is a seam-engine at work near the. Osprich 31111 s. It is about 15 yards distant, with its boiler, chimney, and furnace. Mr. Hall resides In a cottage about GO yards from the mills. There is also a gas factory within CO yards of the mills. There is a steam-engine on the premises called the Bennett Mills, which contain from 50 to 70 barrels of powder in the charge house. One of the charge houses abuts on the public road, but the walls of it are built very thick near the road, cud very thin on the inside, so as to direct the explosion away from the public. Explosions have taken place in nearly every mill, bit no explosion has extended its influence to the distance of 101 yards. At a distance of 50 yards wb.dows have been broken, but that is the extreme distance at which he has known damage to be done. The cud of the mill facing the magazine or charge house is made strong, and no explosion has hitherto reached the powder contained in it. About 40 lbs. of powder are placed under the runners at a Hine. Captain Tulloch, of the Royal Artillery, stated that he is super intendent of the Government powder mills at Waltham Abbey. The green charge is very explosive, but the mill cake is much more so. In 1843 au explosion occurred, which destroyed a counting-house 216 yards distant from the ignited powder. Mr. AUSTIN was proceeding to cross-examine this witness, when The announcement was made that the Speaker was at prayers, and Committee adjourned until twelve o'clock on Monday. GROUP XVI. EPSOM BRANCH. (Continued from our Afternoon Editiozi of yesterday.) Mr. Butcher, a surveyor at Ewell, and proprietor of brick-fleas in that parish, testified to the non-interference of the line with orna mental property, and to the low value of the land. He made nearly a million of bricks, some of which he had attempted to send to London, but the cost was 11. a thousand, and the carriage beat him. On the railway he could transmit them for less than Is. a thousand, an advantage which lie should be very glad to obtain, From his profession he had much intercourse with the middle and higher classes, and he was convinced that their feelings were de cidedly in favour of the South-Western branch. Mr. Steel, a resident of Epsom, stated that there were about 12,000 sheep, 3,000 oxen, and a number of lambs, calves, and other stock which might be sent much more advantageously by this line than the other. The posting was also chiefly to the West-end. On the Derby day the naraber of persons present on the race course were from 180,000 to 200,000, which were chiefly persons from the London side of the country. He had been to every respectable house in Epsom, and he could say that the feeling was almost unanimous in favour of this line. With respect to the petition against the line he had ascertained that fifty of the petitioners had signed this petition ; fifty had declined to sign, lest they should ap pear foolish, though anxious to do so ; thirty were on the list of those excused on account of their poverty from paying rates ; fifty were lodgers, paying no rates at all ; and the remainder squatters on the eommon. All the magistrates had signed in favour of this line, and the only person of respectability who had signed the other was the vicar and Mr. Northey, who was lord of the manors both of Ewell and Cheana ; the latter of these gentlemen, however was decidedly in favour of the South-Western line. Mr. Mason, of the Spring Hotel, at Ewell, testified to the feelings of the inhabitants, which he had gathered by going round with a petition. The reason why the vicar had not signed was, his having sold a considerable quantity of land to the Croydon Company, and he therefore thought that it would not look well to support their opponents. The petition from Ewell in favour of the Croydon line had been chiefly signed by persons occupying cottages of from 41. to 61. a year rent. He had been a coach proprietor for the last seven years, and up to that time there were twenty-six coaches which passed his house, twenty of which went to the West-end. The witness spoke also to the value of the land and the feelings of the people. At this point the room was cleared. - *hell the public were re-admitted, the CHAIRMAN declared that the Committee were of opinion that it was unnecessary to offer any opposition, as the preamble of the Bill had not been proved. FARNHAM AND ALTON BRANCH. On inquiry by the CHAIRMAN as to whether the parties were ready to proceed, Mr. Goldsenid said he appeared on behalf of the Reigate and Reading Company, to oppose part of this scheme, and Mr. Wordsworth appeared on behalf of several landowners, also in oppo. sition to the line, of which the South-Western Company are the pro moters; but it being suggested that the inquiry had better be adjourned until Monday, the Committee acceded. was prepared to produce evidence to show that neither money nor labour had been spared to make the deposits as soon as possible. Aftersome deliberation the CIIAIBMAN (Mr. E. Yorke) agreed to hear the evidence in question. Evidence was then given that all due diligence bad been used by the promoters, who had succeeded in depositing their plans before the office hours on the Ist of December. . . Mr. Shepherd, a surgeon, resaint;at,Toweester, was also examined — He stated that he attended Mr. Garvatt, at that time engineer of the Company, at Worcester, in October. Mr. Garvatt was labouring under a severe disease, calculated to produce nervous irritation, and was quite unfitted to attend to his business. Cross-examined—On the 30th of October and 2d of November Mr. Garvatt was able to go to London and to attend business, and dining his attendance he found him with maps and other documents beNrc him, and surrounded by clerks. The CHAIRMAN said, that as far as the fact went they must find that the standing orders had not been complied with, with reference to their non-deposits of the plans in the proper time. The mitigating circumstances might be stated above stairs. The other forma] proofs were then proceeded with and concluded. One of the petitions had relation to the non-deposit of the plans, and was therefore not pressed. _ _ _ 31r. BAXTER, solicitor, appeared for the next petition, from John Colburn, which stated that he was one of the subscribers to the Company. The first allegat'on was that the plan originally proposed to go from Yarmouth to Swansea, whereas it now proposed to effect h Junction with the Yale of Neath Railway, and, therefore, that the petitioner was exonerated from all liability. The Committee decided that in this case the standing orders had been compiled with. An allegation with reference to an error In the supplemental can tract was smtained. 'Me Committee ihen adjourned. Sob-Committee No 4 WHITEFIAVEN AND FURNESS JUNCTION RAILWAY BILL (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of vosterday.) Other allegations of a similar nature were sustained. In the case of another petition, the CHAIRMAN expressed a doubt that the petitioner was entitled to be heard unless he had a direct or indirect interest in property within the limits of deviation. Mr. Pa= submitted that in other Committees in had been ruled that any person could petition on behalf the public. The point was ultimately reserved, and the Committee adjourned. Sub Committee No. 5. THETFORD, BURY ST. EDMUNDS, AND NEWMARKET. ‘(Continuei from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) The next allegation was that no notice had been served on the surveyor et highways in respect of a certain road which would be crossed by the line. The surveyor himself Has called to prove that he had received no notice, and the Committee declared the allegation proved, no evidence being given on the other side. The remaining allegation of this petition were utterly uninteresting to the public. The petition of David Tiarty and others was next taken. It de pended chiefly on discrepancies in the gradients, &c. Several of the allegations were dismissed, as not being properly worded, and several were declared to be proved. The Committee refusedto admit several objections as to minute discrepancies in the plans. . . it appeared in the course of the day that the petitioner, Mr. Barty, was the secretary of a rival railway company. Only one allegation of the next petition, that of a Mr. Benion, was entered into, the others being identical with those of Mr. Barty's petition. • This allegation was that the junction of the proposed line with the Norfolk Railway was differently ►marked In the plans and sections, its distance from the principal station not being the same. This allega tion was delared proved. After disposing of several other points, the Committee gave their decision that the standing orders were not complied with. They then rose at four o'clock, and adjourned to Monday at twelve. STANDING ORDERS' COMMITTEES. HOUSE OF LORDS. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) CLONMEL AND THURLES RAILWAY. This case was adjourned for the want of one witness, who was not in attendance. The length of this important line is 3854 fullest including a branch to St. Civardagh Colliery. The capital of the Company is 400,0001, Solicitors to the line, Sir Matthew Barrington, Son, and Company. GREAT SOUTHERN AND WESTERN EXTENSION AT CORK. The formal proofs having been entered in this case, the Committee adjourned it until Monday next, in order to give themselves time to consider what quantity of land they should allow for the building of a station at Cork. The promoters sought for fifty acres, and it was urged that thirty would be sufficient. The following lines were then. adjourned to give time for the ex amination of certain clauses in their respective Bills: MALLOW AND KILLARNEY; OMAGH, DUNGANNON, AND FORTSDOWN ; AND THE DUBLIN, BELFAST, AND COLE RAINE RAILWAY. In the case of the London and York Railway, their Lordships inti mated that they would further adjourn their decision until Tuesday next. Their Lordships adjourned until Monday next. HOUSE OF COMMONS. Sub-Committee, No. 3. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) THE LESMAHAGOW, DALSERF, AND COATBRIDGE RAILWAY was allowed to be proceeded with. NEWPORT, ABERGAVENNT, AND HEREFORD RAILWAY was also allowed to be proceeded with. BIRMINGHAM, LICHFIELD, AND MANCHESTER was also allowed to be proceeded with. BEDFORD AND CAMBRIDGE RAILWAY was not allowed to be proceeded with. The Committee then adjourned till Tuesday next. Sub-Committee, No. Y. (Continued from our Afternoon' Edition of yesterday.) MIDLAND (CLAYCROSS TO NEWARK) RAILWAY. The object of this line is to construct a branch 'from the Midland Railway at Claycross to the Nottingham and Mansfield Railway at Newark. Estimated cost, 580,0001. ; Parliamentary agents, Messrs, Burke and Co. ; engineeers, Messrs. Stephenson and Swanwich. The formal proofs having been given by Mr. Grubb. The Conunittee postponed the further consideration of the case till Tuesday to hear the advice of Mr. Cramp and Mr. Charles Lee. The ease will be the first taken on Tuesday. MIDLAND (NOTTINGHAM TO MANSFIELD) RAILWAY. The projectors of this line propose by it to connect Nottingham and Mansfield—the distance being 16 miles. Estimated cost, 275,0001. ; Parliamentary agents, Messrs. Burke and Co.; engineers, Messrs. Stephenson and Swanwich. _ The formal proofs having been given, a question arose as to the publication of the required notices for three successive weeks in the months of October and November last, and as to the delivery of the notice at the office of the Gazette two clear days previous to the time that would allow of these three successive publications. It appeared that in this case one publication took place in December. Mr. VENABLEB coatended that, although the last notice did not appear till December, he was prepared to prove that the notice was delivered in sufficient time to allow of the three successive publi cations. The Committee did not think this a satisfactory answer, and re ported that it amounted to a non-compliance._ .. . - WEST CORNWALI. RAILWAY. =The object of this line is to connect Kenwyn, hi the county of Cornwall, with Penzance, a distance of 45 miles. Estimated cost, 500,0001. ; Parliamentary agents, Messrs. Burke and Co.; engineer, Mr. W. Johnson. The formal proofs haying been given, the further consideration of the ease was postponed till Tuesday. The Committee adjourned at four o'clock. FRIDAY NIGHT'S GAZETTE. WAR-OFFICE, Mmtcri 27, 1846. _ _ _ 4th Dragoon Guards—Lieut. T. 0. W. 'Coster, to be Cap tain, by purchase, vice Rochfort, who retires • Cornet F. H. G. Nicolls, to be Lieutenant, by purchase, vice boster, March 27. Bth Light Dragoons—Lieut. A. C. Lindsay, to be Captain, by purchase, vice Jenkinson,who retires ; Lieut. J. S. Naylor, from the 83d Foot, to be Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Lindsay, March 27. 16th Light Dragoons—Cornet G. B. Williams to be Lieu tenant, by purchase, vice Leigh, who retires ; I. N. Fellowes, Gent. to be Cornet, by purchase, vice Williams, March 27. Ist or Grenadier Regiment of Foot Guards—Captain C. Randall, from half-pay unattached, to be Lieutenant and Captain, vice Brevet-Major Somerset, died of his wounds ; Ensign and Lieutenant C. L. B. Maitland to be Lieutenant and Captain, by purchase, vice Randall, who retires ; J. Evelyn, Gent., to be Ensign and Lieutenant, by purchase, vice M aitland, March 26. Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards—Ensign and Lieut. J. R. Wigram to be Lieutenant and Captain, by purchase, vice the Earl of Caledon, who retires; U. Canning Lord Dunkellin to be Ensign and Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Wigram, March 27. 2d Regiment of Foot—Capt. A, Campbell, from the Royal Canadian Rifle Regiment, to be Captain, vice Hamilton, who exchanges, March 27. 3d Foot—Captain J. T. Liston, from the Bth Foot, to be Captain, vice Speedy, who exchanges, March 27. sth Foot—Second Lieutenant 11. Knapp to be First Lieu tenant, by purchase, vice Gretton, who retires; F. H. Fen der, Gent, to be Second Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Knapp, March 27. 6th Foot—Lieutenant G. G. Webb, from half-pay 2d Foot, to be Lieutenant, vice Muller, promoted. . . . . . 7th Foot—Lieut. W. R. Browne to be Captain, by pur chase, vice Cummin, who retires; Ensign W. H. D. Fitz gerald, from the 72d Foot, to be Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Browne, March 27. _ _ _ Bth Foot—Capt. James Speedy, from 3d Foot, to be Captain, vice Liston, who exchanges ; Lieut. C. F. B. G. Dickenson to be Captain, by purchase, vice Lavie, who retires; Ensign R. S. Baynes to be Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Dickens ; Gent. Cadet IL Ximenes, from the R o y a l Military College, to be Ensign, by purchase, vice Baynes; Surgeon J. C. G. Tice, from 69th Foot, to be Surgeon, vice Gardiner, who ex changes, March 27. 12th Foot—Lieutenant W. H. Queade, from the 40th Foot, to be Lieutenant, vice S. Reed, who retires on half-pay, March 27. 28th Foot—Lieutenant J. G. R. Alpiu, to be Captain, with out purchase, vice Brevet-Major Hunter , deceased; Ensign F. G. Moore, to be Lieutenant, vice Alpiu ; Nov. 20, 1845. 50th Foot—Assistant-Surgeon C. F. Stephenson, M.D., from the Ist Foot, to be Assistant-Surgeon, vice Brummell, whose appointment has bee cancelled, March 27. 54th Foot—Lieut. A. Gillespie, from half pay 2d Foot, to be Lieutenant, vice Jackson, appointed Paymaster of the 6th Dragoon Guards. Gist Foot—Captain J. B. Thomas to be Major, without purchase, vice Verner, deceased ; Lieut. T. W. Hudson to be, Captain, without purchase, vice Thomas; Ensign A. Arm strong to be Lieutenant, without purchase, vice Hudson, Dec. 7. 64th Foot—Lieut. the lion. G. F. W. Yelverton, to be Captain, by purchase, vice Stirling, whe retires ; Ensign J. B. Burne, to be Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Yelverton; W. W. Pogeon, Gent., to be Ensign, by purchase, vice Burne, March 27. 66th Foot—Lieut. F. Gildea, from half-pay 2d Foot, to be Lieutenant, vice F. Smythe, who exchanges, March 27. 69th Foot—Surgeon V. Gardiner, from the Bth Foot, to be Surgeon, vice Tice, who exchanges, March 27. 70th Foot—Ensign F. W. Dowse, to be Lieutenant, with out purchase, vice Rutson, who resigns ; J. A. Feed, Gent., to be Ensign, vice Dowse, March 27. 62d Foot—W. A. H. N. Kellett, Gent., to be Ensign, by purchase, vice Fitzgerald, promoted to the 7th Foot, March 27. 73d Foot—Lieut. W. C. O'Brien, frbm the 40th Foot, to be Lieutenant, vice D'Arcey, promoted, March 27. 87th Foot—Second Lieut. J. 11. le Conteur to be First Lieutenant, without purchase, vice Robinson, who retires; E. Stanley, Gent., to be Second Lieutenant, by purchase, vice le Conteur, March 27. 92d Foot—Lieutenant W. Alexander, from half-pay 24th Light Dragoons, to be Lieutenant, vice R. Petley, who ex changes; Ensign A. W. Cameron to be Lieutenant, by pur chase, vice Alexander, who retires; Gentleman Cadet A. M. M'Donald, from the Royal Military College, to be En sign, by purchase, vice Cameron, March 27. Royal Canadian Rifle Regiment—Captain G. V. Hamilton, from the 2d Foot, to be Captain, vice Campbell, who ex changes, March 27. BRevrr.—Captain C. Randall, of the Ist or Grenadier Regiment of Foot Guards, to be Majo r i n th e A rm y, July 22, 1830 ; Capt. T. F. Tait, of the 2d Bengal European Regiment, to be Major in the Army in the East Indies, Diarch 27. HOSPITAL STAFF. --H. C. Martin, Gent., to be Assistant • Surgeon to the Forces, vice Hardie, who has absented him self without leave, March 20. MemonANDum.—STAFF.—The date of the commission of Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel J. B. Gough, of the 3d Light Dragoons, to be Quartermaster -General to the Queen's Forces in the East Indies, is 20th March, 1846. The Christian names of Assistant-Surgeon Innes, of the 4th Dragoon Guards, are John Harry Ker. Commissions by the Lord-Lieutenant of Lanark. Sir W. C. Anstruther, Bart., to be Deputy-Lieutenant, Feb. 28 ; J. Lumsden, Esq„ to be Deputy-Lieutenant, W. E. H. Vere, Esq., to be Deputy-Lieutenant, March 2 ; T. Wal rood, Esq., to be Deputy-Lieutenant ; H. Dunlop, Esq., to be Deputy-Lieutenant, March 3 ; T. M. WNeill Hamilton, Esq., to be Deputy-Lieutenant, March 4; J. Finlay, Esq., to be Deputy-Lieutenant; Sir J. Campbell, Knt., to be Deputy. Lieutenant ; J. Hamilton, Esq., to be Deputy-Lieutenant ; J. Dunlop, Esq., to be Deputy- Lieutenant : A. Buchanan, Esq., to be Deputy-Lieutenant, March 6. BANKRUPTS. John Charlea Barratt, carver and gilder, StrAnd, to sur. GROUP XIX. Tlds Committeee assembled this day at twelve o'clock ; present, Lord Harry Vane (chairman), the Earl of Marsh. the Hon. Frances Scott, Mr. David Morris, and Mr. Phillip Bennett. The Bather consideration of the proposed line of the EXETER. AND EXMOUTH was proceeded with. Mr. Rows and Mr. Commit; appeared on the part of this Bill, who produced several witnesses, residents In Exeter, Exmouth, and Topsham, all of whom advocated the present line now under consideration, as it afforded more facility and ac commodation to :the public than tae opposite scheme. The principal objections they advanced against the rival Bill were—the passing the canal, and the stations they had selected, more parties Aril the one at Topsham, on account of Its being so far removed from the quay. Mr. Locke, engineer of the Exeter and Exmouth Railway, did not approve of the application of the atmospheric principle in crossing the canal, and considered that when an equally advantageous com mtmicatler. ,could be effected without, it ought to be selected in pre fererc:. Ills estimate for the construction of this line was 100,0001. Yr. Winter had been on the Croydon Railway, in order to ascer tain the success of the atmospheric rrinciplo on that lino. A long discussion ensued relative to the respective merits and advantages of the locomotive and atmospheric principles. This witness was still under examination, when at four o'clock the Committee adjourned till twelve o'clock on Monday next. GROUP XXI. LONDON AND OXFORD. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) Mr. Win. Hatton, farmer and carrier, in the parish of Ashton Rowell, 11 miles from High Wycombe, said he carried 700 or 800 tons of goods a year, which he should send by the line if It were made. The line to Wycombe proposed by the Groat Western Company would be of no advantage to him as It would be 11 miles from his place of business and was indirect. The station of the London and Brighton offered advantages which the Great Western station did not possess because it was near liorgate and Smithfield markets. Mr. VENem as, who appeared on behalf of the landowners who have petitioned against the line, inquired of the promoters of the line if they intended to proceed with the Southall branch ? Mr. CALVERT said ho was not in a position to say that they would not proceed with this branch. He believed, however, that Parlia ment would adopt such a course as to preclude its construction, on account of the diversity of gauge. - - Mr. Payne, a farmer, at Saunderton Lea, six miles from High Wycombe, spoke to the advantages which the line would confer on the inhabitants and trade of the districts through which it was de signed to pass. Mr. Simmonds, chemist and gas manufacturer, at Theme, stated that he used 115 tons of coals a year, which he had from Newcastle, for which he paid 15s. M. per ton in the pool. The cost of transits would be materially reduced if the line to Aylesbury were continued to Theme. Mr. Tiplock, a linen-draper at Theme, said he bought his woollen geode in London, as they got them better there. Thinks if they had a line from Thame to the north that they should still buy them in London. He now went four times to London yearly ; but if the line were made he should go twelve times in the same period. Mr. It. H. Cowland, carrier, Thame, said he now sent the goods he had to convey, at three tons a week, to Aylesbury, and so on to London by the London and Birmingham line, or by the same line to the north. A line front Theme to join the Aylesbury line would be very beneficial. Trade had greatly fallen off in Thame, owing to the Great 'Western and Birmingham lines. Mr. I. Stone, also a carrier, and Mr. Phillippi, cattle-dealer, Thame, gave evidence in support of the line. Mr. TALBOT inquired if the promoters of the Bill intended to pro ceed with the short branch into Oxford, which is proposed to form a junction with the Great Western? Mr. llttnrean said, as he stated in opening the case, the branches to the Great Western were proposed in order to obviate the difficulty in which they were placed by the report of the Gauge Commissioners. He world answer the question of his Learned Friend if he would tell him whether the broad or narrow gauge would be adopted or not on all the lines in the Company. Mr. TALBOT said the question was one which the Prime Minister could not answer. It was important that the question should be then decided, as the construction of the branches would affect the es timates. After a short discussion, Mr. MILDTARD undertook, at the request of the Committee, to re reply to the question, if possible, on Monday. Tho Committee then adjourned until that day. GROUP XXV. The Select Committee apppointed to consider the merits of this group' re-assembled at the usual hour this morning, in the West minster Sessions House, the Hon. M. Lascelles in the chair. lI.A.RIXTICR AND EASTERN UNION. The business of this morning was commenced by Mr. ALIsTIN opening the case on behalf of the promoters of the East*. a Urban ind Harwich Junction Railway. It was clear, he said, raom the fair and very creditable evidence of Mr. Braithwaite, that, so far from shortening the distance between Harwich and the metropolis, the advantages of the two lines were about equal ; but between Har wich and Ipswich the Eastern Union line had a great advantage over its rival, in so far as it shortened the distance by six miles. It shortened. in fact, the present distance between Harwich and Ips wich, which was nineteen miles by six miles. It must be remembered too that formerly parties wishing to go from Harwich to the midland counties, and the centre of Eng land, had to go round by way of London, but this he hoped would never occur again • indeed it could not, for there was a line in the course of construction from Ipswich to Bury St. Edmund's, which was now reported to be extended to Norwich and Cambridge, passing by way of Stowmarket and other important towns, and between all these places and Harwich the distance by the line he was now advocalkig would be shortened by six miles. It was clear, therefore, that the Easterfi Union line was upon broad merits the best of tke two ; but some inci dental opposition had been raised to it, by bringing forward some thing which had taken place with respect to the Admiralty. Now, he wished to have this point cleared up. Ho would admit that the Admiralty could stop the construction of this portion of the the project; but the Committee ought to discard this consideration, and look at the two Bills and decide upon either upon its merits, as adduced by evidence. This was the course adopted last session In the case of the Great Western and South Wales Railway, which proposed to cross the Severn a little below Gloucester, by meathrof a bridge, planned by Mr. Brunel; but the Admiralty, who were extremely jealous of schemes which could be in any way supposed to obstruct the navigation of the Severn, objected to this bridge. The Committee, however, saw that the proposed line would be of great public advantage, and they determined upon reporting to the House in favour of this railway, Including the project for the bridge ; but the Admiralty's objection was supported by the Government, and the consequence was that the Bill was ordered to be re committed. Accordingly the Bill was recommitted, and the Committee again , reported in favour of the Bill, leaving out the bridge. It was aftenvar.ls sanctioned by the Legislature, and now the use was being made without the bridge. Now that was precisely the course which the present Committee ought to adopt. Let them report on the merits of the two Bills, and if they did so, he was sure they would decide in favour of the Eastern Union line. Now with regard to the matter of the Admiralty, he contended that the Board of Admiralty had given no adverse deci sion in respect of the Eastern Union line, but he would admit that they had declined to receive a deputation from its promoters. But it was said that the Admiralty bad sanctioned the rival line, and if they had, he could assure the Committee, that if such were the case, it must apply only to the pier at Harwich ; and if the Com mittee would just look at the plan, they would see that Mr. Locke had so prepared them, that he could make Mr. 13raithwalte's pier within his own limits of deviation. But without wishing to impute anything improper to the Admiralty, he complained that if they had given any opinion at all in faveurof the rival line they had arrived at that opinion through e.x parte statements and ex parte information. It was just as if the judge had called in the plaintiff and the Jury into a private room, and there decided the case in the absence of the defendant, and when the poor defendant applied for permission to urge his defence, instead of obtaining a hearing, the door was slammed in his face. He could not help thinking, therefore, that the Board of Ad miralty's opinion in favour of the rival line had been obtained through the manoeuvring of the promoters ; indeed, the correapodence which had passed between the promoters and the Admiralty bore out this conclusion. The Committee, he trusted, would throw overboard this opinion, and decide upon the merits of the two Bills. If they did so, be was satisfied they could not do otherwise than pass the Eastern Union Bill, because the evidence preponderated in its favour. Evidence of a general character was then adduced in favour of the line. Witnesses from Manningtree, Ipswich, and. Harwich, were called to prove that the Eastern Union line would afford more ac commodation to those towns than the Harwich and Eastern Counties Junction line. _ . . _ „...........____. Mr. Ransom, an extensive ironmonger at Ipswich, who was well acquainted with the trade of the East Anglican districts, preferred the Eastern Union line, because while it gives a direct communi cation with the metropolis, it also shortened the distance between Harwich and Ipswich. At present, the steam-boat communication between those places was extremely uncertain. On cross-examination, the witness admitted that there was a project before the present Committee, known as the Stour Valley Railway, which would carry that traffic from the midland counties and the north, altogether away from Ipswich, but he thought it would be more advantageous to take the traffic through Ipswich. The Stour Talley line ran to Sudbury. The local authorities of Ipswich had laid out 120,0001. in the improvement of the port, and it was altogether a rival port with Harwich. The Committee adjourned, at four o'clock, until one o'clock on Monday. Sub Committe No. 2. BRITISH AND IRISH UNION RAILWAY. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) Several allegations were abandoned, and some were admitted. The next class of allegations was to the effect that the lands, &,c., on the line were not numbered on the plans. Some instances of the alleged omission were adduced and sus tained, which concluded the case for the petition. The Committee found that in the case of this Bill the standing orders had not been complied with. GREAT EASTERN AND WESTERN. The object of this Bill was to connect the iron district of South Wales with Merefordshire and the maufacturing districts of Stafford shire. The length of the line was about seventy miles, and the amount of capital 1,210,0001. Engineer, Mr. Griffin; Parliamentary agents, Messrs. Burke and Co. There were two petitions against the BM. ....._ • _ - --. Mr.Buasn said that, with respect to one part of the formal proo&, he had to solicit the indulgence of the Committee. It was that which related to depositing the plans. These plans had unfortunately not been deposited tintil the Ist of December, in consequence of the illness of the minter, who broke down through physical debility ; but he render April 13, at half-past twelve, and May 46 twciva, the Court of Bankruptcy. Alsager, official assignee, Birahir. lane ; Taylor, Moorgate-street. David James Kinghorn, baker, Boston-street, Maryle bone, April 7, at two, and May 8, at one, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Belcher, official assignee; T. and D. Harrison, Waibrook. Jonas Tebbntt, auctioneer, Cambridge, April 3, at eleven, May 8, it twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Belcher, official assignee; Wilkin, Furnivars Inn, London. Rogers, draper, Lewes, Sussex, April 4, at half past two, May 23, at eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Follett, official assignee, Sambrook- coutt, Basinghall- street ; Soles and Turner, Aldermanbury, London. Robert Clifton, brewer, Brandon, Suffolk; April 2 and May . 11, at half-past eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Tur quand, official assignee, Old Jewry Chambers, City ; Hens man, Basing-lane; Wayman, Greene, and Smithies, Bury St. Edmunds. Joseph Timmins, brick-maker, Cayuham, Ludlow, Shrop shire, April 14 and May 8, at eleve n , at th e Birmingham Dis trict Court. Christie, official assignee, Birmingham; Col.• mere and Beale, Birmingham. Benjamin Mercer Burroughs, ironmonger, Liverpool, April 7, and May 8, at twelve, at the Liverpool District Court. Cazenove, official assignee, Liverpool; Chester, Staple Inn, London ; Tyrer, Liverpool. John Arkell, miller, Donnington, Gloucestershire, April 14, and May 12, at eleven, at the Bristol District Court. Acraman, official assignee ; Brookes, Stow. on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire ; Short, Bristol. Thomas Edmond, merchant, Liverpool, April 16 and 30, at twelve, at the Manchester District Court. Hobson, ofli • cial assignee, Manchester; Atkinson, Saunders, and Atkin son, Manchester. James Featherstone and Robert Kirkpatrick, iron -founders, Manchester, April 16, at eleven, and, May I, at twelve, at the Manchester District Court. Hobson, official assignee, Manchester; Fisher and De Jersey, Aldersgate-street, Lon don ; Barker, Manchester. Jesse Hall, share-broker, Rochdale Ail 9, and 30, at twelve, at the Manchester District COu4 Hobson, official assignee, Manchester ; Norris and Co., Dattlett's-buildings. Holborn ; Heaton, Rochdale. PRICE OF SUGAR. The average price of Brown or Muscotado Sugar, the produce of the British possessions in Aiilerica, computed from the returns made in the week ending March 24, 1846, is 335. bid. per cwt. DIVIDENDS DECLARED. W. 11. Isard and H. Edwards, upholsterers, Kennington row—first div. of Is. in the pound, on any ;Saturday, at the office of Mr. Green, Aldernlanbury. A. Lett, timber merchant, Commercial-road, Lambeth— second div. of Hid. in the pound, on any Wednesday, at the office of Mr. Whitmore, Basinghall-street. 11. B. Clarke, plumber and glazier, Gower-street North, St. Pancras—first div. of 11/d. in the pound, on any Wednes dav, at the office of Mr. Whitmore, Basinghall-street. E. Jones, sea., pasteboard manufacturer, Budge-row—first div. of 3s. in the pound, on any Wednesday, at the office of Mr. Whitmore, Basinghall-street. J. Tomlin, shipowner, St. Michael's-alley, Cornhill—first div. of 20s. in the pound, on any Wednesday, at the office of Mr. Whitmore, Basinghall-street,_ —. DIVIDENDS. At the Court of Bankruptcy, Basingliall-street. R. Hulse, chemist, Little Tower-street, City, April 21, at eleven—W. Ward, auctioneer, Manchester, April 21—W. Bromley, scrivener, Gray's Inn-square, Gray's Inn, April 21, at eleven—W. Gill, poulterer, Leadenhall-market, April 21, at two. In the Country. W. L. Kelly, printer, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, April '22, at eleven, at the Bristol District Court. PARTNERSHIPS DISSOLVED. J. Clark, T. Cowan, and J. Cowan, millers, Rotherhithe —S. Heakin, T. Buckley, and M. A:Buckley, Pontesbury, Shropshire—J. Jackson and J. Stinson, frame smiths, Mans field—R. James and J. Woodburn, printers, Liverpool—S. Staniforth, G. Hutton, and J. Rickett, corn millers, Sheffield —J. Nicholson and T. Drew, linendrapers, Devonport—J. Fowler, jun., and B, Fowler, cordwainers, Malmsbury—J. Orton and F. Donnison, mustard manufacturers, Newcastle upon-Tyne—W. Carling and IV. Milbourne, stockbrokers, Bishopsweirmouth—J. Chadwick and T. Ashworth, manu facturers, Manchester—R. Wheeler, R. Wheeler, jun., and T. Wheeler, bankers, High Wycombe—J. Philpotts and C. S. Weaver, shawl warehousemen, Holborn-hill—H. Beal and C. Watson, wheelwrights, Spencer-street, Shoreditch—C. Maggi and M. Cave, dress-makers, Regent-street--G. Jones and P. Williams, coal-masters, Birchill's Colliery, Stafford shire—B. Ilamer and J. Lund, cotton-spinners, Heywood, Lancashire—M. and J. Hayes, dentists, Bedford- court, Co vent-garden—J. Price and T. Davies, druggists, Aberga venny—W. Billing and J. Hall, flour dealers, King's Lynn, Norfolk—W. S. Perks, J. Perks, and W. Riddell, brewers, Burton-upon-Trent (so far as regards W. Riddell). irt bittoit THE FUNDS.-(CLOSING PRICES.) BRITISH FUNDS. ONE CLOSINia O'CLOCK. PRICES. Three per Cent. Consols Annuities .. .. 96% %li 66 !ii Long Annuities, Expire Jan. 5,1860 .. , Ditto, 30 years, Jan. 5, 1880 .. .. 10% 10% Bank Stock for Account .. .. .. .. 21014 210% Consols for Account .. .. .. .. • • 96% % 9 6 1 , E Exchequer Bills. ly z d. lid. 1,0001... .. .... 27 30 pns. 30 5001... .. .... 27 30 piu. 30 Ditto. Small .... 27 30 pia. 30 ONE CLOSING FOREIGN FUNDS. O'CLOCK. PRICES. Brazilian Bonds, 5 per Cent . .. Ditto, New Bonds, 1829 and 183 . 9 .. 82% 82% Grenada, 1 per Cent .. .. .. .. 2t % 21% Mexican Bonds, 1837, 1 per Cent .. Ditto, Deferred .. .. .. .. .. 16% 16 16% 16% Portuguese Four per Cents .. .. 57 67 Spanish Bonds, 5 per Cent .. .. Ditto, Three per Cent .. .. .. 37 36% 36% Dividends on the above pay able in London. Dutch Two-and-a-Half per Cent .. • Ditto, 4 per Cent. Certificates .. 94% M 94 si PRICES OF BUSINESS CLOSING RAILWAY SHARES. PAID. DONE AT PRICES. ' ONE O'CLOCK. Amber., Notting., Boston, and Eastern Junction .. .. .. 2% •• • - % Iq.. • • ,• 11,y Binninglimn and Gloucester.. ..100 .. .. .•.... .. .. 124% Birmingham and Oxford Junction 2 .. .. ...... .. .. 1 % Buckinghamshire .. .. • • .. 425. .. .. — .., .. die Caledonian .. .. '.. .. .. 10 .... 8 1 A 7% 81i IA ...... • fl Ditto, Half Shares 2}i 1%3‘ Ditto, Extension • • ...... Chelmsford and Bury .. 1%.... Direct Manchester (Remington's) 2 % Direct Manchester (Rastriek's) .. fox 31 ,4 3 % Direct Northern .. • • 2 . % .• Dublin and Galway .. .. • • 4 .... I )s, .. Eastern Counties .. .. 141. 165..... 20%3 t i ...... - 20% Ditto, York Extension .. .. 105..... 1% . ..... Exeter, Dorchester, & Weymouth 425..... 1,4 dis. par par Grand Union (NottiSgh. & Lynn) I % .... %• • ... i Great North of England . ..100 .... . Ditto, New Great Western • • • • .... 39% Ditto, Quarter Shares .. .. 5 .... 14% 15.4 151 A Hull cad Selby 50 .... 99 ••• • • ..... 994 Ipswich, Norivich,and Yarmouth 2 ....... Lancaster and Carlisle .. 35 .... 47' •• .. 474 Leicester and Bedford .......... 225..... di5....... tits Leicester, Tamworth, &c. ...... 425..... di5.•..... 11. dls Liverpool and Leeds Direct .. 2% .... 2 . . 2 London amt Birmingham . .100 ....218 .......... 217 Ditto Thirds .. 16 .... 50% ••• • • • .... 50% Ditto Quarters .. .. 2 .... 25% 25% Ditto Fifths .. 2 .... 23% 22y. .... 22% London and Blackwell .. 161. 13s. ad. 8 .......... London and Brighton - . . :: .. 50 .... 62 613 i ;: ::.. 61% Ditto. Consol.Eighths • • .. 40 .... Ditto ditto Fifths .. 20 . . 27% 28 ...... 28 London and Croydon .. 131. 15e. 9d. 20 20 .. • ... 20 London and Greenwich .. 121. 15e. 4d. .......... London and South-Western.. 41/. 6s. 10d. 75 75 Ditto, New . 12% • • .... 193,1 London and York 2%.... IN% Ti ••• • • • 1 Ditto, Half Shares .. 2g .. 1g . .... • • 11 6 Manchester and Leeds .. 82 .......... Ditto, Fifths .. .. 2 .... 10U ....... •• • 10 Manchester and Birmingham .. 40 . 75 74} 2 ...... 74% Ditto, Quarter Shares (B) • • 2 .. 8% 8% Ditto, Quarter Shares (C) 1 .. 6% ........ Do. Cont. and Welsh Junction 1% .... ....... Manchester, Buxton, & Matlock 425..... % p P 511dland ..100 ....140 139.... • 139 Ditto, New .. 18 .... 27% 28% Ditto, Birmingham and Derby 100 ....111 •.... ..... 111 Newcastle and Darlington Janet. 25 .... 42 ... • .... 42 Ditto, New . • . • • • • 1 •• • • 6 4 7% ••• • • • 7% Newcastle and Berwick .. .. 10 .• .. 18 17% • • •••• 16% Newark, Sheffield, and Boston .. 2% .... 1 .......... 1 North British .. •• . • • .. .. 20 .... 23% .......... 23% Ditto, Half Shares .. .. .. 6 .. .. 8N 5,6 ........ 8% Ditto, Carlisle Extension .. 1% .... 1% .... ...... 14 North Devon .. .. .. .. 2 .... % ... _ .... 2 , ' Northern and Eastern .. .. 50 .... 65 .......... 65 North Kent and Direct Dover • • 2% .. • • 1% %•••• • • • • I% North Staffordshire .. 1% 214 2 p.. p Northmpton,Banbury,&Chelthm. 2 .... 34 •• • • ...... Oxfd.,Worcester,& Wolverhmpta. 12% .... 10% 10% .... 1014, Portsmouth Direct 3%.... IN •• .. .. • • 2% Preston and Wyre 25 .... ••• • • Ditto, Half Shares .. Scottish Central .. .. . 10 . _.... 14% Shrewsbury and Birmingham .. 2 I)( 2.. 2 Shropshire Union .. 425..... Ws ••• • • • 7 die. South Midland .. 425..... par 3 di* par South Eastern and Dovor .. • • 33% ••• • 3 5 • . Ditto. New (iss. at 321.) No. 1. 16 .. .. 1634 - 16% Do.. New (do. 331. 6s. Bd.) No. 2. 10 .. .. 10% •• • • • • • 10)6 Do., New (do. 30/.) .. No. 3. 15 .... 14% .. 14% be., New (do. 151.) .. No. 4. 2%.... 2 .. 2 Staines and Richmond .. • • .. 1 •• .. % . ~, , . , , 34 „„ „ % South Wales .. • • .. ••2 Trent Valley .. • • • • • • • • 5 ••• • 27 ••••• • • • • • 27 Trent Valley and Holyhead June. 2% .... 1% .. 1% Vale of Neath .. • . • , • • 2 .... 1% Welsh Midland . • • • • • • • 2 % •• • • 1 % • • .... .. 1% West Riding Union • • • • • • 425. •• .. 1%14 p . .. . . i p Wilts, Somerset, and Weymouth 2% , ... •yz I .... .... York and Carlisle .. .. 7 , .. 2% .... I ...... .. 1 York and Lancaster .. .. .. 111A. 2 2 :.. w .... A .. r152 1 . 34 .... ...... ....... 12 ' " York and North Midland .. • . 50 ..., 96'5 5 ...: :: 4 3 Do. E. and W. Riding Exten. • • 1 .... 7% ........ 7% 11 Br i nI ° ., gn T e oul an ., d 8z .A' C rni et e t al e F Ol .O.lt ac E lZenzi GN. e . ) 2 .... ••• . • . . .. . Ditto, ditto (Espelete) .. 2 .... 2 G D : ti at t a c t h ricd ßh an en c l i sh 2 • • .. .. .. 5 .... 5)§% 5% East Indian .. Grt. North. of Trance Constituted 5 .... 15U %•• • • • • 15% Lyons and Avignon .• Valentin Canada . . .. .. .. 4 3 : 4 1. 1. ... ... 1 4 i .. : ... ... ... ...... ... .1 3 2 2 F i % Namur and Liege . • • • • • Orleans and Bordeaux • • • • 6 .... 1234 .. ••• • • • 12% Paris and Orleans .. .• • • • • Paris and Strasbourg (Constituted) 5 .. .. •• • .. .. 6% • Real del Monte, Unregistered • . 314% .... United Mexican .. • . .. 28/. 25.83 id.. 4 .. •••• • • • • 4% HENLEY-ON-THAMES REGATTA.—The admirers of aquatic sports will be pleased to hear that arrangements have been made for this exciting regatta, which will come off in Henley-reach. The event this year will be on a magnificent scale, the qualifications for contest for the Hundred Guineas Grand Challenge Cup, eight oars, being subject to the usual conditions. The Cup now held by the St. George's Club will in future be called " The Ladies' Challenge Cup." It is of sixty guineas' value, and will be rowed for in an eight-oared boat, by any college or amateur climb. The District Chal lenge Cup, value fifty guineas, is to be struggled for in four-oared boats, by any club, or resident, belonging to any town on the bank* of the Thames, from Windsor and Oxford. ACCIDENT TO A RAILWAY TRAIN AT PADDINGTON. —On Wednesday night an accident occurred at the Paddington ter minus of the Great Western Railway, which, although fortunately unattended with loss of life several carriages were rendered unser viceable, and a few passengers sustained slight injuries, in conse quence of the down mail having come into collision with a train of empty carriages. It appears that the porters were forming the early morning trains, and for that purpose the Pollux engine was employed t• propel the empty carriages across the down line. This engine not having sufficient power, a messenger was dis patched for the assistance of a more powerful locomotive, and to stop the mail, but not having sufficient time, the mail train had started before the carriages could be got clear off the line. The con sequence was, that the Hydra engine, belonging to the mail train came Into violent collision with them, breaking two first-class car riages, two second-class, and two vans, and causing 'serious injury to the engine, which was thrown off the line. The guard of her Majesty's mails received an injury in his head, but proceeded to Cheltenham. A few of the passengers sustained bruises. After an hour's delay, theline was cleared, Auld the train proceeded, propelled by the Pilot Engine. Dispatches were sent off yesterday evening from ti 4 Office for the Governor of the Cape of Good Hope. . 4 44