The Sun. — London, England, 1852-12-04 00:00:00

.i THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 4, 1852. • flounced that it was not necessary to ask. that vote, and therefore the estimated surplus, according to my state ment, was virtually a surplus of 660,0001? There has been a reduction made in the interest of the floating debt, amounting to about 40,0001., and 'that. in fact, would make the estimated surplus on the data which I had before me early in the year, 700,0001. I shall show the committee how our finances are working since the commencement of the financial year on the sth of April. The state of our revenue is extremely favourable, (Cries of " Hecr hear.") I calculated at the beginning of the year that there would be a diminution of something more than 109,0001. upon the Customs. I took into con sideration the stimulus of the Exhibition given last year to consumption, and also the further reduction which had taken place in the sugar duties. I thought, therefore, that we ought not to press too much on the Customs. They had done their duty very well, and we must not be alarmed this year if there is some slight diminution. The two causes to which I have referred—the great stimulus given last year to consumption by the Exhibition, and the further reduc tion of the duty on sugar—would, in my opinion, occasion some diminution, which I estimate at something about 100 ,0001. I think there will be that diminution of about 10 0,0001. in the Customs, from the commencement of the financial year to , the present time. The decrease has fluc tuated; it has not been always such as would give a result of 100,000/. At this time it would give a little more ; but I think my estimate will be exactly fulfilled. I estimate a slight difference in the Excise. There is at present a much greater increase in the Excise; but I am not prepared to say that at the end of the year the estimate will be exceeded ; it may, perhaps, but I think we ought not to take account of that. I estimated that the stamps would be about the same as last year. The stamps have increased every week : their increase has neverfor a moment been checked ; and the total increase on stamps, from the sth of April to the 27th of November last, is nearly 300,0001. I estimated a considerable reduction in the property tax. I said it was necessary to calculate that we might lose 150,0001. on the property tax. The property tax, like the stamps, has been increasing every week progressively, and instead of a loss of 150,000/., there has been an increase of 187,0001. (Hear, hear.) Of course it would be neither convenient nor possible for me to give anything like a formal state ment at this moment, and which I think it would be agree able to the house to have in an authenticated shape ; but I will now state that, my estimated surplus being virtually 700,0001., the house will be safe, on their part, in adding 500 ,000/. from the inland revenue. There will be some other increase on which I may count. I think our surplus this year, from the sth April, taking the coldest and most prudent 'calculation, instead of amounting only to 460,0001., which I estimated it at when I made my financial statement, will certainly reach somewhat ap proaching to upwards of a million more than that. (Rear.) I don't believe I can calculate it at less than 1 ? 3 00,000/., or 1,400,0001. Therefore I think under these circumstances, that I may ask for a vote for the increased expenditure this year, which of course must be supplied from this amount., (Sir Charles Wood was here under stood to ask the amount of the supplementary vote ?) I Will have it put it down upon paper to-morrow, or on Monday. Now, sir, I have mentioned that it was the hope and intention of the Government, if they were per mitted to follow the course which they have chalked out for themselves—ultimately, if not precipitately—to effect no inconsiderable reduction in the expenditure of the country. I think that this is a subject which has hardly Yet been fairly dealt with. Hitherto we have considered that retrenchment and not efficiency was the parent of economy. A Government has reduced the estimates from the necessity of the moment, and there has been an ap pearance of reduction in the expenditure ; but it is always followed by a collapse ; and generally the unfortunate °ffice of supplying the deficiencies of the Administration has fallen upon their successors. One Administration cuts down : another is obliged to increase. As long as it is a mere question of pounds, shillings, and pence, I am, certain that no permanent and substantial retrench ment--or reduction rather—in the expenditure of the country can be obtained. Sir, I think the duty of an Ad- Ministration is to look to the efficiency of the establish ments,, and not at the rate to which they may be main ruled. If you make an establishment efficient, you almost 'lnd as a natural consequence that you save money; and therefore I repeat it, it is efficiency and not retrenchment that is the true parent of economy. Now, sir, I say it is Perfectly possible to effect reductions in the establishments of this country, and I believe considerable reductions may he effected if we follow the old system. I know, sir, that it is about th e m os t u n g racious und er taki n g in w hi c h an Administration can embark. There is nothing easier for an Opposition than to call for retrenchment—there is no thing more difficult for an Administration than compliance with that demand as long as you leave the existing este,- V h ishments founded on the same principles, carried on in e same spirit, and arriving at the same result. Sir, I do not mean to make use of an observation that would at all seem to east censure upon those permanent civil servants of the country by whom such of the administration of affairs i 8 Conducted. I myself the other night—however imper feetly—offered my humble tribute to their valuable ser vices. What they do they do in the best manner ; but they are not responsible for the establishments of the country. Sir, it is our 'opinion that the system of administration in this country is not as advanced as the other great operations of the country. Whether we look to our commerce or to the other occupations of men, they have more changed with reference to the circumstances of the age than the es tablishments by which the administration is conducted. (hear.) Well, sir, how are we to deal. with those im teense difficulties ? If you attempt to reform, you have to Meet the two most formidable obstacles in the world— prejudice and skill. The person who presides over a great department does not like your interference, and he has More knowledge on the subject than you have. What can be more difficult than such .an enterprise Sir, I have a great respect for the House of Commons, to which I owe ; 3v erYthing. There is no man who more esteems the Labours of committees of this house. If I wanted an in quiry into the condition of India, I don't know that I could in the world find a body of m en who would conduct such an investigation with such satisfaction to a civilized c ommunity. You bring a large number of individuals round the board—skilled statesmen—men eminently quali fied for the task of investigating great political questions. I r on bring to the board the knowledge of those most qualified to afford information, and to offer their opinions in tile p sirit and temer of men of the world. B, if you leave a committee of on the House of Commons to ut examine a. great public department, you never arrive at results of s imilar satisfaction to those which attend the in vestigation by a committee of the affairs of India, or the operation of the Factory Act, or any subject of general interest, upon which the information, the intelligence, and the temper of men of the world are brought to bear. You have too m an y t o investigate ; you have men of different Vitical opinions ; and the result is always utterly fruitless. 4 1 .„ 01 1 have a committee of this house upon the army, upon , e navy, upon the ordnance. Well, what have you done ? Nothing. (Hear, hear.) But I say this—if you want ad ministrative reform, why don't you apply to your Govern ?ent offices the same principles as you apply to your re venue department? Issue commissions; make the Govern- Inent responsible for the information which they may pos les% acuire, or act u pon.sir I can assure the huse hat the q Government are sincere in , their attempt s at o ad- Ininistrati ve reform. There is a suggestion of the greatest hoPortance, which has long been recommended to this I lse, and that is for bringing the whole revenue of the co nntry under the control of Parliament. (Hear.) Well, we are prepared to recommend such a course—(hear, hear) : nd when these financial measures are passed I shall the opp or t un ity o f b r i ng i n g the su bj ec t of aclmi mstrative reform before the house, and I will then ‘ l ,iPlain more in detail than it is possible for me now to sa ° indeed, it is barely possible for me even thus cur tll3r to advert to this all-important subject. I will ex- Plain what measures her Majesty's Government are pre pared to recommend. But if they are supported, those m easures I believe will have the most beneficial effect, and 4°ll will have reductions in the public expenditure of this n v o i l l i . e trY• (Hear, hear.) Well, sir, there is a point on Which I wish to ask the sanction of the house. There is an e stablishment that we have called the Loan Fund Com ttesien. It is my intention to ask the house to terminate r ts e operation of that fund—the Public Works Loan Fund remission. N o w the nature of thi s es t a bli s h men t, it is n ecessary to say—because it in some degree bears on our ;Item of finance--the nature of this establishment is as tho se founded on principles exactly distinct from i.."se which ought at present to prevail, and had its origin 4' C ircumstances exactly contrary f to those that at pre- L e nt exist. In the year 1817 there was a surplus of la ttr, and a deficiency of capital. There were 200,000 a ei no. Luers and sailors dismissed at one time from the ti t :'•Y and army. It was thought necessary to give fac a,l3e in le ns employment, and a certain body of men were ted who acted gratuitously, who acted with the ea e r c e te st zeal, integrity, and ability throughout the whole er , of this commission. Exchequer bills were ti" e " in order to employ the people, and the system con oiled till, ten years ago, the commission recalled the issue f ri „f 4 cchequer bills, and a certain sum was alloted to it oh until, the consolidated fund. Well, that system has gone th os ilt Y , as I said, circumstances exactly the reverse of of e In which it had its origin have occurred. Instead .„.. 4 surplus of labour, there is a deficiency. Instead of een want of capital, we have now a plethora of capital. The l a s equence is that the commissioners for this loan, which datceentributed by quarterly payments from the consoli itse4 fund, have large balances at their command, which " r an extremely injudicious system. We propose— rea.B - 1 L shall s h ow th e h ouse w h en an op p or t un ity offers, the tin:s of this induce us to propose—to terminate the opeya the I this fund ; and I propose that the payments which commissioners make shall be brought to the Ways and ' a ils of the like the o ld s t ol e s , w hi c h will assist the revenue is nen euntry, (Hear, hear.) Well, now, sir, my task th e p " r a t i 3; completed ; and if I have somewhat drawn upon hu e of the house, I can only say, with great so that I do not think any person ever had to say dem, on so many subjects. (Hear, hear.) I have en now Tred to treat them all as succinctly as possible ; and ,„'" b ecomes my duty to explain to the house the ways th e .„,, - ",e.aus by which I propose that we should accomplish Fin e e","cy which her Majesty's Government intend to pur the will now offer to the house an estimate as regards Pe e ar 18 534 so f the reduction and increase of ex wally:tan:l are ceincern ar ed as on the one hand, and so far as the oth er means to meet the increase are concerned on the eatimate do not attempt to house a formal offer to the quir e of what th e army, navy, and ordnance will re house would would b e per f ec tl y a b sur d, and I am sure the rer aai not b e so unreasona bl e a s to ask for at. If I time ( n in uffice, of course it will be my duty at the proper Want to ril next) to go into the minor details ; but now or,i nie ake the year 1853-4, and to show what in my sloped by be the amount of the extra expenditure occa from euYrareductions and estimates, and which must bo met knee for th Ways and means. The malt tax—maidng'allow oteh am e gain to the revenue by putting an end to the aa lcliack, and to the difference of duty levied on d 'hi gr—l take the loss of revenue from the half, the malt-tax, at about two millions and a odeber will no t come into operation until the 10th of it Leo f the year 1853 ; but on the 10th of October ha,X n necessa r y for me to be prepared to pay a draw tint; ;Pp, then,b? required. I take for that drawback the p. m - million. The reduction of the duty on tea to • cr eas 72,, alculated at 54,000,0001b5., but subject to the in to tl „ s ul c onsumption, of 60,000,0001b5., will cause a loss ¢ 0 revenue in the year 1853-4 on that one item of bar(i nte The extra estimate for the year—(An hon. mem all : Hops.] The duty on hops will not at tin ti .7,, c t ▪ the year 1853-4—it will not come into operation 6000, Year 1854-5. The extra estimates I take at honn1;; a and perhaps I may be permitted to say, as th at I honourable gentlemen may be alarmed at extra estimates, for th e f a received not absolutely the army estimates r 18534 , lainutionancl although result • Ye buit do rivate memorandum as to their not wish to boast of a treat di estimates, pet there will be a diminution in the army -I v hatev er i t ta r 1853 4. But subject to that diminution, ! put the lighrd be, I put the extra estimates at 600,000/., r an extra dues at 100,000/., and therefore there will f?_00,000j .. demand upon our resources to the amount of "anal, w i:Vl i llon• member (intermpting)—Three mil s& ere may be no mistake on the subject. The loss upon the malt tax in the year 1853-4 will be 1,000,0001. Then, besides this 1,000,0001., there is 400,00)1., there is 600,0001., and 100,0001., making toge ther 2,100,0001. (Hear.) Now for the ways and means, now for the revenue, the surplus revenue of 1851. I have k lawn the house 1 het wo might take our surplus for this year at probably 1,350,000/. Well, I hope I shall never have to move another vote for the Kafir war—(hear, liear)—and the Kafir war in our budget of last year was counted at 460,0001. I think, however, it would be imprudent to take away the whole of that 460,000 1 . (Hear, hear.) Although our last accounts are extremely favourable, and although as far as our finances are concerned I am very sanguine on the subject, I think it will not be at all improbable that we shall have finally to call for a vote for extras with regard to the Kafir war, and I would therefore take 200,0001. for that. (Hear, hear.) Mr. lII7ME : What about the stamps on marine insu - ances. (Loud cries of "order.") The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER : I take, therefore, the probable surplus for 1853-54 at 1,600,0001, I take the repayments, if the house accedes to my proposi tion, with regard to the public works loan fund, into the ways and means, at 400,0001.—that would make 2,000,0001. And now it becomes my duty to prOpose to the house some other means to increase our resources ; that is the greatest difficulty in the world (loud laughter) ; but more particularly so when I have wearied the house so long and made myself, I can unaffectedly say, quite exhausted. (Hear, hear.) Now it is absolutely necessary, if the measures which her Ma jesty's Government have proposed are to be carried—andthey are measures which in my opinion will conduce greatly to the benefit of this country—that we should put our finances in a sound position. (Hear, hear.) And I want to put our finances in that sound position—l want to put them on principles which I think are just and advan tageous to the community, and not to a class. (Hear.) I beg the house to recollect some of the principal features of this new system. I beg of them to recollect that, on the part of the Government, I have considered the claims of those classes who now, it is universally admitted, have been injured by recent legislation. (Cries of " No, hear, hear, and order.") Has not the shipping interest been in jured by recent legislation? (No, no, hear, hear, and order.) I beg to remind the house that I have, on the Part of the Government, considered'all those claims, Ihope in a kind, but I am sure not in a partial, spirit. I have en deavoured, as far as I possibly could, to make a composi tion that would terminate those complaints of classes, of which I for one, I confess, am weary. (Hear, hear, hear.) I have endeavoured, as far as I possibly could, to encou rage in the house a spirit of legislation which by increasing the general good and studying the interests of the com munity, would show every class—whether manufacturing, commercial, shipping, or agricultural—that in supporting a legislation that is, as we think, for the advantage of the community, they are obtaining the stimulus to their opera tions which they all naturally desire. (Hear, hear.) I think that on the part of .my friends my propositions have been met in a kind and generous spirit. (Hoar, hear.) There has been no attempt on their part to parade that unequal incidence of local taxation which no man can deny they are subject to—(hear, hear)—there has been a willing ness on their part to admit that such inequalities are neces sarily attached to a large, ancient, and complicated system of finance, and that it is more than probable that in the measures which her Majesty's Government have brought forward, more immediately affecting their.interest, they will find those advantages which otherwise, they might churlishly have sought in the relief from peculiar burdens to which they are subjected. (Hear.) I think the mode in which those representing particularly the agricultural in terests have received this proposition is one which shows they are superior to all petty considerations, and are anxious to merge them in a strong national feeling. (Hear, hear.) I feel it my duty to propose some addition to the resources of the country. Well, I will not propose any duties upon customs. (Hear, hear.) If we are to embark in a new sys tem, let, us do it fairly and completely. (Hear, hear.) I had a proposition—l dare say many persons had proposi tions—to show how a deficient revenue might be increased by imposing custom duties on articles from which they were—perhaps too precipitately—hopelessly taken off; but they were part of a system which you have formally given' up, and I will not meddle with such details ; but as far as regards any measures I shall bring before the house, I will bring them forward in complete harmony with the great principle of unrestricted competition which the house and the country; have adopted—(hear, hear)—and I will not propose any plan for the increase of the revenue of the country which I do not think is founded upon this 'prin ciple. (Hear, hear.) I am not certainly going to propose any increase of the revenue by the other sources of indirect taxation. (Hear, hear.) I will not enter into any contro versy or consideration at present of the merits of those two sources of revenue—the Customs and Excise ; of this. I am certain., that as we must raise a great portion of our revenue by indirect taxation, it is necessary in a country where unrestricted competition is the rule that all indirect taxation should be moderate 'in amount. (Hear, hear.) Well, then, I am not going to propose a new tax; that is at least a point in advance. (A. laugh.) Great as may be my difficulties, I am not going to propose a new tax. I am going to ask you to consider an existing tax, and to apply to its consideration that principle which you are alnea.,ys supporting. (Hear, hear.) I am going to test whether you are sincere —(loud laughter, and cries of "Hear, hear")—in the great effort to relieve the industry of the country of that yoke of excessive indirect taxation from which it suffered so long. (Hear, hear.) I am going to ask the committee to consider the present arrangement of the house to e. (Hear, hear.) Now, sir, I trust the house will listen to me with kind patience. (Hear, hear.) I know the clam our that has existed in this country about the house tax. I am not proposing a houSe tax—it exists already ; but I am asking you to consider the principles on which it is constructed. (Hear, hear.) I don't know that these is any great portion of the country that has ever made a greater opposition to the house tax than that portion of the community which should be the most enlightened, and which I believe to be inferior to no part of .the people of this country in knowledge or in public spirit—that is, the inhabitants of the metropolis. (Hear, hear.) I remember that when the inhabitants of the metropolis obtained political power they agitated against - what they called the house tax ; but the sound principles of finance were not very ripe in those days. The inhabitants of the metropolis—l take 'them as the type—were subjected at that time to an enormous load of taxation. I do not know that their clamour was unreason- • able, because it was a clamour against enormous taxation, ' directed particularly against this tax, because being sud denly invested with political power, they raised their voices against the first and most immediate object that excited their attention. (Hear, hear.) Remember that the inhabitants of the metropolis were subjected then to an enormous: system of indirect taxation, and they were sub jected also to a direct tax increasing the amount of their rent, and,. in addition to all this, to a tax which they have subsequently told us was infinitely more grievous, infinitely more vexatious, and infinitely more injurious than all other taxes, namely, the corn-laws. (Hear, hear.) Now let me remind the house of the state of affairs in regard to the house tax. The duty on houses was repealed in 1834. It amounted - - to 1,198,000/. Since that time the duty on windows has been repealed, amounting to 1,830,0001., making altogether 3,028,000/. Since that time the duty upon glass has been repealed, amounting to 800,0001., 400,0001. of which, it appears by official returns, was paid by windows. Since that time the duty on bricks, amount ing to 465,.000/., has been taken off. Since that time more than 1,500,000/. of ti m b er d u ty h as b een t a ken off ; a nd certainly I may say that one-fourth of the revenue derived from bricks and timber had been originally contributed by houses. Besides these, fifteen millions of indirect taxa tion have been taken off these dwellers in houses; and besides the )se, those corn laws have been repealed which so many of them believe to have been a more grievous enact ment than all the indirect taxation to which they were ex posed. (Hoar, hear.) I need not say anything to-night with respect to tale justice of the house tax. The greatest writers have all agreed that there is no tax more free from objec tion than the house tax. I need say nothing to-night to my precTeecessor—who is exhausted, like myself—(laugh ter)—respocting it, for he has introduced. one. But, sir, what I would venture to say would be this — that I cannot believe, when I make a proposition which is one to reconstruct on juster principles—principles which are always oulog,ised—the imperfect law as it at present exists—and when I am asking to do that in order to carry measures wl rich will relieve to so great an extent the indus try of the country, and assist in so significant a manner to control all the great branches of trade by which the people of the count y are employed, that we shall in the year 1852 hear the objection that was urged in 1834. (Hear, hear.) Though there was a clamour raised against the house-tax in 1834 by mom of enlightened mind, I cannot think that in the age of improvement and progress in which it is our fortune to live, they will come forward to say that they prefer the old principles of finance, which would have thrown the bin -den on the income of the country, or that they will object to bearing their quota in this great effort to terminate, a s much as possible, excessive indirect taxa tion. (Hear.) I now beg, sir, to call attention to the principle on which the present house-tax is established. It is direct taxation, and it is remarkable for all those imperfections -which they say direct taxation ought not to be distinguished by. (Hear, hear.) You say with regard to the income tax, that exemptions are intolerable ; you encourage la, in my limited attempt to terminate that system ; what can you say for your house tax, that limits its operations - to a house of 20/. ? I want to know how you can possibly maintain a law of that kind. (Hear, hear.) My hon. friond the member for Montrose, who advocates with respect to applying taxation, such legitimate conclu sions, cannot surely be one in favour (if there be a house tax) of limMirig its operations by exempting so great.a proportion. [Mr. Hume made an observation inaudible in the gallery.] I want to make him say that—l want to hear that from his own lips. I want to know if my hon. friend is in favour of the principle of taxation which I am trying to recommend to the house, and if he will support me in the teen )erate and moderate proposition I am going to make. ( T ear.) I think, sir, we ought to extend the house tax on the same principle that we are attempting to extend the income tax, and that we ought to say there are no exemptious in our financial system of a nature more pre posterous thrill. the exemptions connected with the house tax. Is it to be said that a man, because he lives in a house rated at 201. per year, should be exempt from contributing to the support of the Government? (Hear.) I think we ' ought to extend the house tax, and to do it in the same spirit that I would propose any of those measures to you to-night—not wishing to push them forward ' but trying to form the public mind for th e i r recep ti on by degrees seek ing thus to obtain the support of th e p eop l e f or propos itions which I am convinced will contribute to their welfare and prosperity. I will say it is not an unreasonable proposition if we ask to extend the present house tax to houses of 101. a year. (Hear.) At present private houses pay ninepence in the pound,. and shops pay si x p ence i n th e pound the ex emption commencing at under 201. I f e lt a t the time that proposition-VMS made that, both as to the basis upon which it was formed, and the rate upon which it was assessed we had sanctions/—I say it with great re s p ec t t o the right hon. gentleman (Sir C. Wood)—a very dangerous course. (Hear, hear.) I remember that I made frequent efforts to resist its progress, and that I received the distinguished sanction of the right lion. gentleman the member for the University of Oxford (Mr. Gladstone) ; but useless at that time of the session were my attempts to draw the attention of the house to the subject—it was stealing through this assembly without sufficient notice, and I felt that you were sanctioning a measure which we should all some day regret. I think we should increase the basis according to the mo derate proposition I suggest, and that the present basis should be extended to 101. houses. (Hear, hear.) I do not mean to say you should stop at 101. houses ; I want i my proposition to be taken for what it s, an advance in the right direction, and it is all I can venture to propose at present. {Hear.) I think also we ought to increase the rate. We should remember that when the measures with which 'this measure is accompanied are passed — and, probably, unless they are passed, this proposition will not be carried—great advantages will be conferred upon the inhabitants of those houses—that those in trade, for example, will have a recognition from the Legislature of the difference between realised and precarious incomes, wad that their condition will be improved by that arrangement in a manner most gra tifying to their feelings, as 'well as advantageous to their substance. They will also be benefited by the reduction of taxation on two articles involving domestic expenditure, whereby they will get cheap beer and cheap tea, while they will also derive advantage from the benefits which those measures will con fer on the trade and commerce of the country. (Hear.) Under these circumstances I make the proposition which, while it will be effective for the maintenance of public credit, will enable us to carry into effect the policy which the Government intend to adopt. In doing so I have taken into consideration the p3sition of the inhabitant of houses with regard to the amount of taxatic to which they are subject. I find, as a guide to me, very significant circumstances. I find that the inhabitants of houses subject to the duty got rid of their house duty ; they were freed from their glass duty, their timber duty, and their brick duty ; they were ' freed from all that im mense mass of indirect taxation which I have adverted to; they have been freed from the operation of the corn laws, of which they very often complained, and they were re lieved from the tax on windows. I need aot call to the recollection of the committee the circumstances under which the tax upon windows was taken off. (Hear, hear.) It was not asked for by the inhabitants of houses as a re- lief from the burdens' of taxation. They did not ask to be relieved from the tax in 1851, because it was a grievous and vexatious tax ; of course they did not ; how could they, as men of consistency, honour, and honesty do so ? (Hear, hear, and a laugh.) They had" been relieved from the house tax ; they had been relieved from the tax upon timber ; they had been relieved from the tax upon bricks ; they had been relieved, besides, from an im mense amount of indirect taxation ; they were re velling in the relief they obtained from the repeal of the corn laws. (Loud laughter.) It was said the country never was more prosperous, the people were never more happy and contented ; but that there was one great point before us—we must consider the sanitary condition of the people, and we must remove the tax upon windows, because it injuriously affected their sanitary condition. (Hear.) Therefore we have put an end to it, but if, with out affecting the ' sanitary condition of the people, we can gain a contribution to the Exchequer out of houses accord ing to a system which the people do not on principle object to, we certainly will be doing an acs of injustice. (Hear.) If we do not invent a tax—if we merely propose a recon struction of the house tax that will not exceed the tax that was not objected to on account of its amount, but because of the effect on the sanitary condition of the people, no person can object to it. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) gut I will not do so much. I will not propose a scheme that will levy so large an amount of taxation as the window tax. First of all, I will levy it upon an enlarged area, and in an accordance with a moderate proposition, which, however, will place the funds of the country in a sound position. I will propose that the tax shall extend to 10/. houses, that private houses, rated at 15,848,600, shall be rated at 18d. in the pound, and shops at is. in the pound: (Hear, hear.) I take it that the sum which wnl thereby be produced will amount to 1,723,0001, which, if I recollect rightly, is 150,0001. less than the tax upon windows, which they only objected to in consequence of the desire for sanitary reforin. Having made that proposition, I may now complete my statement for 1853-54, it having been necessary to enter into those details in the middle of it, which shows as I have already stated, that the extra ways and means will be 2,500,0001. against an extra expenditure of 2,100,000. (Hear, hear.) This, I believe, will be the statemhnt of 1854-55. In 1854-55 there will be a loss on malt of 1,700,0001; the loss on tea, by the reduction of the duty of 2d. per pound, modified by an increased consump tion of, I think, 4,000,0001b5., will amount to a sum of 567,0001; there will be a loss on hops of 120,0001. (hear, hear) ; there will also bo the loss arising from increased estimates, which I again put down at 600,0001., and the loss on the light dues, making altogether 3,087,0001. Now as to ways and means. There will be, I think, a surplus for 1854-55 of 1,800,0001., for I do not see that there can be any claim then for the Kaffir war ; there will be repayments, 400,0001. ; there will be on account of the reduction of the Three-and-a-Quarter per Cents. in the half of the year in which it will come into operation, 310,0001.—f0r which we are indebted to the most success ful of modern Chancellors of the Exchequer, who twice the honour and distinction of reducing the public debt, and therefore has been of more service to the country than any 'other Chancellor of the Exchequer ; we shall have the house tax in full play, 1,000,0001. ; that makes 3,510,000/. ; so that in the first year the surplus will be 400,0001., and in the second year, something about 500,0001.—and that is the state of our finances. I have endeavoured to place be fore the house those measures of financial and administra tive reform which her Majesty's Government aro pre parad at once to bring forward. My hon. friend the member for Montrose suggested that I should be prepared to make a proposition with respect to the duty on stamps for marine insurances. What I say on that question is, that it is a subject which cannot be properly discussed in these preliminary remarks. (Hear, hear, hear.) We have confined ourselves to proposing those measures which we are prepared, if the house will sanction, to carry into ope ration for raising the revenue and bringing all the revenue of the country under the control of Parliament. We have studiously abstained from offering any opinion upon any of our system of taxation . on which we are not pre pared immediately to act. I think we have brought for ward essentially practical measures, if the house will sanc tion them—measures which will, in our opinion, lay down certain principles of finance, which will lead to results highly beneficial to the people of this country. If the house shall sanction them, they will lay the foundation for further measures, which we believe will prove still more beneficial, but it does not become us, according to our sense of duty, to offer anything to the house but what is of a practical nature, and to make no proposition which we are not prepared immediately, with the sanction of the house, to carry into effect. We have not neglected the investigation of the question of the probate duties. We think it is not impossible to bring forward a duty on succession that will reconcile contending interests, and terminate what we think a sys tem of injustice, but we are not prepared with any mea sure of the kind. We think that we have proposed enough for the house to-night. What we have propo.sed is of a practical character, and we think it would be highly inju dicious on our part to advance a step further than we are prepared to act. I admit that what we propose is a first step, but I trust the louse will feel that we meet the ques tion in a large and comprehensive spirit. If the house will support the policy which I have to-night--I am aware, most inadequately—explained to the country, they will support a policy which we believe will be for the welfare of the people of this country, because it is a policy founded upon sound principles of finance, and because it has no other obect but to govern this country in a manner that will conduce most to the happiness of the greatest number. The right hon. gentleman, who was speaking for about five hours and a quarter, resumed his seat amidst loud cheers. The CHAIRMAN then put the resolution That 17,000,0001. be granted to her Majesty to defray the ex penses of outstanding Exchequer 'bills. Mr GOULBTJRN—It is far from my intenion to enter at length into the statement which the right honourable gentlemen has made, but I think it is necessary to make some inquiries on one or two points on which the right hon. gentleman has not given the explanations that are ne cessary. The right hon. gentleman has omitted to state whether he proposes the income-tax to be a permanent tax for the future, or whether it will not--a point most im portant in dealing with the question. The right hon. gen tleman has omitted to state whether, in repealing the malt duty, he proposes also to repeal the prohibitory duty on the importation of malt. He further omitted to state what is the alteration to be made in the duty on the importation of hops, when he proposes the reduction of the duty. I shall be glad also to have some information with respect to the use of molasses in breweries, and how he is prepared to give effect to that measure, and also to the measure for the equalisation of the duty on rum. I must enter my protest against one principle, which, as I understood, was laid down by the right hon. gentleman. He proposed, as I un derstood him, to impose a higher rate of income-tax on in comes derived from funded property, than that which he proposes to impose upon other classes of property. In Ire land the tax will be imposed on funds alone ; in England a rate of duty is to be imposed upon funded property diffe rent from that which is imposed on other property. This is the very question on which Mr. Pitt defeated Mr. Ad dington when the income tax was renewed in 1803—that is as to the nature of the exemption granted to funded pro perty and to other property ; one class being exempted at 501., and the other at 1001. The principle is thus violated which we have always considered—and which every states man for the last fifty years has considered, and of which the house has testified its recognition as a sound principle — that all income, from whatever source derived, must, in justice to the contract on which the funclholder lends his money, be subjected to an equal rate of charge. (Hear.) Lord J. RUSSELL : I am not going to make any ob servations on the statement which the right hon. gentle man has made, but I wish to ask a question with regard to the mode in which he intends to proceed with the various propositions which he has laid before the house. He must be aware that with respect to many of those duties, and especially concerning his proposition, the house tax, the country will be very anxious to learn the decision of the house. Indeed, if we were now in February, the right hon. gentleman would expect us to come to a specific reso lution on this subject, but at this season of the year, I sup pose he will propose some other arrangement by which the public interest will be served. I should wish to know the course which he intends to pursue. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER : I intend to propose certain resolutions, and then, if they are ac ceded to, I shall bring in the necessary bills. Of course, as regards the duties on tea, I should wish that the reduc tions should take immediate effect, subject of course to the final decision of the house—an arrangement which I believe will not be attended by any difficulty. I will pro pose these resolutions on the earliest day which will be convenient to the house. I do not at present know the feeling of the [house on that subject, and I am afraid to appear to be urging the house to a precipitate conclusion, but if there was no objection I would propose this day week. It is not for me to state to the house the day on which they should take these resolutions- into considera tion ; it is my wish to give them a fair time for the consi deration of the subject ; but, as I have already said, if they would not think this day week too precipitate, I would propose the resolutions on that day. Sir C. WOOD said that he was not going to make any observations on the propositions of the right hon. gentle man. He merely wished to offer a remark or two upon the course of proceeding to be pursued. If the proposition of the right honourable gentleman were merely to reduce the tea duty, or to increase the house duty, he should think it perfectly possible that resolutions carrying out those mea sures might be proposed, discussed, and decided upon' on Friday next. But surely the right hon. gentleman did not propose then to pass resolutions involving the variety of complicated matters which it had taken him five hours to explain, involving questions of the most difficult nature, on which the most different opinions might be entertained, and which, as he said, hang very much together. A gen tleman might be perfectly ready to, agree to a resolution for the reduction of the tea duties—which was a matter of no great amount, and which might be dealt with out of the existing surplus ; but it could not be supposed that the house would be ready to agree without much consideration to his propositions with respect to the income tax, to the increase of the house duty, or to the reduction of the malt tax.. And he thought it was quite essential that before they committed them selves to large reductions of taxation (such as the pro posed reduction of the malt tax), they should be quite sure that they were ready to vote the subsequent proposition. Let them be sure of the ways and means before they rushed into rash reductions. (Hear.) He was not a little alarmed when on the first day of the session he heard the noble e zrl at the head of the Government declare in another place that the financial measures to be proposed by the (1-overnment to carry out their principles might lead to financial embarrassment. Nor was his alarm diminished by what he had heard that night. If the house was ready to assent to the increased taxes proposed by the right hon. gentleman, then no doubt the reduction might be effected. But he was sure that no man in his position would think himself justified in making so large a reduction as two and a half millions until he had secured those measures on which he relied to make up the deficiency in the revenue tins created. Nor did he think it likely that he could pass his measures with regard to the income tux, the house tax, and the malt tax, beore Christmas. The doubling of the house tax and the redaction of the malt tax were com paratively simile questions ; but with regard to the income tax, the right honourable gentleman must be aware that by his propositions he would raise four or five questions of vital importance, that he could have no hope of settling before Christmas. He wished to know what course the Government intended to pursue on these questions, and part'calarly with regard to the income tax and the house tax. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, who was very indistinctly heard, said that the observations of the noble earl at the head of the Government to which the hon. hart. (Sir C. Wood) had alluded, had not the slight est reference to anything that he said or proposed. The noble earl said that we had embarked on a system that might lead to financial embarrassment, but that_the noble earl had said that anything which he (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) might bring forward might lead to finan cial embarrassment was one of the most monstrous state ments that he had ever heard made in that house. He firmly believed the measures which he had proposed were as sound as could be proposed, and that they were calcu lated to conduce to the general welfare. He was convinced that the opinion of the house should be taken upon these subjects as soon as possible, and he should, therefore, on Friday next, propose to the house resolutions to carry into effect his recommendations with respect to the reduc tion of the tea duty and the increase of the house-tax. The income and property-tax did not expire until the sth of April, and .it was not, therefore, necessary immediately to deal with that ; nor should he thirek of asking the house to consent to the reduction of the malt tax without seeing their way perfectly clear with respect to the means of meeting the deficiency which would be thus created. He never made a proposition in that house of which he did not think that the general effect was to maintain public credit. He would, as he had said, pro pose on Friday nex t , reso l u ti ons with respect to the re duction of the tea duties and the alteration of the house duties, and if the house agreed to them they would then see their way clear. He thought that that course would be perfectly fair. With respect to the income tax, it was certainly proposed by the Government plan that itothould be continued for three years, nor did he know that it was necessary, if the hous e agree d to that proposition, that the Government should state what their intentions beyond that time were. He thought it very possible that the financial system of the country must in future depend to a certain degree upon direct taxation ; but he did not think the income tax was at all the best form in which that direct taxation might take place. He found, however, the country habituated to that tax, which had thus become less objectionable to them, and he knew that if he had pro posed a new direct tax to an equal amount they would not have borne it. He did not, indeed, propose the income tax as a permanent feature of our financial system ; for he thought it quite possible if the same amount of direct taxa tion were necessary, that a better form might be adopted. He had, however, great confidence in the consuming power of this country, and he thought that it might progress in such a manner that he might ultimately be able to raise our revenue by indirect taxation. He thought (as we under stood the right hon. gentleman) that it would be pos sible eventually to raise 60 millions per annum by indirect taxation. The right hon. gentleman opposite had asked whether it was the intention of the Government to pro pose the equalisation of the duty on rum. That was not a question on which the Government were prepared to make any proposition. The right h on . gentleman had also asked whether the Government intended to repeal the duty on foreign malt, which he described as prohibitory. Now it was clear that we must have a duty on foreign to coun teract that on domestic malt, and we must also take into consideration the duty now imposed on foreign barley; but if the present duty on foreign malt was not necessary for the purposes of revenue, he should not stand up in that house to advocate a prohibitory duty. Lord J. RUSSELL said that ho understood that the right hon. gentleman proposed on Friday next to bring forward resolutions in some form or other for the reduction of the tea dales, and for doubling the house tax. He wished to know in what form these resolutions would be proposed. If the right hon. gentleman would on Monday lay before the house the resolutions which he would pro pose in the committee on Friday, he (Lord J. Russell) saw no objection to the course which he proposed to adopt. Mr. HUME was glad that this conversation had taken place, because on a question of such a complicated character it was desirable that the house should see its way perfectly clear. With the exception of the proposition with re spect to the light duties, he agreed entirely witt the recom mendation of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, every one of which had been urged again and again on that (the Opposition) side of the house. But he must express his great regret that the right hon. gentleman should have merely proposed to reduce the duty on hops. It ought to have been entirely abolished, for after the proposed reduc tion of ld. per pound, the expense of collection would be nearly equal to the revenue raised, while the same amount of taxation consequent upon an excise tax would be left as at present. Then with regard to the malt tax, he was either for removing it altogether or not touching it at all. The proposed reduction would not destroy the brewers' monopoly, nor remove the inconvenience attending an ex cise duty ' • there would be a loss to the revenue without the consumer being benefited thereby. He agreed with the noble lord that the first question for the house to consider was, whether they were prepared to agree to the proposed in crease of taxation. He thought that if their concur rence of that was to be the condition of the reduction on the duty on tea, ho could propose an easier way of mak ing up the deficiency ; and that was by imposing a tax on the descent of real property, which had not paid a single shilling, while up to this period 89,000,0001. had been levied on personal property. He thought the time had come when all particular privileges should be done away' with, and the whole community should be treated as one interest. It was impossible that the plan proposed should meet with the approbation of the country, setting up, as it did, the country against the town. If the right honourable gentleman had wished to place our finances on a simple footing, what could have been more easy.than to have re pealed the house tax, and to have added one per cent. to the property tax, which would have been more than would have been required. He objected also to the proposed exemption of the land of Ireland from the income tax. He had always called for justice to Ireland, but he was not one of those who would give equality of rights to that country without calling upon her also to bear hor fair share of the public burdens, and he thought that no system of taxation that might be adopted would be satisfac tory to the country until Ireland was placed on the same footing as England. If the Irish claimed equality of rights, they should also be proud to claim equality of taxa tion. (Laughter.) He thought that thefirst question to be de cided was, whether they should double the house tax. Then, with respect to the income tax the house should decidewhether it was to be a permanent part of the revenue of the country, for if it was, they must immediately have a committee to decide upon the mode in which it should be levied, and whether they would be justified in agreeing to the exemp tions proposed by the Government. He should propose that a tax of 1 per cent, on the descent of real property should be added to the house tax. He could not help re gretting that the Chancellor of the Exchequer should have . _ fallen short of the Pri nc i p l es w hich ho had hi mse lf enunciated. -- Sir B. HALL wished to state the course which he should feel it his duty to take when the house went into committee of ways and means. When he sat on the other side of the house he moved, when the continuation of the income tax was proposed last year, that it should be extended to Ire land on the same footing as it was now levied in England. That motion did not receive the support of the then Govern ment, but it was generally supported by the then Oppo sition, who now occupied the ministerial benches. When, therefore, the house went into committee, he should take prop o sing the resolution w hi c h he year. With regard to doubling the the house hadtxn opportunityinsteadovedlast of o ag a i nf; -mposing other taxes, he agreed with the remark of his hon. f r i end t h e mem b er f or Montrose, that the proposition wa s one sett i ng t own aga i ns t country ; anti f s Bt hon. o t h u aet gentleman llthEeY had to fi g ht. 3 tE with regard to the shipping said that as to the proposition of the inte rest, he thought he was a little deficient in candour in his s tatements on that subj ec t . He wou ld h ave l e d t h e h ouse t o suppose that sinc e th e navigation l aws were repealed nothing had been done i n th e matter o f li g ht d ues or i n a ny other matter in whi ch the sh i pp i ng i n t eres t was con liggaLhitAa cerned. Now he (Mr. Labouchere) would go with the right hon. gentleman in ev ery measure that he proposed for the relief of the shipping interest with the utmost cordiality, but when he proposed to relieve them of 100,0001. of light dues, he could not help reminding him that since the repeal of the navigation laws, the late Government, in concurrence with the Trinity-house, had relieved them of light dues to a much greater amount than that. Owing to the measures taken by the late Government in concurrence with the Tri nity-house, the light dues paid by the shipping interest had been reduced to one-fourth of what they originally were. He had no desire to make any observations on the statement of the right hon. gentleman for he felt that the attention of the house was exhausted by the great and complicated questions that had been raised; and any observations upon them would come with much better effect after the propo sitions of her Majesty' 8 Minist ers had receivedthe deliberate consideration which they deserved. There was, however, one point upon which he felt so strongly that he must say a single word—the point alluded to by his right hon. friend the member for the University of Cambridge (Mr. Goul burn). He said it in no spirit of taunting, but he could not help thinking that the right hon, gentleman had not con sidered that part of his budget by which he proposed to extend the income tax to Irish funded property only, ex empting the land of Ireland,, and the professional incomes of Ireland—that was, to select for taxation a particular class of property, and that the one which rested on the pledged faith of the country, He was convinced that the right hon. gentleman had not studied this part of the Subject. He could not have read the opinions of Mr. Pitt, Lord Grenville ' Lord H. Petty , and of every fi nanc i er who ever held high office in this country, or be would have seen how grossly such a proposal violated the prin ciples of public faith ; and he was sure that the right hon. gentleman wo uld be the last man to propose that, for a miserable and paltry sum of 60,000/. per annum, this country should allow a stain to rest for a moment on the national honour. He (Mr. Labouchere) must give up every opinion he had derived from the great mon to whom he had referred, if he did not believe that the proposed plan to tax property in the Irish funds to the exclusion of all other kinds of property in that country, was utterly at variance with every principle upon which the good faith of the country, and the public security in it, rested. (Hear, hear.) Mr. CAYLEY said that he believed the sentiments of his right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer upon this point had been entirely misunderstood. He was sure that no one who read his speech would come to the conclusion that he wished to tax the Irish funds to the ex clusion of any other kind of property. He understood him to state distinctly that the land and all other property in Ireland were just as amenable to tho income tax as any property in this country, but that he would not at this moment impose any increase of taxation upon that part of Ireland which had lately suffered so grievous a calamity. Now, had he heard anything in the lucid statement of his right honourable friend which was calculated to raise the question of country against town ? He had heard many budgets, but never one more comprehensive and impartial. He meant to deal with all the interests that had been suf fering or three in what was called for the last two years the spirit of recent egislation. With respect to what had fallen from the honourable member for Montrose, he must observe that he and others who acted with him were favourable to direct taxation until it came to be applied to themselves. (Hear.) Nobody was more favourable to the total repeal of the malt tax 'than he (Mr. Cayley) ; b It the power of the Chancellor o the Exchequer was limited. He believed that the full benefit of the re peal of that tax would not be felt until the whole was repealed, but he must remind his honourable friend (Mr. Hume) that he had always opp9sed propositions for the total repeal. Indeed, not to confine the observation to o him, he might remark that the year before he first brought forward the question of the repeal of the malt tax in the last Parliament, the members for the West Riding (Mr. Cobden) and for Manchester (Mr. Bright) had proposed it, and yet when he introdticed his motion one of these hon. gentlemen absented himself, and the other opposed it. , (Laughter.) He trusted that the propositions that his right hon, friend hadimade would receive the impartial con sideration of the house. Although not committing him self to an unreserved approbation of the whole of them, he begged, on the part of his constituents, to tender to the right hon. gentleman his thanks for what he conceived to be the best budget that he had ever heard. (Hear, hear.) Mr. J. WILSON wished to put a question to the Chan cellor of the Exchequer with regard to one part of his statement. The only proposition that he had made with respect to the West Indian interest was, that sugar should be permitted to be refined in bond. Now, when that question was discussed two or three years ago, two methods were proposed on which the refining was to be carried on. One wad; that the refiners should be per mitted either to refine in bond or to refine sugar on which the duty had been paid ; and the other was, that they should be obliged to refine in bond. Now the right hon. gentleman did not state which of these two methods ho intended to adopt ; and as it was of the greatest possible importance to those concerned in sugar refineries to know this as early as possible, perhaps the right hon. gentleman would now state the course he proposed to per sue. With regard to the observations of the right hon. gentleman the member for the University of Oxford, with respect to the extension of the income tax to Ireland, he must observe that he hoped the house would not depart from the principles on which they had hitherto acted with respect to this tax. Mr. FITZROY said that he understood the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the beginning of his speech, when refer ring to the burdens of which he was going to relieve the shipping interest, to allude to the duties on marine insurances at the same time stating that it would be perhaps more convenient to the house that he should mention in a subse quent part of his speech the amount of revenue which he was prepared to sacrifice. He thought, however, that the right hon. gentleman omitted to state the amount 9f the sacrifice under that head, and ho should be obliged to him if he would now inform the house whether the duties on marine insurance were included in the 100,0001. which he proposed to take off the shipping interest. He wished, also, for some further explanation with respect to the amount of revenue which the Chancellor of the Exchequer was prepared to abandon, for while he un derstood him to say that the reduction on the malt tax would amount to two millions and a half per annum, he also understood him to say that the only loss on this head during the year ending the 10th of October next would be one million, which he should have to pay on drawbacks. He did not understand him to include any part of the re maining million and a half that would be sacrificed. Did none of that, however, come into account in the financial year ending the sth of April next ? The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the ho nourable gentleman had misunderstood the observations which he made with respect to marine insurances. What he said was this. He stated the points which the shipping interest had represented to Government, and among them he came to the stamps on marine insurance and charter parties. With respect to these, he remarked, that as they concerned the general finances of the country, he could not advert to them at that part of his speech. At a subse quent part of his speech, he stated that the Government would then confine themselves to bringing forward those measures which they were prepared to pass ; that the stamp duties, and also the legocy and probate duties, had undergone their consideration, but that, as they were not then prepared to recommend any alterationsin the stamp duties, ho should not further advert to it. With respect to the reduction of the malt tax, the loss that the revenue would suffer in the year ending the 10th October next would be the one million sterling of drawback,, which would have to be repaid. The effect upon the revenue depended upon various circum stances, such as increased consumption and other causes into which it was not then necessary to enter; but he hoped that the loss to the revenue for 1851 would not amount to more than 1,700,0001. Mr. MACGREGOR regretted that the right hon. gen tlemen had proposed so long a period as five years for effecting the reduction of the tea duties to a shilling duty. With regard to the house duty, he thought thlt it would be far more just to add the amount of it to the income-tax at once, than to propose it in a separate form. When these question should come before them for discussion, he believed that the majority of opinions out of doors would be found to agree with his own. Colonel SIBTHORP owed it as a duty to his country to say that he could not approve of the measures brought for ward by the right hon. gentleman. He (Colonel Sibthorp) was in favour of protection to all British interests, but there was one interest in particular which had been declared by the right hon. gentleman to be in a state of great suf fering, but of which no notice was now taken. (Hear.) With regard to the malt tax, if only half of it were re mitted, they would have all the same difficulties, and vexa tious proceedings that were complained of at present. (Hear.) He for one had always objected to the income tax, because it wag properly a war tax, and ought not to be imposed in time of peace. Bet though he disapproved of the right honourable gentleman's proposals, yet, comparing one Government with another, he must say that the late Government was worth nothing, while it still remained to be proved whether the present Government was wholly worthless, and he was therefore willing to give it his sup port as far as he could. Mr. CLAY expressed his congratulations and thanks to the Chancellor of the Exchequer for the relief which he proposed to give to the shipping interest. Sir J. DUKE could not help joining in an expression of thanks to the right honourable gentleman for the interest which he had evinced for the claims of the shipping interest, who, he was sure, would have a lively sense of the kindness of the right hon. gentleman's intentions towards them. Mr. HUDSON wished also to express the gratification with which he had listened to the statement of the right honourable gentleman with reference to the shipping interest, and ho begged to assure him that it would be re ceived with great satisfaction by his (Mr. Hudson's) con stituents. He hoped that the question of the entire re duction of the timber duties would not be lost sight of by her Majesty's Government. Mr. ALCOCK begged to tender his thanks to the Chan cellor of the Exchequer for his proposal to repeal one-half of the malt tax. He thought that the whole of that tax ought to be clone away with ; but he was willing to accept the right honourable gentleman's proposition by way of instalment. With respect to the tea duties, he, for one, was perfectly satisfied with the proposed reduction. He regretted that the Chancellor of the Exchequer had not made up his mind to carry out the income tax to the fullest extent possible, so that every man in the country might be taxed, be his income what it might. Mr. FREWEN felt bound heartily to thank the right hon. gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer for the very able statement he had put before them, and for a plan which he believed would, in various ways, be beneficial to his constituents. He wished particularly to call attention to one subject in which a great proportion of his consti tuents were interested —he meant the heavy dues at present levied on shipping in the shape of passing tolls. He did not know whether the right hon. gentleman was acquainted with the system of taxes on shipping estab lished in France, which he thought well worthy of being adopted in this country. Every ship which went into a French harbour knew what it had to pay for harbOur dues, whilst it had nothing to pay for lights. This was a matter in which improved regulations were loudly called for, as many of our harbours were in a disgraceful state. With regard to the proposal to take off half the malt tax, he was strongly of opinion that this would lead to but a trifling loss of revenue. On the sub ject of the hop duty, he would not now pledge himself as to moving any amendment on the Ministerial proposition, feeling bound in the first instance to consult his consti tuents. For the plan in general he again begged to thank her Majesty's Government. . . The resolution was then put and agreed to. A second resolution, " that a sum not exceeding 2,000,0001. be granted to her Majesty for defraying a like amount of supplies voted for the service of the year 1852 and the preceding year," was then put from the chair and agreed to. Mr. LABOUCHERE inquired whether the right hon. gentleman would lay on the table on Monday the precise terms of the resolutions on which his measures were to be founded. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER replied in the affirmative. The house then resumed. FROM THE GAZETTE OF YESTERDAY. WHITEHALL, DEC. 2 The Queen has been pleased to direct letters patent to be passed under the Great Seal, granting the dignity of a Knight of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, unto Charles Robert Mitchell Jackson, Esquire, Puisne Judge of the Supreme Court of Judicature at Bombay. WAR-OFFICE, DEC 3. 4th Regiment of Light Dragoons--Lieutenant the Honourable Charles James Keith, from the 10th Light Dragoons, to be Lieutenant, vice Fairlie, who exchanges, Dec. 3. 10th Light Dragoons—Lieutenant Herbert James Fairlie, from the 4th Light Dragoons, to be Lieutenant, vice the Honourable Charles James Keith, who ex changes, Dec. 3. 6th Regiment of Foot—Lieutenant George Grant Webb to be Captain, without purchase, vice Crowder, deceased ; Ensign Francis William Henry M‘Celeland fo be Lieutenant, without purchase, vice Webb, - Sept. 24 ; Gentleman Cadet Lewis Blyth Hole, from the Royal Military College, to be Ensign, without purchase, vice M'Cleland, Dec. 3. 14th Foot—Gentleman Cadet Regiriald Henry Gra ham, from the Royal Military College, to be Ensign, vice Elwyn, superseded for being absent without leave, D3C. 3. 17th Foot—Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Philip M‘Pher son, C. 8., to be Lieutenant-Colonel, without purchase, vice Stoyte, appointed Inspecting Field Officer of. a Re cruiting District, Captain Oliver Paget Bourke to be Major, without purchase, vice A/Pherson, Lieutenant William A. Armstrong to be Captain, without purchase, vice Bourke, Ensign James Lawson to be Lieutenant, without purchase, vice Armstrong, Gentleman Cadet Shadweil Henry Clarke, from the Royal Military Col lege, to be Ensign, without purchase, vice Lawson, Dec. 3. 42th Foot— Ensign Joshua Walter Bond to be Lieu tenant, by purchase, vice Platt, who retires ; Ensign Edward Le Marchant to be Lieutenant, by purchase, vrce Young, who retires, Dec. 3. 59th Foot—Staff Surgeon of the Second Class Alex ander Campbell to be Surgeon, vice Macpherson, ap pointed to the Staff, Dec. 3. 82nd Foot--Li eu t enant J o h n L awr i e t o be Captain, by purchase) vi ce P ar d oe, Dalbiac Luard t o b e Lie w ho retires ; Ensign John Lieutenant, by purchas e, vice Lawrie, Dec. 3. 85th Foot--Lieutenant Charles Hamilton Aid to be Captain, by purch ase , v i ce t h e H ono urable John Edmund Hovel Thurlow , , Ensign Lord who retires ; John Henry Taylour to b e Li eu t enan t, by purchase , vice Aidb, Dec. 3. 97th Foot—Major-General Henry Adolphus Proctor, C.B. to be Colon e l, v i c e Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Frederick Bouverie, K.C.8., deceased, Nov. 29. STAFF,—Lieutenant-Colonel John Stoyte, from the 17th Foot, to he Inspecting Field Officer of D., Recruiting District, vice Lieutenant-Colonel Magenis, deceased, Dec. 3. HOSPITAL STAFF.—Surgeon Eneas Macintosh Mac pherson, from the 59th Foot, to be Staff Surgeon of the second class, vice Campbell, appointed to the 59th Foot ; Asssistant Staff Surgeon, John Thomas Watson Bacot, t) be Staff Surgeon of the second class, Dec. 3. IVlEmommiDA.—The Christian names of Captain Bur ton, on half-pay of the 37th. Foot, are Joseph Netterrille. The alteration of the date of the Commission of Lieu tenant Robert William Benison, of the 99th Foot, which appeared in the Gazette of the 2nd of September, 1851, had reference to the Regimental, and not to that Officer's Army Date. COUNTY ELECTIONS POLLS BILL. Lord R. GROSVENOR moved the recommittal of this bill, and stated that he proposed to introduce a clause, giving power to the sheriff to adjourn the poll in case of disturbance, with a view to remove doubts on this point. The bill was then recommitted. The other orders of the day having been disposed of, the house adjourned at a quarter-cast eleven o'clock. ADMIRALTY, DEC. 3 The following promotions, dated 26th October, 1852, have this day taken place consequent on the decease, on the 7th October last, of Rear-Admiral of the Red, Charles J. Austen, C.B. :—Rear-Admiral of the White, Peter John Douglas, to be Rear-Admiral of the Red ; Rear-Admiral of the Blue, Sir Charles Sullivan, Bart., to be Rear-Admiral of the White ; Captnin Sir Thomas Herbert, K.C.8., to be Rear-Admiral of the Blue. COMMISSIONS BY LORD LIEUTENANTS. Sir Francis Edward Scott, Bart., to be Deputy Lieutenant of the county of Stafford. King's Own Regiment of Staffordshire Militia. — Sidney Leveson Lane, Esq., to be Captain, vice Fitz herbert, resigned—Cecil Newton Lane, Gent., to be Lieutenant. The Right Hon. Horatio Earl of Orford, the Right Hon. Henry Valentine Stafford Lord Stafford, the Right Hon. Brownlow North Osborne de Grey, Robert John Harvey Harvey, Esq., Sir Eaton Stanard Travers, Knt., Henry Rainy Upeher, Esq., Thomas Brightwen, Esq., John Thomas Mott, Esq., Vincent Edward Eyre, Clerk, Henry William Bartholomew Ed wards, Esq., John Calthrop, Esq., John Wyndham Dalling, Esq., George Blomefield, Esq., Roger Kerri son, Esq., Ferdinand Ives, Eiq., Albemarle Cator, Esq., James Dott Hulton, Esq., Anthony Hudson, Esq., to be Deputy Lieutenants of the county of Norfolk. 2nd or Eastern Regiment of Norfolk Militia.—George Grenville Glove; Esq., late 7th Fusiliers, to be Captain, vice Franklin, deceased. Frederick John Reyne, Gen tleman, to be Lieutenant, vice Roper, who retires. Royal Wiltshire Militia—Edmund Lewis Clutterbuck, Esq., to be Captain. Frederick Breton, Gentleman, to be Lieutenant. Warwickshire Militia, Ensign Joseph Howe to be Lieutenant. Queen's Own Regiment of Oxfordshire Yeomanry Cavalry,— Thos. Robert Brooke Cartwright, Gentleman, to be Cornet, vice Fitzroy, promoted. Hertfordshire Militia—Adolphus Meetkerke, Esq., to be Lieutenant. INDIA BOARD, DEC 2. A dispatch, from which the following is an extract, has been this day received at the East India House : From the Governor-General of India in Council to the Secret Committee of the East India Company, dated Fort-William, October 25, 1852. From the General Order, and the dispatches published on the 23d inst., you will learn with satisfaction of the capture of Prome, on the 9th and 10th idem, with but a triflng loss on our side. GENEBAL ORDERS BY THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF INDIA IN COUNCIL. Fort-William, Foreign Department, October 23, 1852 The Most Noble the Governor-General in Council has much gratification in publishing, for general information, dispatches received from Commodore Lambert and from Major-General Godwin, which report the capture and occupation of the city of Prome, after some resistance, and with comparatively trifling loss. The steam squadron and the boats of her Majesty's ships, conveying the troops upon the Irrawaddy, an chored off Prome on_ the 9th of October. A fire from the shore was silenced by the fire of the steamers and of the boats. The troops having been landed, drove the enemy, some three or four thousand strong, from the suburbs ; and on subsequently advancing to the great pagoda and to the heights beyond, they found the posi tion wholly abandoned by the Burman force. The Governor-General in Council desires to express in the strongest terms his obligations to Commodore Lam bert, for the care, the energy, and unwearied zeal which he has shown in directing ,the naval preparations for ad vance,' and which have conduced so largely to the' early and successful renewal of operations in the field. His lordship in council begs to offer his thanks to Captain Loch, and to Commander Shadwell, for their conduct of the service on the river ' • and to Commander Rice, for his direction of the body of 'Seamen upon shore. His thanks are also due to Commander Campbell, of the Indian navy, whose merit has been acknowledged by the Commodore. The Governor-General in Council has viewed with high approbation the services of the officers and men, who, upon this occasion and for several months past, have been employed in boats upon the river, subjected to severe exposure, and engaged in harassing duties, which they have performed with the utmost alacrity and cheerfulness, and with conspicuous advantage to the public service. To the officers, seamen, and marines of her Majesty's ships, of the Indian navy, and of the Bengal marine, who have been serving upon the Irrawaddo, and to Commander Tarlaton, who long commanded them, the Governor-General in Council is desirous of offering his hearty thanks. The Governor-General in Council has in like manner to assure Major-General Godwin of the satisfaction with which he has viewed the skill and judgment by which the Major-General enabled the troops to obtain posses sion of an important post, without delay, and with but little loss. To Major Mayhew, Deputy Adjutant-Ceneral ; to Major Allan, Deputy Quarter-Master General ; to Cap tain Smith, Interpreter ; to Captain Bume, Military- Secretary ; and Captain Chads, A.D.C., the Governor- General in Council tenders his thanks. Especially to Captain Christie and to Captain Welsh, of her Majesty's 80th Regiment, for the gallant manner in which they led their men to the attack, and to all the officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers of the force, the Governor-General in Council desires to give assurance of his cordial approbation. While thus congratulating the naval and military forces on the first result of their advance, the Governor- General in Council feels it to be due to the memory of an old and gallant sailor, that he should add a public ex pression of the deep regret with which he has received intimation of the death of his Excellency the Comman der-in-Chief of her Majesty's ships in the Indian Seas. Although Admiral Austen did not survive to witness the successful conclusion of the operations in which he had shared, the Governor-General in Council desires to record his admiration of the staunch high spirit which, notwithstanding his age and previous suffering, had led the Rear-Admiral to take his part in the trying service which has closed his career. .. - The Governor-General in Council has been grateful for his services, and laments his death. C. ALLEN, Secretary to the Government of India. Commodore Lambert, R.N., to Charles Allen, Esq. H.M.S. Fox's Boat, on Board the Fire Queen, at Prome, October 11th, 1852. Sin,— I request you may be pleased to inform the Governor-General in Council that, having embarked on board the East India Company's steam-vessels under my orders H.M. 18th and 80th Begiments, the 35th Regi ment Madras Native Infantry, a detachment of Sappers and Miners, and of the Bengal Artillery with their field guns, I dispatched them as they were ready to rendez vous off Yangernsiah, a town situated at the upper end of the Panglang Creek, which joins the Irrawaddy to Rangoon River. 2. The Commissariat, Ordnance, and Engineers' stores, and about 1,010 followers attached to the regi ments, were conveyed in steamers, large Burmese cargo boats, five small schooners, and a barque. The cargo boats, manned by Burmese crews, ad vanced in three divisions under convoy of the barges and pinnaces of her Majesty's ships, Fox, Winchester, and Hastings ; the barque and schooners were towed by the steamers. 3. These arrangements being completed, I left Ran goon on the 24th ultimo, and Major-General Godwin joined me on the following day at Yangernsiah. 4. Having hoisted my broad pendant on board the Fire Queen, the steamer in which the Major- General embarked, I weighed from Yangernsiah on September 27th with the steam squadron specified in inclosure No. 1, and proceeded up the Irrawaddy to Prome, calling at llenzadah on my way. 5. On the morning of the 9th of October, Prome was in sight, and on the squadron nearing the city, the enemy opened fire with a couple of guns and musketry, which was returned by-the steamers as we proceeded into the bay, where I anchored in a convenient position abreast of the town for landing the troops. 6. The enemy continuing to keep up a fire after we had anchored, I sent the boats of the squadron, under the command of Captain Loch, C. 8., of her Majesty's ship Winchester, to throw in a few shells and canist , 7 shot amongst them, which h a d th e e ff ec t of silencing it for a time, although they kept up a very spirited fire on the boats, which wounded two seamen. 7. They then brought a gun down abreastof h t efor the Fire it Queen, but had only time to give us one shot mers, which was dismounted by the fire from the sea effectually cleared a landing place. of artillery with two 8. Major-General Godwin nowtexpressed his wish to land the 80th Regiment and a party seffected without any guns, at half-past four, which opposition, and the lower ro -v i i n i 0. cl eared the r oe remainder n e d enemy. the 9. At daylight next _ma brigade of 50 seamen - being troops were landed, and formed under Commander Rice , at the Major - General's the guns, the pagoda and request, to assist in 1 other parts of the city were taken possession of, the Prome was occupied asthe forces city of Burmese flying 10. Thus the important y . by British troops with the trifling loss of one killed and three wounded on the part of the army, while in the s quadron only four were wounded, who are named in enclosure No. 2. 11. My thanks are due to Captain Loch, C. 8., for the assistance he rendered me throughout these operations • also to Commanders Shadwell and Rice, of her Majesty's ships Sphinx and Hastings, the former for his unremitting attentions to the instructions I had sent him previously to my entering the Irrawaddy, and to the latter officer for th e part h took when on shore with the brigade of seamen. Nor can I speak too highly of Commander Campbell, the officers and men of the Indian navy and Bengal marine. The skill and perseverance displayed by the officers and men belonging to the boats appointed to convoy the cargo-boats from Rangoon to Prome, a distance of more than 200 miles, against a rapid stream, exposed occa sionally to a fire from the enemy, is deserving of my highest praise. —I have, &c. GEORGE R. LAMBERT, Commodore let Class, Commander-in-Chief. • • , 7 - 7-f: List of Wounded in the Flotilla, under Commodore Lambert, at Prome, 9th 0 141.034 4 H. M. S. Fox's barge, David Reid, A.B. itidirjA , ---;--** H.M.S. Winchester's pinnace, David Evais, A.B. E.I.C. S.V. Mahanuddy, 2 natives of India. GEORGE R. LAMBERT, Commodore. BANKRUPTS. - Richard Collsf builder, Charlton, to surrender, Dec. 10, at half-past twelve, and Jan. 13, at two, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Johnson, official assignee, Basiughall street ; Sole, Turner, and Turner, Aldermanbury. John Edward Spicer; paper manufacturer, Guildford, Dec. 15, at eleven, and Jan. 22, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Nicholson, official assignee, Basinghall street ; Ivimey, Chancery-lane. Richard Eaton Noble, painter, Down-street, Picca dilly, Dec. 14, at one, and Jan. 21, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Stansfeld, official assignee ; Col lins, New Bridge-st ree t, Bl ac kf r i ars. Thomas Corby, bulider, Lower Eaton-street, Pimlico, Dec. 14, and Jan. 18, at one, at the Court of Bank ruptcy. Graham, official assignee ; Rixon, King Wil liam-street. Daniel Coe, grocer, Ardwick, M anc h es t er , D ec . 17, and Jan. 7, at twelve, at the Manchester District 'Court. Lee, official assignee, Manchester ; Higson aad Robinson, Manchester. • Patrick Cowan ' brassfounder a n d gas fi tter, Skinner street, Snow-hill, Dec. 14, at two, and Jan. 13, at eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Edwards, official assignee ; Appleton, Philpot-lane. Henry Capper, licensed victualler, Gravesend, Dec. 9, and Jan. 22, at half-past twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Nicholson, official assignee, Basinghall street ; Wilkinson, Gurney, and Stevens, Nicholas-lane. Richard Jones, hatter, Oswestry, Salop, Dec. 16, and Jan. 13 following, at eleven, at the Birmingham District Court of Bankruptcy. Christie, official assignee, Bir mingham ; Hodgson, Birmingham. Charlotte Julia Pickford, upholsterer and fringe and tassel manufacturer, Cheltenham, Dec. 14 and ilan. 11, at eleven, at the Bristol District Court. Acraman, offi cial assignee, Bristol ; Bevan, Bristol. Thom - as Wheeler, jun., cattle dealer, Cirencestsr; Dec. 14 and Jan. 11, at twelve, at the Bristol District Court. Hutton, official assignee, Bristol ; Bevtaa, Bristol. DIVIDENDS. In the Country. J. A. C. Reimann, Liverpool, Dec. 24, at eleven, at the Court, Liverpool—A. Smith, Liverpool, merchant, Dec. 24, at eleven, at the Court, Liverpool—A. Smith and T. Irvine, Liverpool, merchants, D e c. 24, at eleven, at the Court, Liverpool—R. Goolden, Welehpool, Mont gomeryshire, carrier, Dec. 24, at eleven, a t th e Court, Liverpool—J. Broom (and not Brown, as before adver tised), Kidderminster, and St. Mildred's-court, Poultry, carpet manufacturer, Dec. 21, at eleven, at the Court, Birmingham—F. James, Walsall, Staffordshire, iron founder, Jan. 11, at eleven, at the Court, Birmingham —W. H. Armitage, Marsden, Yorkshire, woollen cloth manufacturer, Dec. 21, at eleven, at the Court, Leeds— J. Armitage, Marsden, Yorkshire, woollen cloth manu facturer, Dec. 21, at eleven, at the Court, Leeds. PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS. F. Hodson, Romford, Essex, ironmonger, 3d., on Tuesday, December 7, or any succeeding Tuesday, be tween eleven and two, at the office Of Mr. Pennell, Guildhall-chambers, Basinghall-street. J. Darby, Dorset-mews, Dorset-square, horse dealer, is 4d, on Tuesday, Dec. 7, or any subsequent Tuesday, between eleven and WY°, at the office of Mr. Pennell, Guildhall-chambers, Basinghall-street. W. Steel, Fenchurch-street, City, tailor, 2s, on Thurs day, Dec. 9, and three following Thursdays, between eleven and two, at the office of Mr. Stansfeld, Basing hall-street. W. M. Hill, Charlton-place, Islington, builder, 9d, on Thursday, Dec. 9, and the three following Thursdays, between eleven, and two, at the office of Mr. Stansfeld, Basinghall-street. J. Swift, Staveley, Derbyshire, grocer, 4s, on Mon day, Dec. 6, and on any subsequent Monday, between eleven and two, at the office of Mr. Freeman. Sheffield. J. Birley, Doncaster, grocer, ls, on Monday, Dec. 6, and on any subsequent Monday, between eleven and two, at the office of Mr. Freeman, Sheffield. F. Ingham, Doncaster, giocer, second and 'final divi dend of Bd., and upon new proofs ss. Bd., on Monday, Dec. 13, and on any subsequent Monday, between eleven and two, at the offices of Mr. Freeman, Sheffield. R. J. Buddicom, Liverpool, merchant, O'd., on Mon day, Dec. 6, or any subsequent Monday, between eleven and two, at the office of Mr. Bird, Liverpool. Webster and Harrison, Liverpool, merchants, 1-16th of a penny, on Monday, Dec. 6, or any subsequent Monday, between eleven and two, at the office of Mr. Bird, Liverpool. R. C. Ntilson, Seaham Harbour, Durham, earthen. ware-manufacturer, is. Bd., on Saturday, Dec. 11, or any following Saturday, between ten and three, at Ow office of Mr. Wakley, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. J. Woodhouse, Darlington, Durham, butcher, lid— on Saturday, Dec. 11, or any following Saturday, be tween ten and three, at the office of Mr Wakley, New • castle-upon-Tyne. T. Burnip, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, draper and haber dasher, ls. 10(1., on Saturday, Dec, 4, or on any subse quent Saturday, between ten and three, at the office of Mr. Baker, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. NOTICES OF CERTIFICATES. At the Court, Basinghall-street. R. T. Tubbs, Holywell-street, Shoreditch, haberdasher and tailors' trimming-seller, Dec. 30, at two. In the Country. F. Lewin, Ragland, Monmouthshire, engineer and agricultural implement-manufacturer, Dec. 29, at eleven, at the Court, Bristol—T. Woodward, Liverpool, bAteh-er, Dec. 28, at eleven, at the Court, Liverpool—T. Bentley, Liverpool, tailor and draper, Dec. 27, at twelve, at the Court, Liverpool. CERTIFICATES GRANTED. T. Matthewson, Hartlepool, Durham, merchant, certi ficate of the second class—N. Geary, St. James's-street, Piccadilly, and Oxford-street, stay and corset-maker, certificate of the second class—T. Footman, Wolver hampton, huckster, certificate of the third class—W. Mole, Birmingham, victualler and innkeeper, certificate of the second class. PARTNERSHIPS DISSOLVED. J. Smith and W. Smith, Liverpool, bakers—T. Pes cott and W. Elliott, Lindfield, Sussex, linen-drapers— B. H. Hine, and A. J. Mundella, Nottingham, hosiers (so far as regards J. G. Hine)—R. Strange and G. Strange, Walton-street, Chelsea, - grocers—E. Healey and T. B. Lloyd, Manchester, law stationers T. .Usmar and J. Hunter, Epping, schoolmasters —L. Eastwood and E. Tavo, Manchester, joiners —J. Taylor and C. R. Clarke, Manchester, com mission agents—J. Lawt on an d J. Brook, Huddersfield, fancy cloth-manufacturers —D. Morley and J. Booth, Manchester, smallware-manufacturers—W. Black and J. Pigg, Coathill, Cumberland, alabaster-dealers—J. Rigby and W. Whittaker, Gigg, Lancashire, dyers—R. S. Penkvil and F. Fitch, M.D., Co r b e ll, Worcestershire surgeons—T. W. Wilkinson and G. Bonham, Gresham street, auctioneers —A. W. Irvin and M. Taylor, Verulam-buildings, Gray's In; attorneys —R. Res tron, J. H. M'Kinnell, T. Dutton, and M.M. Rooker, Rio and Bahia (so far as , regards: J. H. M`Kinnel) Elizabeth Budd and Clara Budd, Dunstable straw bonnet-manufacturers —R. Brotherton and R. Rigg, senior, Whiteha,ven, Cumberland, rail way contractors—R. Upperton and R. Stone, Trinsa ran, Carmarthenshire, colliers—A. Plowright, R. Heap, and J. Bennet, Manchester, pattern designers —J. Heap, R. Heap, A. Plowright, and J. Bennett, New ton, Lancashire, silk printers—H. L own d es and T. B. Cross, Liverpool, merchants—R. Cary and H. Loton, Cleveland-street, Fitzroy-square, carvers and gilders— T. C. Swinborne, Cr. E Swinborne, and R. A. Walling ton, Scott's-yard, Cannon-street, and Co;geshall, Essex, isinglass refiners (so far as regards T. C. Swinborne)-- W. T. Harris, N. M. Day, F.'S. Harris, and G. Meek, Queen-street, Cheapside, wholesale stationers (so far as regards F. J. Harris)—F. Partridge and J. Y. David son, Bankside, Southwark, coal merchants —J. Russell and J. Russell, Parker's-row, Dockhead, leather-sellers —W. H. W or l e y and H. Pyall, Chichester - p lace, Gra y' s Inn-road, printers—VT. George and. T. Jewell, Oxford, Wiltshire, farmers and brickmakers. INSOLVENT PETITIONERS. George Martin, York, baker. Wm. Carr, Sand Hutton, Yorkshire, Ficboolmastec. Chas. Slater, Knaresborough, Yorkshire, stonemason. John Hanover, Bristol, hardwareman. William Sampson, Bristol, butcher. James Gurner Boardin.an, Bristol, retailer of b eer. Willi am Attwood, Dritycot, Somersetshire baker. Francis Evans, Lla nd y silio, Mont g omer y s hire, farmer. A.nadrloovvei!!gollu, t S h o s u i t i h iei S d i s ii , e jlodusr,nueiylinoal I s l t c e a r s e t r i Biron founder. ear W. Cantrell, Belper , Derb y s h i re , ehem is e ta t l e itd r _ . druggist. J. Sutterby, Tilney-cum-Islin b wo - ton,lN or f o l k, innkeeper. Richard Bradshaw BUriaitdosnh,aTwonbrid gelyelB traveller.Pn Liverpool, Th o mas Wilson, Liverpool, licensed victualler. Joseph Win. Milian, Liverpool, hairdresser. SCOTCH SEQUESTRATIONS. A. D. Scott, Douglas, Lanark, merchant, to mee within the Tontine 11 °t 01 ) Greenock, Dec. 9 and 30, at one. J. Heiton , Paisley,:wright t o mee t vv in the Saracen's Head Inn, Paisley, 9 and 30, at ne. • G. Murray, Edinburgh, cabinetmaker, to meet within Cooper's Hotel, Edinburgh, Dec. 9 and Jan. 4, at two. RAILIVAY SHARE MARKETS. LIVERPOOL, DEc. 3. STOCK EXCHANGE.- Prices are again lower, and busi• ness is quiet. The sales to-day are thus reported : Aberdeen, 16-1 ; Caledonian, 331: Eastern Counties, i& Il Great Western, 9G ; Lancashire a nd Yorkshire, 87 ; Leech a Northern (late Leeds and Thirsk), 188 ; Midland, 801 • North British, log ; South Eastern and over, 24t; York and North Midland, 31; Great Southern and Western (Irish), 53 ; Dutch Rhenish, 1 dis. MANCHESTER, DEC. 3. STOCK EXCHANGE.—Birkenhead, Lancashire, &Cheshire Junction, 6 dis. ; Caledonian, 32 i ; East Anglian £lB Shares, 41 ; Eastern Counties, 13 1-16 ; East Lancashire, 19a c. ; Kendal and Windermere, 141 ; Lancashire and Yorkshire, 87A ; Leeds Northern, old and new, 18;4 ; Lon don and North We stern 31 and B Quarters (C) prem. ; Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincoln, 32a ; Midland, 801 ; South Eastern, 24 5-16. BIRMINGHAM, DEC. 3. STOCK EXCHANGE.—There was nothing done in railwa shares on 'Change to-day, but last quotations were gene rally pretty well maintained. BRISTOL, DEC. 3. STOCK EXCHANGE.—There was no material clauge prices to-day. Market rather dull. Caledonians were done at 661; Midland stock, 8011 ; Vale of Neath, 13,1. ,i'" A \