The Sun. — London, England, 1848-02-04 00:00:00

i tp:obtri '3Ebition SUN OFFICE, Seven o' Clock. -EXCHEQUER.—(THIS DAY.) (Sittings before the LORD Cum BARON and Special Juries.) CUSTOMS CASES—TRE ATTORNEY-GENERAL V. LUNDY. This was an information, on the part of the Com missioners of her Majesty's Customs, to recover from the defendant penalties to the amount of 4091., for having in his possession a quantity of tobacco, upon whieh the duty had not been paid. The case was part heard yesterday. lihe principal evidence adduced in support of the Crown was that of a person who stated that he had been engaged for several years in contraband dealings in tobacco. That having been unfortunate upon several occasions in land ing the tobacco, he resolved once more to have another " try," and stated that he informed the defen dant, a tobacconist of Hull, of his intention, who told him that he would be happy to take any quantity that he might be able to deliver him. The tobacco in question was safely landed, and was for some time concealed in a field under some heaps of manure, from which it was conveyed, at various times, in cabs and other vehicles, to the premises of the defendant in Hull, who acknowledged the receipt of th e various bales from time to time, and who paid witnes3 for the same. This witness, it appeared, was convicted upon a previous occasion for the offence, and was undergoing imprisonment for the same at the time he gave the information to the authorisies of the Custom-house with respect to the defendant, and in consequence of this information the remainder of his sentence had been remitted. Mr. Burton, a person in the employ of the de• Pendant, and several other witnesses, were called to corroborate the evidence of the former witness. Mr. Sergeant ALLEN, on the part of the defendant, made a most eloquent and amusing speech on the part of the defendant. He contended that there was no evidence which at all affected the defendant, except that which was given by persons implicated in the transaction, and who were equally liable to an information as the defendant. Their evidence was, upon that account, to be received with the utmost caution. He claimed, therefore, upon the part of the defendant, a most patient investigation into the nature of the evidence deposed to by these witnesses. The peculiar nature of the process on the part of the Crown precluded him from calling any evidence to rebut that which had been brought against the defendant, as he was not aware until he heard the evidence what its nature would be upon which the Crown relied in this case. The long period of two years which had elapsed since the alleged transactions took place, and the commencement of the proceedings also placed a difficulty in the way of the defendant meeting , by counter-evidence, the statements of the witnesses on the part of the Crown. He most earnestly trusted that the jury would well weigh the evidence of the various witnesses, and if they had the slightest doubt upon the subject, give their verdict in favour of the defendant. Sir F. THESIGER addressed the jury on behalf of the Crown, and The LORD CHIEF BARON having summed up with great minuteness, Tne jury retired to consider their verdict• CRIMINAL COURT.-(THIS DAY. OLD COUR t. MURDER OF TWO CHILDREN IN ST. LUKE'S. The trial of Harriet Parker (continued from our Afternoon Edition). Mr. Thomas Mallet, the clvief clerk at the Cler kenwell Police-court, proved that when the depositions wore real over to the prisoner, on the Bth of January, she made a statement to the magistrate which was afterwards "'reduced to writing. The statement was then read. It was simply a detailed account of what occurred from the time Blake came to tea till she missed him from the Duke of Bedford public-house. George Maddox, a police constable, stated that after she made this statement she told him that she watched the children on the night of the murder for a long time, and fancied they would never go to sleep. At length, however, they did close their eyes, and putting out the candle, she sprang upon the bed and seized the female child by the throat, when she felt that if there had been a thousand children she could have murdered them ; but she showed them no mercy, and she did not want any mercy shown to her. Mr. Frederick Wright, a surgeon, deposed to being called in on the morning of the lst of January, about four o'clock, to examine the bodies of the two chil dren. He found marks of violence on their faces, and, upon a post mortem examination, he discovered that death had been caused by forcibly holding the nose and mouth, so as to prevent breathing. This was the case for the prosecution. Mr. CLARKSON then addressed the jury for the defence, entreating thein, before they returned their verdict, to take into their serious consi deration the frency and madness which the cruel conduct of the witness Blake had produced upon the mind of the prisoner on the night of the murder. It was extremely doubtful whether the prisoner was in her right senses when she committed the dreadful act, and although it was beyond the scope of human evidence to prove putative insanity in a case like this, the jury, he was sure, would not disregard the tantalising brutality she had been sub jected to by her paramour Blake. No evi dence, however, could more strongly prove an unsound state of intellect, could more strongly illus trate an instance of momentary insanity, than that they had already heard, and as they were just as com petent to decide whether the prisoner was of sound mind when she murdered the children as the most experienced medical men, the ends of justice would not be accomplished if they overlooked the proofs of insanity with which the case for the prosecution so much abounded. Mr. Baron ALDERSON having summed up at great length, The jury, after a few minutes' consultation, returned a verdict of Guilty, with a strong recommendation to the mercy of the Court on the ground that the pri soner had received deep provocation. Mr. Baron ALDERSON then passed sentence of death upon the prisoner in the usual form, promising that the recommendation of the jury should be transmitted to the proper quarter, but holding out no hope that it would be entertained. The prisoner wail removed from the dock in a fainting state. THE KILKENNY AND GREAT SOUTHERN AND WESTERN RAILWAY. (THIS DAY.) _ _ The usual half-yearly general meeting of the pro prietors of the Kilkenny and Great Southern and Western Railway was held this afternoon, at the offices of the Company in Delahay-street, Westmin ster. e Mr. Wyse, the late Member for Waterford, in the chair. After the seal had been fixed, Thec'SECRETARY read the report, which stated that repeated attempts had been made to hold meetings of the company in the years 1847 and 1848, but, owing to the non-attendance of the proprietors, they fell to the ground. The directors did not recommend the adoption of any active measure. at present, and had applied to the Commissioners of Railways for an ex tension of time. The expenses had been reduced, within their utmost limits, and the liabilities were of such an amount as to necessitate a call for 10s. per share. The balance-sheet showed that the deposits re ceived on 11,250 shares had been 1(3,8751; the law expenses paid were 6,225/.; and the balance in hand, 3221. 4s. Bd. The report was unani mously adopted. In the course of a conver sation, it was elicited that the law expenses amounted to upwards of 10,3751., and that the liabilities had been increased this morning by a claim for 1,000'.., which bad beeu sent in, and could not be procured earlier.—The retiring directors were re elected, and after a vote of thanks to the chairman and directors the meeting separated. MARKET INTELLIGENCE. (From the London New Price Current of Feb. 4.) SUGAR,—To-day there was a falling off in the demand fur all kinds of Raw Sugar, and for all purposes. This event is to be ascribed to Government being disinclined to interfere with the duties. On the part of merchants there is yet firmness, and they s upp l y the market with caution. The purchases made in West India were limited, and only 140 hogsheads, Ste., were sold, still former rates are sustained, this, however. would a not have been the case, had holders pressed of faleTsobgo sales. At auction 273 hhds, 34 barrels, and 13 were token in, good and fine yellow 42s to 445, middlin g 40s to 41s 6d, and 28 hhds of St Vincents, middling yellow 41s per cwt. The total sales for the week are 1,700 hhds and trs. RENINED.—To-day refined goods met with less at. tention from the home trade, and prices are not so firm, lumps to pass the standard selling at 55s 6d per cwt. Bonded Crushed Sugar is wanted at former rates. MAURITIVM.—This afternoon the proceedings in the private market were of little moment, and none was offered at public sale. Holders, however, were not die pused to take lower rates. EAST InnrA.—The demand further increased for all kinds of Bengal Sugar, and by private treaty the large quantity of 6,000 bags found purchasers at prices 6d per ow t above those previously current. The parcels sub mitted to public sale were all sold, and amounted to 5,154 bags. Madras is wanted, the supply of all sorts is less plentiful, and the progress of prices is yet upwards. FOREIGN.—To-day there was less activity in the market for Foreign Sugar, but p r i ces underwnt no variation. The private sales are only 1,200 bags of brown Pernambuco at 38s per cwt. None was offered at public sale. m oLAssE s.—To-day a good business was done in West India, and rather higher rates were paid ; low to fine quality fetching from 16s to 19s per cwt. THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, rEBRUARY 4, lig& Cocos.—The market is still improving for all de scriptions of Vest India, and the supply is diminishing, whilst the consumption is larger. None has been sub mitted to public sale this week, but privately several purchases have been made, and at further reduced rates, Trinidad red selling at 48s to 525, grey 46s to 495, and Grenada 45s to 475. In Foreign the operations are upon a more extended scale, and at stiffer rates. COFFEE.—This afternoon a public sale of 29 bags, and 63 casks of Plantation Ceylon Coffee went off briskly at 2s per cwt advance, good bold colory fetched 65s to 68s, good middling 60s to 635, middling 55s to 59s 6d, low middling 525, fine fine ordinary 44s to 475, fine ordinary 40s, good ordinary 35s to 38s, and damaged 32s to 425. Of Native 359 bags were taken in at 343 6d for ordinary, and at If s to 18s for triage, being above the value. 149 bags of Dutch Company's at sils for fine bold yellow. TEA.—Prices cannot be quoted higher for black, as the market is more freely supplied, but a good demand has been experienced for all descriptions, and the rates paid are fully equal to those previously current. The demand is brisk for all kinds of green, and previous improved prices are well sustained, whilst on the part of holders there is confidence; indeed in some cases stiffer rates are obtained. Pekoe Teas are more in re quest, and former quotations are well sustained. The quantity of Tea disposed of this week is far greater than in the previous one. The public sales of 26,540 pkgs have been well attended, and 15,000 packages were disposed of out of 25,000 pkgs passed. RICE.—To-day there was no public sale of Rice, and the purchases made by private treaty were of little moment in all sorts. For auction 4,000 bales and 2,530 pckts of Bengal are declared, and 3,000 begs of Madras. FRIIIT.—The demand generally has considerably im proved this week. In Currants a large business has been done at the quotations; at present the importers are firmer in their demand; good and fine Valentias are scarce and wanted; there are two or three cargoes here being held for higher prices. Muscatels in layers are much inquired after; there are none left on hand. Denias in baskets—some large sales have been made this week at Ms to 325, and about 4,000 cases old Chesme Raisins at 31s to 325. SPICES.—For Nutmegs the demand is not so good thi, week, and we have to announce a fall in prices of Id to 2d. At auction 45 packages were chiefly sold. The supply this week mostly consisted of the lower sorts. Mace cannot be quoted higher, but the sales con cluded privately are upon a more extended scale. For Pimento the demand privately has been good, and previous improved rates are well sustained, whilst the supply is less plentiful. On the part of holders of Cloves there is firmness, but the sales made are of little moment privately. Holders of Black Pepper have con fidence, and the supply continues to decrease, whilst the demand is on the increase. SPIRITS,—There has been much enquiry after all de scriptions of Jamaica Rum this week, but in consequence of the advanced rates insisted apon, purchases of moment have been prevented. In Leeward Island purchases are prevented by the reluctance of holders to sell, Prices continue on the advance, and the sales continue to 200 puns at is 10d to Is lOid proof. East India is wanted at Is 9d to Is 9kd, proof with certificate, but few sellers are to be met with. The stiff rates that are required in Demerara caused the sales to be of little moment, and 3s 2d to 3s 6d is the value of strong There is firmness on the part of holders of Brandy. and the demand keeps good, whilst the stock is on the de crease. In the value of Geneva there is uo variation to make known this week, the supply is small. To day the Rum market had a quiet appearance in consequence of Government not proposing any change in the duties, and former rates were not to obtained for any sort. INDIGO.—The quarterly sale of ast India will com mence on Tuesday, and the quantity declared is 10,133 chests. On the part of holders there is firmness, and a fair demand exists, whilst the rates paid exhibit an ad vance on those of the last quarterly sale of from 2d to 4,1 per lb. For Spanish former prices are well sus tained. COCHINEAL.—This afternoon there was a good de mand, and 59 bags of Mexican at public sale were sold a,t 4s 6d to 4s 7d for low silvers, and which is the full value. TURPENTINE. - Prices are still on the advance for Spirits, whilst the demand is animated, and the supply is falling off. Rough is in much better request, and fetches 8s 6d, indeed some parties will not sell at that rate, and there is only a moderate supply. Of Swedish Tar the stock is light, and the demand being good, buyers are compelled to pay 20s to 21s per barrel. Ou.s.—This afternoon Cocoa Nut was in limited de mand, and 56 tons of fine Cochin at auction were all withdrawn ; 21 casks of Palm all sold at 32s 3d to 328 61 for fine ; 25 tuns of southern 291 lOs to 31s. TALLow.—This afternoon the public sales went off with spirit, and at high rates ; 625 pkgs of South American were sold—fine quality at 49s 9d to 50s 9d, good 48s to 49s 6d, low and middling 43s 9d to-46s 9d per cwt. BANK OF ENGLAND. (From this night's Gazette.) An Account, pursuant to the Act 7th and Bth of Victoria, cap. 32, for the Week ending on Saturday, the 29th day of January, 16-ii. 18805 IMPARTMENT. Sot.. s iisued • • • • • • • • 26/33,234 Government debt 11,015,100 Other securities .- • . 2,384.900 Gold eotn and bullion 11,339,120 Sliver bullion •• •• • • 1,443,014 426,1112,23 b 26,782,231 i M. 3LA.R.ISIIALL, Chief Cashier. 548. Dated the id day of February, f , BPAILTM3hIT. Government securi- ties (including Dead eignt Annuity) • • i 1,01J,9 1 4 Other securities •. .• 14,311,906 Notes ••••••• • • • • • • • 7,640,1111 Gold and silver coin • • 614,079 £34,121,213 Y. miatsriALL, Chief Cashier. [543. ►NGE.-(TSIS DAY.) qlbraltar. Leghera ........ •• .. • • 31 5 Genoa •••• ...... •• 2(1 lfilas • • • • • • Vehice........ .... ... Naples ...... • • ...... Palermo, wok .. ...... Rio Janeiro • ......... Buenos Ayres .. • ... .. New Tork, 21 days'sight Philadelphia .... • • .... PAIOILS lIIF MILLION, PRE oz. Foreign Gold la bars.. £8 17 9 :Now Dollars .. .• •• 4 8% Portugal Gold Co-in 0 8 Spanish Donbloons .. 0 0 II Silver in bass •• • • 0 4 1114 William Samuel Gray, auctioneer, High-street, Cam den-town, Feb. 12, at half past one, and March 25, at half-past two; at the Court of Bankruptcy. Follett, official assignee, Sambrook -court, Basinghall-street ; Cox, Pinner's Hall, Old Broad-street. John Aubrey Morse, currier, Bicester, Oxfordshire. Feb. 18 and March 22, at eleven, at the Court of Bank ruptcy. Johnson, official assignee, Basinghall-street ; Chambers, Copthall-buildings. Henry John Elmes, bricklayer and builder, Queen street, Cheapside, Feb. 10, at half-past two, and March 15, at one, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Bell, official assignee, Coleman-street-buildings ; Williams, Buck lersbury. William Bennett, confectioner, Camberwell-green, Surrey, Feb. 11, at half-pact two, and March 14, at two, at the ;Court of Bankruptcy. Groom, official assignee, Abchurch-lane, City; Hine and Robinson, Charterhouse square, City. George Hickes, commission merchant, Huddersfield, Feb. 15, at two, and March 10, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Edwards, official assignee, Frederick's place, Old Jewry; Thomas, Ely-place, Holborn. John Taylor, licensed victualler, Albion, Blackfriars road, Feb. 15, at half past two, and March 14, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Groom, official assignee, Abchurch-lane; Selby and Mackeson, Lincoln's Inn fields. Dunman Collard, slater, College-street, Chel sea, Feb. 15, at one, and March 14, at twelve, at the Cuurt of Bahkruptcy. Groom, official assignee, Ab church-lane, Lombard-street; Lane, Falcon square. Charles Bertram and William Parkinson, merchants, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Feb. 15, at half past one, and March 21, at one, at the Newcastle-upon-Tyne District Court. Wakley, Newcastle-upon-Tyne; Philipson, Newcastle-upon-Tyne; Meggison, Pringle, Stevenson, and Shum, King's-road, Bedford-row. William Wilcox Baker, engraver, Birmingham, Feb. 12 and March 11. at eleven, at the Birmingham Dis trict Court. Valpy, official assignee, Birmingham; France, Godliman- street, London; Tyndall and Sons, Birmingham. William Frederick Lockwood, stockbroker, Manches ter, Feb. 16 and March 8, at twelve, at the Manchester District Court. Fraser, official assignee, Manchester; Abbott, Lincoln's Inn-fields, London; E. and H. W. Bennett, Manchester. John Hughes, plasterer and builder, Birkenhead, Feb 15 and March 7, at eleven, at the Liverpool District Court. Bird, official assignee, Liverpool; Vincent, Temple; Atkinson, Liverpool. Edward Courtney and William Robertson, coal mer chants, Liverpool, Feb. 15, and March 13, at eleven, at the Liverpool District Court. Morgan, official assignee, Liverpool; Keightley and Co., Chancery-lane, London; Wood, Liverpool. Charles James Mason, earthenware manufacturer, Fenton, Staffordshire Potteries, Feb. 19, and March 14, at eleven, at the Birmingham District Court, Christie, official assignee, Birmingham, Messrs. Clarke, Longton, Staffordshire; Motteram and Knowles, Birmingham. Joseph Walker, shawl manufacturer, Huddersfield, Feb. 19 and March 11, at eleven, at the Leeds Districs Court. Stansfeld, official assignee, Leeds; Jaques and Co., Ely-place, London; Battye and Clay, Huddersfield. David Ross, builder, Birkenhead, Feb. 18 and March 9, at eleven, at the Liverpool District Court. Cazenove, official assignee, Liverpool; Cotterill, London; Fletcher and Co., Liverpool. George Shardlow and James Bradshaw, shoe manu facturers, Stone, Staffordshire, Feb. 12 and March 16, at the Birmingham District Court. Whitmore, official assignee, Birmingham; Robinson, Eccleshall; Smith, Birmingham. James Lockett, 'Miliaria Baker, and John Nicholson, railway contractors, Stone, Cheshire, Feb. 19, and March 21, at twelve, at the Birmingham District Court. Christie, official assignee, Birmingham ; Robinson, Emit:shall; Smith, Birmingham. Charles Warren, wine and spirit merchant, Exeter, Feb. 15, at eleven, and March 9, at one, at the Exeter District Court. Hirtzel, official assignee, Exeter ; Stogdon, Exeter; Keddell, Baker, and Grant, Lime street, City. William Walford, tailor, Bridgewater, Feb. 17 and March 9, at one, at the Exeter District Court. Hernaman, official assignee, Exeter ; Trevor and Sons, Bridgewater; Stogdon, Ex.eterc Holme and Co., New-inn, London. Enoch Godwin and George Lowman, boot and shoe makers, Bath, Feb. 17 and March 16, at twelve, at the Bristol District Court. Miller, official assignee, Bristol; Jones and Co., London; Hellings, Bath. Robert Blackford, butcher, Swindon, Wiltshire, Feb. 15, and March 14, at twelve, at the Bristol District Court. Acraman, official assignee, Bristol; Crowdy, Swindon. Charles Broad, timber merchant, Bristol, Feb. 18, and March 17, at eleven, at the Bristol District Court. Miller, official assignee, Bristol; Hinton and Son, Bristol. Robert Dickenson, grocer, Wolstantoo, Staffordshire, Feb. 12, and March 11, at eleven, Birmingham District Court. Christie, official assignee, Birmingham; Hard ing, Burslem, Staffordshire; Spencer and Hollings, Bir mingham. Mr. URQUHART presented a petition, praying for the repeal of the window-tax. Mr. HUME presented a petition from the mayor, JEWISH DISABILITIES. aldermen, and burgesses of the borough of Yarmouth, and another from Arbroath, in favour of the Bill for the removal of Jewish disabilities. Mr. PATTISON presented several petitions to the same effect, one of them being from the students of the new college at Battersea. ARMY ESTIMATES. Mr. FOX MAULE brought up the army esti mates, which were ordered to be printed. NOTICES OF MOTION. Mr. F. O'a oNNOR gave notice of his intention on an early day to move for leave to introduce a Bill to amend the law relating to benefit societies. Mr. CARDWELL gave notice of his intention on a future day to call the attention of the House to the commercial relations existing between this country and France. Dr. BOWRING gave notice of his intention, on Thursday week, to call the attention of the House to the grievances complained of by the inhabitants of the Isle of Man. Mr. MOFFATT gave notice of his intention on a future day to move for leave to bring in a Bill to vacate the seats of insolvent Me►nbers. Mr. HUME gave notice that, on Monday, he should more for a return of the total amount of money expended by the Board of Ordnance on public works. RETURNS. On the motion of Dr. BOWRING the following returns were agreed to :—A tabular return, showing the quantities of sugar of the several sorts imported into the United Kingdom, and the quantities retained for home consampticn ; together with the rates of duty charged on the home consumption, and the next revenue accruing therefrom, in each year from 1793 to 1847 inclusive ; followed by a compar a ti ve s t a tement of the average prices of British plant a ti on an d f ore i gn plantation sugar (ordinary yellow Havana), for the same series of years (in conformity, so far as prac ticable, with the sessional paper No. 290, of 1841). Also a copy of Dr. King's report on the fever at Boa Vista. On the motion of Mr. HUME, the following re turns were order: d:—Returns of the numbers of commissioned and non-commissioned officers and private men in each description of corps in the army, on the 25th day of January, in the years 1829, 1835, 1840, and 1847 (in continuation of Return, Appendix 41, of Finance Committee 1828) : of the number of British troops, men and officers, in each colony and foreign garrison ; troops, officers, and men employed in the public service, exclusive of India ; number of men and officers employed in Great Britain ; ditto in Ireland, on the 25th of January, in the years 1829, 1835, 1840, and 1847 (in continuation of Return, Appendix 79, of Finance Committee, 1828) : of the total number of officers and men of the yeo manry in Great Britain, on the Ist day of January, in the years 1829, 1835, 1840, and 1847 (in continu ation of Return, Appendix 100, of Finance Com mittee, 1828) : of the number of of and men of the yeomanry and armed constables in Ire land, on the Ist day of January, in the years 1829, 1835, 1840, and 1847 (in continuation of Return, Appendix 158, of Finance Committee, 1828). ADJOURNMENT OF THE HOUSE. On the motion of Mr. TUFNELL, it was or dered that the House at its rising do adjourn til Monday. NEW ZEALAND BILL. Mr. LABOUCHERE postponed the second read ing of the New Zealand Bill till Wednesday next, as he was desirous it should not interfere with the ad journed debate on the West India question. WEST INDIES.—ADJOURNED DEBATE. CONTROVERTED ELECTIONS. On the order of the day for resuming the adjourned debate being read, Mr. B. COCH.RANE rose, and said he wished to ask a question of the Secretary of State for the Home Department on a subject which, he believed, the House would consider one of the utmost im• portance, as it involved questions of justice, as well as the characters of many Members of the House—namely, whether it was the intention of her Majesty's Government to bring in any Bill to amend the law with respect to the way in which inquiries into election petitions were at present conducted ? His object in asking this question was on account of the hardships to which Members were exposed whose returns were petitioned against, and the allegations contained therein were proved not to be well founded. Notwithstanding such a decision might be come to, the person petitioned against was liable for the expenses to which he might have been put. It was true, the Committee had the power to decide that the petitions were " frivolous and vexatious," when the expenses would fall upon the petitioners, but they all knew that they never came to such a decision unless a very vexatious case had been offered. There was another point which he also considered of great importance. A party going into Com mittee was kept in ignorance of the nature of the charges which were to be brought against him, and therefore it was totally impossible for him to have witnesses at hand who might be able to rebut them. He might have witnesses in town, but those he might require were perhaps absent. He thought that in these tribunals the principle followed in the courts of law should be adopted. Every person brought to trial was informed of the nature of the charge against hitn, and the witnesses that would be called. Sir G. GREY said it was not the intention of the Government to bring i❑ a Bill to effect the purposes meutioned by the Hon. Member. The Committees were invested with a discretion to order costs, and if a person applied for them they might exercise their discretion on the subject. Great danger and difficulty could not fail to arise if the person entitled to costs was to named! The reason Com mittees did not frequently grant costs was because they were not often applied for, as the !parties consenting to withdraw made some arrangement on tthe subject. By the pre sent arrangements a list of the objections against voters were given to the Committee of eletions and by the statement must be accompanied with the heads of all the objections. The Chairmen of the Committees were empowered to fix rules for the con ducting of the inquiry. In reply to Mr. DISRAELI, Lord PALMERSTON stated that two Com missioners had been dispatched to the River Plate, one on the part of France, and the other of this country ; and, pending their negotiations, it would be disadvantageous to lay the various documents on the table. When they were brought to a termination, he should have no objection to lay the correspondence before the House. POOR LAWS (IRELAND). Mr. P. SCROPE wished to know when any further report from the Poor-law Commissioners of Ireland would be laid upon the table of the House, and whether any proceedings was being taken by the Government, whether by indictment or otherwise, against those parties who were opposing the proper administration of the poor- laws in that country. Sir W. SOMMERVILLE said that no time would be lost in laying the documents referred to before the House. With respect to the seco nd question if the Ho n . Member would name any de finite case and put a notice on the paper, he would take care to give him an answer upon the sub ject. ADJOURNED DEBATE—SUGAR AND COFFEE PLANTING. Mr. J. WILSON stated that it was his intention to confine his remarks to the subject which the Noble Lord had in view in bringing forward the motion. He would confine his remarks ex clusively to the interests of the cultivators of sugar in the East and West Indies. He was satis fied to place the whole merits of the question upon the interests of the West India planters themselves, and the demands which they were now making for increased protection, and the power of the Govern ment to afford that increased protection. The de mands of the West Indians might be summed up in the language of one of the documents of the West India body itself. Their arguments might be stated as being four in number:-Ist, they said that as moral considerations compel them to prohibit the introduction of slave produce,so moral considerations compelled them to prohibit slavery ; secondly, that slave labour was cheaper than free labour, and to expect them to compete with slave labour confining them to free labour was both unequal and unjust; thirdly, that the exclusion of slave-labour sugar would be a pro tection to the British Cotonist planter ; and, fo:rt:ly, that the Government had the power of so protecting the colonies by excluding or placing a higher rate of duty upon Brazilian sugar.—(Hear.) It was impossible to deny in every country the rela tions subsisting between the e mployer and the em ployed were daily improving. As civilization advanced slavery disappeared. They had a proof of this in the history of theirlown country, for he need go no further back than 30 years ago to show that the rela tions which then subsisted between the employer and the employed by no means coincided with the moral sentiments and social feelings of the present day. But he apprehended that those conscientious gentlemen who supported this que stion in that House, and wh o were anxious to exclude the produce of Cuba and Brazils, would equa lly object to the intro duction of th e p ro d u ce from any other coun try where slavery was to be found in one shape or ano th er. He apprehended that the principle upon which th ose gentlemen took their stand would exclude the produce of Russia from this country, for in that kingdom slavery existed. It would be incum bent upon those gentlemen, if they wished to be thought consistent, to resist the iatroduction of the produce of Egypt, for there was no severer slavery to be found in any part of the world than existed in Egypt, nor could these gentlemen consistently allow the lt seh e i eager introduced neaEtsnluged. pßetnrm, aput huisi Brasil. produce tcmthoouenas::timdppeiurrt t o nwht a f iei sps the tloe tsph slave-grown weregee d a gtr oao S odsn t due a ,tg t h e oa a s arf t notßtdofh Russia, Cuba s sbt be, if they were anxious to observe consistency, they United States, and many other countries, if they refused The great practical question, however, they had to forward in the first instance, namely, that free labour was dearer than slave labour. Now in estimating the various qualities of labour it was difficult to tell to what extent the cost of free labour could be reduced. For example, upon the Bristol and Gloucester Railway, locomotive labour, which three years ago cost 2s. 10d. per mile, at the present time did not cost more than one shilling; so that it was utterly impossible to determine to what extent the cost of free labour could be reduced. But he found in various letters and pamphlets that had been pub lished on the colonies, it was stated that in Trinidad and the Mauritius the cost of free labour in producing work by the piece was much less than slave-labour would have cost during the existence of slavery in the British colonies. In referring to the Mauritius, he found there was this striking fact, showing that at all events, whatever distress they might labour under, they had nothing to complain of free labour, for it ap peared that by slave labour each man pro duced about three quarters of a ton of sugar per year, while of free-labour they produced one ton. Perhaps the most conclusive evidence in favour of free labour was to be found in sugar cultivations in the East for the last 20 years. In Java 2 0 years ago they had not produces enough for their own con sumption. In 1826 1,000 tons was produced an nually, while last year they produced 75,000 tons. In Singapore and Penang Sugar was produced at a-lower rate than in any part of the world, and, in order to show how free trade had operated there, he wouldread a short and instructiv e letter on the subject. (LEFT SPEARING.) LATEST PRICES OF SHARES, IN BANKS, ASSURANCE, AND OTHER COll PARTIES' STOCK. From the Official List, P. ;JIMMIED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY EVENING. LONDON. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4. inINT-STOCK BANKS. Name of Company. AUstralaSia•• •• •• •... orth American Ceylon ......•• •• •• •• :!oniutercial of Lo:sdon •• ••.•• •• Gloucestershire •• •• •• lonian •• • • •• •• •• Londn and Westminstr Loudon Joint-Stock .• • Provincial of Irelanel• • Ditto, New..• • • • . • • National of Ireland • • Nat. Prorncial of Eng. Ditto, tiew.•• •• •• •• South Australia • • • • •• Union of Australia •• •• Vnion of L0nd0n..... Union of 31adric4 .• • .. Dividend Amount per of Annum. I Share. B. d. 40 0 bl. per cent. 56 0 0 6/. p:r cent. 25 0 0 6/. per cent. 100 0 0 51. per cont. 100 0 0 151 per cent. 61. per cent. 25 0 0 6/. per cent. 100 0 0 61. per cent. 50 0 0 81. per cent. 100 0 0 81. per cent. 10 0 0 Si. per cent. 50 0 0 6/. per cent. 100 0 0 Si. per cent. 20 0 0 61. per cent. 25 0 0 61. per cent. 50 9 0 40 0 0 Bank of Scotland British Linen Company Caledonian Bank City of Glasgow Bank . Clydesdale Bank • • • • • • Commercial Bank . • . • Eastern Bank .. • • • • • • Edinb.sc Glasgow Bank Exehange Bnk of Scot Isle of Man. Company National Bank • ..... • • North of Scotland Bank North British Bank • • Royal Bank of Scotland Union Bank of Scotland Western Bank • • • • • • • • Aberdeen Fire and Life B. Accord. Life and Fire British Guarantee Ins. Caledonian Fire Insur. Church of England Ins. City of Glasgow Life Edinburgh Life Insur. East of Scotland Life Eng. & Scot, Law Life Hercules Insurance Co. Insur. Co. of Scetlnd • • Life AESOC. of Scotland ►lercantile Life .. • • . • National Fire and Life North British Insur. • • North & West of Soot. icottish Life and Guar. Root. M as. and Gen. Life Scottish Union Insrnce. Stamlatd Life • • •• .. • United Dep. Assurance INSUR. Name of Company. Alliance grit. and For. Ditto Marine. • • • • • • ltiai.. British Commercial • • Clericl,Mcd.& Gen. Life County .............. Crown .............. Eagle .. • • . Eng.& Scot. Law •• •• Europeaa Life ••• • • • Family Endowmn t Soc. Freemasons' .. • .. Globe inardi an !mperi al Fire • ... Imperial Life • • • Indemnity Marine.. • • Law Fire ............ Law 1ife••...... ..., Legal and General Life London Fire ........ London Skip ........ Med. Invlid& Gen. Life National Leal Fund.. National Life— .. Palladium Life ...... • • Phosnix ...... ' - 'ietector Life • • . rovident Life.. ...... Rock Life............ Royal Exchange Sun Fire ..........• bitto Life . Urilyersal Life........ Victoria Life. GAS-LIGMT Name et Company. British .............. Ditto Provincial.... Bristol .............. lirighton ............ City of London ...... Continental Consolidat. Ditto, New . Equitable.. Imperial • • .... • • • Independent London • • .... • • • . • . • Phcenix . .. • • • • .... Ratcliff .• •• • .. • • •• • . United General .• • • • • Westminster Ckartered Ditto, New •• •• -• .. Nam• of Company. Australian Agriculturl Anglo-Mexican Mint., Ditto, Half Shares.. Canada ... • • ... • • • •• 'CE e Dividend per Annum. - Uppr Canada Bonds City Bonds.. Comp. Cppr Mars Eng. Gen. Revers. & Invest. Equitable Reversionry Geis. S team Navigation London Institution . • • Peninslr & Orient.Stm. Reversionary - Int. Soo. Royal Mail Stearn • . • • South Australian ..... Van Diem:nes Land.. Universal Salvage.... Name of Company. 31. 10s. 6 per cent. 61. per cent, 13s. 6d. pr sh. 7s. per share 51. per cent. 31. 13s. 51. per cent. 5% per cent • & bs. 51. per cent. 61. per cent. 51. per cent. 12 p.r ccnt. 12s. 11. sh. & be. 11. as. 101. per cent. 61. per cent. 101. 92e. pr share 85s. pr share 455. pr share, Of. per cent. 61. per cent. 2%1. pr cent.l 61. per cent. 51. per cent. 51. and bns. 4%1. pr cent. 3/, 12s. Dividend per Annum. 11. 4e. 1111 PAN Amount of Share. 61. per cont. 51. per:ecnt. 3%1. pr cent. bl. per cent. 5 p. c.ic bs, 21 4% 7 . pr cent. 11. Bs. d. 500 0 • 100 0 • 100 • 0 50 0 0 50 0 • 100 • 0 100 0 • 50 0 0 50 • 0 50 0 • 20 0 0 4 0 • 20 0 0 Stock. 100 • 0 500 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 100 • 0 100 • 0 50 0 0 25 • 0 25 0 • 100 • 6 50 0 0 20 • • 100 0 • 50 0 • 20 0 0 100 • 0 5 0 • Stock. hi • I 21. per cent. al. pr cent. 33,.i1. pr cent. 61. per cent. 5. d. 40 0 0 20 I 0 20 0 0 20 0 0 100 0 0 50 0 0 • 10 0 0 50 0 0 j 50 0 40 0 0 50 0 0 50 50 9 0 0 0 100 0 0 50 0 0 50 I 0 50 I 0 raid. t. d. 40 0 0 50 0 0 25 0 0 20 0 0 25 0 0 25 0 0 20 0 0 13 0 0 10 0 0 25 0 0 10 e 0 22 10 0 35 0 0 10 0 0 22 10 0 25 0 0 2 10 0 10 0 0 40 0 0 IS' PEI raid. ms. raid. X a. d. 50 0 0 11 • 0 5 5 0 5 6 8 5 0 0 15 0 0 16 0 0 b I 0 b e 0 2 12 0 All paid. 4 0 0 3 0 0 lOUS. Amount of !!bare. 30 II 0 50 0 0 10 0 0 5 13 1 2 10 0 10 0 • 2 0 0 12 10 0 12 10 0 15 0 5 2 0 0 2 10 0 5 0 0 2 0 0 £. s. 4. 100 I I 10 0 0 IN 0 I toe e • oe • So e • ►S • • 61 0 0 100 0 0 too 0 A 25 0 a too a o 25 0 a "ATElii-" 1 0 6 10 0 • 0 10 6 $ 1• • 4 0 • 120 44% 214 14% 4% 17 'ORES ..EI.NIES. Paid. i Price. d. 18 0 0 17 1 ,i IS 0 0 23,2 100 0 0;200 39 5 0 i - 37 10 • 50 • 0 35 60 0 0 •o}y 40 • • ; 64 b 0 0 59 0 0j 45 0 0 1 33% 90 9 0 i 80 50 0 • 17 85% xd 1l 1a • • Paid. Dividend per Amount of Share. Birmingham . • • • . .... East L0nd0n.......... Grand Junction • • •• •• Athmm. X 1. d. 25 • 0 100 0 0 41 13 4 100 • • X. a. 4. 3• • • 1• • 0 2 10 • 32 l• 0 7• • • 100 0 • 95 • • 14 • • 21. les. 31. 21.105. Price. Jew Riar Lndn Brdge l'auxhall ........ „ „ 50 0 • 100 0 • 60 • 0 25 • • 23 • 0 S 0 0 Paid. Price, X s. d. 25 0 0 I Gtiad LIST or SCOT' Name of Company. 'ISE' COMPANI: Divideßd per Annum. 71. per cent. Si. per cent. 8/. per sent. 61. per cent. 61. per cent. 71. per cent. 6/. per cent. 61. per cent. 61. per cent. 71. per cent. 61. per cent. 71. per cent. 61. per cent. Si. per cent. Si. per cent. 121. per cent. 101. per cent. 51. per cent. &/. per cent. 51. per cent. 71. per cent. bl. per cent. 51. per cent. 181. per cent. 1534 I. pr cent. bl. per cent. 610. pr cent. 51. per cent. 51. per cent. Amount of Share. £ 3. d. 100 0 0 100 0 0 10 0 0 10 • 0 20 0 0 500 0 0 25 0 0 5 0 • 100 0 0 10 • 0 50 0 0 20 • 0 M) 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 50 0 0 12 10 0 20 0 0 10 0 0 100 • 0 50 • • 25 0 0 100 • • 10 0 • 5• 0 • 100 0 • 100 0 • 10 0 • 10 0 0 10 • 0 200 0 0 10 0 • 20 0 • 1 • • 20 0 0 51 • • 10 • • U. 4s. 4:4 1. / p . e p r e c r en et t .. 51. per cont. 51. per cent. p. et. & bs. 54. pQr cent. 11. bs. 43. 51. per cent. 61. 108. 11. 63. lONI. pr cnt.i AND COKE CO: Dividend Amount per I_ of annum. Share. 100 0 I 63 12 9 West Middlesex : 1 51.15e.prent. CANALS. 116%( Names of Names of Dividend 7: Dividend xl Ann um. w) Companies. is Annum.per Price . " Companies. ner Price. ---- - A X Aehtn& Oldh 97 71. p c 110 Macclesfield . 100 2/. 10i. 42 Barnsley -• • 160 121. 160 Neath ••• • • • 100 201. 340 4rk nk&Abrg 150 51. 89 Oxford.. •• • • 100 201. 200 Birmingham 55 41. 80 Peak Forest. 78 31. lOs 68 Coventry ..• • 100 25/. - Regent's ••.. 33 11. 4s. 18xd Derbv •• . - 100 61. 63 Rochdale.. • . 85 41. 54 Elburre&Chs 133 41. 50 'omrset Coal 150, 71. 10s. 130 Erou ash •• • 100 32e. - Do.Lk Fd St 121 61, p . c . GratidJunctn 100 51. 79 Stffrd &Wore 140, 2 8 7. 2 75 Grand Surrey 100 - 30 Shrewsbury.. 125! 151. l,rand Union 100, 1/. 103. 21% Stourbridge.. 145' 201. 3 - 05 Grantham • . 150 121. - Severn andl Kennt & Avn 39, 7s. 6d. 5U Wye Rail. j 26 1/. Bs. 80 LeNgs&Livrp 100 341. 430 Warwick& 1 Leicester ..- 1401 101. 75 Bir m i ng. j 10 0 51, 65 Leicstr &Nth 631 41. 36 Warwi c k&l l",oughborogh 142 701. 539 Napton.. J 1 1 46 Monmonthsh 100 8/. - Worcetr Scl Mntgeinrysh 100 51. - Birming. j 76 2/ ' 39 MeitnMwbry 100 111. - Wilts & Brks 67 11. 11 Name of Company. BRIDGES Dividend Amount per of Annum. Share. -- X. s. d. 632 12 8 255. per cent. no 0 ° 100 • 0 I/. ss. 4d. 11. 28. 2d. I . 165. 10 1 0 0 litingerford .......... Southwrk, Nw Sub. Av. Ditto Nw of 7% raterloo Ditto Old Ann. of 81. Ditto Nvf ditto of 71. Vatia.he.ll ... Av. Paid. lA. s. d. trice 60 e 0 40 0 0 BAxaIXG DJ Proprietors' capital .. 14,553,000 Rest . ••••• • .• • . 3,72 , 000 Public deposits (in ()lading ii.enequer, Commissioners of National Debt, Sao- ings-banks, and Di vidend aecoants) .. 4,171,203 Other deposits .... • • 12,768,017 Seven day and other bi 115........ 994,973 £34,124,213 Dated the 3d day •f February. I COURSE OF EXCH. Amsterdam .......... 12 4 Ditto, at sight 12 1 NettGrdam .... • • 12 4 Antwerp .... 25 90 Hansburgh .... • . 11.13. 111 14% Altona • ..... • • Paris, 3 days' sight .. • • 25 50 Ditto, 25 II Marseilles ............ 25 85 .. 25 8 Frankton Ca Maine.... 122% Petersburgh, Sil. Rble.. Berlin .. ..- • : ...... •• • • Vienna, effec. lo•• •••• 10 16 Trieste, ditto • • .... 16 17 Madrid .... • 46k, Cadiz •• •.. Barcelona THE LONDON GAZETTE. (THIS EVENING.) FOREIGN-OFFICE, FEB. 3, 1848. The Queen has been pleased to approve of Mr. Adolph Brandt, as Consul-General in London for his Majesty the King of Bavaria. WAR-OFFICE, FEB. 4. Scots Fusilier Guards—Ensign and Lieutenant the Hon. Edward Koppel Wentworth Coke to be Lieutenant and Captain, by purchase, vice Brevet Major the Hon. David Henry Murray, who retires; the Hon. Augustus Henry Vernon to be Ensign and Lieutenant, by pur chase, vice Coke, Feb. 4. 20th Regiment of Foot—Ensign John Everard Deane to be Lieutenant, by purchase, vice the Hon. Robert Daly, who retires ; Charles Lutyens, Gent., to be Ensign, by purchase, vice Deane, Feb. 4 ; George Shuldham Peard, to be Ensign, by purchase, vice Kelly, who retires, Feb. 5. 26th Foot—Assistant-Surgeon William Augustus Heise, from the 35th Foot, to be Surgeon, vice Johnston, who resigns, Feb. 4. 35th Foot William Henry Short, Gent., to be Assistant-Surgeon, vice Heise, promotQd in the 26th Foot, Feb. 4. 37th Foot—Captain Thomas William Goils, from the 93d Foot, to be Captain, vice Macdonald, who exchanges, Feb. 4. 93d Foot—Captain William Macdonald, from the 37th Foot, to be Captain, vice Geils, who exchanges, Feb. 4. UNATTACHED. - Lieutenant William Robert Lyon Bennett, from the 16th Foot, to be Captain, without purchase, Feb. 4. OFFICE OF ORDNANCE, F. 2. Corps of Royal Sappers and Miners—Sergeant Major Jenkins Jones to be Quartermaster, vice Hilton, retired on full-pay, Jan. 14. ADMIRALTY, JAN. 30. The following promotions have this day taken place, consequent upon the death of Rear Admiral Pringle Stoddart Rear Admiral of the Blue Cuthbert Featherstone Daly, C.B. to be Rear Admiral of the White. Captain Honourable George Alfred Crofton to be Rear Admiral of the Blue. WHITEHALL, JAN. 29. The Lord Chancellor has appeinted John Thomes Duncalfe, of Walsall, in the county of Stafford, Gent., to be a Master Extraordinary in the High Court of Chancery. The Lord Chancellor has also appointed John Brun ton Palconar, of the town and county of Newcastle-upon- Tyne, Gent., to be a Master Extraordinary in the' High Court of Chancery. BANKRUTPCY SUPERSEDED. John Belling, watchmaker, Bodmin. BANKUPTS. John G arrett and Francis ß Holmes Phillips, saw mill proprietors, Cambridge-street, Old St. Pancras-road, to surrender Feb. 11, at two, and March 17, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Whitmore, official as signee, Basinghall-street ; chiicote, George street, Man sion-house. George Freeman, dealer in Colonial produce, South ampton-street, Camberwell, Feb. 11, at half-past twelve, and March 17, at one, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Belcher, official assignee ; Shaw, Fish street hill. Thomas Borkvvood, ship chandler, Shadwell-deck street, Feb. 11, at two, and March 17, at half-past twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Belcher, official assignee ; Nixon, Clifford's Inn, Fleet-street. Charles Street, builder, Ventnor, Isle of Wight, Feb. 11, and March 21, at half- past eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Turquand, official assignee, Guildhall cbambers•' Adams, George street, Mansion-house. James Moses Bridgland, piano forte manufacturer, Wardour-street, Soho, Feb. 18, at twelve, and March 24, at eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Green, official assignee, Aldermanbury ; Howard, Great Marl borough -street. PRICE OF SUGAR. The average price of Brown or Muscovado Sugar, computed, from the returns made in the week ending February 1 1848. is 245. 1 1 ,40. per cwt. IMPERIA L PA IMAM ENT. (THIS EVENING.) HOUSE OF LORDS. The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the Woolsack shortly before Five o'clock. The Bishop of BATH and WaLLs took the oaths and 1113 scat. POOR-RATES (IRELAND). The Marquis of LANSDOWNE laid certain papers on the table relative to the poor-rates of Ireland. ODD FELLOWS' SOCIETY. Lord BEAUMONT presented a petition from the Odd Fellows' Society of Manchester, complaining that notwithstanding they were a charitable society, having a surplus fund of upwards of 600,0001., yet they were considered as an illegal society, such be ing the opinion cf Sir John Campbell, who bore his testimony to the advantages of the society to the public, and also that of Sir F. Pollock. They prayed thatiby an extension of the Benefit Societies' Act they might be rendered a legal society, and enabled to enjoy all the privileges enjoyed by other benefit societies. Their Lordships then adjourned. 2 HOUSE OF COMMONS. The SPEAKER. took the Chair to-day shortly be fore Four o'clock. NEW MEMBERS. Mr. MORRIS, for Carmarthen, and Lord SOMERTON for Wilton, took the oaths and their seats. NEW WRIT, On the motion of Mr. 0. GORE, a new writ was ordered for the Northern Division of Salop, in the room of Lord Clive, now Earl of Powis. PRIVATE BILLS. Mr. BROTHERTON brought in the Manchester Waterworks Bill, the Dover Pier Bill, and the Wor cester Road Bill, which were severally read a first and ordered to be read a second time." Lord R. GROSVENOR brought in the Brentford Gas Bill, which was read a first, and ordered to be read a second time. A vast number of Bills were brought up and read a first time. LEICESTER. Mr. Sergeant TALFOURD presented a petition from the sitting Members for Leicester, stating that the petitioners against their return had not entered into the proper recognizances required by law. They had entered into recognizance% of 5001. each, instead of joint as well as separate recognizances. ADMISSION OF JEWS. Sir W. HEATHCOTE presented petitions from Southampton and another place in Hampshire against the admission of Jews into Parliament. Sir R. INGLIS presented several petitions to the same effect, some of which were from persons styling themselves " loyal Orangemen." Lord ARUNDEL and SURREY presented a pe tition from the Roman Catholics of Great Yarmouth in favour of their admission. Mr. HUME wished to know whether it was regular for any persons to designate themselves in any petition to the House by illegal names ? Sir R. INGLIS expressed his opinion that the persons who styled themselves " loyal were as much entitled to assume that name as the Hon. Member who had called their character in question. JEWISH DISABILITIES. Petitions in favour of the abolition of the Jewish disabilities were presented by Mr. Divett, from Exe ter ; Captain Berkeley, from Bristol; Sir J. Y. Buller, from Devon ; Lord R. Grosvenor, from Westminster ; Mr. G. Thompson, from Margate ; Dr. Bowring, from a congregation of Unitarians at Cheltenham ; Mr. Kershaw, from several congregations of Dissenters at Stockport ; Alderman Thompson, Mr. Baring 'Wall, Mr. B. Osborne, and Mr. Fox Maule, from various inhabitants of Perth. Petitions against the measure were presented by Sergeant Talfeurd, from Reading ; by Colonel Reid, from New Windsor; by Mr. Frewen, and by Mr. Miles, from various parishes in Somersetshire. LEGACY DUTY. Mr. Sergeant TALFOURD presented a petition, signed by 70 attorneys, praying for the removal of the legacy duty. COMMERCIAL DISTRESS. Mr. MUNTZ moved that the petition of the Bir mingham Currency Association, presented to the House on the 20th of December last, be referred to the Select Committee on Commercial Distress. NATIONAL POOR•RATES. Sir J. WALM6LEY presented a petition from Leicester, praying that the relief of the poor of the United Kingdom might be made a national charge, and that all real property should be taxed to provide the necessary funds. DUTIES ON TEA. Mr. PARKER, presented a petition from Sheffield praying for a reduction of the duty on tea. WEST INDIAN COLONIES. Mr. F. BARING presented a petition, nu merously signed b y t h e sugar - growers of B ar b a does, pr*) ing the House to reduce the amount of duty on colonial produce, DOCKS. Dividend Amount same of Company. per of I Paid. Price. Annum. Share. •---- - -- £ 8. d. X 8. d. C Anmercial ••••• • . • • 4/. per cent• Stock. 70 East and West India.•• 6/. pr cent. Stock. 117 East Country London ••••••• • .• • •• 5/. pr cent. Stock. 98 Ditto Bonds ........ 41. per cent. St.liatharine •. Ditt• Boads 4%1. pr cell). Southampton • • IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. ROUSE OF COMMONS, Feb. 3. The SPEAKER took the 'Chair shortly before Four o'clock. THE NAVIGATION LAWS.—THE UNITED STATES. Mr. ROBINSON wished to know from the Noble Lord the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any correspondence had taken place between the Government of this country and the Government of the United States respecting the navigation-laws ; and, if so, whether he intended to lay copies of the correspondence on the table ?—(Hear, hear.) Lord PALMERSTON Correspondence has taken place between the American Minister and myself on the subject to which the Honourable Member refers. The American Minister ex plained to me the position in which the Govern ment of the United States stood with reference to these laws, and stated that that Government would go hand in hand with the Government of this country with respect to any alteration which the Government of this country might deem advisable in these laws.—(Cheers.) The answer I returned expressed the satisfaction which the Government had derived from the communication, at the same time stating that it was the intention of her Majesty's Government to make a proposition to Parliament with respect to the navigation laws. I have no objection to lay copies of the communications before Parliament. THE WEST INDIAN INTEREST. Sir R. 11. INGLIS wished to know if it was the intention of the Noble Lord (Lord G. Bentinck) to bring forward the motion which stood in his name on the paper (No. 5) respecting the West Indian in terests, as he had a petition to present on the subject from Antigua ? Lord G. BENTINCK—Not anticipating any op position, it is my intention, with permission of the House, to bring forward the motion at any hour of the night at which I may be afforded an opportunity of so doing. Sir R. H. INGLIS then presented the petition to which he referred. It was from Antigua, complaining of the injury to which colonial landowners were subjected from the admission of slave-grown sugar into this country, and praying the House to devise a speedy and effectual remedy. Mr. Hume presented a petition from the Council of the island of Nevis to the same effect, and another with a similar prayer, from the associations of West Indian merchants in London and the city of Glasgow; as also did Mr. Goulburn, from Bermuda Mr. Ellis, from Tobago; Mr. Macgregor, from a number of places, praying that a duty of lbs. might be levied upon all foreign sugar above the duty levied upon British ; and by Sir E. N. Buxton, from the British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Association, stat ing that the Sugar Bill of 1846 had led to an increased demand for slaves, and praying the House to use its utmost exertions to repress the horrible traffic. As a preliminary step the peti tioners prayed the House to institute an inquiry into the Act, as far as it bore upon the slave trade, and to substitute a measure which would wholly exclude slave grown sugar from the home market. ENCUMBERED ESTATES BILL In answer to a question put by Mr. B. Osborne, Lord J. RUSSELL stated that it was the intention of the Government to:bring forward the Encumbered Estates Bill in the course of a few days in the House of Lords. Price IGxd :cms Prim, 163 194% 11 1 / 4 12 1 / 4 Ib4 51 183 143 MISCONDUCT OF OMNIBUS DRIVERS. Colonel SIBTHORP stated that in consequence of the gross misconduct of the omnibus drivers, there was great danger to aged and infirm persons who were in the habit of travelling in the metropolis. lie had himself, upon severa l occas i ons, very narrowly escaped receiving serious injuries, and he trusted that the Secretary of State for the Home Department would adopt some measure to put down the nuisance. JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL rose for the pur pose of obtaining leave to bring in four Bills to facilitate the performance of the duties of justices of the peace. It would not be necessary for him to interpose between the House and the motion of the Noble Lord (Lord George Bentinck), by entering at any great length into the details of his measures. Although there might be differences of opinion in that Iloase with respect to the quantity of power to be given to the magistrates, still there could be no doubt that it was the duty of the House to protect those persons in the due discharge of their duties.—(Hear, hear.) It was at present very difficult for the magistrates to discharge their duties without being subject to many vexations actions.— He thought that he should be able, by means of these four Bills, to combine the provisions of the numerous acts now in existence relative to the subject. In three of the present acts he h a d i n t ro d uced nothing new ; his object had been to se lect and embody together the various enact ments and decisions which regulated th e con d uct and performance of the duties of magistrates. One of the present Bills contained a provision for ena bli ng magistrates to hold special sessions in a more fitting and appropriate manner than they wer e a t present held, by causing suitable buildings, when r equire d , to be erected for the purpose, instead of holding their ses sions, as they were now frequently compelled to do, in public-houses ; also a provision for the payment of ma gistrates' clerks by salary instead of by fees. The Bill would also contain a proviso for equalising the fees in all parts of the country. The power of receiving the fees was to be accounted for to the country. The other was a Bill to facilitate the performance of the ditties of the justices of peace out of sessions within England and Wales, with respect to persons charged with indictable offences. The third Bill was one to facilitate the performance of the duties of justices of the peace out of sessions within England and W ales, with respect to summary convictions and orders. The last of the measures was to make the whole sub ject complete, and was calculated to afford adequate protection to the magistrates in the discharge of their duties. Should the House agree with him upon the prin ciple of the measures, and affOrd them a second reading, he should be quite content to allow the next session to intervene before they proceeded to Committee upon the Bills. Numerous improvements might, no doubt, be made in the course of the discus sion upon the Bills ; and he should be most happy to receive th e ass i stance of Hon. Members on either side o f th e H ouse. The subject was a very large one, and although the present measure might not be perfect, still he thought that it was a step in the right direction. Sir JOHN PA.KINGTON would follow the example of his Learned Friend the Attorney-General, and refrain from making any extended observations on the sketch which his Learned Friend had given of the Bills. He confessed, however, that he had listened with some anxiety to hear what the intentions of his Hon. and Learned Friend upon this subject were, and he could not help briefly expressing his thanks for the ad m i ra bl e, t h ough concise, sketch w hi c h h e had given of the measures. The object his Hon. and Learned Friend had in view was certainly most praiseworthy, and he for ono sincerely trusted he would be able to accomplish it. He entirely concurred with his Honourable and Learned Friend that any arrangement that could be made for prevent ing the holding of petty sessions, was of the greatest importance ; but he was afraid the expense of such a change would be found a great difficultyin the way of accomplishing it.—(Hear, hear.) Mr. CRIPPS wished to know whether the Bills would limit the power of the . judges of the local courts with regard to actions fer limited damages. He did not know whether the Honourable and Learned Gentleman had heard any complaints upon that point, but he could assure the Hon. and Learned Gentleman that they were exceedingly common, for actions for damages, with the view of harassing magistrates, were daily being brought in these local courts. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said the Bills did not embrace the point alluded to by the Honourable Member; but, of course, if the Committee and the House determined that the Bill should take cognizance of this matter, he could have no objection to it. Mr. lIUME hoped, if the public were not to have the protection of the law agaiDst the improper proceedings of justices of the peace, Government would adopt some rule, providing that no indi vidual should be appointed a magistrate, until he was fit and duly qualified for the office. For his part, however, he was opposed to all unpaid services. Such an opinion, coming . from him, might seem s t range; but upon taking ali of the public departments, he had generally found from tie highest to the lowest offices, that were unpaid services appeared, it invariably happened that they had to be paid for indirectly, or in some improper mode.—(Hear, hear.) He, therefore, held that they were in error, in having so many unpaid magistrates. Leave was then given to bring in the Bills. WEST INDIES. Lord G. BENTINCK then rose, pursuant to notice, to move for a Select Committee to inquire into the present condition and prospects of the inte rests connected with, and dependent on, sugar an d coffee planting in her Majesty's East and West In dian possessions and the Mauritius ; and to consider whether any and wh a t measures can be adopted by Parliament for their relief. If he had consulted his own convenience and wishes, as he was aware that no opposition was intended to A 8 813.6 ti. 21. 85 17 hi 12s. 2% 11. Is los. Oa 11. 1e 9 1 4 128. Price bxd 6% 2 id be offered to his motion, he should have merely moved it, and made no statement at all with respect to it ; but he believed he should not consult the wishes of the House or the wishes of those who were interested in the growth of the sugar-cane, if he made the present motion without" some statement. It had been repre sented to him by many who were interested in her Majesty's colonies in the East and West Indies, that the course he was proposing now to take was not consistent with the necessities of the case, and that there was something pusillanimous in the motion which he was going to propose to the House, and that, in fact, the East and West India interests, which had already been so severely attacked, would perish while the subject was being discussed in a Committee of the House. They had told him that a Committee of Inquiry would be to them— " Like cordials after death, come too late I" for that before a Committee had reported the West India interest would be past re covery.—(Cries of " Hear, hear.") It became him, therefore, to consider whether he could obtain any special relief from a direct rote of that House ; and when he recollected that in the year 1846 he had made a motion in that respect, and obtained only 180 gentlemen to support him, while 265 votes had been tendered against him, and, in favour of her Majesty's Government, admitting slave grown sugar, he felt that it was hope less for him to adopt any other course than the one he intended now to pursue, more especially when he recollected that upon that occasion he had but five gentlemen connected with the West India interest who had recorded their votes in his favour. Such being the case, he thought the - West India interest had nothing to say against him for taking the course he bad re.- solved to adopt on the present occasion. Those who voted with him in 1846 did not require a Committee to convince them that ree medial measures were required. They were of the same opinion now ; but at the same time he felt bound to say, if remedial measures were brought in likely to meet the wants of the colony, he and the petitionerswould support them, irrespective of those by whom they might be brought in. Holding a petition in his hand, signed by 48 heads of houses in London, Liverpool, and elsewhere, whose liabilities amounted to 6,300,000L,he felt that he war justified in calling upon the House to grant the committee for which he was moving, and to state, with confidence, that he believed he should be enabled to per.* suade the Committee to suggest new and salutary measures. The Right Hon. Gentle man the Vice-President of the Board of Trade had stated elsewhere that he considered the ac count of the home country and the colonies closed in 1833, when emancipation and millions of money were given to them; hut he was in a condition to show that the colonies had not derived much benefit from the millions thus paid. Both the money and the emancipation of slavery were pressed upon them. They derived no advantage from either; and the cry of virtuous indignation against slavery had materially subsided ; even at the last election so much had the cry for cheap sugar and free instead of slave labour died away, that the subject was scarcely mooted. He retained his opinion that by the treaty of Utrecht they might have entirely subs:..!tuted free for slave labour sugar. lie should not moo . the question now. He would not, therefore, whatever might be his opinion, propose, that this principle shou3 be upheld, as the refusal to admit thirty thonsand or forty thousand of slave-grown sugar might, by renewing the agitation, not only prevent the salutary measures which he looked forward to, but endanger the stability of any Government that might be in power, With respect to the repeal of the navigation-laws he could not go along with those who advocated a repeal of those laws. At the same time no thought it inconsistent that the West Indians should for any protection for themselves, which they wished to deny to others. He agreed with the Noble Lord at the head of the Governrhe3t, that the system of protection went in a circle, aid it thought that it could not therefore be confined to tie West Indians. Letters had appeared is one of the journals signed by five commissioners, which stated that the large amount of different , * of freight to several of the West India' islands was owing to the navigation laws.' He did not see how the repeal of the navigation-laws,' affecting the question of freight between Jamaica and Demerara and the other West India islands with' England, could affect the question of the West India interests, because any alteration in those laws would equally cheapen freights as between Brazil and Cuba, Java or the East Indies and this country. The freights of slave grown sugar would be equally cheapened with the free-labour sugar of the colonies. The West Indians is their petitions asked for several things ; they asked for the exclusion of slave grown sugar, for differential duties, for the free admission of molasses into the breweries and distilleries of this country, for the admission of rum on an equality with. British spirits, for the repeal of the navigation-laws, and for access to the coast of Africa and other places, in order that they might obtain free labourers in any way they pleased. It was necessary he should state at once that he could not concur with the views of the colonists with respect to the navigation-laws ; and fur ther, he must take leave to say, that it was most incon sistent on the part of the West Indian and East Indian interest, whilst asking for protection to themselves, to seek to d e p r i ve other interests of the protection which they enjoyed.—(Hear.) He recollected that the Nob!. Lord, on introducing the measure for the alteratmaltlif sugar duties, said that protection must travel in t vicious circle, and that protection to tke West India interest was a part of that circle which he was disposed to break through. The Noble Lord was right. Protection must go on in a circle, and it was irreconcileable with the her' monious working of the system to take protection from one interest and give it to another. But, so far as the West India interests are concerned, he was at a loss to understand how they eould expect to derive any benefit from the repeal of the navigation-law s . He was aware tottnta letter um br h a b ad gentlemaneen wr written e who under had the re m ee n n a tly e t o h f r . o . w Jaeo noff b his disguise, so that there was hope that the Committee would have the advantage of his evidence, and in that letter it was stated, that whilst freights from St. Croix were 10,., frelg freights existedfrom wDemerarasuppose Assume lty 31. the differencehatwas owing t o t h e navigation-laws? Then how would e 4 aldti it benefit the West India interest to repeal the navigation laws, unless they meant to say that they were to be repealed only as far as themselves were concerned, a nd to continue in force against all the rest of the world ? Suppose that the repeal of the navigation-laws could reduce freights from Jamaica and Demerara to Great Britain from 6/. to 8/., would not the same cause operate to cause a proportional reduction in the freights between Cuba and the Brazils and this country ? Six-soventhe of the whole trade between Cuba and the Brazils and this country were carried on in British bottoms. To all intents and purposes, as far as the navigation-lawe were concerned, that was as much close trade, as much monopoly, as the trade with any British colony. It was indisputable that if the repeal of the navigation-laws would reduce freights for free-laboar sugar it would equally reduce them for slave-grown sugar. As to the freights from Demerara, however, they were not 61., as " Jacob Ominum" said, and never had been except when the times were out of joint. They were more often 21. 105., and that he believed was the rate at the present . moment. He understood from those who were best qua' lified to give information upon the subject, that the freights from Jamaica at the early part of the year were from 3/. 103 to 41. 45., and from Demerara not 61., but 21. 10s. to 3/. ; whilst from the smaller islands, such as Barbadoes and Tri n id a d, t h ey were from 81. 10s, to 31. 15s. The last mail from Pernambuco and Bahia brought advices that British ships were carrying freights at the lowest rates. The Cuba freights were always lower than the Jamaica freights ; but it ought to be recollected that this was in consequence of there being no draggerage charge st the former place. It was the custom of the country at Jamaica to unship goods in small boats, and the ship owners had to pay draggerage. At Demerara, there was no draggerage, a circumstance which perhaps was attributable to its having been originally a Dutch colony. The freights from Demerara were generally as low as from any sugar-growing country in the world. Having disposed of the navigation-laws, he came to the question of the admission of rum on an equality with . British spirits. On this point he retained the opinion which he held last year—namely, that if the West Indians could show that they were in equity and justice entitled to be placed on an equality with the manufac turers of British spirits, their claim ought at ones to be acceded to. He thought, however, that when the subject should come to be investigated the British distiller would be able to show that as long as he remained under the restrictions at present imposed upon him, justice demanded that the differential duty should be continued.—(Hear.) That was his present opinion, but he would go into the Committee with an honest desire to come to a just deci sion on the question. As to the admission of molasses into breweries and distilleries, it appeared to be a ques tion which might properly be left to the decision of the Chancellor of the Exchequer ' • but ho did no t think the West Indian interest could derive much benefit from a compliance with their wishes in that respect. He now came to the great question of immigration. Some of the West Indian proprietors who lived in the thinly peopled colonies, Demerara, Essequibo, Berbice, and Trinidad, imagined that if the free immigration of la bourers were assured to them they would be able to compete with all the world. For one, he was not dis posed to object to the British planter colonists enjoying every facility for the immigration of labourers providing only that it did not verge upon slave trading. If, however, the immigration of 150,00 0 Africans would, as was alleged, enable those colonies to produce 400,000 tons of sugar yearly, the effect of the proceeding would be altogether to swamp the old colonies of the Crown. But whilst he thought that no unfair advantage should be given to one colony over another, he very much doubted whether any amountet free labour would enable the planters to compete with rivals who had it in their power to extort from slaves all the energies of their bodies. If the case were not so, how happened it that in Barbadoes i -- ch wl= a z more densely populated than China , 750 persona to the square mile—which had a populati on W I ~`~'