The Sun. — London, England, 1848-06-02 00:00:00

LAW INTELLIGENCE. COURT OF EXCHEQCER, June 1, ZRYANT v. AA.RDELL AND ()THEM. was an action in trover, to recover the sum of 701.. for the illegal conversion of property which had been hired to the defendants for twelve months. Mr. Crowder and Mr. Pigott appeared for the plain tiff : and Mr. Humfrey, with Mr. Gray; conducted the vase for the defendant Dormer; and Mr. Ogle represented other two defendants, Wardell and Lewis. it appeared that, at the latter end of 1845, the three defendants having entered into an agreement to take the English dwarf " Torn Thumb," for the purpose of exhibiting him, also made an agreement with the plain tiff to take the stage which was then in use at the Suffolk-street Gallery, and certain dresses and decora tions which had been made for the English dwarf, whose real name was, as we understood, Garside. The, defendant Wardell is the well-known _lessee of Vauxhall-gardens ; the second defendant, Dormer, keeps Dolly's Chophouse, sear to St. Mary's Church, in the Strand; and the third defendant is connected with the " Royal property." Shortly after the agreement was entered into, by which the plaintiff was to receive a certain proportion of the profits of the exhibition (if any of course), its locale was changed to the Egyptian-hall. To that place thelstage and all the properties were there fore removed, bnt as the room wherein the " great" little man was to display his qualifications as well as his smallness of stature chanced to be somewhat larger than that at the Suffolk-street Gallery, it was found necessary to increase its size, and additional decora tions were also discovered to be requisite. These latter wcre all provided, and towards their provision it was proved that the defendant Dormer had con tributed. Whilst the exhibition was carried on at the Egyptian-hall, it was also proved that the other two defendants, Wardell and Lewis had acted as the managers. After a due quantum of time had been accorded for the metropolitan public to gladden their eyes by a gaze at the " little wonder," in this, as in the case of most other natural and unnatural pro ductions, a provincial tour was commenced. Oxford, Taunton, Bridgewater, and Bristol, were the places selected for visitation, but after they had been at the last-named city a short time it was found that the affair was not attractive, and as the " means" ran short, the parents of the dwarf carried him off, whilst the person who had been the exhibitor was obliged to quit; but adopting this step, the properties were retained for ar rears of rent. During one part of the time the plaintiff acted as check-taker, for which he was to be paid an ad ditional 31. per week. As has been stated the present action was instituted for damages arising from the al leged conversion of the stage and properties by the de fendants, in violation of their contract to return them at the expiration of twelve months. The jury, after an absence of an hoar and a quarter, returned with a verdict for the plaintiff—damages 101., against all the defendants, for the conversion of the stage. The Foreman of the jury then addressing the Learned Baron, said that the jury had not been paid for two trials upon which they had sat on Tuesday, in ;consequence of the attorneys in those cases not having paid the cus tomary fees. Mr. Baron PARKE said, if that were so, the proper plan to be adopted would be for the jury to find out who the attorneys were, and to make them public. The Juryman rejoined, that the cases, were (as was understood) " Cook v. Willis," in which the attorney was Mr. Eyre, of Grecian-chambers, and the other was " Sayer v. Glossop," wherein the name of the attorney was Mr. Warneford, of Symond's Inn. Mr. Baron PARKE then said, it was quite right that it should be made public that these parties had not paid the fees, of the court. SHERIFFS' COURT, June I. (Before Mr. Under-Sheriff BURCIELL.) WOOLF V. BURTON AND WIFE. This was an action to recover the sun of 51. 4s. for board and lodging of defendant's wife. Pl a i nt iff was a housekeeper in Arundel-street, Strand ; and defendant is a solicitor at Manchester. The material plea was that the plaintiff kept a house of ill-fame, and that defendant's wife was living in the house for immoral purposes, and that the board and lodging was afforded to her to assist her in such purposes. Mr. PARRY, who appeared for the plaintiff, said that he could not conceive how the defendant could have ven tured to put such a plea on the record, as defendant had frequently visited Mrs. Burton, then Miss Durant, and married her from the house. Mrs. Rebecca Menzies was called, and said she had been housekeeper at the house, 28, Arundel-street. Knew defendant's wife; she lodged at the house from June to October last year. Defendant was in the fre quent habit of visiting Miss Durant during that time, and they were married in October last. Defendant slept at the house the night before the marriage, and on leaving the next day gave an I 0 U for 51. 4s. Cross-examined—Let the apartments to Mrs. Burton. Did not agree that she was to be allowed to see gentlemen. Miss Durant did not ask. When she toek the apartments she said she was about being married to a Mr. Burton, at Manchester, and he called the next week. Gentlemen certainly visited her. She said said she had been playing at the Deptford Theatre in the Stranger, and it was most likely she would have several friends to visit her. Other professional ladies lived in the house. Could not say the gentlemen slept with her. She had a latch key, and was out late at night. Mr. Burton slept there, but Miss Durant always said he slept on the sofa. Never knew any other gentlemen stay there. There were two other ladies, and they also had latch keys. They said they were not married ladies, and that they had gentlemen to visit them. Witness was now the keeper of the house. Would claim the protection of the Court, whether she was bound to answer if she lived with plaintiff as his wife. i The UNDER-SHERIF F sa id s h e was not b oun d to answer. Mr. THOHAR addressed the jury, and urged that the plea was made out by the plaintiff's own witness. A juror said he had made up his mind. Mr. PARRY claimed the right of reply. Mr. THOXAS then said he would call a witness to prove payment by a friend of defendant, and also the material plea. The UNDER-SHERIFF suggested that a juror should be withdrawn, but the plaintiff's attorney would not consent. Mr. Alfred Higgs was called to prove the payment. but he said he only lent the money to last witness on the 10 U. Never paid anything on account of Miss Durant, but had given her a trifle now and then- He returned the 1 0 U, because he conid not bring an action on it, and the money was still owipg to him. Did not offer to support Miss Darant if she would not marry Burton.-- (Laughter.) Declined answering whether he had an improper intimacy with Miss Durant. Rachael Nathan was present when Harriet Matilda Sloman (who passed by the name of Durant) took the apartments. She gave Mrs. Menzies intimation for what purpose she wanted apartments—to see gentlemen; she had no other means of getting a living. Cross-examined—Miss Durant told Mrs. Menzies she would have " friends" to see her. She was not a theatrical lady. Harriet Witney, who resided in the house, proved that Miss Durant frequently took home gentlemen. Mrs. Menzies often let them in. They often talked with Mrs. Menzies on the occurrences which took place. She fre quently met Miss Durant at the theatres and in the street. Plaintiff charged 2I 10s. board and lodging. Had distinct permission from Mrs. Menzies to see " friends." Mr. PARRY briefly replied. The UNDER-SEERIYi summed up, and said the plea of payment had failed, and if the last plea was made out, neither the defendant nor his wife were at any time liable. The jury said they did not wish to re-hear the evi dence, and ga►e a verdict for the defendant. --- POLICE IN MANSION-HOUSE. Abraham Simmonds, the owner of a public-house in the neighbourhood of the Surrey Theatre, was brought before the Lord Mayor, in the custody of John Forrester upon the charge of being in possession of two Bank of England notes, each for the sum of 1,0004, well knowing that they had been stolen. Mr. Mullens, of the firm of Bush and Mullens, solici tors to the Committee of Bankers for Protection against Felonies and Frauds, appeared for the pr o s e cution, and Mr. Ballantine the counsel, and Mr. Child, of the firm of Wire and Child, solicitors to the Society of Licensed Victuallers, appeared for the prisoner. As the last Epsom races were stated to have been in some way'conneeted with the transaction which formed the ground of the charge, the proceedings were listened to with a more than ordinary degree of interest. Before the witnesses were called in support of the prosecution application was made upon the part of the prisoner to postpone the case, in order that he mi g ht mee t it with testimony which he pledged himself would satis factorily show that he was wholly blameless in the trans action; and the argument for postponement was at tempted to be strengthened by the assurance that the idea of a prosecution was merely suggested by the an nouncement to the Bank, that an action had been brought against that establishment for having refused to pay the notes in question when presented. Upon the part of the prosecution, it was urged that before a postponement could take place some facts must be stated to prove that the Lord Mayor was justified in holding the prisoner. It was also represented, in answer to the imputed cause of the prosecution, that instructions had been given to prosecute before the threat of station was heard of. The LORD MAYOR said, it was due to the prisoner that some evidence should be given, and Mr. Mullens then stated, that the accusation arose out of a robbery which had been committed in the year 1843 upon Mr. Bl a k emore. the Member of Parliament for We 11s, , in an omnibus, and that two of the three 1,0004 bank notes which that gentleman had received in the City, and of wh i ch he bad been soon afterwards plun dered, were found to be in the possession of the pri soner. Mr. John Garwood, clerk in the house of Messrs. John Masterman and Co. , said, on t h e 3d o f July, 1843, I paid three 1,0001. Bank of Eng land notes to Mr: Blakemore. They were each marked and numbered "E. P., 10,578, 10,578, 10480." Mr. Mullens—The two notes are in the possession of Mr. Simmoods. Will his s o li c i tor produce them? The prisoner's solicitor declined to produce the notes. Mr. Richard Blakemore said, I reside at Lees, in Herefordshire, near Monmouth, and am a Member of Parliament, disengaged from any other pursuit. On the 3d of July, 1843, I received three Bank of lingdlapnudt notes for 1,000!. each at Masterman's Bank, and into the right hand pocket of my trousers. I wa lk ed then from Nicholas-lane along Cheapsida to St. Paul's, and at the top of Ludgate-hill I got into an omnibus, in which there were many other persons. At the corner of Charles-street, Regent-street, I ,got dui-went immediately to 15, Regent-street, and upon my arrival there I missed the notes upon putting my hand into my pocket. At the extreme end 01 the omnibus I remember there was a stout woman, who was a source of annoy ance to me on account of the close contact, and I sought to relieve myself by endeavouring to get a little more room. She sat on my right, at which side the notes were. I know I had the notes in my pocket when I left Masterman's, but between Nicholas-lane and Regent street I have no consciousness, one way or the other. Immediately after I missed the notes I returned to the City, and gave information at Masterman's, and after wards a reward of 501 was offered. Mr. Ballantine—Can you tell whether you dropped the notes or whether they were picked out of your pocket? Mr. Blakemore—l remember when I was getting into the omnibus I received assistance from two men, one of whom put his arm round me to support me, for I was lame. I did not miss the notes until I got to 15, Regent-street, where, as I had to transmit them that night I searched for them in my pocket. Mr. Jelin F. Sheriff, clerk to the Southwark Branch of the London and Westminster Bank, said—The pri soner keeps an account at our bank. On the 25th of May two Bank of England notes for 1,0001. each, Nos. 10,580 and 10,578, dated the Ist of May, but of what year I do not know, were paid in by Mr. Simmonds to his own account. Mr. Edward Kingsford, manager of the South wark _ Branch of the London and Westminster Bank, said . -1 recollect two notes which are:the subject of this B in a quir o y... They were not paid when presented at thenk f the England, and they were returned to Mr . Ch ild, _,s attorney to Mr. Simmonds, in Mr. Simmonsdis Simmonds pre sence. I had sent notices to Mr and he came with Mr. Child on Friday and was w c i i iich. that the bank notes had not been paid at the m Bank, uite ready to take the notes, and to settle the accoun t , would have been if the notes had not been taken up, overdrawn. h e paid th e whennt of dTiffheeretnwcue. no l te t s hi of m c d o e ti s r s s e t , a te his m e betting transaction at Epsom, notes. He said it was a the manner in which he had become possessed of the w nk er h e a and he had taken them in payment of a bet from a. party who was in a very respec table carriage. I th ink he said the bet was 2to 1 upon Surpl ice, the favour ite, H and that it was a straightforward , fair transaction. H e said be did not know who the party was, but that he was He mentioned one o r two names, b ut I do not re- accompanied by seven or eig ht ver y res p ecta ble gentle men. collect what they were. John Forrester sai d, I took the p rison er into custody this morning. I asked him if he could acc ount f or the two notes which he had paid int o hi s b ankers ' . He i s must apply to Messrs. Wir e an d C hild, the t t s it:id 0001. solicitors, and they could explain all about it. I said to hi m , perhaps you had better come with me to Messrs. Wire and Child's. He said, " I have an engagement particularly to-day, but I'll give you a note to them." He then said, " Do you mean to say you are going to take me into custody?" The prisoner (to Forrester)—your brother said something about taking me into custody before I said that. John Forrester—l recollect that my brother did say something of the kind. I then told him that he was in custody, and that he must explain the matter before the Lord Mayor. Mr. Mullen* said he was not prepared with more evi dence at the present moment, and requested that the Lord Mayor would remand the prisoner for a few days when the case could be mere particularly gone into. hfr. Ballantine—What further do you expect to prove ? Mr. Mullens—l shall be able to prove that the prisoner, at a different time and place, gave a different account of the manner in which he became possessed of these notes. Mr. Ballantine called the attention of the Lord Mayor to one or two leading features of the case. The de fendant was a licensed victualler in very extensive business, and it. was not, as was well known, unusual for persons so situated in trade to mix themselves up in sporting transactions of which sweeps and other affairs of betting formed," portion. It was a na tural consequence of the "sweep" system—of which it was unnecessary for him at the present time to express any opinion—that the race-course itself should be visited. The defendant had, impelled by the feeling so generally demonstrated, gone to Epsom, where, upon winning, he was paid the amount of his wager. The course he pur sued afterwards was such as was calculated to show that suspicion ought not to attach to him, for he paid the notes into a banking. house of respectability, and when payment was refused at the Bank of England he at once referred those who questioned the legality of the pos session to the respectable solicitors employed by the general body of the trade. Under such circumstances, the Learned Counsel hoped the Lord Mayor would accept bail for the appearance of his client. Mr. Mullens said, he had no doubt as to the ability of Mr. Simmonds to produce good bail, and left the question of admitting to bail entirely to the decision of the Lord Mayor, without offering any objection, The LORD MAYoR said, he did not by any means con sider himself warraited, under such circumstances, in accepting bail.—The prisoner was then remanded. GUILDHALL. A respectably-dressed gentlemanly individual, named John Ballard Lloyd, was brought up on a warrant, before Aldermen Johnson and Challis on the charge of sending threatening letters, and by means of menaces trying to obtain from a Mr. Fox the sum of 201. Mr. John Fox, solicitor, of 51, Old Broad -street, said that he was the legal adviser of Mr. Josiah Wilson, of Stamford-hill, who was the executor of Mr. Collins, his father-in-law. In the year 1843, the prisoner called at his o ffi ce in Basinghall-street, and said, that ou apply ing to the trustees of his grandfather's will, respecting seine reversionary interest to which he was entitled, he had been given to understand that the said interest had been assigned to Mr. Collins. He declared that if such was the case it was a forgery, as he (the prisoner) had never signed his name to any such document. He (Mr. Fox) took the trouble to look over some papers, when he found the assignment, and became convinced the priso ner had executed the deed, and received the purchase money. The assignment bore the date of 1829, exactly 14 years before he knew or heard anything of the pri soner; but that person, on being shown the document, persisted that it was a forgery. Seeing how the matter stood, and fearing Mr. Wilson would get in the Court of Chancery, he advised that gentleman to give Mr. Lloyd 1001 if he would execute another deed of assignment confirming the first. He agreed to do so, but witness insisted that he should employ his own solicitor, Mr. Silvester of Furnival's Inn, in the matter. That gen tleman drew the deed of confirmation, and attested it, upon which the 1001. was at once paid to the prisoner. It was executed on the 29th of August, 1843. Up to the present period letters had often been received, charging him and his then partner, Mr. Brittain, with being the abettors of forgeries. In the year 1844 a letter was re ceived by his partner, stating that he had never received Mora than 1501., whereas he had received altogether . 450 L, for the re vers i onary i nterest in 1,200/. H e pressed the charge under the 7tis and Bth of George IV , chap. 39, sect. 8 ; b u t if t h e Aldermen thought the evi dence not sufficient under that Act of Parliament he should then ask that he be required to find good bail to keep the peace for the future. The letter complained of, dated May 26, 1848, was here read, in which the writer, who must have been very excited at the time, described the deplorable condition of himself and family, in consequence of not having anything to do, although a well-educated man, accusing the complainant as being partly the cause of it, and begging that he might have 201, so as to set him up in the world. He would, to save his family, take the most menial situation even in Mr. Fox's office, and be thankful for it; and the letter concluded by saying that he was in such a state of mind that perhaps he should do some thing it would be too late for Mr. Fox to repent having driven him to. Alderman JOHNSON asked the prisoner what he bad to say for himself. Mr. Lloyd here read a statement in defence of his conduct is a most feeling and gentlemanly manner, and when he alluded to his wife and children his eyes were filled with tears. It stated that he was the son of a gentleman and the grandson of a magistrate. At the decease of his mother he was to be en titled to the reversionary interest of 1,2001., of which he had been plundered by a forgery, as he never signed such a document as the one alluded to. Falling into difficulties, and requiring a little money, he applied to his guardian, and it was with the utmost astonishment he was told by that person that it had been disposed of to a Mr. Collins. He called upon Mr. Fox, and having seen the deed at once declared his signature to be a for gery. However, an offer was made of a hundred pounds if he would signs second document confirming the first, which he at last consented to do, as he could not bear to but a part of t h em see his wif e an d c hil dren starving. He was paid in bills, (as our reporter understood), had not been taken up, and he was now in the utmost distress. He could not help saying that if he had not a legal right to more money, no one could doubt that he had a moral one. With respect to Mr. Fox, he could assure that gentle man t a h s a he e had n nothe:eedo fear theintent i on slightestof injuring any violence one.at All he was most anxious for was , to ei ther obtain any kind of a situation or get it little money , oney t fhrarthedoc st arvation. set up in some small way of busine ss, an"dhatthubse hemigehh.t en abled to preserve his family Alderman JOHNSON said, no net t e me o n f ts produced peace was prese t r heT, but be v h e av , i and being legal ones they could tak• it was their duty to see that therefore he must find good bail for his future Mr. Lloyd—l cannot find bail ; but I pledge you my word and honour that I will not injure a mortal y e breathing. Alderman JoixsoN —I will do this. I will take your word as you have pledged it, and hope that yo ur f ee l ings, which for a person of your education must be most acute, will have softened down in a few days, and produced a calmer state of mind. In the meantime the warrant will be suspended for one month. Mr. Lloyd said, that he was exceedingly obliged to the worthy Aldermen for their kind consideration. Alderman JOTINION said, that if he could be of any service to Mr. Lloyd in any way he should be glad to do it. Mr. Lloyd said, if bo could even get a porter's situa tion of 14s. or 15s. per week, he should feel proud and happy to take it, and he would da his duty with the utmost diligence. Alderman JouxsoN said, that not being in business he could not give him one of any kind ; if he had been Mr. Lloyd should at once have had it. However, if he could be of service to him in the shape of doing any thing for the benefit of himself and family, he man Johnson) would do all in his power to forward ids views. It was stated that they were living in a very small back room, with scarcely any furniture; but the wife, and children, and, in fact, everything, as neat and 'lean as possible. Mr. Lloyd thanked the Alderman-for his kind (minea. tuns and offers of assistance, and then withdrew. LAMBETH. Elisabeth Elliott and Charles Phillips, a Jew j monger in the London-road, were placed at the bar for final examination, the former on a charge of stealing from the person of Mr. Bezer a valuable gold watch, and the latter with offering to ci Dmpromise the felony by restoring the watch. In this case it appeared tha t on the night of Wednes day week the female prisoner addressed the prosecutor near the Elephant and Castle, and pressed him to ac company her home. This he refused, upon which the prisoner threw her arms round him in a familiar man ner, but being repulsed she abruptly left him and walked hurriedly away. This last act excited the prosecutor's suspicion, and on examining his pocket he discovered that his guard was cut and his gold watch stolen. He followed and attempted to secure her, but one of her confederates caught him from behind and held him a sufficient time to enable the prisoner to get of She was taken soon after, having in the interim changed a light shawl and bonnet which she had on when committing the robbery, for a dark shawl and bon net. After her remand on the charge, a person not in custody, entered into i negotiation with the prosecutor for the restoration of the watch, provided he did not prosecute, and by advice his overtures were encouraged. On Saturday morning the . prosecutor attended at the Flying Horse public-house in the Walworth-road, and while there the prisoner Phillips entered the parlour, and asked if he was willing to compromise the affair provided he got his property back? The prosecutor said he should be glad to see his watch, upon which Phillips left the parlour for a few minutes, and returned with the watch. The prosecutor having secured the watch, sent for a constable who was in attendance, upon which the parties rushed out of the house, but Phillips was secured. Both prisoners were fully committed for trial. RAILWAY COMMITTEES. (YESTERDAY.) GROUP No. 4.—BinstrNaukx AND OXFORD.—The clauses of the Broad Gauge Bill were considered, and the Bill ordered to be reported. BIRMINGHAM AND OXFORD.—The object of this Bill is to enable the above company to make a deviation line from Leamington to Warwick. Case opened, and evi dence taken in its favour. GROUP No. 6.— NEWPORT ♦ND PONTTPOOL.—The case for this Bill was further considered, and adjourned. GROUP No. 7.---ROTITON AND HITCHIN.—The Bill to authorise this company to extend their line to Cam bridge was further considered. GROUP No. S.—LONDON AND SOUTH-WESTERN.— The Exeter and Crediton and Taw Vale Purchase Bill of this company was again considered and adjourned. GROUP No. 10.— DUNDEE AND PERIM—This Bill is to enable the above company to lease the Dundee and Arbroath line. Case opened. GROUP No. 13.—CALEDONIAN.—The Committee were engaged the entire day in considering the clauses of the company's Bill for purchasing or leasing the . Wishaw and Coltness Railway, but in the end the parties determined to withdraw the Bill rather than allow some running clauses to be introduced. GROUP No. 14.—The following Bills were recom mitted for the purpose of inserting. a clause relative to the raising and disposal of the capital to be subscribed under the provisions of the several Bills: • Leeds and Thirsk Railway (Harrogate and Pateley Branch). . Bristol and Exeter Railway (Branch from Bleadon to Wells, Glastonbury, and Street). London and Blackwell Railway Improvemeat, and Branches to St. Katharine's and London Docks. Great Northern Railway (Isle of Azholme Extension). Bristol and Exeter. Railway (Taunton and Castle Cary Branch). Strathtay and Breadalbane Extension Railway. , ELECTION COMMITTEE. (YESTERDAY.) DUBLIN. Mr. Sergeant KIITGLAtE apologised for his absence yesterday, and renewed the application to have the poll-books cast up in the presence of the Committee. The Committee granted the application. Mr. Martin Crean was then called to prove that he was agent of the Liberal Registration Society in Dublin, and that after the last election he had access to the polling-books; when he found, on casting them, that several of them gave a false reckoning in favour of Gregory and Grogan. After some clis . Cussion upon the point the scrutiny was proceeded with, and evidence was put in to show that several of the voters who polled for Mr. Reynolds were defaulters in the payment of a borough rate, which disqualified them from exercising their franchise. DERBYSHIRE. STAFFORDSHIRE, AND WORCESTERSHIRE JUNCTION RAIL WAY COMPANY. The general half-yearly meeting of this company was held yesterday at 'their offices, at one o'clock; R. G. Alston, Esq., in the chair. The CHAIRMAN stated the first business of the meet ing was to ascertain the correctness of the list of the shareholders. Since the meeting in December, the directors had felt it a duty to examine this list with the utmost care, and the result had been the constitution of an entirely new list. There were only four names on which any question could be raised. These were gentlemen who had for merly acted as directors of the company, but who had been registered on shares which were the property of the company. The parties alluded to were Mr. D. T. Johnson, Mr. Henry Johnson, Mr. William King, and the Baron de Dopff. The SECRETARY then read the report, which stated that the register contained all the original names, except these four which be had left out, in consequence of their not having paid anythinc , upon the shares which they were represented to hay:held. After a long discussion, it was decided that the names should be omitted. The seal of the company was then formally attached to the list of shareholders. The SECRETARY then read the report of the directors, the substance of which was as follows:—The claims upon the company will be liquidated by the directors as speedily as the payment of the calls will allow. The bills of the solicitors are now under taxation, and the claims of many individuals who have never been em ployed by the company will in all probability be disal lowed. The call of 11. per share made in July last was paid upon 3,431 shares, and unpaid upon 8,025 ; but there having been no sealed register legal difficulty was appre hended in recovering the amounts. That difficulty has been removed by the recent valid call, upon which 2151 only has been paid, but the directors havegiven instructions to proceed against every defaulter. Steps have also been taken to recover the three cheques for 4201 from Mr. D. T. Johnson, Mr. William King, and Mr. E. J. Spiers. The Railway Commissioners have granted an extension of two years for the completion of the railway, and also for the compulsory purchase of lands from the fixed periods of five and three years. The balan ce - s h ee t up to M ay 15 state d the receipts daring the year to be 1,0001 Bs. ld., and the total of payments 6591. 9s. Bd.; leaving a balance in hand of 781 1 ls. sd. The assets arising from amounts due on calls, share property, and other sources are 8,391/. 91., the claims upon the company amount to 3,4351. I3s. lid. The CHAIRMAN moved that the report be adopted. Mr. LZDGER, after a high eulogy on the character of Mr. Spiers, said that that gentleman was quite ready to leave the question of remuneration to himself to any disinterested parties, and that he was ready to give up his cheque on being freed from further liability. He had, indeed, in the first instance altogether resisted the issue of the cheques at all. After some further conversation the report was adopted. Thanks were then voted to the Chairman, and the meeting separated. BATHS AND WASHHOUSES FOR THE LABOURING CLASSES. Yesterday a public festival was held at the London Tavern, in aid of the subscription for completing the model establishment in Goulston-square, Whitechapel, and of extending the advantages of such institutions. The chair was taken by Lord Ashley, M.P., and about a hundred gentlemen sat down to dinner. Amongst the noblemen and gentlemen at the cross table we observed Lord Ebrington, M.P., the Hon. and Rev. Sydney Go dolphin Osborne, Rev. H. Dukinfield, Robert Hanbury, Esq., Edwin Chadwick, Esq., C. 8., Dr. Forbes, Rev. W. H. Hoare, W. Hawes, Esq., &c. The cloth having been removed, The CHAIRMAN proposed the health of the Queen, which was received with the usual loyal demonstrations. The various other loyal toasts followed in quick succes sion, and elicited similar marks of boisterous approval. The CHAIRMAN then came to the toast of the evening, " Success to the model establishment of Baths andWash houses in Goulston-square, Whitechapel," and entered at length on the various advantages which such institutions were calculated to confer on the working classes. He made a forcible appeal to the wealthy classes in favour of the scheme, which he said would not only effect an amelioration of physical suffering, but also of vice and immorality.—(Cheers.) The toast was then drunk with great applause. Lord ESRINCITON proposed, The Labounng Classes of the Metropolis," a toast which was received with sig nal marks of approval, and was spoken to in feeling and eloquent terms by the Hon. and Rev. Sydney G. Osborne. JOHN BULLER, Esq., the Hon. Secretary, who has de voted much valuable time to the success of the institu tion, then read the list of donations and subscriptions for the evening, which amounted to 4,4001., besides loans amounting to 3,0504 to be ultimately repaid out of the eventual surplus arising from the baths and wasbhouses, theto have history amo o u f n amounted r t i o t a b 7 1 ,4 e 50 c / 0 ., n t ri a so that i n po i nt of fact the donations may be said m ons u . np T ar h a e lle e le n d tir in e bu su ti I amount required by the society to complete their original design, is 10,5001. Su it will be seen that only 3,0501. remains to be collected. Amongst the munifi cent donors were announced the names of her Majesty the Queen and Prince Albert, 1004 ; the Queen Dowager, 1001. ; the Bishop of London, 100/. ; W. Cot ton, Esq.. 2001. —(Cheers)—the Duchess of Gloucester, 50/. ; the Earl of Ellesmere, 1001. ; Messrs. Truman and Hanbury, 100/. ; Messrs. Gurney and Overend, 1001. ; John Abel Smith, Esq., M.P., 1001. ; Bar clay, Bevan, and Co., 50 guineas ; the Corporation of the City of London, 100/. ; the Archbi s h op o f Canter bury, 5/. ; the Marquis of Westminster, 501.; the Mar quis liobert Grosvenor, 10 guineas ; Mr. Sheriff Cubitt, 5 guineas. Mr. CorroN proposed. " The Health of the Chair man," who returned thanks. Mr. E. CHADWICK proposed " Prosperity to the Trade and Commerce of the City of London." Several other toasts were given and responded to, and the company separated greatly, delighte4.ol ihg e4ornaus, SUCCM Of WO DaStillitiOU. 1,1.1.00Jaz IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF COMMONS, June 1. The &TAKER took the Chair at Four o'clock. REPORTS. The following reports were considered and agreed to:— Midland Great Western Railway of Ireland (Devia tion Line from Mullingar to Athlone) Bill. North and South-Western Railway (Harrow to Brent ford) Bill. Scottish Midland Junction Railway (Amendment and Branches to Birnam, &c.) Bill. York, Newcastle, and Berwick Railway (Deviation and Abandonment of part of the Thirsk and Mahon Branch) Bill. THIRD READINGS. The following Bills were read a third time, and pused:— Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway (No. I—Amendment of Acts and Branches, &c.) Forth and Clyde Navigation and Airdrie and Coatbridge Water Bill. Great Western Railway (Extension of the Berks and Hants Railway from Hungerford to Westbury, with a Branch to Devises). Norfolk Railway (Amendment of Acts and Extension of Time for commencing Reedham and Diss Branches). North-Western Railway (Diversions at Skipton, Caster ton, and Sedbergh). REPEAL OF THE UNION —AN IRISH PAR- The Lord Mayor o no L a f df :DpAtdbruMeepbsrleEaci presented N tt e , iyn T t g cafoopmr wearinge p tt hi a t n ei oi restoration abg b e a y irin s sr e to v b e t r eho a sef l , of e f pe t ahle appeared of Corporation utthtebtre bn siorna, the Irish Parliament. The petition, which was very voluminous, was read by the Clerk at the table. It was ordered to lie on the table. NAV IGATION -LAWS. Mr. FREWEN presented a petition against the Bill proposed by her Majesty's Government for altering these laws. Mr. FAGAN presented a similar petition from Cork. Mr. COBBOLD presented a petition to the same effect. SPIRITUOUS LIQUORS. Mr. FOX presented a petition from Oldham, praying the House to restrict the sale of intoxicating liquors on the Sabbath. PUBLIC EXPENDITURE. Sir G. STRICKLAND presented fifty petitions from Preston praying for a reduction of the public expenditure. THE FRANCHISE. Mr. HUME said he had a petition to present from Mr. Robinson (as we understood), a clerk in the Signet office in Scotland, stating, up to the recent revolution in France, he was a strong Conservative—(Laughter)— but that he was now a Radical Reformer, and that there would be no peace in the country until there was an extension of the suffrage, annual Parliaments, and a more equitable distribution of the electoral districts. LEICESTER ELECTION. Mr. KER SEYMER reported that the Com mittee had arrived at the opinion that Sir Joshua Walmsley and Mr. Richard Gardner were not duly elected to represent the borough in Parliament at the last election, and that both had by their agents been guilty of bribery; that several of the electors had been bribed by small sums of money, one with 11. 2s. 6d., the " gift of a new hat"—(Laughter)—and that the system of bribery was such as to require the serious attention of the House.—(Cheers.) The report was ordered to be printed. Mr. W. MILES presented petitions from Somerset. shire, complaining of the increase of vagrancy, and praying for an alteration of the law NAVIGATION-LAWS. Mr. LABOUCHERE presented a petition from the merchants and bankers of Liverpool praying for a re peal of the navigation-laws. BAKERS. Lord R. GROSVENOR gave notice of his intention, at some early day, zo bring in a Bill to prohibit the working of bake-houses at certain hours of the night. DEFALCATIONS IN CALCUTTA. Viscount JOCELYN, seeing the Right Hon. Baronet the President of the Board of Control in his place, wished to know whether it was true as reported, that there was a deficiency to. the extent of 100,0001. in the accounts of Sir Thomas 'futon, the Ecclesiastical Regis trar of the Supreme Court of Calcutta; and, if so, how it was intended to make up the deficiency ; and whether the Indian Government were engaged in concerting mea sures by which such delinquencies would in future be prevented? Sir J. HOBHOUSE said it was with extreme sorrow he had to state that the report of the defalcation of the Ecclesiastical Registrar of the Supreme Court of Calcutta was too true. From the information be had received he could not say that the sum was so large as that men tioned by the Noble Lord, but still it was a very large sum indeed. The sureties accepted on Sir Thomas Turton taking the dice were only for /0,0004; and even supposing that this sum were recovered, it would go but a very little way indeed towards making good the deficiency. With respect to the second question, as to who would bear the loss, he was sorry he could not give the Noble Lord any satisfactory answer. The East India Company insist that the loss ought to be charged upon the revenue, but no doubt his Right Hon. Friend would protest against that course being pursued. With respect to the third sjiestion, as to whether some scheme was being concocted to prevent such delinquencies in future, he had to inform the Noble Lord that, on the first receipt of the intelligence from India, he thought it his duty to consult the law officers of the Crown with respect to the punishment of this individual party —as to whether it would be advisable to indict Sir Thomas Turton but the opinion given by the law officers was not favourable to that course, and be had thought it right to inform the Governor-General of India of that opinion, The Government in India, how ever, were now preparing an Act by which it would be their endeavour to prevent, by all possible means, a re currence of such delinquencies. THE %VEST INDIES. Mr. BERKELEY wished to ask the Hon. Member for Montrose ',question respecting his resolutions on the state of the West Indies. He observed that the Hon. Member had postponed the discussion upon the resolu tionsr till the 42d of June, an d h e w i shed to ask him under what circumstances it was th at G overnment would not consent to aneerliesehde dtberesolutions, they day to ask, also, whether, wetheorti, su pposing the Hous e ? H one wished would be productiv e of, good, when, o n th e sth of June, the Is. 6 d. preferential d u ty wou ld ta ll i n? Mr..HUME said he had on l y two d ays to c h oose al from, and - he had fixed upon the 22d of June as being the best adapted to the discussion. At the time, how ever, that he named that day, he was not aware of the preferential duty expiring so shortly afterwards, and if the Noble Lord at the head of the Government would agree to it, he should have no objection to bring on the discussion this day week. Lord J. RUSSELL said he would reply to the Hon. Member's question to-morrow. Mr. GOULBURN wished to ask the Noble Lord at the head of the Government whether he was prepared to bring forward any measure upon this subject? Lord JOHN RUSSELL replied that immediately after the recess he or one of his Right Hon. Friends would state the course Government were prepared to take on the subject. ENCUMBERED ESTATES (IRELAND) BILL. In answer to a question from Mr. KEOGH, The SOLICITOR-GENERAL stated that the Bill was ready for committal, and it would be brought on on the first opportunity. LAW OF MARRIAGE. Mr. SLANEY wished to ask the Hon. Member for Renfrewshire, seeing hire in his place, when the report of the Commission on the Law of Marriage would be laid on the table? Mr. S. VVORTLEY said, as most of the Members on that Commission had important avocations independent of the Commission, there had been some difficulty in getting meetings as frequently as was desirable, but he was h a ppy to say that the Commissioners had come to the determination to report separately on the questions of marriage and the degrees of affinity, and that the reports on these subjects had been prepared and were only waiting to be engrossed. As soon as they were ready they would be presented to her Majesty, and it would rest with the Government to lay them upon the table of the House. IMPORTANT NOTICE OF MOTION. OATHS OF MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT, AND PAYMENT OF ASSESSED TAXES. Lord JOIN RUSSELL—I beg to give notice that, on Monday next, I shall ask leave of the House to bring in ) a Bill, to alter thikform of oaths taken by Members of Parliament on taking their seats in Parliament; and also, that on Friday next I shall move for leave to intro duce - a Bill"tei 'repeal so much of the existing law as d in cities and boroughs.—(Loud cries of " Hear, hear," and cheers.) tinaorsxeciatnt necessary r s e s g a i r s y t e tore pa y the assessed taxes before elec- Mr. COLVILE rose to move that Mr. Speaker do issue his warrant to the Cler k of the Crown to make to H OF DERBY. P 4n li a raset for the borough of Derby, in Hon. Edward Strutt and the Hon. the room of th e Right • Gower, whose election has Edward Frederick Levesen out a new writ ß fo O r ß t O he r e G lecting of two burgesses serve in, this pr esent been determined to.,be void. Mr. STAFFORD seconded the motion. He said he • • should like to know bow man y the petition had read who were prepared to vote ag a i n st b some 2,000, out of of the Hon. Members y the petition from _Derby .sig ned the 45;000 inhabitants of the town. Wr its had issued to other places with the ; setae am ount of population as and a similar charge Derby, the same conststuency , brought against them. Brib ery was us th effected: vote which he A offered B a bill for his ac cepted, and petitioned against the return. and it was not un lik e ly that the whol e would be dis franchised in cons equence of the act of one in dividual, and th a t he thought was not a sufficient reasois for the disfranchisement of the innoce nt. his writ he would take care that issuing should should not b e t h e l as t ti m e the question of its If the Hous e w i t hh e ld t should be br oug h t f orwar d, for he would timeafte after time rs and day by d ay test b y di v i s i o ns who were t he M e m bers who w ou ld w i thhold from t h e i r f e llow-men the right r of representation.—(Hear, hear.) parties that had been verse was of this writ were acting unjustly. The very re . the case . His only object was to ascertain, for who were the Mr. HUME denied that those who refused the issuing the benefit of the community at largo, he understood the rule laid down by the issued se i t was, that the writs should sot be been to any of the boroughs which !) d r that it re ported as guilty of corrupt practices, in or der guilty of unjust pract r iceli jou as should be proved whether they had been guilty or no t. • before the House He sho u ld certa i nly take the sense o f the House against the issuing of t h e wr i t. Sir G. GREY sa id t h a t th e question was, whether the circumstances that appeared uP" they evidence before the House were sufficient to justify what he thought the issuing of this writ, at this time, would amount to—namely, the indefinite suspension of the writ altogether.—(llear.) In his opinion, the case of Derby was very different to that of Yarmouth.—(Hear.) He admitted that an inquiry, and a most searching one too, ought to be institut e d i nto a ll t h ese cases ofcor ruption, but at the time he Toted for the postponement of the writ, he did not anticipate that issuing the writ would be delayed for an indefinite period, namely, until the Bill of the Hon. Member for the Flint boroughs had passed. There did not appear to him to be any prospect of that Bill passing in the present session; and looking at the fact that there were 1,800 uncorrupted 101. householders in this borough, he really thought the issuing of the writ ought no longer to be delayed. Mr. RICE wished to ask the Right Hon. Baronet whether, supposing the writ were issued, he would still consent to the state of the borough being inquired into? Sir G. GREY said he had not the slightest objec tion to the inquiry, and although they consented to the issuing of the writ, Derby might still be included in the schedule of the Bill. The Earl of LINCOLN said it would be perfectly easy to retain Derby in the schedule, but what could possibly be the use of the inquiry after the writ was issued. The Committee had reported to them that gross corruption had prevailed not only at the last but at pre vious elections for the borough, and he certainly could not see how they could now issue this writ with any degree of consistency. The Right lion. Baronet said the writ ought not to be delayed till the Bill passed, because there was every prospect of the Bill not being got through this session. Let them issue this writ, and he was quite sure it would not, for no destinction could bo drawn between Derby and Yarmouth, and if they issued one writ, they must issue the whole of them. If that ultimately turned out to be the case, it would have been much better had they never stopped the writ, for the public would then conclude that the House had been insincere in all the protestations it had made upon the subject.—(Hear.) Sir J. HANMER felt convinced, after what had fallen from the Right Hon. Baronet, that if they issued this writ he should experience great difficulty in pre vailing upon the House to bring forward his Bill. He earnestly entreated the Hon. Member for Lambeth not to persevere with his amendment, but to make it a substantive motion on another occasion. That day was altogether an unfortunate one for the House to come to a resolution to issue a writ for the borough of Derby, which undoubtedly every person would acknow ledge was a great and important town. They ought to teach all those great and important places that a greater responsibility rested upon them in consequence of their importance to prevent and put down corruption at elections, and that if they were found guilty of corruption they were not to be treated more leniently than other places. He did not see bow he could, consistently with all his declarations in that House, con sent to the issuing of this writ, and therefore, as far as regarded the diverse course taken by Honourable Members with respect to the issuing of writs for places where Members had been unseated for bribery, he held himself altogether guiltless, because be had objected to the issuing of every one of them. He held in his hand a petition which had been printed in the votes for an extension of the franchise, and the preven tion of bribery at elections, and he trusted Honourable Members would give it their serious consideration. If Hon. Members thought that the spreading opinions as regarded the prevention of corruption were only enter tained by Chartists, and men of extreme political views, he could assure them they were very much mistaken.—(Hear, hear.) He had introduced a Bill into the House with the view of putting an end to bribery, and if it were fairly met by Hon. Members, it would soon be in a state to go forward to the other House. He did not wish to detain the House any longer, and would merely conclude by expressing his decided opinion against the issuing of the writ. Mr. GOULBURN said, if they refused the writ on the grounds stated, that they would soon have many of the large towns of the country unrepresented. He had as great a horror of bribery and corruption as any man; but he considered that the bribery complained of could be as well inquired into after a new election as during the suspension of the writ, and considering that no good would arise from the refusal to issue the writ, he should support the motion. But if the House was inclined to refuse to issue the writ, he thought they should insti tute an immediate inquiry. However, he could not be a party to suspending writs for an indefinite period, and for au undefined purpose. Mr. MUNTZ said he was not easily astonished, but he really was astonished at the speech of the Right Hon. Baronet Sir G. Grey, for from it it appeared that the Government intended t• throw their shield over such proceedings as those that took place at Derby. He could tell them that such a reform as this would not be received by the people. He was ready to suspend the writ for a definite purpose, but recollecting that those who were bribed were freemen, and that it would be a difficult matter to draw the line of demarcation, he considered that the borough ought to be punished, and should there fore, oppose the motion. The House should bear in mind that there was a growing feeling out of doors that the majority of the seats in that House were pur chased. Colonel SIBTHORP supported the issuing of the writ. Strangers were then ordered to withdraw, and the House dividectWhen there appeared— For issuing the writ 136 Against it Majority against issuing the writ —l7 The issuing of the writ was consequently postponed. The announcement of this result was received with loud cheers. SPANISH AFFAIRS. In answer to a series of questions from Mr. BAILLIE which were not heard in the gallery owing to the con :usion caused by Members leaving the House), Viscount PALMERSTON said—l have to state in ,he first place, that the Spanish Minister, Lauri* some ime ago, announced to me the arrival of Count do Mirasol in London, for the purpose of giving explana tions and statements with regard to recent transactions at Madrid. My reply ,to that was, that whatever com munications th e G overnment of Spain wished to make upon those matters to her Majesty's Government, I should be quite ready to receive from the official and accredited organ of the Queen of Spain in this country —(Hear)—but that I thought it my duty to decline entering into any communications with the Count de Mirasol.—(Hear, hear.) I also stated that considering the nature and character of the events to which these communications were to relate, I thought it desirable, at all events, in the first place, that those communica tions should be made in writing. I have received sume communications from the Spanish Minister; upon those subjects I am in communication with him at the present moment; but I do not feel it my duty at present to state anything upon those matters to the House. Whenever those communications are brought to a close, probably I may feel it my duty to lay the correspondence on the table of the House; but of course it is not for me to say on what day, or at what time, that will be. Mr. BANKES wished to ask the Noble Lord whether he would next day move that the House should go into Committee of Supply, in order to give him (Mr. Bankes) the opportunity of bringing on his motion on the Spanish cinestion? Lord J. RUSSELL said, if the resolutions on the navigation-laws were agreed to and reported that night, and the Bill founded thereon brought in, he should pro pose to go into Committee of Supply the next day; if not, he should propose to go into Committee next day, with a view of considering these resolutions, and in that case, should take the Committee of Supply on Monday. COPPER DUTIES. Mr. WYLD inquired if it was true that ships laden with foreign copper, which had recently arrived, had been allowed to discharge their cargoes on payment of the Is. duty proposed by the Bill now passing through the House. Mr. LABOUCTIERE said it would prevent much in convenience if notice was always given of questions of this nature. He had no knowledge of the matter beyond the general practice which had always obtained in all cases of remission of duty—namely, that as soon as the House had affirmed the resolution for a remission of any duty, parties were allowed to enter their goods at the lower rate, giving a bond for the payment of the dif ference, should the House not finally sanction the reduc tion. He had no reason to believe that a different course had been pursued with regard to copper. Mr. WYLD said he must complain of this course.— (Order, order.) He would move the adjournment of the tiouse to be in order. He suspected, from the unusually large importations of foreign copper which had recently been made, that the parties must have received some intimation of what the Government were about to do; whereby a serious loss had been entailed on the copper miners of this country. - WEST INDIA COLONIES. In answer to Mr. HUME, Lord JOHN RUSSELL said that on the 15th or 16th of the present month some member of the Government would be prepared to state the course which was meant to be pursued with regard to the West India colonies. NAVIGATION-LAWS—ADJOURNED DEBATE. Mr. J. WILSON craved the indulgence of the House in reference to some observations which he had made on Monday. On that occasion he had referred to a letter from Rio Janeiro, stating that several British ships were lying there unable to obtain cargoes, and to a corrobo rative statement which had been subsequently posted at Lloyd's, The Hon. Gentleman opposite, the chairman of Lloyd's (Mr. G. Robinson), had said that was alto gether untrue. Mr. G. ROBINSON—I said that it was Absolutely untrue. Mr. WILSON wished to afford the Honourable Gen tleman the opportunity of stating whether his words re• (erred to the . fact of such a document having been posted at Lloyd's, as the House apparently un derstood him, or whether he referred to the fact of the vessels lying unemployed at Rio Janeiro. From several letters which he (Mr. Wilson) had since re ceived, some from members at Lloyd's, he found it was matter of perfect notoriety to the secretaries and officials o f t h at est a bli s h men t, and to halt a dozen leading houses in London, that such a notice had been posted; for they had read it t .sere. The gentleman who had originally supplied him with the information from Rio Janeiro was a supporter of the navigation-laws, but he was desirous that a fact like that should be known. In consequence of the denial of the Hon. Gentleman (Mr. G. Robinson) his informant had written to him again, repeating the statement, and referring to the secretaries and officials of Lloyd's. The words in the original letter from Rio Janeiro were exactly what he (Mr. Wilson) had stated. The statement posted in Lloyd's was not from that let ter, but from one addressed to Messrs. John Robinson and Sons, sjhighly respectable house; and it was exactly confirmatory of the other statement. He hoped the Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Robinson) would now state whether he meant to deny the accuracy of the information from RiQ YENING, JUNE 2, 1848. Janeiro, or to impugn the statement that such a docu ment had been exhibited at Lloyd's, and taken down half an hour afterwards by order of certain members of the committee? The statement from Rio Janeiro was confirmed by other letters; and no fewer than six gen tlemen had written to him (Mr. Wilson) confirming the exhibition of the statement at Lloyd's. Mr.ROBINSON said, as he should afterwards address the House on the general question, he would rather defer his explanation till then.—(No, no.) If it was the wish of the House he would now give it. There was no difference of opinion whatever as to a certain letter or extract having been posted at Lloyd's—(Hear, hear) — or as to the perfect accuracy of the statement made by the Hon. Member for Westbury.—(Hear, hear.) His denial was strictly meant to be confined to the inference drawn from the fact stated, of there being eight first class vessels at Rio Janeiro unfreighted, whilst all the foreign vessels were obtaining freights; that inference being that the reason of their remaining unfreighted was the bad character of the ships and the masters.—(Hear.) That was what he meant to deny; and he should be pre• pared, when he addressed the House, to state his reasons for knowing that that inference was an absolute false hood. He meant not to insinuate that the Hon. Mem ber had made an improper use of the letter, or that the letter was not genuine; for ho knew that the writer was a most respectable person, and it had been put into his hands the next day. Mr. MITCHELL said be knew the writer of the letter. It was entirely a letter of business, written without any reference whatever to the navigation-laws. The denial of the Hon. Member for Poole having gone before the public, a gentleman who had recently re turned from Rio Janeiro had come forward, and stated that the matter was precisely as it had been represented by the Hon. Member for Westbury, and that the reason why the English ships were unchartered was the general bad conduct of the English captains. He added that most houses in Europe had given directions to their agents there not to charter English ships at all if they could get foreign ones.—(Hear, hear.) Such was the statement given by parties who had no interest what ever in the navigation-laws. Mr. ROBINSON—I shall be prepared to show that the statement with respect to the bad character of the masters and the ships is altogether untrue. Mr. MITCHELL—I said nothing about the badness of the ships. Mr. MOFFATT regretted that the forms of the House had prevented him from presenting a petition from his constituents against any alteration of the navi gation-laws. He did not agree in the sentiments of that petition; but believed, from the favourable effect of past changes during the last 20 years, that the alteration now proposed would be beneficial. From the moment that our tonnage had been in excess of the quantity re quired for our coasting and colonial trade and for the fisheries, the benefit of the navigation-laws bad ceased, but the obstructions which they created had continued. Many Hon. Members had expressed great alarm as to Abe effect of this measure, but they had failed to show any ground for it. Even the Hon. Member for ,Stamford (Mr. Herries), who had expressed such Igreat anxiety about the coasting-trade, had not been able to show how it would be damaged. He was quite at a loss to account for the alarm felt with regard either to continental shipping or that of the United States. The returns show that the latter had regularly increased for the last twelve years ; but the registered tonnage of most of the continental countries was extremely trifling in amount. That of France, according to the latest returns he could obtain, was only 600,000 tons; that of Austria, in 1838, 130,000 tons; of Norway, 282,000 tons; of Sweden, 118,000 tons; and for the whole of Europe the total was only 1,594,000 tons. Adding that of the United States, 2,562,000, the total was 4,156,000 tons, against a tonnage of 4,560,000 for Great Britain; and the carrying power of our ships :was 20 to 25 per cent. greater than that of foreign ves sels. After advancing so far as we had done in free trade, this measure could not be longer delayed. We 'were bound to give it to our colonies ; and the only question that remained was whether we would abolish this foolish aid destructive law for the long voyage. Though be was highly favourable to this mea sure as a whole, many of its details seemed to him to require consideration. Let the marine of this country be relieved from all unnecessary taxa tion, and it would be a benefit, rather than an injury, to expose it to free competition with that of other countries. At present the marine of this country paid a tax of 400,000/. per annum for light dues, one-fourth of which would suffice. It was proposed to allow the registration of foreign built ships as British ships, where they be longed jo British owners. This would be the only in stance in which the importation of a foreign manufac tured article was allowed without paying a duty of ten per cent. It had been alleged that the Americans would engross a great portion of the carrying trade of our West India colonies. But, looking at what had taken taken place in Canada, where the trade was already open, he did not think this at all likely. As to the China trade, he did not think the Americans would ever suc cessfully compete with us there; for America had very little produce to send to China, and consequently could not bring much back. In regard to the China trade, he thought that this measure would be very beneficial, be cause at present there was frequently a deficiency of ships to bring produce from China, which this measure would tend to supply. He did not believe that the mea sure would be detrimental to British shipping, and he would, therefore, give it his cordial support. Mr. ROBINSON. did not think there ever was a mea sure submitted to the House involving such momentous consequences which was supported by such feeble argu ments. The Right Hon. Gentleman presented a peti tion the other evening, signed by 272 bankers, mer chants, &c., of London, in favour of the measure. He looked over the names attached to that petition, and he found that there were but few of the large merchants of London to be found in it. Mr. LABOUCHERE—The Governor and Deputy. Governor of the Bank of England. Mr. ROBINSON—It was principally signed by soli citors, tradesmen, and shopkeepers. But what would the Right Hon. Gentleman say to the petition which had been presented to the House by the Right Hon. Gentle men the Member for Stamford, which was signed by 1,900 of the principal bankers, merchants, and traders of London ?—(Hear, hear.) He would find that the names attached to that petition far outweighed those appended to the petition he presented. And with regard to peti tions generally on the subject, arose against the mea sure were far more numerous than those presented in its favour.—(Hear, hear.) The Right Hon. Gentleman said that Jamaica and Canada petitioned in favour of the measure. That was true ; but their object in doing so was to indemnify themselves at the expense of the Brttish shipowners for the loss which they suffered from the free-trade legislation of that House. He therefore attached no importance to the applications from those places. The. Right Hon. Gentleman then spoke of a menace from Prussia if they did not alter their navigation-laws. He hoped that this country had not yet fallen into such a position that they would be required to alter their policy with respect to commerce and navigation at the menace of Prussia or any other state.—(Hear, hear.) Prussia had nothing to offer them in exchange; besides that, the policy of Prussia, as the principal state of the Zollverein, was not such as should induce them to pass a measure for her benefit. The Right lion. Gentleman said also that the United States promised to reciprocate if they passed this mea sure. He had watched for several years the legislation of that country, and he could not see anything like a li beral commercial policy in her measures. After the intel ligence of the intention of the Government of this country to alter the navigation-laws had reached America, one of the most respectable papers of Washington expressed its delight "because," it said,"the enterpriseof our merchants, and the advantages we enjoy, will enable us to acquire a'large portion of the trade with the British colonies." —(Hear, hear.) He (Mr. Robinson) believed the effect of this measure would be to throw the whole of the in ter-colonial trade into the hands of the Americans, be cause, situated as America was in respect to those colonies, it would be impossible for the British ship owner to compete with her. From the time of Wash ington to that of Mr. Polk the object of the American Republie was to create a powerful marine force ; and this measure, if unhappily it should pass , would gr ea tl y contribute to that resu l t . As America had ' not the least advantage to offer them in return they were not called upon to pass such a measure as the present. He com plained of the mode and means adopted by the Govern. , went to carry their measure—he alluded more particu larly to the letter which had been sent to their consuls abroad. So far, however, from the consuls having reported universally against British ship-masters, they had frequently given reports favourable to them. He maintained, however, that British consuls, who were generally persons who once belonged to the army, were not the fittest judges on such a subject. If the Government wished for correct information they should not have sent the leading letter which Mr. Murray wrote.—(Hear.) Was it worthy the Governs merit to seek to blacken the character of respectable men ?—(Hear.) There were some amongst them who might be liable to animadversion, but on the whole the masters of British ships were as respectable as any other Glass of persons.—(Hear.) The Hon. Gentleman then proceeded, to read extracts from the letters of the eonsuls in reply to the letter which had been addressed to them. Mr. Brooker, the consul at Cronstadt, said that for 59 years only two cases had occurred there of masters ob• structing the custom-house officers. Two men had been accused of theft. This was all that could be alleged against British seamen in Cronstadt for a period of 59 years, although there were 500 ships a year there on the average, with crews amounting to 295,000.—(Hear, hear.) Colonel Whitehead, of Archangel, said that there were a few cases of charges against Britishl i nas. ters, but th e y were com p ara ti ve ly rare . Colone c l ght ' of Riga, Mr. G ames , of Od essa , Consul Liddel, ,f r .. Memel, and Mr. M‘Gregor, of Elsineur, made reports of a similar nature. An Hoii. MENDER here moved that the House be counted. Strangers were ordered to withdraw, but the requisite number of Members being present, Mr. ROBINSON continued his address by saying he was surprised that on so important a subject—one which it was desirable to have fully discussed—an attempt should have been made to count out the house.—(Hear, hear.) He would read no more of the consul's reports, but would observe merely that they were not generally unfavourable to British shipmasters. Now, in reference to the statement of the lion. Gentleman opposite, that British vessels could not get freighted at Rio Janeiro in consequence of the bad character of the vessels, whilst foreign vessels readily got freighted, he begged to say that he had received a letter dated the Ist of April (the very date to which the lion. Gentleman referred), in which it was stated that the reasons why the British vessels were not freighted was, th at t h e masters would not accept the low freightage offered them.—(Hear, heal) The Hon. Member had accepted his information too readily and too credulously, and he ought to have taken some pains to asce rtain, i not only t h at the fact was cor rect, but that the inference he drew was warranted, Mr. WILSON—It is not my infereade"" Mr. ROBINSON—The Right lion. Gentleman re late* ferred to Holland as a country that had former l y, a , commercial marine and navy without a navig ationes ; That is as true; but then there was no analogy betiv_eeon. the case of Holland in those days, and the case of E land at the present time, because there same competition which existed now, and moreov 1-1 ,. land was not burdened with a debt of 800,000 000/ -:; (Hear, hear.) He could assure the House, that if t_ n es Government prevailed on it to adopt free trade nierfto to such an extent, this country would not be apw„.. compete,with foreigners, and the effect would bee 01,i!. place a great part of the commercial marine bt tills was not the 11 country.•,-(Hear, hear.) But some persons m al_ f what consequence was that of. - And a naval over no v t some standing said that the commercial marine,.. w n s d : if necessary to the manning of the navy of Eng"' he he had not read the evidence of Captain Stirlln li -el could not have believed that any naval officer ef. !00, j e eed He bel e have given such an opinion. —(Hear, hear.) be f o re that the evidence of naval men would be given that the Committee, which was sitting elsewhere, 0.0,11. subject, which would completely controvert that The Hon. and Gallant Member for Christchurch (.o.l'it Harris) had contradicted it already, and declared tae_;is was impossible to maintain that the conimercialier was not instrumental in manning the navy. •Lic f i , _ o r• would ask, was the navy to be manned in case °f d gency ?—(Hear.) It was true Captain Stirlingi;ol plan of his own, namely, to keep up such largo fo d e , establishment in time of peace as would render .itelos, pendent of the commercial marine. But would in i ; - ' she Member for Montrose sanction such a plan? s ot country, in a period of financial embarrassment,,uv gel to keep up an immense naval armament in time Or P e t t he He had to complain that it was sought to coneeeliey system of impressment with British shipowners.. 01_,ties had nothing to do with it. It was the naval autb _r;or of the country who were responsible for it. He raver, to posed to the system, but ho did not see how they,7oo do without it in time of war. How would they PII!,0 50 then to man the navy If their commercial rnari le 4 t he much reduced as he expected it would be ungegjo) Bill? The Honourable Member opposite (Mr- f t .the accused them of entrapping apprent ices why , purpose of transferring them to the na v Y• .es ore was the naval authorities that forced app rentic them m h uch to their disadvange.—(flear , t contended that if the measure ta passed, the E n g lish 0 00 owner would be placed in a disadvantag eous with respect to the foreigner.—(Hear, bear•l. tilt British shipowner would not be on an equality tim ber foreigner. He could no t, f or instance, iniP °l4 di et to build his ships duty free. He bad also tesilY., bUt restrictions imposed on him for national purncle:/oro. he did not want to shake off those restrictions _.."sirifie tection was continued ,to him. The confinercial_":oo of foreign countries had greatly increased of hit„ e h, ibi The difference between vessels entered inwards i kp rv ti oeil i United States, Prussia, Denmark, and Swed e° o o the years 1824 and 1846, as c ompared with 3,910 Great Britain, was in favour of those Ste ° Legg e ' , pay vessels and 707,700 tons. He did not wish it ) , itt loo/' rate the matter but as the cacit o f foreign.- i v to ". and particularly of France and America, coeiPe any , them was growing greater and greater eve - el - D ot was in his opinion the greatest act of folly , ! teti eili• insanity, that could be committed to give tilos f: 00 1 ' tional advantage which this measure would affe_ l ; .1111 —(Hear, hear.) Then, as to authority , it wh o a fir; favour of the navigation-laws. Mr. Huskies °l3 n tiptec il :i Wallace, whilst they were in favour of the l •- c ioei to system, would not consent to abandon the principle of the navigation-laws. If he w e T: to Sel i l the days of Si r J os h ua Child , an d even A"" o tieg. whom gentlemen opposite were so fond of,V og would be found that they were for maints ll/1 Ole 4 0 laws. Indeed, nothing could be stronger th1.„ 13 Fr°,, nion of Dr. Adam Smith in favour of thL e leo.l s 'S; beginning to end the anatomy of the noLly„yeriii i , 3 , ol e was a tissue of ribaldry and prejudice. If add i '," 11 ; dreds and thousands to the mass of succeeded in carrying this measure they wc ° ' .t pies to paupers -onlydid in our country. And all this would be d i:in° tete twill- diet secure an uncertain advantage; for, if the a• ef c la increase commerce, it would be the conimel ee he sbe Li o io power. Even if it should countries. If such a Bill was introdtle e 'llon watch it very closely, and give it every oppot l be hoP o there would be sufficient • • to reject patriotism goo House of Lords. the r ,,,fog in favour of carrying pass that Hous e ' it in Mr. T. A. MITCHELL said that when iv-ofier Gentleman the chairman at Lloyd's exPre ss .lo P r ' lie ence to carrying them in those of foreigni " to tbil A l cargoes by British sh'P"„ A tion 9 ' o f was expressing an opinion entirely oPPc se s u the every underwriter in th a t h ouse . Two 0 ' t ee v" favour of the superior desirabilit writers of Lloyd's bad been examined befcr:tjeace,;eo mittee last year, and had given decided f Arli n e cPe bottoms. In a recent case at the Y H o av e se nab k rt ci ll e t °t ll s t ea in a foreign ship, had rei g h oo - d eca tb ri e tcoe fet e of sugar for St. Petersburgh, one in a fi rit 'i • British ship was so dam b a e g e e n d a in s foreign ship's cargo had arrived safely th i/ c it e 0 100 premium to be refunded in order to make su to red; 10- „go C u t he At the present time there was absolutely o° . s oc i tre' the merchants against the captains of sowers dot, of vessels going short voyages the ear" - d °le s thNbiquestionh.:aoeedo Look hadaat our oo theseuf onr Ia free ws o Canada eretrade.trades commerce T sea quently men of very indifferent skill ii so tire'i po lt This was, according to his vie w i the New ;York at 2s. ld. per barrel, whilst e that if cost for freight upwards of 4s , from r l b e c flour o uethe e ca w s $ L e s t : r b- y r-a c °3 l : t a s g ti e l le!!! nished. Delay world would be increased, and that c° f een i til lt prices of freights would be increased ratheroideu,,',oo had often happened to him at Rigs that "' l ees. t he in shipments would also he t ". 00 unable to obtain British vessels to take hi s g e r si ded ° O ree f conviction was, that if facilities were s " ° , t he importation of goods, England would beec h:l ; f etoe' ro in commercial depot of the world. EmPleY w r e labe hre ptit e given to our docks, to our ships, and to lit, te pt t ° 4the every department; indeed he could not a 1" ewe the benefits which would result as a c onse a qu to 0°317 0 ° repeal of the existing system. With regar d top oe tion, not one single argument had he beats t w iv. f edi that British ships would not be able to coniP i e to eeli, e b oa ships of every other nation of the world. wo rld h ip for his own part, that so country in th e fitt i o g e g o , such advantages in b u ilding and ciut h as we had. N o countr y possessed o le o t he tages of obtaini ng t ea k, oa k, fir, and o° 4o6 o 'olf of our Au s tr a li an co l on i es . As regardeud 0,0 to p n er fo t cost of outfittin g in the north of Engl4nia corner about r ou ira f n or w c a a r n k v , as a s n , d l 5 /. 6. p p e e r r W to h ou i. d er e p he te r 105. per IL work. There was no other country that e° li.g o re with these prices. Then as to sailors, we P b i e 0%0 rates for the captains, and it was most desir e 0, tbe a ij, should do so. But as to the common than eel' in the Baltic trade the Swedes paid less t - e s o Br of yet ,, the cost of the American marine was c l u c i jo etag e t eli illeso as to peoviaions, we had all t he , 6 11 the ge t bi t provisioning our vessels cheap; and wit", 5 , 4 ain „ e rg vantages surely it would not be coatenciea ogee •ei foreign c • • ompetition was likely to injur 0 011 0 0, • e us. OW .1 competing at the present time with fore i g• e shiP other under all the disadvantages of the apprentl._ n ett er systems; these would be entirely or doubt of " f ie pealed,. and if th were could there be any ee s being able to compete w ith the greatest sue ° ften i ' 1 her T , h a e ft M er, had considered the rest $ r question with the gre co gs and he was fully assured that we should beg r by the repeal of these laws 3fetie t • ITO 0 1 , D tain 6 tfi iogi a d r e ci n u o is un o c f in G g ß O A u N r 13 s Y ho s rt a t t y h 's a g t e thce- 1 - Icsp• . %g inferior character to the East India and Ch A- c i and as, consequently, lowering the position an Pet ill A 0 lone the interests of our carrying trade, proposed , or o f gically, to remedy the matter by destroyinEogiossof voyage traffic altogether, and to restrict the vrb ° o3 . our ships to the coasting and fishing trade. , ho e olit e a s denied th a t our s hip s cou ld com pete, unde r 'defere-eo, plated change, with the foreign carrier. Th e o f sellg o cl in the cost of our s hip s , an d our higher rsties,_oog as evidenced by Mr. George Frederick oess other eminent authorities, wholly precluded tlit"efed lity of our successful competition, unless Pr o e pec, s o . l o statutory regulations. The lion. Gel:Aton al % for e ": - himself admitted the advantage possessed 11 0 4 0 ship-builder by the clause which enabled Eng i r teen! 0 . owners to purchase foreign vessels and to regi' te ,, o erng ot t English ships. He called upon the Housedne%sititilild, larly at a period of such distress, not to diffuse p it ied' among the workmen connected with our sh i P e ff e ctil h o o by consenting to a measure which would _ fle d 0 1/. destroy that class of labour ; and he further see med 0o them, at a moment when a Continental wars:loA pending in which we ourselves might be i b a lons to break up that class of operatives to whi n u s whe dockyards could look in case of emergency. denied that there was any necessity, or even p h ad bh p , for calling for this change of a s y s tem whi n fie e o . sanctioned by nom © of our greatest statesmen• e the te l. sidered the measure as a practical proof the de prio r d traders had fallen off in their faith in free-tr° 00°4 0 pies, or they would not, in support of them , P" reen!',, tas to to their apprehension of Prussia's c reating $ c ost to marine, or a free. trade of her own. .A 9 t a 00. WO l e trade, Captain Stirling's and other evidence, entire; show that the railways would in a few Ye hrs e io; li f ; break this up. Already, many of our vehs•ooecl viously engaged in this trade, had disconti to on in consequence of the railways from L e e:1 I°o ° various ports, and between the Po' i bing themselves. It was a very difficult ()twig the keep our heads just above water, while aillnd to eda American vessels to be coming front Eng' — o ur ; United States, and to allow America to usurP t o e d Oh s Ito and from China and our colonies. He con bee °° c l if this change were effected, Hamburgh w° ti t initt e l o the warehouse for China goods for the Cen tine wen t of London; there this in the unfairly lower rates for warehoosll_l_s„,,bouilr was already too much in, (l _ l l c i e o burgh and other foreign ports, for while thsedw,7l.e-rent of a ton of tea at London cost 165. "' a t. w ore 1 1 0 6d., 6d., and the rent 2s. The apprenticeehip,l,sidontsg,„ the warehousingcharges in Hamburgo 6tezt had 0, doubt been felt as an inconvenience and but the shipping interest had been all alopg__Dtributlot submit to this disadvantage for the sake of " • D e ; supree3 cat its aid to the maintenance of our naval weal th he lion. Gentlemen reflect that the amassing oi_ sho wn t" .. , hen Solon vagi' s core ( ' not the only thing needful ; w ,nets sae rgOlP riches of Crams he said to him, he R ill take Y°l2oos with iron, stronger than your gold, , n , o f Lien d oe away." The Noble Lord quoted the opi anion b a d e _ ice , Brown to prove that the apprenticesh ava l c y fo g r e sil_ t s e r in e tte t rt P e f , much to prove the composition of our_ r " si e ffic h i e " ti ;, in strength, stature, discipline, and v T i g h a e There n w . l a s a w n e ! immediate There any such measure as the present. v.? that feeling there had been manifested a strong e h a d nec be e e s n siq n o _T vigation-laws ought not to be tamp pr oce_e'bo cry that had been raised was that which w from foreign nations, And were foreign 14., '1 k 4 , ;41