The Sun. — London, England, 1848-01-01 00:00:00

C f I i - THE ZOLLVEREIN TION VERSUS FREE TRADE. (Continued from The Sun of Thursday.) 11. NO W that we have brought the new system into Somse shape, we shall be better able to judge with some) certainty concerning its influence on the diffe rent branches of industry. It may be objected to the present inquiry, that, being exclusively limited to the consideration of one particular form of the navi gatio n-law, it has acquired an appearance of one isided.ness, and we may be blamed for having dwelt upon certain given relations only, while other combivations might equally well have been sup posed; it may be said that the existing laws tuf foreign states are not irrevocable, and that the states, according to the union, would be at liberty to have recourse to other measures than those Teserved in the draft of the treaty, and alluded to in the preceding section, Objections of this kind would, however, render a searching investigation of the proposed plan impossible, for strictures on one measure proposed may always be met by the re mark, that others might be substituted, and it would then only remain to prove in general the utility or inutility of differential duties. To do this would, how ever, be worse than superfluous, for there is not a manual of political economy in which this question is not discussed, and several publications of an exclusive character have of late appeared, in which it has been considered in all respects. It is contended that political economy does not deserve the name of t science, because it does not possess general and comprehensive principles, and because what it teaches with regard to one country, very often cannot be ap plied to other countries and to other times. The latter assertion is, at all events, true, and there fore the examination of a proposed measure o f political economy, and still more of a whole complicated system of such measures, must be undertaken with reference to certain given re lations, ,unless one would enter upon the her culean labour of examining them in all the imaginable changes they may undergo, and applying them to all imaginable cases. At least when the question to be decided is the expediency of a navigation-law for Germany, it is not possible to avoid putting forward some particular case as an example ; and certainly none could be more to the point than one taking for its basis the most liberal of the plans as yet pro pounded (namely, the project mentioned in our intro duction), and in connexion with this the existing relations between the states concerned. _ _ If we now proceed to consider the influence which the system of differential duties, such as we have de scribed it, is likely to exercise on the different branches of industry, and particularly 1. On the shipping interests, we shall at once see that the differential duties affecting the foreign flag are here of most immediate importance. The other dif ferential duties, such, namely, as would favour direct importation from trans-Atlantic countries, will be nefit the German shipowners mediately only, and only in case the two following assumptions should prove correct :—first, that this measure will really lead to a considerable increase of direct trade with those countries ; second, that this increase will benefit German shipowners only. That neither the one or the other is probable will have to be shown hereafter when we come to treat of the import trade. The distinctions to be introduced by the new :system, to the detriment of f ore i gn fl ags — name l y , th e increased shipping charges on Dutch, French, and Spanish vessels, and the increased customs duties (waarenzolle) which, in addition to the above- men tioned nations, will likewise be imposed on Portuguese vessels, is to have the immediate effect of facili tating the competition of German ships with the vessels of those foreign countries as regards im ports in to German p or t s . Th e i mpor t ance o f thi s protection can only be measured by the extent of the competition against which it is directed. In other words the services to be rendered to German shipowners by the differential duties in ques tion will depend upon the number of the French, Dutch, Portuguese, and Spanish vessels competing with them in our ports, and upon the efficacy of the measure to diminish that competition. Here we meet with the first case (but such cases will return regu larly in the course of this investigation) in which sta tistics must be brought in to the aid of argument; we will, therefore, here express the hope that persons de voting themselves to the consideration of such weighty interests as those comprised in the question of the introduction of a new navigation-law for Germany,• will not neglect to consult statistical tables, in order to make themselves thoroughly acquainted with the present state of commercial affairs, before attempting to introduce a change. Not having had at hand such complete statistical materials for judging of the trade of other countries as we have had for judging of the trade of Hamburgh, we have in the present discus sion referred more particularly and more frequently to the latter—a proc-eding which will, we are sure, not require justification. Of the 3,543 sea-going vessels with cargoes,* which in the year 1846 entered the port of Hamburgh, 79 were French 262 „ Dutch 9 „ Portuguese 31 „ Spanish altogether 381 vessels, on which, according to the new system, differential duties would be levied ; the remaining number — more than 3,ooo—would be able to continue their trade, unmolested, as before. From this it will already be seen how insignificant is the competition against which these duties are to protect us. How little our Merman shipping requires such protection is shown by the number of ships belonging to the German Confederation, as opposed to the 381 foreign vessels. There were 1,518 of the former, to which may be added 372 under Danish flag, which must also here come under consideration, because, as we have before remarked, there is among these a preponderating number of Holstein vessels, and consequently of vessels belonging to a state of the German Confede ration. It is further to be observed that— Of the 79 French ships 70 came from France. 262 Dutch 218 „ the Netherlands 9 Portuguese 7 „ Portugal. 31 Spanish 29 „ Spain. 381 324 So that of these 381 vessels only 57 came indirectly to Hamburgh. This proportion proves, on the one side, how little the differential duties on the indirect trade of these flags, so strenuously recommended by some parties, would avail; anti on the other side, renders it doubtful whether, upon the whole, any benefit would accrue to our flag from the heavier burdens imposed upon the others. According to what is above stated, the reason why in the trade between Ham burgh on the one side, and Holland, France, Portugal, and the Spanish colonies on the other, the flags of these latter countries prevail, is principally, if not solely, to be sought for in the differential duties existing there. Sup posing now that these duties should remain in force after the introduction of the German Navigation Act (the probability or improbability of their being main tained will be treated of elsewhere), and as long as they do remain in force, all persons sending cargoes to these countries will, of course, in order to avoid the additional duties, give the prefererce to the flags en joying privileges in those ports, and German vessels will, perhaps, only be used to fetch cargoes to cur ports. Thus if the system be carried out to its full extent the result would be that the vessels of both parties would make one voyage in ballast, in order to obtain freight for another ; that is to say, if it were in the power of customs laws thus to pervert the channels of trade. However, it is well known that this cannot be. In the present instance, it is more than probable that matters would stand as follows would not be possible to dispense with French and Spanish ships for exports to France, Cuba, &c. these ships would always, even in spite of the differential duties, be able to get freights hither, though, perhaps, at a somewhat reduced price. Should even the merchants in France, Cuba, Sec., desire to avoid these more heavily-taxed ships, they would not, therefore, be obliged to have recourse to German vessels, but might choose English or American ships, which are always to be found there in as great number as ours. From these remarks, drawn from the experience of ilamburgh, it results—First, that the number of fo reign ships to be supplanted by means of the differen tial duties, is comparatively but very small ; secondly, that it is very doubtful whether they will, in rea li ty, be suppl an t e d ; and, thirdly, that tis highly impro bablei that they would be replaced by German ships alone. What is in this respect said of llambu r g h ma y , no doubt, be said proportionately of all other German ports. We will here adduce two as examples. Of the 1,531 laden vessels which entered the port of Stettint during the past year. there were 5 French and 102 Dutch vessels, all, or a t l ea st the greater number, coming from France and the Netherlands ; of Spanish and Portuguese vessels there were none ; of German, on the contrary, there were 957 (97 Danish not included). In Bremen,l out of 1,605 sea-going ships which entered the port in 1846, 144 were Dutch (120 of these came from Holland), and 7 Spani s h (5 of which came from Spain and Cuba). Of French and Portuguese there were none ; but, on the other bind, there were 1,101 German vessels. We have in the preceding section mentioned the reasons why no other }countries but these four, the names of which we have so oft repeated, and parti cularly why England is not taken into accctunt, when we are treating of those nations whose ships are to 1 p [ i . • •rig • ballast are not, of , %. so rl.4kol i r i n i-- f 'e , ) AfAiwe are- iteitting - oi c ne:tiftes i f be a ,_ .-1 6firinzitlipipkit:;),0, , . Hkndert-i. • -. , ' , 1 ' April N 0 . ,- p. abf.. ~..,(.- •4f 'bid s , ~...pc-) 1 ( ( -41:-.r"<:i ...."' •Y ' ^} THE StN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, JANUARY 1 , 1848. be charged with differential duties. Even the " Memorial of the Prussian Department of Trade of 1845," supposes that the English flag must be placed on an equal footing with the German. But supposing even that we acted on another and a different prin ciple, which has likewise been recommended, and that we charged differential duties upon English ves sels also, and, indeed, upon all not German vessels, coming from ports out of Europe, the case would not thereby be altered. The objection would still hold good, that the benefit accruing to German shipowners would by no means be proportionate to the danger attending such a step. The traffic in the port of llamburgh may here again serve as proof. Of the 347 ships which during the past year came to Hamburgh from trans-Atlantic ports, 188, conse quently more than half, were German, 63 Danish not included. But of the cargoes coming from coun tries out of Europe, 2 only were imported under French flag. 1 under the Netherlands flag. 21 Spanish 17 2 ~ Portuguese „ 20 „ English I) making 46 vessels. The whole result of the last-mentioned modifica tion of the system would be, that in the most favourable case, these forty-six ships would be driven out of the market, and would be replaced by German or other ships on an equal footing with the German ; we have not, however, taken into consideration, that the greater number of these foreign ships came from the colonies of their own countries, and would, there fore, as coming direct, be exempt from the additional duties. Nor will the . objection here hold good, that the proportion is, perhaps, more favourable in Hamburgh than in other ports. To Bremen * there came from places out of Europe 250 ships, of which 230 were German and 9 Danish ; an the other hand there were — English .... Spanish .... 5 the numberoffressels coming to Altona from countries , out of Europe, it may be- assumed that at least three fourths of the colonial goods imported into Hamburgh " by land and from Altona," may be reckoned among the direct importations which have come from trans atlantic places to the Elbe, and have been discharged in Altona, for reasons irrelevant to the present ques tion, be it for Hamburgh or be it for Altona account. If we leave these good " coming from Altona and by land" out of the account, of which Table VIII. shows the amount, the proportions of the direct importa tions to the total importation for the year 1845, are : Raw sugar 92 per cent. Coffee ... .. 83 for home consumption, and full rates are offered, but the supply is scanty. The value of brown grocery lumps is 52s 6d to 535, and standard 53s 6d to 54s per cwt. The market is looking firm. Rinded crushed Sugar is held for 30s to 31s for first, and at 29s 6d for second sort, but there are not many orders. Loaves are in excellent request, and the tendency of prices is up wards. Cotton Tobacco ... .59 „ ••• .59 „ Rice ••• Hides . • • Dye woods ... ••• ••• • ••••• - 211r9 „ 89 ••• ••• „ POLICE INTELLIGENCE. boy at the Croydon assizes for knocking down and MANSION-HOUSE. robbing- a•-child- in — August last, of Which he vas George Ryder, a ruffian who flung a large stone at' found guilty, and sentenc-ed to three months' impri the shop window of Mr. Challis, of Cornhill, smash- sonment and to be privately whipped. ing a pane of thick plate glass, of the value of 151., on The prisoner who did not exhibit the slightest ‘Vednesday last, was brought up for examination. compunction, was fully committed to Newgati) :l .for Mr. Gill, the city of. London pass-master, stated trial. that he had passed the defendant to Dublin once in William Thomas, an ex-policeman of ttiktdivii. April, 1845, and once in January, 1846. sion, was charged with stealing a h orsec l o t , the The LORI; MAYOR—Defendant, you said yester- property of Mr. Edward Cook, the landlord of the lay that you had never been passed to Ireland. Now Kings Arms, Wick-street, Spitaifields, and the case it is certain that you have been twice passed. IV hat having been fully substantiated, the prisoner, who lo you say to the statement you have just heard ? said that he took it in a frolic, was committedlor Defendant—l say that I have been four times passed, trial. but I never went further than half way. I didn't like' to go there, so I came back to yez again, and here I am at the end of the ould year. The LORD MAYOR—I shall commit you as a rogue And vagabond, which you are in the completest sense' of the words, for three months to the Giltspur-street Compter. Defendant—Very good. I know the Compter well. The LORD MAYOR—By the time you come out an Act of Parliament will, I dare say, have been passed eMpowering magistrates to flog such fellows as you, and:you may depend upon it that if you are caught in the City offending in this way again, care shall be taken to give you as sound a lashing as can be ad ministered. Defendant—You must pass the Act first, please your Worship. I'm sure I wouldn't be such a fool as to break it if you once make it. The prisoner was then committed to prison for three months, and upon leaving the bar he said he hoped somebody would be so good as to let him know when the flogging Bill was passed. Fanny Rogers, a notorious thief, who is in the habit of waylaying drunken E'en and robbing them, was brought up charged with having stolen a purse . con taining 21.65. from Mr. Edwin. The prosecutor had been applying " hot and rebel lious liquor in his blood," at a public-house in Thames street, until half-past one o'clock in the morning, when the prisoner, who had been drinking at the bar, followed him into the tap-room, and coolly slipping her hand into his pocket, grabbed his purse and left the house. She was, however, followed by a young fellow who seized her and pulled the purse out of her hand. The moment she found that she had no chance of enjoying the plunder, she accused her pursuer of having robbed the gentleman, but she was taken neck and crop by the young man and given into the custody of a policeman, whom she endeavoured to persuade that she was innocent. MARYLEBONE. RUFFIANLY OUTRAGE UPON A STOCKBROKER.— Mr. Alexander Francis.earnpbell, a gentleman staying at Fladong's-hotel, Oxford-street, was brought before Mr. Long, on the charge -of having committed a most serious outrage upon Mr. James Henry Trye, a stockbroker, in Warnford court, City. Complainant, who seemed to have been much injured,. was accommodated with a feat while giving his evidence, which was to the effect that on the pre vious day at five o'clock, he was in conversation with a lady at the end of Connaught -terrace, when be was suddenly attacked by defendant, whom he had seen only once before, and who jumped out of a cab, and gave him a violent blow with a stick ; he (com plainant) had an umbrella up at the time, as it was raining, and he endeavoured to ward off othei blows, but he received several' more, and was very severely cut and bruised upon the back. He at hat contrived to seize fast hold of the end of the stick, when the upper part of it, ' containing a sharp sword about twelve inches long, was drawn out by defendant, who with it struck at him (complainant) through the umbrella, but forAt ; - nately he was not stabbed; he got into a cab with the lady, but he had no sooner done so, than the de fendant opened the door, struck at him with his fist, and tried to drag him out ; he (defendant) finding, that he could not do so, re-entered his own cab, and - was driven off in the direction of Hyde-park, followed by complainant, who gave him into custody. Com plainant believed that the lady to whom he was talk= ing at the period when the fracas took place has been living with the defendant. In answer to the charge defendant-entered into a few particulars, the purport of which was, that' he bad reason to believe that complainant had paid visits to the lady, and given her money. He totally denied having had any intention whatever of stabbing or in juring hiin in any way with the sword alluded to. Mr. LONG came to the conclusion that it was a matter of two serious a nature for him to dispose of summarily, and committed the accused tor trial. 13311 was taken, himself in 2001., and two sureties in 100. each. for the country ; the buiiness of a shipowner "is, not I necessarily a profitable one, as many shipowners can attest from their own experience. A sea-port will in general, it is true, be benefited by a great extension of its shipping interests, though the individual shipowners may be losers thereby, and it is therefore quite justifi able that in such ports all possible efforts should be made to promote this extension; but when applied to the economy of a whole country, the question assumes a very different aspect. Unless the geographical po sition of a country be peculiarly favourable, the arti ficial promotion of the shipping interests will be bene ficial to a small number of individuals and a small number of towns only. Great Britain and Ireland are islands, the half of Holland has been redeemed from the sea, France is bounded on three sides by the ocean, the Peninsula is almost entirely sur rounded by water ; all these countries abound in ex cellent sea-ports, and in all these ports the shipping trade and fisheries give employment to a vast number of individuals. All measures, therefore, which really conduce to the benefit of the home shipping in these ports, in reality conduces to the benefit of a large proportion of the population of the country. Ger many, on the contrary, if we do not include the non- German provinces of Austria, possesses only five or six ports on the North. Sea, double the number on the Baltic, and two or three on a small bay of the Adriatic, and the rest of the country and its popula tion are entirely unconnected with the shipping trade and its interests. Under such - circumstances it be comes doubly necessary to beware that we do not burden the whole country for the exclusive benefit of the shipping interests. The country must, however, unavoidably be burdened if the home shipping alone does not suffice to keep down freights as low as the competition of foreign vessels would render them. The exclusion of foreign flags, which, according to what has been said above, is unattainable or almost ineffective, would, if obtained and made effectual, only serve to raise the freights of German ships ; the pro fits, therefore, intended for the whole country, would flow into the pockets of the shipowners only. Should, even under these circumstances, a greater number of ships be built in Germany, the proportionate profit accruing to the great mass of the population would, nevertheless, be very insignificant, particularly as a large proportion of the materials must be purchased from foreign countries. It must not, however, be supposed from these ob servations that the inhabitants of the sea-ports under rate the importance of the shipping interests, as re gards the maritime states.* The importance of these interests is great, greater even than at first sight ap pears; but as it is the object of the present investiga tion to elucidate the question of differential duties, not with reference to Hamburgh in particular, but with reference, to Germany in general, we are bound to point out of how little relative importance the shipping interests are to a country like Germany, having so little sea coast. Thus, to sum up in a few words, it results from all that we have said concerning the shipping interests, that the protection to be afforded to the German flag , by the imposition of differential duties would be of no importance, because even as matters now stand they suffer very little from foreign competition ; that the beneficial effect to be produced by this trifling pro tection on the German shipping interests, is very doubtful ; that experience shows that the German flag requires no protection, and that it is superior to other flags enjoying protection ; that to confer parti cular benefits on the shipping interests at the expense of the general interests of the country, would in Germany be anything but advisable, and that it would be particularly ill.j edged to do so by the im position of differential duties, which, as we mean to show in the following section, are calculated to injure commerce. In considering the subject with regard to com merce, we have not only to take into account the higher charges to be imposed upon the flags of Hol land, France, Spain, and Portugal, but also, and in a still greater measure, the heavier burdens that would be imposed on indirect importations from those coun tries, as also from England and Belgium. In general and especially according to the words of the project of law of which we are treating, the term "indirect importation" means the importation of the produce of one country from the ports of another country; but it will greatly simplify the mode of expression. and also facilitate our inquiry, if we designate the impor tation into Germany of all non-European produce from. European ports, as that which is to be bur dened with differential duties. If we were to adopt any other distinction than that between European produce and the so-called colonial produce and par ticularly a distinction as to the nationality or the political circumstances of the producing countries, this would, in the working out of the system, render it absolutely necessary that all goods claiming ex emption from the higher duties should be accom panied by a certificate proving their origin. But this is a measure which, even independent of the impossibility of guarding agAinst fraud, would impose such restraints upon trade, that we cannot suppose it would be recommended by the partizans of the dif ferential system. Besides, as the object is only to favour the direct trade with transatlantic countries, it would not much matter whether Havannah sugar was fetched from Cuba or from North America. But this is the place to demonstrate that if the system of favouring the direct trade from the producing countries were to be consistently carried out, it would shackle the transatlantic trade also. It is generally overlooked, though it ought not to' be, that we receive from North America, for instance, besides the productions of the country itself, large quantities of Havannah and 13razil sugars, and Brazil and West India coffees, which the North Americans have partly purchased from the producing countries, partly exchanged for salted provisions and flour; we also obtain from them hides from Buenos Ayres, tea from China, pepper from Sumatra and the East Indies, spices from the Indian Archipelago, indigo and camphor from India and South America, cochi neal from Mexico, and dyewoods from the islands of the West Indies and the Pacific ; all of which they have brought from the producing countries, and which reach us by this circuitous route. Should this cir cuitous route likewise be obstructed by the proposed differential duties, then would all that is said below, as to their injurious effect upon trade, be applicable in a still greater degree. The uncertainty occasioned by the former plan re commended by Bremen, as to whether the differential duties are to affect certain principal articles only, and as to what these are to be, can, according to the spirit of the present more liberal project, hardly be settled otherwise than that, with the exception of those that are entirely exempt from duty, all goods the pro duce of countries out of Europe, should be taxed in this manner. It will be necessary, however, while examining the plan, to fix upon some particular exam ples, and these may, with the greatest propriety, be borrowed from the principal articles just referred to. The immediate effects of the differential import duties must, in the first place, affect the import trade ; and here we must again distinguish between the dis advantages imposed upon foreign flags, and the diffi culties placed in the way in indirect importation. As regards the former, not even the warmest advo cates of the differential system can deny that their in fluence on the import trade cannot be otherwise than prejudicial; the impediments to competition placed in the way of certain foreign flags, must, of course, raise the freights of the favoured ships; their total exclusion would reduce the number of shipa at the disposal of the merchants ; both these circumstances would render the importation of goods difficult, and consequently either reduce them in quantity or raise them in price, and the mass of consumers would thus suffer even more than the importing merchant. This will require no further elucidation. The effects of the other measure, as to obstruct ing indirect importation in the sense above detailed, seem more doubtful. The first object aimed at by such a measure must of course be the increase of di rect importation (i. e., the direct importation of non- European productions from transatlantic countries). and here the following questions arise :—Are such me ms required for the attainment of this? and, Will these means led to this end ? Will the means not prove in themselves, more injurious than the end will prove beneficial ? In order to answer the first question we must take a survey of the present state of the German import trade in non• European goods. To Hambugh, to begin again with that which is nearest to us, there came in the year 1845, according to the returns of the statistical section of the Custom. house : From Trans- Atlantic From European. Ports. Ports. - Raw sugar 53,861,300 lbs. Coffee 46,972,600 „ Cotton 11,653,000 „ Hides Rice Tobacco Dye-woods 11,605,600 „ 3,297,600 „ These tables show, it is true, a great preponde rance of direct importations over indirect, but in reality the proportion in favour of the direct impor tations is still greater, for we have here placed among the imports from European places, those imports also which are marked in the statistical office as coming " from Altona, and by land." Now, it is evident that whatever goods of that description come to Hamburgh by land can hardly come from any other place than Al tona, and that they must have been imported into Al tona direct from transatlantic countries. According to * As regards Hamburgh, we"may perhaps here be permitted to allude to the great exertions and money sacrifices by which her merchants were enabled to esta blish the first German sea steam-ships in opposition to the . English companies. Hamburgh at present possesses six such ships of the largest kind, which navigate the Elbe (see Table VII.) and three new ones in course of building, two of which are destined to trade with Lon don. As is well known, there is already one line-of packet ships established between Hamburgh and North America, and another is about to be introduced. Together French, Netherland, and Portuguese there were none. In Bremen, therefore, this system would only serve to protect 230, or more correctly 239 ships, against the competition of eleven others. With regard to Stettin, the numbers made acces sible by the press afford no satisfactory standard. The Stettin report in the " llandels Archiv" (April num ber) only distinguishes between Prussian and not Prussian vessels • so that it cannot be seen how many of the forty-six ;hips which arrived from ports out of Europe were German, or such as enjoy the same rights as the German (of Prussian there were indeed but six); but there is no reason to suppose that the proportion was materially different from that in the two Hanse Towns. _ _ _ But numbers speak still more plainly when we look at the ship traffic in the port of Hamburgh, as it has been for a series of years. Table I. will show this. It will be there seen that the German flag, without the aid of differential duties, has during the last ten years gradually taken possession of the trans-Atlantic trade ; that the number of ships under the German and Danish flags, employed in this trade, has increased from 148 yearly, to 268 yearly—i. e., has increased from 50 to 68 per cent. of the total number (in 1845) ; that the number of vessels protected in the mother countries by navigation-laws has decreased from 28 to 46 e., has been reduced from 28 to 13 per cent. ; that the number of Hamburgh ships, more particularly, has increased from 92 to 160, or from 32 to 59 t per cent , and that at the same time the number of Eng lish vessels has sunk down from 70 to 20, or from 25 to 60 per cent. It will be seen, consequently, that the system of free trade has here in prac tice obtained a victory, which in this field could even in theory hardly have been predicted; for where can it be supposed that the Navigation Act will prove its beneficial effects, if it be not in the trade with distant countries? Energy, perseverance, and industry alone are in such matters sure of success. Difficulties rouse activity, competition excites that ardour which will not rest till the competition be vanquished. Artificial protection, by prohibitions and duties, weakens zeal, renders exertion unne cessary, slackens activity, and finally leaves even the result itself doubtful. According to the opinion of those well informed on the subject, German ships are now in general superior to the English ; their crews are more efficient and their freights more moderate. Not only in the trade with places out of Europe is the English flag gradually being supplanted in the German ports, but in the European trade als9 it is gradually losing its influence. Table 11. shows this more plainly. The number of British ships in Hamburgh, excepting those in ballast and the colliers, has during the last ten years decreased from 25 to 19 per cent. But the decreasing activity of the English flag, even with regard to England's European trade is still more evident in the country itself. Table 111., borrowed from the returns laid before the Committees of the Houses of Parliament, shows that the number of English vessels employed in England's trade with Germany is only half as great as that of other vessels (most German) employed in the same trade ; that of the vessels employed in trade with North America, less than half; and in trade with the Scandinavian countries, scarcely one-fourth are English ; and finally, it shows, that precisely in the trade with those five countries where navigation laws have been established, the majority of British ships is so great that it balances the disadvan tages under which they labour in the free-trade countries. This is a remarkable fact. Is it owing to the operation of the navigation-laws ? The answer may be doubtful ; but it is a known fact, that a growing desire is evince in England for the abro ga'ion of the navigation I.ws, and that there is some hope that the term of their existence is drawing nigh. France, with a Navigation Act almost as exclusive with her artificially framed system of differential duties, with her fine ports and her excellent' mari time position, surrounded on three sides by the ocean, Frat.ce, the second maritime power in the world, has, when her coasting vessels are deducted, a commercial navy inferior in number to that of Germany (far proofs see Table IV.), and up to the present day her trading vessels are almost entirely excluded from the commerce of other countries with the world in gene ral, while the number of foreign ships engaged even in her own commerce, surpasses the number of her own ships. The number of ships coming into and going out of French ports in 1845 amounted to gether to 30,245, with a tonnage of three millions and a half; the share of the French flag in this trade only amounted, calculating by ships, to 42, and cal culating by tonnage, to 39 per cent.. The increase above the year 1844 amounted with regard to fo reign vessels to 898 voyages; with regard to foreign vessels to 1,120 voyages.l. Still more remark able is the increase of the latter during the pre ceding years.§ The number of arrivals and departures was— In 1827-16,632 vessels with 1,614,823 tonnage. 1844-28,227 " " 3,288,000 „ Of these were foreign vessels :- 1827 915,351 tonnage. 1848-2,072,000 „ so that the share of the foreign flags increased during this period, 1,116,649 tons, while the French share increased only 556,528 tons. The commercial fleet of France (including coasting vessels) comprised, In 1827-14,322 vessels of 692,125 tons burthen. 1844-13,679 „ 689,286 „ The result is thus on every side unfavourable. Neither does Holland, though her commercial navy is on the increase, present results such as would en courage imitation. Her ships, fitted out for long voyages, and enjoying particular privileges for the tradi between the mother country and her colonies, limit themselves almost entirely to that trade, and the Dutch trading navy is inferior in number to that of Germany. Belgium, with her differential duties, has not raised her commercial fleet to 300 sea-going ships, whilst Germany has above 3,000 ; and in Belgian ports the competition of foreign flags is rather on the increase than the reverse. Since 1840 the tonnage of Belgian ships has increased from 56 to 68, that of foreign ships from 170,000 to 278,000 tons. The commercial marine of Spain is as insignificant as her differential duties are oppressive to foreign nations. The trading vessels of Portugal are the least ad mired in Eurone. The above is not exactly meant to prove that navi gation-laws are injurious to the shipping interests, though in England this is maintained by many, but proves at least so much, that experience does not Speak in favour of their beneficial influence. _ The German commercial marine is superior to those above mentioned : our captains and crews in general en j oy an excellent reputat i on ; our vesse l s are good; thei r Preponderance in our own ports can n o longer be disputed; their number is in a state of satisfactory increase ; and so, if Heaven gives its blessing, we shall go on increasing in prosperity ; at least, there is no cause to think that this increase will suddenly stop, if arbitrary disturbances of trade do not take p l ace . But there exists as little cause for interfering with this natural and gradual increase, and forcing it on by artificial means, as for transforming the vigorous and healthy plant into a delicate hot-house plant calling for anxious care. Too much may also be done to promote the increase of shipping, if this be considered in itself as a branch of industry, and not merely as an aid to commerce. The possession of an overwhelming number of ships cannot always be considered a fortunate circumstance *" Handels-Archly," April No., p. 331. (Query 67.) t Journal des Economistes. De2embre, 1846, p. 14. § Denkichrill der COlniaohen Handelskammer von 184; 14. COFFEE.—Although the arrivals from our West India colonies have not been large during the year, and are only 3,000 cwt greater than in the previous one, yet merchants have been anxious to sell, and prices continued to give way, with little intermission. This may be as scribed to the consumption being much interfered with by other sorts on account of the difference in price, and the improved quality, for the supply of West India has consisted mostly of mixed and inferior sorts. The deliveries in consequence are less than in the year 1846 by 4,200, and there is an increase in the stock of 3,000 cwt. The opening prices of Ja maica this year were 33s to 55s for low to fine ordi nary, and 56s to 130 a per cwt for low middling to fine; in the middle part of the year we find they stand thus — the former from 39s to 675, and the latter 74s to 106 s, whilst the 'present value is 27s to 49s for low to fine ordinary, and 50s to 100 s for low middling to superior, this showing that prices have come down from 7s to 30s from the commencement of the year. Of Ceylon the . arrivals have been of such magnitude, and exhibit - an increase over those of the past year of 35,000 cwt, the excess being more apparent in Plantation sorts, and there is every appearance that the importation will be as heavy in the new as in the old year. Prices having ruled low and with downward tendency during the chief part of 1847, caused a large consumption, and to exceed that of the fOrmer season by nearly 36,000 cwt. The stock on hand is heavy, and shows a surplus of nearly 30,000 cwt; so that no material advance in prices can be expected to occur, although they are lower than at the close of the previous year by 4s to 6s for Native and 4s to 10s per cwt for Plantation. The opening prices this year were 37s •to 33s tor good ordinary Native, and 38s to 90s for common to fine Plantation. On the first quarter of the year they were 42s to 43s for Native, and 44s to 90s for Plantation; in the second 27s to 38a for Na tive, and 39a to 85s for Plantation; in the third 34s to 35s for Native, and 26s to 83s for Plantation; in the fourth, 32s 6d to 33a 6d for Native, and 34a to 80s for Plantation. SPIRITS.—From the West Indies the arrivals of Rum have been unusually large this season, notwithstanding prices were unsettled, and generally have been of an unsatidactory nature. The increase over the year 1816, it will be observed on reference to our annual statement, is 11,200 puns and hhds, 4,500 more than in 1845, and 13,000 greater than in 1844. The receipts from the East Indies are also heavy, and ex hibit an increase over those of 1846 of 1,000, 1845 of 3,000, and in 1844 of 6,300. The home deliveries of West India have been of a satisfactory nature, and which must be attributed to the moderate rates that existed; they exhibit an increase over those of 1816 of 3,000, in 1845 of 3,300, and in 1844 of 5,000. The export demand, however, has not been "so good as might have been expected—the deliveries for that pur pose are only on a par with those of the previous season, but are greater than in 1845 by 1,000, and larger than in 1844 to the extent of 4,600. Of East India the home deliveries are 1,100 greater than in 1846 ; for exportation, however, nearly 1,000 puncheons, &c., less have been taken. In comparing stocks with those at the end of last year, we find there is an increase in West India of 4,200, in the year 1845 of 1,600, and in 1844 of 4,000. The quantity of East India is nearly double of what it was last season. Prices are, how ever, lower', than at that time by 10d to l Id for Leeward Island; 7d to 8d for East India, and 2d to 6d per gallon for Jamaica. The proceedings in the market were of an important nature during the month of January, and in the early part of February, the home demand being ex teesive, whilst exporters were large buyers, and many speculative purchases were made, whilst the advance in prices was considerable. The excitement in the mar ket was chiefly produced by the proposition of Govern ment to reduce the duties, the reduction in Ireland and Scotland being considerable. A t the commencement of January the value of proof Lenard was 2s 6d ' and of fair Jamaica 30 per cent. over proof 3s 64, whilst in the first week of February, prices advanced to 4s for the former, and es 4d for the latter, since then, however. a t o tal change has taken place in the position of the market, supplies have much increased, merchants willing sellers, whilst all parties have operated with caution, and prices have come down rapidly with but little demand, proof Leewards being now only worth Is 7d, and fair Jamaica 30 per cent over proof 3s Gd per gallon. The general impression is that for Leeward Island and East India, prices will remain much the same as at present for a week, but that Jamaica will be cheaper, as this kind of Rum is higher in price than any other. The downward tendency in the value of Brandy has continued throughout nearly the whole of the year, al though the home deliveries have been of a satisfactory nature, and for the United Kingdom they are 995,000, in the trevious year 100,000 gallons, but the arrivals have been upon a large scale, and merchants showing much anxiety to sell caused prices to rule low, especially for old landed sorts. The stock is under 7,000 puns and hhds, whilst Brandy is 8d to is per gallon cheaper than last year, but as supplies aro likely to be heavy in 1848, no material improvmeut in the value oan be exposited to occur. Prices for Geneva have ruled sa tisfactorily for the importers by reason of the scanty supply. The lowest quotations for shipping sort in 1847 was 2s 4d, the highest 2s 9d. The quan tity taken for home consumption this season has been 12,000 gallons for the United Kingdom, against 22,000 last year. The consumption of British Corn Spirits has been unusually large, and for the first three months prices continued on the rise, and went up to lls 9d per gallon proof, afterwards declined to 1 ls, then rose to Ils Gd, then went clOwn to 11s, and now rule at 10s 6d, which is 61 lower than at the close of 1846. There is only one party using sugar sir the purpose of making spirit, and the prices obtained is lOs Gd per gallon pruot ; it is taken by retailers for the purpose of mixing with other spirits. Several parties are surprised that others do not turn their attention to this business as it is very profitab . e by reason of the cheapness of sugar. Secso.—This article met with much attention in the early part of the year, and as supplies were inconsider able, the advance in prices was rapid, and in the mon h of September we find that pearl was selling at from 40s to 56s for common to fine quality. Since then how ever, the demand having fallen otf, combined with the increase in the supplies, prices contnued to recede, and now range at 15s to 245, which rates are 16s to 19s under those that existed at the close of 1846. The stock is 574 tons, and in the former season 289. The arrivals amount to 1,106 against 778 in 1846, whilst the home deliveries are 756, and in the former year 784 tons. For :export the deliveries are 10, and in 1846 only 6 tons. For Sago Flour at one period of the year prices ruled at 34s to 365, but have since declined, and range at 23s to 255, there having been a better supply and but limited demand. The arrivals for the year are 180 tons. and in the former one 117. The home deliveries are 98, and in 1846 255, for exportation 10, and in the former year 34. The stock is 134, and in 1846, 667. ‘Tateeowe—This afternoon the public sales of Tallow went off flatly, and at rather lower rates; 147 casks of Odessa were only in part sold at 44s to 44s 6d; 146 casks of South American, 41s 6d to 425; 461 casks et Australian, fine 45s 61 to 46s 3d, good 44s 6d to 45s 31, middling 42s to 445, low 39s 3d to 42s 3d per cwt. INDlGO.—Although the omportation of East India has not been heavy during the year, and exhibits a decrease of 300 chests compared with 1846, 9,600 in comparison with 1845, and 9,000 with 1844, yet the market has been in a se ry unsatisfactory position during nearly the whole of the year, owing to the unwilling ness of exporters and the home trade to make purchases; the readiness of holders to realise, combined with the stiffness of the money market; and the numerous failures that occurred amongst merchants and manufactures. Prices continued to decline up to the October sale, at which Bengal purple only fetched 4s 9:I to 5s 3d, violet 3s 3d to 45 9d, copper is 6d to 3s 3d; Madras, low to fine is 3d to 3s 9d, and Kurpsh at Is 8d to 4s per lb. Since then a better opinion has been entertained towards the article, the home and export demand having been good, whilst speculators have been induced to make purchases, and a rise in the value of 2d to 3d per lb has taken place. A further , improvement may be expected to occur unless the importation in the new year is excessive, as the stock in bond is less, than in 1846, by 1,200 chests, whilst the dealers in this country and throughout Europe are scantily supplied, prices ruling from Is to is 6d per lb under those of the last three years, and merchants obtaining only small profits upon the importation, whilst there is every pros pect of a material increase occuring in the consumption, owing to the activity there will be in the manufacturing districts shortly, occasioned by the improved demand for goods, and the fall of the rate of interest. Notwith standing the unfavourable auspices under which trade and commerce progressed during the year ; yet we find there is an increase in the quantity of Indigo deliVered for home consumption and exportation of 2,100 chests, whilst the deliveries are greater than in 1845, and are nearly equal to those of 1844. For Spanish the market was in a dull state during nearly the whole of ten months, and prices were de pressed, but since October the demand has been more active, and a rise in the value took place ; yet .prices are lower than for some years. The supply during 1847 consisted chiefly of low and midd ling sorts, indeed the rates obtained for all kinds were under the cost of importation ; this is not likely to be the case in the ensuing year. The stock is greater than it was at the close of 1846 by 700 serous, whilst the in crease in The arrivals' amounte to 1,000; and there is a decrease in the deliveries of 300 serons. COCHINEAL.—On reference to our annual statistical statement, ,it will be observed that the arrivals this season have been unusually large, and exceed those of the previeue one by 2,100 bags, and are greater than in 1845 by 3,400. The moderate rates that have been experienced, however, occasioned the home and export demand to be satisfactory, tho deliveries for both purposes having been as large as in 1846, and 3,000 bags greater than in 1845. The stock is more than it was at the close of the past seasen by 1,000, but less than it was in 1845 by 260 bags. In comparing prices with those of the close of December last year, they exhibit a decline of 6d to Is for silvers, and of 2d to 3d per lb for black. For some months past prices continued to recede, by reason of the anxiety of merchants to realise, the large parcels pressed upon the market, and the caution exercised by exporters and the home trade in doing business; common silvers were sold as low as 35 8d per lb, but during several weeks the demand continued to increase, and prices to advance, whilst the lowest quotation is now 4s 2d. Appearances are favourable for the article during the ensuing year as regards consumption and prices, whereas the importation is not likely to be so large as during the present season, as prices only barely remu nerate importers, That there will be a large export demand in 1848 there can be no doubt. Whereby it is also to be observed, that among the European ports from which. these importations took place, were also some German ports —as, for instance, Bremen, whither the goods had been imported directly. With regard to some of the articles enume rated, we must make soine,..further observations ; thus, we must remark, relative to the apparently un favourable proportions of the imports of tobacco, that of the 7,000,0001b5. placed under the head of in direct importations ;• the greater part, or about 5,000,0001b5. came from Bremen, into which port it had 'been imported indirectly ; and. that further a part of it was Russian and came direct from Russia. 'The apparently . still greater disproportion in the imports of rice, is to be attributed to some particular temporary conjunctures ; as a general rule, the pro portations .are very different ; for, in 1844, the direct importations of rice into Hamburgh amounted to seventy-five per cent., and in 1843 even to ninety-three per cent. of the whole amount of this article imported. The only article the relative pro portions of which are really unfavourable is cotton, of which more will be- said hereafter. Further de tails are given in Table'VllL, and in Table VIII. a and /containing a recapitulation of the former, and in addition to Which we may here notice that the value of the total amount of importations from trans atlantic ports, was declared at the Custom-house to be 36,880,200 marks banco, 'and that the goods that were entered for immediate transit only amounted to the value of 3,129,700 marks banco. The remainder was thus entirely for account of the Hamburgh mer chants, who cannot, therefore, be reproached with having neglected Germany's immediate relations with distant regions. • What has been said of Hamburgh is equally appli cable to Bremen. According to the statement in the April number of the " Handels Archiv," relative proportions of ,the direct importations to the tot 11 amount of importations into that port, amounted in 1846 to — Tobacco 92 per cent. • Sugar .. 90 „ Coffee . Cotton Rice ... 80 „ Dye-wobds - 89 „ Raw hides •• 9l ~ Whereby it must be remarked that the imports from Hambuigh are recktined as direct. As regards' the Pruisian Baltic ports, it may be deduced from a complete import table contained in the January number of the " Handels Archiv," that in the year 1845, the proportion,of the imports from the transatlantic and German ports into these ports, to the total amount of imports, amounted to Coffee ...... 43 per cent. Raw sugar 46 , 9 Cotton .... 14 „ Tobacco Rice .. • Dye woods .. „ With the exception of rice, of' . which the same may he said here as was said, when spesking of Hamburgh, and cotton, of which more is to be said hereafter, the proportions are not here either entirely favourable. Besides, it is in the nature of things, that the pro portion of these imports in the Baltic ports could not be so favourable as in the North Sea ports of Ger many, and that the former ports should receive con siderable supplies of colonial produce from the latter. We have only to read the memorials which hare lately emanated from Stettin and Dantzic, to be convinced of how little benefit there is expected from differential duties. In general we see from the above, with regard to direct trade, that which was made manifest relative to the shipping interests, namely, that the object sought to be obtained by artificial means has long ago been attained naturally and simply by means of free trade, and that it will go on gradually developing itself, if left undisturbed under these influences. The first question; as to whether our import trade requires the protection of differential duties must, therefore, be answered in the negative. (To be continued.) MARKET INTELLIGENCE. t From the London New Prim Current of Dec. 31.) REVIEW OF THE SUGAR. MARKET FOIL THE YEAR 1847.—From the position and proceedings- in the raw Sugar market in the early, part of:the year, it could not have been imagined that the disastrous events that after wards occurred would have taken place; the supplies would be greater than for many sears ; that the in crease in the consumption .in this country would be immaterial, contrasted with the (previous seasons, it could not have been f ,reseen that sugar would he selling from 20 to 30 per cent. nnder the cost of importation. These events, however, have actually taken place, and to the astonishment of nearly every one en gaged in this sugar trade. There was much firmness in the market during the seven first weeks of the year. From the refiners and grocers an extensive demand was experienced, whilst speculators were induced to operate largely in oonsequsnce of the adm , ssion by orders from ernment of the unrestricted use of sugar in the distilleries and breweries, and the immense quantity that would in consequence be required fur that purpose. There was also a good export demand, and supplies were moderate ; prices continued to advance, and towards the close of February we find that brown Jamaica, which was selling at the beginning of the year at from 43s to 445 6d, had risen within that time. to 50s to 5250 d, thus showing an advance of from 7s to 8s per cwt. After which period the market assumed quite a different appearance; the demand for all purposes decreased, and supplies were upon a more extended scale; prices continued, with a few intermissions, gradually to give way, and con tinued so until the close of April, after which the decline became rapid, and continued so until the commencement of December, when brown Jamaica was sold at 34s to 355. The arrivals,-during f that period continued upon an extensive scale from all sugar pro ducing countries, whilst merchants were eager sellers, and continued week after week to press immerse quan tities for sale, regardless of the lowness of prices, and the loss upon the importation. The home trade on the other hand, in consequence 4 pf the advance in the rate of discountr, were debarred from balding large stocks, although the consumption continued to be of a aaisfactory nature. It would, however have been • larger, had it not been for. the monetary panic, and which was the means of -deprivieg vast numbers of the working populatioii •of employment. The sugars belonging to the firms that were compelled to suspend payment, and which were forced upon the market, also contributed to assist the down ward movement in prices. The export demand has fallen much under expectation, although during nearly the whole year prices have ruled under those of the Continental markets. The Government proposition of allowing the use of sugar in the breweries and dis tilleries may be considered as nearly a failure, for it was calculated when the subject was first proposed, that with moderate prices the ,quantity requisite would be 100,000 tons annually, and although prices have ruled low for eight months, yet the quantity taken has notexceeded 12,000 tons, and is a subject of surprise,only to beascribed to the real properties of sugar mixed with grain being unknown, the consumption having been confined to a few small brewers and distillers. There can be no doubt but that sugar, in connexion with grain, can be advan tagesuily used in the process of making ale or porter. The distillers that are using sugar find it to be to their advantage to continue the use of sugar. There were symptoms of improvement in the value a few days prior to the closing of the market, but any material rise in value in the ensuing year is not looked for, although there may be a large consumption, as stocks in Europe are nearly double of what they were at the close of 1846, and there is every prospect that supplies will be as large in the ensuing, as they have "been in the present year ; indeed, they will be greater, should the navigation laws be abolished. The losses upon the importation of sugar into the United Kingdom this year amount to nearly two mil lions sterling. In comparing the arrivals to this port in 1846, it will be perceived on reference to our annual statement that the increase-hi West' India is 27,000, • Mauritius 10,000, Java, Siam, and', Manila 4,400, Ha 7 vannah 12,000, Porto Rico 5,000, and Brazil 8,000 tons but of Bengal and Madras 2,060' less have been received. It will thus he seen that, our imports exhibit an increase over those of the past season of 66,400 tons, but the quan tity delivered for home consumption is larger of Colonial by 1,000, and of Foreign to the amount of 6,000 tons. Of all sorts the export deliveries'are greater by 15,000, so that the deliveries for all purposes are greater than during 1846 by 21,001 s The stock, it must be taken into consideration, is of Colonial 24,000 and of Foreign 7,000 tons heavier than at the close of 1846. The trade, however, are scantily supplied all over the coun try, and it must be taken into consideration that prices are lower than at that time by 9s to 10s, for West India, lOs to 12s for Bengal and Madras; 9s to 11s for Mauritius, 7s to 8s for Foreign East India, 5 s to 8s for slave labour. By the weekly averages from the London Gazette, the highest] aggregate for 1847, 37s 4i -d on the 2d February; the lowest on the 19th Oc tober, 21s 6d; the highest of West India 38s 3d, on the 26th of January, and the lowest on the 9th of No vember, 22s 6d; the highest of Mauritius 37s 6/c1 on the 2d of February, and the lowest on the 14th of December, 19s OP; the highest:of East India 39s 2/d, on the 23d of February, and the lowest on the 9th November was 19s 11d. At the request of several parties interested in the sugar trade, we publish two statements for the year—one exhibiting stocks, deliveries, and arrivals in puns; the other in Ws, bags, chests, and barrels. REFINED.—There is much demand for refined goods RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS.. LIVERPOOL, Dac. 31. STOCK EXCHANG H.—The sales are—Ambergate and East ern Junction, 465. 3d.—Birkenhead, Lancashire, and Che- • shire Junction, 15 3 / 4 —Lancashire and Yorkshire, 8 die.— Ditto, 32!. Shares, 5% dis.—London and North-Western, 148 —Ditto, New Quarters, 5 1 ,4, p.—Midland, Halves, 24 die. ex int.—North Union (A), 208—South-Eastern and Dover, 29 3 / 4 —Ditto, No. 4, Thirds, 13f, dis. ex int.—York, New castle, and Berwick (G. N. B.), No. 2, l% p. MANCHESTER, DEC. 31. STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are—East Lancashire, New, 4 dis.—Great Northern, 6 3 4 dis.—Lancashire and York. shire, Fifths, % dis.—Ditto (West Riding Union), 3 3-16 die. —North Staffordshire, 1 ,4 dis.—South-Eastern and Dover, No. 4, 1 13-16 dis.—York, Newcastle, and Berwick, Exten. sicns, No. 2,1% p. BIRMINGHAM, Dm El. • : STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are—York, Newcastle, and Berwick (G. N. E. Purchase), 1% p.—Birmingham, Wol• verbampton, and Stour Valley, 83e. 9d. dis.—North Staf fordshire, 1 / 2 dis.—Shrewsbury and Birmingham (B), 9d. dis.—Shropshire Union. 2% dis. (for pre. acc.) BRISTOL, Dzc. 31. STOCK EXCHANGE. —The market has been very flat for the past two or three days, and prices have been receding. The sales are—Great Western, Halves, 6% p.—Ditto, Quar. ter', 1 3 4 p.—Ditto, New 17!. Shares, 1 1-16 po--North Bri• • tish, '/ dis.—Ditto, Extensions, % die. YORK, Dac. 30. STOCK EXCHiNGE.—The sales are—Great Northern,4l. Si.=. —North 15ritiAb, Thirds, 11. 13s. 6d.—York, Newcastle, and Berwick (N. and B.), 30%—Ditto, No. 2 (New Berwicks), —Ditto, G. N. E. Purchase, 9%. GLASGOW, Dec. 30. STOCK Excumton.—Tbe sales are—Dundee and Perth, Quarters, 21. 2s. 6d.—Glasgow General Terminus, sl.—Glas gow, Kilmarnock, and Ardrossan, 2L—Scottish Grand Jinn. tion, 7s. 6d. Dispatches were sent off yesterday evening from the Colonial-office for the Governor of New South Wales, and also for the Governors of the North American Colonies. [ADVERTISEMENT.J—Diseases of the Skin: moat Extraordinary Cures daily effected by Holloway's (Nat. ment and Pills.—Persons afflicted with scurvy, leprosy, jaundice, or the most inreter4te skin disease to which the human frame is subject, cannot make use of a rethedY so certain, safe, and speedy in the cure, as Holloway's Pills and Ointment, which purity the blood and totally eradicate such inflictions from the system. In many parts of the Continent, where theso distressing com plaints are prevalent, these medicines are used as the sovereign remedy, they being equally popular both at home and abroad in obstinate cases of scrofula or King's evil, as also for burns and scalds. Sold by all druggists and at Professor Holloway's establishment, 244, Strati London. BIRTHS. On the 27th ult., at Pinxton Rectory, Derbyshire, the wife of the Rev. Ellis Williams, of a son. On the 29th ult., at Woodberry Down, Mrs. W. A. Wain:. ion, of a son. On the 30th ult , at Brighton, the wife of J. P. Larkins, Esq., of Bombay, of a daughter. On the 3 tat ult., at Stratford-grove, Mrs. Manley Hopkins, of a son. On the 31st ult., in Eaton-square, the lady of George Corn wall Legh, Esq , of a son and heir. MARRIED. On the 24th ult., Mr. William DiuHine Brown, to Sarah Jane, daughter of the late William Dann, Esq. IbIED. On the 29th ult., ➢lr. Isaac Simpson, of the Sir Ralph- Abercrombie, Charles-street, Hatton-garden. Oe the 27th ult., at the Hague, in Holland, the Right Hon. Lady Christine de Reede Ginckcl, youngest daughter of Frederick fifth Earl of Athlone. On the 30th ult., in Biunswick-square, Brighton, Mary, third daughter of Thomson Hankey, Esq. On the 31st ult., Mary Turner, the youngest daughter of R. T. Churchill, Esq., of Stamford-hill, aged 6. MONTHLY MILITARY OBITUARY. Lieutenant-Generals—Sir Charles Dalbiac, , Cohinel of the 4th Dragoons, London; Sir J. caincross, Royal Artillery, Kildare. Colonel—Mercer, Royal Marine;, Plymouth. Lieutenant Colonels—Cowper, 18th Foot, London; Dowse, Royal Artillery, Ballincollig. Majors—Holland, 86th Foot; Grimes, 98th Foot, Cawnpore; Hutchinson, half-pay sth Foot; Stapleton, halt-pay 50th Foot; Luard, Unattached, Salisbury; Morison, late of the Royal Marines. Captains—Bligh, 61st Foot, Kussowlie; W. M. Camp bell, 2d West India Regiment, Nassau, New Providence; Blackburne, half-pay 27th Foot, Lieutenants—Barry, 86th Foot; Carder, 941 h Foot, on his passage home; Drake, Ceylon Rifle, Hong-Kong; Leslie, halt-pay 18th Dragoons; Morgan, half-pay 12th Foot; Stapleton, half-pay 41st Foot; Barnes, half pay 73d Foot; Brereton, halt= pay Rifle Brigade; Kent, half pay West India Rangers; Ward, half-pay American Regiment; Ellis, Royal Marines; Rea, l a t e o f R o y a l Marines; Krause, half-pay 3d Hussars, German Legion, Nord Keim, Hanover; Browning, half-pay 68th Foot. Cornet and Ensigns—Von Sande, half-pay Waggon Train, King's German Legion, Bueren, Hanover; M'Beath, 25th Foot, Cannanore. Quartermasters—Newell, half-pay Ist Drag. Guards; Mackey,' late of the 93d Foot; Reynolds, baltpay lit West India Regiment. Surgeon—Gibson, half pay Grena. Guards, Hackney.. Assistant-Surgeons—Hart, 41st Foot, Limerick; Wal lace, 76th Foct, Edinburgh. Commissariat Department —Assistant Commissary. General Kuper, half.pay, Chambly, Canada; Assistant Commissary-General Morgan, halt-pay, Cheltenham. Chaplain—Vanbrugh, half-pay. QUARTERLY NAVAL OBITUARY. Admiral—Sir George Parker, K.C.B. Vice-Admirals--Sir Charles Dash wood, K.C.8.; Peter Ribouleau; Charles Carter. Rear-Admiral—William 11. Shirreff. Retired Rear-Admirals—Walter Grosett, Samuel M. Colquitt, Robert Bloye. Captains—George W. Willes, James Boxer, Thomas Smith (a), James Campbell, George Hayes, David Hope, William N. Glascock, Andrew Forbes, William P.. Ha. milton, John Parson, Peter S. Hambly. Commanders—John XL Spread, Charles B. Harvey, James Lowry, Walter Kendall, David Welch, William Chambers, William Lewis, Martin Cole, George Eking ton, George Rorie, David Keys. Lieutenants—Hugh B. White, Robert Trist, George M. WK. Pedder, John Intrie, Jame s Ni xon , W m . N. Jewell, William Russell, Thomas S. Crosby, Charles Chinnery, Thomas Glaire, Robert Towers, George Noble, James Lawrence, William Ayling, Ralph Crich. low, Francis T. D. Sewell, William D. Miller, Brownlow N. Gamier, William Lloyd (b), Zaccheus Andrew, John F. Warre, William Tottenham, William G. Deane, John S. Roberton, John W. Probert, Thomas H. Molyneux. Masters—John Coleman, John Lamb, John King (b), Thomas Clifton, William B. Curtis, George R. Frank lin, James Boyd. ROYAL MARINES. Lieutenant-Colonel—William M. Burton. Captains—Arthur Morison, William H. Craig. First Lieutenants—William R. Denman, Chas. Rea. Second Master—William T. Chapman. Chaplain—George W. Garrow. MEDICAL OFFICERS. Surgeons—George Brown (a), William Wilson, Powell Charles Bisckett, Anthony Donoghoe, Thomas J. Graham, M.D., Benjamin Lam. Assistarit SurgeJrs—Alexander Barr, Thomas Harr, James Patrick, Samuel Starret. Paymasters and Pursers—John Barnett, Edward S. Stewart, Jo'in Hill (b), Samuel J. Butcher, Edward T. White, Thomas Littleton. Londou: Printed and Published by 11URDO YOUNG, at No. 112, Strand, Printer, at. The Bun Office, No. 112, Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, in the county of Middlesex, Saturday, January 1, 1843 Mr. Goodman, the chief clerk, said the prisoner had been frequently at the bar for robbery, but in most cases the complainants were so much under the in fluence of the bottle that their evidence failed, and she having contrived to pass the plunder to her " pal," could stand, he test of a search. The prisoner said that all who accused her of dis honesty were perjured. The LORD MAYOR—We have caught you this time upon the strongest and most indisputable evidence, And you shall go for trial to the Central Criminal Court. The prosecutor requested that his Lordship would be so good as to decide the case summarily, as it would be inconvenient for hint to go to the trouble of a prosecution. The LORD MAYOR--What ! and allow this de praved woman to make more victims. You must prosecute ; and have no right to talk of the inconvenience, after having exposed yourself to rob bery by getting drunk in a public-house at one o'clock in the morning. Committed for trial. A girl, who has been twenty times committed for breaking windows, was charged with having demo lished four panes f glass in one of the kitchen win dows of the Mansion-house. _ The LORD MAYOR—Why it was only a few days ago that I committed you for a similar offence. The defendant (laughing)—Very well, I know it is. I came out yesterday after fourteen days' impri sonment, which you gave me for nothing but break ing a single pane. Now the moment I was discharged I paid you a visit, and instead of troubling the ser vants by knocking at the door, I just tapped at the window and broke four of them. The Loan MAYOR-- You must go for fourteen days', and upon bread and water again. The defendant—Look out for me when I come out. I'm blessed ifl don't trouble you again. The LORD MAYOR—You must procure bail before come out again.—Committed. BOMSTREET. UTTERING A FORGED CIIEQUE.—A young man named George Walker was placed at the bar before Mr. Henry, charged with knowingly uttering a forged cheque for 3001., purporting to be drawn by Messrs. Mayhew and Reynolds, of Carey-street, Lin coln's Inn-fields, upon Messrs. Dixon and Co., bankers, Chancery-lane. Mr. Reynolds stated that about two o'clock in the afternoon, the prisoner, accompanied by anot her man then in court, called at his chambers to inquire if anything was known there respecting a Mr. Harri son, of 51, Lincoln's Inn-fields, for whom he had cash d. a cheque for the amount in question, and he was anxious to know where he could meet him. Witness having taken him into an inner room told him he wished to put a few questions to him, which he a 'ed not answer unless he thought proper. The prisoner then gave his name and address, 13, Marshall-street, Golden-square, and stated he had until lately been in the service of Messrs. Oddie, solicitors, of Portland-place, but in consequence of the death of the principal in the firm he had been discharged. Witness inquired how he came acquainted with Mr. Harrison, and he replied, that being out of place he had advertised in the morning papers for a messenger or a light porter's place, at the same time showing the receipt for the insertion, and that it was answered on the 15th of December by letter from Mr. Harrison, stating that if G.W. (the signature with which he had advertised) would meet him at the Grotte Tavern, in Southampton-buildings, Holborn, on the following day he would treat with him upon the subject. On going he was told that Harrison was not then within, but if his business was of a private nature he might walk in, which he did for a short time, and on leaving he was met by a person who addressed him without any introduction, and asked him if he was not G.W., and upon answering in the affirmative he produced his testimonials. Mr. Harrison then said he was acting as an agent for a gentleman residing at Blackheath, and occu pying chambers at No. 51, Lincoln Inn fields, by whom he waa instructed to look out for a light porter After some further conversation, an engagement took place on the following day, his salary being 355. a week. They then proceeded from the Grotto towards the chambers, and before they entered, the prisoner received a shilling to fetch a railway time bill from Charing-cross, which was to cost a penny, but not being able to obtain orie, he was desired to get his dinner with the money. Mr. Harrison then gave hint 71. in gold, to get silver at the Bank of England for the amount, which he did, and, having delivered it to him in the vestibule of the chambers, he gave him a shilling to get a glass of ale. On leaving the public house, he met his employer, who gave him the cheque cashed at Messrs. Dixons. It purported to be drawn by Messrs. Mayhew for a debt of costs in an action, and he was ordered to get 2501. in 501. notes, and the remainder in cash. On re turning to the chambers his master met him at the steps, and handed him 6s. for his trouble, telling him that the Blackheath gentleman was ill and could not come to town until the following Monday, when he would drop him a note. On making inquiries at 61, no such person was known there. Witness had no such name as Harrison in any action, nor did he know of such a person. Mr. William Dixon said that he heard nothing of the matter until within the last six hours, when he ascertained that the money was paid on Saturday week, and credited to the firm of Messrs. Mayhew and Co., but the registered mark of the bank was not the same as appeared on the cheque. The prisoner being called on for his defence, after entering into the particulars of the interview with Mr. Reynolds, said that he had made inquiries at the bank previous to his going to Carey-street, and that he not only possessed a good character from Mr. Oddie, but also from Mr. Solley, 16, Manchester square, where he had been three years. Mr. HENRY said the case was full of suspicion, and in order to give time for further inquiries the prisoner should be remanded. WORSHIP-STREET. EARLY DEPRAVITY.I--Heßry 7'aekrell, a dithinutive urchin only twelve years of age, was charged by hi s father, a glass-dealer in Shoreditch, with repeated acts of robbery. The prosecutor, who appeared to bea painfully affected, stated that the prisoner had manifested the most vicious propensities from his earliest childhood, and that every means had been adopted to effect his reclamation, but unfortunately without success. His habits of pilfering were so active and inveterate, that witness was compelled when he retired to rest to dis pose of his clothes about the bed in which he lay to ensure their safety. On the preceding morning he was aroused by the slamming of the street door, and on searching for his trousers, which he had placed under his pillow over night, and the pockets of which contained a sovereign and 75., he found that they were gone. He immediately opened the window, and saw the prisoner running down the street with the garment under his arm. Witness raised an alarm, and the prisoner was stopped by a neighbour, who brought him back to the house, and he was then given into custody. Police-constable Morell proved that he was present at the Clerkenwell Sessions in the month of Septem ber, 1846, when the prisoner was convicted upon a charge of felony and sentenced to six months' impri sonment ; he was subsequently tried with another .-';a J