The Sun. — London, England, 1848-04-08 00:00:00

tl ,he peace in that country forty-eight hours—(Hear) — and were the religion of the Irish people Presbyterian, or any other than Roman Catholic, they would not endure their present position. Let them consider also the poli tical grievances under which Ireland laboured. To pro vide spiritual aid for at most three-quarters of a million of Protestants, out of a population of 8,000,000, 700,00 N. a year was exacted from the land. The Par liamentary franchise was daily diminishing; the ntut.i cipal franchise had diminished almost to a name; and waste lands were unreclaimed. What, then, had the British House of Commons done for Ireland? He would defer to a more fitting occasion any reference to the right of Ireland to a domestic Legislature. But what were they about to do by this measure? Besides S ubstituting transportation for fine and imprisonment, all cases would be tried before petty instead of special juries, and the Crown would have unlimited right of challenge, while the prisoner could chal lenge only twenty; and when they remembered the manner in which juries had been packed in Ireland on former occasions they might well shudder for the result. --(Hear, hear.) But was this Bill to be retrospective would it effect those gentlemen who had been held to bail, and were now waiting their trials?—(No.) Ile was not sure that it would not be retrospective if it was Passed in its present shape. He hoped, however, Go vernment would pause before they determined to press this Bill, that they would try the effect of mildness and c onciliation, and depend on the ordinary tribunals to Punish those who violated the law, and if they followed this course they might laugh to scorn those who were plotting against them. There was no necessity for this measure. Government had no right to anticipate any i nterruption of the peace.—(Laughter.) The heart of the people was sound. He was aware there had been much talk—and where there was much talking there was never much fighting. The men who were now talking sedition in Ireland he believed were humbugs. If they had been in earnest they would have adopted a dif ferent course. There was no part of the Queen's domi nions where the mass of the people were more loyal or More attached to the Sovereign than in Ireland, and it Was too much to wound a whole people and brand them as traitors because a few individuals made violent Speeches. r. M. J. O'CONNELL observed that the wound Which this Bill would inflict was like that which a sur geon made in cutting out an unsound part to effect a cure. As an Irishman, having the interest of Ireland at heart, he felt it his duty to support this Bill, the object of which was after all but to make the law efficient, and to assimilate the law of Ireland to that of England. The danger, as the law now stood, was that those who by their violent speeches (and some of them might be honest) were leading others on to acts of guilt which might involve them in punishment, might escape punish- Meta themselves. With regard to England, he thought the Bill might not be without advantage, as it would enable Government to punish men who were guilty of treasonable acts, but whom Government might not yet wish to elevate into martyrs by prosecuting them fo r high treason. Of the loyalty of the Irish people no had no doubt, and their affections were in favour of monarchical institutions, and the order of things as they existed, he was equally certain.:Any such change a s the men who had been alluded to were mad enough t O contemplate would be certain destruction. He should be ready to consider the clause as to spoken treason in C ommittee though he did not think this was a time When they ought to be too chary in administeringpunish- Meat to men who, whether by writing or speaking, encouraged others to acts which the law punished s everely. If the law had hitherto been lenient to such Persons, it ought not to continue so. If the man who set fir e to the stack was to suffer punishment, surely the m an who set him on should not go scot-free.—(Hear.) Mr. GROG AN supporte d the Bill , as one t h a t was calculated to restore confidence to all classes in Dublin, but thought it would be necessary to consider the clause as to spoken treason in Committee. Mr. W. J. FOX observed that it was not surprising that, i n the discussion of this Bill, it had been made so exclusively an Irish question, though it was to be re gretted, inasmuch as it had drawn the attention of the 11 °use from the most important to the least important Portion of the measure. The least important part was t l hat which ass i m i lated the l aw o f I re l an d to t h at o f Eng and- To th a t t h ere cou ld b e no reasona bl e o bj ect i on . If the Lord-Lieutenant required further powers to enable A him to p u t d own se diti on an d t reason , w hi c h shown themselves in the most unmistakeable and disgusting form, such powers could scarcely be given in a less objectionable way than by assimilating the law of Ireland to that of England. But the part of the Bill which attracted his attention, and which gave it its pe culiar character, was the infringement of that liberty of speech which had hitherto been the bo ast of E ng li s h men, as the safeguar d o f th e i r lberties. Th ere was no difficulty now i n punish ii og those who incited others to the commission of crime in Ireland as in England ; but once let it be the law that spoken words, which, though not in tended for th at purpose, might be construed to ten d to i mpairs the f reedom of discussion in either or b ot h aselouses of P ar li ament, and to overawe the i r delibera n°lls, might subject the speaker to transportation for _ sev en years or f or li fe: let this be the law, and no man wessld be sa f e to address a public meeting at a time of political excitement.—(Hear.) And it was at such times that men did address their fellow-citizens, when their feelings were roused by some invasion of their privileges, z r r were s ti mu l ated with the desire to extend them. It as then multitudes were brought together, and men's feelings were roused into that ardent state that it was Morally impossible so to weigh every word and syllable as to be free from the misrepresentation of an ignorant reporter, or a malignant spy.—(Hear.) The best re porters were liable to mistakes, and they could scarcely expect any very great accuracy from the reports of halt- Wormed reporters employed at such a time by the Police. If such a law was passed he should recommend every man to write his speech to prevent misconstruc tion- During the agitation on the Reform Bill he had h ear d la n guage from gentlemen, now Members of that House, and who obtained ;their seats by the fervency and boldness with which they spoke, and some of them Members of the Government, which, if uttered n ow —this Bill being the law—would subject them to transportation for seven years or for life. Were the People, then, to be deprived, by such a law as this, of their just privileges, to be left utterly defenceless, and to be placed beyond the pale of the constitution? He sincerely trusted that this encroachment on their liber ties had not been seriously and deliberately introduced by her Majesty's Government ; that they had been led astray by looking to those insane speeches of Irish de- Tagogues, and that in attempting to remedy that evil the y would not inflict a still greater mischief upon this country.—(Hear, hear.) It was public meetings that Made public opinion known and respected. In fact, Public meetings and the freedom of speech were just as Much as anything else part and parcel of the British co nstitution, and one of the last portions that we ought to consent to meddle with or destroy. If they took w r l Y freely coll ec t e d public meeting in this country, they would find that truth and justice, and Propriety and moderation, prevailed over all the ( . 3 PPosite n qualities. He, therefore, relied with confidence I the decisions of suc h assem bli es . Ind ee d h e h a d himself often heard them rebuke language tending to viol often and h e b e li eve d t h at i n t h e cont i nuance un touched of the power to hold public meetings, whatever Might be the case with respect to Ireland, they would be continuing and preserving something as a balance Igainst the inequalities of our laws.—(Hear, hear.) The Noble Lord on a former evening spoke of the ev ents of th e cont i nent hav i ng g i ven rise in this country to guilty desires and guilty efforts ; but the Noble Lord Might have said that these events had excited honour able desires and honourable efforts as well, amongst which he (gr. Fox) took to be the desire on the part of the w orking-classes, who had far more intelligenc e an d i s i ao rality than he feared they got credit for—(Hear, e ar)—of having for themselves a political status, and of being free themselves while they heard the shouts of newly acquired freedom from o th er countr i es. The attainment of that desire, at which, before a long period elapsed, they would and must arrive, and the advantages to be thereby arrived at, wculd, he must say, have formed the subject of a much better Bill than that now submitted to the House, while it would Prove a more powerful enactment leaving the law written on the heart—for the security of her Majesty's crown.—(Cheers.) Lord J. RUSSELL—The lion. Gentleman has so far been in error, as to have passed his censure on the pro position of my Right Hon. Friend before seeing the Bill. He has spoken of the danger of fixing a punishment to words, and of the novelty of introducing so heavy a punishment for words that may have a tendency to over awe the Houses of Parliament. But it is totally diffe rent to condemn men for words that may be violent, or mischievous, or seditious, and words that have for their object either to depose the sovereign, to excite to the levying of war, or to induce persons to apply for aid from foreign countries, in order to effect a change in the form of government. The Act of 1796 condemns the using words or public writing exciting to the levying of war, for the purpose of inducing the sovereign to change his measures, or for th e p urpose o f overaw i ng t h e H ouses of Parliarnent. But that is a very different offence fmr?tnea overawing the Houses of Parliament, which ad to levyof abuse and misrepresentation. Direct incitement war, whether with the view of putting a per sonal the restraint upon the sovereign, or of overawing I ouses of Parliament, is of itself a grave and substantive Offence .The Hon. Gentleman entirely part of the a:leas question of levying war, as if i t was no pond his judgment,re. I h ope he will, ther e f ore , sus of the Bill until he so far as not to condemn that part sees ger in extending it. I admit that there is dan this kind to words spoken; but we have to penaltiesconsider toehfat formerly the penalties of high treason were d to a very few words supposed to express a treas w m a t t r i, h. especially of late, instelvhoiflleecirnettenctoionns.piracies and Now, and councils in the dark, by aamb(?narchy was to be overthrown, it has become the with those who hope to compass the destruction of shit tthe monarchy and w armsor elc's speak to large the deposition of the Sovereign, aciting to the masses of the people and use levying of war and the use of of overbearing the legitimate authority of purpose and thereby to accomplish thei r m i schievous country, an gerous end s . When the m o d e o f warfare dand dan turning Governments is chang e d, I t h ink it heel:lover necessary to take some other course tha n that w h ich has hitherto been taken to prevent it ; an d I say it is far better to apply the punishment of felony to those of f ences, than to make the Act in all respects similar to that of 1796, and to apply to them the penalties of high treason. It may, I know, still be argued that the punishment is severe; but at the same time I think that those who actually incur the penalties of treason, and who by being brought to levy war arc subjected to the penalty of death under the Act of Edward 111., may not after all be in point of fact so guilty as those who have instigated them to rebellion.—(Near, hear.) I will not its,tns tsaue my argument up on t h is subject until the House the opportunity of seeing the Bill. . The H on. Gen tleman who spoke last suss that the only allusion I made to the events of the continent was that those events had inspired guilty desires and guilty efforts on the part of those who were seeking to disturb the peace of this me tropolis. It would not have been becoming in me on that occasion to enter into any comments upon those events. But as the Hon. Gentleman has so far misun derstood me, I must say that while my feeling and con templation of those events is a mixed feeling, I cannot but rejoice at any portion of them which gives to nations that have not hitherto enjoyed them the benefits of the inestimable blessings of a national representation, of political liberty, and of a free press.—(Cheers.) I do not now wish to comment upon these events; for I feel that I should be liable to much misrepresentation if I did. There is certainly one part of them which cannot but be viewed with joy by every Englishman, although another part is calculated to give rise to apprehension. I trust that the final issue of these events may be increased liberty for the continent of Europe. I cannot have been a Member of this House, or a subject of this realm, without being delighted to see that the benefits which this country has so long enjoyed should be extended to other countries; but when the Hon. Gentleman speaks of benefits still to be derived by the people of this country, and of honourable desires that are yet to be satisfied, I must say, that much of what has been done on the continent—much of what has been carried there at the expense of civil contest and bloodshed, and of the suspension of trade and industry —much of what has been purchased at those enormous sacrifices, though not too dearly, has been long enjoyed by the favoured people of this country.—(Cheers.) When, therefore, I am told that the people of this coun try have much to encourage them in what has taken place on the continent, I say that our position is such, that more than 150 years ago we not only obtained a constitution, but had the foundation laid for other be nefits and advantages which were to be gained in the gradual progress of human society—in the light of lite rature, the formation of public opinion, and the advance of humanity, which taught men better how to prize and secure the blessings of equal rights and common civili zation.—(Cheers.) I do say, therefore, respecting our progress of late years and in future years, having ob tained that foundation, and having by a free press and public discussion, which I believe this Bill will not im pair, and by elementary representation, obtained the means of improving all these advantages, that we have no need to enter into any bloody or doubtful struggle, but may rely upon a constant and peaceable advancement in public affairs, and upon the constant progress of liberal opinions towards perfection.—(Cheers). The House then divided, when there appeared— For the motion .. 283 Against it Majority —259 Sir G. GREY said he should move the second reading of the Bill on Monday, and also the suspension of the Standing Orders, that the Bill might go through Com mittee on the same day.—(Cheers.) Mr. HUME hoped that, whatever were the opinions of Hon. Gentlemen opposite, who cheered so loudly, time would be given to see what were the provisions of this Bill. The House had decided that the people ought not to petition for what they wanted.—(No, no.) This very Bill would prevent their expressing their opinions— (No, no.) —they would be subject to—(Loud cries of " No, no," and " Order.") LANDLORD AND TENANT (IRELAND) BILL. Sir W. SOMERVILLE, in moving the second reading of this Bill, said that if the House consented to the second reading, it was his intention, in obedience to the generally expressed wish of the Irish Members, to refer the Bill to a Select Committee.—(Hear.) The Bill was then read a second time. On the motion that the Bill be referred to a Select Committee, Mr. OSBORNE said he had only voted for the second reading on the express understanding that he should be unfettered in discussing the clauses in Committee; and he believed many Hon. Members had acted with the sane view. The subject was full of difficulties; but it was the duty of the House to strive to conquer them, and he believed this was perfectly possible. The cast-iron men of the political economy school could not, on their ow❑ principle, oppose this measure.—(A laugh.) Three measures having the same object were now before the House, and he thought the Government Bill the worst of the three—the most calculated to involve Ireland in the meshes of law, and to sow discord between landlord and tenant. He should not oppose the Bill going to a Select Committee, provided the Committee would en deavour to incorporate the best parts of the three Bills. His definition of tenant-right was the right of any occu pier to compensation tor the improvements he had made, and he would support any measure having this object, but no measure which went to recognise the mere right of occupancy as occupancy. It was known that the greatest difficulty existed in Ireland in estimating the value of improvements, opinions differed widely as to what were improvements; and he had heard of a case where a man had claimed compensation for building a mill, though there was actually not a stream or water to turn it. —(Laughter.) Some Hon. Members feared that this measure would perpetuate small holdings; he was convinced that Ireland was a country where large farms would never be common. The only measure which could save that country was a measure sanctioning the free sale of land.—(Hear, hear.) At present there were but 8,000 proprietors in fee in Ireland, and the amount of three millions was paid as the interest on encumbered estates. How could such a country become rich without a measure to facili tate tiro transfer of entailed lands It was not politi cal reform that was wanted in Ireland, but social rege neration, and till Government did away with the law of entail they would only be rolling up the stone against the hill. Mr. S. CRAWFORD would not oppose the second reading of this Bill, or the proposition of the Govern ment to refer it to a Select Committee, although he believed it would not give satisfaction to the people of Ireland, and would strike a blow against the tenant right in Ulster. He warned the Government how they passed any Bill which would have that effect. It would create a mass of discontent out of the House, and the Government seemed not to be aware of it. Mr. GRATTAN thought that a tenant-right Bill ought to be introduced, and he believed it would not be difficult to bring in a good Bill on this subject. He denied the statement which had been made against him by a Member of that House in another place—that he was a hard landlord. Mr. SADLEIR defended the landlords of Ireland from the attacks which had been made upon them. He ad mitted there were some bad landlords in Ireland, but they were the exceptions. The great object of any Bill introduced into that House should be to give the tenants leases, to which there was an indiposition amongst the landlords, arising from political reasons. He was quite opposed to the tenant- at-will system, which was so much lauded by the Hon. and Learned Gentleman the Member for the University of Dublin. lie hoped it would be re ferred to the Committee to consider the whole statutory law as affecting the relations between landlord and tenants, with a view to its amendment. Mr. MONSELL said that the Bill of the Right Hon. Gentleman had not given satisfaction to any parties in Ireland, and the only reason why he supported the second reading, was that he hoped it would be so altered in Committee that its parent would not be able to know it. The Earl of LINCOLN could assure the Hon. Gentle man who bad just sat down that he was too sanguine it he expected that this Bill would come back to that House in the present session. He complained of the conduct of the Government in referring-this measure to a Select Committee of fifteen gentlemen, and abdicating all the functions of a Government. If the Government did mean to adhere to their Bill, they ought to refer it to a Com mittee of the whole House, as the worst course was that of submitting the measure to a Select Committee. The time was come at which the Government ought either to legislate upon the subject, or else declare their inability to amend the law as it at present stood. Sir G. GREY very much doubted whether any good had resulted from the commission appointed by the late Government on the subject of tenant-right. The efforts made by the Government towards legislating on the matter had been met by the other House in a very untoward manner. The difficulty of legislating on the question of tenant-right was very great, and the Government feeling this had resolved to do only that which was just. With this view it was that they had proposed to refer the Bill to a Select Committee, com posed of gentleman from Ireland, it being in no respect their desire to force a measure on the landlords of that country which they were hostile to. Colonel DUNNE bore his willing testimony to the sincerity of the endeavours made by the Government to meet the difficulties of the case, and to adapt the mea sure to the exigencies of the Irish landlords. Captain JONES was of opinion that the principle of the Bill was good, although the machinery of it was de fective. Mr. R. M. FOX took the same view of the conduct of the Government that was expressed by the Hon. Member for Dungarvan. After a few words from Sir D. NORREYS in support of the Government proposal, Sir W. VERNER was so convinced that the Bill would never be rendered useful or practicable, that he had no hesitation in moving a s an amendment that it be read a second time that day six months. Mr. KEOGH seconded the amendment, because he did not consider the Bill to be likely to have any good effects. When it was asserted that the Irish Members had recommended the Bill to bo referred to a Select Committee, he begged to say that he knew of no such recommendation, and, moreover, he did not recognise such proceeding, nor indeed did he think it had been re sorted to ; and the cheers of the Hon. Member for Li meriuk confirmed this opinion. Mr. M. J. O'CONNELL said that compensation to the tenant for substantial improvements, which he un derstood to be the principle of this measure, would confer a substantial benefit on Ireland, and he should therefore give his decided support to the Bill. The Honourable and Learned Member for Athlone had given no reason whatever against the Bill founded on its principle. The opposition of the Honourable and Learned Gentleman seemed, in fact, to be simply that opposition which lawyers were extremely likely to make to it. It would be well for measures of this sort it there were no lawyers at all in the House; a parliamentum indoctum of common sense landlords would be much more to the purpose. The Earl of LINCOLN op posed the reference of the measure to a C omm i ttee up stairs, as imposing such a . delay on i ts progress as would amount to a rejection of the Bill altogether. Sir G. GREY regretted the tone in which the Noble Lord the Member for Nottinghamshire had intimated his opp os i t i on to the Committee. The Noble Lord had given ratherapibiarty colour to a debate which had previou s ly only exhibited in teda desire o n th e p ar t o f the House to unite cordially Ireland.promoting the interests of Mr. AGLIONBY would not oppose the second read ing of the Bill. At the same time he feared it would prove only a mischievous interference with matters with which that House had no concern.—(Hear, hear.) If it reached the Committee, there were only three or four clauses to which he would give his assent. He was strongly inclined to refer the Bill to a Select Committee. Mr. GROGAN opposed the Bill as improperly inter fering with the relations of landlord and tenant. How ever, if it obtained a second reading he should support its reference to a Select Committee as a means of render ing it as little mischievous as possible. Mr. HAMILTON hoped that his Hon. Friend the Member for Dublin would not persevere in his opposi tion. The preamble of the Bill, which contained the principle, was unobjectionable, and the clauses were open to amendment. He thought that the best course would be to refer the Bill to a Select Committee. Mr. CALLAGHAN supported the second reading. Sir P. NUGENT was also in favour of permitting the Bill to go to a Committee. He was anxious and willing that the outgoing tenant should have full compensation for all unexhausted improvements. For such portion of the Bill as secured that right he should vote in Com mittee. At the same time he lookM upon the measure as a very imperfect piece of legislation. Mr. REYNOLDS considered that some good might result from proceeding with the Bill. He hoped, how ever, that the reference to a Select Committee would not prove a practical shelving of the question. Sir W. VERNER said he would not press his amend ment contrary to the generally-expressed wish of the House. Sir W. SOMERVILLE vindicated the coarse of the Government and his ow❑ in the conduct of the Bill. He denied that it was calculated unduly to disturb the rela tions between landlord and tenant. The Bill was then read a second time, and ordered to be referred to a Select Committee. TIIE SUN, LONDON, ADJOURNMENT OF THE HOUSE. On the motion of the CHANCELLOR of the EX CHEQUER, it was ordered that the House at its rising do adjourn till Monday. WAYS AND MEANS. A vote in Committee of Ways and Means for raising a sum of 17,546,5001., towards the supplies, on Exche quer-bills, was then taken; and the House, having re sumed, adjourned at a Quarter past One o'clock. PARLIAMENTARY DIVISIONS. From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Commons.) FRIDAY, APRIL 7. CROWN AND GOVERNMENT SECURITY. Motion made, and Question put, " That leave be given to bring in a Bill for the better security of the Crow❑ and Government of the United Kingdom." The House divided:— MAJORITY-AYES, 283. Abdy, T. N. Glyn, G. C. Oswald, Alexander Adair, Hugh E. Grace, 0. D. Packe, C. W. Adderley, C. B. Greene, Thomas Paget, Lord A. Aglionby, H. Grenfell, C. Pascoe Palmer, Robert Alcock, Thomas Grenfel , Charles W. Palmer, Roundel' Anderson, Arthur Grey, Sir G. Palmerston, Viscount Anson, Viscount Grey, Ralph W. Parker, John Arkwright, G. Grogan, Edward Patten, J. W. Armstrong, Sir A. Guest, Sir J. Peel,:Sir Robert Arundel, Earl of Haggitt, F. B. Peel, Colonel Bailey, J., jun. Male, R. B. Perfect, R. lialdock, E. 11. Hallyburton, Lord I'hilips, Sir G. R. Baldwin, Barry Hamilton, G. A. Pigot, Sir R. Barkly, Henry Ilastie, Alexander Pigott, Francis Barnard, E. G. Hastie, Archibald Pilkington, dames Bateson, T. Hawes, Benjamin Plowden, W. H. Bellew, R. 'M. Hay, Lord John Price, Sir R. Bentinck, Lord G. Hayes, Sir E. Pugh, David Bernal, Ralph Ilayter, W. G.' Pusey, P. Bernard, Viscount Headlam, Thomas Raphael. Alexander Blackall, S. W. Heathcoat, John Rawdon, Colonel Boldero, li. G. Heathcote, Sir W. Rendlesham, Lord Bouverie, E. P. Haneage, G. H. Repton, G. W. J. Bowles, Admiral Henley, J. W. Ricardo, J. L. Brackley, Viscount Henry, Alexander Ricardo, Osman Bramston, T. W. Berries, J. C. Rice, E. It. Bremridge, Richard Heywood, James Rich, henry Broadley, Henry Hildyard, It. C. Robartes, T. J. Brockman, E. D. Ilindley, C.! Romilly, John Brotherton, J. llobhouse, Sir John Rushout, Captain Brown, H. llobhouse, T. B. Russell, Lord John Buck, L. W. Hodges, T. L. Rutherfurd, A. Buller, Chariot Hogg, Sir J. Sadleir, Jokn Bunbury, E. H. Hope, Sir J. St. George, Chris. Busfeild, W. Hope, Henry T. Sandars, George Campbell, W. F. Hope, Alexander Scholetleld, William Cardwell, Edward Horsman, Edward Scott, F. Carew, W. P. Hothain, Lord Scrope, G. P. Carter, John B. Howard, C. W. Seaham, Viscount Castlereagh, Visc. Howard, E. G. Seymour, Lord Chaplin,;W. J. Hudson, G. Shell, R. L. Childers, J. W. Hutt, William Shelburne, Earl of Christy, Samuel Jackson, William Sheridan, R. B. Clay, James Jervis, Sir John Sibthorp, Colonel Clay, Sir W. Jones, Captain Sidney, Alderman Clerk Sir G. Keogh, William Simeon, John Clifford, henry M. Keppel, G. T. Slaney, Robert A. Clive, 11. B. Ker, Rickard Smith, R. T. Cobbold, J. C. Knox, Colonel Smith, J. A. Cocks, T. S. Lascelles, W. S. Smith, M Tucker Codrington, Sir W. Law, Hon. E. C. Smyth, John G. Coke, E. K. Lemon, Sir Charles Somerset, Captain Colebrooke, Sir T. Lennard, T. B. Somerville, Sir W. Coles, Henry B. Lewis, George C. Spearman, 11. J. Colvile, C. R. Lincoln, Earl of Spooner, Richard Compton, H. C. Littleton, E. R. Stafford, Augustus Corry, H. Locke, Joseph Stsnley,lE. J. Cowan, Charles Lockhart, A. E. Stanstield, W. R. Cowper, W F. Lockhart, W. Stanton, W. 11. Craig, W. G. Long, Walter Staunton, Sir G. Cripps, William Lushington. Charles Straphenson, Robert Currie, Henry Mackenzie, W. F. Stuart, Lurd D. Davies, D. A. S. Macnamara, Major Sutton, H. M. Dawson, T. V. M'Gregor, John Talbot, C. R. Denison, I. E. M`Naghten, Sir E. Tenison, E. K. D'Eyncourt, C. T. M`Neill, Duncan Tenaent, '. J. Disraeli,,B. Mogan, W. 11. 1 hicknesse, R. A. Dod, J. W. Mahon, O'Gorman Thompson, Alderrau Douglas, Sir C. Marshall, W. Thornely, T. Drummond, Henry Martin, J. Tollemache, John Drummond, Homo Masterman, John Trelawny, J. S. Duff, George g. Manic, Fox Trollope, Sir J. Duncan, George Maxwell, J. P. Turner, George Duncuft, John Mitchell, T. A. Tynte, Colonel Dundas, Sir David Moffatt, George Tyrrell, Sir J. T. Dundas, George Monsell, William Vivian, J. E. Dunne, Francis P. Moore, George H. Vivian, J. H. Du Pre, C. G. Morgan., 0. Walsh, Sir J. Ebringtort, Lord Morpeth, Viscount Ward, 11. G. Edwards, Henry Morison, General Wawn, J. T. Egerton, Sir P. Morris, David Wellesley, Lord C, Ellice, Edward Mostyn, E. M. West, F. R. Elliot, J. E. Mulgrave, Earl Westhead, J. P. Evans, William Mundy, E. M. Williamson, Sir H. Ewart, William Mum., G. F. Wilsom, Matthew Farrer, James Napier, Joseph Wood, Sir Charles Fergus, John Neeld, Joseph Wood, W. P. Ferguson, Sir R. Newry, Viscount Wrightson, W. B. Filmer, Sir E. Sorreys, Lord Wyvill, Marmadake Fitzpatrick, J W. Norroys, Sir D. Yorke, 11. R. Fordyce, A. D. Nugent, Sir Percy Young, Sir John Forster, Mathew O'Brien, Sir Lucias Fortescue, Chichester O'Connell, M. J. French. F. Ogle, S. C. Gaskell, J. M. Ord, W. Gibson, T. M. Osborne, Ralph TELLEB.S. Mine% Heiry Hill, Lord Alarcu3 MINORITY-NOES, 24. Blewitt, Reginald G reene, John Sullivan, Michael Bowring, Dr. flume, Joseph Thompson, Colonel Callaghan, D. Kershaw, James Thompson, George Devereux, J. T. Meagher, Thomas Wakley, Thomas Fagan, William Mowatt, Francis Walmsley, Sir J. Fox, R. M. Power, Dr. Williams, John Fox, W. J. Reynolds, John TELLERS. Gardner, Richard Scully, Francis O'Connor, Feargus Grattan,:llonry Smith, John B. O'Connell, John CHARTIST CONVENTION. AFTERNOON MEETING. The Convention re -assembled at half-past two o'clock, yesterday afternoon, at which time the galleries and the body of the hall were greatly crowded. Mr. F. O'Connor, who presided, ou entering the hall was received with loud oho( rs. Mr. HARNEY said he had received a communication from Sutton in-Ashfield, transmitting the sum of 11., which was collected at a public meeting, held there yes terday evening, at which a resolution was come to, to the effect that if Mr. F. O'Connor's motion was rejected by the House of Commons they would . endeavour to ob tain their rights by every means in their power, and would have no more humbug this time.—(Loud . cheers.) He had also to state that he had been informed that workmen were employed day and night at Portsmouth Dockyard in making truncheons for the use of special constables on Monday next. These truncheons were composed of African oak, were eighteen inches long, and he was told that as many as 3,000 were to be made. — (Great laughter.) A number of workmen, who were in the employ of a large upholsterer carrying on business in Lambeth, had to-day held an open air meeting, and came to a resolution expressing their opinion that all pro perty would be respected by the Chartists on Monday, and objecting to be sworn in as special constables, the object of which they believed was to suppress the ex pression of public opinion.—(Great cheering.) Mr. F. O'CoNxon proposed that an address should be issued to the middle classes, especially the shopkeeping classes, showing the advantages which would arise to their order, if the remuneration of the working classes was based on a more tair and equitable principle, and asking them to consider the great saving which would be effected if every man was put in possession of the People's Charter, and had a fair day's wages for a moderate day's work.—(Great cheering.) Mr. BALDWIN proposed the formation of a committee to wait upon the Government, for the purpose of in forming them what the present state of the working classes was throughout the country, and the general feelings which were entertained by the m . RESULT OF THE DEPUTATION TO THE HOME-OFFICE. Mr. G. W. M. REYNOLDS, who was one of the depu tation appointed in the morning, stated that when they arrived at the Home-office they were informed that Sir George Grey was attending a Cabinet Coun cil, and that Sir Denis Le Marchant, the Under-Secretary, was particularly engaged with ',the Attorney-General.—(Great laughter.) He accordingly sent in his card with a message that if Sir Denis Le Merchant would grant them an interview, they would not detain him many minutes. The interview was im mediately granted, and they foundthe Under-Secretary in company with the Attorney• General and Mr. Hall, the magistrate of Bow-street Police court.—(Laughter.) They represented that they attended there on behalf of the National Convention; but Sir Denis Le Merchant's state,be o d n body,—(Cries e — nt ( i C on r i eu notwithstandingot t f e r " Iy 0 h r , immediat e r e pl y was, that he could recagnise no such y tt then et hati d et p ha r e o c N e o e fa d t e i d on t a o l e o p th u h. i )t a t r e eir d t ho re con ducting an armed assembly on Monday ; that they intended to con d uct the assembly in e peace able manner., and had no i ntention of resorting to phy sical force, and th at under those circumstancesthe meeting would take pl ace at the time appointed. Sir Denis Le Marchant t h en replied, that nothing . which they could state would alter the determination which the Government had come to. The delegates then observed that the proclamation of the Police Com missioners was calculated to create a di s t ur b ance of the peace, and that the Convention conceived it to be a great principle of the constitution that persons should assemble together for the purpose of presenting petitions to the Le gislature. The Attorney-General asked i why, the pe tition could not be presented by a few individuals ? The delegates said they believed that the right of pro cession was a principle of the British constitution. Sir Denis Le Marchant then turned round, and said, I may as well inform you that these gentlemen are the Attorney-General and the Chief Magistrate of Bow street." The Attorney General then appealed to the de putation as reflecting men, whether they did not thi n k they were proceeding too far. They replied that they . did iwt think they were. Whereupon Penis Le Merchant said, if they had any communication to make to Sir George Grey, they had better reduced it to writing. The deputation then retired to an adjoining room, and drew up a written statement con taining the sentiments of the Convention, which they had conveyed to Sir Denis Le Merchant. A copy of the statement was then read, and a vote of thanks passed to the deputation. I The debate, on the motion of Mr. WEST, for the ap. pointment of a committee, was resumed, a great number of delegates speaking upon the subject. The debate was interrupted by Mr. WILDE, who suggested that a deputation, consisting of two delegates, should be at once appointed to wait upon Mr. Feargus O'Connor at the House of Commons, and re quest him to ask Sir George Grey whether ho had received the communication left for him at the Home-office by the deputation, and whether he had any observation to make upon it. The suggestion was immediately acceded to. The motion for the appointment of a deputation to wait upon the Government, for the purpose of laying before them the real state of the working classes, was then agreed to, and, after the transaction of some other business, the Convention adjourned. ELECTION COMMITTEE. 'BOD M IN. The Bodmin Election Committee re-assembled at the usual hour yesterday morning; Mr. Hamilton in the *hair. Mr. WORDSWORTH having concluded his address on behalf of Mr. Wyld, Mr. HILL replied for the petitioners, after which the room was cleared. The Committee consulted together for a few minutes, and them the parties were called in, when The CRAIRMAN announced that the Committee had unanimously come to the following resolution : " That Henry Charles Lacy and James Wyld, Esqs., were duly elected at th e last election to serve as burgesses in the present Parliament for the borough of Bodmin. " That, although treating was proved to have taken place at the last election for the said borough, it was not with the knowledge or consent, nor at the expense of either of the sitting Members or their agents. They had also resolved to make the following special report to tho House "That it has been proved that a system of treating the electors by the distibution of five-shillinx refreshment tickets had prevailed at the last and previous elections for the borough of Bodmin, not at the expense of the candidates." They had further resolved " That this was not a case in which costs ought to be allowed." . The Committee then broke up. THE NATIONAL DEBT. (From the Gazette of last night.) The Lords Commissioners of her Majesty's Treasury having certified to the Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt, in pursuance of the Act, 10th Geo. IV., c. 27, sec. 1, that the actual expenditure of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland ex ceeded the actual revenue thereof, for the year ended the sth of January, 1848, by the sum of 2 : 956,6831. Bs. ld., The Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt hereby give notice, that no sum will be applied by them on account of the Sinking Fund, under the pro visions of the said Act, between the 7th day of April, 1848, and the sth day of July, 1848. S. HIGHAM, Comptroller-General. National Debt-office, April 6, 1848. ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE. WESTERN ClRCUlT.—Taunton, April 6. CROWN COURT.—(Before Mr. Justice WIGHTMAN.) THE BACKWELL MURDEIL—Charles Mansfield, aged 16, was placed at the bar, indicted for the wilful murder of John Wall, at Baekwell, by shooting him with a cer tain gun loaded with gunpowder and leaden shot, on the 17th of December last. His two brothers, Anthony, aged 14, and Roeta, aged 13, had been jointly indicted with him ; but as against them the grand jury threw out the bill. (They were also charged on the coroner's inquisition ; but as to them no evidence was offered, and they were acquitted.) Mr. Phinn and Mr. Allen were counsel for the prose cution. The prisoner was undefended. Th• case excited some interest from its extraordinary nature, there being no assignable motive for the com mission by the prisoner of the diabolical crime with which he was charged ; and during the whole of the trial the prisoner exhibited the most hardened indif ference, and cross-examined the witnesses with the greatest coolness and effrontery. The jury, after retiring for a few minutes, returned a verdict of " Guilty of wilful murder." The Learned JUDGE then passed the sentence of death upon him in the most impressive manner. The prisoner was then removed, exhibiting the same in- difference and hardihood which he had done throughout the whole trial. True bills were found against the two Boyles for the murder of their uncle, a respectable farmer of Dandry. The case excites the greatest interest in the county, and is fixed for Saturday. NORTH WALES ClRCUlT.—Chester, April G. CIVIL SlDE.—(Before Mr. Justice WILLIAMS and a Special Jury.) IMPORTANT CLAIM AGAINST iRAILWAY COMPANY. bROTR v. THE CHESTER AND HOLYHEAD RAILWAY COMPANY. This was an action brought by the plaintiff, & commis sion merchant, of Liverpool, to recover compensation in damages for injuries sustained at the accident which occurred at the Dee-bridge, Chester, on the 24th of May, 1847, which was alleged to have happened in con sequence of the negligence of the defendants, in not making and maintaining of sufficient strength a certain bridge across the Dee. The damages were laid at 2,0001. _ _ Mr. EVANS (with whom was Mr. Welsby) stated the case. He appeared as counsel for Mr. Grote, a merchant carrying on business in Liverpool, in conjunction with Mr. Tomkinson, who sought compensation for injuries received, by being thrown from the Chester Dee Bridge in one of the railway carriages, on the occasion of the dreadful accident of the 24th of May. He must confess his surprise that the company defended the action, and attempted in every possible manner to lessen the com pensation to which Mr. Grote was entitled. They had not paid a shilling into court—they had refused ail propositions for equitable arbitration, and were deter mined to come before a jury__a jury which be hoped would give such damages against them as their conduct throughout the affair deserved. lie ga thered from the conversation which had taken place last night, wh a t was to b e the nature of the defence to b e set up, and upon which the jury were to give small d amages. His Learne d Friend's eloquence might be great, b ut if oppose d t o common sense, would have littl e e ff ect w i th twelve i nte lli g ent men. It was said last night that his client bad only received " a pinch," and he supposed that was the defence which his Learned Friend was instructed to set up. The Learned Gentleman then described the mechanical con struction of the bridge, which was unsafe at the time; and with which the company were clearly not now sa tisfied from the continuous and bungli ng attempt they were making to r eme d y i t. The Learned Gentleman then briefly narrated the accident, and called upon the jury for ample damages. Several witnesses were examined to establish the plain tiff's case, but the facts adduced in evidence were the same as those that have been made familiar to the public by the lengthened details connected with the catastrophe which have been published in all the papers. Mr. TOWNSEND, with whom was Mr. Davison, for the defence, complained of the attempt to prejudice the minds of the jury in suggesting that he intended to treat this matter as a joke, or to make merry over the plaintiff's misfortune ; it was unfair also to attempt to make out any analogy between the case and that which his learned friend had put of being thrown out of a window intentionally, when neither the directors of the railway nor the engineer who had been called on the part of the plaintiff suspected that the bridge was not safe previous to the 24th of May. Was there any ground for imputation of negligence, or was there any want of skill on the part of the company? He was far from wishing to insinuate that Mr. Grote had not been injured, but he had a right to inquire to what extent the injury went. He had been debarred eight days from his lle compe office; and the nature of the wound had bee n stated before them. lie felt assured that under the circum • stances the jury would not giv e vindiativ;abdamages, but sucb—and such onl y — as would be an equitable on commercialn- sation for any injury that h ad been sustained, wh e th er actions of the sort were to be encouraged,here parti es sought to recover for selling sharesor loss which they , have never proved to have pos sessed f the extent of which there was n o evi dence—and for personal injury, wh ich there was reason transactions, of to believe had been considerably magnified. a The JUDGE, in summi n g up, said the first question consider was, whether the the jury would have to founded,that com plaint of the defendant was well . icient care and skill ; was not maintained with sufl and on this point they had the evidence of Mr. Robertson, Capt. Simmons, and Mr. Kennedy, all of whom told them that the girders were not of sufficient stren gth to bear the u En The former said the strain was brought upon tae • strain was double what it ought to be; Captain Simmon s said that the girder, at all events, was insufficient; and then this opinion was confirmed by Mr. K e nnedy. I t was alleged that three celebrat ed engineers held a different opinion; but it was really not fair to set up repeated had not bee n opinions of gentlemen who called, and who, on being cross-exam ined might_ have cha nge d that opinion, against the testimony .of the gentlemen who had been called, and who had given the data on which their judgment was formed. It the plaintiff in their opinion sustained his first allegation, the next ques ' Lion would be as to the damages to which he w as entitled; and on this question they were to take into consideration the bodily suffering, mental suffering, an d the loss on account of business, which the plaintiff had sustained. They were allowed to take into considera tion compensation for the horror which a person must sustain in being present at such a scene as this, a s well as the positive testimony as to the personal injury he had received. As to the damage plaintiff's business had sus. tained, it was hardly necessary for him to produce his books, or the cause would have been most unnecessarily prolonged. General evidence was, he thought, sufficient, and that they had had. The Learned Judge concluded by again directing their attention to the two questions they had to consider. Mr. TOWNSEND excepted to the summing up, on the ground that the Judge should have told the jury that the company was not liable, unless guilty of negligence, either in making or maintaining the railway. The jury retired, and after an absence of half-an-hour, returned a verdict for the plaintiff—Damages, 2504 The JUDGE certified that it was a proper case to be tried by a special jury. EVENIIc6-, FROM THE LONDON GAZETTE OF FRIDAY. FOREIGN-OFFICF., APRIL 4,1848. The Queen has been pleased to approve of Mr. Michel Robert Ryan, as Consul at Limerick for his Majesty the King of the Belgians. The Queen has also been pleased to approve of Mr. Saul Solomon, as Consul at St. Helena for the Free Hanseatic city of Bremen. FOREIGN-OFFICE, APRIL 6. The Queen has been pleased to approve of Mr. William Viaconte Le Quesne, as Consul in the Channel Islands for the Free City of Lubeck. WHITEHALL, APRIL 6. The Queen has been pleased to appoint the Hon. Henry Fitißoy to be Lieutenant Colonel of the Artillery Company of London, in the room of Brice Pearse, Esq., resigned. DOWNING-STREET, APRIL 6. The Queen has been pleased to appoint Joseph Howe, Esq., to be Provincial Secretary for the province of Nova Scotia, and Clerk to the Executive Council of that pro vince. Her Majesty has also been pleased to appoint James Boyle Uniacke, Esq., to be her Majesty's Attorney- General, an d William Frederick Desbarres, Esq., to be her Majesty's Solicitor-General for the said province. CRO W N-OFFICE, APRIL 5. XEILIbERS RETURNED TO SERVE IN THIS PRESENT PARLIAMENT. Borough of Devonport—John Romilly, Esq., of Lin coln's Inn, in the county of Middlesex, her Majesty's Solicitor-General. APRIL 7. Town mud Port of Rye.—Herbert Maseall Curteis, of Windmill-hill, in the county of Sussex, Esq., the last election for the said town and port having been declared void. W OFFICE 14th Light Dragoons--Troop ARiL 7 Sergeant . Major George Shenton to be Quartermaster, vice Palmer, deceased, April 7. 16th Light Dragoons — Brevet Colonel George Baker, from half-pay Unattached, to be Major, vice Thomas Hooke Pearson, who e xchanges; Brevet Major Law rence Fyler to be M a j or, b retires; Lieutenant Edward vice Baker, who Shelley to be Captain, by purchase, vice Fyler; Cornet Thomas Woolaston White to be Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Shelley; Robert Goff, Gent., to be Cornet, by purchase, vice White, April 7. Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards Lieutenant and Captain Egerton Charles William Miles — Milman, to be Captain and Lieutenant-Colonel, by purchase, vice El r i ng ton, who retires; Ensign and Lieutenant Sir George Ferdinand Radaiwill Walker, Bart., to be Lieu tenant and Captain, by purchase, vice Milo:tan; Horace - William Cust, Gent., to be Ensign and Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Sir G. F. R. Walker, April 7. Scots Fusilier Guards—Ensign the Hon. Wenman ' Clarence Walpole Coke, from 40th Foot, to be Ensign and Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Sir Edward Poore, Bart., who retires, April 7. 6th Regiment of Foot—Ensign Frederick Gore to be Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Pennefather, who retires; Nicholas Appleby Spoor, Gent., to be Ensign, by pur. chase, vice Gore, April 7. 17th Foot—Lieutenant Colonel John Stoyte, from 24th Foot, to be Lieutenant-Colonel, vice Pennycuick, who exchanges, April 7. 18th Foot—Lieutenant Charles Compton Abbott, from 20th Foot, to be Lieutenant, vice James, who exchanges, April 7. 20th Foot—Lieutenant Henry James, from 18th Foot, to be Lietitenant, vice Abbott, who exchanges ; Sergeant-Major Francis Padfield to be Ensign, without purchase, vice Taylor, deceased, April 7. 24th Foot—Lieutenant•Colonel John Pennycuick, C. 8., from 17th Foot, to be be Lieutenant-Colonel, vice Stoyte, who exchanges•, Lieutenant Louis Howe Basal gette to be Captain, without purchase, vice Brevet Major Daniel Riley, who retires upon full pay; Ensign Orlebar Bletstow Payne to be Lieutenant, vice Basalgette; En sign James Charles William Kippen, from the Cape Mounted Riflemen, to be Ensign, vice Payne, April 7. 34th Foot—George Edward Westhead, Gent., to be Ensign, by purchase, vice Faunt, who retires, April 7. 45th Foot—Major Hugh Andrew Fraser, from half pay Unattached, to be :Major, repaying the difference, vice Charles Hind, who exchanges; Captain Hallam D'Arcy Kyle to be Ma'or, by purchase, vice Fraser, who retires; Lieutenant James Buffer Fellowes to be Captain by purchase, vice Kyle; Ensign Trevor Goff to be Lieu tenant by purchase, vice Fellows; Dretry Billiard Barnes, Gent., to be Ensign, by purchase, vice Goff, April 7. 61st Foot—Lieut. General George Guy Carleton L'Estrange, C. 8., from 95th Foot, to be Colonel, vice Lieut.-General Sir Jeremiah Dickson, K.C.8., deceased, March 29. 83d Foot—Captain Frederick Woodgate, from 90th Foot. to be Captain, vice Campbell, who exchanges, April 7. 90th Foot—Captain Duncan Campbell, from 83d Foot, to be Captain, vice Woodgate, April 7. 05th Foot—Major•General Sir Richard Armstrong, C. 8., to be Colonel, vice Lieutenant General L'Estrange, appointed to 61st Foot, March 29. 3d West India Regiment—Ensign Strange Batson Hartigan to be Lieutenant, without purchase, vice An quetil, who retires; John Hardy, Gent., to be Ensign, by purchase, vice Hartigan, April 7. Ceylon Rifle Regiment—Lieutenant William Leman Braybrooke, to be Adjutait, vice Bradley, who resigns the Adjutancy only, April 7. Cape Mounted Riflemen—Patrick Robertson, Gent., to be Ensign, without purchase, vice Kippen, appointed to the 24th Foot, April 7. BREVIT.—Major Hugh Andrew Fraser, of the 45th Foot, to be Lieutenant-Colonel in the Army, Nov. 23, 1841. MEMORANDIIM.—The name of the Gentleman op pointed to the 34th Foot, on 17th March, 1848, is David Steuart, not Stewart, as previously stated. Commission by the Lord-Lieutenant of Northampton shire. The Honourable Frederick William Child Villiers to be Deputy Lieutenant. Comission by the Lord• Lieutenant of Cornwall. Edward Archer, Esq., to be Deputy Lieutenant, March 29. Commission by the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire. 2d Regiment of the Duke of Lancaster's Own Militia — William Crouch Davies, Gent., to be Lieutenant, vice Shand, resigned, April 1. Commission by the Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire. The King's Own Regiment of Staffordshire Militia.— Francis Chambers, Esq., to be Captain, vice Storr, de ceased, April 4. Commissions by the Lord Lieutenant of Somersetshire. Ist Somerset Regiment of Militia—Herbert Butler Batten, Gent., to be Lieutenant, vice W. J. Mules, de ceased; Henry Cripps Wright, Gent., to be Ensign, vice F. F. Thompson, deceased, March 25. . West Somerset Regiment of Yeomanry Cavalry— Wyndham Slade, Gent., to be Cornet, vice Clerk, pro meted, March 20. ADMIRALTY, APRIL 3. The following promotions have this day taken place, consequent upon the death of Rear-Admiral Samuel Hood Inglefield _ Rear-Admiral of the Blue Sir Charles Napier, K.C.8., to be Rear-Admiral of the White ; Captain Sir Joshua Ricketts Rowley, Bart., to be Rear-Admiral of the Blue. BANRUPTCY SUPERSEDED. David M'Kee, wholesale cheesemonger, Upper Thames street. BANKRUPTS. Thomas Wilcock, cutler, Hounsditch, to surrender April 11, at half-past eleven, and May 19, at half past one, at the Court, Basinghall• street. Whitmore, official assignee, Basinghall street; Adams, George street, Man sion-house. James Samuel Turner, surgeon, Woolwich, April 14, at twelve, and May 19, at eleven, at the Court, Basing hall -street. Cannan, official assignee, Birchin-lane; Brisley, Pancras-lane, Cheapside. Samuel Crowder, manufacturer of cane, Sun-street, Bishopsgate, April 14, at half-past one, and May 19, at half-past eleven, at the Court, Basinghall street. Cannan, official assignee, Birchin-lane ; Digby, Circus-place, Finsbury-circus. Henry Regless, Frederick Skerratt, and Robert Bons field, woollen drapers, St. Martin's-lane, Charing-cross, April 18, at eleven, and May 19, at twelve, at the Court, Basiughall street. Pennell, official assignee; Oldknow, Great James-street, Bedford-row. James Henry David Harrison and William Frederick Harrison, licensed victuallers, Upper-street, Islington, April 14 and May 19, at eleven, at the Court, Basing hall-street. Pennell, official assignee; Martineau, Ray mond buildings, Gray's Inn. Robert Robinson, brush maker, Norwich, April 13, at half-past one, and May 22, at half-past eleven, at the Court, Basinghall-street. Graham, official assignee, Coleman-street, City; Finny, Furnival's Inn. William Burt, bookseller, Isle of Wight, April 22, at two, and May 18, at half-past one, at the Court, Ba singlall-street. Green, official assignee, Aldermanbury ; George, Villiers-street, Strand; Scott, Ryde. John Nokes, builder, New Ormond-street, St. George the Martyr, April 19 and May 17, at half-past eleven, at the Court, Basinghall-street. Johnson, official assignee, Basinghall-street; Mardon and Co., Newgate-street. Emil Pauli, merchant, Lawrence Pountney-hill, City, April 19 and May 17, at eleven, at the Court, Basing hall-street. Bell, official assignee, Coleman-street-build ings; Lawrance and Plews, Old Jewry-chambers. Philip Stuart Feake Martin, iron manufacturer, Hal stead, Essex, April 25, at one, and May 19, at twelve, at the Court, Basinghall-street. Groom, official assignee, Abchurch-lane; Trehern and White, Barge-yard-cham bers, Bucklersury; Duffield, Chelmsford. William Belton, wine and brandy merchant, Friday street, Cheapside, April 18, at one, and May 19, at eleven, at the Court, Basinghall-street. Groom, official assignee, Abchurch-lane; Harpur, Bennington-cross. Edward Thomas Burling and Henry Lloyd, carpenters and builders, Blackheath-hill, April 18, at two, and May 10, at one, at the Court, Basinghall-street. Edwards, official assignee, Frederick's-place, Old Jewry; Robin son, Ironmonger-lane. Ann Henderson, china and glass dealer, Birmingham, April 22 and May 18, at half-past ten, at the Binming ham District Court. Valpy, official assignee, Birming ham; Haywood and Webb, Birmingham. George Lloyd, ironmonger, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, April 19 and May 27, at eleven, at the Birmingham M Dis trict Court. Valpy, o ffi cial assignee, Birmingham; ot teram and Co., Birmingham. George Bate, chain manufacturer, Dudley, Worces tershire, April 25 and May 23, at eleven, at the 84- nzingham District Court. Christie, official assignee, Birmingham; Hodson, Birmingham. John Hancock, hosier, Earl Shilton, LeiCeSterStr.f, April 15 and May 23, at eleven, at the Birmingham 1.4- trict Court. Valpy,lofficial assignee, Birmingham; Jarvisi, Hinckley. William Edward Cope, draper, Melbourn, Derhyshl l :4l April 2S and May 19, at eleven , at the Nottingham Di+ trict Court. Bittleston, official assignee, Nottingham; Teague, Crown-court, Cheapside, Loudon; Pilotterani Go., Birmingham. APRIL 1848. FRIGATES. William Harwood, merchant, Bristol, April 20 and May 22, at eleven, at the Bristol Di s t r i c t C our t. Acra man, official assignee, Bristol; White and Co. Bedford row, London; Brittan and Sons, Bristol. William Holmes, licensed victualler, Wootton-under- Edge, Gloucestershire, April 20 and May 23, at eleven, at the Bristol District Court. Hutton, official assignee, Bristol; Bracey, Wootton under-Edge. William Stothert, George Wood, John White Little, John Cottle Spender, William Brunton, Joseph Rusher , and William Henry Buckland, iron manufacturers, Ab church-lane, and Maesteg, Glamorganshire, April 19 a nd May 19, at eleven, at the Bristol District Court. Miller, official assignee, Bristol; Vyner, Lincoln's Inn-fields. Joseph White, decorative painter, Exeter, April 19 and May 17, at eleven, at the Exeter District Court. Her- Inman, official assignee, Exeter; Geare and Co., Exeter; Finch and Co., Lincoln's Inn-fields, London. John Sloman West Herring, attorney, Devonport, April 20, at one, and May 17, at eleven, at the Exeter District Court. Hirtael, official assignee, Exeter; Stog don, Exeter; Keddell and Co., Lime-street, London. Jobn Morfitt, jun., flax spinner, New Wortley, York shire, April 20 and May 12, at eleven, at the Leeds Dis trict Court. Freeman, official assignee, Leeds; Sudlow and Co., Bedford-row, London; Shackelton, Leeds. William Penn, licensed victualler, Liverpool, April 19 and May 12, at eleven, at the Liverpool District Court. Turner, official assignee, Liverpool; Wilkin, Furnival's Inn, London; Brown, Liverpool. John Stockdale, soap manufacturer, Liverpool, April 18 and May 12, at eleven, at the Liverpool District Court. Morgan, official assignee, Liverpool; Gregory and Co., Bedford-row, London ; Rogerson and Son, Liverpool. Thomas Biglands, grocer, Monk Wearmouth, Durham, April 18 and May 18, at one, at the Newcastle-upon- Tyne District Court. Wakley, official assignee, New. castle-upon-Tyne; Crosby and Compton, Church-court, Old Jewry, London; Thompson, Durham; Hodge, New castle- upon. Tyne. (Dividends, &c., in our next.) PRICE Or SUGAR. The average price of Brown or Muscovado Sugar, computed from the returns ,made in the week ending April 4, 1848, is 225. sd. per cwt. LAUNCH OF TWO SCREW STEAM PORTSMOUTH, APRIL s.—The dockyard here has been very gay to-day, consequent on the launch of two very beautiful steam frigates, the Arrogant and the Plumper —the former mounting forty-six heavy guns, and the latter twelve—both having been built from the designs of Mr. John Fincham, master•shipwright at this establishment. The event was attended with unusual excitement among the inhabitants of the three towns, partly, per haps, in consequence of the Gallant Port Admiral, Sir Charles Ogle, having determined to depart from the usual practice of issuing tickets, and admit all comers without reserve to the dockyard. The gates were opened at eleven o'clock—the first launch having been fixed for three-quarters past that hour—and within a very short period the area of the building slips under which the vessels reposed, which had been apportioned into booths and tastefully embellished with gay flags and standards, was densely crowded with spectators. Dis tinct booths were appropriated for the accommodation of the Port Admiral, the Admiral Superintendent, &c. The following are the dimensions of the two frigates:— ARROGANT. Length between p er pendiculars Ft. In. Length of Keel for tonna g e ln Ft. As built. 200 0 172 9 172 9 Breadth to outsid e of wale 45 4 1 Breadth for tonnage 45 il Breadth moulded 44 41 Depth in hold Burthen in tons ................. 1867 84-94 1872 21-94 By new admeasurement . Deduct for engine-room Leaving for actual tonnage ..................••• 1088 Armament—Main deck—Six 8-inch guns of 65 cwt., and 9 feet long each, and twenty-two 32-pounders of 56 cwt., and 9 feet 6 inches long each. Quarter-deck and forecastle—Two 68 -pounders of 95 cwt., and 10 feet long each, and sixteen 32-pounders of 32 cwt., and 6 feet 6 inches long each. Power, 350-horse engines, made by Penn and Son, of Deptford, upon the new principle peculiar to that firm. PLUMPER. In drawing. As built. It. In. Ft. In. Length between perpendiculars 140 0 140 0 Length of keel for tonnage ... 124 101 124 10 Breadth to outside of wale Breadth for tonnage 27 0 27 0 Breadth moulded Depth in hold l5 9 15 9 Burthen in tons 484 30.94 489 75.94 By the new admeasurement 4Ol Deduct for engine-room Leaving for actual tonnage 252 Armament—Ten 32-pounders, 25 ewt. and 6 feet long each; and two 58-pounders, 60 cwt., and 8 feet 10 inches long each. Power, 60-horse engines, upon the oscillating prin ciple, manufactured by the firm of Miller, Ravensworth, and Co., Blackwell. The time fixed for launching the Plumper was 11.45 A.M., and shortly before that hour the Gallant Admiral, Sir Charles Ogle, arrived, accompanied by Captain Milne, one of the Lords of the Admiralty, Mr. Ward, M.P.:Secretary to the Admiralty, the Commander-in- Chief of the Garrison, Lord Frederick Fitaclarence, the Marquis of Winchester, and several other gentlemen. Everything being in readiness the word was given, and Miss Charlotte Prescott Laughton, daughter of the Admiral Superintendent, having dashed a bottle of champagne against the vessel's bows, at a few minutes before twelve the ship glided majestically into her native element, the bands playing appropriate airs, and the spectators greeting her desceat with loud and prolonged cheering.. Some little time elapsed before the larger vessel was got off, but the fineness of the day and the interesting character of the scene effectually dispelled every feeling of impatience among the crowd. Miss Ward, daughter of the Secretary to the Admiralty, had the honour of christening the Arrogant, an operation she performed, by the way, very cleverly. The " dog-shores" having at length been knocked away, the noble vessel left the stocks and entered the water in magnificent style. Not the slightest accident occurred, and the whole affair passed off most satisfactorily. The Arrogant was begun in the month of September, 1845 ; the keel of the Plumper was laid in October last. The employes in the dockyard had a half-holiday granted them in celebration of the launch. The ships will be taken into dock to-day, and cop pered, after which they will be jury-rigged, and navi gated to the Thames, to be fitted with their engines. The draught of each vessel, with the bilgsways at tached, was as follows :—Arrogant, forwaad, 10 feet 6 inches; aft, 14 feet. Plumper, forward, 7 feet ; aft, 9 feet. Their symmetrical appearance on the water was the subject of universal remark. PRESERVATION OF LIFE IN CASES OF SHIPWRECK. Some experiments were made ea Thursday in the pre sence of Sir Gordon Bremer, and the principal autho rities of Woolwich Dockyard, to test the merits of an invention which has for its object the saving of human life in cases of shipwreck. A great number of inventions, similar in principle, have put forward their claims to attention, but hitherto, how ever laudable the purpose and ingenious the mode by which that purpose was to be accomplished, there have been found insuperable objections to general adoption— the principal of which may be stated to be, the complexity of the machinery, and the impossibility of instantaneous application in cases of sudden emer gency. Cork has always been favourably regarded on account of its permanent buoyancy ; but the great objection to this substance, as an aid in case of shipwreck, has always been the room it would occupy in the vessel, if a sufficient quantity were stored on board for the assistance of the crew and passengers. A method, however, has been discovered which does away effectually with this obstacle, and enables the material to be adapted to the purpose of saving life ilt cases where human aid and skill appear to be most needed, and yet hitherto most unavailing. The invention consists of shredding the cork and packing it into mattresses, and pillows to be substituted for those in common use aboard ship. This process while it preserves the buoyant qualities of the cork, creates other advantages which need not be here specified. These cork mattresses and pillows are so constructed that they may be used either separately or lashed together as a raft. The object of the experiments was to test their efficacy as a support to an individual when immersed in the water, and their power of sus taining numbers when formed into a raft. At two o'clock Sir Gordon Bremer and several officers connected with the dockyard assembled at the steam-basin, where the materials for making the proposed experiment had been conveyed. The first experiment was by lashing six of the mattresses together with boat oars, a process which did not occupy a minute. The raft was th en thrown into the water, and Captain Stevens, the swim ming master of the Royal Humane Society,djur jump ed on it from the pier, and floated about the e OF . ,nto some time. His son, a lad about seventeen, the water as if accidentally. Car on l t e h d e h raft, nwtehnet r the ic a h ssi s s u t p enabled o to land him r ut d tmost ease, and by this means wasl3,uh atnhde peo ha. sn Stevens, on the pier in safety. The nextielbxsp.eriniintoentthceownsaitseter,doinn throwing a bolster weighinglf and demonstrated its 3 which the lad placed himself , cushion of the same we i g ht was tried next , and was found support e d power to support him whileacitnly-theAssviantgelre. mattress, weight to answer the same ob j ect ex wststheny t h r own into the water, and on twheiisgchtsplt2aila Stevensbs., on it quite out o f the lay at andfull l e ng th — was in of this way he p a ddl e d , without any difficulty, to any par t t he dock he wished. Sir Gordon Bremer, who witnessed the whole of the ex periments, ex pressed his entire satisfaction a t th e result, and, indeed, all present were loud in their praise of the vast improvement which had been made on all other in ventions devoted to the same object. The next experi ment with these mattresses is to ascertain their capa bility of resisting musket balls shot, &c. Mr. C. Taylor of the firm of R. Taylor and Sons, of Great Dover-road, the patentees, was present throughout the proceedings. The celebrated contralto, Mdlle. Schwartz, reached London at three o'clock yesterday. She will appear with Lablache in an opera on Tuesday. Madame Tado lini left Milan on the 29th ; and a letter was received this morning, announcing -that Mdlle. Jenny Lind had left Stockholm for London. SATURDAY DUTCH MAIL. THE HAGUE, APRIL 3.—The following Grand-Duod rescript decreeing the dissolution of the present States, and the convention of the new, orders double the number of de legates for the revision of the Constitution, has been issued : " We, William 11., by the grace of God, King of the Netherlands, Prince of Orange Nassau, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, &c. &c., " Seeing - Our rescript of the 21st instant, willing the revision of the Constitution of the States; " Seeing the 11th article of the Constitution of the States; " Considering that the assembly which shall be charged with the revision of the Constitution of the States will have a special mission, that it is, therefore, desirable that all the members have a common origin upon the propo sition of the Councillors of State. " We have decreed, and do hereby decree : " Art. I. That the States of our Grand Duchy of Luxembourg are dissolved. " Art. 11. That the electoral colleges of all the cantons of the Grand Duchy shall be convoked to elect the Mem bers of the States to double the number fixed by the Constitution of the States for ordinary services so ac cording to the census of the population for 1847. " Art. 111. Subsequent dispositions, made in conformity with the new regulations, the ordinary annual session for 1848 of the representation of the country. "Art. IV. Our Governor of the Grand Duchy is charged with the execution of the present decree, which shall be inserted in the legitimate administrative memorial. " The Hague, March 29, 1848. " WILLIAM. " For Regal Grand Duke, the Chancellor of th• States for the Affairs 'of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg. "DE I3LOCHAUSEN." —Journal de la Hague, April 5. AMSTERDAM, APRIL 4.—" GENERAL CONSULATE 07 HIS SARDINIAN MAJESTY.—The Consul-General of his Sardinian Majesty hastens, in pursuancelof the circular which he has received from the Royal Secretary of Fo reign Affairs at Turin, dated March 25, 1848, to inform all captains and crews of Sardinian merchant 'vessels which are at this moment in the ports of the Nether lands, as well as all the subjects of the King established in this country, of the decision of his Sardinian Majesty to interfere in the affairs of Milan and to facilitate the entry of the royal army into the country, as has already been the case, in order that they may watch over their interests in every possible contingency. " Amsterdam, April 3, 1648. " Consul-General of Sardinia, " D'ARATA." Prince Galitzin and suite arrived at the Hague on the 4th, and put up at the Hotel Vieux Doelen. AMSTERDAM, APRIL 4.—At half-past five o'clock, his Majesty, attended by the Prince of Orange, arrived at the Palace. He immediately appeared at the bal cony, when he was greeted by the crowds who were as sembled in front of the Palace with the greatest accla mation and enthusiasm. The suite of his Majesty and the Prince bad arrived the previous day. His Majesty will remain at least ten days. The Algemein Handelsblad says, since last Sunday, the Prussian garrison at Luxembourg wears the tri colour German cockade of Prussia, and the German flag is hoisted on the fortress, _ _ Letters from Luxembourg express the satisfaction manifested at the royal decree, convoking the Estates and the augmentations of the number of the Deputies at the ratio of Ito 4,000. It is said that his Majesty has appointed Baron Von Blochausen Chancellor of the State for the affairs of the Grand Duchy.—Handelsbled, April 6. ST. PETERSBURCH, MARCH 25.—An imperial ukase, which is to come in force on the Ist of September, has just been issued ; by it the duty on beet-root sugar has been fixed for six years at 30 silver copees per pud for the first two years, for the next two years 45, and 60 for the last two years. For refined sugar and molasses no addititional duty is henceforth to be paid ; and small manufactories, which do not yield annually above 500 pods, are to be entirely exempt.—Algemcein Handelsblad, April 5. , AMSTERDAM, AP RIL 4 . T HE BOURSE, S EVEX 0 CLOCE.—Our Bourse already assumes a better tone at the opening; towards the middle of the day several transactions in exchange were done, which were, on the whole, satisfactory. Inland funds remained higher, and foreign funds, though less in demand, were more fixed. —Amsterdam Courant, April 5. GERMAN PAPERS. Tho favourable impression caused by the opening and first transactions of our Diet could not have that favour able effect upon our Bourse that was contemplated, be cause it was paralysed by the failure of one of our first banking-houses. There were, however, a few sellers in the market, and the prices were marked higher. A decision is expected to-dav respecting . the solicited loan. Gold is again de preciated.—Prussian State Gazotte, April 4. AUSTRIAN FUNDS.—VIENNA, Miami 30. b per Cent. bletalliques..... 4 per Cent. ditto .. ........ 3 per Cent. ditto Loan, 1834 Ditto, 1839 ....... Bank Shares ...... Esterhazy's Loan .. 108 ............... 850 RAILWAYS. The Northern, or Ferdinand .........• • 67 Gloggnitz ........ ............. 64 Vienna—Milan .. ......... •••••• • • • • • • 45 Sienna •• • • .... • . • . 411 Oldenburg ••••••••••..• • • • • • • • • • • • •• • resth Bridge • • • • • • • • • • •• Apenninen •• • • • ur BELGIAN FUNDS.—BaussELs, Aram 5. Actual Debt, 2% per Cent ..... Rothschild's Loan, Five per Cent ........ Loan of Thirty Millions. FourperCent.... Ditto Threeper Cent •• • • .............. Ditto Thirty-seven Millions, ditto ...... Ditto,ditte,lB4o •• •••••••••• • • • • • • • • • • 51 Ditt0,ditt0,1842...................... Ditto, 1844... • •• • 46 Ditto, 1836 Ditto, 1838 ..................... Ditto of the City, 1632 Bank of Belgium ••• • .• ••• • • ••• o• •• •• •• •• 50 -Brussels Papers. Aprll.b. RAMBURaII BORSENHALLE, Aran 4. Bills. Money. Austrian 5 per Cents • • ............ Bank Shares • • Angle-Russian Loan • ......... Russian 5 per Cent., 'lamb. Certificate. 74 Ditto I st series Inscription........ Ditto, Mope and Co., 3d and 4th series— Ditto, in Certificate.... .......... New 4 per Cent., Hope and Co. ••• • • • Ditto Stieglitz •. • ......... ••••• .. • • b 7 Spanish New 5 per Cent.. ... 5; Ditto 3 per Cent • • Anglo-Portuguese Loan, 2% per Cent • • Dutch Actual Debt, 2% per Cent ••• • • Ditto 3 per Cent. 7. Polish New 4 per Cent. Loan, 1844.• • • Anglo-Danish Loan, 3 per Cent ••• • • • National Bank Shares •••• • • • ..... •• •• THE COLLIERY EXPLOSION NEAR NEATII.--DIS• COVERY OF TWENTY BODIES.—The explosion which occurred at Esky n's Colliery, near Neath and Briton ferry, on Wednesday week, proved, we regret to say, of a more appalling character than was represented; up wards of 20 human beings having been hurried into eternity. The colliery was worked by Messrs. Penrose and Evans, and is situated at a distance of a mile and a half from the town of Neath, in Glamorganshire. It ap pears that, on the morning in question, a considerable number of colliers entered the works as usual. The men are not let down to this colliery by means of a basket through a shaft, but walk down an incline or drift in the side of the hill, which leads to the interior of the works. This drift extends about 250 yards in a straight direc tion, after which it diverges to the south. In the turn ing or deviatio n , w hi c h exten d s a b out twenty yar d s, thre are several stalls, in each of which three, four, a five persons work. The precise number of men at we on Wednesday we have not beard, but we believe there were about thirty, which is considerably below the usual numbers. Soon after three o'clock in the afternoon the inhabitants of the neighbourhood were alarmed by a loud explosion. It was at once inferred that some catastrophe had occurred, and a crowd re paired to the spot, when they found that their worst forebodings had been realised. The colliery was viodlenmtaly. ma chinery bad been blown out of the shattered, and various portions of thepla nts Attempt after attempt was made to enter it, resulting from the sulphure cable; in fact ous air, rendered that utterly p r h a ours an entrance was obtained, when a most deplorable mouth of a b tnh u e t the foulness of the atmosphere, a sight presented severalsuffocated. w h o Agoftteirnawlearpeseafotefrsweavredirmsldractgled out almost itself. No less than 17 bodies f w remainder could not be got An inquestat was opened at the p li3 a . r in ts u o t f il t a h t e ed c . oll T ie h ry ° o n Monday, before Mr. Cuthberton, s b o e m in e g h b e l a o d w le n ss daonwdno.therwise f r ightfu lly e x t r icated that night, n t y lu Town-hall at Neath , made known that it wa r to report on the state of the send down an inspecto r to ' y was adjourned. the coroner, on the remains of o in f t t e h a e ti s o u n ffe o r f e t r h s e , but Govermentit being forwarded to the inhabitant Me MEETING. -- The following parish r of Islington, sugoesting the pro priety e circular CHA R TIST house keepers . being sworn • of their in as special constables, viz., colliery, PROPOSED ohf th at eshei been e e , ~,,eu n ni A it St. Mary, Islington, April 5,1848.—1 t being antici pated that a large assemblage of persons will pass through o r congregate in this parish, on M onday, the 10th inst., the churchwardens respectfully suggest to the inhabitant housekeepers the propriety of their coming forward and taking upon themselves the office of special constable, for the due protection of the property, and for the preserva tion of the peace of the parish. Those who may be willing to undertake the office are requested to attend at the Mansion house, Lower-street, on Friday, the 7th instant, between the hours of ten o'clock in the morning and twelve o'clock at noon, when and where two of her Majesty's justices: of the peace will assemble for the purpose of making the necessary appointments.—By order of the churchwarden, R. Oldershaw, Vestry Clerk." METROPOLITAN SEWERS.—A court of sewers was held yesterday (April 6), at the Coart-house in Greek street, to meet a presentment jury (" men of the county"), returned by the Sheriff of Middlesex, to in quire as to the persons and properties liable to be rated in the Eastern division of the Westminster sewers. Lord Morpeth presided. Lord Morpeth having taken the chair at ten o'clock, delivered a charge to the jury, giving a succinct history of the sewerage of London, detailing what had Leen effected during the short period the Go vernment Commission has been in existence, and pointing out to the jurors their duties. The jury expressed their satisfaction at the charge they had heard, and through their foreman unanimously requested that a report of it might be printed and circulated amongst all the parishes and for public information. Lord Morpeth said that he might undertake to say at once that the court would have great pleasure in acceding to their request. The jury having made their presentment, public notices were ordered to be given, and the court adjourned.