The Sun. — London, England, 1848-02-25 00:00:00

rtotrOVltition SUN OFFICE, Seven o'Cloch. I ,LATEST . FROM PARIS, DOWNFAL OF MONARCHY IN FRANCE. We are still without the French papers, but from the above telegraphic dispatch it will be seen that the people have become completely victorious. 'We much doubt whether the reign of the Count DR PARIS will be longer than that of NaroLzoN U. Among the Members of the Provisional Govern ment. M. ODILLON BARROT is the only one who belongs to the Dynastic party, we doubt whether he will have sufficient power to act the part played by LAEA.TETTE in 1830, and persuade the people to accept a Constitutional King, as La Meilleure de Republique:. M. DR LAMARTINE is a sentimental republican, who has been Carlist but he is not a man of business or of action. ARAGO is a Republican from conviction, and his name will carry great weight with it. LEDRA R,owaii and GARNIER PAGES, however, will be the souls of the new moment, both popular, both Republican. both having that atulage which, according to DANTON, Is the great secret cf success in revolutions. These are the men who will really sway the destinies of France, and with the assistance of Louis BLANc (an able coadjutor) become the founders of the new Republique FranOse. It appears that Count MOLE proving unacceptable to the people, the fighting was renewed on Wednes day, and M. TRIBES and M. ODILLON BAROT were applied to to form a Ministry, and placards announcing that MM. TRIERS, ODILLON BARROT, and General LAMORICIERE had been appointed Ministers. This announcemt was received with indignation, and the placards everywhere were torn down. Phe Palace of the Palais Royale (the private palace of the KING when Duke of ORLEANS) was taken by the people after much car nage. The people then proceeded to at tack the Tuilleries at one o'clock yesterday. In this they were successful. The KING having abdicated in favour of the Count DE PARIS, let t the Palace, escorted by the National Guard and cavalry, and proceeded towards the Barrier° de Passy. The Duke DR NEMOURS having been rejected, an attempt was made to proclaim the Duchess of ORLEANSRegent. The Chamber of Deputies declared its sittings per manent, and the Count of PARIS, accompanied by his mother, the Duchess of ORLEANS, and his uncle, the Duke DB Namouus, proceeded to the Chamber. The people had also penetrated into the interior of the Chamber, and the Duchess of ORLEANS: the Count de PARIS and the Duke de NEMOURS were rejected by the Chambers and the people, and a Provisional Government composed of— M. LAMARTINE. M. LEDRU ROLIN. M. MARRAST, Editor of the Nationel. M. ODILON BARROT. M. MARIE. M. ARAG O. M. GARNIER PAGES. M. LOUIS BLIINC, Secretary. 'Was accepted by the Chnrnbev, and installed at the Hotel de Ville. at Four o'clock. _ _ _ By two o'clock the Tuileries was in the hands of the National Guards and the people, who threw the furniture out of the windows, and burned it in the Garden and Place Carrousel. The throne was taken possession of and carried through the streets in grand procession, by a party of men singing the "Mar3eil• laise." The troops and National Guard patronage wi;h the people, and thus decided the contest. The inter course with the Quartier Lat:n and Faubourg St. Germain was cut off, but Sring was heard in that direction in the forenoon of yesterday. General La morici4re, Tibune Sebastiani, are said to have been killed. The Bourse was closed during the whole of the day, but at four o'clock, when the Provisional Go ♦ernment was installed, the firing had ceased. The people had broken open the cellars of the Tuileries, and were distributing wine. An attempt had been to storm the Hotel of the Minister of Finance, but it had failed. The number of killed, in the attack on the Palais Royal and the Tuileries, is said to have exceeded 500. HOUSE OF COMMONS. Tie rumour of the abdication of the King of the French reached the House of Commons shortly after four o'clock, and of course it produced a good deal of excitement in the House. For some after the rumour became known, knots of Members clustered at the bar sending round Mr. Stuart Wortley, who ap peared to be retailing the intelligence from one of the daily papers. Immediately that the curiosity of the Hon. Members assembled at the bar had been gratified, the portion of the paper containing the interesting piece of telegraphic,: news, was torn out, and then handed up to the Speaker. At this moment Sir R. Peel entered the House, and on taking his usual seat opposite the table, the slip was passed to him. The Right Honour;ble Baronet, thinking no doubt, that it was an ordinary communica tion, allowed some minutes to elapse before he looked at it, but no sooner had he glanced over it than he hurried across the floor to the Treasury Benches, where Lord John Russell and Lord Pal merston had just taken their seats, and handed the document to these two Noble Lords, who eagerly devoured its contents. The Right Honourable Baronet held a short but evidently animated conversation with the two Noble Lords, and then re turned to the Opposition. Tho stir and excitement which the news had created amongst Hon. Members did not subside till Lord Palmerston had answered the question of Mr. Hindley, and the House had entered upon the consideration of Mr. Hume's motion. --- - QUEEN'S BENCH.-(THIS DAY.) .(Sittings at Guildhall, before Lord Chief Justice DEN awl and a Special Jury.) TAB QUEEN V. COUCH AND ANOTHER. This was an indictment on the part of the Crown against the defendant for defrauding the revenue. The defendant had caused certai❑ quantities of wool to be temoved from the Custom-house at a lower rate of duty alma was duly chargeable thereon. The case had been removed by certiorari from the Central Criminal Court to the Queen's Bench. The Attorney-General, the Solicitor-General, Mr. Watson, Mr. Clarkson, and Mr. Bodkin appeared for the Crown t Mr. Sergeant Talfourd and Mr. Sergeant Ghee for the defendants. As the case for the defence had not been gone into when the. Court rose, we reserve the proceedings until tO-morrow. ELEC lON COMMITTEES. (THIS I)AY.) LANCASTER. (Continued from our kfterneon Edition.) A number of witnesses were called to prove that an extensive system of treating and bribery prevailed dur ing the whole of the last election at Lancaster. The Committee adjourned at four till eleven o'clock to-morrow. ----- KINSALE. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition.) At the conclusion of Mr. Sergeant Wranglaam's speech the room was cleared, and the Committee having remained in deliberation upwards of two hours, strangers were readmitted, when The CIIAIRMAN announced that the Committee had come to the resolution that Mr. Guinness was not duly elected at the last election to serve in Parliament for the borough of Kinsale. The COMMITTEE wished to know what course the counsel intended to pursue? Mr. Sergeant liINGL tKE said, to•morrow he sho uld be prepared to go into a - case of scrutiny, with the vie w of placing Mr. Watson in the seat for Kinsale. The Committee then adjourned till to-morrow. LYME REGIS. (Continueofrom our Afternoon Edition.) Albion Laveis, grocer aud oilman of Lyme Regis, stated that some s h ort t i me ago ho was desirous of sell ing his house, and applied to Mr. Temple. Mr. Temple told him that he could not get a purchaser, but no doubt his friend, Mr. Attwood, would advance money upon the property. Subsequently Mr. Temple told him that Mr. Attwood was ready to ilaVitllCO him 1,2001. upon the house property, and 2001. upon his furniture, if witness would undertake to support Mr. Attwood at the next election. Witness told Mr. Temple that he aas engaged to Mr. Peircy, but if the money was advanced he would remain neutral. The terms were agreed to, but about the middle of the polling day of the last election it was found that the election was going against Sir Fit zroy Kelly, Mr. Attwood's friend. The agents of the learned gentleman called upon him, and stated that neutrality would not do, he must consent to vote for Sir Fitzroy Kelley, or the money would nut be advanced to THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 2 him. Being exasperated at the broach of faith Mr. Attwood had committed he went and voted for Mr. Abdy. Previous to the election it was intimated that as Mr. Hardy, a grocer living opposite to witness, had gone over to .the Abdy side, he would have the custom of the Tory party if he voted for Sir Fitzroy Kelly. The witness's wife corroborated his testimony, and. The Committee then adjourned till to-morrow morning. SOUTH YORKSHIRE, DONCAS TER, AND GOOLE RAILWAY.—(THIS DAY.) The first half-yearly general, and also a special or extraordinary:meeting of the proprietors of this company was held this afternoon at the London Tavern. Earl Fitzwilliam was unanimously voted to the chair.' The report which was read stated that since the pass ing of the Act on the 23rd of July last year, the directors had been actively engaged in calling in outstanding . accounts, registering the shares, and consolidating the stock. They had also been enabled, by careful enquiry iato the future expenditure, and into the funds that will accrue to this company on its amalgamation with the River Dun Com pany, to make such arrangements for paying interest on calls, and on moneys paid in advance of calls, as to ren der the shares of this company a most valuable invest• ment. The particulars of the arrangement had been fully explained, in a statement already in the possession of the proprietary. At the extraordinary general meet ing held on the 28th of last month, the proposal for the immediate commencement of the construction of a por tion of the railway, was carried by a large majority. The directors had now to report that the land and working plans had all been prepared, the works had been commenced, and would be proceeded with as ra pidly as circumstances permitted. The directors had every reason to anticipate that the line from Swinton to Doncaster would be opened for traffic early next year. The balance remaining to the credit of the company was 43,6131. Is. 4d. in cash and Exchequer-hills. A large amount had been offered in advance of calls on the terms of the circular of the 14th January, and the directors were confident that this amount would be consider ably increased before the time proposed for making the 'first call; and as the company was enabled to give seven per cent. per annum upon moneys paid, in advance of calls, they apprehended little difficulty in obtaining the full amount which they can profitably employ. The total expenditure of the com pany, which was 70,5231. 19s. 5d., extended over a period of upwards of two years and a half, during which time the company was engaged in two very severe Parlia mentary conflicts, and involving a double expenditure in law, engineering, and other charges. During that ses sion fifteen schemes were projected in direct compettion with the undertaking ; proving the value of the district now occupied by the rail way. A sum of 47,2501. had been appropriated as deposit on 18,000 shares, in the Sheffield, Rother ham, Barnsley, Wakefield, Huddersfield, and Goole Railway, in accordance with an arrangement -auctioned by a general meeting held in August, 1846. The•densely-populated district through which that line passed abounded in minerals, leased to wealthy and en terprising companies, and all requiring a more expe ditious and economical transit to their respective markets. To the eastern communication afforded by the South Yorkshire line proper it would form a most valuable feeder. In right of the large stake held by the pro prietors of this Company in the Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley, Wakefield, Huddersfield, and Goole Corn party's undertaking. half of the Board of that Company hap been nominated to the directorship of this Company, and the management of this Cmpany's portion of the scheme had been confided solely to those gentlemen. the amount of revenue accruing to this company, under the contract with the River Dun Company, to the end of :he last year was 14,5171. Os. 11d., which sum would, however, not be payable until the amalgamation by half the capital being paid up and expended. Out of that revenue the directors proposed to declare a dividend, at the rate of 5L per cent. per annum, from the passing of the Act, for the balf•year ending the 22d of January, amounting in the aggregate to 2,812/. 10s., for which, interest warrants would be forthwith issued, payable one month after the amalgamation. The dtrectors would hereafter be enabled, out of the surplus and accruing revenue, to pay a dividend of 61. per cent. per annum, until the opening of the line. the extension of the South Yorkshire line to Penistone was struck out by the Committee on the Bill, and it appeared necessary to the directors, for the interest of the proprietors, that the extension to Penistone should be re-deposited in an altered shape, and a Bill introduced into Parliament. Mr. ENGLAND, a shareholder, complained of the item in the accounts of 42,993/. 10s. I Id. for law and Parlia liamentary expenses, and trusted that the directors would make some reduction in them for the future. The CHAIRMAN said he was always extremely desirous for economy in every thing, but it should be recollected that this Company had to encounter two severe Parlia mentary struggles. It was a matter of regret to him that Parliamentary contests cost so much, bat if ha had had the management of railway affairs in England, and if his advice had been taken some time ago respectiHg the management and construction of railways, there would have been no necessity for Parliamentary contests.— (Hear.) But he would remind the meeting that when gentlemen embarked in such undertakings as this, they were, of course, understood to make up their minds as to the risk and loss that might ensue, as well as to the advantages.—(Cheers.) Ile regretted, however, very much that the law expenses were so exceedingly heavy. - - - The report was - then received and adopted. A resolution having been proposed for reducing the number of directors to 12, Mr. ENGLISH said he did not think it proper that any large coal owner, in the district traversed by the rail way, should be upon the directory, because he would be able to fix just what price he liked for conveying his coal over the line. This, he said, had been the case on some other lines, and was an abuse which should not be allowed to exist by the proprietors. Earl FITZWILLIAM, wholis one of the most extensive coal proprietors in Yorkshire, immediately took offence at the observation, thinking that it was intended to ap ply to him, and :said he would not remain a moment longer in ,the chair or upon the directory, since his honour :and integrity had been doubted. Tho Noble Earl then took up his hat, and despite the solicitations of the ;directors and shareholders, who rose en masse, proceeded to leave the room. As he reached the door, Mr. DENisoti,:Chairman of the Great Northern Railway, took the vacant chair, and intreated his Lordship to re consider his determination, which, if persisted in, he said, would materially injure the property of the com pany in the public estimation. The appeal had the de sired effect, and the shareholder having apologised The NOBLE EARL resumed the chair, and said he never had and never would have shares in any railway or other speculation merely as a speculator, because he did not think it consistent with his public position to do so, and he had only entered into this undertaking be cause it would benefit the district with which he was connected in Yorkshire, and be of great public advan tage.—(Cheers.) _ _ . After some further discussion and explanation, exculpating his Lordship from having any interested motives in joining this company, the matter dropped, and the resolution was carried ; also others voting 1,2001. to the directors ; ordering a dividend at the rate of 51. per cent. up to January last, and other formal resolutions, the meeting was rnade special and a draft bill agreed to for extending a line to Penistone ad ordered to be promoted in the present session of Parliament. A vote of thanks was then passed to the chairman, and the meeting separated. THE LONDON GAZETTE. (THIS EVENING.) FORIIGN OFFICE, FEB. 25, 1848. The Queen has been graciously pleased to appoint Francis Hastings. Gilbert, Esq., to be her Majesty's Consul at Alexandria. WAR-OFFICE, FEE. 25, 1848. _ let Dragoons—Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Smith Webb, from half-pay Unattached, to be Major, vice Francis Hearle Stephens, who exchanges; Brevet Major Edward Littledale to be Major, by purchase, vice Webb„ who retires; Lieutenant Thomas Thoroton to be Captain, by purchase, vice Littledale ; Cornet Joseph John Henley to be Lieutenant, by pur chase, vice Thoroton; George Campbell, Gent., to be Cornet, by purchase, vice Henley, Feb. 25. 6th Dragoons—Lieut. Whitehall Dod to be Captain, by purchase, vice Carrol, who retires; Lieut. Charles Bill, from the 15th Light Dragoons, to be Lieutenant, vice Dod, Feb. 25. 15th Light Dragoons—Lieut. Henry Keown to be Captain, by purchase, vice Perrott, who retires ; Cornet Edward Colston to be Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Keown; Cornet Henry John Wade to bo Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Bill, appointed to 6th Dragoons ; James Edwards Vivian, Gent., to be Cornet, by pur chase, vice Colson, Feb. 25 ; David Henry Howell, Gent., to be Cornet, by purchase, vice Wale, Feb. 26. 16th Light Dragoons—Captain George Brown, from half-pay Unattached, to be Captain, vice John Henry Tonge, who exchanges ; Lieutenant Thomas Folliott Powell to be Captain, by purchase, vice Brown, who retires; Cornet 'William Thomas Dickson to be Lieu tenant, by purchase, vice Powell; Lancelot Halton, Gent., to be Cornet, by purchase, vice Dickson, Feb. 25. Coldstrea m R eg i ment o f F oot G uar d s —B revet C o l one l Samuel mr e w t Francis Venables Harcourt, from half-pay Unattached, to he C a p ta i n and Lieut.-Colonel, vice William Stewart Colonel, vo a i l llo t i o ina u em r l: who uuer I purchase , exchanges s ; be Lieutenant in andtpetnaanta Lieutenant dC te a n p a t n ai t u to vice llarcourt, who retires; Ensign and Lieutenant Lionel Daniel Mackinnon to be Lieu tenant and Captain, by purchase, vice Newton; Robert Desmond Sulivan, Gent., to be Ensign and Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Mackinnon, Feb. 25. 9th Regiment of Foot—Major-General Sir Janie Archibald Hope. K.C.8., to bo Colonel, vice Lieutenant- General Sir Thomas Arbuthnot. K.C.B. appo i nted to 71st Foot, Feb. 18. 24th Foot —Ensign Robert Geoffcry Augustus do Montmorency, from 49th Foot, to be Ensign, vice St. John, appointed to 94th Foot, Feb. 25. 32d Foot —Major Thomas Hutton, from half-pay. Unattached, to be Major, vice George Browne, who exchanges, receiving the difference ; Captain John Eardley Wilmot Inglis to bo Major, by purchase, v i ce Hutton, who retires; Lieut. Charles Thomas King to be Captain, by purchase, vice l?,obyns, who retires ; Lieut. Frederick Yard to be Captain, by purchase, vice Inglis, Feb. 0 5; Ensign and Adjutant William Garforth to have the rank of Lieutenant, Feb. 24; Ensign Bowen Van Stranbenzeo to ho Lieutenant, by purchase, vice King ; Ensign William Power to be Lieutenant, by pur chase, vice Y ar d ; E ns i gn W a i ter L awrence I ng l es, f rom 67th Foot, to be Ensign, vice Stranbecz: , e; John lied- Icy. Gent., to be Eu s i g ; n, by purche,aa, vice Power, Feb. 25. 36th Foot—Captain Richard Dyott, from half-pay Unattached, to be Captain, vice John Maule. who ex changes ; Lieutenant Henry W. Palmer to be Captain, by purchase, vice Dyott, who retires; Ensign Henry Keane Grant to be Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Palmer; Flint William Stacey, Gent., to be Ensign, by purchase, vice Grant. _ _ 40th Foot—Edward William Clemishow Kingdom, M.D., to be Assistant. Surgeon, vice Brummell, promoted on the Staff, Feb. 25. 41st Foot—William Henry Hopkinson, Gent., to be Ensign, by purchase, vice Willson, who retires, Feb. 25 ; Harley Kingsmill Drury, Gent., to be Ensign, without purchase, vice Hopkinson, appointed to 62d Foot, Feb. 26. 44th Foot—Tamworth George Ferrero, Gent., to be Ensign, by purchase, rice Parks, appointed to 61st Foot Feb. 25. 49th Foot—John Augustus Conolly, Gent., to be Ensign, by purchase, vice de Montmorency, appointed to 24th Foot, Feb. 25. 52d Foot—Captain Augustus Blair, from half 4 pay Unattached, to be Captain, vice George Murray, who exchanges; Lieutenant Robert Octavius Cumming to be Captain, by purchase, vice Blair, who retires; Ensign Charles Cornwallis Ross to be Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Cumming; Charles Anthony Bacon, Gent., to be Ensign, by purchase, vice Ross, Feb. 25. 60th Foot— Lieutenant Ashton Mosley to be Captain, by purchase, vice Mansell, who retires; Second Lieu tenant John Lambert Edward Baynes to be First Lieu tenant, by purchase, vice Mosley; Conyngham Jones, Gent., to be Second Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Baynes, Feb. 25. 61st Foot—Ensign David Reid to be Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Regan, who retires; Ensign James Henry Haffey Parks, from 44th Foot, to be Ensign, vice Reid, Feb. 25. 62d Foot—Lieutenant Lennard Barrett Tyler to be Captain, without purchase, vice Herbert, deceased, Feb. 9; Lieutenant William F. Dickson to be Captain, by purchase, vice Tyler, whose promotion, by purchase, has been cancelled, Feb. 11; Ensign Henry William Sibley to be Lieutenant, without purchase, vice Tyler, promoted, Feb. 9; Ensign William Henry Hopkinson, from 41st Foot, to be Ensign, vice Sibley, Feb. 26. 67th Foot—Robert Philip Arinstrong, Gent., to be Ensign, by purchase, vice Ingles, appointed to the 32d Foot, Feb. 26. 71st Foot—Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Arbuth not, K.C.8., from 9th Fcot, to be Colonel, vice Lieute nant-General Sir Thomas Reynell, Bart., and K.C.8., deceased, Feb. 18; Ensign Charles Watson, from 89th Foot, to be Ensign, vice Brown, who exchanges, Feb. 25. 73d Foot—John James Vincent, Gent., to be Ensign, without purchase, Feb. 25. 89th Foot—Eusign Leopold Brown, from 71st Foot, to be Ensign, vice Watson, who exchanges, Feb. 25. 94th Foot—Ensign Rice Davies Knight, to be Lieu tenant, by purchase, vice Frend, who retires ; Ensign Charles William St. John, from 24th Foot, to be Ensign, vice Knight ; Henry Vansittart Stonehouse, Gent. to be Ensign, by purchase, vice Pemberton, who retires, Feb. 25. 96th Foot—Quartermaster-Sergeant William Thomp son, to be Quartermaster, vice Samuel Fox, who retires on half-pay, June 23. UNA•iTicnED —LicutPnant Lachlan Hector Gilbert Maclean, from 49th Foot, to be Captain, withont pur chase, Feb. 25. BREVET.—Major Thomus Hutton, of 32d Foot, to be Lieutenant-Colonel in the Artly,June 28,)838. MEMORANDUM. - The commission of Lieutenant George Coliins, of 4th Foot, has been dated August 27, 1847, instead of July 15, 1845. Erratum in the Gazette 01 Feb. 11, 1848. 62d Foot—For Ensign William Rudman to be Lieu tenant, by purchase, vice Tyler, promoted; read, vice Dickson, promoted. _ _ Commissions signed by the Lord Lieutenant of Ren. frewshire. Sir Michael Robert Shaw Stewart, Bart. to be Deputy Lieutenant; John Henderson, Esq. to be Deputy Lieu tenant; James Richardson, Esq. to be Deputy Lieuten• ant; Boyd Alexander. Esq. to be Deputy Lieutenant; John Hall Maxwell, Esq. to be Deputy Lieutenant; John Harvey, Esq., younger, to be Deputy Lieutenant; Captain James Stirling, R.N., to be Deputy-Liuutenant, Feb. 19. Commission by the Lord-Lieutenant and Sheriff Prin cipal of Ayrshire. _ _ . . The Prince Regent's Royal Regiment of Ayrshire Militia—Ensign William Cuninghame Gemmel' to be Lieutenant, vice William Grieve, deceased, Feb. 18. WHITEHALL, FEB. 17. The Lord Chancellt.r has appointed Edward Oram Gard of Devonport, in the county of Devon, Gent., to be a Master Extraordinary in the High Court of Chancery. BANKRUPTS. Henry Bolton, straw manufacturer, Luton, Bedford shire. Jonathan Bel!chambers, bookseller, Strand. Robert Hicks, apothecary, Pimlico. Henry Thomas Stephens, licensed victualler, South. ampton. Valentine Francis Strong and William Hosking, coa: merchants Dye-house-wharf, Clink -street, Southwark. George Wills, coal merchant, Pleasant-row, Kentish. town. Gulielmus Tertius Butterfield, dealer in drugs, Ox ford street. Williana John Buckland, licensed victualler, Ear Greenwich. William Ask, watchmaker, Wakefield. William Smith, ship builder, South Stockton, York. shire. Robert Hood, draper, Smethwick, Staffordshire. Edward Rees, carpenter, Marshfield, Monmouthshire. Thomas Plumley, jun, grocer, Bristol. Thomas Wilmot, chemist, Moreton in Marsh, Glou cestershire. John Wallace, corn merchat, Liverpool. John Ridsdale, share broker, Manchester. Bennett Williams, grocer, Dyffryn, Merionethshire, North Wales. William Fallows, coal fitter, Middlesbrough, York. shire. The Earl of HARDWICKE presented a number of petitions to the same effect from London, Shields, Exeter, Scarborough, Belfast, Sunderland, and other places. FRIENDLY SOCIETIES. Lord BEAUMONT and the Marquis of LANSDOWNE presented petitions from societies of Oddfellows, in Manchester and other places, praying that the pro visions of the Friendly Societies' Act might be ex tended to them. NAVIGATION LAWS. The Earl ofHARDWICKE then, in pursuance of notice, proceeded to move for a Committee of Inquiry into the operation of these laws. The Noble Marquis (Lansdowne) had kindly intimated to him that he should not object to the motion for the appointment of the inquiry he proposed, but as the question was too important, he felt that he should not dis charge his duty if he did not enter into some details. These laws were so mixed up with a number of trades, and so much diversity of opinion prevailed upon the matter, that in that inquiry it would be utterly impossible to legislate upon them, because they would thereby be enabled to obtain the opinion of competent persons.—(Hear.) Much dissatisfaction prevailed out of doors at the opinion of the Government with respect to these laws. As late as the 15th of last March, the Ship owners' Society had been informed by the Govern ment that it was not their intention to interfere with the Navigation-laws. But a change came over the, Government, for on the 23rd of November it was first intimated that a change was intended. The intimation was given to the people of this country, though a correspondence that had taken place at the time between the Noble Lord (Lord Palmerston) and Mr. Bancroft, the American Minister. The corres pondence was published in the newspapers ' and he asked them if it was right that the people ofEngland should have first received information of the intended change through the columns of a newspaper, and, further, whether the Noble Lord bad not violated the laws of the country by the course he had adopted I' 1,100,0001. for the Kafir war, and 245,410/. 19s. 7d. for the navy excess, Mr. HUME rose and was (LEFT SPEAKING.) IMPERIAL PA.RLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS, Feb. 24. The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the Wool sack at ten minutes after Five o'clock. ROME. Viscount STRANGFORD presented petitions from a place in Norfolk against diplomatic relations with Rome, and against the Jewish Disabilities Bill. Lord RODEN presented five petitions against diplomatic relations with Rome, three of which were from Ireland. The Marquis of BREADAL BANE presented a petition to the same effect. THE FREE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. The NOBLE MARQUIS also presented several peti tions in favour of a measure to facilitate the grants of sites for the Free Churches of Scotland, the peti tioners complaining that great difficuties were thrown in the way of their attaining such sites. THE " UNITED IRISHMAN" NEWSPAPER. Lord STANLEY then rose to call the attention of their Lordships to this periodical. They were, no doubt, well aware that dissensions had of late years broken out in the ranks of those who had heretofore as sembled in Conciliation Hall, and that they had been split into sections. The one to which his remarks especially applied was the Irish Confederation. Two letters of a violent nature were addressed to the Confederation by Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Riley, two of its mem bers, a discussion ensued upon them, and the body, on a division of 317 to 188, de • dared the said letters too dangerous for publication. Mr. Mitchell resigned, and established the paper of which he complained, the United Irish man, on the 20th of the present month. The Noble Lord then read a passage from the speech of a Mr. Meagher, which he delivered at the meeting of the Confederation, at which.the letters of Mr. Mitchell were discussed in very excited language. He seemed to advocate insurrection, if the circumstances of the country required such a course. It was the young, whose blood was warm, and whose temperaments were enthusiastic, that were led away, and induced to take steps of violence by such high-flown oratory; and it was the duty of a pater nal Government, desirous to preserve the welfare of the country, to take means to put • a stop to it. The Noble Lord referred to articles and letters in the paper, one of which was addressed to " Lord Clarendon, Englishman, calling himself her Ma jesty's Commissioner," in all of which violence was advocated for the purpose of rescuing the country from the domination of England; further, that juries were packed for the purpose of obtaining the verdicts that were required, and that the columns of the paper were intended to be opened for the promulgation of these opinions. The object of the paper was to create civil war and rebellion, for the purpose of annihilating everything English. It might be said by the Government, " Let it pass by;" but he could not coincide in that opinion. Let them recollect that these sentiments were not ad dressed to the sober-minded and thinking people of England, for he believed such a seditious article would be treated with disgust, but to the excited people of Ireland, who were suffering under many distresses.—(Hear.) The paper was sold for 5d., but he was informed that it was eagerly bought up in the streets of Dublin on its first appearance for ls. 6d. and 2s. He had felt it his duty to call the attention of the Government to the first number, because it was a sample of what was to follow. He wished to know if the attention of the Law Officers of the Crown had been called to the paper, and if it was intended to prosecute the pro prietor f The Marquis of LANSDOWNE said that his attention and that of Lord Clarendon had been called to the newspaper in question.—(Hear, hear.) It would not be well, he thought, to fetter the discretion of the Noble Lord, as he was confident that he would act as the circumstances of the case seem to him to require. lie was not, however, authorised to say that he had felt it his duty to institute a prosecution against the parties. The subject then dropped. ENCUMBERED ESTATES (IRELAND) BILL. The LORD CHANCELLOR then moved the second reading of this Bill, and entered briefly into its details. It could not fail, be said, to be of the utmost advantage to Ireland where the land was deeply mortgaged. This, in fact, was one of the most fruitful sources of the impoverished condition of the country. The object of the Bill was to enable the pro prietors of entailed estates, heavily encumbered, to dispose of them. This, he should say, would lead to the better management of the estates, and to the profitable cultivation of the land. And why should not Parliament interfere ? The principle was not new, for in the cases of canals, railways, and other public improvementi, they did not hesitate to take the property required for such purposes. It was dif ficult, perhaps, in every case to protect all the parties interested, but every endeavour had been made in the Bill to do so. It was a subject of great complexity, and therefore the matter had been left very much to the discretion of the Court of Chancery in Ireland. The Bill would guard as much as possible against the absence of any one interested in an estate to be sold. It was proposed that the manager of an estate should have a right to apply by petition to the Court of Chancery, to put the powers of the Act in motion with regard to such estate, and every one who con ceived that he had an interest in the property might enter a caveat, and thereafter be entitled to notice of any proceeding; that might be taken with regard to it. Upon a petition being presented, it would be referred, in the first place, to a master, to inquire Into the facts of the case, and he would have the means of ob taining all the information necessary to see that jus tice was done. He would also give notice to all persons interested in the matter. He would then make a report to the Court, and recommend what, under all the circumstances, was the most expedient course to pursue; and if he thought it desirable that the estate should he sold, he would be authorised to sell the whole interest. If the Court thought there was a doubt that some interest had not been ascer tained, and it were subsequently proved, the money would be refunded. Every means, in fact, had been taken to prevent the money being paid out of the court into the wrong hands, as well as to protect, in every possible way, the interests of the owners, mort gagees, and other persons interested in estates ; and the object of the Bill was to give to the mortgagee his money, and pay over the surplus to the owner, or invest it in land. The Noble and Learned Lord, who was very inaudible throughout, concluded by moving the second reading of the Bill. The Earl of RODEN expressed his thanks to the Noble Lord for the great pains he had taken to ex plain the object and details of this measure. Cer tainly, without such- a measure, it would be very difficult to carry out the poor-law now in force in Ireland. He knew a friend of his, having about 3,0001. a year from land in Ireland, who had to pay no less than 1,2501. in poor rates. If those rates should only be trebled they would swallow up more than his income. He hoped the present Bill might be a means of rescuing persons so placed from their existing difficulty. Earl FITZ WILLIAM thought it might be de sirable to guard the public in England from forming any very exaggerated idea of what would be the re sults of this measure. He was far from thinking slightly of the Bill; on the contrary, he thought it a very right and wise measure ; but he had a strong impression that its operation would be very slow. Men were not over willing to arrive at a conclusion that it was absolutely necessary to sell their estates; nor were they always able to sell them when they had arrived at such a conclusion. If it were a long time, therefore, before the Bill produced any sensible effect, their Lordships and the public must not be disappointed. Lord STANLEY concurred with those who thought that the evil sought to be remedied by this Bill was one of overwhelming magnitude in Ireland. When men of a nominal rent-roll of 10,0001. or 12,000/. a year in Ireland were really receiving scarcely so many hundreds, it was clear that they could not properly do their duty either to the state or to those who were dependent upon them. But al though the evil to be remedied was great, he must also observe that the mode of cure was one accom panied by considerable difficulty. He trusted that time would be given deliberately to consider the details of the measure. The principle he did not now object to ' - but it must be borne in mind that it was one which might be pushed to a very inconve nient extent. To tell a man that it was for the interest of the state that he should dispossess himself of his property because he had not sufficient capital to de velop all its resources was to establish a principle that it was at least very dangerous to act upon. Besides this, he thought that considerable practical inconve nience might arise from the Bill. Estates might be pressed into the market, and the value of Irish pro perty might thereby be greatly depreciated. This was a consequence very much to be dreaded. He would venture to ask, with reference to one of the details, if a tenant for life would have the power of selling ? The LORD CHANCELLOR said he would be the party to make the application for sale. Lord STANLEY said he thought the power of sale being vested in a life tenant would be open to great difficulty. He also had doubts as to the secu rity given to the purchaser under the Bill. Another difficulty he felt was, that the Bill ae at present framed scarcely gave sufficient protection to the owner. Applications for sale might be made to the Court of Chancery by an incumbrancer of an estate, but the entire costs of that application were charge able upon the estate, whether the Master in Chancery made an order for the sale or not. An owner might consequently be driven into a suit against his will, for which he would have to pay the entire charg:s. These objections might arise froM his want of ac quaintance with the law, but he thought them eery serious objections, and that time at least sllould be given for their consideration. Lord CAMPBELL said the astutene2s of the Noble Lord opposite was so great that had he been bred to the law there would have been little doubt but that he would have sat on the Woolsack. But the Noble Lord was under a great misapprehension as to the effect of the Bill, for its effect upon the owner would be mainly to cheapen and simplify pro ceedings of the Court of Chancery to which the mort gagee might even at the present moment subject him. With regard to the security of the purchaser, he directed attention to the 26th clause, under which any purchaser would have, not what was now called an Irish title, but a Parliamentary title established by the Legislature, and good against all the world. He very much rejoiced that the Bill had been intro duced, and he expressed his confidence that it would be of the greatest benefit to the sister country. Lord MONTEAGLE admitted the value of the 26th clause, but thought it might be open to incon venience to remedy what was now no doubt a great. grievance in the partial manner in which this Bill would operate. He would rather see a general mea sure introduced on the subject of title, and he thought, if this Bill was carried, it would be the duty of 'Government to see that an equally remedial measure was brought in applicable to other estates than those subject to mortgage. With regard to another point, he felt that this measure, in order to be effectual, must be accompanied by a measure for reforming the Masters' offices in which the proceed ings under this Bill were to be conducted. He be lieved that, at present, it was infinitely easier to get an estate into a Master's office than to get anything out of it. The LORD CHANCELLOR said a few words in reply, and the Bill was then read a second time ; to be committed this dayfortnight. AUDIT 01? RAILWAYS ACCOUNTS BILL. The Committee on this Bill was postponed until Tuesday next. The House adjourned at twenty• fire minutes after Seven. ROUSE OF COMMOAS. Feb. 24. The SPEAKER took the Chair at Four o'cloc•k. STANDING ORDERS COMMITTEE. Sir W. IIEATIICOTE brought up the report of the Standing Orders Committee. SUSPENDED RAILWAY BILLS. Mr. FARRER moved—" That the Sessional order of the 17th of December last, requiring that all Railway Bills be referred to the Committee cn Rail way Bills before being pesented to the House, be suspended so far as it relates to any Railway Bills which were suspended in the session of 1847, by virtue of the resolutions of the House of the 1011 of June last." Mr. WOOD seconded the motion. After a few words from Mr. STRUTT, in opposi tion to the Bill, the motion was withdrawn. MORLEY GAS-LIGHT BILL. This Bill was read a second time, and erdered to be committed. NATIONAL DEFENCES. Mr. WILLIAMS presented a petition from 11Iid dle.diteh, in the county of Cheshire, against any in crease in the military establishments of the country. Sir T. BIRCH presented a petition from Liver pool to the same effect. Dr. BOWRING presented a petition from the Isle of Wight to the same effect. BANK ACT. Sir H. DAVIE presented a petition from Had dington, praying for a modification of the Bank Act. JEWISH DISABILITIES. Mr. D. DAVIES presented a petition frcin Car marthen in favour of the admission of the Jews into Parliament. CHARITABLE TRUSTS BILL. Mr. LOCKE presented a petition against the Charitable Trusts Bill from a place in Yorkshire, the name — of whit/T . did not reach the gallery. Sir G. STRICKLAND presented a petition from Chorley to the same effect._ PRICE OF SUGAR. The average price of Brown or Muscovado Sugar, computed from the returns made in the- week ending February 22, 1848, is 245. 11 i% d. per cwt. gtftb xbition SUN OFFICE, Eight o'clock, ARRIVAL OF LOUIS PHILIPPE AT FOLKSTONE. IVe have just received information that the ex- King of the French, Louis Piiii.irrE landed this afternoon at Folkestone. MARKET INTELLIGENCE. (From the London New Price Current of Feb. 25.) Sucae..—To-day the home dealers were anxious to make sales in all kinds of raw Sugar, and on the part of holders there was much firmness. The export demand does not improve. There was much desire shown to make purchases in all sorts of West India for grocery and refining purposes, whilst stiffer rates were offered, but business was checked by the scanty quantity on sbow. The sales are 270, making 1,760 hhds &c. for the week, and the advance in prices during that time is 6d to is per cwt. The Government contract for 100 tons has been taken by Merril. I, Field and Co., of Tower-street. REED/ED.—To day refined goods met with a ready sale for home consumption, and prices closed with firm ness—Brown grocery lnmps at 53s 6d, and to pass the standard 545. 6d per cwt. The market for bonded Crushed is firm at former rates, and orders are on the increase. MAITRITIIIS.—This afternoon Mauritius Sugar met with ready purchasers, and privately several parcels were sold. At public sale 3,000 bags, 160 tierces, and 50 casks realized full rates. EAST INDIA.—This afternoon the market 'a as plenti fully supplied with Madras Sugar, the quantity offered at public sale amounting to 5,742 bags, consisting chiefly of strong sorts, the whole of which found buyers at firm prices. FOREIGN.—To-day there was no sale of Foreign Sugar, arid privately only small parcels of good and fine yellow Havannah were sold at 22s to 23s per cwt. Holders were firm, and insisted upon full rates for all sorts. To-day there was little passing in West India, and the sales for the week are only 100 puns—Cuba 195. and Mauritius 15s 6d per cwt. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. (THIS EVENING.) HOUSE OF LORDS. The Earl of SHAFTSBURT took his seat on the Woolsack at Five o'clock. ROME. The Duke of RICIIMOND presented a petition from the congregation of St. Matthew's, Glasgow, against diplomatic relations with the Court of Rome. 'DIE NAVIGATION LAWS. The NOBLE DUKE also presented a number of petitions from shipowners and sailors of Liverpool, Montrose, and other places, in favour of these laws. The Noble Duke said he could not conceive how any Minister, in the present state of Europe, could be wild enough to propose any alteration in these laws, because he believed the stability of the country materially depended upon their maintenance. It was unnecessary for him to add that he should vote against any proposition for their abrouation. ROME. Lord STANLEY presented a petition from a place in Devon against diplomatic relations with the court of Rome. NAVIGATION LAWS. Lord STANLEY presented a petition, signed by 6,0 . 00 of th e s hi powners, merc h ants, an d sa il ors of Liverpool aga i nst any a l terat i on i n t h ese l aws. Th e petitioners hoped at least that no measure on the subject mould be introduced until the fullest inquiry had been made as to the operation of these laws. The Noble Lord also presented a petition to the same effect, signed by 500 persons, from Bideford, as we understood, (LEFT BPEAKING.) HOUSE OF COMMONS. The SPEAKER took the Chair at Four o'clock. THE DUBLIN CORPORATION PARLIA MENTARY FUND. The order for the second reading of this Bill was discharged. LOUGH CORRIB IMPROVEMENT COMPANY. This Bill was also read a second time and passed. LAMBETH WATER-WORKS. Mr. PE - ARSON presented two petitions in favour and one against the Lambeth Water-works. Alderman HUMPHERY presented a petition also in favour of the Bill. Sir W. MOLESWORTH presented a petition in favour of the Bill. LANCASTER ELECTION COMMITTEE. Mr. DEEDES, as Chairman of the Lancaster Election Committee, reported that Mr. James Dodson had answered satisfactorily all the questions put to him, and he therefore moved that he be discharged out of the custody of the Sergeant-at-Arms without payment of fees. Motion agreed to. NATIONAL DEFENCES. Petitions against any increase of the war establish ments of the country wore presented by Mr. Redhead Yorke, from York ; by Mr. Evelyn Denison, from Halton; by Mr. Richard Cobden, from Bromsgrove; and by Mr. G. Thompson. JEWISH DISABILITIES. Petitions against the admission of the Jews into Parliament were pretente , l by Lord G. Manners, from Cambridge; by Mr. Spooner, and by Major Beresford. ArFORTFYS' CERTIFICATE DUTY. Mr. COCKBURN presented petitions from New port and Ryde, praying for a reduction of the annual duty on Attornies' Certificates. CATHOLIC CHARITABLE TRUSTS BILL. Sir W. MOLESWORTH presented a petition from the Catholics of Southwark against the Chari table Trusts Bill. BOLTON ELECTION COMMITTEE. The members of this Committee were called to the table and sworn. INCREASE OF THE INCOME-TAX. Mr. CARDIVELL presented a petition from Liverpool, •which was agreed to at a public meeting, numerously attended, presided over by the Mayor. The petitioners stated that they viewed with alarm and indignation the proposal of her Majesty's Govern ment to make an addition to the income-tax, they con sidered that the present revenue - vas sufficient to an swer all necessary purposes if proper economy were used—(Hear)—and they prayed that if any deficienccy existed, that it might be made up by a tax upon legacies and probates to the succession of real and personal property—(Hear, hear)—and that no addi tion whatever might be made to the existing burdens on the people imposed by the income-tax.—(Hear.) Lord DUNCAN presented a petition, agreed to at a public meeting held in Bath, against the proposed increase of the income-tax. Captain BERKELEY presented a petition from the city of Gloucester to the same effect. INCOME-TAX RETURNS. Lord D. STUART gave notice of his intention to move, upon an early day, for a number of returns showing the number of persons paying, and the amount paid by them, as income-tax. Sir WILLIAM. CLAY presented a petition against the income tax. Mr . NEWDEGATE 'presented a petition against the admission of Jews into Parliament. Sir R. H. ;INGLIS presented several petitions ao the same effect. MURDER OF ENGLISHMEN NEAR CANTON. I Dr. BOWRING, seeing the :Noble Lord the Se cretary for Foreign Affairs in his place, he wished to ask him whether he had received any official informa tion of certain outrages, ending in murder: which had been committed on several Englishmen in ,the negh. bourhood of Canton. _ _ Lord PALMERSTON replied that he had re. ceived an official account of the unfortunate occur rence, and a steam-vessel had been sent up to the place where it happened, whose commander had instructions to see that the proprietors of the crime were brought to justice. Measures had also been taken for securing protection to the property and lives of her Majesty's British subjects residing in the neighbourhood of Canton. THE RATE-PAYING CLAUSES.. In answer to a question from an Hon. Member, Lord JOHN RUSSELL stated that it was not the intention of the Government to bring in a Bill this session to repeal the rate-paying clauses of the Reform Act. INCOME-TAX. Mr. Sheriff Hill appeared at the Bar of the House, and presented a petition from the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council against the Go vernment proposal for increasing the income-tax. Sir H. IVILLOUGHBY wished to know from the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the loan of eight mil lions of stock having produced in 1847 the sum of 7,963,5741., whether any and what portion of such money was in the Exchequer, or was in the Ex chequer on the Ist day of January, 1848 ; and whether there was any objection to place on the table of the House an account of the expenditure of the said loan ; also, whether the 420,000/. of the China money de• tained at the Cape, might be taken as deduction from the 1,100,000/. expended in corrying on the Kafir war. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER stated that the whole amount received as the produce of the loan, had been caraied to the Consolidated Fund. Last year he stated that the advances to Ireland had been about 10,000,0001. Up to the present time he found that a sum of about 9,000,000/. had been advauced in the way of loan or grant to Ireland. A balance of 1,000,0001. waft, therefore, suitable for other Irish purposes. With respect to the latter part of the question he found that the advances from the Commissariat chest had been so heavy that he had not as yet been able to draw any thing from it. If the vote he ehould propose to-night would be granted he would then be able to draw on the Commissariat for the amount of the China money, which could be made available for the purposes of this year. In answer to a question put by Col. CONOLLY, The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER stated that the amount of loans made to Ireland was 4,450,0001., and that the grants amounted to 4,270,000/. In answer to a question put by Mr. E. DEN• NISON, The RIGHT HON. BARONET said that the 1,000,0001. remaining in hand would be available for carrying out the provisions of several Bills passed last session for the purpose of granting loans for the im provement of land, and for the settlement of some stlil outstanding accounts in the Commisseriat De partment. INSURRECTION IN PARIS. Mr. M. MILNES wished to know if the Noble Lord the Secretary for Foreign Affairs would have any objection to state to the House the nature of the latest information which he had receive d respecting the political state of Paris. Lord PALMERSTON said, amid profound silence, the latest intelligence which I have received from Paris, is dated half-past 6 o'clock on the evening be fore last—(Laughter.) :These despatches inform me of the retirement of M. Guizot, and that M.Mole had been appointed to form a new Government, later than that I have no official information.— (Laughter.) COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY. On the motion of the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER for the House going into Committee of Supply for the purpose of taking a vote of , MS. , PEEBLES ELECTION COMMITTEE. Lord R, GROSVENOR brought up the report of the Select Committee to whom the petition complain • ing of an undue election for the county of Peehlts had been referred, stating that the Committee had decided that Mr. Forbes Mackenzie had been duly elected to serve in Parliament for that county. BREACH OF PRIVILEGE. Mr. DEEDES, .as Chairman of the Lancaster Election Committee, stated that Mr. James Dodson, a witness before the Lancaster Election Committee, had been guilty of gross prevarication in his evidence before the Committee, and that he had, by warrant under his hand, committed him to the custody of the Sergeant-at-Arms, to await the pleasure of the House. The lion. Member then moved that the said J. Dodson, having prevaricated in his evidence before the Lancaster Election Committee, he is guilty of "a breach of the pri• vileges of this House ; that for the said offence he be committed to the custody of the Sergeant-at-Arms, and that the Sergeant-at-Arms should cause the said James Dodson to be brought before the Committee from time to time as often as his presence might be required, and that Mr. Speaker do issue his warrant to the Sergeant-at-Arms accordingly. Motion agreed to. Mr. B. OSBORNE prcsentel a petition from Edin burgh, praying for the repeal of the window duties. Mr. COWAN presented a petition from Edinburgh praying for the repeal of the game-laws. THE FRAN GIESE. __ Mr. WYLD gave notice that on Thursday, the 16th of March, he should move for leave to introduce a Bill to extend the elective franchise to all persons paying the income-tax. Mr. MILES gave notice that on Thursday, the 9th of March, he should move an humble Address to her Majesty, relating to the Minute of Council with holding grants in aid of building schools of the Established Church. Mr. WILLIAMS gave notice that on Monday next he should move for a return of the number of Members of the House of Commons holding appoint ments in the army, the navy, or the ordnance. Mr. ELLICE presented three petitions from Coventry in favour of the removal of Jewish dis abilities. THE CONVICT HOWARD, AT LIMERICK. Lord NUGENT said he wished to put a: question to the Secretary for the Home Department with reference to an occurrence which had taken place in Ireland, and which he had read in the newspapers. At Limerick a person of the name of Howard was condemned to death for the crime of murder, and was left for execution, which was to have taken place on Tuesday last, but through the intervention of some hu mane persons, who ascertained that he had been con victed on perjured evidence, that sentence was not car ried into effect. Representations were made to the Lord- Lieutenant, and he reprieved the prisoner for a fortnight, in order that his innocence might be satis factorily proved by evidence. He wished to know, therefore, whether the statement in the newspapers was true or not, and if true, whether the prisoner had received a royal pardon, he having be€n con- victed on a false charge, and narrowly escaped the punishment of death ? Sir G. GREY said he had received no information on the subject, except that which he had obtained from the newspapers. NAVAL AND MILITARY ESTABLISH MENTS. Captain PECHELL presented a petition, which had been agreed to at a public meeting at Brighton, expressing great dissatisfaction at the proposed in crease of the naval and military establishments of the country, and stating that though they lived on the sea coast they had not the slightest fear of inva sion. —(Hear, and laughter.) CHARITABLE TRUSTS (IRELAND). In answer to a question put by an Hon. Member, Sir W. SOMERVILLE stated that it was the intention of Government to bring in a Bill for the better regulation of Charitable Trusts in Ireland. JEWISH DISABILITIES BILL. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER wished to make an alteration in a notice given by his Noble Friend (Lord J. Russell) yesterday, with respect to the course which the Government intended to adopt on Friday in reference to the Jewish Disa bilities Bill. It would be necessary to take two votes in supply before they proceeded with that Bill, one of which would be for the naval excess and ithe other for the expenses of the Kafir war. The Jewish Disabilities Bill would be brought on immediately after those votes had been taken. HYDERABAD PRIZE MONEY. In answer to a question put by rn Hon. Member, Sir F. LEWIS said, that the distribution of the prizemoney to the officers and seamen engaged in the capture of Hyderabad would shortly take place. SELECT COMMITTEE ON THE ESTIMATES. Mr. OSBORNE gave notice that if the Select Committee should be nominated by the Chancellor of the Exchequer late in the evening he would oppose the appointment. MAILS TO THE AUSTRALIAN COLONIES. Mr. DIVETT moved for a copy of the report of the llydrographer' of the Admiralty founded on which the route through Torres Straits had been sanctioned by the Lords of the Admiralty for large steamers conveying the mails to the Australian colo nies. The immense importance of this subject demanded the immediate attention of the Government, and, without troubling the House further, he begged to make the motion of which he had given notice. Admiral DUNDAS said it was a very hard thing that the Admiralty should be blamed for not preci pitately and hurriedly testing the merits of a danger ous passage. He was quite ready to give all the in formation he could afford the lion. Member, and nothing more could be expected of him. _.;~ Mr. HUIIE insisted that no chart ought to be allowed to be published until it had been passed by the Admiralty, and hoped Government would take up this subject without waiting to have it fc'rced upon them by the House. Allusion had been m ade to the fate of the Great Britain, and he could assure the House that several of the charts taken. , out by that vessel were discovered after she met with, her unfor tunate accident to be most defective. Mr. WYLD said, an immense amormt of public money had been spent in surveys conducted under the direction of the Admiralty, but these surveys were almost worse than useless to the public, on account of the trifling amounts that were spent in publishing the results of the surveys. Mr. COWPER was glad the Hon. Member for Bodmin had called the attention of the House to the loss the public sustained through the not -publication of the charts prepared by the officers of tht, Admiralty, and he trusted when the estimates which related to this subject came under discussion, the lion. Member would repeat the observations he had just made. Until this evening he hail never heard anything uttered against the judgment of the Hydrographer of the Admiralty, but the character of that officer, both in a public and a professional point of view, was held in so much estimation that it was hardly necessary for him to answer the aspersions that had been thrown out against him. The Hydrographer, holvever, was fully prepared to justify the opinion he had expressed upon the subject of the best route open to steam vessels going to Australia, and there was, therefore, no objection to laying tn the table of the House the papers which the Hon. Member had moved for. After a few words from Mr. DIVETT, the motion was agreed to. THE WINDOW DUTIES. Lord DUNCAN presented a petition from up wards of 5,000 persons, inhabitants of Bath, includ ing the mayor, most of the magistrates, and members of the town council, praying for the immediate and total repeal of the window-tax ; also, similar petitions from owners and occupiers of houses imhabib3d by the working and middle classes iu Sunderland, and iu the borough of Bury, in Lancashire. Sir B. HALL presented a petition from Maryle bone to the same effect. Lord DUNCAN said that, in rising to propose the motion of which he had given notice, he: was well aware of the objections and difficulties which might be made to this or to any other motion for a reduction of taxation, more especially at the present crisis. He would own that he was in hopes that he should have been anticipated by the Noble Lord (J. Russell), or by his Right Hon. Friend the Chancellor - of the Ex chequer in the motion, because when he consiclered•that in a time of peace the budget, of which they had heard so much, proposed an augmentation of the property tax, he should have expected that it would have been put forward as a substitute for one which pressed most grievously on ,the labouring classes of this country. He had been told that this was not the time to bring forward the present motion, but he bad always observed that the unsuitable character of the time was always made the pretext for opposition by those who did not wish it to be brought forward at any time whatever. On the last occasion when the question was mooted he had moved for a Committee of inquiry, but that motion was defeated, and he now therefore moved for a total repeal of the - window-tax. On looking over the taxation of the country, he thought he had found a substitute for this tax, and it was on this account that he had been induced to come forward as speedily as possible and lay the whole question before the Chancellor of the Exchequer for his consideration. It was made a great boast that out of 3,500,000 houses in Great Britain less thon 500,000 paid the window-tax. The reason why so many houses were exempt was, that the windows of a great number were reduced to seven windows only. He had received a letter from a very great authority, which he recommended to the .- consideration of his Noble Friend the Chief Commis sioner of Woeds and Forests, and in which the writer said that no plan of sanitary reform would be complete till the window-tax was abolished. He had also received a similar letter from Mr. Byers, the chairman of the Carpenters' Society in Lo adon and a very extensive builder. Mr. Byers stated . that in the poorer description of houses the washhouees and privhs were entirely without ventilation, from the operation of the window-tax, and that in Compton street he had been employed to stop up no less than five windows in almost every house in the street. The history of the house duty and window tax was worth the attention of the House. In 1695, in the reign of William the Third, the first Act was passed for levying duties on inhabited houses in Great Britain. The ,duty on each house was only 2s. but there was a duty of 4s. on houses having 10 windows and a duty of Bs. on houses with 20 windows. That tax was considerably increased in the time of Queen Anne and in the time of George 11. In 1747, Mr. Pelham got an Act passed by which houses• and win dows were taxed separately. In 1784 Mr. Pitt passed his famous Commutation Act, which greatly increased the window duty, and in 1797 he found it necessary to increase the tax upon houses. In 1802 and 1808 two more Acts vvei e passed, which augmented the duties on windows, and in 1822 Sir John Hobhouse, the:i Member for Westminster, brought forward a motion very similar to that which he (Lord Duncan) had now laid on the table. Sir John Hobhouse was told that it was absolutely impossible to repeal the window-tax, but so strong was the opinion of the people on the subject that in the year following Mr. Robinson, at that time Chancellor of the Exchequer, found it necessary to reduce the window-tax one-half: In 1834, when Lord Althorp repealed the house-tax, he passed also another Act, to which he should beg leave to call the attention of the House. In that Act Lord Althorp inserted a clause, in which it was stated that persons then duly assessed should have power to open as many windows as they pleased. A great number of persons took advantage of that pro- ' vision, and accordingly opened a very great number of windows. Unfortunately, in 1840, there was, vault was found to be the case at present, a deficiency in the revenue, and Mr. Baring, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, passed another Act, laying an addi tional 10 per cent. on the assessed taxes; and, at the same time he had recourse to what is called a re assessment. It would be found, on comparing the year ending April, 1840, which was previous to Mr.' 13aring's Act, with the year ending April, 1841, that in 1841 there were 450,913 houses paying 1,613,3081. to be set against 394,036 houses in 1840, paying 1,350,930/. ' • thus showing an increase of 56,877 houses, and of 262,3781. additional taxation. Not- j withstanding, however, the increase of population which was going on, the window-tax immediately afterwards fell off, as the people had recourse to the expedient of blockading their windows. The number of houses assessed gradually decreased from 450,913 in 1841 to 447,383 in 1844. But the most striking future in this part of the case was the diminution which had taken place within the same period in the number of houses having eight or nine windows. In 1841 the total number of houses having eight win dows was 62,898, while in 1844 they had dwindled down to 55,692. Again, in 1841, the number of houses with nine windows was 54,241 ; and, in 1844, this number had decreased to 53,781, showing a total decrease in the lowest class of houses assessed to the window-tax of 7,296 houses. The mistake made by financiers was that windows were taken to be a criterion of the value of a man's house ; though they might as well take the number of buttons on his coat as a cri terion of the value of what was in his pocket. There was another point to which he wished to call the attention of the House, and thai was, the inequality of the assessment. In Berwick-street and in Poland street, Soho , no one house was rated at 2001. a year, and most of the houses in them at 301., 40/., and 501-; yet these two streets paid 898 t. window-duty, while in St. James's- square, where there was no house rated under 1001. a year, and many houses were rated at 500/., and even 1,0001., only contributed 6891- to the window-duty. Berkeley-square paid but 712 1 -• and Grosvenor-square 983/. It would be found, therefore, that houses with a rental of 30/. or 401. a year, paid 80 or 40 per cent. in addition in the shape of window-duty, while many houses, occupied by' richer people, only paid in the proportion of 4 or 6 per cent. upon the rental. Mr. Porter's table showed ' that the houses under 15 windows paid 544,000/-1 one-third of the total amount of the duty ; those under 20 windows 854,000/., one-half of the duty; those under 24 windows 1,028,0001.; and those under 35 windows 1,500,0001., two-thirds of the duty, leaving 147,0001. to be contributed by large houses. Now, upon looking at a little book which he held in his hand, called the Assessor's Warrant and lnstrac' tions, the first thing that struck one was the number of exemptions from the duty. In the first place, Ire land was exempted altogether—(Hear, hear)—and if the Right Hon. Gentleman would allow him, be would tell him why. Mr. Robinson stated in 1821 that:the impoverished inhabitants of Ireland, in order to avoid the window-tax, had resorted to the miser able expedient of stopping up the apertures in their houses, and had thus made their houses dark and up' wholesome ; but he added that such was not the case in this country. He (Lord Duncan) had already shown, however, that this process was going on to A considerable extent even in England. IVell, the next exemption was for all public offices, and therefore the gentlemen who enjoyed themselves in public offices might open as many windows et they pleased. The next exemption was in favour of all occupying tenants of farms at a rent under 20 1 - a" year; an exemption confined to country districts only. Then, Lord Althorp, an agricultural Chancel lor of the Exchequer, brought in an Act which ex empted windows in dairies and cheese-rooms. Next windows in shops and factories were exempted, and of course there was also an exemption in favour of t he law and the church. He found that chambers in the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and 1 11 Lincoln's Inn, were to be charged as separate dwell ing houses, and consequently they would not be liable to window-duty, unless they had more tball