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

the peace en that country forty-eight hours—(Hear)-- and were the rt igion of the Irish people Presbyterial. )0 any other the; Roman Catholic, they would not en lest their present position. Let them consider also the poi:- tit:al 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, 70 0,0001. a year was exacted from the land. The Par harnentary- franchise was daily diminishing; the m tsa eipal franchise had diminished almost to a name; end waste lands were unreclaimed. What, then, had the British House of Commons done for Ireland? He wo . .111 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 substituting transportation for fine and imprisonment. all cares 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 —w.)uld it effect those gentlemen who had been held to bail, and were now waiting their trials?—(No.) He was not sus e 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 conciliation, 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 interruption 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 Wes 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. Mr. M. J. O'CONNELL observed that the wound which this Bill would iirflict was like that which a sur geon made in cutting out an unsound pert 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 ment 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 for high treason. Of the loyalty of the Irish people he had no doubt, and their affections were in favour of monarchical institutions, and the order of things as they existed, he was equally certain e Any such change as the men who had been alluded to were mad enough to contemplate would be certain destruction. He should be ready to consider the clause as to spoken treason in Committee, though he did not think this was a time when they ought to be too chary in administeringpunish nient to men who, whether by writing or speaking, encouraged others to acts which the law punished severely. If the law had hitherto been lenient to such persons, it ought not to continue so. If the man who set fire to the stack was to suffer punishment, surely the man who set him on should not go scot-free.—(Hear.) Mr. GROGAN supported the Bill, as one that 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, in 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 House from the most important to the least important portion of the measure. The least important part was that which assimilated the law of Ireland to that of Eng land. To that there could be no reasonable objection. If the Lord-Lieutenant required further powers to enable him to put down sedition and treason, which had 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 boast of Englishmen, as the safeguard of their liberties. There was no difficulty now in punish ing 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 that purpose, might be construed to tend to impair the freedom of discussion in either or both Houses of Parliament, and to overawe their delibera tions, might subject the speaker to transportation for seven years or for life; let this be the law, and no man would be safe 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, or were stimulated with the desire to extend them. It was 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 informed 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 heard language 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 now—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 beets seriously and deliberately introduced by her Majesty's Government ; that they had been led astray by looking to those insane speeches of Irish de rnagogues, and that in attempting to remedy that evil they 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 constitution, and one of the last portions that we ought to consent to meddle with or destroy. If they took any freely collected public meeting in this country, they would find that truth end justice, and propriety and moderation, prevailed over all the opposite qualities. He, therefore, relied with confidence in the decisions of such assemblies. Indeed he had himself often heard them rebuke language tending to violence, and he believed that in the continuance 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 against the inequalities of our laws.—(Hear, hear.) The Noble Lord on a former evening spoke of the events of the continent having given 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 (Mr. Fox) took to be the desire on the part of the working-classes, who had far more intelligence and Morality than he feared they got credit for—(Hear, hear)—of having for themselves a political status, and of being free themselves while they heard the shouts of newly acquired freedom from other countries. 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, would, 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 Hon. Gentleman has so far been in error, as to have passed his censure on the pro position of my Right Hun. 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 %ay 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 the purpose of overawing the Houses of Parliament But that is a very different offence from overawing the Houses of Parliament, which ad mits of abuse and misrepresentation. Direct incitement to levy war, whether with the view of putting a per sonal restraint upon the sovereign, or of overawing the Houses of Parliament, is of itself a grave and substantive offence. The Hon. Gentleman entirely omitted the question of levying war, as if it was no ppart o,f_thue_ measure. I hope he will, therefore, sus• ent of the uV il d u g n n t l i r, so far as not to condemn sedan-tha art gar in extendin he sees it. I admit that there but we have towgeerceins penalties of this kind to words spoken; der that formerly the penalties of high treason often awarded to a very few words supposed to express ettreasenable intenti o n. N ow , an d especially of late, instead of secret conspiracies and overthrown ncils in t it he hdasark, Which a monarc h y was to be , becoym habit with those who hope to compass the destructionsth of the monarchy anal the deposition of the u llys, to speak to large an u d so of w ords exciting to the masses of the people levying of war and the authority s for the purpose of overbearing the legitimat e mischievous of the country, artairef,vous arid and thereby to accomplish their dan gerous ends. When the mode of w over turning Governments is changed, I think it of necessary to take sonic other cours e th an that which becomes has hitherto been taken to prevent it ; and I say i far better to apply the punishment of felony to t h t os i c s offences, than to make the Act in all respect s s i m i lar ' to that of 1796, and to apply to them the pen a l t i,, of high treason. It may, I know. still be argued (hat the punishment is severe; but at the same time I think that those eh() actually incur the penalties of treason, lied who by being brought to levy war are subjected to the penalty of death under the Act of Edward 111., may not after all he in point of fact so euilty as those who have instigated them to rebellion.--(Hear, hear.) I will not continue my argument upon this subject until the House has the opportunity of seeing the Bill. The Hon, Gen tleman who spoke last sal s that the only allusion I made to the events of the continent wag 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 empla!ion of those events is a mixed feeling, I cannot but rejok.e at any portion of theta 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; fur 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 ceuntries; but when the Hon. Gentleman speaks of ben, fits still to be derived by the people of this country, and of honourable desires that ere 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 contost, anti bloodshed, and of the suspension of trsde 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 cJmnion 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 aff,irs, and upon the constant progress cf liberal opinions towards perfection.—(Cheers). The House then divided, when there appeared— For the motion Against it Majority —259 Sir G. GREY said he should move the second reading of the Bid 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 same view. The stibject 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 own 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 i* the meshes of law, and to sow discord between landloi d 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 for 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 lion. 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 the 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 Inland, and would strike a blow against the tenant right in Ulster. He warned the Government how they passed any Bill which would have that ctivet. It would create a mass of discontent out of the House, and the Government seemed not to be aware of it. _ Mr. GlaiiANtiiouglit that - attnant-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 !hey 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 fur the University of Dublin. Ile 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 enure the Hon. Gentle man who had 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 cotme 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. Atter 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 as 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 be 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 Hun. Member for Li merick 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, end 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 padiamentum inductunt of common sense landlords would be much more to the purpose. The Earl of LINCOLN opposed the reference of the measure to a Committee up stairs, as imposing such a delay on its progress as would amount to a rejection of the Bill altogether. Sir G. GREY regretted the tone in which the Noble Lord t h e Member for Nottinghamshire had intimated his opposition to the Committee. The Noble Lord had given rather a party colour to a debate which had previously o n l y e - x h i b ited a desire on the part o f t h e 'use to unite cordially in promoting the interests of Ireland. Mr. AGLIONBY would not Oppose the second read ing of the Bill. At the same tuna he feared it would prove only a mischievous interferenee with matters with ehich that House had no concern.—(Hear, bear.) If it reachEd the Committee, - there were only three or four clauses to which he would give his assent. He was str , .ngly inclined to refer the Bill to a Select Committee. Mr. GROGAN opposed the Bill as improperly it,ter fering with the relations of landlord and tenant. How e-Ter, if it obtained a second remling 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 rote in Com mittee. At the same time he looked 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 I louse. _ Sir W. SONIERVILLE vindicated the course of the Government and his own in the conduct of the Bill. lie deni► d ►hat it was calculated unduly to disturb the rela tior•s between landlord :►nd tenant. The Bill was then read a second time, and ordered to be Referred to a Seleet Committee. ADJOURNMENT OF THE HOUSE. On Bic 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 17,546,500/., 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 he given to bring in a Bill fur the better security of the Crown 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. Pack e, C. W. Adderley, C. B. Greene, Thomas Paget, Lord A. Aglionby, H. Grenfell, C. Pascoe Palmer, Robert Alcock, 'Thomas Grenfel , Charles W. Palmer, Roundell Anderson, Arthur Grey, Sir G. Palmerston, Viscount Anton, 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. R. Peel, Colonel Bailey, J., jun. Male, R. B. Perfect, R. tialdock, E. H. Hallyburton, Lord Philips, Sir G. R. Baldwin, Barry Hamilton, G. A. Pigot, Sir R. Barkly, Henry Ilastie, Alexander Pigott, Francis Barnard, E. G. Haste, Archibald Pilkington, James Bateson, T. Hawes, Benjamin Plowden, W. H. Bellew, it. M. Hay, Lerd John Price, Sir R. Beutinck, Lord G. Hayes, Sir E. Pugh, David Bernal, Ralph Hayter, W. G. Pusey, P. Bernard, Viscount Headlarn, Thomas Raphael, Alexander Blackall, S. W. Heathcoat, John Rawdon, Colonel Bolder°, 11. G. Heatheote, Sir W. Rendlesham, Lord Bouverie, E. P. Heneage, G. H. Repton, G. W. J. Bowles, Admiral Henley, J. W. Ricardo, J. L. Brackley, Viscount Henry, Alexander Ricardo, Osman Bramston, T. W. lierries, J. C. Rice, E. R. Bremridge, Richard Ileywood, James Rich, Henry Broadley, Henry Hildyard, H. C. Robartes, T. J. Brockman, E. D. Hindley, C. Romilly, John Brotherton, J. Ilobhouse, Sir John Rushout, Captain Brown, H. llobhouse, T. B. Russell, Lord John Buck, L. W. Hodges, T. L. Rutherfurd, A. Buller, Charles Hogg, Sir J. Sadleir, John Sunbury, E. H. Hope, Sir J. St. George, Chris. Busfeild, W. Hope, Henry T. Sandars, George Campbell, W. F. Hope, Alexander Scholeneld, William Cardwell, Edward liorsmart, Edward Scott, F. Carew, W. P. Hothatn, Lord Scrope, G. P. Carter, John B. Iloward, C. W. Seakam, 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, H. B. Ker, Rickard Smith, R. T. Cobbold, J. C. Knox, Colonel Smith, J. A. Cocks, T. S. Lascelles, W. S. Smith, 31 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, H. J. Colvile, C. It. Lincoln, Earl of Spooner, Richard Compton, H. C. Littleton, E. R. Stafford, Augustus Corry, 11. Locke, Joseph Stanley,',E. J. Cowan, Charles Lockhart, A. E. Stansfield, W. R. Cowper, W F. Lockhart, W. Stanton, W. H. Craig, W. G. Long, Walter Staunton, Sir G. Cripps, William Lushington, Charles Stephenson. Robert Currie, Henry Mackenzie, W. F. Stuart, Lord D. Davies, D. A. S. 31 acnamara, Major Sutton, H. M. Dawson, T. V. M'Gregor, John Talbot, C. R. Denison, J. E. 31'Naghten, Sir E. Tenison, E. K. D'Eyncourt, C. T. IPNeill, Duncan Tennent, .J. Disraeli, 11. 3fagan, W. H. '1 hicknesse, R. A. Pod, J. W. Mahon, O'Gorman Thompson, Alderman Douglas, Sir C. Marshall, W. Thornely, T. Drummond, Henry Martin, J. Tollemache, John Drummond, Homo Masterman, John Trelawny, J. S. Duff, George S. Maule, rex 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 F. Moore, George H. Vivian, J. 11. tin Pre, C. G. Morgan, 0. Walsh, Sir J. Ebriugton, Lord Morpeth, Viscount Ward, H. G. Edwards, henry Morison, General Wawn, J. T. Egerton, Sir P. Morris, David Wellesley, Lord C, Ellice, Edward Alostyn, E. 31. West, F. It. Elliot, J. E. Mulgrave, Earl Westhead, J. P. Evans, William Mundy, E. M. Williamson, Sir H. Ewart, William Munta, G. F. Wilson, Matthew Farrer, James Napier, Joseph Wood, Sir Charles Fergus, John Neeld, Joseph Wood, W. I'. Ferguson, Sir R. Newry, Viscount Wrightson, W. B. Filmer, Sir E. sTorreys, Lord Wyvill, Marmaduke Fitzpatrick. J W. Norreys, Sir D. Yorke, H. It. Fordyce, A. D. Nugent, Sir Percy Young, Sir John Forster, Mathew O'Brien, Sir Lucius Fertescue, Chichester O'Connell, M. J. TZLLEItS. French, F. Ogle, S. C. Turtle% Ileury Gaskell, J. 3f. Ord, W. Hill, Lord Marcus Gibson, T. M. Osborne, Ralph MINORITY-NOES, 24. Blewitt, lieglnald eirreene, John Sullivan, Michael Bowring, Dr. Hume, Joseph Thompson, Colonel Callaghan, D. Kershaw, James Thompson, George Devereux, J. I'. Meagher, Thomas Waltley, Thomas Fagan, William Mowatt, Francis Walmsley, Sir J. Fox, R. M. Power, Dr. Williams, John Fox, W. J. Reynolds, John TELLIZI. Gardner, Richard Scully, Francis O'Connor, Feargus Grattan, Henry Smith, John B. O'Connell, John ZbirZt 2littion THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. We have received Cape of Good Hope papers to the 29th of January, which give most satisfactory accounts of the state of the colony. Sir Harry Smith was proceeding rapidly on his tour of inspection beyond the limits of the colony. He has made the port at the mouth of the Buffalo, in Kafirland in a British port, called East London. Waterloo Bay: in the district of Victoria, formerly the Neutral terri tory, is also provided for. Customhouse officers being appointed for each, with a board for the improvement of the " Port of East London;" and the Collector of Customs at this port has instructed officers of his de partment, namely, Mr. Charles Wolfe and Mr. Thomas Nightingale, to proceed forthwith as sub-collectors, to open the new ports of Waterloo Bay and East London, and to receive Customs duties thereat. The South African Commercial Advertiser of the 29th of January contains the following report of Sir 11. Smith's progress through the provinces:— " Shiloh, 15th January, 1848. " His Excellency on his route to Natal did not visit Fort Beaufort, but, leaving it on his right, proceeded to inspect the Kat River Settlement, where he arrived on the [oth . After proceeding through the settlement, he expressed his satisfaction at the state of it. " Subsequently he appointed a committee for the roads of the settlement, and the Hottentot Commandant Groepe to he justice of the peace. In reply to a me morial of the inhabitants, his Excellency expressed his regret that they should have had occasion to mention their mag:strate in any other terms than that of respect. " On the 12th instant his Excellency arrived at Shiloh, and resumed his route on the 14th. During his stay at this place he selected a site for a town at the junction of the Klipplaats and Ox Kraal Rivers, which he honoured by naming after the place of his birth (Whittlesea). This spot is about half an hour's walk from the Mis sion -house, and possesses the following advantages:--It is capable of extensive irrigation by the Klipplaats and Ox Kraal Rivers, at a very small expense ; it is situate in the 'vicinity of rich coal deposit, and extensive forests are in the immediate neighbourhood. It is on the direct line from the Port of London (Buffalo Mouth) to Coles berg, over a tract of country presenting fewer ob etacles to :land carriage than any line of road of equal length in the colony. In addition to these resources, it may with confidence be asserted that the coun try about Whittlesea is the best corn-growing land in the district of Albert, irrigated, es it is, by the ever-flowing Klipplaats and Ox Kraal Rivers. A sample of the coal mentioned I will forward to you by the first opportunity, and you will confer considerable obligation on the inhabitants of this part of the colony if you will be so good as to hand this sample to the officer commanding Royal Engineers to be assayed. His Ex cellency gave all parties the greatest satisfaction by the open and generous manner in which he received all who approached him, by his evident anxiety to remedy the evils they are labouring under, and his zealous endea vours to develope the resources of the country." A nother hand writes : " His Excellency Sir Harry Smith arrived at Shiloh on the 12th, near to which spot he has chosen a site for a new town. He has also made Karim understand the boundary of his new country. He left Shil o h l ast F r id ay on his way to the Rel. An addres s was presente d to hi m , which he received in the most fiicndly manner, assu ring us we might depend up on as much security as the people had in the streets of London; that to any farms he might sell the titles should be given without delay, and that he would expect the money with equal promptness. He also assured us that all farms in the colony in dispute should be settled, and that if 10 surveyors were not s ufficient he would get 50. If he fulfil all his promises things will go well. Field Com mandant Joubert proceeds with the Governor to Natal, and thence returns with him to the Buffalo. All is peace here. " Nothing can exceed the delight of the Boers on seeing the Ciovernor—addresses and compliments every ! where." The Cape Frontier Times has the following news from the frontiers:— _ . " A military village is already in course of formation on one of the branches of the Chumie, in the vicinity of Alice, nearly 100 men belonging to the 90th Regiment having agreed to locate themselves there on the terms offered by the Government, which, we understand, are as follow:: —The men are to have 12 acres of cultivat able land, to which an unrestricted right will be given after seven years' residence. " They are to be provided with food for one year; seed corn and agricultural implements will also be given them. Every ten men will be provided with a span of oxen, and every twenty men with a waggon. Whenever these men shall be required for military service, they are promised half-a-crown a day. " The officer or superintendent of each location will, it is understood, have 100 acres of land, besides the allow ance given to the men as above.enumeratcd, and be allowed permanent pay. Large additions to these loca- - tions are expected from the 7th Dragoon Guards, 27th, and 91st Regiments. About 150 Hottentots, belonging to the late levies, have also been enrolled to receive land on military terms. "The new district of Albert, as defined by proclama tion, is that port of the district of Victoria to the ' northward of Stormberg mountains, and to be bounded eastward by the Kraal River, northward by the Orange River, and westward by the Stormberg Spruit.' " Mr. Chase, late Secretary to the late Lieutenant- Governor, having been appointed Civil Commissioner and Resident Magistrate of this new district, is already on his way to take change of it." The inhabitants of the Kat River Settlement having sent a memorial to his Excellency the Governor, telling him that after the conduct of Mr. Biddulph, their super intendent, they never could be comfortable with him as a magistrate, and praying that his Excellency would " cause a commission of inquiry to be institute(' of just and upright men to investigate the moral and industrial state of the settlement, the losses sustained and the ser vices performed by the inhabitants during the war, as also the general character of the settlement, as a de fensive scheme," the following reply was returned:— " King William's Town, December 31, 1847. " I have received with great pleasure the address from her Majesty's loyal subjects of the Kat River Set lement, in as far as it specified such attachment and readiness again to serve under me. Well do I remem ber, and most fully do I appreciate, the gallant, long, and meritorious services of my Kat River oomrades during the last war; their interest, therefore, must ever be mine, and most narrowly will I watch over their welfare now that I am the representative of our most gracious Queen, for whom they so truly profess every lcoalty. I regret, however, the course which they have pursued in bringing before me their magistrate, in any other light than that of their friend and protector. I ever judge by what I see, and the loyal men of the Kat River shall learn, as I before said, that their interests are mine. " Fully am I aware of the losses and misfortunes which they have sustained by war; a new order of things, how ever, I hope breaks upon us for future protection. Happen, however, what may, I shall ever calculate upon the support of the men of the Kat River Settlement; and I hope and expect that they will meet my views as set forth in the Government notice of the 17th instant, as to enrolling their names. " I intend ere long to pay the Kat River Settlement visit, and trust to see its inhabitants all well. (Signed) " H. G. SMITH." CHARTIST CONVENTION. (THIS DAY.) AFTERNOON MEETING. The Convention assembled shortly after half-past two o'clock; Mr. M'Grath in the chair. The galleries and the body of the hall, except the space in the centre, which was partitioned off by torms for the accommodation of the delegates, was crowded to excess, as has been the case during the whole of the sittings. After the names of the members of the Convention had been read over, Mr. JONES begged leave to read a paragraph from a letter which he had just received, in order that it might put some'OT their friends 'upon their - guard. The writer of the letter stated that he had been informed by one of the C division of police that some of the force attended the meetings of the Convention in plain clothes, got into conversation with persons by sympathing with their feel ings, and even insinuated themselves into people's dwell ings, and having secured information by that means, they went away and reported it to their superiors.—(Loud groans, and cries of " Hear, hear.") Mr. JONES postponed his motion for the adoption of the tricolours to be worn by the Chartists. Mr. WEST, as one of the deputation who had been appointed to wait upon Lord John Russell, stated that his Lordship was absent when the deputation at tended at the Treasury, and was not likely to return until four or five o'clock, and under those circumstances, they did not think it worth while to wait upon him again. Mr. West complained of the disre spectful conduct which the under-secretary whom they saw at the Treasury showed to the deputation. He looked upon them, he said, with scorn and disgust, as if, instead of being respectable working men, they were mere crawling reptiles, only fit to be oppressed and crushed. fie thought it necessary to mention this circumstance, in order that the Government might see how they had been treated by the officials at the Trea sury.—([lear, hear.) RESULT OF INTERVIEW WITII MEMBERS OF PARMA. MENT. A number of delegates stated the result of their interview with several Members of Parliament with re spect to the measure introduced by Sir George Grey, and also with respect to the support of the Charter, Mr. JONES said he had thought it necessary to wait upon Lord Morpeth, as one of the representatives of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and his lordship, in the course of the interview, asked a question which was as extraor dinary a question as a Cabinet Minister could ask. He said," Perhaps it is not a fair question to ask, but you may have no objection to answer, what your intentions are on Monday next with regard to the procession." He (Mr. Jones) said, if his Lordship would recognise him as one of a deputation from the National Convention, he would answer the question, but not otherwise. His Lordship consented, and he (Mr. Jones) told him that the procession intended to go unarmed, and would only proceed as far as the corner of the Westminster bridge, and instead of creating any disturbance they intended to co-operate with the police in preserving the peace. But he also positively declared that if they were interfered with, it being their intention not to strike the first blow, they would act on the de fensive, and in that case s h ould there be any slaughter he requested his L or d s hi p to inf orm his colleagues in government that th e blood of the people w hich might be spilt would be on th e h ea d s of her Majesty's Govern ment.—(lmmense a n d ent h us i ast i c c h e ering.) A motion of M r . H ARNEY, to the e ff e ct that in order to provide for any c ont i ngency w hi c h might prevent the delegates assembling at the Convention, they should each be at liberty to nom i nate some thorough Chartist to represent them, whi c h , a f ter a goo d deal of oratorical display, was agreed t o . The Convention th en proceede d t o her business. dispose of ot --- CRIMINAL COURT.-(THIS DAY.) NEW COURT. THE RIOTS AT KENNINGTON COMMON. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition.) After the pri soners h a d b een ca ll e d upon for their de fence The COMMON SERGEANT slimmed when The jury, after a consultation of three quarters of an hour, acquitted Burden, Archer, Hort ey, and Webster, ard found all theother • Guilty. Mr. prisoners in • up at some length, Mr. BODKIN informed the Court that the prisoners Henry Brown, Thomas Snead, and Thomas Walker, had been before convicted, and put in proof to that effect. The jury having found them Guilty of having been before convicted, The COMMON SERGEANT sentenced them all, with the exception of Brown and Snead, after a most feeling admonition, to seven years' transportation, and Brown and Snead wore sentenced to fourteen years' trans portation. The trial lasted from half-past nine to fire o'clock. 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 th e United Kingdom of G reat 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. B s . Id : , The Commissioner s for the Reduction of the National Debt hereby give no tice, that no sum will be applied by them on account of t he Sinking Fund, under the pro visions of the said Act, between the 7th day o f A pr il, 1848, and the sth day of July, 1848. S. HIGHA.M, omptroller-G enera l. National Debt•office, April 6, 1848. ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE. WESTER N ClRCUlT.—Taunton, April G. CROWN COURT.--(Refers Mr. Justice WIGHTMAN.) at the bar, indi cted for the wilful murder of John Wall, at B aekwell, b y shootin g him with a cer 16To u s Bpik placed d w z u MURDER. —Charles—Charles Mansfield, aged tain gun loaded with gunpowder and leadtia shot, ou the 17th of December last. h is two brothers, Anthony, • aged 14, and Robert , ag ed 13, had been j oi ntly indicted with him ; but as against them the grand bury throw out the bill. (They were also charged on the coroner's inquisition ; but as to them no evidence was (iffered, and they were acquitted.) Mr. Phinn and Mr. Allen were counsel for the prose cution. The prisoner was undefended. The case excited some interest from its extra ordinary nature, there being no assignable m ot i ve for th e com missiou by the prisoner of the diabolical cr i me w i t h which he was charge d ; and during the wholes o f the trial the prisoner vxhibitd the most hardened indif ference, and cross - e xa m ined the witnesses with the greatest coolness and e ftrontery. The jury, after retiring for a few minutes, sett irned a verdict of " Guilty of wilful murder. ' The Learned JUDGE then passed th e sente nce of impressive death upon him in the m ost manner. The prisoner was then removed, exhibitin g t h e sa iDIO n• difference and hardihood which he had done tha-ou ghoul the whole trial. True bills were found against the tw o H oyies for the murder of their uncle, a respectable farmer of Dandry. The case excites the greatest interest in tie eh)unty, and is fixed for Saturday. NORTH WALES CIRCUIT.—Chewer, AEI it G. CIVIL SlDE.—(Before Mr. Justice WILLIAMS and a Special Jury.) IMPORTANT CLAIM AGAINST A RAILWAY COMPANY. GROTE V. THE CHESTER AND HOLYHEAD RAILWAY COMPANY. This was an action brought by the plaintiff, a commis sion merchant, of Liverpooi, 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 I)ee. The damages were laid at 2,000/. 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 atterepts d in every possible manner to lessen the com pensation to which Mr. Grote was entitled. They had not paid a shilling into court—they bad reused ail propcsitions for eustitable arbitration, and were deter mined to come before a jury—a jury which he hoped would give such dainagee against tht to as heir coi duct throughout the affair deserved. He ga thered from the conversation which had taken place last night, what was to he the nature ut the defence to be set up, and upon w hick the jury were to give small damages. His Learned Friend's eloquence might be great, but if opposed to common sense, would have little OS-et with twelve intelligent inen. It was said last night that his client had 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 bungling attempt they were making to remedy it. 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 iar from wishing to insinuate that Mr. Grote had not been injured, but be had a right to inquire to what extent the injury went. lie had been debarred eight days from his office; and the nature of the wound had been stated before them. He felt assured that under the eireunas stances the jury would not give be an equitablecompen sationevmdie vindictive damages, but such—and such only — a s would for any injury that had been sustained, whether actions of the sort were to bo encouraged , where parties sought to recover for selling shares never proved to have possessed—for which they have loss ou commercial transactions, of the extent of which there was no evi dence—and for personal injury, which there was reason to believe had been considerably magnified. The JUDGE, in summing up, said the first question the jury would have to consider was , whether the com plaint of the defendant was well founded , th at the bridge was not maintained with sufficient care and skill; 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 strength to bear the strain brought upon them. The former said the strain was double what it ought to be; Captain Simmons said that the girder, at all events, was insufficient; and than this opinion was confirmed by Mr. Kennedy. It was alleged that, three celebrated engineers held a different opinion; but it was really not fair to set up repeated opinions of gentlemen who had not been called, and who, on being cross-examined might have changed that opinion, against the testimony of the gentlemen who had been called, and who had given the data on which their judgment was formed. If the plaintiff in their opinion sustained his first allegation, the next ques ' tion would be as to the damages to which he was entitled; and on this question they were to take into consideration the bodily suffering, mental suffering, and 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, as 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, 2501. '1 he JUDGE certified that it was a proper case to be tried by a special jury. FROM THE LONDON GAZETTE OF FRIDAY. FOREIGN-OFFICE, APAIL 6. The Queen has been pleased to approve of Mr. William Visconte Le Quesne, as Consul in the Channel Islands far the Free City of Lubeck. WHITEHALL, APRIL 6. The Queen has been pleased to appoint the Hon. Henry Fitzßoy 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 bo 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, and William Frederick Desbarres, Esq., to be her Majesty's Solicitor-General for the said province. CROWN-OFFICE, APRIL 5. MEMBERS 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 and Port of Rye.—Herbert Mascall Curteis, of Windmill-hill, in the county of Sussex, Esq., the last election for the said town and port having been declared void. BANKRUPTS. Thomas Wilcock, cutler, liounsditch, to surrender April 11, at half-past eleven, and May 19, at half past one, at th© 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. Canuan, 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, Basiaghall 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 singhall-street. Green, official assignee, Aldermanbury ; George, Villiers-street, Strand; Scott, Hyde. 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; Manion 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; Lawrence and Plews, Old Jewry-chambers. Philip Stuart Feakc 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, Bucklersbury; 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; Ilarpur, Kennington-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 13, 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 Dis trict Court. Valpy, official assignee, Birmingham; Mot teram and Co., Birmingham. George Bate, chain manufacturer, Dudley, Worces tershire, April 25 and May 23, at eleven, at the Bir mingham District Court. Christie, official assignee, Birmingham; Hodson, Birmingham. John Hancock, hosier, Earl Shilton, Leicestershire, April 15 and May 23, at eleven, at the Birßirmingham Dis trict Court. Valpy, official assignee , Birm in gham; Jarvis, Hinckley. William Edward Cope, draper, Melbourn,DarbyshDirie, April 28 and May 19, at ele ven, at t h e Nottingham s trict Court. Bittleston, official assignee,o n N ; ot m ti o n t g t h er ar m ; Teague, Crown -court, Cheapside, Lon and Co., Birmingham. William Harwood, merchant, Bristol, April 20 and May 22. at eleven, at the Bristol District Court. Acra man, official assignee, Bristol; White arid Co., Bedford•• row, London; Britten and Suns, 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 Ren her, and William Henry Buckland, iron manufacturers, Ab church-lane, and Maesteg, Glamorganahire, April 19 and May 19, at eleven, at the Bristol District Court. Miller, official assignee, Bristol; VyiT., Lincoln's In n •fi e ld s . Joseph White, decorative painter, Exeter, April 19 and May 17, at eleven, at the Exeter District Court. Her rumen, 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. Hirtzel, official assignee, Exeter; Sto g . don, Ex, ter; Keddell and Co., Lime -street, London. John Morfitt, jun., flax spinner, New Wortley, York. sliire, April 20 and Miey 12, at eleven, at the Leeds Dis trict Court Freeman, official assignee, Leeds; Sudlaw and Co., Bedford-row, London; Shackeln 41, Leeds. William Penn, licensed victualler, Liverpool, Apt il 19 and May 12, at eleven, at the Liverpool District Court. Turner, official assignee, Liverpool; Wiikin, Furniral':, 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 , Bh dford -row, London ; Rogerson and Son, Liverpool. Thomas Biglands, grocer, Monk Wcarmouth, Durham. April 18 and May 18, et 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 OF SUGAR. The average price of Brown or Muscovado Sugar, computed from the returns made in the week ending April 4, 1841, is 223. 51 per cwt. LAUNCH OF TWO SCREW STEAM FRIGATES. PORTSMOUTH, APRIL s.—The dockyard here has been very gay to day, consequent on the launch of two ♦ery 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 sy&ndards, was d ense ly crow d e d w i t h s p ec t a tors. 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. In drawing. As built. Ft. nFt. n Length between perpendiculars 200 I 0 . I 200 0 . Length of Keel for tonnage • 172 91 172 9 Breadth to outside of wale,, 45 4 45 81- Br e adth for tonnage 45 1 45 1 Breadth moulded 44 4 44 q Depth in hold Burthen in tons By new adruessurement 378 Deduct for engine room Leaving for actual tonnage lOBB Armament—Main deck—Six 8-inch guns of 65 cwt., and 9 feet long each, and tw ent y -two 32- p ounders of 56 t., and 9 feet 6 inches long each. Quarter-dock and forecastle—Two 68 .pounders of 95 Oct., 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. Ft. In. Ft. ,In. Length between perpendiculars 140 0 140 0 Length of keel tor tonnage ... 124 104 124 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 fur 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., Bluckwall. The time fixed for launching the Plumper was 11.45 A.M., and shortly before that hour the Gallant Admiral, Sir Charks Ogle, arrived, accompanied by Captain Milne, one of the Lords of the Admiralty, Mr. Ward, M.P., Secretary to the Admiralty, th• Commander•in- Chief of the Garrison, Lord Frederick Fitzclartnce, the Marquis of Winchester, and several other gentlemen. Everything being i❑ 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 descent 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 begu❑ in the month of September, 1845 ; the keel of the Plumper was laid in October last. The employis 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 pored, 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 bilgeways 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 aside on 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 saying 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 in 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 then thrown into the water, and Captain Stevens, the swim mingc master of the Royal Humane Society,dojukmpfeor on it from the pier, and floated about tbhaotisnth son, atnhde some time. His son, a lad about sevent e t e h n e , s le t t e l ve t the water as if accidentally. on the raft, went to the assistance C o a, pulled him on the raft, which supported ent consisted in on the pier in safety. The nex 3 t i e ih x s p utmost ease, and by this means wa enablederim to land him throwing a bolster weighing ... , which the lad placed himself,. mattress, found him while inand power to support and the intowater.the demonstrated water,A boat iotns length—was supported t r i i n iyebel.tbnAethxets,ihg.alteeeira, sand on answercushion o ushion of thethe same ee Refight j . t weight 12 lbs., was theniosb object w r e o f xa u : a l l water, and in this way lie paddled, o th n is it C q a u p i t t a e in oudti part of the dock he wished. who witnessed the whole of the ex without any ex pressed his entire satisfaction at the result, peritnent 9, el p • t were loud inpraise of Stevenst li o u t h l t i ; to any their praise the aSbird,Gibodrdeoedn, Bremer, sl pres 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 ou 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. DUTCH MAIL. Tiff HAGUE APRIL 3.—The following Grand-Dui-at rescri pt decreeing the iSsolution of the present State 3, and the convention of the new, orders double the number of de- legates for the revision of the Constitution, has bees issued : " We, William 11.. by the grace o' God, King of the Netherlands, Prince of Orange Nassau, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, &c. " Seeing our reuript of the 21st instant, willing the revision of the Constitution of the States; " Seeing the I Ith 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 elect , rat colleges of all the cantons of the Grand Duchy shall be convoked to elect the Mem. b'rs of the Stnes to double the number fixed by the Constitution of the States for ordinary services so ac eurdi rig to the census o f th e p o p u l at i on for 1847. " Art. 111. Subsequent dispositions, made in conformity with the n‘ w regulatior:s. the ordinary annual session for 1848 the representation of the country. "Art. IV. Our Governor ot the G and Duchy is charged with the ex , cution of the present decree, which shall be inserted in the legitimate udministzative memorial. The Hague, March 9 9, 1848. " WILLIAM. " For Regal Grand Duke, the Chancellor of the States for the Affairs of the Graud-Duchy cf Luxembourg. "DE BLOCHAUSEN." —Juurnal de la Hague, April 5. AMSTERDAM, APRIL 4 —" GENERAL CoNsULATZ Ot HIS SARDINIAN MAJESTY.—The Consul-General of hie Sardinian Majesty hastens, in pursuance of 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, 1848. " Consul-General of Sardinia, " D'ARATA." Prince Galitzin and suite arrived at the Hagae 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 th e crow d s w h o were as sembled in front of the Palace with the greatest accla mation and enthusiasm. The suite of his Majesty and the Prince had arrived the previous day. His Majesty will remain at least tea days. The Alger/Lein liandelsidad says, since last Sunday, the Prussian garrison at Luxembourg wears the tri colour German cockade of Prussia, and the German lag 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.—Handelsblad, April 6. .ST. PETERSBURGII, 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 addititiocal duty is henceforth to be paid ; and small manufactories, which do not yield annually above 500 puds, are to be entirely exempt. —Algentrriti liandeleilad, April 5. AMSTERDAM, APRIL 4. -- THE BOURSE, SEVEN o'cLocH.—Our Bourse already assumes a better tone at the opening; towards the middle of the day seTerai transactions in exchange were done, which were, on the whole, satisfactory. Inland funds remained higher, Lad foreign funds, though less in demand, were more flied. —Amsterdam Cob rant, April 5. GE It 3I A I P.A.I'E RS. The favourable impressio❑ caused by the opening and first transactions of our Diet could not have that favour able effect upon our Bourse that vras contemplated, ba• cause it was paralysed by the failure of one of our first banking-houses. There were, however, a few sellers i❑ 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 Gazette, April 4. AUSTRIAN FUNDS.—VIENNA, MAACII .S. per Cent. 11eta11ique5.......... 4 per Cent.ilitte... 3 per Cent. ditto.... Loan, 1834 Ditto, 1839 ..... Rank Shares .... Estsrhazy's Loan ............... lO~t bho RAILWAY 6. The Northern, or Ferdinand • • • ••• • • . 67 Gloggnitz . Vienna—Milan .. ...... Leghorn • • • • • • • Pesth ................. Sienna .• • • •• • • • • • lrosetto • • • • • • Oldenburg • • • • • •• • • . • Pesth Bridge Apenninen .................. BELGIAN FUN DS.—BIWISELII, Apart, r, Actual Debt, 2 per Cent .......... . Rothschild's Loan, Five per Cent ........ Loan of Thirty Millions, Four per Cent •• • Ditto Three per Cent • • • • ............ Ditto Thirty-seven Millions, ditto ...... I,ltto,ditto,lB4(l ••• • • • • • • . r.l Dltto,ditto,lB42.. • • • • 1)1tt ,, , 1844. ••• • •• •••••• • • • • ••• 46 Ditto, 1338 Ditto of the City, 1632 ............ Ditto, 1843 •• • .• • .•• • • • • ........ Bank of Belgiura...... —Brussels Papers, April_:,. 11AlIBU1tG11 BORSENHALLE, APIIL 4. Bills, Mooney. ............ a 3 Austrian 5 per Cents Bank Shares Angle-Russian Loan Russian 5 per Cent., Banal). Certificate. 74 Ditto let series I nseription Ditto, /lope andCo.,3d and 4th aeries.. Ditto, in Certificate .............. ... New 4 per Cent., Hope and Co. ...... Ditto kitieglltz ........ f o .; ipanish New 5 per Cent.............. Ditto 3 per Cent Anglo-Portuguese Loan, 2yQ percent • • Dutch Actual Debt, per Cent ••. • • Ditto 3 per Cent. .....• •• • • Polish New 4 per Cent. Loan, 1844.• •• Anglo-Daniali Loan, 3 per Cent .. National•••• Bank Shares •• • ....... THE COLLIERY EXPLOSION NEAR NEATH.--Da• COVERY OF TWENTY BODIES.—The explosion which occurred at Esk) n's Colliery, near Neath and Briton ferry, on Wednesday week, proved, w e 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 Glamorgatishire. Itsp 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 deviation, which extends about twenty yards, there are several stalls, in each of which three, four, or five persons work. The precise number of men at work on Wednesday we have not heard, 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 violently shattered, and various portions of the plants and ma chinery had been blown out of the mouth of the pit. Attempt after attempt was made to enter it, but the the sulphure foulness of the atmosphere, resulting fr o m dragged out al mos t hours an entrance ous air, rendered that utterly impracticab l e; l in_ fact t several who got in were afterwa rds suffocated. After a lapse of sever al that night, itself. No less than 17 bodies were extricated mutilated. The some headless and otherwise fright fully y parts of the colliery was obtained, when a most deplorable si g ht presented remainder could not be got at, t n- Was opened at the Town-hall at Neath, on Monda y , but it being beingthe coroner, send blown d ow the remains of the sufferers , many Me. Cuthberton, the Intention of the Goverment made known that it was on down. An in que st to report on the state of the to sen • i r y was adjourned . colliery, the in q u iry . IST MEETING. Th ' --- e following PROPOSED CHARI • • has been forwarded to the special constables, viz., inhabitant house keeperscircular nan inspector wo.fo April Islington, l ri i in n l gi g : n ls p su ggesting the pro priety's4B.—lt being antici of 6, st. Mary, persons will pass through Islington, P abeingri sh s or c ongrecate in this parish, on Monday, the 10th inst., the churchwardens respectfully suggest to the inhabitant of theirthe gated that a large assemblage o f housekeepers the propriety of their coming forward and taking upon themselves the office of special constable, for the due protection of the property, and tor 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 is the morning and twelve o'clock at noon, when and where two of her MaiestY'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 pres i ded. Lord Morpeth having taken the chair at tten o'clock, delivered a charge to the jury, giving a -succinct history of the sewerage of London, detailing what had been 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 01?041 that the court would have great pleasure in acceding to their request. The jury having made their presentment, public notices were I ordered to be given, and the court adjourned.