The Sun. — London, England, 1848-02-29 00:00:00

lk .4r ° E CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT. OLD COURT. fienry Bishop and Joseph Arnold yesterday sur rendered to talse their trial upon a charge of obtain ing money by false pretences, from Messrs. Barclay and Co., the brewers. Mr. Bodkin prosecuted, and Mr. Metcalfe appeared for the defendant Bishop. From the evidence adduced, it appeared that the fraud imputed to the defendants was one of rather a singular character, and evinced considerable inge nuity. It appeared that it was the custom of the firm who prosecuted to make a charge upon their customers for the casks in which their beer was sup plied, and when they were restored the sum so charged was refunded—the amount being 11. for a barrel and 13s. for a kilderkin ; and it seemed that a good many of the country customers were in the habit of sending their empty casks back through the medium of the Talbot and the New Inn booking offices, Old Change and the Borough, where the de fendant Arnold had been employed as porter, and he, conselueetly, was well acquainted with the mo le of oarryiNg on this branch of the business of Messrs. Barclay. It seemed that in August last, Bishop upon two occasions brought three casks to the brewery, and he at the same time pro duced a printed ticket, purporting to come from the booking offices mentioned, on which a charge was made for porterage, and the casks were represented to have been sent by three customers, named Phillips, Ottornay, and Elliott, and upon these representations a sum of 21. 13s. was given to this defendant. It turned out that the casks were not sent by the persons named, and there was no evidence as to h ow the de fendants got possession of the tasks , but it was sug gested that as the prosecutors lost a great number every year, and by reason of these being branded with their name, it would be a dangerous experiment to endeavour to dispose of them in the ordinary manner, that the ingenious expedient had been resorted to in the manner mentioned, of making the prosecutors pay for those casks, of the possession of which some dishonest persons had, in the first instance, improperly deprived them. In order to connect the other defen dant Arnold with the transa c ti on , it was s h own th a t his writing was upon the ti c k e t, a n d th a t h e h a d g i ven it to Bishop, and h e ac k now l e d ge d th a t h e a ft erwar d s received part of the money. The jury, acting upon the impression that Bishop had been made the dupe of the other defendant, Ac quitted him, and returned a verdict of Guilty against Arnold. He was sentenced to be imprisoned for one year. NEW COURT. (Before Mr. Commissioner BuLLocK and Aldermen CHALLIS and FINNIS.) William Hodges surrendered in court to answer a charge of embezzling three sums of money, amounting to 31. 28. 61., the moneys of two persons named Fancoate and Mayes, who were laid in theindict ment as his masters. Mr. Payne prosecuted, and Mr.Ballantine defended. It appeared from the evidence of the two chief witnesses, Fancoate and Mayes, that the prisoner for some time carried on business in Kingsgate-street, Holborn, as a cloth dresser and scourer. In 1846 he became bankrupt, and Mr. Fancoate became the pur• chaser of the trade implements and machinery, on a portion of which he had a lien. Mr. Mayes was the prisoner's lmdlord, and being a creditor to some ex tent, he entered into a kind of partnership with Fan coate, and they carried on the business, Hodges' name being over the door. The case for the prose cution was, that Fancoate and Mayes having pur chased the materials and trade from the official as signees., they hired the prisoner to superintend the carrying on of the business, paying him for his ser vices thirty shillings per week, house-rent and coals ; clod that, as their servant, he received and rppro priated to his own use the several sums specified in the indictment. It was proved that the money had bean paid to the prisoner, who gave receipts in his own name. After hearing witnesses, The Learned COMMISSIONER said he thought the case depended entirely upon what the jury, from the evidence, believed the understanding was between the prisoner and the prosecutors when they became connected with the business. The jury found the prisoner Guilty, but strongly recommended him to mercy. The Learned JUDGIII sentenced him to two months' hard labour. The prisoner said he 'f9 1111 as innocent as the Judge himself, POLICE INTELLIGENCE. TVE,STMINSTER. John Hendrich, alias Marshall, alias Downey, a footman out of place, was finally examined, charged with stealing a silver teapot and waiter, from the residence of Mrs. C. C. Russell, 18, Lowndes-street, Lowndes-square, whose service he had entered by means of a false character. The circumstances of the case, which have not been before detailed, are briefly these :—On Saturday the 15th ult., the prisoner entered the service of Mrs. Russell upon trial for a week, her son, Mr. F. S. Russell, having received an excellent character of the accused from a Mrs. Thomas, of 40, Keppel-street, Russell-square. On the following Monday, Mr. Russell finding that he was totally unacquainted with the duties of his situation, requested him to leave, and tendered him his week's wages. Prisoner refused to take the money, and became extremely insolent. Mr. Russell then went with the prisoner to look over the plate, part of which was in a cupboard, and the remainder on a table in the p an t r y. It was f oun d t o be correct, with the exeption of a dessert-spoon, sub sequently found, and the accused then removed, as Mr. Russell supposed, the silver which had been on the table into the cupboard, and the gentleman locked the door, without again ex amining whether it was correct. The prisoner again had his wages offered him, but he refused to receive them, repeated his insolence, and refused to leave the house. Mr. Russell came to this court, and having procured a police-constable, returned in about an hour and a half to the house, when he found the prisoner had absconded, and shortly afterwards the teapot and waiter were missed. It was subsequently ascertained that the prisoner had entered the service by means of a false character, and Mrs. Thomas was taken before the magistrates at Bow-street Police court, fined 201., or two months' imprisonment, and has since died, while under confinement. The pri soner was apprehended a few nights ago in Cleveland street, Marylebone. Mr. George Thompson, of Frederick-street, Hamp stead-road, pawnbroker, proved that the prisoner pledged the silver teapot at his shop for 51., on the 17th ult. (the day it was missed). Af t er receiving the mosey and ticket, he produced a silver waiter, upon which he asked 8/. Witness suspecting that something might be wrong, said to his shopman that he thought they had better stop the man, and w itness jumped over the counter for the purpose of doing so, when prisoner suddenly seized the waiter and darted out of the shop. Witness and one of his assistants followed into the street, and the police pursued the prisoner for a considerable distance, but the fellow contrived at last to give him the slip. Prisoner, who made no defence, was committed by Mr. Bsoderip for trial. MARLBOROUGH-STREET. John Robins, Richard Walsh, and John Davis, three ' desperate characters, well known to the police, were brought up for final examination, charged with hav ing broken into the West-street Independent Chapel, and stolen therefrom the silver sacramental service, silk surplice, and other property, belonging to John Dean Paul, Est, and others. The burglary took place on the morning of the 24th of this month. It was first discovered by Mary Ann Ward, a woman appointed to attend to the Chapel. Information was immediately conveyed to the police, and two active constables, West, F 106, and Thompson, F 11, were directed to make the requisite investigation. As soon as the constables bad inspected the Chapel, and h a d ma d e the i r o b se rvations as to the manne r i n which the robbery aYd at once suspected that Robins and a hand i n i t . p ec sn te i d o , ns th b e The constables kept watch about Robins's usual h aunts, and in an hid his been companions hour they succeeded in meeting him and three others coming down High-street. The constables imme diately seised Robins and Da vis, and a desperate l fi g h t n . commenced. The constables, however, succeeded in apprehending four men, the three prisoners and another man, who was afterwar ds dischar g ed. In Robins's pockets two silver co mmunion cups were found. In Davis's possession the rest o f the p late was found. The constables afterwards proceeded to the t d there found two women in the room occupied by Robins, who had been apparently employed in cuttingup T t b h e e surplice which had been taken from the chapel. women were also taken into custody, but as there was nothing against them beyond the fact of finding the remnants of the surplice in the room where they were satins, they were discharged. The plate, very much battered, was produced and identified. The prisoners declined to make any defence, and were fully committed. John Robins was again put to the bar , charged with having commttted a second burg lary, at the White Horse publi c -h ouse, Castle- street Police-constable West said when he searched Robins's lodgings, he discovered of a peculiar ma k e . rse Ho Knowing t:llaraantity burglary had of cigars recently been com m itt e d at the Whitehe went Pop e the land e lad y ,T there., and on showin g th e b undle of cigars, immediately identified by Mrs. Po e part of the property which h a d b een stolen fromthe hcnse on the 14th inst. The burglary, it appeared, had been erected by boring holes with a centre-bit in one of the shutters on the ground floor window at the back of the house. In Robins's lodgings a centre-bit was found, which had been used, as suspected, to effect PRE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 29, 1848. the burglary , . A large number of skeleton keys were found in Robins's lodgings. Mr. Wilson, cigar -maker, Southwark-bridge-road, said he had made the cigars now produced, expressly for Mrs. Pope. The prisoner denied all knowledge of the charge, and as fully committed. Mr. BINGHAM considered great credit was due to the police constables West and Thompson for the rapidity with which they had brought the charges home to the prisoners. MARYLEBONE. _ _ This being the day appointed for the further ex amination of John Davis, who, according to his own description, had recently held a situation as clerk in interest was house of a tradesman at Oxford, much was excited, and numerous watchmakers were pre sent with their witnesses, to prefer charges against the accused, by whom they had been plundered. The substance of what transpired upon the former and present occasion may thus be briefly s t a t e d. The prisoner had made it his business to go to the shops of watchmakers in various parts of town, at each he request e d t o l oo k at a watch ; he invariably selected one which he thought would suit, and begged as a favour that it might be wound up and regulated for him ; while his request was being complied.with, he, in some instances, snatched the articles from the hand of the shop. keepers and bolted off w ith t h em, an d i n ot h ers he made his escape fr om th e prem i ses w i t h watc h es which he had stolen from trays upon the counter. He was at length captured in Marylebone-lane, by Bushell, 220 D, while running as fast as he could with a watch which he had just before snatched from the hand of Mr. Vogt, Wigmore-street. He (pri soner), when taken into custody, had the article in his possession, and when it was taken from him he made no remark whatever respecting it. None of the other watches had been discovered. Five cases were clearly established. The parties robbed were Mr. Vogt, above alluded to ; Mr. Suowell, Farring don-street ; Mr. Cribb, Southampton-row, Russell square; Mr. Leman, Gray's Inn-road ; and Mr. Fitch, Redcross-street, Cripplegate. Upon these five charges the prisoner was sent for trial. CITY OF LONDON ANTI-INCOME- TAX MOVEMENT. A Common Hall was yesterday held at the Guildhall at twelve for one o'clock, for the purpose of petition ing Parliament against the income-tax. The chair was taken at one o'clock by the Lord Mayor. Upon the platform we observed Mr. Pattison, M.P., Mr. Joseph Hume, M.P., Mr. Wyld, M.P., Alder man Sidney, M.P., Alderman Johnson, D. W. Wire, Esq., Mr. bolt, Mr. Bennoch, Mr. Richard Taylor, Mr. L. Taylor, and numerous other members of the Common Council. Notwithstanding the short notice which had been given of the meeting the hall was crowded in every part by highly respectable citizens. The LORD MAYOR came forward and said that he had called the meeting, pursuant to a resolution, very numerously signed, for the purpose of consider ing the propriety of petitioning Parliament against any increase or continuance of the income-tax.— (Hear.) He had no doubt that the discussion would be conducted in that temperate, and, at the same time, firm manner which was most likely, and indeed altogether the best manner, to give effect to their determination. He should always be most happy to give the citizens an opportunity of expressing their opinions on all great public questions.—(Hear.) D. W. WIRE, Esq., said that in consequence of the great haste required in convening the meeting, in order to petition Parliament this evening, a great number of influential persons had been unable to attend. He had great pleasure in moving the first resolution, which was— " That while this Common Hall is most desirous to maintain public credit, and to support in all its efficiency the public service, it is yet of opinion, that the imposi tion and continuance of the income-tax is unjust, unne cessary, uncalled for, and impolitic, inasmuch as it was essentially a war tax, and was on its re-imposition, after many years of profound peace, submitted to by the people upon an express understanding that, being de signed to meet a particular urgency, it was to endure but for a period, and also because it was accompanied at the time by a considerable reduction in other branches of taxation." He quite agreed with the principle embodied in that resolution ; it would have been much better if at the commencement of the session the Prime Minister had come down and stated to the House that in conse quence of the severe distress which had existed he had desired the House to appoint a Committee to consider how the expenditure of the country might be reduced, in order to make the reduced revenue sufficient.—(Hear, hear.) That would have been a much more honest and manly course to have adopted than the proposed bungling and unstatesmanlike manner.— (Hear, hear.) Then Ireland was to be exempted from this odious tax, on the ground that they had suffered great dis tress. This might have been an argument in his favour, if he had not put his hands in the pockets of the British people, and taken from them some 8,000,0001. for the relief of that distress.—(Hear.) They did not grudge that amount of money. But was it right now to make this exemption in favour of Ireland, after so much had been done for them ? If the people of England submitted on a former occa sion to the imposition of the tax, was it to be sup posed that they would always submit to the imposi tion of taxes at the mere caprice of the Minister ? If the country went on at this rate, adding to, instead of reducing the national debt of the country, what would be the enormous amount of revenue required to keep faith with the public creditor ? The income• tax was a most unjust one—it operated most unfairly, inasmuch as the poor labouring man, who obtained his income by the sweat of his brow, paid as much as the possessor of real property.—(dear, hear.) The imposition of the tax was uncalled for and unnecessary, because a reduced expenditure of the country would answer all the purposes required. —(Hear, hear.) It was not necessary to keep up a large standing army, or to provide for the defences of the country, for with respect to England there was profound peace abroad and profound tran quillity at home.—(Loud cries of " No, no.") He maintained that it was so ; if there were any dis sensions in other countries abroad, it was entirely among themselves; and so far from entertaining any wish to invade this country, they were far more anxious to obtain its alliance and to imitate their in stitutions.—(Hear, hear.) If the Court were uani mous, their voice would prove of great weight, and they would be enabled to compel the Minister to withdraw his proposal.—(Hear, hear.) Mr. L. TAYLOR seconded the motion. He be lieved that the doom of the present Ministry was sealed, and the Noble Lord at the head of the Government had, he believed, lost the confidence of the electors of the city of London.—(Loud cheers, mingled with marks of disapprobation.) He maintained that it was so, and that should the Noble Lord again come forward to ask their suffrages, he would meet with a very different reception from that which he had formerly botained —(Renewed cheers.) Mr. J. HUME, M.P., came forward, and was re ceived with the most tremendous applause. Silence being somewhat restored, he said, that he perfectly agreed with the resolution. His opinion, however, was that the resolution ought not to be directed against the income-tax only, but against all taxes which pressed upon the industry of the country. — (Hear, hear.) 'When the tax was originally imposed, 8,000,0001. of taxes, were taken off many of those articles which! entered into the consumption of the lower and working classes. They were now in a very different position ; the reduction of the duties had made a reduction of only 3,000,0001. to the re venue. They were now called upon, not only not to take off this income•tax, but to add to it a sum of 2,000,000/. more for the period of two years.-(Shame.) He was prepared to take a course of opposition to the proposal ; he had taken the first opportunity of doing so. He had called upon the House of Commons not to impose any other taxes until a general revision of the whole system of taxation had been made. Looking over the whole list of the taxes, he found that nearly every one of them operated in an unjust manner. The House refused to agree to his request, and he called upon the meeting to compel the House to agree to it. Upon his motion last Friday night he was only supported by 59 Members. Let them not blame the Ministry so strongly for persisting in their course.— (Hear, hear.) The people must compel their repre sentatives to adopt a proper course of conduct. The power was in their own hands; they had neglected that power, and in all the questions put to candidates at the last general election, he had never heard or seen one among them to support measures of retrenchment and economy.—(Hear, hear.) He earnestly trusted that no increase of taxation would take place, but, on the contrary, that a considerable reduction in the ex penditure of the country would be made.—(Hear.) The resolution was carried by acclamation. Mr. NORRIS trusted that the meeting would not be influenced by anything like party feeling or bitterness, but that in a bold and determined manner they would go to the House of Commons with their petitions, and state to the Government, if it was necessary to have funds for the support of the establishments of the country, let them come down with a fair and proper fiscal measure, and they (the citizens of London) would come forward willingly, as they had d one u p on many occasions heretofore.—(Hear, hear.) He had great pleasure in moving— " That apart from the odious and inquisitorial nature of the tax—of its being a tax on the skill and industry of the country—this Common Hall is satisfied that by a searching investigation into the financial condition of the State, by a wise and judicious economy, by a re straint on the lavish expenditure of the Government, more than sufficient may be levied to meet the deficiency of the revenue." Mr. FRANCIS BENNOCH said, that he could not forbear addressing his fellow- citizens *against the most odious, inquisitorial, and unjust tax ever devised, by the mind of man.—(Hear, hear.) He deeply re gretted that the proposed measure was brought for ward by the Noble Lord who was their representa tive. The citizens must tell that Noble Lord, that they would have none of it, and if he did not attend to their request he was no longer fit to be their representative.—(Loud cheers.) What was this tax proposed for P to increase the army. What would be the use of a large majority in the House of Commons, and even 100,000 soldiers, against the popular will ? The answer could be found in the events which had just transpired on the other side of the Channel.— (Loud cheers.) The taxation of the country was most oppressive, and the manufacturers were in consequence almost unable to compete with the manufacturers of other countries. He trusted that they should be able by unanimity to prevent the imposition of the odious income-tax. Mr. WALKER said, that he appeared before them as an aggrieved man, he had been plundered by the Income-tax Commissioners. (Hear, hear.) He supported Lord John Russell—he deeply regretted that he had done so.—(Cheers.) The time was come when it was necessary to look into the expenditure of the country, and if it was not done, civilization in this country would become a bugbear, and honesty a bye-word.—(Loud cheers.) This resolution was also carried unanimously. Mr. Deputy STEVENS said that he was decidedly opposed to all taxes whatever; but as he was in favour of a regular system of government, he found it necessary that some taxes should be levied, and his next proposition was that these taxes ought to be raised wt i oo n unled, such a manner as to fall ea s ily an d f a i r ly upon all portions of the c ommun it y .—(H ear , h ear. ) Ile did not think that th e p ro p ose d i ncome - tax was a tax of th at sort. He thought it a most unfair and and be abletrusted prevent that b i y t sa showingdopti adoption. — (Cheers. ) ( o c l bold e f e r r o s nt He thought that there was a little state-craft in the proposal to exempt Ireland from the income-tax. (Cheer!) He never knew a budget but contained butes n om tir e e t l h y ingbbaad._din(Lit,oudcheer het s h . r H eigtt had greatthatthiswas pleasure- in proposing, as the third resolution— " That after a period of commercial difficulties, the most disastrous and unprecedented, whilst manufacturing industry is prostrate, and trading operations almost at a stand-still, it is unjust to increase the taxation of the country." Mr. EDWARD Wl',sox seconded the amendment, which was also unanimously agreed to. Mr. GADSDEN congratulated the meeting on the perfect unanimity which prevailed, and the total absence of all party feeling. They ware met on common ground to protect themselves and the country from the imposition of the odious' income-tax. — (Hear, hear.) He had great pleasure in moving— " That, therefore, this Common Hall trusts the House of Commons will, as the guardians of the public purse, insist upon an abandonment of the proposal to continue and increase the income-tax, and also insist upon such a reduction of its expenditure as shall tend to relieve all classes from the oppressive and burdensome taxation which now weighs down the energies and impedes the full development of our national industry; and this Common Hall relies with confidence that a House of Commons recently chosen, and which must be familiar with the condition of the nation, will not fail, in this crisis, to vindicate the just expectations of their con stituents and of the people." JAMES GILPIN, Esq. (a member of the Society of Friends), in an able and eloquent speech, seconded the resolution. He trusted that a voice would go forth from the whole country to their "pet repre sentative," that they would not have this odious income-tax.—(Cheers.) He believed that there was more true liberty in the constitution of this country, if fully understood, than in any of the republics of the present day ; and the union jack of Old England would tell more of true liberty than the star-spangled banner of the United States.—(Loud cheers.) The resolution was also unanimously agreed to. Mr. PAYNE (the Coroner for the city of London) moved a resolution, that a petition be presented to the House of Commons by Mr. Pattison, M.P., and that Lord J. Russell and Mr. Masterman, M.P., be re quested to support the prayer thereof.—(Loud cheers and laughter.) Since he had been in the Hall he had heard that the proposal of the income-tax had been abandoned by the Noble Lord at the head of the Government.—(Loud cheers.) Mr. R. TAYLOR seconded the resolution, which was unanimously agreed to. Mr. PATTISON, M.P., said that he felt it his duty to say a few words on the momentous subject before the meeting. There was no individual present who was more fully resolved than he was to oppose the additional in come-tax. When Lord J. Russell stated to him his in tention of imposing the tax he (Mr. Pattison) had told him that it was his intention to oppose it. When he was asked what tax he would put on instead, he said that he would put on none at all, and that he would set to work to economise. —(Cheers.) He had voted on Friday night in favour of Mr. Hume's motion, and he should continue to persevere in that course of opposition to the odious income-tax.--(Loud cheers.) He had heard since he had been in the Hall that it was the intention of the Govern ment to withdraw the proposal of additional income-tax. He believed that the proposal was not so much that of the Noble Lord as that of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and he was the most unfortunate financier that the country ever had.—(A. voice—" Why did they keep him then ?") He believed that, in consequence of the indisposition of Lord J. Russell, he had said, in bringing before the House the budget, many things which he would not other wise have said.--(A voice, "The excuse comes too late.") He felt great pleasure in moving that the thanks of this Common Hall are due to the Lord Mayor for his conduct in presiding over it. Mr. W. LAWRENCE seconded the motion, which was carried by acclamation. His LORDSHIP returned thanks, and the Hall broke up. ELECTION COMMITTEES. BOLTON. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) A number of other witnesses gave similar testimony, and at four o'clock the Committee adjourned till to morrow. the loud acclamations of the assembled multitude, soldiers, Kafirs, and spectators all uniting, appa rently with heartfelt satisfaction, in long-reiterated cheers at the happy termination of a contest of which all parties seemed to be heartily tired. His Excellency, surrounded by his staff, im me diately rode from the ground, sending a message to the chiefs, that two oxen would te presented to them for slaughter as provisions for their assem bled followers. For some time after this the Kafirs were scat tered in groups over the flat, discussing what they had just heard and seen, while many congratulations were heard expressive of satisfaction at the return of peace. His Excellency saw the chiefs again in the after noon, but the audience was not a public one, thouk,h it is understood that the purport of the conference was in substance a mere repetition of what had been enjoined upon them in the forenoon►. The ceremony was witnessed by a Kafir of Kreli's tribe, who was immediately sent forward, charged with a message from his Excellency to that chief. He was to have been the bearer of the " Staff of War" as well as that of Peace, but at the intercession of the assembled chiefs the former was not sent. Confident hopes are now entertained of the entire and immediate pacification of Kafirland. Notice is given by his Excellency of another "Great Meeting" on the 7th January, at which is to be determined the respective boundaries of their future locations, and the details of their future go vernment. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS, Feb. 28. Their Lordshirs assembled at Five o'clock. PUBLIC ROADS (SCOTLAND.) Lord ROSEBERY presented a petition from Queensferry, and other places, praying for an altera tion in the mode in which the highways are managed. THE EXCISE. The NOBLE LORD also presented two petitions praying for an alteration of the excise and distillery laws. HARBOURS OF REFUGE. The NOBLE LOAD then, in the absence of Lord Haddington, presented a petition praying for the establishment of a harbour of refuge on the east coast of Scotland. BANK ACT. Mr. HUME presented a petition from Mont respecting the restrictions imposed by the Bank of 1847. INCOME•TAX. rose Act Petitions against the proposed income-tax were presented from the parish of Marylebone (agreed to at a meeting held that day) by Sir B. Hall, Bart.; from the borcugh of Northampton ; from the inhabitants of Bethnal-green, by Sir W. Clay, and from Brentford. Mr. HUME gave notice—taking it for granted that there would be a reduction in the Government establishments —(Laughter)— that he would move that an humble address be presented to her Majesty, praying her Majesty to give directions that all per sons who shall be appointed to civil, military, naval, or other offices after tr.is date, shall be appointed subject to a reduction of salary.—(Hear, hear.) THE FRENCH REVOLUTION. Mr. HUME, seeing the Noble Lord the First Minister of the Crcwn in his place, wished to put a question to him in allusion to the late affairs in France.—(hear.) In that country the Government that existed but a short time ago no longer existed now ; but a new one had or would be established. — (Hear, hear.) Now, what he wished to ask the Noble Lord was, whether it was the intention of her Majesty's Government to withhold alto gether from any interference with the people of France—(Great cheering)—and to leave them at liberty to choose and settle what government they pleased for their own country.— (Great cheer ing.) He had thought it his duty to ask the ques tion, and he hoped there would be no objection on the part of the Noble Lord frankly to answer it.— ' (Great cheering.) Lord JOHN RUSSELL (who was much cheered) said—l can have no objection whatever to answer the Hon. Member for Montrose's question.—(Hear, hear.) We have, as may be supposed, received official intel ligence of what has taken place in France—(llear hear)—and in answer to the Honourable Mem-, ber for Montrose's question, I have to state distinctly that we h :ve no intention whatever to interfere in that form of government—(Tre mendous cheering)—which the French nation may think right to adopt, or in any way to meddle with the internal affairs of France.—(Great cheering.) SOUTHWARK. Mrs. Elizabeth Letton appeared upon her recogni sances to answer an alleged charge of attempting to poison her husband, residing at Chislehurst, in Kent. Mr. Pelham and Mr. Roberts attended on the part of Mr. Percival, a relative of the family, who com menced the charge in the first instance ; and Mr. Parry, the barrister, on behalf of the accused lady. It will be remembered that on the previous exami nation evidence was adduced that this occurred when she and her husban'd lodged at a house in Montague terrace, Trinity-square ; the prisoner was seen on frequent occasions to give him powders when he was in a state of illness, which had the effect of causing him to retch violently and to vomit blood. The landlady of the house, as well as her servant, a girl, had been supplied with the powders by a Mr. Preddie, an apothecary in the neigh bourhood, and had been sent for them by the ac cused, who desired them to ask for Mr. Letton's powders, and they were imediately served with them. The landlady at length, perceiving the dangerous effects, as she supposed, of the powders on the pa tient, expostulated with his wife, but she still perse vered iu administering them ' • and at length Air. Percival, a relative of the family, was informed of the circumstance, and he, under the impression that un fair means were taken to destroy the life of Mr. Letton, procured some of the powders he was in the habit of taking ; and having had them analysed, as certained that they consisted of tartar emetic, and that the quantities administered were injurious to life, and he, therefore, adopted the present pro ceedings. Mr. Henry Leathby was called, and he stated that he was lecturer at the London Hospital, and that by the desire of Mr. Percival he submitted the powder sent to him to the test of analysation, and found such contained four grains of tartar emetic; that tartar emetic was a powder injurious to life when adminis tered in such quantities as represented, and that he considered one grain was a sufficient dose, and that the repetition of them rendered them still more inju rious to the person to whom they were given. Mr. Parry addressed the Magistrate at considerable length, imputing to Mr. Percival a spirit of malignity against the accused, in preparing such a dreadful charge against her as that of attempting to poison her own husband. That he (Mr. Parry) had several witnesses in attendance to prove that, instead of a desire on her part to deprive him of existence, she did everything in her power to prolong it, and that she administered the tartar emetic powders to him, and acted under the advice and instruction of a medical gentleman, who was now present to prove that fact ; and that it would be shown by him that the doses given to Mr. Letton were not attended at all with dangerous consequences for the symptoms he la boured under, and which were produced by excesses. That Mr. Letton himself was also in attendance, in order to show that he did not countenance the present proceeding; and to show that his wife never medi tated his death by poison, but, on the contrary, that she always manifested a sincere regard for his health, and in every instance exhibited herself as a most kind and affectionate wife. If he (Mr. Parry) therefore adduced such evidence 'on the part of the accused lady, he trusted that it would put an end to the case at once, and that she would be liberated fr om cus tody. The Learned Counsel then called Mr. Benjamin Evans, who stated that he was a member of the College f Surgeons, and attended Mr. Letton's family for the last four or five years; that it was by his advice and prescription large doses of tartar emetic was administered to him, for the pur pose of allaying the symptoms of delirium tremens. That under the peculiar circumstances of the case he did not consider four grains of tartar emetic too largo a dose to act as a counter stimulant, and that the accused was informed by him of the quantity re quisite for her husband when he was labouring under that form of disease approaching to madness. That he (witness) always considered the accused was most affectionate, kind, and attentive to her husband, and that he never for a moment suspected she had a de sign upon his life, but that she had administered the powders under the strong impression that they would operate in checking the alarming symptoms produced by excessive indulgence. By Mr. Pelham—Should not have given four grains in one dose to a stranger ; but that being aware of the nature of Mr. Letton's disease, he knew that such a dose would act as a counter stimulant, and compose the nervous system. Did not think vomiting blood in small quantities injurious, as the simplest emetics often produced such effects. That the vomit ing caused by the tartar :emetic produced beneficial effects in Mr. Letton's case. That he would not rely upon the girl's testimony, when she asserted that she had seen Mr. Letton throw up large quantities of blood, and that Mr. Letton himself could disprove such an assertion. Mr. Priddie, from whom some of the powders were obtained, in answer to Mr. Roberts, said that when the messenger called at his house for them, he in formed him that they were prescribed for Mr. Letton by a medical gentleman, and that he (Mr. Priddie) only acted on the occasion as other persons following his business would have done. Mrs. Mary Howard was next called, and she gave evidence to the effect that she had known Mr. and Mrs. Letton for a period of twelve years, and that they lived cn the most affectionate terms. Here Mr. Parry remarked that he had several other witnesses to call to speak to the same facts, but Mr. COTTiNGHAM intimated that there was no ne cessity for any further evidence on that point. The Magistrate then said that the investigation had pro ceeded to an unusual length, but that he considered;it necessary, when so grave an accusation was preferred against a wife as that of administering a poisonous ingredient to her husband, with a view to deprive him of life. He could not, notwithstanding the observa tions of the Learned Counsel, as to the animus by which Mr. Percival was influenced in the business, blame him as a relative of the family in bringing the case forward, when he was informed of the effects of the powders on Mr. Letton. It was evident that he could have had no motive for such a proceeding, except that of preventing any ill consequences that might arise to his brother-in-law, from the administration of such a powerful and dangerous a medicine, the more par ticularly after having had the opinion of the gentle man who analysed the powders of their effects when taken in doses of four grains. Under such circum• s tances,.. therefore, h e (th e M ag i s t rate ) t h oug h t t h at m oonoo r wa . s P iot e ro r aln iv sa l was justified in the wa y h e ac t e d on th e ip th lyr a sd, notatdf tarta r h th er a e rtta w th a e s a n e o eu d se o d ub la t, dy fro h m ad w ad h ifi at in h i a e d . thete adminis tered da authority doses r tr emetic to her husband under therefore she wassov wi th ab the sanction of Mr. E vans ; Poison d from the charge o f attempting to any e l f f ur h t o h w er ev h er e , 2i m l i r g . h P t, er i c f iv h a e l wished to take the case thought proper, take the opinion of a jury, and indict the accused at the sessions , but he w ould remember that it was not by his (the ktagistrate's) advice that he adopted such a course. The accused was then discharged. ABERYSTIVITII HARBOUR.—TIIE TATE Swa n/. The late storm has left serious tracas upon the new pier, and the embankments enclosing the harbour. A com mittee of the trustees of the harbour, consisting o f Thomas Jones Ropewalk, Esq., J. P., John Davis, Esq ., J. P., Thomas 0. Morgan, Esq., J. P. , Messrs . John Davies, Mercer, Robert Edwards, and John Evans, ship builder, assisted by the harbour master, have thoroughly examined and personally inspected the damaged locali ties, and made their report thereon at a meeting of the trustees held at the Town-hall, Aberystwith, on Mon day last, T. 0. Morgan, Esq., in the chair; by which it was estimated th a t it wou ld requ i re b etween 400/. and I.soactov/in g .to breeepnairthe examined damages. by The report and estimate therein recommended the ordered and Proc ee d e d with with were d meeting, the repairs aleiredphtsosibblee ditch. comspmaence_d, Welabnan, KINSALE. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) Ultimately the scrutiny case was abandoned, and the Committee ordered the room to be cleared, to enable thorn to discuss the resolution they should come to. The Committee remained in deliberation for some time, after which strangers were admitted, when The CHAIRMAN announced that the Committee had come to the resolution that the election of Mr. Guinness was a void one, inasmuch as two voters had been bribed to poll for him; but that there was no evidence to con nect these acts of bribery with Mr. Guinness. This closed the labours of the Committee. LANCASTER. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.). Mr. Wyre, the gentleman so often alluded to by the petition as the agent of the sitting Member, was called to prove that the suppers and entertainments given at the ♦illage of Heysham to the freemen of LAncaster were not paid tor by Mr. Gregson. Witness paid for the suppers out of his own private purse, but they cost more than he anticipated when be ordered them. He did not act as agent of the sitting Member, but on his own responsibi lity throughout the election. The Committee then adjourned till to morrow. LYME REGIS. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) Several other witnesses proved direct acts of bribery and treating on the part of the petitioner and his agent. The Committee adjourned at the usual hour till to morrow. TERMINATION of the KAFIR WAR. By the Ocean Queen we have received papers from tho Cape of GJod Hope to the 30th of December inclusive. They entirely confirm the anticipation of the Premier, founded upon an intimation from Sir 11. Smith that the Kafir war was at last at an end. It appears that Pato and several other chiefs have surrendered themselves unconditionally to Colonel Somerset ; that Sir 11. Smith had held a conference with the Gaika chiefs, and that all further hostilities were suspended. This welcome news is given in a Government Gazette Extraordinary, published at Graham's Town on Christmas-day, which also contains a number of proclamations for the future regulation of the terri tories which are now to be ceded to the Crown. The first will be called Victoria, and consist of a number of military villages, extending between the Fish and Keiskama Rivers ; whilst the latter, under the name of British Kafraria, will extend from the latter river to the Kei, and be held by the Kafir chiefs and their people under such regulations as her Majesty's High Commissioner, or other representa tive, who shall be the great chief of the whole of the said territories, shall deem be calculated to pro mote their civilisation, conversion to Christianity, and general enlightenment. It would seem, from the details given in the Zuid Afrikaan, that Colonel Somerset, after most laborious pursuit through the long range of country on the right side of the Kei, had reduced the Kafirs to such extre • mities that Pato sent a message, earnestly begging a cessation of hostilities. Colonel Somerset refused any terms except unconditional surrender. To this Pato as sented, And with twelve followers came in and made his submission. So sharp had been the pursuit that he had frequently, although hard pressed for food, not had time to slaughter one of the cattle they were driving with them, and some of his followers had been compelled by hunger to eat their leathern shields. Sir H. Smith entered King William's Town on the 23d of December. The garrison, consisting of the Rifle Brigade and the 7th Dragoon Guards, had been drawn up to receive him, and an immense assemblage of Kafirs were also present. After congratulating the troops upon the fortu• nate result of this tedious war, and thanking Colonel Somerset for his great and successful exertions, the Kafirs, in number about $,OOO, but all unarm e d, were formed into a circle, the chiefs being arra nge d ac cording to their ranks in their respective tribes. They all looked wofully haggard and dejected. Before Sir H. Smith addressed them, two large staves were brought forward, one having a t th e top a large brass knob, the other being a sergeant's halbert, these staves representing Peace and War. The Governor-General then took his station between them, and after severely upbraiding the Kafirs for their faithlessness and their aggressions, called upon the chiefs to make their election by touching one of the two staves. Sutu, the widow of Gaiks, was the first who was called forward, and she laid her hand upon the staff of peace— that with the brass knob—all the rest of the chiefs following her example. Upon Pato and Stock coming forward they were severely rated by th e Go vernor General for their ingratitude and treachery. His Excellency then read the proclamation, defining the limits of British Kafraria, explaining it to the chiefs as he went on, and especially the phrase " conquered territory ;" and, having finished and again addressed them, required that each should again place his hand on the staff of peace, and kiss his foot, as he sat on horseback, in token of absolute submission. This ceremony excited intense interest among the Kafirs. His Excellency, as before, remind ing each chief, as he made this abject reverence, of the deg, adation and misery which his rebellion had brought upon him. When it was concluded and the chiefs had resumed their places, Sir 11. Smith took a sheet of paper, and holding it up in sight of the assembled thrtng, tore it into shreds, and while scattering these to the wind, exclaimed, with great energy, " There go your treaties " The staff of war !" which had throughout the ceremony been held in a vertical position, was then taken by Sir Harry, and being poised for a few seconds hori zontally, was hurled by him with great force to the ground. " There," exclaimed his Excellency, "is an end of war !—now let us have three cheers in token of future peace." Sir Harry, taking the initiative, and waving his hat, the air was rent with A '~.:`` THE BANK ACT. Lord EGLIN TON presented a petition from a place in Scotland praying for an alteration of the Bank Charter Act. ROME. Lord KENYON presented a petition against esta blishing diplomatic relations with the Court of Rome ENCUMBERED ESTATES BILL. Lord BEAUMONT presented a petition from the clerks of the Rolls' Court in Dublin against the Bill. He hoped the Noble and Learned Lord on the Wool• sack would take the petition into his serious consi deration. ODD FELLOWS. The Norms LORD also presented a petition from the Durham Society of Odd Fellows, praying to be placed under the provisions of the Friendly Societies Act. RESIGNATION OF MR. BIRCH, THE CHIEF CLERK OF TIIE HOUSE. The LORD CHANCELLOR read a letter from Mr. Birch, the Chid' Clerk of the House, requesting to be allowed to resign his post. lie said he had been in the service of their Lordships upwards of forty years, and expressed his deep sense of the kindness he had at all times received at the hands of their Lordships. The communication was ordered to be entered on the journals of the House. IRELAND. On the motion of the Marquis of LANSDOWNE, a return of the sums of money advanced by this country to Ireland, in the years 1846 and 1847, and the amount of repayments, was ordered. DIPLO.MTIC RELATIONS WITH ROME. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE moved the third reading of this Bill, and stated, as on the introduction of the Bill and on the second reading, he had entered fully into its merits, he should simply confine himself on the present occasion to his motion. The Earl of ABERDEEN considered that little good would arise from the measure Inconvenience, he thought, would be its result. He saw no reason why the Pope should be called in the Bill " the So vereign Pontiff of the Roman States." The " Pope" had been the designation used from time imme morial : it was used in the treaty of Vienna, which was signed by George 111., and that appellation ought to be retained in the measure before the House. He objected to this country interfering in the affairs of Italy through the instrumentality of this Bill, for he considered that one of its objects. He should not, however, vote against the third reading. The term " the Pope " might be used in the first part of the Bill, and " the Sovereign Pontiff of the Roman States" in the latter. He distrusted the intentions of the Pope. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE said he had not penetrated into the councils of the Roman States like the Noble Earl ; but he did not consider that they had any reason to look upon Rome with distrust. The terms of which he complained were inserted at the instance of a Noble Duke, not now in his place, and it was thought that they would be acceptable to Rome. The terms were recognised in the Catholic countries of Europe. The Bill was then read a third time and passed. Lord STANLEY then presented a petition against the Bill amidst much laughter. Their Lordships then adjourned at Six o'clock. ROUSE OF COMMONS, Feb.2B. The SPEAKER. took the Chair at ten minutes before Four o'clock. Several Members took the oaths and their seats. SECOND READINGS. The Birkenhead Dock Commissioners (Transfer of Powers to New Commissioners, effecting Arrange ments with the Crown, and Amendment of Acts) (No. 2) Bill, and the Chester Cemetery Bill, were read a second time, and ordered to be committed. THE SANITARY BILL. Mr. W. PATTEN presented a petition from certain medical prantitioners of Lancashire complaining that in the new Sanitary Bill no provision had been made for appointing medical men to the local boards, and praying that some provision might be introduced in that respect. Mr. MUNTZ presented a petition from Birming ham, praying that the Sanitary Bill, as at present proposed, might not pass into a law. Also a petition from the same town against the proposed system of emigration to the coast of Africa. INCOME-TAX. An immense number of petitions were presented against the income-tax :—By Mr Alderman Sidney, from Stafford; by Mr. Muntz, from Birmingham; by Mr. Elliott, from Roxburgshire; by Mr. H. Berkeley, from Bristol ; by Colonel Sibthorp, from Lincolnshire ; by Sir Willoughby Jones, from Chel tenham ; by Mr. Tancred, from Banbury ; by Mr. Brown, from Lancaster; by Mr. Masterman, Sir J. Wahnsley, Sir Charles Douglas, Mr. Colvile, Lord H. Vane, Mr. Bolling, Mr. Roundell Palmer, and Mr. Pinney. Mr. MIGHT also presented similar petitions from 2,000 inhabitants of Manchester, and from the Manchester Chamber of Commerce; also a petition from Rochdale, praying that, instead of the income• tax, the probate and legacy duties might be extended to the freehold property of the country. Sir J. WAL AISLE'S(' presented a petition from Leicester praying for the reduction of the tea duties. KINSALE ELECTION. Mr. BOUVERIE brought up the report of the Kinsal4 Election Committee, declaring the election of Mr. Guinness to be void. INCOME-TAX. Colonel THOMPSON presented a petition from a place in Yorkshire against any increase of the in come-tax, and praying for the establishment of a property-tax, if it were found necessary to make up any deficiency in the revenue. Mr. COBDEN presented several petitions against any increase in the income-tax. Mr. MITCHELL presented two petitions from Dorsetshire, against any increase in the army, navy, or ordnance estimates. Mr. CARDWELL presented a petition from the seamen of Liverpool against any alteration in the navigation-laws; also a petition from the same town against any increase in the income-tax. Mr. HUME presented petitions against the budget, of her Majesty's Ministers , from the city of London, agreed to at a Common Hall that day; from Gloucester e l sA e t y ierr ; . ;p b b y avt t 7 H f.rß i o n nr d ol l ltv e h y ne: Arbroath, Tuxford, in the county of Nottingham. shire; from Roxburgh, and from Basingford. Petitions against the measure were also presented A n s G T ; r. Horsman, from Rugby ; cwa b b f rin y y toa dymr Mr. H. e d i fL l ‘o‘ l u. MoAk. various London bo g gt o uhn p u a re e t n ; yre , I : b r plab o f ya r ny m c o deA l i v r n y ou s s ici o ey th , er fr i o .v m a rd F s ins in bu t r h y e , and from the Liberty of the Rolls. OBSERVANCE OF THE SABBATH. _ _ Mr. GOLTLBURN presented a petition from the inhabitants of Latnbeth, praying the House to adopt some measures to ensure the better observance of the Sabbath. JEWISH DISABILITIES. Sir R. INGLIS presented a petition from the Pres bytery of Dunrnow, and various other places, against the admission of Jews into Parliament. WEST INDIAN COLONIES. Mr. HUME presented a petition from Hanover in the Island of Jamaica, praying the House to pass some measure to preserve the colony from ruin. Mr. GOULBURN presented a petition from Westmoreland in the Island of Jamaica, to a similar effect. BREACH OF PRIVILEGE. Mr. M. J. O'CONNELL felt compelled to com plain of a breach of privilege committed by the proprietor of the Northern Star newspaper, in that paper of Saturday last, against the Secretary at War and himself, and accusing him of being the deadly enemy of the Hon. Member for Nottingham. On the motion of the HoN. MEMBER the article containing the breach of privilege, which consisted of an attack upon the Secretary at War, Mr. M. J. O'Connell, and the other Members of the Notting ham Election Committee, was read, and Mr. M. J. O'CONNELL, after expressing a hope that the mere mentio❑ of the subject would be suai• cient, moved pro ,forma that the printer and publisher of the Northern Star should be called to the bar. Mr. HASTIE seconded the motion. Mr. P. O'CONNOR said that if he had made use of any expressions which were offensive to the lion. Member, he would at once withdraw them, and begged him to accept his most humble apology for such expressions. After a few words from Mr. O'CONNELL, the motion was withdrawn. SIR JUEN FRANKLIN. In reply to a question from Mr. WYLD, Admiral D. DUNDAS was understood to say that it was the intention of Government to send out two ships next April in quest of Sir John Franklin and Sir John Richardson. The ships would be manned and officered by persons in the navy, who had volunteered for the service, and their p:►y would be doubled. EXTENSION OF THE INCOME-TAX TO IRELAND. Sir B. HALL state•l that he had been asked by several Irish Members whether it was his intention to bring forward his motion for extending the income•tax to Ireland. Ile begged to state in answer to such inquiries, that he could not exactly tell upon what day he would bring it forward, but he could assure them that he woull take the sense of the House upon his motion as soon as the Irish Members had recorded their votes upon the question of imposing an income-tax upon the people of this country.—(Cheers.) WAYS AND MEANS —FINANCIAL STATE OF THE COUNTRY. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, in moving the order of the day for going into Commit tee of Ways and Means, said that he thought it desirable that he should avail himself of this oppor tunity of stating more fully than his Noble Friend (Lord J. Russell) had been able to do on a previous occasion, the financial state of the country, and also the course which it was the intention of her Majesty's Ministers to pursue with reference thereto. Several lion. Gentlemen had complained that they did not fully un• perstand some portions of the statement of the financial condition of the country. And as the motion before the House was one for going into Committee on Ways and Means, he thought that it would be the most con venient course for him then to make his statement on the subject, rather than leave it till the House had resolved itself into Committee. With respect to the finances of the country, the balance-sheet, as laid be fore the House, would show to Honourable Members, conversant with these matters, what the state of the finances were. The first half of that was a comparison of the ordinary revenue and expenditure of the country. There was on this occasion an exception to the ordi nary rule. It appeared, on the one hand, that there was an excess of expenditure over income, in th.? year ending the .sth of February last, of a sum of 2,956,0001. But, upon the other hand, it would appear that out of that expenditure a sum of 1,525,0001. had been incurred on account of the distress in Ireland. Now it was the desire and intention of the Govern ment, and of the Lle we, that that expenditure should be provided for out of the 8,000,0001. loan, and not to be made a charge against the ordinary revenue of the country. After, there fore, making these deductions, the' excess of expenditure over income for the year 1848 would be about 1,400,0001., and deducting from that sum the China ransom, amounting to 450,0001., which was received last year, the real excess of expenditure over income would be about 900,0001.—(Hear.) It was hardly possible for him to anticipate what would be the income of next year, because, he was sorry to say, the symptoms of improvement in trade were not so rapid in their pro gress as some Hon. Gentlemen anticipated. The receipts of the present quarter, as compared with the receipts of the corresponding period last year, exhibited a fulling off amounting to upwards of 400,0001. His Noble Friend had stated on a former occasion the various items that would compose the expenditure of the present year. The charge on the debt would amount to 27,778,0001., and the interest on Exchequer-bills to 752,000/., and therefore the the tal amount of charge on debt for the next financial year would amount to 28,530,0001. But of course there were other charges, such as for pensions and half-pay accounts, but those charges were not. subject to the control of the existing Govern ment. The estimates of this year for the non-effective service amounted to no less a sum than 3,650,000/., and over that amount of ex penditure the House had no control. W hen therefore, Honourable Gentlemen spoke of the enormous sums expended by this country, no doubt they lost sight of these important items, over which the Government could exercise no power of reduction. The estimate for the effective service of the next year amounted only to 18,153,0001.; and the real expenditure which the House had to deal with, instead of being between fifty-two and fifty-three millions, did not exceed eighteen millions His Hon. Friend the Secretary of the Admiralty had stated how unjust the accusation of the Hon. Member for Montrose was that a large portion of the increased expenditure of Government was a wasteful and profligate expenditure. And he appealed to the lion. Member (Mr. Hume) whether he thought he was justified in thusaccusing the Government. There was one branch of the public service, the conveyance of e mails which was not conneed with the military or naval establishments, but was carried on solely for the ac commodation of the commercial world and for the benefit of trade, in which there was a considerable increase of expense since the time when he first moved the esti mates. Some economical Members were very apt to increase the expenses of Government in various ways, forgetting that there was an un fortunate person who held the office of Chancellor of the Exchequer.—(Loud laughter.) The Hon. Member for Montrose should recollect that the expense of maintaining lighthouses in this coun try, which was paid out of the Government. revenue, amounted to no less a sum than 220,000/. per annum. There was also an increase of 264,000/. per annum in the expenses of the army which was entirely unconnected with the increase of the number of men. With respect to the miscellaneous services, the Government were so fully aware of the necessity of inquiry into the expenditure on this head that they had announced their intention of appointing a Committee on that subject. The sources of the miscellaneous estimates were continually increasing ; he found that there was a charge for harbours of refuge 110,000/. on the recommendation ofa Select _ _ _ to Caledonian Canal, Committee, 100 000/ 27,0001. for public works in Ireland, 150,000/. for education, 50,000/. for the British Museum, 350,0001f0r the expenses of prosecutions thrown upon this fund, expenses of the Model Prison, and several other prisons—all of which items were im posed by the order of the House; the various items making altogether upwards of 1,000,000/. per annum chargeable on the miscellaneous estimates A charge had been made against the Government for the increase in the charges of collecting the revenue. But this increased expense arose almost entirely from the wishes of the merchants and importers themselves, who requested an increase in the number of hands at the various ports for the purpose of assisting in the duty of clearing the various cargoes. He was as willing as tt c most economical Member in the House to reduce all the items of expenditure to the lowest possible point. This reduction ought, however, to be effected in a careful and business-like manner. It might be possible to reduce tke array and nary, and even the mi,,cellaneous estimates. .He did n)t think that it would now be expedient to make any reduction in either the army or navy, and cir cumstances which had recently transpired led the Gi:verum nt to the conclusion that no such reduction could be made.—(Great cheerirg.) Upon that point is right the House should understand that the Govern ment must adhere to the non-reduction of forces.-- (Cheers.) The Eight Hon. Gentleman then went on to say—With regard to the miscellaneous estimates, a ddferent course may he pursued. If reductions can be effected we shall be most happy to have them suggested. I should deceive the House, however, if I said that either by the conduct of the Government or by the in vestigations of fihe Committee any material :eduction could he effected within the year.—(Cheers.) In point of fact the decrease would be nominal in many cases-- there might even be a temporary increase; the only good effect of that reduction would be gained by paying off a number of mere In like manner it would be ex-- ceedingly bad economy to stop short in the execution of , works.- (Cheers ) We were told the other day that it . would be very bad economy not to vcte sums for carry ing on the building of the Houses of Parliament. Ryon now stop short in the execution of the works at Ports mouth and elsewhere, the result would be ultimate. loss to the country.—(Cheers.) If on examination it is: found that the expenditure may be reduced, the only way of attaining the object is to prevent any future additional expenses, to bring reductions gradually, and within at certain limited time, into effect, to make them as circum stances may render them practical and expedient. Re ductions in the public expenditure have been compared to reelections in the expenditure of private individuals.' If a gentleman requires to reduce, it frequently happens that he shuts up his house, discharges his servants, and goes abroad. That is not the course which a Govern ment can take.—(Cheers and laughter.) If; however, private individual, instead of shutting up his house, dis charging his servants, and going to the continent, begins a course of retrenchment, so as gradually to adapt his expenditure to his iucome, the case bears a considerable resemblance to that which we must pursue for the purpose of bringing the national expenditure within our means. I am as anxious as any man that the expenditure should be reduced. I have proposed . two Committees,_ one to consider the army and - navy estimates, the other to consider the miscellaneous. estimates. I cannot, however, anticipate that, with the utmost exertions of these Committees, you will be able to propose any great reduction of the expenditure within the year, whatever reductions they may be able to suggest to you, or the Government may be able to make in subsequent years. It is of great importance to bear in mind the circumstances under which some por tions of the estimates have been proposed. Sums have been already voted for the Kafir war and the excess of naval expenses. Charges of this character have hitherto been invariably included in the budget of the ensuing year. `flee expenses of the Canadian war, of the war in China, and any excess on the naval vote, which has not been of frequent occurrence lately, have invariably been so included in the expenditure for the ensuing year. The Committee may be able to suggest reductions on the miscellaneous estimates, but cannot anticipate that to any great extent they will have it in their power to lessen the expenditure of the country. I come now to the income. My Noble Friend stated that he anticipates the income of the country for the ensuing year will amount to 51,250,0001. I estimate the Customs at 19,774,0001. We have had one year of extraordinary adversity, and another of extraordinary prosperity. Perhaps the best course is to frame the estimate with reference to the sum received from the Customs in the year 1845-46. That was the year after the reductions made in the tariff by the Right Hon. Gentleman opposite (Sir Robert Peel) ; and I assume that the sum to be received in the ensuing year from the Customs will be about what it was in 1845-46. The adverse circumstances which occutred did not tell on the state of the revenue till after the July quarter, though the failure of the harvest occurred in August, 1846, and the receipts on the July quarter were very high. I have calculated on the assumption that the receipts for a con siderable period of the year will retain the impress of the misfortunes which have occurred ; though I have the fullest confidence that after what we have gone through we may anticipate eventually $ revival of trade. In the Excise department it is estimated that the revenue will produce 13,340,000 L From some arrears there is an extraordinary source of receipt. A considerable increase is expected from the malt and spirit duties, though, on the other hand, the increase is not expected to be great on iron; and we have also reason to expect a falling off in the hop duty. From the restriction of expenditure on the railroads, the probability seems to be that on iron for their use the receipts will rather diminish. The estimate on the stamps is 7,150,000/., and on taxes 4,340,0001., and the income-tax 5,200,0001., on which I apprehend a falling off in consequence of the pressure on many parties liable under schedule D. The produce of the Post office is estimated at 900,000/., of Crown lands at 60,0001., and of miscellaneous at 250,000/. The last instalment of China money has been paid. The whole income, then, is estimated at 51,250,0001. There are repayments to be to ceived for advances in Ireland. The repayments of those advances are to be spread over not less than ten years; they would, therefore, efficient yearly to no great sum. We shall receive two of these. The amount to be repaid at the half-yearly assizes will be 27.0001. on the first relief wcrks, and on the second 147,0001. Applications for advances bars been made from counties in Ireland with the view of affording employment. My answer was, that I did not think any large amount of money would be required for that purpose, because in most of the counties of Ireland we believed the provisions of the poor-law would be sufficient. But we are prepared to make advances in district's where distress exists from the funds still in reserve, and ieem the amount which we have received in repayment. I have now stated the amount of expendi ture and of income for the year. The deficiency is estimated at 3,000,0001., assum,:eg that the income-taz is renewed. Circumstances during the last two years have been very peculiar, otherwise the Government ould have been entitled to look for a surplus revenue over expenditure. Hew shall we provide for that de ficiency of 3,000,000/7 A Right Hon. Gentleman has said we are riot justified in having recourse to a loan. Mr. GOULBURN—The Right Hon. Gentleman seems to forget that there are 2,500,000/. to be received under the present income-tax. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER—That amount, it is true, is receivable.; but to that topic I shall afterwards advert. Our course has been to look at the financial policy of the last few years, to which the House has acceded. Without going further back than 1842, it must be remembered that the Right Hon. Gentleman (Sir Robert Peel) proposed the imposition of an income tax for the purpose of reducing indirect taxation- - (Cheers) —partly on the necessaries of life, partly on the raw materials of manufactures. He proposed, however, to exempt from the income-tax persons receiving the lower rates of income. The Right Hon. Gentleman reduced the duties on many articles of consumption, such as corn, butter, cheese. We subsequently reduced the duties on sugar, wool, and other articles. From 1842 to 1847 the total amount of taxation remitted was no less than 7,500,000/.—(Hear.) In 1842 I was one of those who opposed the income-tax, and my opinion is unchanged as regards the inequality of its pressure. My Right Hen. Friend behind me (Mr. F. Baring) ob jects to its being imposed at all. But I wish to state the grounds on which I have proceeded,. because, however unworthily I may fill the office I have the honour to hold, it is desirable to show that I am acting with sin cerity; and the best proof is that I am acting on pre. cisely the principles I laid down in 1842. The grounds I then alleged for opposing the income-tax were that it was not worth the price we were then called on to Psy for it. I slid that if an alteration in the duties on corns sugar, timber, and other great articles of consumptio* had been proposed, I should have been reconciled to so income-tax. The duties on timber, and corn, and sugar, have since that period been altered. The circumatancss which I said might justify the imposition of an income' tax have occurred; and, therefore, the circumstances under which I declared myself opposed to the income tax in 1842 were different from those in which I felt my' se:f justified in supporting it in 1845, and now again in 1848.—(11ear ) I repeat, that I have not made this statement merely to justify my own consistency; but Ido think it important that the views of even so humble an in dividual as myself, when speaking on the part of Govern went, should be received with that confidence which it is always desirable to place in the declarations of Govern ment,—(lleur, hear.) But, whatever occurred in 1842 , I beg to remind the house of what took place in 1845• In 1845 the incoine-tax was imposed for three years. The Right Hon. Gentleman (Sir R. Peel) came down.to the House and stated that he had an excess of incase over expenditure of upwards of 3,000,000/. It with therefore, in the power of the Right Hon. Gentleman t° have proposed the repeal of the income-tax; and it WSs in the pewer of the House to repeal it. The We' lion. Gentleman, however, stated that, in his opinio n ' it was d, sirable to continue the income-tax for the asks of the policy which he had indicated in 1842. He pt's' posed, therefore, that it should be continued for thre e y ears longer, to enable the Government to reduc e other taxes which pressed upon the industry of t he country, and upon the raw materials of rnanufacte r e. The House unanimously concurred in that opinion. (Hear, hear.) There were, no doubt, suggest ion i made as to the making it a property-tax only a n Eending it to Ireland. There were various Proln . sitions of one kind or another made, but no o ne sat '' that he opposed the continuance of the income-tax. Mr. ROBINSON—It was always stated to be a w prary mea sure. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER: O 'T ; so stated; but I confess Ido not think the r e lion. Gentleman in this House who really and A . ru .. Y . believed that it was to be a temporary measure.--(et_ioe.r_ 1 ar.) 1 distinctly stated at the time that if the Hou s e consented to the imposition of the income-tax et red ~f of three yeara it would be impossible at h r ° o `,. ~f that period to prevent its being p e rmanent. that the member that I stated this most disti nctl y , und lion. Member for Oxford said that lie suspected w ted oo. I w ee: laying the grounds for a future support o f the •NI•1•1•ImAk .~ I