The Sun. — London, England, 1841-11-23 00:00:00

:EVEN ENG sUiJ MEETING OF SPANISH BOND- HOLDERS. A meeting of the holders of Spanish Passive Bonds took place yesterday at the King's Head, in the Poultry, for the purpose of taking into consideration the situa tion in whieh they were placed by the bad faith of former Spanish Governments, and also to memorialise the Re gent of Spain, the Government, and the Cortes, with the view of obtaining- that measure of justice granted to the holders of Active Spanish Bonds, which was most solemnly pledged to the holders of Passive Spanish Bonds, but withheld from them after the Spanish Government had publicly advertised that they had received orders to carry into effect the decree of Feb. 1836, and after their agents had issued and printed forms for the purpose of converting the Passive debt into Active. Mr. HADLOW, in proposing that Richard Thornton, Esq., should take the Chair, said that himself and friends who were large holders of Spanish Bonds, had called the present meeting to obtain justice from the Spanish Government, and the simple means of doing so was by calling upon them to carry into effect their own decrees passed in their favour. They did not ask them to do anything new, but merely to carry into effect their own terms.—(hear, hear.) Mr. THORNTON, on taking the Chair, said that although '1 he was no party to calling the present meeting, yet in compliance with their unanimous wish he was very happy to take the chair.—(Hear, hear.) He was quite sure that every gentleman he had the honour to address, would make up any deficiency on his part, by rendering him his best advice and assistance.—(Hear, hear.) Under these circumstances he ventured to accept the honour conferred upon him in calling- him to the Chair. As to the justice of their cause, insisting on the Spanish Government complying with the terms of their contract entered into with them, there could be no doubt. —(Hear, hear.) He was not going to defend the Spanish Government for not carrying the Passive Stock out, as the Deferred Stock had been ; there could be no doubt they ought to have done it. Before he sat down, with the permission of the meeting, he would read a correspondence that had taken place between himself and the Earl of Aberdeen, and also his Excellency Surra y Hull, the present Finance Minister of Spain. He had called the attention of the Spanish Minister Surra y Hull more particularly to Active 'Stock, believing the situation in which Spain was placed would prevent her from dealing out a full measure of justice.—(Hear, hear.) He thought with respect to Passive Stock it ought not to hare remained Passive to the present hour. He had also a letter from a friend of his, M. Zulueta, who was invited to attend the present meeting but who had declined to do so. That letter, with the permission of the meeting, would be presently read. He felt bound to say with respect to his Highness the Regent of Spain, he had the greatest expectations that he would do as much for them as the position of the country would warrant, or they could possibly expect. With respect to his Excellency Surra y Rull, the Spanish Minister, he was a man of as great integrity as ever lived—(Hear, kear)—and from the correspondence he had had with him, he was quite sure, that had it not been for the late insurrection in Spain, they would have had their ar rears of Active Bonds converted into 3 per cent. stock. Unfortunately, however, a great personage in France had supplied Don Carlos with the munitions of war ; and, further, when he was driven out of Spain, what was „done ? Why, a French army was placed on the Pyre nees to cover his retreat ; so also a French army was placed to enable persons on his behalf again to cross them. They were again driven out of Spain, and again there was a French army to cover their retreat into France. Had it not been for that great Personage in France—had it not been for the civil war which had been fomented here, they (the Bondholders) would have had their otoney in their pockets.—(Hear, hear). Better days vre i-e now dawning upon them; lie had no hesitation in sa ying , that he had the highest opinion of the honour and inteTitY of his Highness the Regent Espartero.— (Cheers.) The Mini s ter s whom lie had chosen showed that he understood what he was about.—(Hear, hear.) Thze correspondence which had taken place between him (the Chairn:an) and his Excellency Surra y Rull, and Lord A b e7rdewould be read ; and he would seize the opportunity co itradicting a report which had appeared in a Morning , Tour that Lord Aberdeen had refused to receive t heir Chairman. That was not true. The Earl of Aberck.'en, when he (the Chairman) waited upon him respecting t::e Portuguese bonds, received him in the most courteous manner, and did him the . should be happy to see honour to say that he upon all ,- , :casions, either upon the him at all times and u claims of Bondholders upon the! Portuguese or the Spanish Governments. Ile was n :ost happy to contra dict the false report. His Lordship not only received him in the most flattering manner, but expressed his cheerfulness and alacrity—nay, his anximes.wish, to as sist the unfortunate Bondholders. His friend would now read to them the letter, received that morning from M. Zulueta. It was as follows ::-- " 69, King William-street, Nov. 22, 1841. " Sir,— I have received a letter from Mr. S. Hadlow, requesting my presence at the meeting of Spanish Passive Bondholders, to be held this day, and, as your Secre tary has expressed a similar desire, I think it necessary to state the grounds upon which I consider it my duty not to attend. Having been called upon by the Spanish Government to advertise the conversion of the Coupons due on the Active Stock, I replied on the 3d of March last, at once declining to give that or any other public notice, without having in my possession a sufficient guarantee of its present, and ff fair prospect of its future fulfilment. Whilst the advertisement which I was unfortunately led to issue, by reiterated o; tiers from the Spanish Government, for the conversion of the Pas sive Stock remains a dead letter, and whilst my repeeted remonstrances, as well on this matter as in that of the Treasury Bonds, continued to be disregarded, I stated that it' the Government insisted upon their new project without coming to a satisfactory arrangement regarding their former promises, I must be understood to tender an irrevocable resignation. For, although I originally opposed both measures, and strongly remon strated against both, when once they became the law I could not help considering them as obligatory upon the Government. Until a few days ago Mr. Murietta, a gentleman whose well-known respectability does not re quire my testimony, had not accepted the appointment'very recently made, and to him I have delivered the Commission. Under all these circumstances, my appearance at the meeting—whilst it cannot forward the object of it— might be construed into an attempt to oppose the exist ing Government of Spain, and to embarrass their mea sures—a position which lam so far from desiring to assume, that even the reasons for my resignation would never have been publicly known, if a partial extract from my own official despatch had not been published in all the newspapers, as is well known. . . " You are authorised to make such use of this letter as your own discretion may suggest. " I remain, sir, your obedient servant, " I'. F. DE ZULU ETA. " Richard Thornton, Esq., Chairman of the Committee of Spanish Bondholders." That was a letter which did great credit to the writer.— (Hear, hear.) He had once unwittingly led them into a severe disappointment, and lie did not feel warranted in putting them in the same situation again; therefore he thought that the letter did great credit to his motives ; but still it would, perhaps, have been as well, had he given more credit to the character of his Excellency Serra y Rail. The letter. at least a translation of it, to him as their Chairman, would now be read. It was as follows : • Translation.— (Confidential.) " RICHARD THORTON, ESQ., LONDON. " Madrid, 31st August, 18-41. " Sir By my last I offered to you to touch upon some interesting points of Spanish finance, and its intimate connection with and influence upon its debt. I haste to fulfil that promise, confirming anew the idea that the de claration which -th e Committee, so worthily presided over by you, made at the meeting of the 6th instant, was duly considered by me a testimonial of the confidence which the Spanish nation deserves of its creditors, and of the deference which the representatives of a class so worthy of attention vouchsafe to me. " I would wish to be able to convinceyou that it would not have been possible, without grave danger to the pub lic service, to assign more than 3 per cent, to the capi talization of the interests overdue ; and that it would imprudence to g o b eyond that rate. Even have been an to pay it will cost some effort ; but th e nat i on and its Government are disposed to effect it at every cost, and as long as I form a part of the Administration, I will show that example that my success ors cannot f a il to f ollow. ~i the meanwhile the retrenchments eff ecte d w i ll pre. n duce their fruits in due season ; public wealth will follow Peace, and' the the spontaneous impulse given to it by epoch will arrive when the ' amortizati on 's w i ll absorb the portion of the debt in excess of the means a p p li cable to the burden of its interests. The first e xperiment of the sale of the ancient con vents, payable in th e New " Three per Cents., ha s b een most brilliant, and the quantity of the same class of pro. perties remaining to be sold is capable of absorbing an enormous capital. Th e progressing state of the nation invites foreign capital, which will find the m ost safe and advantageous investment that can be offered. Foreigners who may come to be proprietors, will meet with every protection; and the new communications about to be opened will augment the value of landed property already relieved from tithes. I make this suggestion t toyou in case you should judge it proper to transmit it o allyour constituents ngs, d as a proof that the Spanish nation is, above sirous of offering advantages to its creditors, ~thi e- T anting to them, at their own pleasure and choice, what they may select amongst the great mass of properties appropriated by by the nation to pay them ; and in order that they may have a full knowledge of said properties, of their upset prices and their price after sale, I am contriving tf mea sures for their announcement in the periodical press ) that kingdom, which, I flatter myself 1611 produce infi nitel good, promoting the progress of ` a mortization,' and stimulating foreign creditors to establish themselves with estates in this country, where everything is still in embryo, and where the want of circulating capital retards the rapid progress of agriculture, commerce, and indus try. From this acknowledged abstract arises the legiti mate consequence of its being indispensable to establish a good system of provincial banks, based upon the Scotch principles, an idea which forms an essential part of my economical scheme, and which I will seize the first opportunity to carry into practice, com bining its working with the administration and collection of the taxes. From your enlightened mind it cannot be concealed, that any plan of finance not embracing as an essential basis the reduction of the debt by the sales of properties, will be incomplete and defective : for Spain, notwithstanding its natural resources, cannot possibly, for some years, by its exports and imports alone, calcu lated at 500,000,000 of reels, procure for itself any con siderabl a sum in hard cash augmented by the natural loss of it passiv e exchange in passing it abroad, there with to meet th e interests on its debt. What would * The word means the absorption of bonds received in paymento—E. C. W. appen to England herself, if, constantly obliged to buy foreign grain, she should be necessitated to give in ex change for that article of fi rst necessit y , gold, and nothing but gold? The result is not to be doubted. d. he B. Tank w ould restrict its discounts and circulation ;he inte rest of money would r ise in p ro p ortion ; the price of goods would be depressed in an inverse ratio to that of the funds; industry and commerce would be paralyzed, and society itself sacrificed to this forced order of things. To avoid these certain evils, I think, and intelligent poli tical economists think with me, that the salvation of the cou ntry depends upon th e sale of her national properties, because its being certain that at present there are not wasted less by estimate than 300,600,000 realst, and it will fetch by sale three times the amount, namely, 10,800,000,004 (whilst paper ranges only at 30 per cent.), the greatest part of the consolidated debt may with certainty be absorbed by this mortgage, relieving the estimatesit of the corresponding interests. " From this legitimate reduction will follow another benefit of great importance, it being obvious that when these properties are transferred to individuals, those will augment the number and value of the taxes, and of those who pay them. On the other hand, the a dministration being improved with respect to its personal and material expenses, and the taxes augmented in a direct ratio to the national prosperity, it is highly probable that the revenue will increase to 1,150,000,000 reels, which, sup posing the maintainaace of our army proportioned to our wealth and population, will be sufficient to pay the inte rest on a debt corresponding to the rank which Spain ought to occupy amongst the nations which constitute the great European family. " These ideas, hastily expressed, appear to me to be sufficient to enable you to form an exact opinion of our present situation, of the future, which we look forward to, and of the safety of our engagements after. " I desire that this sincere and confidential explana tion may contribute to re-establish c onfidence as much as possible, and that you, taking upon you to be the inter preter of my sentiments towards your worthy consti tuents, assure them of the zeal and efficacy with which the Spanish Government is preparing to fulfil the promises made, trusting that Divine Providence will bless its efforts, which are directed to the welfare of the nation over which it rules. " I avail myself of this new opportunity to renew to you the sincerity of my sentiments of esteem. (Signed) " PEDRO SURRA Y RULL." The letter of the Spanish Finance Minister having been read, The CHAIRMAN said that letter was dated 31st of August last, and it was evident that Surra y Rull con templated at that time carrying out the decree for the conversion of the 3 per cent. interest on the Active Bonds, and if it had not been for the unfortunate civil war he did not doubt but that they would now have had their dividends in their pocket. The character of Surra y Rull stood so high that he (the Chairman) was con vinced that his Excellency would never state that which he (lid not contemplate carrying into effect. But neither his Excellency Surra y Rull, nor his lligh ness the Regent, nor the Bondholders themselves, could contemplate the renewal of the civil war. War of every description was most disastrous, and a civil war more particularly so. The result of the renewal of the civil war in Spain had been most disastrous, not only as affect ing the Bondholders, but as affecting Spain itself. The country had been thrown back at least two or three years in consequence, but he hoped better days were dawning for them, and if the country were blessed with peace he had no doubt but that his Highness the Regent Espartero, and his Excellency Surra y Rull, the Finance Minister, would do every thing for them that it was in the power of the nation to d . o, and that her resources were sufficient to do them justice no one could dispute. He would propose that a letter, addressed by him (the Chairman) to Lord Aberdeen, should now be read. That letter contained the substance of the one he had addressed to Surra y Bull : "My Lord—l take the liberty to submit to your Lordship copies of my letters of the 21st to his Excl lency Senor Don Pedro Surra y Bull, Minister of Fi nance of her Catholic Majesty, and to request that your Lordship will condescend to forward the originals (se parately addressed) to the care of her Majesty's Minister at Madrid. " During the Ministry of Lord Palmerston a corre spondence originated between me, as Chairman of the Committee of Spanish Bondholders, and his Excellency Senor Surra y Rull, which was conducted through the Foreign-office as the channel at once affording the greatest security, most courteous to his Excellency, and best calculated to keep the question between Spain and her creditors, and the progress of negotiations, conti nually before her Majesty's Government. " I cannot doubt that your Lordship will readily grant the same facilities uniformly accorded by Lord Palmer ston, and that your Lordship will be pleased to instruct hor Majesty's Minister at Madrid to use his utmost exer tions in favour of the rightful claims of her Majesty's subjects the creditors of Spain. " In making this request, it is but fair to his High ness the Regent to admit that he has adopted a policy tending eminently to ameliorate the condition of Spain— that he has surrounded himself with just, honest, pa triotic, and enlightened Ministers, and that the actual 1 , Minister of Finance is zealously and energetically carry ing forward every measure tending to develop the re sources of his country, diminish her expenses, and in crease her revenues, so as both to attend fully to all branches of the public service, and to the dividends due in the Foreign Department. " In consequence, the present Government of Spain enjoys the confidence of the Committee of which I have the honour to be Chairman, and of the Bondholders generally, in a degree superior to any previous Govern ment, ever since Spain became their debtor. It is our firm opinion that our best interests are intimately con uected with the preservation of the present wise admi nistration of Spain, which has reduced the tariff and esta blished the most stringent rules and regulations against the introduction of goods by contraband. "I beg most respectfully to observe that while the Custom-houses of Spain along the coast and frontier are defrauded of their just dues, it is impossible that the Treasury can improve as it ought to do, or that a strong, beneficent Government can exist. Hence it becomes our deep interest that smuggling should be discouraged by every means within the compass of the power of her Majesty's forces abroad ; and as every honest ho nourable British merchant has the same interest, I hope that your Lordship will issue the instructions that may appear most conducive to the laudable end sought to be obtained by the Government of her Catholic Majesty. "If your Lordship will deign to name a day to re ceive me and a deputation, upon the subject of Spanish claims from the Committee, we will have the honour to wait upon your Lordship accordingly. " I have the honour to be, my Lord, _ _ _ " Your Lordship's obedient servant, (Signed) " R. THORNTON, " Chairman of the Committee of the Holders of the Bonds of Spain. " To the Most Noble the Earl of Aberdeen, her Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs." The CHAIRMAN, although he had no hand in calling the present meeting, would take that opportunity of stating the steps which, he had taken as Chairman of the Com mittee of holders of Spanish Active Stock. He had felt that he could not separate the holders of Active Stock from the holders of Passive and Deferred, that, in fact, they were to be considered together; and, on that ground, he would give the meeting an account of what he had done to forward the interests of all the Spanish Bondholders—(Cheers) — and he hoped they would approve of what he had done. As far as his humble services could be available, they should always command them ; and he trusted that at no distant period they would have something like justice done to them. Surra y Rail was anxious to meet their claims as far as the situation of Spain would allow him. He expected that in the course of a few days a Commission would arrive in this country from Spain to carry out the plan for converting the dividends due on the Spanish Active Bonds. He sould, had he been consulted on the subject, have proposed deferring the calling of this meeting for a few days, so as to postpone their assembling until after the arrival of the Commission. A BONDHOLDER wished to know what the plan was which the Spanish Government had proposed. Mr. TASKER said the offer of the Spanish Govern ment, with regard to the Active Stock, had been before the public for some time. It was to convert the whole interest of the Active Debt into a three per cent. debt at par. Great efforts had been made to procure a five per cent. stock, but unfortunately they had not succeeded. A BONDHOLDER—I think it was a shuffling transac tion. The CHAIRMAN proposed that the resolutions be read, and they were read according as follows :-- "RESOLUTIONS AT A MEETING OF SPANISH BONDHOLD ERS OF THE CLASS OF STOCK TERMED 'FOREIGN PASSIVE,' HELD NOV. 22, 1841. _ " 1. R eso l ve d,—Th a t the holders of Spanish Foreign Passive Stock have sustained great disappointment and injury by the non-execution of the decree of Feb. 28, 1836, providing for the conversion into Active Bonds of one -sixth the amount annually, upon the basis of giving in exchange for every one hundred pounds Pas sive fifty pounds Active, the latter to bear interest from Oct. 1, 1836, Messrs.aeeably to the p u bli c no ti ce s to holders, given by and S. J. de Z u l ue t a an d E. P a r a ja, and Messrs. J. Ricardo itcharidmo meeting g C h o a ., v i nunder confidencedate the upright administration of uly 15, 36. Resolved, that of Spain, and in the hononurofhis Highness the Regent of Don his Excellen c y th e Mi nister of Finance, Senor Pedro Su rra y R u ll, consider that in order t o obta redress, they only re quire fairly to represent' their case through his Excel lency to the justice of the Spanish Govie.rnment. requested to ad dress the e " 3. Resolved—That the Chairm an dress the memorial now read to his AT e Re gent of Spain, requesting his attention to Bth and 9th articles of the Decree of Conversion of the 16t No vember, 18 34 , as affecti n g t h e Foreign Passive ilondto the solemn engagement on the face of the Bonds the two public notic es above referred to , and to i!' to res olutions, of which a copy is to be s en t to his Excellency. cs «4. Resolved—That the Chair.nan is requested t o trans mit a copy of these resolutions to the Right Hon. the Earl of Aberdeen ; also a copy of the memorial to hi s highness the Regent of Spain ; and to write to his Lord ship, begging that instructions may be sent to her Ma jesty's Minister at Madrid, to press on the Spanish Go vernment the long-neglected claims of her Majesty' s subjects, the holders of Sp anish Passive Bonds." The CHAIRMAN begged to ask, before he put the reso lutions, whether any gentlemen present wished to make any remark upon them ? Mr. TOMLINSON thought that Mr. Ricardo, the con tractor of these Bands, ought, to have been solicited to attend the meetine•—the man who had brought out those Bonds, and had made a fortune by them.—(Hear.) Those who had given these securities ought to be ready, with the Chairman, to aid and assist the unfortunate Bond- 38,250,000 i. 84,750,000 1 . II The Minister here mealts the annual budget would be re lieved from the interest of the debt so cancelled. holders. He thought that Mr. Ricardo and the other contractors, and their agents, had inflicted a very great injury on the Bondholders ; they had taken eighty per cent. from the capital of every gentleman present. —(Hear, hear.) They had represented their case to Lord Palmerston, and had been received by him most kindly ; but although his Lordship had done all he could for them, it was not his official business. They ought to have gone to the Legislature, and made the matter public, and then perhaps these great contractors and their agents would have been found out, and the shuffling course which they had pursued would have been exposed. No one could tell what correspondence had passed between these parties and the Ministers of Spain.—(Hear, hear.) Under these circumstances, let a meeting be called of Spanish and Portuguese Bond holders, and let a petition be addressed to the Legisla ture on the subject. He had no doubt that they would have a strong majority in the Legislature. Mr. Hap Low said that Mr. Ricardo had been solicited to attend the meeting, and that a copy of the memorial had been left at his office last Friday. Possibly he might have been out of town, and it had not reached him. fir. TOMLINSON said it was very strange that after a person had given them a list, and told tem that they had 100/. a year, and then it turned out that they had but 30/., no explanation could be offered. Bales of goods to the amount of 50 millions had fallen 50 per cent. — (Hear, hear.) Yet they were left to struggle with Lord Aberdeen as they had done with Lord Palmerston, and he was sure that if they addressed him fifty times he would not be able to render them any effectual assistance. He was not officially bound to assist them. The only course open to them was to call a meeting to petition the Legis lature on this subject; it was useless to appeal to Lord Aberdeen. The CHAIRMAN fully concurred in what had fallen from Mr. Tomlinson. If he had been a contractor for the loan, he would have considered it an imperative duty to attend and assist the Bondolders. He had ex pected that Mr. Ricardo would have taken the chair, And have endeavoured to assist them in the dilemma in which they were placed.—(Hear, hear.) He could not, however, compel Mr. Ricardo's attendance, and having been solicited to take the chair, he had done it with the greatgst pleasure.—(Hear, hear, and cheers.) He fully concurred in the object of the meeting, but if it had been left to him, as the Commissioners were now on their way, he would have recommended that the meeting should be postponed for a few days, because they might then have gone into the matter more in detail. But he had no choice when the meeting was announced. He had felt himself in honour bound to lay before the meeting his correspondence with his Ex cellency the Minister of Finance, and with the Earl of Aberdeen.—(Hear, hear.) As far as his services could avail them, they might call upon him at any time.— (Cheers.) The next step which he should take, as Chair man of that meeting, was to submit for approval the memorial which he held in his hand. --.........._ . The following memorial was then submitted to the meeting : "TO HIS HIGHNESS THE REGENT OF SPAIN. " This Memorial of the Spanish Passive Bondholders, agreed to at a public meeting, held at the King's Head, Poultry, London, on Monday, November 22, 1841, Richard Thornton, Esq., in the Chair. " Showeth,---That this meeting is profoundly im pressed with the high and honourable sentiments and actions of your Highness, and feels encouraged by them to approach your Highness, for the purpose of making known how much we, as holders of Spanish Passive Bonds, have been the victims of injustice and oppression by former Spanish Governments, with the hope of ob taining, through your Highness, the fulfilment of those solemn engagements and pledges made by the Spanish Government to the holders of Spanish Passive Bonds, but which have been uniformly violated, whilst similar engagements with another class of Spanish Bondholders have been uniformly kept and fulfilled. In the year 1834 the Government of Spain declared itself unable to pay the interest on its Five per Cent. Stock, and de termined to reduce one-third of its capital into a Passive Stock, and to give a Deferred Stock for the in terest then due, engaging, at the same time, that the Deferred Stock should become Active, in the space of twelve years, from January 1, 1838, by an annual draw ing of one-twelfth into Active Stock; this engagement has been faithfully kept. By the same law (viz., Novem ber 16, 1834) and the same article of it (i. e., 16) it was declared that ulterior proceedings shall be adopted for the redemption and repayment of Passive Bonds. One of these ulterior measures was the operation of a sinking fund of one-half per cent. upon the Active Stock, to be replaced annually by Passive Stock, but the Spanish Go vernment has net been able to continue the sinking fund in operation, on account of the expense of the civil war, so that the holders of Passive Stock lost this advantage; the second and most important " ulterior measure" was the law of January 16, 1836, and the royal decree, dated 28th February, 1836, to carry that law into effect, wherein it was decreed that the debt without interest (viz., the Passive) should be consolidated in six years, beginning from that year, viz., 1836, at the rate of fifty pounds Active Stock, with interest from Ist October, 1836, for each one hundred pounds Passive Stock which should be draws, in which ever of the six years, should be to the holders most convenient to send them in. By the Bth article, the Government reserved to itself the right of increasing the quantity to be annually drawn from one-sixth to a larger amount, and so reduce the number of drawings. The 9th article de clares no delay shall take place, and article 17 declares the sum is designated for the consolidation of the present year, i. e., 1836. To carry this law and decree into effect, on the 15th of July, 1836, Messrs. Zulueta and Pareja, Spanish Commissioners made the following announce ment in the London Journals : •` London, July 15, 183 E.. " ' Conversion of the Spanish Foreign Passive Debt. —The Commissioners appointed by the Spanish Go vernment for the Commission of the foreign debt of Spain, having received orders from Madrid for carrying into effect the decree of the 28th February last, relative to the Forei g n Passive Debt, beg to inform the holders of this stock that they have given instructions to Messrs. Ardoin and Co., in Paris, and Messrs. J. and S. Ricardo and Co., in London, to take measures for putting into im mediate execution the provisions of the above. mentioned decree. As the decree provides for the conversion of one-sixth of the Foreign Pas sive Debt annually. should the applications exceed this amount the lists will be transmitted to Madrid, and the numbers entitled to the privilege be determined by lot. The Bonds will be converted into Active Stock on the same terms as those granted to the holders of the Interior Passive Debt ; for every one hundred pounds stock twenty-five pounds money in Bonds, at the price of fifty, will be given, bearing interest from the Ist Oc tober next, payable at Madrid only. Thus the holder of Passive Stock, who may obtain the benefit of the con version, will receive in exchange half the amount of his Bonds in Active Stock. Upon the arrival of the result of the drawing it will be immediately announced to the public, and the exchange will take place so soon as the new Bonds shall be transmitted from Madrid. (Signed) P. J. DE ZULUETA, E. PAREJA.' " London, July 15, 1836. " And on the same day Messrs. I. and S. Ricardo, of London, gave the following Notice : " Angel-court, July 15, 1836. " Conversion of the Spanish Foreign Passive Debt. —Messrs. J. and S. Ricardo and Co., being authorised by the Spanish Commissioners to carry into execution the decree of the 28th of February last, beg to apprise the holders of Spanish Passive Stock, that they are pre pared to receive applications for the Conversion of these Bonds, agreeably to the conditions of that decree.—All parties desirous of converting their Bonds must send to Messrs. J. and S. Ricardo and Co. lists of the numbers in duplicate, according to a printed form, which may be had at their office, on or before the 15th of August next, after which period no further applications will be received.' " " Printed forms were obtained by those holders who were desirous of having their Stock exchanged by the first drawing, which was fixed for the month of June, 1836, to be continued each year in the same month; but most extraordinary as it may appear, no answer has ever been given by the Spanish Government to our applica tions, for the result of the first drawing, and the law, the decree, and the official notices, appear to us to have been rather designed to sport with our misfortune in having lent our money to the Spanish Government, and our poverty and misery in consequence, than to afford us the amelioration we had a right to expect. The Spanish Government has fulfilled all its engagements with the holders of Deferred Spanish Stock, by drawing it an nually at the rate of 100 Active for 100 Deferred Stock, while not one single drawing has taken place in Passive Stock, though at the rate of 50 Active for 100 Passive. Your memorialists beg leave, therefore, to submit to your Highness as their just right (the whole of the six years for drawing Passive Stock having expired) that they may be permitted in the approaching consolidation of the interest on Active Stock to present their Passive Stock for consolidation, each 100 Passive Stock to represent 50 Active, with five years' interest on the 501. up to Oct. Ist, 1841. These terms, and these only, can repair the injury we have sustained by the gross partiality and bad faith of former Spanish Governments, and re-assure us of the honour and upright intention:4 of the Spanish Go vernment towards its suffering creditors." Mr. WYLLIE wished to observe that he thought Mr. Ricardo had been alluded to in terms of too great severity. He (Mr. Wyllie) thought that no contractor had a right to attend a public meeting for the purpose of answering questions, without previously consulting those whom he represented. It was a rule in commercial transactions that an agent - could norgive any information as regarded the affairs of his principal without his knowledge and permission. Now Mr. Ricardo might have absented himself from their proceedings from a desire, to act upon that principle ; and it was not right to visit any party with censure beyond what they deserved. Mr. Tomlinson disapproved of an address to Lord Aberdeen, and recommended an appeal on the part of the Bondholders to Parliament. Now he (Mr Wyllie) should like to ask Mr. Tomlinson what good could arise from an appeal to Parliament? They were not in a position to make such an appeal—they had no case which could justify them in taking suc h a ste p . There w as now at l eas t an h onour able Government in the trouble of carefully reading over and weighing and digesting the frank and honourable letter of his Excel lency e intentions vnendd hh nen e honest o o fual as regarded the reb ge a rSpanishdfeudrti:o the r Bondholders.Gbo ov who would take S I nattw e hhp P o n aeap a i st i yiliohenChairmanSutra ion rn r ro cent: h h y ue ea r hull, d would any e r b s e on convinced that . o v hsp f e aea d tt or the t tt pursue uer e which as he (Mr. Wyllie)] understood them, were merely declaratory of the ori • vial decree, and of the right of the Passive Bondholders to receive all the attention on the part of the Spanish Government that was compatible with the exigencies of their Treasury. Before he con rtshmhueoeol most Treasurydt the aressna sa; uiofsr fpßypaacnaßstnssoosd streeinhyvnrid:eiirrßeoiepnesiodloonnyeitdusr ttt asst resolutions, ;blrsiydgeees, THE SUN, LONEPON. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1841. eluded .his observations upon the subject of the Spanish Government, he would beg to state his belief that no other Government in Europe could have effected so many important reforms, and discharged more honourably the duties imposed upon them, than the Government of which Espartero was at the head.—(Hear.) That was not the first occasion upon which he (Mr. Wyllie) had found himself called upon, in consequence of his know ledge of Spanish character, and his former resi dence in Spain, to raise his voice at a pub lic meeting in defence of The honour of Spa niards individually. He believed the character of the people was not rightly understood, and he was per suaded that the conduct of the Government of Es partero was not only calculated to elicit the warm approval of their friends, but he was sorry to be obliged to add the jealousy of their French neighbours. He was exceedingly sorry to find that there was reason to believe that, notwithstanding the high character of the King of the French, his Ma jesty bad countenanced a course of proceeding in Spain calculated to disorganise that country, and to retard its social progress. He felt strongly that nothing emanating from that meeting should be thought capable of conveying any censure -of the existing Spanish Government ; and he thought that the policy of the Bondholders was to give that Government the weight of their moral support. — ( Hear, hear.) The two memorials were merely to be signed for the purpose of keeping up the chain of official correspondence ; and it was not to be supposed that they were forwarded to Lord Aberdeen from any doubt that the Spanish Government meant, to the utmost of its power, to act honourably towards them.—(Hear.) Mr. TOMLINSON was quite surprised at the statement that had been made, that Mr. Ricardo was not responsible for the act of his principal. He denied such a proposition; he asserted as a com mercial man that he was responsible, and must know full well the whole effect of the contract entered into with Spain.—(Hear, hear.) It was then said by the worthy gentleman to the right of the chair, that they were not in a situation to go to the Legis lature. Good God, had they not waited for eighteen years, in the hopes of having a return for the money, and had not 200,000 British subjects either being confined in lunatic asylums, or died in the greatest penury through that?—(Hear, hear, hear.) tinder these circumstances, he thought his friend to the right of the Chairman was wrong in say ing that they were not in a condition to go to Parka ment.—(Hear.) He felt convinced, if they went to the Legislature, the contractor and his agent would be ashamed of what they had done. He thought, how ever, if they did - not make the matter public by bringing it before the House of Commons, it would be impossible for them to do any good.—(Hear, hear.) He thought not only the Spanish but the Portuguese Bond holder ought to petition the Legislature, and there would then be a strong handle for the Secre tary of State ; at present all he could do was to write a recommendation, which, probably, would never be attended to. He thought, if what he had suggested was carried into effect, Mr. Ricardo and others would attend their meetings.—(Hear, hear.) All he could say upon that was, that if they did Rot, they would not act as honourable men. Mr. WYLLIE wished to say one word in reply. He did not mean to dispute the immense injury which had been inflicted upon the Bondholders by the delays upon the part of the Governments of Portugal and Spain iii former tunes—they had all felt that, and had all suffered—but now, when they had got a *Government in Spain desirous to do justice, he thought it was but fair that they should have a fair trial. He did not see how an appeal to our Legislature could benefit them in any way; and an appeal to it, and a refusal on their part to take up the question, would much damage the position of the Bondholders. They had now got an honest Government in Spain ; it was then only fair and politic that they should be afforded time to do jus tice. Let them pass the resolutions, and not let their feelings carry them beyond the objects of the meeting. Mr. TomuNsoN entirely agreed that the present Go vernment of Spain was the most honest they had had to deal with, and he was disposed to give them a fair trial, but that would be done within the next three months, and if in that time justice was not done them, he would most strongly advise an appeal to our Legislature. Mr. TASKER having taken an active part since the formation of the Committee, in which he had had the honour of working with Mr. Tomlinson, would appeal to him to say whether during the last thirteen or fourteen years, they had not sent petitions and memorials one after another, and had written at least a dozen letters, yet not one answer had they ever got. But since the accession of the present Mi nister of Finance there had not been a single application made but had metwith an immediate and almost satisfactory answer.—(Cheers.) It was under these circumstances he congratulated the meeting on their being able to bring their case before a Minister who would pay the utmost attention to . their claims. Having such a Minister to go to would render it unnecessary for them to appeal to our own Legislature. The CHAIRMAN said that, before he put the resolu tions which had been read, together with the memorial, he begged to make a few observations. He had stated before that the long continuance of civil war in Spain had exhausted the resources of that country, and ,he was convinced that it was that alone which was the cause of the dividends being in arrear. With respect to a neighbouring country, which owed him upwards of. 900,000 t, he saw many Portuguese Bondholders present, and he need not tell them, but he would tell those parties who were not Bondholders, that the crown of Portugal was hypotheticated to the Bondholders, and strange as it might appear, the revenue of that king. dom was taken, not to pay their (the Bond holders') dividends, but to pay the dividends on the local stock. There was now l per cent. due in arrear on the Portuguese Bonds. He (the Chairman) was a creditor to the amount of nine hundred thousand pounds. The only satisfaction he had was, that he could do without it, and that while Portugal had stopped pay ment, Richard Thornton had not.—(Laughter and c h eer s.) He wished to draw their attention to Spain, who had not served them as Portugal had done. She told them she would pay them equally with the local stockholders ; and could they in fairness ask more ? They had every confidence in the present Ministry of Spain. Let them tell the Spanish Government that they had confidence in them, or their Chairman had, and if they disappointed their hopes he would hold up his hand with his friend Tomlinson, and say, they might put him first in their ranks to go the Legislature. But he implored them to agree to the resolutions and the memorial. Perhaps the memorial would be better with a little alteration. He had not read it till he had come into the room ; but those trifling alterations he left to the Committee. Still he hoped that they would agree to those resolutions and the memorial, and show to the Spanish Government that they had confidence in them. The resolutions and the memorial were then put and agreed to. Mr. T. THORNTON rose to propose a vote of thanks to Mr. Zulueta, and moved the following resolution : " That the letter of M. Zulueta is of much importance, inasmuch as it clearly shows that the non-execution, by previous Governments of Spain, of the laws and decrees appertaining to Spanish Passive Stock, is the primary cause of his resigning the important post of Commis sioner for Spain ; and hence the holders of Passive Stock have, as far as M. Zulueta is concerned, reason to be thankful to that gentleman for the stand he has made ; and this meeting is of opinion, as long as the claims of the Passive Bondholders are neglected, a blot will re main on Spanish credit, which nothing but a strict ob servance and performance of the obligations due from the Spanish Government to this class of creditors can wash out." Mr. WYLLIE concurred in the view of the Hono rary Secretary relative to the honourable conduct and good intentions of M. Zulueta. At the same time that ho agreed in the spirit of the resolu tion, he thought it better to modify it. He could not but regret the tone selected by M. Zulueta for his resignation, at a time when Spain had an honest man for her Minister of Finance, because it might imply distrust of the Spanish Government. His objzlc tion was to that part of the resolution which related to that transaction. He fully approved of the reso lution, as far as it went, to convey their thanks to him for the information he had so readily furnished upon all occasions. But it certainly would be politic to avoid the question at issue between M. Zulueta and the Spanish Government. He would, therefore, express his wish that the resolution should be modified in conformity with the suggestion he had offered. He then moved that the resolution proposed by the Secretary should be amended as follows:—" That the thanks of this meeting be given to M. Zulueta for his frank communication of this day, and also for his former communications." The CHAIRMAN said that if the meeting should be pleased to pass the resolution as amended by Mr.Wyllie, he: would write to M. Zulueta, thanking him for the communication, stating that it had met the appro bation of the meeting, which returned him its thanks. He thought that would be the better plan. The letter manifested a feeling highly honourable to M. Zulueta, as he refused to undertake any further arrangements for the Spanish Government until those arrangements entered into by former Governments should be religiously and faithfully carries out. The resolution, as amended by Mr. Wyllie, was then put and carried unanimously. Mr. WYLLIE would propose to the meeting another re solution, which he thought was necessary, in order to show that whatever might transpire as to their proceed ings of this day, it was far from their intention to offer any offence to the present Government of Spain, in which they had the greatest confidence. The resolution he should propose was, " That there was nothing in the contents, either of the resolutions or the memorial agreed to at the present meeting, intended to cast the slightest censure on, or manifest the least dis trust of, the present Administration of Spain." — (Cheers.) There was also another resolution which he had to propose, relating to a point of official routine. It ought to be understood that, according to official etiquette, the Committee could not address the memorial directly to his Highness the Regent. It ought to be communicated to his Highness through his Minis ter of Finance, and it was necessary that a resolution should be passed, ordering the memorial to be trans mitted to his Highness in the proper manner, and through the regular channel. As Regent of Spain, he occupied the same situation with respect to his Mi nistry a nd t o hi s nat i on t h a t the Queen occupied in this country. H e man be r equested to address a letter to his Excellency would, therefore , p ro p ose that the Chair- Don Pedro Surra y Rull, the Spanis h M inister of Finance, thanki ng his Excellency for his exer tions on behalf of the Bondholders and pray ing him to elevate the memorial to the attention of his Highness the Regent. He used the word elevate because it was the Spanish phrase usually used on occa sions when communications were transmitted from an inferior to a superior. Mr. Tomarisox suggested that it might be more ad viseable to transmit the memorial through the Spanish Ambassador. Mr. WYI.UE thought that very shortly a change would take place at the Spanish Embassy. Indeed he believed that Senha Sancho, a liberal-minded man, and one who in former Parliaments had, long before Surra y Rull had become Minister, stood up with him to advocate the claims of the foreign Bondhold ers, had been already appointed to the Embassy in London. On his arrival it would be proper to enter into communication with him on the subject, but in the interim, as they had already had several communications with the Finance Minister on the subject, it would be better to continue to communicate with the Spanish Go vernment through the same channel. Mr. HADLow suggested that a copy of the resolutions and the memorial should be sent to the Spanish Embassy, and another be transmitted to the Finance Minister, so that if one should miscarry, the other might reach its destination. The resolutions were then put and carried unanimously. Mr. WYLLIE said there was one thing which ought .to be mentioned arising from the letter of M. Zulueta. M. Zulueta had stated the ground of his having given up his situation as Spanish Com missioner, and resigned the trust into the hands of M. Murietta. Now, he might mention, as one who knew the standing of that highly respectable Spanish house, that M. Murietta was a partner in the firm of Messrs. Solarte and Murietta, of No. 8, Old Jewry. Both partners were highly respectable and honourable men, and personally acquainted with Espartero and with the Spanish Prime Minister. They were men of capital and character, and although it was not possible anywhere to select a man of more rectitude and honour than M. Zulueta, yet M. Murietta was not inferior to him in those honourable qualities : and he possessed such in fluence amengst Spaniards and others, that if he exerted himself in the way he ought to do, and would do, he considered M. Murietta as able, by puttieg his shoulder spiritedly to the wheel, to give a very great impulse in deed to Spanish credit, and to hasten the day, which he hoped was not very distant, when the Spanish Active . Bonds would deserve their active character, and when the holders of them would receive their full dividends. He was quite certain that any gentleman who would read carefully the Third Report of the Committee, and enter into the figures, a great many of the m g i ven o ffi c i a ll y by the Spanish Committees of Estimates themselves, would feel with him, that if the present Government were properly supported, the day was not far distant when Spain would be in a position to pay the dividend upon her whole debt.—(Cheers.) The CHAIRMAN said he believed the business of the meeting was now brought to a close. Mr. TASKER proposed that the thanks of the meeting should be given to the Chairman, for his efforts to forward the interests of the Bondholders, and for his conduct in the Chair. Mr. WYLLIE seconded the motion, which was then put and carried unanimously. The CHAIRMAN begged to return his most cordial thanks for the honour which had been conferred upon him. He thought better prospects were dawning upon Spanish affairs, and he sincerely hoped that they would be rewarded for the pains which they had taken. They had done nothing more than call upon a nation to fulfil religious obligations ; and he was quite sure that if they knew their own interests they would not he sitate for a moment to do justice to the Bondholders. If his services could be available upon any occasion, they should always be at the disposal of the Gentlemen present.—(Cheers.) The meeting then separated. We were informed by Mr. Tasker that a very lengthy correspondence had recently taken place between him (Mr. Tasker) and the Spanish Minister, Surra y Hull, which was highly interesting to the holders of Spanish Bonds, and which can be inspected at the office of Mr. Thornton, 9, Old Swan Wharf, London-bridge. SPIRIT of the PUBLIC JOURNALS FROM THE EVENING PAPERS OF YESTERDAY. GLOBE. —There are times at which the shout arises (in the phrase of the proverb)— " The cow hath run adry ; let us go milk the bull." These are times of disappointed popular expectations--of discredited philosophical prin ciples. A disposition arises to impute exist ing evils to remedies which have never been tried, or at least, to impute impo tence to them, because they have proved barren of practice. The popular mind then vacillates between old-fashioned opiates, and the heroic prescriptions of quacks. What, by common con sent, is thrown overboard is sober science and common sense. The Laissez faire doctrines of Turgot and Adam Smith are suffering this dis credit. In France and England the political eco nomy founded in the last century is undergoing incessant attacks, partly from those who would restore what it exploded, and partly from those who say they would not do that, and do not say what they would do. They are looking out for a milch bull, and in the meanwhile clamour at the cow's dryness. They may too rashly presume on the lacteal temper of the desired taurine substitute; and we shall not be surprised if they bring the bull at last into the china-shop. For our part, we say—get the cow out of the pound —give her plenty of fodder—and then let us see. The question of Laissez faire, or Not Laissez faire, is one which cannot be answered by any general formula of intervention or non-intervention. Laissez faire, either to the fe wor the many, may be leave to do mischief. The phrase, how ever, is as good as another to express the very real distinction between those two classes of social speculators, one of whom regard individual liberty of action and competition as the most essential condition of future as it has been of past im provements, and the removal of unnecessary re strictions on that agency as the first remedy to be applied to the evils of our actual situa tion—the other of whom regard isolated action and unrestrained competitiop as a main source of social evils, and an anarchy calling for some new guidance. For our own part we are convinced that neither good governance nor free action can be well dispensed with; but we value the former as opening the widest range for the latter. The Laissez faire prin ciple, as it is held by its rational advocates, does not mean—Let some do that which shall hinder others from freedom in their doings. Land owners make laws which aim to concentrate the possession of landed property; to withdraw it from the natural alterations of time and commerce—to keep it in few and idle hands, and give it an artificial value. STAN DA RD.—The Opposition Journals make the most of the unfavourable prospects of the winter. This was to be expected, after the exhi bition of eager satisfaction with which every menacing appearance of the weather was wel comed during the summer and autumn. What ever use our antagonists may make of such a visita tation as is so joyfully anticipated, it is our duty not to allow their conduct to divert us from the right path. We must meet the calamity, if it come, with prudence and Christian humanity. As an argument, however, against any system of per manent legislation, such a calamity is good for. nothing —worse than good for nothing in the case of laws which cause a greater amount of food to be grown, not only in our own island, but upon the whole produce of Europe, than otherwise would be grown. The effect of such a law can only be to mitigate the ill effect of a bad harvest. We are told in a trium phant antithesis that the Corn-laws make food dearer and labour cheaper. This is true occa sionally, but it is the reverse of true on the ave rage of years; and it never was further from truth than at present. The Corn-laws temper the prices of food and of labour, and, like all modi fications of temperance, they ensure a progres sive improvement, by restraining occasional ex cesses, always followed by more than corres ponding failure. When we speak of a law, we speak of something of permanent and constant operation, and we must judge of its wisdom or folly, not by casualties, but by the tenor of its usual results. Now, the results of the Corn laws have undoubtedly been to lower the prices of food, and to raise the scale of wages, measuring the rate of wages by the scale which the means of subsistence afford. Accordingly we have seen that commerce, agriculture, and popu lation have made an unexampled advance under the more than 25 years of their operation. The accidental inconvenience, arising from a particular visitation, which is not, and cannot he, the effect of those laws—which is the effect of causes above human control—we repeat it, proves nothing. As well tell us, that the British Constitution is an evil, because it does not afford a perfect bar rier against national afflictions and the crimes of individuals. LLOYDS' SHIPPING. VESSELS SPOKEN WlTll.—Wotten, of Brixham, for Palermo, 17th ult., lat. 36, lon. 11 ; Ann, for Constan tinople, 3d inst., lat. 35, lon. 4, by the Alice, arrived in the River. A barque, No. 9,814 (Marryatt's old code, the William Ash), 13th inst. ; Whim, of Harwich, from St. Domingo, 16th, lat. 48, lon. 6, by the Denia, arrived in the River. Whim, St. Domingo to London, with loss of mate, and crew all sick, except the Master and one man, 11th inst. ; Sir Charles Napier, supposed from Liverpool to New South Wales, with loss of fore-topmast and jib-boom, 14th inst., 30 miles south of Scilly, by the Mischief, arrived at Liverpool. Mary, London to Cal cutta, sth Aug. ; Columbia, Liverpool to Sydney, Ist ult., by the Christian Agatha, arrived at Cowes. Sou venir, London to Quebec, 27th ult., off Cape Chat, by 'the Reaper, arrived at Poole. Adolphus Yates, for Civitta Vecchia, 16th inst., lat. 48, by the James Dunn, arrived at Falmouth. Cyrus, Thomson, 18th inst., lat. 48, lon. 6, by the Morgan, arrived- at Falmouth. Barque Magnet, of and for Hull, 13th ult., 30 miles south-west of Navarino, by the Saucy Jack, arrived in the Creek. Rosalind, London to Mazatlan, 16th Aug., off Cape Horn, by the Tuscan, arrived in the River. Elize, Bre men to Baltimore, ont 19 days, lat. 46, lon. 27, by the Diana, arrived in the Downs. The firm of Roughton and Co , at Lisbon, has stopped payment. The number of Exchequer Bills examined and returned to the holders as genuine, up to Friday evening last, was 31,134, and their value 18,769,900 LAW INTELLIGENCE. COURT OF CHANCERY, Nov. 22. The LORD CHANCELLOR was occupied the whole day with causes, none of which possessed any point of inte rest, except to the parties concerned. VICE CHANCELLORS' COURT, Nov. 22. The cases of Goodchild v. the Greenwich Railway Company, and Salisbury v. Morrice, occupied his Honour the Vice• Chancellor of England the whole day. The arguments in the latter case, which have already occu pied the Court several days, not being concluded, will be resumed to-morrow (this day). (Before Vice-Chancellor BRUCE.) (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) . - SMITH AND OTHERS V. SPENCER: ' Mr. SIMPKINSON and Mr. Ilrucoci appeared for the plaintiffs, and contended that if they were not entitled to an immediate decree in accordance with the prayer of the bill, they had at least made out such a case of suspicion of suppression of the alleged will as to form grounds of inquiry into that question before the Master, and cited several authorities to show that the Court had jurisdic tion in cases such as the present. His HONOUR was by no means satisfied as to the Court having jurisdiction in the present case. Mr. WILCOCK submitted that though destruction of the will, or spoliation by the defendant, was not proved by the plaintiffs, yet that where there was strong ground of suspicicion of such the Court had jurisdiction. Mr. COOPER, for the defendant, rested his claim on a subsequent will alleged to have been made by the testa trix in his favour, in January, 1837, by which all former wills were revoked, and the estate beqfleathed by her to the defendant. The merits of the defendant's case were so strong, that Counsel disclaimed any desire of availing himself of any technical objections that might exist as to the jurisdiction of the Court. His object would be to show what was the issue raised by the will ; what the issue tendered by the answer ; and what the evidence brought forward. His Hoxoura said, that the only question in the case, as it seemed to him, was, whether there was prima facie evidence of the possession and custody of the first will, so as to entitle the plaintiffs to an inquiry, or whether the bill should be dismissed. Any question, however, involved in the case could not in his opinion be affected by any evidence with respect to the will of 1837. Mr. COOPER then at some length addressed himself to the Court, to show that the plaintiffs had not made out grounds for an inquiry. Mr. PicHNER followed on the same side. His HONOUR, in giving judgment, said that the plain tiffs had not established a case of spoliation or suppres sion of the will:against the defendant, and the question was, whether the circumstances of thecase were not such as to call upon the Court to direct an inquiry into the matter. On that point his Honour had some hesitation; but after hearing all the arguments and evidence, he had come to the conclusion that the bill ought not to be dismissed. The first issue which he would suggest, therefore, would be —not an issue containing a proposition of fraud, as was the case in the issue of Barker and Ray, cited in the course of Counsel's argument, but simply an issue whether, by the will of 1835, duly executed and attested, so as to pass freehold estates, Mrs. Carter did devise her real estate in the manner alleged ; and supposing the Jury to find that a devise was made, he would pro pose an issue devisavit vel non upon the will of January, 1837, with the usual directions. Mr. COOPER observed, that his client was but an agent, and could not state positively whether the will of 1835 would be admitted, but was strongly inclined to think that it would. His HONOUR said, that in that case he would merely direct an issue devisavit vel non upon the will of 1837. Mr. COOPER then stated that by Thursday next he would be able to inform the Court whether the will of 1835 would be admitted, and that was accordingly fixed with his Honour's permission for mentioning the point. Several other causes were called on, but the parties not being ready, the Court rose at half-past two o'clock. COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH, Nov. 22. EX PARTE THE COMMISSIONERS OF SEWERS. In this case a rule for a certiorari had been obtained a few days ago by Mr. Hoggins to remove a presentment, and certain proceedings therein, made by the Commis sioners of Sewers for the Metropolitan districts, into that Court, for the purpose of traversing it. The SOLICITOR-GENERAL now moved a rule to show cause why the rule for the certiorari should not be quashed. His object in making the present motion was in order that the party might proceed in the regular course: It appeared that Mr. Jenkins was the proprietor of certain land at Paddington, and allowed cottages to be built thereon. An application was subsequently made to him to construct certain drains, which he had made accordingly, and which communicated with the public sewer. The Commissioners did not object to these drains ;_ they only required that they should be con structed in a certain way, so as not to operate preju dicially to the drainage of the district. That not having been done, they were removed, and again put up by Jen kins, but in such a way as to act as a nuisance. A pre sentment was accordingly made against Jenkins, and the Jury found the presentment, and fixed a fine of 250/. upon him. Now in all cases in which these presentments were removed by certiorari, for the purpose of being tra versed, it was ruled that the certiorari should not issue in the first instance, but only a rule nisi, and that notice should be previously given to the Commissioners, which had not been done. Under these circumstances he con tended that he was entitled to the rule prayed for. The COURT suggested that the Learned Counsel should communicate with Mr. Hoggins, who perhaps would be satisfied with a rule to show cause in the first instance. HEARNE V. STOWELL. In this case, which was an action for libel, brought by the plaintiff, a Roman Catholic clergyman, against the defendant, and in which a verdict was had for the plain tiff, a rule in arrest of judgment had been obtained, on the ground that the allegations in the matter charged as libellous could not be considered as such, and were not calculated to lower him in his profession of a clergyman. The SOLICITOR-GENERAL now appeared to show cause against the rule. He submitted that it was the duty of the Jury to decide what was libel and what was not, and they having decided that the matter charged was a libel, unless it could be shown that their verdict had been against the evidence, although that might have consti tu:ed a ground for a new trial, there was nothing upon which a motion in arrest of judgment could be made. The Judges were not to decide what was libel, because that was a question solely for the Jury, and had in the present case been found by them in the affirmative. He submitted that it was not necessary to refer to the trade or profession of a party in order to publish what might be considered libellous. It was enough if the matter was calculated to degrade or injure him in his character; and that certainly was the object of the libel in question. The question had been fairly left by the Judge to the Jury, and the Jury had found these facts: first, that the article was libelous; and, secondly, that it was intended to apply to the plaintiff, and there could be now no pre tence for arresting the judgment. Mr. HOGGINS and Mr. MURPHY followed on the same side. Mr. CRESSWELL, for the defendant, understood that the question to be argued before the Court was, whether there should not be a new trial, as it was arranged when the rule was moved for that, if it should be found that there was ground for an arrest of judgment, then there might be an application for a new trial on the ground of misdirection. He wished his Learned Friend would direct his attention to that point. The SOLICITOR-GENERAL then proceeded to address the Court upon the manner in which the question had been left by the Learned Judge, Mr. Baron Rolfe, to the Jury, and submitted that there had been no misdirection whatever. Mr. CaEsswELL contended that the verdict ought not to stand, because there was nothing to show that Mr. Hearne had ordered the penance which had been-made the subject of the libel, nor anything to show that it was contrary to his duty. Mr. Stowell's remarks were more directed as to the propriety of any further grant to the College of Maynooth, than to any imputation on the character of Mr. Hearne. He apprehended that it was the duty of a Judge at nisi prius to call the attention of the Jury to the questions upon the record. The ques tions which had been submitted to the Jury in the pre sent case were not i n issue at all—they formed no part of the record, and there could be no ground, therefore, for disturbing the verdict. The observations of Mr. Stowell were directed to the injurious tendency of the Roman Catholic religion generally, and not to the pri vate character or conduct of the plaintiff. There was no allegation that the penance had been ordered by Mr. Hearne, and he submitted, therefore, that the plaintiff had no good cause of action against the defendant; that the verdict ought to be set aside, or that at least the judgment ought to be arrested. Mr. WATSON followed on the same side. The COURT took him to consider its judgment. COURT OF COMMON PLEAS, Nov. 22. The Court was occupied the greater part of the day with a case of some interest, but in which the names of the parties have not transpired, although it has been several times before the Court. The circumstances were these :—The mother of an illegitimate female child, caused the latter to be brought up .by writ of habeas corpus some time ago, when the case was heard by consent in Chambers, before Mr. Baron Vaughan, when an arrangement, was come to, according to which the child was placed in a boarding-school, at the expense of the father, a man, we understand, of high rank in the army ; the mother to have free access to her. She was, however, since removed from the school and placed as an apprentice with a milliner, in Manchester. Mr. Sergeant LUDLOW on the part of the mother again obtained a writ of habeas, under which the infant was this day brought into Court by the milliner, and the Learned Sergeant moved for a rule to order her restora- tion to the mother. He referred to several cases, the principal of which were the King v. Hop kins and White (2d East), and the King in the case of the Hottentot Venus, to show that the Court had no option but to order the child to be rendered up to the mother, who was in law her only parent. This view was strengthened by that enactment in the New Poor law Bill, by which a man who married the mother of illegitimate children, was liable to the parish for their support—the putative father being in no degree recog nised as having either authority or responsibility. Mr. Sergeant ATCRERLY submitted that as the child was perfectly contented to remain where sheeli capable ble an o d f was unwilling to go to the mother, being well judging what was the more to her advantage, their Lordships would not i interfere —above all, would not compel the child against her will to forego the provision which her father was willing and able to make for her. Mr.• Sergeant LUDLOW said that the mother was in good circumstances and perfectly able to maintain the child Their LORDSHIPS having consulted for a long time, The LORD CHIEF JUSTICE said it was painful to the Court to be compelled to decide in such a case, in which it would be far the best for the feelings of all, and for the interest of the little girl, that the parties EVENING SUN .1•••••••••••=............- . ----.. '•- • .. L. t . ... ishould come to an amicable arrangement areoeg:st re selves. If the infant were of tender years, were under seven years of age, the Court wouldurtTeeee option. If on the other hand she had Pass ed °ble of th a t is,sit_stilio f years of age, the law would consider her eall 3 f h e t Judging for herself, and free from the control o ~, mother. But she was in neither of those staterei was between eleven and twelve years of If; defined to be "Etas pubertati proxima,' when thel lelli is to be considered capable of reasoning, but notyet '',„, e a out of parental control. Their Lordships, therefore, or,l.s_uort, which the.so6l that she should be produced on the floor of the Li g and given up to the mother, but that no force sh c ri o to used to compel her to go away with the parity who9s prevent her from returning with the person n charge she had com 311 T e. hea sbe The child was accordingly brought forward, ,ot cried bitterly, and begged that she sho uld not nied/ with her mother. She wished to go bac k with to' her father left her with. rfee ti l, The LORD CHIEF JUSTICE said, --You are ,ie ths, free. The Court will protect you. Officers , s ee 4 no force be used. c •evect fr The mother then burst into a torrent 0 , r, Sol against the father, his attorney, and the millirollett her Welsh accent was so broad, that we could st P o little of what she said, but it seemed to give gre to the little child, who wept passionately. COURT OF EXCHEQUEAS °t; ' 22. ore) (Sittings at Guildhall before Mr. Baron ALDEas DALTON V. DROUET. the This was an action for damages, brought b y - hen 111 tiff for injuries alleged to have been sustained II consequence of the negligence of the defendant. col Mr. PLATT (with whom was Mr. 1-111111phreY) a q....0 8 for the plaintiff, and stated his case as follos . i is, t ile plaintiff was clerk in the employment of Mr. l3 ? o f o°' solicitor in the present action, and, OR the I. l t d " , n od tober, went in a gig, accompanied by a M en 01 1,6 Edward Storer, who carried on business as a she s ele y'i to Maldon, in Surrey, for the purpose of enjOY in g, thei shooting. After they returned from their srel;.,tet, dined at an hotel, and drank one glass of brandy an" O ,ISt when they proceeded towards town, and had e 0 , 111 , e t bete at 'Clapham Rise—an omnibus at the time precedr: T a ct• when the defendant, who was master of t the' ing , , workhouse, and also the infant school . 0 e t , came suddenly from beside the omnibus in 5 ,, g : ° 511 0 rapid pace, and struck the plaintiff's vehicle, t'sjobecl of which, with the body of the gig, were „s e3 ao ,1 19 , 1 ; pieces, and the horse thrown violently to tf e : 0 110 6 1 Some persons present at the moment of tiii l ie s tgt„ tried to hold the horse, but were unable, an d e gri * off at a furious pace, dragging the hr" eti n so c ll ';, l ' i. after him, and was heard no more of for A '' f i lly A l," ' when he was discovered near Maldon, drew"b;linh jured, and the gig so much damaged as not t° 3 , 00,, t ' e j 4/. At the time of the accident the plaintiff obliPe left-hand side of the road, which custom 11 , 3 , 3 ,, e 0 5 f0e°, 5 i; as the proper one, and within three feet of Lew ic , to • 10 Upon the horse falling the plaintiff was ti l 0' whj e ground, and rather severely bruised about the t e ;ied e his companion, although also thrown out, sits toe° injury. The damages were laid at 401. s uite . i i, Witnesses were called in proof of these a t isti when the Jury returned a verdict for th e j damages, 35/. POLICE INTELLIGI • , • g tio s ItIAIV SION-HOUSE. "005 ,11 „, e 14, Jose Joaquim Gonsalvo Basto, whose fits",, - ,flss t '',,' it was published in the papers at the beginninb - n rise ne lned was brought up for re-examination. Tb e ,„ l " o ohLte, will be recollected, was charged with 115 ,"",r5. ' 7 e, 0 , wine warrants from the house of 3l es t - c hea' ti dter and Co., wine merchants, of No. 36, Cr. t tl i, - col' , 4 the under false pretences ; and the Lord -', i .',;alle", t tb• having heard part of the evidence, refuse" ' n f two ; itli prisoner te,be at large without the security ; e t,lierW,l stantial bail to the amount of 500/. each , _ wa n t of 1 ' the the prisoner's own recognizances to the anwtlausiehet Several commercial gentlemen were prese nt ta d Y investigation, which took place before the - )e , and Alderman Gibbs. as fel f „is Mr. Clarkson was engaged for the defenc e ', f0 i ,,1 Humphrey for the prosecution. After se,,.ets9 evidence had been taken, the prisoner w e i, s O/0 till Friday, with an intimation that he would i end ' to bail on finding security himself in 1,000 sureties in 5001. each. it' CROYDON POLICE. „all Fe r A man named Joseph Hudson was sil' lnn° Trie P r° police for being asleep in his cart, and not ta-, i 51, care of his horse and vehicle upon the public . " 5 : 0 ori 0 , The defendant did not appear, but sent h is Afte r , i o written defence of a very singular mitting the offence, the defendant 'attemeted r his II si it by describing the extraordinary qualities 01 f t i l ea l `o, as follows :—" The horse is blind, and °ne n ° ,, the f • ° t 11 character. to poor? singularest animals that ever was known g i ° - and fete He is used to go behind waggons for rau es „, goo `SIIII seldom or ever he hits his head, exc ept the w;ta ec i A ti o t him stops sudden. When the van is light 1 0 the thl roads good, the horse is used to be drove hY_ t he ° f ; sitting on the seat, and the reins buckled up . I .u ere is ~,j of the van, and by the horse being a mile ataeefv, call to take hold of the reins for has been admired and taken notice of bY severalasif „ blind lb tide PI, carriage.. ‘ e 0e r, to pass waggons, carts, and „; t , as it n , ll f could see, and turn into the road 11 . g.- „, t e ach 'd i 0' sensible as to know that the wheels wa s p ,'" ' n the ''' 0 0 and that they could not get contacked. Ot t ate October the horse went from Streatham -g. - ii the n , coffee-house at Croydon by himself, and s t°PP o e tv 11 .,,i0 of his own accord, and passed upward,: of t''',,eo, cot, 0 guns and carts in the distance. Another 1 , J 11 ,7 ty:it e 'd is, that the horse always stops at a turnr' - h .' ' 6 ,53 though he knew the toll must paid b e fore, L e if ` l * through. I will bet any gentleman 10/. t ( - 1 i ' 1 . 04, °i l ia horse draws the van he is used to, or a liq, b ' d e ur sf , t v 0 road he was never on before, that he shall , 0 " al s ' n 'tle' three yards of the toll-gates let there be ,' li v g e ",ith there will, for any thirty miles on any roc " ruin' soi,! man shall point out. Thursday last a Per se n fl e-P le ,oe• me a few rods before getting to God' t° t til i e ut c' ba t , I wonder if the old . horse will st, ° lo: s ‘ , 5- 0 li I sail I did not know as the 0 ; 4 1 0 t h in, a ll % when he got up to it, he stopped t.," s toP P', - ; hor s „ - the gate, without a word being said 1 ,„,t s uch the vs' made the remark to the toll-keeper " - s ) eive s h 'welc P was never known before. When Ig° w t hroug - ,,p V ille is most times empty ; and after I ge t ~ till to hors e Cross-gate, I lay . down and take my re the e ' 0 r e ' gets to the Sheffield Arms-gate, whe re t wo bee bede r stops suddenly, and wakes me ; and it will =V gl ij marked by many that Hudson's old horse with ico n tY without driving than some horses will do, ogle . a poc when I heard that the police had tako lt ; c oid i h d ;ll l ,', 4 cart, on account of the boy being asleeP , •:f the 7 0 t P'" expect they would do much in it ; for , 1 . els no t not got hold of the reins, I knew the I ° 4) c l - its re ' l ' l, out of his place." After some farther s tat j•: L ' l ll°rs t e' d e° ing the wonderful sagacity of " his old b-I l tri tes -e solicitor concluded by requesting the gag' s th e IV leniently with him. , e cl by e OP o The Magistrates, who were highly arn ti- re lian e d i els e cument, said they could not the statements that had been made in it ; btlp lioro - 0 0 , place implicit if 1 , , e te . chose to risk his own life, by allowing 11 , 1) ,010, 0 II draw him so many miles, the safety of tue Pub . 0 0 ' not be endangered ; and, as he had not aft e f r esh saver the charge personally, they directed 5 0 , Of mons to be issued. ~..............,.......,....ese _; c tilitt ) tr , 11 5 '" $' A deputation from Kensington , r eO pelotSfr Mr. Saintsbury, Chairman • the Rev. 31r • ill k.. 11 '" Hawkes, Mr. Hanson, Mr. 'Davies, 3fr.llYl!3e-iy wirg,te' Clerk), and Mr. Bird, had a long int i er ni,ol e roei James Graham at the Home-office yester", ll -4 ta7,' pl' lating to the recent discontinuance of light en ed The benefits of the Irish Municir 3l r ioai,:til l e j are already apparent in Dublin in '_,' s ".ays'aii ll i amongst others, Catholics, who have been zO lt ios e to , f to the freedom of that city, but whom tit e r, it, o , Of , ij Orange corposators would never suffer to at o r P' fo ev i4 freely admitted, on producing the necessli:4se, lice their claims. This will, more than anythini ii 15 a re pre the representation from the Tories. Indee ri a'cao ' , it felt that this is the last time an anti-Labe- 1 0/ 0 sent the city of Dublin. ital . tli The construction of Oldham Branch a e -:„of proceeding with such unremitting energy gli ter tici A ll-055 it is probable the line, by extraordinary e ,„ - or ' be partially opened in the course of J u l ' 1842. iiS Liverpool Chronicle. ll° Co 'to / ' _----- „ SILVER-PLATED CORNER „b, S t ', 4l ;tible( T. COX SAVORY, Manufacturing Silverso” t oe ii O r 'ft hill, London (Seven doors from Graceehercirs piste,ieSis the prices of the following patterns of stro n g sliver .' Dishes, with silver handles and edges, an d s. 0 ° engraving the crest er coat of arms:— 0 i 0 0 The Gadroon Pattern. ,Four Stiongly Plated Corner Dishesand C ° a nd 19 I ° Four Extra Strongly Plated Corner Dishe s - " Covers The Flower Pattern. , ei d 15 - t t i st Four Extra Strongly Plated Career Dishes so to ............... .. to Covers ....................... : ................ ..• jiest N.B. The covers are made with moveable Wife' they form extra dishes. Drawings of the st v : i any part of Great Britain or Ireland, postage '''' . 0' _______ 7/ 10 BIRTHS. np di t bil / On the 20th inst. at the P 'ell near ` *-1- ng' i.df f 'all° E. Lloyd Edwards, ' Es of dau l hter. , e u --- ° JO4 OI On the 29th inst., alt"ClaLploung.Coranmn, th r sel Humphery, Esq., M.P ,of a son. IP" A On the 21st inst., at . Grove-1.0.2.d, St. John% ,0 4 the wife of Mr. H. A. Viles, of a son. genr ietts .cd On the 22d inst., Mrs. Robert Few, of ftl"" Covent-garden, of a son. ___ Aff ., On the 22d inst at Clapham Common, Turner, of a son. .' , lel, MARRIED. • e r ft 0 gel , del' 40, On the 17th inst., at the Town Church, St., ,„ I..er L0 t1 0 ,,, William Henry Kerr, Esq., fourth son of the 'a : 0 1 4 Of ~, f" Beauchamp &err, and grandson of the fifthgarg, r,pm ~ s i, to Maria, youngest daughter of the late Riella r ' oi llt-,it of the county of Cork. coo' a T hr On the 22d inst., at St. George's Churt,e ore ~, , Hanley, Esq., to Harriet, daughter of the 1 1 ides to;, Perkins, Esq., of Cadogsn-place Chelsea• , Mau ! et Sit i o On the 22d inst., at Marylebone Churen , . 0 Hort, tier Surrel , ; w ink' of John Thornton, Esq., of Clapham, youngest daughter of the late Right Re . " ; 0 0 Bishop of Calcutta. On the 4th of Septembenr, l a ß t liciarlestow 0010:eir:i;r4,1 Rev. Guy I. Pinching, aged 30. . c o ons ( .0 On the 6th inst., at Brussels, R. Crosbiet _ wi f e 0 On the 2d inst., at Malta, Elizabeth, tne - . i vj elr e i Gingell, Ess.,•of the Maltese Bank. Esther WI v i s r On the Bth inst., at Southampton, cra psne r ' „ o p , youngest daughter of the late Rev. 11 . - pici , din e 0' Mit c h a m, Surrey, aged 17. ~ s jar ,r On the 12th inst., at Bruisells, Jame ~, Esq., son of Colonel Dickson, aged 33. 0 . l'lll' 0 ivrar l mi lLAh tsor., , , , akc jo h i st., at Chace Parsonag:7-et3.10',:x,,,.adi On the 17th inst., at Seven Oaks, Mrs. - • '''___.- p:ti - y 0 p i ° St ° London: Printed and Published by AI " RP .., i o, 04 1 ' No. 112, Strand, at The Sue Office, i ' jo ' ber Ot the County of Middlesex, Tuesday, Div"