The Sun. — London, England, 1849-06-30 00:00:00

IMPERIAL P A.RLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS, June 29. Their Lordships met at Five o'clock. 0 ‘THS BILL. The Earl of WICKLOW said—l rise to exercise a privilege that is the right of every Member of this House. I now lay on the table a Bill to alter the oaths to be taken by all persons required to take the oaths of allegiance, abjuration, and supremacy, which I now move be read a first time. The Bill was read a first time accordingly. VANCOUVER'S ISL &ND. _ _ _ Earl GREY moved the second read i ng of the Ad ministration of Justice (Vancouver's Island) Bill. The 1 colonization of Vancouver's Island was intended to take place by the Hudson's Bay Company. No political power was conferred on that company, but grants of land had been made to them, as had been made in former times to other colonizing companies, but under much greater restrictions. The company were bound to provide for the defence of the island. They were also bound to sell lands, and to expend the receipts in the colonization and improvement of Vancouver's Island. The Govern ment was entrusted to a governor appointed by the Crown. The present Governor had been recommended by the Hudson's Bay Company, but he believed he was well qualified for the office. No body possessing the power of taxation was to be established in the first in stance, but the Governor had power of creating a legislative body, and the Bill also enacted that persons accused of crimes should be tried in Van couver's Island, and not in Canada, as was the case with persons accused of crimes in other parts of the territories of the Hudson's Bay Company. If Vancouver's Island were not speedily colonized, it would be occu. pied by squatters. The Government could not incur the expense of immediately colonizing the island, therefore it must be colonized either by private individuals or by the Hudson's Bay Company. It was hopeless to attempt to colonize by private enter prise, but the Hudson's Bay Company had the means of colonizing it. They were c,nnected with Pugets Island Company, and they had already a small settlement in Vancouver's Island. Whether it would be profitable to them or not he was not aware. Many of the shareholders were opposed to it, but whatever might be the result, as regarded the company, it was the interest of this country that the settlement should be effected as speedily as possible, and that could be best effected by the interven tion of the Hudson's Bay Company. Lord MONTE AGLE would not oppose a Bill for the better administration of justice, if it was confined to that merely ; but with regard to the colonization of Vancouver's Island, he believed it was very imperfectly conducted. It was a principle of colonization that nothing could be more wrong than to make grants of large blocks of land to individuals, or companies, and thus depriv ing the Crown of its power. No one had more upheld this doctrine than the present Secretary far the Colonies. The importance of Vancouver's Island had been universally admitted, and never had its importance been more insisted on than at the time of the Oregon treaty. The importance of that island had been since greatly in creased. It contained the only large supply of coal in that part of the world. There had been large settle ments of American citizens in that neighbourhood in consequence of the discovery of gold in California. Now a grant of the whole of this island had been made to one company. When Prince Edward's Island was granted, not to one company - , but to five or six individuals, no one had commented more severely on that grant than his Noble Friend. But here was a grant of a whole island to a trading company, whose pur suits of the fur trade incapacitated them for the administration of the new functions which de. volved on them as colonizers. If ever there was a company that had shown itself incapable or unwilling to perform the duties of colonizers it was the Hudson's Bay Company. This company was originally founded by charter in the time of Charles 11., the grants of which were so extravagant that there could be no doubt that portions of it were void. In the time of William 111. a Bill was passed conferring the charter for seven years, and on their application for a renewal, the Bill was thrown out. Here was an admission that without a confirmatory law the charter was unavailing; that confirmatory Bill had never passed, and therefore there were good grounds for doubting of the validity of the charter as a whole. The charter was therefore at best questionable, and ought not to be lightly dealt with. There was a standing order that no Bill for con firming the charter should pass into a law without setting forth the charter in the recital, and, therefore, if they passed this Bill without rais ing an objection they would be estopped for the future. He contended that it was inconsistent with the public welfare to make a grant of this island to a company. least of all should they make it to a company such as the Hud son's Bay Company. It would have been wiser—ay, and more constitutional too —for the Colonial Govern ment to have brought the extent of those powers, before they were granted, under the notice of Parliament—es pecially as they were intended to transfer the jurisdic tion and government of Vancouver's Island from the Crown to the Hudson's Bay Company. He had been informed that the land in Vancouver's Island was to be sold at a restricting pric- of 20s. an acre. On the oppo- site of the sound in which that island was situate, he was informed that the American Government was selling land equally fertile at ss. 3i. an acre. Now, how could their Lordships expect to find purchasers so absurd as to give 20s. an acre for land when in the same vicinity they could get land equally fertile for a fourth of that sum? Besides, how was that land to be granted? Up to the present time all the grants of the Hudson's Bay Company hai b en acc.lmpanied with terms of such degrading c.d exasperating slavery that no capitalist had ever submitted to take them. That was one among many reasons why the Hudson's Bay Company should not be intrusted sith the business of coloniza tion. Moreover that coavany was a great monopolist. . _ Their Lordships wtn doubtless im that they were establishing; a free colony and free institutions in Vancouver's Isl And, But if there were any settler whom the Hudson's Bay COmpany wished drive from that island they had a very easy and, with them, a very well known system, of driving him from the set tlement. They were an exclusively trading company. None but their vessels could carry freight to their settle ments; and thus, by making all commerce on his part impracticable and by charging him with rates for freight which deprived him of all chance of obtaining any remuneration for his industry, they could drive him as certainly from their dominions as if they were em powered to banish him by sentence of law. This was a grave charge, but it was capable of proof, for it sea.; only the process of expulsion which they bad carried into execution on the banks of the Red River and else where. But it was said that precautions had been taken to prevent the injurious consequences of such a system of persecution, for the grant of the island was void in case they did not settle it within five years. But if a single family was settled on the island within that time the condition of the grant was fulfilled, and there would be no legal power to reverse it. Again, it was impos sible to laok at the present condition of North and South America without seeing that, in a few years the world must have a passage across the isthmus of Darien. When that passage was completed Vancouver's Islaud would become a coeamerciel position of great import ance; and yet that position the British Government was now going to sacrifice and destroy, and for the sake of an exclusively commercial and monopolizing com pany. The Earl of SELKIRK rose for the purpose of repel ling imputations which had been unjustly cast by the last speaker on the Hudson's Bay Company, of which he had the honour to be a director, and of noticing some graver imputations which had been cast upon it elsewhere, but which he would not formally answer on this occasion. The Nob:e Lord had confined his observations to two topics—first, the incompatibility of colonization with the pursuit and management of the fur trade, and secondly, the legality, not of the charter for Vancouver's Island, but of the original charter for the Hudson's Bay Corn pany. He took the latter subject first, and after vindi cating at some length the validity of the charter granted by Charles 11. to the Hudson's Bay Company, proceeded to refute the argument that because that company was a fur trading company, it was inconsistent with its interests to encourage colonization—in other words, that it would discourage the sett:ensent of Vancouver's Island from a wish to preserve the wild animals in its interior. Now, the land in the centre of that island was said to be ex ceedingly fertile; and it was a well-known fact that whereeer the land was eufficiently rich and fertile to be favourable to the growth of corn and vegetables, the fur bearing animals either did not exist, or their fur was little of value. The best furs were derived from the most inhos pitable climates, and therefore, as a fur-trading station, Vancouver's Island was not of great value to !the company. The Noble Lord had attacked the company, and had stated that they were incapable of conducting colon.zeti-n, because they had never carried it on in re regions of sterility where colonies could not exist. In the countries granted to them by their charter iim o cornnt h s would not grow, becaus e those countrun of winter, and had a climate most inhospitable. e l , could the Hudson's Bay Company, or any other com pany, colonise there, where the foo d of man could not grow? In the only district within their charter where corn would grow they had planted a settlement, and that settlement was not in an unfl nirishing condition. The Noble Lord had also ventured to assert that the Hud• son's Bay Company was unwilling to colonies This, too, he (Lord Selkirk) denied. To encourage the set tlement on the Red River, they had gone to the expense of conveying vessels to that coast for the purpose of fill ing up cargoes; but when you had got the cargoes the vessels were sometimes detained by the severity of the weather at the York settlement for a whole year before they could get an oppor tunity for sailing. He then proceeded to contend that there was no unwillingness on the part of the company to colonize. It was essential to its interests that it should have on the western coast of America a place on which it could set its feet—in which it could stock its cattle and could grow its corn, and from which it could supply its ports on the continent of British Ame rica and also in the grounds leased to it by the Russian Fur Company—for the whole western coast of America in those latitudes was absolutely barren. This was the reason why the Hudson's Bay Company wished to get Vancouver's Island, of which the centre was yet unex plored, and of which the fertility was, he believed, ex aggerated. The company had therefore undertaken the expense of exploring and colonising it. If it were as fertile as was represented, and were left to remain waste, it would soon be overrun by a multitude of squatters. Now, the Hudson's Bay Company was bound by its recent charter to keep the island free from squatters; and, if it did not perform that obligation, Government would have the power of res un Lord, B grant at the expiration of five years. T he Noble having stated that the price of land in Vancouver's Island was 20s. an acre, and on the opposite side of the sound was infinitely lower, had asked whether it was possible that it should ever be settled? Now, he was not aware that the American Government bad located any land there; and until it was located and placed tinder acme kind of regular Goverment, it Taw in3P°lsli7 ble for any person to acquire a legal title to any land which he might purchase there. There had been strong accusations brought against the Hudson's Bay Company both in print and in speeches, which professed to be re ports of what had taken place elsewhere. Those accu sations charged the Hudson's Bay Company with pro ceedings of great violence and irregularity, and of down right illegality. Every circumstance contained in those accusations he could deny from his own knowledge, both on account of himself and of the company. Lord BROUGHAM said that as reference had been made in the debate to an opinion of his, he felt bound to address a few words to the House. Lord CAMPBELL—There is no reference to it in the Bill. Lord BROUGHAM said there were many things in a debate which were not to be found in a Bill.—(A laugh.) The validity of the charter had been very fully consi dered before the opinion to which allusion had been made had been given. That opinion was given by Sir Arthur Pigott, Mr. Sergeant Spankie, and himself, after great consideration ; but they had what was better than any opinion—they had the Act of Parliament, the 2d of William and Mary, which said in the preamble that the charter was to go on only for seven years. He had a great respect for the opinion of Sir S. Romilly and Mr. John Bell, but he must say that if he was to have an opinion upon a point which was not one of equity, not one of Chancery practice (and both Sir Samuel R and Mr. Bell were Chancery barristers), but one of mere common law practice, he would not take the opinion of Sir Samuel Romilly and Mr. Bell against that of Sir Arthur Pigott and Mr. Sergeant Spankie, and ho would say turther, with respect to the opinions of all lawyers, whether of Chancery or the Queen's Bench or the Com mon Pleas, including his Noble and Learned Friend op posite (Lord Campbell), if they said the charter was legal he would not care a rush fur their opinions, because he found by the Act of Parliament that that opinion c ould not be right.—(Hear, hear.) It was monstrous to say that a charter from the Crown could authorise a company to subject persons to pains and penalties, to seize upon their goods and ships, and to seize all inter lopers upon the sod. He would not believe that if it was Stated by all the lawyers and all the coarts in Eng land; but he did not believe that Sir Samuel Romilly or Mr. Bell had ever said any such thing—they might have said that some parts of the charter were legal, but he was sure they never said the whole was so.—(Hear.) The Earl of ABERDEEN—I am not at all disposed to find fault with the arrangement made by the Noble Earl for the settlement and colonization of Vancouver's Island. The great object of that arrangement is the satisfactory colonization of the island.—(Hear, hear.) Viy persuasion is that, except by some such mode as that adopted by the Noble Earl, that colonization would never have taken place.—(" Hear, hear," from Earl Grey.) I believe the Hudson's Bay Curapan/, under the restrictions imposed upon them by the Noble Earl, and under the conditions on which they are to occupy the island, will be able to effect that colonization, and that the public will have that interest in the settlement of the island which it is desirable to secure. The Hud son's Bay Company, having so vast an extent of terri tory, had fur some time past made it a great object to hold possession of cultivated lands; and farms were established in that district which has since beau ceded to the United States. They are no longer in posses sion of that territory ; and if Vancouver's Island afforded them cultivated grounds, which, under the circumstances, were much more valuable than hunting grounds—(" Hear, hear," from Earl Grey) they would have the means of facilitating the colonization desired. I always considered this posses sion as one of very great importance—(Hear, hear) — and one which it was for the interest of the Government and the country to manage in the best manner possible. Indeed, I have perhaps more reason to have its impor tance impressed on my mind than most of your Lord ships, because in the whole period of my official life it is the only subject which ever gave me a moment's uneasi ness with respect to its possible effect on the peace of the country. The question between the United States and this country lay within very narrow limits; it was, whe ther the boundary of the 49th degree of latitude should stop at the continent or be carried through Vancouver's Island to the ocean. Had it been carried beyond the continent, it would have deprived us of the southern part of Vancouver's bland, and we should have lost the ports which will there afford facilities for commerce. I mention this to show that it was a subject the import• ance of which formerly occupied my thoughts very much; and I am happy to have the opportunity now of bearing my testimony that the conditions under which the arrangement with the Hudson's Bay Company has been made will, as I believe, give full effect to the ad vantageous possession of Vancouver's Island. Lor WHARNCLIFFE, while he fully acknow ledged what the Noble Earl had done to secure the territory of Vancouver's Island to the British empire, must be allowed to express his dissent from the conclu sion at which the Government had arrived with reference to the arrangement with the Hudson's Bay Company. He would not indeed go the length which others had shown themselves willing to go in regarding as proved the complaints made against that company, and in im puting to them gross and extensive misconduct. But the question now at issue was simply whether the Noble Ewe, iu providing for the colonization of Vancouver's Island, hod taken the proper course, and whether he had promoted the interest of this country in handing over the territory of that island to the Hudson's Bay Company —that company being endowed with very doubtful powers under their charter, and being engaged in pursuits and associated fur objects which were foreign to the pur poses of colonization. The Noble Lord then referred to the correspondence which had passed between Sir J.Petly, Governor of the Hudson's Bay Company, and her Majesty's Government, ShOveluig, tkva original sysplicatid.ion, e ar to have the company confirms d in the possession of cer • tain lands at the southern point of Vancouver's Island, , where they had formed a settlement. When the position of the Hudson's Bay Company, independently of their peculiar pursuit;, was kept in view, the question stili re mained whether they were fit persons to carry out that colonization. "I hey were now suddenly called upon, without any special reason for presuming fitness on their part, no reason being traceable in the papers, to engage in other than their ordinary operations and devote their attention to a fertile district. A country which was va luable on amount of its minerals was to be handed over to a fur-trading company. That company had further shown itself in no way qualified to carry out the culti vation or colonization of Vancouver's Island. The real motive which had induced the Hudson's Bey Company to embark in this undertaking was most probably one which was by no means unnatural on their part, though the public interest was not involved in it,—namely. the d sire to complete and consolidate that great monopoly which they had so long held. The Duke of BUCCLEUCH was understood to state that he could not concur with those who argued on the possibility of coloniz ng on the north-western coast of America. That district was described as barren and in capable of cultivation, as a dreary and miserable waste. It was only necessary to read the accounts which had appeared of the difficulties encountered by the servants of the Hudson's Bsy Company, of the straits to which they were often reduced, and the starvation to which they were often exposed, of the dependence in which they were placed on supplies from the south, whence they had to obtain buffaloes for food, as well as vegetables and grain—it was only necessary to bear in mind these cir cumstances to be satisfied that the sterility of the country was hopeless, and that no improvement of climate could be anticipated which would facilitate cultivation. The colonization, so far as it went, which had been carried out under the auspices of the Hudson's Bay Company, had been a successful colonization; and the spirit in which they were disposed to act appeared from the course they had taken with reference to the appointment of a bishop to be stationed at the Red River settlement, whose diocese extended over Ru pert's Land. With respect to Vancouver's Island, it appeared to him that if a colony was to be established there, the Hudson's Bay Company, having a regular system established in a country which was so difficult of access, were likely to ineuce persons to settle more readily through their instrumentality than by any other means. It showed that they had some turn for the cul tivation of the land, that they had, as he understood, very considerable and flourishing farms on the Columbia River, within the territory which had been ceded to the Matted States. He had risen because it appeared to be supposed that they could deal with those parts of British America to which allusion had been made as they could with Australia, and because it seemed as if it were in - ferred, from those d'stricts lying to the west and on the sea coast, that the climate must therefore be warm and genial, and the soil fertile, whereas it was notorieus that the climate and soil were of a character directly the reverse. Earl GREY replied—lt was extremely satisfactory to him that the Noble Earl, to whom the country was so much indebted for the pacific possession of Vancouver's Island, approved of the arrangement which had been adopted by her Majesty's Government. Although ex ception had been taken to that arrangement, no Noble `Lord had been able to point out any other means what hear.' which thein object could be carried out.—(Hear,what hear.') "ea..pal objection of the Noble Lord on the cross-benghpcowi r e d y. li f onteagle) was founded on a Hudson's Bay Company taj t, t i e_r did not extend to doubt as to the under their charter. But tit Vancouver's Island ; and the Grey) had assumed that the company e r wa ( s E t a h rl e ordinary power of suing an p d ol o it f ic b a e l in r g igh su ts i n vernment had conferred no pany, but had merely confirmed them in the possessio n of Vancouver's Island. In the the case of South Aus tralia very extensive political powers were given; but in the course of a few years it was found necessary to repeal the Act which established that anomalous sys tem and conferred such monstrous powers. But in the present instance no political pow+ rs were given ; the administration would be carried on like that of other British colonies. The only thing conferred on the Hud son's Bay Company was the property of the soil, in ac cordance with the precedents set in the case of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and other colonies. They were compelled to sell the land and expend the money so ob tained, after a moderate deduction for necessary outlay and risk, on the cultivation and improvement of the soil. —(Hear, hear.) The Noble Lord (Lord Monteagle) said it was absurd to offer land for 20s. an acre, when it could be had far cheaper in the United States. But he believed the Noble Lord was mistaken in his views as to the ab surdity of the contract, fur it would be found, in his (Lord Grey's) opinion, much cheaper to pay 20s. an acre where the purchase-money would be nearly all applied to the improvement of the land, than to pay nothing for land where nothing was done for it.—(Hear, hear.) For example, in West Australia, where land had been given to the settlers fur nothing, the bargain had been ruin owe In South Australia, on the contrary, it had been sold for 81. an acre, and the settlers had had to con gratulate themselves on their success.—(Hear, hear.) In the same way the Hudson's Bay Company would find, notwithstanding the competition from the United States, not a numerous but still a fair supply of settlers, unless the discovery of California and its produce should lead thew aw e s itZ that direction, as the kT9blo Aord (L9r4 Monteagle) suggested. The company had already sent • out a ship with a number of coal miners, and in three- weeks another vessel would be dispatched with similar passenger-3. He was persuaded the public was deeply indebted to the company for taking on themselves the whole risk and expense of settling an island which other wise would have remained a mere waste, not in any way 'ministering to the wants of man. Of what were the Crown, the public, or the nation deprived by the grant of Vancouver's Island, or of what value was it to them if left to lie bare in its present state? If there were other parties desirous of settling in these regions, and if the Noble Lord could form a company, and find the neces sary capital, he could assure him the Crown possessed sufficient land to cultivate—for instance, Queen Char lotte's Island, in the immediate vicinity of, and as richly endowed as Vancouver's Island, and he would not hesi , . tate to advise her Majesty to make a grant of it to the Noble Lord on similar terms.—(A. laugh.) The Bill was then read a second time. The County Cess (Ireland) Bill having passed a third reading, their Lordships adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS, June 29. The SPEAKER took the Chair at Four o'clock. LORDS' AMENDMENTS. The Lords' amendments to the following Billa were considered and agreed to:— East Anglian Railways (Ely and Huntingdon Railway Extension of Time) Bill. York, Newcastle, and Berwick Railway (Barmoor and Alnmouth New Branches, &c.) Bill. THIRD READINGS. The following Bibs were read a third time and passed : Great NortLern Railway (Amendment of Acts, De viations and Enlargements at and near Boston, Bentley, Lincoln, and King's Cross) Bill. Holm° Reservoirs (Increase of Rates and Amendment of Act—No. 2) Bill. Stirling and Dunfermline Railway (Deviation of Branch to Alloa Harbour; Diversion of certain Works; Extension of Time for completing Line and taking Land; and Amendment of Acts) Bill. REPORTS. The following reports were considered and agreed to:— Eastern Union and Eastern Counties Railway Com panies (Amendment of Acts, and Power to, Lease, Sell, or Amalgamate to or with the Eastern Counties Railway Company) Bill. Norfolk Estuary (Amendment of Acts and Powers of Contribution by the Eau Brink Commissioners of Drainage, and by the Corporation of King's Lynn) Bill. PETITIONS. Mr. BARNARD presented a petition from Greenwich in favour of the People's Charter. Mr. LACY presented a petition against the ,Mar riage Bill. Lord DUDLEY STUATIM presented a petition from a person who described himself as an author, stating that the Palace Court was altogether illegal, and praying that a commission might be appointed to inquire into the authority by which it exercised its jurisdiction. Lord CHARLES MANNERS presented a petition from Ashby praying for protection to British industry. General E VANS presented a petition in favour of pro tection to women. Mr. CHARLES LUSHINGTON presented a petition from an individual residing in Westminster, praying for an extension of the suffrage, and also praying that the House of Peers might be abolished. The SPEAKER intimated, after examining the peti tion, that it could not be received, and it was accordingly returned to the Hon. Member. Mr. HOBHOUSE presented 18 petitions from Lin coln, in favour of protection to women. Mr. P. WOOD presented several petitions from Man chester, praying that a system of general education of a secular kind might be adopted, to be supported by local tax , st ion. Mr. DUNCAN presented a petition from the royal burghs of Scotland against the Public Health Bill for Scotland. Mr. COWAN presented a petition against the Mar riage Affinity Bill. Mr. GLADSTONE presented a petition praying that the regulations of the benevolent society fur the benefit of servants might be adopted by the Government and incorporated with the system of the National Debt-office, STATE OF THE NATION. Mr. HUME said he had been waiting to know what the motion was which the Hon. Member for Bucking hamshire (Mr. Disraeli) intended to bring forward on the state of the nation; but whatever that motion might be, he proposed to move the following amendment.— (Loud laughter, in the midst of which Mr. Disraeli entered the House.) Perhaps his (Mr. Hume's) Hun. Friend, Mr. Disraeli, would state the precise words of his motion which stands for Monday ?—(Cries of " The amendment," and laughter.) Mr. DISRAELI said the Hon. Member might have known the exact language of his motion, for it had been on the table of the House for some days; he should now be happy to hear the amendment.—(Laughter.) Mr. i - ILIME proposed to move, by way of amend ment, that although the free admission of food by the repeal of the corn-laws had contributed to relieve the distress of the country during the late period of suffer ing,and although the recent relaxations in our commer cia system must tend to increase the means of subsistence of the people, nevertheless in the present state of the nation the state of the finances demanded a thorough revision, that Parliament might be enabled to stimulate the industrial resources of the country by the reduction of taxation. He proposed to move something positive—(Laughter)—instead of the Hon. Member for Buckingham's motion. EAST INDIAN RAILWAY. Mr. AGLIONBY rose to correct an error which had. occurred in the Morning Herald of that day. reiterd ing what was stated in the [louse last night, on East Indian Railways, wherein it was stated that the contract with the East Indian Railway Company would be shortly annulled. He (Mr. Aglionby) believed the very reverse of what was stated. NEW HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT. Mr. GREENE wished to correct an answer which he had given to a question put to him last night by the Hon. Member for Middlesex (Mr. Osborne) respecting the estimate of the expenses for completing the new Houses of Parliament. The Hon. Member asked whe ther the estimate of two millions and a half included the furnishing the official residences. He thought that was not includt d in the estimate, but he had since ascertained that the furnishing of the official residences was included in the estimate. LEGISLATURE OF NEW SOUTH WALES. Mr. SCOTT wished to a-,k whether her Majesty's Government had not received a communication from the late Governor of Australia, Sir George Head, respecting a double Chamber for New South Wales, and whether the Government would lay the same on the table of the House before going into Committee on the Australian Colonies Bill. Mr. LABOUCHERE said the question came within the province of his Hon. Friend the Under-Secretary for the Colonies, who was not in the House, but the Hon. Gentleman should have given notice of his question. Mr. SCO rr said he would repeat the question on Monday. THE ELBE. Mr. SANDARS asked the Noble Lord the Secretary for Foreign Affairs if any reply had been received from her Majesty's Minister at Copenhagen, in answer to the Noble Lord's dispatch (on or about the 12th of June last), informing him of the fact of three Spanish vessels, the Anita, Paquete de Cantabria, and the Carmen, having obtained permission, through the Spanish Mi nister at Copenhagen, to leave the Elbe with cargoes, notwithstanding the blockade of that river, and that two of the said ships had previously broken the blockade? Lord PALNIERSTON said no answer had been re• ceivt-d, but this afternoon dispatches (we understood) had arrived, which he had not yet had an opportunity of examining. DIPLOMATIC INTERCOURSE win' SPAIN. Lord MAHON inquired if any steps had been taken with respect to the resumption of diplomatic relations, and whether the recent concessions made by the Spanish Government would not in his opinion justify our proceed ing in a conciliatory spirit to obtain that apology and reparation which they had an undoubted right to claim. Lord PALMERSTON replied that it had been stated in another place that a communication had been made to the Government by the King of the Belgians, that a dis position existed on the part of Spain to seek his good offices, in order to bring about a reconciliation, and inquiring whether such a course would be acceptable to her Majesty's Government. The reply was, that they had no objection. Several communications had since passed, chiefly of a verbal nature; but they had not led to any result. With regard to the " consideration on the part of the Spanish Govern ment to British merchants," he supposed they had not acted unjustly towards British subjects in Spain. Lord MA IION—The new tariff. Lord PALMERSTON said a new tariff had been pro posed by the Government for the acceptance of the Cortes, not as a favour to the English Government or to the English nation, but a well• considered step, with a view to the promotion of the interests of Spain herself. —(Cheers.) He was sure any one who knew anything of the condition of Spain must wonder that the dif ferent Governments of Spain had not seen how mach its interests had been injured by the contin uance of that absurd system of tariff which had so long prevailed to the injury and detriment of i t ri nte w rfe h r ic e n ; btuhte if G o t v b e e rnm s e o u b t le country e a n t t o did t not Spain.—(Hear, hear.) These, however, were matters ofL ortdhism became the Spanish Government bad taken this step .„„ h , own interestaac view to the promotion of their offer on the partltlt at the same time whether the brought to any prictieftb!g of the Belgians had been therefore, show .a less "1 1 :2, the British should, that account, than they h ad to honour on o ccasion, he must say that that *v. former course to which he could not consent.—(Hear, bear.) THE BUSINESS OF THE SESSION. In reply to Mr. FORSTER, who inquired about the Light Dues Bill. Mr. LAIJOUCRERE said his Noble Friend at the head of the Government would state on Monday the course he intended to adopt with rsspcct to the business of the session. The Bill referred to he should not be able to proceed with until the week after next. SATURDAY SITTING. Sir G. GREY intimated that Government proposed that the House should sit to-morrow, at twelve o'clock, in the event of the Irish Poor-law Bill not getting through Committee to-night. ND) BILL. POOR RELIEF (IRELA 11 The House then went into Committee on t his Bi . On clause 3 being proposed, Mr. CLEMENTS rose and, after some short observa tions, moved the following amendment:—" Whereas it is expedient that prompt and immediate measures should be taken for the revision of unions and of electoral divi sions in Ireland, and in case of a total or partial disso lution or other alteration of the limits of any union, which shall lead to the formation of any new union, that provision Ilhould he made with respect to the workhouse accommodation existing in any such dissolved or altered union. And be it enacted,, that it, upon there formation of any new union, it shall appear to the said Commissioners expedient that, until sufficient workhouse accommodation shall be provided for such union eithe'r by the erection of a new workhouse, or by the adaptation of any existing buildings for such purpose, a portion of the workhoua ac commodation existing in the union or unions of w inch such new union, or any part thereof, had pre viously formed a part, should he reserved for such new uriian, or any part thereof, it shall be lawful for the said Commissioners to make such order, under. their seal, as to them shall appear necessary for appropriating any part of the workhouse accommodation of such union or unions for the use of such new union, or of any part thereof, and to make such regulations for the Go vernment of such workhouses, and for the admis sion and discharge of paupers therefrom, as under the circumstances they may think proper; and it shall be be lawful for the guardians of such new union to make order for the admission of any paupers chargeable to such new union, or to any electoral division thereof, into any workhouses to which such order of the said Commissioners shall apply, and for their discharge there • from, in such numbers and according to such regula tions as shall or may from time to time be pre scribed by the said Commissioners, and to provide for the conveyance of such paul.,ers to or from such workhouses ; and such orders of admission or dicharg,2 made by such guardians, according to the regulations prescribed as aforesaid, shall be binding on the guardians of the unions in which the workhouses are situate, and on their officers; and it shall be lawful for the said Commissioners, and they are hereby empowered, from time to time to fix and determine the sum s which shall be paid by such new union, or any part thereof, for the maintenance and clothing of the paupers chargeable to such new union, or any part thereof, and the proportion of the establishment charges which shall be paid for the accom modation reserved in such workhouse, and the periods at which such payments shall be made, either wholly or in part; and the said Commissioners may, at their dis cretion, from time to time suspend, alter, or rescind such orders and regulations aforesaid, or any of them. Pro vided always, and be it enacted, that if any pauper who shall have been sent to any workhouse as aforesaid, situate out of the union to which or to any electoral di vision of which such pauper is chargeable, shall be discharged therefrom, either by order of the guardians or at his own request, and ' shall become destitute in the union in which such work house is situate, within one calendar month from his discharge, the expense of his maintenance in such work house shall be chargeable against the union or elec toral division from, whence he was originally Lent. And be it - enacted, that: it the guardians of any such new union shall refuse or neglect to make the payment according to the terms and at the periods prescribed by the said Commissioners as aforesaid, it shall be law ful for the said Commissioners, and they are hereby required, on the application of the guardians of the unions to which such payments are due, to make an order under their seal requiring such payments to be made by the treasurer of such new uni.n, and thereupon the trea surer of such new union shall pay to the treasurer of the union in whose behalf such order shall have been made, the rates levied in such new union, or such proportion of them, at such times and in such portions as shall be prescribed by such order, until the whole amount re quired shall have been paid; and any treasurer of any union, who after receiving such order shall pay away to any person, other than the person appointed in and by such order to receive the same, any part of any rates collected in such union beyond what he shall have been so allowed by such order to retain until the whole of the payments prescribed by such order shall have been made, shall be liable to pay to the said guardians, the sum which he shall have so wrong fully paid away; and in case of non-payment thereof it shall be lawful for any justice of the peace, on complaint of the guardians, or of any one inspector, to levy the amount so wrongfully paid away by distress and sale of the goods and chattles of such treasurer ; and the receipt of the treasurer appointed in such order to receive the payments prescribed shall be sufficient discharge to the treasurer of such new union, for so much money paid by him, and shall be allowed in auditing and passing his accounts." Sir G. GREY said that so far from the Government being inattentive to any recommendation of the super intendents of the several unions, it was an express di rection of the Poor-law Commissioners that they should make as frequent reports as possible. The Poor-law Commissioners had disseminated as widely as possible what their general intentions were, and they bad in vited communications from all quarters respecting the necessities which now existed and their opinion of the best means that could be devised for meeting them. After a few observations from Mr. MONSELL, Mr. CLEMENTS said, as the House appeared gene• rally satisfied with the statement of the Right Hon. Baronet, although he confessed he was nor, he would withdraw his amendment. The amendment was accordingly withdrawn. On the motion that the clause bo agreed to, Mr. STAFFORD rose to move another amendment. They were now, he thought, approaching that part of the Bill in which all real and useful alterations might be introduced.—(Hear, hear.) He might be permitted to remind the House of the course which the Legislature had uniformly pursued on this subject in England. So early as the reign of George the First certain parishes were authorised to combine themselves together for the purpose of rating. There had been cases where parishes had been transferred from one union to another, but there was no power t. ..formin g two unions out of an old one. Electoral divisions had never been adopted by the Poor-law CoMtnissioners. Since the introduction of the poor.law into Ireland there had not been a case of a new union formed without the consent of th© board of guardians. Continuing as the present poor-law did that enormous power vested in the Poor-law Commissioners, what he (Mr. Stafford) asked was, that where boards of guardians had thorou, hly and fairly discharged their duties, they should not have the insult inflicted upon them of being compelled to give up the manage ment of the poor in tho district, when by the acknowledgment of the Poor-law Commis sioners they had exercised those arduous duties wisely. lie knew a case in which a workhouse cost 26,0001., but if they altered the boundaries of the union they would render some of that workhouse accommoda tion unnecessary; and the house could not be sold for anything like what it had cost, should such a course be necessary. Let the money raised be placed in the hands of the directors, and if they misused it they alone would be to blame. The conduct of the Govern ment on this question was most inconsistent, for while they had declared that they did they had a Bill before the 'Luse by which they pro posed to confer the power of local self-gov e r nme nt in England, and while they lauded that form of govern another Bill before the H me o n u t se in fo t r h l is re c l o e u n n d t , r b y y , which ich ha not deem the guardians in Ireland fit fur self-govern , ment, and denied to them that which they proposed to grant to England. Sir W. SOMERVILLE said his Hon. Friend had asked in what spirit he intended to carry out the clause? He could assure his Hon. Friend that it was his inten tion to carry it out in a spirit of justice and equality towards the rate-payers, and, having stated that, he must now say that it was his intention to oppose the proviso proposed by his Hon. Friend ; and he did not think that anything his Hon. Friend had said was of a nature to induce the House to revert back to the old system. The Right Hon. Baronet took a review of the question, and having put some supposed cases to the sense of the House, in connexion'with the union of Ballina, con cluded by repeating that he must oppose the priviso of his Hon. Friend. After a few words from Mr. C. LEWIS and Mr. STAF • FORD, Mr. HERBERT said that the Bill now before the House, and the discussions to which it gave occasion, were 'attributable to the former bad legislation of that House, on the subject of the Irish Poor-law. The Right Hon. Baronet, Sir W. Somerville, had referred to the Union of Ballina, and drawn some supposed cases; but he could furnish the Right Hon. Baronet and the House with statements, emanating from distinguished and in telligent men in the county with which he bad the honour to be connected, entirely at variance with his supposed cases. The Government had sent into his (Mr. Herbert's) county certain Commissioners to put inquiries to them, and take their answers; and having thus ob tained from them their representations, and a report that the Guardians had well discharged their duty, they now turned round and paid no attention to these repre sentations. He must say that it was a mockery in Go vernment to have thus acted; and that the system of centralisation which they were endeavouring to establish was most pernicious. _ _ _ Sir GEORGE GREY could assure the House that the Boundary Commissioners would not act in the dark; but that they would afford to all parties an opportunity to exprt-ss their opinions in respect to the proposed change, and the effects it could be shown to have upon their localities. Should his Hon. Friend press his amend ment, he felt himself called upon to say that he must offer to it all the opposition in his power. Mr. FAGAN opposed, and Lord C. HAMILTON supported the amendment. Mr. M. J. O'CONNELL opposed the amendment. Colonel DUNNE, believing that the board of guardians were the parties most interested in respect to the dispo sition of the funds entrusted to them, he should vote for the amendment of the lion. Member for Northampton. After a few words from Mr. Clements, Mr. P. Scrope, Sir 1. W. Barron, Mr. Roche, and Lord Naas, the Com mittee divided; when there appeared—. For the amendment Against it ... Majority ... ... - Clause 3 was then agreed to. Sir IL BARRON moved after the word " annuity,' to insert the words " as also every interest payable on any mortgage, judgment debt, or family charge." The CIIziNCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that the object of the amendment was provided tor in another section of the Bill. ••• 24 ••• _,, ••• ... ___ 68 ••• •• -44 ••• The ATTORNEY-GENERAL defended the clause. Mr. AGLIONBY supported the original clause. Mr. NAPIER said that the amendment went too far, or did not go far enough, for it was intended to make a jointure liableto the poor -rate; the jointure subsisting.at the time the poor-law came into force, there was no reason why it should not extend to a mortgage debt. Sir A. BROOKE hoped the jointure of a widow would not be subjected to poor-rates as proposed by the present Bill, for it would be a great hardship. After a few words from Colonel THOMPSON Sir H. BARRON contended that the amendment be proposed was founded on the principle of justice and equity, and ought therefore to be adopted by the House. Sir D. NORREYS pronounced it to be one of the most outrageous propositions ever submitted to the con sideration of Parliament, and should oppose it by every mesas is his pour. Mr. VESCI thought it would inflict a great bard6hip on widows who posse,sed jointure, and hoped the Go sernment w ,uid re-con,idr the clau,e. Sir L. O'BRIEN o.upp.)rse,i the elv.use. Mr. S. CIi,A.WFOItt) thought it was most unjust, that while the propri , ,tor of an estate was elmrged with poor. rate for the entire of his property, mortga,, , ees and annuitants should b.) exempt. He should, therefore, support the amendment. After a few words from Mr. F. O'Connor, Mr. M. J. O'Connell, Sir 11. Barron, and Mr. J. O'Connell, the Committee divided, when the numbers were— Fur the amendment Against it Majority ... -69 On the question being; puton clause 5, Mr. NAPIER proceeded to move the amendments of which he had given notice. The Hon. Member went on to explain that under the Tithe Composition Act, the clergyman suffered a deduction of 25 per cent.; in other words, he received from the landlords 751. for every 1001., the tithe being secured as a rent charge on the land. In paying this rent-charge the lair - third was in the habit of deducting the whole of the poor rate from the payment he had to make to tho clergyman, although, in point of fact, the landlord only paid half of the rate, as he was allowed the other half by the tenant occupier; and his (Mr. Napier's) object in his amendments to the clause was, that the landlord should have the power of deducting only half of the poor-rate from the tithe rent charge, instead of deducting the whole f the rate, as he had the power to do at present. His only object was that the rate should be placed on a just principle, and the clergy were quite content to submit to the deduction of half poundage on the gross income. Mr. ROCHE said the principle and the practice of the Learned Member who had just addressed the House, did not exactly tally, and the effect of his amendment would be t, open the whole of the Church question in Ireland. Supposing the principle were assented to, it would be impossible to carry it without altering the entire system of poor rate. The Noble and Learned Gentleman had not shown one instance in which the pre sent regulation worked unjustly. It should be recollected, too, that the tithe rent-charge was paid more regularly and punctually than any other charge on land. He trusted the principle asserted in the clause would not be abandoned, and that property in Ireland would not be confiscated to Church purposes. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER hoped tbat they would not get into a discussion on the Church question, and opposed the amendment. If the Noble and Learned Gentleman wished to effect so great an altera tion of the law, he ought to propose the distinct repeal of the clause which rendered tithe rent-charge liable to a certain proportion of poor-rate. Mr. CONOLLY supported the amendment, and in doing so repeated the arguments used by the Noble and Learned Member for the University of Dublin. After a short discussion, in which Mr. G. A. Lamm- TON and Mr. DENHAM NORREYS took part, Mr. NAPIER withdrew his amendment, and stated that he would have a distinct clause embodying his views on the bringing up of the report. The clause, as amended, was then agreed to. Clause six also passed after brief discussion. On clause seven being put, Mr. E. B. ROCHE trusted that this clause, which ren dered the landlord liable to payment of not more than one half the rate, and the occupier to the other half, would not be persevered in. The present principle of allowing the tenant to deduct one-half the poundage on the valuation was just, and he did not see why it should be departed from, as it acted as a check on rack-redting. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, said that this 7th clause was in favour of tho landlord, be cause heretofore the property of the tenant was gene rally valued at about half the sum that he actually paid in rent, and consequently, when one shilling in the pound was rated as a poor -rate, the tenant, as being valued at half his rent, suppose 100/. per annum, acid that he was valued at only 501., it then followed that when he was to have the rate deducted from the land lord's rent, that the whole burden of the rates fell on the landlord. Mr. J. O'CONNELL and Mr. S. CRAWFORD argued against the clause, because rack-rents were a very great injury, and served as the principal reason for repealing this clause, and that the valuation should be made com plete and equitable, which ought long since to have been cffected by the Government. _ _ _ _ _ _ Mr. M. O'CONNELL said that as a practical man, he knew how the law operated as it stands at present, and that nothing is more injurious to the tenantry than the present s) stem of valuation, because they con sider nothing more unjust, and more ruinous to their interests, than to be at the mercy of a deceitful valuator: he should support the clause. Mr. FAGAN said that he did not agreo with the Hon. Gentleman (Mr. M. O'Connell), that the occupiers of land were ignorant of what they were generally rated; and he believed that the clause would create general dissatisfaction in Ireland, and that it would be also the cause of the people leaving that country. He should, therefore, oppose the clause. Sir J. WALSH said that he should support the clause, because it would put an end, as much as possible, to many of those frauds that now prevail ; and he be lieved that not only the landlords but the tenants would be benefited by this clause. Mr. SCULLY considered in the course of a few years that universal valuation should take place, but that the present was not the time for it, and should therefore oppose the clause. _ l Ehe Committee then divided, when there appeared— For the seventh clase ... 125 Against it ... ... 19 Majority ••• —lO6 Clause 8 was theu agreed to. On clause 9 being read, Sir D. NalitlEkS suggested that land should be revalued with reference to improvements, at certain stated intervals, ani those should be longer than was generally the case. Tho ATTORNEY•GENERAL explained that this clause was similar in its nature to others directed towards the same part of the subject. The Hon. Gentleman's objection applied rather to the mode of the valuation than the principle, in which there was a strong analogy with the practice which prevailed in England. Mr. GROGAN moved a verbal atrendment,which was agreed to, embracing the banks of rivers, and also se embankments, in the clause. Mr. M. O'CONNELL proposed that mills should he exempted from the operation of this clause. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL opposed the sug gestion. Sir H. W. BARRON moved to substitute, in line 25 of the clause, the words "twenty-one years," instead of " seven years." The consequence of such an alteration would be a great encouragement to agricultural im provements. Sir G. GREY said that the clause as it stood was in strict conformity with the recommendation of the Com mittee. Seven years was considered a reasonable time within which capital laid out would become remunera tive; and if the time were longer it would operate to the detriment of other parties largely interested. Mr. GROGAN suggested that the alteration should be made from seven to fourteen years, on the evidence taken by the Committee of the House of Lords, and moved an amendment to that effect. _ Sir A. BROOKE said, he thought that twenty-one years was little enough, but he was quite willing to con sent to the proposition of the Hcnourable Member before him for fourteen years. The tenant ought to be allowed sufficient time to indemnify himself in, and it was most important that he should have it. He there fore begged of the Government to allow the alteration to be made. Tho CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER sug gested, that the obvious mode of proceeding would be for the landlord to make an allowance for improvements on his estate. That was a plan which Hon. Members ap peared not to have thought of, and the Committee having recommended seven years, he thought it would be best to adopt that period. Sir A. BROOKE said he had practised what he had recommended, and that he could give the Governmeut information if they required it, and he thought it ' would be useful, of what the valuations were fourteen years ago. Sir H. W. BARRON, after some further discussion, withdrew his amendment, as also did Mr. Grogan. Sir A. BROOKE said he was not satisfied with this arrangement of the clause, and he should press a division on the question of an amendment to fourteen years. The galleries were cleared, but no division took place, and the clause was agreed to. Clauses 10 and 11 were agreed to. On clause 12 being proposed. Colonel DUNNE wished to know from the lion. and Learned Member for the University of Dublin whether he had examined the clause? _ _ _ Mr. NAPIER replied that he considered it a reason able and proper one.—(Bear, hear.) Some conversation then ensued as to the effect of civil bill decrees under that clause, in which Mr. Henley, the Attorney-General, Mr. Napier, Sir H. W. Baron, Colonel Dunne, and other Hon. Members took part. Mr. STAFFORD suggested that it would be better to consider the clause proposed by the Government and the other clause together, and that it !would, therefore, be advisable to report progress. Sir G. GREY said that the clause proposed by the Government was quite irrespective of the 41. rating clause, and stood solely on its own merits ; they there fore expected the Committee to give a decision upon the clause itself, independently of any other. Mr. M. O'CONNELL suggested that further consi deration of the clause should be postponed. After a short conversation, The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he should not object to the postponement of the clause until this day, if the Committee were not then prepared to decide upon it. Ultimately the CHAIRMAN reported progress, and obtained leave to sit again to-morrow (this day) at twelve o'clock. The Consolidated Fund (3,000,0001.) Bill was read a second time. The Excise Benevolent Fund Society Bill was read a second time. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved the second reading of the Small Debts Act Amendment Bill. Lord D. STUART wished to know whether it was intended that the parties having an interest in the Pa lace Court should receive any compensation? The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER was understood to say that those parties who had purchased their offices were entitled to compensation, and he be lieved some of them already had obtained it. That question, however, did not then come before them, as the second reading only recognised the principle that the Palace Court should be abolished. The question of compensation should be decided in a Committee of the whole House. The Bill was then read a second time. the Cougity Rates, &c., Bill was read a second time, The General and Quattcr S scions Bill was read a third time ,ind passed. Mr. BAINES moved Vr.,e second reading of the Poor. law Union Charges Act A,t - uviottnent ail; and in reply to an observation by Mr. Ft ,OYER, said tic proposed to take the discussion upon p.-ting into Committee, and would Or Wednesday week, after lion. Members bad returned frorn the quarter sessions. The Bill was then read a second time. The Hoes went into Comtuittee upon the Newgate Gaol (Dublin) Bill. S‘-weral clause,' were agreed to, and The CHAIRMAN reported rrogress and obtained leave to sit again on Mor4iy. The Marriages in For, , ign Countries Facilitating Bill, as amended, was considered, and ordered to be printed. The Militia Ballots Suspension Bill was read a third time and passed. On the motion of Mr. FIZEWEN, have was given to bring in a Bill for the, akyllition of benefices and plurali ties, which was read a finA time. The House adjourned at Twenty minutes past One. EAST INDIA. COLLEGE, HAILEY- BURY. "OFFICIAL VISIT OF THE CHAIRMAN AND DIRECTORS OF THE EAST INDIA. COM PAN Y. HERTFORD, FRIDAY EVENING —This day (Friday) being appointed for closing :he first term of 1849, a de putation from the Court of Directors of the East India Company, visited the college at Halley bury, ne,iir llert• ford, for the purpose of rec-iving the report of the Principal (the Rev. Henry Melvil!, 8.D.) upon the lit,- rature and discipline of the tPrrn, and of distributing the medals and prizes awarded to the succFssful competitors in the various branches of Oriental, classical, and European literature. The chair was taken by Major-General Galloway, supported on either side by the members of the deputa tion. The Chairman having taken his seat, T. W. HOOPER, Esq., the clerk of the College De partment of the East India House, read the following report of the prizes and distinctions obtained by the students:— MEDALS, PRIZES, AND OTHER HONOURABLE DISTINC TIONS OF STUDENTS LEAVING COLLEGE, JUNE, 1849. Fourth Term. Mr. Merris—llighly distinguished, with medal in po• Racal economy and history, medal in Ilindustani, prize in Sanscrit, priza in Persian, and prize for general pro ficiency at the E ester examination. Air. Hammond—Highly distinguished, with medal in classics, medal in Sanscrit„ prize n Ilindustani, and plize in Hindi. Mr. White—Highly distinguished, with medal in law. Mr. lkswell—llighly distinguhhed, with medal in mathematics. Mr. Breeks—Highly distinguished, with medal 'in Teloogoo. Messrs. Walter Macdonald, Hogg, Bird, Palmer, Wylie, H. D. Robertson, and Egerton—Highly dis• tiuguished._ Messrs. Jackson and Maloney—Passed with great credit. PRIZES AND OTHER HONOURABLE DISTINCTIONS OF STUDENTS REMAINING IN COLLEGE, JUNE, 1849. Ttird Teruo. Mr. Chapman—Highly distinguished, with prize in mathematics, prize in political economy and history, priz•3 in law, prize in Sanscrit, Ariz- in Persian, prizs in Hindustani, prize in Hindi, and prize for general pro& cietcy at the Easter examination. Mr. Grant—Highly distinguished, with prize in clas sics, and prize in p.ditical economy and history. Mr. J. H. B. Colvin—Highly distinguished, with prize in Sanscrit, and Ariz, in Arabic. Mr. Muspratt—Highly - distinguished, with prize in Bengalee. . Messrs. Grey, B. W. Colvin, F. R. Cockerell, Brod burst—llighly distingui,lied. Messrs. Lewis, Lawford, G. T. Forbes, Colthurst, and Spencer—Passed with great credit. Second Term. Mr. Currie—Highly distinguised, with prize in the classics and priz' in Persian. Mr. Gordon—Highly distinguished, with prize in ma thematics, and prize in law. Mr. L Forbes—Prize for general proficiency, at the Easter examination. Mr. Saunders—Highly distinguished, with prize in politiell economy and history. Mr. Shaw—Passed with great credit, with great pro ficiency, and prize in Sanscrit. Messrs. Freeting, Crawford, and Jenkins—Highly distinguished. _ _ _ Messri. Thompson. J. C. Cockerel], Dalyhell, Kemball, and Wigram—Passed with great credit. First "fer tn. Mr. Lushington—llighly distinguised, with prize in Latin, prize in Sanscrit, and general proficiency at Eas ter examination. Mr. Stuyth—Highly distinguished, with prize for the best English essay, and prize in classics. Mr. Thomason—Highly distinguished, with prize in mathematics, with good proficiency in essay, classics, law, and Sanscrit. Mr. Dashwood—Highly distinguished, with great pro ficiency in essay and classics. Mr. Arthur—Highly distinguished, with great pro ficiency in law. Messrs. Block, Penhey, Lowe, Manderson, and Bo sanquet passed with great credit. It appeared from the report of the general conduct, that of those gentlemen in their fourth term no less a number than 15 out of 16 have obtained honours; and of the 69 students 52 had succeeded in obtaining honours, 33, or more than half, being highly distin guished. The prizenv , n, being a sufficient number to show that the honours had been keenly contested, though in one or two cases there was a complete loading of honours. The essays on plitical economy, 54 in num ber, have received the mark of good or great proficiency, and were highly creditable to the industry and ability of their authors. In the third term there had been great proficiency in Sanscrit, with only one failure. Great progress has also been made in Persian and Hindustani by the gentlemen of the third term; and of the general studies, honourable mention was made of Mr. J. Colvin for his progress in Arabic, Me:srs. Hammond and Chap man for classics and Hindustani, and Mr. Muspratt for Bengalee. The discipline of the college had been un usually good during the past term. Mr. Carmichael Smith (from Harrow College), read his prise English essay. Mr. Morris read a translation, by himself, from Indian history into Hindustani. Mr.Breeks translated a passage in Urine's "History of Ilindugani" into Teloogoo. ➢lr. Hammond read a translation by himself into Sanscrit, from Milton's " Paradise Lost." The whole of these, and especially the latter, were received with great applause. The priz?s were then awarded and presented by the Chairman. The Chairman (Major•Gcneral Galloway) then ad dresscdlthe students g, nerally, expressing, 4 - n the part of the Court of Directors, his high satisfaction received from the report of their Principa► of the exemplary man ner in which they had couductkd themselves in the by gone term. The company then adjourned to tho council chamber, where a splendid dejeuner was provided, after which the Cilairman, in a very complimentary speech, proposed the Health of the Principal and the Professors of the College." The Rev. H. Melvill returned thanks. THE COUNTRY MARKETS. WAKEFIELD, JUNE 29 —We have moderate arrivals, and but a thin attendance of buyers ; fine wheat is scarce, and meets ready sale at lull prices. Factors at the commencement asked an advance of Is to 2s per quarter, which checked the demand, and the business done is at last week's currency. Good oats are in request. We note no alteration in the value of spring corn. New. Old. WHEAT, per qr. 601bs per bushel : F. s. s. s , Suffolk, Essex, and Kent, red ... 47 to 50 —to Ditto, white ... 49 54 Norfolk and Hunts., red ... ... 45 —4B Ditto, white ... 46 51 Lincolnshire and Cambridge, red ... —4B Ditto, white ... .„ 46 51 Yorkshire, red .., 45 48 Ditto, white ... ... 47 —5l Dantzic and Konigsburg, white .. 49 53 Lower Baltic and Hamburgh, red... 34 40 Mediterranean, red ... BARLEY, per quarter of 8 bushels:— Norfolk and Suffolk... ... Lincolnshire and Yorkshire Scotch ... ... ... Grinding per 80 stone ... ... 22 24 Foreign ... ..• ... ... 23 27 BEANS, per quarter of 8 bushels 631 b : Small, fine ... ... ... ... 30 —33 30 —B2 Ticks ... ... ... ... ... 27 29 29 3 i Foreign ... ... ... ... 26 29 OATS, — per stone : Mealing 10d to 1 Id —d to —d Feeding ' ... 9d to 10d —d to —d Foreign ... ... 9d to 10d —d to —d SHELLING, per loal of 2611 b ... 24 —25 MALT, per load of 6 imperial bushels 35 PEAS, per Imperial Quarter Blue and white boilers Grey and Feed ... le ••• 30 - 33 --- ~ ... 25 - 27 - - - VAL% ARM Qrs. 10,950 ••• . Barley ... ... ... 665 Oats ... ... ... ... 7CO Beans... ... ... •• • 655 Peas ... ... ... ... Tares ... ... Rapeseed ... ... Qrs. Shelling ... •••- ... 220 Linseed .. ... .. _ Malt •• • ••• • • •• • _ Flour ... ... ... ... lavErtrooL, JUNE 29.—Our arrivals from Ireland and coast wise since Tuesday, have been so small as to be quite unworthy of notice. From the United States and Europe we have re ceived fair supplies of wheat, Indian corn, and flour, and from Egypt some large cargo-is of beans. The exp.rts in the same time. with'the exception of moderate quantities of Indian c .rn and flour are trifling. The trade has been quiet, owing to the continued fine weather, and Indian corn has been pressed at a reduction of 6d per quarter. In other articles nothing calling for observation has occurred. At this day's market, with a thin attendance of the trade, only a limited business was done in wheat and flour, at the prices of Tuesday. Oats and oat meal met with little attention, but we cannot alter our quota tions. Barley, beans, and pas sold slowly, at late rate 3. l ed bi t t o Yellow Indian corn was offered a t a decline of is per quart er, without trading to much bu s in es s ; a parcel of prime brought 36s per quarter. NEWBURY, JUNE 28.—Our supply of wheat to-day i s s h ort, with a small attendance of farmers. The trade opened by a e demand for a larger advance than our millers felt disposed v give, which materially checked business. Where sellers ac ceded to the offers made of 2s per quarter on the rates of last week, sales were easily effected ; still some qluiantity remains unsold in the expectation Cp o aa f st h tsli i en g g he .sa r itau i r t n r k i :cit._ prices. &t rates. beans, peas, There was but a 29. -t—l r e iven in, rather a large proportion of scantyb a r E I e x y z , T anda, supply o JUNE beasts u t which were the poor Irish heifers and steers which had not been sold at Alphington fair. The primest beef was worth full 9s per score, and good beef made 8s 6d to 83 9d. C owes and calves, al W 121 each ; kw Men 6 a Oti ti) 61 6d per !wore; • butchers' calves, 5d to 5d per lb. The supply of sheep was again large, but the demand was dull. Prime wetbers for the butcher. 5d ewes, -lid to 44,1 lamb, 6d per lb. Store hogs, 255 to 32s ; do. lambs, 18s to 20s each. A small supply of pigs. Pork Carca-es.—A very sma ll supply, which sold at 7s 6d to 8s 6d per score. Pannier. Goslings, 4s 6d to 6s each ; ducks, 3s 6d to bs per couple , spring chickens, 2s 6d to 4s ditto ; fowls, 3s to 3s 6d ditto ; leverets, 2s to 3s 6d each ; butter, 9.1 per lb; eggs, 18 for Is; green peas, 6d to Bd.per peck ; biue ditto, Is ; strawberries, 3d per quart ; cherries, 6d per lb. ; ripe gooseberries, 4d per quart; green ditto, 2d ; rhubarb, Id per lb; new potatoes, 2s 6d per score. Corn Exchange.—Not mach doing to.day. Growers are asking for the best warranted samples, 7s per bushel, but this has only been obtained in one or two instances ; the bulk of the tran. sections in English wheat of good quality has been at 6s 6d per bushel (warranted) ; Foreign wheat is Is to 2s per quarter higher; red selling at 43s to 445, and white sold 48s to 52s per quarter of sixty pounds to the bushel. Nothing doing in barley, and not much in oats, but we notice no alteration in last week's quotations. Fine flour 35s to 37s per sack of 2801bs. BRISTOL, JUNE 28. The supplies of English wheat at our market to-day were very limited. English new white brought from 4Qs to 4'3s per imperial quarter. There were increased arrivals of foreign, an 4 the demand for both English and foreign, during the week, has been very good indeed at an advance from is to 2s per quarter. Foreign white brought from 503 to 53s per 48011 s; foreign red, fine qualities, 46s to 48s; ditto, ditto, ordinary qualities 42s to 44s ; ditto, ditto, hard, 38s to 40s. Barley was not much sought after at pre vious prices. English malting sold slowly at 27s to 30s per imperial quarter; English and foreign grinding, 21s to 24s per 400ibs. In oats there was but little doing, yet the trade is rather firmer than it was last week ; Devon and Welsh sold at 170 and 18s per imperial quarter; Irish white, 19s to 21s per 3 sOlbs ; Irish black, his 6d to 17s 6d per imp: rial quar ter. In beans there is no variation. English, 30s to 36s per imperial quarter • foreign, 26s to 30 s p er 4801b s. T here w as a better sale for flour at an improvement of Is per sack. Eng lish seconds fetching 3s to 34s per sack. American, &c., sweet, 24s to 25s per barrel. The arrivals during the week have been—in the Jeune Insulaire, 442 quarters of barley; in the Coxon, from Odessa, 2,100 quarters of wheat; in the Reaper, from Bourgas, 1,346 quarters of wheat; in the Pollux, from Odessa, 3,800 quarters ; in the Mauritius, from Alexan. dria, 3,200 quarters of barley ; in the Thomas, from Water ford, 338 barrels of black oats; i n th e T r i ump h , f rom Kil rush, 1,000 quarters, and 1,200 barrels of oats ; in the Mary, from Gloucester, 450 sacks of flour. BIRMINGHAM, JUNE 28.—At Gloucester and Worcester market good English and foreign wheat was Is to 2s per quar ter higher, but at the latter the trade ruled dull. Barley un altered in value, but with an improved sale for grinding qua hies. Oats sold slowly at former prices. Beans firm. Peas taken in retail, at quite as much money. This week higher prices have been demanded for wheat, and on the sales made an advance of is to 2s per quarter has been realised, but the weather being very fine, our millers generally bold off. Not much doing in bade), bat good grinding qualities are quite as dear. Oats taken in retail at former rates. Beans maintain their value. No transactions reported in peas. At this day's market, although the supply of English wheat was small, the trade ruled dull, at an advance of ls per quarter. Barley un altered. For oats we had ver y little inquiry. Beans in fair demand, and qu to as dear. Peas were only taken in retail. BRISTOL SUGAR. MARKET, JUNE 29.—There has been a very good demand here this week for all descriptions of raw sugar, and the market has been daily nearly cleared off every fresh lot brought forward ; the sales, however, are not large, owing to the indisposition of importers to sell before the new scale of duties is in force. The refined market is steady.— Bristol Mercury. CHELTENHAM, JUNE 28.—A very fair demand for English and Foreign wheat, at an aavanee of Is per quarter. Barley, oats, &c., at last week's prices. Wheat was 41s to 51s; barley, 22s to 2es; and oats, 19s to 24s per quarter. Beans were from 3s 9d to 5s per bushel. Hay, 70s to 80s ; and straw, 38s to 40s per ton. NORTHALLERTON, JUNE 27.—Wheat, white, 6s to 6s 9d; red las 9d to 6s 3d ; oats Is 9d to 2s 3d; beans 4s 6d to 4s 9d ; barley 3s 6d to 4s per bushel. Moen, JUNE 28.—A rather slack attendance at the market to-day, in some degree accounted for by being fair day at Den. high, and very few samples of grain were exhibited for sale. The average prices abut 15s 6d to 16s 6d wheat ; barley, 9s to 9s 6d; oats, 5s to 5s 6d per hobbet ; potatoes, Id per lb. RUTHIN, JUNE '25 —One of the smallest markets we have seen for some time ; business very slack, and prices nearly the same as last week. Wheat, from lia to 163 (some small quan tities obtained 16s 3d) ; barley, 8s to 9s; oats, bs 6d per hobbet. Ducks, 3s to 3s 6d ; fowls, 2s 3d to 2s 6d per couple. Fresh butter, 9d per lb. INVERNESS, JUNE 26.—New wheat, per quarter, weighing 6203 per bushel, 44s to 47s ; barley, aellb per bushel, 21s to 255; oats, 421 b per bushel, 18s to 20s Od ; seed oats, per qr, 421 b per bush, Ois to 00s Oatmeal, per imperial boll, 15s; second, 14s; barleymeal, lls 8d; peasemeal, 14s to 15s; bran, per stone, 6d to 8d; first flour, per 2801 b, 36s to 375; second, 28s; oatmeal, best, per stone of 14Ib imperial, Is 5d to Is 6d; second, Os Od; barleymeal, Is 2d ; peasemeal, is 6d; first flour, 2s 9d cash, 3s credit; second, 2s 3d cash, 2s 6(1 credit. Pota toes, per stone, 9d to Od; beef, per pound, 4d to 7d; veal, 4d to 6d ; mutton, 54 to ed ; pork, 4d to 6d ; fowls, each, 12d to Od; chickens, per pair, 12d to Qd ; ducks, each, 13d to 14d ; eggs, par dozen, 6d to Od; butter, fresh, per lb, 10d to Od; salt, Ild to 12d ; croudie (curds) 21c1 to Od ; four.peund loaf, cash, 6d to 7d, credit, 6id to 7d; coals, per cwt, 9d; hay, per stone, 7d. MINING INTELLIGENCE COPPER ORES SOLD AT TRURO, JUNE 28.—Total, 2,625 tons ; average produce, 61 ; quantity of fine copper, 170 tons 19 cwt ; amount of sale, 9,724! 8s Od ; average standard, 99! 3s; average price per 21 cwt, 3/ 14s od. Last Sale —Standard, 86 16s; produce, 9. COPPER ORES SOLD AT SWANSEA, JUNE 21.—Total, 3,179 tons; average produce, 2 IA; quantity of fine copper, 670 tuns 3 cwt.; amount of sale, 46,2151 6s. COPPER ORES FOR SALE AT CAmßonacE, JULY 5. North Roskear 948—Consols 59 l—Tincroft 450—North Pool 493—Wh, Seton 325—Fowey Consols 226—South \Th. Frances 208—Wh. Basset 172—South Roskear and Wh. Chance 127—Creeghraws 01—Wh. Vyvyan 90—Cam. borne Consuls 12—Unity Wood s—Total 3,658. COAL MARK E r.-YESTERPAY. Bate's West Hartley... 13s 6d Bell Buddle's W. Hartley.. 14s Od Belmont lss 3d Carr's Hartley East Adairs Main..... 12-5 Od Hetton .. Hartlepool W. Hartley ms 3d Haswell l6s 6d Holywell Main North Percy Hartley.. 13s 60 Lambton , anfield Moor .... l3s Od Russell's Hetton canfield Moor Butes... 12s 6u Whitwell ... Walker's Primrosa ... 12s 06 Hartlepool l6s 6d Wylam's West Hartley I:3s 9if l'hornley Wylatn ... ..... ...... .. 13s Gill Adelaide Tees Wall's End, &c. 'Seymour Tees Brown's l3s 3clSt. Helen's Tees ..... 14s Od Gosforth ..... .. Gibson ..... .. ........ 14s Oil'eowpen Hartley Hilda Heaton Percy... Riddell's l4s 61; Whitworth Coke ...... 19s Od Walker RAIL WAY SHARP.. MARKETS. BRISTOL, JUNE 29. STOCK EXCHANGE.—The market was Moro active to-day. Great We tern, Quarters, were done at .5% dis.—Ditto, New 171. Shires, 3 11-16 dis. LIVERPOOL, JUNE 29. STOCK EXCHANGE.—The share market was quiet but firm to day. The transactions, however, were limited. The sales are— Lancashire and Yorkshire (sl. and B ). 20 dis.—Ditto, Fifths, 3% ells.—Ditto, Preference, 12 % —Ditto, Halves, (L. and Bury), 10% dis. —Lancaster and 1. reston, Three-quarter Shares, 12 p.--London and North-Western, 132 —Ditto, New Quarters, 3% p.-- Ditto, Quarters, (C.), 61s. 3d. c. p.-11 anchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire (Great Grimsby Docks), 9% c.—Midland, Halves, 11% dis.— North Stafford. shire, .1% dis.—York, Newcastle, and Berwick (G. N. E. Purchase), 6 per cent. till 1830, 68s. 9d. 1%1 ANCEIESTER, JUNE 29. STOCK EXCHANGE.— The transactions to-day were as follow : Manchester and Birmingham (C), Quarters, 3% p.—Sheffield and Lincolnshire, 15 dis.- - Leeds, Fifths. 3% unit Staffordshire, 4% dis.—Whsrtdales, 45.--Dover (No. 4), 6% —North Union (B), 154 c.—London Stock, 133%. YORK, JUNE 28. STOCK EXCEIANGE.—The transactions to-day have been as fol low: Great Northern, Preference, 2/. 19s.—North Staffordshire. 13 1 4—York, Newcastle, and Berwick (Newcastle Extension), 14% Dhto (G. N. E. Purchase), 41A. GLASGOW, JUNE 23_ STOCK EXCHANGE —The transaction,' to-day were as follow , : Gasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ayr, guaranteed 5 per cent , 103— Monkland Railways, guaranteed 6 per cent., 6—Great Northern, Preterence,s per cent. guaranteed, 535. 6d. —Edinourgh and Northern (Newport), 6 3 4—Scottish Central, 24—York, Newcastle, and Berwick (G. N. E. Purchase), 4%. REGENT'S PARK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.—The 1 King animals have just iariv...l by the Indus, for the Zoological Society of London :—Three lions, two giraffes, one panther, one monkey, three pelicans, one flamingo, tour ostriches, four antelopes, five gazelles, two camels, with several lizard, champ lions. and reptiles. STORNOWAY, JUNE 18.--HERRING FISHINGS The average take per boat, per night, from the 6th to 16'h inst., both days inclusive, has been seven trans. One of the Buckhaven boats has completed her comple. went of 200 trans. A number of the other boats have also nearly completed their comp'ement. The quality of the herring caJght during the above dates is most excellent, being fat, firm, and clean. One or two of the Newhaven boats left this station for the season on Satur day last. Some of the Lochfine boats have also verness Courier. [ADVERTISEMEKT.]—HoIIoway's Pills an Infallible Cure for Female Complaints.—Women at different periods of life are subject to complai n ts whi c h requ i re a pecu li ar medicine to remove, and it is now an established fact, that there is none so suitab e as Holloway's Pills, and their purifying qualities render them invaluable to the maiden, the mother, and the middle-aged; they are searching, cleaning, and yet invigorat;ng, so that females of all ages may take them with perfect safety, and it is truly astonishing to find the benefit that is derived by taking a few doses, which speedily remove every species of irregularity in the system and establish health cn a firm basis. Sold by all Vendors of Medicine, and at Professor Holloway's Establishment, 244, Strand, Loudon. IRTHS. On the 22d in s t., a t the B Sellout-house, Rugby, the lady of the Rev. Dr. Tait, of a son. On the tad inst., the lady of th e R ev . J o h n W. Shering. ham, incumb en t o f S trood, Kent. of a daughter . On the 2)th i n st., a t S t . Alban's-lodge, Victoria-road, Kensington, th e w if e o f T . Nielladew, E sq ., of a son. On the 26th i ns t.. at )'ernard-street, Brunswick-squar e, the wife of Cap t ai n G eorge H a th or n,R.N.. of a son. On the . 7th inst., a t Mold, ylintshire, the lad y of Francis Dawson, Esq., Captain and Adjutant of the Roy a l F l i ntshire Rifles, of a sun. . H . G urney, of C a n a the 20th inst., at Clapham New -park, Mrs On the 26th Harri inst., the Rev of Lincoln se . Richard Pretyman, p rec e n tor et, second dau g h ter o f t h e R ev. Fre bendary of derick Apth toLiorpcoln., rector of L um l ey , Leicestershire, and pre- On the 28th i nst., at St. Mary's Church, Islington, Mr. Samuel P. Newcombe, of the Priory Islington, to Miss Mar larriq W hite. 1 t d'u 'liter of M , r. H. J. White. y On the 19th inst., at Cas p tl i e gi) Strathallan, the Eight Hon. Amelia Sophia, Viscountess of Strathallan. On the 23d inst., at Crown-street, Liverpool, Miss Ann Mae Vicar, aged > 4. On the 24th inst., at Brighton, Charlotte Hart, aged 74, youngest (laughter of th- celebrated John Horne Tooke. On the 26th inst., at Hackney-terrace, SJuth Hackney, Mrs. Magenis. On the :7th inst., in Essex. street, Strand, the Rev. T. C. Coils, 111. A., of ceccles, Suffolk, aged CO. On the 27th inst., at Blandford -place. Regent's park, Maria Jenny Smith, only sister of Lieutenant-Colonel J. L. Smith, Royal Artillery. London: Printed and Published by MURDO YOUNG, of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at The Sun Office, No. 112, traud, in ,he Precinct of the Savoy, in the county of Satarclah AIM 30,1849. A THE S 1 I v