The Sun. — London, England, 1849-04-25 00:00:00

Moultan. He would now read, wit' , 7-ree;.' eta House, some of the correspoi:dei,ce tna The taken place upon that important subject The first letter was from Major Edwardes, and it con tained this sentence—" I take the liberty of Informing you that the city of Moultan, after a week's storming, has been taken, and I hope to raise the Rog of old England over the walls of the citadel before three days are over. ln eight snd-forty h ours th e citadel may be taken . " Instead, however, of this anticipation being realised it touk three weeks to accomplish that end, and from a letter addressed to the Governor-General by General Whish, it appeared that the British forces had to contend against an army of 36,000 men, and when the citadel was entered 3,000 were still among the ruins, who could ot.ly be dislodged with difficulty. Now this affair, therefore, was no trifling enterprise.—(Cheers.) No less than 36,000 shot and shells had been thrown into the citadel. and so thick was the fire, that the only place which the Chief of the besieged was able to find shelter was under a gateway. The Duke of Wellington was heard to say the other day at the farewell dinner given to Major-Ge neral Sir Charles Napier, that he considered that by the capture of Moultan, the object of the war was accom plished; that it was one of the great events of the cam paign, and he hoped the end o f i t . N o thi ng was neg lected by the Governor-General of India to effect that object. He called around him all the available re sources at his command. There were, according to the returns, 26,580 men of all arms engaged in the affair, comprising 505 European and 7,328 native officers. He mentioned those circumstances for the purpose of doing all honour to the Indian army. Shere Singh had de serted from his alliance, with 5,000 men, and his father, Chuttur Singh, had also revolted from his duty. Upon this Shere Singh prepared to resist the British army in India, found himself at the head of 35,060 men, with, in the first action 22 guns, afterwards increased to 70. Lord Gough marched by the banks of the Jhelum, and fought two actions. Shere Singh was driven from his position, and was followed by Lord Gough until the 13th of January, on which day was the great battle of Chillianwallah. The Seikh chief had 75 guns in that battle, besides a large number of mounted swivels. After the battle of Chilliauwallah, Shere Singh retreated and encamped at a short distance from the British troops, and while in that position ho was joined by a body of Affghans, and by his father Chuttur Singh, and the re nowned chief Dost Mahommed, once more unfurled the green flag against the British power in India, aided by two of his sons, their united force amounting to 60,000 men, according to the lowest accounts to 50,000. Shere Singh went in the direction of Lahore, snd was prepar ing to cross the river, when he found the pickets of General Whish were on the opposite bank—the Gallant General having anticipated him. The Gallant General's division had, by a forced march, performed the march of 20 days in 17—(Hear) —thus fortunately reaching the banks of the river in time to stop Shere Singh from crossing. He (Sir John Hobhouse) found also in the dispatches of .Brigadier General Dundas, that the division made a forced march of 32 miles in one day—(Hear, bear)—that they marched the next morning at 11 o'clock, to join Lord Gough's camp, and reached it that night, after a march of if miles, and the next morning they were ready to take the field; and throughout the 32 miles of forced march, which was accomplished under the command of Captain Barrett, only one soldier was found absent. The troops, during four clear days on this service, suf fered the greatest privations without complaint, and were unable during a march of 238 miles to cook their meals. It was duo to the gallant men, both European and native, that he should state those circumstances, the highest honour being due to them.—(Llear, hear.) The whole force which reached the camp of Lord Gough prior to the battle consisted of 25,000 men and 100 pieces of cannon, of which 20 were 18-pounders; while the army of Shere Singh numbered 60,000 men. The Right Hon. Baronet then read a letter, giving a glowing de scription of the battle of Goojerat, and of the great slaughter to the enemy which took place under the British fire, the rout they were put to, the confusion in which they retreated, and the " dropped" effects which their pursuers in the flight and melg picked up, comprising all sorts of things, from guns and silver mounted riding- whips to slippers and champagne-bot tles, exciting much laughter by the details. He would not be discharging his duty, he continued, if he did not pay a tribute of just praise to th e Addi scom b e C o ll ege, y the scholars of whom the guns in this great affair were principally served. Oae hundred guns in their hands, kept up a continual fire for three hours from the batteries, and the fire was considered by the best authori ties to be fully equal to that of the guns at Waterloo. He then proceeded to pay a high tribute to the gallantry and skill of Major-General Gilbert, to whom great honour was duo for his distinguished services in this im portant campaign, and directed attention to the gallant and decisive charge made by the British troops against the enemy, including the Affghans, on whose mail, when they found that their swords could not make an impres sion, they tried their muskets with astounding effect. Sir Joseph Thackweil spoke of the intrepidity with which the charge was made in the most enthusiastic terms. He said it was a glorious charge, and that not only did cavalry and artillery per form their duty to the utmost, but even the fleet posts which were engaged in taking the troops across the Chenab, to join Lord Gough, performed a most signal service. And now he though it his duty to call the attention of the House to some of those officers en gaged in this hazardous service, in addition to Major Edwardes and Lieutenant Blake, who, when the issue of the war was doubtful, or before the main army was brought upon the field, performed services which abun dantly entitled them to the gratitude of their country; and those they performed alone, altogether unaided, ex cept by their own energy, and the moral influence which their courage invested them with.—(Hear, hear.) And amongst them he would first speak of Captain J. Hamil ton. He was deputed to be the chief leader of the ope rations preceding the passage of the Checab. For a space of two mouths, by his own energy, he succeeded in keeping the body of the enemy in check, and prevent ing them from effecting a junction with the main body. The intrepid bearing of this officer, in the midst of dif ficulties of no ordinary kind, was highlyeulogised by many distinguished officers who witnessed it, and was spoken of in a dispatch in the warmest language, stating as the result of his exertions that the Hasareh territory was in our hands. Ile now came to the exploits of another officer, if possible, almost as extraordinary. He alluded to Lieutenant Herbert. On the Ist of December he was detached against Attock, where he found a force of $OO of the Mahommedan population, of whom he took the command. His troops became mutinous, and in a dis patch of the 19th of December he stated that it was not physical force which deterred him from making the attack, but the defection of his own troops by daily de sertions. His situation, indeed, was a most arduous one. Surrounded by 8,000 or 10,000 of the enemy continually bearing upon a " watched fort," as he called it, he held it notwithstanding until the 2d of January, when, having assembled the leaders of this small force, and informed them of the situation of affairs, he escaped from the fort in a boat upon the Indus, but only for a short time, as the event proves, and ho was now unfortunately in confine ment. Another officer had distinguished himself greatly on the frontier, near the Bunnoo territory, and cleared it of the enemy entirely. Those were instances of the peculiar advantages offered by the English service, that at a com paratively early age young officers placed in situations of great responsibility, and thrown entirely upon their own resources, might show themselves equal to the emergency, and perform this duty with a promptitude and judgment generally expected from mature age and long experience. —(Hear, hear.) And whilst mention ing those who had been spared, they must not forget those who, in this campaign, had fought their last battle.—(Hear.) They must not forget to do honour to such names as those or Cureton, Fitzgerald, and many others which he might mention, who had f a ll en on t h e field, b u t w h ose memory would long survive them; and also, although they had not lived to enjoy a share of the triumph, had still left behind them a high example, which would be a benefit to their country, and a glory to their families.—(Cheers.) With one of these officers he had become acquainted at Sandhurst, and he was a distant relation of himself. He remembered that his gallant friend came to him one day, and joyfully pro ducing the order to join his father in India, exclaimed— " I know few will envy me now." He went to India, arrived in time to cover his father's corpse, and was himself slain. It was not for him to say, how rejoiced they were to know that the gallant Commander-in- Chief had closed a long and honourable career with this great and decisive victory. He had received from a gracious sovereign and a grateful Parliament rewards which would hold him, and deservedly so, to his country, as a brave and accomplished soldier, every way Worthy of the honours and distinctions that had been bestowed upon him ; and he was sure that amongst all those honours, and all those distinctions, there was no honour and there was no distinction which he would niore prize than the thanks of the representatives of that People to whose military glory he . had added so much, and to wh o s e d o minion be bed contributed another claim to security.—(Great cheering.) He would now no longer detain the House, but would conclude by observ ing that the East Tndia Company had given their vote of thank s t o t h ese di st i ngu i s hed officers, and that, doubt less, the House of Commons would be unanimous in signifyin g th e i r grate f u l sense an d ready recognition of their services in India.—(Cheers.) He concluded with moving the resolutions. The Marquis of GRANBY then rose to second the ,1 motion; and begged to express most sincerely his cor . sual concurrence in the eulogium which had just been passed upon the brave officers, to whose prudence and -valour their country owed so much.—(Hear, hear.) ets air R. PEEL—I trust the House will permit me-- itwith cheerio to express the cordial satisfaction th which I shall give my vote for the proposal of the a"ght Hon, Gentleman.—(Renewed cheers.) I should 11,,Otrili.a_ve presumed to add my voice . to . that of the Right r• Gentleman on this occasion, if it were not that on Lint' previou s occas i ons I have been a party to proceed bby which the merits of Lord Gough have been ..,!elight under the consideration of the Commons House Parliament, for his services in the Chinese war, for Zhe battle of Ferozeshah, for the battle of Sobraon, eo I had the satisfaction of announcing to the House Re d istinctions conferred by her Majesty upon Lord ough for his glorious achievements, and asking the .. u se to perform that duty which they so readily and cordially discharged, of marking their sense of ::1,!! services by a pecuniary provision.—(Cries of het...-titear, hear.") It was with the utmost satisfaction that I that that noble soldier had closed a long career of chat and of glory by an achievement worthy of his altner e xploits.—(Cheers.) He has now, I believe, for _,ears served the Crown of the United Kingdom as a l:Nel lat e —(gear .) If at the earlier period of this cat:a -u there were any doubts as to the ultimate result, ,;(tthe doubts I never shared.—(Hear, hear.) I felt erd__ !Attest confidence that in its result that campaign redound to the honour of Lord Gough, and would (Cheer)lne security to the British dominion in Lillie.— I do rejoice at the glorious termination of THE SUN. LONDON. WEDNESDAY EVENING. oyeil!iy ii .; - 1‘,•11 t.) 11.011. exploits have been performed, not by veterans inured to the serviee, but by you ng m i n , assum i ng great re - Qpon- ibilittes, and 2iving examples worthy of the name 01 Englishinen.—(itenewed c h eer i ng .) Wh en suc h things are d ,ne by the aged, and such examples are set by the young, I never will despair of the security of our Indian empire.—(Cheers.) I trust the House will excuse me—(Hear, hear)—ior bearing testimony to the services of Lord Gough.—(Hear, hear.) I cannot permit his military services in India to . close without taking advan tag%2 of a fifth occasion to repeat the satisfaction which I have derived from the contemplation of his services.— (Much cheering.) Sir JAMES HOGG said that the result of the last battle was doubly gratifying, because it gave them the assurance of the complete subjection of the enemy, and also the glory of a brilliant victory. A more complete one was never fought, either more complete as a victory, or more complete in its final results. If any evidence were required by the House upon its completeness, it was to be found in a letter describing it, which was written by Lord Gough to a private friend of his, and in which it was mentioned, amongst other matters, that, to make good the light, into which the engagement speedily turned, the Seikhs threw off their native costume to escape detection. There was now not the slightest chance that the Seikhs could ever re-assemble in forces sufficient to enable them to compete with the British apmy. Lord Gough would never have applied to the Duke of Wellington to relieve him of his office if he had supposed that anything yet remained to be done. Ha would now soon return to his home, and he hoped his life would long be spared to enjoy the rewards bestowed upon him by a gracious Sovereign and a grateful country.—(Hear, hear.) Whilst they were disgusted with the ungenerous conduct of the Seikhs in return for the kind treatment they had experienced, it would be gratifying to reflect upon the steadiness with which the four Seikh regiments had adhered to their cause. Subsequently to 1846 it was Lord Hardinge's policy to enlist the Seikhs under the Dumber and command them by the British officers, and he believed that the four regiments so disciplined might confidently be pronounced as most faithful soldiers. He was glad to hear of the useful services performed by so many young men. No one unacquainted with India could tell the responsibility of acting in that country under trying circumstances, far away from friends to support and encourage them. By the recognition of their value by the House they would henceforth know that however distant might be the field of their labours, or however humble the station in which they were act ing, still the eyes of the country were upon them, and that they would not fail to meet with tho notice of a grateful Sovereign.—(Elear.) Sir H. INGLIS said, that whilst thanks and honours were being lavished on the distinguished officers of whose great merits he also entertained the highest opinion, the House ought not to forget how much they were indebted to a higher power. He would also take the liberty of referring very briefly to the services of Sir John Thack well, whose exploits, he thought, had not been touched upon by his Right Hon. Friend as much as justice re quired. Mr. HUME regretted to say that her Majesty's Go vernment had not the power to confer any honours on the officers of the Indian army but to a limited extent. He hoped the Government would remedy the effects of this ill-advised regulation. He hoped that something would be done for those who survived those who fell in these engagements. Mr. GLADSTONE said it was an error to suppose that there was a regulation by which the honour of the Bath could not be conferred upon the officers of the In dian army. Mr. HUME wished to explain that only 200 officers could obtain the honour. Lord JOHN RUSSELL said, if extraordinary con duct called for it, the party might be rewarded with the honour of the Bath, although the honour was limited in extent. Mr. MANGLES said the officers of the Company were the officers of the Crown, and ought to be placed upon an equality with every other branch of the service. He was astonished that any apprehension should have been entertained by the Government of this country of the re sult of the campaign. Lord J. RUSSELL disclaimed having ever entertained any doubts of the result of the campaign. Mr. GRATTAN said it was very gratifying to Iton. Members who came from Ireland, that a vote of thanks had been given to the Noble Lord. The objection to Lim was that he was a Tipperary man. Colunel DUNNE concurred in the vote, and drew at tentio❑ to the services of General Thackwell. Sir. R. PEEL bore testimony to the ability of Lord Dalhousie's conduct in India. The resolutions were then agreed to. Mr. AGLIONBT presented a petition from Cocker mouth against granting bounties to parties importing slaves into the West Indies. BRAZIL. Mr. M. GIBSON then called the attention of the House to the state of our relations with the empire of Brazil, and to submit a motion for the repeal of the Brazilian Act, 8 and 9 Vic., c. 122. His object was to effect a complete and perfect abolition of the slave trade, and if it was not effected in Brazil, it was not from want of will but of power on the part of the Brazilian (Go vernment. He was sorry to be deprived on this occasion of the services of the Hon. Member for Gateshead, in endeavouring to obtain the repeal of this Act. The grounds upon which he sought it were, that this coun try maintained it by violating international laws. The history of their treaty with the Brazilian Government was this:—ln 1826 a treaty was entered into between Brazil and Great Britain, by which it was declared :and agreed to, that all persons found engaged in the si aye trade, if subjects of either country, should be declared guilty of piracy, and treated as such. That treaty was to last for 15 years, and subjected the vessels of Brasil. to the right of search, and the appointment of Mixed Com mission Courts to try all cases which might be deemed necessary. In 1846 Lord Aberdeen declared, however, that they did not want the privilege of a right of search, or mixed commissions; that by the first article of the treaty, Brazil agreed that persons guilty of slaving should be treated as pirates, and therefore the Sovereign of Great Britain was entitled to take every step she thought proper, to punish Brazilians as such, who should be found guilty. But whoever heard that the declaration in a treaty created a criminal law, or the offence of piracy? An Act of Parliament, was, however, passed, founded on his Lordship's construction of that article, which declared Brazilian or British subjects engaged in slaving guilty of piracy. By that Act it was declared that the subjects of an independent country should be governed by a certain number of Acts of Parliament, passed in England, which were, law before that period; and it was contended that they were liable to the punishments inflicted by those statutes. But it should be recollected that a Brazilian ship, sailing under a Brazilian flag, was to all intents and purposes Brazilian territory, so that they were legislating for the subjects of an independent empire.—(Hear, hear.) Before this was done, however, the opinions of Al.r. I). Hill and the Hon. and Learned Member for Youghal —.who was well known to possess an extensive know ledge of the laws of nations—were taken, and they de cided that the treaty entered into with Brazil gave no right to treat the subjects of a foreign state as pirates; that the Sth and 9th Victoria, cap. 192, was founded on an erroneous assumption of power, and therefore in operative; and, therefore, the seizure and condemnation of Brazilian ships by British cruisers, or Bri tish authority, was unlawful. It would also be recol lected that at that time the present Lord Chief Jus tice of the Common Pleas brought the attention of Par liament to the subject, and that eminent personage had recently informed his (Mr. Gibson's) Hon. and. Learned Friend the Member for Gateshead, and authorised him to state so, that, had he continued a Member of that House, he would have deemed it an imperative duty to seek the repeal of that Act of the Legislature.—(Hear, hear.) In the communication to his Hon. Friend, dated in March of the present year, his Lordship stated that he always thought the conduct pursued towards Brazil a national disgrace ; that it was manifestly done either in ignorance of the law of nations, or by reason of an immense assumption, calculated to lead to war, or to render this country contemptible; for if redress were demanded by a foreign nation, and refused, it would be a just cause of war. The question, continued his Lordship, was, what constituted piracy? Pi racy was a spoliation and violence committed on the high seas, not against one nation, but against all, and therefore any one nation may punish it; but particular treaties entered into would not authorise the contracting parties to punish as criminals the subjects of the other, for neither of them were justified in legislating against the subjects of an independent state. That was clear, and, indeed, such a principle as enunciated in the Act he (Mr. Gibson) referred to was plainly contrary t o th e dictates of commo n sense. It went so fir as to say that the Government of Brazil authorised the British Govern ment to punish its subjects as pirates, because of a treaty which was entered into. Let them recollect that the municipal law required in Brazil for the proper execu tion of the treaty was never carried into effect; and, although his Noble Friend now at the head of the Foreign Department was not responsible for that Act, he would ask him, would the following case be lawful or just, which was exactly similar with the position in which the Executive Government of Brazil was placed. Suppose the Noble Lord had en tered into a treaty with Brazil—which Parliament sub sequently refused to ratify—but the Executive Govern ment of Brazil, in executing it, blockaded British ports, and watched ';he Channel , heedless of what was done in this country. Would that be just, or proper, or politic? —( I, lear hear)—and yet that was the conduct now pur sued by England towards Brazil. hen H V il.rNbil, o hee l n f theth liusborno.uagnhdt before them the opi nion y thel.ea r a n o e u d s e M t e h n e i Member solemnfor p r o o u t g e h s t a h l , 0 f w at h h e e n D h u e k b e r e o n ? ht before Welling ton,case ofot tLhoerpdoLrytungduheusres,t,wihniethewaosuesxeaocttlyLosridms,ilainr,thhee n thought u g h h e t etxhoen subjecte rst e d himselflightly f h ro ef m ore th t e h c e ha e r t ge ten o ti f o ' n ba o y- if the House.—(Hear, hear.) They were bringing Brazi lians tryingbethfberme a standi in t a rib la u n n g a h l a w ge hi w eh hie th h ey the d y id d n i d o .t not o u g a n d i e s e r s e t s a u r d e g , a r a d n e d d before them, j a u n d d g e a s l who tht t h o a o d , e n o o n t rieorcyus toiithesh rights not such a course privileges slikely n todefeatindependenta, than .t t o e. aee W om as p v t i h e o w, ev to il d f t e h e e l ionbgj,ecat theyndto ehxatd in end which such great sacrifices had bcfrebeerantetmhlanrdriestnabPtiPorthsiassnicad,n)buanodf try? Now, with re t g f a u r i d all t e o d t , h i e t w en a g 3 a f g o e r m t e h n em t y s t o o t' i ß hg rai hi . , r l e , if the treaty was no into the matter—to proceed in the business in the same manner as when an ordinary dispute occurred , and not taketake the matter into their own hands. They ought to recollect that it took thirty-two years to carry the abolition of the slave trade in England—(Hear, hear) — and why should they expect that the Brazilian Go verntnent could carry such a measure all at once through their Legislature, and in the face of innumer able difficulties? The slave trade was abolished by the slow progress of public opinion, and he was confident chile thtit r pii_ion was in prfvzres, they had had an it • u committing other acts of hostility, they never would have had that slave trade abolished. He believed that the present policy was not a sound one. When this Act was passed, distinct declarations were made by the Foreign Secretary that nothing wculd give him greater pleasure than to repeal this Act, and since that time, as he was informed, the Brazilians had sub mitted such a project as would have satisfied Lord Aberdeen. The project submitted, he was informed, was satisfactory to both parties, but was not carried out in consequence of a change of Administration, when Lord Palmerston wrote a dispatch which imme• diately put an end to the whole negotiation. Lord Palmerston promi,ed to prepare a draft of a treaty, but his intimation was that it was not to be questioned, and that they had nothing to do but to sign it. Ten months afterwards came out this draft, and in June, 1847, it was forwarded. Lord Howden was instructed that he was not to alter a letter in that treaty. The Right Hon. Gentleman read the dispatch. He ventured humbly to say that these instructions, affording no ground fur nego tiation, was not calculated to be successful. The plan, as might have been anticipated, had entirely failed, and to that Sir Charles Hotham, the commander of the squad ron there, had borne his testimony. His opinion was that they should be met halfway, particularly as there was a party, especially among the younger .men, who were favourable to this project. But Lord Palmerston's in structions had armed against us the whole population. He had stated sufficient reasons, he hoped, to induce the House to agree to a Bill, which he wished to bring in to repeal so much of the present law as was obnoxious to the renewal of amicable relations with the empire of Brazil. He moved for leave to bring in a Bill to repeal the Act 8 and 9 Vic., c. 122. Mr. URQUHART said that if the Government of this country was anxious to find out new channels to advance the trade of this country, nothing could more facilitate that object than opening up amicable relations with the southern continent of America, and especially with the Brazilian empire. Yet that was tho empire which, from the clear and explicit statement they had just heard, they had the worst understanding. Our measures, from the testimony of Sir C. Hotham, were the chief support of the slave trade in that country. The Portuguese Government had been treated in a similar manner. The Hon. Member concluded by saying, that for the reasons he had stated he felt pleasure in seconding the Right Hon. Gentleman's motion. Sir F. THESIGER said, the motion of the Right Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Milner Gibson) was for the repeal of the Bth and 9th Vic., chap. 122; and after what they had heard in its support, he trusted the House would give no encouragement to the motion. The Right Honourable Gentleman (Mr. Milner Gibson) had introduced the motion with great clearness and force, but he had fallen into a few errors, which it would be necessary to correct before he applied himself to a consideration of the ques tion. The Right Hon. Gentleman had spoken of the Bth and 9th Victoria as if they had power ucder that Act to deal with Brazilian subjects. Now, there was nothing in the Act which gave power over the subject of Brazil. It gave power merely to the Admiralty to ad judicate respecting the cargo and vessels of Brazilian subjects.—(Hear, hear.) He would call the attention of the House to the convention of 1826, which incorpo rated into it all the powers of the treaty with Portugal in 1817; and in the first article of the treaty of '26 it was provided, that in three years after the exchange of the ratification of the treaty the slave trade should be entirely abolished, and that any subject of Brazil •rading in slaves after the treaty should be guilty of piracy. —(Hear, hear.) The three years expired in 1830; but under the treaty with Portugal in 1817, it was provided, that after the slave trade should be abo lished, the treaty should exist for 17 years. It there fore lasted for 15 years after 1830, and it expired accordingly in March, 1845. There was then the Act of 7 and 8 Geo. IV., to give effect to that treaty. So stood the law till March, 1845, when the treaty came to an end according to the stipulations of the original treaty. Inasmuch as the Act of Geo. IV. prohibited any proceedings in the Courts of Admiralty, and as the slave-trade came to an end in 1830, and there being no mixed Commission Courts, it became necessary to consider the condition in which this country stood by the treaty with the Brazilian Government, that the slave-trade should be entirely abolished. In 1830 the representative of the Brazilian Court ex pressed it as his opinion that there was no occasion for the mixed Commission Courts, and that parti es might be left to be de a lt with by the ordinary tribunals of their respective countries for violation of the treaty. No one could doubt that the slave trade was perma nently abolished by the treaty referred to. The Hon. and Learned Member then entered into an examination of the case of the Brazilian ship Felicidade and her Ma jesty's ship Wasp, which had come under the considera tion of the thirteen judges, and in which the crew of the Brazilian ship were charged with the murder of some of the crew of the Wasp, who had been put on board in charge of the ship. It appeared, however, that the ship was not taken with slaves on board, and the men were accordingly acquitted of the charge of mur der. After commenting at some length upon the case, the Hon. and Learned Member said the question was whether the House would agree to the repeal of the Bth and 9th Vic., cap. 122. He thought it most undesirable that the Act should be repealed; for, if so, the treaty of 1826 would be a dead letter. Mr. BRIGHT said that he considered that the House and the country were under great obligation to his Right Hon. Friend (Mr. M. Gibson) for having brought that subject udder their notice, because the more it would be discussed the more it would be seen how flimsy and useless was the character of that treaty. There were two questions involved in that subject; one with regard to the abolition of slavery, and the second respecting the commercial relations of this country with Brazil. He would wish to have the House see what were the proceed ings onthe subject of slavery and piracy since the passing of 8 and 9 Victoria, but he regretted to say that they could not see those proceedings as there had been no returns relative to the number of vessels engaged and captured in piracy and the slaving trade. The people in his (Mr. Bright's) county were anxious for the repeal of this law, because they have capital to a large amount in that country, and also because it was a one sided treaty, in consequence of which the duty on their exports had risen from 15 per cent. to 30 per cent.; and, moreover, there are other awkward circum stances, that the property of persons dying intestate is generally wasted in the Brazil Courts, and that their relatives have no means whatever of recovering that pro perty. In a word, the commercial relations of this country are totally perplexed by attempting to perform impossibilities, that is, to dragoon free nations into a course which this country would not endure at the hands of any other country, and be also thought that nothing could be worse than to compel those nations into an abo lition of the slave-trade before they had made up their mind for such a measure; for the abolition of slavery in this country was the result of many years' agitation. Ho admitted that the Noble Lord (Lord J. Russell) thought that he had done good for the coast of Africa by that law, but he (Mr. Bright) could assure him that such was not the opinion out of doors, for the Anti-Slavery Society were at present strongly remonstrating against the policy which Government wore pursuing on that coast.—(clear, hear.) Mr. C. ANSTEY said that ho should differ from the Hon. and Learned Gentleman (Sir F. Thesiger) on the point to which he bad alluded, respecting the cases of the Felicidade and the Echo, for he considered that the captors were the guilty party; at least in the case of the latter ship. He said that one of the fifteen judges who presided in that case declared that the treaty was use less, and that the Act 8 and 9 Vic. was null and void ; and he, therefore, thought that the Right Hoe. Gentle man (Mr. M. Gibson) was perfectly right in the opinion that he had to-night expressed. He was an enemy, in the sincerest acceptation of the term, to the slave trade; but he thought this country was bound to pursue other means to put down that iniquity than in making themselves gaolers and police in a very doubtful course of policy. He wished to see the House united in sup port of the motion of the Right Hon. Gentleman, for he considered the treaty under consideration most unjust, and one which he hoped to see put an end to. Sir EDWARD F. BUXTON must confess his regret that this motion had been brought forward to-night, be cause, as his Hon. Friend the Member for Manchester must be aware, a Committee at that moment sitting on the question of the slave-trade; and he could not but also express his regret that his Right Hon.Yriend had been instigated by his constituents to this course; and the more so as the greater part of tae goods which were taken by the slaves, ware manufactured at and sent out from Isianchester.(l - fear, hear.) He could not but regret the Act which we passed in 1846, that of admit ting foreign-grown sugar into this country, feeling, as he did, that it acted directly as as an encouragement to the production of slave-grown sugar. He could not also but regret the notice of motion entered on the books by the [lon. Member for Gateshead, for doing away alto gether with the cruisers on the coast of Africa, and he hoped his Right lion. Friend would not; persevere in his motion. Mr. HUME could not but express his surprise at the line of argument of his Hon. Friend n. , , , ar him (Sir E. N. Buxton), in condemning the people of Manchester for sending out and selling goods for the i ise of the slaves. Why, if that line of argument was to be pursued, there was no man moro chargeable than the Hon. Member himself, who prepared his liquors for the public. He should like to see the Hon. Baronet, on his own principle, tried by a jury of teetotallers—(Laughter)— a nd he thought they would not acquit him. With r espect to the Honourable Baronet's condemnation of the proposed withdrawal of the squadron from the cosset of Africa, he must disapprove of it. There were t`wo things to be considered in this question ; first, did the. means they were using promote the object which they h a din view? He said no. And, secondly, did they do any : good? No. Why, the whole money they collected from the window tax, amounting to 1,000,000/. an d upwards, was thrown away in the maintaining this squadron, and: the sooner it was withdrawn the better. Mr. JOHN O'CONNELL was sorry to he. tr the Hon. Member for Montrose express himself as he .he had on the present occasion. He regretted that the naotion now before House was brought forward by the Hon. Gentle man, the Member for Manchester. Sir R. PEEL said, that the case appeared flo , him to stand on this ground. It might butotruie that .. one na tion could not take upon tassertt that a t t the cer tain muni cipal jurisdiction of another; a e , anvention were agreed upon betweenthemf t off h acts piracy , then by virtuet (!onvention, the one country could interfere toapish the subjects of the other for the comm ission of ph at if the other refused to do it. It was s aid that the e Act offence, of 1842, which was p assed in order to give a . rect to the c onvention with Brazil , had been p assed in opi ) osition to every principle of inte rnational law. It would 1 )0 str ange if that were so, becau se it was submitted p reviousl y to some °Rho most eminent authorities on this subject. That House passed the Bill in 1845 without a division, and in the House of Peers it was discussed in the' pre sence of the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice, both of whom were well versed in the law of 11.,t,,,r,5, 'and ',either off . m “ny c: , 0 • ' If the principles of national equity were not violated, nor the principles of international law, he contended that the Governor of Brazil had no right to insist upon or expect our forbearance. Lord Aberdtea's account showed that there was abundant cause for interference and resentment. If they repealed this Bill, they would proclaim to the world that all their efforts to prevent slits ery were at an end, and they might then as well con sider how the trade could be promoted and encouraged. Mr. WOOD said the question under consideration was ahem the dryest and shortest that could be conceived. The Act of the Bth and 9th Victoria did not carry out the treaty, and that was their difficulty. Who ever heard of a Legislature endeavouring to enforce a treaty in the way in which the Right Hon. Baronet suggested? They could not be surprised if it should turn out to be contrary to the principles of international law. The Bill pissed the Lords without a discussion, and that House without a division. Probably that was the cause of the slip; and there was certainly the case of a Bill being passed through both Houses without an op tunity for the expression of opinion against it. Lord PALMERSTON said he had been accused of entertaining a humane crotchet by the Hon. Member for Montrose, but he might, in turn, say that that Hon Mem ber himself entertained one. If he (Lord Palmerston) had one, however, it was one, he was sure, in which a majority of the House participated; and as a Committee was sitting to consider this matter, it would be far better to postpone the subject for their consideration. He denied the principal assertions that were made in reference to the repression of the slave-trade, and was prepared to prove, if ever the oceasion should arrive in which he was to be called upon to do so, that the steps hitherto taken had been productive of much good, and had prevented a vast deal of harm. The horrors of the middle passage were now much fewer in number, and smaller in degree, than they were formerly, and in course of time, there could be no doubt, that they would be still further dimi nished.—(Hear, hear.) The idea of setting the slave trade free was in itself, to say the least of it, a very impolitic one. The first result of that step would be, that the coast of Africa would literally be swarmed with the vessels of all countries ready to engage in it. The argument of the Hon. Member fbr Oxford, in which he could not agree, was, that it was wrong to deal with the ships and property of Brazilian subjects, and not with the subjects themselves, because, he said, they could not in that way reach the root of the evil. It had been said that we were assuming a power to deal with the subjects of Brazil in a manner which was not autho rised by the law of Brazil. But many Hon. Members seemed not to be aware that by the law of 1831, slave traders were subject to punishment. It was not merely the ship that was condemned, but every man engaged in the trade was subject to punishment, not as pirates cer tainly ; but still the Government of Brazil did more than even we did, for we confined our interference to the ships engaged in that trade. It was said that pro posals had been made for an alteration of the law, to the Earl of Aberdeen, that might have been so, but there were no communications in the .Foreign-office to that effect. It was true that when he came into office, a communication was made of a treaty by the Minister of Brazil, but it was accompanied by a statement that it was drawn by a Governor not then in office, and he bad no authority to propose it as a Government measure. He (Lord Palmerston) objected to that, and sent out the draft of a treaty by Lord Howden, which was ob• jetted to by the Brazilian ,Government, who said that they would send a counter proposal ; but that had never yet been sent to him. With respect to the com mercial treaty, gentlemen were very much deceived if they believed that the abolition of the present Act would have the slightest effect in reducing the slave trade. The fact was, that reciprocal commercial trea ties were entered into with a view to commercial advan tages solely, and he was not aware that at present our commerce suffered from any inconvenient restrietions in the Brazils. He could only say that he considered that this law was perfectly justified by international law. It was perfectly borne out by the law of 1820. It it was abolished, it would lead to the revival of the slave-trade; and if they abolished it without discussion, they would commit a great error. Even those who were in favour of its abolition, he thought, should refrain until the Committee had reported. On these grounds he should resist, and he could not help hoping that the House would not give its assent to the motion of his Hon. Friend, and thus abandon the high ground of principle which they had hitherto taken on this question. Mr. ROUNDELL PALMER was much astonished at the positions laid down by the Hon. and Learned Member for Oxford, with respect to the position of the slave traders. The treaty between this country and Brazil laid down that Brazilian subjects engaged in that trade were pirates, and should be dealt with as such. We, therefore, between Brazil and us, had a perfect that the pirate ports country, oneht with as the Parliament of this country deemed proper. broughtright to shall be b se e a de and s i a n y to , They had forfeited all claim to the protection of Bra zilian and British law. Mr. COBDEN said, he would not have risen if the Noble Lord had not placed the division on a false principle. He accused the Honourable Member for Montrose, and those who supported him, of a desire to revive the slave trade, and assumed that our present system was successful. Why the very contrary was the case, as was shown by the tract sent to all Members that morning by the Anti-Slavery Society that the slave trade had in creased, notwithstanding Amerioa had withdrawn from that trade, and that also showed that the deaths on the middle passage had increased since 1807 from fourteen to twenty-five per cent., and the horrors of the middle passage had increased in like proportion. He thought, therefore, it was quite clear that our efforts had failed to repress the slave trade, and it was rather cool of the Right Hon. Baronet and the Noble Lord to accuse those who were opposed to the armed cruisers of the Noble Lord of being desirous to restore the slave trade. His opinion was, that the secret of the failure of our efforts to put dow n t h e slave trade, arose from our having re course to forc e . I nstead of continuing our appeals to justice and h umanity, the Anti-Slavery Society had sought the aid o f politicians and force, and from the moment they went to the Foreign-office, in Downing street, they b egan to fail in their objects.—(Hear, hear.) We had better, therefore, try to convert other nations by arguments, and by those means which were used in this country, to produce conviction. With respect to the legal argument, b he would merely say that nothing he had heard had shaken in his opinion the ground taken by his Hon. Fri en d . Colonel THOMP SON said, that even if they were to concede that th e A nt i -Slavery Society was right i n i ts assertion that t h ere was more slave-trading now than ever was known in history, it did not follow that all en deavours to diminish it were useless, but that, on the contrary, if no effort had b een made, the slave-trade would have been greater.—(Hear, hear.) There was a parallel case which his Hon. Friend, who had alluded to him, might be ready to answer. Suppose it was urged that that gre a t c h ange in the commercial policy of this country, stro ng l y aff e ctingdone many and certain things—which some would say it was very desirable Should pnoowterhfualveinhtearpepsetsu,odh—adhnoowt ready would his Hon. Friend have been to say that there was not much in that argument that was effectual and conclusive. —(gear, hear.) During his whole life he had supported the object of the Anti-Slavery Society, but he could not help suspecting that their intellect was un der some cloud.—(A. laugh.) He was not bound to ex plain the rationale of their proceedings, but when he heard his Hon. Friend talking of a benevolent crotchet, it led him seriously to expect that his Hon. Friend would be executing an office at the Horse Guards, or perhaps taking the command of the Channel fleet.— (Laughter.) He impl ore d t h e G e ntlemen to suspend their judgment until t h ey h a d a p e rfect opportunity of in judgg; and he w as con fid ent th a t they who ha d passed slave their lives in glorying i n t he repression of trade on the coast of Af r i ca would see that this the country did not take part against them in the end. Mr. GIBSON briefly replied. divided, w h e n the numbers were— For the motion The House then After a few words from Mr. Baz aar in e x p lanation, Against it ... --• ••• 13 7 Majority ••• ••• •-• —lO3 The motion was accordingly lost. Mr. WYLD moved for leave to bring in a Bill to ex plain and amend the law relating to the holding of in quests or courts of inquiry in cases of fire within the United Kingdom. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL objected; and After some conversation the motion was negatived without a division. The Other orders of the day ere then di s p ose d o f , and ie House adjourned at One o'clock. TO THE SECRETARY OF THE METROPOLITAN REFORM ASSOCIATION. Sir,-0a Monday the 23d . , the Bill on t h e Naviga tion Laws was read a third time by 275 against 214, and passed. Little that is remarkable attended it, except the continued evidence presented, that however professions may run to the contrary, the object of hope is a joyful return to the enjoyment of prote c ti on i n the matter of corn. All the stock fallacies on the sufferings of unpro tected industries are brought forward as if they had had no time to grow old. And what i s to b e lamented is, that the opportunity given for once more putting them down by reply, has been to a great extent thrown away. . The report is that the is to pass the Lords. What is of some importance is, that the great military Peer is understood to be for the Bill. He had a narrow escape from making himself a great civil name by re moving the corn-laws himself; for he must always have had as clear a vision of their absurdity, as of a plan for increasing the nambers of an army by taking men from one battalion to another and losing half by the way. Perhap s h e now snu ff s a war, and with the pardonable jealousy of age, dislikes to see it in other hands. On Tuesday the thanks of Parliament wero voted to the commanders and troops engaged in India, and the battles were fought over again from the Gazette. It would be curious to know what might have been said in a Seikh Parliament, if the Seikhs had beaten. On the same night a motion for leave to bring in a Bill to repeal the Act connected with the Slave Trade treaties with Brazil, was negatived by 137 to 34. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, AN OLD REFORMER London, April 25, 1849. ST. MARTIN'S-IN. - FIELDS. -- ELECTION OF G UARDIANS or THE POOR.—In consequence of there being 60 names proposed, the result of the election has only just become known:—The 24 persons proposed by the churchwardens have been el ec t e d , the highest having polled 1,462 rotet , , and the lowest 1,158. Of the 24 names proposed by Mr. Charles Cochran; that gen tleman himself obtained 871, and the lowest of his nomi nation 193 votes. Of the 16 names proposed by others, four were also included in the churchwardens' list, and were consequently among the highest. Of the remain ing 12, Mr..Wakley, M.P., obtained 838, and the lowest oa the whole poll 130 votes. APRIL 25, 1849. PARLIAMENTARY DIV EsIONB ( From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of C011071i)h.6. MONDAY, APRIL 23. SEVERN NAVIGATION IMPROVEMENT COMMIS. SION, AMENDMENT OF ACTS, NEW WORKS, AND FURTHER POWERS BILL. Order for Second Reading read ; Motion made, and Question proposed, " That the Bill be now read a second time :" Amendment proposed, to Navel out the word " now," and at the end of the Question to add the words " upon this day six months :" Question put, " That the word now' stand part of the Question." The House divided : MINORITY—AYES, 137. Adana, Sir T. D. Adair, it. St.alto Aglionby, 11. A. Anderson, Arthur Anson, Colonel Anson, Viscount Arkwright, G. Armstrong, Sir A. Armstrong, R. B. Arundel, Earl of Bagel, William Bagshaw, John Baring, Sir F. T. Baring, Thomas Barron, Sir 11. Farnham, E. B. Paget, Lord A. Foley, , ,J. IL Paget, Lord C. Forster, Matthew Patten, J. W. Fortescue, J. W. Peel, Sir Robert Fox, R. M. Perfect, Robert French, F. Peto, Samuel Fuller, A. E. Philips, Sir G. R. Godson, R. Plumptre, J. P. Greenall, Gilbert Ricardo, J. L. Greene, John Ricardo, Osman Greene iThomas Robinson. George Grenfell, C. Pascoe Raiford, Francis Grey, R. W. Rushout, Captain Gwyn, Howel Sanders, George Halford, Sir IL Scholefield, W. Hardcastle, J. A. Sheridan, R. B. Basile, Alexander Shirley, E. J. Heald, James Sidney, Alderman Heywood, James Simeon, John Hill, Lord Marcus Smith, J. A. Hindley, Charles smith, M. Tucker Humphery, Ald. Somerville, Sir IV. Kershaw, James Elamiteld, W. R. Knight, F. W. Sullivan, Michael Labouchere, Henry Talbot, C. It. Langston, J. H. Talbot, J. H. Lawless, Cecil Tenison, E. K. Lemon, Sir Charles Thicknesse, R. A. Lewis, George C. Thompson, Colonel Lewisham, Viscount Thompson, Alderman Locke, Joseph Thompson, George Lopes, Sir Ralph Thornely, T. Lygon, Gen. Tollemache, F. J M'Taggart, Sir J. Trelawny, J. S. M'Gregor, John Villiers, Charles Meagher, Thomas Waddington, David Mandeville, Viscount Ward, H. G. Martia - John Wawn, J. T. Matheson, Alex. Willcox, Brodie 3lelgund, Viscount Williams, John Moody, C. A. Williamson, Sir II Muntz, G. F. Willoughby, Sir H. Mundy, William Wyld, James Newdegate, C.N. O'Brien Sir Lucius O'Connell, J. Ogle, S. C. Bass, Thomas Bellew, K. M. Benbow,fJohn Birch, Sir Thomas Blair, Stephen Blewitt, Reginald Bouvorie, E. P. Boyle, Colonel Brackley, Viscount Brown, Humphrey Brown, W. Butler, P. S. Buxton, Sir E Campbell, W. F. o .ardwell. Edward Chaplin, W. J. Clay, Sir W. Coleliold, J. C. Cocks, T. S. Colebrooke, Sir T. Coles, Henry B. Collins, W. Crowder, IL B. Cubitt, William Dawson, T. V. Denison, Edmund Drummond, Henry Duncan, Viscount Duncan, George Duncuft, John Evans, Sir Da Lacy Evans, William TELLES& Pakington, Sir J. Littleton, E. K. MAJORITY—NOES, 171. Adair, Hugh E. Gaskell, J. M. Mailings, J. It. Alexander, N. Gladstone, W. E. Newport, Visct. Arbuthnott, H. Glyn, George Carr Norreys, Lord Archdall, Captain Gordon, Admiral Norreys, Sir D. Laillle, H. J. Gore, W. R. O'Flaherty, Anthony Baldeck, E. H. Granby, Marquis of OssultonaLord Bankes, G. Grogan, Edward Palmer4Robert Baring, Francis Hale, R. B. Pattison, James Barrington, Lord Hallyburton, Lord J. Pearson, Charles Bennet, P. Halsey, T. P. Peel, Frederick Bentiuck, Lord H. Harris, Captain Pennant, Colonel Beresford, William Hay, Lord J. Plowden, W. H. Berkeley, H. Hayes, Sir E. Prime,,ltichard Berkeley, C. L. Hayter, W. G. Pryse, Pryse Bernard, Viscount Heneage, G. H. W. Pugh, David Blackstone, W. Henley, J. W. Reid, Colonel Boldero, H. G. Henry, Alexander Repton, G. W. J. Bourke, R. S. Herbert, H. A. Rice, E. R. Bowles, Admiral Herbert, Sidney Richards. Richard Bremridge, Richard Berries, J. C. Sadleir,:John Bromley, Robert Hayworth, L. Balwey, Colonel Brotherton, J. Hildyard, R. C. Sandal's, Joseph Bruen, Colonel Illldyard, T. B. T. Scully Francis Buck, L. W. Holland, Robert Seaham, Viscount Buller, Sir Y. Hood, Sir A. Shelburne, Earl of Sunbury, William Hope, Sir J. Slaney, Robert A. Burke, Sir T. J. Hope, H. T. Smith, J. B. Burrell, Sir C. Hope, A. Smyth, J. G. Burroughes, H. Hornby John Smythe, G. Carter, John B. Horsman, E. Somerset, Captssi Charteris, Francis Howard, C. W. Stafford, Augustus Childers, J. W. Howard, E. G. Stanley, E. H. Clive, H. B. Hume, Joseph Stephenson, Robert Cobden, Richard Jocelyn, Viscount Stuart, H. Cochrane, A. Jolliffe, Sir W. H. Stuart, J. Codrington, Sir W. Keating, Robert Thesiger, Sir F. Cole, H. A. King, P. J. Trollop., Sir J. Dalrymple, Captain Knox, Colonel Vane, Lord H. Darner, Colonel Lascelles, W. S. Villiers, Viscount Deedes, W. Legh, G. C. Villiers, F. W. Denison J. E. Lincoln, Earl of Vy se , H. Dick, "tinintin Lindsay, Colonel Waddington, H. S. Drummond, Home Loch, James Wall, C. B. Duff, George S. Long, W. Walsh; Sir J. B. Duncombe, A. Lowther, Hon. Col. Walter, John Duncombe, 0. Lushington, C. Wellesley, Lord C. Dunne, Francis P. Mackinnon, W. Westhead, J. P. Du Pre, C. G. M'Nagaten. Sir E. Whitmore, T. C. East, Sir J. B. Mahon, Viscount Wilson, Matthew Egerton, Sir P. Maitland, Thomas Wodehouse, Edmund Egerton, W. T. March, Earl of Worcester, Marquis Ellis, John Matheson, Colonel Wynn, C. W. Euston, Earl Meux, Sir H. Wyvlll, Mar m aduke FarrerJames Miles, Philip W. S. Young, Sir John Ferguson, Sir R. Milner, W. M. Fitzroy, Henry Moffatt, George Fitzwilllam, G. W Moore, G. H. Forester, G. C. Morris, David Fox, S. L. Me watt, Francis rrizzaa. Berkeley, Captain Clive, B. H. TUESDAY, APRIL 23. BRAZILIAN TREATY. Act (8 and 9 Vic. c. 122) read; Mo ion made, and Ques tion proposed," That leave be given to bring in a Bill to repeal the said Act." The House divided:— MINORITY—AYES, 34. Adair, Hugh E. liorsman, Edward Thicknesse, R. A. Anstey, T. C. Ilume, Joseph Thompson, George Bouverie, E. P. Keating, Robert Thornely, Thomas Brown, W. Kershaw, James Urquhart, David Banbury, E. H. Locke, Joseph Williams, John Cobden, R. : Mitchell, A. T. Wood, W. P. Duff, G. S. Moffatt, George Worcester, Marquis Ewart, William Molesworth, Sir W. Wyld, James ; Greene, John Pilkington, James Hastie, Alexander Salwey, Colonel TELLIES. Henry, Alexander Smith, J. Benjamin Gibson, T. M. tieyw•od, James Stuart, Lord Dudley Bright, John Ileyworth, Lawrence Sullivan, Michael MAJORITY-NOES, 137. Acland, Sir T. Glyn, G. C. Paget, Lord Clarence Adair, R. Shafto Gordon. Admiral Palmer, Bounden Armstrong, It. B. Graham, Sir James Palmerston, Viscount Arundel, Earl of Greenall, G. Parker, John Bagehaw, John Grey, Sir G. Pearson, Charles Baines, M. T. G, ey, R. W. Pechell, Captain Baring. Sir F. Gwyn, Howel Peel,;Sir Robert Baring, Thomas . Hamilton, Lord C. Pigott, Francis Bass, M. T. Harris, Captain Pinney, William Berkeley, H. F. Hawes, B. Plumptre, J. P. Blackall, S. W. Heald, James Power, Nicholas Blair, Stephen' Herbert, Henry A. Price, Sir Robert Bourke, Richard S. Herbert, Sydney Pryse, Pryse Boyle, Colonel Hindley, C. Rawdon,;Colonel Brotherton, J. Hobhouse, Sir John Ricardo, Osman Bruen, Colonel Hobhouse, T. B. Robartes, T. J. A. Bunbrry, William Hodgson, W. N. Romilly, Sir John Buxton, Sir E. Hollond, Robert Russell, Lord J. Carew, W. H. Pole Hood, Sir A. Russell, Edward S. Cayley, E. S. Howard, Lord E. Rutherford, A. Chichester, Lord J. Howard, Sir R. Sadleir, Jokn Childers, J. W. Jervis, Sir John Scully, Francis Christy,:Samnel ! Johnstone, Sir J. Smith, J. A. Clements, Charles Jones, Captain Somerville, Sir W. Clive, Henry B. Keogh, William Strickland, Sir G. Cole, Hon. H. A. Keppel, George T. Talfourd, Sergeant Coles, H. B. Labouchere, Henry Tancred, IL W. Corry, Henry Lascelles, W. S. Tenison, E. K. Cowper, W F. Lewis, G. C. Thesiger, Sir F. Craig, W. G. Lowther, Colonel Thompson, Colonel Crawford, W. S. Mackenzie, W. F. Tollemache, John Currie, 11. Maitland, Thomas Tovrnshend. Captain Dawson, T. V. Marshall, J. G. Vane, Lord H. Deedes, W. Martin, C. W. Verner, Sir W. Douglas, Sir C. Masterman, John Ward, H. G. Duncombe, 0. Maule, Fox Watkins, Colonel Duncuft, John Miles, P. W. S. Wawn, J. T. Dunne, F. P. Milner, W.;M. Willyams, H. Ebrington, Lord Milnes, R. M. Williamson, Sir 11. Edwards, Henry Moore, G. H. Wilson, Matthew Evans, William Morris, David Wodehouse, E. Ferguson, Sir R. Mostyn, E. Wood, Sir Charles Ffolliott, J. Mulgrave,lEarl Wortley, J. S. Fitzpatrick. J W. Mullings, J. R. Fitzroy, Henry Norreys, Sir D. TILLEZ3. Freestun,:Colonel O'Brien, Sir Lucius Tufnell, Henry. Galway, Viscount O'Connell, John Bellew, R. M. PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS. From the Votes and Proceedings of Me House of Commons.) MONDAY, APRIL 23. STANDING ORDERS COMMITTEE. The following Resolutions were reported from the above Committee : 1. That in the case of Westhead's Patent for Improve ments in Manufacturing Fur into Fabrics, the Order of the House of the 3d April ought to be dispensed with :—That the parties be permitted to deposit a petition for a Bill forthwith. 2. That in the case of the London and North-Western Railway (Amendment of Acts and Regulation of Capital) petition for leave to deposit a petition for a Bill, the stand ing orders ought not to be dispensed with. 3. That in the case of the Guardian Fire and Life Assur ance Company petition for leave to deposit a petition for a Bill, the standing orders ought not to be dispensed with. 4. That in the case of the Railway Assurance Company (Alteration of Stamp Duties) petition, the standing orders ought to be dispensed with: —That the parties be permitted to proceed with their Bill, on inserting the notices once in the London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Gazettes :—That the Com mittee on the Bill do examine, in the first place, how far such orders have been complied with, and do report the same to the House on the report of the Bill. _ __. 5. That in the case of the South Devon Railway (to regu late Priority of Dividends) petition for leave to deposit a petition for a Bill, the standing orders ought to be dispensed with :—That the parties be permitted to deposit their peti tition, provided the same be deposited not later than three clear days after the presentation of this report. First, fourth, and fifth Resolutions agreed to.—Report to lie on the table. TUESDAY, APRIL 23. That in the case of the LOuth Markets and Improvements petition for leave to deposit a petition for a Bill, the standing orders ought to be dispensed with:—That the parties be permitted to deposit a petition for a Bi'l, provided the same be deposited not later than three clear days after the presen tation of this report.—Resolution agreed to. PAIRS ON THE THIRD READING OF THE NAVI- THE LATE BOILER EXPLOSION. iIE'L ke;; For the space of half a minute after the explosion happened nothing but a dense mass of steam and dust could be seen, which ascended so high as to darken the neighbourhood in the immediate vicinity of Mr. Key's premises. The instant the steam and dust in some mea sure began to clear away, a shower of timber, bricks, and portions of heavy machinery fell. Large piles of wood were seen flying in every direction, which, as they fell upon the house-tops, either forced in the roofs or de molished the back or side walls. At the same time one of the boilers, weighing many tons, was lifted from its bearings, and thro wn a l ong di s t ance f rom it s original position; the other was rent in pieces, and one part, weighing nearly two tons, was forced high into the air, and, after travelling a distance of 100 feet, fell into the back-yard of Mr. Keys, striking in its descent the large premises used as counting-houses and offices, forcing in the windows, and partially destroying the front walls. The crash was tremendous, and at the same instant the school-house in Charles-street was partially blown down; two or three houses adjoining bad their roofs and back fronts stove in, and an iron tank, weighing up wards of a ton, was driven by the force of the explosion some distance above the house tops, and falling upon the roof of the mill, broke through and settled amongst the machinery. The devastation was carried far beyond Mr. Key's property. An aged man passing along the road was struck by a piece of iron, which broke both his legs, and he was obliged to be carried to the London Hospi tal. A boy passing through Church-lane had his arm fractured by the falling of a large piece of brickwork. Mrs. Young was buried in the ruins, and very severely scalded. Owing to the exertions of Mr. Dench, a neigh bour, and other parties, :she was eventually extricated, but was so seriously injured as to be obliged to be con veyed en a shutter to the London Hospital. A large flag-stone, which weighed nearly half a cwt., was seen flying like a kite over the hou se -t ops i n a horizontal di rection, until it reached Church-lane,Whiteehapel, when it fell upon the roof of Mr. Triggs' premises, No. 8, with such force as to carry in the roof and ceiling. The Brigade and West of England engines attended. They were kept at work until four o'clock in the after noon, to prevent the possibility of a fire occurring. Respecting the origin of the disaster nothing that can be depended upon can at present be learnt. Subjoined is a copy of the official report of the extent of damage done:— _ " Tuesday, April 24, quarter to II .L.Dr.—Called by a stranger to a fire at Back Church-lane, Commercial road in the East. Upon arriving there found that an explosion had occurred in the patent saw mills of Mr. Thomas Keys, which did the following damage:— " Back Church-lane—Mr. Key's; one boiler exploded, the shaft displaced, roof of boiler shops blown off, ends of engine-house and part of factory blown down; ma chinery and contents severely damaged by explosion; the counting-house and offices seriously injured and windows broken. " No. 88—Mr. Starkey; back front and roof seriously damaged, and windows demolished. " No. 89—Mr. J, Rickett; building similarly damaged, and furniture broken. " No. 97—Mr. J. Edgington, grocer and cheesemon , ger; premises shaken by explosion, window-glass da• waged, and roofs of kitchen and washhouse broken in. "Nos. 1,2, 3,4, 5, and 6, and 68 and 69—Window glass broken, and premises damaged by explosion. " No. 93—Mr. Readdy, cooper; roof of dry shed da maged by explosion. " Charles-street—The school-house, belonging to Mr. Flibbert ; school partially destroyed, and front house ditto. " No. I—Premises partly blown down, and furniture destroyed by breakage. _ _ " No. 2- I. Buildiniand furniture extensively damaged by the explosion, back, front, and roof destroyed, and window-glass demolished. _ _ " Bertiers-street—No. 14i, Mr. Stagg; stabling da. maged by explosion. " Nos. 23, 24, and 25—Buildings damaged by explo. sion, &c. " Messrs. M'Donald's—A piece of wood about 14 feet long forced through the wall, and window-glass damaged. gatty's-gardens—Nos. 1,2, 3,4, and s—Prom! severely injured and glass destroyed. " Campbell's-place, North -street—Mr. J. F. Cat bell's roof of premises broken in. " Church-street—Nos. 1,2, 3,4, 5, and 6—Premi all severely injured and glass demolished. " The cause of explosion unknown." FRIGHTFUL ACCIDENT. An aecident occurred last evening just as the clock struck eight on that part of the Great Western road posite Kensington church, which we regret to state been attended with loss of life or serious injury to less than five persons. From inquiries made on the s at the moment after the occurrence by the reporter the district, who was immediately in attendance, it pears that at the time stated a band of brass instrume Was playing in front of the King of Prussia pub house in Kensington High-street, within about eight ten doors of the church,when an open double-bodied low phaeton, drawn by a grey horse, in which were a gentle man and lady sitting on the front seat, came along in the direction of town, and was going down the road 'to wards Hammersmith. The horse being a spirited animal was alarmed by the noise of the music, and instantly started at full spoed down theroad, when between theßing of Prussia and the church three boys about 12 or 14 years of age, were knocked down and run over by the phaetim; and at the same instant, directly opposite the chuich, at a most dangerous turn in the high road which occurs there, which prevents the drivers coming !up the road from seeing the vehicles coming down the road, the phaeton came into most fearful collision with ono of Joseph Limpus's Isleworth and Hounslow omnibuses coming to town. The shafts of the phaeton was broken off, and the pole of the omnibus driven with dreadful force against tho lady and gentleman in the phaeton, ind one of the shafts of that vehicle entered the chest of one of the omnibus horses. Several persons who witnessed the accident instantly went to the assistance of the suf ferers, and fortunately the station-house of the F division being in Church-court, only a few yards off, Inspector Havell and a body of police were in immediate attend ance, and messengers were sent for surgeons in'all direc tions. The boys were first taken into the shop of Mr. Morris, a chemist, nearly opposite the King of Prussia, and from there to the surgery of Messrs. Merriman and Son, in Kensington-square, while the lady was carried into the shop of Mr. Marshall, grocer, opposite the church, and the gentleman to the Castle beer-shop, next door. Mr. John Merriman was the first medical man in attend ance on the latter, and was quickly followed by Mr. Turner, Mr. Redhand (assistant to Mr. Guazzaroni), and afterwards by Mr. Merriman, jun., Mr. Guazzaroni, &c. On an examination being made of the lady, it was found that she was perfectly lifeless, although she did not ap pear to have sustained any serious injury. The gentle man who was carried up to the back room of the Castle was found to have sustained a frightful injury of the abdomen from a blow from the omnibus pole. He was quite insensible, and the medical gentleman in attend ance informed the reporter that it was impossible that he could long survive. The body of the lady was soon afterwards conveyed from Mrs. Marshall's house to the Crown Inn, adjoining the churchyard, where it awaits a coroner's inquest. Of the three boys, One of the name of Connor, living in Jenning's-buildings, High-street, was found to have his leg broken, and was promptly conveyed on the police-stretcher to St. George's Hospital, where ho now lies. The second boy, who is named Boucher, and lives in Palace-place, High-street, was found to have sustained serious injury of the fore head, and also of his left arm and breast. He was con veyed to the same hospital in a light cart soon after wards. The third boy, named Simpson, who was not's° severely injured as the others, was conveyed home E by his fat her to their lodgings in Jenning's-buildings, and attended by Mr. Guazzsroni. It was ascertained Oat the name of the lady is Rogerson, and that the gentle man is a Mr. Tucksfield, of Elm-cottage, Barnes, Sir rey. At nearly eleven o'clock last night, when the le porter left, Mr. Tucksfield was still alive. GATION BILL. FOR. Barnard, E. G. Cavendish, W. G. Duff', J. Enfield, Lord Hall, Sir B. Hardcastle, J. A. Harris, R. Hodges, T. L. Hodges, T. T. Hogg, Sir J. W. Howard, P. Mahon, O'Gorman AGALNST. Spooner, R. Lascelles, Hon. E. Prime, R. Manners, Lord G. Tollemache, J. Bennet, P. Williamson, Sir H. Rendlesham, Lord Forbes, W. Lindsay, Hon. Colonel Stanley, E. Ker, R. _ Norreys, Sir D. Benbow, J. Pendarves, E. W. Bell, M. Simeon, John Cocks, T. S. Townley, R. G. Manners, Lord C. Tynte, Colonel Mulgrave, Earl Westenra, Hon. Colonel Clay, J. LICENSED VICTUALLERS' ASTLUX,--His Royal Highness Prince Albert, patron of this institution, will lay the first stone of the increased number of habitations which have been determined to be added to this most valuable institution on Tuesday, the 29th of May next, which will be the twenty•first anniversary of the laying of the first stone of the original portion of the edifice by his late Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex, the then patron of the society. TOR CROPS IN THE MIDLAND DisuncTs.--The recent severe weather, more especially that which oc curred during the last week, has retarded considerably the growth- of the young wheat. Between Birmingham- and Stratford - upon - Avon this effect is very observable. The wheat appears shrunk, not having for so p a st made the least progress in growth. Beans andtri time look healthy, and a fair crop is anticipated. THE PENINSULAR MAILS. SOUTHAMPTON, TUESDAY, Al IDNIGHT.—The Penin hr and Oriental steamer Jupiter, Captain, F. Meeh has just arrived, with the usual mails from Gibralt Cadiz, Lisbon, Oporto, and Vigo. Our advices from Lisbon of the 19th inst. mention ti Portugal was perfectly tranquil. At the Jupiter's departure the Ministers and Final Committee were in conference, and had come to an und , standing as to modifications in some of Senhor Lc/ Branco's projects. Increased estimates for the war department were be agreed to, and the full complement of 24,000 rc kept up. The political news is not of much importance. Russian, Danish, and Swedish ships had been relim from differential tonnage dues in Portuguese ports. Exchange on Londo❑ at three months, 54 ; Lisb Bank notes, 41 discount. King Charles Albert arrived at Oporto on the ni of the 19th inst., en route to Lisbon. Our Gibraltar' letter quotes the rate of exchange n London, at 90 days, at 494 to 49k. We have advices from Tangier, confirming the intel i gence brought by the Indus, that the French Cons !- General in Morocco, having failed to obtain reparati u from the Moorish Government for the insults be had re ceived, had terminated diplomatic relations with the Emperor's Government, and had hauled down his flag. The French residents were placed under the protection of the British Charg' d'Affaires. MiNCIIESTER T E REPORT, TUBSDAY.—We are sorry to u h s a i v e e s : rac !s i l iffeior m t uaohc,ohnatisnbueaenncetroanf sdaaeltledtrathdies. weeks past. Depressi on i s t h e cha wNeoetk as s re b for some o terising feature of our market. The Danish dispute is said to be operating most injuriously. Heavy goods ar e dull in the extreme, and the long cont i nuance of cold w i ntr y weather has seriously injured the spring trade, but it is hoped that the recent genial change will be be neficial. Our foreign buyers have been quite inactive, and seem disposed to wait till the future prospects of continental affairs are more promising than at present. Amongst the Indian buyers there has been a slight acti vity. All parties are anxiously waiting for the settle ment of disputes abroad, and seem convinced that no general move can take place in the commercial circles till our foreign politics are more promising of future and settled peace. SOUTHAMPTON, TUESDAY MORNING. -By the steam -packet just arrived from Havre, we hear that the cotton market was yesterday very animated. Sales to two o'clock amounted to 1,260 bales, and, owing to the favourable advices brought by the Canada, prices ad vanced from 500. to lf. on all kinds. For the last two days no particular arrivals excepting the George P. Patten, Captain Stenson, from Mobile, with 2,678 bales of °own. .~~'~~ > EXHIBITION OF THE IVEW-4W.PIETY PAINTLR.S IN WATER COLOURS': - Having attended on the eceasiue the private view of the collection of paintings now hanging in the gallery of this very rising society (.53, Pall mall), we may briefly endeavour to express the impression made upon us by the first inadequate inspection of the four hundred and two pictures pro duced by the different conteibUtors. Our recolle c ti on o f l as t year' s exhibition is so vivid,' and our ad miration continues to be so sincere fur some of the works of art there submitted to public scrutiny, that we cannot but regard the pre sent exhibition (the fifteenth in the career of the association) as affording us considerable cause for disappointment. When contrasted with its immediate predecessor, it appears to us of a decidedly inferior character; though when viewed simply in regard to its own merits, and altogether irrespective of our recollections, it is in several instances not by any means disentitled to commendation. Several of the most prominent contributors have either retired from competition this spring, or have shown themselves to have been remarkably indolent. Mr. H. 'Warren, the President, has in only one instance evinced anything like the ability which has already gained him his very eminent reputation. In this one instance, however, he has proved more than meritorious ; he has produced a daring and ambitious painting in that simple purity of style which Mr. Herbert, the Royal Academician; has borrowed from the early Italians. The work is No. 276, "Joseph's Coat brought to Jacob ;" and the statuesque figure of the patriarch with the kneeling forms of the brethren who have made away with the youngest and the best beloved, are singularly bold and beautiful. The story is told in one glance, with all its force, its su denness, its pathos, and its solemnity. Mr. L. Haghe, the Vice-President, has in like manner one picture (No. 102), not unworthy of his pencil— ," Vespers in the Church of _St.__Anne, Bruges"— rich in architectural beauties, in depth and transpa rency of shadow, and even in such minor excellences as the vivid delineation of the marble masonry. Mr. Corbould is scarcely so felicitous in 1849 as he was in 1848. His " Happy as a Queen," though charming, is in no degree compa rable to his exquisite " Water Lily" of last season. No. 160. "The Murderers of Thomas Chase, of Amersham, drawing up the Letter to the Clergy," is, we take it, more of an experiment than a labour of love on his part. As an experiment is is, nevertheless, marvellously clever and effective, the gleaming armour of the knights and the gorgeous episcopal robes of the bishop standing boldly out from the sombre darkness of the apartment. Mrs. Margetts has several agreeable fruit _pieces in the manner of Lance, such as No. 2211, " Quinces, Pomegranates, and Grapes." H. Maplestone contributes one inimitably ingenious sketch (No. 223) of " The Express Train— Twilight," with the distant lights of the town twinkling under the arches of the viaduct. C. H. Weigall's " Pere de Famille" (No. 243) is a scrap from Nature. So also is the pic ture of " Elizabeth et Fefine" (No. 360) by William Lee. " The Servant of all Work" by Harrison Weir (No. 281) is worthy of even Herring or Landseer--small and unpretending as it is. One of the most charming landscapes in the whole exhibition is that of the " Windings of the Wye," by George Campion. Admirable also is that of " Spearing Salmon in North Wales," by J. H. Mole. Among the works of W. Rehnert, the most conspicuous, and in all respects the most meritorious, is that of the "Precincts of a, Large City—Evening" (No. 36). A num b er o f other clever productions are unavoidably overlooked from the brevity of the space which we have allotted our selves for the present notice. COURT CIRCULAR. The Queen held a Court yesterday afternoon at Buck agham Palace. - Count Schimmelpenninck, the Netherlands Minister, had an audience of the Queen, to deliver his new cre dentials from his Sovereign. The Marquis de Sauli, the Sardinian Minister, bad an audience of her Majesty, to present a letter from his Sovereign on his accession. Their Excellencies were respectivel 7 introduced by Viscount Palmerston, G.C.8., her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and conducted by Colonel the Hon. Sir Ed war d Cust, C.H., her Ma jesty's Master of the Ceremonies. The Right Hon. Thomas Wyse, her Majesty's Minis ter Plenipotentiary at the Court of Greece, had his audience of leave. Th e Ri g h t H on. Gentleman was presented to the Queen by Viscount Palmerston. Viscount Palmerston had an audience of the Queen. Her Majesty was attended by Lord Byron, Lord in Waiting, and Colonel th e H on . A. N . Hood, Groom in Waiting. 'for pp. Intl§ lis t or Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, attended by Lady Augusta Bruce, Baroness de Speth, and Sir George Couper, left her residence, Frogmore House, near Windsor, at a quarter before twelve o'clock yester day, for town. The Royal Duchess alighted at Buck ingham Palace, and remained to luncheon with the Queen and Prince Albert. Her Royal Highness after wards proceeded to Clarence House, St. James's. Their Royal Highnesses the Hereditary Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Mecklenburgh Strelitz arrived at the residence of the Duke of Cambridge, at Kew, on Monday night, from the continent. Their Royal High nesses were accompanied from Dover by the Duchess of Cambridge. Yesterday afternoon their Royal High nesses the Duchess of Cambridge and the Hereditary Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Mecklenburgtz Strelits arrived in town from K ew , an d v i s i te d her Ma jesty and Prince Albert at Buckingham Palace. Lord John Russell had an audience of her Majesty yesterday. His Royal Highness Prince Albert, attended by Lieutenant-Colonel Seymour, honoured the Earl of Ellesmere with a visit yesterday, at his residence in Belgrave-square. The Queen had a dinner party yesterday, at Bucking ham Palace. The company included his Royal Highness the Count of Syracuse, his Serene Highness Prince Ernest of Hesse Philippathal, his Serene Highness Prince William of Hesse Philippathal, the Duchess of Sutherland, the Earl and Countess of Jersey and Lady Clementine Villiers, the Earl and Countess of Rosso, the Earl and Countess of Granville, Viscount Hawarden, Lord and Lady Sey mour , Lord George Lennox, Lord Marcus Hill, and the Chevalier Colonna (in waiting on his Royal Highness the Count of Syracuse). The Band of the Grenadier Guards was in attendance during dinner, in the Palace, and performed the fol lowing pieces, under the direction of Mr. Schott. Overture, " Diamans do la Couronne" Auber. Rosa Polka ▪ Kuhner. Fantasia, "La Clemenza di Tit• o" ... Mozart. Aether Waltz ... • Strauss. Potpourri, " Fensterin▪ ," or the Con script's Farewell and Return ... • Lochner. Their Royal Highnesses the Duchess of Cambridge and the Hereditary Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Mecklenburgh Strelitz, visited her Majesty the Queen Dowager yesterday at Marlborough House. A deputation from Newcastle-on-Tyne, to press oppo sition on the part of the Government to Mr. Locke's Bill to compel railway companies to carry passengers on the Lord's Day at such times as the mails are transmitted, had an interview with Sir George Grey, yesterday, at the Home Office. The deputation consisted of the Rev. Lewis Paige, of Newcastle; Mr. George Bell, of New castle; and the Rev. T. Baylee, Secretary of the London Lord's Day Society. The same deputation bad after wards an interview with the Right Hon. H. Labouchere at the office of the Board of Trade. Sir Thomas Birch, M.P., Mr. Cardwell, M.P., and a deputation, had yesterday an interview with Sir George Grey. Mr. Baron Alderson had an interview with Sir George Grey yesterday; Mr. Roberts had also an interview with the Right Hon. Baronet. _ . Dispatches from the Governors of the West India Co lonies, from Ceylon, from Hong-Kong, from the Mauri tius, and from West Australia, were received yesterday at the Colonial. office. HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.—Her Majesty's box was yesterday evening occupied by the Countess of Lich field, the Hon. Mrs. Anson, Lady Harriette Anson, and party. Her Majesty the Queen Adelaide's box was occupied by the Dowager Lady Wharncliffe. His Royal Hi g h ness P r i n ce Leopold of Naples (Count of Syracuse), Minister s w te e r di eh Minister the Chevalier Colonna, honoured the theatre presence. Amongst the visiters were —th e with h nd h e i d s by Duke of Cleveland, the Duchess of Leeds and Miss Lane the Russian Fox,and the Excellencyßa roness Mth and the Baroness Rehausen, his Excellency the Neapo litan Ambassador, the Marquis and Marchioness roness his Excellency Salis bury, the Marquis and Marchioness of S li go of Salle- Ladies Browne, the Marquis of CI • and the anricerde, the Prince Magliani, the Prince Petrola, th de Jarnac, the Co un t do Wid 1 7 , Comte and Comtesse de Richmer the Countess of W ilt on, eiack ' M. de Berg, M Mun ster, the Earl of Falmouth , ilt the Earl of the Countess of Tanker yille, Earl Granville , the Earl of Aboyne, the Vis count Cantilupe, the Baron and Baroness de Kura, the Baron de Cazos, Lord Monson, Lord W. Lennox. Lord Charles Fitzgerald, Lord and Lady Temple more and party, Lady Warneford, Lady Web ster, Lady A. Poulott and Miss Somerset, Lady Frances Bentinck, Lady Lushington, Lady Lesford, Lord Elphin stone, Lord G. Lennox, Lord Gerald Fitzgerald. Sir W. Fremantle, Bart., and Lady Fremantle, Lady Kirkland, Sir G. Quentin, Bart., and Lady Quentin, Sir J. Bailey, Bart., and Lady B a il e y, Si r T. Barrett L ennard, Bart-, and Lady Barrett Lennard, Sir R. Howard, Bart., and Lady Howard, Sir H. Meux Bart., Sir Frederic Trench, Bart., M.P., Sir Seymour Sadler, Sir W. Fraser, Bart.. Lady Flower, Sir Cornwallis Racketts, Bart., Sir T. Hare, Bart., Sir R. Webb, Bart., Lady Jane Repton and the Hon. Miss Repton, Hon. Miss Foley, Sir John and Lady Paul, Sir W. Abdy, Bart., Lady Lawley, General the Hon. H. Cavendish, Colonel Seymour, the Bight Hon. Milner Gibson and Mrs. Milner Gibson, Mr. Dun can Campbell, Mr. Sergeant and Mrs. Talfourd. Major Buckley, Mr. Hardwick, Mrs. Paul, Mrs. C. J. Palm e r, Mr. W. Rose, Mr. Norman Macdonald, Mrs. Tower, Mrs. Dodd, Mrs. Hammersley, Mr. M. Dorrington, Mr. Longdon, Mr. and Mrs. Fraser, Mr. H. Broadley, M.P., Captain Montresor, Mr. 0. Morgan,. Mr. Stafford, Mr. and Mrs. H. Wilson, Mr. Ford r Captain Haire; Ids. F. Pollock, Mrs. Hibber, Mrs. J. Hopkinson, Mrs; John stone, Mr. and Mrs. Groom, Mrs. Middleton, Mr. C. Strong, Mr. Sturt, M.P., Mrs. C. Vivian, Mr. Benbow, M.P., and Mrs. Benbow, Mr. Gerald Strutt, ILP., be. ?` F;' µ +r ,~~~ ~~