The Sun. — London, England, 1849-03-02 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, MARCH 2, 1849. tt3 e t . t . li c step taken by the Vicar of Leeds, in biireing a , ‘ " a ll before Parliament, at his own expense, to divide his parish into districts, whereby he deprived himself of his income, and commented on that case as another Orin why they should adopt the motion of the Noble sio,rd with the view of rendering unn( eessary the expen we,course taken by clergymen in their individual ea tie ' ta it a Y for the division of their parishes, the Hon. Gen as .11 concluded by expressing his conviction that the tr o Poin tment of the Commission proposed, and the adop -64,1, Of the measures he contemplated, would effect a vast I : i ng of the public money. and LI ORSMAN declared his gratification at the tone laisa wann er of the debate, and proceeded to remove some ts th i 3 P r ehensions which he feared existed with respe , ct t o ?bject the Noble Lord the Member for Bath sought ta t - ‘, a in• The Noble Lord merely endeavoured to work te, e ;" application of a principle which in individual 'IA had be en f oun d pro d uc ti ve o f grea t goo d, and to fa t . er the Church institution as effective as possible. Be C o e a teful to the Noble Levi, and he trusted that the t h, r :alssion ers wou ld compr i se gentlemen who could 1• 115 their time to the necessary labour of the Corn ate te' and that the inquiry would not be postponed, ee report long retarded. tei r ' S I I) NEY HERBERT wished to make an obser la4 as to th e wor ki ng o f t h e C omm i ss i on . Allusion by eon made to the abuses arising from pluralities, but bad he oat of those evils were prospectively dealt with, rest a i n e „ was not prepared to deny that the plurality m ach tons ought to be carried farther. He said thus lea n t, lest in voting against the amendment, as he der ee u d e e d a to do, .h . e should be classed among those who tt e „, pluralities. He would carry the law affecting l ei ; to the farthest extent, vested interests being pie - bothd, and he hoped the time was not far distant when illo pluralitie s and non-residence would be things un ts, ". He wished to urge on the Noble Mover of the thaoniketion before the House, to whom he thought the II:ty of o f all religious denominations were due, the neces tio o :PaYing attention to the means by which informe istiewaa to be collected by the Commissioners. The ex organizetion should not be overlooked, but the tt:(ll'.alission ought to be worked through the chapters ti oia qrchdeacons., who were acquainted with the condi )tte °f the arehdeacouries. Ho trusted that the Hon. t i te ber for 'Montrose would withdraw his amendments, A of :the 'Luse unanimously appoint the Commission jy t i i ‘inn'Y called for. its e r a ,' RusiE said all that he wished was to make the str'Y as general as possible. The Hon. Gentleman his °Proceeding to restate the grounds on which he rested srdnendments, when he was met by cries of " Order, se a from the Chair; upon which he moved his first p o d S ea e ,nient, to the effect that after the word " the Noble Lord's motion, there he added the Itte ene " who attend the Established Church;" but which A - ,„111001 was negatived without a division. The Hon. teti' l 'u'r then proseeded to move his second amendment, in tot e i ,effect that the Commission to be appointed inquire ie best mode of putting an end to ecclesiastical stne -0 f e n iz ,,,,nd Pluralities. He considered the lion. Member for itt x f 4 - ‘ ," 4 (Mr. Wood) had introduced a strong argument Rood °li r of that amendment from his statement . of th title results which had followed the abolition of the i i Pres in the prebend of Westminster. A l sai r ' 1- iRIGHT wished to ask the Noble Lord (Lord ° Y) whether h e was willing to make the addition to tufilaiotion which he (Mr. B.) had suggested in regard to g together small parishes where practicable and 61 to be advantageous. • !',IIUME—Should the Noble Lord agree to that, I erin it to my amen dment. . GOULBURN hoped his Noble Friend would be ati eclu Si n adopting either of the amendments proposed. the -,,°nsidered that the additions proposed would impede taae°Posed inquiry, as they would be the means of SiO it up with legal questions, and matters of indi• late o l t `. r ight and vested interests, which would distract ti g , i on from the real matter it was intended to inves a,;`°,. Instead of introducing any matter that would about the the progress of inquiry, he held that everything a e " ti u l t i el be done - to facilitate it, and he conceived that they i n a best consult the interests of the Church by refus evlCestthie amendment. In regard to the motion itself, the tei e tl r had been so fully argued that he would not de hula e o House with any further comment upon it. He to s e .9M) , * that it was peculiarly gratifying to him h e d °„°rle for whom he entertained so high a respect, as se eh l4 for the Noble Lord, bringing forward a subject of Pare importance, and which would be the means of im iqng so much benefit to the country. re ef :* lIUME then said he would withdraw his amend that` as related to sinecures and pluralities, but press Woui P°rt ion of it referring to the union of parishes. He P ry til l therefore move this—" And to inquire into the aad' e - e • et Y of uniting small parishes where practicable tueevantageous. de sep r b a , ASHLEY would not dispute that the matter are; f,,",ng of consideration, nor did he deny but that it esP "a Proper in several cases to unite small parishes, sekrtaially towns; but he thought the making it a too e r of reference to the Commission would be placing th e mu ch on th e i r s h ou ld ers , an d th a t it should be made t s o ubject o f a separate inqu i ry. Led rcl J. RUSSELL said he agreed with the Noble ta as to the impropriety of referring that matter to the Of i re al ission now to be appointed. It would tee the means i t o,_Peding their d-liberations, and therefore he thought il r g . h , t not , to be pre-sod. s. no to was of the same opinion. fee le N. BUXTON said he believed the gent ral timing of the House to be that such a Commission of In tfte Y r lvas necessary, and he did not think it fair that le iion. Members, who had taken up the subject, came 10111 at House, and asked for powers to investigate it, that Other H on. M em b er shoul d start up, and i ns i st aic;t: there should a l s o be referred to the Commis for to be appointed a totally different matter O f m eonsid erat i on t h an that proposed by the originators Wool Motion. lie was satisfied that the best results 1.1 1 ,' Proceed from the inquiry called for, and he trusted h s - amendment would not be pressed. th s -w n rci ASHLEY said he had been found fault with by rif e ,.. 4 , ° n• Members for Montrose and Manchester for not tt e -r tcg to what had been done by the Dissenters in Pli e „ e ,?urse of his remarks. Had he been making an ape o, ictn to the House for a grant of public money to carry es e ue objects he had in view, he would have certainly ta,tadorest it his duty to have done so. His I: ll' :t e l d: lT t i le a t h its referring had no reference to that. iles utonourable Member for Montrose had also referrt•ng to ragged schools he had con tau them with the Established Church. Now, he co lit y n 'Y did refer to ragged schools, but he did not °o el l 'e: t hem with the Established Church; and ho would ',4el s b er , it unjust did he not state that they were deeply f k "eu to Dissenters for the exertions they had made tsf e -/OUT of these schools; and he could state that, in kee r " lc e to them, he had always seen the greatest har- Mprevail between Churchmen and Dissenters.- 4 14 a tb rs hear.) He had been also charged with overlook- Pte4 Physical condition of the people in his desire to bad for spiritual destitution. On the contrary, he he -paid that he would be anxious to take all the steps di,t° u ld to all ev i a t e di s t ress , and he believed that such Per: s . l could be best ascertained and remedied by a pr0 '44;1.4' '44; 1.4 ' vigorously worked parochial staff, He knew le e i Parishes so large that the clergyman coull only th ea l ' Parishioners once in two weeks, so scattered were sl a t' °yet the country, and he knew a parish where the kri g ir a n had to ride 24 miles to visit cne of his th sEe tititiers who was in bad health. In such cases as ll td ° Commission would have to suggest a remedy, Wished w as for the remedying that state of things he , Al t the Commission appointed. ter 4 few words from Mr. W. BROWN, the House et], when there appeared— For the amendment • Against it lll to m Majority against the amendment--93 ,th Ashley's motion was then agreed to. s - S PEAKER proceeded to call over the names of tho se 1 7tibers wh o h a d motions on the paper, and all * illi e , 4 , ° n. Gentlemen who were present expressed their Q>iyheati to waive their right of precedence in order to Lordo J. Russell to bring forward his resolutions c Iri s h P oor-law, with the except i on o f t lat r a ' 8 - CRAWFORD, who said he would think it. his ap " th ' Move the resolution of which he had given notion ° question that the Speaker leave the chair. . a LANDLORD AND TENANT. Lre aa 'rUSEY obtained leave to bring in a Bil . l to im a' tile relation between landlord and tenant in Eng - and Wales. POOR. LAW (IRELAND) BILL. te at. I JOHN RUSSELL sa id the motion have to tbe) o . ° is, that Mr. Speak er l eave th e c hair, in order that litt"' ° use go into Committee on the report of the Se °l:nosittets on the Irish Poor-law. All I intend to ,1 Present is to ask the House to go into Committee, I t . " c il that is dune I shall lay before the House the ste e a nt which I intend to make on that subject. t he SUARMAN CRAWFORD then rose and moved 'as, -- i t endnient of which he had given notice, which j: i lhat it is unconstitutional and unjust to impose farticular localities, so long as the public general r lt 'ld e l ° of Ireland is paid into an Imperial Treasury, l t• h -aee d at the disposal of an Imperial L i egis , tu i r i e , , 3 a t on s i d e general purposes of the United Kin &I %n st ere d it unfair to cause the people of Ulster and I Nie ed e r eL to . support the western landlords,. I who had at o property. Let their properties be put t iette the market for it, and then, if there was a defi tjaeo3:4have recourse to some such system as the present. t he no‘ended that it was unjust to call on the people of , L l loth e ,,`" of Ireland to make good the deficiency in h e i r ; Part of the country. It was a charge that should laqa tale ' 3 Y:the Imperial Treasury. When Hon. Mem intl:-'d • about the share of taxation borne by Ire ;Nerelam" Would re m ind them what was the condition of at the time of the Union. lii 1801 the debt of °t easel a mounted to 28,000,0001., and in 1847 it had in ensarred,° 13 0,000,0001. How that increase had oc asge fu e r could nut tell. From the period of the Union • -4.8 of Ireland in the hands of England, and I klit ncl it were - ad the entire management ta Th e , e .ed at 4 , Proportion which Ireland had to pay , was ela tee th e e time of the Union, and the Finance Com tikla 1 815 had declared hat the burdens imposed °hO,"hanct were too great. If that were the case, 1 . 41 1 ?as to blame ? Who made Ireland bankrupt ; r . sl a B n s ej It vsasEngland . . He held that in justice b ear was chargeable with no portion ~o f the debt gelee as not incurred at he time of the Union.—(Hear, Ivey t'l, An othealle t ation which had been made ' e _cf s a - a ll t Ireland was no subjected to the same amount with England! But why was she not ? ; got t "aa been stated that the reason why Ireland was :re(je x ed was on the ground of her inability to pay e ` ar, hear.) But that was no reason why she 1) 4 4 e l i Zr i be so taxed. He was quite ready that Ire • at h e be taxed to such an extent as would be fair, iot a th contended that as such taxation would be paid Peed. ° Imperial T reasury , so s h ou ld t h e necessar y ex-_ qu a ` ) iit O f , 6 for th e re li e f of the poor of Irelan d h e pa id ne Imperial Treasury. The liee Yee_Ler con lee to Urge se . . _•e -lett ) a eo touuances or his views at cereeneeta..a. M r. 1,, nd concluded by moviug the amendment. tin ) - ea R. ROCHE was opposed to the amendment of I lember for Rochdale, Every one must agree that something , must he done for the people of Ireland, and he was anxious to hear what the Government I meant to do.—(Hear, hear.) He did not want there fore to encumber himself with abstract propositions. He must, however, confess that laying a rate in aid, upon the north of Ireland, was merely retributive justice.—(Hear, hear.) When at the time of Crom well's invasion, his followers possessed themselves of the land in that province, the owners who were dispossessed, were told to go to hell or Connaught—and they took the alternative, and went to Connaught.—(Hear, and laughter.) There they settled and rapidly increased— and now as an act of retributive justice the population of Ulster were called on to aid in supporting the de scendants of the men who had been driven by their forefathers to Connaught.—(Hear, hear.) If the rate in aid was to be opposed, he hoped it would be upon better grounds than any he had heard advanced by the Hon. Member. _ _ _ Lord CASTLEREAGH recommended the Hon. Member for Rochdale (Mr. Sharman Crawford) to withdraw his amendment, but said if he prei.-std it to a division he (Lord Castlereagh) would vote in its favour. Mr. S. CR A.WFORD regretted he could not comply with the Noble Lord's request. After a few words from the Marquis of Granby, Col. Dunne, Sir John Walsh, and Mr. Reynolds, the House divided, when there appeared— For the amendment ... 15 Against it ... ... 139 Majority against the amendment ... —124 On the original motion being put, Sir J. WALSH said that he regretted to find that the Ministers found considerable promptitude on the part of every Committee that they select-d, he would not use the word packed, for the purpose of carrying out measures for Ireland according to their own views. He felt bound to say that the Ministry had no precedent or experience of the House for their mode of action with regard to the poor-laws of that country, and, he contended that the sixpenny rate in aid to be proposed by the Noble Lord (Lord John Russell) would be equally inadequate and useless as the 10,000,000/. already engulphed, and as the 50,0001., which would be also swamped; and that before the end of the present session there would be another call on the time and at tention of the House for a double rate in aid.— (Hear.) The proposed rate in aid amouniing to 330,0001. would not be sufficient for the sup port of the twenty-one insolvent unions even for two? months, and all the disastrous evils attendant on that wretched country were to be attributed rather to the vicious system of legislation hurriedly carried through by the Minister's ignorance of the condition of the coun try. He contended that nothing could be more unjust or impolitic than to tax Ulster and Leinster, in addition to their present oppressive taxation, for the support of Connaught and Munster ; for such a line of proceeding, he felt assured, would drive the farmers of those pro vinces from their native homes to America or some other country. He totally disagreed with the Hon. Member for Stroud (Mr. Scrope) that the blame was to be laid on the Irish proprietors, and argued that all was owing, to a vicious system of legislation. He thought that the plan of local taxation, which they here proposed, was not the proper mode of proceeding ; and for that reason, he should certainly take the sense of the House upon the question of the Speaker's leaving the chair, in the event of the resolution of the Hon. Member for Rochdale being rejected:—(Cries of " Divide.) Mr. NAPIER complained of the conduct of the Go vernment, after promising a comprehensive scheme of remedial measures, in bringing forward the plan of an auxiliary fund. Even were that proposition not prema ture, ho thought that if no more just measures of relief could have been suggested than this, at least they should not have been called upon to affirm the principle that for the poverty of Connaught, and to raise an auxiliary fund to make up deficiencies in those insolvent unions, it was reasonable to tax the industry and the honesty and the virtue of localities which had no connexion whatever with the districts which were the objects of their legislation. He would not attempt to draw any distinction in these matters between Catholics and Pro testants, between the north of Ireland and the west, but he would most earnestly submit to the House, that the tenantry of Ulster were not in any degree responsible for the distress of Connaught. It was trifling with the interests and rights of property to make the prosperous land pay for the unfortunate. They said they had a large number of helpless creatures, and he asked them how they were to enable the social ma chinery of the community to keep in action? Obviously they had no other system than that of maintaining a vast army of these mendicants by the resources of the labour ing and thriving population. Iu short, they intended to allow want and indolence to fatten on competent provi sion and industry. Those being his views on the ques tion, he should oppose the adoption of a line of policy so inconsistent with justice.—(Hear, hear.) Sir GEORGE GREY said that the two Hon. Mem bers who had resisted the motion of the Speaker's leav ing the chair had followed a most extraordinary course, in protracting a debate which, two hours before, they expressed themselves anxious to bring to a conclusion. He would not fellow those Hon. Gentlemen into the various matters of which they had spoken, but he would earnestly appeal to the House not to oppose any further impediment in the way of his Noble Friend, or to pre vent him from laying before the House the plan of the Government, accompanied by such explanations of it as the House required. At a time when there was on all hands admitted to be so much necessity for dispatch, and considering that it was their object to prevent the pro. gress of destitution and starvation, he did hope that this discussion might new terminate.—(Hear.) Mr. DISRAELI said there appeared to be some mis conception on the part of the Right Hon. Gentleman as to the manner in which the business of the House had been conducted tint evening. A resolution had been moved by the Hon. Member for Rochdale (Mr. S. Craw ford), against which he (Mr. Disraeli) and many gentle• men on his side of the House thought it their duty to vote. It invited them to declare that it was uncon stitutional and unjust to impose on Ireland separate na tional taxation for the wants of particular localities, so long as the public general revenue of Ireland was paid into an Imperial Treasury, and placed at the disposal of an Imperial Legislature for the general purposes of the United Kingdom. He, for one, could not assent to that proposition. If the financial system of the two countries had been identical, if there had been a fiscal, as there was a political union be tween the two countries, he should have voted with the Hon. Member; but remembering that the systems of taxation prevailing in England and in Ireland were different—remembering that the Queen's subjects in Ireland were not liable to the window-tax, or other assessed taxes, or to the property tax, he thought that the proposition which the Hon. Gentleman called upon them to affirm was not one which he could support. He could not approve of that part of those tactics which were sometimes adopted by Hon. Members for Ireland, who on fiscal subjects always insisted that there should be a difference between the two countries, while on po litical subjects they were always ready to affirm that the two countries wore identical. But the only propo sition before the House was the proposition of the Go vernment; and they were now asked to go into Com mittee to sanction, in fact, the scheme of the Govern ment. Now he was equally opposed to that proposition as to the proposition of the Hon. Member for Rochdale; and was it not evident, after the new regulations to which they had all agreed for the dispatch of public business, that when the amendment of the Hon. Member for Rochdale was disposed of, it wits totally impossible to oppose the scheme of the Government except by moving a direct negative? The Right lion. Gentleman who had just addressed them in a tone of groat indignation had asked— Was it not known to all that they were opposing the only means by which the Minister could explain the proposition which he had to recommend to their notice? He (Mr. Disraeli) did not agree with the Right Hon. Baronet. The Noble Lord might have risen immediately when the question was moved; he might have moved that question himself and have made an exposition of his reasons for proposing the adoption of his resolution. It would not have, been an unusual course—(Hear, hear) —but a usual course; and it would even have been a re spectful course.—(Cheers from the Opposition benches.) His Right Honourable Colleague (Mr. Labouchere) last year entered into a preliminary exposition on the sub ject of the navigation-laws. That instance was not so strong as the present; because the Right Honourable Gentleman had not placed his resolutions before the House; but, in the present case, Government, having laid their plan before them, nothing would have been more legitimate than for the Noble Lord to have entered into an explanation of the grounds for adopting this policy, and as he refused to take that step, nothing could be more legitimate than for the Hon. Member for Rad norshire to adopt the course he had taken. Under any circumstances, that was the course which the Noble Lerd ought to have pursued. But were there not peculiar circumstances in the present case which were calculated to excite the suspicion of Hon. Gentlemen—to stimulate their criticism—and to take the earliest and every lawful opportunity to canvass the policy of the Government? — (Cheers.) Had they evidence before them that it was a policy so matured, so well digested, founded upon such special information, and supported by such previous investigation, that they were to be in a haste and a hurry to carry it into legislative form?—(Hear, hear.) The circumstances under which the resolution was laid on the table of the House were -very re markable. What was the use of being in a hurry in sanctioning this resolution ? In another place the same resolution had also appeared, and in that other place, at the earnest invitation of the leading Minister, of the Crown in that place, they had proceeded to ap point a Committee to receive evidence in support of the resolution.—(Hear, hear.) What was the use, then, of the House of Commons being in such a hurry to send up their sanction of the resolution, when those in another place would be found busy in examining whether there were sufficient reasons for adopting it? Ho took it tor granted, that in that other place they would pursue their affairs in a business-like manner, and in such a way as would be satisfactory to the country—(Cheers)—that they would, at least, before adopting such a resolu tion as this, be sure that there was a good foundation for it, and that they would also form some estimate as to the fund that may accrue from its adoption. They would also, he presumed, have some idea of the manner in which that fund was to be expended; and would take care, before they proposed to levy a rate in aid from the north of Ireland, that there should be a sound, substantial, and comprehensive valuation upon which they were to levy it.—(Cheers.) These were all circumstances which, no doubt, would be considered in another place, and if so, then the House might depend upon it some time would elapse before those in that other place arrived at a conclusion. There was, therefore, no reason why the House should be in such a state of pre cipitation to pass without comment, upon an occasion so opportune, and so legitimate for discussion, a resolution so unprecedented in its character, and in its effect so :Y nL'lnouz.-,--(Clieerc) He took the opportunity o! t , :iting against the conclusion that because he was or posed to this proposition lie was therefore opposed to any satisfactory plan for rendering assistance to Ireland, Jle would repeat, it was the duty of Govern meat with respect to the poor-law of Ireland to have met Parliament with a comprehensive measure. The Government ought to have come fore ard and settled the questions of the arrea of taxation, of arrears of rent, and of waste lauds. Had they brought forward well digested measures upon those subjects, they would have found no difficulty in obtaining the sanction of all par ties to measures of such a beneficial character. Under such circumstances such a proposition as the present would have been of a temporary character, but under existing circumstances, who could maintain that this measure would be merely tsmporary? He had listened to the appeal of the Right Honourable Baronet (Sir George Grey), and he protested against the spirit of that appeal.—(Loud cheers.) If the House yielded to such appeals, especially since the regulations which had been lately introduced, they might prejudice in a most injurious manner the right of public discus sion. And, when he considered that the Government on such en important subject had, he would not say trifled with the House, but rather had trifled with their own reputation, by the manner in which they had acted in regard to the policy they recommended to bo adopted with respect to Ireland; and when he considered that no one could for forty-eight consecutive hours be sure what was the policy they were pursuing and recommending the House to adopt, he for one could not advise his Hon. Friend the Member for Radnorshire not to divide the House, but would rather express a hope that Hon. Gen tlemen on both sides of the House would take this oppor tunity of expressing their opinion upon this momentous question by submitting it to a division.—(Cheers.) Lord J. RUSSELL—I very much regret, Sir, that the Hon. Gentleman who has just sat down should have thought that a case of this kind, affecting the subsist ence of a distressed portion of the kingdom, was a proper matter for a party discussion.—(Cheers.) The Hon. Gentleman knows full well that when a general rate is proposed the manner and time of proposing it is in a Committee of the whole House.—(Hear, hear.) He knows full well that the forms and regulations of the House do not allow any such proposition to be made to the House; and that if I were now to propose the reso lutions which I have put on the notice paper I Should immediately be stopped by the Speaker and told that it was incompetent for me to propose them.—(Hear, hear.) The Hon. Gentleman must also know that as I could not propose them except in Committee, it was natural that I should wish to accompany them with the reasons why I thought them necessary. Had I been able to do so, it was competent for the Hon. Member for the University of Dublin, or for any other Hon. Gentleman, to have told us that the principle we had adopted was vicious; that the measure we had proposed would produce mis chief; and that therefore the House ought not to sanc tion it. That would have been a fair course to pursue with respect to the proposition we have to submit; but to interpose at this stage, and to say that we shall not go into Committee at all, and to make that proposal on the ground stated by the lion. Gentleman (Mr. Disraeli), viz., that delay is required, and that long deliberation is necessary—to do that, Sir, is, in my opinion, worse than trifling with our reputation, as he says we aro doing; it is trifling with the welfare, I might say with the existence of many of our fellow subjects in Ireland. —(Loud cheers.) What do the papers before us tell us with respect to seine of the unions? (Hero the Noble Lord read a brief extract from the papers on Irish distress, respecting the extreme destitution pre vailing in the Scarify and Swineford unions.) It is in these circumstances that the Honourable Gentle man says that much delay is required, that it is necessary to go into every question with respect to the poor-law in Ireland, that it is necessary to go into all the different valuations before any temporary remedy is proposed for this state of things.—(Hear, hear.) The Hon. Gentle man, the Member for the University of Dublin, chooses to say that we have brought forward this measure as a single measure—e ithout any other proposition for the amendment of the poor-law. The Hon. Gentleman must know full well that in the Select Committee on the Irish Poor-law I stated several propositions which I thought it the duty of the Government to propose, and I am ready to state to tho House when in Committee the general nature of those propositions; end, therefore, I think it was not very candid of the Hon. Gentleman, having heard some of those propositions discussed, to come to this House and say that this was a single propo sition. But the Hon. Gentleman says—and the same tone has been taken up by other persons of weight and authority—that unless we lay before the House a settled plan for the reduction of the area of taxation, it is im possible that they can agree in the proposition for a rate in aid. Now, what we have done with respect to that matter is this, we appointed a commission, consisting of persons fuliy competent for the task ; but, although they had been many months at the labour, they had not been able to advance further than a proposition for additional unions, and forming electoral divisions in those unions. They propose a scheme for the diminution of the areas of the taxation, so that the different persons paying the rates may be within easy reach of each other, and may co-operate with each other; but they did not think it right to propose that every sm ill property should form a separate area of taxation. —(flear, hear.) Now, if it be meant that unless we agree that every separate property shou'd form a dis tinct area of taxation, these gentlemen will not agree even to consider the proposition for a rate in aid, I must say I don't think it very likely that we shall make that proposition.—(Cheers.) I have a letter in my pocket from a gentleman who was formerly employed on the Poor-law Commission, but who is not now so employed, —whose abilities and experience give me great confi dence in his judgment; and he says that while the area of taxation ought to be diminished, yet if every property were made a separate area of taxation, you would see evictions enormously increased; and, that there was hardly any measure from which an equal amount of misery would accrue if that plan were adopted. Mr. OSBORNE—Is that letter from Mr. Senior? Lord J. RUSSELL—No, it is not from Mr. Senior. (Laughter.) The Hon. Member for Radnorshire (Sir J. Walsh) proposes a plan for the relief of Ireland — which consists in a proposition for the reduction of the area of taxation, coupled with another proposition for emigration. I do not think proper to adopt the propo sition of the Hon. Gentleman. I think that if you make your whole plan to consist of these two proposi tions—that the area of taxation should be reduced to the property of every individual landlord, so that he would have it in his power by driving every poor tenant from his property to clear himself from the obligation of paying poor-rates, and if you coupled with that a very large scheme of emigration, you would produce, in the first instance, great misery in Ireland, and in the second instance, you would be conveying numbers of un fortunate persons to a distant shore without making any provision for them after they are there.—(Hear, hear.) Being ready, as I said I should be, to propose in Com mittee the resolutions of which I have given notice, and to explain my general view of the poor-law, I must say that it is not the plan of the Hon. Gentleman, and that I believe that plan, if adopted, would create greater calamity in Ireland than any that yet exists.—(Cheers.) Mr. HERBERT repelled the charge of party motives which the Noble Lord had made. He himself had come into the House without any party motive, and determined to support the Government on every occasion on which he could do so consistently with his sense of duty to his country. He had supported them until he found that the existence of the class to which he belonged, and the existence of property in Ireland, were "incompatible with the existence of her Majesty's Ministers.—(Hear.) Sir H. W. BARRON concnrred in the view expressed by the Hon. Member who had just addressed the House. If they attempted to levy this rate in aid, they would add twenty to thirty bankrupt unions to the other twenty-one bankrupt unions. Ile contended that there was a great disproportion between England and Ireland iu respect to the means applicable to the support of the poor in both countries. Lord CASTLEREAGH could not allow this debate to terminate without saying a word or two upon it. In the outset he must express his regret that the debate had taken so Irish a turn, by which the Noble Lord was prevented from making his statement to the House. In the first place, he must express his objection to the con stitution of the Committee appointed to consider the Irish poor-law. He objected to the proposed vote in aid, but, from what had occurred elsewhere, he had every reason to believe this proposition would fall to the ground. The Noble Lord then read an extract from a letter of the late Lord Lonsdale, to show that the intention of the legislative union was to make the whole resources of the empire applicable to meet the wants of portions of it. He thought it would be a difficult matter to collect this proposed rate in aid, and if they were to persevere in it they might create feelings in the north which would induce the loyal people of that part of Ireland to merge all distinctions, and Orangemen and Ribbonmen might join together to break up that union which now so happily existed between this country and Ireland. He would entreat them to pause in respect to this measure, and not to force the loyal people of Ireland to adopt the course which he alluded to. The gentry of Ireland were anxious as far as possible to assimilate the taxation of Ireland to that of England; but:they had no right to tax the land of Ireland in the way proposed. The Noble Lord then read an extract from a pamphlet by a gentle. man, named Martin, in support of his views, and again expressed a hope that the rate in aid would not be en forced. Mr. PRYSE complained that no Welshman had been placed on the Committee referred to.—(A laugh.) Mr. JOHN O'CONNELL expressed his regret that the Noble Lord had been prevented from making his statement by this discussion. After a few words from Mr. CLEMENTS, similar to those made by the Hon. Member for Limerick, Colonel DUNNE said there was no doubt about the proposition of the Noble Lord, although he had not made it to that Hoase.—(A laugh.) He contended that any such proposition would be a violation of the Act of Union. Mr. KERR said that, if the rate in aid were carried, the magistrates in that part of the country from which he came would give up their commissions.—(Hear, and a laugh.) Mr. GROGAN said that in Ireland there was no con fidence whatever in the Committee appointed to inquire into the operation of the Irish poor-law. Supposing they were to carry the proposition of a rate in aid, were they to levy another sixpence in the pound when the sixpence in the pound under this proposition had been disposed of? He would oppose a proposition of a rate in aid. Mr. REYNOLDS said the Hon. and Learned Mem ber for Dublin University, who represented Ulster, not in a Parliamentary but in a sympathetic sense—(A laugh)—had told them that if the House passed this six penny rate, it would shake the loyalty of that province to its foundation. The Noble Lord, the tone of whose speech was so excellent that every one must admire it, had echoed that sentiment, and the Hon. Member for Downpatrick had threatened them with a wholesale re signation of the magistrates. If that was so, the loyalty lIL-ter might b o celled a sixpenny loyalty.—(Laugh ter.) It was for the Howe of Commons in its wisdom— he would say in its mercy—to decide whether it would interpose between a starving people on the one side, and unwilling contautoro of aid on the other, Lie represented a constituency, the value of whose property was 1,000,0001., about 1-13th of the entire rateable pro• perty in Ireland. If this rate were agreed to it would in flict on them an additional sum exceeding 20,000/., from which they would derive no benefit, because in Dublin the highest rate in one year was only 3s. in the pound. He was no advocate for this rate in aid, but he had voted for it in Committee, and should vote for it in that House, on certain conditions.—(A laugh.) It was a rate that ought not to be inflicted on Ireland if it could be avoided—he was told it could not. He understood from the Treasury Bench that they could no longer look for relief from the Consolidated Fund. From the sup porters of the Right Hon. Baronet the Member for Tam worth, he understood that the votes for Irish distress had reached their limit. He was told that 21 unions were in a state of bankruptcy, and that several hundred thou sands of persons were starving. Then he would ask those who opposed this measure, were they prepared to incur the responsibility of letting those people die of starvation in what he called the midst of plenty, when food was at a drug price? One reason why he should vote for this rate in aid was, that ho felt ashamed, as an Irish man, to be repeatedly told in that House that the Irish were mendicants at the door of that House.—(Hear, hear.) He looked to all parts of Ireland as his country —he felt that an insult to ono was an insult to all. He believed that Ireland was capable of supporting her pauperism if f4irly treated. The Hon. Member for Buckinghamshire said that Ireland was politically but not fiscally connected with this country. That was a distinction he could not understand. When they asked for a domestic Legislature they were told that Ireland was an integral portion of the British Empire. It might be a dangerous doctrine for the Honourable Member to repeat too often. The conditions upon which he would vote for this resolution were that all the income derived from real property in Ireland should be made available for the purpose of the rate in aid, including money in the funds, annuities, rent charges, mortgages, and •jointures. They had already tried to make the people of Ireland pay the assessed taxes, but they were obliged to abandon the attempt on the principle that you could not take the knee buckle off a Highlander.—(A. laugh.) The Right Hon. Baronet (Sir R. Peel) had assimilated the stamp duties between the two countries as an equivalent for the non-extension of the income-tax to Ireland. A sum of not less than 9,000,0001. per annum was received into this country from absentee rents and interest upon mortgages in Ireland, and this sum paid income-tax into the Ex chequer, so that Ireland ought to get credit for that amount. _ _ _ _ _ —.—.... Sir W. VERNER' said he felt himself called upon to defend the loyalty of Ulster. On two occasions that province received the thanks of Parliament for coming forward to put down rebellion in Ireland. Sir L. O'BRIEN objected to the measure, and de clared his intention to vote against it. Sir T. ACLAND thought they ought not to be called upon to vote in favour of the plan at the present moment. He should vote for going into Committee, in order to hear what the plan was in detail, but would dot ther e by pledge himself in support of the resolution. The House then divided, when there appeared— For going into Committee ... ... 195 Against it Majority On our re-admission we found the House in Com mittee and the CHAIRMAN reading the following resolu tions:—" That in each of the next two years there shall be paid by every union in Ireland a sum equal to the rate of 6d. in the pound on each electoral division in such union, towards a general fund for the relief of the poor in Ireland; that the said sum shall be paid to a separate account at the Bank of Ireland, in the name of the Paymaster of Civil Services in Ireland, and shall be applied in such manner as Parliament shall direct." Lord J. RUSSELL said that he should to-morrow (this day) address a statement to the House having re ference to the foregoing resolutions, but as it had bee n intended to bring forward the navy estimates on that day it was arranged that the statement regarding those estimates should be postponed, and he should there fore ask the House to agree to a vote of 200,0001. on. account. Having taken that vote he should imme diately afterwards make the statement which he had just mentioned. Mr. BERRIES said he should not object to the vote of 200,000/. on account. In reply to a question by Sir 11. WILLOUGHBY, Sir F. BARING said that the vote would he on ac count of the excess in the navy estimates. In reply to a question from Mr. BERRIES, Lord J. RUSSELL stated, that even though the de b Ate on the Irish rate-in-aid resolution should not ter minate to. morrow (Friday), he should still proceed with the question of the navigation laws on Monday. The House having resumed, the following Bills were read a third time:— Relief of Distress (Ireland) Bill, Vice-Guardians of Unions (Ireland) Bill, Overseers (Cities and Boroughs) Bill, Out-door Paupers Bill, and Buckingham Summer Assizes Bill, and The House adjourned at half-past One o'clock. Viscount Melgund, married the daughter of a general. P. W. S. Miles, married a daughter of Major-General Sir William Napier. Sir W. Morrison, a major general in the East India Company's service. Hon. E. W. M. Loyd, has a cousin an officer in the navy. Earl of Mulgrave, a lieutenant in the Guards, and a major of militia. Viscount Newport, has one uncle a captain in the navy, and another a captain in the army. Lord Norreys, has a brother an officer in the Life Guards. Sir D. Norreys, son of a lieut.-colonel in the army. Sir P. Nugent, son of a commander in the navy. Lord Ossulston, has an uncle a captain in the navy. Sir John Owen, has a son a colonel in the army. Lord Clarence Paget, a captain in the navy, son and se cretary to the Master-General of the Ordnance. Lord George Paget, a lieut.-colonel of dragoons, son of the blaster General of the Ordnance. Lord Palmerston, lieut.-colonel of the Hampshire militia. John Parker has been secretary to the Admiralty. J. W. Patten, a colonel of militia. Sir Robert Peel, married the daughter of a general, has a brother a colonel in the army, and a son captain in the navy. Jonathan Peel, brother of the preceding, a colonel in the army, has been Surveyor-general of the Ordnance. Hon. E. G. D. Pennant, a colonel in the army. Sir R. Pi4ot, son of a general, is further connected with the army through the marriage of his daughter to one of the Fitzroys. W. Penney, a captain of yeomanry cavalry. D. Pugh, a major of yeomanry cavalry. G. A. Reid was colonel in the Lifd Guards. E. R. Rice, a captain of yeomanry cavalry. Henry Rich, son of an admiral. G. Rushout, a captain in the Life Guards. Lord John Russell, has four brothers in the army, three in the navy. a nephew in the army, a cousin in the navy, Ecc.,kc., Fr. C. H. Russell, an officer in the Fusilier Guards, son of a major-general, nephew of the preceding. M. T. Smith, son of a licut.•colonel in the army. J. G. Smyth, a lieutenant in the Yorkshire Hussars. J. E. Taylor, has been a captain in the Dragoon Guards. E. K. Tenison, held formerly a commission in the Dra- goon Guards. Sir F. Thesiger, "has been in the navy," according to Dod. J. Tollemache, son of an admiral. J. Townsend, a captain in the navy (colleague of Sir R. Peel). Hon. G. R. Trevor, lieut.-colonel, commandant of the Royal Carmarthen Fusiliers. H. Tufnell, has been secretary to a First Lord of the Admiralty (Minto). Sir J. T. Tyrell, a colonel of militia. Lord G. Vane, has a sister married to a colonel in the army. Sir W. Verner, a colonel in the army. Sir H. Verney, son of a general, married daughter of an admiral ; has been a major in the army. Viscount Villiers, has three brothers captains in the Guards. B. H. Vyse, son of a colonel, himself a captain in the Guards. H. G. Ward, secretary to the Admiralty, an hereditary inmate of the Admiralty-buildings, Whitehall. J. L. 0. Vaughan, a colonel of militia. Sir C. Wood, has been secretary to the Admiralty. Grose for the prompt and energetic measures that he took on seeing the condition of the swamped boat. DEVONPORT, WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.—We had fine day yesterday, wind east, but it shifted in the night to south-west and came on a gale, continuing till about half-past three P.M. We have not had it blowing so hard during the winter. About eight A.m. the brig yacht Avienis, about 200 tons, belonging to a Mr. Taylor, who has lately returned from the Mediterra nean, parted her moorings and went on shore under Plymouth citadel, where she now is full of water. For tunately no lives were lost, but it is supposed she will become a complete wreck. All else holds on. WOOLWICH, MARCH I.—The Janus steam-vessel, Lieutenant Commander Powell, left this afternoon for Portsmouth and Gibraltar, and will have her compasses adjusted to-morrow by Captain Johnson, who will pro ceed to Greenhithe for that purpose. THE COURT.MARTIAL FOR THE Loss OF THE MU TINE.—The result of the court-martial on Lieutenant Curtis, as senior and commanding officer of the Mutine, when wracked, was, the Court finding, after a delibera tion of one hour and twenty minutes, that no blame was attributable either to Commander Palmer or Lieutenant Curtis, or the officers and crew under their command, and acquitting them accordingly; and, further, express• ing their high opinion of the merits and bravery shown by Lieutenant Curtis and Mr. Maunder, the acting plas ter, under the trying circumstances in which they had been placed. The PRESIDENT then, addressing Commander Palmer, said,—l have great pleasure in returning you your sword. The PRESIDENT then said—Lieutenant Curtis, I have great pleasure in returning you your sword; and further, I am requested by this Court to express their high opinion of the skill, ability, and care shown by you under the very distressing circumstances in which you had the misfortune to be placed. May you long wear your sword, Sir, and wield your command as faithfully and bravely in the service of your Queen and country as you have hitherto done. Commodore Superintendent 11. Eden has returned from leave of absence, and has resumed his duties at Woolwich. WHALE FISHERY IN THE ARCTIC OCEAN. The following, which appears in a Sandwich bland paper just received, will be read with interest, not only on account of its bearing on the whale fishery, but also from the attention with which all late information from the Arctic Seas is now regarded in consequence of the uncertain fate of Captain Franklin:— " The American whaling barque Superior, commanded by Captain Roys, sailed from Sag-harbour to cruise in the South Atlantic, but not being successful, Captain Roys decided to carry out the plan of a voyage which he had been contemplating for years. This plan em braced a cruise in the Arctic Ocean, through Behring's Straits. He had collected what information he could in regard to those regions, which had hitherto only been visited by such adventurous navigators as Cook, Clerk, Kotzebue, and Beechy. Captain Roys in forms us that the principal reason which induced him to put away for that ocean was a remark which be recollected to have read in "Beechy's Voyages," viz:— Off here we saw a great many black whales, more than I remember ever to have seen, even in Baffin's Bay.' This remark is found in vol. 1 of Beechy's Voyages," page 379, and refers to 'lcy Cape,' situated in lat. 70 deg. 20 miles, and W, long. 162 deg. Captain Roys has furnished us the following outline of his cruise in the Arctic Ocean:—' I entered the Arctic Ocean about the middle of July, and cruised from continent to conti nent, going as high as the let. 70 deg., and saw whales wherever f went, cutting in my last whale on the 22d of August, and returning through Behring's Straits on the 28th of the same month. On account of the powerful currents, thick fogs, the near vicinity of land and ice, combined with the imperfection of charts and want of information respecting this region, I found it both diffi cult and dangerous to get oil, although there are plenty of whales. Hereafter, doubtless, many ships will go there, and I think some provision ought to be made to save the lives of those who go there, should they be cast away; they should not be left to perish among the In dians who inhabit these regions.' " In conversation with Captain Roys we have obtained additional information, which may not be uninteresting to our readers. During the entire period of his cruise there was no ice seen, the weather was ordinarily pleasant, so that the men could work in light clothing. In :most parts of the ocean there was good anchorage, from 14 to 35 fathoms. During a part of the time that the vessel was there she lay at anchor. The first whale was taken at twelve o'clock at night I It was not diffi cult to whale' the whole 24 hours; so light was it that at midnight it was easy to read in the cabin. The whales were quite tame, but entirely different from any which Captain Roys had ever before taken. He tock three different species, one of the largest yielding 200 barrels of oil. The first species math resembled the Greenland whale, yielding abont 160 or 170 barrels; the second was a species called Polar whale, a few of which have been taken on the north-west coast; and the third, a small whale peculiar to that ocean. The last three whales which were taken yielded over 600 barrels." MR. COBDEN'S MOTION. MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS CON NECTED WITH THE ARMY AND NAVY WHO VOTED AGAINST MR. COBDEN'S MOTION. T. N. Abdy, son of a captain in the navy, by the daugh ter of an admiral. Hon. George Anson, a colonel in the army, and clerk of the Ordnance. Viscount Anson, a captain of yeomanry cavalry. Hon. Hugh Arbuthnott, a lieutenant-general and cloth ing colonel in the army. E. M. Archdale, a captain in the Dragoons, on half pay, unattached. Earl of Arundel, has been an officer in the Royal Horse Guards. H. J. Baillie, son of a colonel in the army. T. Bennet, a captain of yeomanry. William Beresford, formerly a major in the army. C. L. G. Berkeley, son of an admiral, and himself for merly a captain of Foot. Hon. Grantley Berkeley, a lieutenant in the army. Ralph Bernal, married the daughter of a surgeon in the navy. S. W. Blackall, son of a major in the army, and himself a major. H. G. Boldero, has been Clerk of the Ordnance. R. S. Bourke, married the daughter of a colonel in the army. W. Bowles, a rear-admiral, has been a Lord of the Ad miralty. T. W. Bramston, married the daughter of an admiral. T. Brand, son of a lieutenant general. Lord Brooke, a lieutenant-colonel of yeomanry. Sir A. B. Brooke, married the daughter of a general, and has several brothers in the army. Lord John Chichester, has been a captain in the army. lion. C. Clements, has been a captain in the army. Sir George Clerk, has been a Lord of the Admiralty. Hon. R. H. Clive, has been II Lieut.-Colonel in the army, and is a colonel of yeomanry. Hon. W. F. Cowper, married the daughter of a n ad miral, has been a lieutenant in the Horse Guards. William Cubitt, has served in the navy. H. Currie, married the daughter of a colonel in the Grenadier Guards. Sir H. R. F. Davie, a colonel in the army. D. A. S. Davies, married the daughter of a colonel in the army. W. Deedes, a major -commandant of yeomanry cavalry. Q. Dick, lieut.-colonel of North Essex Militia. J. W. Dod, captain-commandant of yeomanry cavalry. Sir J. T. B. Duckworth. son of an admiral, himself a major of yeomanry cavalry. G. S. Duff, son of a general. Sir J. W. D. Dundas, a rear-admiral of the white and Lord of the Admiralty. G. Dundas, grandson of an admiral, himself formerly an officer in the Rifle Brigade. F. P. Dunne, son of a general, himself a major in the army and lieutenant-colonel of militia. H. Edwards ' a captain of yeomanry c av alry. Right Hon. E. Ellice, married to the widow of a captain in the navy. Hon. J. E. Elliott, his relations swarm in the navy. Viscount Emlyn, son of a general, married to the daughter of a general, himself a captain in the army. R. Ferguson, son of a general, himself a lieut.-colonel in the army, Hon. J. W. Fitzpatrick, " related to General Fitzpa trick," was formerly in the army. Hon. G. C. Forester, a captain in the Horse Guards. S. C. Fortescue, son of a lieut.-col. in the army. R. M. Fox, married the daughter and grand-daughter of admirals. A. E. Fuller, married grand-daughter of a general. E. S. Gooch, has been a captain in the army. Hon. W. Gordon, a rear.admiral of the blue, has been a Lord of the Admiralty. Sir J. Graham, has been a Lord of the Admiralty. Sir G. Grey, son of the late resident commissioner of Portsmouth Dockyard. Hon. E. A. J. Harris, is a captain in the navy. Lord John Hay, a captain in the navy and Lord of the Admiralty. Right Hon. W. G. Hayter, Judge Advocate. Right Hon. S. Herbert, married the daughter of a major general. Right Hon. J. C. Harries, son of a colonel and brother of a major-general. Lord A Hervey, married the daughter of a lieu!.-colonel. T. L. Hodges, formerly colonel of militia. Sir A. Hood, son of a captain in the navy and nephew of an admiral. Sir J. Hope, colonel of yeomanry cavalry. Lord Hotham, a colonel in the army. Hon. E. Howard, a captain in the navy. Sir W. G. H. Jolliffe, has a brother a lieutenant of dra goons; had an uncle a lieutenant in the navy. Theobald Jones, a captain in the navy. Hon. T. G. Koppel, a lieut.-colonel in the army. Marquis of Kildare, has a brother a lieutenant in the Scots Fusilier Guards, and an aunt married to a gene ral officer. Hon. W. S. S. Lascelles, brother to the colonel of the Yorkshire 'Hussar Yeomanry; has a nephew in the Grenadier Guards. G. C. Legh, married a niece of Lieut.-General Sir:Her bert Taylor. Sir T. F. Lewis, has been lieut.-colonel of local militia, grand-son of an admiral. G. C. Lewis, ion of the preceding. Earl of Lincoln, has two brothers in the Life Guards, and an aunt married to a general officer, &c. &o. Hon. James Lindsay, a lieut..colonel in the army. H. Lowther is a lieutenant in the Guards; and son of a colonel in the army. W. N. Macnamara, colonel of militia. Lord Mahon, married the daughter of a lent-general. Viscount Mandeville, a captain in the Grenadier Guards. Lord George Manners, a captain in the Royal Horse Guards. Thomas INlathcon, a colonel on half-pay Hon. Fex Maule, held a commission in the 79th High landers, 12 years, is Secretary at War. lion, J. T. Maxwell, a captain in the array. NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. The Caledonia, 120, Captain Carter, proceeds into Plymouth Sound as soon as the weather permits her. She will be off to the Mediterranean with her comple ment of 950 officers and men in about 10 days. When on that station, and bearing Sir W. Parker's flag, her full complement will be 1,000. The Rodney, 92, Captain Collier, C. 8., after going into Portsmouth Harbour on Tuesday, unbent sails, un rove running-rigging, got down royal and top-gallant yards, and top-gallant masts. She is now completely dismantled, with the exception of the main yard, kept aloft for the purpose of clearing the ship from heavy stores. The Belleisle, two-decked troop-ship, is now ordered to be commissioned, at present at Devonport. She has been taken into dock to be examined, but she will not be out of the hands of the shipwrights' department before the middle of next month. The Athol, 2, troop-ship, Master Commander Pearn, ,s ordered to have her defects immediately made good for further service. The Dauntless, screw-frigate, at Portsmouth, is ordered to be docked, and to be immediately made effi cient for service. _ _ _ The Megicienne, steam-sloop, is to be launched at Pembroke Dockyard on the 7th instant, and to be navi gated to Woolwich by seamen riggers, who are to be sent thither from Sheerness in the African steam-vessel. The Comet, steam-vessel, rigged at Portsmouth, is ordered to Woolwich to be commissioned with a comple ment of 28 officers and men, and to take two of the six pounders, now on board the Lightning, steam-tender. PORTSMOUTH, MARCH I.—A corvette was seen yes terday morning at anchor in St. Helen's roads which, from the circumstance of her time on _the North Ameri can and West India station having expired in January last, was thought to be the Electra, 14, Commander F. W. P. Bouverie. Endeavours were made to ascertain her name in the usual manner, but the tremendous gale and thick weather baffled all the attempts, and it was not till daylight this morning that it was clearly established to be the vessel in question. She made an attempt at ten this morning to get to Spithead, but after beating about for an hour and a half, and carrying away her top sail sheets, the wind having again risen to a gale at N.W. by N., she was compelled to anchor again, without hay ing gained half a mile. The Myrtle steamer was then sent out to receive her supernumeraries, letters, and dis patches (if any), and deliver her orders to proceed to Plymouth to be paid off. She weighed this afternoon, and came up to Spithead. The Otter steam• vessel, lately a packet on the Holy head station, sailed this morning in charge of Second Master Imrio, of the Blenheim, and a party of extra riggers, for Woolwich. It is reported that this vessel and the Sprightly, another of the same class, have been sold out of the service. _ _ yv The Adventure naval transport, Mr. Peter Welling ton, Master, anchored last night at the Motherbank. The Superb, 80, Captain E. Purcell, was hauled off this morning from alongside the dockyard jetty to her hulk, the Victorious, for the purpose of her crew being shifted over to her. It was intended that she should have gone to Spithead to-day to have been ready for saluting her Majesty to-morrow. Sho could not, however, bo got ready, even if the wind had not interposed an effectual barrier; for although its direction is fair for going out, it blows so hard as to render it dangerous for breaking so large a ship adrift in such a narrow harbour. At present she has topgallantmasts on deck, and topmasts struck. The Fearless steam-vessel, Second Master Commander Wills, arrived yesterday evening from the eastward. Her Majesty, with the Prince Consort, the Royal children and their suite, are expected to arrive in Cla rence. yard to-morrow at 1 P.m. The Driver steam-sloop, Commander C. R. Johnson, was to have started yesterday with the mud engine or dredging machine for Plymouth, but was restrained by the violence of the gale, and also by the Admiralty orders not to move before the weather moderate. This last has detained her to-day.. Wind, N. W., fresh breezes and cloudy. PLYMOUTH, FEB. 28.—The fine yacht brig Arienis, Captain Roberts, unfortunately went ashore this morn ing, and it is feared will become a wreck. At ten o'clock last evening there was a light southerly wind, with fine weather, and her commander left her in the Sound, riding in apparent safety, to the north-east of St. knockedashore i b ridge her ot the e rocks renoda s d et a r. t g u t ha off. e r Immediate Nicholas island. About mid n i g ht it came on to bl ow from W.S.W.; she dragged h er anc h or an d t a il e d on t o the d s ea setne, who rnhfaoc alarm o le f adr t n ihme muskets kaes Hoe, ts given andan and burned blue-lights. As soon as the report reached the Custom-house station at the Barbican, Mr. Rae, the tide-surveyor, manned his gig, and taking Brooks, a pilot, with him, boarded the brig. Although she has a complement of eighteen hands, four only were in charge, and they could neither find a punch to unshackle the chain cable, or a hatchet to cut away the foremast when required. As the tide rose the vessel, which con tinued tight, floated, and the topmast staysail, spanker, and standing-jib were got on her. When an effort was made to pay her off the chain cable fouled in the deck hawse pipe; the ship's head was thus checked, and canted from the :westward to the northward; the wind was blowing strong from S.S.W., and the ill fated vessel was driven ashore under the Citadel, where she soon bilged, and subsequently fell off the land, to windward, on her port side. Her captain , and crew have constructed a hurricane-house on the Citadel slopes, and are actively employed collecting the floating deck lumber, rigging, gear, &c. The Arienia belongs to Mr. A. B. Richards, of Wassal-grove, Worcestershire, and came here on the 25th from Vigo. She registers over 200 tons, and is said to be worth 5,0001. We have the painful duty to record the death of Mr. John Collier, of this port, who expired suddenly this morning at his town house in his 80th year. Mr. Col lier has been agent for Lloyd's insurance-office thirty eight years, and is well known to the officers of her Ma jesty's navy as a wine merchant, which trade, in con junction with his extensive dealings in corn and timber, he has prosecuted successfully for nearly sixty years in Plymouth. Mr. Collier was Vice Consul for Portugal, Sweden, and Norway; he was a magistrate and an alder man of the borough; and among various other honoura ble offices, filled for a long period that of Vice-Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce. Wind, varying from W.S.W. to W.N.W; strong with heavy rain. THE GALE AT PORTSMOUTH AND DEVON- PORT. ANOTHER ACCOUNT. PORTSMOUTH, THURSDAY, FIVE P.M.—YeSterday•We had a violent gale. It commenced on Tuesday night, from the S.S.E., gradually drawing round to the S.W. Yesterday at noon it increased to a hurricane, accom panied with heavy rain, and continued till six p.m., when it somewhat moderated. The sea was tremendous—at high water covering the platform battery and some part of the lines with foam. About a dozen collier brigs were at anchor at Spithead, most of whom drove ; some of them parted their cables, and some slipped and ran into harbour for she lter. In harbour the Bea was consider able. A boat belonging to the Belvidere, in ordinary, with two seamen watchkeepers on board , in endeavou9ng to beat to their vessel, were swamped, the boat being filled. Fortunately their situation was seen by L!eut.Grose, of the Ordinary, who promptly manned his gig and pro ceeded to their rescue. Both men (one a black fellow) hwaeurleedcoinmtpbleLteileynteenxahnatusGterdoB; e a s nd gi a g s , t t h h e eir las b t o m a t an w w en a t s down. Lieutenant Grose, not being able to make or fetch any vessel in the harbour, bore u p for Porchester and got assistance . T he men were insensible for up. wards of an hour after they were landed, but have re covered. The greatest praise is due to Lieutenant : 4. • AMERICAN NEWS. LIVERPOOL, THURSDAY.—The Boston line-of-packet ship Washington Upton, Captain Caldwell, arrived in the Mersey this afternoon with advices from Boston of the Bth ult. ' General Taylor arrived at Nashville on the 7th ult. The proceedings of Congress do not present any points worthy of note. A telegraphic dispatch received from Mr. Webster announces that on the 7th, in the United States Supreme Court, five of the judges delivered their opinions against the validity of the Allen Passenger Law, and only one in favour of the law. As five are a char mojority of the Court, it follows that the law is invalid. From California we have no new accounts. The state of the Union relative to the modern El Dorado may be gathered from the following extract from the Boston Atlas : ------- " Our exchange papers come to us filled with accounts of meetings held in every part of the Union of those preparing to emigrate to El Dorado, and the fever begins to extend to the British provinces, and a company is projected in the slow moving city of Quebec. The ship Duxbury, Captain Farina, cleared yesterday forenoon, for California. She has 110 passengers. The, Duxbury was recently purchased for 10,000 dolls., and her pas sage-money for the trip to California amounts to 16,500 dolls. The brig Acadian, for San Francisco, went to sea yesterday forenoon. A large number of the friends of the passengers gathered on the wharf to see her off and bid adieu to those going out in her. The Columbia Mining Association held a meeting at the Shawmut House on Tuesday evening, and elected officers. The Gloucester Telegraph states that it is proposed to form a company of 20 in that town, to purchase and load the brig Eagle, of that port, and proceed to the Californian coast forthwith. " The Holyoke Mining Company started from North ampton for California, by way of the isthmus, on Mon. day. A new company, called the North-Western Association, has been formed, and will sail in a few days. The members (20 in number) each pay 1,000 dolls. Most, of the association belong to Boston and vicinity. A joint stock company is in process of formation at New York, composed of members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and others agreeing with them in sentiment, whose des tination is California." COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. NEW YORK, FEB. 7, r.m.—There are loud complaints among the planters of Louisiana of the failure of the sugar cane. The quotations of stocks are—Reading Mtg. Bonds, 55; Norwich and Worcester Railroad, 34i ; United States 6's, 107 i; Reading Railroad, 24k ; Long bland 24k; Treasury Notes, 6's, 101; Reading Bonds, 45 bid: ENTERTAINMENT AT THE MANSION-HOUSE.—On Wednesday evening the Lord Mayor and the Lady Mayoress entertained a dinner party at the Mansion house, being the first occasion on which they have been able to receive company, in consequence of the various alterations and decorations that have taken place in the interior of the mansion. The side-hall, with the stair case, and the saloon, have been embellished with great effect in white marble colour and gold. In the niches of the front hall, leading to the saloon, are beautifully carved marble busts, from the studio of Mr. Francis, of Albany-street, Regent's Park, of her Majesty and the Prince Consort, the Duke of Wellington, Lord John Russell, Sir Robert Peel, Lord Grey, and Lord Mel bourne. The dinner was served in the long dining room, which has been entirely refurnished and tastefully and brilliantly painted. Amongst the company were Aldermen Sir Peter Laurie, Farebrother, Wilson, Hum phery, M.P., Gibbs, Hooper, Farncomb, Hunter, Challis, Sidney, M.P., Moon, Laurence, Carden, and their ladies; Sheriffs Finnis and Goodheart, and their ladies; the Chamberlain; the Rev. S. R. Catley, chaplain to the Lord Mayor, and Mrs. Catley; the Town Clerk, the Common Pleaders Randall and Laurie, and Mrs. Laurie; Mr. secondary Potter, the City Solicitor, M.P. and Mrs. Pearson; Messrs. Bentley, Baggally, and Johnson, the treasurers of the Royal Hospital; the Under-Sheriffs and their ladies; Mr. Hill, Mr. Porter, chief police ma gistrate of the city of Dublin, and Captain °Vita'. R.N. Covers were laid for sixty. BOSTON.—The Right Hon. the Lord MaY°r was in his place, and voted in favour of Mr. Cobden's motion for for retrenchment. Mr. Cabbell was somewh e r e. but of constituents will not find his name in t h e w s can those the majority or the minority; and ye,t .„. whose votes he has got at the rate of five shillings each, call him to account!—Stamford Mercury. BOARD OF TRADE.--The re turn s of the Board of Trade for the month ending the sth of .January last have been issued. As regards imp orts, their most remark able feature is the large a rrival of grain which was held n bond; the total of wheat, barley, and oats being 887,084 quarters, against 320,242 in the correspondi ng m onth of the preceding year. The consumption of sugar, tea, cocoa and coffee has continued steady, but the importations of the latter article were only 2,733,7451 b. against 11,711,8941 b. in January, 1848. In dried fruits there has been a considerable increase of importation, but not of consumption. In silk manufac tures of Europe there has been a large increase in both respects. Hides of all descriptions, oils, and seeds, cot ton, wool, and raw silk, have also been largely received. In timber there is a decrease of importation, and again a decrease in the consumption of British descriptions, with an increase of foreign. INTENSE COLD IN NORWAY.—A letter from Chris • tiana (Norway), dated Feb. 1, states that letters received on that day from Vang, in Hademarken, province of Aggersuus, and which are of the 2d of January, announce that the cold was so intense (40 deg., centigrades) that quicksilver became frozen, and that persons who were in the open air lost their breath. Within the memory of man no such phenomena had taken place in that country. —Brussels Herald, RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE. EASTERN COUNTIES—ADJOURNED MEETING The polling upon the resolution submitted on Wed- _ nesday, Was commenced yesterday morning, a t n i ne o'clock, and was continued till about half-past five in the afternoon, at which time a considerable number of shareholders were present. A few minutes after six o'clock, Mr. Waddington; ac companied by some of the directors and the scrutineers, • entered the room and took the chair. Mr. Sergeant GAZELEE wished to put a question to the chairman. The CEIAIBMAN said he could only answer a clues - Cott having reference to the scrutiny. Upon this a discussion arose, as to whether the meet ing had been adjourned generally, or only for the pur pose of taking the• poll. The opinion of the law-cleilc • (Mr. Duncan) was taken, and he said that the meet-. ing had bean adjourned for the especial purpose of --- taking the poll. Mr. Sergeant GAZELEE contested this opinion, and said that the meeting; of the previous day had teen ad journed so precipita,tely that it was impossible to tell what the ohjtct was. But, however, perhaps the chair man would hear the question, and then he could answer it or not as he pleased. It was this—how it arose that the directors the day before, on the morning of the meet ing, took upon themselves to elect a directors knowing that a general meeting of the proprietors was about to be held? • The CHAIR3I.IN would inform the Hon. Gentleman how that occurred. The directors had the power of filling up any vacancy that occurred in the direction. About three days before, Mr. Parke sent to the board a memo rial signed by Mr. Harlet and a great many residents in Cambridge, requesting the board to appoint Mr. Packe to the direction. That was all the communication the board hal with that gentleman. They thought him a fit and proper man, and they appointed him. Mr. Sergeant GAZELEE thought it would have been more respectful to the shareholders if the directors bad proposed him to the general meeting. The CHAIRMAN said the board bad adopted the usual course. The result of the scrutiny was then declared as For the resolution ... 7,939 For the amendment... 2,330 Majority in favour of withdrawing the Norfolk Amalgamation 8i11... -5,609 The announcement was received with a burst or applause. _ _ Mr. Sergeant GAZELEE —Now, sir, I have a question to put, and it is this—whether the directors, after that vote against them, think they can carry on the affairs of this company with credit to themselves—(Load cheers)—or whether they are prepared to place their seats at the board at the discretion of the proprietors?-- (Continued cheering.) The CHAIRMAN—In answer to the Learned Sergeant, all I can say is, that I cannot answer for myeolleagues, as we have had no board meeting to consider that subject, and I can say truly, as regards myself, that it is not my intention to remain at the Eastern Counties board after the report of the committee. The course I intend taking is this—l must, of course, consult my friends, which I have not yet had an opportunity of doing, having been engaged upon two committees of the Eastern Counties board. But I think I cannot—consistently with doing justice to the proprietors, who have today by their vote rescinded that which they had formerly sanctioned—l cannot, I think, remain at the board, not having the con fidence of the proprietors. That is the view which lat present take. I have had no opportunity of consulting with my friends; but this I will tell you, that I don't in tend to resign until the committee have made their re port. I will give you my reason for that. I think it must be well known to you, from the great time I have given to this railway, that I must necessarily know a great deal about the affairs upon which the committee will re quire sonic explanation. Therefore, my intention is to attend the Eastern Counties board, as I hitherto have dove, until such time as the committee make their re port, as I think your interests might suffer, if I were to leave it.—(Loud cheers.) Mr. Sergeant GAzELEE—Might I just say, that I did not at all mean my question to be offensive, as there are gentlemen on the board who, if they resign, will doubt less be re-elected; but I thought that, as a body, the board ought to be remodelled, as I do not think that as a board they enjoy the confidence of the proprietors. The CHAIRMAN—Perhaps the committee will make a report of that, and until then I declare this meeting ad journed. Mr. R. W. KENNARD (one of the Northern and Eastern directors at the Eastern Counties board), said— Before you do that, Mr. Chairman, allow me to say a few words. The Eastern Counties board consists of 18 directors, 12 of whom are elected by the Eastern Coun ties proprietors, and six represent the Northern and Eastern Company. The six gentlemen who represent the Northern and Eastern Company have at all times expressed their perfect confidence in Mr. Waddington— (Cheers)—and upon the character of Mr. Waddington, which I believe your committee will confirm, these six Northern and Eastern gentlemen will stand. We have a duty, and that duty is to protect our own proprietors; and we believe honestly that Mr. Waddington has pro tected the interests of those proprietors; and I think yon would feel it to be wanting in the Northern and Eastern directors, who sit here ex officio, as I may say—there would be something wanting on their part, if they did not testify publicly, after such proceedings as these, the perfect confident which they place in him. The CIIAIBMIN—I declare the meeting now ad journel. Here there were iced cries from all parts of the room of " Thanks to the Chairman," and several proprietors roso to propose a vote. Several proprietors exclaimed, " Thanks to Mr. Waddington, but not to the board." ➢lr. KENNARD (with energy)—And he deserves them, gentlemen. A VoicE--Three cheers for Mr. Waddington. Three cheers were heartily given. The same VOlCE—Three groans for Hudson. These also were heartily given. The meeting thou separated, with another cheer for Mr. Waddington. SCOTTISH CENTRAL RAILWAY. OVERTHROW OF THE PHARISEES. It will be seen with pride and satisfaction, by the ene mies of Pharisaical tyranny and pretence, that the share holders of the Scottish Central yesterday resolved, by a large majority, to abandon the system of shutting up the highway on Sunday, which has brought so much scandal and ridicule on that company, and even on the national name. The majority iu favour of running a morning and evening train was nominally about 4,000 shares and 2,000 votes ; but was in reality much larger. The directors, who are understood, with one doubtful exception, to be in favour of opening the line, refrained from voting, although their doing so would have increased the majority by 1,000. They also held at their disposal 3,347 proxies not expressing any opinion on Sunday trains. which they also refrained from using. Had the direo • tors, therefore, taken part in the question, the majority of shares and votes respectively would have been raised to about 8,000 and 4,000. It is also to be taken into ac count that no less than one-ninth of the whole votes given against trains were given by one individual. It will be observed that there was a majority on the right side, in shares and votes, even of persons present, al though the Agnewites ied been busy splitting, pur chasing, and " whipping." Another fact which enhances the victory is this—that while the Agnewites employed all their machinery in the case, and worked it despe rately, all that was done on the other side was the almost unaided work of one private gentleman, who has his re ward in the victory which, but for him—such is the utter want of organization among the friends of sense - and justice—would not at this time have been achieved, or perhaps even attempted.—The Scotsman. RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS. - • LIVERPOOL, 3Ltscu 1. STOCK EXCHANGE.—We have had niore activity in the Share Market to-day. Prices, however, are lower.—The sales are—Bolton, Blackburn, Clitheroe, and West Yorkshire Preference, guaranteed 6 per cent. (B), 1736 —Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and Stour Vallley,ill—Caledenian, Preference, 7 per cent., 11% 'ex hr.—East Lancashire, 1936—Lancashire and Yorkshire (late M. Sand. B.), Fifths, 234 dis.—London and North-Western, 138 c, ex div.—Ditto, Quarters, New, 16s. 3d, ex in;p.—Manchester, Sheffield and tin- coln, 101. Preference, 10%—Ditto, • (late Grimsby), 201. Share/, 11% c. dis.—Ditto, Quarters, 7 dis.—Midland Stock, 83 c. ex div.—Dltto, New Halves, 6% c. dis.—North Staffordshire, 27649.--, - Seettisl a, Central, 2 54—South-Eastern 25% Ditto (No. 2). 9 /sid is • -7° ,a,' Newcastle, and Berwick Extension (Nos. 1 and 27, Pli t t.f.„„" • (O. N. E. Purchase), 6 per cent., guaranteed, 6s. .3(1. P5 — P" ve"w and Amiens, 934. MANCHESTER, Matta(l. • ig-.: / STOCK EXCIIANGB.—The sales are—North Staffordslam teedio , re. i Manchester and Birmingham, (C), Quarters , 376 ' n " P. Dittp x ylegis- , ferenee, Ditto Fifths, 2% dis.— Dover (No. 4), 7 % and tered), 7%—West Riding Union,3 11-1 6 .dii• — tr,.. 1), Quarters, shefil , 144 dis.—Great Northern ( 8),% c• dis " -- and Birmingham (B), Lincoln, • g on h , am 3s. (A 9d ): p 4.; -North 314 c. dis. Maacu 1. 7 dis.—Ditto, Preference, 10% —Shrewsbury BIRMINGH,P r ,.. 'Bi r mingham, Wolverhampton, . , STOCK EXCIUNGE.—The sales ..~-- - 'hrewsburY Ct 2 Cd oa t t o e - d: rwi Vr o a is s ) 7 2 f 0 x l Staffordshiro, 3 dis. and Stour , Valley, s s 9d. dis.--South Staffordshires, IN dis. 1 0 % .Coventry dis.—Shropshire Union, 43 1 . ,0RK. FEB. 28. and d N BLmth aneat t 11 as 9d- York New ...r orrhera , I . • _ , Castle, and Berwick I lows :—Great - , 4 STOCK Extension (... .div.—Ditto . 11 -71 t i t o r 31 /70 4 . I), E Purchase) 8 i Ditto (G. N. E. . ti n. ox d v.— E 111 AN 8 2 . 0 - 4 T Il e : fNE wCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, MaB.CII 1. STOOL EXCUANGE.—The business done in the Stock Exchange te- been as follows :—Great Northern day has (II), 6 per cent % dis.— North Staffordshire, 12%. GLASGOW, FEB:2B. ' STocK ExcnlNGll.—The following .. are to-day's transactions :-= .. Ab er deen, Preference 53s ;—Dundee • Dundee and Arbroath, New, (Ns. 3). 605. —Edinburgh and Bathgate, 7 14—Glasgow, oath, g and Ayr. 57—Ditto, Mites, No. 1, 71. asgow, Kilmarnoc , .._ Js.—Glasgow and. Greenock, Salves, 6%—Groat North of Scotland, 4 s.—Scottish Central, 213. --- - DEATH OP DIR. MUNDY, M.P.—We regret to an nounce the death of Mr. Mundy, one of the member' for South Derbyshire, which event occurred (we be lieve) at Barbadoes on the 29th of January. We are obliged to reserve particulars for next week.—Derby and Chesterfield Reporter. EXTRAORDINARY LUSUS . NATUR2E.—We have re ceived from a correspondent the following particulars of an extraordinary c alf, taken from a cow at Dore, Der byshire, a few days since. The calf had two heat's, four fore feet, and two distinct bodies as far as the loi.re, where they united into one body of ordinary appearance, but there were two tails and four hind legs and feet. The cow was at her full time of gestation, and the calf was alive when the operation was commenced. The cow is alive and doing well— a fact which, considering the difficulties of the case, is highly creditable to the skill of Mr. Bishop, the operator.—Sheffield Times. REMOVAL OF JOHN MITCHEL...--The -Cork Exa miner says:—" Orders, we understand, hi v e- been issued for the rem ova l o f J o h n Mitchel from • Bermuda to the Cape of Good Hope. The climate of the latter colony is very genial, and peculiarly adapted for persons affected with pulmonary complaints, so much so that it is cOntii. dered a Madeira for the East Indians. SPIRIT CONTRACT.—The Government contract for again taken 50,000 gallons of ruin for the navy, was yesterday by Messrs. Lemon Hart and eon, of 5 1, Fen . church-street. ted qtly was its." en- eon•• ,self. be. wits the tcrEl the hick hrce )wn, [ear, that and, :qui roble [em -1 in facts the t on ;ting a. !; ,~ ~ . ~. "q 4