The Sun. — London, England, 1849-04-03 00:00:00

great questions affecting the destinies of this country. (dear.) In the first place, with respect to the conduct of the Government, I will observe my Hon., Friend the Member for Manchester (Mr. Bright) has reproached us—gently, indeed, but very decidedly—(Hear)—for not having come forward in the course of the present session with some comprehensive measure for the relief of Ireland.—(Hear.) Now, as far as I am to bear any blame personally, I am willing to take the blame to myself for having used terms of that kind with a view more to political and religious grievances than that question which row occupies the attention of Parlia ment.—(Hear, heat.) But so far as the conduct of the Government in t'a present or the past session of Par liament is concerned, I do not believe that the blame which the Hon. Member for Manchester puts on us is justly or fairly attached. I have witnessed, I confess, with somewhat of wonder, that a gentleman of his opinions—opinions which I think right with regard to the provinces of legislation and government—should have come forward to ask the Government of this country for some more specific measures, by which the evils of generations were to b e cured, and p ros p erit y was to be seen produced, not by slow degrees, but pro ceeding at once, as it were, from the results of Par liamentary wisdom and sat geniuse—(Hear, hear.) For my own part, alluding to a phrase on a somewhat different subject to that which the Hon. Gentleman who has just sat down al luded, I must state any own opinion of the origin of that phrase, which had been so much relied on by both the advocates and opponents of mea sures like those proposed by th e Government. A great and able Minister had laid down miles for the exact propor tions of a certain web which was to be woven. The sides were to be of a particular measure, and the length and breadth should never exceed a certain proportion. The Minister referred to than went on to forbid the manufactures of other countries to enter and compete with the manufactures of his own, and the consequence was that the proprietors of the wrieyard . s of France cern. plained that they could no longer exist, because there was no demand for their produce. Having made an in quiry as to the cause of this state of things, and the pro bable remedy for it, a man of plain c ,emmon sense said to the Minister, " Do not interfere with your own manu factures, or the entrance of the manufactures of ot in her countries into your own." On former occasions, speaking of Ireland, I alluded to the coeldition of Eng land and Scotland at two different periods of the his tory of those countries. I quoted the writings of Sir Thomas More, in which he described what would now be called the summary evictions of families to a large extent, by the landlords of the country. When the condi tion of the country required some consideration, Queen Elizabeth and her council proposed a scheme by which the property of England should be secured by their directions, and in consequence of their legislative schemes. One of these measures was the administration or justice with a severity almost barbarous for the age -it was put into operation against all malefactors, and that reduced the country into a state of peace and order. Having done this they likewise passed a measure by which the infirm and impotent poor were afforded relief; and the idle and sturdy poor set to work. And yet this measure came to nothing more than what my Hon. Friend alluded to as the vulgar acts of Government, and which, he trustsd, would not be resorted to by the pre sent Government or the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland. Yet England rose to the highest state of consideration on the continent of Europe at this period, and sent her most eminent men to visit distant parts of the globe. —(Hear, hear.) She produced men of genius such as Bacon and Burleigh, and in no very long time she became a country which, by its order, and at the same time by it; freedom, that was superior to the other cou ntries of the world.—(Hear.) And yet this was done, as I have said, not by any special scheme, but by taking care that order was so established, and relief was so given, that there should not be ,that disturbance of property—those assaults sgetiest the person which had formerly prevailed, and that men might have security to pursuo their own occupations, and thereby obtain the fruits of their own labour and industry; for I believe whatever may be proposed—whatever laws we may pass from time to time—nothing„ after all, is so essential and useful as to enable men to feel that their lives, their pro perties, and the fruits of their industry are secured to them—(Hear, hear)—and that the road is open to them to obtain those distinctions which the State offers to them. Such was the state of England from that time cthe present. Let me now go fur a few moments to the t trot Scotland, when religious persecution had dis turbed, and almost destroyed that country, in the time of Charles H. After the revolution laws were passed by which, without extending relief to the poor, the coun try, being thinly peopled, order was secured; and those who had previously threatened, and destroyed life throughout the country, were reduced to obedience. In fact, measures were taken for the better education of the people at large. By such simple remedies, within a period of about twenty or thirty years, Scotland pre sented a totally different aspect—trade and industry hegan to fl airish—agriculture, which had been pre viously almost wholly neglected, was seen in every val ley to produce the full fruits of industry, and she began that progress which had ever since continued to pro duce happiness and wealth.—(Hear, hear.) Now these were changes from a state dissimilar from yours if you will, but I contend 'not totally dissimilar from the present state of Ireland—changes which had been carried into effect by such great men as Bur leigh, Bacon, Somers, and Shrewsbury, and some of the wisest statesmen who had lived at that period. But then men did not rely upon any particular specific, or upon a scheme that could be supposed at once to give prosperity—they relied upon the true and natural means of legislation by which men could not be made in an instant wealthy and prosperous, but by which full se curity was given to life and property, and their energies allowed to take their own natural course.—(Hear, hear.) Sir, I now come to what was the state of Ireland a few years ago; and let me here observe that I think, during the whole of this debate, but taking especially those three speeches to which I have alluded, it has been too Ai assumed that it would be in the power of any Go vernment, or any Parliament, however wise, to produce changes which, after all, must mainly depend upon the character and the conduct of the people themselves. — (Hear, hear.) We know that with regard to Ireland there have been proprietors—indeed many of them have told me themselves what they knew had really happened upon their own estates, and, indeed. an Hon. Member, in the course of this adjourned debate upon Ireland, mentioned a similar fact—many proprietors, who some sixty or seventy years ago, had given leases for three lives, and the persons to whom these leases had been given, finding themselves in difficulties, underlet the great portion, if not the whole, of the land in respect to which they had received their leases. These farmers again underlet the land, and thus the system of con acre, as it was called, was established, by which a rent of 101. or 121. per acre was often paid for it. A whole community was thus formed, which became far more numerous than the land could support by any cereal pro ducts. Consequently, these unfortunate persons were compelled to live in a most wretched manner, always upon the verge of famine; and yet, so long as the potato was a successful crop, you heard but little of complaint, except from the statistical returns that were now and again made to the House. Now, who w ill deny but that this sort of life was altogether diff erent f rom t h at w hi c h a civilised people would be contented with?—(Hear, hear.) Let me give an instance of this whi c h h as been ready referred to by the Honourable Member who seconded thi amendment to this Bill. It relates to Ballina, about the year 1834 or 1835. Certain witnesses having been examined in respect to the state of the poor people in this part of Ireland—one of them said that there were about 100 labourers in the street one morning asking for employment, scarcely any one of whomiwas possessed of sufficient strength, from the want of food, to perform any of the work for which he craved. Another witness said that the labourers, after having deg the potatoes for the farmers who hired them, purposely left many of them in the ground, which :they afterwards tdug up privately for themselves, thereby defrauding their employers of some of their property. Another witness stated that the labourers who were thus employed lived upon one meal only in the day, often remaining full 24 hours together before they obtained another meal.—(Hear.) But they all agreed in saying it was folly to talk of individual cases, for nothing could describe the wholesale wretched ness which existed. Now, this is what has occurred in what might be considered the prosperous times of Ire land in Ballina and other places, where complaints were scarcely ever heard of the wants of the people. Let me then ask you, it there had been no interference on the part of this House and the Government—if the people who were living thus contented had been left altogether without any aid or interference from us—what would be the result? I hear it said, and often repeated, that the aid which we have given—first by the assistance of the state, and afterwards by the extension of the poor law—has been demoralising to the people! Demoralis ing is no doubt an admirable phrase! It is an admirable phrase for passing by on the other side, and taking no notice.—(Hear, hear.) But, Sir, if we had not so inter fered, the people wculd not certainly have been demo ralised—they would be dead.—(Hear, hear.) Well, then, how did we relieve them? Iu the first ,instance, our plan of relief came entirely from the state. It was, how ever, obvio us , that if we attempted to go on with that scheme, in the first place, Parliament would have natur ally presumed that Ireland ought to support her own poor and destitute.—(Hear.) And, indeed, dove continued to grant this assistance we co u ld not sa that any of these re sources applied by the state would have been lavishly expended, or that there would not n h o a t vebeen the greatest abuses in the administratio n of t did we du? We proposed that re(l).isef means. What,. then, Nowe should . be given by the. extension of the poor-law. poor-law, it is to be considered that it regard to the law not only of humanity for the sake of relief, but als s o a for.the sake of,security. All persona whe a h aw p o r f o p p o e l r ic l y e considered' tbe , eifeets, elf the poor-law in this ethat the security of Eng.laVehsts: very much udneptreyadsa upon that one provision which we ha*.ttßades ea no person should have a right to wanderina'begebut te give relief to all those a ho were in want of it, and to employment for those that were able to work for their then, that is the case of England, I think we have a right to expect that in the course of time the poar-law will produce the same eff.cts in Ireland.— bear.) Every oce complains of the multitude of beggars, scmetitnes of marauders, that are going out from the purlieus of the towns, stealing and destroying the pro perty of the country. Now, if the poor-law be at all sacient i:s purpose, it must in a great degree remedy this evil. We must consider it, then, to be the foundation for the peace and order of the country. But we are told that the extension of the pcor.law in 18.17 should not have been enaCted,Vd that at all events we ought now to go back to the principle of the measure of 1838. Sir, it has been my fortune to have introduced both of those laws, and but for the calamity of the loss of the potato crop, I confess I should not have been disposed to introduct, the extended poor law of 1847. We cannot, however, venture to make any Redden step for the purpose of replacing ourselves in our original position. It has been given in evidence before the Poor-law Committee now sitting, that upwards of 360,000 persons, not belonging to the able-bodied, but belonging to the infirm poor, received relief i n the month l o a f w J . en l u t ar i y s e l v a i s d t, en u t nd th e a r tth ito w p o ro o v ld isi h o o ns im o p f t o h s e si p oi r e es t e o n v t o p o oA , workhouse;these 360,000 a , Il i a n I thinkaddition to th a the t h 200,0000. person, o whatever h l i l a h t e the gh p t vin en oi t p e l r e tai o n .f utpohoon law—would w ge o n a e ld ra g y o — s m o respect epihieh s to he t m he i thisha infirm relief poor tor Ireland. And withdrawn if far r m as th to ose say 36 t o h , a o t ooi these were t en be numbers s in greater e in July . n ua r y, we may appears I p calculate ersto that they will h such vast workhouse as lachceolmievmeo,diantion as the me impossiblewo pres en u t l m d is e e o r h ab ttao l i e hm st at a kh te ies of Ireland, that it will be utterly impossible to restrict relief to the ;workhouse. The Right Hon. Baronet, the Member for Tamworth, in touching upon this point, said, he considered that the workhouse was the best test of destitution. I under stood the Right Hon. Baronet to say that we ought to go back to that test, but that we ought not to do so sud denly.—(Hear, hear.) He also said that we ought to employ the able-bodied upon the public roads, or in some works of a similar character. Now these opinions of the Right Hon. Baronet appear to me to be totally at variance. The whole theory upon which we proceed in giving poor-law relief is to endeavour that no per• son should obtain relief, except the utterly destitute who cannot obtain food or means in any other way. The labouring poor would much prefer to work under public bodies than under any private individual, for they well know that there would not be the care or vigilance manifested in seeing the work well done under the for mer employment, that there would be under the latter. The Hon. Gentleman who spoke last gave us an instance of the improving landlord being charged a much higher rate than others when he availed himself of the money advanced by the Government for such improvements. Now that, I quite admit, would be a fit subject upon which to take evidence, and that those who make such improvements should not be charged with the additional rate. lam ready to admit there ought to be a maximum amount of rate, upon which point it will be my duty at a subsequent stage to submit a proposition to the House. lam ready to admit that the electoral divisions in the south and west are too large in extent—that the area is too large—that the population is too great, and that a better and more economical management would be obtained—that more union and harmony would be the result if the electoral divisions were reduced to a smaller size. These are changes that may be well in troduced. I come next to the subject of emigration, to which the Right Hon. Baronet the Member for Tam worth referred. I think it very possible for poor-law guardians and for the state to assist emigration from some of these overcrowded districts,where there was little or no hope of the people being able to find sufficient em ployment. I have always contemplated some assistance of that kind in the present session. But Ido not agree with the Right Hon. Baronet the Member for Tamworth in thinking that there is little or no force in the objec tion that a large plan of emigration would discourage the attempts of individual proprietors, and the system of vo luntary emigration. I ask the House to consider what that voluntary emigration in a great part is. Several Irish Members are fond of representing it as an emigra tion entirely composed of farmers of small means, which they carry with them, and thus deprive Ireland of a large amount of capital. But a great portion of that emigra tion is conducted by capital sent from North America to persons in Ireland by their relations and friends, many of them of the poorest class, to enable them to emigrate. Some Gentlemen have shown me a return from mercan tile houses in this country, showing the sums of 20s. and upwards sent over to this country, and the whole amount omitting the sums remitted through the house of Baring and Co. for the same purpose, was, in one year, no less than 460,000/. That is nearly half a million. Now, if the Government had proposed such a sum for emigration it would have appeared a most munificent vote; and yet such an amount had been sent in sums of 20s. and upwards from parsons in the United States and Canada to friends in Ireland for the purposes of emi gration. And I feel no doubt—knowing the disposition in Ireland to rely on the state—knowing how dangerous ground we tread whenever we give assistance from the state—if we said we should give a million or half a million for emigration—that a great portion of the sum sent over to assist individual emigration would be stopped by that announcement, and that such a grant would merely operate as a substitute for the sums expended in voluntary emigration. If this be so, we should not adopt iny general plan of emigration. In so speaking, I wish to guard myself against saying that there may not be particular cases in which assistance may be granted. The very Bill before us contains provisions that sums may be applied by the Treasury for the pur poses of emigration. I approach now with great doubt and diffidence that part of the subject upon which the Right Hon. Baronet the Member for Tamworth has twice given his opinion to the House. I cannot but re collect the long experience which the Right Hon. Baronet has bad with regard to Ireland. I remember when ,not many years after I came into Parliament—l think in 1816-1 heard a speech from the Right Hon. Baronet, in which he described the state of Ireland, its factions, and parties. It was a most able and instructive speech. I believe from that time to the present the Right Hon. Baronet had never ceased to give his anxious attention to the affairs of Ireland, and that he has devoted his great abilities to the consideration of the remedies required for that country.—(Cheers.) I there fore speak with the utmost respect of any plan of the Right Hon. Baronet. If I have any doubts with regard to that plan, these doubts I readily admit may arise from my misapprehension of the plan itself and its details. Having said this, Sir, I must express a doubt whether there would be any great advantage in having a com mission for the special purpose of disposing of questions relating to lands in the west of Ireland. It appears to me that such a commission must be of one or two kinds. It must either hare a compulsory power, or it must be of a volantarily nature. With regard to its compulsory character the Right Hon. Baronet had given an instance of the plan he would adopt in the plantation of Ulster in the reign of James I. Now, there is an obvious difference between that case and the present. In that case the land was at your disposal, and the people were not on the land. In the present case the land is not in your disposal, and the people are on the land.— (Hear, hear.) It appears to me, therefore, impossible to use the powers of James I.'s commission. At that time the land was forfeited to the Crown, and at its dis posal. But you could not say to any one individual that had so misused his power as a proprietor—that had abused his trust—that his land should be forfeited. To give any commission such a power in the present day would, I imagine, be quite impossible. With regard to the plan I proposed three years ago, though it might not be advisable to adopt it, it would at least serve for a foundation, because I proposed that any land to be taken should be waste land under a certain value, and not ex ceeding 2s. 6d. an acre of yearly rent. I proposed it should be sold, or let on long leases, and that persons should be brought in to cultivate it. But, without some compulsory power of that kind, it appears to me you would get into the greatest difficulties. Supposing the State were to purchase the land with all its mortgages, you would hare, in the first place, to consider whether the land was not mortgaged beyond its value. You might have to pay mortgagees who had never any hope of get ting payment; and with regard to the population, you would find either that you would have to pay large sums for poor-rates or for the purposes of emigration. Now, consider the extent of Connaught and the number of its population, and then imagine the difficulty of taking possession of it by means of a commission responsible far the safety and welfare of the many thousands of its inhabitants.--(Hear, hear.) I own it appears to me, so project pruden w ee which I do far as I ha ve cons id ered it, to be a net see how the St a t e can with an carry out. From part o f t h e plan of the Riegrhteaiflenety Baronet I understand it t o b e hi s i ntention to tacirtate . contracts for the purchase o f l an d s b etween persons who had lands to sell and others willing to buy. In that respect it appears to are the commission would cause great disappointment. It is impossible such a plan could bo passed for Ireland without raising great hopes, without exciting expectations of some great result. And if such a commission were merely to ask indivi duals to sell on contract of sale, it is obvious, I fear, that it would only lead to failure and general disap pointment. Such appear to me to be the difficulties in tho way of it.—(Hear.) But the Right Hon. Baronet touched on another subject nearly connected with the present, and with regard to which the Hon. Member for Manchester had spoken to-night. I think Parliament may be able to effect something on that subject, I mean with regard to the laws which in many cases encumber and prevent the transmission of property.—(Lear, hear.) No doubt this is a subject to be dealt with in a manner so as to ensure justice to all parties. It is impossible to enter on that subject with any other determination than to allow the just rights of every person to be regarded. It might happen, and it is no uncommon case, that a landed proprietor leaves his estate to his eldest son, who dies. The second son sue. ceeds, but he in all probability has gone to India, to North America, or it may be he is in the navy, and at a distance.—(Hear, hear.) The occupier of the estate, the life-tenant, might be an old man, quite willing to part with his interest in the estate, and willing for an annuity to give up his title •, but you could not take the title, and the law would no t trans mit the estate unless the claims of those in right of succession were considered. But that is not to be done without a good deal of expense and delay; because such a case would relate to property and to persons at a distance. But then the Right Hon. Baronet said that in such a proposition as be had made he would include a court of appeal. Now, I ask, if you are to have a court that is to hear these cases of rights of property, and from whose decisions there is to be an appeal, whe ther, after all, the expense would be less or the proceed • ings more expeditious than they are now ? With regard to the Court of Chancery, I do believe that ,many.of its-rules, with respect tn.ithe sale of property, d 4ith respect to the consideration of claims and 11 0 1 W; are too curiously framed for the purpose of eutirding against injury to remote heirs. It was with pleasure. ther e f ore , that I h ear d t h e sug gestions of the Right lion. Baronet on this point, and I do hope that we maybe able t o amend the Act of l ast sess i on w i t h respect to it . I f the court itself be an evil, my belief is that it is not an ev i l so pe o c f uliarly : p u res bt sing, and when I am told that the Act believe it bas not Leen froula:t session is a failure, I for many are anxious to sell " I estates think, because there oa. l ss a a n t d o f o ry render sale, a S na ir, in the first been no such demand for the application of it general. place, with regard to the poor-law connected with it, our obj ect ought other l aws make the estates a good purchase hem.erntse be to come into the market to buy t That w in n " opinion, would be much more important than to facilitma e - the mode of sale.—(Hear, hear.) Th ere , are, no-doubtt many Gentleman in Ireland who some few years ago derived some hundreds, or perhaps, s o me thousands a year from their landed property in that country, who would at the present moment gladly part with that pro perty at a low price (Hear, hear.) That is an unfor. tunas° state of things. J3ul I treat that when the state of Irel: And becomes somewhat better, we shall be enabled to ado. pt a plan by which we can facilitate the transfer of enct imbered property which the present proprietors are w• illing to sell to men who possess capital and energy . and who are willing to embark them in pr ,Iperty in Ireland.—(Hear, hear.) I am, howevez persuaded, that any such plan must be con ducted with all due regard to the rights of property— those rights must not be violated in any degree, because any violation of them would create a want of confidence in those who might be inclined to purchase.— (Hear.) They would naturally be alarmed for the future preservation of their rights.—(Hear.) Sir, the Hon. Gentleman who spoke last alluded to the pro posal which her Majesty's Government are about to make for the assistance of one of the railroads in Ire land, and be congratulated himself that a plan which was brought forward two years ago by the late Lord George Bentinck, and which at the time was opposed by the Government, is now about to be introduced piece meal by us. Now, Sir, I beg of the Hon. Gentleman to recollect that the original plan for the assistance of rail roads in Ireland was drawn up by the Government of Lord Melbourne, and was introduced into this House by Lord Morpetb, when he was Secretary for Ireland. We intend to propose that there shall be au advance of money made to assist certain railroads in Ireland, to promote arterial and other drainage, and also to improve landed property in that conntry ; and that a sum not exceeding 1,000,0001. shall be granted for the whole of these three purposes. Sir, we have always been of opinion that the introduction of the poor-law in its original shape into Ireland was most desirable, and that employment should be stimulated. And although a sum of 1,600,0001. has been applied for that purpose, yet it is still desirable and necessary that some further aid of that kind should be given.—(Hear, hear.) A description of such aid is conformable to the principle which has been adopted by former Governments, and has met with the sanctio❑ of the House.—(Hear, hear.) Sir, there are other mea sures which we intend to propose for the relief of Ireland: but at this late hour of the night I will not trouble the House by referring to them. I feel very sensible that nothing I have said—that no plan I have introduced— that no general plan I have proposed will satisfy those who ask for some large and comprehensive scheme to redress the evils which exist in Ireland; but I must sub mit to the House that many of the schemes for redress proposed are wholly beyond the reach or power of any Government to effect.—(Hear, hear.) With regard to the question which I believe lies at the root of these evils— I mean the cultivation of the potato-- that speeies of vegetable upon which the poor place so much reliance for food in small patches of land, I will only say that when the landlords, the tenants, and the labourers were all combined to divide the land into small patches, however the Go vernment might lament such a course of proceeding, neither the Lord Lieutenant nor the S-cretary of State bad the power of preventing it.—(Hear, hear.) And even lately I have said repeatedly in this House that re liance upon the potato crop—which is a most precarious one, because it cannot 132 depended on for mire than a single year for food, was most unwise on the part of the Irish people ; and that they should look for something better. But even at - the present, time there has been going on a great deal of po tato planting in Ireland, and upon the result of the harvest will depend the weal or woe of thou sands of the people. By no law that we can place on the statute book—by no power that the Lord- Lieutenant possesses, can we prevent this system of potato planting, and of reliance upon the crop. And if this then be the case, I ask you to agree to a mea sure which will give some breathing time, and perhaps be the means of saving from a feat ful death many who might never see another August sun. I ask you if you do not approve of the measure in its present state, to sanction the principle of it, by which we may be enabled to advance some portion of the sum—and I ask you, above all, to rely upon no unsound principle of Govern ment or legislation—(Cheers) —not to believe that any one scheme, or any measure however extensive, can re lieve altogether the multitude of woes which at present afflict Ireland ; but to look at the application from time to time of remedies adapted to the occasion, in order to show that you feel for Ireland, and that you are desirous of exerting yourselves to the utmost of your power to as sist her in her distress.—(Cheers.) I ask you to remem ber that we are a united kingdom, and not to think that any misfortune can happen to Ireland without being felt as a deep calamity by England—(Cheers.) Mr. J. O'CONNELL moved the adjournment of the debate, amidst loud cries of " Divide" and " Go on." Lord J. RUSSELL—I really must beg of the House to consider that this is only the first stage of the Bill. Mr. J. O'CONNELL said it was the important stage. Lord J. RUSSELL said it was certainly the stag e upon which the principle of the measure was con fi rme, but there were other stages when the measure could be further discussed, and he hoped, therefore, that the House would come to a decision to-night. Lord CASTLEREAGH hoped that the Hon. Member for Limerick would persevere in his motion for adjourn ment. They had heard many able speeches, but very little about the rate in aid itself.—(Hear, hear.) He ob jected to the attempt of the two, parties in the House to force the measure upon Ireland against her will. Lord JOCELYN hoped that the House would divide to-night, as the question could be again discussed upon the amendment of the Hon. Member for Kerry.—(Hear.) Lord J. RUSSELL said that if Hon. Gentlemen who had notices on the paper for to-morrow (Tuesday) would waive them, he would not object to the adjournment of the debate. lie was anxious that the Bill should be read a s, cond time before the Easter holidays. Mr. DISRAELI hoped Hon. Members who had mo tions on the paper would adopt the suggestion of the Noble Lord, and postpone them. After a levy words from the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER to the same effect, Sir J. Y. BULLER and Mr. G. TIIOMPSON ex pressed their willingness to postpone their motion, hoping other Hon. Members would do the same. The debate was then adjourned until to•morrow (this day). Mr. LABOUCHERE trusted the House would allow him to bring up the report on the Navigation Bill. After a few remarks ;roam Captain HARRIS and Mr. DISRAELI, the report was postponed until Wed nesday. The Lords' amendments to the Out-door Paupers Bill were agreed to. Sir G. GREY brought in a Bill for promoting the public health in Scotland. The provisions of the Bill, he said, are substantially the same as those relating to the public health in England, and the Lord Advocate was desirous that the Bill should be printed before the recess, in order that its provisions might be seen in Scotland. The Bill was read a first time. The SOLICITOR-GENERAL brought in a Bill for facilitating and better securing the due administration of charitable trusts. The Bill which, he remarked, was substantially the same as that of last year, was read a first time. On the motion of Mr. PARKER, the following Hon. Members were nominated the Select Committee on Ex piring Laws:—M. Parker, Mr. Tamil, the Attorney- General, Mr. Bernal, Mr. Ilayter, the Lord-Advocate, Mr. Hume, Mr. Aglionby, Mr. Mackenzie, Mr. Bellew, Mr. Greene, Mr. G. Craig, Sir G. Clerk, Mr. Hawes, and Mr. Stafford. The House adjourned at Half past Twelve till to• morrow (this dsy). PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS. From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Commons. MONDAY, APRIL 2. JOURNAL OF THE HOUSE. Ordered, That the Journal of this House, from the end of the last session :o the end of the present session, with an Index. to the 104th volume, be printed. Ordered, That 1,250 Copies of the said Journal and Index be printed by the appointment and under the direction of John Henry Lee, Esq., the Clerk of this House. Ordered, That the Journal and Index be printed by such person as do s p h r a e l s l o t e li t e o en p s r e in d t b th y e M sa r in S e p . eaker, and that no other 0 PENINQ OF THE EXTENSION LINE FROM TEE BLACKWALL TO THE EASTERN COUNTIES RAILWAY.— Yesterday the fine which connects the Blackwell with the Eastern Counties Railway, was opened for the con veyance of passengers from the terminus in Fenchurch street. The new viaduct passes over arches, the junc tion with the Blackwell Railway taking place in the Commercial•road, opposite Salmon-lane. That with the Eastern Counties being formed at a short distance on this side of the Stratford station, passing over the new extension of railway from the East and West India Docks to the North-Western at Camden Town, which is very far advanced, and which also passes under the Eastern Counties. On the line leaving Blackwell, it tra verses the Commereial-road, across which is an Immense massive iron bridge, consisting of one span. By the formation of this new line, passengers can be conveyed from the terminus at Fenchurch-street, to all towns in connexion with the Eastern Counties, and when the line is formed to Camden Town, to all towns in connexion with the North- Western. ROUT OF THE SEIKII ARMY.—An extraordinary. Gazette, published yesterday, contains the official dis patch received at the India House from the Governor of Bombay in Council, directed to the Secret Committee of the East India Company, dated Bombay, March 4, 1849, 5 P.M., containing the notification of tho rout of the army of Shero Singh, which appeared in The Sun of yesterday. _ _ - THE HOP DUTY POSTPONED.—The Sussex Express of Siterday says:—" We have just received the im portant intelligence from our indefatigable Member, Mr. C. H. Frewen, that the Government have re solved on postponing the payment of the hop duty from May until after the next hop-picking is over. We are sure that our readers in the Weald will re joice at this announcement; and we are confident that, in their name, we may thank the Hon. Member for his exertions in this matter throughout the struggle, and, finally, for the promptitude with which, though se riously unwell, Mr. Frewen hastened to relieve the deep anxiety of his constituents by communicating this wel come intelligence. _ THE BRISTOL MURDER.—The ill-fated prisoner, Sarah Thomas, maintains the same indifferent bearing in the gaol as she did before the finding of the verdict— eating, drinking, and sleeping well, and apparently quite insensible of her awful situation. When she says sly thing, it is to declare , that she is suffering for others. The mother, Ann Thomas, has been committed by the coroner, for want of sureties, to give evidence on the trial; and the girl Sullivan still remains in 13ridewell, with the same object. THE LIVERPOOL MURDERS. — The coroner's _in quest on the bodies of Mrs. Henrichson and her two children closed at eight o'clock yesterday evening. The jury, without hesitation, returned a verdict of " Wilful murder" against th e p r i soner , J o h n Gleeson Wilson. THE ARMY. — Orders h ave b een i ssue d f or the e de pots of th e 6 4t h and 83d R giments to embark at Cork for Ch a th am on the st h of this Month; and for the depot of th e 7 0th, to em bark on the 12th for the same destination. TIM LEGAL TITLE ASSURANCE COMPANY. (Provisionally Registered, January 17, 184 i..) Capital, 2,000,00 C/., in 80,000 Shares, 01 251. each. Preliminary Deposit, 2s. 6d. per Share Prospectuses and full information may be obtained at the Tempo -ay Orces of the Company, 13A, Catmon- row, Westminster, on ap licatltd to G. F. HOWE, Hon. Sec., pro tem. NOTICE, NEW STORY OF THE SEA, BY TIIE AUTHOR OF " THE PILOT," " RED ROVER," &c. Now ready at all the Libraries, in 3 vols. post Bvo., T H SE A LI 0 N S ; Or, THE LOST SEALERS. By J. FENIMORE COOPER. Author of "The Pilot," "Jack O'Lantern," "Pathfinder," &c. Richard Bentley, New Burlington-street, HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE. MDLLE. LIND. It is respectfully announced that a Series of SIX CONCERTS will be ,given at Tier Majesty's Theatre, comprising the following 3peras :—The Flauto Magico of Mozart; Oberon, Der Freyschutz, and Euryanthe, of Weber ; La Nectate and Fernand Cortez of Spontint ; and Fidello of Beethoven; which will be sung by Mdlle. Lind and the principal Singers of the Establishment, accompanied by a full Orchestra and Chorus. The dates and particulars will be duly announced. The Subscribers are respectfully informed that they will have the option of including any number of these Concerts in their Season's Subscription. The First Concert will take place on Thursday, April 12, ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE. proprietor, Mr. W. Batty. under the Patronage of her Majesty the Queen, his Royal. Highnois Prince Albert, &c. THIS EVENING, And Wednesday, and Thursday, GRAND EQUESTRIAN FETES, when the Theatre will close on Thursday Evening for the production of a Grand Equestrian Spec tacle, on Easter Monday. Box-orrice open from Eleven till Five. Stage Manager, Mr. W. West. THE WEATHER.—Stm OFFICE, APRIL 3. THERMOMETER, Lowest, 35: Highest, 54; Noon, 48, BAROMETER, 29.63. WIND variable from W.S.W. to W.N.W.—dull weather MOH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Tine DAY °ming, 32 min. after 10 i E ven i nv, 14 min. after 11 To-Moanow— Morning, 49 min. after '1 1 I Evenin g , 0 la i n. after 0 I s °N. WUX I' 114 'P tt t LONDON, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 1849. The debate on the second reading of the Rate in Aid Bill was list night resumed and again adjourned, on the understanding,thowever, that the several mo tions standing for this evening should be postponed, in order that a division might be taken on the prin ciple of the measure before the Easter holidays. We should, perhaps, rather have stated the debate to have been on the statesmanlike and comprehensive sugges tions of the Right Hon. Baronet the Member for Tam worth, for the question nominally before the House was but partially alluded to, while every speaker directed his chief arguments to the new elements introduced into the discussion by the ex-Premier. The rate in aid itself, is at best but a temporary measure, not put forward as one of those great remedial enact ments,the necessity whereof is admitted on every side. It is acknowledged that in several unions the local resources are completely exhausted, that the unfortu nate inhabitants must perish miserably unless extra neous aid is afforded. From whence then is that aid to be received? From what source is the requisite relief to be afforded ? It can only be from the Imperial Exchequer, or from a rate levied upon the more solvent parts of Ireland ; and for many reasons the latter appears at the same time more equitable and more expedient. The people of England feel that they have a right to demand a separate and independent exertion on the part of Ire land. They have already bestowed what they were but ill able to afford. They have comtributed freely and liberally to the wants of their Irish brethren, and they do not regret their benevolence, although they have themselves experienced many bitter sufferings from the enormous expenditure. It is time that the Irish should do something for themselves, and when they exhibit a desire to do so we will gladly assist their meritorious efforts. It is, however, asserted by the opponents of the present Bill that the poverty of Connaught has no claim :upan the wealth of Ulster ; that western indolence is not to be a burden on northern industry; that .if the limits already assigned for the purpose are to be exceeded, if the areas of taxation are to be at all extended, that the deficiency, what soever it may be, must be provided from a general fund—that the calamity must be regarded as im perial, and that the burden should consequently fall upon the national Exchequer. be some w e i g ht i n t hi s argument Tre e Ireland wewere subjected t o th e same bur dens in every respect that press with such peculiar weight upon. this country. She is, however, ex• empted from the income-tax, although the possession of 1501. a year on the other side of St. George's Channel will ensure the enjoyment of greater comforts than can be obtained here for the same amount. The assessed taxes are unknown ; the land-tax has no existence ; the duty on MA' whisky is scarcely one-Third of that which is leVied on British gin. In fact, the people are peculiarly favoured in fiscal matters ; and it is rather too ,bad, when enjoying so many valuable privileges and exemptions, that they should consider themselves aggrieved by being called upon to raise a sixpenny rate far the relief of their distressed brethren. They cannot, however, blow hot and cold. If they are spared the income-tax as Irishmen, they cannot repudiate the responsibility of providing for Irish distress, in whatever province or division of Ireland it may be discovered. They must either accept the liberal offer now made, or assent to a perfect assimi lation of the fiscal burdens in both countries. Their only alternative is, the rate in aid for a limited period, or the income•tax permanently. They have not as yet experieneed the blessings of the latter, or they would not have much difficulty in forming their choice. The propositions of Sir ROBERT PEEL are, how ever, of a very different character. They are pointed not towards the temporary wants of the people, but to the permanent and lasting amelioration of their condition—the elevation of their country in the scale of nations. They are mainly directed against the monster-grievance of the country—the. fountain and origin from which all her sufferings have pro ceeded. The Right Honourable Gentleman per ceives that there can be no hope for the country so long as it remains in the hands of an embarrassed and insolvent proprietary, unable to improve their - estates, to give employment to the people, or, in fact, to discharge any of the duties in cidental to property. Advances of money to landlords may be productive of some slight advantage ; em ployment may be given and improvements effected that otherwise would not be attempted, but the bene ficial results will be limited to the amount of the Government aid, and when that is expended matters will speedily fall into their former course, the old system will again prevail, and new demands will be made, which must be responded AG by new loans, perhaps by new grants. The middle-man system has been justly regarded as one cf the chief curses of Ireland. There is little practical difference between an embarrassed proprietor and - a middle-man ; both endeavour to increase their * present income by every possible means, to extort the highest possible amount from the occupiers without in any degree looking to the permanent improvement of the lands, or the welfare of its inhabitants. The eloquent and witty Member for Buckingham shire, in the course of his very able speech last night, considered that it would be unjust to give Parlia mentary titles to estates in the distressed part of the country. lie truly stated that by simplifying the titles and affording every facility for the easy transfer of land, would improve its value by no less than eight or nine years' purchase. And he asked, "Is the pro vident landlord—not the insolvent, but the skilful pro prietor, to be placed at a disadvantage in the market?" This would be a great objection, but what necessity is there for limiting the operation of the law to estates in Connaught ? Why should not titles be simplified throughout the entire of Ireland, aye, and in this country also ? The vast advantages resulting from the establishment of "a free trade in land" have been repeatedly pointed out. The evils of the restrictive system—of the entails and settlements—by which the free transfer of real property is impeded, are no less injurious in England than in Ireland. We have, however, been able to struggle against it in this country, while in Ireland it has inyviTed the inhabitants in ruin, and reduced them to their pre sent miserable condition. Give facilities, therefore, for transf'erring land as freely and easily as money in the public funds, and you will materially improve the condition and prospects of all classes in both coun tries, and you will avoid the practical injustice which Mr. DISRAELI so forcibly pointed out. We cannot conclude our notice of this interesting debate without alluding to the advice tendered by the Hon. Gentleman at the conclusion of his brilliant oration, advice so beautifully illustrated. He pointed out the fatal consequences of the mutual feuds and misunderstandings that have unfortunately prevailed, and which should forthwith and for ever be consigned to oblivion. The interests of both countries are the same. Why should they be disunited ? Why should there be any distinctions ? As the Hon. Gentleman pertinently inquired— " Who has a better claim to our sympathy than that country so long united and so intimately connected with us? We must terminate the petty and traditional mis conceptions which hare prevented us hitherto from co operating together. Ireland will then he like the Patri arch who, after struggling with the mystic wrestler till the setting of the sun, thought that he was striving against his oppressor, but at last found that instead of au oppressor, it was his guardian angel." Since the memorable day when to the assembled Peers and Paladins of the Empire the astounding announcement was made " OnsoN is endowed with reason," never bath grave assembly of senators been so "frighted from its propriety" as were the assem bled Peers of England last night by the equally astounding, but more solemn, announcement made by the Earl of ABERDEEN, with undertaker-like countenance and in 0. Smrru-like tones, " I attempted a joke." Had the Bishop of EXETER proposed to dance the Highland fling upon the table—had the Lord Chancellor, balancing the mace upon the tip of his nose, exclaimed 6' Tup-pence more and up goes my wig"—had Lord MON TEAGLE denounced the Shan non improvement job —or Earl GREY moved a vote of censure on the Ministry for disposing of Van couver's Island to the Hudson's Bay Company, their Lordships could not have been more astonished. They looked first at one another ; and then, casting their eyes upon the gaunt figure, surmounted by the heavy features,— " Ne'er yet illumined by a smile," — which stood before them, seemed each to " mentally ejaculate," like one of Mr. AINSIVORTH'S heroes, " What a joker!" The attempt had been made for some minutes before their Lordships became aware of its perpetration. Lord ABERDEEN was, to all appear rance3, pompous and witless as usual, and had he not solemnly propounded the charge against himself and then pleaded guilty to it, their Lordships would never have imagined that he had been, to use the phraseo logy of his ain canny country, " so far left to himself." Yet so it is, and if future historians " write our annals true," they will record that the Right Honourable the Earl of ABERDEEN, ci-devant head clerk to M. GUIZOT, now ombre Chinoise of Count COLLOREDO, did, in the presence of the assembled Peers of Eng land, in the year of grace one thousand eight hun dred and forty-nine, on the morrow of All-fools, attempt a joke. "If France, my Lords," said the Earl of ABERDEEN, " wishes to interfere to preserve the integrity of Piedmont, in GOD'S name let France interfere alone." We have Lord ABERDEEN'S _word for it that this was intended as a joke, and therefore we are bound to accept it as such. But then the question arises whether my Lord ABER DEEN has not been all his life long like Mr. SHANDY'S bull, deceiving the lieges by perpetrating jokes with a serious face. In 1828 he suffered Russia to take possession of the mouths of the Danube—without in terference —without protest—that was a joke. In 1830 he suffered CHARLES X., in compliance with his secret treaty with Russia for reducing the power of Great Britain, to take possession of Algiers—that was a capital joke. In 1843 he signed the "Ashburton capi tulation" —that was an excellent joke ; and in 1846 he consented to the Oregon treaty, and gave up a consider able portion of the north-west coast of America, " where gold is found " " Foro gad that was a more excellent joke than t'other." But in the meantime the interests of England are sacrificed to the solemn facetiousness of the travelled Thane; and " If chance his patrons should restore Unto the sway they forreited before," we trust that even the Tories will have too much English spirit to afford this superannuated joker an other opportunity of acting in his vocation as Sacrificer-General of the interests of Great Britain. They have among their supporters many a better man to whom they could entrust the seals of the Foreign-office. My Lord ELLENBO ROUGH has twice his knowledge of foreign affairs, ten times his eloquence, and twenty times his tact— and as for spirit, Lord. ELLENBOROUGH is a thorough Englishman, whilst my Lord ABERDEEN has as much spirit as a washerwoman's last cup of tea before she has put the gin in it. One, and that not the least of the recommendations of the Earl of ELLENBOROUGH is, that he does not even pretend to understand the weary witlessicisms of this would• he " old Joe" of the House of Lords. ROTO-VERTICAL PRINTING MACHINES. TO THE EDITOR OF TUE TIMES. Sir,—Since the notice in the Times of the prize offered for a machine to print 10,000 copies of a newspaper with in an hour, so many letters and applications have been made to me as to the capability of a machine constructed according to my patent, that I shall esteem it a great favour if you will allow me a short space in your paper to explain what may be expected from it, in case Mr. Moreton's bequest should prove a reality. The daily practice at the Times printing-office has en tirely dissipated the two technical objections made to the vertical system—viz., the turning of the sheets from the horizontal to the vertical position, and, secondly, the dis tribution of the ink. The mechanical advantages of a continuous circular motion are well known, and the print ing of the Times paper is now generally acknowledged to be superior to that done when the horizontal machines were in use. As a proof of one great advantage in the working, I have only to state that as many as 40,000 impressions of the limes have been struck off by the machine at present in use without once brushing the type or changing the rollers. In the construction of a machine to print more than 10,000 copies an hour, I propose to content myself with taking as a datum the maximum speed of the old flat machines, viz., 1,500 strokes, or 264,000 inches, per hour. This may be fairly laid down not as a maximum, but as a safe and practical driving speed. A machine simi lar to that at the Times office, with a type cylinder of 160 inches and 10 printing cylinders arranged round it, driven at the above rate, would strike off 16,500 im pressions in an hour. Now, the form of type and the inking table are about 80 inches in length, so that an other form of the same size may be attached to the type cylinder, and with an upper story of laying-on tables added (as in use on the old machines), and a very little alteration to make each feeding apparatus do double duty, twice as many impressions may be made at the same time, that is, 16,500 sheets printed on both sides on one machine. In the course of last summer I had a correspondence with an eminent French printer on this subject, and guaranteed 15,000 caries; but a severe domestic afflic tion on my part, and probably the state of public affairs in Paris, prevented any final agreement. Hitherto I have provided for printing a sheet the size of the Times (about four feet in length and three feet wide), but if any journal, say La Presse, which is half the size, be taken as the standard, the produce of the machine would be numerically doubled, 16,500 copies being ob. tained from one form of type containing the four pages of La Presse, while at the same time 16,500 copies of another journal would be printed from another set of t) pe, thus making 33,000 newspapers per hour; each impression producing the four pages of the journals, in the same manner as the supplement to the Times, one set of sheets being supplied from the upper story of layers-on, and the other set from the lower. The means afforded of making the whole cir • cumference of the type cylinder available, by increasing or multiplying laying-on places, is one of the great and peculiar advantages of the vertical system. s aet; The machine above desc r ib e d i s suppose d to have the type upon it i n a c i rcu l ar f orm, b ut at the Times it was requisite to use fl a t co l umns of type arranged as seg ments around the typ e c yli n d er, wh i ch rendered print ing cylinders of lar ge di ameter necessary to meet the b fl o a : t l t i e s n e it t i s g o o f f tt)h,eposewgemreenints.adeTrheeadty a akin t g off a m of sheets req u i re d more space than cou ld b e allowed and also such a machine could not b e set to work unless ' the double set it was, therefore, judged better to incur the great ex pense of two machines rather than to combine both in one.—l remain, Sir, very respectfully yours, AUGUSTUS APPLEGATEL Dartford, March 31. ALARMING ACCIDENT.--A very serious accident nearly occurred to the High Sheriff for the county of Monmouth (J. Herbert, L the Judges t o Monmouth to q), for on going t o escort open the assizes, the horses, driven f our in-hand, started, became unmanage able, and ran away. The carriage, with the alarmed inmates, was hurried for a considerable distance, at a frightful pace, through lanes, until providentially stopped by a fallen tree, just as the destruction of the party seemed inevitable. THE ARCTIC EXPEDITION.—Letters can be for warded by the North Star to the officers and crews of the Polar ships, if sent to the Admiralty during the present month, MONEY and COMMERCIAL NEWS. CITY, QUARTER TO TIJILEE. There was an animated market for Cotton at Liverposl yesterday, and a good business was transacted at the full prices of Friday last. The sales were estimated at from 7,000 to 8,000 bales, and included 6,000 American at 3 1 / B d. to 6 1 / 2 d., 400 Pernam and Maranham at 4%d. to 5 1 4 d., 100 Egyptian at 5%,(1. to 53d., 600 S urat at n' t d. t o 4d., and 40 Sea Island at 9d. to 10 , ,5d. per lb.—ln Railway Shares a fair amount of business was transacted, and prices had an upward tendency. The Market closed firm. A large Custom House seizure has been ef fected to-day, no less than 1,100 cwt. of manu factured tobacco brought over in a Dutch steamer and ingeniously fashioned in the shape of oil- cake, among a quantity of which it was mixed. The revenue would have lost 9s. per cwt., and the discovery was made in a singular manner, viz., by the olfactory nerves of the landing waiter, who attended in the lighter, being affected in a manner to excite his suspicion. Part of the tobacco had already been removed to the outskirts of London. An American merchant, doing a large business, has pub licly intimated his determination to go to California. We gave exclusively yesterday, an outline of the corres pondence received by the Committee of Spanish American bondholders from their agents in Mexico, and there has been subsequently a letter rece i ve d from Messrs. Schneider, of London, stating that they have received from Messrs. Baring the equivalent of the 500,000 dollars promised, the amount paid over to them being 93,750/ We need hardly remark that this will not by any means complete the divi dend, and it is computed that 27,0001. is needed for the purpose, the fact being that, in consequence of the surreptitious issues, &c., the debt amounts to more than is perhaps generally estimated. The notion that Messrs. Baring will take the agency is set at rest for the present by their having paid over the sum in hand to Messrs. Schneider; but, however this may be, we hope that as they did some years since act in that capacity, and rather suddenly resigned their functions, they would not again resume them without seeing their way tolerably clear. Great firms, like public men, should well consider their acts, for they draw the lesser " fry" after_ them. The house of Schneider and Co., when it can come to an arrange ment to pay the dividend, may regain its popu larity with the bondholders, who have, perhaps, after all, no right to expect it to make advances. The holders must look mainly to their future prospects, and these we are not disposed by anymeans to view with feelings of despondency. There will be no further remittances out of duties from Vera Cruz and Tampico for dividend purposes until May or June next, but then the 6 per cent. export charge on silver will be accruing, and the payments on account of the tobacco monopoly came into play last month, and may be in part received by the next Mexican mail. A grand point is the disposition manifested by the Mexican Government to meet the claims of its foreign creditors, and if; as the private accounts state, and as there is every reason to believe, the Mexican people are heartily sick of soldiering, and resolved to be no longer under the domineering influence of every mock heroic general who chooses to get up a pronunciamento in any distant province of the Republic, its prospects will steadily improve. ' The American invasion, so far, indefensible as it may be on the ground of right, has wrought a great change in the habits and feelings of the Spanish population, while it has lowered the dignity and pretensions of theboast ful but incompetent military leaders. A reduced tariff, a better administration of justice, and a cessation of civil war, may, in course of time, snake the country as flourishing as it has lately been depressed. Accounts of January 26th have come to hand from Rio de Janeiro. There was not much doing in exchanges, and the rate on London was 24%c1. The Money Market was quiet. At Pernambuco business was dull, owing to the political troubles that has prevailed. The steamer America has arrived with the United States and: Canada mails. Letters are not yet delivered, but the tenor of the news per express is considered favourable by our merchants in respect to trade prospects. It would be difficult precisely to state on what ground the speculators for a fall in the Funds are at present operating. We are promised a good revenue return; cheering accounts have been received from India; the Dee has brought a large amount in specie; and Lords Lansdowne and Palmerston last night answered, in most satisfactory terms, a host of frivolous gestions, put for no object but to cast odium on our foreign policy. Add to this the buoyancy of the Paris Money Market, the unaided arrangement between Radetzky and the new King of Sardinia, and there remain but two causes for sus pense—the Danish and German empire questions. We may be over-sanguine, but we certainly trust yet in a pacific so lution, and anticipate a revival of that confidence which recent events have tended to impair. In the meantime Consols are very flat, being 92% % for transfer, and 92% to 3 j t for time. The latest bargains have been at 92%. Exchequer-bills are 423. to 455. premium. India Stock has been at 2sB. There have been one or two money sales in Consols, and some of the speculators are realising I I profits. Very little has been done in Foreign Stocks, and the dis appointment felt by some of the operators in Mexican has caused a decline to 31 and 30%. The dealings are, how ever, extremely limited. Spanisu Five per Cents, have been 16% to 17, and the Three per Cents. 30) %. Portuguese Four per Cents. bring 284. Danish Scrip has been done at 7 1 4 premium, being lower on account of the reports that the war will be re-commenced. Dutch Four per Cents. have been 77% to 78. Railway Shares are steady, but, as the business is smaller, lower prices have been submitted to in several instances. o.Nt.. owt...ING l'lty_•Ets Or , niTiSII FUNDS. O'CLOCK PRICE S 3 per Cent. Consols Annuities 92 1 / 2 5A004 92 3 4 Long Anne. to expire Jan. 1860 India Stock India Bonds, 1,0004 ...... •• 55 Ditto under 1,00411. . ........ ...... 52 Consols for Acco un t.. 9 2 % 3 / 43041 92 3 ,4 India Stock for Account, — 246 I : : xenequer Bills. IlAd. & 2d. 1,0001. Ju ne 5001. June •'•••••• 42 45 p Small. June 42 p PRICES OF FOREIGN FUNDS. OWE O'CLOCK. 42 p 45 p 42 p Brazilian Bonds Buenos Ayres Bonds, 6 Der Cent 39 40 Danish Bonds, 1825, 3 per Cent — Ditto, 5 per cent. Scrip, 1819.. 7% p 714 p Mexican, 5 per Cent. 1846 — Ditto, Account Portuguese 5 per Cents. — Ditto, 4 per Cent 2B ;1, 1 Ditto, Account . — Russian Bonds ... Spanish 5 par Cent. 1840. Ditto, Account 1674 Ditto, 3 per Cent Dividends on the above payable in London. French Rentes, 5 per Cent. Exchange 2sf. 25c. 25f. 25c. Belgian 4% per Cant Dutch 2% per Cent., 12 Guild — Ditto. 4 per Cent. Certificates 78 1 % 78% x d PRICES OF BUSINESS DONE CLOSING ttAILWAY SHARES. PAID.AT o.rit. O'CLOCK. PRICES. Aberdeen ... 50;;; ; ;...... 17% . ......... ... 17 1 / 2 ms Suckinghahire Caledonian 24 Do. New 10/. P re f..... 10 aester and Holyhead... 50 - """......•••. 17% Ditto, Preference ..... ...... 11 % East Anglia, 25/., L. & CLOSIN 0 PRICES. Foj 4U ',8 3 4 291 104 E. ancrL. and b. .. ... 25 ...... ........ 3 1 4 ... .... Do., 18/., E. & H.... 18 ...... — D 0.,.. 3 1 / 2 -... 1 4 . ........ 2% Eastern C0untie5......... ..... 20 ...... 9% 2 Va . 9A 3 Do. New Gu aranteed 6 per Cent. .. ........ 10 ...... 11% Ditto, Extension,s p er 11 Cent., No. 1....... 6/.135. 4d.... l4 Eastern Union, Cl ass A P (late E. U. Shares) 25 . Do. Scrip (6 percent.) 20 ..... ..... 19% 20 .. Nast Lincolnshire ...... 25 - ............ 28 1 / 2 Great Northern ......... 20 - 11 Do., I A2 A Deferred ... 12 1 4% ... .. 4% Do., 1 / 2 13 6 per Cent... 7% . Do. Extension......... 2 1 / 2 ...... 1% l% i-;reat North of England.loo ......233 Ditto, New, 404 ........ 40 ••• ........... DDitto, ditto itto, New, 30/ Ditto, New, 151 l4 s. .. 33 .... .... 33 Great Western 100 ..... .95 94% ......... 94% Ditto, 1 4 Shares Ditto, New 171.- Lancashire & Yorkshire 93 ..... Do. Fifths... ................. Ditto, % Shares ... .. 35 .... 35 ... 10 61/2% ............ 4‘, Do. New, Gua.6 p erct. 1 0 Do. (Preston & W yre ) 25 7% Leeds and Bradford 5O lOO 93 ........ ... 99 London &Blackwell l 2 l /2 5% London, Brighton, and 5 1 / 2 South Coast. London and N. Western 100 .135 136 134 1 / 2 ... 134 1 / 2 Ditto, New Quarters.. 7 Ditto, Fifths ..... .. .. 2 ...... 8' Do. 10/. (M. & B.) C. 1 ...,.. 4% .... 4 % Lon& &S. Western 5O ...... 371 / 2 37 L/ 2 51 anchester,Buxton,and b1at10ck........ ........ .. 4 1 ,x. l5 Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire...loo - Ditto, New 10/. Pref... 10 . ... Midland ... ... • 100 •••••• 7 7 7 % Do., do., 50/. Shares... 25 .. .. 16%7 76 t...••• North British ....... ... 25 ...... • •-• .. Ditto, Quarters Ditto, Thirds .... -.. 8% .. .. North Staffordshire . 17' 10% 76 1 A 16% 3% 4% Oxford, Worcester, an d 14 Wolverhampton ...... 60 Scottish Central Shrewsbury and Birm ..... —3l Shropshire Union - Do., No. 1 Do., N 0.2. Do., No. 3 ....... . 3O ...... 22 ............. .. South Wales 33 ...... 17 "' '•••• ••••• South Yorkshire, Don- 1 / 2 - 1 4 g 16 1 % 22 caster, and Goole ...... a...... 54. . Wilts, Somerset, 84 ey- ....... mouth ...... ..... 45 ...... 33 3 4 York, Newcastle, and Berwick. .... .......... 25 .. 21% 24 Do. Newc as tl e E xton. 20 18 17% ..... Do. G.N.E.P reterenee 8 ... % York and North Mi dland 50 ...... 43 LA Ditto, Preference ...... 10 1./0. East and West Rid ing Extension 5% 3334 17 % 71/ 8 44 1 4 8% 21% ... 22 21% FOREIGN RAILWAYD. Central of France (Or- Vierzon) East Indian:— ... 3 14 4 l /8 4 4 Great Indian Peninsular 5 Namur and Liege Northern of Frauce Orleans and Bordeaux.. 7 Parts and Orleans ...... 20 Paris and Rouen 2O 21N 3 Rouen and Ilavre . 2O ...... Tours and Nantes 9 ..... . 2%......... ..... 2% MINES. Brazilian Imperial ...... 24 1 h Do. St. John Del Rey 15 LLOYD'S SHIPPING.—(THIS DAY.) LONDON, APRIL 3.—WindS.S.W., moderate breeze and dull hazy weather. DEAL, APRIL 2.—Wind S.S.W. to S. and S.W.— Arrd. 30th March, Diane (of Bordeaux), Buenos A) res, for Antwerp; 31st March, Gladiator, Etieltsen, Porto Rico, for Copenhagen; 2d April, Pomee, .Hall, Ma nilla; Amy lt9bsart, 4,lkins, Mauritius; Wallace, Lam pert, Callao; Gartsherrie, Ritchie, Buenos Ayres; Ellen, Irvine, Jamaica; D'Auverune, Smith, Honduras. Arrd. from the River, Richard Thornton,: Maxwell, Bata via; Sam Slick, Wallace, Gambia; Gambia, Fiddeman, Sierra Leone; Etheldred, Ray, ditto; Champion, Doug- Matanzas ; Wenham, Wylie, New York. Std. Warlock, Adelaide, South Australia. NEWPORT, APRIL 2. Sid. Timandon, Matanzas; Soane, Portsmouth, United States. OFF FALMOUTH, APRIL 2.—Eliza, Wylie, Buenos Ayres, and sailed tor Antwerp. HARWICH, APRIL 2.—The Sovereign, of Colchester, Shields to Plymouth, was assisted into this port leaky this morning, having been on shore on the Kentish Knock Sand. YOUGHAL, APRIL I.—The Cathanio, Liverpool to Pa lermo, got on shore on the eastern point of this harbour, and is likely to become a wreck. LIVERPOOL, APRIL 2.—Wind S.S.W.—Arrd. Ist, Chusan, Rice, Valparais3 ; Emptess, Marden, Macao; Cato, New Orleans; Herald, Auld, ditto; Eliza Mor rison, Finlay, Mobile; Charlotte Harrison, Mlutyre, Charleston; Josephine, Cooeker, ditto; I. 11. Shepherd, Ainsworth, New York. 2d, Ferris, Scott, Calcutta; Cumberland, Paraiba; Hopewell, Newton, Maranham; Mahaica, Jump, Demerara; James Gray, Carter, New Orleans; Joseph Badger, Scholfietd, Mobile; Meteor, Laurence, ditto; Mortimer Livingston, Barston, Apala chicola ; Catherine, Robertson, Savannah ; Triton, Charleston ; Saranak, Julius, Philadelphia ; Rosetta, New Yolk; New World, Knight, ditto, sailed March 11. Sld. Ist, Agnes, Tampico; Patriot, Demerara; Emma Watts, Boston; Home, St. Andrews ; Regent, Halifax ; Paragon, Montreal. 2d, Harriet Hum ble, Calcutta ; Agues, Sierra Leone; Cornwallis, Halifax ; Paragon, Quebec ; Flora, Newfoundland. The Newcastle, of Glasgow, from Liverpool to Rouen, was spoken 29th March in lat. 50 lou. 9, with loss of sails and leaky, pith pumps choked, and part of cargo thrown overboard, by the Catherine, arrived here. The Enterprise (brig), of Yarmouth, N. S. (timber laden), was passed 14th ult., in lat. 4 lon. 44, waterlogged, and a derelict, by the Mortimer Livingston, arrived here. A vessel of about 150 to 200 tons, with only bowsprit standing, was passed 31st March, between Tuskar and Bardsey, by the same vessel. Several large icebergs were passed sth January, in lat. 50 S., lon. 51 W.; and another very large-one on the 7th, in lat. 47 S. lon. 46 NV., by the Ch usan , arr i ve d at this port. Off port, the Cynthia, Macao; Courier, New Orleans; Dibdin, ditto. Arrd. 3d, America, Boston. DARTMOUTH, APRIL I.—Arrd. Edward, Smidt, La Guayra, for Hamburgb. Sld. Ist, Gazelle, Newfound land. SOUTHAMPTON, APRIL 2.—Sld. Severn steamer, West Indies. COW de ES, APRIL 2.—Arrd. Marianne, Brenkame, St. Jago Cuba; Wanderer, Rose, Laguna, both for Bremen. PORTSMOUTH, APRIL 2.—Wind S. to W.N.W.=—Sld. Planet, Bermuda and Jamaica since put back; Northum berland, New York. MARKET NEWS.-(THIS DAY.) EAT DI.ELIUMETS. SMITIZFIELD.—Meadow /lay, 21 108 to 41; Clover ditto, 31 8s to 51; and Straw, 12 load. Supply b u t mo d erate, and trade rather dull. s per CUMBERLAND. —Meadow Hay, 21 12s to 41 2s ; Clover ditto, 3/ 10s to 41 16s ; and Straw, 11 8s to 1/ 14s per load. A fair average supply, and a steady demand. WHITECIIAPEL. Meadow Hay, 21 lOs to 41 ; Clover ditto, 31 lOs to Si; and Straw, 11 7s to 11 12s per load. Trade dull, at the above quotations. COLONIAL. SUGAR.—The market for British Plantation was less ani mated, but holders continue very firm. Sales 245 hhds., at fully previous rates. The public sales have comprised 4,000 bags Mauritius, 8,670 bags Bengal, and 100 bags Madras. The Mauritius mostly sold at 38s to 41s for mid to fine yellow, at 37s to 39s for grey, and 36s to 36s Gd for good brown ; ,the Bengal was only partially disposed of at prices barely sup porting those previously current, viz., 43s to 4-s 63 for good to fine white crystalized, and 40s to 43s for mid to tine white Benares ; the Madras sold at 313 to 34s for mid to good brown, being rather lower. Privately, 500 chests brown and 120 chests white Bahia have been sold at 21s and 23s 6d respectively, the former for refining in bond, and the latter for exportation. At the East and West India Docks last week there was no sugar landed. There were taken fur home consumption 1,042 hhds 172 tierces GS barrels. The stock in the same places is 10,088 hhds 1,445 tierces 2,109 barrels. {COFFEE.-650 bags Plantation Ceylon sold readily in public sale at very full prices, viz., 45s to 56s for fine fine ord to mid colory. Rum.—There was none landed last week at the East and West India Docks, there were taken for home consumption 219 puns 23 hhds and exported 132 puns 11 hhds. The stock in the same places is 19,642 puns 2,144 hhds. RICE. -875 bags Bengal realised 9s Gd to lOs for low mid to mid white, being moderate prices. SALTPETRE.-450 bags Bengal sold with spirit, at the ex treme advance previously established, OA per cent refraction having brought 295; but 600 barrels, 280 bags Egyptian, of indirect import, were withdrawn for want of buyers at their relative value. TAnnow.—lt is estimated that there will be this season an importation of new amounting to about the same quantity as that forwarded last year, which, with 11,000 casks lett over from 1848, and the large stock in England, will be a good supply even if the home make should fall off, though at present it is very large. P.Y.C. is now about 395, and Town 43s per cwt. TEA.—The deliveries last week were rather smaller, and the market is somewhat dull. •• 41 a •;* l -f ) M' at qf 0\ T QUI•W A ~ ... Av. ~ ,, 4, 1 -1 A , • - ~ 4 ,,, ,,i -- &..,t , . !Sli t t'...• 'l' 34. ;:iA` ' - --- ' • .**4' ' •":' ... , ~ , ..," t • - I ,v N, t iii,SON, T•" 0 's „e„„,vvi.., vir ti• .. TILE SUN, LONDON, TURISDAY EVENING, APRIL 3, 1849. AMERICAN NEWS. ARRIVAL OF TIIE AMERICA. (BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.) LIVERPOOL, TUZSDAY. The British and North American royal mail steam ship America, Captain Shannon, has just arrived at this port from Boston and Halifax. She left the former on the 21st. ult.; touched at Halifax to land and take in her Canadian mails and passengers, and sailed again from the latter on the 23d for Liverpool. The steam-ship Canada, h4nce for Halifax and New York on the 10th ult., had arrived out at Halifax, landed her mails and passengers, and again left for New York. By this arrival we have fourteen days' later intelli. Duce than that brought by the Europa. The dates are --Halifax, March 23; Montreal, 18; Quebec, 17; .Bos ton, 21; New York, 20; Philadelphia, 20; Baltimore, 19; Charleston, 17; Mobile, 16; New Orleans, 16; Cincin nati, 15; and Buffalo, 18. The political news by this arrival is not of much im portance. No further advices had appeared from California. The River Hudson opened for navigation on the 19th ultimo. _ 30 16% 30 Rumours of an outbreak in Canada had reached Boston previous to the steamer sailing, but they were discredited. The Spring trade promised well. MONEY MARICET.—The Money Market at New York had improved; discounts were easy, and money obtained for commercial purposes at low rates. AMERICAN STOCKS.—Treasury Notes, 1091; Penn sylvania Five per Cents., 804. BREADSTUFFS.—In this market very little was being transacted. Prices were slightly receding. The follow ing are the latest quotations :—Western Canal Flour, 5 dolls. 37ic. to 5 (Jolla. 50c. per barrel; Gennesee Prime Wheat, 1 doll. 32c. to 1 doll. 34c. per 601b5.; Southern Wheat, 1 doll. 10c. to 1 doll. 12c. per 601b5.• Indian Corn, Round Y e ll ow , 5 8c. to 60c. per bushel ,' barely supported; Southern White, 54c. to 56c. per bushel; Indian Meal, 3 dolls. 50c. to 3 dolls. 62c. COTTON.—The market for cotton at New York is reported brisk—a good average business doing, and prices had slightly advanced. In the other cotton markets the staple was in like demand, and also at slightly improved rates. New Orleans and Mobile, middling fair to fair, Bc. to 81c. per lb.; Uplands, mid dling fair to fair, 71c. to 74c. per lb.; showing a rise of c. EXCHANGES. —There was a good demand for exchange which stood on the steamer's departure at the following quotations:—On London, 107 to 1071, steady ; on P ar i s , 5 35. FREIGHTS. —The demand for freight was good, and ship owners were demanding increased rates. We annex the following quotations :--Flour to Liverpool, 2s. to 2s. 3d. per barrel ; grain to Liverpool, 6id. to 7d. per bushel ; cotton to Liverpool, square bales, id. to 5-16 d. per lb.; cotton to Havre, id. to id. per lb. VI CE-CHANCERY. —(THIS DAY.) (Before Vi ce - Ch ancellor IVlGn.ix.) WILKINSON V. GODSON. This cause, which was part heard on a previous day, was resumed this morning. A bill was originally filed for taking an account of certain tithes and rent charges alleged to be due to the estate of the testator, George Hall, for lands in the parish of Tenbury, in the county of Worcester. An account was accordingly taken, and the Court decreed the defendants to pay certain sums in respect of the tithes. Some of the defendants had subsequently neglected to make the requisite payments, and the plaintiffs now prayed that the suit might be revived. Mr. Cooper and Mr. P. Wood were counsel for the plaintiffs, a id the Solicitor-General and Mr. Cocks re presented the defendants. The arguments of counsel had not concluded when our left. o i o our the Vice• C hancellor Knight Bruce did not si r is t t tH day. EXTENSIVE FIRE. --le how of eight this morning considerable excitement prevailed in the City, through the outbreak of an extensive fire on the premises of Messrs. Games and Co., hatters and outfitters, No. 22, Birchin-lane, Comilla. The City brigade engines, followed by others from Farringdon-street, and more dis tant stations, as also that of the West of England, soon reached the spot and by nine o'clock the fire was ar rested in its prcgress, but, unfortunately, the loss of property was very great. The firm is insured. Some of the houses adjoining, in White Lion -court are slightly damaged by fire and water. BIRTHS. On the 27th ult., at Northfield-lodge, Annan, Dumfries shire, the lady of Henry Shum, Es q., late Captain 30th Regiment, of a son. On the 27th ult., at Girton Rectory, Cambridgeshire, the wife of the Rev. F. Tate, of a son. On the, 27th ult., in Edinburgh, the lady of D. M. Gordon, Esq.. Calcutta. of a daughter. On the :sth:sthult., at Castle MED. Townsend, county of Cork Lieutmant Lestock F. Boileau, of the Royal Navy, aged 63. , On the 26th ult., Orlando Ilarris Williams, Esq., of Auges• ton-house, Glocestersh.re, and Ivy-tower, Pembrokeshire. On the 29th ult., at Brighton, aged 80, Anne, widow of T. Calvert, Esq., formerly of Grafton-street. London: Printed and Published by MURDO YOUNG, of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at The Sun Office, No. 112, Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, in the county of raiddhliQX, Tuesday, April 8, 11149.