The Sun. — London, England, 1824-05-29 00:00:00

zormneree. And though it was so uncalled for, this mea f:ire would in its operation involve the destruction of above :".4400 brokers and underwriters. If, instead of enlisting, his stiojesty's Mini►ters in this cause, the Hon. Member for Wey meuth had induced them to lower the policy-duty, he would have done much more for the commerce of the country than could be effected by this bill. Let the House look to other companies. Had any good been done by the competition among the bias Companies or the Water Companies? In the case of the Water Companies, though there was an appearance of com petition at first, yet after a time they came to Parliament, and, complaining that they were on the brink of ruin, they got an advance of 50 per cent. above the rates paid before they existed. —As an individual merchant not connected with any of the in terests concerned, he must say, that in the course of a pretty exteirsive course of dealings, he had never met with any of those iossea or inconveniences which had been so much dwelt upon. Mr. BUXTON said, that after the personal attacks which bad been made upon him—(Cries of " No, no.") He must -contend that it was a direct personal attack to: ay that he felt and thought differently where his own interests were concerned. He appealed to the candour of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether in the measure which he had introduced relative to the trade in beer, he (Mr. Buxton) had been found in the number of those who were his opponents, either in or out of the House. He was placed in a situation of great difficulty—public duty and private interest were conflicting; and he would appeal to that Right Hon. Gentleman to say to which he (Mr. Buxton) had submitted. Alderman THOMPSON begged leave to disclaim any idea of personal disrespect to the Hon. Member for Weymouth. nr. LUSHINGTON said, that if he were of opinion that the two chartered companies did of right enjoy any of the pri -leges contended for, he would be last man in that House to take them away without compensation. Notwithstanding the peat authorities which had been arrayed against him by the Bon. Member who had cited the opinions of Sir Vicary Gibbs • and Sir Thomas Plomer, he should still contend for the cor rectness of his own opinion ; and he would tell his Honourable Friend, that he had very little value for any legal opinion, if he (Ed not, at the same time, see the case on which that opi nion was founded. He knew enough of the nature of opinions given by gentlemen of his own profession, and if his Hon. Friend would lay a case before two lawyersi he would pro bably get different and conflicting opinions. What was the case in 1719 ? The Crown had not the power to exclude Joint Stock Companies from doing business': it was necessary, • therefore, to have an Act of Parliament. The Act accordingly was passed; but what was there to shew that the Parliament intended to tie up,its hands, after the conclusion of the period of 31 years? But the 16th section of the Act gave a power to the Crown to set aside the charters, if found to be injurious, with out inquisition, by seise facia:. The plain intention of the Act, therefore, was to confer a power on the Crown of revocation after the 31 years had expired, which the Crown did not then -possess as the law stood. If his Hon. Friend so understood the Act, surely it was from such premises a most singular conclu sion, that therefore Parliament intended to tic up its own hands, and for ever, end to deliver into the hands of the Crown that power which was always vested in Parliament under all circum stances whatever. The two companies had in fact enjoyed for a period of sixty or seventy years, that which might with justice ~have bden taken from them at the end of 31 years. As to the policy of the question, he had always been desirous of giving every possible degree of freedom to trade, and had always given his support to the measures of the Right Hon. Gentleman op polite for effecting so desirable a purpose. But it seemed the Honourable Member (Mr. Wilson) thought that we had al ready got so perfect a system of marine insurance, that any farther improvement was quite unnecessary. It was said there was no evidence, but had the Honourable Alderman (Wood) read the report of 1810 ? He seemed to think that -there never was any evidence on the subject, but that the Honourable Member for Weymouth had got up . and in - -troduced a measure never heard of before, forgetting, as it iippeared, one of the most able and correct reports ever wade. What was the fear, if this Bill should pass ? Why, that, from the over competition, the rates of insurance would be reduced too low. But if the rates of insurance were at present toe high, they ought to be lowered ; and if they were at pre ' sent at the lowest pitch, this Bill could not reduce them any lower. Looking at the water companies, he was old enough to remember, that in 1807, on the formation of the water com panies, the first effect was to reduce the value of the New ' 'River shares from 10,000/. to about 3,000/. That, he conceived, was a great benefit to the public, who were the consumers, though it was an injury to the New River ,shareholders. In point of Justice and policy, be thought there never wasi . . Clearer question than the present. Mr. PLUMER said, that although the advocates of the Bill declared it was for the encouragement of competition, yet the effect of it would be to destroy competition ; for if 0 or 60 Joint Stock Companies were formed, was it to be supposed the 1,500 or 1,600 individuals who were at present engaged in it (mulct continue to carry on their trade ? If these charters were only to be considered as leases for 31 years, why, he would ask, introduce the words " perpetual succession ?" The Bank and East India Company were in that respect differently situatea, -far neither of those great bodies had those words in their charters. Mr. LOCKHART said, he thought he could relieve the Ho nourable. Member from the difficulty respecting the words perpetual succession ;" for if he would read the Act of Par liament, he would find there was a clause in it to render this perpetual succession determinable. He (Mr. Lockhart) was favourable to the measure, as it would, he thought, give the public additional facilities. Mr. C. PELHAM said a few words, but in so low a tone of voice, that it was impossible in the gallery to catch their import. Mr. MANNING considered the measure unnecessary, from -the reduced rate at which all risks were at present underwritten. • Mr. ROBERTSON entreated the House to look narrowly at this measure, so fraught with danger to the comfier -.cid interests of the country. Mr. Fox's famous India BiII, which at one period agitated every trading town in the empire, was not so pregnant with danger to the State. What -wee the names that stood . foremost upon the lists of this new Company ? Mr. Baring, Mr. Rothschild, Mr. Irving, Mr. Alexander, and others—the whole united money interest of the empire. A company thus formed was infinitely more •dangerous than a chartered association of underwriters, per sonally responsible, and acting under limited restrictions. It would, in its branching out among the shareholderS, even tually engross to itself all the underwriting of this great city. Now the commerce of the country was at present rather a great agency business than any thing else; and so far from sanc tioning a company of this engrossing nature, Parliament was bound to take care that the interests of those foreign mer chants who sent their consignments to this country should be protected in the most effectual and the least objectionable man ner ; and this was only to be done, in his (Mr. Robertson's) oisinion, by the present system or underwriting. Unhappily, however, his Majesty's Ministers were, latterly, disposed to lend too fond a year to any suggestions coming from that mass of wealth which had been put in,motion of this occasion. It was notorious that some of the individuals of whom it was com posed were the. great Loan Contractors for every power in ,Europe that proposed to raise money by borrowing in foreign :markets. This itself might be an evil; but it was not ap parent that all those who joined this Underwriting Company, - by the embarkation of their capital in the project, were in fact taking shares in those very loans ? But this measure now before the -House formed but one link in the fatal chain which his Ma jesty's Ministers had been for some time forging, and which would operate, if it should be completed, to the destruction of the whole commerce of the country. His own experience had but • leo strongly exemplified to him the tendency which they seemed • to have to encourage commercial projects of a novel and most .havardoss character. There had been a Committee sitting up stairs on the navigation laws not long ago; and so far as it was proposed to review and consider the system, he (Mr. Ro bertson) fully concurred with the Committee. What was the recommendation of that Committee? Were they for mo difying these laws ? No ; modification - would not do : the Gvvernment must have them destroyed ;L.-those very naviga tion laws which had is a system been for so many years esteem ed Gf sues beneficial consequence to the country. The next proceeding of his Majesty's Ministers was the famous Recipro city Act. As a proof of the benefit of that measure, he need but very lately a treaty between this only mention that a v e d s u s t e y ls o w f country and Holland had been published, w under which it very evidently appeared that our ships t e h r a e n t(bp ut 7; er s e L n p o e w r for the reciprocity of duties, cent. more in the ports of Holland to pay in British ports. So much that it had been said would be established between us and our European neighbours. Under such a system it was obviously impossible that our shipping interest could long continue to subsist. The 'Honourable Gentleman was next advertin .other Commercial Bills introduced by the present Government, when The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER rose to order. H e was sorry to interrupt the Honourable Gentlemntwrs, however, was really not speaking to the que stion; casing all the plans of commercial policy which had occu pied - the attention of Parliament during the last three or four years. Mr. ROBEItTSON =tended, that it was of great conse .quence to his view of the case, to show that the system of com mercial policy upon which his Majesty's Ministers had so long been acting threatened the most•disastrous mischiefs to the .country, and that. the object of the present Bill was itself one _of those mischie fs.—(Cries of " question, question.") The SPEAKER. said, that if the Hon. Gentleman thought b e was n . ot. out ()corder i n enter i ng upon t h e w h ile commerc i a l pie) of the country whether with the intention of demoristrat *g •It to be a light or a wrong policy, he was In error. 'The question before the House regarded the second reading of a Bill having a specified object. Mr. ROBERTSON deferred to the chair, and concluded by expressing a strong disapprobation of the Bill. The gallery was then cleared for a division; and the numbers were— For the second reading, Ayes, M I Noes, 33 I Majority 18. After a few words from Mr. P. GREIIFELL, whom we found on his legs at our re-admission, the Bill was read a second time, and committed for Monday next. BEER DUTIES. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved the order of the day on the third reading of the Beer Duties bill. The Right Hon. Gentleman brought up several additional clauses, regulating the future qualifications of persons empower. ed to brew, and providing for the licensing ate-brewers, who had hitherto been confined to the brewing of ale, to brew small beer also. It was already provided that the ale should not be retailed at the same premises on which it had been brewed : and these clauses contained a condition that the small beer should not be retailed on the same premises where the ale was to be retailed. The permission for persons to retail without certain heretofore accustomed qualifications, , to take effect from and after the sth of July, 1824, &c. Mr. Aldernian WOOD complained that these clauses were inconsistent with the enactments in the body of the bill ; and expressed a wish that they had been introduced at an earlier stage of the bill, in order that the parties interested might have had an opportunity of considering them before they were pro posed for tne sanction of the House. Mr. HUME thought nothing would more clearly evince the defective system of the law of Beer Duties than the fact that the Right Hon. Gentleman or his colleagues had already been obliged to introduce five or six different bills on the same sub ject. He did, therefore, implore the itight Hon. Gentleman, in justice to the great mass of the people of England, next year to alter the whole of such a system entirely. Let there be one duty on malt only, which would operate at least equally on the rich and the poor; and let people -be allowed to brew as they liked, and in what quantities they liked. The clauses were considered in a Committee, and reported. Read a first, second, and third time, and added to the Bill by way of rider. Lord PALMERSTON rose to move' an amendment to this Bill, which he would also put in the shape of a clause. With in the precincts of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, all licences for the sale of beer were granted by the Vice Chan ' cellors. As the House must see how important to the disci pline and good government of these precincts, it was that such licences should be continued on their present footing instead of proceeding from Excise Officers, he would move to exempt the places in question from the operation of that part of the Bill which regarded the grant of licences of Officers of the Excise. • This clause was adopted, and the Bill, as amended, was read a third time and passed. NEW SOUTH WALES. The report on the New South \Vales Bill was brought up, and agreed to on further consideration; and the Bill was or dered to be read a third time on Monday next. IRISH CLERGY. On the report of the Clergy Residence (Ireland) bill being brought up, and further considered, Mr. HUME stated, that he had meant to have brought up a clause, the object of which would have been to render it impos sible for a Clergyman to sue for his tithes in Ireland, unless he had been resident for a period of at least r.inc months to g ether among his parishioners.—(Hear !)--He waA quite satisfied that this would be the only way to correct the evils of non-residence; but he was afraid it was now too late for him to put his design into execution. Sir J. NEWPORThoped this Bill might.prove more effec tual than (as he confessed) he had anticipated. He concurred with his Honourable Friend (Mr. Hume), in thinking that this or any other Act for enforcing the residence of the clergy of Ireland, in that country, would be quite ineffectual, unless it were accompanied with some such provision as that which had been suggested. He felt convinced that pluralities were the greatest of all evils to be lamented in that clergy, and the fruit ful cause of the non-residence complained of. When the House 'considered what the evil must be of the union of a number of parishes to form one benefice, and added to this the inevitable consequences that must attend pluralities, they might form some notion of the state of spiritual instruction, and the want of spiritual assistance, that prevailed in so many extensive dis tricts of Ireland. These, things were the more to he lamented, because pluralities swelled some incomes that were already ex cessive, at the expence and loss of the more useful and much worse endowed livings, which were filled by deserving, active, and assiduous clergymen. Mr. GOIMBURN, claiming for himself the same merit, willingly gave the Right Hon. Baronet credit for a sincere de sire to promote the welfare and encourage the interests of Ire lands; but he greatly differed from that flight Hon. Gentle man in respect to the proposition which another Hon. Member (Mr. Hume) had intended to have brought forward, and which would, if carried into execution, he binding up the Irish Clergy in pecuniary penalties, as if in the outset the Legislature enter tained suspicions of them.—(Hear !)---He (Mr. Goulburn) de fied, however, any lion. Gentleman to disprove that, generally speaking, the duties of the Irish Church were performed in a manner the most exemplary.—(hear !)--The present Primate of Ireland had declared that he would not allow any individual holding an Episcopal Union to enjoy any additional benefice. The Bill was then read a third time, and passed ; as was also the Scotch Juries hill. The other Orders of the Day were then disposed of, and the House adjourned at Half-past Eleven, until Monday. LIST OF THE. MINORITY Who voted in favour of Sir John Newport's - Clause against Pluralities in the IristOthurch. Althorp, Visct. Haldirnand. W. Robinson, Sir G. Birch, J. . Hutchinson, Hon. Ridley, Sir M. W. Becher, W. W. C. H. Smith, J. Butterworth, J. Leader, W. Smith, George Calthorpe, Hon. F. Macdonald, Jas. Sebright, Sir J. Colborne, N. W. Milton, Viscount Stewart, W. (Tyr.) Caulfield, Hon. H. Marjoribanks, S. Stanley, Lord Denman, T. 11onck, J. B. Scarlett, J. Evans, William Maxwell, J. Tierney, Rt. Hn.G. Ellice, Ed. Newport, Itt. Hon. Whitmore, W. W. Fitzgerald, Rt.Hn. Sir J. Wells, John Z. Phillips, O. sen. Wood, M. Grattan, J. Phillips, G. H. Wrottesley, Sir J. Gordon, R. Ramsdell, J. C. MINORITY Who voted on Mr. flume's Motion for a Return of the Num ber of Commitments in Execution, and the Number for Trial in Scotland and Ireland for the 1823. Althorp, Visct. Graham, J. Powell, Sir A. Birch, J. - Hobhouse, J. C. Phillips, G. jun. 1.31C:e, Sir F. Hutchinson, Hon. Robinson, Sir Geo. Bernal, Ralph C. H. Stanley, -Lord Buxton, T. F. Hamilton, Lord A. Sykes, D. Bright, Henry Lambton, J. G. Smith J. Crespigny, Sir W. Leader, W. Williams, . Curwen, J. C. . Martin, J. Webb, 01. Denman, T. Maberey, J. Wood, Alderman Evans, W. . Moberly, W. I. Ellice, E.. Newport, Sir J. TELLERS. Guise, Sir W. Power, R. Hume, Joseph Gurney, R. H. Palmer, C. F. Monck, J. B. TREATY WITH THE NETHERLANDS. HAGUE, MAT 24. SECOND CHAMBER OF TUE STATES-GENERAL. The Central Section brought up the Report on the project of law relative to the Treaty of London. It is of the following tenor : All the Sections have highly approved.the Treaty concluded at London on the 17th of March, 1894, between the British and NetherlAds' Plenipotentiaries. Most of the Sections have made no observations whatever. . Some Sections required a guarantee that the one hundred thousand pounds sterling which England is to receive, accord ing to the 16th Article, shall fall entirely to the charge of the Indian possessions. The Government referred them to the explanatory memorial, which other Sections rightly understood, and had expressed their satisfaction with the security that was obtained. The sth Article gave rise to the observation that, by the Bri tish laws, the Slave Trade is placed on a par with piracy, and that in the legislation of the Netherlands, there is no enactment which can authorise a Judge to affix to the traffic in slaves the punishment of piracy. The Government replied, that this observation is in itself well founded, but that the piracy here alluded to, is not so much that of which the subjects of the two Powers may be guilty, as that which is constantly carried on by Indian provinces, and nations against their subjects themselves. So far, however, as this observation may imply a wish fox a more positive law on the Slave Trade, the Assembly is informed that the Government is actually engaged in planning a measure of this kind, and that it may probably be laid bc:fore their High ➢lightinesses in the following sitting. v SITTING OF THE 25TH of MAY.—The discussion of the Treaty of. London was concluded ; it was a d opte d unan i mous ly, and ordered to be sent to the First Chamber. PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS. 1.1015iE OF COMMONS. 1 Veneris, '2B° die Mali, 1824. Mr. SPEAKZU reported the Royal Assent—to Consolidated anti Repeal Bill, Barnsley and Oldham Bill, Churches B ili Law s, Coaster's Stamps Creek Canal Bill, Lancaster and Gray's Inn-lane Paving Bills; Glasgow Streets Bill, New castle Coal Trade Bill, Liverpool Pilots Bill, Southwark (St. John's) Vestry Bill, Margate Gas Light and Edinburgh Oil Gas Light Bills,-rAustralian, Hereford and Phcenix Gas Lights, and Kent Fire Insurance Companies Bills,—Clifton Lighting Bill,—Evesham and Walsall Improvement Bills, — Great Torrington, Leeds and Collingham, Whiteparisb, Car marthen, Grampound, Patrington, Wilmslow Bridge, Can terbury, Halifax and Huddersfield, Birstal and Holme Lane Head, and Brighton and Newhaven Roads Bills,—Leeds Tithes Bill,—Ulceby (Lincoln), Alveston (Stafford), and West Drayton (Middlesex) Inc °sures Bills. BittnaEs--flammersmith— Bill read a third time, and passed Lary—Bill reported, to be ingrossed. RoAna—Bideford, Glasgow and Park-) head, feddington and Evesham ARBouß—Dingwall • - WELLAND Ou TFALL DRAINAGE j Bills read a3d time, Brim DuTtEs and pased. OLEAGY RESIDENCE (Ireland) JURIES (Scotland) J Docas—St. Katherine's—Petition of Merchants of London. Importers of Foreign Seed and Grain, in favour, to lie on the table. South London—Petition of Mark Brown, &c. against,. referred to the Committee on the Bill. EQUITABLE LOAN SOCIETT—DnbIin —( Pe tition of J. S. Marshal, against, referred to the Further time Committees on the Bill) granted for MILE-END OLD 'fowl? PAVING e l making the IweLosunE—M r almgate Bar (York) Report. ESTATE—CastIe Island TuziNEL—Th,atoes . FLEET 3IA/INET REstoyAx, Bills reported, to be ingrossed. EAST INDIA COMPANY's ' COMPANlES—Hibernian' Mining—Bill reported, to be in grossed. Patriotic Assurance—Bill read a second time, and committed. _ _ _ BUTTER TRADE (Ireland) CONNOR BENEFICES Bills read a first time. MASTERS AND WORKMEN HIGHLAND CHURCHES WIN - now DuTIEs--Petitions from Gloucester, for the repeal thereof; to lie on the table. TOBACCO DUTlES—Petition of Chamber of Commeree of Belfast, for the repeal thereof, to lie on the table. HIDES AND SKINS BlLL—Petitions from Tanners, &c. of Perth, against, to lie on the table. REGISTE a OFFICE—Second Reading put off for 3 months. CANAL—Bristol and Taunton- -Petition for additional provi sion referred to a Committee. MARINE INSURANCE TRANSPORTATION 1. time, and com 'tted. Bills read a second GIIAND JURY PRESENTMENTS . MEGAIAGE FROM THE Loans—That they have agreed to Plymouth Victualling Office Bill,—Bridport, Burrow Bridge, Langport, and tokcnchurch Roads Bills, without amend ment. MAO isTnATEs INDEMNITY (Ireland)—Bill to indemnify certain Magistrates for proceedings against persons using unlawful weights in Ireland, ordered to be brought in. NOTICE GIVEN YESTERDAY. Tuesday, June 15. Sir John Newport—Motion regarding Church Rates (Ire. land). NOTICES of MOTIONS, and ORDERS of the DAY, which now stand in the ORDER-BOOR of the HOUSE of COMMONS, for the Ensuing Week. Monday, May 31 ORDERS OF THE DAY. 1. Qualification of Jurors Bill-Further Consideration of Report. 2. Game Laws Amendment Bill-Further consideration of Report. 3. Leather and Paper Duties (Ireland) Bill-Third Reading. 4. Bankrupt Laws Amendment Bill-Third Reading. 5. General Turnpike Act Amendment Bill-Committee. 6. Exchequer Bills (15,000,000) Bill-Third Reading. 7. Combination Laws Repeal Bill-Second Reading. 8. Warehoused Wheat Bill-Further consideration of Report. 9. Hides and Skins Bill-Third Reading. 10. Vagrants Bill-Further Consideration of Report. 11. Examination of Witnesses Bill-Second Reading. 12. Distilleries (Scotland)-Third Reading. 13. Law Merchant Amendment Bill-Third Reading. 14. Dublin Police Bin-Report. 15. Artizans Emigration Rill -Report. 16. East India Goods Bill-Committee. 17. Superannuation Fund Bill-Second Reading. 18. Marine Insurance Bill-Committee. 19. New South Wales Bill-Third Reading. 20. Land Tax Redemption Bill-Second Reading. 21. Saving Banks Bill-Further Consideration of Report. 22. Transportation of Offenders Bill-Committee. 23. New-street (Mary-le-bone) Bill-Committee. 24. Roman Catholic Marriages Bill-Committee. 25. Newfoundland Judicature Bill-Second Reading. 26. New Churches Bill-Committee. 27. Parochial Stipends (Scotland) Bill-Report. 23, Impounding Distresses (Ireland) Bill-Further considera tion of Report. 29. Tenants Relief (Ireland) Bill-Farther consideration of Report. 30. -Charities Inquiry Bill-Third Reading. 31. County Gaols Bill-Third Reading. 32. Cocoa Nuts, &c. Bill-Committee. 33. Masters and Workmen Bill-Second Reading. 34. Highland Churches Bill-Second Reading. NOTICES OF MOTIONS. 1. Mr. Brownlow—To present Petition relating to the Roman Catholic Association in Dublin. 2. Mr. Spring Rice—Address on the subject of a new valua tion of Ireland. 3. Sir Geo. Hill—Bill for promoting Public Credit in Ireland. Tuesday, June 1. NOTICE OF MOTION'. Mr. Brougham—Proceedings against Mr. John Smith, late Missionary at Demerara. ORDERS OF THE DAT. 1. Usury Laws Forfeiture Bill—Second Reading. 2. Lancaster County Court Bill—Committee. 3. Fisheries Bill—Further consideration of Report. 4. Butter Trade (Ireland) Bill Second Reading. 5. Silk Manufacturers Wages Bill—Committee. • 6. Grand Jury Presentments Bill—Committee. 7. Connor Benefices Bill—Second Reading. Wednesday, June 2. runicEs OF MOTIONS. 1. Mr. Broug=ham—To present Petition from House of Keys, Isle of Mann. 2. i%r. Hume—Return of Commitments by Magistrates in England, Scotland, and Ireland. 3. Mr. Hume—Coroner's Inquest at Lewisham. Thursday, June 3. NOTICES OF MOTIONS. 1. Mr. Dominick Browne—Establishment of a Roman Catho lic Church in Ireland, in connection with the State. 2. The Lord Advocate of Scotland—To refer to a Select Com mittee the Ninth Report of Commissioners of Courts of Justice in Scotland, relative to the Office of Justice of the Peace. ORDER - OF THE DAY. Law Expences (Ireland) Bill=Second Reading. THE A Rmy. The 2d division of the 71st Regiment has embarked on board the Cato and Prince of Orange transports, and sailed from Cork for Canada. The 2d and 3d divisions of the 94th Regiment of Foot have embarked at Greenock for Gibraltar. The 96th Regiment of Infantry will march from Manchester as soon as the transports are prepared to embark it at Liter pool for conveyance to Halifax. S morning, as Ja me s GotitjsD,DaESN D O1.(I e E ') 0 - n g rr i O h S to the 3d Battalion of Grenadier G uar d s , was walking al ong ki ng 's Head-court, i nto S t . J a mes's Park, in apparent good health, h e was , it is supposed, suddenly seized with th e cramp in the stomach, an d, a fter heaving thr ee h eav y s ighs, instantly dropped down a lifeless corpse. The deceased had been in the regiment 21 years, and was much respected by his comrades. lie received the pay for 23 years servitude, in consequence of being one of the brave heroes who fought under the Duke of Wellington at the nremorable battle of Waterloo. MR. MITT'S BIRTH-DAY. The Annual Commemoration of the Birth of Mr. PITT took plan yesterday at the City of London Ta vern. On some occasions the attendance may have been more numerous, but has seldom been more largely graced with the presence of persons of rank and distinction in the State, as will be seen from die following list of a part of the Company : The Duke of Wellington, Earl of Eldon, earl Bathurst, Lord Viscount Sidmouth, the Earl of Westmorland, Earl of Harewood (President), Sir John Gibbon, Bart., Sir J. 1). Astley, Bart. M.P., Sir M. Cholmeley, Bart. 111. P., Lord Kenybn, W. R. Cartwright, Esq. M.P., E. B. Wilbraham, Esq. M.P., Right honourable Sir Henry Russell, Bart., John Innes, Esq. M.P., H. Bankes, Esq. M.P., Lieut.-General Sir Miles Nightingale, C.ll. M.P., Earl of Longford, Lord Hotham, M.P., John Round, Esq., T. A. Smith, Esq. Mr. Sykes, Mr. Atcheson, Mr. Eccles, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Grant . Allan, Mr. Taylor, &c. &c. &c. Sir GEo. Rose was the Chairman of the day. The cloth removed, Non Nobis Dominc was sung. The CHAIRMAN then gave " The King." This toast was drank with four times four, and followed by " God save the King."—" The Duke of York and the rest of the Royal, Fa mily," was the next toast. After this the glee of " Hail, Star of Brunswick !" was sung. The CHAIRMAN said, it now became his duty to give the toast which constituted the chief business of the day, by pro posing to them to drink to the memory of that Statesman, in honour of whose name they had met. There must be a strange magic in that name which now, after the lapse of 18 or 19 years, coulttbring together so much of what was most illustri ous in the land, as they then saw assembled in that room. To them, however, this was not astonishing, as they had been the first to do honour to the genius they recognised in Mr. Pitt-- to those great qualities which had distinguished him above all others—that placability of temper, powerful eloquence, and persevering courage—that capacity which formed his plans, and that firmness which enabled him to execute them. Mr. .Pitt, it might be truly said, was of those highly gifted indi duals who— " Read their history in a nation's eye ;" and the homage rendered to his great powers while he lived, had never slackened in the course of the long period which had elapsed since his death. It was ever to be remembered, that he had been called to the helm of affairs in this country at a most critical period. He found the bark of the State shattered by the storm which it had encountered. He found the national credit lowered, its character tarnished, and its alliances broken ; yet, by his wise administration, in the course of a very few years these evils were corrected, even without being obliged anew to draw the sword—the credit of the country was re-esta blished on solid bases—her honour vindicatecl,, and her alliances with the other Powers of Europe were restored. It was under such circumstances that, supported by his King and favoured by his God, he had to brave the horrors of a new storm which swept before it the rest of the Monarchies of Europe. Thus, supported by a people worthy of him, great and magnanimous like himself ' he met the gigantic power of revolutionary fury, repelled thedanger, and carried the country, to which his life was devoted, triumphantly through the awful conflict. If his was not the happiness to witness the perfect success of his plans, after his lamented death, such was the magic of his name, the force of his example, the inspiration of his principles, that they had animated his successors to tread in his footsteps till it was theirs happily to finish what he had so gloriously begun.—(Applause.)—Thus it might be said that under his auspices the vessel of the State, like the bark of Ulysses, had been conducted in safety, through assailing storms, and victo rious over all opposing enemies, into a secure haven. Now they lived in other times. They sailed in smooth seas ; and, though human nature was always exposed to some afflic tion, the dangers which we had now to apprehend were those incidental to a state 'of peace, growing out of en joyments and fascinations like those of the fabled Syrens. But under all circumstances we might hope to steer our course in safety by the application of the principles of Mr. Pitt. These, as a touch by the spear of Ithuriel, would at once distinguish the angel from the demon , and would not fail to enable them to know the true from the false. By the principles of Mr. Pitt ha trusted the Councils of this country would still be guided, and that that revered name which had been our glory in the past, and was our toast at the present, would continue to be our prOtection for the future. He concluded by giving " The immortal memory of the late Mr. Pitt." The toast was drank up standing in solemn silence. Mr. TERRAIL sung the song of The Pilot that weathered the storm," which was frequently interrupted by the acclama- Lion of the company. " The Army and. Navy," " The House of Brunswick, and may they never forget the principles which seated them on the throne of these realms:" and " The Constitution in Church and State," were the next toasts. The song of " Rule tin tannic," succeeded the first ; " Since harmony deigns." the second; and " The King and the Church," the third. The last-mentioned strain called forth thunders of applause. The CHAIRMAN now rose to propose as a toast, those who had the discernment to perceive all the importance of the prin ciples of Mr. Pitt, and the virtue and the courage to act upon them. He begged to give them " The health of his Majesty's Ministers." ..... The LORD CHANCELLOR rose to express for himself and his Colleagues, present and absent, the gratitude they could not but feel for the manner in which the last toast had been drank. It was now nearly eighteen years since they had followed the remains of the lamented Minister to the grave. His body had been suddenly removed, but his name would live in everlasting remembrance. Ile had thought it his duty as an individual acknowledgment of the services of Mr. Pitt, to do not to Mr. Pitt honour, but himself honour, by attending these festivals i n commem or ation of the departed Statesman. If he mistook not some were then present who could not remember Mr. Pitt themselves, but who had issued from the loins of those who had been warmed into action by that great man, and who had stood by him because they honoured the family now on the throne of these realms, and loved the Constitution of their Country. To these he briefly recalled the events of the last thirty-four years. He reminded them of the efforts which had been made to pull down our Constitution and to degrade our Church Establish ment. That Establishment he eulogised because it granted the 'utmost toleration to those who differed from it, that was con sistent with its own security. He hoped in God, if ever the Established Religion were to be changed, that those who be longed to the Church of England might experience toleration like that which they granted. The efforts to which he had alluded continued down to the period of the French Revo lution. When that great event occurred, this country stood still for a time, on the ground that it had no right to in terfere with the internal arrangements of a Foreign -State.— But when principles were advanced which could not be acted upon without danger to us, then measures were in stantly taken to meet the evil. Though the Powers of Europe were united by compulsion against this country, Mr. Pitt hesi tated to adopt those measures which his - policy would have dic tated against the Continental States, because he was reluctant to abridge the liberties of Englishmen. He should not do him justice if he were not to state, that the feeling that necessity was a " tyrant plea" was ever present to his mind, and that nothing was more difficult than to convince him that it was proper to take that course which had now been wisely adopt ed -as a part of our system, namely, that the liberties of Englishmen must, on extraordinary occasions, be sacrificed for a time in order to preserve them for ever.—(Applause.)—. Avowing that he had advised this, he feared not to ask now that they saw the result of the great contest, if he had deserved ill of his country. TO the principles of Mr. Pitt, which even tually called ,into action the prowess and skill of the Noble Duke near him, he ascribed the ultimate salvation of the country. It was the duty of that great Minister to main tain those principles which had seated the present Royal Family on the throne of these realms; but he must take leave to say, that it was his duty to use all measures not incon sistent with those principles to serve the State, and to consi der what, under all circumstances, was fittest to be done. Mr. Pitt died in the .year 1806, but his principles had continued to animate the counsels of the country down to the present moment. To all efficient political purposes he had been alive. That which he had maintained had proved true. He had contended that if England were but true to herself—that was, if those abominable doctrines to which he had alluded were but put down—we had nothing to fear from external foes —(Applause.)—and this had been verified by events. That world which had been in arms to destroy, had been saved by the very principles against which they had contended. Peace thus came, and after this, many desponded because that ad vantages were not realized which she was expected to bring. No longer ago than last year many were inclined to despair. The Pitt Club hoped that things would yet get better, but others were less sanguine. He, however, would ask if the country had ever gone through such a war as the last. It was unexampled for its duration, and the attendant expense.— This remembered, when the ship came into port, her masts gone and her timbers shattered, it was too much to expect that she could be repaired in' an instant. Various interests had been unavoidably disturbed by the changes which had taken place—temporary distress was the consequence; but the opera tion of the principles of Mr. Pitt, which it was now pretty gene rally acknowledged were bringing us about, would, he doubted not, lead to increased prosperity. War avoided, it was still his hope to see the subjects of this country become as happy as Mr. Pitt, from his heart and soul, had desired to make them. — (Applause.) The CHAIRMAN next gave," May the principles of Air. Pat always animate th e C ounc il s o f G reat B rita i n ." D ran k with three times three. The health of the Duke of Wellington was proposed from the Chair with the usual honours. The toast having been drank, The Dukeof WELLINGTON returned thanks, and expressed" himself highly gratified to have his health - drank by'so respect able a body, assembled as they were to commemorate the bird], and uphold the principles of Mr, Pitt. The Earl of WESTMORELAND proposed, after a brier but forcible eulogy on his merits and character, the health of the Chairman. The toast was drank with shouts of applause. The CRA it na N expressed himself overwhelmed by the kind , manner in which his health had been proposed by the Noble Lord and received by the company. After shortly stating hu hereditary attachment to the principles of Mr. Pitt, he -de clared himself so conscious of his own nothingness, that meet ino. them . in honour of Mr. Pitt, it was on ly a f ee li ng lik e that wrich the worshippers of Vishitou professed to experience to his temple—a feeling that he was so superior to humanity, that before him Brahmins, Sutras, and all classes of mortals wet* equal, it was only such an impression that could encourage' him to hope any claim of his to sympathy would be allowed. ( A pplau se. ) The CIIAIUMAN then gate the health of the Lord Chan cellor. The Loup CHANCELLOR returned thanks, and begged to propose a toast, which he had long been allowed to give on these occasions, " Prosperity an d P er p e t u i t y to th e Pitt Club. This toast was drank with three times three. The Chairman and his Majesty's Ministers, and other - Noble! men who had been present, then retired. Mr. M'CLEart (net Mr..ATCHESON, as stated in one of the Morning Papers) thef , took the Chair, and a variety of loyal and appropriate toasts were subsequently drank by that po r ti on o f th e com p an y which, remained. Numerous songs and glees were given in the course of the evening by Mr. beete, Mr. Hawes, Mr. Terrail, Broadhurst, Mr. tioulden, Mr. Fitzwilliam, and Master Smtth. The evening closed with the utmost harmony. UNIVERSITY INTELIAGENCII. OXFORD, MAT v.—Wednesday, May 26, the Re/- Michael De Courcy M.A. of Exeter College, was admitted Bachelor in Divinity. Friday, May 28, the following Degrees were conferred :-- DOCTOR IN DIVINITY. Rev. Michael De Courcv, Precentor of Ardfert, and Rector of Drumesee, Westmeath. MASTERS 07 ARTS. Rev. Thomas Stretton Codrington, Brasenose College, Grand Compounder. Rev. Richard Henry Millington, St. John's College, Graod Compounder. Samuel Jay, Esq. Oriel College, Grand Compounder. Rev. William Gray, Rev. William Jones, Pembroke College. Rev. Thomas Meyler, Rev. Charles Sheffield, Christ Church. Edward Francis Arney, Brasenose College. Rev. Newton Smart, University College. Rev. Horace George Cholmondeley, Balliol College John Fawcett, Rev. Thomas Price, Fellow of Jesus College. BACHELORS OF ARTS. James Adair Griffith Colpoys, Robert Charles Kitson, John Gunn, Philip Pinckney Rendall, John H. Laurence, William B. L. Hawkins, Charles Anztolius Handley Worcester College. Henry Berners Shelly Harris, f George Henry Dashwood, Lincoln College. Hon. John Boyle, Christ Church. Thomas Bevan Gwyn, }Jesus College. Daniel L. Jones, John Eddy, Trinity College. John Beauchamp St. John University College. Ernest Hawkins, Balliol College. Thomas Clerke, Oriel College. George Davies Kent, Corpus Christi College. Thursday last the following Gentlemen were elected SW' dents of Christ Church, from Westminster School, viz. Messo" . Douglas Smith, Wm. Lucas Brown, Henry Sanders, Job' Geo. Phillimore, and William Pitt Amherst. ECCLESIASTICAL PREFERMEXTS.—The Rev. C. 00 01:, M.A., Fellow of Magdalen College, in this Univeristy, and 11. H ulsean Lecturer, to the valuable rectory of St. Giles, Midw., sex; vacated by the death of the Rev. Dr. Buckner.—The J• Goodenough, 8.C.L., of Balliol College, in this Umiversiq to the rectory of Godmanstone, and the perpetual cure (7b, Nether Come, Dorset.—The living of B r i g h ton , vacavt the promotion of the Rever e nd D oc t or C arr to t h e .Ben has been bestowed upon the Rev. Mr. .'Wagner.—The Re'' James Donne, jun. to the Vicarage of St. Paul's, Bedford , '" The Rev. W. S. Carey, M.A. to the Rectory of Peter JOY' Devon, void by the resignation of the Rev. Mr. Oxnaro.—The Rev. William Chester, A.M. to the Rectory of Walpole O s ' Peter, Norfolk ; Patron, the King. Exeter College. THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET, MAY2O. MR. EDITOR-An account of the new Drool° produced last night at Covent-garden, expresse that "It is rather curious a piece so long popula r in France and Italy should not have been b e fore presented to a London audience."—l beg r e : spectfully to say I produced it, in nearly a a' . milar form, at the Surrey Theatre, where it wa 4 acted more than 100 nights, with exactly s'ha g you so properly recommend, viz. a roggh song for the Captain ; a naval medley, which 10s nightly encored, for the sailors, and other Angir cised features, which were most favourably re' ceived. 'Tis rather remarkable, that Miss Tel performed the same character now acted by het ' sister. I would not have intruded so much at r l length, but that my piece was refused at two the Royal Theatres, where you wonder it ha' not been presented. It was last season - acted hf permission at the ..kdelphi Theatre. I am, Sir, your most obedient servant, T. DIBDI? FOR TIIE SUN. EDITOIt—I rely implicitly on your esta blished reputation for impartiality, while I request you to eon; tradict the false and injurious statement of your Correspood,e, from Bath, relative to the success of the new Tragedy. ,` 1 ", truth is, that during its representation, and at its close , not w" slightest expression of disapprobation was heard ; on the co w. trary, the most enthusiastic applause accompanied the r 5 formance. I will, however, allow that there was one indivi whose object was the gratification of ,private spleen, and 17, had perhaps been better employed behind his master's bin, who at one period attempted to hiss. He was, howev.gei not only silenced, but removed from his situation by the spirl,,to re s entment of the candid bystanders: To convince you of I"'d i Correspondent's utter ignorance of the piece, there is no 9u 1 line in the Tragedy as that he thinks proper to remark 0 0 ' confess myself so far concerned for the success of the tale , ' author of The Parricide, that I have no objection (should I deem it necessary) to forward to you my name sad addit° . vouching for the truth of my assertions. I am, Sir, your very humble servant, F 11E.-An alarming fire broke out lastnight' about 11 o'clock, in Holy well-street, Strand, the house of Mr. Harris, clothes-salesman. v' t the timely arrival of the engines, and the pr olo 1 : 6 exer tions of those co nnec t e d w i t h th em , the fie f wa s subdued with ou t d o i ng i n j ur y t o an y ot b , s part of the hous e b u t th a t i n w hi c h it was t' i t ; covered. A young child, who had been Pu t a bed, was with th e grea t es t difficulty preser ie s from suff oca ti on b y the intrepid exertions of °/. of the firemen, who was slightly burned iroa attempt to save the infant. The fire is supP le tic to have been occasioned by the negligence of t servant leaving a candle on the drawers wbe 0 she put the child to bed, which caught the cur . : tains of the bed, and thence communicated t o the drawers, wainscot, and the rest of the furto' ture, which was nearly consumed. %are • (