The Sun. — London, England, 1849-05-22 00:00:00

but the whole country would have congratulated her on her escape, and they might congratulate her Majesty on the fact that when it was supposed that she had been in danger it called forth an universal expres sion of desire for vengeance. lie thought it was well to leave this wretched miscreant to the disgraceful and degrading punishment he so well merited.—(Cheers.) Lord KENYON thought there ought to be some re cord on the journals either by a resolution or an address of the occurrence of this circumstance. Lord BROUGHAM hoped this would go no further. The offender had yet to go to trial, and in the last resort their Lordships might have to decide on his guilt or innocence; therefore he felt rejoiced that they were not called upon to express any opinion as to the attempt which had been made, and which could only excite con tempt and disgust. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE said, that had he proposed an address it would have related merely to the nature of the offence, and not to the parson committing it. But he thought it much better that no further notice Should be taken of an attempt which was as contemptible as it was atrocious. The subject was then dropped. The Earl of FITZHARDINGE presented a petition 111 favour of the repeal of the navigation laws. Ho did not concur in its prayer. The Earl of 1-lARROWBY presented a petition with a similar prayer. ROME. Lord BROUGHAM said that he had received the most solemn assurances from M. Manzoni, that he had never brought away any of the articles from the public museums in Rome, nor did he believe that any other person had done so. EiElsir OF LAND (IRELAND) BILL. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE moved the second reading of this Bill.--Agreed to. The NOBLE MARQUIS then moved a suspension of the Standing orders.—Agreed to. The Bill was then read a third time and passed. NAVIGATION-LAWS. the concessions they now proposed to make, and to except fr.,ni the Bill the whole of the coast ing trade ; if, after all that, the Government found that it was a question in detail, it could hardly be charged against him that, taking certain amendments in detail, he had occupied a space of eight days in dis cussing the question with practical men, as to what these amendments should be. Their Lordships were aware that the navigation-laws of this country made a distinction between articles the produce of Europe and those which were the produce of the other three quarters of the world. He proposed still to adhere to that distinction, but to make such modification in the existing law as should be beneficial to the country in cases where it did not admit of a useful operation. The reason of the distinction was plain, it having been the object of legislation to secure, not only the communication from British port to British port, but also to obtain for this country the great ad vantage of bringing in British vessels those bulky articles which employed a large quantity of shipping. The law relating to the importation of goods from European ports was less stringent than that applying to the other three quarters of the globe, but as he proposed to relax the one, so also he proposed to relax the other. No goods the produce of Eu rope could be imported into this country from a European port, except either in British ships, or the ships of the country from which they were directly imported. The amendment he proposed to introduce with regard to goods the produce of Europe was one of considerable importance, as its effect would be to open largely the trade with European countries. He thought it wiser, as well as more statesmanlike, to allow the Government to enter into reciprocal treaties, provided it first obtained from those countries with which it had such relations, a sufficient provision for the interests of the shipping ot this country, and by an order in council to grant to such countries as might be disposed to concede equivalents, the right of carrying on that indirect trade from which they had been debarred. In proposing that system, be laid stress upon the fact that the order in council was to be irrevocable. Then, with regard to the trade with Asia, Africa, and America, he thought it necessary, as he had already stated, that the laws should not be repealed which secured to them the most valuable advantage they possessed, the conveyance of the bulky articles of commerce in the long voyage. By the law, as it stood, no goods could be imported from Asia, Africa, and America, except in British ships, or the ships of the country in which they were produced, or from whence they were imported. Therefore, as the great bulk of the countries in Asia, Africa, and America had no shipping of their own, the practical effect of that navigation law was to vest in their hands the trade of those countries, almost as exclusively as that of their colonies. Her Majesty's Government were about to surrender the whole of it, and to leave the English shipowner to the competition of foreign rivals. Was he in a condition,to contend with them ? Let them take the United States, and consider how matters would stand when the Government proposition was adopted, of inviting those countries to free competition with them in Asia, Africa, and America, and their colonies, form ing three quarters of the globe, in which their shipping had a practical monopoly. It was also, he should state, a portion of the present law, that no ship, not even a British ship, could import the produce ot Asia, Africa, or America, from any port in Europe. The effect of this was to maintain a direct trade from the places of production to the places of consumption, and to obtain the establishment of the great warehousing system. But he freely admitted that that principle, sound as it was, might be pushed too tat. What he suggested was, to maintain the principle ,of the law, and yet to admit of exceptions applying to Asia, Africa, and America, as to Europe, to be included in an enumeration of articles. Those modifications were founded on principles of main taining that which was important to navigation, and of doing away with what might sometimes prove an incon venience to trade. As they were about to surrender this indirect trade, he would call their attention to an im portant paper, presented that morning to Parliament, which showed that in the year 1848 the tonnage which entered the port of Liverpool amounted to 1,320,000 tons, of which 800,000 alone were English vessels. If, therefore, protection were withdrawn, what return from foreign countries could they expect, when it appeared from the return and from others, that those countries had nothing whatever to give?—(Hear.) The United States, it also appeared from the returns, were rivals whom, if they entered into direct competition on equal terms, they might expect to see acquire a large portion of the trade of the kingdom. To those formid able rivals it was that they were about to throw open the trade of the world, mad that at a time when no de mand was made upon them, when no reason was given to them, nor any necessity shewn.—(Hear, hear.) At all events they ought to proceed with caution, and to proceed, at first at least, on principles of reciprocity. As America had been permitted to get the better of them in the direct trade, so also she would obtain a decided supe riority in the indirect, were this measure enacted. He would not now enter more extensively into the discussion of those resolutions which, in a later stage of the Bill, Is should feel it his duty to propose, but he thought it right to say, in summing up the views which he entertained upon this question, he proposed to maintain the great prin ciples of the navigation-laws—the exclusive maintenance of their colonial trade—to maintain, as far as possible, the advantages of the long-voyage trade and the com munication with those countries possessing no shipping of their own.—(Hear, hear.) He proposed to maintain the fundamental principle or the navigation laws, but he also proposed in some cases absolutely, and in others permissively, her Majesty, in Council, should permit re laxations to be made in favour of countries willing to enter into reciprocal engagements with themselves for the sake of their mutual advantage. He protested against their enforcing principles of retaliation against countries which were not disposed to make conces• aims, which they would, moreover, find difficult in practise. Surely the better practice would be to say that the navigation-laws had laid down certain re strictions but that Parliament had enabled them to relax. He need hardly argue that they were discussing the policy and the justice of securing advantages to their own shipping interests in the results of the change which they were contemplating. Some, as he had heard, contended that his course of proceeding was riot magnanimous; but nations had no business to be mag nanimous. They were to be prudent, and to decide a commercial question on commercial principles. They were to decide whether they would repeal first and re enact afterwards, or whether they would maintain the general principle of the navigation-laws, and authorise tier Majesty to dispense with them in certain cases in favour of those countries which might be willing to enter into engagements of reciprocal advantages. That was the question which was now before them, and which would fully arise upon the amendment he proposed. Earl GREY was at a loss to say whether it was from stupidity or otherwise, but he was unable to understand the amendment of the Noble Lord. He supposed that The Marquis of LANSDOWNE presented several Ttitions in favour of a repeal of the navigation - laws. he Noble Marquis, in moving the order of the day for the House going into Committee on the Bill for the re- Peal of the navigation-laws, said that he had received a communication from the Noble Earl who usually took the chair of their Committees, stating that he should, through illness, be unable to attend their Lordships' House. He should therefore Move that Lord Beaumont take the chair.—Agreed to. Their Lordships then resolved themselves into Com mittee on the Bill for the repeal of the Navigation-laws, Lord Beaumont in the chair. Lord STANLEY then rose to move the amendments of which he had given notice, viz.,—To move, after the word " that" in page 1, lice 6, to insert " in case it shall be made to appear to her Majesty that any foreign country is willing to con cede the ships of this country the like privileges and advantages as are enjoyed by or intended to be conferred on the ships of such foreign country, or advantages equivalent thereto, then and in such case it shall be lawful for her Majesty, from time to time, by any order or orders in Council, to be published and re vocable as hereinafter mentioned, to authorise and declare as follows, that is to say, it shall be lawful for he r Ma j est y to authorise and declare that the several sorts of goods, being the produce of Europe, and enumerated in an Act made and passed in the session of Parliament holden in the eighth and ninth years of the reign of her Maj e sty , intituled An Act for the Encouragement of British Shipping and Navigation,' or any of them , may , from and after a day to be named in such order as afore said, be imported from any port or place into the United Kingdom, to be used therein, in the ships of such foreign country, anything in the said Act to the contrary notwithstanding; provided always, that before such order or orders 'shall be issued, such foreign country shall have either conceded or agreed to concede to the ships of this country the like privileges and advantages as are enjoyed by, or intended to be conferred upon, the ships of such foreign country, with reference to the "s'Portation of such goods as aforesaid, into any Parts of its own dominion, in such manner as that no British ship shall be either directly or indirectly subject, in such foreign country, to any duties or charges of any sort or kind whatsoever, with reference to the importation of such goods as aforesaid, from which the ships of such foreign cou ntr y are or Snail be exempt, or shall have conceded or agreed to concede to the ships of this country other privileg es and advantages equivalent thereto. Sectio n 2 . And be it en acted, that it shall be lawful for her M a j est y from time to time, by any order or orders in Council to be published and revocable as hereinafter mentioned, to authorise and declare that goods being the produce of Asia, Africa, and America, other than the several goods hereinafter enumerated, may be imported from any port or place in Europe, Asia, Africa, or America, into the United Kingdom, to be used therein, in British ships, or in ships of the countries of which the goods are the produce, or in ships of the countries for which the goods are imported. anything in the said Act for the encouragement of British shipping and naviga gation to the contrary notwithstanding : provided al ways, that before any such order or orders shall be issued, having reference to any foreign country, it shall be made to appear to her Majesty that such country bath eithercon ceded or agreed to concede to the ships of this country the like privileges and advantages as are enjoyed by or intended to be conferred on the ships of such country with reference to the importation of such goods as aforesaid into an v part of its own dominions, so and in such manner as that no British ships shall be either directly or indirectly subject in such country to any duties or charges of any sort or kind whatsoever with reference to the importation of such goods as aforesaid for which the ships of such country are or shall be exempt; provided also that nothing herien contained shall authorise her Majesty to permit by such order or orders the importation or admission into the United Kingdom, to be used therein, of any of the goods hereinafter mentioned, being the produce of Asia, Africa, and America; that is to say. except so far as any of such goods may now be legally imported under the pro visions of the said Act, intituled An Act for the E ncouragement of British Shippleg and Naviga tati°lle" To omit the repealing provisiefas of Section To insert after clause 6— " And where at i s ex p e di e nt that her Majesty should e : MPowered to make regulations for the trade a n d „„a,, Nation of Canada, such as the geograp hical p osition _ 1 Peculiar exigencies of that colony may re q uire ; he it enacted, that it shall be lawful for her Ma 3g..ts to enter into engagements with the United States of America, whereby the ships of the said Produce States may be enabled to import goods, the of the said United States or of Canada o n n te)he United Kingdom from any port or place ~,i „ ; 1 4 : river St. Lawrence, notwithstanding any pro ps to the contrary contained in the Act of Bth 9th Ra e , Victoria, cap. 88, intituled Au Act for the Pro e i u d ra . ,gement o 9 f British Shipping and Navigation ;' ne v i ` 3 „`" always, that the privileges and facilities of her § t "ola and of trade, whether by sea or land, which ce ss i on a iesty may deem to be equivalent to such con 111aie2,' the be secured to the subjects of her Y In their trade with the United States of Ame b_ Ica , and it s h a ll b e l a wful for her Majesty to declare, inY or der in Council, that such engagements, on the foot the g o f reciprocal advantage, have been entered into with s aid United States, and thereupon to make regula tionsee for th e t ra d e b e t w een Canada and tne United Zientlore accordingly, for such time and subject to therein conditions for the termination thereof as shall be specified." His amendments were consonant with the principle of the Government measure, and only dif fered from that measure in some degree. He was willing Le agree in the removal of the restrictions on our com merce imposed by the navigation-laws, but he thought the Government were going too far consistently with safety to the British shi p owner, in removing all the re strictions at present imposed on the foreigner, especially with regard to our home and colonial trade. Mr. Hus kistion, in his proposed regulation of those laws, had ab stained from throwing open those branches of our trade to those who from superior cheap ness of building and sailing would thus be enabl e d t o meet us in every por t and monopolise the wh o l e commerce o f the wor l d, an d build on our ruin a great preponderating naval power. He warned them that by assenting to the measure as it now stood they were running a great hazard. In that opinion he was supported by all the leading naval and commercial men— a ll t h e s hi powners and others con nected with' shippin g t h roug h out t h e country , who all agreed in condemning the dangerous measure they were introducing, and entreating them not to incur that great hazard. Her Majesty's Government were acting against the sense of the country, and they knew it.—(Loud cheers.) At all events, if they despised that warning and those opinions—if they were strongly convinced that the measure was a necessary one—then, as a prudent Government, they ought not to proceed with undue rashness, giving no opportunity for repentance until too late, but ;ought to prepare t he countr y , ste p by step, for such a hazardous experiment. He would beseech of them, as they valued the possession of the carrying trade to the colonies, and to those countries where their supremacy was undoubted, not to be acting against the feeling of the country. For, though he did not deny the respecta bility of the names attached to the petition presented by the Noble Marquis from Liverpool, he must take the liberty of informing him, that this petition lay for S eine time in the Exchange of Liverpool, where it squired the signatures of only 143 members. Now, the petition which he (Lord Stanley) had had the honour Present, was signed by as many as 47,000 persons, txe w b il e °lll 1,470 were members of the Liverpool Stock Th e 1 1 2, 11 ge, which contained 2,000 members in all. shouidJect of the motion which, on this occasion, he cipl e , v enture to submit, was not to dispute the prin. (Rear,Trnied Th e r efore, Lordships the other night. should ear,) the first question to which he vezture to draw their Lordships' attention would I Whether they would proceed in the first instance ac cordin g to the mode he was about to sugg est , or accord iug to th at . proposed to them by the Noble Marquis— !le:ther they would at once repeal those laws, and take th e c hance of what they might afterwards re-enact, or whether adopting the principles he had to lay be fore them, vueges they w ou ld em p ower t h e C rown to grant to foreign ,on power s disposed to make concessions, such pri a footing of reciprocity, as it would now be ,inconsistent with the state of the l aw t o p rov id e . It was tr ue t h at her Majesty's Govern men t ca li f d t hi s a . Bill to improve the navig ation and shipping o f th e coun try, and lat the first step for that purpose etoria would be to repeal t h e Act of the Bth and eth witl:in c. t B h B e ; true he proposed to confine himself stri c tly limits of the title of the Bill. lie proposed to amend the law, and to impose restrictions ; but he did not pro p ose !o . repe a l i t a l toget h er . Th e N ob l e Marquis had cha r ge d himhimwith withholding too long a n o ti ce o f the nature ge his amend men t s . H e did not t hi n k t h at t h at charge was of a just o ne ; f or i f her M a j esty ' s Government bad taken two whole years to consider what should be the specifi c Acts they o ug ht t o p ro p ose ; if', after conference with many foreign Powers, they at le n gth Parliament came down to with a measure much altered from that of "C y year, and if at the last moment, witho u t ' not i c e , ' found it necessary 40 withdraw Jraill ) PQrg9tl of the words to be inserted were intended as a sub stitute for the repealing provisions of the preceding clause. The Noble Lord had said that his object was net to repeal, but to make certain modifications in the navigation-laws. But the words introduced by the Noble Lord would not make sense, unless they omitted the words by which the existing law was repealed. He was desirous to know from the Noble Lord whether he meant, in the event of his amendment being adopted, to allow the remainder of the clause to continue in the Bill, and the existing amendments to be repealed, and how he would fill no the blank that would result Lord STANLEY explained that it was his intention to omit the repealing clauses in the second section. Earl GREY—But the Noble Lord would see that there were none in the second section. Lord STANLEY—It was in the first, then. The House would then c insider those clauses which he had laid upon the table, and when they came to the repealing clauses he would object, upon principle, to the repeal of those Acts; and he would, in the first instance, take the sense of their Lordships' House upon the question of amendment in so wide a shape that it would nut bind any person to a particular mode; but when they came to those clauses ho would fairly lay upon the table a list of the enumerated articles, and each one of them might, if their Lordships thought fit, be made the subject of dis cussion.—( Hear, hear, from Earl Grey.) But he did not intend that those clauses should be laid upon the table before their Lordships came to a decision on the principle. Earl GREY v. ished distinctly to know from the Noble Lord whether, in that list of enumerated articles, tea, coffee, sugar, tobacco, and cotton, would bo included? Lord STANLEY—Every one of them. Earl GREY—That is most satisfactory.—(Hear, hear.) The Noble Lord had told them on Friday even ing last, that it was his ilitention en going into Com mittee on this Bill, to propose such an alteration in it as would go to its root.—(Heaa, hear.) The Noble Lord now told them that the question was not one of prin ciple, but of degree; but he (Earl Grey) would say that the question was one of principle, and of principle only. The introduction of the words of the Noble Lord would not make sense. According to all Parliamentary usage, when words were to be introduced, it was customary to move the omission of certain words for the purpose of inserting those words. The Noble Lord had alluded to their carrying trade in corn, but the Noble Lord would be called upon to explain why corn could only be im ported in a British ship, and why, when ground into flour, it might be imported in any ship. The Noble Lord should explain those anomalies. The Noble Lord would dispense with the principle of the Bill in certain enumerated articles. He (Lord Grey) did not think that the present was quite the time for discussing the whole of this great question, or of entering very mi nutely into a consideration of the question of " recipro city." With regard to British ships, the fact was that they did not possess any monopoly whatever, and if they wanted to bring corn from Danzic, it was a Prussian ship they had most to fear from. Either it was desirable to open that trade or not; and if it was desirable, then they ought at once to remove all restrictions in the way of it —they should remove those restrictions which fettered the trade of their merchants. The Noble Lord had al luded to their indirect trade and warehousing system, but the Noble Lord should take care that by main taining our rest rictions be did not jeopardy our interests in those branches of . oar trade. He g s hould take care that by main u tti si n a in our re strictions we should not p rovoke Ruesia, the . Ilanse . Towns, and other countrie s, to retaliate aga inst us, for should they, then would o ur g reat carrying trade be endangered, and this great country and the whole civi world would be the 'seers . The Nob!e Lord should not forget the fable of " The Dog and the Sha dow ;" and he should recollect that the dog, in trying to grasp at an imaginary substance, lost the actual sub stance he was in possession of. The Noble Lord should take care that the course which he would impel this country upon would not lead to a similar result. The Noble Lord had also alluded to the trade of the British merchants with America, but be (Earl Grey) would show by a return which he held in his hand that the ad vantages were all against us in our trade with the United States, by the maintenance of our restrictions. Looking at these fact, he would say that if the English were plGoed 911 the owe Antin V. She Atlarigggie, We should be able to compete with them successfully. He now came to the question of the colonies, and, first, with re spect to Canada. There was no doubt Canada had strong claims upon our sympathy, but what would be the effect of the Noble Lord's amendment ? Why, to give pro tection to America, to the prejudice of European coun tries with whom we were on friendly terms, and all thi's was done to favour the trade of the River St. Lawrence. But the only way to do this truly was by throwing open the trade of the River St. Lawrence, and getting rid of all the restrictions which existed on the trade of that part of the world. They ought to do all in their power to assist the colonies, the produce of which had now to compete with the productions of other countries antler great disadvantages. The only way to do this effec tively was by getting rid of the navigation laws. The Noble Earl then proceeded to contend that the Reci procity Act did not produce any good to this country, while it tended materially to injure our colonies, as was proved by the benefit which Martinique obtained by French and Spanish ships being obliged, under existing circumstances, to trade there instead of going in the first instance direct to Trinidad. No one knew the injury of restriction until it had been removed.—(Hear.) This was proved by the article of Indian rubber. Mae) , years ago this substance was only used by artists, and for very ordinary purposes by the public. Now, since the duty on the article has been withdrawn, it was adapted to a hundred uses with great advantage to the public.— (Hear.) He dissented from the statement of the Noble Lord, that the feeling of the public was against the measure. He, on the contrary, believed that the feeling of the country was in its favour, notwithstanding the efforts made to get up an artificial excitement against the measure. He trusted their Lordships would not re scind the vote they had given in favour of the Bill on its second reading.—(Hear.) Lord WHARNCLIFFE said that he felt it to be his duty to oppose the amendment proposed by his Noble Friend. The Bill proposed to throw open the trade of the colonies, but the amendments of his Noble Friend would close up the trade of all the colonies, with the exception of one. The perplexity of' the existing navi gation laws would be increased by the amendments. The Earl of HARROWBY said he thought the true question was, whether they should not first secure reci procity, before they admitted foreign countries to privi leges from which they were now debarred. And as, there was nothing of value which they could expect in return for their generous relaxation, he thought their' Lordships would have no difficulty in affirming the propositions submitted by his Noble Friend near him (Lord Stanley). Earl GRANVILLE said he believed, that though the amendment which the Noble Lord on the cross-benches (Lard Wharncliffe) had placed upon the paper was in terior to the proposition of the Government, still he be lieved it to be superior to that of the Noble Lord oppo site. In his own opinion, it was exceedingly unwise to act upon reciprocity treaties; and with regard to those countries with which they were not on terms of reci procity, he would ask whether it was wise to throw the whole weight of their navigation law restrictions into the scale against them, notwithstanding the power they at present possessed of exercising a re taliatory line of policy. After illustrating his arguments by referring briefly to the trading clauses with respect to Belgium, France, and Spain, the Noble Earl said he was of opinion, upon consideration of these retaliation principles, that it was impolitic to enter into the interminable special pleading which the proposition of the Noble Lord opposite would neces sarily involve them in. That, at least, was one reason why such a proposition should be rejected. With regard to the 200,000 seamen who constituted the marine of Great Britain, from what source, he would ask, were they to be supplied, should this Bill be carried into a law? Was it from Norway or Denmark ? Surely not ; nor could it be from the United States, who were obliged to compose their own crews of three-fourths Englishmen.— (Hear, hear.) It had been asserted that the statistics by which it was sought to support this question had been blown out of the waters by the speech of the Noble Lord opposite (Lord Stanley), and that the speech of the Noble Lord had produced a very powerful impression on their Lordships' minds. This last assertion was not all disposed to question ; but he could not admit that the Noble Lord bad blown out of the waters the case of the dvocates of this measure, or that he had uttered one word which weakened its statistical position.—(Hear, hear.) He (Earl Granville) was prepared to show that the more the figures were knocked about the more in contestibly did they prove the strength and value of the arguments relied upon by the advocates of this Bill. With respect to Mr. Porter, to whom frequent allusion had been made in the course of this debate, he (Earl Gran ville) felt he would not be justified were he not to make , ome brief allusion. Tne Noble Earl opposite (Earl Harrowby) had accused that gentleman of fencing with the question of foreign tonnage, when he was under examination of the Committee. Now he (Earl Gran • %elle) had had occasion to look into the evidence of Mr. against oen Porter as given before th e C omm i ttee, an d he must in candour say that he did no t t hi n k t h ere was the least ground for such rt a r a g:i charge. nst t h The 'h a charges Noble ul a brought n E s arih de tendedhimin Mr. connexion Poe withtonnage relating to this subject. Lord COLCHESTER, who was almost inaudible in the gallery, was understood to say, that at the present moment we were not able to enter into Competition with .he United States, because the vessels of those States in (heir voyages carried twice the quantity of hands that British ships did. The Marquis of CLANRICARDE said that if, accord ing to the Noble Lord, the present law operated so in juriously, and if the system was so bad, why should they be so clamorous for the continuance of it? The amend ments of the Noble Lord (Stanley), involved an infrac tion of treaties which t hey had made with other coun tries. It was absurd to say that the present system might be relaxed in the case of one or two colonies that might require it ; but if it was just to grant concessions to one colony, why not grant them to all? The fact was, that a general and comprehensive measure was re quired to deal with the whole subject, and this was that measure. our naval power at the time of the Spanish armada? Was the defeat of that armada owing to the navigation laws? There were many other facts in our history which went to prove that these laws had not had so much to do with our naval power as was generally assumed on the opposite side. Looking at the position of our two islands as compared with the Continent, he might ask, if that power was not more owing to their physical confor mation and position than to any legislation. Believing, as he did, that the naval power of England was not ascribable to the Navigation Act, to the extent assumed by its supporters, he had no hesitation in cordially giving his support to the measure of her Majesty's Go vernment. He looked to the time when by its means we should not only get rid of the restrictions on our com merce, but also provide more efficiently for our national defence. The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH said that the ques tion before the Committee was, whether it should adopt the very liberal proposals of her Majesty's Government, or the more enlightened and equitable amendment pro posed by his Noble Friend. The Government proposed to repeal certain Acts and parts of Acts, but they were by no means to be confined within the four corners of these Acts; they might at their own caprice—nay, to carry out their p Airy they would be obliged to import and incorporate the laws of foreign countries with refe rence to shipping, so that with reference to that subject the law would not be found in a distinct Act of Parlia ment, but in a series of orders in Council. This would cause great confusion, and there would be no end of the variety which would be introduced into our legislation as respects foreign states. He thought there were very se sious objections to doing that by orders in Council which might as well be done by Act of Parliament. It was an innovation of modern times which they ought to be very careful of sanctioning, except in extreme cases. His Noble Friend was very car,ful in that respect. The only discretion he left to her Majesty in Council was to decide upon granting relaxations when the nations to whom they were granted were prepared to concede equivalent advantages, and thus to establish a perfect should o whether, uld be altered, Lavin g reciprocity i n each case.. It was quite incorrect to ss y that their L or d s hi ps were called upon to dec i de aga i ns t asked tion.i a to w s s a the measure of h er M a j esty ' s Government, b ut t h e y w ere made in a way whi c h would secure to th i s coun t r y equivalent advantages i n our future relat i ons w ith foreign states. According to the pl an "of his Noble Friend, there would be only t wo codes of l aws —the ex thdaectid aedterthataitonith should naviga tion-laws ig be ex isting code, applicable to all nations which refused to deal with us on equal and reciprocal terms, and the new code which would arise from our new relations with the states which agree to such relations,—(Hear.) On that ground he gave it his support, and hoped that it would receive that of their Lordships. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE said the Noble Earl had stated that there was no difference between them except as to the best mode of adjusting differences of reciprocity. He utterly denied that it was so.—(Hear.) By the plan of the Government they endeavoured to re move all the restrictions they possibly could, and they kept none but what they were absolutely compelled to keep; while by the plan of the Noble Lord he kept all the restrictions he could, and gave no relaxations which he could possibly avoid.—(Cheers.) That was the dif ference between the two plans. The Noble Earl who spokeilast seemed to apprehend that after this Bill was passed it would be in the power of foreign nations to hamper and destroy our trade by imposing new restric tions upon shipping when in their ports. Whatever might be the imperfections of the Bill, it was certainly not lia ble to the charge of having overlooked that contingency, and he could scarcely suppose that the Noble Earl had read the Bill itself, or he would have found such a state of things distinctly and specifically provided for. (The Noble Marquis read the clause.) It would be teen, therefore, that there was an effectual safeguard in that clause against the danger apprehended by the Noble Earl. There was a great difference between the Bill brought forward by her Majesty's Government and that suggested by the Noble Lord. The Government Bill laid down the broad priuciple of freedom, which they believed was the best foundation upon which our com mercial system could be built, and which they also be lieved would be most effectual in promoting the pros perity and strength of our own navy. On the other band, after having listened with great attention to the plans of the Noble Lord, and the arguments by which he supported these plans, he must say that he could not help feeling surprised that the Noble Lord, after laying down, as it were, certain polar stars to guide him in making the changes he proposed, and after even sacri ficing his own principles, should have ended by propos ing arrangements which would be utterly inconsistent with the objects be bad in view. Take Canada, for in stance.—(Hear, hear.) The Noble Lord proposed to make a concession to Canada, but did any one who had paid attention to our past legislation, and the growing demands of the Canadian people, imagine they would rest satisfied with that c oncession?—(Hear, hear.) By the recent alterations in our laws we had given the Canadians a taste of the benefits to be derived from the free navigation of the St. Lawrence, and they would not now rest satisfied till they ba d achieved complete free dom for ships of all nations on that river. —(Hear, hear.) Noble Lord said How was that to be done? Why the they ought not to favour th e United . States, but his own plan was all in favour of the Uuited States. Every Noble Lord must see that it was the country of all others which would most immediately benefit by the adoption of the plan of the Noble Lord.—(Hear, hear.) While the Noble Lord's amendment invites vessels of Canada and the United States it repels vessels of other colonies, equally attached to the mother . country, which ought not to be debarred from the advantages and privi leges intended to be conferred by the Bill. The Noble Lord said that Canada was dissatisfied, but his amend ment left Canada dissatisfied, and rendered it impossible that the treaties with the countries which he excluded could be renovated. Ho thought the system recom mended by the Bill much better than that proposed bit the Noble Lord opposite. But any system would fall short of the object in view if it were not calculated to increase the warehousing system of the country, which ought to be one of the great desires of a legis lature. It was said that the Bill had not the general assent of the masses of the people of the country. No measure that had been adopted by Parliament could be said to have the assent of the masses of the people if it were to he gathered from public demonstration and public petitions. The Noble Marquis referred to the petitions presented from Liverpool, and quoted a para graph from a newspaper in the Protectionist interest, to show that great indifference was manifested in Glasgow, where a public meeting was convened to consider the propriety of petitioning in favour of reciprocity, and not more than 100 persons attended, including twelve re porters, and many of those on the platform were uncon nected with the shipping or mercantile interests. He adjured their Lordships, in conclusion, to preserve the spirit and principle laid down in the Bill. Re laxation was the rule, and restriction the exception, of the Government measure, while the amendments of the Noble Lord directly attacked that principle. It was the object of the Bill to increase the commerce of the country, which, when promoted, could not fail to main tain the general prosperity of the country. He hoped that whatever other amendments their Lordships adopted, they would reject the amendment of the Noble Lord now submitted for consideration, which in conjunction with his other proposition, narrowed, in stead of extended, the advantages of trade, while it as sailed the principle sought to be established. The mea sure was necessary for the welfare of the country and the colonies, and to prevent a recurrence from year to year of new demands. Lord BROUGHAM would make a short statement to justify the vote which he intended to give in favour of the amendment. The Noble Earl (Granville) depre cated making speeches en this stage of the Bill, and 3 et the Noble Lord himself made a long speech, not upon the amendment, but upon the whole question involved in the measure before the House. He contended that the use made of Mr. Porter's figures by the Noble Earl (Granville) was not a correct one—for instance, the Noble Earl arrived at the conclusion that a particular vessel had carried a larger tonnage by multiplying the number of voyages which she had taken. The Noble Lord then referred to a meeting held at Liverpool to support this Bill, and read a resolution which declared that this Bill was only the precursor of other measures which were to sweep away all restrictions. Here was an avowal of the character of this measure, which war ranted him in opposing it. Lord Melbourne on one occa sion said that the man who thought there ought to be no restrictions, was fitter for a place in Bedlam than for a seat in that House. Hull did not sympathise with Liverpool, as was shown by the fact, that the Member for Hull himself, an officer of the Crown, voted against the Bill now before their Lordships' House. There was not a commercial man of consideration in the City of London with whom he was acquainted, that was in favour of the measure ; and the Lord Mayor of London —as good a Whig as the Noble-Marquis opposite—had not supported the Bill in its stages in the House of Com mons. He denied also that the majority in the House of Commons respecting this measure, was of such a cha racter as . to warrant their Lordships in supporting it. The proposition of the Government being to throw open the whole trade of the country, except the coasting trade, but to give the power of exercising retaliation towards any country which might be found unfairly transferring the trade, and that of the Noble Lord on the cross-benches being to maintain the system under which their mercantile marine had flourished, and their navy having been created, and afterwards to apply a particular system of reciprocity, it became necessary to see whether they were sure of obtaining a return of their concessions after they were made. [The Noble Lord was here much interrupted by the somewhat loud talk ing which proceeded from a group of Members of the other House standing around the throne, and addressed them thus :—" If those Gentlemen who were talking so loud only knew the inconvenience of having to speak above them, they would at once remove to a place more convenient for themselves, and infinitely more convenient tor me."J On that point they had sufficient proof that whilst, on the one hand, they would be allowing the Americans to enjoy as much of the trade with the colo nies and the other countries of the world as they could acquire, there was no adequate return to which they could look forward with any prospect of success.— (Cries of "Hear, hear.") He had no question of the superiority of the plan proposed by his Noble. Friend near him (Lord Stanley), and although it was said that the only difference between that plan and the one pro posed by the Noble Lord on the cross benches was a difference as to the modus operandi, still, he apprehended the House would be of opinion that that difference in the modus operandi would lead to an immense difference in the general result. to the consumers and the community at large. He was prepared, therefore to support the amendment of the Noble Lord near him, and to vote against the proposition of the Government- Many Noble Lords had been summoned from tar and near to assist at the approaching division on this question; but he hoped it would be seen that though absentees could decide the House, they could not decide the Corn mittee.—(Hear, hear.) There did not appear to be any pressing necessity for the measure which was thus pre cipitately urged upon the House, but yet the Government were obviously determined on pushing it, although the advantages, its success on the navigation system, its utility, and above all, its claim to general admiration as having given birth to their navy, had been acknowledged by some of the most distinguished men which the country had produced. He would ask the House, therefore, de liberately, what great cause it was that should impel them to destroy this system, of which so many had been justly proud? If they persisted in a resolution to adopt this ill-omened Bill, his firm conviction was that they would do irreparable injury to the shipping interest of the country, and cut at the roots the only available means by which their navy could be recruited. For those reasons he should give his vote against the measure submitted by her Majesty's Government. Earl FITZ WILLIAM complained that the Noble and Learned Lord who had just spoken had not sufficiently confined himself to the question before the House, which was tar more restricted in its limits than the Noble and Learned Lord appeared to suppose. A large part of his Noble and Learned Friend's speech had not been ad dressed to the subject immediately before their Lord ships. As to the wisdom of our ancestors shown in thew he thought that the argument drawn from their existence fur two centuries was no proof of their adaptation to our present circumstances. We .had outgrown the age at . which such laws could be use ful. But even taking, his Noble and Learned,Friend's owu argameat to dame, ho would ask, where WO Their Lordships then divided, when there appeared— Contents—For the amendment ... 103 Non-Contents—Against it .. ... 116 Majority against the amendment, and for the Government ... ... —l3 Lord STANLEY said that the principle on which he had based his amendment was to amend the navigation laws; the principle of the Government Bill was to repeal the latter. So f ar , t h ere f ore , as he Was conce rned, the law. Thei r L or d s hi ps, b y a m ajority, had affirmed r h e p o e u a l d i e n d () B t t h o ff a e n r d f u 9 r t t h h e o r f objection , t c o a p t h . he s es2p.rovisions which The House then resumed. The CHAIRMAN reported progress and obtained leave to sit again this day. Their Lordships adjourned at a Quarter to One. OPERA COMIQUB, ST. JAMES'S THEATE.E.—iIer Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent honoured the performance at this theatre last evening with her ord pre sence. Her Royal Highne ss was a tt en d e d b y L a d y Augusta Bruce, Lady Maria Dawson' and Marchioness Hon. Miss Daw son, Baroness do Speth , and jainesar Murray .ioness Douglas, There were ithe also pres Marquise n t — 0 f Douro, t h the Marchioness ofe Marqui s L Downshire, the Earl and Countess of Chesterfield, Hon. Mr. Anston, the Marquis Dazilio, Count de la Feldt, Lady Cecilia de la Feldt, Lord Cran borne, L a d y Quin tin, Sir George and Miss Talbot, Sir Henry Webb, Sir John Lyster Kaye, Lady and Miss Macdonald, Baron Eugene de Gerlache, lion. G. Barrington, Lord Man deville, &c. -- THE " GYMNETEVS NORTHUMBRICUS."—•-•A very curious specimen of a genus of fish , little known, and of which few specimens have be en e x h ibited, was yesterday submitted to the inspection of a number of gentlemen connected with the science of natural history, and to those who feel interested in the more abstruse wonders of nature, at the Cosmorama, Regent-street. The spe , and is, indeed, it is preserved, from the m t hfien mannerest ever e i n x h w i b h i i t o e h d unique, cim en s o both ne and from the fact of its recent capture. It is about ten feet in length and measures nearly three feet in the widest part of the girth. It has a sort of crest upon the head resembling feathers, and two long narrow fins, or rather antenna, beneath the lower jaw. To describe this rare fish technically would be rather a difficult task, and such a description would hardly be understood by any but professed naturalists. It will therefore be sufficient to direct the public attention to it, and to let persons judge for themselves of its nature. [ADVERTISEMENT.] —A Bruised Foot Cured, and Amputation of the Noes Prevented, by Holloway's Ointm ent and Pills.—Mr. Oliver Smith Jenkins, Falkirk, when super intending the erection of a railway bridge, had his foot severely bruised by the falling of a heavy stone. Apprehending that serious consequences would result from it, he consulted some of the most eminent surgeons in Edinburgh, who informed him that to effect a cure two of his toes must be amputated; re fusing to submit to this he returned to Falkirk, and commenced using Holloway's Ointment and Pills, and, miraculous as is may appear, these invaluable medicines healed his foot, and in three weeks he was enabled to resume his employment. Sold by all Druggists; and at Professor Holloway's Establishment, 244, Strand, London. MURDER OF A POLICEMAN AT BRISTOL.-011 making inquiries at the central station yesterday (Mon day) afternoon, we were informed that Inspector Bosworth had not yet returned from London, but that the two sol diers, Andrew Daly and John M'Farlane, who stand charged on the coroner's inquisition with the wilful murder of. John Pyrn, a police-constable, sailed with , their regiment for India on the 9th inst. INTERNATIONAL LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING-, MAY 22, 1849. VISITS BE- TWEEN ENGLAND AND FRANCE. Much has been lately said respecting the excursion parties advertised for the ensuing summer between the two countries, owing to the pleasing and unexpected turn given to the late party, whose reception in Boulogne, Paris, and Amiens was so cordial. Agreeing, as we heartily do with the Boulogne Gazette, which devoted eight entire columns to an historical recital of the visit, we say with it—" Honour to Mr. Lloyd for this adroit and seasonable conversion of an excursion party into an impromptu embassy of international friendship ; and success attend Mr. Crisp, the originator and contractor for their expedition in those he may hereafter plan for the amusement of his countrymen." an a wme te t ei ar A dt the nhtoh l subese u he s s a eie in Commercial anniversary was Scientific rsle m nr sy a t i d dt e ui ot t inooenrt haoeffewt visit h e days Westay ands since,its on c d o o n toh s e eL q i ut gentlee e r n e c r e y s . French g mp p am r t e eh s r e i ce n e ota s olt ht whose ns eipgi King's-road, h e nv l beg i our n reso a . ai r m y d ,p oc commTheunicatnobleion s. handsomely decorated for the occasion, and the gallery was filled with elegantly dressed ladies. G. TuoursoN, Esq., M.P., ably filled the chair. This gentleman is one of the earliest and most zealous sup porters of the institution, both by liberal donations and by delivering lectures which have always filled the hall to overflowing. He stated how much ho owed to the opportunities for instruction and acquisition of useful and valuable information afforded by similar institutions, and spoke for nearly an hour most eloquently amid the re• peated cheers of the company. In proposing the health of their vice. president, Mr. Lloyd, of Beaufort Lodge, Chelsea, he called attention to the important results from that gentleman's management of the late Paris excursion party, by making it the means of eliciting a demonstration of feeling in France towards this country, the value of which it was impossible to overrate. He highly complimented Mr. Lloyd on the tact and judg ment with which he was allowed by all to have conducted the embassy of friendship. It was a delicate and difficult office that be took upon himself, but his good sense and activity in seizing every means of putting the English character in an advantageous light before Frenchmen had I been crowned with entire success. They were fortunate in a gentleman of his position as a magistrate, and ac quaintance with the language of France. But one opinion had been expressed on his proceedings, during the week when he was thus in a proud position, at the head of five hundred of his countrymen in the French capital. In the House of Lords the previous night was mentioned by Lord Stanley the extraordinary and un precedented incident of French goodwill being warmed even to playing " Rule Britannia," at a grand entertain ment given to Mr. Lloyd and his party. He hoped the good feeling now evoked in France would encourage other excursions, for nothing would promote more the objects of institutions like these—the universal cultiva tion of science and literature apart from all national pre judices. He coupled with Mr. Lloyd's health, " a continuance of the good feeling now existing between England and France." This toast having been drank with all honours, Mr. LLOYD replied that what the Chairman had said about the important results likely to arise from the late visit to Paris was perfectly true. They cannot invaluable, and u it beo should ht transient. We must reciprocate good offices, and show be hel our being care made tha t Frenchmen that we fully appreciate the value o f their results alliance. The late excursion party to France, which had excited so much attention, had, as the Chairman ob served, been made use of by him for eliciting and test ing the sincerity of the professions made lately by Frenchmen towards England. It was perfectly true ho had done so, and the results were beyond his expecta tion. He had, from being in Paris in January and Fe bruary, a good opportunity of remarking the present state of men's minds on the late disastrous political changes on the Continent, and the felicitous immunity our beloved country enjoyed from the miseries they en tailed. He could perceive that there was conviction in the minds of all—even the Red Republicans, as they were called—that there must be something infinitely superior in the British Constitution to what continental Govern ments possessed. No man now attempted to disguise his real opinions that this was so. He never felt so proud of being an Englishman as since the 24th Fe bruary, 1848. The British constitutional monarchy had been borne unscathed through the wild tempest that swept away many a strong political edifice, hither to considered impregnable. The present univer sal feeling of respectful admiration towards Eng land was a glorious homage to our institu tions. His object in taking the part he did on the late occasion was also to show Frenchmen how little sym pathy our country had with their republican anarchists, who had been the objects of adulation, by restless dema gogues in England and Ireland, and that his party were very different sort of persons to that body who went over to Paris a year ago to compliment the visionary de structives on the mischief and ruin with which they were overwhelming society. When he (Mr. Lloyd) found that France had returned to her senses, and that she had, by a vigorous effort, got rid of those desperate men who had usurped all power, law, and order, and that she had now every prospect of ,a firm Government, he determined to show his approbation, at least for one of her wise resolutions. As to the present form of the French Government, he, as a lover of monarchical institutions, might, it must be supposed, have objections; that, however, was no business of any one's but Frenchmen. But, as to the spirit of the pre sent Government, he knew it was as excellent as it was popular amungst all respectable classes. Trade was reviving, prices were going up of all manufactured arti cles, the funds were firm and daily rising. This was the time for Englishmen who enjoyed the advantages of being unssduced from a right track, to some forward and offer the right hand of congratulation to France at her progress in retracing her stops. France appreciated the value of the moral support of the thinking, substantial, middle classes of Britain. It was, therefore, right that Englishmen ahoald show their approval of the spirit that now animates Frenchmen. He wished to see many more such excursion parties; for, depend upon it, lasting tranquillity (to secure which is the professed object of war) was inure likely to be preserved by a little band, accoutred with carpet-bags and umbrellas, than by one a thousand times as numerous glittering in cuirass and armed to the teeth with sword, musket, bayonet, and lance. Mr. Lloyd gave a description of' their un precendented reception at Boulogne, where he and his party landed, under a triumphal arch erected for the oc casion, and a royal salute of twenty-one guns—an honour never paid to any before in France but the Sovereign. He described the fête and ball at Boulogne, and ad dresses from the prefects and mayors of Paris, Boulogne, and Amiens, and other places—a grand entertainment given them by the Prefect (the Lord Mayor) of Paris, where the Prime Minister, the Commander - in - .thief, great officers of state, judges, magistrates of the corpora tion, generals and colonels of the army and National Guard, and more than a hundred members of the Na tional Assembly—in all two thousand guests—attended, on purpose, as they personally assured him, to show the value they set upon maintaining a good feeling with England. He (Mr. Lloyd), as the organ of his countrymen, had, in addresses to constituted bodies, and in conversation with the many distinguished personages to whom he had the honour of being intro duced every day of their visit, endeavoured to show how greatly England desired the well- being and tran quillity of France. He was ver y careful and anxious to explain that his party lai d no claim to be considered an orga nized body, like the National Gu ards who came over to England last year; his party had no prestige whatever, no official station or specific character, they were simply what in France would be called Association de bons En fans. This he on all occasions did, as he was fearful, from seeing himself styled every day in the French papers " President de Comitie des Anglais," " President de la Deputation Anglais," that an erroneous impression had been made. He had made a point in undeceiving the mayor and authorities at Boulogne in his reply to their noble address, and to all the authorities, civil and military, he had said the same. The good feeling towards England at this moment is altogether wonderful. If he had only the satisfaction of having carried up that ad dress to the Prefect of the Seine, which resulted in the splendid entertainment given them at the Hotel de Ville, when eleven grand apartments, lighted and furnished in brilliancy and richness not to be surpassed at Buckingham Palace, were thrown open for their reception and that of the dis tinguished personages he:had alluded to, invited to meet his party, and where their English ears were delighted and surprised by hearing "Rule Britannia" and "God save the Queen,' played by Republicans, and listened to graciously by Republicane, he should feel amply re warded for all the anxiety and labour of the week. Lord Normanby, our Ambassador at Paris, had signified his a pp r obation of what he had done to L ord Palmerston, who had also very handsom el y ex p ressed to him his en tire satisfaction at the is s u e of his undertakin g . M. Guizot had expressed to him the pleasure he felt at read ing the accounts of the interchange of kind feelings on the occasion. He (Mr. Lloyd) had invited M. Guizot, as a Brompton resid ent, to g ive them the p leasure of his countenance and pr esence this da y ; but M. Guizot was obliged to decline from a pressure of occupation, owing, as he told him, to his intention of being in France again in ten days, which every one must be delighted to hear. Mr. Lloyd's account appeared much to please the com pany, who repeatedly cheered him. He finished in re commending all who would avail themselves of the present favourable inclinations of Frenchmen towards English men, to join Mr. Crisp's excursion at Whitsuntide, which he saw advertised, for a better caterer and manager of an excursion party he never met with; besides which, Mr. Crisp enjoyed privileges others did not. The meeting was subsequently addressed by the Rev. Dr. Wilson, Rev. J. Jorns, Rev. Edward Budge, and other gentlemen, and separated at a late hour. o S p it e u n E in w g s o n f uu;t hes A e ND imp ß or l t ß a 3i n l t N G li ti n A es 3l , w Ii h A i LL WAi willS OPENING 05' THE SIIROP2IIIRE UNION AND —beThewith the metropolis and the north to a large portion of the population and mineral produce of Skropshire, hitherto without thest facilities, is fixed for the Ist of June. The Shropshire Union runs from Stafford to Shrewsbury, thirty miles in length, through a rich agricultural dis trict, at a cost of 500,0001. the open i ng of then, Shrews bury and Birmingham line, being its frst sectio is from Shi ew.tbury to Okengate. CIIAILEY MuitnEE.—Our readers will re- ZIIC member that at the last Sussex Assizes Hannah Sandles was convicted of the murder of her infant child by throw ing it into a well at Chailey, near Lewes, the jury ac companying their verdict of guilty by a recommendation to mercy on the ground of the destitution of the prisoner at the time she co mmitted the act. Shortly aftervvards she was respi red durin g her Majesty's pleasure; and the governor , of Lewes Gaol has ju st rec e i ved from the Home-office-officean official notification that the sentence had beencouirntited to two years' imprisonment with bird labour, follOvred by transportation for life. DOVER - BAY AND BREAKWATER. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SU.N. Srn,—A sense of public duty impels me to reply to a ! notice of my remarks on the above subject by Colonel Williams, of Ramsgate, in The Sun of Monday last. I regret that he should give himself the slightest trou ble es to individuality in a subject where principles are involved of such vital importance. He asserts that he is "at no loss to discover the author," and having duly chronicled this important result of his imaginings, pro ceeds forthwith to make a personal attack on mistaken identity. The Colonel gives in a very general adherence to the principles and causes adduced by me as being in conti nual operation on the south coast of England ; he does not even dispute that it may be a hundred years before the shingle rounds a pier extending 800 feet from the shore—his words are that it will and must " ultimately" reach the end of the pier. Agreeing with one another so . . nearly, I am rather surprised that he should be so wroth with me. it must be that he takes me for the gentleman at the Admiralty, who lately gave him such a rap over the knuckles for his meddling interference with works against which he was raising a factious op position. He also feels very ill at ease because I wrote anonymously. Now, Sir, as I have no personal vanity Ito gratify—no petty pamphlets to puff—nor no desire 1 fur undue notoriety, I have therefore adopted the more 1 customary course of modestly retiireing my real name; but as my pen is and has always been employed pro bona publico. If 1 thought that the public would be bone- Cited by removing the veil of incognito, I should at once 'do so. The Colonel further makes sundry insinuations as to my being a hired scribbler, which, although ex tremely lame and impotent, must still be repelled. i I beg him and your numerous readers to understand, 1 1 that I am entirely unconnected with any Government 1 establishment, have no interest whatever in the port of ! Dover, or the works at present going on there ; have ! never solicited, never obtained Court patronage or Go vernment place or pay; I have no affix to append to my name at my country's expense. My bureau is not adorned with an official inkstand, from which to " spirtle ink ex cathedra." Being thus free from party bias, local jealousy, disappointed hopes, or that prejudice which is blind to truth, I humbly conceive myself in a favourable position for making your readers acquainted how matters stand, and that with strict impartiality. It is sad to see Colonel Williams evidently suppress ing or perverting the knowledge he possesses on this subject, and whether be does so to daniage‘Ziker or re store Ramsgate, I am quite at a loss to discover; certain it is that he conceals the truth, so that he may have a kick at a body of men of whom I know but little, viz., the Commissioners of Dover Harbour; but were he in possession of one tithe of the knowledge to which he so unblushingly lays claim, had he taken the trouble to compare the present operations with his own ideas of protection of shipping from the north-west gales, he would have been prepared for the " startling announce ment" contained in my last letter, :aslto the separate, distinct usefulness and independence of the present works. The great national object of the Refuge Harbour at Dover is in plan exceedingly simple. A strong sea-wall running out at right angles from the mainland, close to the entrance of the harbour forms the west side; above a mile to the eastward of Dover a similar wall is to be erected. Jutting out from the south foreland near to the Coruhill Coast Guard Station, at the outer extremities of these walls, wide navigable entrances will be made for the free ingress and egress of shipping of every tonnage; whilst beyond these openings, much further to sea, runs a third massive stone wall in deep water, running nearly parallel to the shore, and extending from pier to pier, thereby covering in the whole of Dover Harbour and Bay, some knowledge of the extent of which may be formed when it is known that these walls will enclose an area of upwards of 600 acres; and the outer wall or breakwater is to be upon the upright wall principle, and not at all like the negligent, haphazard plan adopted in Plymouth Sound, where a most irregular mass of stone was allowed to find its own bed, and yet so much ad mired by the Colonel. The western wall or angle of this great work is that which now so excites the ire and calls forth the letters of Colonel Williams, and this por tion though most assuredly forming a prominent part of the gigantic undertaking, is at present known as the " New Dover Landing-pier;" and certainly the country is indebted to the genius of their engineers (not royal) when the several parts of a great work are brought to bear upon public comfort and convenience, just the same as we find directors opening the portions of their rail ways as they become ready for traffic, without waiting for the completion of the whole. Most nobly do the works proceed on this western angle. Standing within a window niche of the Folke stone Hotel lately, my attention was arrested to observe the robust head of this massive piece of masonry pres sing sternly out to sea beyond the lofty face of Shaks pere's Cliff; standing forth in bold relief from the line of coast, it seemed to bid defiance to the angry lashing of the winter's storm, a grand monument of the triumph of engineering skill, guided by that Almighty power which wieldeth all the destinies and deliberattons of men. The Engineer-Colonel thinks that " a harbour of re fuge in Dover Bay is imperatively called for;" then why dues he rail out against the first step to his thoughts and wishes? If the aspirations of his soul and his pamphlet aro about to be realised, then why does ho turn round and denounce a very successful commencement of what he deems imperative, spitefully malingning it as for a mere " temporary purpose"—a clutch fur a deserted seaport? With Plymouth Sound, Spithead, Beachy Head, Dun geness, the :South Foreland, the Downs, and the Nore, all protectors, within a few hours' sail of each other, and being an ardent financial reformer, I have some doubts whether it is so very loudly called for to have a refuge harbour at Dover; but it I did consider it necessary, I certainly would bail with delight the successful coin mencernent of such a work. I have stood upon the works several times, with gentlemen great by birth and great by talent; I have conversed amid the diving-bells and machinery employed with the most scientific men of the present day, including en g ineers, civil, military, end practical, and have Sc en and heard unmingled satisfac tion as to the works and their ultimate benefit; and yet we find an obscure individual calling it a " job," which he believes " will be dearly purchased at twopence halfpenny." Sic transit gloria mundi. It is, however, one consolation to know from the Gallant Colonel that, although it is a ",job," it will, nevertheless, be an important " local benefit—a great pr;za" fur the port of Dover. How is it that Colonel Williams has " applied to every Membcr of the House of Commons who takes an interest is questions of finance, and received no encouragement for inquiry into that grave ' job?' " He tells the public that he has appealed to the press, and then he appeals to the public themselves; yet no one lends an ear. He then tries threats—he "demands to be beard," and repeats " that nothing will or shall put this matter to rest but inquiry." The House of Commons ha implores to take a fine sieve, and " S have the matter sifted." Hear you this further— ye Gentlemen Commoners and ye Noble Lords—Colonel Williams has discovered "strong ground" for your in tervention. The restoration of the prize is a secondary consideration—only remettre the Gallant Colonel. 1 In my last letter, which you did me the honour to in i sert, I endeavoured to show your readers that so great was the magnitude of the scheme which the Refuge Har bour Commission decidtd upon, that to future genera tions would be left the honour of completing the task; whereat the Colonel jumps to the conclusion that all is abandoned but the pier, and that the country is doing what private or corporate funds should have accom plished long ago. Now, I certainly know that the cor porate funds of Dover, whilst they have been applied with care, have been expended with liberality to improve the harbour; within the last few years they have constructed additional harbour accommodation. The deepening of the harbour has been decided upon, and been commenced; and not only these, but whilst on a visit of health a few weeks back, the obliging master of the works there kindly pointed out to me the centre line for a splendid double ship slip, which is to be commenced forthwith, in plan and principles superior to that at Ramsgate, and which must prove a vast acquisition to the port, for not only is the situation for the slip conve nient, but it actually touches upon the only two ship builders' yards of this port. Considering the extent of these works, and taking these three undertakings toge there, we should find but small reason to stigmatise " those in charge of.:Dover Harbour." I trust you will, Sir, accept an earnest apology for the unexpected length to which these remarks have run, and an assurance that I have no other interest or motive to serve in this matter than solely and entirely the information of your readers, and to put the public in possession of the true merits of the case. I am, Sir, &c., ALPHA. London, May 19, 1549. THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA. LIVERPOOL, MONDAY', MIDNIGHT. We have received our dispatches from the United States by the royal mail steam-ship Cambria, Captain Shannon. The Hibernia reached Halifax on the 10th, in 111 days. Affairs in Canada were comparatively quiet. The following are the latest telegraphic accounts : " MONTREAL, MAY 1, 6 P.M. " The Parliament was not in session to-day; it will convene on Monday next, and hold its sessions in the new building owned by Mr. Hayes, called the Freema son's-hall, but it is said that the soot of Government is to alternate tour years at Quebec and Toronto. "A young man engaged in the Custom-hou se h as been arrested, and is in custody , for disturbing the peace, or, it is probable, to be detained for a witness. " The agitation still continues in the eastern townships. All is quiet in Montreal." MAY 8, 7 P.M. " The Government has taken possession of the new building belonging to Mr. Uayes, and both Houses of Parliament will meet there on Monday. " A person named Stone was arrested to-day, but the charge against him is not known. " Some of the lato prisoners are about to start on a tour of agitation to the eastern townships." " MAY 7, P.M. " There was nothing of importance done in Parliament to-day. The beads assembled in Bonsecours•market, and to-morrow will assemble in the Freemasons'-ball. Both Houses adjourned to remove their furniture to their new place of meeting. " Everything remains quiet. " Quebec partook of the general excitement incidental upon the Rebellion Losses Bill having been sanctioned. The Governor-General was burnt in effigy on Friday evening last. Resistance was made by a section of the Irish party who professed ultra Repeal doctrines, and a Aght ensued, which was finally quelled by the police. The military were in attendance, but were not required. One man was wounded, but not seriously. On Saturday an attempt was made to burn Sir AA. M‘Nab in effigy, but the mode rate of the Irish party prevented it. On Sunday a mass meeting of the French Canadians was held, aided by the same Repeal followers, and a deputation sanctioned to proceed to the seat of Government to present an address to the Governor-General, offering defence and condo lence. " On Monday large parties again assembled, but all passed off quietly. " There is a talk of arming on both sides, snd the papers in the Canadian interest talk most loudly." "MAT 4. " News from all over the country stills continues to pour in, both by telegraph and mail, of the monster meeting got up to protest against the Indemnity Bill, and to get up petitions to the Queen to recal the Go vernor. " We have just received words from Toronto of an immense meeting held there for the above named object, and the appointment of Sir Alan iii`Nab as a delegate to England. " There was a fierce debate in the Assembly yester day evening upon a motion of adjournment—bitter eriminations and recriminations passed between both parties. " Mr. Papineau, the old leader of the rebellion made a furious attack on the Ministry, charging them with in capacity, and being the cause of all the disturbances. " Mr. Solicitor-General Drummond replied by charg ing him with the desire of annexation to the United States, and of being the first Governor of the new State. " Sir Alan AiPliab raked up recollections of murder and outrage committed during the rebellions of 1837 and 1838. The Ministry deprecated the cause of the argu ment as being got up for mere party purposes, and said that at a proper time they were prepared to justify the whole of that proceeding. The President of the Council likewise said that one of the causes of the excitement was the desire of annexation, which be deprecated. " There were no new disturbances in the city yester day, but there doubtless would have been if the House had not adjourned at an early hour. Large placards were posted all ove.r the city, unanimously signed ay the influential inhabitants, urging the necessity of maintain ing peace and order. The excitement is great, and there are rumours that Upper Canada will rise. A few days will show if it be true." " THURSDAY NOON', MAY 3. " The most trifling circumstances show the state of bad feeling which exists among parties in the provinces at present. " The fact of the Governor-General returning an answer of half a dozen lines in length to a couple of ad dresses from French Canadians was yesterday made the subject of bitter animadversion and invidious compari sons both in and out of the Parliament, which is this morning re-echoed in most of the city journals. "There has been no fault found with the addresses or answers, it was only that his Excellency replied to them at length, and that length was only half-a-down lines ; while to the more numerous petitions that were poured upon him against the Indemnity Bill, he only replied that he would give the allegations they contained his full consideration. There has been no more disturb ances in the city, nor has the news of any arrived from other parts of the country. It seems improbable that there should be any more for the present, as the people seemed disposed to wait for an intimation of the course the English Government will pursue. The appointment of Sir Alan M'Nab by the city of Toron' o is being a good deal canvassed, and is causing some excitement. On the decision of the English Ministry rests the ques tion if this colony is to be plunged in a civil war. " The Governor replied to an addre s s as follows; "' Gentlemen,—l received with gratitude your loyal and dutiful Odress. I lament the outrages of which this city has been the theatre, and more especially the destruction of the building occupied by the Houses of Parliament, with the valuable library of which the pro vinces had good reason to be proud. My confidence in the good sense, moderation, and loyalty of the body of the people is, however, in no degree shaken by what has occurred. It is satisfactory to me to receive the assur ances that the course of justice and impartiality which I have followed in the discharge of the functions of my high office meets your approval. That course is pre scribed to me by my duty to my Sovereign, and to the inhabitants of the provinces. " ' A free people can hardly MI to discover in the faithful observance of all constitutional guarantees the best security for the preservation of their rights and liberties. " No efforts will be wanting on my part to secure the preservation of the peace of the city, and I sin cerely trust that by the exertions of the Legislature and the Executive authorities and the co-operation of all friends of order this object may be accomplished.' " "MAY 7. " Perfect tranquillity continues here. "Loyal addresses from all parts of Upper Canada are pouring in to the Governor-General. Both Houses of Parliament are quietly proceedinr 2 with business. " Domestic affairs in the United States present no features of note. Politics were tranquil. Government had determined to send two ships in search of Sir James Franklin's expedition, one to go round east by Labra dor and Davis's Straits ; the other round west by Beh ring's Straits, in search of the lost navigators." The money•market was easier. Discount for fa vourite signatures were quoted 7 to 9 per cent., on call 5 to 6 per cent. The banks here were well supplied, and a still further improvement was expected. United States Sixes of 1h56 were 1061 to 7. Sterling exchange was again higher—namely, 107 to 107 f, and 108 f. The latter being the quotation of the great drawers bills. The amount of business transacted for this steamer was limited. sf. 26k, sf. 26. A good deal of shipping to Havre. The cotton accounts state that the reports from the north evinced some previous exaggeration of dansages. SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL IN FOREIGN PARTS.—Yesterday the 148th anniversary meeting of the members of this society took place, with the usual solemnities, in St. Paul's Cathedral. The clergy and other friends of the society were requested, by public announcement, to meet in the nave of the Cathedral, at three o'clock, to receive his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury, the president, and the civic authorities. Shortly after that hour a large number of arrivals took place, and a procession having been form ed, it moved into the choir, where service was , performed. There were present his Grace the Archbishop of Can terbury, the Bishops of London, Salisbury, Llandaff, Worcester, Oxford. Bangor, Peterborough, Ripon, Man chester, and Lichfield; Archdeacons Hale and Robinson; the Hon. and Rev. H. Montague Villiers, M.A .; the Rev. Ernest Hawkins, 8.D., Prebendary of St. Paul's; ' the Rev. Charles B. Dalton, M.A., Prebendary of St. George of and hi c P h a a u p l s a i a n n ( and e re v r . R. L amb e C a t t t h e y ; ) t ; h e L ° Aldermen r d M a 3 S l ir r Carroll, Farncombe, Moon, and Hunter; Sheriffs Finnis and Goodhart; Mr. Chamberlain Brown, a n d upwards of one hundred other clergymen in full canoni cals. Full choral service was performed, tlie gen tlementhe of her Majesty's Chapel Royal,un d er direction of the Rev. Thomas Helmore, being engaged to assist the choristers of St. Paul's. The sermon was preached by the Bishop of Lichfield, who remarked that during the last twenty years the Society had doubled the number of its missionaries, and with doubly in creasing success. Upwards of 100 additional missiona ries were required tar Canada, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. There were only two missionaries on the western coast of Newfoundland, and not one on the coast of Labrador. Ai any additional missionaries were re quired in Australia, whither the tide of emigration was rapidly setting in. The Right Reverend Prelate referred with much satisfaction to the fact that, during the last eight years eleven colonial bishoprics had been founded, and that two other colonial bishops (Victoria and Rupert's Land) would be consecrated in the course of the present month. His Lordship concluded with an eloquent appeal on behalf of the society. The mission ariedwaintained, in whole or in part, by the society, are 350, in addition to whom upwards of 300 divinity stu dents, catechists, and schoolmasters are also supported by this venerable incorporation; but the required expen diture of the society cannot be kept up unless a perma nent addition be made to the annual income. DURHAM CATEEDRAL.—We have beard that it is intended speedily to appoint a new minor canon in this cathedral ; and it will gratify every lover of our cathe dral services to learn, that no candidate who does not possess considerable power of voice, and a thorough knowledge of music, is likely to be a successful appli cant.—Durhani Chronicle. The Marquis , of Normanby left Paris yesterday morning, and arrived in town by the South Eastern Rail • way iu time fyr the debate last evening. A LOYAL SCENE.—The tide of loyalty never, perhaps, flowed higher than it did on Saturday evening, when the whole population of the metropolis were in the streets viewing the illuminations in honour of the birth day of our beloved Sovereigu. It seemed as if the people had by electric agency received the intelligence of the diabolical attempt upon the Queen's life, and, at the same time, the cheering news that she bad provi dentially escaped unscathed. So profound was the emotion excited in the minds of the populace , and so so strong was the affection elicited from all classes, that it every opportunity was seized that would serve ii to give expression. This was particularly exen large assemblage collected during the w hoi fied in the l P eof the even ing opposite the I'aletot Warerooms belonging ' Messrs. Nicoll, whose several tasteful a sea in Regent-tsotrtehee h t presented perhaps the most taste n t i d o b r o i f l i t a h n i d l e u v m i c i °- nation ever seen in London: one p orn consisted of the words " God save the Queen" in gi• gamic letters of gas; this, it would seem suggested to the Natio' nal Anthem, the spectators the idea of singing and though it may not be considered as having been accomplished in a very artistic manner, yet was it most pleasing to hear front the heartiness with which it was I few that witnessed t he scene will f orget the given; an n expressiona' displayed upon so many loyal and en thusiastic faces during that evening. The effect was mucassisted by the blaze of light which almost seemed to turn the night into day.—Morning Post. DANISH BLOCKADE OF THE GERMAN PORTS. —We understand that her Majesty's steam-sloop Sphynx, Commander Hewlett, has been sent to the Elbe with dispatches from the Foreign-office, in consequence of some representations from some merchants that two British ships were not allowed to come out. These vessels —viz., a st( amer with a very valuable cargo, and the other a brig, in consequence of the inefficiency of the blockade by the Danes, had made the port for which they were destined without being warned off, and the owners now contend that they have a right to return, unmo lested, to this country; for the blockade, to be duly re spected, must not be a mere paper blockade, bat must be effectively kept up by the actual presence of a equa -1 dron of cruisers, to prevent neutrals from breaking through. The Sphynx was at Cuxhaven on the 18th instant. THE SUN,