The Sun. — London, England, 1849-03-07 00:00:00

Give them he for one .—(Hear.) that be• s o ap, nor, d, there -1 it was ti for two England, ity. But ato could which pro immediate ome out of overnment e reign of tid of the h provided in tho ) extend, sactly his e and mis st of Ire asentatives measure. of staisti !ost of the ions under under the e increased with great le Premier nust confess reasons 01 i in in think: 3r means been made r l a ndlords 0+ in defence of at the situ. 6 great maul void. Wys s labourers on of Irels o l veil leases ° f they gave lsequentlY the envier :e (Mr. rse any sou' and teelieg Uiuisters 10 greed to t he )pted by th i ,! pr oduce - it was over )st decided: l torte of ti l6 . ere was 011 ; s were we' It arVe ; bay► s sway. , 0 ch calve 1 , , t ow ards ig proniote, mu nifest e ' eir good for THE SUN, LONDON, the objects it had iu view. IL did rot believe that 25 0,0001. would be collected under the ine:sute, and he did not believe that any of it could be c illectrd unto after harvest. He had heard it said that were this mo sure passed, some of the magistrates would throw up their commissions. He believed that if they attempted try collect the sixpenny rate they would endanger the Whole system of the poor-laws. Why did they not Make those defaulting districts in the south and west of Irela n d su pp or t t h e i r own poor? In the south of Ireland the land was better and more productive than in the north, and why could tho south, then, not support its Poor as well as the north ? The lands of Ireland were more than sufficient to support the poor of Ireland, and by proper management they would do so. There was, therefore, no need for the imposition of such an im post as that proposed, which would be making the in dustrious and careful pay for the support of the indolent and careless. Mr. F. FRENCH said that he agreed with the last speaker, and with the Hon. Member for Dublin (Mr. Reynolds), that this rate in aid is objectionable in prin ciple, insufficient in amount, and must ultimately tend to ruinous consequences, not only to Ireland, but also to this country. He considered that Connaught, bad as it is at present conditioned, would be able not only to Support its poor, but to have surplus funds to develop the rich resources of that province, if dealt with in the B aMe manner as the agricultural interest of this country had been dealt with, and as Holland, Prussia, and other kingdoms of the continent, have dealt with their provinces, by railways and canals; but he regretted to say that all Governments, instead of applying social remedies to Ireland, always contented themselves With producing political: stimulants. He was fully assured that there never was a time that any Govern ment had fewer difficulties than the present, because all Political agitation had ceased, and because it was the desire of all parties in Ireland to contribute their aid, influence, and energy to the amelioration of all classes. And as to the 250,0001. that would bo procured, if pro cured from the sixpenny rate in aid, every one knew that it would not only not tend to the employment of the labouring classes, but would not support them for more than a few weeks. The Hon. Gentleman then referred to the woollen and linen trade of Ireland, which, he said., Was taken from that country by the envy of the English Manufacturer through the instrumentality of a British Parliament. He was fully convinced that neither arte rial drainage nor any other measure of improvement Could be carried on advantageously in Ireland while the Board of Works were themselves the employers, the workmen, and the paymasters; and argued that there Would be no requisition fora rate in aid, or any othi r Measure, if an income-tax were properly and efficiently introduced into that country; but the present system, if persevered in, would bring ruin, and if changed would be followed by many and important benefits. _ Mr. CONOLLY would consider that he was not per upon to do their duty by their tenants before they called upon his constituents in Louth to pay a rate in aid to support such conduct as that to which ho had alluded. Ho hoped an amendment would be moved in Committee in respect to the manner in which the rate in aid was to be raised, and he would give his supp‘irt to a proposition by which half of it would be paid by the tenant and half by the landlord. He thought that if this course were adopted, or if the principle of giving the tenant credit for the payment of the rate in aid, in his rent, were allowed, a great amount of relief would be afforded to the occupier. The lion. Member for Longford proposed an ame.idnaent, to the effect that an income-tax he placed upon Ireland. If the, Hon. Gen• tleman meant by this to import the principle of this English income-tax upon Ireland, then he must object to it. He could not consent to professions or mercantile pursuits being taxed in Ireland. No interest had suf fered more severely than the mercantile interest in Ire land.—(oh, oh.) He would prove this by a public do cument. It appeared that in 1846 the circulation of Ireland was 7,424,000/. In the second half of that year it fell to 6,800,000/. In the second halt of the year 1847 it fell again to 5,300,0001; and in the second half-year of 1848 to 4,000.000/. and odd. Thus showing a decrease in the circulating medium during these three years of 40 per cent. This decrease was still un checked, and this state of things was pretty good proof that the mercantile interests of Ireland were not in a condition to bear any additional impost upon them. In Galway, of a rate of six shillings in the pound for the year ending 1847, only sixpence in the pound is uncol lected. The Right Hon. Baronet the Member for Tam worth, when he alluded to the colonization of Ulster, did not refer to the middle class, which was established at the same time in that province. The b st mode, in Ireland, would be, instead of forgiving arrears, to make them payable out of the fee simple value of the estate. With regard to the Unincumbered Estates Bill, it would never work.—(Hear, hear.) They should have a maxi mum of rates. He also . felethat the Irish should make a struggle to assist themselves and each other. He did not underrate the value of the gifts which this country had bestowed upon Ireland, for which they had their best gratitude. No one could advocate the repeal of the union until they learned to bear their own burdens and to have a feeling of self-reliance. Sir ARTHUR BROOKE disclaimed having imputed blame to all the landlords of Ireland, he only referred to those who reduced the country to the state the people were in the western district. The Earl of LINCOLN said, that in addressing the House he would confine himself to the question whether they should have a rate in aid or not. lie thought it was difficult to decide that question, when they had not at the same time under their consideration the other measures which had been alluded to, and which referred to the social condition of Ireland. Now, when it was considered that extraneous aid was necessary to relieve distress, it would not be Ilisputed that it should come from Ireland, and then it was to be considered from what part of Ireland it was to be ob tained. He thought it ought to be raised from the entire of Ireland. He did not think equivalent taxa tion a sound principle, even if it could be proved to be real, but he could show that it was not real. It was declared by members of the Government that this mea sure was only defensible, inasmuch as it was temporary, but he thought it was likely to be an increasing evil. He would be happy if be could entertain so sanguine a hope as the Noble Lord (Lord John Russell) enter tained upon this subject. He deprecated the idea that relief WAS to be obtained by the cultivation of the po tato in connexion with the con-acre system, which he thought would be almost as greet an evil as the famine, and with regard to emigration as a means of relief; that also was objectionable, by inducing the able bodied labourers to come to this country and leave the women and children to be maintained on the poor-rates at home. It was a sound maxim that the property of Ireland should support the poverty of Ireland ; but what was the property of Ire land? It consisted of realty and personalty. He quite agreed with the Hon. Gentleman who last spoke, that the commercial classes in Ireland had suffered, but certainly, as regarded the burden of paying taxes for the poor, they were taxed most moderately, while the landed was taxed most heavily. Then, as to the question of a com parison between an income-tax and a poor-rate, it ought to be recollected that the one was paid out of money actually received, while the other was liable to have all debts and burdens on it included. One great reason, however, in his view, why some parts of Ireland, now prosperous, should contribute to the distress of the other parts, was their propinquity, and the result which should in the end follow, if distress continued, because the prosperous portions must share the common ruin. The result of the imposition of the rate in aid would, no doubt, tend to unsettle the minds of many farmers in Ireland, and he feared, therefore, the effect would be to decrease the application of capital to the soil, and to promote that emigration going on within the last year, namely, the emigration of persons who had labour, and even capital, to improve the land, had they remained at home.—(Hear, hear.) At the sitting of the House on the previous day he had himself pre• sented a petition against the rate in aid, from the union of Carrickmicross, in which the astounding fact was set forth, that while the inhabitants of the union were 39,000, the number of acres in it only amounted to 37,000. Independently, however, of the present evils of the poor-law in Ireland, there was that of the valuation, which was most unequal, and which the Committee up stairs recommended should be nnibrin. With regard to this subject, he should quote for the House the evidence of Mr. Griffith, examined before a Committee on the poor lews. In that evidence it was stated to be most imperfect, and yet that was the valuation on which the rate in aid was to be levied, notwithstanding that that gentleman said to levy a general rate on it would be most unjust. Now as to what was called the poor-kw valuation, there were twenty-five counties in Ireland which were not so valued ; and indeed it was not so applicable, by reason of its indivisibility. Would the House believe that, so great was the inequality of valuation now existing, that in Belfast the valuation existing was 20.3. Bd. above the townland valuation ; while in Castle Blayney it was 3s 81. below it? showing how unjust and how imp it would be to levy any general rate on such a basis. Standing there, however, as a Member of that House, not connected with Ireland or the Government, he should on the previous evening have supported the present mea sure, had a division taken place; but he confessed that, after what he heard, he thought an income-tax would be the most proper means to meet the evil, and far, preferable to any such pro position as that now put forward.—(Hear.) He knew it was said as an objection to the introduction of the in come-tax, that no machinery was in existence to collect such a tax, but on looking at the enormous machinery got up, and got up suddenly, too, for relief works in 1846 and 1847, he saw no difficulty whatever in using a similar exertion, at least as regarded the working of the Bill, as had been done on that occasion. They would not obtain a rate in aid until the end of the year, whereas the income tax, being prospective, it would commence from April next. For his own part, he believed equal taxation was the great remedy for the evils of Ireland; and although the proposal of the Hon. Member for Longford to levy an income-tax did not go far enough to carry out that view, still he should support it in prefer ence to the proposition of the Government. Colonel DUNNE had heard the speech of the Right Hon. Baronet the Member for 'Tamwerth with pleasure, and that pleasure was enhanced by the feeling of kind ness exhibited towards his (Coldfiel Dunne's) country, a circumstance very unlike the conduct too often pursued by his friends in the Government on that side of the House. He contended that the taxation of the two coun tries at present was as one to eight—taking the property of England at 270 millions, and Ireland at 40; and it that was so, he saw no reason why they should be encum bered with an additional burthen in the shape of an in come•tax.—(hear.) There was bat one thing for Ire land, and that was a sweeping change in the present poor-law. Till that change took place, no grant, how ever large, would be of essential benefit to that country. He thought this vote would be injurious to Ireland. Mr. MUNTZ—This vote was nothing but a repetition of the last, under a new name. There was no hope of this rate being collected. It must all ultimately come out of the Imperial exchequer. They must look to the interests of England. Why did not the Noble Lord come forward with some comprehensive measure? Ca pital, they said, was what was wanted in Ireland; but was it probable that men would risk their capital when there was no remuneration by the produce? Could the present price of produce remunerate capital?—(Protec tionist cheers.) He would not have land in Ireland if anybody would give it to him.—(Protectionist cheers.) It was owing to protection that Ireland was hitherto enabled to crawl on.—(Laughter.) It was all very well for gentlemen to laugh, but could they laugh who could get no rent and no victuals?—(Hear.) He said long ago the handwriting was on the wall. He said so now. '• Coming events cast their shadows before." Their estates would be taken from them. They were not now in a condition to benefit from free trade. He should oppose the proposition of the Noble Lord, and vote for the amendment. forming his duty ie his constituents if ho did not rise to offer his most strenuous opposition to the motion of the Noble Lord (Lord J. Russell).—(Hear, hear.) He would ask the House to consider the present state of those 21 unions out of 131 which are in a state of hope less bankruptcy, and would also ask, was not some scheme other than that introduced by Government ne- cealary?—particularly as there were - 10 others in a state equally deplorable as those 21 to which he had adverted. Refound that of one hundred remaining unions there were forty burdened with a heavy amount of debt. It was, therefore, monstrous these should be called upon to pay the debts of others before they had liquidated their own. It was absurd to say that the rate was to be levied upon '4l the unions in Ireland, when only fifty or sixty unions were free of debt and able to pay • the rate. When they ought to know those facts, it was not fair in Government to come down to the House and propose that all the unions should Pay the rate in aid. In point of fact, the rate would nave to be made up by an increased taxation upon those who were able to pay.—(Hear, hear.) The case was this —on the one hand, either England, with her vast resources, must come forward, or, on the other hand, Ireland must be made to meet the difficulty. If they adopted the latter alternative, how were they to levy • such a rate from the whole of Ireland, when only fifty or sixty unions could pay?—(Hear, hear.) It was, therefore, a delusion to talk of levying off the whole of Ireland. The levy, in fact, was to be made off Ulster and Leinster, and a small portion of Connaught. An other delusion which was contained in the Noble Lord's proposition was that of making the rate last only for two • Caret and he made it, he said. on the ground that he tiered the destitution would last for that period. Now he (Mr. Conolly) did: not believe, unless extra- Ordinary measures were adopted, that the destitution ---th e extreme misery—would last only for a period of ~twe years, Unless Government was prepared to come lorward with some comprehensive measure to meet the he did not see how it was to be got rid of. The N Ol 3. Member then alluded to the speech of the Right Icon. Baronet the Member for Tamworth (Sir R. Peel) last night—a speech which had filled him with much regret ; and he asked whether it was likely that any man W ould part with estates which were endeared to him by every tie of humanity?—(Hear.) He would tell them that before the possessors of estates in Ireland would give them up there would be a dire struggle, and every form of law would ba resorted to in the maintenance of their rights.—(Cries of " Hear, hear.") With reference ' to the main question before the House, he objected to the rate in aid, as being unfair and unjust, and especially as it referred to the county which he represented (Donegal). Ile would make a comparison between the county of Donegal, which did not ask for a rate in aid, with the exception of one union, and the county of Clare, which , did, and he found that in Clare the population was only 286.394, while hi Donegal it was 296,448 ; so that, although the latter had a population above Clare of 1 0,054, it was, nevertheless unjustly called upon to make good the deficiency of neglect or mismanagement in Clare. With reference to what had been said about the 10 3 alty of the north of Ireland, he, for his part, did bet think that the loyalty of the north of Ireland would Stand the test of the gross injustice involved in the Passing of the present measure, and he would not think • the worse of their loyalty on that account. The Hon. °Umber concluded by reiterating his hostility to the Proposed rate in aid. ,„_Lord CASTLEREAGH complimented the Hon. Xember who had just addressed the House on the ability he had displayed with reference to a question in which Irish Members were so deeply interested. He wished to refer to the speech of the Hon. Member for Cork (Mr. Roche) who was not, he was sorry to perceive, ie his place. That Hon. Member said he supported the 'sure because he perceived no other means of allevi atinge the distress which so unfortunately prevailed in I reland. But he (Lord Castlereagh) should like to be informed whether that argument might not be applied : t f o any measure that Government might choose to bring o rward.—(llcar, hear.) If Government had come down t , e the House, and had proposed a still stronger measure , I, l e arg ument wou ld be precisely the same.—( Hear.) °o must take the proposition of the Government, or the People would starve. Now, those who opposed the pro . Resition were not uncharitable, but they did not like that the industry of Ulster should pay for the idleness and lm Providence of Connaught. No part of England had contributed more largely to relieve the distress in Ireland Pao Ulster had done, and particularly the town of Bel ast•—(Hear.) It was not for the opponents of the mea sure to t e ll th e House what taxes ought to be imposed, for they had not had an opportunity of consulting their teostituents, but they would be informed of the views . "Be People entertained, as they were holding meetings e ve rywhere throughout the province. He (Lord Castle leagh) objected to the tax, not on account of the land 'ord, but on account of the occupiers of land and the tat ePaYers. Neither the justice nor the policy of the t ax had b een supported. The Honourable Member Or Cork had come forward as the advocate of the t l i er otnercial interest of Ireland. But did the e On Gentleman recollect that, there was such a place in treland as B e lf as t? The tonnage of -Belfast was, in ; 84 7. 53,800 tons. It had risen in twelve years to doubl e its amount of tonnage. The imports and exports ... el ' Belfast were last year of the value of 8,037,0001., and was more than 2,000,0001. over Cork, and equally so in amount over Dublin. This was a pretty good reason Why Belfast should be heard in this case, and this town was decidedly hostile to the proposed rate in aid.—(Hear, hear.) H e d ee ply r e gr e tt e d th e cours e taken by the atight Hon. Baronet the Member for Tamworth, for he felt after his statement, that. as far as the position of the Opponents of this rate was concerned, their case was a hopeless one. The Right Hon. Baronet said he should not object to take into consideration the proposition of an income-tax for Ireland,—(Hear, hear.) He re gretted the manner in which the Right Hon. Baronet alluded to this matter. It seemed to him that from the observations made by the Right Hon. Gentleman that they were not only to have a rate in aid, but that next year they would find the Chancellor of the Exchequer coming down to the House and proposing an i ncome-tax on Ireland, which he feared would have the s upport of the Right Hon. Baronet. If they were going :° tax Ireland in this way, let the Government grant t hem a Committee to see what amount of taxation Ire landA ought to bear in accordance with t h e terms of the Act of Union. Let them carry out fairly that Act, and if Irel an d i n h er di s t re ss was entitled to relief from Eng and, why should she not receive it? D o not act to wards her as if these ties that bound her to this country w ere not real ties, or as if she was, as some Honourable Members seemed to think she was, an inc ubus on Eng lted. Allusion had been made to the loyalty o f Ulster. There could, however, be no doubt, that come wh at bight, Ulster would be loyal to the Crown of Englan d, if this course of policy was pursued towards her , it „ 14 very possible that the question might arise whether nerteal of the union was a disloyal question to be con uttered, —(Hear, hear.) Mr. MiCULLAGH said a great variety of sugges ti ant had been thrown out in the course of that debate, 11 ' 1 some Hon. Members seemed to think that an in ere-tax, w hich would give the Chancellor of the Ex , °quer 1,100,000/. was to be preferred, to a rate that h "ld only g ive him 300,000L—(Hear, hear.) The peo ' rt . of Connaught had been termed idle and lazy—but wh o unkind to make such a charge against that people ."`° were suffering both from the effects of a visitation, °r b f rom the miserable pittance of 4 d. a day for their la e'er, which was all they received previous to the famine. 6. "„ (Rear, hear.) An estate rate had been suggested— the effect of such would be to establish a complete power of gettin g rid of the poor on the land. The present • W i t i te of Connaught was owing to the way in N I tel l the landlords of that province had treated vs ' people there. The Honourable Gentleman the n referred to an estate which he had seen 1 , ° ms short ti me since. A large tract of this was covered with fresh grass. He learned from e perso ns atten di ng t h e proper ty that the occupants of the lend had b een recen tly ev i c ted from it, and the land lias now recovering itself from the poverty to which it a i d ' been reduced by being over-worked. On the ot her e of the road, near a dark bog, the people who bad been evicted wore building themselves 24 wretched huts, s quatting thus the s e f ug iti ve persons were put into a stale of the landlords by the evictors of the landlord. He thought landlords of such property ought to be called Mr. MOORE said that he should vote for the propo sitiun of her Majesty's Ministers, because no other had been suggested to meet the present emergency, and sup port the poor of the country. As the representative of a suffering people, he called upon the House of Com mons to come to their aid. Would they not stand be tween them and starvation ?—(The call fur a division became so loud that the Honourable Gentleman became inaudible.) Lord JOHN RUSSELL said that the great majority of the House bed decided upon two points—first, that some aid should be given to the starving people; and, second, that that aid should come from Ireland. The only question then was as to the best means of raising the rate required. To raise the taxation of Ireland to a level with England would impose much greater burdens than that plan already proposed. It was objected that the rate proposed imposed an additional burden upon property already too much bur dened; but yet it was property which both in England and in Irelan.l was charged with the support of ihe'poor. Great difficulties would attend at present the imposition of a property and income-tax. The tax proposed might be possibly continued, but the property and income-tar: would be certainly continued.—(A laugh.) He could only say that any scheme or plan proposed by the Right Hon. Gentleman the Member for Tam wo, th deserved the utmost attention; but he did not think that the cir cumstances of the present time were so similar to those under which the settlement of U;ster, under James the First, took place as to make the application of a similar policy now likely to answer the same purposes. However, he did not wish to enter into that discussion, but he only wished to say that he was not insensible of the value of any prop ,sition from so experienced a states• man as the Right Hon. Baronet. He now left the ques tion with the House. The Committee then divided, and there appeared— For the amendment ... ... 164 Against it ... 237 Majority against 73 Mr. BUNQI4DS theft moved a resolution to be added ENGINEERS, 'MASONIC, AND UNI VERSAL MUTUAL LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIE LY. The ordinary general meeting of the members of this flourishing mutual society was held yesterday, at the °frees, 345, Strand, at two o'clock'; W. F. Dobson, Esq. , M.A., occupied the chair. Mr. FREDERICK LAWRANCE, the actuary and secretary, read the following report of the directors:— " The directors heartily congratulate the members, that the principles of life assurance enunciated in their prospecZu-, combined with the zealous exertions of the assured, have secured to the society a large amount of public support. " In the interval from the 7th of June, 1848, (the date of the society's certificate of complete registration), to the close of the year, two hundred and fifty. three pro posals for assurance to the amount of 81,3301. were sub mitted to the board —twenty-eight of which, for an amount of 11,0001, were declined—and two hundred and eight policies, securing the sum of 64,5801., have been completed, the annual premiums derivable from which are 2,066/. 3s. 73. " However satisfactory this result must be, the busi ness of the office during the last two months has, pro portionately, far exceeded that of the previous half year, inasmuch as 144 additional proposals for the amount of 33,140/. have been received, and 108 already completed, making The number of policies existing with the society . . . ... 316 For an amount of £93 380 ••• • . , And the annual income from premiums £3,013 3s. 61 " Notwithstanding the large number of individuals assured, no claim has arisen from death amongst the policy-holders. The directors have only to request the continued co-operation of the members in diffusing the knowledge of the society, that the following problem may receive a satisfactory solution for their next annual report:— " If an association of twenty persons, acting zealously upon the purest principles of life assurance, and pro mulgating widely its inestimable benefits, have obtained, in less than seven months, so large an accession to their numbers, what amount of business can be produced by the combined exertions of more than three hundred members?" The report of the auditors, Messrs. Cates, Cullington, Surrage, and Tatham, which was also read, testified to the careful examination by them of the accounts of the directors, and that they were strictly correct. The CHAIRSIAN then moved the adoption of the re port. In doing so he assured the members that the accounts had been submitted to the test of the most rigid examination on the part of the auditors, and that it was highly gratifying o the directors to find that these gen tlemen had reported most favourably upon them. The members would be good enough to bear in mind that though the receipts only extended over and represented the business transacted by the society during the last six months, yet that the disbursements extended over a much larger space of time, namely, whilst the promoters of the undertaking were embodying it; and doubtless it would be satisfactory to the members to learn that the entire expense of obtaining and furnishing the very eligible premises in which they were assembled, and, indeed, all the preliminary expenses from its establishment, were comprised in the accounts that day submitted to them. It gave the directors the most unfeigned pleasure to inform them that the past progress indicated that success could not fail to attend the labours of the institution in the future—(H ear )— yet, as the success of some men often engendered envy and spleen in his neighbours, they could not be surprised to learn that this society had not been altogether free from remarks, possibly offered in a good-natured spirit, upon its plan and position. It bad been said that though a quantity of business had been transacted, and would doubtless continue. to be transacted, though they had effected a large number of policies, yet that the quality of the business was not of such a nature as to ensure security. He thought that the foot note at tached to the report was the best answer he could offer to the observations to which he referred. The 208 policies issued during the half-year were dis persed among and had the advantage of all the chances incidental to the lives of 203 individuals.—(Cheers.) The remaining policiy-holders had exhibited the estimation in which they held the society by taking up additional polices. They had 23 policies for 1,000/., amounting to 23,000/.; 28 for 500/., amounting to 14,0001.; 23 for 300/., amounting to 6,9001.; and 73 for 100/., amounting to 7,300/., which presented a pretty fair test of the character and amount of the business transacted. Again it was said that they caught at all policies that were offered—in fact, that all was fish that came to their net.—(Laughter.) Now this was not true, inasmuch as they declined all lives which they could not accept with fairness to the members; they threw such lives over board. Thanks to the excellent skill and discrimination of the medical officers, whose ability and care he could not too highly commend—(Cheers) —the directors had declined twenty•eight policies for 11,0001., being in fact eleven per cent. of the number of pro posals effected, or thirteen per cent, of the entire number offered for their acceptance.—(Cheers.) Care and caution or this nature must influence to a vast extent the prosperity of any office based on a similar foundation to theirs. It h id been also said, that during the first year a mutual society like this, exhausted all its connexion and influence, the directors having by that time brought in all their personal friends; and that, therefore, during the second year its progress must, as a matter of course, be slow. Now, on a comparison of the amount of business transacted last year with what had been done in the present, he found that during each month of the present year the number of policies issued, and their amount, far ex ceeded the number issued during any month in the past year.—(Hear, hear.) He had observed in the reports recently issued by other offices that any falling off of business was attrikuted to the late commercial depres sion. Now he did not agree in that view, as he con sidered that prudent and diligent men, of whom assurers generally consisted, became more thoughtrul with respect to the future condition of their families when they found that their business did not realise so much as in former years; they naturally adopted the very salutary means of effecting that purpose offered by life assurance. lie, therefore, on the contrary, attri buted much of the success of the office to the recent commercial distress.—(hear, hear.) lie did not think the promoters of the society were wrong when they en tertained the belief that there was room for another new office ; indeed, the results of its working had satis fied the directors that this society had been the means of developing, in a popular and advantageous manner, the great benefit of life assurance, of enabling those classes to assure their lives, who, but for its system, would, perhaps, not assure their lives at all ; and he be lieved, as its great advantages continued to develop themselves, and the sphere of its labours was, therefore, augmented, that its patrons and supporters would in crease in the same ratio. If any jealousy was entertained towards them by any other office, ho assured the members, that the feeling was not reciprocated, since their plan, their labours, and their success presented fea tures of honourable emulation.—(Cheers.) And they might depend upon it, if the exertions of the directors were seconded in the proper spirit by the members, as he was sure they would be, and if all their transactions were actuated by two great and fixed principles—liberality and good faith to the public, and caution and economy in the management (to accomplish which nothing should be wanting on the part of the directors)—he saw no reason why the office should not have an unbounded and uninter rupted career of success. Having expressed his wish to reply to any questions that might be put, he concluded by moving the adoption of the report.—(Cheers.) Mr. M. J. TATHAM (one of the auditors) seconded the motion. It bad been his duty, in conjunction with the other auditors, to examine the accounts, arid it gave him great pleasure to state that they were kept accurately and carefully. So well were they arranged, and so easy of reference, that he considered the directors de served their warmest thanks for the care, zeal, and atten tion they had devoted to their affairs. The motion was carried unanimously. Mr. CULLINGTON proposed the re-election of the four dirt ctors who had retired by rotation, namely, G. W. Dasent, Esq., C. J. Longridge, E s q., the Rev. J. W. Watson, M.A., and T. L. Wilson, Esq. Irrespective of his character as one of the auditors, he wished to state that he held endow ment policies in the so ciety in favour of his children, and many of his friends, on his recommendation, bad assured in it. They would believe him, therefore, when he said that he had been anxious to see Low the affairs of the society were conducted. He had had an opportunity of judging in his capacity as auditor, and he assured the members that the result was most satisfactory.—(Hear, hear.) They could, therefore, safely congratulate themselves on having a most efficient and industrious body of directors, and he had much pleasure in moving that they be re• quested to resume their seats at the board, and there continue those exertions which they had commenced so admirably.—(acers.) Mr. GRIFFIN seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. The Rev. Mr. WATSON thanked the members on be half of himself and his co-directors for restoring them to their places on the board. They had been put upon their trial, as to whether they . had or had not during the few months they had been in office neglected the in terests of the society. They bad pleaded " not guilty," and by their verdict the members had affirmed and established their plea, and found it to be a good one.— (Hear, hear.) It should be their earnest desire to justify what the members had done by diligence, and by every means in their power promoting the interests and success of the society, which had so auspici ously begun. Indeed, it was their bounden duty to do so, since the object of the society was the maintenance of man y f a milies, when the ha n d or t h e h ea d now winning their broad was laid low in the dust.— (Hear.) Ile had heard this objection raised to life as surance—that in a religious point of view it was an act of great presumption. Now it came within lets province to assert the contrary—(liear) — that life assurance was a practical acknowledgment of their conviction of the uncertainty of that tenure by which they held their pre nt frail existence. In fact, every man desirous of pro viding for those near and dear to him in the event of his death might justify the assurance of his life on very many grounds; if indeed any justification of such an act were required they had it in the words of David of old, alio exclaimed " There is but a step be tween me and death."—(Cheers.) Mr. DAINES moved the re-election of Mr Tatham as one of the auditors, which was seconded by Mr. COHEN, and carried. Mr. TATHAM expressed his acknowledgments. On the motion of Mr. GRIFFIN, a vote of thanks wed awarded to the directors. The CHAIRMAN returned thanks, and drew attention to the fact that though the attendance of the members was not large, yet that there was a large attendance of directors, and during the list two months the attendance of directors had not ,been less than ten at any of their meetings. Though their society might not be graced with royal patroiiage, Yet with confiden c e the members to the original one, the object of which was to increase the funds proposed to' be raised by a ratein aid, by charg ing it on all salaries derived from Government offices in Ir,land of not h , ss than 1501., on property in the funds, and other property. Lord JOHN RUSSELL suggested that the original resolution should first be adopted, and that the Hon. llember's resolution be then moved as a substantive motion. Mr. SPOONER called upon the Hon. Member for ilutilin to show his sincerity in this question by putting his resolution as words to be added to the original one. Mr. REYNOLDS said that, as he was aware it was competent for him to move his resolution as a resohi tion to be added to the original one, be should persist in his intention of moving the resolution in that shape. After a few words from Mr. A. STAFFORD, who said he should take no part in the question, The Committee again divided, when there appeared— For the motion ... 51 Against it ... ... 212 Majority ... . . —l6l The Committee then divided on the main question, what there appeared— For the resolution ... ... 206 Against it 34 Majority ••• ... .. —172 The House resumed, the Chairman reported the re solution, and leave was given to bring in a Bill founded upon it. The Petty Sessions Bill, and the distraining for Rates Bill were then read a third time. The Committee on the Spirits (Ireland) Bill was post poned till Thursday, and the House then adjourned at a Quarter to Two o'clock. PARLIAMEN'T'ARY B USINESS. (From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Comnions. TUESDAY, MARCH 6. STANDING ORDERS COMMITTEE. The following Resolution was reported from the above Committee : _ _ _ That in the case of the London Corporation petition for extending the time for presenting the Bill, the standing orders ought to be dispensed with :—That the time for pre senting the Bill be extended to Tuesday next, the 13th inst. Resolution agreed to. _ PARLIAMENTARY DIVISIONS. (From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Commons.) TUESDAY, MARCH 6. POOR-LAWS (IRELAND). (IN THE COMMITTEE.) Motion made, and Question proposed, " That in each of the next two years there shall be paid by every Union in Ireland a sum equal to a rate of sixpence is the pound on each electoral division in such Union, towards a General Fund for the relief of the Poor in Ireland:"—Amendment proposed, to leave out from the words " next two years" to the end of the Question, in order to add the words " an auxiliary fund for the relief of the extraordinary distress in Ireland be raised, by a rate not exceeding sixpence in the pound, to be levied upon all proparty and income in Ireland above the annual value of l-)0/,' instead thereof:—Question put, " That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Question" The Committee divided : MAJORITY—AYES, 237. Abdy, T. N. Grey, Sir G. Peel, Frederick Adair, It. Shafto G ey, R. W. Perfect, R. Anson, Colonel Grosvenor, Earl Philips, Sir G. R. Amon, Viscount Guest, Sir J. Pigott, Francis Armstrong, Sir A. Hallyburton, Lord J. Pilkington, James Armstrong, R. B. Harcourt, G. Pinney, William Arundel, Earl of Harris, Richard Plowden, W. H. Ashley, Lord Hastie, Alexander Power, Nicholas Bagsha w, John nestle, Archibald Powlett. Lord W. Baines, 31. T. Hawes, B. Price, Sir Robert Baring, Sir F. T. Hay, Lord J. Pryse, Pryse Bass, M. T. Hayter, W. G. Reid, Colonel Bellew, R. If. Heneage, G. H. W. Reynolds, John Berkeley, Captain Henry, Alexander Ricardo, Osman Berkeley, H. Heyworth, Lawrence Rice, E. R. _ Berkeley, C. L. G. Hindley Charles Rich, Henry Birch, Sir Thomas Hobhouse, Sir J. Robartes, T. J. Rlandford, Marquis Hobhouse, T. B. Roche, E. B. Boyle, Colonel Hodges, T. Twisden Romilly, Sir John Bracktey, Viscount Hogg, Sir J. Rumbold, C. E. Bright, John Hollond, Robert Russell, Lord J. Brockman, E. D. Hope, Sir .7. Russell, F. C. Brotherton, Joseph Hope, H. T. Rutherfurd, A. Brown, H. Howard, Lord B. Salwey, Colonel Brown, W. Howard, C. W.l Sandars, George Browne, R. D. Howard, E. G. Sanders, Joseph Bruce, LordlE. Howard, P. H. Scholefield, William Rulkeley, Sir R. B. Hume, J. Seaham, Viscount Bunbury, E. H. Jackson, William Seymser, H. K. Butler, P. S. Jervis, Sir John Seymour, Lord Buxton, sir E. Keating, Robert Shea°, R. D. Cardwell, Edward Keppel, George T. Shell, R. L. Carter, John B. Kershaw, James Sheridan, R. B. Cavendish, C. C. Kildare,",Marquis of Shirley, E. J. Cavendish, 41;H. Labouchere, Henry Smith, Vernon Chaplin, W. J. Langston, J. H., Smith, 31. Tucker Charter.s, Francis Lascelles, W. S. Smith, John B. Clay, James Lemon, Sir Charles Somerville, Sir W. Clay, Sir W. Lewis, Sir T. Spearman, H.J. Clerk, SiriG.' Lewis, G. C. Stansfield, W. R. C. Cobden, Richard Littleton, E. It Stanton, W. S. Cockburn, Alex. Loch, James Staunton, Sir G. Copeland, Alderman Locke, Joseph Stuart, Lord D. Cowper, W. F. Lushington, C. Stuart, Lord J. Craig, W. G. Mackinnon, W. A. Talbot, C. R. Crowder, R. B. M`Cullagh, W. T. Tancred, H. W. Currie, Raikes 3PGregor, John Tennent, 1.. J. Dashwood, G. IL Mahon. O'Gorman Thicknesse, Ralph Davie, Sir Henry Maitland, Thomas Thompson, Colonel Dawson, T. V. Mangles, R. D. Thompson, George D'Eyncourt, C. T. Marshall, W. Thornely, T. Douglas, Sir C. Martin, C. W. Tollemache, F. J Douro, Marquis of Masterman, John Towneley, John Drummond, Henry Matheson, Alex. Townley, R. G. Duckworth, Sir J. Matheson, Colonel Townshend. Captain Duff, G. S. Melguad, Viscount Trelawny; J. S. Duncan, Viscount Milner, W. M.. Tynte, Colonel Duncan, George Milnes, R. Monckton Vane, Lord H. Dundas, Admiral Mitchell, T. A. Verney, Sir IL Dundas, Sir David Moore, G. 11. Villiers, Charles Dunne, F. P. Morison, Sir W. Walmsley, Sir J. Ebrington, Viscount Morris, David Walter, John Ellice, Edward 31ewatt, Francis Ward, H. G. Ellis, John Mulgrave, Earl Watkins, Colonel Elliot, J. E. Norreys, Lord Wawn, J. T. Enfield, Lord Norreys, Sir D. Wellesley, Lord C. Euston, Earl O'Connell, John Westhead, J. P. Evans, William Ogle, S. C. Willcox, Brodie Ewart, William Ord, William Williams, John Fagan, William Oswald, A. Will; ams, H. Fergus, John Owen, Sir John Williamson, Sir H. Ferguson, Colonel Paget, Lord A. Wilson, James Fordyce, A. D. Paget, Lord Clarence Wilson, Matthew Forster, M. Paget, Lord George Wood, Sir Charles Fox, W. J. Palmerston, Viscount Wood, W. I'. Freestun, Colonel Parker. John Wyld, James Glyn, G. C. Pearson, Charles Wyvill, Marmadeike Goddard, A. L. Pechell, Captain TELLERS. Graham, Sir J. Peel, Sir Robert Hill, Lord M. Grenfell, Charles W. Peel, Colonel Turnell, 11.. MINORITY—NOES, 164. Adair, Hugh E. Fottescue, Chichester Morgan, H. K. Adare, Viscount Fox, R. M. Morgan, 0. Adderley, C. B. Fox, S. L. Mullings, J. R. Alexander, N. Frewen, C. H. Mentz, G. F. A rchdall, Captain Fuller, A. E. Napier, Joseph Arkwright, G. Galway, Viscount Neeld, Joseph Bagge, W. Gaskell, .1. M. Newdegate, C. N. Bankes, G. Gladstone, W. E. Newport, Visct. Baring, Thomas Gore, W. R. 0. Newry, Viscount Barrington, Viscount Goulburn, Henry Nugent, Sir Percy Barron, Sir H. Grace, 0. D. O'nrien, Sir Lucius Bennet, Philip Greene. John O'Connell, M. J. Beresford, William Gwyn, Howel O'Connor, Feargus Bernard, Viscount Haggitt, F. R. O'Flaherty, Anthony Blake. Martin J. Raiford, Sir Henry Packe, C. W. Boldero, Henry Hamilton, G. A. Plgot, Sir R. Bourke, R. S. Hamilton, J. H. Plumptre, J. P. Bowles. Admiral Morris, Captain Repton, G. W. S. Bremsidge, Richard Hayes, Sir E. " . .Richards, Richard Brisco, M. Henley; J. W. St. .George, Chris. Broadley, Henry Herbert, H. A. Scott, Francis Brooke, Lord Herbert, Sydney Scrope, G. P. Brooke, Sir Arthur Herries, J. C. Scully. Francis Bruce, C. L. C. Hervey; Lord,A. Simeon, John Buaer, Sir Y. Hill, Lord E. Smyth, J. G. Banbury, William Hood, Sir A. Spooner, R. Burghley, Lord Horsman, E. Stafford, Augustus Burroughes, H. N. Howard, Sir R. Stanley, Edward Callaghan, D. Jermyn, Earl Stuart, Henry Campbell, W. F. Jocelyn, Viscount Stuart, J. Carew, W. P. Jones, Captain Sullivan, Michael Castlereagh, Vie. Ker, Richard Sutton, H. M. Caulfeild, J. M. Knight, F. W. Talbot, J. H. Cayley, Edward S. Lennard, A T. B. Taylor, T. E. Chandos, Marq. of Lennox, Lora H. Tenison, E. K. Chichester, Lord J. Leslie, C. P. Thesiger, Sir F. Christy, Samuel Lewisham, Viscount Thompson, Alderman Clements, Charles Lincoln. Earl of Trevor, G. R. Clive, Henry B. Lindsay, Colonel Turner, George Cobbold, J. C. Lockhart, W. Tyrrell, Sir J. ; Cocks, T. S. Lopes, Sir Ralph Teiner, Sir W. Cole, H. A.; Mackenzie, W. F. Vesey, T. Coles, 11. B. M`Naghten, Sir E. Vivian, J. E. Conolly, Thomas Macnamara, Major Vyse, R. H. Corry, H. Meagher, Thomas Waddington, H. S. Cotton, W. H. Mahon, Viscount Walpole, Spencer Davies, D. A. S. Mandeville, Viscount Walsh, Sir J. Dod, J. W. March, Earl of West, F. R. Dodd, G. Maunsell, T. P. Wodehouse, E. Drumlanrig, Vis. Maxwell, Hon. S. P. Wortley, J. S. De Pre, C. G. Meux, Sir H. Young, Sir John Edwards, Henry Miles, P. W. S. Fagan, James Miles, W. TELLERS. Ferguson, Sir R. Milton, Viscount Blackall, S.W. Fitzwilliam, G. W. Monsen, William Grogan, Edward Forester, G. C. Moody, C. A. Another Amendment proposed, at the end of the Question to add the words " That for the purpose of augmenting the fund proposed to be raised by a rate in aid of sixpence in the pound from all property rated to the relief of the destitute poor in Ireland for the next two years, the same rate should be charged upon all salaries paid to Government officers, being not less than 1501. per annum, and upon all income derived from the public funds, and that all moneys derived from the Tax at present collected in England on income de rived from Ireland, be for the next two years applied to the same fund :" Question put, " That those words be there added." The Committee divided:— MINORITY-AYES, 51. Barron, Sir H. Harris, Captain O'Flaherty, Anthony Bennet, Philip Hayes, Sir E. • Packe, C. W. Burroughesal. Henley, J. W. Philips, Sir G. R. Bunbury, W. Ilervey, Lord A. Power, Nicholas Callaghan, D. ' Hood, Sir A. Roche, E. B. Chaplin, W. J. Jocelyn, Viscount Scott, F. Christy, Samuel Keating, Robert Scully, Francis Clements, Charles Lindsay, Colonel Sullivan, Michael Cobbold, John C. Miles, Philip W. S. Tollemache, F. J. nod, J. W. Miles, William Trevor, G. Dodd, George Moore, George H. Tyrrell, Sir J. Duncan, Lord Morgan, H. K. Wawn, J. T. Fagan, William Muntz, G. F. Wodehouse, E. Fitzpatrick, J. W. Newdegate, N. Woretly, J. S. Fox, Richard M. Newry, Viscount Gore, W. 0. Nugent, Sir Percy TELLERS. Grace, 0. D. O'Connell, M. J.' Reynold=, Jonh Greene, John. O'Connor, reargue Spooner, Richard Butter Candles .. • • Cheese .. • Coals and Culin • • Cotton manufactures Cotton yarn .• •• Earthenware.. Fisk, herrings • • Glass .. .• .. Hardwares and cut lery •• Leather, wrought and un , vrought Linen , anufactures Line. yarn .. Machinery Metals. Iron and steel Copper and brass Lead Tin, unwrouglit • • Tin-plates .. Salt • • • • Silk manufactures • • Soap . • • • .. Sugar, refilled .. Wool, sheep and Wok alen yarn Woollen inankfactures MAJORITY-NOES, 212. Main Question put. The Committee divided : MAJORITY—AYES, 206. MINORITY-NOES, 34. Archdall, Captain Ferguson, Sir It. Nugent, Sir:Percy Bagge, William Fitzpatrick. J. W. O'Flaherty, Anthony Barron, Sir H. Gore, W. R. St. George, Chris. Bennet, P. Greene, John Scoldlf rancis Blake, 31. J. Gwyn, Bowel Sitn4nl;John Bunbury, William Hamilton, G. A. Sullliidn, Michael Callaghan, D. Hayes, Sir E. Tenison, E. K. Caulfeild, J. M. Howard, iir R. Tennent, R. J. Clements, Charles Jocelyn, Viscount Crawford, W. S. Keating, Robert TELLERS. Dawson, T. V. Leonard, T. B. Fox, Richard M. Dodd, George Miles, P. W. Dunne, Francis P. Fagan, James Newry, Viscount GLASGOW, MARCH 3.—Cotton—During the week we have had a quiet market ; a limited business has been done, and little of it on speculation. Prices are not lower than ou this day week. The transactions during February amount to from 13,000 to 15,000 bales. The yarn in the market is firm, with a tendency to :KI- N ance. Pig In n.—Our pig iron market has been very quiet during the week, but prices have not given way much. Mixed numbers may be quoted 525. cash; all No. 1, 525. 6d. to 531.; No. 1, Gart.herrie, 565. cash. Bars are in fair demand at from 61. 10s. to 71. per ton, less discount for cash. WEDNESDAY _EVENING-, MARCH 7, 1849. might say to their friends that they had a beard perfectly zealous in the cause of life assurance, and who gave personal arkl careful attztation to their affairs. Dr. enucErrx proposed a vote of thanks to the audi tors, which was carried, and one of the gentlemen re turned thanks. On the motion of Mr. MACE; a vote of thrtnks was awarded to Mr. Frederic Lawrerce, the actuary and secretary of the ofliee. In doing so he took occasion to observe that the possession of a number of small policy holders (for initauce, they had 73 holders of policies of 1001. each), was infinitely more satisfactory than a smaller number of persons holding policies for 1,000/. and upwards. He preferred to have his eggs in many baskets instead of one.—(Laughter.) The risk was less, and they had a greater number of persons inte rested in promoting a knowledge of the institution. The CEIAIRMA.N stated on behalf of himself and the directors that Mr. Lawrence's conduct during his con nexion with the society had given them the warmest satisfaction, and so long as he acted with the same z'al and fidelity which he had shown heretofore, so long would he continue to merit the entire confidence of the directors. Mr. LAWRENCE said he could not but feel highly gra tified at the way in which this vote had been proposed, more especially for the unexpected and flattering addition of the Chairman. He could not say that in the future he should use greater energy or exertions than during the past, since he had exerted himself to the utmost— that was impossible. Perhaps, from a little over-exertion the few roses which once used to decorate his cheeks had fled, but so long as he was blessed with health his best energies would be devoted to the service of the institu. tion. He hoped to labour long in their service, and die with harness on his back.—(Hear, hear.) On the motion of Mr. GRIFFIN, a rote of thanks was accorded to the Chairman. The CEIIIRNAN, in returning thanks, raid he agreed with the remarks of Mr. Macey. Since, in his opinion a large number of small policies were in finitely better than a small number of large ones. For instance, five policies of 1001 were infinitely better thin one of 500/.: the risk was more dispersed, and they had five persons instead of one diffusing a knowledge of the society.—(Cheers.) He hoped next year they would meet in the same health, and in greater number. The meeting then separated. In the evening the directors and several of the mem bers celebrated the success of the institution by a dinner at the Freemasons' Tavern. TO THE SECRETARY OF THE METROPOLITAN REFORM ASSOCIATION. Sir,—On Monday the sth, and Tuesday, the debate was sore, but dull, on the rate of sixpence in the pound in Ireland for the Poor. Tho beginning, middle, and end, of Irish politics is, not to pay; and hints moro or less remote on the importance of their "loyalty," form the stock of their argument. It is true the Ministerial plan includes the abstract and positive injustice, of levying a temporary rate on temporary incomes. But this seems nowhere understood, and therefore the resistance is in significant on this point. Sir Robert Peel, like Mrs. Chick, advises Ireland to " make an effort;" and his proposal to buy the Connemara estate for an experimental farm by the Government, has the air of a dream after fall ing asleep over the history of the British Solomon's " plantations." On Tuesday Lord John Russell announced the deci sion on the new Commander-in. Chief for India. There is no opportunity for inserting a word on these occasions; otherwise it might have been stuff o' the conscience to ask, whether there had been taken into account the pro bability that on the first advices, the allies and neutrals will go over en masse if there are any. It has often been a question, whether talking in the House of Commons convinces anybody. It eases men's minds. It must have been on this ground that the speak ing on the Irish question was continued so long, after the strength of parties had been tried by a division of 251 against 104 on a motion for adjournment. The whole was finally wound up by a division of 206 against 34 on the main question. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, AN OLD REFORMER. London, March 7, 1849. BOARD OF TRADE RETURNS. With respect to exports, the return is strikingly favourable, and such as to confirm the highest expecta tions expressed at the commencement of the present year. As compared with the month ending the sth of January, 1848, they present an increase of not less than 589,3011. The increase in cotton, woollen, and linen manufactures is very striking, and the continued falling-off in the exportation of machinery still shows the check which has been given to foreign production. The following table will show specifically the manner in which this has occurred:— DECLARED VALUE OF EXPO' Month ending Jan. 5. 1848. 14,549 3,469 1,809 1849. 25,592 6,040 1,943 61,732 1,292,932 410,037 60,571 8,841 17,779 66,439 1,720,289 434,156 62,697 13,648 19,754 189,447 24,578 327,599 49,760 29,805 241,033 124,561 9,492 7,030 37,145 26,062 64,606 19,63 30,317 11,043 2,571 4,707 427,357 74,119 2,126 4,607 975 25,354 64,140 512,575 10,464 59,28 I 15,417 3,161 14,093 15,291 4,075 Decrease. 14,443 46,290 3,660,444 4,249,745 3,934 71 040 724,610 41,618 9,769 7,980 8,178 6,512 135,309 The exports for the entire year amount to 46,407,9391., and the total decrease is 4,597,0001. The variations of each month are subjoined:— Increase. Decrease. X. X. Month ending February 5 149,223 March 5.. ...... 151,535 ... April 5 May 5 ••• Juno 5,.......... July 5 August Sept. 5. October 10 Nov. 5 30,994 • Dec. 5 Jan. 5 589,301 ... ... 580,583 ... 1,467,117 1,122,0J9 ... 953,353 925,284 ... 530,381 .. 63,260 BANK OF FRANCE. The following is a return of the situation of tho Bank of Franco up to March 1: ASSETS. ... f. 173,892,623 96 . . 129,448.352 00 2,295,697 96 Cash and ingots ••• Ditto in branch banks Bills past duo Bills falling due in Paris, of which 14,620,680 f. Ge. are from the branch banks ••• ••• ... 49,412,885 52 Bills in the branch banks .. ... 91,487,502 62 Advances on coins and ingots... ... 20,655,548 00 Ditto on French public securities ... 31,363,454 40 Ditto by branch b an k s ... 1,554,337 00 Ditto to the State on Bons du Tresor... 50,000,000 00 Ditto on the loan of 150 millions ... 50,000,000 00 Rentes of the reserve fund ... 10,000,000 00 Rentes, disposable funds ... ... 42,581,488 13 Investments of the new branch banks in the public funds ... 12,806,741 39 Hotel and furniture of the Bank ... 4,000,000 00 Real property of the branch banks ... 2,273,734 00 Loan of 10,000,000 f. to the city of Paris 7,000,000 00 Interest in National Discount Bank ... 200,000 00 Ditto branch banks ... 230,000 00 Bills protested at Paris ••• ••• 8,765,756 04 Ditto at the branches ... ... 4,534,955 00 Expenses of administration of the Bank 246,762 74 Ditto of the branches ... 143,547 00 Miscellaneous 453,069 15 Advance to the department of the Seine ••• ••• ••• 2,000,000 00 Loan of 3,000,000 f. to the City of Mar seilles 750,000 00 f. 696,096,454 91 AMERICAN NEWTS. LIVERPOOL, TUESDAY.—The North American mail steam-ship Niagara, Captain Stone, arrived at this port this afternoon from Boston and Halifax, with the usual mails, and 70 paSsengers. Her dites are New York, 20th ; Boston, 21st; and Halifax, 23/1 ult. We have particulars of the loss of the Forth on the 14th of January, at 5 o'clock r.m. She struck on the south east side of the Alacranes, and was soon afterwards abandoned, the passengers and crew saving most of their effects. The passengers and crew arrived at Campeachy on the 18th of January, after suffering much hardship. The officers and part of the passengers left three days after for Havannah —part of the passengers left for Vera Cruz. Several took passage on the 21st of January. The Forth had passengers for New Orleans, as well as r Bermuda. The Niagara brings the mails intended for the un fortunate t•teatner Forth. The mail steamer Europa, Captain Lott, arrived at Halifax on the 21,t, and proceeded to New York, which she would reach on the 23d ult., in 13 days from Liverpool. The proceedings of Congress had not been im portant. Nothing decisive had been done with the Panama Railway scheme projected by Messrs. As pinwall. The slavery question had exhibited no new feature. The Bill before the House of Representa tives, providing for the formation of a Home Depart ment in the Central Government, had received the assent of a majority of 112 to 78. An Assistant- Secretary of the Treasury was also to be created. A memorial had been laid before the Senate from cer tain parties, proposing to construct a railroad across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. It was not acted upon prominently. On the 19th, in the Senate, a sharp discussion took place relative to slavery ; resolutions condemnatory of interference being presented from Florida. On the same day, in the Senate, Mr. King presented the memorial of certain citizens, proposing to carry the mails and military stores of the United States across the Isthmus of Panama, for a sum not exceeding 12,000 dolls. per annum. The petition was referred to the committee on Military Affairs. On the 19th, also, in the Senate, Mr. Douglass, of Illinois, moved to take up the Bill for the organization of a territorial Government in California, upon which the yeas and nays being ordered, the result stood —yeas 10, nays 35. General Taylor, the President elect, was shortly expected at Washington. He had already offered the office of Secretary of State under his administration to the Hon. John M. Clayton, and that gentleman, our advices state, had accepted the appointment. The National Intelligencer, the most " relia bie" of the journals of the capital, state that Mr. Crittenden " will not accept any place in the Cabi net." Mr. Clayton is opposed to slavery, "in the broad sense of the term," it is reported in one quar ter; in another he is said to be " a discourager of fanaticism." He is representative of Delaware. The following is an extract from a speech delivered by General Taylor at Memphis, Tennessee, on the 3d ult.; it is brief and promising : "He had been called by his countrymen to a new theatre—from a long military life to a civil position of the greatest public trust; and in entering upon the dis charge of those high duties, he did so greatly distrust ing his own abilities to discharge them in such a manner as their great responsibilities might demand; but he should look for assistance and support not to this man, or to that, but to the whole people, to whom he was indebted. The office was not one of his own seeking, nor had it been secured by any effort of his. In electing him to the Presidency of the United States, the people had mainly looked forward to good govern ment and a just administration of the laws; and in en deavouring to carry out their wishes in this regard (al though no one could rival the Father of his country), it was left for those who might succeed him to emulate his example as far as possible. He again thanked the citizens of Memphis, through their representatives, on this occasion, for this warm manifestation of their regard." — Accounts from Venezuela, via Puerto Cabello, of the 28th ult., state that the late naval engagement between the rival fleets of Monagas and Paez was much more decisive than was at first reported. The Monagas party had been completely triumphant, and war was now considered as being at an end. At the capture of the fleet of General Paez a large number of prisoners were taken, among whom were three of General Paez's sons. The provinces had become tranquil; business of all kinds was improving, and was likely in a short time to resume its usual ac- tivity. - From 'Mexico we have dates to the 26th cf Janu ary, being three days later. The insurrection, headed by Don Estevan Leon, in the vicinity of Toluca, in the district of Mexico, has not yet been entirely quelled. From Valparai3o we have dates to the 22d of De cember, via Panama. From the 25th to the 30th of November, 113 persons took out passports to Cali fornia. Bolivia was in a very unsettled condition revolutions and counter-revolutions were the order of the day. That under General Beizu was the last re volution. From Havannah we have dates to the 7th ult. by the steam ship Isabel of Charleston. Fine rains had set in in Cuba, after a prolonged drought. The United States' steamer Isthmus arrived at llavannah on the sth from Chagres, which port she left on the 26;11 of January, and an officer who came in her, bearer of dispatches to the United States' Government, fully confirms the previous reports in regard to the abundance of gold in California, of which, it is said, he has specimens to take on with him. • should you have reasonable doubts of their character you will . board them tor the purpose of ascertaining if such 'suspicious vessels remain in po , sessien of the persoa-who cleared them from the last port. Should you find, On boarding any vessel, that any act of mutiay.or other unlawful violence has been c omm i tted to the, prejudice of the rightful owners, you will repair the injury in,-the best way you can, by reatoring order on board, and by takin , out any murderer or mutineer that the master or owner on board such vessel may request you to tale on board. Should it be necessary to send any such vessel into port, if other than one sailing under the flag of the Ui.i.:ed States, she must be sent to the port whence she la,t sailed, if west of Cape Horn, with a letter to. the Government or Consul of the nation whose flag she may bear. Individuals and Americans sent in under this order will be sent to this port. " In discharge of the foregoing highly important and delicate duties, moderation and great circumspection are strictly enjoined on 3 ou; and whenever it is necessary to beard a vessel, especially when under a foreign flag, you will do so with the b ast practicable d lay or hindrance, taking care to make known to the master the true and only object of your visit. *. Rospectfully, your obedient servant, " Taos. AP C. JONES, " Commanchr-in-Chief United States' NATAL Forces, Pacific Ocean. "'To —, &c. " True copy—;eat: "' W. M. STEUART. " ' Secretary to the Commander-in-Chief United States' Naval Forces, Pacific Ocean." " San Franci,co (Upper California), Dec. 3, 1948. " ' Sir,—The long looked for St. Mary's, Commander Cron inshield, joined me at this place on the 12th in t. " TrlnlliS AP C. JONES, " Commander-in-Chief United States' Naval Force Pacific Ocean. _ " ' The Hon. John Y. Mason, Secretary of the Navy." The Union adis From Chagres the dates are about a fortnight later than those by the last arrival, and the advices relative to the subject of California are of great interest. The third ship of the Pacific Mail Line of Messrs. Howland and Aspinall was about to leave New York for Rio, Panama, and San Francisco. She would take out 33,000 dolls. in specie. She completed the line, the steam-ships California and Oregon being already at Panama. The California arrived on the 18th of January. She, and two ships that were there, would take all the passengers to San Francisco—be tween 600 and 700—who were waiting their depar ture on the 20th ult. The California left Valparaiso on the 22d of December, and Callao on the 10th of January. Six ships had left the former port for California since the Ist of November, and 10 were loading for the same region. The steamer Cali fornia brought to Panama from Callao and Pay ta 118,600 dulls. in specie for California, 17 cabin passengers, and 52 steerage ditto. The California spoke on the Pacific coast 35 vessels bound for California. The accounts from the Californian gold regions continue ample. We extract the following official documents from the Washington Union of the 14th ult.:— " We are indebted to the Secretary of the Navy far the following very interesting letters just rect ived from Commodore Jones. They were forwarded from Mazat lan by our consul, Air. Parrot, thence across land to Vera Cruz, and transmitted to Pensacola, thence by mail to Washington:— " Flag ship Ohio, San Francisco, Dec. 22, 1848. " Sir,—My letters from Nos. 33 to 42 inclusive, dispatched from Monterey by Lieutenant Lanman, and from this place by the Lexington, will fully inform you of the operations of the squadron since our departure from the Gulf of California. Nothing material has occurred since my last date. Desertions are less frequent, the Ohio having lost but oi:e man since her arrival here ; and I think the disposition to desert is not so general; but that may be owing to the inclemency of the season, which, for a while, must suspend the digging and washing fur gold, except by such persons as are most amply supplied with good houses and all the ',necessaries of life requisite for a winter's campaign in a rigid climate, affording nothing for the use of man but gold. Incredible quantities of gold are yet daily collected, and scarcely a week elapses without some new discovery of the precious metal more startling than any previous one. It is said that a small party of five or six persons, a few days ago, struck upon a pocket, as they term certain deposits, from which in two days they obtained 30,000 dollars Of pure gold. Within the last three weeks we have certain ac counts of fifteen murders. In one instance an entire household of ten persons—a respectable ranchero, his wife, two children, and six servants. The man, whose name was Reid, bad been very successful in the dig gings during the summer, and had returned to his house near Santa Barbara with a large amount of gold. His house was surprised by an armed party, and the whole family, as above stated, were barbarously murdered, and the house rifled of its golden still at treasure. The perpetrators of this horrid deed a large. Of the other five cases, fourarerehighwwiathy robberies committed on persons r eturning I may say gold from the mines. In a word, erty p are insecure with truth, that both person sorry to add in Upper California at this andtiaend v a p n i o r d l o e l n c a e ca , as yet dis that, in all cases of outrage e _ United States, disbanded covered, emigrants from I r t s and deserters from the army volunteers, runaway and navy, are believe s d al t o be , the perpetrators. s attended with murder have been " The mutinie s fully confirmed, and have caused much uneasiness to shippers of gold froml this coast. " A recent arrive from Callao reports that the Ade lina had been taken into that port, and the mutineers, e i g ht in number, promptly executed. ...x have the honour to he, your obedient servant, "`THOMAS AP C. JONES, " 'Commander-in - Chief United States' Naval Forces, Pacific Ocean. " 'The Hon. John Y. Ma son , S ecretary of the Navy. p " . S.—Since the above letter was written we have accounts of more murders. One in the town of Sonoma, and another in the vicinity. " December 25, 1848. " San Francisco, Dec. 18, 1848. " Sir,—ln consequence of the late rnutinous . and mar derous proceedings on board the Chilian barque Adelina and the English schooner Amelia, increased vigilance is required to guard the lives and property of all lawfully navigating the high seas. " You will, therefore, henceforth, in makir passages from port to port, scrutinize closely the appearance and manceuvring of all vessels you fall in with at sea; and " Lieutenant Lanman, of the United States' Navy, arrived last evening in Washington, as bearer of die• patches from the Commander of the Pacific squadron. At Payta, on the 12th January ult., he took passage in the mail steamer C:slit'ornia, and arrived at Panama on the 171 h. On the 26th the California was to sail for San Francisco. We learn from Lieutenant Lanman that there were about 500 persons, including General Smith and other officers, waiting at Panama for a pas. sage up the coast. Lieutenant Lanman is confident in the opinion that they were all accommodated with • passage in the steamer. The American ship Phila delphia and an English vessel discharged coal at Panama. There had not been much sickness or mortality on the Isthmus." The following extracts from a letter are from the National Intelligencer, published at Washington : " To give you some idea of the state of things here, I will mention the prices of a few of the necessaries of life. Flour has been selling at 300 dollars per barrel, pork 70c. per lb., brandy 60 dollars per gallon, and most other things in proportion. I trust J. will not take it into his head to emigrate. Gold-hunting is a most dangerous amusement. The mortality is really frightful among the gold diggers, and the poor beggarly-l oo ki ng creatures returning from th e m i nes h ave, no doubt, paid dearly for their peck or two of gold." Touching the movement to the gold regions, the New York Herald says : " The golden sands of the Sacramento, and the auri ferous produce of the soil bordering on the San Joaquin, continue to be an absorbing topic of conversa tion among all classes of society. Thousands of adven turous young men, armed with implements for gold digging, and for washing, smelting, and assaying the ore after it has been gathered, are on their way to El Dorado, and thousands more are preparing to embark for the same distant region. The accounts that have been recently received, confirmatory as they are of the official statements that have been published concerning the great, and almost lavish, abundance of gold in California, have strengthened the wandering in a determination to seek their fortunes as gold diggers, and incited many who are in comfortable circumstances to throw up all— friends, relatives, and business—for the chance of mak ing a fortune among the placers. In fact emigration to California has hardly yet commenced. Several thou sands of our citizens, from various sections of the country, have gone thither, but that number is only as a drop In the bucket to that which will follow. " RECAPITULATION OF DEPARTURES TO CALI FORNIA. " Total in 141 vessels, via Cape Horn 24 Chagres - 6 The Brazos - 5 Vera Cruz - 1 Tampico... - 1 San Juan River ... .. 8,484 ... ... 1,769 ... 406 .•• •.• 449 ... ••• " Total in 178 vessels ... 11,160 "If the gold excitement does not abate, we think it very probable that 25,000 more adventurers will be on their ay to California and the gold diggings before the Ist of May next. There are many companies being formed in the Western and South-Western states, th• members of which intend proceeding overland through our own territory, and are only waiting for the season to be a little more advanced to take up the line of march for the shores of the Pacific. The probability is that there will be 50,000 gold diggers at work in the mines before the lit of January, 1850, and perhaps 100,000. COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. NEW YORE, FEB. 20.—The retention of coin by the Sub-Treasury, owing to the recent heavy importations, has tightened the mosey market. The export of coin to California has also a visible influence; and discount in IV:JR-street, now rules at from 9 to 12 per cent. per annum ; and on call money is sought for, on the best so. curities, at from 6 to 7 per cent. per annum. Foreign Exchanges have declined, and the supply is inereait d. The transactions for the steamer have been considerable. Quotations are 107 i to 108. The Herald says:— " The demand for foreign exchange for remittance by the steamer Niagara, which leaves Boston on Wed nesday fur Liverpool, has thus far been limited. Sterling bills have fallen off a fraction in rates, and the supply on the market is large. We quote prime bills on London at 7 to 7i per cent. premium; on Paris, sf. 30e. to sf. 27ic.; Amsterdam, 39/ to 40 ; Bremen, 78 to 78i ; ['ambit! gh, 35 to 354. " The State Treasurer of Ohio has announced his readiness to pay off the faith and credit and Miami ex tension stock belonging to the domestic debt of the State, to the amount of 245,152 dolls, on demand, and that the interest will be punctually paid on the Ist of May next," The Tribune says : " The Niagara, it is believed, will take out a consider able amount of Government stock as remittances. " The exchange market has had a downward ten dency. The improvement in the Liverpool cotton mar ket, and the supplies of Government Stock sent forward to London, have produced a surplus of bills. Sterling is quoted at 7i to 8 per cent. for favourite names. Francs are heavy at 5 dolls. 30c. to 5 dolls. 27ic.; Guilders 392 to 40; Banco Marks 35 to 35i; Rix Dollars 78 to 781. " Ihe movement in vessels for the California trade, which has taken a large number from the regular freight. ing trade, has caused an advance of about 10 per cent. in the price of vessels, and has sustained the rates of freight. For Liverpool the rates are:—Cotton per lb., 9-32 d.; flour, per barrel, 21.; naval stores, per barrel, 2s. 6d.; grain, per bushel, 7d. to 7d.; provisions, per barrel, 24. 6d.; heavy goods, per ton, 255. to 30s. " For London.—Flour, per barrel, 25.; naval stores, per barrel, 2s. 6d. to 3s. ' ; heavy goods, per ton, 30s. to 355.; tobacco, per hhd., 305.; provisions, per barrel, 35.; measurement, per ton, 30s. "Tu Havre.—Cutt,n, per lb. ic. rice, per ton, 10 dolli.; hone, per lb. i c . ; as h es, per ton, 8 dolls. to 10 dolls.; bark, per ton, 12 dolls.; measurement, per ton, 10 dolls." The Courier and Inquirer says : "The general condition of the country is easy and prosperous ; the excess of imports has indeed the effect of deranging currency and producing uneasiness in the money market, by the abstraction of coin from the milli of the banks in larger amounts than are needed for im mediate disbursement. Still, the condition of the European exchanges is such as to render certain that no export of coin is likely to occur from our side, and as California will assuredly contribute some gold to our supply ere long, there see ms no reason to apprehend serious pressure in the money market. The Treasury of the United States is strong, and the payment of some two millions of d o ll ars, yet due from t h e contracture for April, the large loans, h as b een postpone d till the Ist of the Government not needing it before that t ime ,. rc an d stances de siring to save interest. tinder these and Tr easury el notes United States' Six per Cent. Stock rule high ; London at the date the rise in price of these stocks the intelligence by th in e Niagara steamer of an immediate impulse here , of her departurealthough gnaovto maintained the to the extent at fi rst as . the quotati ons are higher than a active and con rbeeatocrheedt,heis sNiagaratillfelt, We refer to the quotations annexed. sideruble. arrived, and sale • " Bills on London may be quoted at from 8i to 7f, m ore being done at the lower than at the higher figures . For F ra nce, 60 day bills, the quot a ti ons are from 5 30 to 3 5 . " The rates of freight are to Liverpool for cotton in square bales 9-32 d. to 5 -16 d., and in round Id.; flour, 2s. per barrel; grain (in bulk) 7d. to 7id. per bushel for corn and wheat respectively. To London-2e. to 2s. 3d. per barrel for flour, and o th er articles in proportion. To Havre—Cotton, ie. per ound. " Foreign Exchanges p --Exchange on London, 107 i to 108; ditto on Paris, 5.35 to 5.30; ditto on Amsterdam, 391 to 40; ditto on Hamburgh, 341 to 35; ditto on Bro. men, 78 to 781.” NEW ORLEANS, Dm. 15. Cotton— the receipt of the Niagara's news the market assumed greater firmness, and sales of 13,000 bales were made yesterday at an advance in prices. The weather is unusually cold for this latitude. NEW YORK, TUESDAY MORNING, FED. 20. The transacti ms in breadatuffs for the last fortnight have been mostly confined to a moderate demand from the east, and the usual supply fur the city trade. 'The arrivals from the south have prevented much decrease of stock, and served to keep the market steady and firm, and it closes now at about 64e. to 12ic. higher than at the date of the last report. the common brand' of Brooklyn and city made are selling at 5 dolls. 5610. to 5 dolls. 62ec.; common western, and straight state and Genessee sell at 56 dolls. 2ic. to 5 dolls. 75c. Southern kinds may be quoted at 5 dolls. 27ic. to S dolls. 50c. flour is scarce at 3 dolls. 371 e. to 3 dolls. 44c. Corn meal is in light demand at 2 dolls, 871 c. to 3 dolls. Wheat has been wanted, and 40,000 to 50,000 bIISIIAI sold during the last week at 130 c. to 132 c. for Geneare©, and 110 e. to 115 e. for Ohio, per 601 b. Burlay, 64c. to 68a. per 481 b. Rye, for distilling, brings 65c. to 66C. per 5 6 1 b. Oats, 40c. to 430. per inisheL Winn corn, with light supply ► hal sold ftooly it 64c. . _:~ ;:,=.. - 203,690 14,114 258,315 34.313 76,098 922,0• , 1 131,330 6,331 15,010 22,052 10,763 72,784 11,608 36,829 25,873 60,206 471,535 LIABILITIES. Capital f. 67,900,000 00 Ditto of the Branch Banks ... ... 23,350,000 00 Reserve fund ... 10,000,000 00 Ditto of the branch banks ... 2,930,750 00 Reserve•immobilicre 4,000,000 00 Notes to bearer, in circulation ... 402,454,500 00 Ditto of the branch banks ... 17,756,200 00 Ditto to order (post-bills) ... 910,824 90 Account-current with Treasury creditor 39,520,771 08 Various accounts current ... 82,971,061 32 Ditto in branches 26,241,867 00 Bills payable at sight ... 4,897,800 00 Ditto at branches ••• .. ... 640,049 00 Bills of the branch banks payable by the Bank ... ... 6,290,970 62 Ditto of the Bank payable by branches.. 2,924,573 00 Dividends payable . . ... 411,313 25 Liquidation of the Algiers Bank 232,194 04 Discounts, interest, and expenses ... 711,750 60 Ditto branch banks ... 882,825 00 Re-discounts of the last six months 246,109 85 Ditto in branch banks .. 460,661 O. Miscellaneous ... ... 112,234 25 f. 696,096,454 91 THE NEW HISTORICAL ROMANCE " OWEN TUDOR," IIY THE AUTHOR OF " WHITEFRIARS." -- " The author of Owen Tudor,' has deservedly estab lished a high reputation in the field of historical ro mance, by the dramatic character of his narrative and the power of his descriptions. The scene of the present work is laid in France, during the reign of Charles VI., and at the period when the Duke of B u rgundy olotamed possession of Paris and the Constable D'Armagnac fell a victim to the fury of the populace. The exciting events of the time have enabled the writer to crowd his pages with incident and adventure, and to dazzle the mind by the great variety of scenes and persons which are cunstantly brought before it. Owen Tudor' must be allowed to be superior to the author's previous produc tions, and to possess many of the best qualities of that attractive though difficnit style of composition—histori cal rocaance.".--.Brigay.nia. TATIONS Increase.