The Sun. — London, England, 1827-02-22 00:00:00

obliged to alnogate, the individuals a ` 7 fellkiCer , it came into operation in favour of ~opposed to tic protected, fi o F INATCHBVLL expressed his satisfac the temperate tone in which the Noble Lord opposite had 7 :4trodueerl t e .present subject, and trusted, that when the dis c' bf the Corn Laws took place, it would be characterized b' linlitar moderation. - Mr.- DUN COMBE, while he admitted that the • Corn Laws might; to a certain extent, be beneficially revived, would never iive his consent to any measure which would have the effect of sacrificing the landed interest in order to raise up Other class of the community. Lord MILTON explained. Mr. W. W. IA HITMORE took occasion to ex press his pleasure in hearing the Noble Lord state so plainly and so temperately the objects of difference between the parties in terested in the Corn Question. Mr. MARSHALL (of Leeds) spoke at some • length, from th. Opposition side of the House ; but from the noise in the Gallery, we were unable to hear more than a few detached sentences. We understood him to say, that the persons who had suffered most from the operation of the Corn Laws had borne their distresses for a long time with great patience ; and that they now entertained very strong hopes of being relieved from the miseries incidental to the continuance of the present system of restriction—hopes which he earnestly trusted would not now he disappointed. A MEMBER (whose name we could not learn) nude some observations upon the consequences of the Corn Laws, and declared his conviction of the propriety of the remark of Mr. M'Culloch, " that the higher the rate of wages paid by the ma rufacturer to the workman, the more easily will that manufac turer be able to undersell his opponent in a foreign market ; so that, supposing France and England to be engaged in a contest Ytn. the supply of manufactures to America, Egland, if she paid a higher rate of wages to the workmen, must inevitably drive her competitor out of the field." In these opinions he most cordially concurred. Mr, G. PHILLIPS said, the great evil arising prom the prohibitions of the importation of grain was, that they prevented manufactures from being carried out of the country in return for the price at which that grain might be sold. Sir T. LETHBRIDGE could not allow the dis cussion to terminate without complaining of the high tone taken by the Noble Lord (Lord Milton) in presenting the petition, and of the insinuations which he had thrown out respecting those who were supposed to have taken upon themselves the care of watching over the interests of the landowners. The noble Lord had made use of several very extraordinary observations, man: , or which he did not at that moment feel himself able to advert to ; but there was one in par'e'ilar which struck him very forcibly, and which he could not avoid recalling to the attention of the tfouse. 'The Noble Lord said, that the Government had by their measures interfered between the people and their food. Now to considered that to lac a very naischiermis statement to go forth to the world, as he never saw any attempt to interfere, ner there could not be any attempt to interfere between the people and their food, unless when it was proposed to take that course which would have the effect of destroying those who were the true culti vators of the soil producing that food.—(A laugh, and hear, hear) The Honourable Baronet, after some other observations, concluded by protesting against any attempt to destroy what he must always consider the most important interest of the State. After a few words from a MEMBER (whose name •we could not learn), the Petition was brought up and read at length. It was from the Merchants, Manufacturers, and Inhabi tants of Leeds, praying for an immediate revision of the Corn Laws, and arguing against the absurdity of continuing so unjust a 'monopoly for the sole benefit of one portion of the Community. Lord MILTON then presented petitions on the same subject, and containing the aame prayer, from the Inhabi tants of Bradford, in Yodisnire; from the Inhabitants and Ope. rativss of the town vi Sheffield ; from the Bettor and Manufac turers of Keeling; from the Landowners and Inhabitants of Bing bey ; Ircon the Merchatts and Manufacturers of Holme Dale ; from tbe.lnhabittints of e!szldleworth ; from the Woollen Manufacturers of Pultsev ; trern the Inhabitants of Horbury ; from' the Woollen Manufaciurers and Inhabitants of the Township of Morley ; from this Inhabitants of Gomersal ; and from several other Townships in the West. Riding of York ; a similar petition was also presented from the Householders and Inhabitants of the town of Perth, in Scotland- BURNING OF WIDOWS IN INDIA. Mr. F. BUXTON moved for a copy of all cone- Tendence between the Directors of the East India Company and the Government of India, relative to the custom of Burning Widows in India ; as well as for an account of all proc ee di ngs by the Bilard on that subject since the year 1825 ; and likewise for copies of all communications received by the Company, and which have not been hitherto presented to the _House. SLAVE TRADE IN THE MAURITIUS. Mr. F. BUXTON, in rising to move for the Com mittee of which he had given notice, said, that as the subject had been already discussed in all its details, and as he did not antici pate any opposition, he would content himself with merely =r ing for the appointment of a Select Committee, to inquire whether the Slave Trade hat existed in the Mauritius—to what extent— and to what reason it is to be attributed. Mr. W. HORTON begged the Honourable Gen tleman not to press the appointment of such a Committee in the absence of his Right Honourable Friend the Secretary fur Foreign Affairs. Mr. F. BUXTON expressed his surprise, that after the Right Honourable Gentleman had, nearly nine months ago, declared his opinion in favour of inquiry, and declared the, after the charges he had heard, a Parliamentary inquiry ought to take place, there should be any opposition or hesitation In consenting to the appointment of a Committee. As there was no opportunity, however, of any immediate correspondence with that Right Hon. Gentleman, he would consent to postpone his motion for the present, upon the consideration of the Hon. Secre tary consenting to reply to two, or even one question. In case it was not the intention of the Government to send out a Com mission, the Hon. Memktr observed, as we understood, that he had an equally strong objection to a Commission at home; and he begged, therefore, to ask what ry as the intention of Government 'lna the subject ? Mr. W. HORTON replied, that he was not pre pared to give a perfectly satisfactory explanation' of the matters referred to by the Hon. Member, in the absence of his Right Hon. Friend (Mr. Canning.) He was not, however, aware that it was the intention of Government to send out a Commission to the Mauritius; and as to a Committee at home upon the subject, i•t was not, in his opinion, by say means likely to be productive of beneficial results. Mr BUXTON then withdrew his motion. COURT (►P CHANCERY. Mr. BROUGHAM wished to know whether it ' , vas the intention of the Master of the Hells to bring forward the consideration of the Law respecting the Court of Chancery, on Tuesday night next ? The Corn Laws were fixed for Monday, the Catholic Question for Thursday. Each of those debates was likely to lead to an extended disenesion, and, ;perhaps, to ad inurned debates. He was therefore at a loss to account for bring ing forward so important a question as that upon the Chancery Law on the inconvenient evening for which it IN as fixed. Mr. Secretary PEEL said, that the postponement from last Tuesday was solely occasioned by his absence from town. He was to have met the Master of the Rolls upon subjects relating to the salary of minor officers. He wa.s, however, prevented by unavoidable absence from town from attending at the appointed interview, and this was the occasion of the postponement. [A. short conversation took place across the table, from whici. we collected, that although the motion respecting the Court of Chancery might be brought forward on next Tuesday, yet a fair opportunity would be afforded for discuning the princii.le of the Bill. Mr. Brougham, Mr. Peel, and the Attorney-General took part in the conversation. BOROUGH OF NORTHAMPTON. Major MABEfti;frOeeiolJOg before the con !ideration of the House a subject which he wished to be under stood as bringing forward solely on public grounds. He trsuld rot deny that the question was one in which he felt a deep in terest ; but at the same time he disclaimed any desire of coming into hostile collision wit'a the Corporation of Northampton. He disclaimed any inimical i' , ?osition wh atever towards that body. Having thus guarded hi: -,,f against the imputation or suspicion r f personal rancour, he would proceed to state to the House the grounds on which he rested a charge against the Corporation of gross rnalvel - sation of their t rust . The Corpora- Northampton of tion of Northampto n were rich and powerful ; and th e y w i s h e d to ma k e t h a t power and those riches unduly available for the return of a Ministerial Member of Parliament for the Borough of North ampton. For this purpose they had resolved to subscribe 1,0001. towards the election of any Member who would stand on Mi n i s _ terial grounds of support. They had resolved to contribute that sum, provided the candidate (wherever he might be found) wou ld contribute hi s p ro portion of the requisite expences. Accordin g l y it was d eterm i ne d to searc h out where such a candidate could be found ; a n d although be did not propose to submit it in proof, yet there was strong reason to suppose that such a candidate ► was sought after in many places. But the point to which he was most anxious to direct the attention of the House was the malversation of trust in the Corporation in disposing of the corporate funds to purposes that were not fairly corporate. In the summons issued for the Meeting at which it was resolved to support the Candidate of Ministerial principles, it was stated that the support should be for defraying the ordinary and legal expences of the Election. Now, upon this very summons, he meant to found the charge of abuse and misapplication of the corporate money. It arrogated a dominion over the funds of the Corporation by the majority of that Corporation, which that ma jority bad no right to exercise. The power which the Corpora tion of Northampton assumed, was one which, if permitted, would ► Dave the minority of every Corporation a poor, plundered, and despoiled body, in cases such as the present. The Corporation of Northampton were placed in this situation—in this dilemma. If the majority of a Corporation have a power of binding the mi nority, in such an instance as the present, then he did not know what case could possibly arise, in any Corporation, in which the majority might not hind the minority; but, taking the other horn of the dilemma, and acting upon the principle that a majority of a corporation had not an unlitnited power of binding the minority, he would cont'etui that a corporation had no such power ; that they had a power only of binding the minority in resolutions re lating to corporate purposes ; and that, as the sum proposed to be vested was not fairly applicable to corporate purposes, such a resolution was not binding upon the whole corporation.—(Hear, hear, hear.—The Hon. Gentleman concluded by moving, " That a Select Committee be appointed to take into considera tion the Petition which had been presented to this House, from the Borough of Northampton, relating to the conduct of the Corpora tion of that Borough." On the motion of Major MABERLY, the petition was read at length by the Clerk. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL rose to express bis dissent from the Honourable Gentleman's premises, although, it ie did not do so, he should perfectly agree with him in his con elo-iion. He perfectly agreed with him, that if the conduct of ;be Corporation-of Northampton had been such as he had de cribed, that it ought to be made the !object of serious investiga tion ; and that, if neither a court of law, nor a court of equity, had any jurisdiction in the case, that it should then be brought 'antler the consideration of Parliament. But he differed entirely from the Honourable Gentleman's premises. He could not there fore concur in the Honourable Gentleman's motion for submitting it to the investigation of a Committee. In order that it might not be supposed he had the slightest wish to screen delinquency, either in this or shy other case, he willingly declared, as Attor ner•Geheral, that if a paper stating this case tvire put into his bands, and he found upon inquiry that the statements were founded in truth, he should not hesitate to put the case in the form of ah inferthation in the Court of Chancery, in order to com rel the Corporation in question to refund the money which they had so improperly applied. Mr. SPRING RICE was desirous to show the Honourable and Learned Gentleman opposite that he had fallen into what he (Mr. Rice) was convinced was an inadvertent error, If it were merely a complaint from the town of Nottingham that the Corporation had for their own benefit, or for any undue purpose misapplied their funds, it might be a question, whether the House ought to agree to 'a motion for inquiry ; but this was not a question merely concerning the corporatioh of Northampton—it affected the Corporations of all England. Suppose the case brought before the Collet Of Chancery, what was the utmost that could be expected ?--merely that the parties who had misapplied the money would be obliged to refund it. This was not the duty of the Pzpresentatives of the people. The House had only one of two courses to pursue—either by a bill, or by a standing order that they viewed the proceeding of the Corporation as an infringement of their rights and privileges, and of the rights of the electors of this country. If Corporations were allowed to apply their funds to election purposes, what individual would ever stand a contest ? Whose private purse could compete with the funds of a whole Corporation? His gallant Friend looked at protection for the future more than at punishment for the past, in bringing the subject before the house. Did the Attorney-General only mean to state what no Attorney-General would refuse to say, " that if abuses of trust were made known to him, as Attorney- General, he would allow his name to be used in prosecuting the offence." Or did the learned Gentleman's proposition amount to thisp—that he would proceed in this particular case? The ATTORNEY-GENERAL, across the table—No. Mr. SPRING RlCE—Then the Learned Gen tleman's proposition amounted to nothing.—(Cheers. )—Suppose proceedings were commenced in this case in the Court of Chan•. eery, was there any man living who. could tell when there would be a judgment given in the case ?—(Loud and repeated cheers, which were continued with vehemence for some time.)—Would an application to the Court of Chancery produce the cheap and speedy justice to remedy or controul such cases, and provide against their repetition ?—(Hear, hear !)—Was this the remedy which was so liberally tendered by the Attorney-General? If a private individual had a purse long enough to undertake a Chan , eery suit, the Attorney-General would be kind enough to lend his name to the proceedings.—(Laughter.)—Was this a mode of redressing a great public abuse ?—(Hear, hear !)—He implored the House, as they valued their own estimation and fame—nay, as they wished to guard themselves from the supposition, the shame, the reproach, of sanctioning that abuse which was to buy a Ministerial Candidate, not to pass orer the offence so lightly.— (Hear, hear !)—He hoped that the House would not cast their rights and privileges at the feet of the Courts of Law, from which their ancestors had so often rescued them, and where they never could be trusted with safety.—(Cheers.) Sir GEORGE ROBI:NSOST should support the motion of his Hon. Friend. Mr. HUDSON GURNEY said, that the Hon. Member for Limerick had so entirely demolished the speech of the Attorney-General, that he would not trouble the House at any length. This was not a case of nice legal distinctions, as to what Court it ought to be submitted. It was a question of mere plain common sense. If the petition before the House were true, the Corporation had committed a most enormous malversation. here was a misapplication of the property of the community of Northampton, which brought the case clearly and distinctly be fore the House- It was of no consequence whether the money had been misapplied in favour of a Ministerial or of auv Opposition Candidate.—(Hear, hear.)—Such a view of the question was likely to prejudice the case. PEEL regretted he had not been previously informed of this case, and that he had not had the opportunity of hearing the whole discussion. He would exercise his own judg• meta without any reference to party. It was immaterial what were the merits, or the situation, or the opinions of the person in whose favour this sum had been voted. Whether it had been given in support of a Ministerial or of an Opposition Can didate, appeared to him to be a matter of entire indifference. If this act were proper, legal, and constitutional in itself, the Corporation were perfectly right in supporting the Ministerial' Member, if they approved of his principle-s. In this country of freedom, where such a proper latitude was allowed to diversities of opinion, no odium could attach to a man because he was a Ministerial Member. But the question was, if the act itself were a matifiable appropriation of public money, there was a material difference between the allegations in the petitions, and the pe tition* themselves. The Gallant Officer (Major Moberly) con tended, that unless the fund,. were strictly applied to Corporate purposes, the Corporate majority had no right to bind the Cor porate minority. But if this were law there would be no Corpo ration in the United Kingdom that did not occasionally misapply its funds. The Hon. Member for London was listening attentively, and he eras not at all surprised at it.—(Laughter.)—Were this doctrine established, what would become of the vote for 1000/.given • the Corporation of London in favour of the Greeks ? He was not ~iiscasaing whether the vote was right or wrong—he was only Aowing that the doctrine of the Gallant Officer could not be maintained. The Corporation of Northampton did not wish to shrink from inquiry. They had acted upon legal advice. They had consulted Counsel ; and amongst others, Mr. Warren. He intreated the Hon. Gentleman so to shape hi, motion, as to refer the question to a Committee, reserving the Resolutions of the House to a future occasion. Lord ALTHORP said, that the complaint was against a proceeding which affected the privileges of that House, and into which it was their imperative duty to inquire.---(Hear.) Mr. ABERCROMBIE said, it was necessary that the House should have before them a clear and distinct account of the matter alleged against this Corporation. Mr. Alderman WAITH MAN denied that the Corporation, to which he hed the honour to belong, had ever made an improper application of the charitable funds entrusted to their care. It had happened to him that he had been publicly obliged to differ with the Corporation of the City of London in the application of funds entrusted to their management, but never upon occasions of this description. Ile agreed with the Right Hon. Secretary, and those who thought with him, that such pro ceedings on the part of any Cor e r n at t ir e ogurgehatt t e o it b ie e s i a n a q d ui t r o e w d n in e to o , f to the situation of B a th, w h ere the ath,,e eifmaplliorsevedmigtohtbeheprraecituiscee(dl, Corporation elect each other, and some 30 or 40 persons return Representatives for 30,000 or 40,000 persons.—(Hear, h ear !) in explanation, assured th e Mr. Secretary PEEL, worthy Alderman that he meant no offensive allusion to the Cor poration of the City of London ; he had been in communication with that body upon most important matters for a considerable time, and there was no set of men with whom lie had less reason to find fault. The observations which fell from him were used merely in the way of general argument.—(Hear !) Lord JOHN RUSSELL was surprised at some observations made by the Right Honourable Secretary for the Home Department, as to the funds of Corporations. He thought an immediate inquiry ought to be entered into. Mr. Secretary PEEL felt called upon to explain. He was at a loss to conceive how any Honourable Member could misunderstand what had fallen from him. He had said that he thought they ought to get all the facts before them, before they proceeded further in the case.—(Hear, hear.) After a few words across the Table from the Attorney-General, Mr. D. W. Harvey and Mr. S. Rice, Mr. L. MABERLY withdrew his motion, and substituted the following motion—" That a Committee be ap pointed to inquire into the payment of or engagement to pay any sums of money upon the late Election for Northampton."—lt Avas carried unanimously, and the Committee appointed. COMMUNICATION WITH IRELAND. On the motion of Sir JOHN NEWPORT, a Committee was appointed to inquire into the means of improving the communication to the South-west of Ireland by Milford Haven. IRISH EMIGRANTS. Mr. JAMES GRATTAN withln"w his motion for the production of Returns relative to Irish Emigrants. SALE OF CROWN LANDS—QUEEN ANNE'S BOUNTY. On the motion of Mr. D. W. HARVEY, Returns were ordered of the purchase and sale of Crown Lands, and the number of leases granted, since 1514, distinguishing the number of sheets in the abstract, the number of skins in the deed, and specifying the fees paid, the sum total, and the different parties by whom received. Also, a like account of the purchases of land by the Governor of Queen Anne's Bounty since 1760, distin guishing the fees paid, and to whom. DISEMBODIED MILITIA. On the motion of Lord PALMERSTON, a Com mittee was appointed to inquire into and prepare Estimates of the expence of the disembodied Militia of Great Britain and Ireland for 1827. MUTINY IN THE ARMY. Lord PALMERSTON brought in a Bill for the better prevention of Mutiny and Desertion of Soldiers in their quarters.—lt was read a first time, and ordered to be read a second time to-morrow. MUTINY IN THE ROYAL MARINE SERVICE. Mr. W. CROKER brought in a Bill for the better prevention of Mutiny or Desertion in the Royal Marines.—lt was read a first time, and ordered to be read a second time to-morrow. The other Orders of the Day were then disposed of, and the Home adjourned at a Quarter-past Ten o'Clock. THE MINORITY Who voted for reducing the Salary of the Governor of Dartmouth, Baring, Alexander Maherly, John Wood, Aid. Dawson, Alexander Monck, J. B. Waithman, Ald. Easthope, J. Pendarves, E. W. Warburton, H. Harvey, D. W. Smith, Wm. TELLERS. Lennard, T. B. Thompson, C. B. Hume, Joseph Lombe, E. Wood, J. Rickford, W. PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS. HOUSE OF LORDS. NOTICE OF MOTION FOR THIS DAY. Lord Teynham.—To move for Copies of any Petitions or Memorials pre. sented to the Board of Trade since January 1, NV, relative to the admission of any description of Spring Corn at a lower rate of duty than allowed by law, or contrary to the existing prohibitory laws; and the answers thereto. HOUSE OF COMMONS. NOTICES OF MOTIONS FOR THIS DAY. I. Mr. Secretary Peel--1. Bill for consolidating and amending the Laws relative to Larceny, and offences connected therewith. 2. Bill for • consolidating and amending the Laws relative to malicious Injuries to Property. 3. Bill for consolidating and amending the Laws rela tive to Remedies against the Hundred. 4. Bill for consolidating and amending the Laws relative to Embezzlements by Journeymen Ma. nufactuters, and Disputes between Journeymen and their Masters. S. Bill for repealing such Statutes as will be superseded by the pre. ceding Bills. 2. Mr. Hume—Copy of the Report of the Committee of Inquiry on the Mutiny of the Native Troops at Barrackpoor in November 1824, and of Orders issued since that time. 3. Sir James Graham—To present two Petitions relating to the intro duction of the Military into Carlisle during the last Election. 1•. Mr. Fynes Clintor.—To discharge the Order for consideration of the Iledon Election Petition. ORDERS OF THE DAY FOR THIS DAY. Ipswich Election Petition—Ballot for Committee at half after three. Duke and Duchess of Clarence Annuity Bill—Second reading. Mutiny Bill—Second reading. Marine Mutiny Bill—Secnd reading. NOTICE GIVEN YESTERDAY. Friday, March 2. General Gasroyne—Select Committee to inquite into the present state of the Shipping and Commerce of Great Britain, in consequence of the relaxation of the old Navigation Law•e. OPENING OF THE COMMISSION. (From the Dublin Morning Register of Monday.) On Saturday the Commission of Oyer and Terminer was opened at Green-street, with the usual formalities, by the Right Honour able the Lord Mayor. At twenty minutes to one o'clock, Judges. Jebb and Johnson, took their seats upon the Bench. The follow ing Grand Juries were then sworn in:— CITY GRAND JURY. Sir William Smith, Foreman.—Benjamin Dunel Guinness ; Edward Croker ; George Kinahan ; Nicholas Fanning; Henry Kearns ; Robert Hall ; Richard Robinson ; John Porter; John Smith Taylor ; Robert Orr ; David Henry Sherrard; John Barclay ; Wm. Newcomb ; Henry Curwin ; James White ; Patrick Flood ; Joseph Wood; James Vance ; Richard Wright ; Mansergh Blacker ; Luke Conner ; and Samuel Gamble, Esqr.,,. couNTY GRAND JURY. Joshua Spencer, Foreman.—Thousas White ; Sir A. B. King, Bart. ; William Rathbourne ; William Bellingham Swan ; Robert Shaw ; Francis Savage ; James Gray ; William Porter ; Anthony 11. Neville ; Michael Murphy ; Bladen Sweeney; Thomas Osbry; James White; George Hapleton ; Matthew Todd Byrne; George Alker ; Cuthbert Eccles ; James Orr ; Jonathan Sisson ; Thomas Fry ; Thomas Kirwan ; and Benjamin Eaton, Esqrs. The Judge (JostxsoN) then proceeded to charge both Grand Juries in the following words:— GENTLEMEN OF BOTH GRAND JURIES.—_I have now to end your attention to an offence of very unusual occurrence in this country. I find from the Clerk of the Crown, that examinations have ken lodged - with him charging certain persons with the the publication of seditious libels. It is in the power of the prosecutor to scud the indictments to whichever of the Grand Juries he may please to select. It is right to say, that in this case there are a number of distinct informations. It has been communicated to me, that hills, grounded upon these infor mations, are being prepared, and when such bills shall be sent, it will be the duty of the Grand Jury &fore whom they shall come, to be perfectly satisfied that the persons charged in the indictment with the publication, did actually publish, or authorise such publi .7ation. Your first inquiry will be, is the publication a libel, and if yoe are not satisfied that it is, there is an end to the inquiry.— If you are satisfied that it is, then you are to inquire whether the persons charged did publish • it. - The allegej. ;: üblicatioit is set out in the indictment as a seditious libel. There are few living in satiety at all who are not able to determine whether a publication be of a seditious tendency, and calculated to disturb and distract the country. You will find the offence set forth in the indictment and you are to determine whether it be of that description. You will read the publication as the rest of mankind, with the ordinary and common understandings of individuals edu cated and living in the world constantly—you will not give to it a strained or forced construction—you will review it with common sense, and then say whether the publication charged he a fair discussion of public matters—you are to remember that in a free country like this, a discussion, when confined within the limits of the law, is no offence. But those limits are not to he passed—the public peace is not to be endangered, nor incitement's administered to work upon the public passions—you have two ditties to perform, one to the public, the other to the individual It is of the highest importance that the lowest individual shall be protected—how much more, then, does not the body of the public at large demand and deserve ysur protection ? In the one. case, you must guard the State against public disturb ance; in the other, you must protect your fellow-citizens from unjust prosecutions. The publication of a seditious libel i s an offence in its nature calculated to work extensive mis chief. I shall not go further. I have stated to you the ge neral principles of the lass- on this subject, and I do not mean to take up more of your time. If you are satisfied of the publ.cation, and of its b e i ng o f t h e tendency charged in th e in dictment, you will find the bills. If, on the contrary, you eon _ sider it a fair discussion of public matters, not calculated to excite the public passions —to disturb the peace of society, or to invite an insurrection against the laws, you will, gentlemen, throw out the bills. The Grand Juries here retired to their respective chambers. Several witnesses were sworn and sent up to the Grand Juries, to he examined in support of the different indictments. The bills against Mr. Sheil are not to he sent up till Monday, (this day.) The Court proceeded to the trial of a case of perjury that stocd over from last Commission. This trial occupied the Court 4uring the day. It was not possessed of any public interest. THE COMMISSION—MoNnAT. (From The Dublin Morning Register of Tuesday.) Yesterday the Judges took their seats upon the Bench at ten o'clock precisely. The City and County Petty Juries were then sworn in. James Kearney was put upon his trial for having on the 10th inst. passed a forged Bank of Ireland note, in Kings-town, know ing it to be a forgery. The fact was fully proved from the exa mination of the witnesses, and the Jury without hesitation found the prisoner guilty. At 11 o'clock the Attorney and Solicitor-General, Serjeants Lefroy, Goold, end Blackburne, and Mr. Green, entered the Court. The bills against Mr. Sheil were then sent up to the City Grand Jury. Messrs. Kemmis and Carmichael, Crown So licitors, and Mr. Farquharson, who attends the Association meetings, were sworn, and sent up to be examined by the Grand Jury. _ _ kr. HAstivroN said, that in the case of the King, at the pro secution of certain persons, against Toole, he had to move that the bills of indictment be again sent up to the Grand Jury. He grounded his motion upon an affidavit, which stated that Olivia Slater, a material witness, had not been before the Grand Jury to be examined in support of those bills. She was servant to the traverser when the alleged offence took place, and was in care of the house where the Sre occurred. Judge Jour-ox inquired if the had Lzen ignore„? Mr. HAMILTON—Yes, my Lord, and we wish that they should be returned to the Grand Jury, in order that they may examine this witness, who is now in the Court. The Court ordered that the bills should be sent up again. Simon Mean) was indicted for burglariously and feloniously Mitering, on the night of the lst of February, the house of Francis gmith, Esq., of Clondalkin, and taking therefrom several silver spoons, &c. The burglary was not proved, but the prisoner was found guilty of the robbery. CHARGE OF MURDER. Michael Brown, John Cavanagh, Michael Conway, and Garrett Cavanagh, were indicted for the murder of Nicholas Donna, on the 30th of December last. The first witness examined was Thomas Donna, brother of deceased. From his testimony it appeared that he and his bro ther had been in Dublin on the 30th of December ; they returned together in the evoning, on their way home to Clondalkin ; he parted with the deceased at Dottlewaithe's public house on the Circular-road, near Kilmainham ; his brother overtook him on the road ; his face was cut, and one of his eyes almost thrust out ; previous to that the four prisoners had passed witness ; when they came up to their father's house the witness and his brother went in and provided themselves with sticks ; tbey then ran after these men who had beaten his brother ; witness Arid came up to John Cavanagh, and witness was then stabbed by another of the pri soners with a fork in the breast ; witness immediately knocked Cavanagh down with a stick ; when witness turned about he saw his brother fall, who cried, " Oh ! murder, I am killed ;" three of the prisoners ran after witness down the road, when he met his other brother; when they saw him they ran back to their cars and went off; his deceased brother was dreadfully cut on the head ; he lived but five weeks. Michael Conway was acquitted, and the other three prisoners found guilty of Manslaughter. PROSECUTION OF MR. SHEIL. At half-past t - u - ,1 "'Hock, Sir William Smith, Foreman of the Grand Jury, appeared in Court with the bills, which had been found true bills. At three o'clock, the Attorney-General came into Court, and addressing their Lordships, said, that in the case of the King against Richard Sheil, the Bills of Indictment had been before the Grand Jury, and had been found. It is necessary that the indi vidual charged should be now produced by those persons who had entered into recognizance for him, in order that the time proceed ing with the trial may be fixed. Mr. HOUSES said, that the Counsel of Mr. Sheil were in at tendance, and in a few moments Mr. Sheil himself would be in Court. In a few minutes Mr. Sheil appeared at the traverser's bar.— He was accompanied by Mr. Curran. Mr. HOLMES.-Mr. Shell now attends. It has been stated to your Lordships that the bills were found. Before we are called upon to plead to the indictment, we require to be furnished with a copy of it. Judge JOHNSON.--You are clearly entitled to a copy of it. Mr. HOLMES.-Any time the 'Court may think, may be allowed to the Crown to furnish us with a copy. Judge JouNsoN.—Perhaps you can have it now. If you get it to-day, will you be ready to put in ' , Our plea to-morrow ? Mr. Hotmrs—Yes, my Lord. The ArronNZT-GENERAL-1 believe, my Lords, that by the 16th of the late King, Mr. Shell is not entitled to a copy of the indictment before he pleads. Mr. Hot.mrs—After appearance he is entitled to it. Mr. PERRIN read the section of the Act, which was to the effect, that all prisoners charged with misdemeanours shall be fur nished, if they so require, with a copy of the indictment against them, after appearance. A copy of the indictment was here furnished by the Crown solicitor to Mr. Sheil's Counsel. The indictment itself fills no less than forty folio sheets of parchment. Judge Jour:sox—Mr. Holmes, when will poi: be ready? Mr. HoLuis—To-morrow, my Lord, at the sitting of the Court. Judge JolitzsoN—Then we shall adjourn the Court to ten &clock to-morrow. Mr. Sheil shalt, in the mean time, stand out upon his original recognizancert. Mr. SHEIL bowed to the Court, and, accompanied by his Counsel, withdrew. SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.-(THIS DAY.) FROM LLOYD'S. Llvraroot., FEB. 20.—Arrived, the Lady Douglas, Archer, from eib e ß e e . rbi csea Sailed e the Regular, i‘,o odnmn, Bond, ,a ft le n:n fo r r ..i . arrived at B the Atlantic, Ferdich, from BELFAST, Ft's. lB.—Arrived, in the White House Roads. New York, shipped anchor and cable, this morning, and now re mainsStincnxEss, FEB. 21.—The Dutch ship M. W. Waterloo, I v 3 e i r lro o a l . ' had 74 guns, has been brought i nto this harbour, accom p anied b y several Dutch fishing vessels. The Clermont, Honner, from Bombay for Greenock, out firs months and twelve days, has arrived at Crookhaven. The Ann of Porzsea, Stevenson, was driven on shore last night at Ballyhasten. GRAVESEND, Fes. 21.—Sailed the Joseph Fenton, Henderson for Trieste; Britannia, Quelch, for St. Kitt's ; Mellicent ' for Jamaica, ran on board the Grecian, for India, and carried away her sprit-sail-yard and jib-boom ; the Grecian remains. The Venus, bound to Havre, was burnt to the water's-edge at Pernambuco, in the middle of December ; she had tit) bags of cotton on board, ouly a few of which were saved. The Hope, from Paraibo, is supposed to have an-ived a► Skib bereen. THE MARKETS -(THIS DAY). HAS MARKETS.—(At per Load of 36 Trusses.) ST. JAMES'S. aland Meadow Hay.E3 10 to 4. 101 Clover Hay ..........•••£ 4 1511 ' 6 In Upland Ditto Rye-grass Hay Clover Hay :is. per load higher than last quoted ; Price' s of Meadow Hay and Straw stationary. Supply good, and trade rather brisk. SMITHFIELD. Lowland Meadow Hay,f3 sto 4 5 Clover Haygenerafiy.£l. 101 a 5 lb Upland Ditto Rye-grass Hay New Meadow Hay .... 0 0 0 0 Wheat Ditto AN ILLUSTRIOUS PERSONAGE AT BRIGHTON. —Every thing goes on in the King's residence like clock -work. His Majesty does not rise at a very early hour, but he has marked out for himself a course of employment, different from that which in his hey- day engrossed his thoughts. Immediat e ly a ft er break fast he engages in public business, and this be ex ecu t es w i t h won derful despatch. He will then, perhaps, h ave W eston, hi s ta i lor, in deliberation on some improvement s i n t h e R oyal wardro b e. In the article of dress his Majesty exercises the most' liberaJ spirit. He has been known to order au alteration in one dress coat at the expellee of twelve guineas. His eye detects at a glance any error of which the tailor may be guilty. His Majesty does not entertain much company, hilt a splendid dinner is every day provided at half-past seven, and the King partakes of almost every dish.— Two or three glasses of Sherry at dinner, and a few glasses of claret after, are the extent to which he goes. On these occasions his Majesty never speaks a word on political subjects. The drama forms the chief conversation. At nine, the King retires for a short time to his dressing-room, and on his return, several card tables are in readiness. To those whom he wishes to sit at his own table he says--" Come, a game of whist--Marchioness, do you sit there—my Lord, you there—Barnard, there---come, now begin." At a distance soft music is heard while the game proceeds. The King is an excellent whist player—indeed, so great an adept, that while he deals out the cards he often beats time to the band. His patience is not, however, like that of Job ; if his Majesty's partner happens to comet:'. a - nistake, his chagrin is very palpable, al though he never exceeds shilling points. At the conclusion he will pay, or must be paid most scrupulously. He then retires. rOIitIGN -INTELLIGENCE. FRENCH PAPERS. (From the liforiteur.) PA !US, FEB. IS.—Letters from Lisbon, dated the 7th, and from Oporto, dated the 6th, say— " The refugees who hare re-entered Portugal are now in pes session of no place except Braga, where they are surrounded by Count Villa Flor, united with Generals Angela and Mello. " The army of the latter occupies Guimaraes, Grocaede, Lan horn, and Carralho de Este. " The English troops have left Lisbon, and marched to Coimbra." (From the Etoile, dated Tuesday.) PARIS, FEB. 19.—The Austrian Ambassador, yesterday, gave a grand dinner, at which the Ministers and several of the Chief Officers of the Court were present, as well as the diplomatic body, Peers of France, and other persons of distinction. The fir,t detachment of the Austrian troops, which are leaving Naples, arrived on the 7th inst. at Rome. This detachment will be succeeded by fourteen others, the last of which will pass through Rome on the 7th of March. The whole amounting to 9,06 men, with 2,354 horses. The Echo du Midi map :—" Letters from Bayonne have an nounced, on the authority of news from the frontiers, that the Martinis tie Chaves have retired to Valladolid, whence he was to be conducted to France, but that he desired to go to Italy. This report ha:: been current all along the frontiers of Spain ; and the _-tters announcing this news are of the 7th inst. The later ac counts from the frontiers of Spain are of the 9th. They authorise us to believe that the report is unfounded. We hate letters horn Vittoria of the 9th, which state, that all the Royalist Chiefs ha 4 re-entered the Portuguese territory." (From the Pilote.) PARIS, Fee. N.—The Saxon Government has just projected the construction of a subterraneous gallery, two leagues in length, to extend from the coal mines in the province of Plauen to the Elbe. The gallery, as remarkable in its way as the finest aqueducts of the Romans, would have double advantage of letting the water run off from the mines into the Elbe, and of conveying the coals to that river, by means of which they could be conveyed to a great part of Germany. (From the Quotidienne.) Rams, FEB. 19.—According to letters from the frontiers of Spain and Biscay, the English had made attempts on several points of Galicia and Estremadura, to excite the liberal Spaniards. A great number of arrests have been ordered by the authorities of Betanzos, Ferrol, and Corunna. In this latter city several Spanish Revolutionists have been arrested in the house of the British Consul, where they had recently- arrived under fictitious names. Papers of a very important nsture have been also seized in the house of an ancient Deputy of the Cortes of Orense. The plot discovered referred to a period passed. It seems that according to a plan agreed upon, the Constitutional Portu guese were to enter into Galicia and Estremadztra at the com mencement of the year 1827, to have the Conetitntion of the Cortes proclaimed. The Spanish Cabinet being informed of this project, hastened the entry of the Portuguese refugees into this country. This is the whole secret of the affair, and is too, per haps, the secret cause of the very violent expressions of Mr. Can ning against the Spanish Cabinet. MADRIn, FEB. 9.—(Private Correspondence.)—The Spanish Clergy have given new proofs of their devotedness to the cause of monarchy, by offering to the King's Prime Minister, M. Calo marde, a present of 600,000 reals (160,000 f.) to be employed in the expenses of the war in the event of Spain being forced to un dertake to deliver Portugal from the yoke that was about to be imposed on her. It is probable this example will be imitated by all classes and corporations, and that thus our Government will not be obliged to have recourse to loans. Ten thousand reale have been placed at the disposal of the Director-General of Artillery, for the fabrication of a great quantity of muskets. The Captain-General of Galicia, is about to receive a consider able reinforcement of troops—namely, the third regiment of Infan try of the Guards, and two squadrons of Grenadiers (nsonnted) of the same corps. Three regiments expected at Madrid will also be directed to Galicia. General Nazaro Eguia, Commander of the Province, will command the forces ordered to assemble there. The Corps of Observation of Old Castile will be placed under the orders of General Monet. M. Lamb, who has so often, and with so much_ bustle, an nounced hie departure from Madrid, is making, for some days past, frequent visits to the Pardo, where he has been admitted to a❑ audience of his Majesty.• It is not known what the motives of these repeated visite are, but, after the unfortunate attempts of this Ambassador, people are astonished to see him expose himself to new humiliations. It is concluded that his Cabinet is more apprehensive than is generally supposed, lest Spain may interfere in the affairs of Portugal. The latest letters from Badajos affirm, that Lower Alentejo con tains no regiment of English troops, and that the strong places of this part of Portugal have only feeble garrisons ; these letters also assure us, that General Clinton has sent some English regi ments towards Coimbra. A frigate and two other ships of the same nation are lying near Vigo, behind the small Islands. They have a watch over the north of Portugal, and serve also, perhaps to land clandestinely on the coasts of Galicia, Spanish revolution ists. (Prom the Constittdiannel of Monday.) MADRID, Fee. 8. - (Private Correspondence.)—Since the 2d instant, our Apostolics chauntA victory, declaring that the Portuguese army was completely defeated, because a corps of 500 Constitutionalists, commanded by Colonel Zagallo, who had im prudently advanced towards Chaves, was forced by the rebels (who suddenly concentrated their forces upon that pint) to effect a precipitate retreat, during which they lost about 100 men.— This is the extent of the success obtained by the Marquis de Chaves since his second invasion. ----- Hut since yesterday, every thing is changed ; and although I cannot tell you the exact amount of the loss which the Marquis d. Chaves has sustained, I can, neverthelees assure yorr, that Govern ment has, last night, received accounts of the complete defeat of this Chief, and of hi 3 disorderly retreat towards Galicia, a point w he r e he inn.Y be set up again thr a third time, without occasion ing too violent an outcry on the part of England, because a great part of our frontiers in this quarter is entirely bare of troops. It seems that our Government, the measures of which are en tirely commensurate to the success or checks of the rebels, as soon as it learned yesterday that the Marquis de Chaves had been again beaten, transmitted orders to Ledesina, a town seven leagues distant from Salamanca, where Gen. Silveira was, to remove bim from thence towards Palencia, and from that place to France. On the other hand, orders have been likewise despatched to Valladolid, to bring General Longa to Aresalo, a town ten leagues from Madrid, where he is to be tried. However, I can aseure you, that there is no intention of punishing him : and that all these manoeuvre• have no other aim than that of gaining time. I am confirmed in this opinion by the circumstance of M. Embite, the Chief of the War-Office, who has been sent to Cirsdad Rodrigo to iustitute there an inquiry into the facts attending the second invasion, which investigation is to form the ground-work of the proceedings against M. Longa, not having been in such a hurry during his journey to Valladolid, as to be prevented from paying a visit to the accused General. Orders have been issued here, to call out all the regiments of the Provincial 'Militia. A decree of the King even has been re - ~ tered in tire Supreme Council of War, erderi....g, a levy of 24,000 men to be made. Those who are accustomed to watch and observe the measur es of our Government, have remarked, that lately many individuals, who were not purified, or were removed as Liberals, are now pu rified arid recalled, which gives good grounds for supposing that Government and the monks have some finesse in view; the latter, by furnishing money for the formation of an army, in hope of em ploying it at their pleasure ; and the former, by exhausting their purses, calculate upon rendering the priests more docile, as coon as they cease to be overladen with treasures, and the power derived from gold. It is reported that the monks intend to arm all the members of their own order, that are capable of bearing arms, and, have sent two priests to Bayonne, to purchase 30,000 stands of arms. The Etoile, which pretends to have had for Rome months the secret of art intrigue planned on the frontiers of Portugal, would do well to inform the public, that the authors of this intrigue were the Spanish Liberals, seconded by the British Cabinet. FRENCH LITERATURE. In the Courier Francais there is a curious Statistical Account of the Literature of France in 1811 and 1825, drawn up by Count Darn, not including official Papers or Daily Journals : In 1811 In 18V5 there were the number had printed. risen to On Legislation On the Sciences 9,211,303 1 0,928,27'7 Philosophy Political Economy 131,133 V,915,826 Military Affairs The Fine Arts 161,525 2,937,301 Literature 3,781,826 :'10,205,153 History 3,373,891 1 1 ,457,957 3 ,856,973 17,487,037 i Th l r eo er l s og su y bjects, Almanacks, &c. 21:8854:n MIA] ...... 18,4:,1,713 129,010,4K3 Reckoning eleven sheets to the volume, the difference in farour of 1826, amounts to more than ten millions of volumes. The nuunletr for 1826 i• one-fifth greater than that for 1825.