The Sun. — London, England, 1854-03-31 00:00:00

- the:, Par *ould , lose a sincere and considerate - &laid: - (Cheers.) After tomeobservations from Mr. PACE and Colonel DUNNE, Mr..DISRAELI—As the right hon. gentleman has appealed to the sense of the house in this matter I think, , perhaps, it may not appear unimportant if I state that, so far as I can collect the feelings of hon. gentlemen who I sit on this side of the house, the right hon. gentleman has made a statement which in every respect has left his honour untarnished. (Hear, hear.) I congratulate the house and the country, therefore, upon the right hon. gentleman's resumption of that office, which for the mo ment we believed him to have quitted, and the duties of which he has discharged in a manner to entitle him to public confidence and private respect. And I can say that the right hon. gentleman has moreover caused the administration of an unpopular law to be treated with respect by the country. On my own part, however, I must say, that when I heard this morning from a quarter which is reckoned as authoritative, though not so much so perhaps with regard to those individuals of subordi nate rank as with respect to those having a seat in the Cabinet—(a laugh)—and being in a still more exalted po sition—l must say that I did not feel in such complete despair on the subject as I know was felt by hon. gentle men on both sides of the house. For it is a remarkable circumstance, that within the space of less than a twelvemonth no fewer than five members of the present administration have felt it to be their duty to resign office, and then, almost immediately after, to return to their respective posts. (Laughter.) Last spring we had a Lord of the Treasury, an officer of the Irish I Government, and a clerk of the Ordnance, who created considerable alarm by quitting those posts to which they had only just succeeded—(laughter)—and we had not quite recovered from the tremors of the spring, when, in the autumn, something occurred of the same kind, Stilt more appalling ; for a statesman retired from office, whose retirement occasioned great consternation, not alone in this country, but over all Europe, and whose prolonged absence of three days might have produced the most unfavourable effect upon the negotiations then pending to avert a most just, but, as I believe, a most unnecessary war. (Laughter.) IV e are now threatened with the loss of one of the most respectable members of the administration, and the country to be deprived of services the loss of which would be universally deplored. In all these cases, however, those hon. gentlemen had returned to office. Ido not object to this ; but I would suggest to her Majesty's Government, that in the course of the recess they should devise some machinery by which to terminate the internal bickering that exists among them. and to reconcile the members without its being made known to the house and the country. (A. laugh.) If it could not be terminated, of course it would become a painful necessity that it should be made known ; but where there is such a preponderance of good feeling in the administration, reconciliation cannot be difficult ; and, at any rate, it would he highly desirable to invent some machinery which would enable them to avoid these pitiful expositions. (Laughter, and hear.) A court of arbitration would, perhaps, be difficult and doubtful ; but it might be tried. I do not know who were the noble lord and the hon. gentleman who produced the re conciliation in this case, in a manner which I am sure has so pleased the house; and it is probable, therefore, that their politics may be of a character to prevent them accepting the office of arbitrators. (Laughter.) But perhaps the youngest bishop might be selected for that office. (Laughter.) His great authority and large ex perience would doubtless exercise that benefical influence which the country so much desires, and prevent a repe tition of these scandals. (Laughter, and hear.) Or, some great diplomatist might be adopted—(a laugh)— Sir Hamilton Seymour, I think, is disengaged at this moment. Either of these might be referred to by the Cabinet in such a case. (A. laugh.) If this suggestion should be underrated —and I make it in a friendly spirit —it may prevent a repetition of those scenes which we must all deplore, and which the Government, notwith standing all its strength and union, must at this moment feel to be rather awkward. (Laughter, hear.) PUBLIC PROSECUTORS. Mr. J. PHILLIMORE postponed the second reading of his bill on this subject for a month, as he understood the Government intended to take the matter into con. sideration. bouring State, must have settled in his own mind th a t th e hour, if not f its dissolution, at all events, for its disso lution, must be at hand." . • • " Supposing my suspicion to be well founded, the Emperor's object is to engage her Majesty's Government, in conjuno ion with his own Cabinet and that of Vienna, in some scheme for the ultimate partition of Turkey, and for the exclusion :)f . France from the arrangement." Here was a distinct warning and an explicit construc tion of the language of the Emp eror o f R uss i a, fairly communicated to her Majesty's Government. What followed ? On the very same day the Government re ceived another despatch from Sir H. Seymour, dated ;he 22d of February—the former being dated the 21st ; but they both arrived together, and in that despatch Sir H. Seymour's anticipations had actually been fulfilled, for in a conversation which he held with the Emperor the next day the Emperor made the very suggestion which Sir 73. Seymour had before stated would pro bably be made. The Emperor threw out a proposal far partitioning the estate of the dying man, and suggested that Egypt and Candia should be the spoil of England. The next despatch to which he would refer was of an older date, and one which was well known—he meant the despatch in which Colonel Rose assigned his reams for demanding the fleet to be sent to Vourla. He wrote thus : " Ce, Mh 7, 1853. " The Gr an d Vizier said that onstantino the Ruasian arc Government evidently intended to win some important right from ITurkey which would destroy her independence, and ask:d me to re ques t th e B r i t i sh admiral to bring up his squadron to Vourla-bay from Malta. Feeling this intimate convic t Lion that if the Sultan were not supported on this occasion he would call to his councils a Ministry selected under ttussian influence,•l informed his Highness that I world tell your Lordship that I felt convinced that the safety of Turkey required the presence of the British squadron in those waters. M. Bend tti said the same as regards the French squadron. But these assurances did not tranquilise the Grand Vizer's mind. He thought that Turkey would be lost before an answer could arrive from England and France. The Russian Government ha , t not kept faith with her Majesty's Government ; instead of withdrawing or al lowing her troops to be stationary, she had advanced them up to the Turkish territory, ordering provisions for those troops in the Turkish provinces, without having ever de clared war, or stated her cause of complaint against the Porte to the Porte—a thing unheard of among and con trary to the rights of civilised nations. She was Wing other warlike measures, maritime as well as military, on a very great scale, unmistakeably with the view of over coming Turkey's independence, or making war on her:' This was received by her Majesty's Government on the 19th of March. The next despatch was one from Consul Yeames, which was received by the Government on the 15th of April : " I beg to refer to my letter of the 4th inst., and I have now to inform you that the movements of the sth corps have of late been hastened, so that the three divisions of infantry are to be assembled in the positions descrioed be fore the end of the present month (0. S.). It is in par-. titular to be observed that the 14th division, as well as the 13th, is prep are d f or an expe di t i on b y sea. The troops, including the officers, are to carry rations for four days, and knapsacks for the officers are now made for that pur pose. I hear there is to be no baggage further than can be thus carried, and no horses will be embarked. . . . Great exertions continue to be made by the Admiralty at Nicolaieff and Sebastopol to have everything that can swim ready for sea." He now came to the despatch making the well-known announcement with regard to the proposal by Russia to Turkey to enter into a secret treaty, to be unknown to England and France. It was from Colonel Rose to Lord Clarendon, and was received on the 15th of April " Prince Menschikoff, as I learnt yesterday from the Grand Vizier, has tried to exact a promise from Rifaat Pasha, before he makes known to him the nature of his mission and of his demands, that the Porte shall make a formal proviso that she will not reveal them to the British or French representatives." The next and last despatch to which he would refer was one from Vice• Consul Cunningham, which was re ceived on tho 15th of April : Gaatz. "My Lord,—l b eg t o i n f orm your lordship" that l fresh orders have been received in Bessarabia to prepare for the passage of troops and to get waggons ready for the transport of baggage. It is said, and such appears to be the case from the amount of preparation ord ere d, th a t t wo corps d'armje (up war d s of 120,000 men), will pass, and waggons are ordered to be ready for the 10th of May (0. S.) When ever orders are given to make preparations the greatest secrecy is enjoined. Hitherto, no troops, in addition to the five battalions mentioned in my last, have entered Bessarabia, ; but it is understood they are marching for ward from all directions." He would trouble the house with no more extracts. He had given all the information that was sent to her Ma jesty's Government, beginning on the 7th of January and ending on the 15th of April. It began by informing them that 144,000 Russian troops were advancing to the Turkish frontier ; it then told them that a secret proposition was made by the Emperor of Russia to Eng land for a partition of the territories of Turkey ; it next informed them of the demands made on Turkey by the Russian ambassador at Constantinople, and of the alarm which was inspired by those demands ; it also acquainted them with the fact that a secret treaty was proposed to Turkey by Russia, and it concluded by informing them that Russian troops were advancing in all directions towards the Turkish frontier. He wished the house to mark this fact, that the last despatch which he had quoted was received by the Government on the 15th of April, and the right hon. gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer proposed his budget on the 18th of same month. When the budget was proposed the Government were in possession of all the information he had now read to the house. The question he would ask was, —eould Government, know all these facts, and having received all this information, shut its e 3 es to the real state of the case, and not be convinced that in all human probability, and so far as human foresight could discern, a war must ensue —either that England must become a party to an iniquitous partitioning of the Turkish empire, or be in volved in a war with Russia ? These were clearly the only alternatives ; and was that the moment for a pru dent Minister, holding the high office of Chancellor of the Exchequer, to come down to the house and make a financial proposal, the clear tendency of which was to weaken and impair those national resources which at such a moment it was his paramount duty to guard with peculiar jealousy ? It was, at that very moment, how ever, that the right hon. gentleman undertook certain financial operations, which might have been very pru dent had all that those despatches contained been false and unfounded ; but, under the actual circumstances of the country, with a war imminent, with a war, if not certain, strongly probable, was that a moment to under take such a financial scheme as the right hon. gentleman proposed, which, if not successful, could not fail to pro duce most serious effects upon the resources of the country ? What, in the first place, had been the effect in regard to the balances in the Exchequer—that re source which every prudent Minister should reserve to himself, in case events should occur that demanded an immediate supply of means ? By a statistical abstract, furnished annually by the Board of Trade, there was a statement of the balances in the Exchequer for the last 10 or 12 years. He would pass over the years 1841 and 1842, because the house would recollect the circumstances of those years and the financial difficulties which had arisen in the country. It was when Sir Robert Peel was beginning his new commercial system ; but what had always been the policy of that great financial minis ter ? Why, to take care of the balances in the Exche quer, and guard against the country being left without resources. Beginning with the year 1814, he found that the balance in the Exchequer for that year was 6,254,113/. ; in 1845, 8,452,0901. ; in 1846, 9,131,2821.; in 1847, 8,457,691/. ; in 1818, 8.105,561/. ; in 1849, 9,748,539/. ; in 1850, 9,245,676/.; in.lBsl, 8,381,637/.; and in 1852, 8,841,822/. But, by the commencement of the following year, the right hon. gentleman had re duced the balance one-half the amount in 1853, being 4,485,2301. He (Sir J. Pakington) felt himself justified therefore in saying, as he had done on a former occa sion, that this country was entering upon a war with an empty Exchequer, and that that was one of the main causes of the heavy tax which the right hon. gentleman bad imposed on the country. But that part of the sub ject had already been amply dealt with, and severely, and, as he thought, justly, censured in former discus sions. He woul.i now advert to the plans submitted to the house by the light hon. gentleman in his budgst of 1853, and it was here that he thought the house and the country had a right to complain. They had a right to complain that the war which was now coming upon them should involve them in so obnoxious an impost as a doubled income tax. Not that that house objected to any impost which the country might be fairly liable to for carrying on a just war • but they we re b oun d i n jus tice to the count r y t o show that a prudent financial policy would have prevented the necessity of that oh noxious impost. The right hon. gentleman had dealt with the finances of the country in the past year in a manner which was not justifiable ; and he was confident of this, that if the House of Commons had known, and if the country had known, that which they did know now, and that which her Majesty's Government knew then, if they had known the actual state of Europe and the almost certainty of a coming war, they would not have passed the budget of the right hon. gentleman, nor have allowed him to endanger the resources of the coun try to the extent that he had done. He was always sorry to embitter the discussions of that house by any thing like personal altercation, and there was no one on whom he was less disposed to cast any imputation than the right hon. gentleman ; he, therefore, hoped the right hon. gentleman would not suppose he meant anything like a personal offence when he said that the proposal which the right hon. gentleman made to the house in respect to the income tax in 1853 was not perfectly fair and ingenuous under the circumstances under which he made it. (Cheers from the Opposition.) The right honourable gentleman came down to the house and asked it to renew the income tax for seven years. When he made that proposal, he frankly allowed that the income tax, as lie proposed it, was an un equal and therefore an unjust tax ; he admitted to the house that a particular class of property would be called upon to pay 9d. in the pound, while all other descrip tions of income would only pay 7d. in the pound. But the right hon. gentleman accompanied this announce ment by this proposal—" If (said he) you will adopt the income tax for seven years I will only ask you for 7d. in the pound for the first two years ; I will ask 6d. in the Pound for the next two years ; and for the three last years I will only ask sd. in the pound, and then the in , come gentl man tax will expir e ." I t was true, when the right hon. was asked whether the tax would, at the end of the seven years, reall ex're, h took good care not to involve himself i y n any kind of pled v g e e rY . But cer tainly the house did not then know that the right hon. gentleman at that very moment had in his possession information in virtue of which, and as the natural result of w hi c h, that income tax of 7d. in the pound, before 12 months had elapsed, had become doubled. It was now ls. 2tl. in the pound. (Loud cheers from the Opposi tion.) The right hon. gentleman himself would hardly deny, that if the house had known the state of our nego tiatioaa at that mpraelit) *7 would sot li an so Nattily 1 INCOME TAX BILL. On the third reading of this bill, Sir J. PAKINGTON rose, and said that when the Chancellor of the Exchequer made his financial state ment he declared that the ordinary revenue of the coun try would be insufficient to defray those expenses of war which had already become certain. The right hon. gen tleman, therefore, proposed to double the income-tax. It was true that the tax was only to be doubled for six months in the first instance, but, under all the circum stances, he was justified, for the sake of greater simpli city, in speaking of the tax as being doubled. The right hon. gentleman then sought to impose on the country double the amount of a tax which, according to his own authority, was unequal, oppressive, and inquisitorial in its nature. The honourable member for Evesham (Sir H. Willoughby) on a former even ing moved an amendment which at any other time would have been a most fair proposal in reference to the merits of the plan of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, but under the circumstances of the country he declined to press it to a division, and t :e house acceded to the proposal of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with the Most sincere desire unhesitatingly to furnish the Crown with the means of carrying on the approaching war. He (Sir J. Pakington) thought that at this particular time honourable members were hardly free to press upon the house their own individual opinions on the merits of the plan of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for they must feel that, under present circumstances, the attention of foreign nations was directed to their proceedings, and he for one should have been extremely sorry if any course had been taken in reference to the proposal of the Chancellor of the Exchequer which in the slightest degree should have carried with it the ap pearance that they were not acting as one man in sup plying the means necessary to carry on she war with vigour. (Hear, hear.) Having thus fulfilled the duty they owed to the Crown, it still became them, looking to the objectionable nature of the tax and to the whole circumstances of the financial arrangements of the Chan cellor of the Excheqtier during the past year, to con sider, not at the present moment whether the increased income-tax was really required to defray the expenses of war, but whether the management of the finances by the right hon. gentleman had not been such as to lead to the necessity of the increase for the purpose men tioned ? (Hear, hear.) The main reason why the right bon, gentleman was called on to double the income tax was, that a war was about to be commenced with an empty Exchequer. But why was the Exchequer empty ? First, because of the financial operations of the right hon. gentleman at the commencement of the last year ; and, secondly, because he brought down to the house in April what might fairly be called a peace budget, at a moment when the Government were in possession of information which might have made them feel certain that war with Russia was inevitable. (Hear, hear.) The Chancellor of the Exchequer had explained the mode in which he proposed—at least for a time—to defray the expenses of the coming war. The right hon. gentleman meant to rely mainly on the in• crease of direct taxation, and had told the house that anything like a recourse to direct 4 axation was to be the very last resource. Under thew circumstances, he (Sir J. Pakington) thought he was justified in endeavouring to show the house that the state of public affairs at the time when the Chancellor of the Exchequer brought for ward his budget last year was not such as to justify him in anticipating a continuation of peace, and therefore he ought then to have guarded most carefully the existing resources of the country. (Hear, hear.) In order to show the house what information was in the possession of the Government at the time when their financial plans were brought forward last year, it would be neces sary for him to refer to the papers laid on the table of the house, including the secret negotiations with respect to the Eastern question. Upon the Eastern question, however, it was not at all his intention to raise a debate. The first extract he should read was from a despatch from Sir H. Seymour to Lord J. Russell, dated Jan. 7, and received Jan. 19, 1853 ; it was to the following effect : -" Orders have been despatched to the sth corps d'arrae to advance to the frontiers of the Danubian provinces, without waiting for their reserves ; and the 4th corps, un der the command of General Count Dannenberg, and now stationed in Volhynia, will be ordered to hold itself in readiness to march, if necessary. General Lurler's corps d'armAe, accordingly, being now 45,000 strong, will receive a reinforcement of 24,000 men soon after its arrival at its d estination, and, supposing the 4th corps to follow, the whole force will amount, at least, according to official re turns, to 144,000 men." The next extract he should read was contained in that remarkable collection of papers known as the "secret correspondence." The extract was from a despatch from Sir H. Seymour to Lord J. Russell, dated January 22, 1853, referri nt6 ~.. to a conversation held with the Emperor of Russia on the 14th of the same month, just seven days after the date of the despatch he had first read : " The Emperor said, 'For my part, I am equally dis posed to take thz, gamernent not to establish myielf there _ circumstances, .--lifl proprietor, that t that say —for as occupier Ido not say. It might happen if no previous provi sion were made -11- everything wero left to chance—rnight place me in the P°!o rn tlo e of occupying Constantinople.' The Emperor assured and that no movement of his forces had yet taken place. exp t • aeeed his hope that no advance would bo required." This.statement of the Emperor of Russia, that no move ment of his forces had yet taken place, might o con b de a sistent with the statement ma . Week previously by Sir H. Seymour, for, though orders Danubian given or the the advance of 144,000 men to provinces, it might be that the troops had not then moved. Never theless there was such a discrepancy bet ween the two despatches as ought to have attracted the attention of the Government. The next despatch he Sh ould quote was also from Sir H. Seymour to Lord J. Russell, dated Feb. 21, 1853, and related to another conversation held previous night with the Emperor of Russia on the , .at a then said:— party of the Grand Duchess's. The Emperor "The sick man is dying. We must come to some t,_ derstanding ; and this we should do, I am convinced, if I could hold but 10 minutes' conversation Nvith your Minis. ters—with Lord Aberdeen, for instance, who knows me so well; who has full confidence in me, as I have in him." There he repeated that the sick man was dying, and he repeated it in a manner to prove pretty clearly that his meaning was that if he did ngt die it would only be because he would be killed. (Hear, hear.) Sir Hamilton Seymour in that despatch not only reported what the Emperor of Russia said, but gave his own opinion on the subject. He would read to the house the warn ing which Sir H. Seymour gave the Government, and the construction which he put upon the language of the Emperor : • " It is hardly necessary that. I should observe to your lordship that this short conversation, briefly but correctly reported, offers matter for most anxious reflection. It can hardly be otherwise but that the Sovereign, who insists with duck portiAlcitY ap9iit tho iawmdiag fill of a neigh! fallen into his proposal. They gave an income tax for seven years, on the principle that the tax was to be gra dually diminished in amount till, at the end of seven years, it should altogether expire. It would have been more candid on the part of the right hon. gentleman, and would have done more credit to his character for fairness, if he had frankly told the house the state of European affairs, and had said that the income tax could not expire at any given period ; but that, if the ne cessity should arise, he would be obliged to appeal to the house again. The right hon. gentleman would do that (the Opposition) side of the house the justice to recollect, that, although he had himself admitted that incomes derived from land and houses paid a much higher tax than other descriptions of income—a differ ence amounting to 22 per cent.—and, although the agricultural class had long suffered under the injustice of paying upon the gross rent, while others paid only upon the net rent, yet they made no objection to going on with the tax upon the condition of having only to pay the income tax for the period which he proposed. But if the right hon. gentleman was at that time looking forward to the income tax for defraying the expenses of a war—if that tax was to be regarded essentially as a war-tax, and as such liable to be increased again and again, then the country had a right to demand that that tax should be made a just and equitable tax, and the right hon. gentleman was bound to have taken one of two courses—either to have imposed a graduated tax according to the different descriptions of income ; or, if he was disposed to take the other course, and to say that all incomes ought to be taxed alike, then, on his own rule, the difference of the tax of 9d. on landed property and of 7d. on other property—being 22 per cent.— should be done away with, and all incomes should be placed on the same footing. He would now advert to another part of the right honourable gentleman's budget, by which, in his mind, the right hon. gentle man did unwisely and improvidently weaken the re sources of the country. He alluded to the repeal of the duty on soap, and tone remission of dutyon tea. He had heard out of doors that, although taxes had been taken off to a very large extent, yet that the revenue did not suffer. He did not think the right hon. gentleman was in a position to say that. He (Sir J. Pakington) could not acknowledge the justice or the propriety of the course which was taken last year, with a war pending over our heads. Tri his opinion the right hon. gentleman was not justified, under the circumstances, of itnperiliing or weakening the resources of the country. If the right hon. gentleman considered himself obliged to increase direct taxation—and to adopt a succession-tax (which was a tax originally regarded by Mr. Pitt as a war tax), he (Sir J. Pakington) maintained that at that moment with a war so pending—•the right and prudent course would have been to have husbanded those resources for a time of actual war, and to have retained those reve nues which he had in his possession, and which he was perfectly at liberty to retain ; and which if one word had fallen from him on the subject that house would have supported him in retaining. Those additional taxes which he brought forward in his budget, as a compensa tion for those he had remitted, ought to have been re served for a time of danger ; and if he bad then proposed them for defraying the expenses of the war, however objectionable they might have been, the country would, no doubt, have adopted them rather than have submitted to this objectionable income-tax. But what was the course which the right hon. gentleman pursued ? He rashly and imprudently abandoned the soap-tax, the gross amount of which was 1,397,0001., the net loss being 1,111,0001. That was at once completely thrown away—most imprudently and unnecessarily thrown away ; for he need not point out how much more easy it would have been for the right hon. gen tleman to have retained that tax than it would be to revert to it if the necessities of the country should re quire it. With regard to the remission of the tea duty, he observed that the right hon. gentleman had had another correspondence with his old friend, a Birming ham clerk, and he saw that the Birmingham clerk and the right hon. gentleman were rather at issue. The Birmingham clerk did not think that the right hon. gen tleman had given him full compensation in the remission of duty on his tea for the double amount of income tax taken out or his pocket. That, however, was not the light in which he (Sir J. Pakington) was dealing with the subject. The view which he took of it was this— whether, with a coming war, with an almost certainly coming war, it was wise to tamper with these great and important means of revenue ? That was not the position of things when his right hon. friend near him, the mem ber for Buckinghamshire, was in office. He (Sir J. Pakington) said, and he said so with pride, that the overtures for the partition of Turkey were not made to the late Government. On the contrary, there was every appearance of a continuance of peace during the period that that Government remained in office, and therefore the circumstances under which his right hon. friend, the member for Buckinghamshire, proposed a reduction in the tea duties, were entirely different from those which obtained when the right hon. gentleman opposite, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, made his proposition to the same effect. (Hear.) Estimating the reduction on 3,100,000 lbs. of tea, the reduction would amount to 366,000/. in the first year, 510,6001. in the second, 454,0001. in the third, and 604,0001. in the fourth, making a total of 1,934,600/. s p rea d over a per i o d o f four years—a proposal for tampering with an im portant branch of the revenue, in his opinion, altogether unjustifiable under the circumstances. He moved no amendment, and had no intention of Im peding the progress of the bill before the house. In a few minutes that tax would be imposed upon the people, and, so far as that house was concerned, the measure would' be complete. He hoped, and believed, in the unhappy event of this war continuing, that the represen tatives of the people would continue to act in the same spirit, and, if so, while representing the right feeling of the people who sent them there, should the right hon. gentlemen opposite continue in place, and be charged with the responsibility of conducting the war, he believed that they—that this country would furnish the means, without hesitation, and with an unanimity never exceeded in this country, provided only they conducted that war with energy and vigour ; and might God grant they would conduct it with victory and suc cess ! (Cheers.) So long they would continue, not to refuse to the Government, but, on the contrary, with an unparalleled unanimity, to grant it all it asked, that the result might not be duubtful. But they had a right to expect of the Government that in their financial ar rangements in dealing with that solemn state of affairs we were now entering upon, they had a right to expect that they would manage their expenses prudently, and not for the sake of an ephemeral popularity waste the resources of the country ; and that if we were obliged or called on to bear fresh burdens, which he doubted not would be borne, at least he hoped they would be so imposed as to be equal and just. (Hear, hear.) Mr. CARDWELL professed himself at a loss to un derstand why the right hon. gentleman had raised this discussion on the third reading of the bill. The right hon. gentleman said he did not mean to oppose the Me a - sure. Then, what was his object? It was not to de bate the Eastern question, for the right hon. gentleman had expressed a hope that it would not be discussed on this occasion ; and, as far as he (Mr. Cardwell) was con cerned, he would gratify the right hon. gentleman's wish by not saying a word on the subject. There was, to be sure, one point which lie hoped the right hon. gentleman would hereafter bear in mind. The right hon. gentleman had given the house to understand that if it had been his duty to bring forward a budget in April last, and he had at that time been acquainted with the contents of the despatches which the Government had in its possession, he would have done so under the settled conviction that the Crown of England must either go to war or be a consenting party to the dis graceful partition of the dominions of an ally. When the Eastern question should come under discussion, the right hon. gentleman would have an opportunity of re conciling that view of the case with the oft-repeated as sertion that war might have been averted by a greater display of vigour on the part of the Government at a later period, namely, on the occupation of the Princi palities. (Hear, hear.) The right hon. gentleman said it only required firmness and candour on the part of the Chancellor of the Exchequer to have retained the soap duty and other imposts. If the Chancellor of the Exchequer, anxious to retain the income tax, had alarmed the House of Commons, and inspired them with greater apprehensions than he really entertained, that might have been an inducement to them to retain the income tax, but he could not understand by what stretch of imagination it could be argued that the Chan cellor of the Exchequer, desirous of retaining the tax, had concealed from the house the magnitude of his ap prehensions with regard to the state of our foreign af fairs. But when his right hon. friend was pressed on the subject of advertisements, of attorneys, and of hops, had he always obtained that unanimous support which the right hon. gentleman said he would have obtained if he had chosen to retain these imposts ? How deep must have been the right hon. gentleman's conviction of the certainty of war in the middle of April if it would have induced him to have reversed his vote on all these occasions in favour of remission of taxation, and to have withheld from the country the boon of the remis sion of the tea duty ! ("Hear," from Sir J. Pakington.) If that were the case, let him not hear the war imputed to anything that had occurred since the middle of April. What was the object of raising this discussion on the third reading of the Ineeme-tax bill ? If it was argued that the Exchequer ought to be replenished, that it was not sufficiently full, why address that argument to the house on the third reading of this bill ? The right hon. gentleman had referred to a return for the purpose of pointing out a minute alteration which he thought ought to be made in one or two lines, but if he would appeel to the statistical history of the country, contained in that return, he would find that an important moral lesson, never so valuable as at a time like this, when all the na tions of the world, and particularly that nation with which we had been drawn into collision, were examining the condition of this country, would be read to him upon the advantages of making the remissions of which he had complained, and the growth of the strength and influence of the country consequent upon them. That paper would tell him that, improvident as was the budget of last year, and although the income tax had notproduced 2, 000,000/., and although the soap duty had been remitted, neverthe less the balance of revenue beyond expenditure was 3,250,0001. He would also tell him of the remission of the debt, to which he had not alluded ; it would tell him that there had been a remission of the debt last year to the amount of nearly 8,500,0001., and if the balance in the Exchequer had been reduced more than 4,000,0001., there was still a clear advantage amounting to 4,000,0001. to the credit of the country on the face of the account. Exchequer-bills were lower in amount than they had ever been known in this century, and, in spite of a har vest which had compelled us to make almost unpara lelled imports of corn, and in spite of the apprehensions of war, our trade had been increasing, and we bad every evidence of the growing prosperity and strength of the country for purposes of peace or war. It was encourag ing to know that if the right hon. gentleman had been in power, and had possessed the knowledge that these 4ffipiltraCti WO* iiaTe OVA) . 444 119 WOlll4 pursued that course of policy which the house, in its wisdom had thought proper to pursue. He concurred with the right hon. gentleman in acknowledging the spirit with which the present exigency had been met on both sides of the house, and he thought it was a circum stance of pride for this country, and of discouragement for our enemies, that, from the position in which it appeared from this paper we were placed at the com mencement of hostilities, we should be enabled to meet the expenditure which had been sanctioned by the house without the necessity of imposing fresh burdens, or of withdrawing remissions already given to the great body of the people. These were the circumstances under which, at the conclusion of a long period of peace, the country was unhappily plunged into war. As there was no motion before the house except the third reading of the Income-tax Bill—to which no amendment had been moved—and every argument used by the right hon. gentleman had tended to prove the necessity of replen ishing the Exchequer, and therefore the propriety of passing the bill, he did not understand why the right hon. gentleman should have thought it necessary, in giving his cordial concurrence to the principle and objects of the bill, to draw the house into a discussion upon budgets of former years. (Hear, hear.) Mr. MALINS asserted that the President of the Board of Trade had left all the main points of his right hon. friend's argument untouched. The right hon. gentleman asked why raise a discussion on the third reading of the income tax bill, but he should bear in mind that the increase in the income tax formed the whole of the budget for the present year, and that in deprecating discussion upon it, he deprecated financial discussion altogether. Again, he said that they (the Oppo-dtion) proposed no amend ment, and contemplated no division. l t had been proved to the house that the result of those financial operations, if they had been carried into effect last week would have cost the country 700.0001., and that now they would cost the country 800,0001. Such was the lamentable failure of the right hon. gentleman's first effort in fin ance ! The success of future efforts of the right hon. gentleman might, indeed, ultimately prove that he would be cheap to the country eve❑ at that price. At present, however, that was the price which they had had to pay for him. In answer to the taunt of the right hon. gen tleman who had last addressed the house, " Why do you renew these discussions if you are not going to divide ?" he (Mr. Malins) answered, that he renewed them because he desired to raise his voice, as he shoutd continue to raise it so long as he had a seat in that house, against the proposition that this war could be carried on by means of direct taxes. He could have understood the right hon, gentleman proposing to double the income tax if he had still belonged to the great Peel party, but he was at a loss to understand it, associated as he now was with the noble lord the member for London, the noble lord the member for Tiverton, and others who had over and over again denounced it as the most detestable and obnoxious tax that had ever been imposed upon the people of this country. These associa tions of men who had no opinion in common, led to act ing upon no opinion at all ; and it was this constitution of the Government which had led to the war which they were now considering how we should pay for. He wished to ask the right hon. gentleman when he saw the Three per Cents. still falling, railway shares reduced not less than 10 per cent., and every kind of property going down rapidly, whether he was still of opinion that the expense of the war could be defrayed by direct taxation raised from year to year ? If he did, he ventured to warn the right hon. gentleman that he had not deceived him self more when he proposed to reduce the South Sea Annuities in 1853 than he was now deceiving himself in making this proposition. If this were to be a great war, and the expenses of the first year should turn out to be 10,000,0001. or 14,000,0001., how was the right hon. gentleman to raise so large a sum by direct taxes ? Did he think that he could double the income tax a second half-year ?—that he could go on indefinitely doubling the income tax ? He told the right hon. gentleman that he might pass an Act of Parliament to do it, but that he would be unable to collect the money, or, if he did, he would lose some other taxes, because there was a limit beyond which direct taxation could not be carried, and, if so heavy an income tax were imposed, the public would, he might rest assured, indemnify themselves in some other way. He beseeched the right hon. gentle man to consider how he was to meet the serious amount which, he feared, was to be expended in this war. Would he propose indirect taxes, re-imposing some which he had before remitted ; or would he at once make up his mind to raise money by way of loan ? He (Mr. Malins) believed that it would be found impracticable, either by indirect or direct taxes, to raise the means of carrying on the war within the year, and, if so, it would be neces sary to make a proposition by which money could be raised for the purpose. If it were to be a great war, in tended to curb the ambition of Russia, and to secure last ing benefits for those who were to follow us, why should we of the present generation pay the whole expenses of the war ? He said that it was not a right principle that those who were to benefit by our efforts should not have thrown upon them some of the weight of the war, and he called upon the Government to act in this mat ter on the same principle as the great landed proprietor would act who, when making extensive permanent im provements, bore some portion of the expense himself and threw the remainder upon his successors. He trusted that the right hon. gentleman would take these matters into consideration, and that the session would not terminate before the house, acting upon an enlarged view of the subject, - would settle a system of finance by which the war might be carried on without proving unduly burdensome, grinding, and oppressive upon the present generation. If this were not done, but direct taxation were increased, those energies of the nation which now supported the Government might be de stroyed, and the war became so unpopular that we might be compelled to submit to an ignominious peace. (Hear, hear.) Mr. LAING pointed out the successful results of the remissio❑ of indirect taxes during the last ten years, and inferred thence that the great majority of the country would prefer a double income tax to retracing our steps by reverting to a system of indirect taxation. Mr. VANSITTART said, although he did not intend to oppose the present measure, he considered that there were ample grounds for discussion, and having seen that the Government had been guilty of such rashness, they would not be doing their duty if they did not impress on them the necessity of using great caution and of taking bold measures when they were required. - The bill was then read a third time and pas-ed. CONVENTUAL AND MONASTIC INSTI TUTIONS. Mr. F. SCULLY presented a petition, signed, as we understood, by 5,000 persons attending St. George's Roman Catholic Cathedral, Southwark, against the pro posed committee of inquiry into monastic institutions. On the question being put, on the nomination of the committee, that the name of Mr. Chambers be agreed to, Mr. GOOLD rose to move, as an amendment, that the name of Mr. Chambers be omitted, with the view of substituting that of Mr. Sotheron ; and afterwards, that the names of the Marquis of Stafford and Mr. Newdegate be omitted, and those of Mr. Ker Seymer and Lord H. Vane be substituted. (Hear, hear.) He deprecated any personal discourtesy to the hon. and learned member for Hertford in bringing forward this motion, but, knowing that hon. and learned member's strong prejudices on this subject, and presuming that probably he might be the cheirman of this committee, if appointed, he felt it his duty to enter his protest against his being appointed to serve on it, and also against the appointment of the committee itself. (Hear.) Sir J. FITZGERALD briefly supported the motion for the omission of Mr. Chamber's name, and contended that the present time was most unseasonable for the in troduction of such a measure as that of the hon. and learned member for Hertford. The only effect of such a measure, he believed, would be to excite again those religious differences which had for so long a time so un happily distracted Ireland, but which were now, to a certain extent, stilled ; and which, if not again impru dently excited, would, he believed, ie the course of time, be entirely obliterated. (Hear, hear.) The house then divided, when the numbers were— Ayes ll7 Noes Majority in favour of Mr. Chambers's name being on the committee On the second name, that of Mr. Walpole, being put— Mr. LUCAS moved, as an amendment, that the further nomination be proceeded with on that day six months. The hon. gentleman contended that folly and bigotry we re th e f oun d at i on o f the whole proceeding. Mr. D. O'CONNELL supported the amendment. Mr. MASSEY deprecated the selection of names which had been proposed as a committee, no less than seven of them having already expressed strong opinions against these institutions. He also objected to other names who were in favour of them. In fact, he ob jected to nearly all the names proposed, thinking the committee should be composed of hon. members who were, as far as possible, impartial ; whereas those pro posed were the most part pledged on one side of the question or the other. Mr. SPOONER could not see how any committee could be formed upon the principles laid down by the hon. gentleman.. He denied that there was any inten tion of bringing the inmates of convents before the house, for no gentleman would lend himself to such a proceeding, but they would be able to prove that there was a system of inducing young women of property by moral influence• to enter convents, with the view of gaining for those establishments the property to which they were entitled. Mr. J. BALL thought the house bound, out of respect to its own character both in this country and in Ireland, to take care that this inquiry was conducted with some decent regard for impartiality and justice. If five mem bers known to entertain hostile opinions to the nunne ries, five members favourable to them, and five members whose opinions were unbiassed, formed the tribunal, it would be fair ; but, as at present constituted, it would have the appearance to the country of being nothing less than a packed committee. (Cries for a division.) Mr. KINNAIRD, as his name had been called into question, begged to offer a few words to the house. The doctrine of the hon. member for Newport (Mr. Massey) was the most extraordinary he had ever heard. (Hear, hear.) He (Mr. Kinnaird) had never expressed an opinion on this subject, either in or out of the house ; and, although he had opinions with regard to it, he should be prepared to enter on the inquiry in a perfect spirit of impartiality. (Hear, hear.) Mr. GOOLD, in explanation, said, he had wished to convey his conviction that those members were incapa citated from serving on such a committee who were active members of societies in hostility to Roman Catho lics. He thought he had seen the name of Mr. Kin naird as one of the managing committee of the Protes tant Alliance, which had circulated tracts most offensive to Roman Catholics, and he objected to the presence of members on the committee whose hostility to Roman Catholics argued prejudice and a foregone conclusion on the pulled to be doeicial upon. Such pe r m s Quglit not . THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, MARCH 31, 1854. to sit as jurors on the conventual institutions of the Church of Rome. (Divide, divide.) Mr. V. SCULLY rose amidst vociferous cries for a a division. He found that he could not be heard, and therefore he moved the adjournment of the debate. (Hear, and divide, divide). The question was then put, and the house divided— Against the adjournment l5O For it Majority against it.... ---76 Mr. KENNEDY did not regret the division which had taken place. An insult had been offered by the votes of the Protestant members of Great Britain to the Catholics ; and he owed it, therefore, as a Protestant to his Catholic fellow-countrymen to move the adjournment of the house. Captain BELLEW seconded the motion. He inten ded to substitute other names— one for that of the member for East Surrey, and another for that of another member—and he appealed to the house, therefore, to adjourn the debate. Mr. Sergeant SHEE, in an energetic speech, de nounced the proposed inquiry, defended the convents, and made a personal attack upon Mr. Chambers for his conduct in promoting it. Towards half-past one the house became so impatient, that every new sentence of the learned Sergeant elicited a burst of interruption.; The house then divided, when the numbers were— For the adjournment 6B Against it l2l-53 Mr. MOORE moved the adjournment of the debate. Mr. HUTCHINGS seconded the motion. Mr. CHAMBERS said that at that hour of the night he thought it would not be proper to press the subject, and therefore he would consent to the adjournment The debate was accordingly adjourned, and in a few minutes afterwards (at a quarter to two o'clock) the house adjourned. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. GUILDHALL. — DanieI Cayley and Wm. Donovan were charged with robbing Mr. Davies, of 112, Alders gate-street. Prosecutor said he was passing the end of Fan-street, and while endeavouring to get through a crowd that was collected there he heard n, click at his pocket, and imme diately on turning round he saw Cayley in the act of passing his watch behind to a third party. It was so rapidly done that witness saw there was no chance of re covering his watch, so he secured the prisoner Cayley, who instantly struck him violently on the left eye, while his companions surrounded them and struck prosecutor on the right eye and on the mouth. They then jumped upon the prosecutor's arm to make him release his hold of Cayley, and threw him on the ground, but what they did to him then he did not remember, although his right leg was severely injured in the struggle that afterwards took place. Donovan was the first who interfered, and, with the assistance of his party, succeeded in making the rescue. Inspector Teague said he saw Cayley making his way out of the crowd and took him into custody. He appre hended Donovan in bed on the following morning. It was thought expedient for the ends of justice not to offer more evidence on this occasion, and prisoners were remanded. MARLBOROUGH- STREET. Priscilla Poidea was charged with havinv obtained a situation in the establishment of W. R. Davis, Esq., of Croft Castle, Herefordshire, by means of a false charact er . _ _ • Mr. Davies said, on Thursday last the prisoner applied to Mrs. Davies, at Long's Hotel, for the situation of cook and housekeeper. The prisoner said she had lived in Scotland with a family named Cunningham. The prisoner gave as Mrs. Cunningham's address, Bedford Hotel, Brighton, and a letter was sent to that direction having reference to the prisoner's character. An answer was received, and when the prisoner called again, she was told her character was satisfactory, and she was then engaged. Having suspicion that the letter in reply to his inquiries was not quite correct, he caused inquiry to be made, and having ascertained that no one of the name of Cunningham had been at the Bedford Hotel, he made the police acquainted with the circum stances of the case, and caused the prisoner to be taken into custody. The prisoner, in defence, denied saying that Mrs. Cunningham lived at the Bedford Hotel. She had lived with Mr. Cunningham, who had given her character to Mrs. Davies, but she did not know Mrs. Cunningham's present address. - Mrs. Davies stated to the court what passed between herself and the prisoner at the interview on Wednesday or Thursday last. The prisoner said she had lived with a family in Scotland named Cunningham, who kept a large establishment ; that she left her place because she did not like Scotland ; arid that her late mistress would give her character, and had given her a recommendation, which she brought the following day. The prisoner further said that Mrs. Cunningham was staving at the Bedford Hotel, Brighton, and begged her not to write for her character until she had apprised Mrs. Cunning ham, who was a very particular lady, that she had found a place likely to suit her. _ _ Mr. Bingham said he would give the prisoner another week either to produce Mrs. Cunningham or her real address. MEETING OF DIRECTORS AND OTHERS INTERESTED IN RAILWAYS. At a meeting of directors and others interested in railway companies, held at the King's Arms, Palace yard, Westminster, 30th March, 1854, Marquis of Chandos, M.P., in the chair. On the motion of the Earl of LONSDALE, seconded by Mr. FENTON, it was resolved— "That the clauses issued by the general committee on railway and canal bills (without hearing any of the par ties interested) for the guidance of the sub-committees— and to be inserted in all bills--vitally affecting as they do 300,000,000 of property, demand the most serious consideration of all railway companies and their share holders ; and that if any such alterations in the existing law as are proposed by those clauses are to be considered by the Legislature, they ought to form the subject of a general bill applicable to all companies ; and that it would be most unfair to the great interests involved if a mode of legislation should be adopted which, though professedly applied to particular cases, will have the effect of a general law. On the motion of Mr. LEE3IAN, seconded by Mr. AN DERTON, it was resolved, "That a committee be appointed, to consist of the chairman and deputy-chairman of each railway com pany (with power to add to their number), to take such steps as may be considered necessary for bringing the proposed alterations of the law fully and fairly under the consideration of Parliament. The meeting adjourned to Saturday next, the Ist of April, at 12 o'clock precisely. THE MURDER AND SUICIDE IN THE REGENT'S PARK. A letter has been found on the mantel shelf of the room occupied by James Martin, which throws consi derable light upon the motives of the shocking crime reported yesterday. The letter, which is in the first place addressed to Mr. Carter, of William-street, Re gent's-park, Martin's landlord, is as follows : "March 28, 1854, 9 o'clock, p.m. "Mr. Carter, "Sir,—l am extremely sorry the settling of my rent to morrow will be in a way that you little think of, which must be by your taking my goods, and I hope you will find sufficient to pay you. I find it is impossible for me any longer to work so as to be able to keep myself, and I have no wish to live on the labour of others. The asthma which I am troubled with precludes me from working to do any good, more than the few warm months of summer. My eyes are likewise failing very fast, so that I have made up ray mind to leave this world ; and, as you know, sir, the dreadful state of mind my wife is sure to be in if I leave her, I have made up my mind that she shall go with me. " To ray children " I dare say you will c ensure me f or the rash act which I am about to commit, but if you thick it over seriously you must know that your mother will be better off a great deal than being left behind me. Hoping you will get over the shock with as much firmness as you can, " I remain, dear children, your affectionate father, " JAMES MARTIN." "To Mr. Carter. —I remain, sir, yours most respectfully, and sincerely thank you for all favours.—J. M. " To my very particular friend, Mr. Reid, of William. street.—Good bye.—J. M." [ADVERTISEMENT.]—HoIIoway's Pills the greatest wonder of modern times.—They correct bile, prevent flatulency, cleanse the liver, purify the system, renovate the debilitated, strengthen the stomach, increase, the appetite, invigorate the nerves, promote health, and re instate the weak to an ardour of feeling never before ex perienced. Thd extraordinary daily sales of these in valuable pills in all parts of the globe astonish e% erbody, convincing them that there is no other medicine in ex istence equal to Holloway's pills for removing the com plaints which are incidental to the human race ; they are, indeed, a blessing to the afflicted, and a boon to those who suffer from any disorder, internal or external. —Sold by all druggist, and at Professor Holloway's Establishment, 244, Strand, London. [ADVERTISEMENT.]—TELESCOPES.—IierMajeSty'S Royal Letters Patent, for valuable and extraordinary im provements in the most powerful and brilliant Telescopes to know the distances of objects viewed through them— of great importance to the army and navy. Messrs. S. and B. Solomons, opticians, 39, Albemarle-street, Piccadilly. Observe—opposite the York Hotel.—Those telescopes pos sess such extraordinary powers that some, 3,i inches, with an extra eye-piece, will show distinctly Jupiter's moons, Saturn's ring, and the double stars ; with the same tele scope can be seen a person's countenance three miles and a half distant, and an object from 16 to 20 miles. They supersede every other kind for the waistcoat-pocket, and aro of larger and all sizes, with increasing powers accordingly.— The Royal Exhibition, 1851. —Small glass for the waistcoat-pocket. A valuable, newly invented, very small, powerful waistcoat-pocket glass the size of a walnut, by which a person can be seen and known I,i mile distant ; they answer every purpose on the race-course, at the opera-houses, country scenery, and ships are clearly seen at 12 to 14 miles. They are invaluable for shooting, deer stalking, yachting, to sportsmen, gentlemen, gamekeepers, and tourists. Opera and race-course glasses, with wonderful power ; an object can be clearly seen from 10 to 12 miles distant. Newly-invented Spectacles ; immediately they are placed before extremely imperfect vision, every object becomes clear and distinct; the most aged, de fective sight is brought to its youthful, natural, and ori ginal state. Deafness—Now Discovery —The Organic Vi brator, au extraordinary powerful, small, newly-invented instrument, for Deafness, entirely different from all others, to surpass anything of the kind that has been, or pro bably ever can be, produced. Being of the same colour as the skin, is not perceptible ; it enables deaf persons to hear distinctly at church and at public as semblies ; the unpleasant sensation of singing noises in the ears is entirely removed ; and it affords all the assist ance that possibly•could be desired.-39, Alberatizjoitregt, gitnaday Obleryt Qppooit42 the Dric gad, SPORTING lIVTELLIGENCE. NORTHAMPTON AND PYTCHLEY HUNT RACES.—THURSDAY. The INNKEEPERS' PLATE of 50 sovs., added to a hand. cap sweepstakes of 5 sovs. each, for three years old and upwards. Certain winners extra. Once round tone mile four furlongs 180 yards). 10 subs. Mr. Death's Cranbourne, 3 yrs, 6st - 101 b ...... (Wells) 1 Mr. C. Formby's John Bull, 4 yrs, Bst 51b (Flatman) 2 Mr. Webb's f by Verulam —Jennala, 3 yrs, Est 61b (Ashman) 3 The following also ran :—Tomboy, Florist, Sir George, Switch. Betting-2 to 1 agst Jennala filly, 3to 1 agst Oran bourne, 6to 1 agst any other. Won very cleverly by a length and a half ; a length between second and third. Florist was fourth ; Sir George a very bad fifth ; Tom boy, who made most of the running, was sixth ; and Switch pulled up and walked in. EARL SPENCER'S PLATE of 100 sovs-, added toa handi cap sweepstakes of 15 sovs. each, 5 ft. if declared, &c., for horses of all ages (two-year-olds excepted). Certain winners extra. Five furlongs. 66 subs., 29 of whom paid 5 sovs. each. • Lord Lonsdale's Welham, by Cowl, 3 yrs, 6st' 61b (S. Steggles) 1 Mr. J. Shelly's Koh-i-noor, 5 yrs, Bst 111 b (including 71b extra) (Kendall) 2 Lore Strathmore's Cyrus, 3 yrs, 6st 101 b (Ashmall) 3 The following also ran :—Ephesus, King of Trumps, Pelion, Prime Minister, Snowdon Dunhill, Vander decken, Filbert, Invasion, Grief, the General, Romeo, Little Tom, Gage d'Amour, Voucher, Mayday, Bal moral, Phrygia, Alas, M ouser Anstrey, Roebuck, Field Marsh a l, Top s y, Ad e laide. Betting-6 to 1 agst King of Trumps, Bto 1 agst An strey, 9 to 1 agst Pelion, 10 to 1 agst Ephesus, 12 to 1 each agst Romeo and Adelaide, 15 to 1 each agst Wel ham and General, 20 to 1 each agst Snowpon Dunhill, Rally, Filbert, Invasion, and Koh-i-noor. After 5 or 6 baulks a straggling start was effected— Pelion being the last off. The three placed ran in front throughout, Weill= achieving the victory by half a length, the second beating the third three lengths. Filbert was fourth, Anstrey fifth, Adelaide sixth, Ephesus seventh. Mouser, Phrygia, Little Tom, and Topsy were in the extreme rear. The NORTHAMPTONSHIRE CUP STAKES of 10 sovs. each, 'for horses of all ages. The winner to be sold for 500 . sovs. if demanded, &c, &e. About two miles, and a furlong. (15 subs.) Lord Exeter's Ilex, by Beiram, 5 yrs, 9st llb (Norman) 1 Capt. Lowther's Rackapelt, 4 yrs, Bst 71b (Rogers) 2 Mr. Johnstone's Gabriel, 3 yrs, 6st 91h (Bates) 3 Mr. Anderson's f by John o'Gauut—Blanchie, 3 yrs, 6st 91b (Wells) 4 The ALTHORP PARK STAKES of 10 sovs. each, with 50 added • for two-year-olds ; colts, Bst 71b ; fillies, Bst 311;; a winner before starting, 51b extra. T.Y.C. About half a mile. (32 subs,) Mr. Powell's Flatterer (brother to Elirt), Bst 71b (Yates) 1 Mr. Scott's Louvat, Bst 71b (E. Harrison) 2 Lord Chesterfield's f by Epirus—Pelion's dam, Bst 31b (Ash nail) 3 The following also ran :—Katerfelto, Chalice, The Gipsy King, Sir Francis, Falsity, Antoinette, Freckle, Evangeline, Titormus. The DELAPRE STARES of 5 sovs. each, with 25 added ; for three-year-olds, 7st • four, Bst 101 b ; fillies and geldings allow e d 31b. One mile. (9 subs.) Baron Rothschild's Orestes, by Orlando, 4 yrs, Bst 101 b - (Charlton) 1. Mr. Morris's Eulogist, 4 yrs, Bst 101 b (Basham) 2 Mr. Reeves's Pollard, 3 yrs, 7st (T. Sherwood) 3 Mr. Brown's Da nn & (h b), 3 yrs, 6st 111b...(Cowley) 4 Betting-5 to lon Orestes, who won, hard held, by five lengths The others finished at wide intervals. SELLING PLATE of 40 soVs., added to a sweepstake of 3 sovs. each, for 3-yrs-old and upwards. Optional sell ing weights, &c. One mile. (3 subs.) Mr. Liley's Prevarication, by John o' Gaunt, 3 yrs (301), sst 71b Mr. Reeves's Li oness , 3 yrs ( 301), sst 71b...(Cressweil) 2 Betting -2 to lon Prevarication, who made all the running, and won by three lengths. She was afterwards sold by auction to Mr. Hadland for 67 guineas. The race for the Nene Stakes, intended to be run on the first day, was off by consent. The weather, though not so fine as on the previous day, was altogether favourable, and from first to last the meeting was eminently successful. To the Race Committee and to Mr. Marshall, the in defatigable Clerk of the Course, all praise is due. We understand that it is in contemplation to extend the meeting next year to three days ; the original fixtures are, however, to be kept intact, an d an en t ire ly new pro gramme modelled for the third day, the leading feature of which will be a New Handicap Shakes, with liberal amount of money added from the Fund. Plenty of money is in hand to render the additional day extremely attractive. Considerable improvements at the Stand are also projected. Owing to the sudden indisposition of Mr. Manning, whilst en route to Northampton Mr. Clark, the Judge, combined the duties of Clerk of the Scales with his own, and we need scarcely add, that in his double capacity his services were most efficient. The stewards for next year are the Earl of Hopetonn, Earl Wilton, and J. M. Stanley, Esq. LATEST BETTING. METROPOLITAN. 9 to 2 agst Royalist (5 to 1 taken to upwards of 5001). 10 to 1 agst Annie Sutherland. TWO THOUSAND. 100 to 30 agst Ruby (taken). CHESTER CUP. 30 to 1 agst Llanforda (taken). DERBY. Bto 1 agst Dervish. • SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE. NOTICE TO MARINERS. LIGHTHOUSE AT THE ENTRANCE OF PORT PHILIP. The second lighthouse at Portland's Bluff, being now nearly completed, •mariners are requested to take notice that on and...after the Ist day of January next, a " fixed red light will be exhibited thereon, from sunset to sunrise." The leading lighthouse tower is built of wood, painted white, and stands at an elevation of 80 feet above the level of the water, bearing from the centre of the upper light house on Shortland's Bluff south, 33 degrees west, distant 670 feet. The leading light will be seen in ordinary weather 10 miles to seaward, within the bearing of south one quarter west round (westerly).to south-west one quarter west. The two lighthouses by day, and lights by night, kept in one line of bearing, lead in mid-channel between Point Lonsdale and Nepean ; but strangers are cautioned not to attempt the entrance by night, nor against the strength of the ebb tide by day. BEACON OF SWAN RIVER. A cone-shaped iron beacon, painted white, elevated 50 feet above the level of the water, has been erected on Sw an Point, -bearin g f rom th e low lighthouse on Shortland's Bluff, north 41 degrees east. This beacon, kept open to the eastward of the low lighthouse, leads in clear of Point Lonsdale Reef, and the flagstaff on Shortland's Bluff kept 'half a cable's length open-to the westward of the low light house, leads in clear of the Corsair Rock, and the other sunken dangers lying off Point Nepean ; but in all prac ticable cases, mariners waiting the turn of the tide, enter ing or leaving the harbour, are recommended to keep the Point Lonsdale shore aboard, as the tide there runs fairer, and in bad weather small vessels incur less risk on the Point Lonsdale shore, from the tide ripples, than towards Point Nepean. No alteration has taken place in the upper lighthouse on Shortland's Bluff, which is, as heretofore, a bright station ary light, 109 feet above the level of the water, seen in ordinary weather 20 miles to seaward, within the bearings of south round by west or south-west by west. The bearings are by compass, and heights at mean high water. January 3rd, 1854., The Danish Government have issued notice, that all the floating lights are now laid out and lighted. The light vessels at Lesso Trindelen, at Kobbergrunden, and at Anholt Kolob, are in futuro to be laid up on the 31st of December, and not replaced before the Ist of March. The light-vessels in Droden and the Laesso Strait are ordered to keep their stations as long as the ice permits. If the floating ice should force them to leave their stations they will not be laid out again before the Ist of March. When the light-vessel in the Laesso Strait is not on her station, on account of ice in the Kattegat , a white flag, with a blue perpendicular stripe, will be isted on the Lighthouses of Handtholm and Skagen. If from other reasons it shall be obliged to leave the station, a red balloon will appear on the Lighthouses of Skagen and Kirtsholm. AUSTRALIAN SHIPPING. MELBOURNE.—From London, arrived the Stebonheath, Dec. 16 ; Henry Gillespy and Ida, 17th ; R a t c liffe, 20th ; Willem and Carl, 24th; Countess of Yarborough, 24th ; William Ackers, 27th; Java and Windsor, 29th; Fairlie and Flying Dragon, 30th ; Australi an , s t eamer, J an. 1 ; Tubal Caia, 2nd ; Eastern State, 4th; Poictiers, 7th ; Chance, Bth; Maria Somes, Bth ; T uscan , Bth; Kenau Hasselaar, 11th ; Kent, 12th ; Little Pet, 14th ; Hope, 16th; Jannetjee, 16th; Omega, 17th ; Marion ' 20th ; Oriente, 22nd ; Wanata , 22nd ; Mallard, 22nd ; Burger meister Jansen, 22nd ; Wy vent ' yacht, 22nd ; Duke of Northumberland, 24th; Tud or , 25th ; General van den Bosch, 27th; Juno, 27tti • Hendrika 28th. From Liverpool, arrivedthe Banshee, Dec. 14 ; Chimera, 17th ; Winterhur and Irene, 22nd ; Lady Bute, 23rd ; Neleus, Post-office packet, 24th • Gipsy Queen, 24th ; Nova Bella, 29th ; Dating, 30th ; Wave, Jan. 2 ; Birming ham, 2nd; Martaban, 2nd; Swallow, 4th; South Caro lina, 4th ; Midas, 7th Gulnare ' Bth ; Thomas Lowry, Bth ; Robert He nr y, 12th ; Aerolite, 12th ; Mooresfort, 13th ; Merlin, 17th; Aurifera, 18th ; Boomerang, 22nd ; Marco Polo, 25th ; Allegro, 27th. From the Clyde, arrived the Lyra, Dec. 14 ; Verona, 17th ; Lina, 23d ; Hurkaree, `4th: Sea Nymph, 24th ; Ada, 30th ; Nile, 31st ; Ripley axid X. L., 31st ; Templar, Jan. 2; Thomas Hamlin, Eleuth eria, and Scotia, sth ; Leipzig, 16th ; N e ls on , 16th ; He,atherbell, 19th ; Eliza Stewart, 19th ; Mischief, 21st ; Lad? Amherst, 23d ; Ro bertina, 24th ; Queen, steamer, 25tb. ; Harbinger, 25th ; Sarah and Ann, '27th ; Annabella, 28tL. From Bristol, arrived the Melbourne, Dec. 17 ; Sybilla, 27th ; Cotfield, Jan. 6 ; Balgownie, 9th ; John Wesley, 23d ; Express, 25th. From Calcutta, arrived the Hindoo, Dec. 17 ; Quee n, 20th ; Macedon, 27th ; Paradise, Jan. 4. From Dundee, arrived the Jessica, Dec. 22; Polonaise, Jan. 2. From Mauritius, arrived the Emma Colvin, Dec. 22; Roscoe, 29th ; Marmion, Jan, 19. From the Cape, arrived the Bell, Dec. 24 ; Norden, Jan. 7th ; America, 20th ; Rienzi, 23d. From Plymouth, arrived the Salvadora, Dec. 26. From Scilly, arrived the Guardian, Dec. 30. From Gloucester, arrived the Caroline, Dec. 33 ; Ma donna, Jan. 23. LIVERPOOL, MARCH 30. The Russel Sturges, hence to Boston, has been aban. Boned at sea • crew saved. ThQ Anitgd Otate4 l Baal down Arctic:,- th port ----- from New York, was in the ice, and damaged her paddle. floats. The Ann' Thompson, for Halifax, has put back, with loss of foretopmast. The Sarah, from Savannah, at this port, passed the American ship Neva, in lat. 43 N., long. 44 W., with loss of bowsprit, &c., and steering apparatus astray, having encountered a heavy gale on the 12th inst. She also passed on the 19th, in lat. 47 N., long. 30 W., the Northumber land, from London to New York, with emigrants, putting back to Queenstown with loss of topmasts and sails, and part of cargo thrown overboard ; supplied her with provi sions and water. The Sarah Sands (s.s), in coming out of the Birkenhead Docks this morning, got aground, where she remains. NEW YORK, March 15.—The Leviathan, of and from New York, for Liverpool, cleared Nov. 22, and has not since been heard of. The Waterloo, of and from this port, for Liverpool, cleared Nov. 22, and has not since been heard of. A dismasted vessel answering to the description of the Waterloo was passed Dec. 15, in lat. 36 N., long. 34 W. The Joshua Mauran, arrived here, reports having passed a large ship, supposed a clipper, painted black with white bulwarks, in distress, under close-reefed topsails, apparently with rudder disabled, March 3, in lat. 35 N., long. 60 W. The Flying Cloud, arrived here , reports hav ing passed, M arc h 12 , i n lat. 37 N., long . 74' W., a ship's lower mast, with rigging and heel' of topmast attached, head painted black, and appeared to have been mit off near the deck, also a large icon-bound cask, and other wreckage. March 16.—Tho Clyd e (b r i g ) , of and for Halifax, from Cienfuegos, in leaving the latter port, Feb. 24, ,ran upon the rocks, and received so much damage that she ,returned and would probably be condemned. March 17.—The Waltham, arrived at Baltimore, reports having passed, March 12, in lat. 37 N., long. 55 W., a brig wrecked, with the stern out of water, mainmast an d jury foremast standing. The wreck of a large ship, water, logged and abandoned, was passed Feb. 17, in lat. 34 N., loi3g. 13 W., by the Flora Yates. March 18.—The Charlotte (brig), sailed hence - Dec. 3, for Aspinwall, and has not since been heard of. Thy Eagle (brig), of Falmouth, Jamaica, abandoned, with )art of mainmast, foremast, and bowsprit standing, upper part. of mainmast lying on d ec k, appeare d to havebeen strapped, was passed March 9, in lat. 28 N., long. 72 W., by the Mary Wise, arrived here, from Porto Rico. GRANVILLE, March 26.—The Jacques left this / port on the Ist inst., for Newfoundland, but returned nndt r ave rage, with loss of bulwark, boats, and stanchion s, two men killed, and five wounded. She reports having ; seen the Emilie, of this port, about halt way over, disu lasted and helpless, but was unable to render any assistano e. BERWICK, March 30.—The Lord Douglas, of De andee, for London, has put into North Sunderland, making - water, having been on shore —cargo citimaged. HOBART-TOWN, Jan. 25.—The following Londoim. ves sels were reported by the Harbinger (s. s.) :—De v. 28, Thetis ; Jan. 2, Crystal Palace ; 6th, Macassar 3 7th, Condor; 9th, Jacob Roggeveen ; 10th, Chapmans. VESSELS SPOKEN WITH. Tho Maranon, March 18, in lat. 43 N. long. 59 The Montreal, bound west 25th, in lat. 5l N. long. 26 W. The City of Manchester (s.), supposed same day, 5n lat. 51 N. long. 23. W. The Hayti, from .Tacmel, 26th, in lat. 51 N. long. 19 W. The Buenos Ayrean, for Liverpool, 27th, lat. 51 N. 13 W. The Woodcock, rom New York to London, Marc h 7, in lat. 40 N. long. 65 W. - The American Union, 16th, in lat. 48 N. long. 32 W. The Andover, f.—m Plymouth to Melbourne, in l ut. 26 S. long. 28 W. An - American 1.. ig, from Liverpool to Melbourne, 139 days out, in lat. 39 S. long. 118 E., had encountered a gale off St. Paul's, and lost spars. The Rose Standish, from Boston, supposed bound for Australia, Dec. 1.•-, in lat. 38 S. long. 16 E . The New England (ship), from New Zealand to New London, mate in charge, master dead, Dec, 13, in _lat. 36 S. long. 45 W. COUNTRY MARKETS. DERBY SMITHFIELD-MARCH 28. There was a plentiful supply of fat beasts to-clay. Most of them were of superior quality. The attendance of buyers was large. The number of sheep about tit a ave rage, :old in request. Fat and store calves more pia ntiful, and the supply of pigs about the same. The following were the quotations :—Beef, 6d t, o Gid ; mutton, 7d to 7id ; lamb, Od to Od ; veal, 7d to Od per lb. ; pigs, 9s 9d to lOs per score ; rough fat, 5s 9d tg Os Od per 141 b.; hides, 2,1 d to 3d per lb ; calf-skins, 3i(l to 4d per lb. EDINBURGH GRAIN.-MARCH 29. The supply of grain in the market to-day was small. With the exception of barley and beans everythin, g rose in price. Wheat on the top 2s 6d, and the average is iL d, up. Barley on the top 3s up, and the average 5d down. - Oats on the top 2s down, an d the •werage 3d up. Beans on the top the same as last week, and the average 4d down.. Total Supply and Sales. Wheat 307 qrs sold 215 , 1 ra Barley Bl.O qrs so ld 736 qrs Oats 874 qrs sold 785 qra Beans 217 qrs sold 177 qra Top of Wheat 62i lb 84s tOd Barley. 58 lb 48a rOd. Oats Beans ' 67 . 4, lb 52s 4)d Average of wheat ~S 3 14 5 8-12 t lus Ditto of Barley Ditto of Oats Ditto of Beaus -121aba BOSTON—Xenon 29. An exceedingly small supply of wheat at this dars mar. ket. Oats and beans in fair supply. Of barley and peas few samples on offer. The purchases effected being chiefly to supply immediate wants, both merchants and millers determined not to purchase at the exorbitant prices de manded Prices :—Wheat, red, 64s Od to 76s Od; wlaite, 76s Od to 80s Od extra. 003 Od. Barley, 32s Od to :Ms Od. Oats, 228 to 295. Beans, 42s Od to 49s Od. Peas e 40s Od to 43s per qr. DALKEITH MEAL MARKET--MA R CH 27. There were in the market to-day 39 bags of oatmeal, 4of barleymeal, and 2of pot-barley. Sal es dull. The top price of oatmeal 6d down; the second as last week; third Us Od up. Pot-barley, the top price was is down. Oatmeal, 'per sack of 2Solbs First. I Sec , oud. Third. 45s Od. 45s Od —s Od Barleymeal, per ditto Peaseraeal, per ditto Flour, per ditto —s Od —s Od —s Od Pot-baziey, per ditto NEWARK—MAR an 29. The wheat to-day was 45 per qr. dearer, and the price of barley improved is per qr. Pric.as :—Wheat, white, 788 Od to 84s Od; red, 743 Od to 79s .9d. Barley, malting, 36s Od to 36s Od ; grindinz. 32s Od to 33s Od. Oats, old, 328 Od. to 36s (kl ; new, 28s Od to 30s Od. Beans, 48s Od to 64s Od. Ram, 005 Od to 00s Od. Malt, 568 Od to 70s Od. Tare; 48s (ki t0'728 Od. LivERPOOL, MARCH 28. At this day's market there was a large atten dance of the town and country trade and of buyers from the interior, and an extensive consumptive and speculative demand was experienced for wheat and flour; and all the parcels offer ing were cleared off at an advance of 9d to is per 701 b. on the former, and 4s per barrel on the latter article since Friday, being 3d to 4d per 701 b. and is per barrel over the prices obtained on this day woek. Oats and oatmeal mere saleable at the prices of Tuesday. Barley, beans, and peas were each the turn dearer. Indian corn a brisk sale at an advance of 4s per qr. on fine and 5s on inferior descriptions since Friday. RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS. Lt V ERPOOL, MARCH 30. STOCK EXCHANGE. —The following were the sales : Chester and Birkenhead, 15 ; Liverpool, Crosby, and Southport, 9i ; Caledonian, 244 g ; Lancashiro and York shire, 57g c. • London and North-Weste rn , 92 ; Loudon and North-Western, eighth-shares, 1 die. ; Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire; 182 ; Midland, 54cf ; ditto, preference, 1 dis. ; North British, 7; South Eastern and Dover, 16g ; York, Newcastle, and Berwick, G. N. E. Purchase, 54 dis. MANCHESTER, MARCH 30. STOCK EXCHANGE.—The market closes rather firmer than at the opening, but there has been but a limited busi ness. Sheffields, 18, n. ; Dovers, 16 11-16 ; Leeds, 58 • Midland, 55 ; Che s t er an d Bi r k en h ea d , 15; Lodon Stock.. 924 34 ; Sheffield, new pref., dis. ; Eastern Counties, 11k. BIRMINGHAM, MARCEL 30. STOCK EXCHANGE.—The railway share-market again drooped to-day, although a considerable amount of busi ness was transacted. Among the sales effected on 'Change wereb:—London and North- Western Stock, at 034; Ditto, eighths, 20s. dis. and 18s. 9d. dis. ; Midland, 55g. BRISTOL, MARCH 30. STOCK EXCHANGE.—There was more business transacted to-day, and the market was rather better at the close. Great Westerns were done at 704 ; Midland, 54i ; Great Northern, 82k. BIRTHS• OF A SON". t On the 26th of January, a - Madras, th e W i fe of Lieut. A. D. Clay, M. L. I. Onth m e il 2 n o e t r. h inst., at Portsm out h , the Wife o f th e R ev. E. W. OF A DAUGHTER. N o vember last, a t W ellington, New Zea land,On the ee wife wife of At`Cleverty, Deputy Quar termaster-General. , On the 29th Inst., at Sussex- place, Southsea the wife of R.N. Captain Hayes, MARRIED. On the 2d of February last, at Calcutta, John D'Oyly Gaby, officer of the Peninsular and . Oriental Company's steam-ship Bengal, to Ann Elizabeth, eldest daughter of the late W. Greenaway, Esq., of Calcutta. On th e DIED. 27 th inst , at Dartmouth, D evon , Si r Th omas Swinnerto n Dyer, iart. On the 28th inst. at 4, Dorset-place, Susa n n a h, re li c t o f the late A. C . Hutchison, surgeon, R.N.. aged 72. On the 29th inst., at Kildare-terrace, West bourne-park. r oad, Mary Ann, widow of the late Thomas Arnott, Esq., aged 71. At Redland s , near Reading, Ellis R o b er t, on l y surv i v i ng son of David Cunliffe, Esq., of the Bengal Civil Service. On the 30th inst., S. Ratherfoord, Esq., surgeon, of St, George's-in -the-East. LONDON: Printed and Published by WEIRDO YOUNG, of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at the un Office, No. 112, Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, the comity of Mid44ol9F, kriday, &rob n, um • RailvCE direct) jaurnej • shortes The the jou Fuh 40, Itei 74, .:or ~. V 1 113t70f A ont will Station, verhara .'....... 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