The Sun. — London, England, 1844-04-29 00:00:00

JOINT•STOCK COMPANIES. FIRST REPORT. The Select Committee appointed to inquire into the state of the Laws respecting Joint-Stock Companies (except Banking Companies), with a view to the greater security of the public, and who were em powered to report their opinion thereupon, from time to time, to the House, have made a progress in the matters referred to them, and have agreed to the following Report and Resolutions: — Your Committee have had laid before them the report on the law of partnership, which was prepared by Mr. Bellenden Ker, by the direction of the Lords of the Com mittee of Privy Council for Trade, and presented to Par liament in the year 1837. This report contains the evidence of several eminent merchants, bankers, and lawyers, conversant with mer cantile transactions, upon which was founded the exist ing Letters Patent Act, 1 Vic. c. 73 (1837), by which her Majesty is empowered to grant letters patent, or charters of a limited nature, to joint-stock companies. lek addition to the above mentioned evidence, your CoMmittee, in pursuance of the declared end of the re ference to them, viz., the better security of the public, have received evidence of other persons conversant with joint-stock companies as to their operation, and as to the improvements which may be made in the 1e al and equitable remedies at present available to companies, and to their directors and shareholders. In further pursuance of this object, your Committee thought it desirable, notwithstanding the notoriety of the circumstances which had attended the concoction, pro gress, and termination of some bubble companies, to re ceive evidence of a few remarkable cases of miscarriage or fraud, with a view to practical remedies to be specifi cally directed to such eases. Bret as an inquiry of that kind could not be satisfac torily conducted without involving the character and conduct of a great number of persons, which would make it necessary to give them an opportunity of being heard, and that necessity woi4d involve a course of investigation, which, from its extent In point of time, as well as from its complicated nature, must be beyond both the com petence of a Parliamentary Committee, and the demands of the occasion, your Committee felt compelled, in taking this course, to confine themselves within the nar rowest limits. . Although these inquiries were so restricted, it was found impossible to conduct them without in some mea sure implicating individuals by the necessarily ex parte statements of witnesses incidentally made before your Committee. Under these circumstances, your Committee have de • termined, at the risk of sacrificing some portion of the weight which their recommendations would derive from the publication of this part of the evidence, to state sum manly the general results of it, and to give at length the remainder, to which objection does not apply. With regard, however, to one particular scheme, as the circumstances connected with it have been brought fully before the world in judicial investigations, your Committee have not thought it necessary to maintain the same degree of reserve. In perusing the evidence thus curtailed," it will be ne cessary to bear in mind that the intimations of the cha racteristics of bubble companies must necessarily be more faint than if the condition in life, circumstances, and character of the individuals concerned in the concoction and conduct of them were stated In detail, with the in cidents which indicate, on the one hand, the cunning of the fraudulent promoter ; and, on the other, the gross negligence and censurab le acquiescence under which in telligent and respectable persons have assisted to sup port such companies by their names, or by their contri butions and liabilities. _ _ But probably this will not be deemed of much import ance, since, generally speaking, the circumstances of fraud and mismanagement in the conduct of such com panies are so notorious as to have provided the least ob servant with instances of the necessity for the suggestions which your Committee propose. From the evidence which has been taken on this head, it appears that bubble companies may be divided into three classes :- Ist. Those which, being faulty in their nature, inas much as they are founded on unsound calculations, cannot succeed by any possibility : 2dly. Those which, let their objects be good or bad, are so ill-constituted as to render it probable that the miscarriages or failures incident to mismanagement will attend them ; and -3dly. Those which are faulty or fraudulent in their object, being started for no other purpose than to create shares for the purpo 4: of jobbing in them, or to create, under pretence of carrying on a legitimate business, the opportunity and means of raising funds to be shared by the adventurers who start the company. All the companies of the last class of course adopt, as far as possible, the outward characteristic common to those of the best kind. They exhibit an array of direc tors and officers—announce a large capital—adopt the style and title of a company—issue plausible statements intimating excellent purposes—declare that they are sanctioned or empowered by Act of Parliament—use some conspicuous place of business, in a respectable si tuation—and employ throughout the country respectable dents and bankers. But many of these characteristics are fictitious. The Directors have either not sanctioned the use of their names, or they are not the persons they are supposed to be. 17ot only is there no capital, but neither subscribers nor deed of settlement. The style of the company may be true, because any company may adopt such style ,• but their purposes, though plausible, are often founded ,on calculations which do not admit of success, and they base not only not received the sanction or authority of Varliament, or of the Crown, but the very statutes which mre cited as conferring the authority will be found to '—we a very different object. ' , ugh their place of business may have all the indi- Tn. N respectability, the persons employed there will cations 01 _ found to be of a corresponding character; not always be - . .zents are employed, it will be found and though good a tr , irked into acceptin . g . the aency that they have been tions or , respectability employed partly by the other indica. by tempting commissions; by these companies, and pars Y and the bankers are no further' parties than that, in the have permitted the con ordinary course of business , thei cerns to open an account wit h t publication of the With this class the remedy is eas y; directors, of the shareholders, of the deed of settlement, of the amount of the capital, and whether subscribed er not subscribed, nominal or real, would baffle every case of fraud which has come under the notice of your Com mittee. The public would have the means of knowing with whom they deal; and agents and bankers would be enabled to avoid participating in the discredit of such concerns, by giving the sanction of their names to ques tionable undertakings. The difficulty is greater with the second class of com panies for good objects, but ill-constituted. Companies of the third class, which are fraudulent in their objects, are commonly short-lived ; circumstances of suspicion soon arise, which under the precautions already men tioned, would avail to counteraet the projectors, but the character and credit of the persons en gaged in companies of this second class lull sus picion. The directors themselves are often indiffe rent and careless, trusting too much to their of ficers ; shareholders purchase on the strength of their names, without due inquiry, and thus confer factitious support ; so that one set of persons relying upon another set, the delusion is sustained for a longer space of time. Publication of the directors and shareholders, of deeds of settlement, and of the capital, will not meet this class of cases ; but it may be met by the periodical holding of meetings, by the periodical balancing, audit and publication of accounts, and by making the direc tors and officers more immediately responsible to the shareholders, which may probably be ac complished by facilitating and improving the remedies available to joint-stock companies and their shareholders, inter se. Periodical accounts, if honestly made and fairly audited, cannot fail to excite attention to the real state of a concern; and by means of improved remedies, parties to mismanagement may be made more amenable for acts of fraud and illegality.. The only class which is beyond certain cure by the Legislature is the first class--companies faulty in their nature. No antecedent check will avail; any authority appointed to act as censor would be as liable to be de ceived as the promoters of the schemes, and it might sometimes sanction bad, and at other times prevent good schemes. The early publication, resulting from registration, of their prospectuses and circulars, will doubtless be useful in controlling such undertakings at their outset, and if all ether causes of failure are lessened, failures of this class will, in all probability, strike the attention more, and by the exposure of failing companies, public opinion and public conduct on this head may be improved. In accordanee with these views, your Committee have rased sundry resolutions, limited to the objects above indicated ; if it shall be found hereafter that the expe dients thereby contemplated do not meet the full extent of the evil, they feel that by the establishment of the proposed plan of registration, the Legislature may ob tain information of a trustworthy character which will thus be collected, and may pr oceed w i t h more con fid ence to supply the provisions which e sh ata tb i e h found wanting. In the recommendations to registration of joint-stock companies, your Committee perso s are supported by the testimony of almost every w n ell on a suted_or ex- Amined by Mr. Bellenden Ker, as examined s by the wit messes generally who have been examiby your Com mittee. On the subsidiary points the evidence is not so general ; but in reference to them, your Committee have bad regard to the practice of Parliament with respect to the incorporated companies, and to the instances of a b use which have come under their notice, and which appear to them to call for the adoption of direct measures of prevention and punishment. On the Suggest i o ns for the improvement of the law relating to private partnership, and to partnership en commandite, upon which so much valuable ,, evidence has been afforded by Mr. Bellenden Ker 's report, your Committee forbear to express an opinion, because, though highly worthy of consideration, those subjects do not appear to fall with the scope of the reference which has been made to them. In the evidence of Mr. Parkes, one of the witnesses examined by your Committee, will be found some curious information as to the extent of two of those paroxyams of speculation, which would seem to recur periodically. The causes of such paroxysms forbid the hope of wiggly preventing the recurrence of them, but your Committee trust that the adoption of those recom mendations which are directed to prevent the use of joint-stock companies as mere instruments of share jobbing, and to punish parties guilty of illegal or fraudulent conduct, will narrow the range of mischief produced by those paroxysms. Your Committee also en tertain the hops, that, by recording the instances of failure, with the , cause thereof, and by the exposure of cases of fraud, tl information thus obtained and dis- s emineted will s erve to counteract, in some mea sure , the susceptibility iof ignorant persons to be deluded by fraudulent schemes. But probably the greatest benefit in this direction will be produced by enabling the share. brokers, and oth vr persons professionally employed in making investments of this kind, to learn more easily and more accurately the real nature of these companies; so that, at least, the ignorant may not be so much mis led by the example of persons of weight and intelligence, who have sometimes, with extraordinary recklessness, connected themselves with companies, which, whether the objects of the promoters, the nature of the enter prise, or the constitution of the company be considered, must be regarded as of a questionable character. The bubble companies, which were the immediate oc casion of this inquiry, eing concerned in effecting as surances and granting annuities, the attention of your Committee was naturally directed to companies and so cieties engaged in that most important class of =dr. takings. They believe that, generally, they are deserv ing of the highest credit on account of the respectability of their managements and the soundness of their schemes; but instances of abuse which have occurred justify and demand inquiry, Ardingly, your Committee have taken some evidence 7h the subject ; and for the pur pose of obtaining further and more complete information, they issued at the close of the last session a list of aueries, in answer to which they have received returns from a considerable number of those companies. _ . Your Committee propose, as soon as the information to be supplied by the answers to these queries can be properly collated, to prosecute their inquiries in this di. rection, with a view, on the one hand, to suggest such practical facilities and encouragements as it may be in the power of the Legislature to afford to these companies for the furtherance of the system of Life Assurance, so im portant to the well-being of the nation at large ; and, on the other, to prescribe such reasonable precautions as may be requisite to ensure the faithful observance, on the part of such companies, of the extensive obligations into which they enter with the public. Your Committee now proceed to submit the summary to which reference has been made. It shortly des scribes :-- The cases examined, and the character of their objects, concoctors and managers. The modes of deception adopted. The duration of the companies. The amount and distribution of the plunder. The circumstances of the victims. The impunity of the offenders. CASES EICAMINED, AND CHARACTER OP THEIR OBJECTS, CONCOCTORS, AND MANAGERS. The examinations by which the conduct and character of individuals are implicated, and which are therefore excluded from the annexed evidence, relate to ten com panies for the following purposes : Seven insurance, annuity, and loan companies. Three mining and general companies. In eight of these oases the concern is represented to have been founded by mere adventurers, and upon schemes evidently fraudulent, or greatly miscalculated. In one of the remainder, the company was bona fide in its object and in its construction; but owing to the negligence of the directors in superintending the ex change of certificates of shares for scrip, and the can celling of the scrip, one of the officers was enabled to possess himself of the latter, and to deposit it as a col lateral security for loans to himself, by which the shares became nearly doubled in number. This officer is re presented to have been the more easily enabled to prac tise such a fraud, as the directors left the management in all its branches to him, as they considered him a very superior man, being a man of science, in an independent station of life, and a Government contractor. • The case appears to be one not of general fraud in the concoction and management of a company, but of over confidence on the part of the directors in their officer, and of breach of trust on his part. In the remaining case the concern, though of a multi farious and questionable character, was originally bona fide, and conducted by or under the superintendence of a respectable direction; but subsequently the parties to the direction appear to have retired, and left the con cern to the management of a single person, who became bankrupt. Latterly, therefore, this concern was of a fraudulent character, two of the parties by whom the re cent policies had been signed being bankrupts. It was a provision in the rules of the concern, which was a benefit society as well as a joint-stock company, that this officer was to hold his office for life; and it is to be ob served, that in other eases of a fraudulent kind provisions are made of a similar nature, securing to particular in dividuals offices for life, as well as considerable advan tages in point of emolument or shares. Such a provision is to be found sometimes in concerns that prove to be bona fide and successful; but it is probably a common characteristic of the worst kind of cases, and is always liable to the disadvantage of inducing a want of care and attention on the part of the persons in whose favour it is made. In another case auditors were appointed for life. One of the schemes to which allusion was first made was founded by the enterprise of a family of swindlers, one of whom changed his name and became a trustee and chief manager of the company. He was a person without means, but succeeded in inducing several Members of Parliament and other persons of station to act in the ca pacity of directors and trustees, upon the persuasion that it would do good, and on the understanding that their names were to be uses, but that duly were not to be liable; and these gentlemen appear to have considered that they were merely doing an act of kindness to the individual who was the chief promoter of the company, and not to be sensible that it inflicted injury upon the public, and upon the parties who placed undue confi dence in a concern supported by their names. One of them, a trustee, held that he was only responsible for the moneys which came into his hands, and that he was not bound to see that the moneys of the coneern came to him. In fact, be received nothing ; while the company had the advantage of the credit which was given to it on account of the respectability of the names under which it was announced. It appeared that on the breaking up of the concern there were few bona fide shareholders, and some of them had become such by compulsion, it being made part of the terms upon which they were favoured with dis counts, in order that they might not be able to take proceedings against the company of which they were members. Others were minors, married women, la bourers, and small tradesmen. Another company incorporated by Act of Parliament, was established for an object not in its nature question able, but the scheme was based on fraudulent representa tions. Several prospectuses were issued, each differinc , in some important particular from the other, and the list of shareholders was filled up by a sicilful canvass privately conducted; the usual method of proceeding by advertisement not being adopted in this case. After the establishment of the company an Act of Parliament was obtained; a board of directors thereby appointed, to remain in office for three years and up wards; one of them, the chief mover, being appointed the managing director. Owing to the want of power to inspect the books and papers of the company, and to call a meeting, the shareholders were unable to remove their directors on discovering the mismanagement of the concern. Injunctions were obtained from the Court of Chan cery to restrain their proceedings, and subsequently the Legislature passed another Act giving the shareholders the necessary powers to remove the Directors. The other companies have not been the subject of di rect examination, but were incidentally mentioned. An insurance-office was established by an individual upon the terms of receiving, in the capacity of ma nager and concoctor, 1,0001. per annum, under the direction of mea of the highest character and respec tability, but left to the conduct of that individual who defrauded them. Another insurance-office was established by one or two persons, one an uncertificated bankrupt, upon terms highly advantageous to himself as resident-manager and shareholder of 100 shares, but which, owing to dis putes among the parties, was dissolved, after effecting insurances to a considerable extent. On behalf of the company, W prospectus was issued, containing highly respectable names. It appeared, from some legal proceedings, that the number of shareholders was only eleven, who were all directors. Some of the parties to the last concern were found again establishing another insurance-office under a dif ferent name, and also another society for a different purpose, which has failed. THE MODES OP DECEPTION ADOPTED. These concerns continued to accomplish their frauds by the following modes of deception, from some of which good concerns are not wholly free, and so far they sanction the adoption of them by the worst, and ac custom the public not to regard them as a type or test of dishonesty. By the use of the names of persons having no existence: By the use of the names of distinguished persons, and persons of respectability and wealth, without their autho rity: By the use of the names of such persons as patrons and honorary directors, with their consent, while such persons have been ignorant of the nature of the concern and of its transactions, and have exercised no control over its management: By the issue of prospectuses and advertisements, con taining false statements as to the authority under which it exists, as to the amount of capital of the company, or as to the period of its establishment, as well as to the directors, &c., above-mentioned: By getting reports of pretended meetings, and puffs relative thereto, inserted in the newspapers : By prospectuses fraudulently varied from time to time: By the employment throughout the country, on very tempting rates of commission, of respectable agents whose character has cloaked the want of respectability of the company. In one or two remarkable cases this !appears to have been the most efficient means of success; it has procured business at a distance, where inquiries could not be readily made as to the character of the concern: By open banking accounts with the Bank of England and other respectable banks: By the selection of offices in respectable situations, and fitted up in a respectable manner: By the concoctors and managers living at great ex pense, entertaining their neighbours, and thereby endea vouring to fortify themselves against suspicion: By tthe making up of fraudulent accounts, so as to de ceive the directors and the shareholders, which has been facilitated sometimes by the accounts not being audited, or by the accountant being a near kinsman of the ma taking an ac ti ve part i n naging director, the only party the concern: By declaring dividends out of capital on false repre sentations of profits realised: By concealing the names or proventtinegttohnea-fimdeeetsihnagre.. the shareholders , a nd falsif y in g the book s containing of transfers of shares ; by the creation of fictiti ous votes so as to secure the means of outvoting the holders By the use of the names of respectable solicitors and counsel attached to the prosp ectuses and circulars of the company, by which mercantile men and others are de ceived into a belief of the bona fide character of the undertaking. THE DURATION OF COMPANIES. One insurance company lasted two or three years, and another loan company three years. Both were stopped by the remarks of the press ; but one com menced actions for libel, and was carrying them forward with success ; but it became necessary to produce the deed of settlement, which exposed the character of the transaction. The parties, too, quarrelled about the spoil. An annuity society lasted from ten to twenty years, daring which period the direction, which had com menced as a pension society, with the names of persons of great respectability, dwindled down to the manager and one or two other persons, bankrupts. In each of these cases the concern had good agents in tb• provinces. Another society for effecting general life insurances existed for about two years, and then transferred its business to another company under a new title. Another existed for four years, the manager having deluded the directors by flourishing statements of ac counts, until some of them became suspicious, and on examination found that they had no funds. They were obliged to pay the manager 2,000/. to induce him to re move, there being in the deed of settlement a provision that he was to have 1,000/. a year. A mining company remained in operation for two or three years, till the money paid for shares had been all expended. In the meantime it had declared dividends out of pretended profits, when none had been realised. Ono of these dividends was founded ea a fictitious sale to the auditor, a brother of the manager, to sustain which a false entry was made in the books. THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, APRIL 29, 1844. THE AMOUNT AND DISTRIBUTION OF PLUNDER. The amount of the plunder levied by companies of this description is not so large probably as the amount of loss from companies founded en good faith, but on bad calculations ; but it falls with great weight on the sufferers, who are generally persons of limited means. One of the least creditable of these concerns obtained in the course of two or three years from about 120,0001 to 150,0001. ; and another at least 100,0001. ; by another the shareholders lost about 160,0001. ; by another 80,0001. were lost in London, and 10,0001. in Edinburgh. But it is impossible to esemate the full extent of the mischief. In two cases, where the chief actors have been bankrupts, no books or accounts were forthcoming. In another, the clue was the enrolment of annuities. In this case, too, property was discovered by the Registry of Deeds for the county of Middlesex. The amount of these levies is determined by the dura tion of the company t and this, if it be a company for effecting insurances and granting annuities, is deter mined by the rapidity with which the claims come in. The adventurers are eager to divide the spoil ; hence their inability to meet their engagements is felt much earlier than by a concern which has simply founded its arrangements on bad calculations. The least hesitation in meeting demands provokes suspicion and the concern is brought to an end. The mode of distributing the plunder varies. Some times it is taken by one of the leaders, and share& among the others ; sometimes it assumes the form of a high fixed payment, disproportionate to the service of the in dividual and means of the company, THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF - THE VICTIMS. But the extent of the evil is to be measured rather by the circumstances of the victims than by the amount of the plunder. They are usually persons of very limited means, who invest their savings in order to obtain the tempting returns which are offered. Annuity companies have proved the most dangerous in this respect. Old people, governesses, servants. and persons of that de scription, are tempted to invest their little all, and when the concern stops, they are ruined. Sometimes persons of more property and better intelligence are tempted, but the greater number of the sufferers are of the fist-named dc scriptions. In one case, a person who had effected an insurance in one of these offices fell into impaired health, and on its breaking up, he could not succeed in renewing the in surance in any other office. In one case the victims were the ordinary specula tors in companies, some of them merchants and men of business. By one witness, a solicitor, it was stated that mercan tile men of great sagacity neglect in such cases the most ordinary precautions : that they take more care in dis counting a small bill than in forming a connexion with such companies, by which their fortunes may be wholly lost ; and this neglect has been attributed to the fear of its being known that they are seeking an exorbitant re turn, or that they are embarking in undertakings of questionable character. THE IMPUNITY OF THE OFFENDERS. The eoncoctors of companies, however fraudulent, and however largely they have despoiled the public, are practically unamenable to any judicature, civil or criminal : _ _ 1. Parties affected by these fraudulent contracts can not discover of whom the company consists. 2. If the discovery be made, they are generally so im poverished by their losses as not to be able to pursue the offender, or so ashamed of being involved in the transac tion, as to be indisposed to submit to expose themselves by so doing. 3. They fear to lose their chance of recovering a por tion of their loss. 4. If able and willing to prosecute the offenders, the legal proceedings are so cumbrous as to be almost im practicable. 5. If proceedings be taken in Chancery, each party is entitled to proceed by separate answers, so that such proceedings are impracticable. 6. And it is difficult to sustain criminal procedure by the necessary evidenee. In one instance, where a manager of a company failed, hundreds attempted to prove their claims ; but it was held by the Commissioner of Bankrupts, before whom he was heard, that they were not entitled to prove against his separate estate. This person was managing Streeter and trustee, and had passed the money through his private banker's. No other director or trustree could be found sufficiently solvent to be prosecuted. In many cases it is difficult to prove the partnership. Under these circumstance, the same parties, or parties of the same description, baffled in one concern, availing themselves of the general impersonal designation of com panies, start others equally objectionable, without there being any possibility of apprising the public of the iden tity of the company. This is shown by two or three instances of companies of a questionable kind brought before your Committee. Yonr Committee have agreed to the following resolu tions, and have embodied in them their views of the principal provisions of which they are now prepared to recommend the adoption for the improvement of the law. RESOLUTIONS. 1. That in order to prevent the establishment of fraudulent companies, and to protect the interests of the shareholders and of the public, it is expedient that all joint-stock companies (other than banking companies) for commerciAl purposes, whether future or already formed, be registered in an office to be appointed for that purpose. -2: That the registration of future companies be made —(1.) Provisionally before the public announcement of the company, or the doing of any public act by it ; and (2.) Absolutely or completely, on the full formation thereof. 3. That on such provisional registration, such future companies do register the principal particulars thereof, such as— The name and business or purpose of the eompany : Its place of business, and every branch office or agency appointed or contemplated: The names and addresses of its promoters ; and also, as the case may be, the names and addresses of its pro visional directors, or its provisional officers, and of its subscribers : And any prospectus or circulAr issued or intended to be issued. _ And so from time to time, until complete registration, any addition to or change in such particulars. And that if any such company intend to seek for in corporation by Act of Parliament, or by charter other wise than under the Letters Patent Act, the promoters thereof do upon provisional registration make a declara tion to that effect ; and that they do also register such notices of the intention to apply to Parliament for an Act of Incorporation, as are required by the Standing Orders of either House of Parliament to be inserted in the London Gazette, or other newspaper, such registra tion being made at or within ths) period prescribed for such insertion by such orders. And that if a company be intended to be established by letters patent, or charter. in pursuance of the Letters Patent Act, it do alsD register a reference to the London Gazette, in which the application for letters patent or charter is announced. 4. That on the absolute or complete registration, such ftiture companies (except companies incorporated by Act of Parliament, or by charter otherwise than under the Letpers Patent Act) do register tia e principal particulars thereof, such as— A copy of every prospectus or circular addressed to the public; A. copy of the deed of settlement, subscription con• tract, or other such instrument: The business or purpose of the company, and its piece of business: _ The amount of its nominal capital, and the proportion paid up: The total number of shares, and the:amount of each share. The names, addresses, and occupy ions of its members, with the shares held by each: The names of directors, trustees, patrons, auditors, and all other offices of the company, with their occupa. tions and addresses, and a written consent of acceptance of office by each: And such other like particulars as may upon consi- deration appear to be requisite. And that if a company be established by letters pa tent, or charter, in pursuance of the Letters Patent Act, it do also register a copy of such letters patent or charter. And that provision be made for tie return of any changes in the particulars so required for such complete registration. 5. That in respect of such registrations, whether pro visional or absolute, a certain charge be made; and that in respect of other registrations, the charge be made, by way of fee, proportionate to the expense computed to be occasioned thera)y- to the office, such fees being from time to time apinted by the Treasury. 6. That for enforcing such registration, it is expedient to provide that any future company not registered shall not be lawful. 7. That in order to prevent jobbing in shares of non registered companies and other companies in an imma ture state, no allotment of shares have any legal effect till the company be provisionally registered; and all sales or transfers of shares be prohibited till the com pany be completely registered. 8. That due provision be made for defining and de claring the duties of the several officers of the company, to ouch extent, at least, as is usually provided by Acts of Parliament and charters for the incorporation of com panies; that the remedies of shareholders against direc tors, for abuse and excess of their functions, be declared and facilitated; and that generally the legal and equitable remedies available to joint-stock companies, and to their directors, officers and shareholders, inter se, be facilitated and improved. 9. That if any such company be duly► constituted, then, on its being registered provisionally, it be entitled to the following powers and privileges:— To use e, common same; To open subscription lists; To reeQive deposits; and To perform such other acts only ks are necessary for the estabiishment of the company ; But not to make calls ; Nor to declare dividends ' • Nor to purchase or hold lands ; Nor to enter into contracts (except such as are neces sary to its provisional state) ; Nor to be sued or sue as a company. • And that on its absolute or complete registration, it be entitled to the following powers and privileges : To use a common name, but that together with the word " registered ;" or other words denoting the parti cular character of the company ; And also to have a common seal, whereon must be in scribed the name of the company, together with the word " registered ;" or other words denoting the parti cular character of the company ; and in every such case the date of the registration ; aced also, To perform all acts necessary for carrying into effect the purposes of such oompany, which a body corporate might do ; and also, To purchase, and hold lands, tenements, and heredi taments, with reference to the purposes of the company, ender such restrictions as shall be deemed necessary ; and also, To enter into contracts for the execution of its works, and for the supply of its stores, or for any other neces sary purpose ; and also, To sue and be sued in its common name ; and also, To issue certificates of shares, with the date of com plete registration, and the particular character of the company marked thereon ; and also, To receive instalments from the subscribers of the concern in respect of the amount of any shares not paid up, and iu respect of any claims of the company ; and also, To declare dividends oi' the profits of the concern, if profits there be. 10. That it is expedient that the accounts of every such company be open to the inspection of the share holders ; and that the annual balance-sheet, together with the reports of the directors thereon, be registered. 11. That existing companies, except companies incor porated by Act of Parliament or charter, register such particulars thereof as the following :—The name and purpose of the company ; the, names and addresses of its directors and officers ; the place of its business, and every branch office or agency ; the number and amount of the shares of the company ; the names and addresses of the officers appointed to sue or be sued on behalf of the company, and a copy of every deed of settlement or letters patent under which the company is constituted, or is or may be regulated ; and that in respect of such registrations of existing companies no charge be made. 12. That for enforcing such registration it is expe dient to provide that any such company not registered shall cease to be lawful after a time to be appointed is that behalf, provision being made for making this known to the public. 13. That in order to enable existing companies to avail themselves of the privileges to be conferred on future companies, it is expedient to provide that if such existing companies comply with the conditions and regu lations imposed on future companies, they also be en titled to the same privileges. 14. That for a time to be limited, with regard both to future and to existing companies, if it appears to the Board of Trade that such conditions and regulations as may be prescribed by law for the government and con stitution of companies generally, are in any case inap plicable to, or inexpedient in, the case of any such comrn pany, it is expedient to enable the Board of Trade to dispense with or modify the same accordingly, subject to the following checks, viz.:-- 1. That no dispensation be granted or modification made, but by a memorial made by or on behalf of the company, setting forth the nature of such dispensation or modification, and the special grounds upon which the ap plication is made. 2. That before such application be granted, it be ad vertised in the Gazette in the manner prescribed by the Letters Patent Act, with regard to companies applying thereunder for letters patent. 3. That annually a return be made to Parliament of all such applications, and of the results thereof. 15. That for duly recording the existence of every company, by which privileges shall have been so acquired, it is expedient to provide that every such company shall obtain an annual certificate within such time as shall be appointed, under penalty of fine, and ultimately of for feiture, and that in respect of such certificate there be imposed a moderate fee. _ _ 16. That it is inexpedient to consider how far pro vision can be made for winding up the affairs of bank rupt or insolvent companies, by the agency of the Courts of Bankruptcy in England, and by other Courts of analogous jurisdiction in Scotland and Ireland. 17. That if it thereon appear that any acts have been illegally or fraudulently committed -in the management of such company, it is expedient to make provision for prosecuting the directors or officers in respect , thereof. 18. That in order to prevent the use of false designa tions of companies, and of the names of fictitious direc tors and officers, it is expedient to subject offenders in that respect to penalties recoverable in a summary way. 19. That in order to make known the principle of joint-stock companies, provision be made for register ing the instances of failure, with the causes thereof, so far as practicable. 20. That with regard to existing companies incorpo rated by Act of Parliament, or by charter, every such company shall register-- The name and purpose of the company ; The place of its business, and every branch office or agency; And a copy of' every Act of Parliam e nt o r c harter under which the company is constituted or is or may be regulated. 21. And with regard to existing or future companies hereafter seeking to be incorporated by Act of Parlia ment or by charter, otherwise than under the Letters Patent Act : That when any such company shall have obtained its charter or Act of Incorporation, it register such particulars as follows, viz.—lf incorporated by charter, such particulars as are required by resolution 4. If incorporated by Act of Parliament, such particu lars as are req uired by resolution 20 ; except so f ar as is otherwise provided by such Act of Incorporation. And also a copy of every Charter or Act of Parliament, by which sucircompany shall be so incorporated or other wise constituted or regulated. 22. And that the provisions contemplated by the re solutions 5,6, 7,8, be applied to such future companies seeking to be incorporated pr incorporated by Act of Parliament, or by charter. 23. That the Committee recommend that her Majesty's Government do cause Bills to be prepared for c a rrying into eff,:ct the above resolutions, with such subsidiary of the resolutions or subjectanot herein specifically treated), oola reca provisions l ted collateral portions a (whethermay bbe rreoecifl therequisite s i t g e to any that purpose. y s March 15, 1844. The following is a list of the Committee, which was nominated on the 16th of February: —Mr. Gladstone, Lord Granville Somerset, Mr. Labouchere, Sir George Grey, Sir Walter James, Colonel Thomas Wood, Mr. M Gi i b in so es M n , Crra.igli, a bTr as' .Cr S i i p r p W s, iMilira.MGCodlais'yon Mr. Oswald, Mr. , and Mr. Young; and on the Ist of March Mr. Lyall was added to the list. SPIRIT of the PUBLIC JOURNALS. FROM THE EVENIN.6I PAPERS OF SATURDAY. GLOBE —Lord Ellenborough's career in India has been brought to a sudden close. His Lordship is recalled. This decisive step ought to have been taken long since by the Government at home, which would thus have escaped the humiliation and embar rassment of being check-mated and defeated by the Honourable Court of Directors of the East India Company. Leadenhall-street has shown itself wiser in council and more prompt in act than the occu pants of Downing-street. The former have had respect to the safety of their territory, and to the interests of the immense body of Proprietors, whose revenues are perilled with exhaustion, and their pos session of the country jeopardised by the policy , which Lord Ellenboroiegh has pursued. The lat ter have looked only to their own narrow interests. Lord Ellenborough was sent to India on their nomi nation and recommendation. They became respon sible for his acts, and their reputation, as a Govern ment, was involved in his proceedings. To have recalled him would have been to pronounce con demnation on themselves, which would have been res ponded to by Parliament and the country. They therefore justified his general proceed ings; and where they could not fully approve, they excused and ex tenuated. The Directors of the East India Com pany, unable to prevail on her Majesty's Min isters to interfere, and to control, or recal, the functionary whose proceedings were exciting serious appreh ension and alarm, have taken the matter i nto their own hands ; and, according to the short but comprehen sive statement of Sir Robert Peel, have cut him adrift "I beg to state, that on WeJnesday last her Majesty's Government received- a communication from the Court of Directors, that they had exercised the power which the law gives them, to recal at their will and pleasure the Governor-General of India." The same statement was made in the House of Lords by Lord Ripon, the head of the Board of. Co ntrol; and with this additional fact, given in answer to a question by Lord Colchester, that " her Majesty's Government does not concur in the act of the Court of Directors, by which Lord Ellenborough is removed." Her Majesty's Goveitiment is, then, placed in collision with the East India Company. The pertinacious tenacity with which the Government has adhered to its protege, has brought about a state of thinzs un precedented in the history of Indian affairs, and mani festly calculated to weaken the influence of the British Government of India. How great must have been the apprehensions, how deep the anxieties, of the Court of Directors, which induced a decision at once unprecedented and dangerous. A choice of difficulties was presented; and, in the exer cise of their discretion, the executive council of the Hon. Company selected that which involves the least peril to the interests of the country, the affairs of which the Legislature has intrusted to their manage ment. Success in his daring enterprises seemed to have intoxicated the Governor-General. His triumphs were more portentous than defeats. His thirst for conquest and his love of aggrandisement knew no bounds. His expensive expeditions were draining the coffers of the Company; while the iifraction of treaties, and the seizure of territory, under any co- lourable pretext, threatened a general rising of the native Princes, the result of a preconcerted plan, as the only means of preserving themselves from the fate which had overtaken and overwhelmed their neigh bours. Lord Brougham, on hearing the announcement of Lord Ellenborough's recal from Lord Ripon, first questioned the right of the Court of Directors to do what they had done ; and next alleged haste and oversight, in successive Parliaments, as the origin of a right in the Court of Directors to remove a Governor-General without ths concurrence of the Government. We have referred to the Act by which the power is conferred, which we find was passed on the 28th of August, 1833, " for effecting an ar rangement with the East India Company for the better government of his Majesty's Indian territories, till the 30th April, 1854." It enacts, " that the go vernment of the Company shall continue until the 30th April, 1854; and that all the privileges and powers granted or continued to the Company by the Act 53d George 111., cap. 155, or any other Act, shall continue and be in force, subject to the super intendence, direction, and control provided by any former Acts or by that Act." This Act, after various other provisions, contains the following enactments : " Sec. 74.—And be it enacted, That it shall be lawful for his Majesty, by any writing under his sign manual, countersigned by the President of the said Board of Commissioners (the Board of Control), to remove or dis miss any person holding any office, employment, or com mission, civil or military, under the said Company in India, and to vacate any appointment or commission of any person to any such office or employment, provided that a copy of every such writing, attested by the said President, shall within eight days after the same shall be signed by his Majesty, be transmitted or delivered to the Chairman or Deputy Chairman of the said Company." " Sec. 75. Provided always, and be it enacted, that nothing in this Act contained shall take aw Ly the power of the said Court of Directors to remove or dismiss any of the officers or servants of the said Company, but that the said Court shall and may at all times have full liberty to remove or dismiss any of such officers or servants at their will and pleasure. Provided, that any servant of the said Company appointed by his Majesty through the default of any appointment by the said Court of Directors, shall not be dismissed or removed without his Majesty's approbation, as hereinbefore is mentioned." The present Governor-General was appointed by the Company, and therefore the provision at the end of the last section does not apply ; and, assuming that the former Acts gave the Company the power to remove that high officer, it is evidently continued in them by this Act. It will be seen that the powers of the Crown are defined by one sectiorrof the Act, and those of the Company by another, which immediately follows it. This appears to justfy the statement of the Marquis of Lansdowne—that, "so far from its being an oversight, it was the subject of long and serious deliberation under different Governments, and at different times ; and that it was the deli berate conviction of Parliament, that the East India Company should have the power to recal the Gover nor-General whenever they were of opinion that his continuance in office was inconsistent with the welfare of the dominions committed to his charge." The re sult of this manifest rupture between the Court of Directors and her Majesty's Ministers will be looked for with great anxiety. the Ministry throw its shield around. the Governor-General, and take the responsibility of his acts upon themselves ; or will they submit to the fiat issued for his recal, and sur render his Lordship to the fate which his conduct, as Governor-General, so well deserves ? Whatever may be the decision of the Government, a blow has been struck at its existence, und e r w hi c h it must reel, if it does not fall. STANDARD.—It was stated last night in the House of Lords by the Earl of Ripon, and in the House of Commons by Sir Robert Peel, that the Court of Directors of the East India Company have issued an order for the recal of Lord Ellenborough from the Government of India. The Earl of Ripon did not hesitate to accompany the announcement by an explanation that to this most extraordinary pro ceeding. her Majesty's Government is riot a party, and, therefore, it is but reasonable to infer the step is disapproved of by the Cabinet. The Company has, even in its last charter, pre served the right to recal a Governor-General at its pleasure, though the policy of conceding the right was strongly disputed at the time when the charter was renewed ; and though its continuance with the Court was for some time obstinately resisted by the Whig Government of the day. There is so much ob scurity in the history of the Government of British India, down almost to the close of the last century, that it is difficult to point to a precedent for the exer cise of this right by the Company that may not be considerably modified by circumstances of which we are not aware ; but so distinct an exer cise of the power now exercised by the Court of Di rectors can hardly be traced; the nearest approach that we find to it is the refusal, in 1806, of the Court•to allow the appointment of the Earl of Lau derdale to be Governor-General, but a refusal is a very different matter from a recal. By the Act of 1794, the Crown possesses the power of recalling a Gover nor-General, but this affords no analogy, because such a power is inherent in the sovereignty, and the Directors either of England, or of India. To us, it appears, we own a gross and a dangerous anomaly, that any body of subjects, how respectable soever, shall have the power of interrupting, if not directing, the Government of a large portion of the empire. The fact, however, is beyond dispute; the Court of Directs ors have the power by law, and with them it must remain until they shall be deprived of it by an act of the Legislature. This momentous power they have peremptorily exercised, but upon what grounds no one even pretends to conjecture. These grounds, it is quite plain, can have no reference to Lord Ellenborough's public administration of the affairs of the country, for an Administration more glorious, more successful, more promising of future strength and prosperity to the territory governed, cannot be found in the history of British India. Let any one read the precis of Lord Ellenborough's Indian Wgvernment, and then say whether Clive, Hastings, or ellesley ever accomplished so much in equal time as Lord Ellenborough has accomplished for the British empire in India, and for the security and profit of the possessions of the East India Company. Why, then, has he been removed ? Why is India exposed to those inconveniences—some of them great, and per haps even dangerous—which always must attend an abrupt change in the government of a coun try so extensive and so delicately circumstanced as British India? The Directors have, in the history of the last century 7 imperfect as that history is—ample proof of the heavy penalty. paid by the Company for the not unfre quent nor always innocent caprices of their pre decessors ; they must therefore feel the heavy re sponsibility to their constituents, the Court of Pro prietors, and to the country generally, under which they have exercised the power with which they are invested a power, we must repeat it, that seems to us too great for any body of subjects, when we consider the vast extent and un speakable importance of the British empire in India; indeed, we can scarcely, with propriety, call it a " British empire," while such power rests in the hands of any Corporation It may be that the Court of Directors reserves the reasons for the Governor-General's recal, from considerations of delicacy, until the Noble Lord shall be on the spot to answer the charges upon which these rea sons rest; but still Lord Ellenborough is ex posed to a great injury by remaining under the stigma of a punishment— that, if they who have inflicted it, and by inflicting it de ranged the economy and endangered the safety of the empire, are not downright madmen—must be inflicted for some grave offence. It is true, the disapprobation of the recal expressed by the Queen's Government, to whom all the circumstances are necessarily known, is an assurance that there has been nothing criminal or disgraceful in the con duct of the Governor-General—a guarantee that must be gratifying to the friends of the Noble Lord, and which, at the same time, adds to the burthen of re sponsibility that weighs upon the Court of Direc tors. The Morninc , Chronicle surmises that the Court has t a k en offence at Lord Ellenborough's language, as not sufficiently respectful. This is, however, altogether incredible. Whatever the faults of the Noble Lord—and we ourselves were not slow to display them until his admirable Indian Government fairly conquered prejudice—whatever his Lordship's faults, defect of manners, or of tem per, was never imputed to him. It would be diffi cult to find anywhere a more polished gentleman or a man of milder demeanour. Such a man could never give offence by the style of his cor respondence. And yet, what else is there to sur mise, that would not place the Court of Directors in suspicion of acting with insane caprice, or with a purpose of protecting some of those many abuses in Indian Government, which Lord Ellenborough undis guisedly set himself to reform. We are, however, altogether in the dark ; and though the prima facie case is clearly on the side of the Governor-General, we will not run the risk of doing injustice to the Court of Directors by prosecuting further guesses. SOUTH-EASTErN RAILWAY.—The Dover terminus buildings of this line are now rapidly progressing to wards completion, and when finished, they will combine elegance and symmetry of architecture with comfort and accommodation, in a manner at once highly cre ditable to the architect, Lewis Cubitt, Esq., and the spirit of the company. We have before us an excellently executed engraving of these buildings as they will pre sent themsel /es from the South Pier. It must be ob vious to the most casual observer that the railway works have much improved that portion of the sea front of Dover they at present occupy ; and when the noble buildings and the lofty clock and bell-tower that will o'er-top them (with which they are to terminate at the eastern extremity) are completed, they will give a finish to the whole that cannot fail to produce a most striking and beautiful effect. The waiting-rooms and other apartments at this terminus are to be such in point of splendour, as:may well accommodate even Royalty itself. —.Dover Chronicle, FASHIONS FOR MAY. (From the World of Fashion Monthly Magazine.) CAPS.—The most decided favourite style of cap are those made of tulle cheffonne, interspersed with clus ters of heath, or any very small flowers. Those caps made entirely plain upon the forehead, are now in much vogue ; a broad curtain is placed at the back, headed with a wreath of flowers or leaves, and which only reaches to just the ears on each side, where it is attached with a bunch or cluster of the same ; or in stead of the wreath and bavolet, may be placed a point, encircled with a fluted tulle, or what is still prettier, covered with raised lappets alit paysanne, at tached upon the top of the head with a triple bonke (or loops) of gauze ribbon of two colours. Ficnus.—Those intended for morning wear have a small high collar attached, trimmed with a ruche of three and four rows, the width of two fingers, or what is still prettier, a f u lli ng , th roug h which is passed a ribbon encircled with a very narrow Valen ciennes. Those fichus destined to be worn with low dresses of the redingote form, are covered in the rich plumetis embroidery, and point d'arme, or inlet put on the cross, put on narrow at the waist, and widening at the shoulders. BONNETS. —The form of those for the new season is as distinguished looking as they are pretty. We have seen several of the straw-coloured satin, covered with crepe of the same hue, and trimmed simply with rib bons pareil to the satin, and figured with a cerise co loured stripe; the under part of the brim decorated with sprigs of geranium and the Spanish . jasmine; others in white satin trimmed with lace, and fulliags of tulle in the interior; or those in pink gros de Naples covered with a rich applique lace, and having for an ornament a branch of roses, inter mixed with bunches of currants. Nothing can be fresher or prettier than those in gros de Naples, trimmed with French lace, and decorated with a feuillage de plume. The flowers most in re quest for the ornamenting of those elegant hats worn by most of our elegantes are the jasmine, the hyacinth, the white lilac, and roses of every descrip tion. For white straw bonnets, the saules marabouts put on in clusters, are all the fashion, with the addi tion of a light kind of aerial looking veil. The colours most prevailing for bonnets will he sky blue, jonquil, lilac, pink, straw colour, and verdant green. Several mixed colours will be also brought into vogue, and ribbons will be mostly of oriental hues. The form of these bonnets are still rather small, with deep bavolets, and the feathers are again commencing to be worn flat over the crowns. Ball dresses are still in great perfection, the tunic being certainly the most favourite style. They are made mostly of crepe, encircled with a wreath of light flowers, or in satin royal, trimmed with a gothic lace, attached at equal distances with bunches of rib bons and precious stones. Those aux double jupes are caught up with bouquets or wreaths, till they reach the corsage. Evening dresses are to be worn in silk or poplin glace, made open on each side upon a face of white satin, and attached with agraffes of ribbon or orna ments in passementerie guipure. The corsage formed en cceur, and a revers opening nearly to the waist. Those in black velvet have the bodies made half high, veiling the shoulders, and low on the chest; a fall of, English lace decorates the bust, and serves to form a trimming to the short sleeve. Lastly, we must not omit to mention an elegant toilette, composed entirely of English lace, raised upon a skirt of white satin with two bouquets of small roses; corsage a point, and mantille drapee. DRESSES.—The new cut and novel appearance of those dresses which have the corsage opening in the front, cause them to be adopted for almost every style of dress, at once combining elegance, ease, and com fort. The high corsages amazones and demi-moutants are in great vogue, and the embroideries destined for those dresses of the present season are well worthy attention. Les chicoree ruches, the trimmings fon tanges, and the biais gothiques, are all and each of them made up with such extreme taste, that nothing can equal the invention and perfection to which they have been brought. The ceintures of robes de ville are mostly formed round, and very low upon the hips, and the skirts immensely wide, and very long. The abundance of pretty novelties in fancy trimmings for the decorating of summer dresses are almost endless ; amongst them we must not forget mentioning the franges guipures, much of the same colour as the dress, and decorating the skirt in three rows ; it is also used for the ornamenting of mantilles and silk shawls. LAW INTELLIGENCE. COURT OF COMMON PL EAS, April 27. WILKINSON V. EARL LICHFIELD. This was an action brought by Mr. Peter Richard Wilkinson, of Queen-street, Cheapside, stationer, to re cover the sum of 1,2001, the amount of a promissory note, dated the 21st of September, 1811, payable three months after date, bearing the name of the Noble Earl as the maker and indorser, but both signatures were de nied in his Lordship's pleas. The cause was tried in London on Wednesday last, before Mr. Justice Maule, when a verdict was returned for the plaintiff. Mr. Sergeant MANNING now moved for a rule to show cause why that verdict should not be set aside and a new trial granted, on the ground that the verdict was against the weight of evidence. The Learned Sergeant, in re capitulating the evidence, stated that although the tes timony principally relied upon for the plaintiff was that of the cashier of Stephenson and Salt, formerly his Lordship's bankers, who swore positively that he believed the signatures were in Lord Lichfield's handwriting, yet, on the other side, there was Colonel Anson, defendant's brother, who • must well know Lord Lichfield's writing; hut more particularly Mr. Blott, inspector of franks, and other witnesses engaged in the General Post office while the noble Earl was Postmaster-General; all these were of opinion that the handwriting was not that of his Lordship, and those in the Post-office, who must have seen his Lordship's signature many times a day, .must better know the handwriting than the banker's clerk. The Learned Judge in summing up drew the attention of the jury to the latter circumstance. The note bore the indorsement of " Margaret Edwards," of which probably their Lordships would not take judicial notice ; but she was very well known out of Court. No reason was assigned why the note had not been presented before, nor 'vas it stated how the note came into plaintiff's pens(, , ion ; and the jury, after being absent an hour, carne into Court, asking if the bill had been noted and payment demanded, and then were absent another hour before returning their verdict for the plaintiff. The Learned Judge, in summing up, intimated that though plaintiff was not legally bound, yet it would have been better to have shown the consideration, as well as how he became possessed of the note ; and he (Mr. Ser geant Manning) believed Mr. Justice Maule was dissa tisfied with the verdict. The COURT dedon consulting Mr. Justice Maule before granting the rule. COURT OF EXCHEQUER, April 27. EARL OF CARNARVON V. VILLEBOIS. In this case, in which a motion for a new trial had been made sometime back by Sir T. Wilde, the Court gave judgment. The question was as to the party in whom rested the right of a warren situated in the manor of Highclerc and Burghcler, in the county of South ampton. The COURT was of opinion that the rule for a new trial must be granted. Some other business of no importance was disposed of, and their Lordships rose at two o'clock, to meet the other Judges in the Exchequer Chamber. EXCHEQUER CHAMBER, April 27. The Judges, after two o'clock, sat in this Court, when they heard the arguments in the case of THE QUEEN V. BANNIN. It appeared that the prisoner had been convicted at the late assizes of having forged a die for making base or counterfeit coins. It was sub mitted that as he had only sent to a die-sinker, who was named Carter, at Birmingham, to have a die made for him, and which Carter did make for hir A under the sanction of the Mint, that he ought not to have been indicted on the charge of which he was found guilty—namely, that of forging a die. It appeared he had never sent for the die which Carter had :Wade for him, and yet he was taken into custody, tried, and con victed of the offence mentioned. It was contended that the prisoner was wrongly indicted, and that the charge to which he was amenable—namely, that of inciting an other to make the die, was only a:misdemeanour, whereas by the verdict that stood at present r ecor d e d aga i nst him, he was pronounced :guilty of a felony, and had been sentenced to the punishment of a felon —transpor tation for life. At the close of the argument their Lordships rose. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. (SATURDAY.) CLERKEN WELL. Henry Wilson, a lad about 17 years of age, was put to the bar before Mr. Greenwood, charged with burglariously entering the dwelling-house of Mr. Frederick Ingoldby, surgeon, of N 0.5, King Edward's terrace, Islington. It appeared from the evidence of police-constable No. 110 of the N division, that at half-past two o'clock in the morning, he was passing the house of the prosecutor, and was surprised at seeing the surgery window open, and a square of glass broken. He listened, and fancying that he heard some one moving about in the apartment, he climbed up to the opening, and saw the prisoner busily engaged in packing up much valuable property. The officer alarmed the inmates, and the accused was secured on the spot. The prisoner said that it was his first offence. Mr. GREENWOOD replied that it was lucky for the public, then, that he was caught so early, and com mitted him to Newgate. Another youth, between 16 and 17, was charged with stealing a 10/. note and some wearing apparel frem Mr. Henry Pattison, of 46, 'Woburn-place. The prisoner has been for some time past employed by the prosecutor as an occasional servant, and was so engaged last Wednesday morning, when he entered Mr. Pattison's bed-room and stole from one of the drawers the property mentioned, and decamped. He was apprehended that morning by one of the detective officers of the E division, Mr. GREENWOOD asked the prisoner if he was de sirous of saying anything ?—He said, in a very cool manner, " It's all true." Mr. GREENWOOD—Where is the 101. note ? Fri" soner—l paid some debts, and spent the remainder of the money. He was remanded, that the officer might make fur ther inquiries. Three lads, under 14 years of age, of the names of Greenwood, Jones, and Bowman, were charged with stealing some books from the National School in Baldwin's-gardens, St. Andrew, Holborn. The premises in question were, it appears, entered by means of a pick-lock key during Friday night, and about four in the morning the prisoner Bowman was seen at the window of the establishment throwing books to the other prisoners, who were in the court leading to it. Two policemen received information of their goings on, and captured them. Mr. Martin, a solicitor, in Lincoln's Inn, who is Secretary and Treasurer of the National School, identified the books as the property of the schools and the prisoners were ordered to be committed to Ne wgate. Bowman was then charged with stealing a gold watch worth 40 guineas, from the shop of Mr. Dent, the watch-maker in the Strand. The prosecutor's foreman stated, that on Wednes day last the prisoner entered his master's shop, and asked if an errand boy was wanted, and before wit• ness could give him a reply, being at the instant en gaged with a customer, he (the accused) seized from the counter a watch of the value mentioned and es caped. Witness gave a description of him to the pi"' lice, who informed him of his apprehension for rob- - bing the National School. _ . Mr. GREENWOOD (to the prisoner)—Do you WW I to say anything to this charge ? Prisoner—l took the watch. Mr. GnEENwoon—Where is it ? Prisoner—Tom Richards has got it. A man named Simmons stepped into the witness box, and said that he saw the watch in the hands of the prisoner, who told him that he had stolen it. _ Air. GREENWOOD—Then why did you not detain him, and give him into the custody of the police? Simmons looked confused, and said he didn't know. Bowman—You wanted me to sell it to you fo r V. 10s. Simmons denied the assertion, and said that Bovi" man offered him the watch for 51 . 1 Mr. GREENWOOD told him that his conduct had been very strange and unaccountable, and remanded the pri soner for further examination, ordering the officer to look after Tom Richards, who is well known. LAMBETH-STREET. Daniel Dear love, the young man who has been in custody since Monday night on a charge of robbing his uncle of bonds, securities, bank notes, and cash, amounting in the whole t o nea r ly 10,0001., was again brought before Mr. Henry for further examination. When placed at the bar, the prisoner said be expected Mr. Clarkson, the barrister, and Mr. Ashley, the solicitor, to appear on his behalf, and should there fore request his examination should be postponed until their arrival. Mr. Henry complied with his request, and the case was put off for some time. After the lapse of nearly an hour, Mr. Gude, a so licitor for the prosecution, addressing Mr. Henry, said that, under any circumstances, it would be his duty to apply to his Worship for a remand; and, as Mr. Ashley, on behalf of the prisoner, consented to a remand, it would prevent the necessity of the wit nesses and others in attendance waiting any longer. Mr. Ashley said he had no objection to a a remand to a future day, upon which Mr. Henry remarked that a remand could in that case make no difference, as he (Mr. Henry) had made up his mind to commit the prisoner to take his trial on the charge. Inspector Ruff, who has the case in hand, in reply to the questions of Mr. Henry, said that a policeman employed on the Eastern Counties Railway could give some important evidence in the case, but lie un fortunately was engaied down at Colchester on that day, and could not, therefore, be in attendance. Mr. Wood, a sugar refiner, residing in Cl eve land' street, was in attend ance , and stated that himself and his family had been from home on Sunday evening last, and he could not, therefore, say whether o r not the prisoner had called at his house. The prisoner , he said, had been in his employment some six or eight months ago as a traveller, but since then he knew n° - thing of him, nor was he aware of any business b° had in calling on him on Sunday evening. The prisoner, it appears, had been brought up t r° t the grocery business, h a d b een marr i ed about eigb months ago to a respectable female who possesses 01 l income of 100/. per annum, and who is much elde r than himself, and, with whom, it seems, he lived pe very bad terms. Aft er hi s apprshension, and while at the station-house ' a circumstan et occurred wh i c h con siderably strengthens the suspicion that he alone it was who carried off the property. A friend of his uncle was speaking of the great hardship o f the ease on the part of the prosecutor, and particularly his losing the deeds and securities, which could be of little service to the thief, upon which the prisoner re plied, " I dare say he'd have them back." It also ap pears that he, has been in custody before on a charge of felony, and had spent six months in Newgate.---- He was again remanded. THE CHEMISTS' and DRUGGISTS' WEIGHTS. - Mr. James Smyth, chemist, of Barbican; 3 / 1 :i Richard Vines, c h em i s t, 7 , Aldersgate.street ; air Mr. James Gr een , c h em i st and druggist, of Barbi can, attended last week at the Clerkenwell Sessions, to answer the complaint of Mr. Inspector Knott, f° r having and employing several brass weights in their shops considerably deficient of the legal standard. The defendants one and all admitted that the weights were light, b u t un d er t h e circumstances 'll was impossible for them to prevent their being s° ' The Bench would be aware that in weighing act', much of it must necessarily adhere to the weigu'' and corrode them. They, therefore, were obliged t° have them frequently cleansed, or they would become highly dangerous to handle, owing to their poisonoo nature. Alderman COPELAN D ob serve d th at he was viell aware of the respectability of the defendants, a nd b e did not think that they had acted with any intent to defraud. Still the inspectors had done their duty in summoning them, because it shr)wed to the p° ° ' traders that all were served alike. The defendants replied that it was the odium of th e thing in being summoned for using light weight s ,: The ones in q ues ti on h a d not b een in use more t he three ruonths ; and if they w ere b oun d to h ave their ' weights always exact to th e very t i tt l e, w h y the" , might spend all their profits. The weights were her e p ro d uce d , an d i t was evi dent from their appearance that every pains had be e , taken in keeping them clean, in doing which, be" o i ever, they had been u n f or t una t e l y d epr i ved of solve _ their metal. __— Alderman COPELAND, after consulting with 115 brother Magistrates, was o f op i n i on that the defend ot ants might be dismi sse d ; suc h cases as theirs were t the ones they wished to punish, as they thought tll l, no fraud had be en i n t en d e d . Th e defendants accor d ingly left the Court. RESPITE OF M ARY FURLEY.—On Saturday, B ho t ; four o'clock, the Slleriffs received a communication from the Secretary of: State for the Home Department, sta t o . that her 111tiesty had been pleased to respite the sc o t tence of ( I .eath passed at the last session of the Cep , 1 Crimins:„l Court, on Mary Furley, during her Maje 3t f te , royal pleasure. When the respite arrived at Newe r four of the Aldermen of Londo n an d a :M em b er of lament, distinguished for his philanthropy, were 1 / „ 0 , sent, anxiously awaiting th e resu l t o f t h e i r ex erti%, The moment the important information arrived, it ° t he at once communicated to the wretched woman, bYrrbo Ordinary of Newgate, and other official personages• l i fe poor creature, on rerJeiving the information that h er t i ell would be spared, b urst i nto a flood of tears, and "r"-od she had somewhat recovered her self-possessiono „ 0 , pressed her grat i tu d e in the warmest terms to the g' e r tlemen wf - Ao had so kindly interested themselves behalf. It is not at present known what her conol i O sentence will be, but it is expected th a t s h e will nil ue a very short imprisonment. to s 1• Mr. Dean, Chairman of the Customs, had an view with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on Sst . G On the 28th of Mar c h, at MARRIED au Port--Prince, Hayti Lee Cheesman, to Mary, daught er o f J o h n Robert) org? : 6 " - Esq., late of Port-au-Prince. T. C' On the 25th inst., at St. C u thb er t' s , W e ll s , the n o ali Ward, Rector of Maulden, Bedfordshire, to Elizabeth, t. child of the R ev . A. F os t er , Vi car o f Ki ngs t on , Sonle r l e vesi' On the 25th inst., at Clevedon Church, Thomas col , phorus Tyndall, Esq., of the Fort, Bristol, t o Caroling :Z:O4 daughter of Sir C. A. Elton, Bart., of Clore&11 Somerset. 7144 PP,. On the 25th inst., at St. George's, Bloomsbury, 7 1 40 0- Honor Parker, of Argyll-square, t o Mary, young m of the late Captain Peck, of Liverp g 001. 10 3 ' • On the 25th inst., at Trinity Church, Surrey, ,41Talle ' Bradley, to Mary, eldest daughte r o f th e l a t e Sial" Esq., of Bermondsey. __.---------- DIED n . On the 24th inst., at Warwick . House, Worthirieo e Gorg e Frederick Jones, Esq., barrister, aged 43. thir d On the 24th inst., at Hoveton Hall, Norfolk, Vi r—ln On the 25th inst., at Baker-street, son of 11. N. Burroughs, Esq., M.P. Jane Owen, aged 77. dbre °" ' On the 25th inst., the Rev. J. Kendall, Vicar of nil Warwickshire. et. On the 25th inst., Mr. John Brown, Old Broad-stre b o lsi Sic On the 25th inst., at Cadogan-street, Chelsea , t . Cloak, Esq., late sargeoa of the 88th Regiment of r 0 ° '• • On the 25th inst., at Bedford-square, John Herman •• vale, Esq., Commissioner of Bankrupts. Jane On the 26th inst., at Queen-street, May-fair, 14 .a7. youngest surviving daughter of ti.e late John Chrisl e olet On the 21st inst., at Torquay, Devon, Mr. Thornas.Adelaid! On the 23d inst., at Woodhill, SurreY'r,,. s 6 l* Elizabeth Anderson, youngest daughter of W. „Ains' l— NeW-roadt DOrt" 0 London: Printed and Published by MONK , YO,V . IS Strand, in the Precinct of tke army, tha No. 112, Strand , Printer, at The lux Office --‘•°' 0 101 9 Middlesex, lliondxy, AA" 29, 1844. wß„gtl. it? Other 41 pleat of t „linee or c gi..-v,aent of t ti;e 6 f 1,50 0,000 16 4 Canad a, Aetztl:iroonvinee j s im2d Whereas, ts !Inhal e d '6 Ninland, the' - q kt: leti°4 of ea; 14 30 44 n r ,„ t ° Dorm itzVrheroaa t b12.0 tie or. Mor bY h. . -0 for theDe s Itho said Si 7is to t o fury dof 30 ddreased ,der for a La! th e Tarl,l )4 ;3 , 1 kna t ". I'e; ff,e T on °° e ll niers R, n tiare,:esh 1001. of the p a aender wil tropeth m il oods wii I st of A h ; PM, Instant, W /31 e„, hnlf veal debentures. TIT 4 I 8 t da y N s e R OMS wn 47, billf of the 1 41 ' " Englan, k il l', r eceipt for !the oth e 11 4 4 '. Tender. , tity. Governc of the % - 17 1r Y Feet o f the I will 0 Price pet u 1 be instill, V t :e T enders illith a4e of the 4 4 _ Tenders I,tlrs should, tseh e eas ahoy, 1 of the. 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