The Sun. — London, England, 1844-04-16 00:00:00

THE MARQUESAS ISLANDS. (From the Paris Constitationnel.) " The last letters from the Marquesas Islands give a sad picture of this colony. Our countrymen sent into this banishment are struck with discouragement at the first aspect of our deplorable possession. Let a heap of arid summits be imagined—of rocks heaped together, through which run thin slips of land on the banks of torrents. In the centre of each isle rises an immense wall of granite, dividing the country into two parts. On the right and the left are counter eminences, gigantic ridges, which spri ng f rom th e principal Chain, and find their base in the abysses of the sea. Not only the two parts of the island, sepa rated by the principal chain, have no possible commu nication between them, but the narrow vallies which flank this chain on the two slopes do not open the one into the other. It must also not be attempted to discover a line of communication along the shore, for the lateral ridges advance into the sea, and form an impassable bar rier. Thus this country can never possess roads. The most extensive valleys are only three miles long by one wide. Nature there displays the ordinary luxuri ance of vegetation in the tropics, that is, vegetables grow there with great rapidity, but the species pre sent but little variety, and, unfortunately, they offer almost no alimentary resources, and none whatever for building. Add to this, that the Marquesas have no game. The only productions of the country which have any value are cocoa trees, pineapples, and yams, cultivated in small quantity, without reckoning pigs sad poultry, exceedingly rare, which have been lin g:art:l by Europeans. On this side all i s y e t t o b e As for the natives, it is much worse. Naviga tors, who bad found in the greatest number of the islands of the South Seas populations mild and haves-met in the Marquesas tribes of in tractable and cunning men, superstitious, but unbelieving, insensible to tho influences of civilisation—the only people, in fact, of all the surrounding islands where the missionaries have not yet made a proselyte. Thus, during the eighteen months that have elapsed since the taking possession until the date of the last news, French domination has not made any progress in the island of Taouata, whence there still reigns, in spite of the assassination of Captain Halley, the famous Yotete. Captain Cugney, of the marines, who has temporarily replaced M. Halley in the command of the south eastern group of the Marquesas, has made vain efforts to invest a new chief with the power of Yotete. This chief, named Aleheono, was declared King of the island, and saluted with .five cannon shots. He re ceived presents, and amongst others a new uniform, which appears to have won for us all his sympathies. Unfortunately, his orders, attended to in all other re spects, are powerless in what concerns France and the / French. The Kanaks (such is the name usually given to the natives) have not consented to return to the Bay of IVaitahu ' under the protection of our establishment, and thus the French forces are iso lated on to shore formerly inhabited by Yotete and his tribe. This chief has retired to a neighbouring bay, where he preserves a threatening attitude. He has, it is said, several hundreds of muskets. Tht - state of things is not more satisfactory in the north eastern group. Navigators only know of the tribes of Nouka-Hiva, those inhabiting the southern valleys. The tribes established in the northern valleys, if there are any, have not performed any act of submission to France, and do not probably know the French flag. The climate of the Marquesas is not the least inconvenience of this possession. The cold winds, which suddenly change the habitual tern perature, bring maladies with which several soldiers have been seized—amongst others a blindness of longer or shorter duration, from which few Europeans have been able to protect themselves. Rains, truly resembling those of the deluge, metamorphose the surface of these Islands into vast marshes during six months in theyear. They undermine the foundations of the constructions, which the heat of the sun has already split, and which the wind carries away. Our troops have been obliged in the rainy season to rebuild walls destroyed by the inundation, to repair several times the fortifications that were damaged. After a week of those periodical deluges, there remains no further trace of embank ments. Besides, the repairs, which are executed under a pelting shower of rain, cannot be effected without entering into the mud up to the knees. It is in this state that our marines have worked during the whole of the last seasori e showing, at 4,000 leagues from France, the discipline and devotedness of which the troops of Algeria exhibit every day such striking examples. The more the question is examined, the better it is seen that the taking possession of the archipelago of the Marquesas constitutes a charge without any kind of . advantage. The Minister of Foreign Affairs has endea voured to prove that the Cabinet had been induced to order the occupation of those islands with a view to creating ports for vessels to put into, and obtain provisions. This was intended as well for the whalers on the coasts of Peru and Chili as for trading vessels proceeding to China by doubling Cape Horn. Ili therto, the practice of the whalers has been to put in at New Zealand. That country having been occu pied by England, our vessels have been exposed to all the obstacles which the rivalry of one people agains another can produce. In this point of view, it was perhaps useful to open to them a national port. Then existed one, to which the whalers know the way, that of Akaroa, occupied by a French colony. We shall not inquire why the Government has suffered the English flag to be imposed on this country ; but there were a hundred isles amongst the numerous archipela gos.% Ofthe South Sea, of which it would have been more advantageo us t o ta k e possession —the Gambier islands. for instance, which support a Christian population de voted to France ; Tahiti particularly, which would have o2"cred us resources very different from the Marquesas. We should have found in this queen of the islands of Oceani a a people mild, Christian, and accustomed to European manners; we should have found there a more favourable climate,,haebleitt r situa tion, and greater natural riches. arpuesas, situate at about 1,200 leagues from the coast l Peru. forming an isolated group between the Sandwicho Islands and the other archipelagoes of Oceania ar not situate on the great highway to China by Cape' Horn. In In turning aside from their course they can touch there from April to November, at the period of the north-west monsoon. In the other seasons of the year, and when the north-west monsoon will prevail in the China Seas, that is from November to April, the yes sels which sail from Peru will proceed to the north of the line, and will put in at the Sandwich Islands. Thus, it is a matter of great doubt whether the Mar quesas offer any advantage as a place to put into f or Besides, is it not notorious vessels trading to China. that this commerce is still to come into existence, or that it exists only in the portfolio of the Minister of Foreign Affairs ? The real motive of the occupa tion of the Marquesas was declared some years ago in the wish of the Government to create in Oceania a new Botany Bay. The law of transportation having failed before the Chambers, the Marquesas have changed their destina tion. It is since then that the Government has been suddenly seized with a quite fresh solicitude for our whalers, whose interests were so lightly abandoned at New Zealand. It is since then that it felt the ne cessity, of protectin g our account in the Chinese Seas. It is to t urn to the useless establish ment of the M arquesas that the Ministry has thought o f*d og the 'lsthmus of Panama opened, but which vill - neyerbetipened. Th us, whilst it ought to have fob'' bualling places for vessels, it is vessels s for victualling places." sA,SO, ~` Jam — es Graham, Sir Thomas Fremantle, and other official gentlemen, had interviews with Sir Robert Peel yesterday. • trb 411 , THE GO-A-HEAD SYSTEM. PIRIT of tho PUBLIC JOURNALS. (Frans the First Number of the Railway Record.) FAON EVENING PAPERS OF YESTERDAY. A marvellous country is this England of ours— GLOBE.—An industrious compiler had the simpli marvellous in minis and in bodies—marvellous in I city to make a collection of what he called the Opinions erns and in arts--the world's school and the world's of Sir Robert Peel. We wish some one would collect workshop. Planted iti tha, watery highway between and publish the Plausibilities of Sir Robert Peel. North and South Europe, it was too valuable a site These are not to be dignified by the name of opinions, for a weak people to possess, and the choicest blood of but rather to be regarded as the anise en scene—the the world selected it for an abiding place. Year by drapery or garnish of opinions. It is not what Sir R. year, and century by century, have they gone on Peel thinks, but what he thinks Mrs. Grundy improving it. From a cattle farm, a corn ground, a will think, most frequently pre-occupies his mighty garden, it became a handicrafty, a manufactory, a mind on difficult and delicate occasions. The mill, for the production of tools, machines, and result of his refined conjectures of the coarse clothing; from a wind power and a water power, it be- views of the vulgar is sometimes curious. came a workshop of steam power; from a land of " What will Mrs. Grundy say ?" is always bridle paths, it grew to be a land of wheel-roads ; taken into consideration ; but as there are from a land of rivers to a land of canals ; from a land often solid and weighty considerations on the oppo of horse vehicles to a land of steam trains ; from a site side, Sir Robert Peel see-saws, as it were, be land of rock roads to a land of iron roads ; and it has tween Grundy rigidly, and the moral laxity of his yet to grow from direct engine traction, passing by party. Thus, the mere suspicion of election compro ropes of hemp an 1 iron, to the traction of a rope of mises at one time roused all the Grundy in the Prime air-wound-otr-wind-coiled away by the action of a Minister. At another time, the most positive proof distant machine. Verily, it is a land to be proud of. of delinquency could not move him to animadversion. where grow the race of men who have wrought all Thus the horror of a duel between two officers this work, first for England itself, and next for the nearly connected awakened all his indignant piety whole world. against—the widow of the one who fell. While Their infancy devoted to coal tracking, in slow riot even the known opinion of Mrs. Grundy could rivalry with canals, railways became, in the hands of stir him to any notice of the flagrant act of a law- George Stephenson, at one giant step, the world's officer of the Crown interrupting by a challenge the wonder. A self-taught man, untrammelled by solemn task of a court of justice. Satisfaction might school doctrines, he grappled with the powers of well be demanded by Mrs. Grundy for this lapse from nature, vanquished all obstacles, and taught steam plausibility; and satisfaction was naturally to be and iron to outstrip the swiftest steed. New afforded by doing the plausible doubly on the next circumstances of all kinds constantly arose, and legal occasion. The next time any law officer of the almost intuitively were the fitting contrive Crown was concerned, Mrs. Grundy expected antes adopted to meet each fresh emergency. Sir Robert Peel would do his duty. And Seldom had that country of energetic enterprise, has he not just done it? May not the immo the American Union, received such an impulse as lation of a Fitzroy Kelly atone for Attorney-General it did from the opening of the Liverpool and Man- Smith ? Considering the determined refusal of po cheater Railway. Men there were fairly mad with litical independence to their tenant constituencies by excitement ; fur the time being they held Georg. the Jolterhead interest which so mainly seated Sir Stephenson to be a greater man than George Wash- Robert Peel, it is really rather amusing to find the ington ; they would have pawned their " wild admitted professional titles to Tory promotion set lands" to have been enabled to rank him as one of aside, because the person beyond comparison possess their own citizens. 'The " old country" was "going ing them, not being in a position to bully his way a-head and no mistake ;" and the land of the stars into Parliament, was obliged to buy it. Intimidation and stripes was looking out sharp to cut in a-head of is a privilege rightfully belonging to landlords ; bribery her, and " shove out the Britishers." is a practice which has been used by mere moneyed upstarts or professional aspirants, and which cannot, therefore ' be entitled to the same t o l e ra nce ! Ab ove all, Mrs. Grundy has her eyes open to the latter trans gression ; and, as Mrs. Grundy does not wear the brightest of spectacles, the former may es cape her gaze for some time longer. Besides, Mrs. Grundy has a due sense of di g nities ; and quite acquiesces in the dictat ors hip o f Dukes " with a great stake in the country." Accordingly Mr. Thesiger is to be Solicitor-General ; and Mr. Fitzroy Kelly to be—scapegoat for the sins of the people. We subjoin the following remarks of a correspondent on this ap pointment :—" The nomination of Mr. Thesiger to the Solicitor-Generalship, with the prospect of, at no distant day, succeeding to a still more more import ant station, is one that the Government can hardly flatter itself will meet with much favour either in Westminster Hall or in other less learned quarters. However estimable that gentleman may be in private life, 'and however popular from his maw amiable qualities (and in these respects he is surpassed by no member of the bar), yet it cannot be denied that he has never yet, up to this time, displayed that amount of legal knowledge, that various, extensive, and profound learning which has been generally thought necessary for the proper dis charge of the duties of that important office, and which should not be much, if at all, less than that which distinguishes the venerable sages of the bench, with their experientici vginti annorum , to r whose quietis ordinibu a Solicitor-General may always expect an early ascription, if he is not promoted above them. Mr. Thesiger has gained his reputation far more as a clever, zea lous advocate than as a deep lawyer (nor even as such is he quite at the head of his profession); his talents are more showy than solid ; he shines more in a case at Nisi Prius than in arguing a knotty point before the Judges in Banco; and we cannot but think, therefore, that if amount of legal attainments was what should have guided the Government in select ing a successor to Sir W. Follett, Mr. Kelly would have been found better fitted for the situation than the more fortunate man to whom it has been given. At any rate, we must again express our opinion, which we believe will be that of the public in general, that Mr. Thesiger has been rewarded above his merits, and that, if he really was (as we must believe him to be) the most eligible person that the Govern ment could find, then we must come to one of two conclusions—either that the bar has sadly degene rated since the days when such men as Scott, and Shepherd, and Gifford, and Copley, were Solicitors- General; or that, the amount of talent in the profes sion being still the same, the Government has not the good fortune to number amongst its adherents any of those eminent persons, respecting whose quali fications to fill this or any higher legal situation there could be no difference of opinion." STANDARD.—The Morning Chronicle, in an article of this morning, upon Lord Eliot's Irish Re gistration Bill, charges the Noble Lord with the purpose of disfranchising two-thirds of the 101. free holders. This charge is altogether groundless. Lord Eliot's Bill will disfranchise no one not already disfranchised by the Reform Bill of 1832. On the other hand, in the proposed enfranchisement of the possessors of freeholds of inheritance of 51. annual value, and in the 301. occupation tenants, it will make a large addition to the bona fide constituency. What our Contemporary means, however, by the exten sive disfranchisement of which it speaks, is the exclusion of fraudulent votes. In defiance of the express words of the law, and of the decision of, we believe, ten out of the twelve judges of Ireland—including in the majority Mr. Justice Crampton, by whom the law under consi• deration was drawn up—in defiance of this clear de monstration of what the law is, a great number of per ,ons have been placed upon the registry who ought not to be placed upon it ; and though Lord Eliot's Bill, with extraordinary indulgence, but perhaps ques tionable propriety, allows the intruder to remains to the end of their term of registration, it declares that the law shall be observed for the future, and that no man shall be registered as a county elec tor without a beneficial interest in the tenement from which he registers. The effect of this declaration, we believe, will be to augment the constituency in the end, without any consideration of the addition to be made by the two new classes if electors to be introduced. It is a well known fact that the late decline in the Irish registry has arisen altogether from the progress of agitation; nearly all but the poorest and most reckless, and at the same time the most enslaved class of tenants, anxiously rejecting a political privilege, in the exer ,sise of which they must expose themselves to the tyranny of the priest-led rabble, and all the abloquy and ridicule which that rabble so well knows how to employ on the one side; or on the other disoblige their natural protectors and best friends, by strengthening the enemies of the public oeace. Well-disposed and prudent men placed in such a painful alternative naturally shrink . 1-om it by the only pith they can—declining the franchise. In some cases, though qualified, they refuse to register their votes ; but this profes ,edly neutral course demands, in the face of tyrants by whom even neutrality is treated as a crime, a de gree of boldness beyond the temper of the majority, ind much the more common resource of the well disposed and prudent is to look for interests which do not carry the qualification. IVe have heard of hundreds of cases in which the tenant has elicited to have his term reduced by one-half or a quarter of a year within the interest that confers a vote —we believe that the actual cases might be counted by tens of thousands. The removal of the fictitious votes from the registry will, however, destroy the influence of Agitation, as far, at least, as elections are con cerned ; and it may be expected that when at liberty to exercise the franchise according to his own judgment, and free from tyrannical control, every qualified person in Ireland will, as in Eng land, avail himself of the privilege. Is it then unreasonable to suppose that the removal from the registry of the illegal and fictitious votes that now encumber it, and that make the incendiary priests the principals at every contested election, would alone greatly enlarge the constituency, as, unquestionably, it must infinitely improve it ? And are we sanguine in anticipating that the effect of Lord Eliot's Bill, taken as a whole, must be to multiply the Irish constituency three or four-fold i n th e course o f a very f ew years ? With this conviction firmly rooted in our minds, we must, however, acknowledge that we think a great d ea l too much importance is attached to the c o o o n t s g id o era th ti e o w n h o o f le nu l m en be gt r hs in of thisui v in e r a s t a t el r. s u A ff l r l ag w e h o rn w u i s l t l admit that the security for good government, not self-government, is the object of the representative system. It i s t h e sense and • • patriotism—not the personal or local interest, or the passion of a na tion that is sought to be collected in its Legisla ture. And hence it ar i ses that, once returned to Parliament, a Member is supposed to repre sent .not this county, or th a t c i ty, or a borough, but the whole United Kingdom. This Mr. Burke has clearly pointed out in his distincti( n be tween a representative and a delegate. But the sense and patriotism of the country can be collected only from the votes of the intelli gent and independent—which never observes the ratio of mere numbers. Whatever their num bers, the very poor and very ignorant will never think for themselves, if they ever think at all upon public affairs. Their votes when they have them, therefore, become the property of a jug gler who cheats, or a master who bribes or coerces. The attempt to place political power indis criminately in the hands of a multitude of poor and ignorant persons, has always practically resulted in THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, APRIL 16, !844. giving it to a few. But it is not fair, surely to those who, in other parts of the United Kingdom, readily make every sacrifice to ensure prudent and patriotic government by submitting to a high rate of qualification, to allow that, upon the plea of mere numbers, whom they hold in bondage, a few Irish priests should nominate -50 or 100 of our legislators. This would be an anomaly and a nuisance worse than schedule A. We need care little what the number of electors may be, but we are deeply concerned that they are intelligent and independent men. It may be that Ireland is deficient in such men. So much the worse fur Ireland. But this does not alter the principles of right and wrong. Be the number of intelligent and independent men in the country 3,000, 30,000 or 300,000, the number of electors ought not to exceed it. PERILS of the GOODWIN SANDS. A few years ago, in the prime of summer, a party of young men agreed to play a game of cricket on the Goodwin Sands. This at first may appear impos sible; but it will be remembered, that during the time the sands are uncovered by the falling tide, they are hard enough to permit any kind of exercise upon them. The only difficulty is to ascertain the day when the tide will suit. Such a day soon came ; and leaving the beach in a galley, away the party went, wi h bats, wickets, balls, provisions, and other knack eries, to contest their skill upon the sands, the wide grave of many " a good tall ship." The day com menced surpassingly beautiful; calm, mild and genial, the bright sunshine was sleeping in a thousand places on every side of the hushed and silent sea; and im pelled by the strong arms of six lusty rowers, the channel dividing Deal from the Sands was soon passed. There is something bracing to the nerves when treading these sands on a fine sunny day—a wild ness, a charm, owing, perhaps, to their solitude and vastness ; the sea birds assembled there seem different to those on shore—they appear less difficult to ap-• proach, as though they had not been taught to dread the appearance of man. All for a time went happily with our party, and shouts of merriment and laughter made the dull sands echo to their mirth; the day wore away, without a thought bestowed on anything but pleasure; the provision basket was attacked with vigour, and a plentiful supply of liquor soon blinded the merrymakers to the approach of danger. One old Deal boatman alone was with them, and he had already repeatedly urged the necessity of a return to the main land; but the young men treated , his fears with laughter, and turned his urgent remonstrances into a joke ; in vain he told them that the appearance of the weather to the southward was suspicious, and that the galley, although safe enough in smooth water, was quite unfit to contend with a troubled sea. For some time his experienced eye had noted the change in the appearance of the weather ; but finding his advice treated with contempt, he had no alterna tive but to remain their pleasure and take his chance with them. At length the weather put on a more serious as pect, and the whiffling sound of a freshening breeze told the most inexperienced of the party that the time had arrived when it became necessary to return to a place of security; and with an alacrity quickened by an awakening sense of danger, all jumped into the boat, and began pulling for the land. The warning voice of the old man, which had been listened to with scorn, now began to work on the revellers ; they discovered, when too late, the alarming truth, that the boat was laden too heavily to contend with the sea. The change since the morning had been great —the sea, so smooth before, was now broken into waves, after shipping several of which, and being nearly swamped, they gave up rowing in direc tion of the town, and, dreadful as the alternative appeared, sought refuge on the sands they so re cently had left. Fear soon spread its influence over the party. The old man alone seemed pos sessed of energy ; but his counsel of pulling along the edge of the sand for the Floating Light was met by the contradictory opinions of others ; and the pre cious moments so requisite for action were wasted in a noisy squabble. Some proposed leaving half of the party on the sand, and pulling for the town with the other half ; but as no one would consent to remain behind, this project was abandoned. Meanwhile the wind rose rapidly, and with it came the tide; and a fearful, lurid-looking mist, which had gathered to the southward, came rushing down upon them with the speed of the wind ; then a roaring rumbling sound was heard moaning along the sea, whose surface was covered with one sheet of white and spotless foam ; a sudden gale of wind had arisen, and its full force fell upon the men in that forlorn situation. Despair soon seized upon all, on discovering the sand, lately so firm and hard, on which they had played their cricket match, was now alive, literally quivering beneath their feet, and with the rising tide would soon be covered, and float to and fro with the waves. The prospect of certain death stared them in the face. Some cried, some laughed, and one yelled aloud in a delirium, at the impossibility, as it seemed to him, of being so near destruction : the old man alone had nerve enough to look boldly, at their desperate condition. The return to land was acknowledged an impossibility, and the sands were rapidly becoming so soft, that standing on them became more and more difficult ; and the wind blowing with great violence, the slum bering ocean had roused itself at its call, and was tumbling about in mad gambols, threatening the ad venturers with instant death. The old Deal boa man noted these changes with an anxious eye, plainly telling how critical he deemed their situation ; and not being able to devise any plan to relieve them, the whole party made another mad attempt to man the galley, though it should end in their speedy destruction. While in the act of carrying this project into execution, one of the party shouted out, " "What is that, there away to the west ward ?—there, now it lifts again." Every one directed his attention to the spot pointed out, but nothing was seen ; one, however, said he thought it was the wing of a gull dipping amongst the waves. "Itis a boat, a Deal boat too," said a dozen voices, and again it rose, driving on the glittering crest of a wave ; and in an agony of despair, fearing they should not be seen, the men shouted. The roaring of the sea was. the only answer to their call—no human sound could reach so far, and the boat appeared to pass on its course without heeding them. The following minutes appeared like hours; and the strange boat rose, and as often disappeared, as she struggled through the troughs of the sea. The quick eye of the veteran boat man, when directed to the stranger, soon discovered, from her motions, that she was in search of something —she had no decided course, but yawed about hither and thither. Suddenly she tacked, and stood directly for the spot where the party had clustered together, attracted there by an oar, held up to catch observa tion. They were seen ; and deeming their deliver. ance certain, all bowed their heads in silent and secret thanksgivings. The appearance of the Deal lugger is readily explained. When the galley with the crick eters left the beach in the morning, the boatmen on the shore remarked how much the vessel was over- loaded, and knowing her destination to be the sands, they became anxious, when the wind got up, to see her return ; but anxiety soon gave place to apprehen sion ; and, launching one of their large boats, they hastened to the sand just in time to save the young men from destruction.—llluminated Magazine. LLOYD'S SHIPPING. EAST INDIA SHIPPING. Arrivals—Herefordshire, Richardson, from Bernbay, at Gravesend, sailed Jan. 7, Cape, Feb. 22, St. Helena, March 4 ; Malabar, Pollock, from Bombay, at Gravesend, sailed Jan. 15, St. Helena, March 4 ; kisses, BrewQr, from Bengal, in the East India Docks, sailed Dec. 5, Madras, Dec. 23, Cape, Feb. 15, St. Helena, Feb. 26 ; Lady Emma, Wilkinson, from Mauritius, iu the Downs. sailed Feb. 2 ; William Jardine, Jones, from China, off Margate, sailed Dec. 21, St. Helena, March 1, _ _ Arrivals at Mauritius—Louisa Baillie, Remington, Dec. 31, from Bengal; Cassiopeia, Jan. 1 ; Trekboe, 18; Mary, 18; Packet, 27, from the Cape. Recovery, Jan. 1; Buteshire, 18; Merton and Lady Kennaway, 20; John Calvin, 26, all from Bombay. Defiance, Jan. —; City of London, 12 ; Gilbert Henderson and Wigrams, 16 ; Lord Goderich, 21; Niagara, 21; Carnatis and Bittern, 22 ; Swallow, 22; Orpheus and Protomelia, 22; Strath eden, 23; Greyhound, 2:5, all from Madras. Martin Luther, Jan. 3 ; Earl of Lansdale, 7 ; Hong-Kong, 2 ; Rajatthan, 12 ; Minstrel, 24 ; Sir Charles Napier, 28, all from Bengal. Ocean Bride, 10 ; Olive Branch, 28 ; Mereambie, 30, all from Bordeaux. Maria, 12; William Wilson, 21, from Singapore. Ocean Queen, 16, from Adelaide. China, 17, from Amsterdam. William Wool. ley, 18, from Ceylon, and sailed, 25, to L on d on . C o lib r i, 19; from Bourbon. Lady Emma, 21; Briton, 28; Morn ing Star, 30; Thomas Jones, 31, all from London, Agnes, 22, from Greenock. Hindoatan, 25, from Manilla. Orator, 30, from Ascension. - - Departures from Mauritius—Ulverstone, to London; Fazzle, Cnrrim, Jan. 20, to Bombay; Reliance, 20th, to Penang; Curraghmore, 21st, to Point de Galle; Baboo, 23d, to Madras and Bengal; Merlin, 23d, to Liverpool; Deborah, to Pondicherry; Nankin, 24th; Mary Imrie and John Brightman, 24th, to Calcutta; Dream, to the Cape; Varuna, 25th, to London; Flowers of Ugie, to Madras; China, to whaling; James Hall, 26th, to Pondicherry; Windsor, to Calcutta; Greyhound and Orpheus, 28th; City of London, 31st, to Madras; Re covery, 30th, to Bombay; Mereambie, 31st, to Bourbon. Loading for London—Louisa Baillic, Cove, Tartar, Martin Luther, Mary Taylor, Solway. For Liverpool —Cassiopeia, Ann. For Greenock—Gazelle. For Bristol—Charlotte. Arrivals at St. Helena—Flora, Feb.2s, from Guernsey; George Buckham, 26, from Singapore ; Antelope . and Leland, fro m B a t av i a ; Th omas Fi e ld en , from China ; Humayoon, Duke of Cornwall, and Wilson, from Ben gal, and sailed for London ; Judith Allen, Hayes, from China, and sailed, March 1, to London ; Pearl, Valpy, from Ichoboe, and sailed, Feb. 28, to Cork ; Simon Taylor, Brown, from China, and sailed, 28, to London ; Neptune, Murray, from Africa, and sailed, 28, to Fal mouth ; Hindoo, from Bengal, and sailed, 28, to Liver pool ; Iris, from Ceylon, and sailed, 29, to London ; 'Water Witch, Morton, from Bengal, and sailed, 29, to London ; Tomatin, from Bengal, and sailed, March 1, to London ; Alexander, from Bengal, and sailed, March 1, to Liverpool; Mer town, from Bombay, and sailed, March 1, to Liverpool ; Lancaster, from Bombay, and sailed,, March 1, to Liverpool ; Mary Louisa, March 1, from Bengal, and sailed to Leith ; Steadfast, from Coast of Africa; Ceylon, March 1, from China, and sailed to London ; Favourite, from the Cape to Toulon ; Jean nette, Bertha, 2d, from Singapore, and sailed to Ham burgh ; Araminta, 3d, from Bombay ; Joseph Porter, from Coast of Africa ; Ariadne, from China, and sailed 4th, to Londoli ; Hindley, from Coast of Africa to Bar badoes ; Sanspareil, from Adelaide ; Maria, from Ben gal ; Foam, 4th, from China, and sailed to London ; Sara Lydia, from Batavia. Arrivals i❑ Table Bay, Cape of Good Hope—Pheno mena, Feb. 18, from Batavia ; Nith, from Calcutta ; Charles Kerr, 19th, from Madras ; Alexander Baring, 21st, from London. Dopartures from Table Bay—Guiana, Feb. 16, to Maaritius ; Hamilton Ross, lith, to Angra Pequina ; John M'Lellan, 18th, to London. Arrival in Simon's Bay—Her Majesty's steamer Rat tlesnake, Feb. 19th, from Hong-Kong to Singapore. LAW INTELLIGENCE. COURT OF CHANCERY, April 15. IN THE MATTER OF MR. DYCE SOMBRE, A SUPPOSED LUNATIC. After some short discussion the committee of the estate of the lunatic was ordered to perfect his securities, and when that has been done the matter is to be brought regularly forward. HALL V. TAYLOR. The arguments in this case occupied the Court the remainder of the day. VICE-CHANCELLOR'S COURT, April 15. (Before the VICE-CHANCELLOR OF ENGLAND.) His Honour did not take his seat in his Court to-day till nearly half-past one o'clock, in consequence of its being the first day of Easter Term, and his Honour having to breakfast with the Lord Chancellor and the other Judges. GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY v. THE BIRMINGHAM AND GLOUCESTER RAILWAY. The Court was occupied the whole day with the arguments in this part-heard case, which were not con cluded when the Court rose. COURT OF COMMON PLEAS, April 15. THE NEW CHIEF BARON. At the sitting of the Court to-day, Sir F. Pollock was admitted one of her Majesty's Sergeants -at-Law, previ ous to his taking his seat upon the Bench. IN THE MATTER OF ELIZABETH DUNN. Mr. Sergeant CHANNELL applied to the Court in this case, on behalf of Elizabeth Dunn, that she might be allowed to sign a transfer •f her property, without the concurrence of her husband. The defendant's father was a person of the name of Ho'croft, who left some property amongst his children, of whom there were several. They were anxious to dispose of the property, for which purpose the consent of all who were interested was necessary. The husband of the party for whom the application was made had left the country in 1840, and has not been heard of since. It, therefore, became necessary to make the present application.—Motion granted. CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT , OLD COURT. Ann Carroll, 44, was indicted for the manslaughter of Elizabeth Hobbs. Mr. Doane conducted the prosecution. It appeared from the evidence that the prisoner and her husband, and the deceased, had been drinking toge ther, and eventually a quarrel took place and a fight, during which the deceased received some injuries on her head, which eventually caused her death. There was no distinct proof in what manner the injuries, were re ceived. The ju r y re t urne d a ver di c t of Not Guilty. Henry Reynold s , labourer, 44, was indict e d f or t h e manslaughter of ohn West. The particulars of this case have appeared very re cently. The prisoner was driving a cart on the Edge ware-road, being at the time somewhat intoxicated, and, in order to avoid some vehicle, he struck his hone with the whip, and made him jump suddenly on one side, and M doing so he knocked down the deceased, and the wheel of his cart went over him and killed him. The prisoner was not driving at any speed, and the accident appeared to have arisen chiefly from the incapacity of the prisoner to take proper charge of the vehicle by reason of his condition from drink. The jury found the prisoner Guilty, but recommended him to mercy. Mr. Justice MkuLE sentenced him to one month's im prisonment and hard labour. Just before the Learned Judges left the Court Mr. Sergeant SHEE, who is to defend William Read, who stands accused of being concerned in the act of wilfully casting away a 'vessel, called the Colina, applied to their Lordships to fix a day to take the trial. Mr. BODKIN, who conducts the prosecution, concurred in the application. The COURT said that, at present, it was impossible to fix any day for the trial. Mr. Sergeant SHHE suggested that the better course to adopt would be to postpone the case until the next session, and urged that the prisoner should be admitted to bail. Mr. BODKIN said he should offer no objection to the postponement of the trial ; but he could not consent that the prisoner should be admitted to bail. The Corral' declined to make any order for the present. The Common Sergeant sat in this Court in the evening. George Bassett, 21, John Grant, 25, and James Baker, were indicted for a burglary in the dwelling house of James Lindsay, at L!wisham, and stealing 551. in bank notes, and other moneys, his property. The prisoner Baker pleaded guilty. Mr. Doane conducted the prosecution, and Mr. Payne defended Bassett. The other prisoner had no counsel. The jury returned a verdict of Guilty, and the Common Sergeant sentenced them to he severally trans ported beyond the seas for the term of ten years. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. (YESTERDAY.) CLERKEN WELL. John Jones was brought up on an immediate warrant, charged with having attempted to stab Sarah his wife, and other persons. It appeared from the evidence of the complainant, and the statement of the solicitor for the prosecution, that the prisoner's treatment of his wife has for several months back been cruel and unfeeling. They live at the corner of Tollington Park, where the complainant de rives a livelihood by nursing children. On Friday last she was getting her room whitewashed, when the pri soner rushed in, and taking up a pitchfork, attempted to stick it in one of the labourers, who was instantly obliged to run from the premises. His wife interfered, and struck her down three times successively. On Saturday he took up a boat-hook and made a desperate thrust with it at her—she stepped aside, and the iron spike of the weapon stuck fast in the door which she had just left. He then took up a poker and threatened to murder her, but she fortunately escaped into a neigh bour's house. • The prisoner was sentenced to find two solvent bail in 201. each for the sessions. Bail not being forthcoming he was committed. 111ary Anne Neal, a girl of the town, was charged with using obscene language, and with other misconduct. Sergeant Clarke, 13 G, deposed that about twelve o'clock on Saturday night, on going his rounds, he saw the prisoner in company with police constable Wilson, of the G division, who was then on duty in Green -terrace. • Witness told her to go away, but on his return in an hour after he still saw her in the company of the consta ble. She used bad language, when he remonstrated with her a second time. He arrested her. Mr. COMBE —Why did not the officer on duty arrest her, or prevent her following him ?—The sergeant replied, that so far from doing so, the officer had followed him, and rescued the girl out of his custody, exclaiming, " I will see you d—d before you take this girl to the station-house." Witness took Wilson also into custody. Mr. , COMBE asked if the constable's conduct had been made known to the Commissioners of Police ?—The Sergeant replied in the affirmative, and that it would be the subject of investigation. Wiljon, the officer complained of, then came forward, dressed in the police uniform, and tendered himself as a witness for the prisoner, but the case was remanded till Wednesday. CAPTURE OF THE LADY SWINDLER.—A good deal of interest was excited at the Police-office, Coventry, on Wednesday, which was crowded to excess, on the bringing up of Mary Ann Montague, the lady, who, a month or two ago, perpetrated the flagrant take-in upon Mr. and Mrs. Hales of the Dog and Gun public house, by obtaining property, consisting of money and clothes to a large amount, under false pretences, and absconding with the same, and which affair was described in a paragraph in our paper at the time of the occurrence. Some of the police here have since that time been scenting her movements, and on Tuesday she was apprehended by Mr. Prosser, at Basingstoke, Hants, and now brought before the magistrates on several charges. The examinations gone into were very brief ; the first charge being for stealing two towels or chamber nap kins, the property of Mr. Hales, from whose house they were missed in January last, shortly after the prisoner left; she having had the use of them as a lodger. At the time the examinations were taken, however, the articles had not been found. Prisoner, on being called on, said she knew nothing about the towels. It was determined to commit upon the above charge. Another charge was then exhibited by Mary, the wife of John Glenn, of Southam, who stated that prisoner came to reside at their house at the latter end of August last, and stayed about two months, under the name of Miss Watts. After she left, several articles of small value were missed, and amongst them a book entitled 0 Youthful Piety," which had been left in pri soner's bed-room. Here the book in question was handed to witness, and identified as the one stolen. Sarah, the wife of William Wall, of the Black Swan public-house, in this city, stated that the prisoner lodged at their house three days in October last. The book now produced was given at that time by pri soner to her (witness's) little boy. On being called on, prisoner said that the book was lent to her while at Mr. Glenn's, at Southam ; that she often used to look at it, and brought it away in her frock pocket, without the intention of keeping it. She, however, refused to sign her statement. On this charge, also, she was committed for trial. Another charge is pending against her for obtaining money under false pretences. The prisoner was rather respectably attired, and is a good-looking woman somewhere about forty years of age. In her ad dress and deportment, however, there was nothing indi cating superiority of education ; on the other hand, her manner was a little vulgar.—Banbury Guardian. Mr. Fitzroy Kelly, who appeared for the defendant in a special jury case this week, received for his trouble 340 guineas. The trial lasted about six hours.—Liverpool Mer cury. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF COMMONS, April 1 5 . The SPEAKER took tho chair at Four o'Clock Mr. GREENE brought up the report on the new British Iron Company Bill, which was ordered to lie on the table. NEW WRITS. On the motion of Sir THOMAS FREMAN TLE, a new writ was ordered to be issued for the election of a burgess to serve in the present Parlia ment for the borough of Huntingdon, in the room of Sir Frederick Pollock, Tint., who had been appointed to the office of Chief Baron of the Court of Exchequer. On the motion of Sir THOMAS FREMAN TLE, a new writ was ordered for the election of a citizen to serve in the present Parliament for the city of Exeter, in the room of Sir William Follet, who since his election, had accepted the office of her Majesty's Attorney-General. Mr. SCHOLEFIELD presented a petition from Walsall praying for a reduction in the duty on tobacco. Mr. MA.CAUL AY presented a petition from Edin burgh against the Charitable Pawns Bill ; also a petition from the Royal College of Surgeons in Edin burgh, praying fur uniformity of medical education in hospitals. Mr. R. YORKE presented a petition from the Yorkshire Law Society against any compensation being given to certain officers in the Court of Chancery. Mr. W. 0. STANLEY presented petitions, from North Wales, against the union of the sees of St. Asaph and Bangor. Mr. RICE TREVOR presented a petition from Carmarthen, fur the establishment of local courts. ISLE OF MAN. Dr. BOWRING gave notice that, to-morrow, he would put a question to the Government, respecting the regulation of the Import Duties in the Isle of Man, and also respecting the Harbour Duties in that island. STIPENDIARY MAGISTRATES (IRELAND). Lord EBRINGTON gave notice that he would to morrow evening, on the Order of the Day for the House going into Committee of Supply, move for re turns relating to the appointment of Stipendiary Ma gistrates in Ireland. APPEAL IN CRIMINAL CASES. Mr. FITZROY KELLY gave notice that, on Tuesday, the 23d inst., he would move for leave to bring in a Bill for the establishment of a Court of Appeal in Criminal Cases. IRISH REGISTRATION BILL. Upon Sir G. CLERK'S moving the Order of the Day for the House going into a Committee of Supply, Mr. WYSE wished to ask the Right Hon. Baronet at the head of the Government, in pursuance of the notice he had given, whether he would be disposed to postpone the second reading of the Registration (Ire land) Bill for another fortnight? The ground on which he asked the question, was that it was a Bill of the ut most importance to Ireland, involving the most serious considerations to the liberties and franchises of the people of that country, and on which must depend its future representation. He would venture to appeal to the Right Hon. Baronet on another ground, and that was that the Irish Members were not likely to be established in sufficient numbers by the 19th. It might be said that the second reading of a Bill in volved only the consideration of its principle, and not of its details—that was all very true ; but he thought that in a measure of such importance to the people of Ireland, the Irish Members had a right to discuss even the principle of the Bill ; and he thought the second reading, if it was pressed at the time fixed, would not pass Is ith that degree of tranquillity which the Right Hon. Baronet seemed to expect on a former occasion. Another ground upon which he called upon the Right Hon. Baronet to postpone the second read ing of the Bill was, that it had not been printed and distributed at a sufficiently early period for the con stituencies of Ireland to communicate with their representatives. In many parts of Ireland he be lieved the Bill had not yet appeared. Under these circumstances the Bill could not be carried through in a hurry, or without due consideration. Even if it were passed immediately, it would be impossible to bring the Bill into operation before the close of the session, and under these considerations, therefore, it was that he applied for the postponement of the second reading for another fortnight. Sir R. PEEL said he regretted that the Right Hon. Gentleman had considered it necessary to make this appeal. He (Sir R. Peel), in fixing Friday next for the second reading, had consented to postpone it from a day already named, and in doing so he considered he had made an arrangement gene rally acceptable. He objected to the appeal on another ground. If there was an indisposition to approach the discussion of public Bills at the early period of the session, the consequence was that at the latter part of it, about the months of June and July, he should be asked the question he (Sir R. Peel) used to put to the Noble Lord (John Russell), as to what measures the Government intended to abandon. This arose, not from any indisposition on the part of her Majesty's Government, but from long discussions being taken at this period of the session. He foresaw that the present session would in this respect resemble the former ones, in consequence of the House not applying itself with earnestness to the discussion of measures at a more early period; so that towards the months of April and May there was a vast deal of business reserved for consideration when the House was not well attended, thus pre. eluding the possibility of giving these measures a proper degree of discussion. On these grounds he must express his regret at the appeal of the Right Hon. Gentleman ; on the other hand, he was bound to say that the measure was of great importance, and he fully admitted the claim of the Right Hon. Gen tleman, on the part of those immediately affected by it, to have a full opportunity of considering it. The Right Hon. Gentleman said there would not be that attendance of Irish Members on the day fixed for the second reading to secure a due discussion of the principles of the Bill. He was always unwilling to press anything forward for consideration pre maturely, and he must say that he felt this anxiety on Irish questions quite as strongly as on English; and if the Right Hon. Gentleman stated to him that it was the wish of the Irish Members, on the ground of not having an opportunity of fully considering the measure, he would consent to postpone the second read ing. He would not at the present moment name any day for the second reading, but the principle on which he gave way was a sufficient proof that he wished the Bill to undergo a full consideration in all its details. He would not, therefore, take the second reading on Friday next ; and he would endeavour to state to the Right Hon. Gentleman, the clay on which he should be enabled to bring it forward. THE BUDGET. In answer to a question put by Mr. F. T. BARING, Sir R. PEEL stated that the Budget would be brought forward on the 29th inst. IRISH REGISTRATION BILL. Mr. T. DUNCOMBE, in reference to the request made for a postponement of the second reading of the Irish Registration Bill, said he had received a letter from Mr. Maurice O'Connell, written at the request of several Irish Members, urging strongly for delay. The Bill had only been received in Dublin on the 11th inst., and therefore there could not be fair time for consideration. He was glad the Right Hon. Baronet (Sir R. Peel) bad conceded the request for delay. MANCHESTER POST-OFFICE. Mr. M. GIBSON said just before the adjourn ment for the holidays he had presented a petition upon the subject of the Post-office arrangements in connection with Manchester, and had intimated his intention of inviting the attention of the House to them. That petition had enumerated several griev ances. Many of them, however, and these not the least important of them, had been redressed during the past week. The complaints as to the Yorkshire mail had been remedied ; and he was also happy to say that between Manchester and the south there had been an acceleration of speed of one hour. In consequence of the Post- office employing the Grand Junction Railway in conveying letters the post-office at Manchester was closed one hour sooner than was necessary. This was a serious grievance in a place of business like Manchester. He wished to know from the Right Hon. Gentleman, the Secretary to the Treasury, why the Post-office continued to send the letters by the Grand Junction Railway, instead of sending them by the Manchester aad Birmingham railway? A long correspondence had taken place on the subject. The Post-office had agreed to the pro posal of the Manchester and Birmingham Railway Company, but just as the agreement was on the point of being carried into effect, some objections had been started on the part of the Post-office; these ob jections had been renewed on two or three occasions, and the correspondence had lasted eighteen or twenty .months—the Post-office being always the party to break the agreement. The inhabitants of Man chester felt that they were in disfavour either with the Post-office or the Treasury, they could not tell which ; for when they made application to the Post-office on the subject they were told that the matter was under the consideration of the Treasury, and when they applied to the Treasury the answer was that the subject had been referred to the Post-office. Under these circumstances he thought the petitioners had done wisely in applying to the House, and he therefore moved that the petition of the Town-Council of Manchester, relating to the Post office arrangements in that borough, be taken into consideration. Sir G. CLERK said, he was happy to find from the statement of the Hon. Gentleman, that the greater part of the complaints made by the Commissioners had been removed in consequence of the arrangements carried into effect by the Post-office authorities in the course of last week. With regard to the other point referred to by the Hon. Gentleman--namely, the delay which was occasioned to the transmission of Manchester letters, in consequence of the mode by Sir J. GRAHAM gave notice that he shciuld, on Friday, move that the Orders fixed for that day should be taken in their rotation. CROWN PROSECUTIONS IN IRELAND. Mr. BELLEW wished to ask the Noble Lord, the Secretary of State for Ireland, whether the Govern ment was prepared to give any explanation as to the case of a person who, having been confined seven months upon a charge of publishing seditious ballads, was discharged without being brought to trial ? He was informed that the accused person had been com mitted to prison upon the evidence of two policemen, who obtained ballads in the disguise of itinerant bal lad-singers. Lord ELIOT said that the attention of the Go vernment had been turned to the subject, which was now under investigation. SUPPLY. The House then went into Committee of Supply. A vote of 4,1641. for the improvement of Holy head Harbour, was agreed to without discussion. On the motion that 50,0001. be granted for the Caledonian Canal, Mr. WILLIAMS expressed his strongest objec tions to the vote, upon which, however, he would not divide the Committee. He considered the whole affair as the " job of jobs." The vote was then agreed to. On the vote for 26,8711. for defraying the expenses of public works in Ireland, Mr. WILLIAMS wished to know why the sum of 5,0001. and upwards was to be voted for the Phcenix Park in Dublin ? This park had been a great cost to this 'country, as a large sum had been annually expended upon it. The time had now arrived when the House ought not to endure th e ex p en dit ure o f t h e Woods and Forests. During the last five years upwards of 503,9001. had been expended by the Woods and Forests without the authority of the House. A check ought to be placed on the management of the public property by the Commissioners. Sir G. CLERk said the Hon. Gentleman made a similar statement with respect to the public parks just before the recess, when the Noble Lord the Chief Commissioner made a statement in reply, that, he be lieved, was considered very satisfactory. He ex plained that the item of 5,0001. for the Phcenix Park was expended in repairs of the Vice-Regal residence and the residence of the Secretary. After a few words from Mr. BELLEW and Lord ELIOT, the vote was agreed to. The next vote was 8,0001. for the repairs of Kings town Harbour, which was agreed to without discussion. The next vote was 59,3501. for salaries and other expenses of the officers of the two Houses of Pailia ment. On this being moved-- Mr. WILLIAMS said when this vote was before the House last session, his Hon. Friend the Member for Montrose (Mr. Hume) had objected to voting so large an amount of money without the items being given. As that House assumed the right of holding the purse-strings of the nation, he (Mr. Williams) did not see why the House of Lords should not give in an estimate for such sum as they might want, the same as every other establishment did. Out of common respect to the House of Commons this ought to be done. Sir GEORGE CLERK said this was one of the objections annually made, a.nd annually refuted. Up to the year 1805, at the end of the session, each House presented an address to the Crown, praying that expenses incurred by it might be paid. Since then the better arrangement had been arrived at, of taking a direct vote from that jouse. This had been found both expedient and satisfactory, except perhaps to a very few whom it was difficult at any time to satisfy. He (Sir George Clerk) thought it would be most unwise in that House to involve itself with the other on a question of privilege ; and his opinion was strength ened in this by a knowledge of the fact, that the House of Lords was quite as economical in its views, habits, and expenditure, as the House of Commons. Mr. W. WILLIAMS said that all he wanted was a statement of the items. The House of Commons furnished every item, and why should not the House of Lords ? The statement was very suspicious. A large amount, no less than 15,0001., had been received in fees, and yet they came to that House for a sum of money in addition to fees. They ought to give some account of the items. Mr. HUME suggested that the best way to get at the items was to stop the allowance until an ac count of the items should be furnished. The House of Lords received 15,0001. a year in fees. Now they wanted 15,0001. in addition ; so that there was an expenditure of of 30,0001. for the House of Lords, and not a single item was given. It was not quite clear to him that the affairs of the House of Lords were economicall y ' conducted; if so, why did they refuse the items ? It was said th a t es ti ma t es were _ _ • laid before the Treasury. Ile would ask, what was the nature of those estimates; and what was the amount for fees received by the House of Lords ? This was the only instance in which the subject was taxed, and in• which the House had no account of it. If the House of Lords chose to content themselves with their own fees he should not object to it, but if they came to that House for a vote of money, he should like to see an account of the items. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER made a few observations, which were quite inaudible in the gallery. Mr. HUME was at a loss to understand how the Right Hon. Gentleman could have misunderstood him (Mr. Hume). The Right Hon. Gentleman had not answered his questions. He would therefore repeat them. What was the nature of the estimate laid before the Treasury ? and what was the amount of fees received by the base of Lords ? Sir G. CLERIC said, the House of Lords had al ways possessed the right of voting an address to the Crown for whatever sums of money they required to defray the e x p enses o f t h e salaries of the officers of that House over and above the amount of fees. Dr. BOWRING thought the question of his Hon. Friend was a very important one. A sum of 15,000/. was asked. The Hon. Baronet said that the Treasury had the accounts, which showed that the items were reasonable. Now, what objection could there be to have them produced ? He wished to know whether the House of Lords had the power of obtaining a grant of money, without the concurrence of the House of Commons ? The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that the House of Lords had the right up to 1815 of moving for an address to the Crown to ob tain money from the Civil List. When that was taken away it was on the understanding that the expenses of that House should be defrayed. After a few words from Mr. W. WILLIAMS, Mr. HUME moved that the vote •be reduced by 15,0001., thereby reducing the vote to 44,3001. • which they were sent, he believed that those letters were not delayed longer than half an hour or at most three-quarters. Very strong representations were male against changing the line by the inhabitants of Macclesfield. and Congleton, and other places, who would suff e r w h a t th e pet i t i oner compla i ned of , if the mails were sent by the Manchester and Bir mingham line, instead of the Grand Junction. He trusted that ere long the Manchester an d Birming ham Company would assent to the proposal which had been made to them, as there was every disposition on ' the part of the Post-office authorities to extend Post office communications. Mr. M. PHILLIPS thought the explanation of the Hon. Gentleman was anything but satisfactory. ' The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the Government were anxious to give every pos sible accommodation to the people of Manchester. Dr. BOWRING complained . that letters were not delivered in Bolton until two hours after the delivery in Manchester. Sir R. PEEL also stated the willingness of the Government to afford every facility to those towns. the only check upon their desire in this respect was, that they subjected the public to great expense by making terms with railways. Railway proprietors would, he believed, best consult their own interest, and promote their receipts by passengers, if they ob served a disposition to facilitate communication by letters. Mr. WILLIAMS, on the part of his constituents, complained of the conduct of the Railway Companies as capricious and unjust. Ile thought her Majesty's Government ought to exercise their power so as to secure the conveyance of letters to every part of the country ; and if the railway companies would not give facilities for that purpose, they ought to be com pelled to do so by law. Mr. M. GIBSON said th Manchester and Bir mingham Railway Company dal not object to carry the Macclesfield and Congleton bags, provided they were paid for it; but the Post-office had wished them to do so for nothing. ASSESSMENT FOR TITHES. Sir R. H. INGLIS wished to know from his Right Hon. Friend near him (Sir J. Graham), whe ther it was his intention to propose any revision of the laws relating to parochial assessment for tithes ? It was a subject which had been for the last four years under the consideration of the House, and he hoped his Right Hon. Friend would state that the question was one likely to be soon settled. Sir J. GRAHAM acknowledged that the matter had been already frequently mooted. If he had the honour of occupying the situation which he then held, he proposed to ask for leave to bring in a Bill which would effect very extensive altera tions in the poor-law. It was impossible to overrate the importance of this subject. In the Bill for al tering the present_ poor-law he intended making ex tensive alterations la that part which affected the laws of settlement and assessment, and till that time his Hon. Friend had better postpone the subject. COUNTY CORONERS' BILL. In reply to a question from Mr. B. HAWES, Sir J. GRAHAM said the County Coroners' Bill would be postponed until Friday next. BUSINESS OF THE ROUSE. o „_ Mr. BARING deprecated their c alling i_ r reo t account from the House of Lords when they 1re . ,,0 prepared to pursue the matter further, lest they q i come into collision o n su t r ifli ng a matter Wl' other House. 1111' After a few words from Mr. Home and I LLtms, the Committee divided on the amen' when there appeared-- For the ame n d men t 6 Against it 9 Majority against th e a m en dment — 6 , 6 On our re-admi ss i on t o th e ga ll er y, we fonn u jo , of Mr. HUME on hi s l egs . H e was complain.,Fo a sum of 2,2501. b e i ng appropr i a t e d f o r the y i m ie V of engrossi ng Bill s . H e t h oug h t th a t the 1 101 ..i en co never yet derived th e s li g ht es t b ene fit or convert from the money thus expended. Sir ROBERT PEEL said that if any t il d benefit were to be derived, he thought it ° if ; to a paltry economy t o w ithh o ld th e gran t; but riot the other hand, no actual good arose, he she n le otio object to any proposal which the Hon. Gee opposite mi g ht ma k e . H e was aware that f., If lawyers were of o pi n i on th a t it was necesstiq render those letters more permanent. pee l ff' After a few observati ons f rom Sir 899c1r Hume, Sir G. Clerk, Mr. Fox Maule, and the cellor of the Exchequer, the vote was agreed t tditi The next vote put was, that a sum not ezeT e y 55,6001. be granted to defray the salaries an penses of her Majesty's Treasury. te After' few words from Mr. HUME, the Y ° agreed to. 703 1 ° It was then prop ose d th a t a sum o f 189. $e granted to defray the salaries and expenses of th e cretary of State for the Home Department. Agreed to. A vote of 67,0001. was proposed to pay the i ls re ig and expenses of th e S ecre t ary o f S ta t e for x e Affairs. Mr. HUME said that this vote included 1 1111 20,0001. for Q ueen ' s M essengers, w hi c h, in ~,,0. peace, seemed to be enormous, and when, inn', 011 there were such f ac iliti es o f commun i ca ti o n not in this. but in foreign countries. Mr. WARBURTON expressed himself to ° n ab' lar effect, a n d sa id h e th oug h t t h ese messengers; 00 to travel by rail w ay, w hi c h was t h e sa f es t et' 0 1 expeditious mode o f t rave lli ng, an d by cheapest. n ., 5 0 Mr. REDHEAD YORKE th oug h t th e stige; oo , of the Hon. Member deserved the utmost attel Mr. HUME said h e wou ld oppose t h e presell e d to Lion unless the Ri g ht H on . G ent l eman prornt lay before the H ouse a re t urn s h ow i ng th e .in w net aol which these m essengers per f orme d , an d the Or to which they were subjected. t iiro Sir GEORGE CLERK did not oppose ther e of) The expenses of the messengers were not so g re in the years 1839 and 1840.—Agreed to. tb d A vote of 22,1001. was next proposed to dely o o expenses of th e S ecre t ary o f S tate for t h e, Cou Department. After a few words from Mr. HUME, The vote was agreed to. ntel l e , The vote that th e sum o f 32,5001. b e gra-, r'94 ' the salary and exp enses o f t h e Committee .oied to Council, and the Cbuncil of Trade was age after a short conversation. _ l O l 2,000/. for the ( s alary o f th e L or d Privy e''' agreed to d el' 31,6861. was granted to defray the salary rt e penses of the office of Paymaster-General. tYj On the vote that 16,068/. be granted to de'llet° salaries and e x p enses o f the offices of ComPtr ° the Exchequer, &c., ",„ he r 0 Col. SIBTHORP gav e no ti ce t h at h e won' an early opportunity o f mov i ng an a dd re ss Py i a , f Majesty for the removal of the Noble Lord Vbri filled the office, and who was a most useless ofB (Great laughter.)—The vote was then agrecdsll, 2,6081. was voted f or th e expenses o f t h e Stal Office, after a short con versa ti on , a t t h e c l os e,eh li. l: Sir ROBERT PEEL sa id th a t the Ilintse ec ir, l , facilities wer e gran t e d t o a ll persons who eh", sr they had a reas ona bl e o bj ec t f or t h e i r cur i os ity as the publication of an historical work. th e A vote of 3,200/. was then proposed to deft o ok expenses of Ecclesiastical Commissions for Engof Mr. HUME tho ng ht thi s vo t e oug h t to be -,lolil out of the estimate s . Th e Ch urc h h a d f un ds e- 0 01 of its own, and he thought some of those funds 00 of to be appropriated to the p a y men t o f th e e xpel these Commissions. „ v s The CHANCELLOR o f th e EXCHEQ I -)"' ofi this vote was for the pay men t o f cer t a i n lay whose duty consisted in managing the Eccle s Affairs of the country. The vote was then agreed to. 0 A sum of 53,000/., to defray the expenses Poor-law Commi ss i oners , was then proposed. P e i Colonel SIBTHORP objected to the vol e ' ge, thought the Poo r -l aw C omm i ss i oners had done whatever. The duties o f th e present Comm i O w , e° s •t t l might easily be performed by six Commissioner s ' salary of 2,0001. per annum eac h . H e regr ett ote e the Government thought it wise to tread in the fe , o? f of the late Go v er nmen t. Th a t G overnme nt Wn; 3o fond of jobbing, and the Poor-law Commission _OO was one of their jobs. He would be glad to T io btii Board of Assistant-Com m i ss i oners en ti re ly ab c :a and he should therefor e move th a t th e vo t e be r` - to 18,334/. 6s. 4d. fro Sir JAMES GRAHAM sa id th a t , in %"- eti,lct`ii" 1842, as compared w ith th e year 1841, a rrifil,., had taken plac e i n thi s vo t e o f 5,233 / ., a n' present year, as compared with last year, the. d ie / tion was 1,5001. This saving was mainly 0w 1 1,7 0 . reduction which had taken place in the nn e l li cti r Assistant-Commi ss i oners . I n England, t h e re; tp. o„ had been from 13 t o 9, an d i n I reland from But while he made this statement he vvolilu, re the Committee that if the Poor-law Commies' °. etr to be continued in an efficient state, the re ds could not be carried farther. Mr. W. WILLIAMS said the v arious h oa xer' guardians had set at d e fi ance th e ru l es and.or 5 the Poor-law Commi ss i oners . Wh a t thereinre, e would ask, was the use of. those Commissiones ,0 0 A was true that they had threatened to proseer e a tt,'" of the guardians who had refused to obey tbe a. ,.oV( but they had never carried that threat into eee - pt.; and the reason was, that they knew that 1 1 0 0'j would ever give a verdict in favour of such in rules as those which the Commissioners 1131 44) for the guidance of the guardians. He tt' l3 : - tt ee. o for a, moment call the attention of the Comiln,, i f the travelling expenses of these Commissione`l`; appeared that a sum of 870/. had been pot I ° o i s travelling expenses. N ow , h e did no t believe e , sum 'had ever been exp en d e d f or suc h a purPesor hoped the Hon. and Gallant Member for 0 1 of would persevere in his, Ir amendment. 01P., Capt. PECHELL complained of the pen" . g ° 0 1 $ certain persons who had been compelled to or workhouses having been withheld from the ra . t i l oari l e months after they left th e workhouse. ri,e, ; g el gro this was unjust, f or h e b e li eve d t h e law an° Commissioners to stop the pensions only sr t o pensioners remai ne d i n th e workhouse. ...i0094 Sir J. GRAHAM sa id h e was mos t an eibeaf meet the views of the Hon. and Gallant oes as to retren c h men t w i t h respect to the eirP°ol4,te the Poor-law. Commission, so far as theY, c w , effected consistently with the efficiency of the fe V A Hon. and G a ll an t G en tl emen must be frolt!,—olter; the law as it a t p resen t ex i ste d prevented anJj e o 1 1) 0 1; tion in the ar rangemen t s di ctate d b y t h e 111 ok,/ regulations of. the. Commissioners, except theti,7 o o were under local A c t s . Th e . su bj ect o f the r would be before the House in. a short til' iaw if several alterations and modifications would ~;0 1 :) , duced. With respect to e x p ense o f the L(y celled Commission he had le ssene d th e num b er o f missioners. He thought the vote could not 400 too large nor the numbers of those engage' di ee Commission tho many. wort P-1)/ Captain PECHELL said, alth oug h he vv de n a te e / with a kindly s pi r it t h e amendments a1111,.0.0 the Right H on . Ge nt l eman, yet he should °P„r e to proposition th a t t en d e d to give undue i n fi o en" Commissioners. a sit After a few words from Sir C. NArrri 1111 of GRAHAM, the.vote was agreed to. s oel lo Upon the vote b e i ng propose d , t h a t t11`..,, f 53,236/. b e gran t e d f or defraying the exPen s7 Mint, • n ee. 111 1 Mr. EWART urge d upon ' the H ouse the - ,ire„, o ti . of coins of a d ec i ma l c h aracter being put int o o tion, in the same manner as i n France an d oche the tinental countries. nei" Mr. AGLIONBY sa id ' t h at two years r ass n. Government h a d announce d t h e intention Id'"' coins of th e va l ue o f h a lf a farthing. He 5110? did to know if suc h was th e i r d eterm i nat i on 11 °,1 % t i' P o e The CHANCELLOR o f th e EXCHE( 4 . co rre ee d not think th e i n t ro d uct i on o f a decimal.. 0 10 would be atte n d e d w ith th e b ene fi c i a l effenl" 1,6 to by Hon. Gentlemen opposite. 0 11 b ler Mr. ESCOTT thought a smaller coinage ote exceedingly advanta geous , par ti cu l ar ly to th e classes.;a and Mr. HUME was of a similar opinio n " n e' - f t oe been long ur g i ng th e i n t ro d uct i on o f tvvol 3 ,i, e o ,a,be threepenny pi eces . H e st ill rema i ne d of of , opinion, and saw no reason w h y the Chan cell lob Exchequer should not institute a coinag e • sired by the country.—The vote was ag rees ' s " vt)'l3 The next v o t e was , th a t a sum o f 13,46 71 ' w insre a ; for the salaries and expenses of persons the Public Record-offic. cla After a few words from Colonel SIBT UOar .0 6 HUME 'the vote was agreed to. A vote of 9,7001. was nex t pro p o sed to le s frll oy .,Lol . -e° salaries and e x p enses o f th e I nspec tors allu tendents of Factories, Mines,, and Collieries. " •.tOl c i On a vote of 6,424/. being proposed to 'ls u - 7 ,, i sell ° lanes of the officers and attendants of the P"o id of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, t 1/ 9 X' Mr. WILLIAMS objected to the ST II OI 4O " two gentlemen at large " the meaning - er W pression he did no t understand.—(Hear) for v e „ for O a t th e IN Pril ui se the te c's‘ et that Judo J11(4 alre sub Chr