The Sun. — London, England, 1844-08-06 00:00:00

Vb trb Wbitton SUN OFFICE, Seven o'Clock. SPIRIT of the PUBLIC JOURNALS. F/tOM THE EVENING PAPERS OF THIS DAY. GLOBE.—A short but somewhat sharp discussion arose ' last night in the House of 'Lords, on Lord Minto's motion " for returns of the comparative strength of the navy in the years 1842 and 1844, and of the force stationed at Otaheite dur ing that period." Although the motion failed of its apparent purpose, its real object will be achieved. The clamour that was raised within and without the walls of Parliament against the late Government, because of an imputed neglect of the naval force of the country, is now shown to have been utterly groundless. More flagrant violations of truth than those perpetrated by the party now in power, in support of that imputation, were never practised upon the feelings of a generous nation. The absurd alarms which were raised at that time will not be easily forgotten. Among other bugbears, raised to excite the alarms of the timid, and to supply topics for the journals which echoed the falsehoods these great statesmen employed as stepping-stones to office, it was actually pretended that a Russian fleet was likely to come up the Channel, land troops on our coasts, and desolate the country! Had there been the slightest cause for the alarms they spread when in opposition, respecting the defective state of the naval force of the country, one of the first acts of the present Ministry would have been to increase its efficiency. ,Neglecting to do this, they voluntarily incur the blame they sought to fasten on their predecessors; and they tacitly admit that they had raised an accusation without ground. But this does not exhibit the entire of the inconsistency and self-convicted destitution of truth, by which the conduct of the present Ministers, with reference to this question, is demonstrated. To have maintained the navy in the same state in which they found it upon obtaining the Government, would have been an admission that their predecessors had done all that was required for the defence of the country, and that, notwithstanding their fulminations, when in opposi tion, no necessity existed for increasing the strength of the navy for its protection or defence. But what will be said when it is found that the present Ministers have materially diminished both the number of the ships, and the means of employing them with advantage ? Yet such is the fact—a fact which seals their condemnation. They stand convicted, upon the indubitable evidence of their own acts, of faction and dishonesty , when attempting to o btain the Government for themselves ; and of neglect in that very department of the Government with respect to which they raised an unfounded outcry against their predecessors. A re ference to Lord Minto's speech will show the inadequate force in commission for present purposes ; a force certainly dis proportionate, as compared with that kept up by the late Ministry, of which the present Government uttered such loud complaints. When the late Government vacated office there were eighteen ships in commission. That number has been diminished to nine—by the very men who held that eighteen were not sufficient for the adequate defence of the country What will be thought of Lord Haddington's depre cation of such discussions as that which Lord Minto had raised by his motion ? " Such motions as the present were inconvenient, and were calculated to disturb our rela tions with foreign governments !" Much did his Lord ship, and those with whom he now acts, regard the inconvenience and the danger of such discussions, when they assailed the late Government upon the same topics, in a tone much more virulent, and on grounds mani festly much less sustainable. There is, however, one con sideration that was not adverted to by either of the Noble Lords who undertook to defend the Government ; but which will excuse the neglect of the navy with which it is chargeable. As our Foreign Minister seems willing to submit to whatever insult may be inflicted upon the British flag, or injury perpetrated against British in terests, there is the less occasion for providing the power of resenting the one or protecting the other. The man who is content to be kicked, will see no necessity for securing means for defending himself against insult. STANDARD.—Lord Minto raised a long debate last night npos2 the state of the navy, contrasting the present force of our marine with what it was when the present Government came into office, and complaining of the inconsistency of the present amount of the naval establishments with the com• plaints made in 1839 by Conservative Members. We have no objection to the most constant vigilance being bestowed on the state of the navy, whatever Government might be in office. The navy is the great constitutional defence of the em pire, and the expense is the only objection to maintaining it at the highest possible degree of power and efficiency; but the more frequently the deficiences, real or imaginary, of the service are exposed, the less the public will grudge expense. As to the details of Lord Minto's complaint, they have been sufficiently answered again and again, by ourselves as well as others. IN e have shown that the number of ships in commission, when the present Government came into office, is no correct term, because the late Government, while under sentence of death and awaiting execution, employed the interval in l av i s hly c ommissioning its ships for its friends and dependents —Lord Minto's son with others. The charge of inconsistency was happily met by the Duke of Wellington, who reminded Lord Minto that in 1838, 1839 , 1840 , the Go vernment was carrying on war in three quarters of the -world, with (we may add) a reasonable prospect of a war in the fourth (Europe), and it was then on good grounds complained that the Government was carrying on a war 'with a peace establishment; whereas now there is no war anywhere, and the establishment is, notwithstanding, wronger and more efficient than it was four years ago. This is the truth. The present Government has more men and many more ships ready for prompt service than the late Government had, particularly double the number of war steamers, the force soonest available in war. If the number of slops of the line in commission is less, it is in order that the substantial force may be the greater. Ships of the line in commission are not only the most expensive description of naval preparation, but the least easily applicable upon any sudden emergency ; but the ships of the line are ready, and the men are ready, though not on board of them. 'The men are where they can be more efficiently employed on any sudden call, should unhappily such a call be made ; and when they are wanted for ships of the line, they can be drafted into them at an hour's notice. These ships of the line are in fact just as available for instant service as if they were cruising in the channel, at an expense which would either enormously inflame the estimates or seriously cripple a more necessary branch of the naval service. We should rejoice to see ten or twenty ships of the line majestically sweeping up and down the Channel, if the other branches of the service did not pay for the display ; but when the choice lies between this noble exhiu lbition and the construction of a dozen first and second class steamers now on the stocks, we must vote for the steamers. Let our Government continue to augment this description of force at the rate at which it has been augmenting it, and in a few years England will possess a steam navy that may place our sons very much at their ease upon the subject of any imaginabi:, war. The Duke of Wel lington treated precisely as it deserved the :Whig Lord's re ference to the eccentricities indulged in the Pacific. " The eccentricities," and all serious allusion to them, merit nothing but contempt, though they have been ir.'sde the subject of a grand display in the French Chambers, by persons who, as the Journal des Debats says, seem to think that a Frenchman has been rou g hl y treated by an English- Man, not an Englishman by a Frenchman. MARKET INTELLIGENCE. (Frond the London New Price Current of Aug. 6.) Suoms.—To-day grocers and refiners evinced little desire to purchase West India Sugar; the business transacted was limited, and the rates taken were 6d per cwt under those of Friday, excepting for good and fine yellow sorts, which, owing to their being scarce, still fetch full prices. Barbadoes Sugar very low went at 53s to 54s 6d, low 57s 6d, mid 58s to 595, good 60s 6d to 63s 6d, and fine 64s 6d to 67s per cwt. REFINED.—To-day the home trade were induced to take several parcels of refined Goods, in consequence of lower rates being accepted ; standard lumps were sold at 755, and brown lumps 74s per cwt. For Bonded Crushed Sugar 27s are asked, and 26s 6d per cwt have been refused for large parcels. INlAtinerics.—The good and tine yellow descriptions, of which the supply is small , hizve brought fully former rates all other kinds, however, are plentiful, and 6d to is per cwt cheaper. This afternoon there was no public sale, and few purchases were made by private treaty in any sort. EAST INDIA.—Java is wanted, and some parcels sold here at 16s to 22s per cwt, being the full value. This afternoon Bengal Sugar met with little attention, and at public sale 4,677 bags 5 chests were offered, and nearly all taken in ; the small part sold went rather cheaper—mid yellow Date at 543 6d to 56s 6d, damp and washed 53s 6d to 565, sound brown 51s 6d to 53s 6d, damp 52s per cwt. FOREIGN.—There has been a considerable increase in the demand for all descriptions of Foreign Sugar since this day week. Merchants have shown firmness, and still refrain from pressing sales. To-day the market was firm for Foreign Sugar; a cargo of 2,600 boxes fine yellow Ifavannah was sold for the Mediterranean at 21s 6d per cwt. There was no public sale. INloLassEs.—lit West India purchases can be made upon easier terms. East India Molasses have been little inquired after, and prices rule low. COCOA.—WeLt India drooping—Trinidad at 42s to 44s 6d for good middling and good red, and 40s to 41s for middling; Grenada taken in at 41s for fine bright red, and 34s to 37s 6d for low to middling. For Foreign there are few purchasers. COFFEE.—There has been a better supply of West India Coffee at market ; still, buyers have been cautious in their proceedings, and the public sales went at a decline on former rates of is to 2s per cwt. This afternoon Mocha Coffee met with less attention, and 108 frazils at public sale were all taken in at 68s for low and mixed greenish yellow, being above the value. The demand for Ceylon was less active by private contract, and 260 bags at public sale went at a declifig on former rates of Is per cwt, good ordinary pale selling at 545. 6d to 555, and fine or dinary British Plantation sort 65s per eWi. TEA.—The market has generally an improving appear ance for Tea, merchants show firmness, and have refrained From offering any at public sale. To-day several purasses were made in Tea, and common and good common Congou cash fetched lid to is Oid per lb. The stock of Tea at this port is 31,446,0001b5, last year at the same time it was 25,470,0001b5. R --I, BRANDY, AND HoLLANDs.—Leeward Island Rum at 2s 3d to 2s 3 d per gallon, proof strength. Jamaica common quality 28 to 32 per cent ' o b v e e t r te p r r w oofat3s to 3s 2d, fair 30 to .34 per cent 3s 3d to 3s 4d, to 26 ‘ over 3s 6d to 3s 9d, goed 34 to 36 over 3s 10d to 4s, and fine of favourite marks 43 2d to 4s 8d per gallon. Demerara, 3s 3d to 3s 4d for 37 proof, to 38 per cent overand middling 3s Id to 3s 2d per gallon for 30 34 to over proof. Calcutta Rum Is llid to 2s per gallon, proof, wih. certificate. For low sorts of Brandy an extensive demand has sprung up, principally for India : indeed , the market has been nearly cleared at 2s 10d to 2 s lld pe r g allon . 5 s 3 d for Cognacin hhds of the best brands of the vintage of 1838, and 5s 1( for puns; ditto 1839, hhds 5 s Id , p uns 4s lid ; ditto 1840, hhds ss, puns 4s 10d; ditto 1841 hhds 4s lid, puns 4s 9d ; ditto 1842, hhds 4s Bd, puns 4s good mid sorts 3s to 4s 6d, and low and very low 2stnlOidd and lld per gallon : the stock is a large one for the period of the 2s year. Common Geneva is at is 10d to is lid fine ; fit t it e r borne consumption is 2s 8d to 3s 6d per gallon. English Corn 59irits 10s 4d per gallon cash. To-day Rum proof Leewards at 2s 3/p to 2s 4d ; Jamaica 30 to 37 over-proof at 3s 44.1 to 4s 9d, high flavoured 5s 3d to 5s 6d ; Demerara 33 to 35 per cent over 3s 3d to 3s 4d ; and Calcutta proof at 2s per gallon. For the better sort of Brandy, tile demand is improving. RlCE.—Bengal Rice at a decline of 3d per cwt. For Foreign East India prices cann ot be quoted 1 ,wer. Cleaned Rice is not much wanted ; 14s to ISs is the 8 value to of Pat for na; ditto 21s to o 26s for Carolina dressed, duty p aid ;13 20s i bond, and 13s to 16s 6d per cwt for ditto imported. SAGO at stiffer rates; common 13s per cwt. Large bright Pearl fetched 18s 6d. Sago Flour at 18s to 19s per cwt. FRUIT.--A greater desire has been shown on the part of holders of Currants to sell, and lower rates are accepted. To day holders of Currants were firmer, in consequence of the accounts received being unfavourable for the crop •, sales of Patrass were made at 46s to 495, Zante and Cephalonia 42s 'to 44s per cwt. ; a fair business was transacted. GUANO.—There are sellers of African at further reduced Tatar, still buyers for the most part refrain from operating, expecting that from the immense stock here and at Liver pool, and the many ships Shat are still to arrive, that prices will further come down; there are cargoes offering here for arrival at 4/103 to 4/ 15s, and on the spot there are sellers at ian has been • 51 to 61 per son, according to quantity. Peruv THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, AUGUST 6, 1844. taken sparingly at 10/,. to 10/ lOs per ton. For public sale 800 tons of African are declared. INDIGO.—There has been a lively demand for East India of all descriptions from shippers and the home trade since Tuesday last, and the rates established at the quarterly sale are well sustained, indeed, in some cases a small advance has has been given ; the supply has become small. To-day several purchases were made in East India Indigo, and the rates paid for Bengal were in some cases 2d per lb above those of the quarterly sale. Oit.s.— For all descriptions of common Fish Oils prices are going down ; 35/ to 35/ lOs have been accepted for Pale Seal, and 331 to 34/ per tun for Cod Oil. Southern Oil good at 291 lOs to 30/., and low to middling 26/ 15s to 281 15s per tun. For Sperm prices ruled firm—fine British 83/ for Oil, and 881 per tun for Headmatter. Linseed Oil 25s 6d to 25s 9d per cwt. Rape Oil at 36s 6d to 37s for pale, and 35s 6d to 36s per cwt for brown. Palm fine at 27s to 28s per cwt. Cocoa Nut Oil, fine quality fetching 29s 6d to 30s, and inferior 28s to 29s per cwt. Olive Oil at 44/ to 45/ for Gallipoli, 421 to 431 for Spanish, and 40/ to 41/ per tun for Barbary. Tar.Low.—The operations in Russian Tallow on the spot have been of little moment, and previous rates are with diffi culty sustained. Petersburg Yellow Candle has been taken sparingly at 40s 9d to 41s 3d per cwt. For delivery there is a disposition to sell at 41s 9d to 42s per cwt for the last three months of the year. Town Tallow at 39s 6d to 40s per cwt, nett cash. Sonth American at 35s 6d to 39s 6d for middling to good, and 59 casks New South Wales at 36s to 39s 6d per cwt. COURSE OF EXCIL Amsterdam CF. 12 41 Ditto, at sight l2 2 Rotterdam 2U. 12 5 Antwerp Hamburgh M.B. 1313/ Altona l3 14 Paris, 3 days' sight 25 60 Ditto, 3 months 25 85 Marseilles Bourdeaux 25 90 Frankfort on Maine LNGE.—(THIS DAY.) Gibraltar Leghorn 3O 50 Genoa 25 85 Milan Venice . Naples 39% Palermo, per oz llB% Lisbon 54 Oporto 544 Rio Janeiro 23 Bahia 23 Buenos Ayres NewYork,2ldys sight Philadelphia PRICES OF BULLION, PER OZ. Foreign Gold, bars. £3 17 9 Portugal Gold Coin 3 17 5 New Doubloons..... 0 0 0 New Dollars 0 4 10 Silver in Bars 0 4 11 Petersburgh, 3 Us... 37 Berlin — 7 Vienna, effee. fl. 3 M 952 Trieste, ditto Madrid 37 Cadiz Bilbao 36 Barcelona 36 Seville — THE LONDON GAZETTE EXTRA ORDINARY. TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 1844. Windsor Castle, August 6, 1844. This morning, at ten minutes before eight, the Queen, was happily delivered of a Prince. His Royal Highness Prince Albert, several Lords of her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, and the Ladies of her Ma jesty's Bed Chamber, being present. This great and important news was immediately made known to the town by the firing of the Park and Tower guns ; and the Privy Council being assembled as soon as possible thereupon, at the Council Chamber, White hall, it was ordered, that a form of thanksgiving for the Queen's safe delivery of a Prince be prepared by his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury, to be used in all churches and chapels throughout England and Wales, and the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, on Sunday the 11th of August, or the Sunday after the respective mi nisters shall receive the same. Her Majesty and the infant Prince are, God be praised, both doing well. THE LONDON GAZETTE (THIS EVENING.) At the Council-chamber, Whitehall, the Gth day of August, 1844, by the Lords of her Majesty's most Hon ourable Privy Council, it is this day ordered by their Lordships, that his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury do prepare a form of prayer and thanksgiving to Almighty God for her Majesty's safe delivery of a Prince ; and that such form of Prayer and Thanksgiv ing be used in all churches and chapels in England and Wales, and in the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, upon Sunday, the 11th day of August instant, or the Sunday after the respective Ministers of such churches and chapels shall receive the same. And it is hereby further ordered, that her Majesty's printer do forthwith print a competent number of copies of the said Form of Prayer and Thanks giving, that the same may be forthwith sent round and read in the several churches and chapels of England and Wales, and of the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed. Wm. L. BATHURST. At the Council-Chamber, Whitehall, the Gth day of August, 1844, by the Lords of her Majesty's Most llonourable Privy Council, it is this day ordered by their Lordships, that every minister and :preacher, as well of the Established Church in that part of Great Britain called Scotland as those of the Episcopal Com munion, protected and allowed by an Act, passed in the tenth year of her Majesty Queen Anne, chapter 7, inti tuled " An Act to prevent the disturbing those of the Episcopal Communion in that part of Great. Britain called Scotland, in the exercise of their religious worship, and in the use of the Liturgy of the Church of England ; and for repealing the Act, passed in the Parliament of Scotland, intituled An Act against irregular Baptisms and Marriages,'" do, at some time during the exercise of Divine Service in their respective churches, congregations, or assemblies, put up their Prayers and Thanksgiving to Almighty God for her Majesty's safe delivery of a Prince. WM. L. BATHURST. CROWN-OFFICE, Aua. 6. MEMBER RETURNED TO SERVE IN THIS PRESENT PARLIAMENT. BOROUGH or CIitIeNCESTYR.—The Honourable George Augustus Frederick Villiers, in the room of Thomas William Chester Master, Esq., who has accepted the Chiltern Hundreds. WHITEHALL, JULY 29. The Lord Chancellor has appointed James Mounsey, of Car- Este, in the county of Cumberland, Gent., to be a Master Ex traordinary in the High Court of Chancery. BANKRUPTS. GEORGE CHARLES SMITH, builder, Kensington park, to surrender Aug. 14, at half-past ene, and Sept. 13, at one, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Alsager, official assignee, Birchin-lane, Cornbill ; Dampier, Lincoln's Inn-fields. ELIZABETH MANLEY, shoe-maker, Chapel-street, Westminster, Aug. 14, at one, and Sept. 13, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Whitmore, official assignee, Basinghall street ; Turner and Hensman, Basing-lane. THOMAS TURNER, grocer, Sheffield, Aug. 16, and Sept. 27, at eleven, at the Leeds District Court. Hope, of ficial assignee, Leeds; Messrs. Sudlow and Co. Chancery lane, London ; Messrs. Smith and Wightman, Sheffield. HENRY JOSEPH EDWARD SAFFRAN, cloth mer chant, Huddersfield, Aug. 16, and Oct, 4, at eleven, at the Leeds District Court. Freeman, official assignee, Leeds; Jones, Sise-lane, Bucklersbury ; Hesp, Huddersfield ; Sykes, Leeds. WILLIAM WYRILL, ironmonger, Bradford, Yorkshire, August 16 and September 27, at eleven, at the Leeds District Court. Hope, official assignee, Leeds; B. and J. Lawrence, Old Fish-street, London ; Morris, Bradford ; Bond, Leeds. RIGHARD JACKSON and RICHARD YALE, en gineers, Leeds, Aug. 16, and Oct. 4, at eleven, at the Leeds District Court. Young, official assignee, Leeds ; Parkes and Co., Bedford-row, London; Tyas, Barnsley ; Blackburn,Leeds. JOHN TREVI'IT, butcher, Wheaten Aston, Stafford shire, Aug. 16, and Sept. 17, at one, at the Birmingham District Court. Christie, official assignee, Birmingham ; Corser, Wolverhampton. THOMAS CARTER, Junior, butcher, Waltham, Leices tershire, Aug. 24, and Sept. 14, at eleven, at the Birming ham District Court. Whitmore, official assignee, Birming ham ; Smith, Birmingham. ABRAHAM OGDEN, sizer, Rochdale, Lancashire, Aug. 16, at eleven, and Sept. 11, at twelve, at the Manchester Dis trict Court. Pott, official assignee, Manchester ; Appleby, Harpur-street, London ; Grundy, Bury. ROBERT EDWARDS, draper, Aberdovey, Merioneth shire, Aug. 20 and Sept. 6, at twelve, at the Liverpool Dis trict Court. Bird, official assignee ; Oliver, Old Jewry, Lon don ; Evans, Liverpool. NOTICES OF INSOLVENCY. T. Crook, provision dealer, Heaton Norris, Lancashire. T. Glover, victualler, Hinckley, Leicestershire. W. Pursell, carpenter, Shrewsbury. C. K. Thorndick, cabinet maker, Brandon, Suffolk. C. Painter, wheelwright, Bourton, Gloucestershire. T. C. Matthews, auctioneer, Bourion, Gloucestershire. H. Marles, bacon curer, Oxford. J. Cheadle, upholsterer, Burslem, Staffordshire. G. M. Priddey, grocer, Ellesmere, Shropshire. S. Halls, Colchester. J. Knight, hat leather cutter, Long-lane, Bermondsey . W. Pollard and J. Pollard, tailors, Manchester. C. ..2noth, butcher, Manchester. D. Spillan, M.D. Howard-street, Strand. L. Bendle, commercial-traveller, Morris.place, Southwark. J. Carruthers, publican's assistant, Southall-green, Middlesex. T. Marshall, jun., grocer, Ilkestone, Derbyshire. T. Joseph, hatter, Cheltenham. F. Robinson, coal merchan•, Nottingham. J. Hancock, carpenter, Walcot, Somersetshire. W. Foster, compositor, Lewes, Sussex. J. Potter, scale-maker, Britannia-street, City-road. P. Tyror, coach-builder, Liverpool. J. P. Offord, miller, Great Yeldham, Essex. J. Walker, Wheelright, Caddington, Hertfordshire. E. Godwin, butcher, Portsmouth. J. Wood, cart owner, Liverpool. - E. Outram, farmer, Dronfield, Derbyshire. R. Byass, surgeon, Arundel, Sussex. D. Kennedy, general salesman, Havering-street, Commercial- road Easi. H. Heap, grocer, Manchester. J. Posford, commission agent, Euston-mews, Euston.square. M. Bromley, cotton-spinner, Skipton, Yorkshire. J. Barker, sicklesmith, Dronfield, Derbyshire. G. Fox, engineer, Sheffield. T. Mitchell, blacksmith, Leeds. L. Akeroyd, coal leader, Adwalton, Yorkshire, J. Pontey, nurseryman, Huddersfield. E. Atkinson, jun., Salford, Lancashire. J. Laister, butcher, Sheffield. C. Vickers, baker, Manchester. R. Scaling, pork butcher, Liverpool. R. Hartridge, high constable, Brenchley, Kent. A. Bray, commission agent, Frederick-row, Goswell-street road, Islington. J. Deadman, horse dealer, Deptford. R. Lewin, brieklayer, Chatley, Essex. A. B. S. Ramsey, broker, Percy-street, Bedford-square. J. Milliken, tailor, Keen's-row, Walworth-road. J. Gibbs, harness maker, Lower White-cross-street. H. Bull, beer seller, Goldsmith's-row, Hackney.road. B. S. Hurst, Pomeroy-street, Old Kent-road. J. Chatwin, cabinet maker, New Weston-street, Bermondsey. J. Marcroft, innkeeper, Rawmarsh, Yorkshire. M. Keymer, warehouseman, Manchester. W. Steel, jun., licensed victualler, Liverpool. J. Rowland, licensed victualler, Liverpool. W. H. Harpham, farmer, Sibsey, Lincolnshire. J. Bloor, silk-manufacturer, Prestbury, Cheshire. ADJOURNMENT OF THE HOUSE. Mr. T. DUNCOMBE wished to know upon what day it was intended to adjourn the House and for what period. He was also desirous of knowing when the decision was likely to take place in the case of the Queen v. O'Connell. Sir R. PEEL said that no decision would be given till the judges came to town, and he understood that when they did so they were anxious to have a conference. The prorogation, however, would not take place until the de• vision in that case was given. It was his intention either to-morrow, or Thursday, to move the adjournment to a certain period, with a view to have the opinions of their Lordships on the case of Mr. O'Connell. DEAL MERCHANTS. Mr. HAWES then proceeded to call the attention of the President of the Board of Trade to the petition of the merchants and importers of deals and other woods. In the next session it was his intention to call the atten tion of the Government more fully to the subject. Mr. GLADSTONE regretted that such a subject should be brought under the consideration of the House at such a period. He thought it inexpedient to meddle with the duties on timber at least for the present session. He was happy to be able to inform the House, that after nine months' experience of the working of the new law, he did not hesitate to say that, as far as the revenue was concerned, there would be no loss. He trusted that the Hon. Member would not persevere in his motion. COMMON-LAW PROCESS. Mr. PRINGLE here appeared at the bar and stated that the House of Lords wished a conference upon the Courts of Common-law Process Bill. A conference then took place, which several Hon' Members were appointed to conduct. After an absence of some length the members of the conference returned, and Mr. PRINGLE stated that they had had a conferenee with their Lordships, and had left the reasons, disagree ing from their Lordships' amendment, with the members of the conference appointed by their Lordships. Mr. WARBURTON said he hoped his Hon. Friend would not persevere in his motion. He advised his Hon. Friend to be cautious in receiving the representations of interested parties. Mr. HAW ES having replied, the motion was withdrawn. CONFERENCE. Mr. PRINGLE appeared at the bar and stated that a message had been received from the House of Lords requesting a conference on the part of the House of Commons on the Courts of Common Law Process Bill. A conference was then appointed on the part of the House of Commons. After a few minutes, Mr. PRINGLE appeared at the bar, and stated that the amendments had been presented to the Lords, who would take them into their consideration. [LEFT SITTING.I The Anti-Catholic and riotous feeling is particu larly strong among the pretty women of Southwark. Wo note that they oven go so far in their exhibition of it as to utterly eschew now the use of bishops and car dinals, and display a pecular partiality for mob-caps. Sad creatures.—New Y.rk Herald. FLOATIIIG DOCK AV HAVIE.—We read in the Journal du Havre that the floating careening dock of M Frederick de Conninck was launched on the 31st. ult. The operation, which was confided to the management of that able shipbuilder, M. A. Normand—was perfectly successful, and the gigantic structure, which is large enough to receive a vessel of 2,400 tons, glided majesti cally into the water. It is to be immediately fitted with its pumps and machinery will be shortly ready for use. HAMBURGH AND DUTCH MAILS. UTRECHT, JULY 29.—The Netherlands Govern ment positively refused to admit English agents into Java. The new English law on the sugar duties allow the importation of sugar, the produce of free labour, at a reduced duty ; but in order to enjoy this privilege, an English agent residing on the spot must sign a certificate of origin. The Netherlands will rather lose the advantage of this reduction than admit Engli s h agen t s i n it s co l o nies. THE H AGUE , A UG. I.—We have received Java papers to th e 17 t h A pr il . Th e Java Courant of that date says the Com man d er o f t h e stat i on o n the west coast of According to an account received by Sumatra, his Majesty's brig the Siewar, commanded by Lieut. P. Lanvage, has ran aground on a reef to the north of Poeloe, and is entirely gone to pieces. The crew, ho wever , and part of the tackling was saved." BONN, JULY 26.--There has lately been found in the coal m i ne at Roth ( f rom w hi c h our museums have alr ea d y rece i ved severa l va l ua ble acquisitions) the jaw b ones o f a ki nd o f p ik e now extinct. Com paring th em w i t h t h e l ower jaw bones of the present specime n o f pike, the animal to which they belonged must have b een a l most ten f eet l ong . THE HAGUE, AUG. 2.—This being the twentieth anniversary of the birth of Prince Alexander, their Majesties' second son, has been observed with the usual ceremonies. . The Staats Courant publishes a royal decree, by which the Mi n i s t er of Finance is authorised to pro ceed by anticipation to the exchange of Lerrentin at 5 per cent., for bonds of 4 per cent., and to effect the transfer of them to the National 4 per cent, debt. M. de Jonge Van Campens Nieuwland has been ap pointed by his Majesty to the post of Minister of Justice, which he had held for some time ad interim. F. Ashby, miller, Knockholt, Kent. J. Bowler, whip-maker, Liverpool. H, Cope, butcher, Old Radford, Nottinghamshire. W. Basford, engineer, Radcliffe-highway. W. Thistlethwaite, cigar dealer, Liverpool. SECOND NOTICES. C. Clifford, plumber, Norman-street, St. Luke's, Aug. 10, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Green, official assignee. E. Stevens, builder, Stanbridge, Bedfordshire, Aug. 10, at eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Follett, official assignee, Sambrook-court, Basinghall-street. J. B. Harwood, Bistern-place, Poplar, August 10, at eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Green, official assignee. G. Heffill, Chenies-street, Bedford-square, August 12, at one, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Pennell, official assignee. C. E. Castle, commission agent, Princes-square, St. George in-the-East, Aug. 12, at two, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Graham, official assignee. J. Puttman, fishmonger, Northampton, Aug. 12, at two, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Turquand, official assignee. C. Harding, schoolmaster, Bartholomew-close, West Smith field, Ang. 20, at two, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Groom, official assignee. E. M. Hague, Richmond, Surrey, Aug. 12, at two, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Graham, official assignee. C. Pashley, plumber, Rayleigh, Essex, Aug. 20, at two, at the Court of Backruptcy. Edwards, official assignee. G. Simmons, commercial traveller, Brighton, Aug. 10, at eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Follett, official assignee. George Brodie, comedian, Craven-buildings, Drury-lane, Aug. 10, at Twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Follett, official assignee. James Rutley, carpenter, Bromley, Middlesex, Aug. 10, at eleven, at the Court of Bankrutpcy. Follett, official assignee. J. Pratt, straw-bonnet blocker, Dunstable, Bedfordshire, August 10, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Green, official assignee. S. Dainton, plumber, Bermondsey-street, Bermondsey, August 12, at eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Green, official assignee. H. R. Wood, philosophical instrument-maker, Tibberton square, Islington, Aug. 10, at eleven, at the Court of Bank ruptcy. Follett, official assignee. J. Williams, silk.dealer, Sclater- street, Bethnal-green, Aug. 12, at eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Follett, official assignee. A. G. Hamilton, agent, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Aug. 26, at half-past eleven, at the Newcastle-upon-Tyne District Court. Baker, official assignee. R. Copley, cowkeeper; Sheffield, Aug. 9, at eleven, at the Leeds District Court. Fearne, official assignee. T. C. Fletcher, schoolmaster, Ilkeston, Derbyshire, Aug. 12, at half-past ten, at the Birmingham District Court. Whitmore, official assignee. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT (THIS EVENING.) HOUSE OF LORDS. ROYAL COMMISSION. Their Lordships met at a Quarter before Four, when the Royal Assent was given by Commission to the un dermentioned Bills :—The Three-and-a-Half per Cent. Dissentients Bill, the Ecclesiastical Jurisdictions Bill, the Debtors and Creditorsßill, the Militia Pay Bill, the Alien Act Amendment Bill, the Clerks of the Crown in Chan cery Bill, the Privy Council Bill, the New South Wales Administration of Justice Bill, the Trafalgar-square Bill, the Detached Parts of Counties Bill, the Land-tax Com missioners Bill, the Farm-buildings Bill, the Licenses Bill, the Duchy of Cornwall Bill, the Criminal Justice (Middlesex) Bill, the New South Wales Customs Bill, the Books and Engravings Bill, the Transfer of Pro perty Bill, the Unlawful Oaths (Ireland) Bill, the Party Processions (Ireland) Bill, the Dublin and Cashel Rail way Bill, the Wishaw and Coltness Railway Bill, the North Wales Railway Bill, the London and Croydon Railway Bill, the Ayr Bridge Bill, the Swansea Im provement Bill, the Hull Docks and Harbour Bill, the Rochdale Improvement Bill, the Isle of Wight Improvement Bill, the Warwick Improvement Bill, the Ramsden Estate Bill, Wilson's Estate Bill, the Harris's Estate Bill, the Lord Despencher's Estate Bill, the Notting Hill Estate Bill, Bowyer's Estate Bill, the Jarvis Estate Bill, the Lubbock's Estate Bill, the Bishop of London's Estate Bill, Morton's Estate Bill, the Lord Cranstoun's Estate Bill, the Warrington Curacy Bill, the Down and Connor and Dromore Estate Bill, Cheape's Divorce Bill, and Gough's Divorce Bill. The Royal Commissioners were the Lord Chancellor, the Duke of Buccleuch,and the Earl of Dalhousie. Their Lordships then adjourned during pleasure. Their Lordships resumed at Five o'clock. ART-UNIONS BILL. On the motion of Lord MONTEAGLE, the Com mons' amendments to this Bill were agreed to. The Marquis of NORMANBY presented a petition from Jamaica, praying that if the duty on foreign sugar should be reduced, the duty on colonial sugar should be reduced also. HER MAJESTY'S ACCOUCHEMENT. The Duke of WELLINGTON rose and said, I am sure your Lordships have participated in the joy of the public upon the occurrence of this day, and that you must be anxious to avail yourselves of the earliest op portunity to express your congratulations to her Majesty upon her safety, and upon the joyful event. I therefore move, in conformity with the usual practice, and with out giving notice, that a humble address be presented to her Majesty, to congratulate her Majesty on the birth of another Prince, and to assure her Majesty that every increase to her Majesty's illustrious family, and every addition to her Majesty's domestic happiness will afford the most unfeigned joy and satisfaction to the House of Lords.—(Cheers.) Lord MELBOURNE—I beg leave, my Lords, to second that motion.—(Cheers.) The motion was then put from the Woolsack, by tha LORD CHANCELLOR, who declared it to be carried nemine dissentiente. JOINT-STOCK COMPANIES BILL. Ou the motion for the third reading of this Bill, Lord MONTEAGLE complained of its having been passed through the House so rapidly, and suggested that it be postponed for a day or two. After a short conversation, the motion was agreed to. COMMON LAW PROCESS BILL. CONFERENCE. Lord Hawarden and other Peers, having been ap pointed to manage a conference with the Commons on the subject of the Common Law Process Bill, left the House for the purpose of attending the said conference, and, on their la turn, reported the reasons of the Com mons for persisting in their amendments to the House. ARTS-UNION BILL—CONFERENCE. Several of their Lordships were appointed to hold a conference with the Commons on the subject of the Arts-Union Bill, who, on their return, reported the con ference to the House. Several Bills on the table were forwarded a stage. On the motion of the Earl of RIPON the Joint-Stock Banks Bill was read a third time, the amendments were ordered to be printed, and to be taken into consideration on Thursday. AFFAIRS OF SERVIA. Lord BEAUMONT said that he wished to put a question to the Noble Earl on the subject of the I affairs of Servia. It would be in the recollec tion of their Lordships that a debate had taken place on this subject at the commencement of the session. Since then a conspiracy had been formed against Prince Alexander Georgeowitz, which had been discovered, and the conspirators had been condemned. Prince Alexander had then been given to understand that he would be complying with the wishes of a northern Power if he were to pardon these conspirators, and in flict on them only a slight imprisonment instead of the punishment of death—it was intimated to Prince Alex ander that if he pardoned those conspirators there would be no objection to the return of the two Ministers who had been sent into exile at the desire of Russia, but who were in high favour with the Porte. On that understanding the pardon was granted, but the promise of Russia had not been kept, and the Ministers were still in exile. He wished to ask the Noble Earl if it was in his power to communicate any information to the House on the subject, and if he had, as a friend to the Porte, exercised his influence to induce a certain northern Power to consent to the resto ration of the two Ministers. The Earl of ABERDEEN, in answer to the question of the Noble Lord, wished to state that he had no know ledge whatever of any such engagement as that referred to by the Noble Lord, nor had he any reason to know or to believe that any such promise had been made as the Noble Lord had mentioned. But though he had no knowledge or belief of any such engagements, it might be satisfactory to the Noble Lord to learn, that, from recent communication received from her Majesty's Minister at the Court of St. Peterburgh, the Imperial Government had no objection whatever to the return of these two Ministers. Lord BBAUMONT was perfectly satisfied with the answer of the Nuble Earl. lie must have been misled by his information. COURT-MARTIAL ON LIEUTENANT GRAY. The Earl of MINTO asked whether the court-martial which had been recently held on Lieut. Grey had been held by the exclusive directions of the Admiralty in con sequence of some representations from a Foreign Power. Lord HADDINGTON said the court-martial was held in consequence of communications made in certain correspondence to the Foreign-office. The Earl of ABERDEEN wished to add to the an swer given by his Noble Friend, that although the court martial had taken place in consequence of the represen tations of a foreign government, yet no foreign govern ment had ever suggested any such proceedings. The French Government complained of the violation of the treaty and of the right of search. A French ship having been searched without warrants, and on that being reported in the proper department the Admiralty had thought proper to institute the proceedings that had taken place (LEFT SPEAKING.) HOUSE OF COMMONS. (Coiftinued from our Afternoon Edition.) At a Quarter before Four o'clock the SPEAKER re sumed the Chair, when Mr. MACKINNON gave notice that, early in the en•. suing session, he would move for leave to bring in a Bill for the prevention of the smoke nuisance. Ho begged also to give notice that he would take an early oppor tunity, in the next session, of moving for leave to bring in a Bill to prevent interments in churches, or chapels, or grounds in large towns. Sir Augustus Clifford, the Usher of the Black Rod, then summoned the House to hear the Royal assent given to various Bills, for which see Lords' report. RAILWAY BILL—LORDS' AMENDMENTS. The SPEAKER having returned, and resumed the Chair, the House went into Committee on the Lords' amend ments to the Railway Bill. Mr. GLADSTONE said he had before stated to the House the view which the Select Committee on Railways had entertained on this subject. The amendment of the Honourable Member for Wolver hampton went to impose on the Government the duty of superintending and managing third-class trains; and he had stated that in his opinion that was a duty which it was impossible for the Government satisfac torily to discharge. The effect of the Lords' amend ments was to restrict the compulsory obligation to run particular trains, subject to the control of the Board of Trade, to every week-day in Scotland, and in England to every week day except Christmas-day and Good Friday. So far, therefore, the Board of Trade had nothing to do with any Sunday train. But a clause had been intro duced into the Bill in the House of Lords, which laid down the principle, that if railway companies should run any trains at all on Sundays for passengers, they should run at least one train for the purpose of conveying third-class passengers. It was objected, however, that the Legislature did not provide for limiting the fare of third-class passengers on Sundays ; and if any limitation should be proposed con sistent with the general principle of the Bill, he should not oppose it. Another which he wished to mention with regard to the amendments was, that the effect of the Bill as it stood would be that, if the company ran third-class carriages, they need only stop at the stations for the other trains. A proposition had been made that the third-class carriages should be covered and provided with seats. He hoped the House would not insist on the insertion of any provision of that kind. He must confess that he did not think they could adopt such a proposition with justice to the railway companies; and he was convinced, that if such a stringent enactment were carried some arrangement would be adopted by the railway companies which would be most inconve nient to those whom it was intended to benefit. He, therefore, proposed that the House should accede to the amendments introduced into the Bill by the Lords. If any amendment with respect to the rate of fare or any other matter were adopted, it would necessarily delay the period of the Bill receiving the Royal assent ; and under those circumstances, he trusted the House would be sa tisfied with the arrangement which he proposed. Mr. THORNELY said he was very glad that the principle upon which his amendment was founded, that if trains were run at all on Sunday, there should be trains for third-class passengers, had received the sanction of both Houses of Parliament. He felt it his duty now to propose that the charge for the conveyance of passengers by the Sunday trains should not exceed the price charged for conveyance by the week trains, viz., ld. per mile. Mr. ENTWISLE said the reason why he had op posed the Hon. Member's amendment on a former occasion was, that while conferring a boon on the work ing classes, it would compel the servants of the company to remain on duty during the whole day. lie objected also to the amendment now proposed. Mr. THORNELY'S amendment was then agreed to ; the other amendments of the Lords' were agreed to ; the Chairman reported progress, and the report was received. CONGRATULATORY ADDRESS TO HER MAJESTY. Sir R. PEEL said—l am convinced I shall be acting in accordance with the unanimous feeling of this House if I avail myself of the earliest opportunity of proposing that we should offer to her Majesty our cordial congratulations on the happy event which has taken place this day.—(Cheers.) I am sure that there will be one feeling of universal satisfaction through out this country that an addition has taken place to her Majesty's family, and that 'thus there is an in creased guarantee that the Throne of these realms will long continue in the direct descendants of her Majesty. Every increase of domebtic happiness to her Majesty will, I am sure, be a cause of grateful satisfaction to her faithful Commons. And, I therefore beg to move at once, that this House do present an address to her Majesty, expressing the sentiments which I have uttered.—(Cheers.) _ _ . Lord ➢IARCUS HILL seconded the motion. An address, which was the echo of the Right Hon. Baronet's speech, was then read by the Clerk, put by the Speaker, and agreed to. • CHARITABLE DONATIONS AND BEQUSETS (IRELAND) BILL. Mr. SHEIL presented a petition from the Roman Catholic clergy of the diocese of Cashel against the Charitable Donations and Bequests (Ireland) Bill, on the ground that such matters belonged exclusively to eccle siastics. He must say that he believed this petition was drawn up under a misconception of the effect of the Bill— a Bill for which he, for one, must say could not refrain from expressing his approbation. Mr. 111. J. O'CONNELL presented a petition from Dublin, signed by 196,000 persons, in favour of the re peal of the legislative union. Also 73 petitions from Kerry and other places in Ireland, Salford, Newfound land, Canada, and other places, containing, in all, 300,000 signatures, to the same effect. Mr. MASTERMAN presented a petition from St. Ann's, Blackfriars, against trading on the Sabbath. SUDBURY. Mr. CHRISTIE wished to know from the Hon. Baronet at the head of her Majesty's Government, whether the statements contained in the Morning Herald newspaper, which was now considered the organ of the Government, were correct, that it was intended to give the franchise from Sudbury to part of the county of Middlesex ? Sir R. PEEL had not heard the report alluded to by the Hon. Member, that the county of Middlesex was to enjoy the spoils of Sudbury.—(Hear.) Supposing, however, that the Government had come to any decision upon the subject, he thought it would be most unwise to state what that determination was. ELSINEUR, JULY 29.—The remaining part of the Russian squadron, consisting of four ships of the line and a frigate, left our road yesterday, with a north wind, to pass the Sound, and was out of sight at sunset. HAMBURGIT, AUG. 2.—The Universal Prussian Gazette begins to publish accounts from various parts of the kingdom of the horror excited by the attempt to assassinate his Majesty, and the gratitude to Divine Providence for his escape, which seems to have been almost miraculous. A pamphlet, published on the 29th July, says that Tschech had stated that he had been the more impelled to execute his design by seeing that a woman, attempting to present a petition to the King and Queen, had no notice taken of it by either of them. "This statement," says the Prussian Gazette, "is wholly unfounded. It appears, on in qu iry, that ie petitioner (who was erroneously re ported to be the daughter of the assassin) is the wife of a merchant, who is sentenced to imprisonment; and, from the examination which was deemed necessary, the following is found to be the state of the case. On the evening before their Majesties' departure, she stood at the palace-gate and presented to the King a petition for a mitigation of her husband's punishment. The King had spoken very graciously to her, and on the same evening had the matter discussed with other things, and gave an order in compliance with the petition. The woman fearing the King's departure might delay the fulfil ment of her request went to the palace gate on the following morning and presented a similar petition to the Queen just as her Majesty was stepping into the carriage. Her Majesty received it kindly and gave it to the King who recognising the woman, told her very graciously to make herself easy, that her request was granted, and the necessary orders given. The woman relating the preceding particulars, says, that being deeply affected, she was going to kneel and express her wish that Providence would grant him a happy journey, when the criminal fired the shot at her benefactor." This statement is signed by Baron Von Arnew, Ministor of the Interior.—.Hanzburgh Papers, Aug. 2: FLANDERS MAIL. BRUSSELS, AUG. 2.—The Precurseur of Antwerp has the following article : " Thus, then, we hare entered directly on a system of reprisals, with a war of tariffs. This is an unhappy necessity on the part of Belgium ; and though we la ment, in an economical point of view, measures of this nature, we must on this occasion applaud the firmness of the Government. We say frankly that we did not expect that it would show so much courage, and it was not without some surprise that we learned from the Moniteur this manifestation of energy:—' But since the Government has entered on this course of reprisals, which the dignity of the country and numerous interests that were threatened pointed out to it, it is our duty, and that of the whole truly national press, to support it in its struggle with the Prussian colossus.' " The Journal du Commerce of Antwerp, and the Organ des Flanders, have likewise long articles commending the conduct of the Government. His Highness Prince Michael Olrenovich, with his suite, has arrived at Brussels, and lodges in the Hotel de Saxe, where apartments were bespoke for his reception. The organisation of the new line of steamers between Ostend and Dover, which was said to have been com pleted on Monday last, is deferred for a week, at the re quest of the English Company, which was not ready to deliver the three steamers required for this service. Yesterday a destructive fire broke out in the cellars of M. Denville, grocer and oil merchant. It was discovered by some persons in the street, who had great diffi culty in rousing the family and the lodgers. The progress of the flames was so rapid, that the inmates were obliged to escape by the roof. Besides the total de struction of the house and its contents, we have to state the deplorable fact, that a daughter of M. Denville, aged 19, and a son, aged 11, perished in the flames. By the new convention between the British and Bel gian post-offices, the postage of letters between England and Belgium is reduced to is. for the whole distance, of which sum Belgium will take 5d., and England 7d. This is a reduction of more than half of the present rate. The prepayment will be optional. The journals, of what ever size, will be charged and continued. Since we shall never receive the English journals in Belgium without extraordinary expense, the Govern ment should consent to suppress the extraordinary stamp duty. We ask it for the sake of the English families re siding in this country. SPANISH AMERICAN BOND HOLDERS. The following further correspondence between the Committee of Spanish American bondholders and Messrs. Lizardi and Co. the Mexican agents, was circu lated in the City yesterday:— " 13, Austinfriars, Aug. 2. " Gentlemen,—Your letter of the 27th ult., in reply to mine of the preceding day, was yesterday laid before the Committee of Spanish American bondholders, and I am desired to express to you their extreme dissatis faction with its contents, and especially with your re fusal to furnish the Committee with any information as to the moneys in hand to meet the dividend now four months in arrear. " The Committee desire me to express in the strongest terms their unanimous opinion that the withholding of this information is utterly unjustifiable, inasmuch as the proportion of duties assigned in Mexico for the pay ment of the dividends belongs to the bondholders, and they have consequently a right to know from time to time the amount of such moneys, and the mode of their appropriation. " The Committee need not dwell on the enormous sacrifices which the bondholders have heretofore made to meet the convenience of the Mexican Government. They had fully expected that in return for those con cessions the bondholders would have received from the Mexican Government and from yourselves that con sideration which the circumstances of the case called for and required. " The Committee trust, therefore, that you will, on further deliberation, furnish the particulars requested in my letters of April 23 and the 27th ult.—l am, &c., " G. R. ROBINSON, Chairman. " Messrs. F. de Lizardi and Co." " 26, Austinfriars. Aug. 3. Sir,—We have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of yesterday, addressed to us on the part of the Committee of Spanish American bondholders. " As regards the first part of your communication, we have no other reply to make than to refer you to our letter of the 27th of July. " Respecting the latter part, wherein you allude to the concessions made by the bondholders, we beg to assure you that we are fully sensible of their importance; and that the same are duly appr ec i a t e d i n the proper quar ter is, we think, sufficiently proved by the great sacri fices made by the Mexican Government, in the midst of very trying financial difficulties, to meet its engagements with its creditors.—We remain, &c., " F. DE LIZARD' and CO., " Per pro. M. J. de Lizardi. " G. R. Robinson, Esq." IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF COMMONS, August 5. MERCHANT SEAMEN'S FUND ACTS. The House then went into Committee on these Acts, when Mr. GLADSTONE rose to mcve for leave to bring in a Bill to amend the law relating to the relief and support, in certain cases, of merchant seamen, their widows, and chil dren. The Right Hon Gentleman said the Bill which he wished to bring in affected the interests and prospects of a class of men which that House, as well as the whole country, regarded with feelings of great interest—he meant the merchant seamen of this country, a class who were the least disposed to complain.— (Hear, hear.) They were, it was true, dissatisfied with the state of the seamen's fund, but his only surprise was that they were not a hundred times more so. They did not object to the compulsory payment of a tax out of their wages, but they did:wish to see the:fund placed on a more satisfactory footing. He thought that the pensions that were given to these parties ought to equalised. The fund was in the nature of an insurance, and it ought to come back to the subscribers. It was contrary to all principle to consider it as a cha rity. It was not of an eleemosynary charac ter. It should be administered as the savings banks were administered. They ought to make the best of it. It ought to be uniformly administered. He thought too much was devoted to the expenses of management, there was nothing like wilful mismanage ment of the fund, but the expense would be less if it were taken into the hands of a public department. Then with regard to the remedy, there was a great want of data on which to found calculations. He proposed that a measure should be passed for not less than seven, nor more than ten years. He also proposed that the pension should be equalised. The effect of this would be, that there would be a uniform system of pensions all over the country. It was proposed that the pension should be 41. a year, but the seamen who were sixty-three years old, and therefore disabled, should be entitled to a pension of 8/. As to widows, it was proposed that in stead of continuing their pensions, a gratuity should be given them. All that he meant to propose was to se cure the fund in the best and most efficient manner, and to give the seamen all the benefits which could pos sibly arise from the appropriation of the fund. He would therefore move for leave to bring in a Bill to amend the laws relating to the relief and support, in certain cases, of merchant-seamen, their widows, and children. Mr. LABOUCHERE thought there was no class of her Majesty's subjects more entitled to the considera tion of that House and the Government, than the class proposed to be benefited by the Bill. After a few words from Mr. Flume, Lord Sandon, and Mr. Gladstone, leave was granted to bring in the Bill. POST - OFFICE.—COMMITTEE OF SECRECY. Lord SANDON brought up the Report of the Com mission of Secrecy on the Post-office. It was laid upon the table. The House then adjourned at a Quarter past Seven. HOUSE OF LORDS, August 5. Their Lordships met at Five o'clock. Several Bills brought up from the Commons were read a first time. THE POST-OFFICE INQUIRY. The Earl of RADNOR presented a petition complaining of the unconstitutional conduct of the Secretary for the Home Department. He did not understand why that Secretary was under any necessity to be the agent of THE STATE OF THE NAVY. Foreign Powers. The Earl of MINTO said he rose in pursuance of the The Duke of WELLINGTON said that he thought notice which he bad given the other evening, in relation it would be better to postpone any discussion till a future to the state of the navy. He was quite aware of the stage. inconvenience of introducing this topic at the present The conversation then dropped. time, on account of the feverish state of mind which THE CHURCH COMMISSION, existed in France. No man could be more anxious than The Marquis of CLANRICARDE presented a peti- himself for the preservation of peace, and nothing should tion from hold ers o f Ch urc h property, compla i n i ng of drop from him which was calculated to give umbrage to, certain acts of the Ch urc h C ommiss i oners. Th e N o b le the French Government. In calling their Lordships Marquis insi s t e d th a t th e L eg i s l ature ha d no more r i ght attention to the state of the navy, he begged to say that to interfere with property of this kind than with any he was no advocate for large naval establishments in other property. lie prayed their Lordships to turn time of peace ; but there was a limit to the economy their attention to the subject. which should be practised in relation to such matters. The Bishop of LONDON denied that the Church Considering how entirely the power and interests of this Commission had acted in the manner alluded to by the country depended on the navy, it could not be desir- Noble Lord. They would have been guilty of a gross able to reduce it to the very low state to which it had dereliction of duty if they did not make the raost of a now been brought. The confidence in peace was often property with which that and the other House of Par- disappointed when its interruption seemed least likely. liarnent had entrusted them. He could assure the Noble In 1792, Mr. Pitt gave it as his opinion that such was Lord that any business transacted by a smaller number the security, for peace in the then circumstances of the of the Commission was at theearliest period made known country, that they might count with confidence to the greater. on its long continuance ; yet, within a year from that The Duke of RICHMOND said that this being one period, the country entered upon the lon ges t an d bl o odiest of the few Commissions which did not make a report war in which it had ever been engaged. Other in' .to enable the country to understand what it was doing, stances, of a similar kind, might be cited ; and he he was as much in the dark as o th ers . B ut h e k new t h at thought the present aspect of affairs was not such as certain persons had complained of the severe views taken should induce them to feel no apprehension. There by the Commission of its duties, and as the Right Rev. existed, unfortunately, on the part of no inconsiderable Prelate courted inquiry into the transactions of that number of the French people, a feeling of no friendly Commission, he (the Duke of Richmond) hoped that the nature towards this country ; and there were questions Noble Marquis who had presented this petition would then pending which might materially affect English move for a Select Committee upon the subject. interests. The events which were now pending on After a few words from the Marquis of Clanricarde, the coast of Africa were such as it was impossible to Lord Carbery, and Lord Wharncliffe, contemplate without, at least, some degree of 1 1 1 3 " The Bishop of EXETER said that as a trustee of a prehension. The aspect of affairs throughout the great public property for a great public purpose, he world was, in fact, such as to require some trusted he might be allowed to say a few words on the degree of preparation on the part of this country. subject. He considered that his duty as a trustee of The alarm which he felt on this subject was greatly in" that property was to make the most of its value, and till creased by the tone assumed by her Majt sty's Govern' he was told by the authority that delegated him to the ment, who, whenever this subject was mentioned, gave office that the contrary was his duty, he should still fol- not the slightest intimation of their intention to increase low the line he had laid down for himself when he ac- the existing force, or to put the country into a state in cepted the trusteeship. which it would be enabled honourably to contend with a Lord RADNOR thought that the principle laid down foreign Power. He could not doubt that the existence of by the Right Rev. Prelate was a most just one, and he large British fleet would have a tendency to avert the was astonished that the Noble Marquis and the Noble danger.—(Hear hear.) He would now state what was Duke upon the cross-benches should have seemed to the present amount of the naval force of this count* doubted the prop iety of it for a moment. He thought which he certainly thought totally inadequate to the that the Commissioners had a full right to insist upon wants of the country, even in a state of profound peace, the full value of their property ; and further, that they much more under the circumstances to'which he had re would be neglecting their duty if they did not do so. ferred. The whole navy of England at that period, 0 The Earl of BESBOROUG H hoped that the Noble respected line-of-battle ships, consisted of ni ne ships. Of Marquis would investigate the subject further, and he these nine ships, two were upon a very dist an t station, would find that the Commission did not at all deserve one was in the West Indies, one was under orders to the remarks applied to it by the Noble Marquis. sail for the Pacific. They had, a short time ago, three The subject then dropped. s hi ps o f t h e li ne i n the i r home ports ; there was a flag- The Criminal Justice (Middlesex) Bill was also read ship bearing the flag of the Admiral commanding A a third time and passed. Cork ; and their ninth ship was the Mediterranean fleets Lord WHARNCLIFFE then moved the resumption a Mediterranean fleet consisting of one ship-of•the-linel of the debate upon the Railways Bill, and in so doing —(llear, hear.) Was that, under any circumstances, s took occasion to state that, having fully considered the fit state of things ?—(Hear, hear.) Could their Lord' effect of the words proposed to be inserted by the Right ships conceive a state of things which could make it to" Rev. Prelate on the Episcopal bench (the Bishop of lerable that the Mediterranean fleet should be reduced to London), he would briefly state what was the course the a single ship ? He certainly felt that this was a condi" Government intended to pursue. The Right Rev. Pre- tion to which the navy ought never to have been re late proposed in the 6th clause to insert certain words in duced—a state of insecurity in which the country never order to prevent what he supposed to be a compulsory should have been placed. It was true that the Medi" enactment upon railway proprietors to run third-class torranean fleet now amounted to three ships-of-the trains upon Sundays. Now, the feeling of the House no li ne , h av i ng b een re i n f orce d b y two line of-batt le doubt was this, that although it might not be desirable ships, in consequence, he presumed, of the state to compel trains to be run on the Lord's-day, y e t th a t it o f a ff a i rs i n M orocco. Now he did complain of would be most unjust to the humbler classes of the this state of things as a wanton sacrifice of the safety public if measures were to be taken under this Act and honour of the country. Great complaints wer e ' which would give an undue advantage t o the we a lthy— ma d e i n 1838 o f t h e i nefficiency of the naval force as' which would compel the convenience of Dives to be con- that time; but in reply to such complaints, he showed stilted, whilst Lazarus was refused permission to travel. that there was as large a force available as could be re' —(Hear, hear.) Now there were certainly two reasons attired. It was then a time of profound peace, there deserving some weight why the clause, as it at present was nothing to cause the least anxiety, and yet the force stood, should be made the subject of some considera- , was much larger than it was at the present moron" tion. In the first place, when this Act was originally there being no less than eighteen ships of the line in submitted to the proprietors of railways they were not commission. A Noble Friend of his (Lord Melville) - led to expect that anything would appear in it under complained at that time that though the force might b e which they would be comp e lled to run third-class car- sufficient for the service abroad, yet there was not a t riages on Sundays ; and secondly, there could be no sufficient reserve of ships maintained for the defence et doubt but that if these trains were run, Government this country. Now at that very time there were sil t inspectors and other persons must be compelled to ships of the line in our home ports, and two more a t Lisboa' break into their day of rest, in order to superintend and Th ere was t h e greatest difficulty in getting go od sea' regulate the traffic. Under these circumstances the Go- men , E ng l an d was the last country in the world tha t vernment had come to this decision, that nothing should ought not to be provided properly with seafaring me n ' appear in the Act to compel railway proprietors to run A s an i nstance o f t h e manner in which the English ha. trains on Sundays ; but that if they did run such trains, been treated by foreign nations, in consequence of their they should be compelled to afford as much accommoda- not having a sufficient fleet, he need only advert to tha tion to the poor as they afforded to the wealthy.— ease of Otaheite, where the Consul of this country bad (Cheers.) They had, therefore, prepared a clause to be been treated in the most disrespectful manner. The tie' introduced by way of rider to the sixth clause, as position of Queen Pomare in Otaheite did not deprive amended by the Bishop of London, and under which the Consul of this country of the powers he possessed; clause it would be e na ct e d th a t w h enever any ra il way an d t h e course that had been pursued towards him er, should ran any trai n w h a t ever upon t h e S a bb at h-d ay, peare d a great d i sgrace to this country. lie thoug e * to such train, or to one at least of any trains so run on that the acts of violence that had taken plate the day, third•class carri ages s h ou ld b e attac h e d. Thi s at O ta h e i te showed great want of perseverance "" amendment would, he hoped, entirely meet the difficulty the part of this country. Did not all the se which had been raised to the clause. things show that some protective force ought to be iota Lord MONTEAGLE said the poi n t t o w hi c h h e up — one that would ensure respect and not allow ~P 4; wished to call the attention of the House was, wheth er country to b e made the laughing stock of the world? Ire the accommodation and cost of travelling to the poorer was sat i s fi e d t h at the present Ministry of France mean classes would be equal on the Sunday with other days of we ll, b ut h e was d ou b tful of its durability. He thou the week. If that were the case, he would not say a that the state of the fleets of this country ought to b o f word against the clause, but cordially support it ; but, strengthened in the Mediterranean, for the pur pose ly , if such were not the case, the clause was a nullity, keeping up the position which the country held inl g Lord WHARNCLIFFE said he understood it was scale of nations. The Noble Earl concluded by In oll ,l the intention of the other House of Parliament to make " a return of her Majesty's ships of war (other than the cost of the third-class the same on Sundays as on the those reserved for harbour duty) in commission 0n, t ,., - o other days of the week. He could not conceive there 31st of July, 1844 ; and also a return of her Mai es- J,„ would be any difference of accommodation. ships of war present at Otaheite from the Ist of SePte''"; Lord MONTEAGLE wished the clause were more ber, 1842, to the latest period to which advises have be e n distinct. Unless some provision were made by the Le- received, specifying the date of the arrival there and ot ^ gislature, there was little doubt but the railway pro- parture from thence of each ship." prietors would give such scanty accommodation as would The Earl of HADDINGTON said the Noble Earlhs a force the travellers to go into the other trains. impressed on the House the sense of deep resp on sibilitl The Earl of MINTO said it wou ld g i ve great offence he felt in bringing f orwar d suc h a question at an inoet . in Scotland if the tr a i ns were no t a ll owe d to run on ven i ent moment ; he said also that he was quite sieva"" Christmas Day and Good Friday, for neither day was of the inconvenience of the present time; he then p re: observed there. It would not be right f or th e L eg i s - cee d e d to remar k i n what that inconvenience consisted lature to compel their observance, at least to a very in- and he then committed himself, on his own showing , convenient extent. grea t i mpropr i ety, b y drawing the attention of err The Bishop of LONDON said h e wou ld wor d th e L or d s hi ps to what he was pleased to call the deplora ble amendment thus—" On every week-day, a n d, in E ng l a nd, s t ate o f t h e naval defence of this country. He (Lord upon Good Friday and Christmas-day."—(Hear.) Haddington) was also well aware o f t h e inconven ie% The Earl of DALHOUSIE the n ex p r es se d a hope a t th e present time, of a discussion of this nature. f that the amendment, as it now stood, would prove gene- s h ou ld th ere f ore ma k e i t his duty to abstain from rally satisfactory. He repeated the opinion of the Noble observations which might at all add to that inconv ell o Lord the President of the Council, that no objection ence — an d h e s h ou ld occupy their Lordships' attentt % would be offered to any amendment proposed i n th e f or as s h ort a t i me as possible. He should only tot bo c House of Commons, with a view to regulate th e f ares t o on suc h parts of the speech of the Noble Earl ass be taken upon the Sundays. With regard, however, to thought necessary for the defence of his departmeel the description of carriages to be put upon the line, he and of her Majesty's Government. The Noble N!' i r i thought that was a point that would b e rat h er d angerous said he was not for keeping up an ure ne cessafi 6 to tamper with, and certainly he was not prepared to go large naval force; but that making' such reducti °l ;s the same length that o th er N o bl e L or d s were i nclined to as might be necessary we, - 3 "a very diffe. re t e go with reference to that p ar ti cu l ar . U n d ou b tedly, i t thing from what he 'we's pleased to denono s 4 was true that the third-class system had not hitherto a truckling submission. He was most anxious to 0 ; 10 been carried into full e ff ec t b y ra il way propr i etors, b ut in what this truckling submission consisted. The now that the sense of Parliament and of the public was Earl did not particularise, he gave no instances of ! on so decidedly expressed in its favour, be did hope that he merely said, that nothing could justify the redn,c ti d, the companies would d o a ll i n th e i r power to b r i ng t h at of the navy to its present state. Now he (Lord -11gor system into ge nera l o p era ti on . dington) had about him a return of the number 01 of The Earl of WICKLOW entirely agreed with Noble Majesty's ships in commission in the three Yea r t s bet Lords opposite, that it was hi g hly necessary to t h e prat- 1839, 1840, and 1844, and the result was. the ticel working of this clause that the poor should not be the number of line of battle ships in• commission to in subjected to higher fares or to w orse accommo d at i on year ending July, 1840, was greater than the istunleo upon Sundays than upon any other clay of th e wee k. comm i ss i on i n the year ending July, 1844. But ti.er lie should think it very fair and prop er t o i ntro d uce the House should remember, that at that time ti.' words providing that ail third-class ca rr i ages s h ou ld were carrying on hostilities in the Mediterranean, 113 o f contain seats, and should be protected by canvass against were bombarding the town of Acre. But this state the weather. things had passed away ; this country was at Pr e ' li e- The Marquis of CLANRICARDE asked if the rail- in a condition of profound peace, and to keep up a i way companies under this clause would be enabled, if thing approaching to that establishment now, svoill u ,d they pleased, to run on Sundays a third-class train for an extravagance, which however it might be apPr ° ,,e third-class passengers only ? by the Admiralty, which never disliked a large f F e y- t el Lord WHARNCLIFFE replied, that as he understood afloat, her Majesty's Government would not be juttT o t the clause, it take that course. would be perfectly o p en t o t h e compan i es to in entertaining. In 1838 the Noble Lord said, theYth'ese eighteen line-of-battl e s hip s in commission ; of eo n Lord CLANRICARDE—WouId they in that case be eighteen, three were guard-ships, which were tu be obliged to run other trains ? manned as fifth-rate frigates, and were, as ships . , t. t e tee e The Earl of DALHOUSIE thought no t. sent to sea, perfectly useless. This reduced the elgT„otl Lord MONTEAGLE would add th e a me nd men t, to fifteen ; and these fift een were o f t h at under-1315'1,s " providing the third-class train have covering and s ea t s ." c l ass i n w hi c h t h e N o b le Earl so much delighi,e7ess He thought that was so reasonable that nobody could (Hear, hear.) Those s hip s w hi c h were in the Mew. object to it. it ranean were greatly under -manned ; so much so, th et p The Earl of DALHOUSIE said the poor would have was w ith extreme regret that he heard it dello the superior advantage of travelling at twenty-five miles at the time, by no less an authority I v y an hour on Sundays, instead of twelve miles as on the C ommo d ore Si r C harles Napier, that if with week days. had then unfortunately gone to war „,„ of The Marquis of NORMANBY did not think speed France, we should have been beaten in conseoue e ' flo st, was the chief object of the poor man, who wished to get our ships being under-manned. Again, by the, r at out of town for recreation. He wished that the third- estimates of 1838, it appeared that the whole nuinu e t to class trains might stop at all the stations at which the sailors voted was 23,165. But be it o bserved other trains stopped. num b er vote d i n the present year was 36,000.--( T es O, The Earl of DALHOUSIE did no t agree w i t h th e N ow t h at was a very large peace establishment-, o f Noble Marquis, the effect of w h ose p ro p osa l wou ld b e t o N o bl e L or d h ad i nsinuated that the present nuenu h e t lie interfere with private prope r ty i n a m ost pere m pt or y n i ne s hi ps o f the li ne was the number to which he and unreasonable manner, without any great St a t e G overnment was d eterm i ned to restrict itself. u ay necessity for so doing. protested against the Noble Lord's holding out t ver Lord COTTENHAM ths a ughol t at ethird-class car- the intention of the Government—that it would .t e , of riages should be attached to tetaittOtri'eli stopped atevery be necessary, in time of peace, to exceed nine sh . ,,, J r the station on the particular line, and not to those which the line. With a great deal of what had fallen f l nlor e ran throughout with but few stoppages. Noble Lord he was disposed to agree, as to the et%", e 0' The Earl of RADNOR did not think the clause was meat of lice-of-battle ships. Taking a general vl ts its compulsory ;it only provided that if railway companies the matter, he thought there ought to be a c e e d the ran trains on a Sunday, they should have third-class car- number disposable. The Noble Lord had repeat foree jee riages also. It did not compel them to run the trains on complaint he made on a former night as to the ati" a Sunday. e _ the Mediterranean; and he (Lord Haddington) only Lord CAMPBELLmoved that the debate be adjourned to repeat the answer he had then given to it. Th e d eolf till to-morrow. Lord said the fleet in the Mediterranean co nsiste d O r o' The Bishop of LONDON repeated his o bj ec ti on to t h e of one line-of-battle ship. Now when they were l';", sop clause which provided that third-class carriages should found peace with France, and were likely to cent- 4 ' 0 40 be run on a Sunday. He did no t w i s h to prevent rail- it was by no means necessary that they should al/Poiglit way companies from running such trains, but he could their own force in that sea to what the Freuel i l 3 , their not be a party to compelling them to do so. He re- consider necessary for their interest there. J„, the minded their Lordships that although these trains pro- possession of Algeria they had great interes t ,_ ° , svii s vided the means of recreation for a great number of per- other side of that sea ; their principal pert, Teurveses sons, yet a great number of servants were obliged to be in the Mediterranean, and there was much niO,rf ro the° engaged in conjunction with those trains, and those sity for them to have a considerable force te', o e eer, persons, of course, were deprived of their Sabbaths day. this country had. If they thought it necessary' The Earl of MINTO said they were about to go to a cise their ships there, it was no reason foq at s t hear vote on the faith that if the Right Rev, Prelate's amend- always keeping there a force equal to it. 1Y bat ment were carried, a clause providing third-class car- had to look to was, the protection of British w they riages for passengers would be proposed. This clause, and he was not aware of any case in which t however, no one seemed to understand. been neglected. The Noble Earl had made out won' Lord MONTEAGLE thought their Lordships in liamentary case, though he had made a us_u s to Ilia justice ought to pl ace a c l ause in t h e Bill, providing that venient speech—(llear, hear)—not inconvenient t‘ o s ief all third-class carr i ages sh ou ld be fitted up with seats, self; for that was but a small consideration7r e ` o e,tie t and should also be covered, his motion coupled with his speech, alleging t."„ oo pht 01 , Lord CAMPBELL thought it would be better to put of ships at present employed as a cause 9t or d s hiP an end to this kind of hurly burly debate—(Laughter)— against the Government, he should askhe tsrlibeeclityri and come to a vote on the clause proposed by the Noble to decide the question by voting—as o yes Lord opposite. self—against the production of the • IL" e tit had The Earl of MINTO opposed the adjournment of the for by the Noble Earl. The Noble 14 - °r d tir ri ce. debate. notshown th atihesafetyo. , Fra c b eth After a short conversation, the amendment was quired more, for they were at peace ' but thas t agreed to. and if war was probable, it was not likely. On a clause introduced by Lord WHARNCLIFFE a " coming event" would " cast its shadow b I °' being put, that event, he contended, this country had Lord MONTEAGLE proposed, as an amendment, They had thirty advanced ships in ord a r neatly to be 1 31 1 , that the third-class carriages should be provided with their fittings up, and rigging, and stores, reads a nd' si; a_n, i 7 Flo wi ra th ee p j . ! sea but n i o i l t seats, and protected from the weather. Their Lordships divided, when there appeared— on board—wanting nothing for tber For the amendment . he done in . ae. day zro l r u hs r d Against it consif ot h Majority against the amendment The clause was then agreed to, and the Bill passed. abte progress in erecting steam CAP' th