The Sun. — London, England, 1836-03-05 00:00:00

protective forces in Africa, in China, and in America. The Hon. Gentleman concluded by expressing his intention to sup port the motion. Captain PECHELL supported the motion. After o a fe w words from Major BE AUCLERK, Lord D. S TUART said that several grounds had been stated for the increase of our naval force, yet he believed that the real g roun d had not been stated by those from whom that P r oposition p roceeded. What had been stated by the Noble secretary for th e H ome D epartment—namely, that this in ase was called for by the necessity of protecting our corn- I tterce, h e did not believe to be the true reason, but he be_ neved that our p olitical relation s i n E urope at present l ou dl y called for it. The true reason for this p ro p ose d i ncrease , • . though it had not been directly stated, had nevertheless been vaguely hinted at , b ut i t wou l d have been more creditable thathe Government t o s p ea k out. Th e cause a ll ege d was this— this force was necessary to protect our commerce from a u7 violent interference. Now, with respect to Russia, that cours:try had esta bli s h ed a blockade upon the coast of Cir a against th e commerce of all other nations, without erringth t h e usual courtesy of communicating the fact of ! blockade to any other nation in Europe. He was sorry th at he did not see the Noble Secretary for Foreign Affairs tae's P l ace (Lord Palmerston suddenly became visible on treasury bench.) He (Lor dD. Stuart) was happy to perc e i ve that the Noble Lord was not far off, for he was talk ing of the blockade established by Russia upon the coast of tolrCassia._( Great laughter.) They had even gone so far as seize a British ship sailing under British colours. He 7as glad t h at this debate had occurred, because it would go forth to th e world that this Government felt a proper jealousy f the i ncreasing power of Russia. The Noble Lord pro ceeded to what had lately taken place at Cracow, into which place foreign troops had entered, contrary to the stipulations tr the treaty t o w hi c h t hi s country was a party , an d w hi c h creatYMeow guaran rs teed the perfect independence and neutralinsit of , ne considered this violation of that treaty an y ult to this country. It was reported that the Powers who had per petrated this iniquitous violation of the neutrality of Cracow in tended t o ava il themselves of the presence of a foreign force for s , the purpose of removing from Cracow those unfortunate refugees who had taken refuge there. It was said that I t was the intention of Russia to turn out those refugees, and ',end the m across to. America, there to starve or provide for themselves as best they could. The Prussian Government had already sent many of these unfortunate Poles to America, and whose fate was literally to die of hunger. The result would t a,O,w be similar, if this Government did not interpose to prevent t he Policy outrage. He had heard a great deal said about h e Policy of preventing the traffic in black slaves, but was not as much their duty to prevent the traffic in white slaves? T he blacks were torn from their country; and carried across the Atlantic ; precisely similar was the case of the Poles. He , u ght it was the duty of the British Government to inter roses and seize the ships in which these Poles were conveyed aw aylf they did not decidedly interfere, it would afford another instance of the pusillanimity of this Government with t espect to Russia of which he so mmch complained. After so me furth er o b servat i ons on this topic, the Noble Lord con cluded by express i ng hi s i n t en ti on , s h ou ld th e su bj ec t b e tak en up i n no ot h er q uarter, on an early day to bri ng th e ~lect of the violation of the treaty that had taken place w ith respect to Cracow under the consideration of the House. tuA,lr. ROEBUCK said that last year our relations with °Pe were precisely in the same situation as at present. "et, during last year, a reduction of our naval force had t aken place. No person could say that the designs of Russia were not as well understood then as they were now. He had !Iro hesitation to express his belief that Russia was closing on stun ti Turkey with the immediate view of taking possession of Con to interfere, unless where the interests of the commerce of this country called for interference. He did not think that suffi cient grounds had been stated to justify this increase. T he CHAIRMAN put the question, and the vote was a greed to without a division. On the mot i on t h at a sum , n o t exceeding 1,069,122 L, be granted for the payment of the wages to seamen and marines, 11018dijrn J. GRAHAM urged upon the House the advantage of -g out inducements to seafaring men to voluntarily enter the naval n service. He strongly urged the advantage of hold as b out the most inciting inducements to good conduct by dis tinguishing those who had so conducted themselves. At pre tient the petty offic e r wa s n o t subject to corporal punishment. li e Was punished, in the first instance, by being" disrated. e considered that it would be most beneficial to raise the v dit Y. of the petty officers. It would hold out to them an ad -I°llal inducement to meritorious conduct. The increase of th e PaY of the petty officers could not cost the country more s :au ab out 10,0001., or at the utmost 12,0001. a-year, and it ti " j a? his decid e d , o pi n i on th a t suc h a sum could not be more ju 'eusly or ad van t ageous ly ex p en ded. It was the petty officers wh e o c , were foremost on all services of danger. ' it B. CODRINGTON concurred with the Right Hon. Baronetof the in thinking that it was desirable to increase the pay a . t he petty officers. He did not agree in some other of the Observations of the Right Hon. Gentleman, who it would be re s et had brought in a Bill, under the provisions of t tt ilieb the kirst Lord of Admiralty became entitled to a retir ig Pension of 2,0001 . He did not see the necessity, of that ra te ,,. Bl °o, as there could be no difficulty in obtaining First Lords o ,` 9 e Admiralty. t h i '? J. GRAHAM was glad that an opportunity was affor ded him of offering an explanation on the subject. There had el uted a regulation under which Cabinet Ministers, on retiring offi ce , were entitled to a pension of 3,0001. per annum. a is propositi on h a d b een th a t thi s sum s hould be reduced from se :)(10 /. to 2,000/. per annum. It was (as we understood the "'tat Hon. Baronet, who was very imperfectly heard) a re gulation that only six Cabinet Ministers should be in the re teiPt of this pension at the same time At the period when v : ( Sir James Graham) retired from office there was but one I le c a 4t neY, which he declined accepting. He understood and ens uld not mention it as in any way discreditable, that his sue affisc°_r (Lord Auckland) before he consented to undertake the aaa _c of First Lord of the Admiralty, had stipulated that, in en ,7 of retirement from office he (Lord Auckland) should be utled to the vacantpension of 2 0001 a year. After an observation from Sir E. CODRINGTON, mr. HUME expressed the strongest surprise that Lord th Auck land sh ou ld h ave d eman d e d suc h a pl e d ge , or that even, ou gh ol , he had . demanded it, such a pledge should have been in e eti t ° him. He considered it a most disgraceful proceed sti';' He proceeded to contend that rank and promotion in tleca tav Y had hitherto been absorbed by the sons and con eshol2llB of the Aristocracy, to the prejudice of those officers th e i,, u ad, not such advantagtes, and whose merit constituted to " 1 Y recommendation. No pecuniary reward would tend sya Promote the assiduity of those engaged in the service. It ealaytealn to supp ose that an increase of 12,0001. would be cal the to produce this effect, and it would be in vain to deny withPrornotions which took place in the navy were not rather re st ,view to th e a d van t age o f th e ar i s t ocrac y than the int - of the service. See of of the EXCHEQUER , in the ab ym es ' his Noble F r i en d th e Fi rs t Lord of the Admiralty, th e lundertake to d e f e nd him. It had been insinuated by th e / a 'gat Hon. B aronet oppos i te (Si r J. Graham) that in kn ." Plsointment of Lord Auckland to the situation which lie L ord. al led there was something disgraceful to that Noble trans H e deni e d t h at t h ere was an ythi n g disgraceful in any t o t h a t ati on connect e d w ith th a t appointment, and as a friend Ward s Nobleman—the only relation in which he stood to star, him —he was p repare d t o d e f e nd all the circum aafoeres c onnected with th a t appointment. The Noble Lord zn otr e his appointment to his present situation possessed he 6d e e in Greenwich Hospital; and, in addition to this, fo r a pension a l so . B ot h t h e o ffi ce an d th e p ens ion were eel y • life. Th ere was no b arga i n i n t h e ma tt er ; f or it was fair that Lord Aukland, in resigning both his situation quali a ' pension to accept an office for which he was eminently .11i ni ged• sho u ld ta k e care not to be a sufferer.—( Ch eers f rom tarnslters.) It w as no t j ust on t h e part o f th e Ri g ht Hon. sam e to to afflx a stigma on the Noble Lord without at the the „ bs _ O le explaining all the circumstances. With regard to regard..T rations made by the Hon. Member for Middleseas sse u a distinction said to be made between the middle q uer s _and the aristocracy, he (the Chancellor of the Exche %ernlils _aeuhl say on his own part, and on the part of the Go eountr7t, that they recognised no line of distinction. In this ro se ' "nd especially in the naval service, the two classes with 1,). together. The humbler classes had an equal right ri t all other s to rise in the service in proportion to their me ehe'era,nd, it W&S well known that they did so rise.—(Ministerial Wav y , v ,' ) The only question with regard to promotion in the fou nd .", whether men were deserving of it, and if they were w ere , t ° be so they were promoted accordingly. The people th e it?Qund up in one party, without any regard to rank, and rlYdistinction made was that founded upon merit.— (Sit. Ministerial cheers.) B°4ll GRAHAM said that an attack had been made per atsackYstlP°ll him by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Such der ' nowever, were not new to him. He had before to un- Linptbastlrders of a different nature. It had been stated of for ward , F had been actuated by corrupt motives in bringing sister his is measure with regard to pensions to Cabinet Mi oecasin hen he had held office , and that he had acted on that -11 with sinister and personal views. The report had . (I ne do wn . fustice to to his own constituents, and he was compelled, in fr ee 1 , ;.. _° his own character, to wipe away the charge, and th at ` i '2'uself from the stigma. He stated to his constituents actuittue_passing the pension list 'te Ministers , he could not be Sion whnintY any unworthy motive, for ho had ;educed the pen (ehe__ snould accrue to himself by 1,000/. per annum.— land2ilres t r ro c, m . the Opposition.) With regard to Lord Auck not Sir J. Graham) admitted that the Noble Lord was • still h a position to relinquish his situation and pension, but that hie must repeat the assertion , that lie before made, namely, Lord st • quishing the place and the pension, the Noble lianttoP_ruy ated in the event of a change of Ministry for Iv Par pension of 2,000/. a year, uHANCELLOR of the ' EXCHEQUER denied that there hes kr , was any such stipulation . The Right Hon. Bare nesttLed that the Noble Lord accepted office on the con siderag pension. that a place in the civil list was more valuable than a Sir J . .-. a.uRAIIAM—I did not say so. " r o .. siuue -;IIANC ELLOR of th e ECHEQUER—No; but .ggested i t. The hint was thrown out for the purpose o..fraising an the fives argument and inducing an inference injurious to ord es of Lord Auckland. Au L eiti HO WICK s * (1 - that the • • insinuation vsainst Lord had sa n f d t , d v s ft!-5 not so much in what the Right HO'n. Baronet made by in . _ the manner of his saying it. The arrangement %th e Rir t . 'd Auckland was one which the Act introduced Lond e s. Hon. Baronet himself was intended to sanction. sauckland had a place under Government, which he Govern, thought Consider himself as holding during his life. His Majesty's o uns it e cee , :bniedhit „ t fit to call that Nobleman to fill a higher to accept the was proposed to him by Earl Grey can al ,he now held. Lard Auckland did not refuse to Stan rich the proposal ; but he said under any circum- Change of ~.w?udd be i m p oss ibl e f or hi m t o comp l y, for if a manistry should take place, he should, by accepting office, sacrifice his present income. To meet this, and to ob viate the difficulty, recourse was had to the Pension Act, and under these circumstances he (Lord Howick) considered the pension of Lord Auckland strictly honourable.—(Ministerial cheers.) Sir H. HA RDINGE complimented the Noble Lord ( Howick) on the straightforward, manly statement which he had given of the subject. It however was obvious from the Noble Lord's plain statement that there had been a stipula tion.—( Loud cheers from the Opposition.) It was a fair and open avowal, and though no blame could attach to the Noble Lord who was absent (Lord Auckland), blame certainly must attach to the Right Hon. Gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer for the course which he had thought proper to pursue. As to the Noble Lord at the head of the Admiralty, it must be admitted that he acted with great prudence in giv ing up 1,6001. a-year to secure 2,000/—(Hear, hear, and laughter)—more especially when that which lie gave up was at the disposal of the Ministry. Nobody could deny that this v,as a prudent, a considerate, and a wise arrangement. His Right Hon. Friend (Sir J. Graham) had made no suggestion, had used no insinuation, on the subject. He had stated a fact in which he was fully borne out by what had fallen from the Noble Lord (Howick.) It was not candid, therefore, in the Right Hon. Gentleman, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, to insinuate that the motive of the Right Hon. Baronet was to cast a stigma on Lord Auckland.—( Cheers.) The arrange ment might have been a good one for the Government ; no body could deny that it was a good arrangement for Lord Auckland. There was no reproach on Lord Auckland for his share in the transaction. If Lord Auckland could not afford to make the sacrifice for the purpose of accepting office, the Noble Lord the Secretary of War was perfectly right in justifying the conduct of his friend ; but he (Sir H. Hardinge) could not help saying that the mode pursued by the Right Hon. the Chancellor of the Exchequer was most unfair and ungenerous. Lord JOHN RUSSELL could not agree in the opinioit that the course adopted by his Right Hon. Friend the Chan.: cellor of the Exchequer was either unfair or ungenerous.— ( Hear, hear, from the Ministerial benches.) The Right Hon. Baronet had called the attention of the House to the pension granted to Lord Auckland, but he had at the same time omitted to state that Lord Auckland had given up an office and a pension amounting to 1,6001. a-year. It was disinge nuous to state that Lord Auckland had, in consequence of ac cepting office, become entitled to a pension on the Civil List, and at the same time to omit what Lord Auckland had given up for the purpose of taking office. The Right Hon. Baronet Thad alluded to the rumour which existed in his own country with regard to his alleged sinister object in passing the Pension Bill: He (Lord J. Russell) was most ready to admit that the conduct of the Right Hon. Baronet on that occasion was marked with the highest degree of public spirit, but in contradicting the imputation attempted to be cast upon him why introduce Lord Auckland, for the purpose of throwing a stigma upon that Nobleman ?—( Hear, hear, from the Ministerial benches.) •If this was not the object, why did not the Right Hon. Baronet, when he alluded to the Pension and the Civil List, also mention the pension ar.d office which were given up ? As to the Right Hon. Baronet, the Member for Launceston, though there was less of stigma there was more of sneer in his observation. He characterised the con duct of a Noble Lord ( Auckland) as wise and prudent, be cause he abandoned an office which it was in the power of Mi nisters to confer upon some other person, and accepted a pen sion on the Civil List.—(" Hear, hear," from the Opposi tion.) Now this office had not been filled up by the Govern ment of that day. It had remained open for a considerable time—up to the time when the Right Hon. Baronet the Mem ber for Tamworth came into office ; and if it had not been then filled it still, for anything he (Lord. J. Russell) knew, re mained open. Sir H. HARDINGE—What appointment did Mr. Creevey get? Lord HOWICK (as we understood) replied that Mr. Creevey obtained the situation rendered vacant by the resigna tion of Lord Auckland ; but obtaining this, he resigned the , Treasurership of the Ordnance ? Sir H. H A RDINGE—StiII there remained a vacancy, and the situation which Mr. Creevey gave up he abandoned for a permanent one. An Hole.. MEMBER on the Ministerial Benches (who was hidden froM our view by the Speaker's chair) asked who ob tained the Treasurership of the Ordnance ? Colonel PERCEVAL said he bad got the office, but Mr. Creevey had the pay up to the time that his (Col. Perceval's) account passed the Bank of England. • Sir E. CO DRINGTON hoped that he would not be charged as having a part in the imputed slander. Mr. GOUL B RN,said that the conversation certainly arose out of the observations of the Gallant Admiral, and his desire to show that the Noble Lord ( Auckland) had not been anxious to jump into the place of First Lord of the Ad miralty. For his own part, he (Mr. Goulburn) had yet to learn how it could be considered a stigma upon any person engaged in the public service to receive the reward of his labour.—(Cheers.) Mr. CURTEIS was anxious to see provision made for officers who had grown old in subordinate situations. He in stanced the case of a person who had been 40 years a mid shipman, and, when application was made on his behalf, the reply was, that if one case were attended to it would open a door to applications of which there would be no end. - Mr. BUCKINGHAM said there was no denying the fact, that promotion was the privilege of the aristocracy. Alderman THOMPSON was of the opposite opinion, and felt that merit would always insure success in the service. Mr. HUME said that, having made use of some strong ex pressions relatiig to the Noble Lord, he now begged leave to say, that he would not have made use of them had he been aware of the circumstances just stated. The vote was then agreed to. It was then proposed that 437,1501. should be granted for the purpose of victualling the seamen and marines. This vote was also agreed to, after a short conversation. The House then resumed, and, the other Orders of the Day having been disposed of, it adjourned, a quarter past twelve o'clock. PUBLIC MEETING AT SHEFFIELD (Abridged Report.) On Monday last, Feb. 25, a numerous m eetin g of Mr. Buckingham's constituents took place at the Town Hall, for the purpose of considering the measures desirable to be taken on the rejection of the Compensation Bill. Mr. IBBOTSON being called to the chair, stated, that a short time ago, he did not expect to have occupied that chair; they bad expected the Master Cutler to fill it ; he had promised to do so, unless prevented by other engagements. This unfortu nately occurred by his being called upon to preside at a Church meeting elsewhere at the same hour they were to assemble here. The most proper course he could pursue would be to read a letter he. bad received from a gentleman who had kindly consented to introduce Mr. Buckingham's Bill into Parlia ment, Mr. Tulk. He was a true Englishman, and evidently felt keenly for a man who had suffered so much injustice as Mr. Buckingham had done. The chairman then read the letter from Mr. Tulk, and the reply which he had sent to that gentleman, as follows : TO WILLIAM IBBOTSON, ESQ., SHEFFIELD. London, Feb. 25. Sir —I take the liberty of addressing myself to you, as the friend of Mr. Buckingham, and the Chairman of his Commit tee, on a peculiarly painful subject. Before this reaches you, you will be informed of the fate of a Bill which I introduced into the House of Commons at the beginning of this Session. That Bill which was to award to him Compensation for the in fliction of a cruel wrong, has been rejected by a considerable majority on its second reading. This unexpected event is to be ascribed, partly, to the fact, that many members, who had been the advocates of his claims, and are his fast friends and supporters, were not aware, or pos sibly did not advert to its being a private Bill, which required it to be brought on at the early hour set apart for private bu siness; partly, to the unusual assemblage of Tory members, who, I believe, in many instances, were but too happy in the opportunity offered them of upholding injustice and oppression ; and, partly, to the lukewarmness of some, who now find it more convenient to their interests to conciliate a powerful body than to remain true to their former professions. These appear to be the chief causes of that failure, which every man must deploro who can appreciate the eminent ser vices of Mr. Buckingham to the commercial and manufactu ring interests, and whose sense of justice is not warped by party, nor deadened by sordid and vindictive feeling. That the unrelenting feeling of the East India Company is mainly to be ascribed to the zeal of your Honourable Repre sentative in the cause of free discussion and good government in India, and to his successful exertions in freeing this coun try from the tax of an oppressive monopoly, must be sufficiently obvious. Unsupported by the Government, the controuling influence of his enemies has prevailed, and his hopes of redress are, for the present at least, utterly ex tinguished. The consequences of this denial of justice are, as you must be aware, of the most serious kind to your Representative. After having been robbed of property to the amount of nearly 40,0001. by an act of wanton tyranny, he has now no other satisfaction remaining than to find those very principles, for advocating which he was driven from India, and his property confiscated, declared by the late Governor-General, Lord William Bentinck, to have actually " led to a very percep tible improvement in our Administration," and To by the present Government as the best safeguard To our Indian possession's. It has been urged by certain Members, and the objection seemed to carry some weight with it, that it would be unjust to tax the natives of India for an act done under the authority of the law, which invested the Governor-General with the power of banishing, without any cause assigned, every English man who resided there by the license of Company ; and that the people of England who tolerated so iniquitous a law, and by their representatives passed it, were the proper parties to supply the Compensation. But by this specious show of phiianthrophy they either deluded themselves, or intended to delude others. They must or ought to have known that to compensate Mr. Buckingham, not one sixpence of additional tax would have been taken from the natives of India, but thac the same surplus fund would have supplied the money which pays the salaries of the Tanjore Commissioners, one of whom, Sir Robert Inglis, seemed peculiarly sensitive on the occasion. But though this reason for an appeal to the people of the United Kingdom in behalf of Mr. Buckingham was not less unfeeling than it was absurd, I think you will agree with me that there is another reason which would justify such an ap peal in behalf of one, who has been a signal benefactor to all classes, and especially to the manufacturing and commercial classes of the community. It is with this view, Sir, that I take the liberty of writing to you; and through you, of addressing myself to the great body 4 Mr. Buckingham's friends in Sheffield. It is my intention also to address myself to that gentleman's friends in the House of Commons, with the earnest hope that they may concur with THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1836. me in endeavouring to call forth the expression of public sen timent in his favour. If a sufficient sum of money could be raised, and I see no cause why, among the many towns that are reaping the harvest of his labour, a sufficient sum should not be easily raised, so as to secure him an annuity for his own and Mrs. Buckingham's life, his constituents of Sheffield, as well as the country at large, might long enjoy the advantages of his useful services. Allow me, then, to cress this upon your serious attention. Mr. Buckingham has, by his talents and extensive information, rendered great services to his country. To that country I ven ture to appeal in his behalf. It has been said by one of the advocates of the East India Company in the House of Commons, that the people of Eng land were ready enough to petition, provided they had nothing to pay. I believe such an assertion to be a calumny on the people of England : and, in proof of it, I would point to the Reformers of Sheffield, who have themselves defrayed the expences of twice returning Mr. Buckingham as their representative, because they felt grateful to him for his patriotic efforts, in the fruits of which they, in common with all others, are participating. No I I will not believe that grateful feelings are confined to Sheffield; and though I certainly look to that enlightened town to be among the Arst in its expression of indignation at the treatment which one of its representatives has received, and among the first also in striving to secures for him a mode rate independence, I cling to the hope that the example will be followed by many of the towns in these kingdoms, whi c h have been instructed by his varied information, warmed by his eloquence, and enriched by his labours. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient Servant, CHAS. AUG. TULK. 19, Duke-street, Westminster. TO CHARLES AUGUSTUS TULK, ESQ., M.P. Endcliffe Hall, near Sheffield, Feb. 27, 1836. Sir--The letter of the 25th inst., which you did me the ho nour to address to me, and through me to Mr. Buckingham's friends in Sheffield, was duly received. It is truly gratifying to us all to perceive the generous sym pathy which breathes through the whole of your letter, at the loss of a Bill which you so kindly introduced, and which, if carried, might have been the means of procuring some small compensation for an unmerited and wanton destruction of pro perty ; or some return for a continuous struggle, anxiety, and suspense, of no less than thirteen years' duration. Permit me to say, that, amidst a series of almost unexam pled cruelties and disappointments, Mr. Buckingham cannot fail to derive satisfaction, on receiving such disinterested and generous support as that which you have kindly afforded; and ,he will doubtless derive consolation from the thought that his cause was not finally to be lost for want of an able and zealous advocate. _ Mr. Buckingham came to this town a short time before it was enfranchised, a stranger to every person in it. The benevolence which beamed in his face—the enchanting eloquence that streamed from his lips—with the wonderful ac counts from a far country, which he gave, of an immensely interesting and almost unknowil people—recommended him at once to the attention of the whole town. He was shortly after wards proposed as a suitable representative for Sheffield, from the belief that no man could so ably resist the colossal power that had so long stunted the energies of a people, almost as numerous as the sands on the shores of those immense regions. It may be safely asserted, that however inspiring to the merchant and manufacturer the prospects of such an immense and additional market as was promised by an opening to the East might produce—however disgusting to the philanthropist was the thraldom and degradation in which so many millions of our fellow-subjects were barbarously held in India—however impious in the eyes of the Christian was the fact, that men bearing that sacred name could not only worship the god Mammon, and fall down to golden calves, but could even enrich themselves by the offerings presented to the gods of the Hut doos—however exciting these feelings were, it is quite certain that Mr. Buckingham would never have represented Sheffield, had not the people felt that he was a victim to an heroic pa triotism, as rare as it was ardent and disinterested. Allow me, Sir, to say, we have not been deceived in the man ; we hare found him all that he was represented to be by those who said the most in his praise. It is well known that we are mainly, if not entirely, indebted to Mr. Buckingham for that awakening of the country to the abominations and in justice practised in India, which not only has opened that market to British enterprise, but also given the promise of a final emancipation to the almost numberless tribes in that country. We are solely indebted to Mr. Buckingham for the abolition of that un-English and degrading system of impress ment, which was finally abolished last Session. Mr. Bucking ham's efforts on behalf of the poor black slaves of the West Indies are well known ; and we believe that he has immor talized his name, by his efforts to raise a large class of beings from that most beastly and degrading vice of drunkenness, which has been so long desolating our country. To that country, on Mr. Buckingham's behalf, you now appeal, and call upon them to show their gratitude, and to prove that they- duly appreciate the services so ably rendered, and the untiring devotion to the cause of justice and humanity, which has characterised the public conduct of Mr. Buckingham for so many years. Surely it is but bare justice, when a man has nobly sacrificed his all on the altar of patriotism, and in the cause of freedom and humanity, that a grateful country should secure to him, not a statue to do him honour, but a moderate competency, to rendsr him independent for the few remaining years he may yet have to lire. I will venture to answer for Sheffield, that they will gladly respond to your call. It is true, Sit', that Mr. Buckingham's friends here are chiefly persons of small means ; but they have not only discernment to discover merit, but warm hearts to feel for the oppressed. It is also true, Sir, as you state, that they have returned the man of their choice triumphantly twice, in a short period, free of expence to himself . ; that they have met two expensive and hotly-contested elections, ; but I feel as sured they will gladly unite with other towns in contributing , to raise a sum that will place their Representative in circum standes of moderate independence. s I must entreat pardon for the liberty which I have taken in allowing my pen to hurry me forward to such a length. I have the honour to be, Sir, with all respect, your most obedient humble servant, WILLIAM IBBOTSON. Mr. W. VICKERS said he little thought that on the presen tation of Mr. Buckingham's Bill before the House of Coin mons, it would have been strangled in the manner it bad been done. He had no idea that the East India Directors would have the power, in the whole House of Commons, to strangle the Bill. His conviction was that this would be done in a Com mittee, and not in the whole house. It was a matter of re gret to him—a matter of deep regret—that the India Com pany had such influence in the House of C o mmons. It was well known that several Members of the House who had sup. ported the Bill on other occasions had s hrunk fr om their duty when the division took place ; among othe r s he mi ght mention Lord J. Russell, who had given it as his op inion that, compen sation was due to Mr. Buckingham. A Committee composed of various political parties, nicely balanced, had also decided in the same manner. The principle of Compensation was thus decided by a fair tribunal, and it was only the amount of this, that the House of Commons had to discuss and affix. The meeting would, however, show by their spirit this day, that their Member should still maintain fhe situation he was in ; as he believed him to be a most excellent and truly honest man.—( Applause.) If there was a man who possessed the principles of honour and honesty, he believed James Silk Buckingham to be that man.—( Immense applause.) lie was always aware that he (Mr. Buckingham) did not possess that extent of property which was desirable for a Member of the House of Commons, but he knew that he possessed extraor dinary talent, and had the stamina of an honest man. Mr. Buckingham had not sacrificed his principles for the sake of profit, he therefore bad supported him. Most of them were aware that on one occasion, Mr. Buckingham could have had a large sum if he would have convoyed slave ships, which he would not accept.—( Applause.) He would ask whether a man brought up in the seafaring life from childhood, could have withstood this offer, unless he possessed a large share of good princ i p l es ? When no other means were offered for obtaining a • livelihood, he would ask whether it was not a strong test to show the virtuous man ? Other circumstances with which he was acquainted led him to the• same conclusion ; he would not dilate upon them there ; he would only mention one ; at one time, Mr. Buckingham was placed in such a position with re spect to a large sum of money claimed from him, that he could have made the law of non effect to it ; he could have put him_ self without the pale of the law. What did be do ? He put himself immediately within the pale of the law ; and thus became liable to the consequences thereof. Lord William Bentinck, who had lately taken his scat in the House, had stated distinctly, that the measures which Mr. Buckingham advocated, and for which he was banished from India, were the measures that have since been adopted. He had heard taunting remarks as to what had been the result of the open ing of the India trade, on which so much had been predicted by Mr. Buckingham ; be, in return, would say, with confi btennce, detainedthat there fro i w n • a c s o a m largethere e re increase earli e i r n b t i l r t b at e n trade c : ho i a examining a debenture connected with that trad e, and he be lieved there had been more orders received that da y from India in Sheffield, than on any day during the last twenty years.—(Cheers.) What Mr. Buckingham had stated wou take place, had taken place, and he believed that Sheffield was upedhidn increasing in her India trade at a great rate. Gentlemen in other parts of the country might say they were going back to the days of Andrew Marvel ; and we, in our turn, will say, if we cannot have our Representative without it, we will pay hid for his services.—( Applause.) M r . B uc kingham might have stood higher in the favour of the House had be d been less independent, but be had always voted for measures, an not with a party ; there was nothing on which they ought to value him so much as hit perfect independence. He then moved the first resolution. Mr. EBENEZER ELLIOT seconded the resolution in an ani- mated speech. Mr. A. C. BRANSON then said,—The instances aro rare in which I have presented myself to a public asselubly ; but the object of this meeting presents so irresistible an incentive that I have been unable to withstand it. I presume that we are asr•mbled here not only to express our sentiments on the in justice that has been done to the claims of our Member, Mr. Buckingham, but to devise other means of obtaining that yhich has been denied him by the House of Commons. I cannot flatter it on its humanity :—it may be said that justice should be insensible to the feelings of humanity alone ; ad mitted :—but should she seek, as Mr. Lawson did, in opposing the second reading of Mr. Buckingham's Compensation Bill, excuses for granting compensation, when he prefaced his speech by stating that. Mr. Buckingham had deviated from the rules of propriety in sending circulars to the different mem bers of the House of Commons, asking them to come down and vote in favour of the Bill. This was no argument against the justice of his claims :--perhaps Mr. Lawson may be an example of propriety ; but were we to see him in the same situation in which Mr.• Buckingham is placed, I think we I should forgive him deviating from the strict rules of propriety and usage, when we reflected that his all was at stake. That through Mr. Buckingham's exertions this country has been benefitted to a considerable extent, nobody can deny then ought not the nation to acknowledge it, by remunerating him for the losses he has sustained in promoting that benefit ? We are not met together on a political question, but cue of humanity and justice ; and I do not envy the apathy of that man who can keep his house, his office, or his shop, when he might be engaged in the philanthropic attempt, either by his voice or his acts, however humble they might be, in forwarding the object that has called us together this day ; and I have very great pleasure in supporting the resolution. At the re quest of the Chairman, I will read to you a portion of Mr. Buckingham's Address to the British public. Mr. A. C. Branson then read the latter part of the Address. Mr. JOHN WARDLE said, he thought it his duty at the pre sent moment to rise and address them, knowing as he did they were reaping the benefit of Mr. Buckingham's labours. Many years ago Nicholas Vansittart had' said, what they (the India Company) bought of the nation, they would have at their own prices, or none; and what they sold, they charged what they thought fit. Now, as they had then no opportunity of obtain ing the products and riches of that country but through the medium of the East India Company, they had frequently to pay from five to twenty-fold more than their original value. In the years 1813 and 1814, he laboured hard, along with Mr. Ward and others, to obtain the opening of that trade, which he knew would have been a mutual benefit to each coun try. A partial opening was obtained, and double the quantity of British manufactures was consumed there. What would have been the case had the trade been thrown fully open, it was very easy to conceive. Although at that time great efforts were made for the accomplishment of the object the parties had in view, still it could not be attained until ,Mr. Bucking ham aroused the people, from one end of the country to an (Aber, to make a claim for what they had a just right. One of Mr. Buckingham's opponents had said, the trade would, without his exertions, have been thrown open in ten years, and another said in twenty years. It might have been so ; but they might be laid in their graves before that time, and we never should have been enjoying the present advantages, but for him. The speaker then alluded to Mr. Buckingham's celebrated contest with Mr. Eneas Macdonald in the Music , Hall, and declared his conviction that the victory he then ob tained had secured his return for Sheffield. He then exposed the fallacy of Sir John Hobhouse's statement, that Mr. Buck ingham's compensation would come out of the pockets of the people of India. If this even had been the case, they had not always been so nice. He then mentioned several large sums that had been voted to individuals in the way of compensation\ for giving up offices, in which they had spent their lives in robbing the' natives of that country. He then proceeded to romark on the improper appointment of Lord Napier, which Mr. Buckingham had exposed ; and concluded with express ing a hope that the differences in the file trade might speedily be terminated, in order that every mechanic might have the opportunity of contributing to Mr. Buckingham's Annuity Fund.—The first resolution was then passed unanimously. Mr. LINLET, in rising to move the second resolution, said— I rise with great pleasure to state, that I appreciate far beyond what I have the power to express, the unabated and judicious labours of our worthy repressntative, Mr. Buckingham, whet has in this last session, as well as in former ones, closely at tended to his duty in the House of Commons, and has voted; in my estimation, in strict and perfect conformity with all his publicly expressed principles and professions on all occasions, and I will add to my entire satisfaction, and, I hope, to the satisfaction of his 'constituents generally. lam exceedingly gratified that Mr. Buckingham has succeeded in doing away with that stain and blot to the character and honour of the British nation, the Impressment of Seamen • and I am sure that future generations will hail ' with gratitude the name of that man, through whose meritorious exertions this great ob ject has been accomplished. Gentlemen, for this one act alone his name will, and deserves to live in British history.— ( Loud cheers.) I will now beg leave to revert to Mr. Buck ingham's former labours, more particularly to the doing away with the East India Monopoly ; and I think you will agree with me that he was mainly instrumental to the removal of that most obnoxious monopoly ; that it was his zeal, perse vering industry, and patriotic devotion, to the cause in England, Ireland, and Scotland, that gained us this important victory ; and when I state, that in consequence of the opening of the trade to China, the increased quantity of tea imported into Great Britain, in 1835, was more by sixteen millions of pounds than the preceding year, 1834, when the trade was not thrown open, it will show to a demonstration the great benefits derived already from this article alone, viz., two mil lions of money put into the pockets of the people, froth the .2onsequent lowering of price by competition, besides the extra demands for British manufactured goods, the sure result of its removal ; this, in conjunction with the doing away with Impressment, and advocating Free Trade, - the Abolition of slavery, brings me to the conclusion, that this country owes him a debt of gratitude, and I think it is our bounden duty, under present circumstances, in consequence of the complete denial of justice by the East India Company, and the refusal by a majority in the House of Commons, to in quire whether he deserves compensation or not, to set an example, as his constituents, to the empire at large ; and show these parties that the people of the United Kingdom both can, and will, do an act of justice to a persecuted individual— (Cheers)—which they, our governors, are disinclined to do, without any cause assigned.—( Applause.) Mr. Linley con cluded by moving the second resolution. Mr. WILLIAM THOMPSON said,—,The resolution carried on the face of it a conviction which recommended itself to the heart and understanding of the meeting, he would therefore second the same without further remark, which was unani mously carried. Mr. HENRY TICKERS said, that to no one would it give greater pleasure than himself, to bring about the object of this meeting. He was quite sure it would be hailed with pleasure in all parts of the country. Fully concurring, as he did most sincerely, in it, there would be no surprise at his proposing the resolution which lie did. He then made some remarks as to the manner in which the intended subscription should be in vested. The purchase of an annuity was thought best, be cause, from a small amount of capital a greater annual income might be raised in this way than by other modes of investment. It might fall short of the income Mr. Buckingham would have deriied from the capital he had lost, but still something sub stantial might be obtained. The Rev. G. H. Rilonns seconded this motion ; he consi dered by so doing he was not departing from the spirit of the sacred office he held. The Scriptures said those who preach the Gospel should live by the Gospel; and as the country had been in a great measure living through Mr. Buckingham's ex ertions in opening a free trade, they were equally bound to support him. Now he has been oppressed and ruined, shall we not come forward nationally, and in the spirit of the Gospel to support him,.in his declining day. He most cordially se conded the motion, which was also carried. Mr. JAMES SMITH, jun., in coming forward to propose the next.resolution, did so with the warmest expressions of kindly feeling towards Mr. Buckingham. They had heard what he had achieved, and they had also heard, he was sorry to say, what he had lost. Time losses had been confirmed by the Legislature. Whatever others might say, he thought it a great piece of injustice. Mr. F. C. FAIRBANK seconded this motion, which was passed unanimously. Mr. JOHN ROEBUCK moved, and Mr. A. C. BitaaisoN se conded the appointment of Treasurer and Secretaries. Mr. E. VICKERS then read the Address to the People of England, which he moved should be adopted ; the same was seconded by Mr. LINLET. The Resolutions and Address will be found among our ad vertisements. . COVENT-GARDEN THEATRICAL FUND. Yesterday evening, the friends and supporters of that valu able institution, the Covent Garden Theatrical Fund, dined together at the Freemasons' Tavern. The Right Hon. the Earl of Lichfield presided upon this occasion. Near to the Chairman we observed Lord Arthur Hill, Lord M. Hill, Lord Alvanley, Sir G. Rose, Sir C. M. Clarke, Sir A. Leith Hay, Mr. Thessiger, Mr. Brummel, &c. Several ladies and gentle men gave great attraction to the entertainment by their pro fessional talents. Amongst these were—Miss Shirreff, Miss Turpin, Miss Romer, Mr. C. Phillips, Mr. Charles Mathews, Mr. Broadhurst, Mr. I'. Cooke, Mr. Balfe, Mr. Willman. Mr. Sinclair, &c. &c. Sir G. Smart presided at the piano. Upon the cloth being removed, " The King." Three times three. " God save the King" was sung most delightfully, by Miss Turpin, of Covent- garden. " The Queen." " The Duchess of Kent, the Princess Victoria, and the rest of the Royal Family." " The Army and Navy." " Rule Britannia." The-Earl of LICIIFIELD—GentIemen, the toast I am about to propose has direct reference to the object for which we are Issembled, and not only assembled for our amusement, but I hope and trust, for useful purposes.— (Cheers.) Ido assure yoe, that there is no o ne w h o can be mor e anxious than myself for its success.—( Hear.) The drama can but receive from me a faint modicum of that praise which I think it deserves. I do not look upon it with the mere eye of pleasure—l do not rega r d it as merely valuable, as a relaxation from the toils of business-_I do not look upon it as a mere amusement for our idle hours ; it is not on these grounds I admire the drama—l look upon it as much more useful, as being an excellent instruc tor, and calculated alike to improve the heart and elevate the mind.—( Hear and cheers.) We all know the value of the works by our great dramatists, and lam not aware of any study from which more useful information is to be obtained ; but when we see the subjects on which they have written, represented on our stage, and portrayed to the life, I am persuaded that an innpres slut) is often produced which never can be effaced.—( Hear, and ch eers.) lam aware that there are those who hold strict and severe opinions concerning the drama, and who cry it down as having a demoralizing effect. I differ in opinion with them. I really cannot understand how that which is good, moral, and virtuous instruction, can produce less impression of those things that were written when they are represented to the public view with all the powers of reality.—( Cheers.) In my opinion, the drama if likely to be very useful to morality, showing as it does in glowing colours all the happiness attendant upon an honourable and virtuous life, and the miserable degradation of 'cc.—( Cheers.) In order that all the beneficial and moral results may be produced by an accurate representation (and which, in my mind, it is calculated to effect), I think it is essentially necessary that those who hold a high rank in the profession should be men of talent and education; and, as I before remarked, their emoluments are uncertain and preca rious, and it is cncinnbent that these - gentlemen should main tain their respectability. It is therefore so m uch the more necessary th at they should' have some resource, or something like to it, when old age comes on, and they can no longer fol low their profession ; for their profession, it is to be observed, is not like that of many others, which can be continued to the end of their lives.—( Hear, hear.) It is with these feelings I have come forward—and I wish I could do it with more effect —for the benefit of this institution.—( Cheer!.) I shall con cluie, gentlemen, by proposing to you " The Covent-garden Theatrical Fund." " The health of the Chairman" was proposed by Lord A. HILL. The Earl of LICHFIELD returned' thanks, and proposed " The health of his Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex." " The Treasurer of the Fund, Mr. Fawcett," was next pro posed. Mr. BARTLEY. —My Lord and Gentlemen—ln the absence of Mr. Fawcett, I am requested to state his grateful acknow ledgments for the honour you have conferred on him.— ( Cheers.) Since we last assembled in this Hall, we have had the misfortune to lose this " fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy, whose songs and flashes of merriment were wont to set these tabl es on a roar "— a l as ! poor M at h ews ! T o him I.)!. Johnson's eulogy on Garrick may justly be extended His death eclipsed the ga i e ty o f nations, and diminished the public stock of harmless pleasure."—( Cheers.) It will not be irrelevant to caN to mind, that when the Great Magi cian of the North found it necessary to withdraw the mask that had so long concealed his features from the admiring world, he chose the moment when he was selected to pre side at a dinner for the establishment of a theatrical fund in Edinburgh to make his public declaration that he ( Sir Walter Scott) was the author of Waverley. His words are upon record, and as they are equally ap plicable on this occasion, I shall take the liberty to press some extracts into our service by way ,of conclusion.— ( Hear, hear.) He observed " That the performers are, in a particular manner, entitled to the support and regard, when in old age or distress, of those who had partaker, of the amuse ment of those places which they render an ornament to society. Their art was of a peculiarly delicate and precarious nature-- they bad to serve a long apprenticeship. It is very long be fore even first-rate geniuses can acquire the mechanical know. ledge of the stage business—they must languish long in obscu rity before they can avail themselves of their natural talents ; and after that, they have but a short space of time,during which they are fortunate if they can provide the means of comfort in the decline of life ; that comes late, and lasts but a short time, after which they are dependant. Their limbs fail, their teeth are loosened, their voice is lost, and they are left, after giving happiness to others, in a most disconsolate state.—( Hear, and cheers.) He had hitherto," he said, "been speaking of what, in theatrical language, were called stars ; but they were some times falling ones. But there was another class of sufferers, naturally and necessarily connected with the theatre, without whom it was impossible to go on. The sailors (said he) have a saying ' Every man cannot be a boatswain.`' If there must be a great actor to act Hamlet, there must also be people to act Laertes, the King, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstiern, other wise a drama cannot go oil. Even if Garrick himself were to rise from the dead, he could not act Hamlet alone ; there must be generals, colonels, commanding officers, subalterns ; but what are the private soldiers to do ? WherZ3 there are many labourers, wages must be low—and no man in such a situation can 'decently support a wife and family, and save something from his income for old age. What is this man to do in latter life ? Are you to cast him off like an old binge, or a piece of useless machinery which has done its work ? His wants are not of his own making, but arise from the natural sources of old age and sickness."—( Hear, and cheering.) It is pleasing to find the arguments used to-day by our Noble Chairman so warmly seconded from such a source. The Vice-Presidents, the Duchess of St. Albans, the Dukes of Portland and Devonshire, the Stewards, and other toasts, were subsequently proposed. Mr. BARTLEY announced that the amount of subscriptions collected that evening was 950/. REPEAL OF THE NEWSPAPER STAMP DUTY. Last night, at eight o'clock, a general meeting of the Lon don dealers in Newspapers was held at the Crown and Anchor Tavern, Strand, to take into consideration whether any and what measures should be adopted with reference to the pro posed alteration in the stamps on newspapers. The meeting consisted of about one hundred and fifty newspaper dealers, who comprised in themselves a great por tion of the wealth and respectability of the trade. Mr. WOODWARD having been unanimously called to the Chair, addressed the meeting, observing, that as they had done him the honour to elect him as their Chairman, it fell to his province to explain the object for which they were assembled. A circular had been sent round to the different dealers in newspapers in London, referring to the proposed alteration in the stamps off'newspapers, and calling the present meeting, for the purpose of considering whether any and what mea sures ought to be adopted by the trade with regard to that question. As Chairman of the meeting, he deemed it right at the outset to state that those who were assembled on this occasion were dealers in stamped newspapers, who had nothing whatever to do with those papers that were published without a stamp, to the injury of the fair dealer, and in open defiance of the law.—(Hear, hear.) To such persons as dealt in stamped newspapers the proposed abolition of the duty had occasioned very great anxiety, and considerable excitement prevailed in the trade with reference to that subject. The • question was one which might be considered both politically and practically. As regarded, however, its political tendency, the meeting, he considered, had nothing whatever to do with it, and therefore, if any gentleman present should feel inclined to enter upon that part of the subject, he should feel it his duty, as their Chairman, to stop him at once, because the poli tical bearings of the question were foreign to the objects'of the meeting.—( Hear, hear.) They were merely collected toge ther to consider the question practically, leaving the policy of a reduction in the stamp-duty to others. But, at the same time, as men possessing some experience, they could not but feel that those who called the tax upon newspapers a " tax upon knowledge," viewed the subject in a false and superficial light, because a great portion of the duty was to secure the privilege of forwarding newspapers, not only to all parts of the kingdom free of postage, but also to his Majesty's colo nies beyond the seas.--(Hear, hear.) The public, therefore, had no right to consider that the whole amount of the news paper tax was a tax limiting their means of information, and excluding them from that knowledge which they were anxious to possess. If the whole of the tax were repealed to-morrow, how, he would ask, could the Government afford to send un stamped newspapers to all parts of his Majesty's dominions free of postage, as at present ? He was aware that a plan had been suggested for the transmission of newspapers, under cover of a stamped envelope, to enable them to pass free through the Post-office. But those who were practically en gaged in the newspaper trade, and bad therefore the best means of possessing a knowledge upon the subject, were well aware that the proposed arrangements could not be reduced to practice. The plan of stamped envelopes would be attended with the greatest inconvenience. The envelopes must be of various sizes, and supposing that fifty newspapers were en closed under one cover, and that four out of the number were to be stopped, the transmission of the remainder would neces sarily be delayed, and thus one of the first objects which ought to be kept in view would be defeated. Besides, all who were practically engaged in forwarding newspapers abroad and to the country must be aware that if directions were to be written on each stamped envelope, the number of persons to be em ployed would be so great that it would be utterly impossible to carry on the trade. Again, if the stamp duty on newspapers were totally repealed, and a small stamp placed upon the covers, it would then become necessary for the postmasters to open each packet to see how many papers it contained, and thus another source of delay would arise ; and, if newspapers were not allowed to be sent free, as at present, it would then become necessary to create a new and most expensive machinery for the purpose of circulating newspapers throughout the kingdom. On the whole, the expense of the proposed plan would be found in the end to be greater to the consumer than if a tax sere to be laid on the newspapers themselves, and not to speak of the insuperable objections which existed, and which he had endeavoured to point out, with regard to their trans mission, the plan would be unproductive to the Government as a source of revenue. Having stated his objections to the pto posed arrangement, and he believed he spoke the sense of the meeting also—( Hear, hear) —he contended, and was in a situation to prove, that if the duty was taken off the news paper§ they would not be forwarded free of postage ; and, therefore, if any starpp were necessary, that stamp must be affixed to the newspapers themselves.—( Hear.) By adopting that plan there would be no loss to the Treasury, and the cir culation of newspapers through every part of the King's dominions would remain, as it ought to be, free and un shackled.—( Hear, hear.) The only objection raised against that plan was, that some persons would be obliged to pay a tax for newspapers which they did not want after they had read them. He met a gentleman that morning who was a great advocate for the repeal of the newspaper duty. They had some conversation upon the subjech and the gentleman said to him, " It's all very well to keel) up the tax, but it's hard that we who live in London should be obliged to pay such a duty when we don't want the papers after we have read them." He asked the gentleman what he did with his papers after he had read them ? "Oh ! that's true," he replied, " I send them to my friends in the country ; I really never thought of that."--( Hear, hear, and laughter.) Under all the circum. stances, it was his firm conviction that the postage of news papers should be included in the stamp duty, and that the in terests of the public and those of the revenue would be best secured by the adoption of that plan. Before he concluded, lie deemed it right to apprise the meeting that a reporter was present. For his own part, he had not the slightest objection that their proceedings on this occasion should be made public, for they had nothing to fear and nothing to conceal • and, inas much as the course they had adopted must soon be generally known, he did not think that the meeting could, have any hesi tation in allowing their proceedings to be published.—( Hear, hear.) A series of resolutions had been prepared, and he hoped they were so framed as to meet with the approbatiOn of th e meeting. His friend , Mr. Farrell, would read them in the first instance, after which they would be put seriatim, and if any gentleman present had any observation to make upon them, or any amendments to offer, he should be most happy to hear them.— ( Applause.) The Resolutions were then read as follows, after which they were put seriatim to the meeting, and carried unani mously n 1 . That this meeting has witnessed with considerable anxiety the excitement which has prevailed in fat our of a total abolition of the stamp duty on newspapers. 2. That while this meeting will not presume to o bj ec t to m y reduction in the stamp duty, it is o f o pi n i on th a t th e whole amount cannot fairly be entitled a tax upon knowledge, because, in consideration of a sum paid for the stamp, a news paper is forwarded free of postage to all parts of Great Bri tain, and to his Majesty's colonies and possessions beyond the seas. " 3. That, if the stamp duty were totally repealed, it would he necessary either to create a new and expensive machinery for circulating newspapers throughout the kingdom, or to charge a postage fur their transmission through thebPost-office. " 4. That, in tl'e ()pinion of this meeting, the expenses of the former plan would be greater to the consumer than the amount of a small stamp duty, and the objections to the latter measure would be found to be not only insuperable in practice, unless restrict e d b y l ega l prov i s i ons, w hi c h wou ld but the measure it se lf wou ld b e - unproductive as a source o f revenue, frustrate the plans generally- adopted throughout the kingdom for receiving early intelligehee by eoache4. — - " 5. That, from a long practical acquaintance with all the details connected with the transmissio n of newspapers, this meeting is of opinion, that any plan of charging postage upon a newspaper except through the mediu m o f a stamp upon the newspaper itself will shackle and injur e it s f ree circula tion, and will lead to many evasions of the postage ; while, on the other hand, if the postage be included in the stamp, so that a stamped newspaper may be sent postage free to every part of the British dominions, the circulation of newspapers will be unshackled, and the Treasury will be protected from loss. - "6. That although this plan may entail a small expense upon some, who may not avail themselves of the privilege of transmitting a newspaper by post, yet these wil l be comps_ ratively few, as of those newspapers delivered in the towns where they are print6d a very large proportion are sent by post from one friend to another, when read, and it is conceived, that as a public measure is intended for the public good, the convenienc&of the many cannot be sacrificed for the benefit of the few. " 7. That, in order to protect the interests of a large'class of dealers, who are to a considerable extent the capitalists of the London newspaper press, and to watch the alterations in the stamp duty, as they may be proposed by his Majesty's Mi nisters, a Committee of 9 be appointed by the present meeting. " 8. That Messrs. Ridgway, Woodward, Kettle, Bell, Leathwaite, Smith, Clifford, Bellamy, and Yarrell, be ap pointed a committee, agreeably to the foregoing resolutions ; that they have liberty . to add to their number not more than four persons ; and that they convene another meeting of the trade, to report their proceedings when they find it necessary. " 9. That a copy of the above resolutions be sent to the eight lion. the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and to the London daily morning and evening papers." The CHAIRMAN expressed his satisf ac ti on th a t th e resolu . . . tions had met with the approval of the meeting, as it was most essential to the object which they had in view that the trade should be unanimous upon the subject. A committee having now beers formed to carry the resolutions into effect, they would at all times receive with pleasure any suggestions which might be offered by those who felt an interest in their proceed ings. He was still anxious to hear any gentleman who might wish to speak upon the subject ; but as no one seemed inclined , to move an amendment, and as all appeared satisfied with the resolutions—( Hear, bear)—perhaps some person would be kind enough to move that this meeting do now adjourn. Mr. DAWSON said, that before the meeting adjourned it was due to the chairman to thank him for the service he had per formed on this occasion, and for his exertions on behalf of the trade generally whenever their interests were concerned. The motion was seconded by Mr. CLEMENT, and carried unanimously. The CHAIRMAN returned thanks, observing that he should be at all times most happy and willing to stand forward on behalf of a trade by which his father and himself had ob tained their bread for half a century. He begged to thank the meeting, not oaly for their vote of thanks, but for the polite attention with which they bad been kind enough to fa vour him. ..,.... ___.... The motion for adjournment was then put and can -. led, and the meeting separated. CHANCERY COURT-FRIDAY. FOOT V. COLLINS. This was an appeal motion from an order of the Vice-Chan cellor, and it was fully argued on Wednesday, and finished this morning. The plaintiff sued out a writ otright to lay a foun dation for an action for the recovery of certain property near Deptford. The writ was dated the 30th of May, 1835 (the last day for sueing out such a writ, in consequence of one of the recent Acts of Parliament.) The writ was returnable the 2d day of November, but the Sheriff not having served it in due time, the plaintiff obtained a substituted writ from the Cursitor, returnable on the 23d of November, and gave notice to the de fendant not to attend to the former one served on him. The defendant applied before the return day to the Court of Com mon Pleas, to which the writ was returnable, to set it aside for irregularity, which that Court refused to do, on the ground that it had no jurisdiction over a Chancery writ not then before it. The defendant then applied to the Vice-Chancellor, and his Honour ordered the writ to be superseded. This was the order now appealed from.—Judgment postponed. VICE-CHANCERY.-FRIDAY. HUGHES V. SHEPHERD. The bill in this case was filed by the plaintiff, praying to bi relieved against a fraud which he alleged had been practised upon him, by having been induced, in 1824, to transfer a sum of 20/. Long Bank Annuities into the joint names of himself and the defendant, Mrs. Shepherd, who had been in his ser vice for a short time, as his housekeeper. The bill was dismissed with costs. CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT. OLD COURT. Jane Hathaway, aged forty-seven, was indicted for stealing, on the 17th of February, a bottle of raspberry vinegar and a bottle of essence of lemon, of the value of 2s. 6d., the pro perty of Walter Hudson. The Jury returned a verdict of guilty, but strongly recom mended the prisoner to mercy, in consequence of her weak ness of mind. Mr. PHILLIPS--A gentleman is here, my Lord, who will take her to Wales, and take* care of her. He says that he will do so, because he thinks there are none but eccentric charac ters in London, and that Abe Cambrian air may restore her to reason.—(Laughter.) The Learned JUDGE said that the sentence of the Court was, that she be now given into the custody of her friends. NEW COURT. John Colson, aged 30, described as a horse-dealer, was indicted for stealino.a cash-box, containing three bank-note; value together 601., twenty sovercigus, and other moneys, to the amount of 6001., the property of Henry Gibbs. Verdict : Guilty. TVilliam,Steele was indicted for steal:ng eighty pails of shoes, and James Henry Sims was also indicted for feloni ously receiving the same, well knowing them to have been stolen, the property of Mr. Elmsley, an extensive wholesale boot and shoe manufacturer, in Bethnal Green. After a long investigation of the case, and the examination of many witnesses, the Jury found Steele Not Guilty, and Sims Guilty. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. BOW-STREET. John Cleave, of No. 1, Pearl-row, Blackfriars-road, the publisher of unstamped newspapers, was yesterday brought in custody to this Office, before Sir F. ROB, charged by Goddard and Ballard, the officers, with having in his possession thirty three quires of unstamped newspapers. Mr. Tilsey, from the Stamp-office, attended to prosecute. Goddard and Ballard were on duty together in Compton street, Soho, when they saw the defendant drive up to the door of Mr. Purkes, the publisher, in that street, in a cab ; and perceiving that he had a large bundle with him, witness asked what it contained ? The defendant made no answer ; and witness and Ballard, having searched the parcel, found that it contained unstamped newspapers, dated Sunday, March 6. They then took the defendant into custody ; and on their way to the station. house, the defendant admitted, in answer to a question by witness, that the parcel contained thirty-three bundles of unstamped newspapers. Sir F. ROE asked the defendant if he had anything to say? Defendant—l stand, your Worship, in a very peculiar situa tion, inasmuch as I am at this moment under an Exchequer process, which, I am given to understand, will be put into exe cution in a few days. It is not my intention or wish to urge anything in my defence which might be disagreeable ; but I do think, that in consideration of the circumstances in which I am placed, the Stamp Commissioners ought not to press this case against me. The law must have my body in a few days more under the Exchequer process, and I presume that is all that is wanted. _ _ _ Sir r. -Ron—You arc committed for three months to the House of Correction. - Defendant—l beg to say that I shall appeal. against the con viction. - Mr. Tilsey—There is no appeal under this Act. Defendant—Mr. Hetherington appealed on a former occa sion, when he was convicted under the same Act. Mr. Tilsey—The Act under which you are nbw convicted is the 16th of Geo. 111., cap. 26. Mr. Hetherington was never brought up under that Act. The defendant, at his own request, was sent to the House of Correction in a hackney-coach, instead of the prison-van. MORE SEIZURES OF THE USSTAMPED.—George Nichols was then placed at the bar, charged with having in his possession 43 quires of unstamped newspapers. He was committed for three months to the House of Cor rention. A lad, named Thomas Tyc, was placed at the bar, eliargeol with having SO quires of unstamped newspapers in his pos session. The defendant was sot at liberty, and the papers detained. MARYLEB ONE. Yesterday, an elderly man of very respectable appearance, who gave his name James Fitzsinzmons, and who is a clerk in the Permit Department of the Excise, and resides in Charlton street, Somers-town, was placed at the bar b efore Mr. SUUTT, charged with havino. stolen a piece of beef, value 2s. 6d., from the shop of Mr. Rooker, butcher, of Seymour-street, in the Lime town. The prisoner entered the shop about six o'clock on the pre vious evening, and taking u p the beef in qu estion, which was lying on a board, walked deliberately away with it. An oppo site neighbour, who ‘vitnessed the theft, gaveit s n p m ee e d d i i i l y te infor mation to Mi. Rooker , and the prisoner was in the spot, with the meat in his aPP re liegded, not far from possession. Oa being asked by the constable bow a person of his respecta bility could commit such an act, he replied that he did it be cause nobody was in the shop and a n tthoetim. He had: evidently b een drinking pretty freel y , _being searched in the Pl ic enix-street station - house , the sum of 2/. 4s. 2d. was found in his pockets. . Thu prisoner, 9n being asked to account for his conduct,. sa id that he was intoxicated at the time, and that consequently he was quite unconscious of hav • committed the felony. M. Snurr should dismiss the charge charge of felony, and fine the prisoner nerfin2e wasos. fo r being unl aw f a ll y i n possess i on of the ber",f. immediately paid, and the prisoner left.