The Sun. — London, England, 1845-04-01 00:00:00

. •rs su. SPIRIT of the PUBLIC JOURNALS rat)3l Tttx LVENINO .7-erees cte. tesrcrinae. GLOBE.—We Bete inserted elsewhere the views of a corn spondeetlavourable to the proposed alaynomlt grant ; end we have no intention of eseleding !rem our eoluteei's any considerations which can fairly be urged Its favour. At the same time, we must still be of Opinion that neither is the proposed mode of aro "Ming . as can be satisfactory to the nullifies opinion of this country, nor its extent satis factory to these it Is intended to satisfy. As to tips proposed mode of proceeding, ae should very "Ineett Wish to be informed wl;ethee th:re is soy pre teeleet fir a large and permanent public endowment, without reserving to the public any power of inspecting or superintending its application? The Rumen Ca. thelic hierarchy may please t 3 assert its independence of any ?Inch jurisdiction, while it - receives no p u bli c aid. But the preponderant sense of the nation is d.s• tinetly adverse to every inperitim in imperio— to every I , retensien, on the part or any communion, to borrow the ertular arm, or aid, without admitting the secular authority. This was recently proved by the failure of the Scottish Non.intrusionists in their appeal to the general opinion—so far as regarded their attempt to set th, mselvcs above the power of the civil courts. We are now told that the Irish Roman Catholic Churchmen distrust the civil authority eo completely. that they will not take any grant at its hands, unless the application of that grant is to be wholly removed from its cognisance. Now these ecclesiastics may dis trust the State on party or general grounds. If they distru-t Sir Robert Peel's party so thoroughly that his beaux aeux caneot win them to any other request than Jaques'—" I do desire we may he better strangers"—we can only say it is a pity the c hi e f of such a party should undertake permanent endow ments, though compelled to concede them, without the slightest security for their right emplevaa ent again, they distrust Government simply as Government —simply because they claim that teierarchical indepen dence no country in Europe kdmits any longer, and no country in Europe has rejected more signally than our own—then S;:e Robert Peel is sacrificing to his new born ardfnir of conciliation the whole moral conquest of the.leest three centuries—the e hole decisive distinction between the dark ages and modern times. Will it be said that the Maynooth system has proved, in all points, so unexceptionable as to warrant enlarging and stereo. typing it, without any security for improvement, and requiting the most declared distrust with the most unconditional confidence 'r Will this be said ? We shall wait to hear it said from the present official benches. We shall wait to hear it said by the former colleagues of the Eldons and Percevals. Our objections to the project are founded on no bigotry against Roman Catholics. We object to it be cause (as hitherto advised) it appears to us based on a false principle. It proposes to place public property beyond public control,—to bestow (pro lanto) an lade pond, nt footing, at the public expense, on a body of men who refuse recognition to the authority which en dows them—who reject that control (which indeed it is not made worth their while to ackn)wledge, but) the acknowledgment of which every other Power in Europe exacts in return for patronage of any body of men en trusted with the discharge of any public function. - STANDARD.—We have copied from yesterday's Examiner an excellent article upon the subject ef the trial, conviction, and punishment of the miscreant Tawell. We hope that the reasoning of this article will not be without just influence upon the minds of all who may be celled to act as judges or jurors upon the trial of similar eases. The Examiner has at least satisfied U 3 that the murder of Sarah Hart was suggested by the monstrous acquittal of a party prose cuted not very long ago upon a charge in all respects similar. Let us, however, protest against the Examiner's injustice to an amiable and able man, Mr. Fitzroy Kelly. Mr. Kelly's speech was a weak speech, be. cause case would afford no better to an honest man —though eadishonest advocate might very easily have made; rt - stronger case, and a more efficient speech. 76 ,1 - e have been. we will not say that there are, men at tee - bar who could have at least raised a doubt, by sug gesting hypotheses, which, however, one instructed in the case must know to be false. It is, however, strange, as it may seem not improbable, that Mr. Kelly believed his client possibly innocent. The most acute minds are often the most apt to mislead themselves, and in the belief that his client might he innocent he would not resort to a line of defence suited only to a desperate case—if indeed such a man as Mr. Kelly could bring himself to the attempt to shield a criminal in a clear case of guilt. An honest lawyer wid avail himself of every point of law in favour even of the worst offender ; he will put forward even, in the case of such an offender, all the truth that can seem to bear favourably on his case ; but he will not pervert the truth, or suggest what he knows to be false, even in the case of a men whom he believes to be innocent. An honest lawyer was, how ever, the advocate for Tawell, and, therefore, Mr. Kelly's was a weak speech. THE TRADES' DELEGATES CONFERENCE. The labours of this Conference of Delegates from the working classes, held at the Parthenium Club-rooms, St. Martin' —lane, closed on Saturday evening, and the following- outline is the result of its deliberations Ist. The formation of a society, to be-called " The Association of United Trades for the Protection of In dustry," the leading objects of which are to be—first ex ternal, having reference to the influence of the Legisla ture on the condition of the working classes; and second, internal, or the efforts made by the trades to improve their own condition. ' 2d. The establishment of a central committee, to carry out the object of the Association, and the forma tion of a fund to defray the necessary expenses. 3 d. The collection and diffusion of information as to the means by which the capital, skill, and labours of the trades can be applied to their own benefit, and espe cially to the profitable employment of redundant hands in the labour market, so as to keep down competition for employment, and the consequent reduction of wages. 4th. The establishment of trades, manufactories, and stores. sth. The holding of an annual moveable Conference. These general principles being agreed to, a Provisional Committee was appointed from among the delegates, of which Mr. Duncombe is constituted president, to draw up a detailed plan of organisation founded thereon, to be submitted to an adjourned meeting of the Conference which is to take plice in the last week of July. ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE. ROME CI RCUlT.—Kingston, M arc h 3 1. (Before th e L ORD fIITIEF JUSTICE. and a Special Jury.) DOBS"N V. RIACE.MORE. This action was heeight to recover compeni.ation from the defendant, for having, as was alleged, caused an ob struction in the water way to certain premises helong ing to the plaintiff, and which abut upon the river at Greenwich ; bet the real ques'ion at issue was the legality of the Waterman's floating pier, erected at that, place. There were a number of counts in the declaration, some of them charging the defendant with obstructing the progress to premises in the actual occupation of the plaintiff, and others with the same act towards pre mises in which they had a reversionary interest; and by the pleas put upon the record by the defendant, the whole qiiestiiin was put in issue. Mr. Sergeant Channel', Mr. Sergeant Jones, Mr. Bodkin, and Mr. Badileley, were for the plaintiff, and Mr. Sergeant Shoe, Mr. Montagu Chambers, and Mr. Pi aeock for the defendant. jMr. Sergeant CIIANNELT„ in stating the case to the ury, said that the plaintiffs in the present action were Sir Richard Dobson. the Deputy Inspector of Hospitals, who previously held an office in the Royal Hospital at Greenwich, and a gentleman named Sutton. Those gentlemen were directors of a pier at Greenwich, and as this would no doubt be alluded to in the course of the trial, he thought it as well to mention the fact, although it should be stated that the present action was not brought by them in their capacity of directors of this pier, hut as the owners of property adjoining it, which had sustained material damage through the proceedings of the defendant, who acted as pier -master, or who was at all events connected with some person s who had es tablished what they called a Waterman's Steam-packet Company, and who, in erecting a pier for their accom modation, had occasioned the damage of which the plain tiffs complained. The Learned Counsel then proceeded to state that the plaintiffs had purchased seven houses, some of which abutted upen the river and others were close to it, and t ) the whole of which there had always been free access from the water, until the persons with whom the defendant was con nected thought proper to build this pier, the effect of which was to prevent all access, and no boats or barges could get to them. The proceeding upon which the present action was founded took place in 1842, at which period the plaintiffs were desirous of repairing some of the houses which they had just purchased, and barges containing the necessary materials were sent for that purpose. The watermen, however, refused to _let them come in, and th e result was that one of the barges was swamped and sunk ; and the other was com pelled to go a considerable distance up the river to un !oad, th us entailing a good deal cf additional expense lh Performin g t h e repairs. If the defendant, or those with whom he was concerned, had merely carried out a jetty i for the p urpose of enabling passengers to embark made O r dsembark, no comp l a i nt would probably have been ; but as it w as , t h e houses belonging to the plain tiffs were completely Welted up from all access by m eans of th e r i ver, and, therefore, the present proceed -1.11, g was a d opted in order to do away with the obstruc llont the object bein not to obtain damages, but merely to assert a legalri ht ziedgeende e o i number g.". obstruction o witnesses were then examined, whose s w tr i u ll et not be necessary to give in detail. The m onday, 1842 `5 ho it appeared, took place on Whit , of course, the watermen were f. very b uY, from the people flocking to the air, and re therefore not very willing to have their temporary Pier disturbed, It was very evident from some of the theti,ll,:nOirren. that there was eireat jealousy between the preSt:R't the tNo piers, and that the real object of toor , inn wai. to do away with the et/: leer. sZaelt;,aut Suee, at the close of the plaintiff's case, ehnical objections to the form of the action, whieh wzenrgued atco ngiderablelength, and eventually Ir‘eirriztttat sen declined to st:)p the case upon them. L'arned lee then iaddee3sed the jury, and said that hair 0 . nd, in hie address to them on the be ject pl eintiff, ha 1 leftout, by accident, the real ob . d eal. ab l o l a P t rescat action. They hail heard a groat • taehrne,dtet,ttte:Ticihld:iaplos. y and reversionary rights, - tess oe of le,ga" arguenent ; hut the fact was, decide a dispute between a stone pier th e of Parlianaent, and which belonged to oby a body erected and a small floating pier, which had been he f obtaininielivelihood' • Whfinding their former entirely taken away ' r Ala them by the 1130 of eteam, 1141 - been compelled, in their own defence, to have boats of their ov,n, and to erect a pier for the accommodation of the passengers who travelled by thorn, hoping thereby to he enabled to support thtMsel lies and families. The oqeets of tbe plaintiffs, who were the proprietors of a rival pier, was to thwart and oppose them in this attempt by every means in their ewer. Ile than proceeded to argue upon the facts that had been adduced ih evidence, and said that the plaintiffs had no ground to compain of any obstruction, and he submitted to the, ury that it appeared quite clear that they had merely purchn7cd the property in question, for the purpose of carrying out their scheme to destroy the atermen , s pier, and thus drive all the traffic to their Iwn. lie conefaded by ck.riVnding that no real obstrue ion had been made out against the pier, and that the !efeadant was entitled to a verdict. The LORD CHIEF JUSTICE summed up, and went through the whole of the evidence, observing, in the cou:.se of his address, that it ought not to make any dif fevenee to the jury, if they should be of opinion that the p?aintff= had purchased the property in question solely with a view to the present proceeding. The only ques tion for them to decide was, wheal( r or not the free course of C - .e water• way had been obstructed, and wile th9r the dtfetidant was the party liable fur that ob struction. The jury, aftf,r &liberating for a few minutes, re turned a verdict for the plaintiff—damages Is. The effect of this verdict, if it is not set aside, will of course be to do away with the fl,ating-pier alt igether. RAIL WAY INTELLIGENCE. LONDON, SALISBURY, AND YEOVIL JUNCTION. ANDOVER, SATURDAY EVENING.—This morning a very numerous meeting of the inhabitants of the town and neighbourhood took place'at the Town-hall, to con sider the subject of the formation of a line from Basing stoke to Andover, and from thence to Salisbury and Yeovil. Giles Westbury, Esq., the Mayor, took the chair, and there were present the Hon. and Rev. S. Best, R. Etwall, Esq., M.P., for Andover ; Colonel Iremonger, the Rev. Walter Blunt, the Rev. Henry Fowle, Rev. W. Smythe, Rev. C. H. Ridding, Rev. W. Powney, Rev. Christopher Dodson, Thomas Phillips, Esq., J. S. Everett,• Esq., Harry Footner, Esq., Town Clerk ; and many of the land( d proprietors, as well as many of the principal inhabitants. A deputation from Basingstoke attended, consisting of C. Simmons, Esq., the Mayor ; Messrs. Cottle (Alderman), Blunden and Gibbs. Joseph Locke, Esq., the engineer, and F.T. Bircham, Esq., were present on behalf of the South-Western Company, and the followinc , gentlemen attended as a deputation from the London,'Salisburv, and Yeovil Company :—John Chap man, Esq., J. J. kinloch, Esq., G. Webster, Esq., W. S. Boyd, Esq., D. NI. Johnston, Esq., F. Giles, Esq., and Lewis Crombie, Esq. The CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings, said he had received a requisition, very numerously signed, re questing him to call this meeting, to consider the subject of more efficient railway communication. The town of Andover had long been without the advantages which other towns of less importance possessed, and he should be glad to find that the meeting that day would be pro ductive of beneficial results.—(Hear, hear ) The Hon. and Rev. S. BEST moved the first resolution, to the effect that a line from some point at or near Basing stoke. on the South-Western Rail way by Andover to Salis bury, would promote the convenience of the public, and be highly beneficial to Andover, and a large district now unprovided with railway communication, connecting them on the one hand with the metropolis, and on the other with Salisbury and the west of England. He could look back to a time when railways were regarded as an evil, but he was glad to find that they had now arrived at a better state.of feelins; on that subject, and thrown to the winds their foolish objections. He thought the proposed route should provide for both the eastern And western districts every accommodation, connecting the metropolis, ialisbury, and the west of England generally.—(Hear.) The ,rain reason which had conduced to the prosperity of the town of Ando 7er was, that it was situwe on the direct line of communication between the metropolis and the west of England. The wonder of the age, as they used to call the " Telegraph" coach, passed through Andover on the line frOm London to Exeter. Weyhill, with its great and important fair, ought also to come in for a share of consideration in the formation of a line in that district. The people of Andover would never rest satisfied with their present position, or with a line which took them as much time-to reach it as it did afterwards to proceed onwards to London.—(Cheers.) The line now pro?osed by the London, Salisbury, and Yeovil Com pany was the best that could be adopted. The engi neering difficulties or facilities would probably be ex plained by Mr. Locke, a gentle Man who had made a direct communication between the metropolis of England and that of France. If it was determined to make a line connecting the. west with the east—Andover must be that line. By whatever company it was undertaken, very little time must elapse before its construction should be commenced. He trusted that ere long the people of Andover would be in possession of those advantages which railway communication offered, and which had up to the present time been denied them. Mr. NforvrimoßE seconded the resolution, which was put, and carried unanimously. Mr. ETWALL, M.P., suggested that this would be the proper time for those gentlemen who attended on behalf of the South-Western, and London, Salisbury, and Yeovil lines, to state their opinions, so that before proceeding farther the meeting might be put in possession of the necessary facts. Mr. LOCKE said he would very readily give any in formation that might be required of him. His object, however, in visiting Andover that day, was to hear the opinions of the inhabitants. He quite agreed with the Hon. and Rev. Gentleman who proposed the first reso- IRtion, and he might say that if the Board of Trade sanctioned the South- Western scheme, the Company were determined on making the line to Salisbury vid Andover. The Rev. Mr. SMYTHE asked Mr. Locke how far west ward the South-Western Company would go ? Mr.,LOCICE replied that at present he had received no instructions to proceed beyond Salisbury. Mr. Join.' CHAPMAN said he regretted that important business had detained at Lincoln the Honourable William Ashley, the Chairman of the Committee of the London, Salisbury, and Yeovil line, and he read a letter from the Honourable Gentleman, expressive of his regret at being prevented from attending at Andover on that day. That gentleman, however, felt the greatest interest in the suc cess of the Ene, on no account more than for its in tended transit through the town of Andover. Never, he (Mr. Chapman) thought, was there such an extraor dinary anomaly and oversight, that while other parts of the country were adequately provided with railway ae commodation, this important drstrict was left completely is o l a t e d. When the Great Western Company was formed, the avowed object was a direct communication between L , mdon end Bri=tol, at which point it was sup p,),et! the line would te-minate. The line had now been extended to Exeter, and he had no doubt it would answer the purposes of that Company. Still it did not sa tisfy the inhabitants of Andover, Yeovil; Salisbury, or even the inhabitants of Exeter themselves. It appeared to -him that the South-Western pointed - to the natural line of railway-into the western districts of the country; but as the great lines had shown n'.) disposition to meet the wAnt-; of the peope of many important districts, it become tip." duty of the inhabitants of neglected towns to make a movement in their own behalf. Railways cemented, as it were, a social, compact throughout the kingdom, and b , ,und men together es one family ; Wiltshire, Dorsetshire, and part of Devon, however, were still beyond that family circle. The Company he represented (the London, Salisburt', and Yeovil Junc tion) were determined to make a line not only to An dover and to- Salisbury, hut to Yeovil also.—(Cheers.) An independent company had been formed for mukin 4 a line, from Yeovil to Exeter, so that the c,)mmunieation would he direct and complete. The A tompany he repre sented were quite prepared to gn on. Every encourage ment-had been held out to them.—(Cheers.) Mr. GILES, civil engineer, put in a plan of the line of the London, Salisbury, and Yeovil .Junction. It appeared that the line will establish a direct communication be tween London, Salisbury, Yeovil, and the West of Eng. land, traversing in its course many wealthy, populous, and important districts. Commencing at Worting, near Basinirstoke, it will proceed by Whitchurch, And ►ver, and Salisbury, to Yeovil. by which means the connexion between the east and west coasts will be complete. In connexion with the projected line from Exeter to Yeovil, it will, Mr. Gilrs remarked, form the shortest and most direct communication between London and Exeter, whereby a saving in distance of thirty miles will be effectod. The distance from London to Salisbury will be about 80 miles, to Yeovil 120 miles, and to Exeter 165 miles. The length of line to be constructed will be about 75 miles. Mr. ETWALL, M.P., moved " That the landowners and other influential persons interested be invited to give their support to the Company projecting the best line through the above-named district, and to aid in carrying it out." He thought that the meeting should be unequivocally told whether either or both of the projected lines would come very near the town of Andover.—(Cheers.) It would be the duty of the inhabitants to watch closely the movements of both companies, and to take care that whichever line should be constructed should come into or near their town.—(Hear, hear.) His Honourable and Reverend Friend had very properly adverted to the objections which many landowners had formerly entertained on the subject of railways, but which were now entirely removed. He (Mr. Etwall) had never entertained such views, convinced as he was from the commencement that railways would tend greatly to the promotion of the prosperity of the country. Mr. GILES, C.E., said the line he intended to adopt (the London, Salisbury, and Yeovil Junction) would pass close to the north side of Andover, and would be of the greatest advantage to the town. Mr, Loom, on the part of the South-Western Com pany, remarked that it was not from indisposition to give information on the matter, but simply that he was not in possession of the requisite details. He Might, however, say that, whatever line the South- Western Company might adopt, it would come as near the town of Andover as possible. From this course no slight expense would deter them. He was somewhat disin clined to enter into these matters, because he had fre quently felled that much had arisen from the premature discussion of details. Mr. PHILLIPS having seconded the resolution, it was put and carried. • Mr. .I . lxasa admitted that for a long •time he enter tained antiquated prejudices qu the subject of railways. lie had now abandoned thorn, and was desirous of seeing is line constructed such as that proposed. He would like to see it extend nut only to Andover, but to Salis bury, Yeovil, Exeter, and -to the Land's-end. The Company who would carry them the farthest should have his support.—(Hear.,) Mr. CROBIBIE, as one of the promoters of the Lon don, Salisbury, and Yeovil Junction, might ho per mitted to say a few words- in'-reference" to the ques tions which had been asked. He had no idea till he entered - the train. at London that morning that any THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, APRIL 1, 1845. official persons connected with the South-Western Com pany were to be pre - sent, although he was gla Ito see them there ; doubts might otherwise have existed which would now be c!eared up. With reference to the position of Andover, on the London, Salisbury, and Yeovil line, he rn;ght remark that the instructions given to the engineers were, that they should come as near to the town of Andover as possible.—(Cheers.) He was bound to inform the meeting of the intention of his company to benefit the town, by bringing their line close to it. In all probability it would run by Andover, near the workhouse. Every one knew where that was. It had been alleged that his company had come info a part of the country into which they had no right to enter. This he denied. The South-Western Company had made their election when they framed their line. After reaching Basingstoke they deviated from the western course, and went south to Southamptoe. They had no right, there fore, to claim the country between Basingstoke and Ex eter as theirs. But he bad still a stronger case for the London, Salisbury, and Yeovil Company. He could inform the meeting that his company, the Yeovil Company, had put forward no plan, had made no movement, until it had been explicitly understood that the South-Western Company did not intend to construct a line in that direction.—(Cheers.) A communication with the influential parties in the South- Western Company had taken place, certainly not with an idea of binding either, as if by written agreement, but merely with a view to ascertain whether the South-Western Company had any intention of making such a line. The answer given was distinct—that they had no such intention. It was believed that their hands were tied. The country was, therefore, open to an independent company. His company had no intention, at first, of stopping at Yeovil; but having, in the course of their formation, ascertained that a party in Exeter were forming a company to construct a line to Yeovil, a communication with that party took place. The London, Salisbury, and Yeovil Com pany having received from them an assurance that their intentions to proceed were sincere, desisted from pressing the extended scheme. If, however, the Exeter and Yeovil Company should falter, there was plenty of time to make his company a London, Salisbury, and Exeter Company," and that would most certainly be done.—(Cheers.) They knew the feelings of the inhabitants in the district and the wants of the country, and they would not disappoint them. Their capital was sure ; reserving, as they would do, a few shares for those persons along the line who had not yet applied for them. He would wish that neither the surveys which the South-Western Company were making, nor the attempts of the Great Western Company to monopolize those districts, would prevent them from going on, after the late declaration of the Right Hon. the Premier in the House of Commons. As they had adequate means, they would proceed in their work, and, by taking the project in hand at this early part of the year, it would allow them full time for accomplishing the work they had in hand.—(Hear, hear.) Mr. CROMBIE, in reply to an inquiry as to how long it would take to reach Exeter by the proposed line and the narrow guage, said, not longer, in proportion to the distance, than the wide guage. They could run quite as fast on the narrow as on the broad guage. On the Brighton line they had been for some time running - a fast train the whole distance, fifty-one miles being completed in an hour and a quarter. It was quite a mistake to suppose that the narrow gorge was not equary as safe as the wick page for that route. Mr. LOCKE said the South-Western Company had never any intention of giving up this line, as they had long since determined on constructing a line to Salisbury vier Andover. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF COMMONS, March 31. The SPEAKER took the Chair at Four o'clock. Messengers from the Commissioners of Poor-law=, the Board of Ordnance, the Commis,ioners of Bankruptcy, the Bank of England, and other Boards and public establishments, brought to the bar the usual returns. RAILWAYS, &c. A petition was presented against the Newcastle and Berwick Railway, the petitioners praying to be heard by counsel against the Bill. On the motion of Mr. AIASTERMAN, the London and South Western Railway Bill (No. 2), was read a second time, and ordered to be committed. A petition was presented in favour of the Caledonian Railway Bill. Mr. DODD presented a petition from the Directors of the London and Cr oydon*Railway Company, praying that the report of the Railway Committee of the Board of Trade be referred back to the Board for reconsidera tion. The lion. Member gave notice that he would to morrow move that the petition be printed. On the motion of Mr. BECKETT, the Midland Coun ties Branches Bills (Nottingham to Lincoln, Ely to Lincoln, Swinton to Lincoln, and Systoa to Peter borough), were severally read a second time, and ortiered to be committed. On the motion of Mr. W. PATTEN, the Sheffield, Ashton. under Lyne, and Manchester Railway Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed. On the motion of Mr. G. DUNCAN, the Paisley Gas Bill was read a second time. Mr. B. BALDWIN presented seven petitions against the South-Eastern Railway project. On the motion of Mr. FOSTER, the Brighton, Lewes, and Hastings Railway Bill (Keymer branch), was read a second time, and ordered to be committed. Mr. S. WORTLEY brought in the Sheffield and Ro therham, the Birmingham and Gloucester, the Birming ham and Worcester, and other Railway Bills, which were read a first time. WATERFORD AND KILKENNY RAILWAY. Mr. V. STEWART presented a petition in favour of the Waterford and Kilkenny Railway Bill. IRISH WORKHOUSES. Mr. COOTE presented petitions from places in Ire land, complaining of the mode of repayment of the money expended in the erection of workhouses, and praying that they should be relieved from the burden. PAYMENT OF CONSTABULARY. The HON. MEMBER also presented petitions, praying that the constabulary should be paid out of the Consoli dated Fund. exists great anxiety on the subject.—(Cries of "Order, order.") The CHAIRMAN (Mr. Greene)—The House is now in a Committee of the whole House and cannot enter tain the motion of the Hon. Gentleman.—(Bear, hear.) Mr. CORRY—I did not move the Committee until Mr. WEBSTER confirmed Mr. Crombie's statements relative to the communications which had been made with the South-Western Company. Mr. CHAPMAN, while he disclaimed all vexatious op position to an established company, expressed the deter mination of the company with which he was connected to carry out the scheme which they had proposed. He was quite certain that the line was wanted, and he pledged himself, on the part of the company, that he would not be daunted either by the South - Western, or that Le viathan, he might say, " crooked leviathan," the Great Western. Mr. LOCKE, in answer to a question, stated that the South-Western Company had no intention of going to Exeter. _ _ Mr. MORTIMER denounced the proceedings of the South Western Company, and contended that if they had succeeded in getting their Hookpit deviation line, which was reported against by the Board of Trade, a line to Andover would never have been heard of.— (Loud cheers.) The town, he thought, had been very unfairly dealt with by the South-We.tern Company. Mr. FOOTNER, the town-clerk, thought the London, Salisbury, and Yeovil Company were entitled to the thanks of the inhabitants. Withoet pledging the meet ing to either party, he would move a vote of thanks to the deputations which had attended on the part of both companies. Mr. THOMPSON, ex-mayor, seconded the motion, which was carried nem. dis. Mr. LOCKE and Mr. CHAPMAN severally returned thanks. The MAYOR acknowledged a similar compliment paid to himself, and the proceedings terminated. THE CASE OF CHILD MURDER AT ISLE WORTH. Yesterday the jury empanelled on the 4th of March to inquire into the death of a newly-born female infant child of a woman named Ann Pendry, against whom a verdict of wilful murder was on Friday last returned, re assembled at the Northumberland Arms Tavern, Isle worth, for the purpose of signing the inquisition. Mr. Wakley handed to police sergeant Pool, who had, on the verdict being returned by the jury, by the order of the Coroner, taken Ann Pendry into custody, a war rant for the detention of' the prisoner, and her produce tion at the adjourned inquest on the Monday, of which the following is a copy : " Central Criminal Court to wit.—lnquest-room, Northumberland Arms, Isleworth, Friday, March 28th, 1845.—T0 Mr. William Lawrence, Inspector of Police, " You are hereby charged to detain in your custody Arm Pendry, on an accusation of the murder of her infant child, and you are hereby required to produce the body of the said Aun Pendry before me and my inquest on Monday next, the 31st of March, at this place, at ten o'clock in the forenoon. " THOMAS WAKLEY, Coroner." Pool havii , g read the warrant, asked the Coroner what he was to do with the prisoner in the meantime, as an order had just been issued by the Commissioners of Police forbidding the detention of a prisoner on remand at any station-house, a copy of which he would show the Coroner in a few minutes. Mr. WAKLEY said he had never heard of such an order. Ile had before directed persons to be taken into custody by the who had detained them on his (the Coroner's) warrant. Pool shortly returned with the Order-book, from which he read the following order : " March 27.—1 n consequence of the great inconve nience to the police, by prisoners being remanded to the station-house, contrary to the usual and regular practice, prisoners under remand are not in future to be confined at such plaN.s, And any magistrate who shall desire a prisoner to he taken under such circumstances to a sta tion-house, is to be respectfully informed of this order. (Signed) " R. MAY N E." He then inquired! if he could not take the prisoner to the New Prison, Clerkenwell, where other remanded pri soners were taken to. The CORONER said the Middlesex Magistrates had thought fit to direct the Governor of the New Prison'tiot to receive prisoners on remand by the Coroner, and it he took her there-they would, nu doubt, refuse to re crive her. After the departure of Mr. Wakley, Inspector Law• ranee, to whom the warrant was directed, arrived at Isleworth, and determined under the circumstances on taking the prisoner in a fly before one of the local Ma gistrates, for the purpose of having her remanded by them to the New Prison; but at that juncture Mr. T. Twining, a Magistrate, residing at Twickenham, acci dentally passed in his carriage, to whom application was consequently made, and who, to relieve the police from the dilemma they were in as to the disposal of the pri soner, remanded her to the New Prison until yesterday morning, whither she was immediately conveyed. Yesterday, on the re-assembling of the jury, and the arrival of Mr. Wakley. the prisoner was brought into the room by Inspector Lawrence, in accordance with the Coroner's warrant. Mr. Twining, the Magistrate, was also prsent. After the inquisition had been read ova., an - I signed by the Coroner and jury, Mr. Twining, having explined to the Coroner the circumstances under which he had interfered in the mat ter, asked Mr. Wakley what he was going to do with the prisoner? Mr. WAKLEY replied—l shall commit her to Newgate for trial. Mr. Twining—But you have no power to detain her now, seeing that she is on remand by a Magistrate. The CORONER—Yes, Sir, I have, and so you will see. She is now here on my remand. Mr. Twining—l have no wish whatever to clash in our respective duties, but I do not know how to mark the police-sheet, on which she was charged before me, unless I say that she has been committed for trial by the Coroner. Mr. WAKLEY then said he had been directed at the Home Office to place persons he ordered into custody in the hands of the police, and leave the responsibility on them. Had the prisoner, therefore, not been produced before the inquest, he should have committed the officer to Newgate for contempt, and he would also have com mitted the governor of the New l'rison had he: refused to receive her. There was no difficulty in such cases only at the New Prison, the Magistrates denying his right to commit there, but that he (the Coroner) had the power he had no doubt. Mr. Twining having marked the police-sheet with his name, and the words " committed for trial by T. Wok ley, Esq., Coroner for the county of Middlesex," quitted the inquest-room. TOWN HALL, WINDSOR —Yesterday morning two boys, named Henry Eden and Francis Johnson, of the re spective ages of twelve and fourteen years, were charged before Thomas Clarke, Esq. (Mayor), and William Legit, Esq., with having broken open a tin box, containing moneys belonging to - the mother and brother of Eden, and stolen the whole of its contents, .amounting to 1/. 18s. It appeared from the evidence that the two boys left. Windsor as soon as they had effected the 'robberv r and returned pennyless on Saturday last, the day after the execution of John Tawell, at Aylesbury. On being apprehended the boy Eden ad mitted he had broken 'open the box, by forcing the staple of the padlock, and taken the money, in order to enable him to go to Aylesbury "to see the Quaker hung." Aylesbury is upwards of thirty miles from Windsor. A stir is likely to be immediately made for having a line of railway froth Kelso to somewhere in the neighbour-r hood of St. Boswell's, which will connect the proposed' line between Kelso and Berwick with that: between lidinhu r gb, and klawic4..-Xewcaele Journal. opportunity of directing attention to certain statements horse-poteer to their 20,000 horse-power.—(Hear, hear. connected with the force of the country. He did not Regarding the allusions which had been made to old and know whether those statements were correct or net ; imperfectly construckal ships, it should be remembered but at all events if they were not, it would be no fault that a long period had elapsed since their construe o!' his, for it would be recollected that some time ago he tion, but yet not one of those ships had been broken up, made application to the Government for certain re- and only one of them was made a receiving-ship. It was five o'clock. turns, which returns were refused , becau s e it not at all extraordinary that changes should be made Mr. WAKLEY rose amidst loud cries of " Order, was not thought proper by her Majesty's Government in the construction of ships, now that some of the old order, chair, chair," from all parts of the House. that they should go forth to the public. The first re- models had, by the progress of science and experience, The Honourable Gentleman exclaimed with con- turn which he wished to be made was a report of a survey become obsolete ; in fact, the great cause of alteration siderable animation, I hope that it will be under- into the state of the navy, which took place shortly after was, the increase of science.—(Hear, hear.) How stood that this (the Opposition) side of the House the present Government came into office ; but that report ever, Hon. Members should not run away with the idea approves of my not going on with my motion.—(Cries was refused him. Now he had been told by a gentleman that all the ships in the last war were bad ones. or of an of " Order, order.") who had seen that report, that it was by no means satis- inferior construction ; it should be recollected that Mr. CORIIY resumed. He was observing, before the factory. Ile had not seen the report himself, and if during the war, the Inconstant, a frigate of small interruption took place, that he threw himself upon the this was an incorrect impression, perhaps the Right power, compelled a French man-of-war, which was clear indulgence of the House, which was always willingly lion. Baronet would be able to set him right. It would ing the harbour of Malta, to lower the topssils and extended towards gentlemen circumstanced as he was. be remembered that he asked for a return, show- yards, and actually engaged with her until one of our The Hon. Gentleman then proceeded to make his state- ing the number and state of all classes of line-of-battle ships came up. Yet this French man-of merit of the estimates, but throughout he spoke in ships in the navy on the Ist of January, 1845, but war was considered the he plus ultra of French genius. such a low tone as to be frequently quite inaudible. this return was refused. Now, he thought that after a The Hon. and Gallant Officer mentioned other instances He believed that it would be only conforming with peace of thirty years, during which they had spent be- where British ships of much inferior size and force were the wish of the Committee, if in this preliminary tween forty and fifty millions in the construction of victorious over foreign vessels. It was true enough, as statement, he should confine himself as much as pos. ships, the Government ought not to be ashamed to observed by the Hon. Member for Montrose, that Eng sible, to the various cases of increase and decrease show to the whole world that the British navy land was the only nation which, at the close of the war, under the several heads in the estimates which he had was now as perfect as it could possibly be.—(Hear.) had not a scientific Board for naval affairs. A school of now to propose. With respect to the first, that of He did think, that after a peace which had lasted for naval architecture had been subsequently established - , the increase of 4,000 men to the navy, it thirty or forty years, that the Board of the Admiralty which bred many excellent seamen ; but he thought the was unnecessary for him to enter, after what had ought not to be ashamed to show the British navy to present system was as well calculated to encourage fallen from his Right Hon. Friend at the head of the the whole world ; but he especially conceived that this genius as any other. It was an extraordinary fact, Government in his financial statement. That increase was particularly applicable to the steam navy. that, notwithstanding all that had been done to had been rendered necessary by the increased demand at It was well known that this was an arm of the ser- wards unifigmity—to secure a principle which might the three great stations on the coasts of Africa, arid vice particularly applicable to the present state of science, be generally applied to ship-building—the Admi- China, and in the Pacific. On those stations alone 6,000 and that it was likely to come into still more powerful ralty had been unsuccessful ; and the most ex men were required, a force equal to the full complement use than had ever before been witnessed. He thought, cellent steam-vessels had been constructed on of eight ships of the line, and this force was therefore, that he was fully entitled to ask for re- totally different principles. As an instance, he -might indispensable for the protection of British interests. turns respecting the steam navy. The lion. Member quoted the Espiegle and the Flying Fish—both admire The vote which was required for wages was 1,889,5451., for Montrose had, in 1843, asked for and obtained able vessels, but both constructed in different modes. being an increase of 119,067/. The next vote was for returns respecting this branch of the service, and he did Several plans had been proposed, amongst others the victualling the seamen and marines, and in this vote not understand why returns connected with this branch parabolic curve, by Lord Dundoaald, but he would not the increase was 65,5851. In vote three, for the Admi- —he might say the very same returns—should not be anticipate the results until they all had a fair trial. The ralty offices, there was an increase of 2,8601., which had given to him up to the year 1833. They had returns Hon. and Gallant Officer had alluded to alterations been principally occasioned by:additional salaries to the of the several classes of the navy, apparently some of made in the construction of steam-vessels recently built. surveyors of the navy and the director of the works. them very complete. They had returns of the frigates The Surveyor of the Navy, one of the most accomplished The salary of the Secretary of the Admiralty was re- from 28 to 58 guns, and of line-of-battle ships from 70 sailors in the navy, had, certainly, directed some alte duced by the estimate from 1,500/. to 1,000/. a year— guns up to 90, and lie perceived that there were 74 rations, and he thought he should be allowed to carry (Hear, hear)—and in the vote for the registry of merchant coasters and other small vessels, 65 sloops, 45 frigates, them out without interruption. He hoped the House seamen there had been an increase, but that was neces- and 50 stationary ships. Now he should wish to would allow the estimates to be gone through, after the sary from the passing of the Act during the last year. know what possible objection there could be to give him explanation he had given. There was a slight increase in the expenditure of those a statement of the number of ships in commission last Captain BERKELEY was glad to hear the Hon. and removed from the dock-yards to the penal settlements. year, including a return of the steam navy of the country? Gallant Officer state our superiority in point of steam- The whole sum proposed to be voted is 1,199,1401, It appeared to him very anomalous that the Government vessels over our neighbours. He did not think the pam being an increase of 145,156/, as compared with the vote should be continually calling for large estimates phlet of the Prince de Joinville was written in a hos of last year. For No. 11 he proposed the large from the public purse, when they had already posses- tile spirit, but it kindled a.wholesome spirit of improve amount of 486,346/, being an increase of 184,4801. sion of the effective fleet which they represented in their ment in the British public as reearded our navy, which as compared with the vote of last year. The returns in the course of last year. Now he believed was of the utmost importance. He thought the increase whole of the increase was entirely for the purpose of that if these estimates were necessary they would sought for was necessary, and he should support it cora building steam-vessels, which were now in progress in require as much as 50 sail of the line. Now, he believed dially. The best way to preserve the peace of Europe Portsmouth and Devonport. The expense of construct- that, with all their advantages, they could not get fifty was to maintain and fortify our maritime power. The ing such vessels was necessarily great, and he felt sail of the line on the water in less than twelve months. Prince de Joinville had suggested a steam navy as the sure the House would not object to such an He meant with the complement of frigates, sloops, and best mode of bringing the contending Powers into a hand expenditure. They were for the protection of corvettes. He knew that fifty sail of the line, with all these and hand conflict. If such should be the case, he be a long line of coast, which in time of war was most ex- necessary adjuncts, was no mean fleet to send to sea, lieved that, taking former occurrences for our guide, we posed to invasion. They were required for the protec- and he was well aware of the power which such should be, in ninety-nine encounters out of a h un d re d, tion of commerce. For the steam-vessels now in a fleet would exercise, if rightly manned by successful. Then it was in the power of the British progress, 100,0001. would be allocated for the build- British seamen, when once fairly under weigh, Government to fit out a fleet of steam-vessels, from h e r ing of steam-vessels at Portsmouth, and 80,0001. and he was anxious to support efficiently the navy ; but mercantile superiority, capable, not only of contend for a similar purpose at Devonport. 15,0001. was still he conceived that with the large sums which they ing with France, but with the whole world. If proposed for the steam factories at Woolwich, were called upon to vote, they ought to be able to put they were to refer to Glasgow, to Liverpool, and the 45,0001. for first-class slips for the building of suc h a fleet to sea in the most efficient manner. other great ports of our commercial intercourse, and steamers for the Channel, and 140,000/ f or th e With their present means he believed they could not which formed the entrepats of the navy of the kingdom, purchase of machinery for the dockyards. In do this in less than twelve months, though with a better they would immediately see the immense power which consequence of the recommendation of the Committee system, by which they would be able to bring the mer- the country possessed in the way of a steam navy, and of last year considerable increase had taken place chant dockyards into play, they could with little how available they would be in the ability to form a under this head, amounting—(as we guessed, for, to un- o r no delay send twenty sail of the line, with their steam navy for the purposes of war. If the Committee derstand the Hon. Gentleman was impossible)—to additions of frigates, sloops, and corvettes. If the would allow him to suggest, he would say that the best 4,7001. In the estimate, No. 13, there had been a very vessels were well built and properly kept in repair, way to form a navy of this kind would be to establish large increase, of 67,0001., for the purchase ot land for dock- the Government would save a great deal of money. lie some Fewer, by which they would be enabled to form a yards, workshops, and buildings at Portsmouth. In the would then go through the number of vessels in the steam navy by which this country would be enabled next estimate, No. 18 (relating to half-pay), there was a docks besides the number of those in the water. It ap- to meet the power of the whole of the world. They decrease of 16,2361. ; but he thought it right to take that peered to him that many of them were not fit bad little to do but to place pivot-guns on the decks opportunity of informing the House that in the course for service, and if they were not intended to be sent of these steamers to render them most effective vessels of of the session he should have to propose an estimate to sea again, they ought to be sold at once, as they war ; and they might estimate, from the return of the in connexion with this vote to enable the Government would produce a considerable sum of money. Before mercantile navy, the number of effective vessels of war to carry into effect a scheme for (we believe) the exten- showing the number of ships in the docks it was neces- which they could command, and by them they would sion of the steam navy. He thought that the House would be sary to show what number of vessels were on the stocks. be enabled to calculate their prowess for effective war desirous to co-operate with the Government in giving The Queen was proved to be a bad vessel, having been fare. This power might, it was true, be indefinitely encouragement to a class of men who were unem- obliged to be taken into the Sheerness Dock because extended ; and if the Right Hon. Gentleman the Secre ployed, although in full possession of their unimpaired she could not steer properly ; it was found necessary to tary for the Admiralty were anxious that it should be energies.—(Cheers.) The details of the measure put a false bow in her, and also I believe she got a false extended, he for one was not anxious to restrict his wore not yet fully prepared.—(Hear, hear.) The follow- stern, a bustle—(Laughter)--at considerable expense; powers nor those of time Government. The question, as ing items, Nos. 15, 16, 17, and 18, did not call for any and now they did not know whether she would it appeared to him, was as to how far the Government particular explanation. They included an increase to answer. So much for the Queen.—(Laughter.) The were entitled to this vote of credit on the strength of the amount of 29,485/. He now came to the last vote of Boscawen having been turned into a 70 gun- their past performances. For his part, he conceived these estimates, N 0.19, which was for the sum of 212,232 ship was pulled to pieces ; the Union, the that all that was necessary was to invest the Govern forthecontract for the Atlanticand other distant packets. Severn, the Porcupine of 20 guns, the Sealark ment with a power to make arrangements with the The whole expense of the contract, which opened up a of 10 guns, the Tigris and the Isis were also proprietors of these vessels as they stood at present, and steam communication once a month with India, and once pulled to pieces. There were three deck ships, independent at a moment send them to sea. Now he had a plan to a fortnight with China, would be only 160,000/. ; and of that number, the Royal Albert, Victoria, and Prince of suggest, and he did so with considerable diffidence, but of this sum 70,000/. would be borne by the East Wales. When the present surveyor of the navy came into yet, as the object was the public service, he did not con- India Company. Before he concluded, he was office, he commenced by building at a great breadth, but ceive that any trespass that he might make on the patience most anxious that the whole of the increase where were they to stop now ? It appeared most extra- of the House would be too great to obliterate the im in the naval estimates should be fully explained. ordinary. The Royal Albert was made sixteen feet portance of the public service, and he was exceedingly The whole of the votes were estimated at broader than the Queen ;if we increase them, where desirous that if the powers which the Government pos -686,07e1, and of this sum 193,280/. were for are wo to get men to furl their sails ? It -was sessed were used to enlarge the effect of this mercantile wages for the victualling and registering astonishing, to him how it could be done at all. power, there would at once be a steam navy that of seamen-78,0541. for the expenses of dock- He thought, before the House voted more money for would be able to compete with that of all the yards—these made a total of 271,374/., making the construction of steam-boats, they ought to have world. What he would beg to suggest would be, a gross total in round numbers of 400,0001. an assurance that some person would be ap- that the navy should be drilled upon the custom 383,0001. were required for the purposes of steam navi- pointed to inquire into the subject. It was useless for of the marines, and what he wished was, that the navy Ration, and this was an increase upon the estimates of Members to suppose that they did their duty in voting should be drilled according to the fashion of the marines the preceding year of 31,000/. He trusted the House for the motion that had been proposed. It was the same and in the same divisions as the marines were classed. would agree with him in opinion that these estimates thing with regard to those Hon. Gentlemen near him, If they did this, the navy would be able to act as had, been framed as much for the efficiency of this who had a fellow feeling with the official gentlemen on marines, and the whole force would become one of effec branch of the public service as with that view to economy the other side of the House, because they had some tive artillery. His object was to convert the navy into with which he was always ready to admit those subjects expectation of being in the same position themselves. as valuable artillery as the navy had proved themselves should be approached. He believed, also, it would be They were, therefore, always found in the same lobby to be during the time of war. conceded that the increased expenditure was not when it came to a vote. Now there was the Retribution, Sir GEORGE COCKBURN said, it should be recol large, or greater than the increased extent of a steam-vessel, of 1640 tons. She was larger than a lected that all these men were trained. the navy demanded. The increased sum stated frigate, but did not carry a guneen her main deck, and it Captain BERKELEY said that he was aware that as necessary for. an addition to the steam navy would was morally impossible to lire her stern guns. There the question which had been raised by the Right Hon. be readily admitted to be not more than could be was a still larger steam-vessel, of 1830 tons, which was Baronet, one of the Lords of the Admiralty, was one of deemed requisite for that branch of the service, in order so built that it was impossible to get her guns out. She great importance, and he was aware that many of the that it should not be inferior to that of any other had no stera-posts, though he had heard that two had marines had been trained under the admirable system of maritime nation.—(Hear, hear.) Ho would now con- been cut in her. He should like to see them, however. Sir John Pritchard, at Portsmouth. By that system elude, and begged to thank the House for the kind and The Samson was in the same category exactly, and he the whole of the sailors had become gunners, but it indulgent manner in which they had heard hi m , th ou ght that the machinery in the Samson was worse should be recollected that marines were engaged during and to move that 40,000 men be employed in the navy, placed than in any of the others. It was higher up, and a long series of years, that they were occupied during including 10,500 men for the Marines, from and after he would defy a shot to be fired into her engine-house the whole of their engagement in a continual series the 31st of March, 1845. without carrying away her machinery, it was so exposed. of exercises. The marines were engaged during Upon the CHAIRMAN putting the question, With regard to the Firebrand, Captain Corrie, who a period of twenty-one years. Throughout the Mr. WAKLEY rose and said he begged to move that went with the experimental expedition, and than whom whole of that period they had the full opportunity the Chairman do now report progress, and ask leave to there was not a better officer, nor one who would give of rendering themselves effectual ; and he must say that, sit again, and he did so for the purpose of reminding her a fairer report, said of her that she was perfectly useless. while he acknowledged the claims of the navy, he must Majesty's Government of what had taken pla c e i n He would say nothing of the Vulture, because he had at the same time acknowledge that the marines were this House before Easter in reference to a question he not been on board of her, and he would not state any- entitled to equal respect. He believed that the designs then brought forward. He begged to remind the Right thing that he did not know. The Cyclops was intended of Sir W. Symonds had done very great good to the Hon. Baronet, her Majesty's Secretary of ,State for the for a frigate , but it was found that she would not carry naval service ; but he must, at the same time, say that Home Department, of what he (Mr. Wakley) had said guns on her main-deck at all ; and the Gorgon frigate it was necessary also to consider the feelings of the men upon that occasion in reference to the 'Lost' office affair. had to be cut down to a corvette, and the sooner the who were engaged in that service, and what their claims —(Hear, hear.) He then said that his constituents had same was done with the Cyclops the better. He now would be in the event of war. Under these circum. forwarded him a petition , r e q uestin g him to p resent it to came to the steam sloops. They consisted 0f24, the and i stances, he trusted that the Members of that House this House, in reference to the opening of letters ; and they cost 462 , 104 /. without the machinery, and 1 would well consider what they were about, before they at the same time expressing the great a nx i e ty mac hi ner y c o s t perhaps as much more, but they were voted those immense sums for the use of the navy. they felt for a full explanation upon th e on ly fi t t o be used as packet vessels. Their engine Captain ROUS said that he fully felt the effect of the subject, not having yet had anything like a houses were so high that i t was im p ossible for a shot to be observations of the Hon. Member for Ripon, and that satisfactory explanation.—(Hen" hear.) 'When h e pre . fired into them without destroying their machinery. he was alive to the great importance of those points rented that petition lie stated that it was not hi s w i s h H e had had a great deal of conversation with the best which that Hon. Gentleman had introduced. With him to put her Majesty's Government to any inconveni ence ; eng ineers of the country, aud they had told him that if a he was inclined to complain of the way in which these but he felt compelled to adopt the course he had taken, hi s p ro p e r sum of money were paid, there would he no diffi- things had been represented to the House. Ile had constituents having declared that they would not be cake' in reducing this machinery to a level with the complained that the Eurydice was a donkey fri g ate, but satisfied until they ha d been assured whether or not main deck, to bring it at least as low as thecylinder, thus he must beg to dissent from this opinion fur the fact was any warrant had ever been issued, authorising the open- exposing nothing but the piston-rod and the connecting- that it was necessary to distinguish between these donkey ing of certain letters already mentioned.—(Hear.) H ow - rod, and he even believed that it would be possible to get frigates, of which the Hon. Gentleman seemed to be so ever, though he did forego his right in order not to in- the eccentric rod into a hollow tube so as to preserve it fond, and others of the same class which were of a much convenience the Government, he now begged to say from the shot of the-enemy. Now the steam-pipes also more weighty order. The fact was that the Eurydice that he was compelled to make the motion, and should in all these steam-vessels were carried along the was of 940 tons burthen, and the general class of frigates take the sense of the House upon it, for he felt it a duty deck about the water-mark ;so were the steam to which he had alluded were not more than 600 tons, incumbent upon him to do so, and this course he had bo xes, and it was altogether a farce to call these and he thought, therefore, that the opprobrious term of the r . intimated to tight lion. Baronet his intention t o steam-vessels vessels of war. If they took one of them " donkey frigates" might be obviated by a little altera adopt, before Easter. Now, he had come down to the and fired a shot 'Jong her decks without damaging her tion in the estimates. House, to-day, for that purpose, and remained there thre e engines he would never open his mouth again.— Sir G. COCKBURN explained by stating that hour, and then absented hi mse lf (Laughter.) Now ha held in his h an d a list of the these " donkey" frigates had been built before the im quarter s of an for i ahout t e or 6 minutes; and yet, to his surprise, he f oun d steam-packets which had been lately b u ilt, some e i g ht in provements in naval architecture had been obtained. rn, though it was uot then five o'clock, that all, which had cost, each of them, about 58,7521., exclu- Captain ROUS said, to a certain extent, this might be othnellTortesellha I commenced business in Committee ; and sive of the machinery. He had the bills at that mo- true, but the fact was, the Admiralty had been reduced that, 1 - '' he should say*, appeared to him to be rather s h ar p ment—(Laughter)—but he would come to the ships to the position of cutting down vessels from their real did think the usual that had been built, and here he would speak from per- grade to that of an inferior one, in order to obtain the practice.—(Hear, heat.) H e . arievances before goinc , sonal knowledge. lie had been on board of the Centaur, effective benefit of their qualities ; for instance, a vessel practice was to discuss . Hshould " Il e be the day before yesterday, and he found that she was in of 900 tons burden had been reduced to one of 600 ; line into Committee of Supply. this House the same category with the others; but it was not yet of-battle ships . had been made frigates, and frigates had sorry that any course should be adopts.. by f . doors• too late to alter her, and to give her stern guns on the been changed into corvettes. He would adduce this one that would be likely to create any excitemen:2 ut O but he could not help saying that it was not route fair' main-deck. He believed they were all pretty near the instance—that of the " Penelope," which, from a frigate to have acted towards him in this way after wha: he build of each other.—(Hear, hear.) The Govern- of first-class character, had been extended into a said in reference to this subject before Easter.—(Hear.), merit t had at last, however, appointed Mr. Pil- steamer.—(Great laughter.) Now he thought such a build (Sir Charles e _ tier toa __steam-boat, Sir ROBERT PEEL trusted that the Hon. Member 1 and he C sum as 1,273,000/. ought not to be expended without a would not persevere in his present motion, or that he N ap eeh) would call it the first steam-boat they had cp. full knowledge of the facts which required it being ex. would not take the sense of the House upon it.—(Hear.) in't ca to the purposes of war, as upon it they could plained to the House. With . respect to line-ofhattle At the same time, he begged to assure the Hon. Member, point: -f ou r guns aft and two for'ard. They could also have skips, he must say that the business was better observed, that there was not the slightest intention on his side of two swi . ,"e l li tins Gentleman the Such from the fore deck. On the but he could not forget—and if he had forgotten, the the House to take any unfair advantage of him. authority o.would have reminded sucu men as Mr. Pileher, he was willing to observations of the Right Hon. Secretary him—that no Mr. WAKLEY—I was absent only five or six mi- undertake a Oat deal of responsibility. He would not to the Admiralty et s ve ssel for the purpose of enabling less a sum than 200,000,0001. had been expended since notes. hesitate to deeper Sir ROBERT PEEL begged to assure the Honour - he r to carr y two huutire:d tons of coal additional. He the p eace in the conservation of the navy. He perfectly of iron steamers, as in the recolle tied the observations of Mr. Pitt, shortly after the able Member that no intention whatever existed approved of the builuana eas one of the first to build pe ace of Amiens—that it was necessar y to render this to take the advantage of him he appeared to ap - case of the Vulture ; for he ab arst to cross the Channel countr y perfectly independent of all forei g n p owers in prebend; but every Hon. Member should be an iron steamer, and he was the a. resent constructed ho t h e w ay of naval architecture and appointment, and, in eofretthueindsolcvkaahrdhsa;danhdeenhegrdaindtnedot to o thi t n h k e aware that it bad been determined on to commence the in one. But as they were at a t 1806, he had moved the appointment of a Select Committee public business at half past four o'clock.—(Hear, hear.) thought that they were dangerous.. . Besides, he begged to say in addition, that it was membered, that if a shot passed throu- It was to be re tt•-ood ; and he, statesam a hhe whole state of universal war, should be refused in the impression of her Majesty's Ministers that the iron would not be so easily plugged aLs' .should be a Prime Minister in 1806, when the country was in a o', iron plates. the t o h n at th th e e Hon. Member did not intend to persevere with his therefore, should recommend that there th 1845, when motion. He also begged to assure the Honourable considerable quantity of timber along -lend the country was in a state of peace. At the present Member, that after the notices of motion length. between wind and water. ex eriment of passing , a moment, we had 306 vessels, including 88 'sloops and ha I been read to-day, five or six minutes elapsed the Gallant Officer to ma to e tr the y p result. It bad been other smeller vessels, and 21 - frigates. At that time— before his Hon. Friend the Secretary of the shot through a steamer He wo e u i l r er ;morn, for a-Committee ; but after the the' time to which he referred—there was no less than Admiralty moved that the House do go into Committee his intention t h o o_ miser were some of the line, and some of Supply.—(Hear, hear.) Again he begged to assure statement whic h m ad v b e een made in that House, he really 1,100 yessels pf one sort or other in commission. Of gentlemen who were out of office, of the lowest class were 50 gun frigates. Now, he held the Hon. Member that there was not the slightest wish thought itwould not hurt the dignity of the admirable these, a great /le to take any advantage of him, and he (Sir R. Peel) row of those navy in the hihest esteem. In hoped he did not think so.—(Hear.) if they were to order g a commission to inquire whether the surveyor 0f ate , ' 1841 to 1844, it w ould be advisable to give a full Mr. WAKLEY could only state that it was intimated the exisu ,the navy in every class of to sail, (ICKBLTRN who s s • rG. Co , - P , O low a tone of statement of the stale ot . to him as he came into the House that sharp practice had St "rig system was the best. nditure of 100,000/. would be voice as to be scarcely audible l in e the gallery, said, and he believed the exp.. been adopted in his case.—(Hear, hear.) if it were necessary to Sir CHARLES NAPIER said if his Hon. Friend had lie thought his Hon. and Gallant Friend ought to have little thought of by the conin't7 iven notice of the various subjects which he had put. the navy in , an effective. ,state ; and to render the reason to complain, he thought he had still more so. He g d tl con i 1 t . d brought un er le s e era ion of service was effective had only left the House to secure a he a t r, the House. With pt ople satisfied that their favoutitea For these reasons, although he ran back as fast as he could, und a the regard to the steam navy, h e wou ld s t a t e that it was in every portion of its department'. • . gm experimental established at a time when the 'of ' Speaker had left the chair. Nobody regretted more st stem steam invi t ee- he was exceedingly happy to find that el he trusted so we nn erstood as it was at present. squadron was about to be sent to sea ;au . than he did the retirement of the Right Hon. Gentle- tion wasnt 11 d tary When the n present (3 overimen man the Secretary at War from the office of Secre .. _ , t came i n to offi ce , the that if three months were not sufficient that to would to the Admiralty. He believed it was very generally principle upon which s t eam f r i ga t es were built was that take six to establish the respective qualities e of th' ships experinecental admitted that no man had peformed the duties better of having the m ac hi nery a b ove th e l eve l of the water. of the squadron. He ha h find agale of wind. and than he did. The Right Honourable Gentlemen He believed that the Per i e lope war steamer was one o squadron had not been able to _ .. di3played great zeal and ability while lie held that office, the best. and most serviceable in the service, and he could that they had sailed with tole their canvas set, and the and he thought he had fully earned his promotion. If not but think that the employment of such steamers must occasiorelly double reefed -sails had been , used_,_‘ t, vh h e e n_ anything could remove the rteret which he entertained be beneficial to all parties. In those steam-vessels, the in fact they ought to have been under royat h s. Il an losing that Right Honourable Gentleman, it was the w h o l e o f th e teachinery being under water, it was as licved that large ships were the fit verLN t s h o i ret u : i t col which ' and ho pie e esure of seeing installed into the of fi ce the present safe as magazine s tores. He could essure the Howe that coula poseibly be used by olc new e,ecretarY to the Admiralty , who had just made a the Admiralty had not failed in g i v ing encourageenent to was anxious that men Net, bestsr. _be ' 'ed . U 3 s .' effective , possible eaucation. Instead most able and excellent s t a t e ment. He did not believe projectors in the art of ehip-building, and everybody officers should ,, have th . 1 f the line, he would have the Right Hon. Baronet at the head of the Governmeot who suggetted an improvement in the construction of of the ten lazy' ceuld have selected a more coznpetent or efficient, person ships to the Board of Admiralty, had a fair trial. twenty, and those lisealwoHou halohke the best possible en led to understand to fill t h a t o ffiee.—(llear.) Ho was extremely happy He felt very much obliged to the Gallant Officer oppo- school for young officer i s 4; _ i l to find from the stateme nt of that Right Hon. G e ntle- s it e ten C . N ap i er ) f ee th e sug gostions—the valuable that the Admiral to wh . di t e 110 and - Gallant Me m , Now he man that they were going to have an experimental suggestions—he • d had been sixty years in the nave. on—of high when that squadron, and he hoped squadron went to sea he always most anxious to take . - e had made ; and the Admiralty would tier referre . - te expert it would be commanded by an officer who would look (Hear, hear ) lit thought rig anventaee off them.— knew him to be a man of first rate educati . it • ht to state wer, attainment in his profession, and of consum . ma oft hat out for a good squall or bad weather to try the cepa- that Mr. Finches dec:' hilities of the new ships belonging to this country.— lions of the G allant Offi ' was insufficient to prove a case which ned to carry out the rccommenda- ence; but still he thought that the experience In respect to our steam Gallant Officer . wareof (Hear.) Bath%) they proceeded to vote immense navy, as compared with t cl 'sil - .a hesicall ' bad. He (Captain Rous) was a , t et- neighbours, lie esti- was intri , . e _ iti h aline thr the 1120 0 the navy, be must take the mated them as three t o "- "-. • navy had 30,000 hie Bervicee in 'the eat .. two—our steffue ~ terrauesn, but still he mut MAYNOOTH COLLEGE. An HON MEMBER presented a petition against in creasing the grant to the College of Maynooth. Sir H. 11. INGLIS presented petitions, from places in Cornwall and Cumberland, to the same effect ; also, one to do away with the present annual grant to that College. Loral HARRY VANE and Mr. KEMBLE presented similar petitions. COPPER ORE. Mr. BECKETT presented a petition, signed by the chef manufacturers of Leeds, praying for a reduction in the duty on copper ore. Mr. fIiORNELY presented a petition from the mer chants of Wolverhampton, praying for a total repeal of the import duty on copper ore. M ALT-TAX. Mr. CARTER presented petitions from forty-five ,owns in England, praying f?r a repeal of the malt-tax. SALE OF - I,I4CORS ON SUNDAYS. Mr. BROADLEY presented petitions from Yorkshire against the sale of intoxicating liquors on Sunday. IMPORTATION OF HILL-COOLIES. Dr. BO WRING presented a petition agreed to at a public meeting in Dublin against the importation of hill eoolies and staves in India• LOCAL ACTS. Mr. HENRY BERKELEY presented a petition from several parishes in Montgomeryshire, praying for certain ocal acts for the better goverment of their local affairs. RAILWAYS. An lIoN. Mniunnn, whose name we could not learn, presented a petition against the Birkenhead Railway. Lord JOCELYN presented a petition for leave to bring in a Bill to make a railway from East Dereham to Nor wich. An Hox. MEMBER presented a petition against the Leeds and Preston Railway. _ Captain PLUMRIDGg presented a petition praying that the Manchester and Birmingham Railway Bill, now before the House, may not be passed into law in its pre sent shape. NEW MEDICAL BILL. Mr. WAKLEY presented a petition from the mem • hers of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, resi dent in the county of Gloucester, praying for an inquiry into the manner in which the provisions of the new Charter have been carried into effect by the Council, and that no Medical Bill be allowed to pass into a law which shall confirm the unjust distinctions created by that Charter until such an investigation has been instituted. CLERKENWELL IMPROVEMENT BILL. - This Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed. INFANT ORPHAN ASYLUM. Mr. MASTERMAN moved the second reading of this Bill—lt was ordered to be committed. COLCHESTER AND DISS RAILWAY. Mr. P. BORTHWICK presented a petition against ',he Colchester and Diss Railway, which was referred to the Select Committee on Private Bills. WELLS AND DEREHAM RAILWAY. An HoN. MEMBER presented a petition against this line, which was also referred to the Select Committee on private Bills. SHREWSBURY GRAND JUNCTION RAILWAY. Mr. DUNCOMBE presented a petition against this Bill. It was referred to the Select Committee on private Bills. SOUTH-EASTERN RAILWAY BRANCH. The HoN. MEMBER, at the same time, presented a petition against the projected extension of the South- Eastern Railway to Hungerford-bridee. MAYNOOTH COLLEGE. Mr. J. NEIL presented a petition against any further grant to Maynooth. LAW OF SETTLEMENT. Mr. BRAMSTONE presented a petiti in from several places in Essex against the Law of Settlement Bill. ARREST OF WAGES FOR DEBT. A petition was also presented against the Arrest of Wages in Scotland Bill. OREGON TERRITORY. Lord J. RUSSELL gave notice that, on the Speaker leaving thi. Chair on the moving o f the Committee of Ways and Means on Friday, - he should move for certain returns of the dispatches from the United States respecting the territ Ty of Oregon. QUARANTINE LAWS. Dr. BOWRING gave notice that on an early day be should bring the present state of the quarantine laws before the House. POOR LAW OF SCOTLAND. The LORD ADVOCATE gave notice that, as soon as convenient to the House and the public businesa, he should move for leave to bring in a Bill for amending • the law for the reliefof the poor in Scotland.l IMPRISONMENT FOR DEBT. Lord DUNCAN, seeing the Right Honourable Baronet the Home Secretary in the House, begged to repeat the question which he had asked on a former evening on the subject of the Bill for imprisonment for debt. It would be recollected by the House that when he had formerly put the question which he was about to ask, he hail received a very unsatisfactory answer. There had been very great dissatisfaction with the 27th clause of the Act of last session, which was brought in for the purpose of abolishing imprisonment for debts under 20/. Ile thought this a very unsatis factory state of things for small traders, and he was anxious to know whether the Government were about to introduce any remedy for this evil, for he thought that it was high time that a remedy should be applied, and if the Government did not introduce one he (Lord Duncan) was inclined to do so. Sir J. GRAHAM was very sorry that an answer given by him to that question on a former occasion should have been in any way displeasing to the Noble Lord. Having prefaced his answer with these few words, he should now state to the Noble Lord, that he would adhere strictly to the answer already given, as he was not aware of any inquiry since made that could induce him to alter it. He should not assent to any measure that would touch any debts which were contracted before the passing of the Act. The experience which they already had in the measure was not sufficient to justify any new enactment. He would beg further to state that the most important part of the measure was this : as the Bill had interfered with the credit given by the 'working classes, whether the credit generally given was not beneficial to those classes themselves? Mr. DIVETT said that there were some clauses in a private Bill relating to some local courts in the west of England which were quite inconsistent with the Act of last session. He would ask the Right Hon. Baronet whether the Government intended to support those inconsistencies ? Sir JAMES GRAHAM said that they were mere oversights, and the Government would therefore oppose them. - Col ht Hon. onel RAWDON wished to ask the Rig Baronet whether it was the intention of the Government to extend this measure to Ireland ? Sir JAMES GRAHAM stated that that would depend on the result of the experiment in England. COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY—NAVY ESTIMATES. Mr. CORRY moved that the order of the day for the House resolving itself into a Committee of Supply be read. )n the order of the day being moved the Speaker called upon Sir Charles Napier, who had a notice on the paper on the subject of the navy, but the Gallant Commodore did not answer. Mr. Wakley, who had also a notice on the paper on the order of the day for going into Committee of supply on the subject of the opening of Mr. T. Duncombe's letters, was also absent from the House. After a pause of a minute or two, Mr. CORRY moved that the Speaker do leave the Chair. The motion was agreed to, and the House resolved itself into Committee amidst loud cheers from the Mi nisterial benches. Mr. CORRY said he rose to propose the Navy Esti mates for the fir time ; and in doing so, he felt soznc ! what embarrassed—not only on account of the lad,' experience.he possessed in addressing that House, but also on account of the disadvantage under which he laboured in succeeding his Hon. Friend now the Secre tary at War in the discharge of this duty.—(Hear, hear.) [Sir Charles Napier here entered the House amidst shouts of laughter.] At the same time be had the consolation of knowing that the House always ex 7. tended its indulvence. . Mr. WAKLEY here. entered the House in a great hurry, and interrupted Mr. Corry in the, c ourse of his speech, by - saying=eaalae was wallingto his place—Mr. Chairman, I wits inmy _place during the early part of the evening-4 only my place for a moment—(" Order") and I trust I shall not lose the opportunity of bringing forwatal the motion of which I had given noticQ as there I )00 ad. ,ive of 'ere ni eel! sect o f t tteel Al. ,s 0 , Or r cte" dies COJ ;00 sod . art' and Irs• 00" e el' ref her ,yer ;'• d •