The Sun. — London, England, 1850-03-23 00:00:00

OXFORD, WORCESTER, and WOL VERHAMPTON RAILWAY. The adjourned half-yearly meeting of this company was - held yesterday at the London Tavern, to conclude the business left unfinished at the last meeting, on the 22d inst; Mr. Rufford, M.P., in the chair. After the usual preliminary proceedings, Mr. JONES reported that the committee of selection which was appointed at the last meeting had come to the resolution to recommend that William Matthews, Esq., Robert Beman, Esq., Thomas Badger, Esq., and ThornasiNelson Foster should retire from the direc tion. The committee had experienced considerable difficulty in selecting fit and proper persons to fill the vacancies that would be created, but they had finally re solved to nominate the following gentlemen :—James Walker, Esq., Blenham-square, Leeds, holder of 20 sLares ; Z. C. Jesse', Esq., 1, Saville-row, London, 145 shares ; Benjamin Oliveira. Esq., Hyde Park street, 193 ; Joseph Tucker. Esq., 35, Duncan-ter race, Islington, 20 shares. The auditors which the committee had nominated were John Tamlyn, Esq., 44, Chancery-lane, and Jonathan Thorpe, Esq., Bromley, Kent. Copies of those resolutions had been banded to the secretary of the company, in accord ance with the wish expressed by the proprietors. Mr. Jones concluded by moving that the report of the com mittee be received. Mr. THORPE seconded the motion. A desultory discussion followed, and it terminated in an adjournment of the farther consideration of the motion until after the extraordinary general meeting, into which the proprietors resolved themselves. The CHAIRMAN then announced that the directors mentioned in the report had resigned in conformity with the wish of the committee of selection, and it was his duty to call upon the meeting to fill up the vacancies. It was then proposed and seconded, that Mr. J. Walker, of Leeds, should be elected in the place of Mr. W. Matthews. Mr. SMITH moved, as an amendment, that Mr. Mat thews be re-elected. Mr. MATTHEWS entered into a personal explanation of the grounds which the committee considered disquali fied him from serving as a director, alleging that he had never been guilty of any jobbery, either respecting shares or contracts for supplying iron rails to the com pany. He considered he had never deviated from the strict rule cf propriety; but he would retire with great pleasure if the proprietors thought his conduct had ren dered him unfit to hold a place at the board. Mr. Alderman THOMPSON, M.P., said the question, apart from Mr. Matthews' conduct, was whether the committee of selection had been properly appointed, and whether it had fairly and properly discharged its duties, and he thought both those questions must be answered in the affirmative. Never had the affairs of a company been so grossly and flagrantly mismanaged, nor had any holy of directors laid themselves more open to almle ; n0. , ,d they would stultify themselves if they allowed them to manage their affairs as they bad done. He had lost all coati:le:nee in the board, arid hoped they r. ould have an opportunity of electing better men to it.—(Cheers.) Among the proprietors who had f ailed to pay up their calls he found men who were as well abie to pay as the directors, and be could not understand why legal proceedings had net been commencel egr.inst then.--(Hear.) Mr. Sergeant GASELEE vehemently inveighed against the board, and hoped th9y would either all be turned out of office or put into Chancery. After s;:Ano farther discussion of a very personal nature the amendment was negatived by a largo nae j ,_ , - rity, and the original motion was carried. The other thre gentlemen recommetalA by the com mittee were also re-sEc,tl by a slo:;w of haods. The other business of the ipecial meeting re'a•ed to two Bills now i_efire Parliament, promoted by this com pany, elle referring to the sale of the Stratford and Avon Canal to Vie Birmingham and Oxford Company, and the other to our f?rciug aldltiontil powers to raise capital. The consideration of those Bills was postponed for six we ks, to which period tne meeting was ad journed, to afford time to the proprietors to melee thcm selre; acquain . e 1 eitli the prori.ions of those Bills. The geßeral meeting was then returned, when Mr. Tamlyn and Mr. Thorp were elected auditors. A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the busi ness of the day. BANE. OF E.NGLAND. (From last night's Gazette.) An Account, pursuant to the Act 7th and Bth of Victoria, cap. 32, for the Week ending on Saturday, the IGth day of March, iSSO. ISSUE DEPARTNENT. Notes issued •....... 30,436,570 Government debt .. 11,015,100 Other securities •• • • 2,984,500 Gold coin and bullion 16,209,493 Silrer bullion • • •. • • '277,077 230,485,570 I 30,456,570 MAILSIIALI, Chief Cashier. Dated the 2lst day of March, V5O. BANTON() DZYMITMEN T. Proprietors' capital.. 11,55:1,000 Rest . Z,,597,95) Public deposits (In cluding Exchequer, Commissioners of Nationrl Debt, Say ings-bauk 5, and Dl vidend accounts).- 8,512,1 , 2 Other deposits 10,260,851 Seven day and other bills •• • • •• •• 1,C51.558 Government secnr!- ties (including Dead Weight Annuity).. 14,41R,854 Other securities •• 11,322,2i16 Notes .... ••••• • •• •• 11,477,695 Gold and silver ccin.. 780,715 £38,005,560 £38,00.5,560 it. MARSHALL, Chief Cashier. Dated the 21st day of March, t MARKET INTELLIGENCE. (From the London New Price Current, 3larch 22.) SVUAR.—To-day there was nct much activity in the market fn. West Lelia Sugar, still rather more business was concluded at full rates, and grocery are the chief buyers. The purchases amounted to 355 hhds, Sce., sucking for the acek 636, iecludine at public sale 53 packages Demerara, which sold at 41s to 43s for crys taliz, d yellow, and at 353 6cl fur brown. REF;NED.—To-day there was scarcely any variation in the value of refined sugar, but ham° dealers made purchases with caution: The market for crushed sugar is dull, with sellers of British at 29s to 29s 6d per cwt. Manamus.—This afternoon the public sales of 6,800 bags Mauritius went off with more spirit, and at full rates, indeed, the besi yellow sorts were rather dearer. The whole sold—yellow at from 35s to 42s 6d, brown 30s 6d to 34s .6d, grey 34s to 38s, and grainy 34s 61 to 38s. BAST INDIA—This afternoon there was a more active sale for Bengal Sugar, and at public auction 3,670 bags sold at stiffer rates for white Benares, and at full terms for other kinds: soft yellow went at 33s to 365, brown 30s to 30s 6d, white Benares 38s 6d to 40s, and strong yellow 38s to 41s. Of Madras a small part only sold at 28s to 31s for brown, and at 32s to 36s for yellow, which are full rater. FonEIGN.—At public sale 215 hhds of Cubs were, however, mostly disposed of, fine and good yellow at 39s 63 to 41s, and middling 38s 6d to 395, but 1,557 chests Havannah were nearly all bought in at 40s to 43s fur low to good Yellow; these rates agree with those of Friday last. holder:: of bonded parcels are reluctant to make any further concession in the value, and refrained from submitting any to public sale this week; still ex porters have made purchases with caution by private treaty, and refiners working under bond are not much in want of sugar at present. Several parcels of new sorts will be offered at auction next week. MOLASSES.—A much better demand exists for West India, and stiffer rates are obtained. The purchases for the week amount to 500 puns, chiefly at 17s per cwt ter Barbadoes. There has been more business concluded in East India Treacle, and few sellers are' to be met with under 14s per cwt; the supply is also less than for some time past. COFFEE.—This afternoon the quantity of Plantation Ceylon Coffee offered at public sale was larger than for some weeks past, and amounted to 347 casks 597 bags. There was little desire on the part of dealers to operate, and parcels in second hands were all taken in. A first-band parcel of 60 casks 120 bags, how-. ever, was forced off at a farther reduction, or at a de cline from the highest point of 14s to 16s per cwt; low and good ord went at 46s Gd to 495, fine and fine fine ord 51s 6d to 52s 6d, low mid 53s to 555, mid 56s to 575, and one lot of good 60s 6d per cwt. The value of Native is still 47s to 48s on the spot, but with very few buyers. This afternoon at public sale 150 begs Para and 500 bags Guayaquil Cocoa were taken in at 30s per cwt. COCOA..—There are few buyers of Foreign, and the supply is getting upon a more extended scale. At auc tion the sound of 1,024 bags Guayaquil was taken in at 32s for grey, being above the value, but damaged sold at the reduced terms of 27a to 27s 6d. In the value of Foreign there is no variation, and none has been submitted to public sale, but the market is still dull, and by private treaty operations have been upon a small scale. The value of red Trinidad is 43s to 48s for low to fine, and of grey 39s to 43s per cwt. Public sales will be declared shortly. TEA.—Holders have been more disposed to realise, and the market has been better supplied. There are sellers of Congou rather under former rates, buyers have made purchases with caution, common at 9d to 9id, medium 10d to is 2d, and other kinds is 21d to is Od per lb, whilst lower rates are expected to exist. Green Tea has been purchased with caution for all purposes, prices have fal'en Id to 2d for Gunpowder and Imperial, whilst other sorts have been sold rather under former terms. Orders are smaller for scented Tea, and the supply being better prices have declined id to Id per lb for Ca per. At auction on Tuesday of 9,048 pkgs offered, 2,200 found buyers; scented Caper at is lid to is lid; Gun powder Canton, is 2-1 d to is 21d, good and fine Hyson kind 2s 13 to 2s 11d; imperial Canton, is 2d, good and fine Hyson kind is Sd to Is 10d, and Hyson diVo 2s to 2s 10d. RICE.—To-day a public sale of 64 chests and 699 bags Sago went at steady rates; small white pearl at 24s and brown 20s 6d to 21s; the whole found buyers. SPICES.—There has been no public sale of Ginger this week, out a fair quantity of home-trade sorts have been sold by private treaty, at full terms; the value of low to fine Jamaica is from 41 10s to 101, African and Barba does 35s to 4 0 s. Shipping kinds are not muc h wanted, and the value of East India is 19s to 235. The current value of white is sid to 6d, still there has been scarcely any business done. Of black Pepper none has been submitted to auction, and the private operations are small at from 31d to 3.! , ,d for Sumatra, and at aid :41 for Male.bar. bite Pe. peer is not much - wanted, and 53 to 83 is the price of low to fine. Cassia Lignea isibeld for 104 s to 11 0 s, and the s ales made have 'sten trifling. Orders for Cinnamon are yet small, and at late rates there are free sellers. Cloves are not much is deraanlf, Bencuien is held for ls Gd to 2s, Penang is 3d to is 80. Mace bee been purchased with caution at 2s 23 to 21.10-i for ord to fine. Nutmegs are held firmly at 2s 6tl tte4s 4c.1 for low to line brown, but orders are stem". e asent 4 rtraTs. , There has bean much dulness in the market fesis;egwsrd Island Runs this week, and the value of proof is is 43 to is sd, whilst prices have a down ward tendency. East India is little wanted, and the general value is now 1 s 4d. Of Demerara a fair quantity has been sold at 2a 2d to 2s 6d for 30 to 40 per cent. over proof, still holders appear more disposed to sell. Only small purchases have been made in Jamaica for home use or exportation, and larger parcels aro on offer. There are sellers of 20 to 29 per cent. over proof at 2s 4d to 2s 7d, 30 to 36 over, middling to good 2s 8d to 3s 2d, and fine to superior 3s 3d to 4s per gallon ; the tendency of prices is downwards for most sorts. A falling off is visible in the demand for Brandy, and lower terms are acceded to; limited pur chases have been made at 4s 6d to 4s 8d for Cognac best brands of the vintage of 1848, 1847 ditto 5s 2d to 5s 4d, and inferior sorts 2s 10d to 4s 4d. The value of Geneva is still is 9d for ord, and fine 2s 3d to 3s. The market for British made Spirit is steady at 9s 6d, and Gin at 7s 10d to 8s for 17 to 22 per cent under proof. COCHINEAL.—There has been an improved demand since last week, and in somo cases an advance of ld per lb has been obtained. At auction 186 bags of Hon duras were disposed of, Silvers at from 3s 8d to 4s 5d for ordinary to fine, and black ordinary to good 3s 9d ; 10 bags Mexican Silvers 3s 9d, and 29 bags of Teneriffe 3s 10d to 4s 2d. SALTPETRE.—To-day the quantity of Calcutta offered at public sale amounted to 1,203 bags; there was little desire to operate, and a small part only sold at 27s to 27s 6d for good 54 per cent; this is the full value. The remainder was take❑ in at 25s 6d to 26s for 101 to 142 per cent, and 61 at 26s 6d to 275. TALLow.—To-day at auction 1,052 pkgs of South American Tallow were for the most part sold at 33s 9d to 375, very low soft 30s to 30s 3d; 700 cks New South 33s to 365; 50 cks Petersburgh Soap Tallow taken in at 365. OILS.—To-flay the public sales of 210 tans of Southern Oil went at 311 to 3315 s for low to fine, but a part only sold; 186 packages Ceylon Cocoa Nut 31s 6d to 32s per cwt. THE COUNTRY MARKETS. WAKEFIELD, MARCH 22.—The supplies this week are limited of all articles. Some advance is generally required on wheat, which is not very freely complied with, but a moderate business is done at the full prices of this day se'nnight. Barley maintains its previous value. For oats, shelling, and beans the demand is in retail at late prices. 010.- s. New. WHEAT, per qr. 601bs per bushel:— s. s. Suffolk. Essex, and Kent, red ... 37 to 40 Ditto, white ... 42, 44 Norfolk and Hunts., red ... ... 35 —37 Ditto, white ... ... 40 42 Lincolnshire and Cambridge, red ... 34 37 Ditto, white 36 42 Yorkshire, red ... 36 Ditto, white ... 38 40 Dantaic and Konigsburg, white .. 40 44 Lowerßaltic and Hamburgh, red... 36 38 Mediterranean, red ... ... 30 34 BARLEY, per quarter of 8 bushels: Norfolk and Suffolk... 23 25 Lincolnshire and Yorkshire 25 Scotch Grinding per 30 stone 18 23 Foreign ... ... 20 24 BEANS, per quarter of 8 bushels 631 b : Small, fine ... 24 —26 Ticks Foreign ... ... 23 25 OATS, per stone : Mealiug . 7id to 81 1 d 03 to 01 Feeding ... 74 to 8d 83 to 9d Foreign 7d to 84 81 to 91 SHELLING, per load of 2611 b 19 20 MALT, per load of*6 imperial bushels 33 35 PEAS, per Imperial Quarter Blue and white boilers Grey and Feed - 27 - ARRI Qrs. 5,911 1,511 :399 'ALS. Wheat Barley Oats ... to 3 , 76 Beans... 1,113 Peas ... 28 Tares ... Rapeseed ... Shelling Linseed Malt Flour ... ... ... LIVERPOOL, MARCH 22.—The market this morning was thinly attended, and the general business was again on a small scale. There was not the least alteration made in the price of any aricle of the trade. American and French Flour is now strongly opposed by the low prices of good English manufac ture. Prime Norfolk household is offering at 28s per 2801bs, and from other counties proportionably. Holders of Indian corn tried for a small advance, but the demand proved mode rate, and this article closed very dull. EXETER, 111 A 22. —Cattle—Fat beef, 7s to 8s 3d per score ; cows and calves, 71 to 121; barreneis, 4s to 5s per score; batchers' calves 4d to 41d per lb.; sheep, fat wethers, 5d to 54d; ewes, 5d per lb. Pork Carcases—A small supply, one third less than last week, and all cleared off early at 636 d to 7s 6d per score. Pannier—No alteration of consequence from our last quotations, the supply was good. Wool—We cannot note any improvement in price, or any renewed excitement in busi ness. Staplers offer 6d to 6id per pound, and, as many holders refuse this price, little is doing. Corn—Business about the same as last week. Wheat, 4s 9d to 5s ; barley, 2s 10d to 3s ; oats, is 10d to 2s per bushel. BRISTOL, Alastost 21.—There was but a moderate supply of wheat, both English and Foreign, without change of rates. English wheat, red and white, 36s to 40s per imperial quarter ; ditto Irish 34s to 36s ; foreign white, 42s tp 45s ; foreign red, fine, 38s to 43s ; ditto, ordinary, 32s to 34s ; ditto, hard, 33s to 36s per 4801bs. Barley in better request, at pre vious rates. English malting 23s to 28s per imperial quarter; English and foreign grinding, 18s to 21s per 4001bs. The oat trade was inactive. Devon and Welsh oats, 13s 6d to I4s 6d per imperial quarter; Irish white ditto, 15s to 165 6d per 3201bs ; Irish black, 143 to 145 6d per imperial quarter ; foreign, none. Beans were a sluggish sale. English, 24s to 28s per imperial quarter ; foreign ditto, 21s to 26s per 4801bs. The flour trade was inactive, at previous quotations, English seconds selling at 27s to 29s per sack ,• ditto American, sweet, 21s 6d to 22s 6d per barrel ; ditto, French, 305 to 32s per 2801bs. BRISTOL SUGAR MARKET, Marton 22.—About 100 hhds West India, and a few hundred bags damaged Mauritius constitute the week's business, and, in the absence of arrivals, the market is still quite bare of stock. The refined market is rather dull, and lower prices have to be submitted to, to effect sales. In rum there is rather more business doing.— Bristol Mercury. RIPON, MARCH 21.—White wheat 4s 6d to 5s Od, red ditto 4s 3d to 4s 9d; beans 3s 3d to 4s per bushel ; barley 24s to 265; oats 14s to 21s per qr. SCARBOROUGH, MARCH 21.—Red wheat 4s 3d to ss, white ditto 4s 9d to 5s 6d per 5 stones ; black oats 6d to 7d, white ditto 7d to 8d per stone ; malting barley 19s to 21s, grinding ditto 17s to 19s per qr. of 32 stones; superfine flour, 303 to 335, seconds ditto, 24s to 27s per sack of 20 stones. KNARESBOROUGH, 20.—Wheat 4s 3d to 5s 6d; beans 33 6d to 4s Od per bushel; barley 26s to 23s ; oats 1650 d to 22s Od per qr. NORTHALLERTON, MARCH 20.—Wheat, white, 4s 6d to 4s 9d; red 4s Od to 4s 3d ; oats ls 6d to 25 3d ; beans 3s to 33 6d ; barley 2s 9d to 3s Od per bushel. WETHERBY, MARCH 21.--White wheat 15s 6d to 16s. red ditto 14s Od to 14s 6d per load • barley 21s to 22s per qr. ; beans lls Od to 123 Od pe r load; oats 7d to 8d per stone. INVERNESS, MARCH 19.—Wheat, per quarter, weighing 6211 s per bushel, 36s to 38s; new ditto, ditto, 00s to 00s ; old barley, per quarter, weighing 541 b per bushel, 19s to 00s ; new ditto, ditto, 00s to 00s ; oats, 421 b per bushel, 15s to 16s Od. Oatmeal, per imp er i a l boll, 14s Od, second, 13s ; barleymeal, 1 Is Od ; peasemeal, 14s to 00s ; bran, per atone, 6d; first flour, per 2801 b, 34s to 365; second, 26s to 28s ; oatmeal, best, per stone of 141 b imperial, is 4d to Os Od; second, Is 2d; barleymeal, Is 2d; peasemeal, is 4d; first flour, 2s 4d cash, 2s 8d credit; second, 2s cash, 2s 3d credit. Pota toes, per stone, 6d to Od ; beef, per pound, 4d to 64; veal, 4d to sd; mutton, 4d to 6d; pork, 3d to 4d; fowls, each, lid to 144; chickens, per pair, 16d to 184 ; ducks, each, Od to 00d ; eggs, par dozen, 4d to 5d ; butter, fresh, per lb, 7d to 8d; salt, 94 to Od ; croudie (curds) Od to Od ; four-pound loaf, cash, 5d to 6d, credit, sid to Gad; coals, per cwt, 9d; hay, per stone, 8d to 9d. COAL MARKE Buddle's W. Hartley.. 15s Odd Broomhill Hartley ... 15s 04: Davison'sWestHartley 15s Oc! T. - Y EST E RDA Y. Hotywell 15s 6d _ _ Nev; Tanfield l3s €d Ord's Redheugh Pelton Main — 123 6.1 South Peareth l2s 6di 'Canfield Moor ranlield Moor Butes l3s Od West Hartley West Wylam Wylam Wall's End,,&c. Brown's l4s Od' Gosforth . Hedley Morrison lss 3d Original Gibson Percy lss Od Eden Main l6s 9d Lambton Primrose 163 6cll Bell IBraddyll Hetton 'Haswell lis Gd !r ambton Russell's Hetton Stewart's I ' i Caradoc ..... iCassop 'lleugh Hall Kelloe ... 17s Od West Hartlepool ...... 15s 6d Whitworth l4s Od Adelaide Tees Maclean's Tees l4s 6d 'Seymour Tees !South Darham lss 3d Tees Birchg. Graigola Hartley ........... Howard's W. H. Neth lss Od Snapethorpe lss Od Sidney's Hartley Ships at market, 134. RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS. BRISTOL, MARCH 22. STOCK EXCHAtIGE.—The market remains in much the same state as yesterday, and without improvement. The only transaction to-day was Great Western, Quarters, 14 1-16. LIVERPOOL, MARCH 22. STOCK EXCILANGE.—The share market was steady to-day, but the amount of business done was limited. The trans actions were as follow :—London and North-Western, 105 c. —Ditto, New Quarters, dis.—Ditto, Fifths, ls. 3d. p.—. Ditto, Quarters, 1 / 2 c.—Lancashire and Yorkshire, Consol., 3 7—Ditto, Fifths, 9 1 A c. dis.—Midland, Halves, 251. 3s. 9d. c. dis.—Ditto (Erewash Valley), 5814—North Staffordshire, Preference (Preston and Wyre), No. 1, 42% South- Eastern and Dover (No. 4), Registered, s—Dutch Rhenish, 6 dia.—York Newcastle, and Berwick (G. N. E. Purchase), 6 per cent. till 1850, 7 , /, dis.—Shrewsbury and Birmingham (B), 7 1 / s dis. '- MANCHESTER, MAncll 22. STocx Excli enClL—Busines s on our Stock Exchange to-day was very dull, there being only one transaction up to twelve o'clock, and prices are almost stationary, the only ex ception being North Staffords, which are at an ad vanced rate, namely 10%. BIRMINGHAM, MARCH 22. STOCK EXCHANGE. — Our share market was b e tt er t h an t e l kdshire, 10/. Midland usual to-day, and pric es were firm. T he transactions w ere r :—London and ) North-Western, o r t 3 — h - WN 123—north s r t t e h r n s , a s (Bristolfollow and n I ls. 3d. die. Shrewsbury and Birmingham, Preference, Scrip, 1 / 2 p. YORK, M _ARCH 21. Srocx EXCHANGE.—The transactions to-day were as follow :—East Lancashire, Lancashire and Yorkshire ( West Riding Union), 3 1 4—Midland, 50/. Shares, 39 York, Newcastle, and Berwick (Newcastle Extension), 8/. 6s. 3d. —York and North Midland, Preference, 6/. 13s. 9d. GLASGOW, MAscir 21. Srocx Exciurrox.—The transactions to-day were as follow :—Edinburgh and Glasgow, 50—Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ayr, Halves (No. 1), 111. ls.—Ditto (No. 2), 775. 6d.- -Ditto, Preference, 10t. 9s. 6d.—Glasgow and Garnkirk, Preference, 7%—Wilsontown, Morningside, and Coltness, 721/2. PARISH CONSTABLES.—On Thursday a Bill in the Howe of Commons was printed to amend the Act 5 and 6 Vict., c. 109, for the appointment and payment of parish constables. The object of the Bill, which by an express provision is not to apply to the metropolitan dis tricts, is to enable justices in general or quarter sessions to allow tees, &c., to constables in addition to payment for t'le service of summonses and th© execution of war rants. Further, by this measure the justices are to fill up vacancies of paid constables. With respect to "lock up houses," superintendents are to be appointed. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS, March 22. Their Lordships assembled at Five o'clock. The Bishop of CHICHESTER presented numerous petitions against Sunday trading. CASE OF MR. NASH. On the motion of Lord BROUGHAM, Mr. Nash was called to the bar, and, in reply to questions, stated, that Mr. Staple, Lord Courtown's soli citor, had admitted that the document which he bad put in was a copy of the document in the Private Bill-office, and denied that Mr. Staple bad said he would admit the copies provided on examination they should be found to be accurate copies of the documents in the Private Bill-office. Mr. Nash afterwards admitted, on being much pressed by Lord Brougham, that the understand ing with Mr. Staple was that if the copies should be found not accurate they should be made accurate. Mr. Staple, the solicitor of Lord Courtown, was then called, and stated that he had said the copies should be admitted provided on examination they should be found to be true copies, but he should reject every copy that on examination he should find not to be a true copy. He had not examined the copies. Mr. Dickenson, of the Journal-office, was then called, and said that Mr. Nash had seen the document in ques tion in his office, and that he had had it in his possession for some hours, for the purpose of making an inspection of it. He did not remember ever having seen the document after Mr. Nash went away. The witness had the custody of the document. He had searched for it and had not been able to find it. Mr.W.Wood, accountant in the employ of theWexford, Wicklow, and Dublin Railway Company, was then called, and examined by the Earl of Granville as to the returns which had been made by the company in obe dience to the orders of the House. The witnesses were then ordered to withdraw. THE EXHIBITION OF 1851. Lord BROUGHAM, in moving' for certain returns relating to tails subject, took occasion to reiterate his objections to the proposed exhibition taking place in Hyde-park. 119 admitted the validity of the objections of his Noble Friend (the Earl of Carlisle) to Victoria park, but he could see no objection to the proposed exhibition taking place in Regent's-park. He also objected to the funds being raised by voluntary contributions. Many shopkeepers subscribed their money under a species, he would not say of com pulsion, considering those who exercised what the French might call une donee violence, but at the solicita tion of customers. The object was a national one, the expense should be defrayed by the nation. There had been a meeting of 168, not tailors but mayors, at which his Noble Friend had indulged in observations which he might have thought intended for a sneer, but however volatile be might be, he certainly should not take a flight from the House of Peers to the House of Mayors, to notice in the former House what might have taken place in the latter.—(A laugh.) H+, however, protested against this species of influence which was exercised over the London tradesmen to induce them to subscribe to the expenses of this exhibition. The Earl of GRANVILLE considered that the Noble and Learned Lord had somewhat exaggerated the incon venience which might arise to the public from the pro posed exhibition taking place in Hyde-park. The pro posed site was a narrow strip of lama nearly opposite Knightsbridge-barracks, which was scarcely at all f+ e• quented by the public. He could not but notice some what of inconsistency in the conduct of the Noble and Learned Lord, who at a meeting in Westminster had stated that he had interrupted judicial proceedings, and had broken through a rule that he had laid down for the last twenty years in order to attend the meeting for promoting the proposed exhibition, be cause, he considered it a national object. Now, certainly, his speech of the other evening had not being ea'cu let -d to premote that which, at the Westminster meet ing, he had declared to be a national object. Lord BROUG HAM contended that he had not been inconsistent. He had stated at the meeting, and on the other night, and he repeated it now, that the immediate effect of the exhi bition would be to lower prices of commodities, but that ultimately it might produce benefit. He had said that he would not subscribe, as a consumer, to promote an exhibition which would be immediately beneficial to him self', but for a time injurious to the shopkeeper. Lord OVERSTONE said there was not a class in the country which had not put forwardatheir most distin guished members to aid in promoting this exhibition, and with regard to the meeting of yesterday-, it was a most remarkable event to find there eminent statesmen of al parties', and eminent representatives of every branch of industry, assembled to bear their testimony that this exhibition was based upon the wisest views, and would promote the permanent industrial interests of the coun try, of those who, on farmer occasions, had been eulo gised by the Noble and Learned Lord as the represen tatives of the best interests of the country, and he was surprised to find the NOble and Learned Lord now corning down to denounce this exhibition, after having at the Westminster meeting proposed one of the reeolu lions, and after having apologised to the meeting for leaving it, and declaring that he had interrupted solemn judicial proceedings to attend it, the object of that meet ing being to raise voluntary subscriptions to promote the objects of that exhibition. Then with regard to the site, they had a warning not to yield lightly to the sug gestions of the Noble Lord, who now came down to declare that the suggestions which he had made the other night as to the site of the building for the proposel exhibition was altogether erroneous. The Commission did not proceed lightly, it was deeply impressed with the responsibility which weighed upon it, and it t sok no step without due consideration. The site had not been chosen with out thought or deliberation. It had been chosen on the almost nnanimous decision of the most eminent scientific men of the age. Hyde-park was more level than Regent's-park, and Regent's-perk was the resort for recreation of the middle and inferior el4sses of society, while Hyde-park was &most exclusively the resort of the richer classes, end it would be most unjust to de prive the middle and inferior classes of their recreation ground; and, besides, it was desirable that the building should be erected on a site that might bo easily restored to its original condition. The Noble Lord had expressed a fear that the building would be permanent. The greatest security against that would be to erect it in Hyde-park. The Noble Lord con cluded by pronouncing a high eulogium upon Prince Albert fir the great labour he had undergone in origi nating and promoting this undertaking. Lord STANLEY said that after the able and excel- Qrs. fent speech of the Noble Lord who had just spoken it would be unnecessary for him to allude to the general question, but he could net pass altogether unnoticed the speech of his Noble and Learned and very discreet Friend. He certainly did express his regret that the notion that the proposed exhibition would damage the interests of the tradesmen of London had received countenance from the authority of his Noble and Learned, and he feared he had added, somewhat volatile Friend (Lord Brougham). He acknowledged that he did use that ex pression, and partly on the grounds stated by the Noble Lord opposite, that he thought that on that particular question he hal seen some sudden inconsistency and change of opinion, and views between the language used by the Noble and Learned Lord at the Westminster meeting, and the language he had used in that House the other night. But he really thought his Noble and Learned Friend would have taken it as a compliment, only, he must admit, very far below the amount of power and the extent of merit of the noble individual to whom he had alluded—(Laughter)—for in truth, in point of quickness, activity, pungency and energy, sal volatile was nothing to him—(Laughter)—for they might pre vent the essence of that salt from escaping by putting a glass stopper over it, but he defied any human power, even his Noble Friend himself, to put any stopper— whether of glass or any other material—over the inten sity of the activity and pungency of his own mind.— (Laughter.) Yet he must do his Noble and Learned Friend the justice to say that he believed, although the activity and energy of his mind, and the wit and readi ness of his speech, were as quick and pungent as volatile essence, still they did not partake to the full extent in the offensiveness and acrimony of that essence; and he hoped that the long friendship which had subsisted between them would not be disturbed for a single mo ment by that expression.—("Hear, hear," from Lord Brougham.) Ever hereafter he should form a more correct estimate of his Noble Friend's qualities. He 'should look on him, on his own showing, no longer as one of those quick, active, energetic men, who were prompt to take up any question and make it important, and who were readily and easily capable of dealing with any and every question, not only one after another, but in such rapid succession that it might almost be said he dealt with them all at one time.—(Laughter.) On the contrary, he should consider him as of a grave, serious, plodding, proper, slow, heavy nature—(Laughter)--not hasty in forming his judgment, nor rash in expressing his opinion, never pronouncing on any matter with which he was not familiar, nor dealing with many subjects at one and the same time, but by intense labour and delibe rate study making himself master, and thoroughly mas ter, of one question at a time, and no more, and never venturing to speak on that or any other subject until he had acquired a knowledge of all its bear ings and details; and above all, never making use of any expression which at any time ho might be desirous of recalling. That was the view which, on his own show ing, he should from that time take of his Noble and Learned Friend; but if anything should occur to dis abuse him of that impression, ho would candidly confess his want of judgment, and withdraw all ho had said.— (Laughter.) The Noble and Learned Lord had said that he had been so long under his (Lord Stanley's) tuition, that he had contracted something of his cha racter, but although they sat on the same side of the House, still their opinions were not the same on all sub jects. The Noble Lord (Brougham) must forgive him when he spoke seriously for saying that he was asto nished that he did not contract his habits as sitting so long on the same side of the House with him, and should ven turewit h determined t i r o hit n y n ot n t o h as a u t s pu h pb e oj re ( tc L . t o tr He a e S t s r hh o u o g ue hl openly m ha d ) yd should not speak avowed that h e whaes was per fectly assured that the great majority of the people of London were strongly of opinion that this grand and noble institution would be of the greatest benefit imagie nable to them, and he (Lord Stanley) therefore thought that the Noble and Learned Lord should couch his ex pressions in such a manner as not to lead to the opinion that this great majority of the inhabitants of the metropolis were very great tools, and were totally deluded in sup theeh think. If objects posing that such an inst i tution would affect their busi ness with advantage, when in reality it would be a seri oushe wouldseriously them to support of the institution he was aston i s hed that ho did not the e Noble injury Lord t o thn, meant as avail himself of the Lord Mayor's dinner, but he should say that, perhaps, his modesty prevented him from making his acknowledgments at that dinner of the very great importance he attached to this excellent in- stitutior. Thu Lake of Arg)le and Lord Brougham rose to gether; the former gave way. Lord BROUGHAM said, that he thought that the Noble Lord (Lord Stanley), from his long experience in Parliament, shook! afford him an opportunity of reply, and for the advice that he had so kindly given him (Lord Brougham) on the subject of the use of a figure of irony, he begged and requested of him (Lord Stanley) to receive a suggestion from him, which he gave with the most perfect sincerity of purpose, and with all the kindness and benevolence of feeling that he could entertain for another, and that was, that the Noble Lord. when ho disavowed the opi nion of another, should allow him an opportunity of de fending himself, for such he looked upon as the unvary ing and inflexible rule of society. But such the Noble Lord (Lord Stanley) did not do, but he goes off three miles distant to the Mansion-house, and there gets the laugh of him, but such he looked upon as a dull joke, which, if it be reported, would be followed by only the word " laughter." He had listened with much pleasure and satisfaction to the Noble Lord (Lord Overstone) on his first speech, and was happy to state it as his opinion, from that speech, that the House and the country might expect great service and advantage from a person pos sessed of such ability and experience as the Noble Lord, and the cause which he would support would obtain con siderable strength and effect from his advocacy. The Noble Lord again adverted to the remarks of Lord Stan ley, and expressed his willingness to give every support in his power to the institution. On the motion of the Marquis of LANSDOWNE, the Mutiny Bill and the Marine Mutiny Bill were read a ' second time. The Noble Marquis was understood to propose that their Lordships should meet to-morrow to pass these Bills, which would enable him to move that their Lordships should adjourn on Monday night for the Easter holidays. PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS (SCOTLAND). The Duke of ARGYLE rose to pre sent several peti tions from various parts of Scotland, praying the House to refuse its consent to any Bill that may be proposed purporting to alter the constitution of the parochial schools of Scotland. The Noble Duke said that his mo tive for trespassing on their Lordships' attention for a short time, as he intended, was because there was a Bill in another place which tended materially to alter the constitution of the parochial schools of Scotland, and which he felt convinced would be of very great injury to the cause of education in Scotland, and which would be most repugnant to the feelings of the people of that country. The Noble Duke then referred to the aggres sive system of some of the Independents, and also of Roman Catholics, which were endeavouring to uproot this parochial system that existed from time immemorial, and hoped that their Lordships would oppose this Bill on its introduction from the other House; for nothing could be more obnoxious to the people of Scotland than that a system of education that they had kept intact from generation to generation should now be altered against their will, for the purpose of establishing na tional schools. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE concurred with the Noble Duke that it was of importance to preserve and enconrage the parochial schools in Scotland, seeing that they had given great satisfaction; and, with respect to the other schools, he thought they might be established in that country without any aggression on the present system of education in Scotlan 3 which, it must be ad rnit'ed, was most perfect, and sfeli " ch to be admired. In deed, he might add, that the system of education which had been carried on in Scotland gave to that country a just pre-eminence. lie took that opportunity of saying how much he felt acknowledgment to be due on this subject to the efforts of the Established Church in Scot land, and also of the Free Church in that country ; and it was gratifying t) see that both were met in a spirit of conciliation and concession on this most important su)iect. Lord BROUGHAM entirely agreed in the opinions and eulogies expressed by the Noble Duke and the No ble Marquis en the parochial schools in Scotland ; and thought with the Noble Marquis that an extension of education might take place in that country without any innovation upon, or change in, the constitution of the parochial schools in that country. The petition was then laid on the table. CHARGES AGAINST THE OFFICERS AND CREW OF THE SOBRAON. The Earl of MOUNTCASHELL moved " That an humb'e address be presented to her Majesty for a copy of the minutes of the proceedings affecting the character and c•induct of the surgeon-superintendent, master, and otli..!ers of the emigrant ship Sobraon, referred to in dis patches No. 116 and No. 242 from Governor C. A. Fitzroy to Earl Grey last year." He thought it de sirable not to postpone his motion to a future day, seeing that the quettion was one of great importance to the public. Ho thought that the intimation that the do cuments were voluminous was no excuse why they should not be laid on the table of their Lordships' House. Their Lordships were aware that letters had lately ap peared in the public papers from one or two of the par ties implicated in the charges of ill-treatment of the or phan emigrants on board the Sobraon, and both tried to exculpate thecnselves;,but he (Lord Mountcashell) hoped for the sake of the public, the parties injured, and of what was due to their Lordships, that the matter would be strictly investigated. The captain on board the vessel complained that he was not allowed to bring forward his own witnesses, and that none of the witnesses against him were sworn on their examination. Their Lordships would see that the charges made of the ill-treatment of the female emigrants, by the officers and crew of the vessel, were of the most grave character, and that one of the unfoi tunate females had lost her life as a consequence of that ill-treatment on her passage to the colony. He (Lord Mountcashell) wished to know whe ther the investigation was conducted in the manner al leged by the implicated parties, and whether the wit nesses were or were not examined on oath. One of the charges was supplying bad and insufficient food and water to the emigrants, which wasa violation of the Pas sengers' Act. Another charge was, that spirits were sold on board, tied that the females were induced to par take of there. S one of the poor orphans who had been ill-treated were foundlings, from Dublin, and some were poor girls from poor-law unions in Ireland; and the su perintendent surgeon of the vessel, instead of taking steps to protect them, proposed, as one of his first steps on the vessel sailing out, that the officers should take them as servants into their cabins. Their Lordships might easily conclude what happened under such a course of conduct as that. One of the poor girls, described Us a most interesting creature, died, it was said by some, of fever, and by others from a different cause. It was reported that " drugs" had been a, lministered to her to produce abortion, and she never reached the colony. He held in his hand a report, taken from papers, relative to emigration, by a Committee of the House of Com mons, on the 31st of July, 1849, and in page 7, it was charged that the master did not prohibit or prevent in tercourse between the officers, crew, and female emi grants; but that, on the contrary, he allowed unrestrained intercourse between them. The evidence was that of one of the young females miscarried on board, and fell a victim to the ill-treatment to which she had been sub jected, and that another of them was now pursuing a life of prostitution upon the streets of Sydney. Another. who had waited on the captain, was also in a state of prostitution, although not yet publicly so. The Com mittee then say that the charges were clearly proved, and recommended that gratuities, which had been established as an encouragement for proper care of the emigrants, should be withheld from those parties who had miscon ducted themselves. The matter was one of great import ance, and he (Lord Mountcashell) had still to learn whe ther any proper inquiry had bean made into it. If the pa pers fur which he moved were laid on th e i r L or d ships ' table, they might then get some inform a ti on on t h e subject. He considered it due to their L or d s hi ps t h at they should be granted, so that their Lo r d s hi ps m i ght deliberately read them; and, above all, t h at i t was due to the public that they should be laid oa the table, that it might be seen who were really the offende rs in charges so grave, and that the matter was not kept in the dark. He asked for those returns as a protection to the people, and as a safeguard to emigrants, who trusted for pro tection to the promises of the Government—promises, he regretted to say, which appeared not to have been performed. The public, he repeated, would expect those papers to be furnished, and he hoped the Noble Earl would not withhold them. The Noble Earl then adverted to the Equestrian emigrant ship, and said that some of his charges with respect to the bad meat ship ped on board the emigrant vessels at Liverpool had been complained of. He did not mention names when he made those charges, but Messrs. Powell and Sons, of the City, took offence, and called on him, and said that they had purchased 900 tierces of meat, but not to put on board the emigrant ships, and that they had it to suit different parties. He repeated, without naming parties, that bad meat was pur chased at Liverpool for shipping purposes. On board the ship Ratelais several females had been cruelly flogged. He mentioned their names, and if they gave him a Select Committee he would establish beyond doubt the fact of the cruel treatment to which they were subjected. The voyage was characterised by de moralization, bestiality, and brutality, to as great an extent as in other vessels which he had before alluded to. The Noble Lord produced the rope with which the females had been flogged on their bare backs. W as not that proof, he asked, of the indignity to which they had been subjected? Ho could produce witnesses who would swear that with that identical rope the backs of unfortunate female emigrants were severely flogged. He trusted the Government would take such measures as would prevent a repetition of those revolting and un pardonable occurrences. As a remedy for the evils which he sought to have corrected, he suggested that greater precaution should be adopted in the selection of the surgeons—that married men ought in all possible cases to be selected —that the seduction of women on board ship shall b© met by summary punishment, and that in the event of the matr on m i s conduoting herself, it shall be competent for the p asseng ers to select one from among themselves. The Noble Earl also suggested that a system of medals shculd be adopted for the surgeons, and he concluded by expressing a confident hope that the Colonial Secretary would put an end to the abuses which had been so long suffered to exist. Earl GREY said that inasmuch as no practical object could be effected by the production of the minutes of the proceedings instituted regarding the character and con. duct of the sureeon, superintendent, master, and officers of the ship Sobraon, he should not consent to that part of the motion. No doubt the conduct pursued on board that vessel had been most lamentable and disgraceful; but when the Sobraon arrived at Sydney the case was fully inquired into, the evidence taken was published, and the charterer of the vessel mulcted in 5001. If the minutes were republished they wouldbeB: much waste paper, and no person would ever think of looking into them except the Nob'e Lord himself'; but he could have access t ) all the documents in the Colonial-office connected with the case as long as he pleased. He did not tee why the public should be put to the expense for the Parlia mentary publication of useless documents. With regard to the subject of general emigration, he considered that the_ , Noble Earl, by turning too wiling an ear to the stat,ments of, puhaps, intcresLtil partieg, had ettifurckt himself to be misinformed and misled. Some of his state meats had no foundation whatever. With the best possible motives, the Noble Earl was frequently deluded. He asked was it fair or just that men in their position, respect able surgeons, should be risking their character through such charges? Ile considered that tho Noble Lord should not make those charges in that House, but on the ground where the crimes were alleged to have been per petrated. All he had to say was that cleanliness, order, and decorum were universally observed on board those emigrant ships, and that the attention and capa bility of the surgeons were beyond all question of doubt. He considered that the Noble Lord should not bring such grave and important charges so lightly end loosely, for he could not designate the charges brought against Mr. Bell, which were alleged to have occurred ten years ago, as any other than frivolous and unnecessary. In that case the Commissioners of Emigration had been perfectly satisfied, and he could assure their Lordships that they would be ever most vigilant in the discharge of their duties in this respect, as well as in any other. The Earl of HARROWBY said that he was perfectly convinced that many of the emigration officers had not acted as they should have dono in their investigation of this case, fur he had not the lea s t d ou bt th at i mmora li ty prevailed to a very great extent on the part of some of the surgeons of those emigrant ships, as he knew that many of the passengers had not been dealt fairly or morally with by those surgeons. He believed that if the paltry economy practised relative to the payment of surgeons was put an end to that they would value their positions, and never run the risk of losing a good situation. Lord MOUNTCASIIELL said he felt very great re gret and sorrow that the Noble Earl (Earl Grey) should refuse to comply with his motion, and he felt aaured that it the treatment and seduction experienced by the unfortunate girl from the Dublin union-house had hap pened to a female emigrant from England, that the press would strongly and vehemently denounce such conduct and public meetings would be held in all parts of this country to bring the offenders to a condign punishment. He thought it was but fair, for the sake of Mr. Bell's character, that his motion should be granted, as such would relieve him from the suspicion attached to his character, and also the public mind from an impression of hid fault. Earl GREY said that it was not true that there was any case of abuse except the one case of the unfortunate woman who died in her accouchement on board the So braon, and in this case all the punishment that could be inflicted was imposed on the offending surgeon, the whole substance of which inquiry was then on the table of the House. When the Noble Lord required to know the name cf this woman he • should say that nothing could be more unfair or inju dicious than to publish the names of any female, whose friends, in this country or in Ireland, would be pained by such a publication. He fully concurred with the Noble Earl (Earl Horrowby) when he stated it was morally impossible to preserve perfect order and perfect morality in emigrant ships, particularly when it was well known that such did not obtain on shore, where there was more vigilance exercised for their preserva tion. How could the Noble Lord be astonished, that out of twenty or thirty thousand persons on a vo)age, there should be one or two of bad character? The Emigration Commissioners have stated it as their opinion, that it is impossible to send single women out as emigrants, with eafety for their virtue, unless they be under the care of their relativ e s, or f some private party who would take charge of them. He should, in reply to the Noble Lord, state that the pay of the sur geons has been increased, and that they are likely, therefore, to have a greater interest in holding their situstions in that service; and should emigration con tinue, he felt assured that general satisfaction would be given by ain't° men who are tried, and proved fit for their duties. He should add, that the morality and in struction of the emigrants would be, fur the future, very much enhanced, as there were schoolmasters in each emigrant ship. The motion was then negatived without a division. Their Lordships then adjourned to Four o'clock to morrow. HOUSE OF COMMONS, March 22, The SPEAKER took the Chair a nw minutes before Four o'clock. PETITIONS. Mr. ELLIS presented a petition from Leicester pray ing the House to pass a measure for providing a system of secular education throughout the country. Mr. H. BERKELEY presented a petition from the journeymen tailors of Bristol complaining of being com pelled by their masters to work on Sundays, and praying for relief. Sir H. DAVIE presented a petition from Addington against the Marriage Affinity Bill. Mr. BAILLIE presented a similar petition from Inverness-shire. Mr. PLUMPTRE presented a petition from attorneys in Faversham praying for a repeal of the duty on attor neys' certificates. Lord DUNCAN presented petitions from Greenwich and other places praying for the repeal of the window tax. Mr. GEORGE DUNDAS presented a petition from Kinloch against the Marriage Affinity Bill. Mr. COWAN presented a petition, signed by the Lord Provost and magistrates of Edinburgh, praying for a repeal of all stamped receipts for sums below 1001. Mr. FORDYCE presented petitions from several places in Scotland against the Marriage Affinity Bill. Mr. CHRISTOPHER presented petitions from trades men and agricultural labourers in villages in Lincoln shire, complaining of agricultural distress. Mr. - 111 ACGR EG OR presented a petition from factory workers in Glasgow in favour of the Ten Hours Bill. Mr. BANKES presented a similar petition from fac tory-workers in Rochdale. Mr. CARD WELL presented a petition from mer chants in Liverpool complaining of the adulteration of coffee with chicory, and praying that a duty may be levied on chicory instead of coffee.—(A laugh.) Sir G. BOOTH presented a petition from Sligo pray ing fir a plan of emigration for able-bodied labourers. Mr. BRIGHT presented a petition from a place in Oxfordshire praying for an international penny postage; also a petition from Southampton in favour of a more equitable adjustment'of tithes. Several petitions were presented praying for a cessa tion of Post-office labour on Sundays. Mr. POWER presented a petition 4ona Cork praying for measures of relief for Ireland. Sir W. MOLESWORTH presented a petition from Southwark praying for a better supply of water to that part of the metropolis. Mr. B. OSBORNE presented a petition from the in habitants of Clerkenwell praying for a repeal of the window-tax as a sanitary measure. Mr. FORBES presented a petition from the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland praying for a ces sation of Sunday labour in the Post-office. Colonel RAWDON moved for a return of the local funds in aid of which grants have been made by the Com missioners of National Education in Ireland, either for building, teachers' salaries, or school necessaries; and the 'security on which the said local funds rest.— Agi'eed to. Viscount DUNCAN moved f)r a copy of all reports on the experimental improvements on the Crown estate of King William's Town, in the county of Cork, sub mitted to her Majesty's Commissioners of Woods and Forests, since the Bth day of August, 1844 (in continu ation of Parliamentary Paper, No. 612, of Session 1844.) ME MBE RS' QUALIFICATION. Mr. OSBORNE gave notice that on an early day after Easter ho should move a resoluton that the qualifi cation of lembera of Parliament in England and Wales should be made the same as that in Scotland and Ireland. WOODS AND FORESTS. Lord DUNCAN, seeing the Noble Lord at the head of the Government in his place, he wished to ask him a question on the subject of the Woods and Forests. He wished to know when it was the intention of Govern ment to proceed with the Woods and Forests Bill. The second question he wished to ask the Noble Lord was this. Lord Carlisle had stated in another place that he no longer presided over the woods and forests, and perhaps, therefore, the Noble Lord would be good enough to state who it was that at present executed the important duties generally entrusted to the Chief Commissioner of Woods and Forests. Lord JOHN RUSSELL, is reply to the first ques tion, said he should bring the Bill on as early as possible after Easter; with regard to the second question, Lord Carlisle still held the office of Chief Commissioner, and would continue to hold it until his successor was ap pointed, or the office abolished. ANNUITY TAX. Mr. COWAN said a good deal of excitement prevailed in Scotland on the subject of the annuity tax, and from time to time various proposals had been made for the abolition of this odious and obnoxious tax. He wished, therefore, to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether it was the intention of her Majesty's Government, during the present session of Parliament to introduce any mea sure to alter or repeal the mode of providing for the pay ment of the ministers of the Established Church in Edin burgh and Montrose, instead of the existing impost, commonly called the annuity tax or ministers' money. Lord JOHN RUSSELL was understood to say, in reply, that in the existing state of public business he could not promis• - , to introduce such a measure. Captain HARRIS asked the Noble Lord at the head of the Government when he meant to proceed with the navy estimates. Lord J. RUSSELL could not give a definite answer to that question until Mouda,y. MONEY DUE FROM FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS. Mr. B. OSBORNE asked the President of the Board of Trade what course the Government meant to pursue with reference to sums of money being due from foreign Governments to individuals in this country? A Select Committee was appointed last session to inquire into all such cases, but he (Mr. Osborne) could not find out that they had made any report to the House. Mr. LABOUCIIERE said the Noble Lord the Mem ber for Bath was chairman of that Committee, and they reported that they were satisfied considerable sums of money were due from foreign Governments to persons in this country, and recommended that the Committee should be re-appointed this session. Mr. 13. OSBORNE asked if the Right Hon. Gentleman would move the re-appointment of the Committee after Easter. Mr. LABOUCHERE would not give any such pledge, though he had no objection to the re-appointment of tho Committee after Easter. PUBLIC PETITIONS. Mr. R. D. MANGLES wi4ied to ask a question of the Speaker with regard to the forms of the House. On the 13th of March a petition had been presented, purporting to be from Guildford, and had been entered upon the journals of the House as such. This, he believed, was the petition to which the Honourable Gentle man the Member for West Surrey had elluelad in a speech of his. On referring to the journals of the House h© found it was a petition from the laude carers at:d others in the aeigt , brit , ,ut) L!' was a very different thing; and on looking still further at the petition ho found that one of the first was the name of a gentleman who lived twelve voiles fr om Guild ford. What he wished to know was w hethet there was not scme means of altering this wrong design' etion? The SPEAKER said that the standing 4:0 :ders of the House required that the description of ' the peticun should be as short as possible. Mr. MANGLES said that his object Tel .8 serve I by having mentioned the matter. ADJOURNMENT FOR THE HO L IDAYS. Upon the motion that the House should at its rising adjourn until Monday next, Lord J. RUSSELL said he had thew ht it migbt be possible to adjourn for the Easter holidr tys on Monday next, but he found the number of notio In on the paper would not allow him to do so, and he i would therefore give notice that on Tuesday next he s hould move the adjournment of the. House until the Bth c April. Mr. F. FRENCH thought if the Nob' it I Lord desire d to adjourn on Monday, that those who I hart notices on the paper—and he was one of them —woe tel have no ob jection to a postponement.—(Hear.) AUSTRALIAN COLONIES BILL. On the question for going into Commit tee on this Bill, Mr. DIVETT said he was anxious 1 o take that op portunity of making a few observations e a this measure, as he had been unable to take an , part in the discussion on the second reading. Too much of that discussion had been confined to the question of theoretical constitutions and the practice 1 consideration of the Bill itself. Now it was of the I ieepest import ance that the Bill should be passed this ;e sssion, and sent as early as possible for the adoption is F the colonies. His principal objection to the Bill arose out of an apprehension that it would give No , s South Wales en advantage over Australia ; but he had been assured by members of the Goverme .ent that his fears in that respect would tarn out to be ill-blinded, and he had little doubt that it' they non' went manfully to work, such a Bill would be produced as would prove highly acceptable to the colonists. It aas of the utmost imaartance that the province of Victoria should be se parated from Australia; and it was equa I ty to be desired that representative constitutions should t k 3 granted to the colonies, though not on the principle of t y vo chambers, es he was satisfied that a second chamber c o uld not be pro duced that would prove satisfactory to tb colonists. He therefore approved of the Bill as it now lstood, and if he bad an assurance that the present mit a imum price of land should be strictly maintained, it s; Gould have his best support.—(Hear, hear.) The House then went into Committees. Mr. FIUME thought the House oua it to give the colonies one simple enactment, which a hould apply to them all alike. He would submit to the Noble Lord at the Lead of the Govern a tent, that in stead of edopting this Bill in its present shape, it would be ler .more preferable 'to repeal all the Acts referred to in the preamble of the Bill, and to re-enact such parts, and such parts on ky, as related to the colonies. Clause I was agreed to. On the question being put that clauses 2 stand part of the Bill, Mr. BOUVERIE wished to ask if` there was any objection to insert a clause to the effect that not more than one-half of the members of the c( to ncil should be members holding office. Lord JOHN RUSSELL said that b e was not aware that the Bill was not drawn up tr) express that. If it did not do so, he had no objectior to insert some words to that effect. Sir WM. MOLESWORTFI said that this was a proof of how badly the Bill was drawn up, a 'hen the Noble Lord could not tell what it meant ' a a one particular point. Mr. HUME wished to know if the :Li roble Lord still persisted in his intention of having the council of South Australis entirely of nominees. He stos 7no reason wby they should tta at that colony in a chi/ irent manner to the Cape of Good Hope, which had an t lective council. Mr. MO WATT said he had no ols, jection either to having one or two chambers, provids :d the colonists were satisfied; and he thought the on/.2 7 blemish in the Bill—fur which as a colonist he heats! Lily thanked the Government, beesuso he considered it would term an era in our legislation—was the clause > vhich they were now discussing. It proposed to give rA the Crown the power of nominating one-third of each of the chambers to be created under the Bill, and the juts oduction of this alien body he thought was objectionabLa. Lord J. RUSSELL said the Hon. mber for Mont rose proposed that there should be only one legislative council, from which all persons nomin a ted by Govern ment should be excluded, and he was tie rtaiuly not pre pared to assent to that proposal. Mr. MOWATT said he was sorry to .bear the answer of the Noble Lord, and he should fed' it his duty to move the omission of such part of cla use 2, as left to her Majesty the nomination of one third part of the number of the members of the le' islative council. They ought not to bow to the es isting popular opinion in New South Wales, but en.d eavour to give the colonies such a constitution that a qty be calcula ted to last for all times. As for the ni si utnee principle, he was decidedly opposed to that, an d so were the colonists themselves. In the Cape ,of Good Hope it was considered an odious lirinciple, and men who occupied nominee seats. in the local council would neither be trusted nor respected, while, had they been elected by the colortists, they would have been useful members of that body.. Ho really be lieved that the introduction of a body of elected French men would be lest injurious to the flesh by working of a colonial legislative council than that a ti ,Lsd of it should be composed of nominees. The colonists. were the best judges of their own interests, and he - would suggest that the matter should be left to heir decision. The Hon. Member concluded by moving .;the omission of all the words from the clause giving to the Crown the power of nominating one-third of the n embers in the council. Mr. LABOUCHERE said the Govet•nment in fram ing this Bill had not contemplated th e_giving a new constitution to Australia, but they 11:4(1 taken the institutions of that colony as they found them, and had endeavoured to mould them to the present times.—(Hear, hear.) He did not teal called on to argu e the question with the Hon. Member (Mr. MO% att) whether or not the legislature for that colony should be composed of one chamber, without any principle o f ncmination. Ho thought, however, there were grave reasons why that should not be the form of constituti n for a British colony. lie (Mr. Labouchere) was satisti ed from all the inquiries he had been able to make on th a subject, that the safe course was to take those institutions which had been proved by the colonists themselves 'to be effective, and to confirm those institutions, giving, .however, to the colonists fresh power to build on those in stitutions such improvements as time and experience proved to be neces sary. Mr.: VERNON SMITH wished that this discus sion should be carried on with temper and moderation. The Right Hon. Gentleman on the Treasury bench as sumed that this was not a new constitution proposed, but one time honoured and venerated by the colonies, which it wou ld b e an i n f am y toin terfere with. But nas this the case? The constitution had existed for seven years, and the prejudices in f : avour of it could not be particularly strong. But what did the Noble Lord who had introduc©d the Bill say? lie said that this Bill contemplated nothing ne w. Begging his pardon, be did not seem to know his ow n Bill. Consti tutions were to be given to two colonies which had never before had them. Was that nothing new?' Federal institu tions too were to be introduced into our colonies. Was that nothing new? Were not federal institutions most extra ordinary novelties? He (Mr. Smith ) was very enxious that the first point to be discussed by . the Committ, e should be that of a single or double chamber. He thought the question of nomination or election would most properly follow that question. Re should there fore suggest that the present motion should be post poned until the question of a single or a double chamber had been settled. Mr. MOWATT was quite willing to do anything con sistent with the forms of the House. Mr. E. DENISON thought that if the House decided against the power of nomination, and excluded all official members from a seat in the council, it would be practi cally deciding in favour of two chambers; as it would be impossible in that case to carry on the business of go vernment without a second chamber. Mr. MOWATT was willing to postpone his amend ment till after the main question was decided if his doing so would not preclude him from bringing it on again. After a few words from Mr. AGLIONBY, Sir J. PAKING TON said if the Honourable Gentle man threw away that opportunity he would not again , be able to raise the question. Mr. ADDERLEY considered that nominees ought not to form part of the chambers, if they wished to al low the colony to form its own constitution. Mr. LABOUCHERE explained that what he said was that a constitution working with two chambers would be better than a constitution working with one chamber; but this depended upon the circumstances of the colony, the state of its advancement, the state of its society, and the means which existed to find materials fur their composition, and persons in the colony were able to form a better opinion on the sub ject than any one in this country. The Govern ment, while they thought it desirable to confer a new constitution upon the colony, at the same time gave the colonists the power to mo dify or a l ter i t as t h e y might think fit. Mr. BAILEY thought it was out of place to discuss the propriety of having nominees before they bad de cided whether there should be one or two chamber!. He hoped the Hon. Gentleman would withdraw his (amendment. Mr. MO*ATT said he knew the question es to having one or two chambers was of far less importance to the colonists than — thequestie - n - as to the composition. Mr. GLADSTONE said the Hon. Gentleman made his motion now, because he considered it was the best opportunity he would have for discussing the merits of it, and though the question was raised in an unfair and inadequate manner, yet he (Mr. Gladstone) would take that opportunity of stating his views on the subject. He would decidedly vote with the lion. Gen tletnan. His decided opinion was that a constitution formed of one chamber would be a very bad constitution. The first obiect he was anxious to gain was the doubl e chamber. If they got that the double chamber would right itself in its details if they did not set it right now. His second object was that both chambers in the main should be established upon Lim give her Majf , sty power t o confer honours up-,n principle of election for their basis. Thi s t hi r d o b ject was to a limited number of distinguished colonist r , but he sr old sacrifice this one if it was likely to endanger tl;e other two. Lord J. RUSSELL said the Right. Hon. Gentleman who had just sat down seemed to suppcse that Government had power to decide the courLe which should be now tAken, hut, in point of tact, it was decided by the forms of the House. Those who voted for the amendment would be pledged t) one chamber upon the representatiw; prineiolc. Sit 7:1 OL o,i.fii Mr. COBDEN said they ought to be cautious might make this Bill as p er f ect as poss i ble, as they Ihave it sent ba c k t o t h em, w i t h not t h e same power to deal with it which they possessed now. Govern ment was going to give a double chamber to the Cape of Good Hope, and yet they refused the same con cession to Australia. Now did the Committee think Australia would be satisfied with that? Certainly not; and as the Cape of Gcod Hope had secured to itself a double chamber by assuming a menacing attitude, very likely Australia would ultimately follow its example. Mr. K. SEYMER thought there ought to be two chasebera elected upon the representative principle, and he should certainly vote for the amendment. Sir R. PEEL understood the effect of the amendment to be the proposition of a purely democratic body, with out any external checks. To effect that object, how ever, the constitution in existence in the colonies would have to ho altered. But that constitution which had ex isle i without dissatisfaction for some time, had nomi nees of the Crown. Was it to be changed without con sulting the colonists? And were they to have a pure and unmixed democratic assembly imposed on them, wi:hout the opportunity of expressing an opinion on the subject? He applied these arguments to the constitution of New South Wales and Victoria. If he was to assume thi-, he could not for a moment be so liberal as to part with the present qualifying check, and change a consti tution which gav e n o e i ssat i s f act i on, f or one upon which the colonists were not consulted. Mr. SCOTT should vote for the amendment, believ ing that if it were carried, it would induce the Governs inert to adopt the principle of double chamber. Mr. AGLIONBY felt called upon to vote for the amendment. The point had not been clearly or fully placed before the House by the Right Hon. Baronet the Member for Tamworth. He (Mr. A.) believed the Government intended to do the best for the colonies ; but one-third of the legislative nominees would not effect that purpose. The colonists of New South Wales were not satisfied with their present constitution, and they deprecated its being made worse than it is. Mr. HAWES would not enter into the general argu ment, but would confine himself to the amendment. The Bill introduced nothing new into the constitution of New South Wales; and the colonists had intimated to the Government on all occasions their perfect satisfaction with it, and their desire that no change should take place in it without their consent. The amendment, however, went to. ait ,, r that constitution, and without the cornett of the colonists. The Bill was brought forward in the best spirit. He (Mr. Hawes) denied that it was in the power of the nominees of the Crown to Control the legislature of New South Wales. The Government wished to give the colonists the power of choosing their own Government, and those who voted for the motion would practically vote against that principle. If, there fore, the House desired to act in conformity with the expression of the colonies they would reject the amend- me7it, Lerd J. MANNERS said, the last accounts from New South Wales stated that Mr. Lewe had given notice of a proposition analfeeous to that of the mot i on o f the H on. Member. He believed that the colonists were by no means so satisfied with their constitution as the Hue. Gentleman stated. The principle of nominees was the most Objectionable farm that could be devised for balanc ing the power of a single chamber, and be should there fore vote f or th e amendment, though in so doing he desired not to be understood as pledging himself to a single chamber. Mr. P. WOOD said they were now about to take a step that might be fraught with very serious conse quences as regarded the happiness or misery of what was likely to be hereafter a great people. Under these circumstances, the time cccupied in discussing the amendment could not be better employed. It was said that in the present amendment they were discussing the question ef two chambers or one, and there was no doubt that was really and truly the question before them. Be had experienced much difficulty, after perusing the cor respondence, in ascertaining what were really the feel ings of the people of Australia on the subject. He did not find tfat at any of the meetings there was any sug gestion made as to having a second chamber. He thought it would savour of presumption in them to de cide for the people of Australia without giving them a voice in the matter. They had had six years' expe rience of the present constitution, and they had made no complaint about it. In his opinion it would be much wiser to allow them to develop the particular form of representative Government which they would prefer. He hoped due regard would be had to a proper in fusion of the democratic element into their constitu tion. He thought there was some advantage in having those official members, who from their knowledge and experience, would be able is give a tone and character to the debates of the assembly. Ho had as strong a feeling fur the full development of the wishes of the people as the Hon. Member himself, but ha did not think the proposition that had been brought forward was the best mode of carrying it out.—(hear.) Mr. S. ADAIR would have been disposed to vote with the Hoe. Gentleman, but be had happened to light upon a paper connected with the colonies, from which it appeared that the official nominees were in the habit of voting independently. Of twenty-eight votes given by the nominees, net less than nin e te en were g i ven i n fa vour of the elective body, and he was, therefore, led to believe that the offi c i a l members would not be found to vote on all occasions on the side of the Government. He should, therefore, give his vote against the amend ment.—(Hear.) Mr. MANGLES sugge.sted the postponement of the question until the bringing up of the report, or until utter the preamble had been proved. Mr. BASS confessed that it had occasioned him a considerable amount of pain to differ from the Hon. and Learned Member near him, but after a full considera tion of the merits of the case, he did not think that the amendment was calculated to produce such a form of government as would be satisfactory ti the colonists. Mr. MOWATT said the adoption of his amendment would only be the first step to the proposition of a se cond chamber. The Right Hon. Baronet the Member for Tamworth had expressed surprise that there should be only a single cnamber with so little infusion of the democratic element; but the Right Hon. Baronet could not say that the nominees, being colonists, were the re presentatives of the aristocratic check he wished for His main object was to carry out what the Government had declared to be their bona fide intention—namely to allow the colonists to choose their own form of go vernment Strangers were then ordered to withdraw, and the Committee divided, when there appeared— For the amendment ... 77 Against it ... ... 165 Majority against it ... --ea Mr. WALPOLE then moved the amendment of which he had given notice. The simple motion he had to make was that the 2d clause he eutirely omitted, the object of that motion unqur:stionebly beat; to substituted instead of it a short clause of which he had given notice, and upon which he meant to take the sense of the Committee, as to whether there should, or should not be two Houses of Legislature in the Australian colonies. The question might be stated in another form—namely, whether they were to act on the priocipl, a that had hitherto guided them iu reference to the Governments granted to their colonies, or whether they were to have a different sort of eevernment, which, so far as ho could see, had no thing to recommend it, except iti novelty. Whatever inetstiteis were now adopted would not merely refer to the Australian colonies, but would be laid down as the type of those instituti , ,ns in nay future scheme of coloni :anon. The question he was about to submit to the Coiereittee was whether they were to adopt a form of constitution different from that of the other colonies? It might be laid down as a rule that when they gave governments to a peop'e the first principle was that they should adhere to the habits and usages of the people. They should depart a; little us possible from the form and character of that Government which time and expe rime° had proved t) be beneficial. The second prin ciple was that on motives of policy as well as on grounds of justice every country should grant and secure to its celornsts, as far as it min by legislation, all the rights and privileges they were entitled to in the land from which they came—that should form the basis of their legislation. The third principle he would submit to the Committee was, that when they were prepared to give a constitutional gorerement to a colony they should found it on a pe:ma:.ent basis, according to the wants, requirements, and neceasitios of the colony. Blaring those principles in mind, he considered that the Committee would arrive at that conclusion, and although the Government of the country were in favour of those principles, uef.irtunately they were net contained in the Bill. Dawn te the beginning of the pttpent century they had reproduced themselves in miniature models of the British Constitution. They had given their colonies, with the exception of four, a Governor sent out by the Crown, and an Assembly elected by the people. The weret the ratar two y four exc e pti ons were Gib r Wtar, Malta, Newfoundland, an fire, rs d t S w i e e r r e ra e L e e t o e n x e c . ep A tie n e y s h ; might Anybody e th becausea theye garrisons, and gov erned by milit ar y laws, like the Ito mana military colonies— Propugnacula popula et specu!m Imperil Romani.' Sine , ) then they had acquired some seventeen colonies in the West Indse , , Trinidag, and China, and British Guiana; on the Atrican coast three, including the Cape of Good Hope; to the eastward of the Cape of Good Hope four, Mauritius, Ceylon, Littman, and Hong-Kong; three in New Holland, one in Van Diemen's Land s one in New Zealand, and ono in the Falkland Island. What had been done with respect to these? We had not until lately given to them representative institutions, exeept, in 1842, when in the case of New South Wales they introduced this anomaly which they were now trying tl perpetuatr , —the anomaly of a legislative coun cil, composed in part of elected members, and in part of nominees of the Crown. That anomaly they wore about to introduce into their other colonies. All arguments having reference to principles of Government were against the estabiishment of such an assembly as this, and all experience w as aga i nst it lik ewise. It was the principle of this country always tl give to our colonies the slime form of government that we possessed our selves. That was not the principle upon which this Bill was founded, but that it was the principle which we ought to act upon was admirably well expressed in the paper he had adverted to; the opinion of the Committee being, that it would be most unwise to depart from the uniformity of practice which had always been observed in this respect. ho Governmzlit, in fact, admitted that unLas some very grave cause existed for departing from this line of colonial policy it ought to be strictly ob sPrved. From Cie ssine (.soinenittee there was another paper, c the 3ant:ari in thepresent ) eur, which in it to 11, , r i;ty stated. that should her illaj , .ity be pleased to adopt a form of gov , l . nutent in which the inhabitants should be re- presented, tithe next question to be determined upon would be, whether it th,:uld consist t f one like that of New South Wah-s, or whether tho old colonial Laystem should be adoptqd, of ema:!olishing three estates, in the g , •vernor, 1-gis'ative council. and rep resentat i ve assem r, , , . h • Fru!, tie I tit Tel tO the Cope of Good Hope, the Government had founded ARCH 23, 1 850